Frozen Nights & Warm Hearts in Srinagar

Yes, I missed the flight, just to stay a little longer in that beautiful place.

I got an invite from the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell to serve as a mentor and final judge for the Smart India Hackathon at NIT Srinagar. It was an honor to be part of something that contributes to the country’s development, and without hesitation, I signed up.

Touchdown: No Network, Only Mountains

Thankfully, I wasn’t traveling alone. A friend of mine had also been invited. The moment we stepped out of the Srinagar airport, the cold breeze hit us sharp and fresh, like the air had been filtered through snow. Then reality struck: no network.

In Kashmir, only postpaid SIMs work, and neither of us had one.

Our first mission? Find a SIM card before finding food.

A Night on Dal Lake (A Decision We Regretted Later)

On the first day, we decided to visit Dal Lake, because how could we not? We took a shikara ride, drifting past floating markets where vendors sold Kashmiri shawls, dry fruits, and wool sweaters right from their boats. It was mesmerizing, until night fell.

We thought it’d be poetic to sleep in one of the houseboats on the lake. Big mistake.

It was December, and as the night deepened, the temperature dropped below freezing. The wooden floor was so cold that standing barefoot felt like stepping on ice. The bed heaters worked, until there was a power cut. Then it was just us, shivering through the longest night of the trip.

Warmth, Finally

The next morning, we practically ran off the boat and headed to the NIT guest house, where our official stay had been arranged. The place felt like heaven. ACs, hot water, and walls that didn’t leak cold air. After that night, even a cup of warm water felt like luxury.

Shopping, New Friends & Kashmiri Chaos

Later that day, we heard about a “black sale” going on in the city market. We went out to hunt for something warm enough to survive the rest of the trip. The streets were buzzing, packed with locals bargaining and laughing, the smell of kahwa drifting through the air.

On our way back, we hopped into a shared taxi and ended up chatting with a few locals. They showed us around the city, shared stories, and turned what could’ve been an ordinary evening into a memory. Sometimes, travel isn’t about where you go, it’s about who you meet on the way.

Gulmarg, Pari Mahal & Everything in Between

Before the hackathon began, we made a quick escape to Gulmarg and Pari Mahal. Gulmarg was a postcard brought to life, completely blanketed in snow. Every step made that satisfying crunch sound, and the white stretched as far as the eyes could see. Pari Mahal, on the other hand, was peaceful, a terrace view of Srinagar that made you stop and just breathe it in.

Those few hours felt like scenes you’d want to replay in your head whenever life got too loud.

Back to Purpose: Smart India Hackathon

After the exploration came the real reason for the trip, the two days of hackathon. I was assigned as a mentor and judge for a problem statement related to education.

Most of the people we worked with were much more experienced, and while we were there to guide and evaluate, I found myself learning from their perspectives too. It wasn’t just mentoring, it was growth.

By the end, all the teams had done impressive work, but only one could win. Along with my fellow judges, we reviewed their progress and discussed every detail before selecting the final winner. The team we chose truly deserved it, not just for meeting the requirements, but for implementing every piece of feedback given across rounds.

Until Next Time

Once the event wrapped up, we met our local friends again, spent a few more hours together, and said our goodbyes. Srinagar had given me much more than a professional experience, it was a reminder of how unpredictable, freezing, and yet heartwarming travel can be.

I missed my flight back, but maybe that was just life’s way of giving me one last sunrise over the snowy mountains.