Meet The 69-Year-Old Dutch Woman Who's Been Cleaning Kashmir's Dal Lake For The Past 5 Years
Her connection to Kashmir began almost 25 years ago when she first visited the valley and was captivated by its breathtaking beauty. Over time, her bond with the region grew stronger, and five years ago, she decided to make Kashmir her permanent home. She then made it her mission to safeguard the iconic lake's splendour.
Kashmir Rights Forum shared the video on X and wrote, "Kudos to Dutch national Ellis Hubertina Spaanderman for her selfless efforts in cleaning Srinagar's Dal Lake for the past 5 years. This dedication serves as an inspiration to preserve Kashmir's natural beauty. Let's join hands to keep our paradise clean & pristine."
Watch the video here:
Kudos to Dutch national Ellis Hubertina Spaanderman for her selfless efforts in cleaning Srinagar's Dal Lake for past 5 years. This dedication serves as an inspiration to preserve Kashmir's natural beauty. Let's join hands to keep our paradise clean & pristine. @ddprsrinagar pic.twitter.com/YINLbm3X1z
— Kashmir Rights Forum🍁 (@kashmir_right) June 29, 2025
As a passionate cyclist and nature lover, she can often be seen pedalling through Srinagar's streets, promoting eco-friendly living and healthy habits.
Through her Instagram, Ms Spaanderman also offers a glimpse into life in Kashmir, sharing stunning landscapes, cultural insights, and updates on her environmental efforts. Her posts have garnered widespread support and admiration, both domestically and internationally.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ellis Hubertina from Kashmir (@ellishubertina)
Locals and environmentalists have also appreciated her dedication and quiet commitment to preserving Kashmir's natural beauty. One user from Instagram wrote, "What a courageous lady.... Following her. Passion and targets at this age. Impressed after I saw your profile."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Real bonds or reel friends? Youngsters reassess online friendships
Patna: In an increasingly interconnected world, the nature of friendship is being reshaped by social media and rapid technological advancement. From the first point of contact to how bonds are maintained across distances, digital platforms have redefined friendships, offering both convenience and complexity. This Friendship Day, young people are reflecting on what it truly means to be a "friend" in the digital era. While online platforms offer multiple avenues for communication, there is broad agreement that in-person interaction remains unmatched. Many young people acknowledge that packed schedules, geographical distance, and a lack of common free time often push them towards digital connections. Ayush Anand, a private sector employee in Patna, relies primarily on Instagram to keep in touch with friends. "I can connect there by sharing memes and reels. Without speaking, one can still feel connected," he he prefers meeting in person to create lasting memories, Ayush also maintains longstanding online friendships. "There are many online friends I've never met in person, but we've been connected for the past eight to nine years. We were all added to a cricket group on an instant messaging app. There were about 250 members, but a few of us became real friends," he said.A recurring concern among the youth is the uncertainty over the authenticity of online personas. Many question how one can truly know someone without meeting them face-to-face. Yet, paradoxically, some find comfort in online friendships, citing a lower risk of disappointment due to the limited emotional investment at the outset. Satyam Kumar, a resident of Nehru Nagar, prefers the same instant messaging platform for its group chat feature. "Friends share memes and reels and that starts conversations without needing to talk constantly," he said. Though he has numerous online acquaintances, he considers those connections relatively shallow. "Real closeness still needs real-world interaction," he added. Dr Niska Sinha, a senior psychiatrist at IGIMS, Patna, describes today's digital friendships as characterised by an "easy connect, easy disconnect" dynamic. "For younger children, what they see as friendship is often an addiction to online engagement," she Sinha acknowledged the positives of digital interaction, such as keeping in touch with distant friends, building communities for those who feel isolated, and connecting individuals with shared interests. However, she warned that these interactions can lack emotional depth. "The absence of non-verbal cues and emotional nuance online can hinder true understanding. Over-reliance on digital communication may paradoxically heighten feelings of loneliness," she advises young people to use digital platforms as a supplement — not a substitute — for real-life interactions. "Don't hesitate to take breaks and invest time in nurturing friendships offline," she added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Back when Friendship Day meant bands, not hashtags
