v iol. viil, noc. 5 : sephtember-oarctober 2012 - publication of kpa mumbai...m viol. viil, noc. 5 :...
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M i lcharVol. VII, No. 5 : September-October 2012
The Official Organ of KPA, Mumbai
RNI Registration No. MAHMUL/2004/13413 Price: 30.00
Cheshma Shahi, Srinagar, Kashmir : Photo - Marcopolo Travels
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MilcharOfficial Organ of
Kashmiri Pandits' Association,
Mumbai
Views expressed in the signedartic les are not necessarily those of theKashmiri Pandits' Association
or Milchar.Artic les can also be e-mailed to:
(Regd. Charitable Trust - Regn. No. A-2815 BOM)
Website: www.kpamumbai.org.in www.ikashmir.net/milchar
E-Mail: [email protected]
Vol. VII ~ No. 5
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor : M.K.RainaAssociate Editor : S.P.KachruMembers : S.K.Kaul
Chand BhatConsulting Editors : P.N.Wali
T.N.Dhar ‘Kundan’
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Matrimonial (upto 50 words) : ` 250.00Each Extra word : ` 5.00Back Cover (Colour) : ` 5000.00Front Inside Cover (Colour) : ` 3000.00Back Inside Cover (Colour) : ` 2000.00Inside Full Page (B&W) : ` 1000.00Inside Half Page (B&W) : ` 500.00
Ø Message from the Presidentl Between Ourselves
- Rajen Kaul Page 4
Ø Report & Biradari News Page 5
Ø uçuçe JççKç Page 13
Ø KPA, Mumbai - Minutes of the AGM Page 14
Ø Obituaryl Remembering Shri Vaishnavi Ji
- O.N.Koul Page 16
Ø KP Exodusl Creating a Welcome Space for KPs ...
- Dr. V.K.Sazawal Page 18
Ø DçHçÀmççvçel çÆ]pçboeiççÇ nábo mçyçKç
- çÆ$çuççíkçÀçÇ vççLç Oçj `kçáÀvovç' Page 21
Ø KP Exodusl Will the Kashmiri Pandit Community ...
- Dr. Shiban K. Kachru Page 23
Ø Poetryl Two Poems
- Anshul Aima Koul Page 25
Ø kçÀçJ³çl c³ççívç Yççjlç sá cçnçvç - 2
- Ëo³çvççLç kçÀçÌuç çEjo Page 26
Ø Religionl Kashmir Shakta Vimarsha
- Pt. J.N.Sibu [Tr. Dr. C.L.Raina] Page 27
Ø Book Reviewl Gospel of Bhagvaan Gopinath Ji
- P.N.Wali Page 30Ø Artl Charcoal & Color Crayon Drawings
- Kapil Kaul Page 31
Ø Culture & Heritagel Cultural Legacy of KPs - 5
- Prof. R.N.Bhat Page 32
Ø Remembering Our Rootsl Maej Kashir
- Ashish Dhar Page 35
Ø Our Literary Treasuresl Leelas of Swami Shankar Joo Razdan - 6
- Prof. Anil Raina Page 36
Ø Know Your Motherlandl Pari Mahal
- M.K.Raina Page 40
Ø ÞçáKç Page 41
Ø Historyl First Kashmiri Pandits
- M.K.Peshin Page 42
Ø Your Own Page Page 44
Ø Editor's Mail Page 45
Ø iç]pçuç - Òçícç vççLç kçÀçÌuç `Dçhç&vç' Page 46
In this issue
WITH BEST COMPLIMENTSFROM
RAJEN KAUL
102, PANCH AMRUTPANCH MARG, VERSOVA
OFF YARI ROAD, ANDHERI WESTMUMBAI 400 061
Girija Pandit
Born in a Kashmiri Brahmin family, a truedaughter of Kashmir, this divine soul wasnamed Girija. Right from her childhood,she had inclination towards spritualityand Bhajans. She was awarded by BegumSheikh Mohd. Abdullah for singing in aschool competition.
This soul was gifted with immensemusical talents. She started composing,writing and singing devotional songs onher own. She has to her credit 60devotional albums like Panchastavi,Shivstrotravali, Sant Kabir Vaani, SaiMera, Rangrez etc. with all leadingmusical companies.
Recently she has come up withBhawanishestranam composed and sungby her in her mystical voice which is atribute to Maa Durga and her thousandforms and names. This Devotional Albumwas released on the auspicious occasionof Guru Purnima by none other than MaaNirmala Pandit.
This lady is no other than my motherGirija Pandit.
Archana Pandit
Matrimonial
] Suitable Alliance invited for myDaughter, born 9.11.1984 Srinagar22.42 hrs. Convent educated, BE (Elec-tronics & Commu.). Working as Soft-ware Engineer in Wipro Technologiesat Pune. Interested may respond withBiodata, Tekni to Dilip Kher, Banga-lore. Mob: 09900589116E-mail: [email protected]
] ] ]
] Suitable Alliance is invited for Non-Karkun, Manglic KP Boy, 5'-6", 4 May1979 Srinagar born, IT Graduate work-ing with MNC at Pune. An educated,broad minded Hindu Girl (Caste no bar-rier) preferably Mumbai/Pune based,will be an ideal match. Interested par-ents may respond [email protected] or contact9867633012 / 9419110030.
] ] ]
] Suitable Alliance invited for a KPBoy 5.8, Born 18 Oct 1982 @ 20:50hrs,Srinagar, Kashmir. Hotel Managementgraduate (BHM), presently workingwith IndusInd Bank in Mumbai.Interested may contact Mrs. PushpaKaul on 9323863976 and Swati Kaulon 9820889957.Email: [email protected]
] ] ]
Daughter of Kashmir withGifted Musical Talent
President's Message - Rajen Kaul
Between Ourselves
amaskar. In this issue of Milchar, Iwould like to update you on themajor activities undertaken by
your Board of Trustees (BoT) from August2012 onwards:Sharda Sadan:Brickwork and plastering has practicallybeen completed. Work has started forplumbing and electrical related activities.Construction of compound wall will startwithin next 2 weeks. We expect allconstruction, plumbing and electricalrelated works to be completed byDecember 2012. Considering the availabilityof funds and the balance amount to bespent for completion of all activities, westill need to raise additional funds ofapproximately Rs.60-70 lacs. We areplanning to have a fund raising eventcoinciding with proposed Youth Conferencein January 2013 for mobilizing this amount.Our team comprising of Shri JL Kak, Shri CLRaina, Shri KL Dhar, Shri Chand Bhat and ShriAshwani Bhat under guidance of ourArchitect Shri Sanjay Razdan are workingvery hard to ensure Sharda Sadan is readyfor use by the community members byMarch 2013.Annual General Body Meeting:AGM was held on 19th August 2012, in whichAudited Balance Sheet and P&L for FY 11-12were approved. In addition, importantdecisions were taken on the following:i) Amendments in the Constitution.ii) Observing Balidan Divas.iii) Request from JNSS for merger.iv) Hosting of cultural event / conference
N
Contd. on Page 17
in early 2013.v) Renovation of KashyapBhawan.Constitution: Afterdetailed discussions,AGM approved theproposal of BoT withsuitable amendments. The mainamendment is related to increasingnumber of Trustees from the currentstrength of 14 to 21 We will now have toapproach Charity Commissioner andRegistrar of Societies to seek their guidanceon filing of revised Constitution.Balidan Divas: After the mass exodus ofour community members from the valleyin 1990 following unprecedented acts ofterrorism, our community observes 14th
September every year as Balidan Divas inmemory of all those KP’s who becamevictims of the barbaric act of terrorism. YourBoT decided to commemorate this day topay homage to all the departed souls ledby Shri Tika Lal Taploo, Shri SarvanandPremi, Shri P N Bhat, Shri N K Ganjoo whowere brutally killed because of theirnationalistic beliefs. A large number ofcommunity members and other wellwishers participated to observe BalidanDivas on 14th September 2012 at ShivajiChowk, Vashi.JNSS merger:Based on request received from JNSS(Jawaharlal Nehru Seva Sadan Trust) andAGM’s approval to accept this request,necessary formalities for formal merger by
Report & Biradari News
Cricket Tournament at Pune :Cricket, it is said, is the only factor thatunifies India. It so proved during the cricketmatches organized by KPA in Vashi whereinwe could see our youth coming forward toparticipate in a community event. Earlier,we have found it difficult to attract interestfrom the youth. Or should we say that thatwe as community elders were not able toreach out to our youth.
Having been scattered across thecountry after the migration, everyone’spriority was first to ensure the safety of fourwalls followed by the educationof our children. In this processwe started losing our focus ofheritage and culture. Our youthgot busy in their pursuit ofeducation and career awayfrom their elders, therebydistancing from their roots.
Recently, seminars,discussions and social meetshave been conducted tohighlight our glorious past. Allthis has helped to some extent
in bringing our youth on board.Cricket, however, seems to have
emerged to be that one factor which hasbrought the young and the elders on thesame platform, as has been proved byevents held in Mumbai, Chandigarh andPune.
On July 21 and 22, 2012, Yekjah CricketClub, an offshoot of Pune’s Kashmiri HinduSabha, organized a cricket tournament withparticipation of eight teams at PuneUniversity Ground. Each of the teams werenamed after historical monuments and
Report & Biradari News
deities from Kashmir, like Hari Parbhat,Martand, Kheer Bhavani, Zestha Devi, JwalaDevi and Sharda Devi etc.
KPA Mumbai team, who had won theMumbai tournament held inVashi, Navi Mumbai, earlierthis earlier, was also invitedand a match was playedbetween Yekjah XI and KPAMumbai XI on the second dayof the tournament. The KPAMumbai XI was led by trusteeSh. Dilip Bhat.
The match was closelyfought with Yekjah managinga nine-run win over thevisiting team. Yekjah posted a102-run target in 10 overs. KPAMumbai XI reached well within the reach ofthe target but fell short as the team couldonly score 92 in their allotted 10 overs.
Prizes, trophies and certificates ofparticipation, which were sponsored byShree Gopinathji Ashram and other wellwishers, were distributed to the teams andplayers by the community elders of Pune.The lunch and refreshments over two dayswere sponsored by a young entrepreneur
of the community, ShriAnshuman Sumbly. ShriSumbly owns a restaurant,Chandni Chowk, in Pune.
The festival-like event gotits color by the cricketcommentary of Shri SanjayKoul. Sanjayji’s Kashmirihumour created laugh riotsamong the spectators.
KPA Mumbai lauds theefforts put in by Shri SanjayKoul (not to be confused with
one mentioned earlier), the convenor ofYekjah Cricket Club, for organizing such amemorable event.
Dr. Naveen Raina, president of Kashmir
Hindu Sabha Pune and Shri Trakru, GeneralSecretary, were present along with someexecutive members of the Sabha to lendsupport to the event. KPA was representedby Shri Ashwini Bhat and Shri Chand Bhat.KPA Mumbai XI: Dilip Bhat, Tejinder, Viraj,Ishan, Suhas, Himanshu, Rahul, Mayank,Shashank, Sunny and Sunil.
[Report : Chand Bhat : chandbhat@ gmail.com]] ] ]
Report & Biradari NewsJ&K Migrant Counselling :Admission process for the J&K migrantcandidates to the engineering colleges in
Maharashtra was held at Sardar PatelCollege of Engineering,Andheri, Mumbai, fromJuly 31 to Aug 2, 2012.Overcast sky and anoccasional shower did notdampen the spirit of theaspiring students, whowere on the threshold of apath that would lead themto a phase of life full ofopportunities and also theexcitement of being ontheir own without theparental pressure.
While the students were excited aboutwhat the future had in store for them, theparents were equally concerned, if not
worried, about whether theirwards will get admissions in agood college. Numbers suggested that therewas no matter of concern. Forinstance, 1800 seats wereavailable for a total of 1132applicants, out of whichapproximately 660 turned up forcounseling. It can only be putdown to anxiety, and positively
so, that the parents were still worried
despite such a wide choice.Arrangements made by KashmiriPandits’ Association (KPA)Mumbai ensured that the studentsand parents were able towithstand the three-day rigour.The Association provided for alarge monsoon cover along withincreased number of chairs thanlast year to help ease the pressure.These efforts were appreciated byone and all. KPA president Sh. Rajen Kaul
Report & Biradari News
ensured his presence on all the three daysand was constantly in touch with thecollege authorities and the students in caseany help was required. Also present wereKPA general secretary Sh. SP Kachru,trustee Sh. Dilip Bhat and area mentor Sh.Ashish Dhar to lend moral support.
One name, however, cannot be missedat any cost and that is of Smt. Nirja Mattoo.Nirjaji’s guidance and help has beeninstrumental at each counseling in recentyears.
Kashmiri Samiti Delhi (KSD) wasrepresented by Vice President Sh. RakeshRazdan and Secretary Sh. Ashok Handoo.
On behalf of the students and parents,KPA thanks the Principal, Vice Principal andthe administrative staff of Sardar PatelCollege of Engineering for all the help theyrendered during the process.
