Men of Character

19th century, during the reign of Mahraja Partap Singh, I am told that my grandfather Pundit Thakur Dass Bazaz was a merchant dealing in pashmina. In view of that profession some of our relations name our surname as Bazaz as well. His shop was on the bank of the River Jhelum in the close proximity of the then Mission School Habbakadal or say in the neighbourhood of the residence of the late Pundit Amar Nath Mattoo (Ex. Headmaster Biscoe School) Pundit Jagar Nath Mattoo (Retd. Education Officer), Pundit Tusli Nath Misri (Ex. Headmaster Biscoe School). My grandfather used to get his supplies in ‘khoetch’ (A large boat that was used to ferry goods). It is said that Biscoe Sahab used to visit Mission School Habba Kadal and Mission School Fateh Kadal in a boat. On way to Habbakadal Mission School, Biscoe Sahab usually used to have a brief stopover and exchange pleasantries with my grandfather and other locals around in Kashmiri language.
Pundit Thakur Dass used to gift ‘poetch’, shirt and trousers annually to some professional thieves. In return he was assured safety and security of his shop. Thakur Dass was extremely religious minded. Early morning he used to go for circumambulation of Hari Parbat. With little Bank facilities, he used to tie his daily cash in an indigenous cotton belt and wear the belt for 24x7 hours. One day while on routine circumambulation of Hari Parbat, he was greeted at Naidkadal by one of the thieves who was his beneficiary. After he reached his home, he realized that he had lost his belt somewhere. He was upset for the whole day. At sunset, the one who had met him at Naidkadal visited him at his shop. He asked him for the reason of his indifferent mood. Thakur Dass told him that he lost his belt containing cash of a few days. The man took out the belt hidden under his ‘pheran’ and returned it to him. 
Every evening Thakur Dass used to visit Bairav Mandir at Batmaloo (Nursing Garh) . Those days Karan Nagar was a jungle and deserted area. One evening despite his futile struggle he gave in and the robber robed his ‘chader’. 
A few days later the Naid Kadal man visited him. He did not find him clad in his usual dress. Thakur Dass narrated him the whole episode. The man within 24 hours recovered his chader from the thief of that jurisdiction and returned the same to him.
I asked one history sheeter, whether he does not have human heart to feel that his victim may die with his strike and the victim’s children may become orphans and his wife a widow. He said: “Have you ever heard that a Kashmiri thief committed a theft at the cost of life.” I said” No, never.” He said “We will spit at booty worth crores if it is at the cost of life.”1967, the history sheeter stood like a rock at the door of his barrack No:9 to save inmates of the barrack from goons let loose by Mr. Qureshi the then jail Superintendent. He challenged the goons to touch any of his guests. Hamid Voer a burglar was asked by Session Judge Sopore at Pattan whether he continued with his job. The burglar said: “No sir, the job was handed over to ‘revolutionaries’.
Unlike today’s non professionals who did not spare even their neighbour, these professional thieves were men of character

