Srinagar, Oct. 17 -- Once, every mohalla and village in Kashmir had its respected elders - the babs, kaks, tooths and sobs - who commanded influence, honesty, and authority. Figures like Hassan Bab, Rahim Sob, or Assadullah Kak were not only known for their wisdom but also served as community judges, counsellors, and moral guides.Today, that generation is fast disappearing. The grandfathers born before 1950 - men who witnessed wars, transitions, and the evolution of Kashmiri society - are leaving behind not just mourning families, but a Valley poorer in guidance, tradition, and moral authority.

In their later years, many chose silence - perhaps out of fatigue or the realisation that their advice no longer held weight. Their passing has c...