Commendable was the patience shownby the counselors towards the students,who were always in two minds as to whichcollege should they opt for, hence taking alot of time. Special thanks to them.
Earlier on July 21, 2012, admissionprocess for MBA courses was held atSydneham College, Churchgate, Mumbai.For the 434 seats on offer to migrantcandidates, 148 applications were receivedand 80 students attended the process.[Report : Chand Bhat : [email protected]]
] ] ]
KPA Mumbai observes Balidan Divas : Torn between thetwo perspectivesof retainingdistinct KashmiriPandit identityand keeping thehome firesburning, theKashmiri Panditcommunity livingin and aroundMumbai converged at Shivaji Chowk, Vashion 14th September 2012 to observeBALIDAN DIVAS. The event was organised
to commemorate the iconic sacrifices ofLate Shri Tika Lal Taploo and others duringthe turbulent period of militancy inKashmir, which led to mass migration of
Amar ShaheedShri Tika Lal Taploo
Report & Biradari News
Kashmiri Pandit community fromKashmir. Homages and tributes werepaid and prayers were held in thehonour of Late Shri T ika LaljiTaploo whe fell to the bullets ofJihadis and other distinguishedpeople like Late Shri SarvanandjiPremi, Late Shri PN Bhatji, lateSh. NK Ganju etc. who too weremercilessly killed only becausethey espoused the beliefs ofbeing true nationalists. Theysacrificed their lives for Kashmir
and its people, no matter whichreligion they believed in. The observance day was led bythe President KPA, Shri Rajen Kaulalong with the VPs Shri JL Kak andShri CL Raina. Others presentincluded Shri SP Kachru, GeneralSecretary KPA, community elderslike Shri PN Miya, Shri HN Bhat, ShriPM Wazir and office bearers of theAssociation. The hundred plusgathering included the membersfrom all over Mumbai, Navi
Mumbai and far off places likeVirar. Navi Mumbai peopleincluded local right wing socialactivists like Shri Desai, the headof the Navi Mumbai unit, Sh. SatishNikam, Sh. Promodh Kumar andmany more. Shri Nikam spoke onthe occasion and proved to bemorale booster for keeping thestruggle on till we regain our lostground. Shri Promod’s renditionof Desh Bhakti songs were wellreceived by all.
Report & Biradari News
KPA thanks all those who participatedand especially the Vashi Police andMunicipal authorities etc. for allowing usto hold the function.[Report : Chand Bhat : chandbhat@ gmail.com]
] ] ]
‘Gospel of Bhagavaan Gopinathji’ released :
‘Gospel of Bhagavaan Gopinathji’, acompilation of writings about LordGopinath was released at 159 North Avenue,New Delhi on 4 August 2012 at a functionorganized by the Jagat Guru Bhaghavaan
Gopinathji Charitable, Cultural andResearch Foundation. The book is editedby Shri T.N.Dhar Kundan, a renowned writerand Consulting Editor, Milchar. The ChiefGuest, Shri Mahabal Mishra, at whoseresidence the function was held, expressedgratitude to the Foundation for holding thepious function there. Shri Mishra revealed
that when all devotees present chanted the“Maha Mantra-Om Namoh BhagwateGopinathaya” ten times (dasham), he felta strange vibration within, which gave himenergetic feelings of Bhagavaanji. Henamed Bhagavaan Gopinathji as one of thegreatest representatives of Divinity inmodem times. He asked the Foundationmembers to file an application with the LGand Chairman DDA for allotment of land foran Auditorium in Uttam Nagar.
Shri T.N.Dhar Kundan, highlighted thephilosophy of Bhagavaanji of Shuzar,Pazzarand Sezzar, i.e., cleanliness of mind andbody, truthfulness and simplicity. Heexplained Bhagavaanji’s saying “Amar chaMaran?” that is, immortals never die. Hequoted several verses from the Holy Gitato support Bhagavaanji’s philosophy. ShriP.N.Kaul, President of the Foundation, in
T.N.Dhar 'Kundan'
Report & Biradari Newshis welcome address, highlighted certaininstances when Bhagavaanji predictedcalamities. After the function, a devotionalmushaira was held where Shri Brij NathBetab, Shri Ravinder Ravi and Shri ArvindShah recited some poems in praise ofBhagavaan Gopinathji.
[Input: [email protected]]] ] ]
AIKS submits Memorandum to Government :All India Kashmiri Samaj submitted aMemorandum to UnionHome Secretary on 6September 2012,highlighting various burningissues pertaining todisplaced community. TheMemorandum signed byShri Moti Kaul, President of the AIKS readsas under :Sub: Continued neglect to the woes ofdisplaced Pandits.All India Kashmiri Samaj is an apexorganization representing the mainstreamvoice of Kashmiri Pandits both nationallyand internationally. It is at the forefront ofstruggle highlighting the issues of concernto the displaced Kashmiri Panditcommunity at all fora.
We wish to reiterate our concernsregarding some important issues pertainingto the welfare of the exiled KashmiriPandits.1. Jagati Township : The story of K.P.residents of Jagati Township numberingabout 15,000 is full of woes and sorrows,for one reason or the other, ever sinceKashmiri migrants came to reside there. Weare convinced that the word township is amisnomer in the present instance, since theconditions at Jagati are as bad as they werewhen these people were in the camps at
Jammu.First, the construction of the township
itself has created a lot of problems becauseof the substandard material used to buildit. The issue was brought to the notice ofthe authorities from time to time but noremedial action whatsoever was taken toset things right.
Issue of power supply to the townshiphas been a matter of great worry to theinhabitants. There is no regular supplyavailable to them even during peaksummer season when the temperaturessoar beyond 450 Celsius. Despite repeatedpleas to the authorities, no action is beingtaken. As a result the inmates of Jagati hadno choice but to resort to indefinite hungerstrike during which two persons developedserious complications and had to behospitalized. To our utter dismay even thisstep is not moving the authorities to take adecision to the satisfaction of people sittingon hunger strike for over a week now.2. Hike in Cash Relief : As was reported, theJ&K Govt. is said to have recommended tothe Govt. of India about hike in the cashrelief to the Kashmiri migrants. It is nowmore than two months that no concreteaction is visible from any quarter in thisregard. It appears that J&K Govt. is not keento follow it up at Delhi.
The displaced community memberscontinue on a protest for the enhancementof cash relief for more than six months.Despite their struggle, there is nofavourable response from any quarter. Sincethe inflation is going sky high with eachpassing day, it is not possible for a family offour persons to survive on meagre amountof rupees five thousand per month.
We request you to take urgent steps toaddress the above mentioned issues. There
Report & Biradari News
is a need to take concrete steps to restorethe displaced community’s confidence andgive to them their legitimate dues.
] ] ]
Indu Hali Awarded :Smt. Indu Hali, working as Science Teacherin Kendriya Vidhalaya School Hardwar(Uttarakhand) was felicitated and awardedby the Honorable President of India on theoccasion of Teachers Day on 5th September2012. Smt. Indu Hali is the sister of one ofthe renowned and famous doctors of ourcommunity Dr. Susheel Razdan.
[Report : [email protected]]] ] ]
Vetern actor A.K.Hangal is no more :B o l l y w o o d ’ sdistinguished characterartist A.K.Hangal, whoendeared himself to theaudience by playing therole of the lovable oldman in films like Sholay,Shaukeen and Namak Haram, died onsunday following a brief illness. The 95 yearold actor passed away at the Asha ParekhHospital in suburban Santacruz in Mumbai,where he was admitted on August 16 afterfracturing his thigh bone.
Best known for his one-liner fromblockbuster Sholay - Itna sannaata kyun haibhai (why so much silence is there), Hangalentered Bollywood when he was in his 40sand went on to act in over 200 films. "Thisis really a sad thing ... now I am left allalone. I have no words to describe his loss,"his son Vijay told PTI. "He was a strong man... he has been a great support to me," hesaid.
Avtaar Veenit Kishan Hangal was bornin a Kashmiri Pandit family in Sialkot
(Pakistan) and came to the city of dreams -Mumbai - at the age of 21. He made animpressive mark as the old man who getsup and joins the troupe in the song GhananGhanan, where he sang one line Kale MeghaKale Megha Pani To Barsao in Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan.
The actor, who was honoured with thePadma Bhushan for his contribution to Hindicinema in 2006, was in the news last yearfor living a life in penury. His son Vijay, aretired stil l cameraman in Bollywood,appealed for help after failing to meetHangal’s medical expenses. SeveralBollywood celebrities like the Bachchans,producer-director Vipul Shah, and actorsMithun Chakraborty, Aamir Khan andSalman Khan came forward to help him.Recently, he returned to face the studiolights after several years for TV seriesMadhubala.[Report : Bushan Parimoo : [email protected]]
] ] ]
Dr. Phool Chandra breathes her last :Dr. Phool Chandra, an eminentGynaecologist, Social activist,Writer, Poet and a coreKashmiri by heart left for herheavenly abode on 18thSeptember,2012, in Patiala. Dr. PhoolChandra was the worthy daughter of Pt.Raghunath safaya, an educationst fromChandigarh, married to equally famous andcelebrated child specialist Dr. Tej KrishenWangu. The coulple worked at one timefamous Rajindra Hospital at Patiala andwere settled over there. Dr. Phool Chandrawas regular contributor to Hindi section ofKoshur samachar and became knownthrough her book 'Mera Kashmir : Atit aurVartman' released a few years back. Dr.
Report & Biradari NewsPhool Chandra loved and spoke fluently inher mother tongue Kashmiri and wasequally chaste in Punjabi, Hindi and English.She loved Kashmiri cuisine and preservedher culture, despite of having studied,served and lived in Punjab since childhood.
Input : Roop Krishen [email protected]
] ] ]
Elderly KP couple murdered in Delhi :In a tragic incident, Shri R. K. Bararu, retiredDeputy Director from Union informationand broadcasting ministry, and Durga Devi,aged around 75 were brutally murdered andfound lying dead in a pool of blood at theirShakarpur Block B house in East Delhi on 22August 2012. Shri Bararu was a notedplaywright and theatre personality whoretired from the song and drama division ofthe I&B Ministry in 1999.
Shri Bararu was found in the bed,seemed to have succumbed to excessivebleeding after a fatal injury to his head,while Durga Devi was slumped on the floorin the adjacent toilet. A case of murder hasbeen registered with Shakarpur policestation and investigations are underway.[Report : Deepak Ganju : [email protected]]
Shiben Raina ([email protected]) adds:Lest KPs forget, in early 90’s he (Shri Bararu)came up with a project to stage 'RESHI-WAR',a moving drama on our migration andsought sponsorship of AIKS. Late Pt.D.N.Munshi, President AIKS and Pt.M.L.Kaul, Gen. Secy. AIKS fully supportedthis initiative. I was entrusted to assisst latePt. Braruji as a coordinator from AIKS, whichI volunteered to do. A great experience ofseeing him in action, directing a cast of morethan 30 people, rehearsals at a place nearGole Market, New Delhi and the final, whereI introduced him as one of the TRI MOORTIS,
the other two being Late Papaji and lateMunshisab, who were present on the stageto light the lamps.
] ] ]
New Arrivals :Anirudh was born to Mrs. Munika andAshutosh Ganjoo at Delhi on August 23,2012. Mrs. Vijaya and Mr. Vinod Safaya ofKopar Khairne, Navi Mumbai are the proudgrand parents of the new born boy.
[Report : [email protected]] ] ]
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Kashmiri Pandits' Association, Mumbai
ashmiri Pandits’ Association,Mumbai held its Annual GeneralBody Meeting atKashyap Bhawan on
19th August, 2012. Owinginsufficiency of quorum at 1030hrs., the meeting was adjournedto be reconvened at 1100 hrs. atthe same place. The reconvenedmeeting was attended by thefollowing members:Shri Rajen Kaul, Shri J.L.Kak, ShriC.L.Raina, Shri S.P.Kachru, Smt.Meena Wanchoo, Shri R.K.Bhat,Shri Jayant Raina, Shri M.K.Kar, ShriSuriender Kachroo, Shri Chand Bhat, Shri
Minutes of KPA’s Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on 19th August, 2012
Sunil Mattoo, Shri DilipBhat, Shri T.K.Raina, ShriRakesh Shah, Shri K.L.Dhar,Shri Ashwani Bhat, ShriSuresh Kaul, Shri AnupKannaw, Shri Moti Kaul,Smt. Neena Kher, ShriK.K.Kemmu, Smt. SunitaKemmu, Shri Satish Ganju,Shri Ankur Kaul, Shri NeerajTiku, Smt. Shamita Kaul, ShriR. Bhagwan, Shri Kuldeep
Tickoo, Shri Ajeet Mattoo and Shri KapilBakshi.
Commencement with invocation ofdivine blessings through recitation of
Gayatri Mantra was to seekpeace and well-being for all.This was followed byrespectful observance of a twominute silence in the memoryof members who left us duringthe previous year.
