Dal Lakes Chhali Point treats visitors to mouth-watering roasted corn

There is a parking place adjacent to Kashmirs Dal Lake, renamed Chhali Point or Corn Point, because of its hugely popular mouth-watering roasted corn outlets.

By Parvez Butt

Srinagar, Aug 18 : There is a parking place adjacent to Kashmir's Dal Lake, renamed "Chhali Point" or Corn Point, because of its hugely popular mouth-watering roasted corn outlets.

"Thousands of people come here in the evening. There is a rush. We do business here till 10.00 p.m. or 11.00 p.m. The prime time for sale is 7.00 to 9.00 p.m.," said Abdul Ghani, a corn vendor.

Located opposite the famous Char Chinar Ghat, it has taken 17-years of hard labour for six people to make this informal food court popular.

Abdul was 21 when he started his makeshift corn shop here. Now, he is 39, and has an indigenous clientele. He knows most of them by name.

"I have spent nearly two decades here, and most of my customers have become my friends," says Ghani.

Half-a-dozen corn vendors cater to hundreds of visitors, and their daily turn out is estimated at about eight quintals of corn.

Chhali Point is also a hit with the young and tourists.

"People come with children, friends and relatives in the evening to enjoy. I think this place should be given importance," said Abdul Majeed, a resident.

The people can't resist the temptation of coming here again and again.

"It is close to the Dal Lake, and the area is good. There is less traffic," adds. Satander Singh, another resident.

Each day, about 500 people come to this place, including commoners and VIPs.

"As the sun sets, cars with sirens roll in, and personal security men walk down to buy Chhali for their officers. Even Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister, used to spend hours here," said Ghani.

The beauty of this place is doubled with two young Chinar trees on one side of the parking and the long unwinding boulevard on the other.Abdul Ghani and his colleagues say they have had to toil hard for success.

"Every day, we leave home at five in the morning and go to the main market to buy the stuff. We return by 10 a.m. to open shops, which remain open till midnight," said Ghani.

Not only do they make a reasonable living by selling challis, but also help Shikarawalas, who wait at the banks of the lake for customers.

Tourists usually come to purchase a few challis, and then proceed for a Shikara (boat) ride in the Dal Lake.

The Chhali Point is certainly challenging big ventures like Zabarvan Park located on the boulevard.

The number of tourists to Kashmir fell by 39 per cent in the January to April period, compared to the same period last year, to 76,106 visits.

According to tourism operators, the drop of tourist inflow is due to last year's militant attacks.

Over 400,000 tourists visited Kashmir in 2006.Kashmir is regarded as a top Asian tourist destination, popular among honeymooners, skiers, trekkers and anglers. When militancy hit the State in 1989, there was a considerable drop in tourist inflows.

Tourism made a comeback to Kashmir in 2005, with the arrival of 600,000 tourists. The numbers, however, dropped off again last year after attacks on some Indian tourists.

ANI