The temporary blockade on the Srinagar-Jammu highway due to snowfall has come as a blessing for traders selling smoked fish and dried vegetablesu00a0-- a centuries-old tradition that Kashmiris are reliving in Srinagar these days.

For time immemorial, Kashmiris have stored dried tomatoes, brinjals, pumpkins, turnips and even fish to be used during the harsh winter months. However, with the availability of fresh vegetables round the year because of transport connectivity with the northern plains through the Jammu-Srinagar highway, locals had almost
forgotten this tradition.


Man selling smoked fish and dried vegetables (Pic: Raashid Bhatt)

But three days of highway blockade have rekindled the practice as scores of locals have been seen buying dried vegetables, dried and smoked fish from traders who are doing roaring business in Srinagar these days.