Tota bolo ganga ram

Tota bolo hamla aver khuberdar hum kashmiri hain teyar; tota bolo Chrar bunie hunie hunie Mustgul kutie bunie; tota bolo Sheri kashmir ka kiya irshad-Hindu Muslim Sikh Ithad; tota bolo asi gachi asuen Pakistan- batav bagher-batnev saan; tota bolo raieshumari foruen kerav; tota bolo rai shumari burukh dobus olavbubus mubarakh; tota bolo aa ghaia ji aa ghaia Sheri Kashmir aa ghaia; tota bolo Sheikh subenie qabuer-Kasherie nebuer; tota bolo bonie vethruen likhiet vuchuem la illa Ilelala Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah; tota bolo alea karengha vanguen karengha bub karengha bub karengha;
tota bolo jagmohanun kudie butea; tota bolo occupied we are; tota boltay reho. Eik din aisa aayay gha tumharay such ko bi jueth mana jaiaygha. tota tumhara kam sirif bolna hai;
Translation:
Parrot say: “You invaders beware we Kashmiris are ready to face & chase you”
Explanation: 1947 invaders from Pakistan were chased beyond Muzaffarbad by Kashmiris with naked symbolic wooden replica of a fake gun and slogan “Beware invader, we Kashmiris are ready to chase you.
Parrot say: “The Sofi shrine of Sheikh Noor ul din Noorani at Chrar-Sharief set ablaze by the dreaded terrorist Must Gul from Pakistan will come up again slowly and steadily but not Must Gul himself.
Explanation: The invaders hounded out in 1947, became guests of one time chasers in 1990.
Parrot say: “What is the motto of Sheri Kashmir? Hindu-Muslim-Sikh unity”
Parrot say “We want Pakistan without Kashmiri Hindus but with their women folk”
Parrot say “Go immediately for plebiscite; Plebiscite has been buried; congratulations to Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beigh (who was nick named as potato father)
Parrot say “Make merry and cheer up Sheri Kashmir has come.”
Parrot say “Sheikh Sahab’s grave away from Kashmir”
Parrot say “Chinar leaves were inscribed as La-illa-illeala Sheikh Mohamad Abdullah”
Parrot say “Bottle gourd or brijal Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (Bub-father) is free to make of us.
Explanation: 1975 when Sheikh Sahab compromised with his demand and principles, people were made to dance to the tune to accept his decision.
Parrot say “Jag Mohan intrigued exile of Kashmiri Pundits”
Explanation: During the night of 18th & 19th January 1990 obnoxious slogans were given on the amplifiers fitted to mosques and the mike that was for ‘Azan’ was polluted with abusive slogans against Kashmiri pundits. Through local News papers Kashmiri Pundits were warned to leave their home & hearth within 24 hours failing which to face mass annihilation. No saner element from the majority community dared to restrain the sloganeers and other street urchins. Kaahmiri Pundits had become immune to stone pelting on their tin roofs, doors and windows. Killing of innocent people had become a routine matter.
Parrot say “We are occupied.”
Parrot you continue to parrot. Day will come when even your truth will be taken as lie and a false propaganda. Parrot your job is only to parrot.

Bub (Revered father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) is authorized to fleece and cut them to pieces like bottle gourd and brinjals.

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‘M’ for Mischievous

Mufti Mohammad Syed tells people that he will not compromise with AFSAPA in force. People have short memory. He is exploiting the short coming of people. They must know that AFSAPA is in vogue since the day he was Home Minister of India.
To refresh your memory, you may please read:
‘M’ for Mischievous
Bahach is a big boat. Four-fifth of the boat is covered with a thatched or shingle roof. Its front and a little of the rare portion are open. Bahach serves partly as the floating house to its inmates and partly to carry goods from one place to the other. The wife of the boatman sits at the rare portion holding the oar to rudder the floating Bahach. The boatman on the open front pushes the Bahach forward with hamtul, a long smooth pole of three to four inch diameter
Once a Bahach in the midst of Wular Lake was caught in a wind storm. The lady at the rare started beating her breast, crying and praying to Babh Shakur Din, a shrine on the hillock overlooking the lake: “Babh Shakur Deena bachav(Babh Shakur Deen save us). Her infuriated husband thrashed his wife: “This is His wind storm, is he not seeing it?(Yehi che amisenzei cheth. Ye chuna nete vechaan. Yemisenz cheth temisei chekh che venan becahv. Keri dheli chope). You are asking the planter of the wind to save us”.
A widow in Ashmuj, a militant infested village in Kulgam Tehsil was teaching English alphabet to her orphan grand son. Both her husband and her son had died while fighting for their cause.
Thus the grand mother, swinging her body to and fro started: “A for Abdullah; B for Bakshi; C for Congress; D forDandh /Donkey; E for elephant; F for Farooq; G for Goat/Geelani …..M for Mischievous; N for National Conference…….the young scholar was surprised and instead of repeating M for Mischievous, he said M for Mufti. The granny insisted M for Mischievous. The boy said: “If A for Abdhullah and B for Bakshi stand for names why M should stand for an adjective. The grand mother said: “Both mean the same. Let you read M for Mischievous Mufti”. A little later, the boy asked his grand mother: “How do both mean the same?”
Thus explains the Granny:
“People have little memory. In January 1990 the double M was the Home Minister of India. He brought out the Indian Army from their barracks to the civil areas in Kashmir. He brought CRP Force and BSF to the valley. He caused massacre of people at Maisuma Bazar and many other places. During his Home Ministry many of the mourners participating in the funeral procession of Moulavi Farooq were shot dead. He manipulated kidnapping of his daughter Dr.Rubaya Syed. He promulgated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu & Kashmir. Most of the times he was sent as an MLA to the Assembly by courtesy Khaliq DC as an uncontested member.
Today the author of all the atrocities is talking of healing touch to the wounds caused by him. He is asking for the withdrawal of the armed forces which were installed by him. Today he talks for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act enacted by him in 1990. He used to rig the elections and today he claims to be the champion of fair elections of 2002. I wonder how he is spared by those who suffered injuries of different intensities because of him. It is nothing short of Double M’s cheth (Wind storm). Let people forget the historical facts, but I remember my deep wounds are because of the double M”.
While teaching, the Granny resumed the swing to her body and said: “Go ahead and read G for Geelani; G for Goat; M for Mischievous Mufti….M for Manipulator”. The son said: “Why Geelani is associated with Goat?” “This is one of the teaching methods” said the Granny. One event is remembered by associating it to the other. He draws pension as an ex-MLA. He could not get enough strength in the Assembly to be the Chief Minister of the State. And he knows that he will never get absolute majority to be the State Head. For face saving he boycotts elections. Out of vengeance he has taken a vow to rule all the grave yards in the State. He gets lot of pleasure and satisfaction in ruling the dead and is contented that if not live he could be the emperor of the dead. A Persian quotation is ‘In case of no worry keep a goat to purchase worries’. Thus G for goat and to remember it associates it with G for Geelani. Both cause worries.
Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv.

