India, May 22 -- Last Tuesday I went to see a friend after a month's disconnect. Sipping into the spirit of my friend's hospitality, our conversation narrowed down from family and friends to the current burning subject - 'Operation Sindoor.'

My friend asked if I had read an article by Veena S. Rao, a retired IAS Officer (who retired as Secretary to Government of India, Ministry for the Development of the North Eastern Region), titled "Muzaffarabad: The house that burned, the nation that endured." I said, No. He said it was published in Monday's Deccan Herald and I must read it. I said I will, as he poured another spirit enhancer. I kept my word. So here I am reflecting on her recollection of her early days in an undivided British India a...