Shri Rajen Kaul, PresidentKPA presided over themeeting while Shri S.P.Kachru,General Secretary conductedthe meeting as under:
K
Minutes of last AGM held on 14th August,2011 were considered read, confirmed andadopted along with an amendment to theeffect that under Point No. 7, Shri SurienderKachroo had desired to validate the non-existent post of Joint Secretary in the Boardof Trustees. [Proposed by Shri Suresh Kaul,Seconded by Shri Bharat Tikoo and Carriedunanimously.]2. Audited Balance Sheet and P&L Accountfor the year ending March 2012 werereceived, considered and approved.[Proposed by Shri Anup Kannaw, Secondedby Shri R.K.Bhat and Carried unanimously.]3. Appointment of Auditors was dulydiscussed and M/s Ashok T. Kukreja & Co.were appointed as the Auditors for 2012-13at an annual remuneration of Rs.5,000.[Proposed by Shri Moti Kaul, Seconded byShri Rakesh Shah and Carried unanimously.]4. General Secretary's Report detailingvarious activities of KPA during 2011-12 wasduly received and adopted. [Proposed byShri Suriender Kachroo, Seconded by ShriM.K.Kar and Carried unanimously.]5. Review of progress at Sharda Sadan wasprovided in detail by Shri J.L.Kak , ably aidedby Shri K.L.Dhar and Shri Ashwani Bhat,indicating that an amount of Rs. 82.70 Lakhshas already gone into construction of thisprestigious project and another Rs.125 Lakhsmay be needed to complete the same.6. Request for Merger/Amalgamation withKPA, as received from Jawaharlal NehruSeva Sadan Trust was deliberated in greatdetails and was finally approvedunanimously. [Proposed by Shri SatishGanju, Seconded by Smt. Sunita Kemmu andCarried unanimously.]7. Adoption of KPA's Draft Constitutionwas taken up comprehensively andapproved. [Proposed by Shri Chand Bhat,Seconded by Shri Jayant Raina and Carried
unanimously.]8. Other resolutions passed unanimouslywere as under:(a) Resolved that an expense of Rs. 12Lakhs be approved for renovation ofKashyap Bhawan, in order to enhance itsambience and attract the premium usersof such facility. [Proposed by Shri Dilip Bhat,Seconded by Shri K.L.Dhar and Carriedunanimously.](b) Resolved that appointment ofunelected Trustees viz. Shri J.L.Kak, ShriM.K.Kar, Shri Chand Bhat and Shri AshwaniBhat be approved. [Proposed by Shri SunilMattoo, Seconded by Shri R. K.Bhat andCarried unanimously.](c) Resolved that appointment of SmtNeena Kher as ex-officio Joint Secretary ofBOT be approved. [Proposed by Shri SatishGanju, Seconded by Shri K.K.Kemmu andCarried unanimously.](d) Resolved that KPA shall jointly hold anAll India Cultural event with All IndiaKashmiri Samaj, New Delhi tentatively inearly 2013. [Proposed by Shri Suresh Kaul,Seconded by Shri Chand Bhat and Carriedunanimously.](e) Resolved that in order tocommemorate the supreme sacrifices ofstalwarts like Late Shri Tikalal Taploo andothers, KPA shall organise Balidan Diwasprogramme on 14th. September, 2012.[Proposed by Shri Ashwani Bhat, Secondedby Shri Ankur Kaul and Carriedunanimously.]
The meeting concluded with a vote ofthanks to the Chair.
] ] ]
Report : S.P.Kachru, General Secretary, KPAContact S.P.Kachru at [email protected]
] ] ]
Obituary - O.N.Koul (Udhampur)
Remembering Shri Vaishnavi Ji
n 30th June 2012, I got a call fromJammu informing me that the10th day ceremony of a very closefriend, Shri T.N.Koul (Retd
Principal, Govt. College, Bemina, Srinagar)was to be held at Muthi Ghat on 1st July.
I called up Shri Amar Nath Vaishnavi,our common friend of many years, who Ipresumed was in Delhi. To my surpriseVaishnaviji answered my callfrom Jammu itself. We decidedto meet directly at Muthi thenext day. I and my familyreached the ghat in time fromUdhampur, but Vaishnaviji hadnot come. After the ceremonywe proceeded to Late Shri Koul’sresidence & thereafter startedfor Udhampur. We had barelyreached Talab T illu whenVaishnaviji phoned, regrettinghe could not attend the ceremony as he hadbeen feeling weak. I promised to see himnext day, after attending a Arya Samajmeeting in Udhampur. However around 6PM, Shri O.N.Kak informed me thatVaishnaviji was no more. I and ourcommunity have been heartbroken eversince.
Vaishnaviji was my friend, philosopher& guide. We worked together for a longtime, starting in the 1940’s with the HindiPracharni Sabha (an RSS organization). Hewas the Shakha Pramukh of ourDurgeshwari shakha, which was runningfrom a temple at Malapura, Srinagar. Laterhe was elected President of the KashmiriPandit Yuvak Sabha, which was the soleSocio-Cultural-Political body representing
the whole community ofPandits in the valley inthose days. He was anideal worker & leader. Hisself-negation & dedicationendeared him to all. Thestrength of his characterwas immediately apparent to whoevercame in contact with him. He was
straightforward, spokeforcefully and with conviction,never hesitating from calling aspade a spade.
After training from the ArtsCollege, Srinagar, Vaishnavijiworked as Drawing Master. I waswonder-struck once when hepainted a magnificient portraitof Shri Ramji on a 6’ x 4’ canvas athis ancestral home in Shashiyarin less than an hour, and
exhibited the painting in the Ram Navamiprocession the same day! He was quite anaccomplished singer too, & at the shakhawould sing Patriotic songs with a fervor thatwould touch us all.
Vaishnaviji was a great disciplinarian. Iremember when he was the Drawing-cum-NCC teacher at Zadibal, he would get themorning assembly to sing the nationalanthem. No one would move an inch duringthe song. It was quite a sight in those daysin Kashmir, especially in a Muslimdominated area like Zadibal.
We took a photograph together inPathankote some time in 1950-52 & he sentme a copy later with the inscription (inhindi) :Ek deep doosra jalaye, aise unginat hoonge
O
O.N.Koul
Pt. A.N.Vaishnavi
Ek ek kar jaage Bharat, sangh mantra kedwarey
To get him out of the way, he wastransferred to Ladakh. But there too heawakened the Buddhists and organizedthem to stop the conversion of Buddhiststo Islam, a practice that had been going onunhindered until then. The picture of Ladakhtoday would have been very different hadit not been for his efforts. He would leaveno stone unturned for the betterment ofour community. After our exile, he alongwith other Community members met ShriBala Saheb Thackerey to request help forthe children of our community, especiallyin the field of education. The subsequentreservation of seats in professional collegesin Maharashtra has benefitted thousands ofKP students, thereby enabling thousands ofKP exile families to stand tall again.
For such a tall leader, Vaishnavi Ji wasamazingly approachable. He was a pillar ofstrength to anybody in distress. Hispersonality would endear him to all. Hebecame a family member of all those wholoved him. Despite his busy schedule hewould keep in touch. During every visit toMumbai, he would unfailingly make thetime to visit my daughter, Dr. Sushma Wazir.Such a selfless & honest leader is seldomborn.
Hazaron saal nargis apni banuri pay roti hayBadi mushkil say hota ha chaman may
dedaawar paidaOur community owes him a debt that cannotbe repaid. I have lost a guru and a friendwho cannot be forgotten. He shall remainAmar. May his soul rest in peace.
] ] ]
Learn & Speak Kashmiri
both JNSS & KPA will be completed in nextfew months.Youth Forum:As indicated in my message of July–August2012 issue of Milchar, we are planning toorganize a Youth Conference cum CulturalEvent in close partnership with AIKS in early2013. In this connection our Youth Forumteam of Shri KK Kemmu, Shri Dilip Bhat, ShriAshwani Bhat, Shri Sunil Kher, and ShriSundeep Raina has been strengthened byactive involvement of Shri Rituraj Sar, ShriBownesh Bambroo, Shri Pran Peshin, ShriRajesh Shah and Shri Rakesh Kaul. They areplanning this whole event and we will sharethe plans in the next issue of Milchar. Iencourage all the KP youngsters toparticipate actively in our Youth Forumactivities to make it more vibrant.KP Migrant Students Counseling:Like last year we provided logisticsassistance to the migrant students & theirwards when they came for counseling inearly August 2012 for admissions toEngineering colleges in Maharashtra.
While closing, I would like to againthank you for your contribution and appealto you to remain engaged in our ongoingprojects/activities.RegardsRajen Kaul(M) 9967503577
] ] ]
Contact author at: [email protected]
Between Ourselves ... From Page 4
he publicity machine of the ChiefMinister hailed the meeting thatMr. Omar Abdullah held with agroup of Kashmiri Pandits on 18th
September 2012 in Srinagar, describing themeeting in glowing terms and re-affirmingMr. Abdullah’s pledge that the“Government will do whatever possible fortheir return and rehabilitation.” An Englishdaily in Srinagar, in an editorial on 20th
September, noted that J&K Governmentefforts so far have amounted to “mere lipservice.” The 18th September meeting wasactually a disaster. Here is why.
It started with a great promise. I hadbeen in touch with Mr. Omar Abdullahbefore, during and after the State Assemblyelections in November and December 2008,congratulating him in person (over thephone) on 30th December when his partyreached an agreement with the IndianNational Congress to form a coalitiongovernment with him taking over as theChief Minister. Mr. Abdullah took the chargeon 5th January 2009 in Jammu, and I met himwith a delegation of valley based Panditleaders on 8th January at the Hari Niwas inSrinagar.
The urgency for the meeting wasprompted by the overarching concern thateven though the security situation in thevalley had improved considerably by 2008,the population of Pandits living in the valley(who were brave enough to weather theturmoil of insurgency over a decade and ahalf by staying put) was slowly but surelydwindling. I had made an on-the-spotassessment of Kashmiri Pandits living in thevalley in December 2006 and was shockedto find some Pandits living as destitute,
KP Exodus - Dr. V.K.Sazawal
Creating A Welcome Space for KPs in the Valley
while the rest were indeep despondency andtrickling out of the valleybecause of morbidunemployment andisolation. My trip to thevalley was preceded by ameeting with the PrimeMinister at his residence on January 18,2006. Following my written report to thePrime Minister’s Office (PMO), Mr. WajahatHabibullah (then the Chief InformationCommissioner and an advisor on Kashmirpolicy) undertook a visit to the valley andalso met with a cross-section of KashmiriPandits to assess the situation first hand andvalidate my findings. His report to the J&KChief Secretary on 7th July 2008 not onlyconfirmed my key findings but alsorecommended additional steps that couldbe taken by the J&K State to alleviate thesuffering of valley based Pandits.
Armed with these two situationalreports on Pandits dated December 2006and July 2008, I made a presentation to theyoung Chief Minister on 8th January 2009. Tohis credit, he had brought all the key stateofficials to the meeting, including Mr.Khurshid Ganai, IAS (his Principal Secretary),Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani (Sogami), Member ofthe Legislative Assembly (MLA) from AmiraKadal and his political confidant, and Mr.Davender Rana, CM’s Political Advisor. Mr.Abdullah was very attentive, asked a fewquestions, and stated that valley Panditswere brave people who did not deserve thefate that they had to endure. He assured ustha the would put a priority on addressingthe plight of valley based Pandits. He toldme that I should hear back from Mr. Ganai in
T
due course.Months rolled by without any word
from the Chief Minister’s Office and finallyI decided to contact Mr. Ganai. Mr. Ganaicould not recall what happened to thepapers that I had submitted to the ChiefMinister, and asked me to resend the sameto him. I never heard back from him again. Itried to reach Mr. Sogami on the mobilenumber that he had provided me, but Icould not connect with him. Initially itwould ring without anyone picking it up,and later I started getting a taped responsemessage that “the number does not exist.”Finally, I turned to Mr. Rana twice, and bothtimes he asked me to email the paperworkto him, but the net result was the same – itwas a dead end. Needless to say, my emailchatter with the Chief Minister was alsohistory.
Only later through other sources I cameto know that the State Government hadmade a key decision that it was not going todo anything special about Kashmiri Panditsother than fulfill obligations placed on theJ&K State by the PMO, for which a separatefund had been designated by the CentralGovernment. In other words, the KashmiriPandit issue was relegated strictly as a reliefeffort, even though in the minds of the CMand his aides it was a 'relief andrehabilitation' program. The fact thatrehabilitation normally requires more thanjobs and money for internally displacedpeople was deliberately ignored toobfuscate issues like the state subjectrights, benefits under the J&K State budgetand authority, and the assistance to thosePandits (i.e. valley based Pandits) who didnot come under the purview of the PMO’srelief program. The State designated acabinet minister for the relief effort, and aRelief Commissioner post was created tooversee disbursement of the central funds(separate from the State Budget) received
from the PMO. An Apex Committee of 35or so Pandits was constituted on an adhocbasis to play the role of an 'advisorycommittee' which in reality and practice hasturned out to be a farce based on the threeor four meetings held to date.