Prestigious Once It was!

July 7, 2012 on way back to Chandpora, Harwan, I halted for a little while on the boulevard near the footpath that once connected Rainawari with Nishat and its surroundings. Fountains in the Dal Lake nearby did not let us ignore the scene. Some teenagers’ gossip at one of the enclosures on the fringe of the lake was an additional reason for our stopover.

To indulge, I pretended to be a stranger and asked them if they knew name of the bridge on the Nishat-Rainawari road. Knowing little my intentions, they tried to play smart and attempted for a bluff with a readymade fictitious name. I corrected them and acquainted them with its age-old name ‘vuntea-kadal’. The bridge for its formation is associated with the name of the camel.
The boys were from economically well to do families. Some were from the one time prestigious Burn Hall School and some were from equally one time prestigious Tyndale Biscoe School. Their gossip contrary to our age-old impression about their respective schools was loose and smacked vulgarity. Little care for our grey hair, they talked about alcohols, LSD, Brown sugar and naked sunbath on beaches. They named some of the infamous beaches in Australia and Dubai. They even named some red areas abroad. I had to eat my words when they pointed to the periphery along the Lake-water below the boulevard road to challenge my impression that alcohol is banned in the valley. They said that tons of alcohol containers could be traced under the wild weed on the bank of the Lake down the road beside the parapet wall.
I asked the so called brilliant among them for integration of tanβ. He disagreed with me when I told him that he was wrong and its correct answer is log Secβ. He was amazed when I explained him to his satisfaction its solution on his palm.
Loose talk stopped when they learned that I am a teacher by profession. To my dismay they painted a horrible picture of their respective schools. One pointed to the other and boasted that he struck head of his teacher at Burn Hall with a duster. The teacher had abused and called him ‘heramuek;chea chukh ne puneanis mulie sundh)’ (Illegitimate, you are not from your father).

Soon I remembered Nisar Hussain retired Chief Electrical Engineer(cell No:9419001639; Landline No: 0194-2310511) and his brother who spotted Kanya Lal Handoo, their mathematics teacher at Burn Hall while driving on Ludhiana Road. Nisar Hussain on the wheel overtook the car boarded by his teacher and signaled his driver to stop. Both the brothers alighted from their car, bowed to their teacher and touched his feet, though; they said that Muslims bow only to Allah.
The Tyndale Biscoe School student was equally disgusted with the present environment in the school. He said that gone are the days when disciplinarian teachers of repute like Pir Salam Din Sahib, Master Sat Lal Razdan, Master Bulji Saproo, Master Amar Nath Matoo, Master Radha Krishan Kaw, Master Tulsi Nath Misri, Master Arjan Nath Muju,…..and many others were on the staff of the school. Today after 1990 turmoil there is a big void. All sorts of menace are in the school. The teacher only parrots: “You are zero; you are nowhere.” “Students have become alcoholic and addicted to different drugs. Alcohol and drugs are smuggled inside the school and consumed within the school premises. We the student community have suffered badly. Our parents speak very high of their teachers. They are proud of their teachers. ” said he.

