Srinagar, Oct. 23 -- Autumn in Kashmir, though beautiful because of its colours, always sounds depressing for locals because it announces the arrival of winter, which too is beautiful, but given the electric power scenario, is torturous for ordinary Kashmiris.

The two seasons, autumn and winter, that are celebrated elsewhere, are a pain in the neck for locals here. Electric power supply remains curtailed; people are forced to light candles in the absence of electric supply. The people here too love the golden leaves of Chinars in autumn and snowflakes in winter, but not while they are shivering because there is no electricity supply to warm their rooms.

However, looking beyond shivers and power shortages, the Floriculture Department has...