However, the latest meeting betweenthe State officials and the Apex Committeeheld on the afternoon of 18th Septemberwas highly anticipated because it was thefirst such meeting with Mr. Omar Abdullahin the Chair. The meeting took place in CM’soffice suite in the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.The State government did everything tocontrol the meeting outcome. It invited toomany participants and did not give themenough time to prepare for the meeting,ensuring that there will be little or nounanimity of views among Pandits wellknown for their noncollegiate habits.Nevertheless, the Pandits did convey themessage that the relief was neithersufficient nor timely, and in so far as therehabilitation is concerned, the state hasto do a lot more than offer lip service andworn out rhetoric for which the governmentpublicity machine is notorious.
On each and every issue of significancethat affects the long-term sustainablesurvival of Pandits in the valley, the ChiefMinister was unsupportive or indifferent.He did not want to discuss political rightsof Pandits, including their representationin the State cabinet or in the StateAssembly, having confined Panditrepresentation to a token Member ofLegislative Council (MLC) seat. He skillfullyconfused his audience onthe “KashmiriHindu Shrines and Religious Places(Management and Regulation) Bill, 2008,”published in the J&K Government Gazetteon 9th January 2008 that was neversubmitted in the State Assembly, talkingabout a previously offered “PrivateMember’s Bill” by the National Conference
while the party was in Opposition. Heturned down the preference of themajority of potential returnees in secureclusters, knowing fully well that mostsocieties from the East to the West havehistorically created such clusters (alsocalled ghettos) for initial settlers unsure oftheir future, which over time disappearwith an increasing sense of security. TheCM had a ready excuse for why he was notfill ing up the positions under the PM’sEmployment Scheme, saying that somePandits had taken the matter to the Courtand the Government would not act until theCourt decides on the matter. It should bepointed out that the Court case onlypertains to a small number of re-advertisedjobs under the first tranche of 3000government jobs, whereas the secondtranche of 3000 government jobs has yet tobe advertised, and nor has the governmentmade any headway in giving 9,000unemployed Pandits financial assistanceand training for self-employment andbusiness ventures, as required under thePrime Minister’s Employment Program. Itwas announced on 20th June 2012 that valleybased internally displaced Pandits will alsoreceive benefits on par with non-valleybased internally based Pandits, but thatprogram has yet to take off. In fact, the Statehas been dragging its feet in implementingits promise of relocating 51 internallydisplaced Pandit families living in thevalley to Sheikhpora Flats in Budgam, evenafter all verifications were completed inJune 2012.
Perhaps the most telling response fromthe Chief Minister was to the inquiry aboutgranting Minority status to KashmiriPandits. He refused consideration based onthe fact that Pandits are Hindus and nodifferent from other Hindus in the State,forgetting that his views are not shared bypeople who specialize in granting minority
status in India. As early as in December1999, Dr. TahirMahmood, Chairman of theNational Commission for Minorities (NCM)wrote to the Chief Minister, Dr. FarooqAbdullah, that “The NCM unanimouslyendorses each of the seven demands madeby the “Kashmiri Hindu MinorityConference” and calls upon theGovernment of Jammu & Kashmir to acceptand implement them through appropriatelegislative and executive measures.” Asrecent as 7th September 2011, Mr. WajahatHabibullah, the present Chairman of theNCM wrote to the J&K Government that,“…having received a favorable responsefrom the State and based on outside legalexperts, J&K State can consider extensionof NCM Act 1992 to the State byrecommending to the President of Indiathat NCM Act 1992 be amended to apply toJ&K State …” There has been other officialcorrespondence between New Delhi andSrinagar in this regard, and while the StateGovernment is keen to protect the minoritystatus given to Muslim minority in India, itis unwilling to offer similar facilities toPandit minority in the State.
Mr. Abdullah approved a few minoritems to make the life of Pandits living inthe Jagti township, Jammu, a bit lessstressful, and promised to follow up withthe Center on increasing monthlyassistance to internally displaced families,implying that he was in no mood to sharefrom the Rs. 33,853 crore 2012-2013 statebudget, 53% of which is also an outrightgrant from the Center.
To conclude, the Chief Ministerdisappointed his well-wishers with asingular lack of vision in ensuring the returnand rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.Without providing adequate and reassuringpolitical, economic and social space for the
Contd. on Page 22
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] ] ] Contact author at:
] ] ]
distressed minority, it is unlikely that anymonetary inducements alone (even if itwere offered from the State Budget whichis not so presently) will influence Panditsto return in large numbers. It is time todiscuss the return and rehabilitation ofPandits with frankness and maturity. If theState Government and the majoritycommunity in the valley are unwilling toconsider discrete political, economic andsocietal concessions to the Pandit minority,it should change its rhetoric and leteverybody move on. Pandits have theresilience to survive with their heads heldhigh anywhere.
lllAuthor is Moderator, www.KashmirForum.org
Contact him at: [email protected]
Creating a Welcome ... From Page 8
They left Us
Shri Chuni Lal Raina, son of Pt.Maheshwar Nath Raina originally ofAga Hamam, Habba Kadal, Srinagarand brother of Shri Shuben KishenRazdan of Vile parle, Mumbai left forhis heavenly abode on 16 August 2012at Ahmedabad.
Shri Ashok Kumar Kaul R/o Talab Tillo,Jammu, Brother-in-law (sisters’husband) of Sh. Kaka Ji Safaya of Nerul,left for his heavenly abode on 28August, 2012 at Jammu.
Shri Moti Lal Khar, Father of Dr.Surinder Kher and Sh. Sunil Kherof Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, left for hisheavenly abode on 11 September,2012 at Mumbai.
KPA Mumbai sends deep condolences tothe bereaved families.
n the long turbulent history ofthe Pandits, there have beenoccasions when they had anopportunity to change the course
of the history in Kashmir.It is well known that Buddhist Rinchin,
the King of Kashmir in 1320, approached thehead of the Hindus, Devaswami, forconversion to Hinduism. He was refused.What is not so well known is that duringthe reign of the Dogra King Maharaja RanbirSingh, thousands of Muslims wanted toreconvert to the Hindu faith? The Panditsadvised the Maharaja against it.
The myopic Pandits did not see thewriting on the wall and let theseopportunities slip through their fingers."This was a great blunder as a result of whichtoday Hindus [Pandits] have been forcedto leave Kashmir, their homeland, despitethe presence of Indian Army and the ruleof Indian Government," wrote ChristopheJaffrelot in Hindu Nationalism: a Reader.
When Sikandar (1389-1413) let loose hisreign of terror on Kashmiri Pandits, theycould have faced the situation bravely andfought for their rights and religion,particularly when they were in the majority.Instead of that, they behaved like cowardsand committed suicides or fasted untildeath. Many of them converted to Islam tosave their lives, and the others took the easyway out by running away leavingeverything behind.
"We cannot exonerate the Hinducommunity from their cowardice andpusi llanimity. Most of them cowardlyembraced Islam simply to be allowed toexist in the land of their birth, while a largernumber committed suicide. When their
religion, culture, life and liberty were indanger, they should have made a commoncause and offered united resistance,especially when they predominatednumerically….,” wrote Dr. R. K. Parmu in hisbook A History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir.
Pandit Anand Koul, however, did notconsider this as an act of cowardice onbehalf of the Pandits. He wrote: “ThePandit’s tenacity, adaptability and elasticityas regards his political environment havecruelly been construed to meancowardice…”
There are several disturbing factors,which make one doubt about the survivalof the community.
Kashmiris in general and the Pandits inparticular, considered everything fromoutside the valley superior. This alsoincluded the language. On their return aftera few months of stay in Jammu, the Panditmothers would feel proud if their childrencould speak a few words of Hindi.
Today, the Pandits are scattered all overIndia and live in alien cultures. The Panditboys and girls are totally alienated fromtheir cultural heritage. It is a great tragedythat Pandits have neglected their language.The young generation is desperate toachieve fluency in other languages whilethe mother tongue is being ignored at alllevels
“A socio linguistic survey conducted forthe language maintenance and languageloss of Kashmiri migrant children in Jammuand Delhi in the age group of 10-20revealed: The use of Kashmiri is mainlyconfined in the oral communication athome between the elders…The children donot use Kashmiri even with other Kashmiri
KP Exodus - Dr. Shiban K. Kachru
Will the Kashmiri Pandit Community Survive?
I
children… Educated parents prefer to useEnglish and Hindi in communicating withtheir children…” (Prof. Omkar Nath Koul,2004)
The language forms an essential part ofthe culture of a community. The only waythe Kashmiri language can be kept alive isby speaking it in every Pandit home andencourage the children to do so. All theother communities in India make theirchildren learn their mother tongue firstbefore any other language. To speak ofpreserving Kashmiri Pandit culture sans thelanguage is a sham.
The pernicious dowry system in thecommunity has taken its own toll. A numberof Pandit girls opt for marriages outside thecommunity because their parents cannotmeet the exorbitant demands of dowry. Thesmall community is getting even smaller.The dowry system in the community has tobe totally eliminated in the same way inwhich the child marriages were given up inthe past.
Pandits have to make their rituals andcustoms simple and practical. They have tounderstand their significance themselvesbefore they explain it to their children.
In the past, the Pandits in the valley kepttheir culture alive by interaction with othermembers of the community. The tinynumbers of the Pandits that live in everymajor city of India have to keep thisinteraction going and shed petty prejudicesagainst each other. The members of thecommunity have to free themselves of theircomplexes and take pride in what they are.True, Pandits have lost their hearths andhomes in Kashmir but living in the past isnot going to help them. They have to berealistic, live in the present and think of thefuture. Agonising over what has been lostis not going to change anything. They haveto maintain their identity at all costs. They
should strive to excel in all fields, the waytheir ancestors did, and live with honourand dignity where ever they are. SwamiVivekananda once said, in some othercontext; “We have wept long enough, nomore weeping, but stand on your feet andbe men.”
The puzaz and rituals performed by thePandits are usually time consumingprocedures. They have hardly changed overcenturies. Before the exodus of the Panditsfrom the valley, the family priest wouldperform the puza in a language which veryfew could understand. The instructionsgiven by the priest were obeyed like arobot, and the words were repeated, whenrequired, like a parrot without having a clueabout their significance. This, in my opinion,is one of the main reasons why the youngergeneration of the Pandits has shirked fromits religious obligations. To expect anintelligent, educated person to recite amantra of which he does not understand asingle word is rather far fetched. How doesone expect a young man to respect hissacred thread when he does not understandits significance? How is a married Panditwoman to know that dejihor ceases to be ayantra, blessed by Shiva and Shakti, whenshe hides it in her bunched hair? She hasnever been told about its importance.
We have to make our rituals and puzazsimple, short, practical and above allunderstandable. Those rituals, which havebecome obsolete with the passage of time,should be discarded. In case we do notreform ourselves in religious matters, timeis not far off when everything will beforgotten and become a part of our history.
The Pandits have some inherentqualities that have made them face adverseconditions time and again. They havemanaged to survive for so long because oftheir intelligence, learning ability,
tremendous adaptability and above all thewill to survive.
Kashmiri Pandits “have not broken theirtryst with learning and education.” It hasbeen an essential part of their lives. Theyare prepared to sacrifice anything to gettheir children educated. After their recentexodus from the valley, they ensured thattheir children should continue with theirlearning even when they were languishingin the Jammu refugee camps.
The older generation of the Panditsvalue their customs and traditions. Theycelebrate Herath in a decrepit room in arefugee camp at Jammu with the samedevotion and enthusiasm as their ancestorsdid in the valley for centuries.
Poetry - Anshul Aima Koul
Two PoemsSINGDon’t Speak, sing.
Life is no straight,full of curves and contours,it finishes,then begin again,some lines of joy,some lines that destroy.
Ups and High ups,some down,some even beneath ground,full of dreamy winds,rains can wet,rain can drown.
Live for today,no discussion on tomorrow,live a live,moment by moment,So ...
Back to the question: Will the KashmiriPandit community survive? The answer is aconfident yes. The Kashmiri Pandit willsurvive because he is a born survivor.
In 1924, Pandit Anand Koul prayed toGod: “May the Almighty preserve this smallcommunity [Kashmiri Pandits] under theshelter of His powerful wing, secure againstall the changes and chances of the passingyears, and may their golden years return!”
Today, the Pandit community needs thisprayer as never before.[The above article is an excerpt from the author’sforthcoming book: Kashmiri Pandits - Brief Cultureand Political History.]
☯☯Contact author at: [email protected]
☯☯
So don’t just speak,Sing,Sing Aloud.
BATTLEI once fought a battlethere were no arms,no army,for I fought with myself.
I fought,fought to know myself,Something right,Something wrong,
I accepted, accepted it all,for I fought with myself.
I fought,fought with my thoughts,Some good,Some bad,I took them both,both in my stride,for fought with myself.
I fought,fought with my rights,Some more,Some less,I was happy,happy for both,for I fought with myself.
