Kashmiri postwoman walks miles in snow

SRINAGAR, Kashmir (MNTV) — For three decades, Ulfata Bano has walked miles through snow-laden paths, battling Kashmir’s brutal winters to deliver letters and parcels to people of Hirpora village. 

Nestled in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, Hirpora lies about 70 kilometers from Srinagar and endures some of the region’s harshest winters. Between November and March, temperatures can plunge to minus 15 degrees Celsius, while heavy snowfall—sometimes five to six feet deep—blocks roads and isolates the village.

Despite these treacherous conditions, 55-year-old Ulfata sets out every day, wrapped in a traditional pheran (woolen cloak), a cap, and a scarf, carrying 20 to 25 parcels and letters to the residents of her village, The Better India reports. 

“Even when snow is three to four feet deep . . . I walk several kilometers to deliver mail,” says Ulfata, who earns 22,000 rupees ($252) a month. “Some houses are completely cut off, but people rely on me, so I have to reach them.”

Occasionally, her son drives her to nearby locations, but most of her deliveries are done on foot.

Despite the cold winds and slippery trails, Ulfata remains undeterred. She sees her work as a way to stay active. “Walking several kilometers every day keeps me fit. Yes, there are challenges, but I have to overcome them because people depend on me,” she says.

Ulfata, who never learned to drive, finds satisfaction in connecting families, delivering medicines, or bringing exam notifications to students. “It’s knowing that what I do helps people—students who need their exam materials, families waiting for news from loved ones. That’s what keeps me walking through the snow, every single day.”

Her husband, Mohammad Shafi Shah, a retired postman himself, watches her dedication with pride. But he is concerned about her health. “It’s not easy—especially during winter. Even young people struggle to walk in snow that’s three or four feet deep, but she does it. Sometimes she’s carrying parcels in one hand and an umbrella in the other, walking through heavy snowfall and rain,” he says.

Living close to a wildlife sanctuary adds another layer of danger. During winter, when food grows scarce in the mountains, leopards and bears sometimes descend into the village. Although Ulfata has not yet had a direct encounter, her family worries each time she steps out into the wilderness. “Wild animals come looking for food when the upper reaches are buried under snow,” Shah explains.

Ulfata remains resolute. “It’s hard to walk through four to five feet of snow, especially at my age. But I keep going because this is my duty. The smiles of people when they receive their letters or parcels give me strength,” she says.