There was a time not too long ago when Friendship Day didn't live inside phones. It lived in our notebooks, pen pouches, half-braided hair, and the quiet chaos of school mornings. It wasn't curated. It wasn't captioned. It just Day meant waking up a little earlier than usual, packing your friendship bands carefully, maybe even sneaking in a handmade card or two. You couldn't wait to get to school and start tying those colourful threads, one by one, as your wrists slowly turned into rainbow bundles of BANDS: THE REAL STATUS SYMBOLThose friendship bands were everything. Some were carefully made at home, with embroidery threads and matching beads, while others were last-minute buys from the local stationery shop, still special in their own right. There were bands with glitter hearts, little messages like 'Bestie 4ever,' or just plain threads in your friend's favourite colour. Each band carried a story. A memory. A giggle shared over a lunchbox. A secret whispered in the back row. A note was passed during math class. And it was visible. You wore your friendships on your sleeve was something unspoken about it, too, like who tied the first band on your wrist, and who you tied one for without them asking. Some even came with rivalry: "She gave her that silver one? I only got a rubber band?" But the drama was harmless and, in retrospect, kind of RITUAL WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WOULD MISSWe didn't realise we were creating traditions. That ten-minute chaos before the bell rang. That mid-class whisper: "Tie it now or ma'am will see!" Or that one shy friend who'd quietly leave a band on your were also those you didn't expect a band from, yet they'd surprise you. And that meant the world. Even the simplest band, even the tiniest gesture, could light up your entire wasn't about how fancy it was. It was about being remembered. Being chosen. WHEN FRIENDSHIP DAY BECAME A DIGITAL AFFAIRNow, the vibe's different. Friendship Day arrives quietly. A few posts go up on Instagram stories photos from the archives, tags, trending music. Some DMs exchanged. Maybe a group text with a meme or one ties anything. No one carries bands. No one rushes to the local shop asking, 'Bhaiya, vo friendship band waale aaye kya?' There's no weight on our wrists any more. But somehow, our hearts feel the difference.A THREAD AROUND THE WRIST, A MEMORY IN THE HEARTOnce in a while, you'll be cleaning out an old drawer and find one of those bands. Maybe it's faded, maybe the bead's missing, but it'll stop you in your tracks. It'll take you back to chalk dust and chart paper, to classroom whispers, to the smell of glue and at that moment, you'll remember the warmth of being remembered. Of someone choosing you to tie a thread to. Not for the post. Not for the tag. But just because you mattered to them in that small, school-world kind of way. Because long before stories disappeared in 24 hours, friendship bands stayed on for days, sometimes till they faded, frayed, or fell off on their own. They weren't shared with the world, but they meant the world. And maybe, just maybe, we all still crave that kind of friendship, one you can feel on your skin, not just double-tap on a screen.- EndsMust Watch
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Craving Cheese Toast? Try It Upside Down For A Game-Changing Twist
The evening hours can be a challenging time, especially when hunger pangs start to kick in. You're looking for something satisfying, yet not too heavy. Cheese toast is a beloved option for evening snacking, and for good reason - it's easy, comforting and utterly delicious. Plus, you can easily make it at home or even order it from an online food delivery application. But have you ever tried it upside down? Imagine a snack that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, with a perfect blend of flavours. If you're a cheese lover, you're in for a treat. We recently came across the recipe for this unique cheese toast on Instagram, shared by @ Ready in just a few minutes, it will surely become your go-to for evening snacking. What Makes Upside Down Cheese Toast A Must-Try? Upside down cheese toast is a game-changer due to its unique cooking method, which creates a crispy exterior and a gooey interior. The combination of melted cheese, tangy pizza sauce and crunchy veggies makes it irresistible. It's a perfect snack or light meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings. What Type Of Cheese Is Best For Making Upside Down Cheese Toast? Mozzarella cheese is the best choice for making upside down cheese toast due to its melting properties and creamy texture. You can also experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or parmesan, but mozzarella provides the perfect balance of flavour and texture. What To Serve With Upside Down Cheese Toast? Upside down cheese toast can be served with a variety of options, such as a side salad, soup or roasted vegetables. You can also enjoy it on its own as a snack. Pairing it with a cup of coffee or tea makes for a perfect breakfast or afternoon treat. How To Make Upside Down Cheese Toast At Home | Cheese Toast Recipe Making upside down cheese toast is surprisingly simple. Here's a step-by-step recipe: Start by spreading grated mozzarella cheese over a heated pan. Once the cheese starts melting, place a bread slice on top of it. Spread pizza sauce over the bread slice and top it with chopped onions, capsicum, tomatoes and mixed herbs. Carefully fold the edges of the cheese towards the centre, creating a square shape, and ensure everything is well enclosed. Cook until the bread turns golden brown, then flip and cook the other side. Your upside down cheese toast is now ready to be savoured. Serve hot and enjoy! Watch the full recipe video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shubhi |Some Spice & a Girl (@ This dish looks tempting, doesn't it? Try making this upside-down cheese toast to impress your family with your culinary skills. And if you're short on time, you can even order similar cheese toast varieties from an online food delivery platform.