In the meantime, the boy with solution of the integration of tan β on his palm developed love and respect for me. Next day he phoned me and wanted to lend his tataphoton device to me. To my surprise, he came running on foot from Nishat-Brain to Harwan to deliver the device. He did a few questions with me. He is a lovely and affectionate boy. Last week he invited me to his home and introduced me to his parents and grandfather.
He often gives me ring and enquires about my welfare and offers his services to me whenever needed.
Loss of such prestigious institutions is a big loss and sorrow for their alumni.
Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv.

Katriv Degh (Earthen Pot)

Characters:

Roshan Lal, one of the members of the Kalakendra Dramatic Club at Shivala Mandir Chota Bazar.

Mohinder nath, the uncle of Roshan Lal.

Kamla the sister of Mohinder Nath.

Poshkar Nath , brother-in-law of Kamla.

Kalakendra: A dramatic club at Shiwala Mandir Chota Bazar.

Early seventies. Sunday morning the entire summer world was bright and fresh and full of life. Cheerfulness was on every face. Summer green all around gave the valley look of a wonderland of joy-dreamy, restful, and inviting.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the drama festival,   Kalakendra  planned to enjoy a non-veg feast at the Centre. Cook was summoned. Among other things, he ordered for an earthen ‘degh’ to prepare ‘kelia’ (yellow meat).
Roshan Lal from Babapora volunteered to fetch a degh from Kralkhod. On his way to Chotta Bazar. En route at Agahamam near Kak Optician’s Roshan Lal with degh was seen from distance by one of his relations, Poshkar Nath.
Poshkar Nath rushed to his home and whispered to his wife: “Mahinder Nath is no more. Poor fellow died very young. He was a real karmyogi. Peace be upon his soul.”
The lady asked for the source of the news.
He said: “I am myself the source. I personally saw Roshan Lal, the nephew of Mahinder Nath carrying a shran-degh.
The lady said: “May be the degh must have been for some auspicious function.”
Poshkar Nath authoritatively said because of ‘ase-senghea’ there is no marriage season and otherwise we too would have an invitation. The degh could not be for any other purpose than to serve the dead.
Soon the news spread like   wild fire. Kamla.without a second thought, yelling and moaning, beating her breast rushed bare footed to mourn the demise of her brother Mohinder Nath. Neighbours too joined Kamla to console her.
Hearing the moans, Mohinder Nath could not resist. He immediately came out and joined the crowd. Somehow he too beating his head reached his sister to know who when and where did expire. Kamla yelling said pathetically: “Bairaj is dead”.
Astonished! Mohinder Nath said: “Who told you? Believe me. I am alive.”
Hysteric Kamla said: “ No, I believe Poshkar who has never lied.”
Somehow peace was restored and kamla retrieved from the hysterical fit.
Poshkar was summoned. Poshkar said: “I saw Roshan with a gloomy face carrying a shran degh. at Aghamam.
By this time after sumptuous lunch, at leisure, Roshan arrived. Seeing the crowd around he almost fainted. Volleys of questions. Poshkar shied out for the rumour.
Finally people dispersed.
After some years Mohinder left for heavenly aboard. This time there were very few to mourn. People recalled the story of wolf and the shepherded boy.
Relations between Poshkar and Kamla; Mohinder and Kamla had turned sour. Besides, 

Correlation of Sakhshi Mahraj MP (BJP) And Swatch Bharat

Very little is expected from the Government that is represented by Member Parliament like Sakhshi Mahraj.
Four children for each couple are tantamount to giving birth not to human beings, but to scavengers to ensure swatch Bharat. In the recent past environmentalists expressed concern for the dwindling population of vultures and other birds that feed on carcasses of dead animals.