] ] ]Contact Anshul thru
[email protected]] ] ]
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Shakti and Its Innate Nature :hakti is derived from the root'shak' with the 'ktin' in Sanskritlanguage, which means ability to
act, to do. It is strength and power. It is theenergy of a Devata, or Devi, representingthe Shakti aspect of the Absolute Truth.’Shak’ is Supermacy and ‘ktin’ is Samyoga -an integration. Being the cause of all energyand force, Shakti is reverd as the Mother ofUniverse. The Purva Mimamsa thought ofancient Indian philosophy says:"Samarthyam Sarva Bhavanam Shaktir ItiAbhidhiyate"
Shakti, which is responsible for creationof the universal flux, with limitless “Saurmandala”/ galaxies, which is vivid to eveyhuman being, and is termed as the “Surya-Prakash”. It is associated with “Sphurti/throbbing and energy for manifestation and with ‘Sarasta’/liquidity. Shakti is essentially’ Sarva-aishvaryamayi’/Absolute supremacy and sovereignity.Shakti is revered as the Divine Mother withhighest effulgence, thus is adoredas Bhagavati/Divinity with the attributes ofNitya/Eternal. Shakti is "Brahma-Lila-Prakriti"/divine play in the three forms of'sattva-rajas-tamas'. Thus Shakti is everabsorbed with the “Shaktiman”, who is Shivahimself. The Devi Bhagvatam says:"Aishrvaryah Shakchaitah parakramam EvaCha, Tatsvaroopa Tayor Dhatri Sa ShaktiParikititah"
Shiva maintains the harmony of thisuniversal flux through the Sovereignauthority of Maha Shakti, which in reality isthe very self of the Absolute Brahman. TheDivine mother, in the process of
Panchakritya/Five foldactivities, known asSrishti/creation,Sthiti/sustenance, Samhara/destruction, Pidhan/concealment, Anugraha/grace, helps Shiva to makethe universe move in theserial order. Adi Shankara in his VivekaChudamani has very beautifully said:"Avyakta namni Parmesha shaktir anadiVidya Trigunatmika ParaKaryameya Sudhieva Mayaya Taya JagatSarvam Idam Prasuyaye"
Shakti is of Three-folded Gunas/attributes, qualities, peculiarities. It is‘Avyakta’/unmanifested, Eternal, Allknowledge, Para Prakriti/transcendental innature. This universe is seen as manifestPrakriti, and is present in every molecule/atom in its microcosmic manner.A glorified description of this Maha Shaktiis presented in the Vedas, Puranas and theTantras, through Mantra, Shloka and Stutis,and through the Bija Mantras.
Shakti is all that is seen in the cyclicorder of Sanatana Samaya - 'T ime theEternal' and Time the serial.
The Puranas speak of Shakti as theVishvaroopa-Para-Prakriti. The Vedantaglorifies Shakti as Eternal, but becomesAvidya, through unveiling, which is Maya.Maya is then a synthesis of Sattva-Rajas-Tamas.’ Shiva is adored as Mayapati orMayadhisha, literally which means the Lordof all Maya, that is sensual in nature, extra-ordinary and supernatural. It is an illusion,something which is based on theperception, and inference alone.
Religion - Pt. Jagan Nath Siboo
[Translation - Dr. Chaman Lal Raina]
Kashmir Shakta Vimarsha
S
There is no ‘Bheda’/duality of Shaktiwith Brahman, but it occupies a rhythm ofThree fold Gunas for the purposes ofcreation, sustenance and absorption, asneeded to make the universal motion inorder. The Upanishas states:"Mayam Tu Prakritim Vidyan Mayitam TuMaheshvara"It is the Vidya aspect, that Shakti unveils itstrue nature. Maheshvara is all witness to it.Adi Shankara makes the emphasis on:"Aham Evasam Purvantu Naanyat KinchinNaradhipa"
Shakti says: I alone existed before thecreation took place. I am in no way differentfrom you the lord of the universe. Adi-Shankara adored her as ‘Maha Maya’, whichis inexpressible, which can not be definedthrough words. As the warmth is in fire, light/effulgence in the sun, luminosity in theMoon, so is Maha Shakti undifferentiatedfrom Shiva. Some Tapasvins call it as Tapas/austerity. Some address as Tamas, some asinanimate, some Avidya and some asPrakriti. But the follwers of Trika-Shaivismcall it as “Vimarsha”. Some call it as Jada/inanimate and finite, but at the same timeconsider 'Chit Shakti’ as the consciousaspect of Brahman".
This world happens to be resultant forceof the 'Chit Shakti', but consciousness isalways in 'Chit-Shakti' known as the Divineintelligence. Then the question arises, ashow can it be that this universe of ours isnot real. Apparently, the change that weundergo is but the Divine capsule of Timeframing - the Kali aspect of the DivineMother. The Durga Saptashati says :"Ya devi Sarva bhuteshu ChetanetiAbhidhiyateNamastasyai- Namastasyai- NamastasyaiNamo Namah"
The Devi is termed as consciousness inall the living beings. for her, prostrations
be to that aspect, again and again. This whole universe is but the
formation/manifestation of the Chitti,which is consciousness aspect of the DivineMother Shakti. The Shloka runs in the 'Devi-Sukta' of the said scripture as:"Chittiruupena Kritsnam Etad VyapyaSthita Jagat Namastasyai- Namastasyai- NamastasyaiNamo Namah"
The Same Chitti is explained asVimarsha, Sphurti, Ullasa , Samvit in theTrika philosophy of Shaivism. At the sametime, Shiva is revered as being the synthesisof the Ashta Murti.
The same Shiva is ‘Sharva’, which is the”Prithvi” aspect of consciousness, Jala/wateras 'Bhava', 'Agni/fire' as Rudra. Shiva is‘Vayu/air ’. As 'Akasha/space’,'Shiva' isadored as Bhima’. He is ‘Chandra’ as‘Pashupati’ and ‘Surya’ as Mahadeva. Jivaas Ishana and is being revered as possesing,Shiva is everywhere, seen in the embodiedsoul. There is no difference between Shivaand Jiva, according to the Trika system ofphilosophy. When this is true, then ‘Jagat’is in no way an illusion. It is as real as Shivais. The Durga Saptashati confirms thisthought in a very lucid manner:"Nitya eva saa Jagan Murtaya Yaya SarvamIdam Jagat"
Divine Mother is IDAM - "This", which isJagan Murti - the universal self, being 'Nitya-True'. The whole universe is but themanifestation of the universalconsciousness.How Shakti Emerges?The Vedas declare that Shakti is the PrimalEnergy. When we study the Devi Sukta inthe Rigveda, we learn that “Ratri”, literallynight is but the manifestation of the DivineShakti. Ratri Devi is the Chit shakti, andcreates Brahma vidya, which is Usha, and
manifests as the very source ofillumination.
The Devi Bhagvatam Says:"Brahma Mayatmika Ratrih Parmesha TatAdhisthatri Devi Tu Bhuvaneshi Prakirtikta" The Ratri Sukta of the Rigveda, is verily,what Shaivsm says about Prakriti. The DeviSukta is also from the Rigveda, which hasbeen enunciated in the "Devi Sukta". ThatSukta is described in the Durga Sapta Shatias:"Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Chetne Iti AbhiDiyate Namastasyai- Namastasyai- NamastasyaiNamo Namah"
Chetna/consciousness is the DivineIntelligence, responsible for keepingeverything in motion and dynamic in spirit.It is the emotion of the mother,found inthe embodied souls. The Prithvi Sukta, ShriSukta also adore the Motherhood aspect ofthe Divine consciousness. Shri Sukta isadoration to the divine Mother in the formof Shri, which is all auspisciousness,prosperity and progress, Prithvi Sukta isdedicated to the Mother Earth.
In the Kashmir ShaktiVad, we adore thePrithvi, before invoking the Devata, in theform of 'Priim Prithvyai Namah'. 'RatheAksheshu' is from the Yajurveda, and'Sravantiyam Samash cha' is from the SamVeda. 'Shriye Dhatar-Mayi Dehi' is from theAtharva Veda. It is clear that Shakti is verymuch current in the Vedic ethos of theSanatana Dharma, and the popularHinduism as Durga.
For Kashmiri Pandits, UpanayanaSanskara is a must for the female child. Sheis invoked as the Veda Mata Shri Gayatri,the Mother of Pranava, as being the primalsound OM, and 'AIm Bijakshara' in theAgamas. 'Bijalshara Aim’ as the Seed of theShakti has been explained in the first Shlokaof the Panchastavi recited by the Kashmiri
Pandits, to invoke their Ishta Devis. TheDeepavali is being adored as thecelebration of Maha Lakshmi, which isrevered as the Adya Shakti Ashtadashbuja-Shri Sharika at Hari Parbat. Pandit Krishanjoo Kar, a mystic poet and author of thefamous Bhajan in Persio-Sanskrit version ofKashmir 'Vande Shilatam Ishvari Shri SharikaDevi Namah’ has said in praise of ShriSharika:"Chakreshvarat Hajat Rawa Saaz-o-Gadaraa PadshahWah wah cha lakshmi thapna shri sharikadevi nanamah"She is “Svaha , Svadha,Vashatkara, Moolaprakriti, Siddhi dhatri, adored with theSahasranamas of Kashmir Shakti tradition.
☯☯Contact author at: [email protected]
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☯☯
Contact author at: [email protected]
Without Comments
The trouble with beingpunctual is that nobody isthere to appreciate it.
Book : A Gospel of Bhagvaan Gopinath JiEdited by: T.N.Dhar 'Kundan'Reviewer : P.N.Wali
The Gospel of Bhagvaan Gopinath Ji isa book that was very much needed. Hisbiographies have been published. He hasbecome as a spiritual phenomena eventranscending national boundaries. He hasand is influencing the lives of large numberof people. It was high time that we weregiven in lucid form what he stood for. Whatwas his message from an intellectual standpoint also the Sadaks point of view? Whathe wanted to convey? What is that whichwe can call his gospel? The task was verydifficult. When we use the word gospel, ourthoughts go to the gospel of Christ or ofBuddha, a latter one of Parmahansa SwamiRamakrishana. In the last case it werenotings painstakingly taken by Master Mwhich became the gospel. But Bhagvaan Ji,in words of Prof. A.N.Dhar “did not preachor teach a cult of his own. His speech wasmostly whispered and his teaching neveraliquant; never delivered a religiousdiscourse. All he taught it was throughgestures and mono syllables”. In view ofthis the editor and the writers of thisvolume have adopted a slightly differentapproach. According to the editor “Itfollows, therefore that when we talk aboutthe gospel of Bhagvaan Gopinath Ji, wewant to know how to describe the UniversalTruth and which aspects he has laidemphasis upon.” In tune with this thought,the authors have preceded the expositionof each of the Bhagvaan Ji’s teachings witha detailed discussion of philosophicalbackground. In light of these explanations
Book Review - Pran Nath Wali
Gospel of Bhagvaan Gopinath Ji
the teachings are to beunderstood andinterpreted.
What we have fromBhagvaan Ji, is what hasbeen passed to us by thosewho have been in closetouch with him during hislifetime. In words of Pt. Bal Krishan ‘Sanyasi’“whatever his disciples gathered from hisbody language, from his whispers and theexperiences they gained during theirassociation with him, could be put togetherand treated as Bhagvaan Ji’s gospel. Amongthose who lived in close contact with himand are still amongst us, give us a moredetailed view. Prominent among those, Pt.Pran Nath Kaul has given us a detailedexposition of Bhagvaan Ji’s thought in theintroduction itself.
As said above, Bhagvaan Ji said thingsin few words, even single words oraphorisms. Take the words Sazar, Pazar,Shozar, or Amar Cha Maran, often utteredby him. These words convey deep thought.The writers have done a commendable jobin dissecting and discussing them. Whatthey mean to the lay devotee? What is theirphilosophic implication? Bhagvaan Ji wouldguide people he chose on spiritual path.According to these writers, his chosen pathwas through Seva and Sadhana.
Besides Bhagvaan Ji’s personalutterances, he encourages people to reciteshalokas from scriptures, in particular fromPanchastavi and Bhagvat Gita. The first isindicative of his Shakti worshiping his earlystages of sadhana. He would visit variousShakti Peeths situated in the valley, along
P.N.Wali
with his devotees. One thing everybodyagrees that Bhgvaan Ji emitted immenseamount of spipirual power where ever hestayed. More interesting is power wavescontinue to be emitted at various centerswhere his murti or portrait is kept eventoday. His power breaks the barrier of timeand space.
In one of the chapters, written by Pt. C LRaina, the spiritual significance of each ofthe otherwise mundane objects foundaround Bhagvaan Ji has been brought outin detail. At other place the significance ofBhgvaan Ji’s asana and also the gaze intothe inifinite has been brought out. On thelast page is in a capsule form what BhagvaanJi said.
The authors have tried their best to cullout the essence of what Bhagvaan Jiwanted to convey through out his life. Itwas a difficult task but still well done. Theorganization by the editor of the materialfallows a logical sequence. I learn he hasdone so by reversing the process. He hadlaid down the format and the sequence andthen marshaled the content to suit the plan.It is this, which makes the book as an organicwhole and not a collection of essays.
