Rumours Of Spring

Rumours of Spring by Farah Bashir is a poignant memoir of growing up in Srinagar during the turbulent 1990s. Amid the backdrop of intense conflict between Indian forces and militants, a young girl navigates her adolescence in a city where fear and uncertainty have become a part of everyday life. Ordinary routines—preparing for school exams, walking to the bus stop, or simply falling asleep—are shadowed by anxiety.

With quiet power and emotional clarity, Farah recounts small yet vivid moments of defiance and joy—secretly dancing to pop songs from forbidden radio stations, writing a love letter, or watching a film for the first time. This moving coming-of-age story offers an intimate glimpse into how conflict seeps into the daily lives of Kashmiris, revealing both the fragility and strength of youth shaped by unrest.