Srinagar, July 18 -- I was born on a summer day in Srinagar, in August 1979. It was the day when the air in the city carried both heat and festivity, especially because it was also the month of Ramazan.

The hospital stood close to Dal Lake, and they say the view from the second floor made the place feel more like a retreat than a medical facility.

My family lived nearby, within walking distance. I like to think that when I opened my eyes, I may have seen a hint of that lake shimmer through the window.

My father was in administration. He was the man who believed in rules, and was respected by those who feared wasting time. My mother worked in the Education Department. Both of them took their work seriously. My father especially seemed c...