The book has been well produced, withBhagvaan Ji’s benign portrait on the cover.The only thing more I would have liked isan index at end, giving reference of thestatements quoted in various places. Itcould help a serious reader to pursue source,if he chose to.
] ] ]
Contact Editor of the book at:[email protected]
] ] ]
Contact Reviewer at:[email protected]
] ] ] Old City of Srinagar
Under Fateh-Kadal Bridge,Doongas on both sides of Vitasta
Charcoal andColour Crayon
Drawings
by Kapil Kaul
Fateh-Kadal, Kali-Ghat,Shah Hamdan, Srinagar
illings of prominent Hindus likelawyers, businessmen, judges,professors, government officersetc. followed. ‘Human Rights’
groups found no case of human rightsviolation! Powers that be seemedindifferent. By November 1989, the Muslimterrorists came forward with yet anotherinsulting slogan which read: asi chubanaavun pEEkistan, baTav bagEEr baTlnevsaan ‘we shall join Pakistan, without Hindumen but with Hindu women’. Meanwhilethe killings of even less prominentmembers of the community continued. ByDecember 1989, the Pandits of Kashmirstarted running away to Jammu, Delhi etc.to save their lives and honour. The valley inher sad history of the last 600 years, onceagain witnessed the exodus of its originalinhabitants with a 5000 year old history. Andby driving the minority community out, theprocess of ethnic cleansing in the valley wascomplete. Human rights groups observed asacred silence. Ironically, the posters onDelhi walls during the period read: “Handsoff Kashmiri Muslims ….”
Migration of an individual from a ruralto an urban environment brings about somekind of a cultural change in him. Forinstance, he may switch over to a newoccupation, change his accent in speech,become more polished in his behaviour andso on but there is always a possibility ofgoing back to one’s village. Secondly, onedoes not find himself in alien surroundingshere for primarily the language, foods,clothing, festivals and so on continue to bethe same in both the situations.
The migration from one linguistic-cultural setting to another places an
Culture & Heritage - Prof. Rajnath Bhat
Cultural Legacy of KPs - 5
Kindividual in aliensurroundings where hehas to relearn almosteverything from speech totoi letry. This kind ofmigration gives a sort ofcultural-shock to theperson. When such migrations are forcedupon a whole community, its veryexistence, the magnitude of its sufferingand anguish at physical, emotional andmental levels cannot easily be assessed oranalyzed. This kind of displacement bringsenormous shock and suffering into the livesof the displaced.Three Generations :On the basis of age the displaced Kashmiricommunity can be divided into threesegment: G1- people of fifty years of ageand above; G2-those between twenty-fiveand fifty years of age; G3-those belowtwenty-five years of age.
The G1 is fully aware of the linguistic–cultural moorings of the community. Itspeaks the Kashmiri language and observesreligious rituals, rites and customs of thecommunity. It is aware of the socio-culturaltraditions, viz., festivals, ceremonies,superstitions, myths, foods and clothingand so on. It has a nostalgic longing for thevalley of Kashmir and would go back if thecircumstances so permit it. The migrantcamps are full of these lonely, frail andskinny people. In the camps, a 12x7 feetchamber cannot house a joint family so thesons and daughters of these old peoplehave either shifted to other chambers ormigrated elsewhere in search ofemployment. In places far away where theyoung have been able to find work, the
parents find it tortuous to stay home alonefor the whole day. So they prefer to stay onin the camps where they have the companyof other community members whom theycan talk to and share their sorrows with.Thus the joint family system has completelybroken down and the young children haveno idea of a family with grandparents,uncles, aunts and cousins around.
The G2 is struggling to root itselfsomewhere. Although it loves the valley yetit is unsure whether a return there wouldbe desirable if the situation so arises. Itstruggles hard to feed the family, educatethe children, attend to social obligations,negotiate its existence at its new place ofwork or in the market and the lanes and by-lanes of the alien place(s) s/he finds himselfin. Although he speaks Kashmiri fluently yethe has lost an interest in traditionalfestivals, customs and rituals etc.
The G3 is the generation of youngmembers with little or no memories of thevalley. It was of a tender age at the time ofdisplacement and a small percentage hascome to life in the plains after thedisplacement. (After the displacement, thefertil ity has come down considerablyamong the members of the community.Divorce rate has risen and one-child normhas become the holy mantra). For thissegment of the displaced communityKashmir is merely a geographic entity. Theirprimary (vehicular) language is Hindi andEnglish is their second language. They alsohave a certain degree of passivecompetence in Kashmiri, their gregariouslanguage - the language of social intimacyand shared identity. The urban-ruraldistinction is no longer applicable becausethe displaced community is scattered inseveral urban centers across the countrywith large concentrations stationed inJammu and Delhi. On the economic scale
too the community can be divided intothree categories : a) the economicallysettled with their own houses who are inthe process of integrating with thedominant cultures around them; b) thesmall section housed in rentedaccommodations : and c) the large sectionsheltered in the migrant camps or slumsin and around Jammu. These camps, in myview, should be considered as the centerswhere linguistic-cultural maintenance orloss could be authentically studied.
Culture is more or less a language gameas language is a repository of socio-culturalbelief systems and customs of acommunity. Pheran and kangri have noimportance in the plains so is the case witha large number of other linguistic andcultural entities which have had a socio-religious significance in the valley. The G3is almost completely unacquainted withsuch terms and many more. Of such items,although large in number, a few have beenrecorded here for illustration.
A house in Kashmir invariably has abrand ‘porch/threshold’ and brand livun/chalun ‘porch-cleaning’ has a religious-cultural significance for a Hindu lady. Thephrase braandI kEny ‘(lit. porch-stone), landlady/wife’ has a cultural importance for thewhole speech community. The concepts aswell as their religious-cultural importanceis lost to the G3. A typical Kashmiri househas three storeys: voT ‘ground floor’, kuTh‘first floor’ and kEEni ‘second floor’. voT isused during winter for sitting as well as forcooking. KuTh is the bedroom meant for usein all seasons. KEEni is used for cooking andsitting during summer. Two social customsi) going up to KEEni in spring, KEEni khasun,and ii) going down to live at the groundfloor, voT vasun, during late autumn are nolonger known to the G3. A house therewould also have a thokur kuTh ‘prayer room’,
Dab ‘ wooden veranda’. PanjrI ‘wooden,netted window’, brEEry kEEni ‘cat’s upper-space’, singal ‘wooden roof, tshey, ‘hay-roofetc. All these terms are lost to the G3.
The onset of spring would be markedby sontI phulay ‘blossoming of flower andfruit trees’. On navreh the Kashmiri ‘NewYear day’ people would go to parks andgardens to enjoy the warm sunshine andthe colourful spring flowers. Suchcelebrations have ceased to be a part of thecultural life of the community in the plainsand the G3 is simply unaware of suchfestivities.
Walnut, almond, apricot, peach, cherryand all other fruit trees would flower inspring. The flowers would gradually turninto unripe fruit. The children as well as theadults would enjoy kernels of greenwalnuts and almonds. The green coat of theunripe walnut fruit would dye one’s palmsdark-yellow. The vocabulary items like gol‘green coating of a walnut’, piirI guuly ‘greenwalnut kernel’ are not known to the G3.
Summer meant paddy and vegetableplantations and other agricultural activitiesassociated with it. The linguistic items likethal karIn plantation’ and agriculturalimplement like alIbEEny ‘plough’, beel‘shovel’, Tongur ‘pick-axe’, giinty ‘pick’,makh ‘axe’ droot ‘sickle’ etc. are not knownto the G3. Similarly, there are a number ofother linguistic terms which are associatedwith paddy ‘daani’ like loonun ‘harvesting’,chombun ‘thrashing ’, ganDun ‘tying’,munun ‘shelling ’ etc. which the G3 isunacquainted with.
KaangIr ‘fire-pot/brazier’ used by everyKashmiri during winter to keep him/herselfwarm has several components, viz., konDal‘earthen pot inside the kangIr’, kaani ‘driedwillow twigs’, tsaalan ‘a wooden or metallicspatula tied to the fire pot’, which are
naturally lost to the G3 for kaangIr has noplace in the hot plains. During autumn whentrees shed their leaves, people broom thoseinto piles, pan Duvun ‘broom-leaves’, andput those on fire, pan Zaalun ‘burn-leaves’to prepare tsIni ‘coal’ for use in the kaanglr.Overuse of a kaanglr would burn the skinon one’s thigh which is known as naarI tot‘skin-burn’. One would put a little zetI/tengul ‘live coal’ into tshIni kaangIr ‘fire potfull of wood/leaf coal’ to ignite it. All theseterms have lost significance, hence are lostto the G3.
Pheran ‘a woolen gown without a frontcut’ has a special place in Kashmiri attire.Associated with it are the terms like pootsh‘cotton lining of a pheran’, pheran laad ‘afold at the bottom of a pheran’, which termsare not in the repertoire of the G3. Similarlythe Hindu women’s traditional head-gear,tarIngI, and its components like zuujy,puuts, shiishlaath etc. are completely lostto the G3. Tarlngl has an important culturaland social significance for the communityespecially at the time of marriage when abride is necessarily required to wear it aday before the wedding after the religiousritual of divgoon/devgun ‘the entry of thedevas’.
Traditionally the community has beencelebrating birthdays of the familymembers according to the Hindu lunarcalendar. People would remember theirrespective dates of birth accordingly butnot now. Preparation of tEhar ‘yellow rice’as part of the birth day celebrations is losingground and instead cutting a cakeaccording to the Gregorian calendar hasreplaced it .
(To be continued)] ] ]
Contact author at: [email protected]] ] ]
he moment we come across thisword “ Maej Kashir”, the thoughtof it takes us back to the timewhen we used to spend with our
families and friends in Kashmir - the runningon cycle along the DAL lake, spending timein Motor Boat launch with friends andfamily, spending time in Pari Mahal andseeing secanic beauty from Pari Mahal andseeing Nishat Bagh and other botanicalgardens. And then Dec 1989 when we heardthe voices from the Mosques asking“Hindu’s Jaan bachani hai to yahaan se chalejaoo”, “Humko kya chahiye!! Aazadi!!” andmany more slogans were raised. I can stillremember the date when the first incidentof riots in Valley came into picture. This wasat that time when we first experiencedslaughter by so called terrorists who madeus run for our Lives. This made us berefugees in our own country and live likeMIGRANTS. And now it is 22 years wherebywe are still fighting for our rights. And stillwe have not come out of the word ofMIGRANTS or should I say that some of ourso called politicians did not want us to goback to Kashmir and that is the reason weare living as refugees in our own Country.And the politicians say that they are waitingfor Kashmir pundits to return to Kashmir.Can somebody ask them where were theywhen the massacre was being taken in theValley. And in that massacre Hindu’s werekilled. We have many associations acrossIndia who try in best of their manner to helpeach of the Kashmir family in trouble so thatthey can at least raise their head and lead apeaceful life. But it is not enough.
Once I saw a English movie IP Man. Inthat movie it was showing when the ChineseKung Fu was out on extinction due toEnglish boxing. At that time the masters of
the Kung Fu playersstarted fighting for theirrights and in the end theywon the match. And theKung Fu Master said “It isgood to have somerevolution, but not at theverge of extinction of anyone. We should respect each other fromheart and then only we can expect respectin return”.
And I truely believe the abovestatements. If we follow these statementsthen that day is not far away when we willbe enjoying the company of our elders andfriends in our Valley.
But in order to do that we have to comeout with some concrete steps. The very firststep was taken by a group of Associationmembers in Jammu where by they startedRADIO SHARDA. And this they started overinternet also so that all the Biradarimembers will be able to listen. Now is thetime we should come out as a onecommunity and make sure that we areworking towards one goal, that is to saveour community. This we can do in varioussteps. We should start making Radio Shardaavailable over normal FM in all the statesas a National FM. This we can do byapproaching GOI and asking them forapproval of the same. This way we will beable to enrich our culture and heritage. Weshould start setting up small units inKashmir. Already CII has given a go aheadof setting the units in Kashmir and we asKashmiri’s should start setting the same.This will improve employment for ourYouth and will also improve our position inKashmir.
] ] ]Contact author at: [email protected]
Remembering Our Roots - Ashish Dhar
Maej Kashir
T
Our Literary Treasures - Prof. Anil Raina
Leelas ofSwami Shankar Joo Razdan - 6
11. To Guru-IshwarIntroduction: The poem seems to describethe personal experiences of Swami Ji’ssearch for Truth/God. He suggests that hetried the methods of good conduct,renunciation, intellectual contemplation,etc., to arrive at the Truth, but finally herealised that it was the Guru alone whocould show him the way. Towards the end,there is mention of his own Guru, GuruZanardhan in the poem. The poem consistsof an initial couplet followed bytwenty quatrains. The rhymescheme in the original is abab.
