By Gowher Bhat

The clinic sits on a narrow lane in Srinagar's Bagh-e-Mehtab area, framed by walls that have seen decades of discord and daily life intertwine. Inside, the air smells faintly of antiseptic, mingling with the hum of an exercise band stretching across a mat.

A boy limps in, clutching his ankle. Nearby, a labourer leans against a walker, unsure if he will leave upright. In the corner, Dr. Sameer Mushtaq kneels beside a patient, hands steady, eyes attentive. He adjusts a joint, coaches a movement, and reassures a frightened child.

Outside, Srinagar moves in its usual bustle. Shopkeepers call greetings, while the distant azaan drift over rooftops. But inside, time slows.

Pain is measured, movement is restored, confidence is rebuilt, and with it, hope.

Amir, a fourteen-year-old footballer, is one of the many whose lives have intersected with Dr. Sameer's hands. He arrived at the clinic after twisting his ankle during practice. His mother remembers the apprehension in his eyes, the fear that his season was over.

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