Srinagar, May 2: In a story which reignites hope in the vision of Kashmiriyat (Kashmiri ethos) and Insaniyat (humanity), a Kashmiri Pandit trader who was forced to flee Srinagar amid the '90s violence, has been welcomed with open arms by fellow Muslim traders upon his return to the Valley. The heart-warming news has been reported from Zaina Kadal, a business hub in downtown Srinagar.

Roshan Lal Mawa returned to Kashmir on Wednesday, nearly three decades after leaving the Valley at the peak of insurgency. The 74-year-old took the decision few months back, after taking the resolve to return back to his roots. Rajnath Singh Faces Off With Farooq Abdullah, Says 'No Option But to Abolish Article 370 & 35A'

The Pandit decided to revive his wholesale dry fruit shop at Gada Kocha in Zaina Kadal -- where his business once flourished before being devastated by militancy.

When Mawa returned to Gada Kocha on Wednesday, he received a tumultuous welcome from the fellow Muslim traders. His son Sandeep, while speaking to reporters, said the shopkeepers personally came and greeted his father with open arms. They also tied a pagdi (turban) on his head, which is considered a symbol of honour. The locals, who were joyous on his return, has promised to protect and welcome the Kashmiri Pandits who choose to return back to the Valley.

Mawa, who settled Delhi's Khari Baoli after fleeing from the Valley, had set up a dry fruit business in the national capital which was "going on well". He, however, decided to return back to his roots to encourage fellow Kashmiri Pandits to move back to their native lands. "There is no fear here," he said while speaking to reporters in Srinagar.

Mawa's son Sandeep runs a secular NGO, the J&K Reconciliation Front, which work towards rehabilitating the scores of Kashmiri Pandits who have turned refugees within their own nation following in the '90s violence.

Sandeep pointed that his own father was forced to rush out of the Valley after he was hit by four bullets by "young boy". One of the bullets had struck Mawa at his head, but he miraculously survived after a prolonged treatment in Delhi.

Sandeep claimed that he had attempted to relocate 100 Pandit families back to the Valley in 2016. However, his plan could not be executed due to the uprising following the killing of militant Burhan Wani.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2019 10:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).