O Shyam Sunder, I would adoptyou in the form of Guru,
O God in Guru’s form, havemercy on me!In the form of Guru, remove myhaziness,So that I know the difference,the Guru’s words can make,I should gain realization through the innerlight,
O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!Since my birth, I am surrounded byattachment and darkness,
Did not realize that the worldly ocean wasdeep and unfathomable,
I had no realization; Being visionless, whatcould I do?O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
The curiosity of consciousness took menowhere,Should I learn from the intellect or do Irenunciate?
Swami Shankar Joo Razdan
Gradually came out of itthrough my own littleefforts,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
I saw that this world was unstable,Why was I engulfed in it,I can be delivered of it only through yourMercy,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
The boat was becoming heavy with theload of sins,I said to myself, “Don’t sin now,”Everything is with you, keep noteof it,O God in Guru’s form, have mercyon me!
When I woke up to mypredicament, I left my home,Would visualize the difference ofHis power,
For this, I have been roaming everywhere,village and town,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
I would roam in search of that God,May be find him somewhere, in someform,But exhausted going around, I returnedhome.O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
I tried to know through the Intellect, whereto find him,Give me the word, that will reduce thedistance between Him and me,My quest led me to catch hold of GuruZanardhan,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Zanardhan himself is God,The Guru removes dirt and darkness,He is the guide who shows the way,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
The Guru’s knowledge counters the Five,Lost consciousness, some were leftspeechless,He opened the doors of secrets that wereunknown,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
He said, “Merge the Five,”Allow five pranas to merge with you,Collect the five, and recite the Guru’s word,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Reading the Guru’s word helps expand theBreath,That breath will lead you to the big bazaar,The Bazaar is big, avoid attachment,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Treat the night as darkness fraught withignorance,The day shows its difference with Light, it isthe crux of knowledge,You yourself are wise, discover for yourself.O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Discover the difference betweenknowledge and ignorance,So that you can enter the Portals of Light,Scale the high wall through the gate ofKnowledge,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
The wall is of a fort; it has no gates,Tear it and design doors and windows in it,Hold it, do not let go of it,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
To catch an elephant with just a hair is anart,Ignoramuses should never try it,Only the watchful can hold on to itsteadfastly,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
No need to stray far,Looking for it afar, will get you trapped,Erase duality, and you will find the way,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
The next step is to make an Omkar withthis,Above and beyond Omkar, there isnothing,That alone will take you to high places,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Remember god with a mind pure andfaithful,Because only the fresh seed will sprout,There will be some sprouts that will havean effect,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Say to God Shiv Shankar,Open the gates of Knowledge for ‘Shankar,’Get acquainted with the Guru, who hasopened the Gate,O God in Guru’s form, have mercy on me!
Notes:Lines 39, 43, 44, 45. Five, Merger of Five,etc.: See notes on the previous poem ‘TheSuper-Soul’.
☯☯12. Hymn to the Guru
Introduction: We know that Guru held a veryimportant place in ancient and medievalHindu thought. Also, the concept of Guru isa key-concept in Sikhism, Bhakti, and Sufimysticism/poetry. Swami Ji here presentsus with an encomium to the Guru. Thepoem highlights the role of the Guru inone’s spiritual quest. It consists of an initialcouplet followed by thirty-four quatrains.The rhyme scheme in the original is aaab.
I will recite in my mind the Guru’s word,I will chant only Har Har.One should go searching with a sinceremind,
Should search for Him in everything,Look for and find the Guru,I will chant only Har Har.
O imbecile, think of the time gone,The world is like a stream,Keep on tugging at your boat,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru’s teaching will tug at you,The one who experiences it,The one who imbibes the word in his mind,alone will succeed,I will chant only Har Har.
The one who finds the true Guru,Will drink from the cup of bliss,That will provide him with vigour,I will chant only Har Har.
Guru is the crux of the light of Truth,He alone kindles our hopes,He shows us the Supreme Light,I will chant only Har Har.
Guru is He Himself,He also says, “He is Him,”Study him, you will meet Him,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru shows the way,He guides one forward with his advice,He feeds one with the wine of Bliss,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru is always with you on the path,He makes you cross the hurdles,O fool gone astray, go and catch hold of him.I will chant only Har Har.
It is the Guru, who holds the hand,Because of him one reaches the goal,He takes us away from ignorance,I will chant only Har Har.
Guru is God himself,He waters the saplings of the Pranas,He is the Merciful Shiv,I will chant only Har Har.
It is the Guru, who takes one to the heights,Steadies you on the top,Provides for ladders to go up,I will chant only Har Har.
The Top is the Universe itself;The road is tough and tricky,He alone will help you weed outattachments,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru lights the way,He scares the darkness away,He will make you indestructible,I will chant only Har Har.
Guru is Shiv himself,Acquaint yourself with him, you ignoramus,With him, one can raise himself,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru will help you blossom,See God in him,It is His magnificence, because of which youcan speak,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru dispels darkness,This Knowledge helps one behold Shiv,In reality, he is Shiv himself,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru is the visible Sun, hold on to him,Don’t exhaust yourself searching afar,Close to him, you attain all Knowledge,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru dispels the darkness,And duality of our mind,Save yourself from ignorance,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru is Bliss,Sing hymns to Govinda in your mind,You will cease to be a pauper,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru is the manifestation of Shiva,A word from Guru will lead to growth,
You are splendid, with a radiant visage,I will chant only Har Har.
The Guru is God Himself,He alone dispels duality,He leads to Knowledge,I will chant only Har Har.
We become conscious,We search through the night,We simmer on the fire within,I will chant only Har Har.
He can be approached through humility,Served through bodily self-control,And by foregoing the Ego,I will chant only Har Har.
One should be free of maya (illusions),Free of duality,Yoga will help the flowers bloom,I will chant only Har Har.
The Mind is a flower, a lotus,With your inner yogic strength, warm it,Only then will the eight-petalled lotusbloom and flower,I will chant only Har Har.
Under the Guru’s watchful eye,I will wash away the dirt of ignorance,The ashes, I will smear all over,I will chant only Har Har.
Will chant the Guru’s name day and night,Meditate on him in the depths of the mind,Acquaint myself with the Real,I will chant only Har Har.
O Foolish mind, understand it well,Once the evening falls and the day is done,No work is possible; nothing can be grasped,I will chant only Har Har.
One should kill the body while living,Pay heed to the Guru’s wordFollow him all through,I will chant only Har Har.
You can’t hope to take anything with you,
You wi ll part empty-handed from thisworldly ocean,Only devotion to Guru will help you know,I will chant only Har Har.
O Guru, I plead with you,That Love an affection grow in me,Wish you were to ponder on it.I will chant only Har Har.
O Guru, I pray that you oblige me,By giving me the one and only Word,With selfsame hope,I will chant only Har Har.
Zanardan himself is the Guru,Who can dispel darkness,This is what my mind tells me,I will chant only Har Har.
O Zanardan, Have mercy on me,You are the sea of nectar,You have shown mercy to ‘Shankar,’I will chant only Har Har.
Notes:Line 101. Ashtdal: In Indian thought, theeight petalled lotus is supposed to be thedoorway to the astral realms. This andbeyond describes vast inner realms, evensubtler, all contained within the UniversalMind. It is believed that the asht dal kanwallies above the antahkarna.Line 131. Zanardhan: Swami Zanardhan Jooof Safakadal was the Guru of SwamiShankar Joo.
(To be continued)] ] ]
Contact author at: [email protected]] ] ]
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Know Your Motherland - M.K.Raina
Pari Mahal
here are many historic monu-ments and sight-seeing spots inSrinagar that attracts the travel-ers all around the world. The Pari
Mahal is one of them that calls for specialmention. It showcases appealing beautiesin its bricks, walls and holds rich story ofthe past.
Located atop Zabarwan mountain andabout 5 Kms from Srinagar, Pari Mahal is agreat tourist attraction. It is situatedtowards southwest of Dal Lake near thefamous Cheshma Shahi Garden. It consistsof six terraces with arched retaining wallssupporting the terraces against themountain. There are no water cascades inthis garden, unlike other Mughal gardens.The garden is about 122 meters in lengthand about 63 meters in width at its widestpoint.
Pari Mahal was built in the mid-seventeenth century on the ruins of aBuddhist monastery by prince Dara Shikoh,the eldest son of Shah Jahan. Dara Shikoh, afollower of the Qadiri order of Sufi Islam,had a great interest in mysticism and hebuilt the garden for his Sufi tutor, Mullah
TShah Badakhshi. It was used as anobservatory for the teaching of astrologyand astronomy. Prince Dara wasassassinated in 1659 by his younger brotherAurangazeb, who went on to take controlof the empire.
The terraces of Pari Mahal are accessedvia sets of steps on their corners. Each flightof steps measures 6.7 m by 1.3 m. At thecenter of the sixth or uppermost terrace, awater tank with an arched wall is set againstthe mountain slope. This water tank, whichmeasures 3.43 meters long by 1.52 meterswide on the inside, received water from awater spring located above it that has sincegone dry. Previously, the water entered thetank via an arched drain in front of the wall.From the sixth terrace, a baradari, orpavilion, overlooks the lower terraces. Thisbaradari is built on two levels, projectingout over the retaining wall between thefifth and sixth terraces; the upper level isentered from the sixth terrace, while thelower is entered on the fifth terrace.
The fifth terrace has a water tank builtof white marble and measuring 12 metersby 8.07 meters; this tank is centered on the
Photo : aalatravels Photo : trip2jammuandkashmir
axis of the baradari on the sixth terrace.Since no water canals are evident on thesite, it appears that the tank received itswater through an underground system ofpipes. The retaining wall on the fifth terracehas twenty-one arches of rough masonryconstruction, which decrease in size movingfrom the center of the terrace outwards.Above the arches is a series of smallerarches, set back closer to the retaining wall.These upper arches increase in size towardsthe outer corners of the terrace, visuallybalancing the decreasing size of the archesbelow. Only the central arch of this wall,which also forms the lower part of thebaradari from the sixth terrace, is plastered.
The entrance complex is found on thefourth terrace, which also features anarched rough masonry retaining wall insomewhat better repair than that betweenthe two upper terraces. This wall is furtherornamented with niches within each arch.Unlike the retaining wall between the fifthand sixth terraces, the arches of this wallare all uniform in height. Above them, aseries of shallow rectangular niches,recessed behind the level of the arches,decorates the upper part of the retainingwall. A plastered baradari with openings onall sides sits on the edge of the terrace; itsnorthern side projects beyond the terraceretaining wall between the fourth and thirdterraces.
The lower three terraces are simpler indesign than those above, which has led toconjectures that the uppermost terraceswere reserved for the prince. The thirdterrace has a water tank which possibly washoused within a since-collapsed baradari.This water tank also projects beyond theterrace wall, and is supported by arcadeson the second terrace below. The walls ofthis projection contain niches on two levels:blind arcades on the lower level andrectangles on the upper level. These
rectangles are subdivided into smallsquares, probably intended to hostpigeons. The upper arcade here forms acolonnade that runs in front of its retainingwall. The first terrace holds only arectangular water tank, on axis with itscenterline; it has no retaining wall belowit.
After being left in a state of ruin formany years, the garden recently underwentminor renovations, such as the plasteringand painting of arcades on the retainingwalls. In addition, the side windows onbaradari were closed. The garden isilluminated at night.
