PM's life-size cut-out adorned with 'pheran' at Lal Chowk

Srinagar: A life-size cut-out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on display in Srinagar's Lal Chowk was adorned with a 'pheran' - a traditional Kashmiri cloak - on International Pheran Day on Saturday.
A local poet from Budgam district in central Kashmir, Jamal Ali Karbalai, alias Jamal Budgami, draped a beige pheran over the life-size cut-out of the Prime Minister, attracting a large number of onlookers, including tourists.
"We have been celebrating Pheran Day for the last four years, and this is the second time we’ve adorned Modi ji with a pheran. We also lit 'izband' (harmala seeds) and showered sweets on him," Budgami, who claims to be the chairman of the All India Modi Fans Association, told reporters.
Izband seeds are traditionally placed on hot charcoal or in a Kangri (Kashmiri fire-pot), where they explode and release a fragrant smoke. The smoke is believed to ward off evil.
"We want the pheran to become famous worldwide and are celebrating Pheran Day along with Modi ji," Budgami said.
He added that the aim behind adorning Modi with a pheran "is to make him focus on Kashmir more seriously."
Meanwhile, the Army also celebrated the International Pheran Day near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir by distributing the traditional cloak among underprivileged families to battle the coldest period of the year.
Pherans were distributed to people in far flung villages of the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar-based PRO Defence said here.
"In a heart-warming initiative to provide relief to impoverished and needy populace during the coldest period of winters, the iconic pherans, a symbol of Kashmiri identity and resilience, brought much-needed warmth and comfort as 'Chillai-Kalan' set in, with sub-zero temperatures recorded in the valley," the PRO Defence said.
The International Pheran Day celebrated on December 21 highlights the cultural and emotional significance of this timeless attire, he said.
The pheran, deeply rooted in Kashmiri culture, has become a unifying symbol during Chillai-Kalan, embodying warmth, resilience and tradition. Since 2021, International Pheran Day is celebrated across Kashmir, with locals and tourists gathering at Srinagar's historic Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) in Lal Chowk and Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) to showcase the traditional attire, the PRO Defence said.
The event featured fashion shows, including one at SKICC, with eminent personalities and specially-abled persons, aiming to promote Kashmir's cultural heritage, he said.
The distribution drive also saw the participation of local volunteers who helped identify families in need, ensuring that the pherans reached the most deserving persons, he said. The smiles on the faces of elders and children alike captured the spirit of giving that defined this initiative, he said.
The distribution drive stands as a testament to the Army's commitment for this noble cause and supporting the welfare of communities during the most challenging time of the year, he added.