Every summer, Kashmir rejoices water despite its scarcity. Children rush towards rivers. Teenagers dive into streams. Families gather on riverbanks. Young chase the perfect photograph. The sound of flowing water becomes the soundtrack of the season. And then the headlines begin. “A child drowns.” “Father dies while trying to save son.” “Young man swept away.” “Rescue operation continues.” We read them. We feel sad. We move on. Until the next headline.

Perhaps the real tragedy is not that people drown. It is what we have become used to reading about. Water is beautiful, but it’s also indifferent. The river does not know whether you are six years old or sixty. It does not care whether you are a swimmer, a father, or a rescuer. Once the current takes control, emotions stop mattering. Nature makes no exceptions.

Every summer, children are warned not to go near fast-flowing streams. Some listen. Many do not. Children know adventure more than risk. A shallow edge suddenly becomes a deep pool. A slippery stone........

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