☯☯Sources:1. Gardens of Paradise : The History and Designof the Great Islamic Gardens by John Brookes.2. Ancient Monuments of Kashmir by RamChandra Kak.3. Encyclopaedia of Kashmir by Suresh K. Sharma,and S. R. Bakshi.4. Project Zaan Archives
☯☯Contact author at: [email protected]
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‡ ‡ ‡
First Kashmiri Principal of S.P.college : Pt. Iqbal Krishna Sagra
F First to start residential Gurukul 'RamaKrishna Ashram at Baramulla' : Pt. TarachandSapru
F First Kashmiri Pandit, Lecturer: SmtVasanta Toshkhani
F F irst Kashmiri Pandit Headmaster:Pandit Arjun Nath Kaul
F F irst Kashmiri Pandit GraduateHeadmistress: Mrs. Gauri Kaul
F First Kashmiri Pandit Lady to head GirlsSchool known as 'Nani Hund Tsathall': Smt.Nani
Teachers Pt. J. L. Kaul Pt. Jia Lal Kaul (Nazir) Pt. Sansar Chand Kaul Pt. Sat Lal Razdan Pt. Shridar Kaul Dulloo &
others
F First to introduce Kashmiri as mediumof instruction in Devnagri script in VasantaGirls High School & other Schools run underthe auspices of Womans’ Welfare Trust,Srinagar: Pt. Srikanth Toshkhani
F F irst House Boat bui lder and fleetowner: Pt. Narayan Dass
F F irst and only Kashmiri ShippingMagnate: Pt. Ravi Tikku
F First to introduce Photography andPrinting in the valley: Pt. Vishnath Kampasi
F Pioneer of modern printing in India: Pt.Krishna Prasad Dar
F One of the first five students to learnEnglish in the Mission School establishedby Rev. Doxcy in 1881 AD: Pt. Narayan Dass(father of Swami Lakshman Joo)
F First to introduce bicycle riding in thevalley: Pt. Narayan Dass
F First to open a departmental store in a
History - M.K.Peshin
First Kashmiri Pandits
boat: Pt. Narayan Dass
F First to own a fleet ofhouse boats in the valley:Pt. Narayan Dass
F F irst to establishbusiness as an Optician inSrinagar: Dr. Amar NathKak
F F irst Photography and Printing inValley: Pt. Veshnath Kampasi
F First to introduce Urdu / Hindi Lithoprinting in the State (both black & whiteand colour): Pt. Niranjan Nath Raina(Razdan)
F First Indian Judge of Calcutta High Court(appointed by Queen Victoria): JusticeShambunath Pandit
F First Indian to become a Barrister: P t .Bishan Narain Dar
F First Indian judge of the Punjab ChiefCourt: Hon’ble Ram Narain Dar
F First District Judge in Punjab: Diwan RaiBahadur Ram Nath Madan
F First KP Chief Justice of India (he wasthe first and the only Kashmiri Pandit tohold august office of Chief Justice of India):Justice K.N.Wanchoo
F Chief Justices of various High Courts:Justice Brahma Nath Katju
Justice P N Bakshi Justice Markandey Katju
Pt. M L Nehru Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru
F F irst English knowing Graduate(Graduated in 1916 AD): Pt. Amar Nath Kak
F First Kashmiri Pandit Lady as a DistrictJudge: Ms. Sudesh Warikoo
F F irst Kashmiri to receive SahityaAkademi Award: Master Zinda Kaul
F First to receive the Soviet Land Nehru
FF
Award: Pt. Dina Nath Kaul 'Nadim'
F First Grammer of Kashmiri Language inSanskrit in 1875 AD named'Kashmirishabdamrita’: Pt. Ishwar Kaul
F First to write on Lad Ded and Compile60 of her Vaakhs in Sharda Script in 18thcentury (which were later published by J&KResearch and Publication Deptt.): Pt. BaskarRazdan
F First to get credit of being preciptor ofThe Oral renderings of Lal Vaakh: Pt.Dharam Dass Darvesh
F First having successfully completedtwo voluminous works of translating theBhaagwat (17800 verses from 334 Adhyayas)in two volumes and the Mahabharata (8000verses from 156 Adhyayas ) into Kashmiri:Pt. Kashinath Raina 'Bagwan'
F First anthropology of Kashmiri Pandits(his book Kashmiri Pandit 1924): Pt. AnandKaul
F First Kashmiri speaking to pass MA inEnglish from Punjab University, Lahore(born 1896 died in 1985 AD): Pt. Jia Lal KaulJalali
F First Kashmiri Chief Engineer (born toM.K.Gurtu in 1872 AD at Morar - Gwallor. Hedied in 1935 AD): Pt. Sri Krishna Gurtu
F F irst Medical Post Graduate ofUniversity of Jammu & Kashmir and firstmedical professional in the State to dissecta human body: Prof. Dr. M.L Kaul Ghasi
F First Heart Transplant in Asia at KEMHospital, Bombay where a Kashmiri Panditassisted Dr. P.K Sen: Dr. M. L. Kaul Ghasi
F F irst from the J&K State to benominated as the Member of Royal Collegeof Physicians (MRCP) London: Dr. GwashaLal Kaul
F F irst in India to use 'RadioactiveIsotopes' in clinical medicines and also thefirst to publish the 'Syndrome ofNeurological and Hepatic involvement inInfluenza' (MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCP 1914-
2005): Dr. Col. Saligram Kaul
F First British trained Doctor of the State(FRCS): Dr. Govind Lal Vaishnavi
F First trained Anaesthetist of the valley(MBBS from Labore): Dr. J.N.Kachroo
F First Dental Surgeon of the Valley: D r .Autar Krishen Kaul
F First Director Health Services of J&KState (FRCS - Died 1994 AD): Dr. ShambooNath Peshin
F First and only Kashmiri Pandit to haverisen to the position of Director J&K FireServices: Pt. Chuni Lal Kaul
F First and only person from J&K Stateever to get into Indian Civil Services(London 1936) (ICS, IFS) (1913 - 2000 AD): Pt.Triloki Nath Kaul
F First Kashmiri outside the J&K State tomake it to the Indian Civil Services (ICS 1888-1965 AD): Dr. S.S.Nehru
F First Principal Private Secretary to FirstPrime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar LalNehru: Pt. Dwarka Nath Kachru
F First Kashmiri Pandit Conservator ofForests, J&K : Pt. Shridhar Joo Dhar
F First Kashmiri Pandit Lady to serve asDirector Social Welfare, J&K: Smt.Rageshwari Dhar
F First textile loom master: Pt. SudarshanHandoo
F F irst Kashmiri Pandit under whomEnglish men worked: Pt. Govind Joo Hashia
F F irst Indian Accountant General inBritish India: Sir Ganga Ram Kaul
F First Indian Income Tax Commissionerof United Provinces: Pt. Harihar Nath Mattu(Rai Bahadur)
F First Indian Commissioner: Pt. NarendraNath (Raja)
F F irst Kashmiri Pandit AccountantGeneral of J & K State: Pt. Parmanand
F First Administrator of Jammu: Pt. S.K.
Contd. on Page 46
Your Own Page
'Nature' & 'OM'by Sakshi
Sakshi is a KG student at Ruthbord K PublicSchool, Miami, USA. She has got 'A' Rank andHonours in painting and studies in herschool. 'Nature' is Sakshi's latest painting.
Send goodwishes to Sakshi [email protected]
Shakti within Shivaby Chaman Lal Raina
This Collaged painting is based on thephilosophy of Kashmir Agamas. Kashmiri pandittradition of Chattra, Kalwalyun, Gwalabi Doori,are presented in this painting. Prakash andVimarasha is focussed, in the center of thepainting.
Contact Dr. C.L.Raina [email protected]
Your Attention PleaseMilchar invites and encourages you tosend news of your achievements andthose of your children alongwithphotographs for publication in thesecolumns.
Ø Dear Raina Sahab,Namaskar. Hope you must bedoing very well with youracademic activities. I enjoyreading your literary journal'Milchar' with great love. Ittakes me back to Kashmir, where I wouldenjoy the taste of Kashmiri language andliterarure. You take us back to our rootsthrough your editorial acumen.With warm regards,Chaman Lal [email protected]
vvvØ Respected Raina Sahab,Namaskar Mahara. I am Prof. Ashok Aimahere in Mumbai now nearly pemanentlygetting settled. We were in touch fewmonths before through net and I did get acopy of Milchar at my request. Icould notsubscribe for it as I got busy somehow andwill be doing it soon. You are doing greatjob for the community for which my hatsare off to you. Personally I Iook forward forcontributions into the great Milchar whichyou edit with great scholarship at yourcommand. Here I request you to please lookinto some poems of my daughter AnshulAima Koul which I will send with this mail.Anshul is a software engineer, worked inInfosys from 2005 to 2011 as senior softwareengineer and is presently working in TechMahindra. She has published book ofenglish poems MOODS published by PoetsFoundation, Kolkata in 2005. MOODS wasreleased by Prof. Amitab Mattoo VC JammuUniversity at an impressive functon of PoetsFoundation in Jammu University. Paperswere read on the book by Prof. K.B.Razdan,Prof. and Head Deptt. of English, JammuUniversity, Dr. Agnishekhar, noted poet andthinker, Pradeep K Chaudri, Noted Bengali
Editor's Mail
poet who came all the way from Bengal toJammu to attend the release function.Times of India wrote a big article on thebook 'Young Engineer Pens Down Moods'.Poets Foundation awarded Anshul for herpoems 2004 at Jammu when earlier yearArjan Dev Majboor was awarded.
Anshul writes in Hindi as well and hascontibuted a lot. Anshul's poems have beentranlated from English to Hindi andKashmiri by Dr. Agnishekhar, Dr. PremiRomani and Prof. O.N.Chrangoo.Prof. Ashok AimaBorivali, [email protected]
vvvØ My Dear Raina Saheb,Namaskar. Thank you for July-August, 2012 issue of Milcharwhich included my Nazm,'Myon Bharat Chhuy Mahaan'.
I have written somelongish Nazams and storieswhich could be printed in instalments.Would you like me to send them on to youfor printing in the coming issues of Milchar?Regards,H.N.Kaul 'Rind'Vadodara, [email protected]
vvvØ My dear MK,I was surprised and also pleasedto see my poem published inJuly-August issue of Milchar.Surprised, because you had toldme that the poem was too longfor publication. Anyway thankyou.
I am enclosing a write up in Kashmiriwhich cannot be classified as seriousliterature or satire or put under any
heading. However, I remember a headingwhich is available in Milchar and is peculiarperhaps to this magazine only and it is ‘Witha Pinch of Salt’. That classification may suitto what I have written. The ‘Explanatorynotes’ part of the write up is for you. Youmay use your discretion to publish it or not.
Hope you find it interesting and notrepugnant to the sensibilities of some classof readers.Regards,P.K.KaulSantacruz, [email protected]
vvvØ Dear Raina Sahib,Thanks for the magazine and putting mymatrimonial ad. therein. I have gonethrough the Milchar July 2012 issue. I findthat two articles namely 'Culture andCivilization' by Shri Gadooji and'Conversions' by Shri Dhar Sahib good.Culture and Civilization is informative andConversions is comprehensive, ojectiveand cogently [email protected]
Editor's Mail
Raina
F First Branch Manager of LIC of India,Srinagar: Pt. Janki Nath Safaya
F F irst Kashmiri girl to havecommissioned as a Scientist and inducedinto Indian Army: Capt. Anupama Munshi
F First and only Kashmiri Chief of Air Staff(MVC, PVSM): Air Marshal Swaroop KrishnaKaul
F First to marry a Kashmiri Pandit widow:
First Kashmiri Pandits ... From Page 43
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] ] ]
Pt. Samsarchand Peshin
F First Kashmiri Pandit to learn driving atBombay: Pt. Samsarchand Waza
F F irst complete and authenticmanuscript of Lad Ded’s sayings (was editedand published by George Grierson andLionel Barnett in 1920 AD) collected by: Pt.Mukandram Shastri in 1914 AD.
F First Technical Training Institute run forwelfare of Kashmiri Pandit widows (knownas Widhwa Rakhshani Sabha): Pt. TarachandGadoo, Pt. Thakur Kaul Peshin,Pt. Prasad Kak
OBITUARY
With profound grief and sorrow we inform the sudden and saddemise of our beloved mother Smt. Chuni Devi (Rani) wife oflate Shri Moti Lal Kaul, originally from Dalhasanyar, Habba Kadal,Srinagar and presently residing at A/601, Bldg.No. 4, Saki ViharComplex, Saki Naka, Andheri (E), Mumbai, on 21st April, 2012 atBangalore. She lived a simple life with pride and was a guiding forcebehind our family. Her Passing away has created a deep void whichcan never be filled. We convey our gratitude to all those friends and relatives who stoodby us and shared our grief.
Deeply mourned by :
Ramesh Koul and Sarita Koul Son and Daughter-in-lawSuresh Koul and Jyoti Koul Son and Daughter-in-lawBimla Mala and Dalip Mala Daughter and Son-in-law
Grand children : Monica, Sonica, Varun and Pooja Mobile: 09035198350 ~ 09820016248
Smt. Chuni Devi (Rani)
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We are regularly looking for candidates (both fresher’s and experienced) from variousstreams as per our own internal requirements and our client requirements.
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Printed and Published by S.P.Kachru for the Kashmiri Pandits' Association (Regd.), Kashyap Bhawan,Plot No. 16, Bhawani Nagar, Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai 400 059. Tel: 022-29259954.
Printed at Manual Print, 7, Shah & Desai Ind. Estate, Navghar, Vasai Road (E), Dist. Thane 401 210. Tel: 6990808.Editor : M.K.Raina
RNI Registration No. MAHMUL/2004/13413M i l c h a r - The Official Organ of Kashmiri Pandits' Association, Mumbai
REMEMBRANCEVAHARVAR ON 18 & 19 September 2012
'One year has passed since you left us for your heavenly abode. With tears in oureyes and grief in our hearts, we feel your presence all around us and in everymoment of our life.'
Shri P.N.Takoo originally of Saraf Kadal, Maharaj Ganj, Srinagar, Kashmir left for hisheavenly abode on 1 September 2011, at his residence Gokul Concorde, Kandivili(E) Mumbai.
A guiding light has diminished from our sightwhich reflects now our sad plight.
A noble soul with us is now no morewhom we ever continue to adore.
Your charisma has baffled everyonewithout you our lives seem undone.
Happy moments with you will live for longand keep us away from all that is wrong.
Your greatness knows no boundfor it has shone all around.We all miss you very sadly
for we needed your presence very badly.Your memories will be cherished for long
and each of us will live them with sweet songs.
We remember you with pride, for the dignified and noble man that you were and withgratitude, for all that you have done for all of us selflessly.
We all join together to pay our homage on the occasion of Vaharvar. We pray to God thatpeace be bestowed to the pious soul.
Lovingly remembered by Family and Friends……