Uri man flies from Kuwait to vote

Uri, October 1: Avais Yunis Kakroo, a 30-year-old Kuwaiti businessman, traveled over 4,000 kilometers across multiple countries to cast his vote in the ongoing Kashmir Assembly elections.

Awais, who comes from a remote village in Nambla near the Line of Control in the border town of Uri, said he felt a deep obligation to return home and vote for the man who changed his life.

“I left Kuwait at 10 o’clock last night,” Awais said. His journey took him from Kuwait to Dubai, then to Mumbai, Delhi and finally to Srinagar. After arriving in Srinagar, he drove directly to Uri and arrived at his destination at 5 pm on election day, an hour before the polls ended.

For Avais, this is more than just a vote; It was a way of repaying a personal favor to a politician who went out of his way to help him. “After everything he has done for me, I feel it is my duty to come and vote for him,” Awais said, recalling how the politician arranged for him and six other young people from the border area years ago Find a job in Kuwait.

Awais founded his own integrated trading company “Power Bright” in Kuwait, which he now successfully runs.

Although his family has been loyal to the politician’s rivals for decades, Awais’s personal relationship with the candidate goes beyond traditional political loyalties.

“We supported his competitors for 30 years, but I can’t forget what he did for me,” Avais said. “He went out of his way to help the young people of this border area. I will always be grateful for everything he did for us.”

The flight home cost Awas over one lakh rupees, but for him, the expense was a small price to pay for the opportunity to pay homage to a man who had such a significant impact on his life .

Awais’ story highlights the profound ways in which individual politicians can impact the lives of their constituents, especially in remote areas such as Nambra. “Politicians can make a real difference,” Awais reflects, “and that’s something I’ll always remember.”

As dusk fell in Uri, Awais cast his vote, grateful for the opportunity to give back in his own way.