Common dinning Hall for pests, street dogs, stray cattle & human beings

Seeing majority of children and old people male and female collecting iron scrap, polythene waste material, waste cartons and leftover rotten food from the garbage bins on the roadside is a common feature.
 There is no dearth of pavement dwellers. Number of schools, hospitals, reservation for railway journey, electricity and drinking water 

Over crowded transport

is already short to meet the need of the present population. Child marriage is prevalent in Indian villages as there are no schools for girls.
Street dogs, stray cows and human beings were seen in competition to collect waste material and waste food from common garbage apartment on the roadside at Nathdwara a tourist place in Udhaipur. At Oriaya village Mount Abu, an eighth class girl student was already engaged for marriage as there is no school for girls after

Children working hard for livelihood

class 10. More children means less care for children and addition to the population of rag pickers to ensure swatch Bharat.

http://youtu.be/qCPfsEWzHO0                                                                     Common Dining Hall for human beings, pigs, the sacred cow, streetdogs and insects

Vigilance Raid.

In mid-seventies, the then Vigilance Commissioner of J&K State Pir Ghulam Hassan Shah, was known for his gimmicks to make news. One day he manipulated a vigilance raid on the premises of one of the senior most SSPs, at Jawahir Nagar, Srinagar.
Next day the achievement of the commissioner was the headline of the local Dallies. It was alleged that a bribe of Rs. 200 was recovered from the pocket of the SSP’s coat. Later it was proved beyond doubt that he was wearing a shirt with no pocket at that time).  The accused was subsequently bailed out. The corruption case lingered on for many years. In the mean time the poor fellow attained his retirement in suspended animation. While the accused suffered humiliation, the manipulator was rewarded with the Director General’s post, of course,  at the cost of the promising career of the victim.
Dy. S.P Jalla from Shaheed Gunj was one of the witnesses to the raid. Subsequently, he was blessed with the pilgrimage to Mecca. On his return, Haji Sahib’s conscience persuaded him to withdraw his false witness given under duress.  Likewise many other witnesses turned hostile. One of such witnesses, a Dy. S.P by rank, was summoned from Jammu to Srinagar, to stand the witness. He wanted to act according to his conscience, but at the same time he was scared of the erstwhile Commissioner, who had by now become the DG. Somehow, he sought my advice. I advised him not to go with a predetermined mind. Whatever the consequences, better would be the spontaneous response that would fountain out. He was declared hostile by the Prosecuting Officer. As expected, the DG ordered for an enquiry. During enquiry, consideration of promotion in the department is kept in abeyance. The Dy.SP had already suffered stagnation in the department. He had continued for 18 years on the same rank, when his juniors had superseded him.
A game of gimmick versus gimmick ensued. One time Dy. S.P Anticorruption approached the concerned clerk, the custodian of the enquiry file and paid him Rs.200.00 for sweets to his children. The clerk brought the file, made a bonfire of it and said: “Huni kheie bastea kheller”. Subsequently the officer in absence of the enquiry purchased his belated promotion. This is how fake corruption case was buried by the real one.
Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv.

‘Thukea Peand’ (Platform for rest)

Age and responsibilities are not correlated. Responsibilities have no end until the end comes to end the responsibilities.

1974, I was on the driver seat of my two-wheeler and my elder brother Girdhari Lal was on the pillion seat. I was 35, younger to him by three years. Our ears were in perfect and healthy condition to talk and listen to each other while driving. 
At Lal Chowk ahead of the then KMD Bus stand near Government Press, he said: “ Meha zunen chie dilus nish phutjie gundieth. (I feel a number of knotted bundles bundled near my heart). I stopped by the side of the footpath; put the scooter on its stand. Both of us stepped on to the footpath. Before he would question me for my stop, I said: “Yemunea phutjien yeie gund telie muchravunea yeli thukea penjie peith savuen te kunus nish nuer phutravun (These bundles will get unknotted only when one is finally laid to rest on the resting-platform for awhile and the earthen pitcher cracked by the side of one’s head).”
Strangely our ‘Thukea Peand’ too has been vandalized by the beneficiaries of the turmoil. It has met the same fate as ‘Dudh Ganga’. A shop is raised on the platform that was meant for the temporary rest for our dead.
In absence of ‘Thukea Peand’ and cracking of the earthen pitcher, the knotted bundles will remain knotted till eternity.
Being a young man of 75+11 months, I believe I am on extension. One on extension will not enjoy the same benefits of life as when in active service. One as such must be contented and enjoy each moment of extension, celebrate the birthdays of grandchildren and that of the great grandchildren.

Hira Lal & Girdhari Lal

Hira Lal and Girdhari Lal were combination of the opposites. Hira Lal is extremely, gentle, god fearing, religious minded and above all a simpleton and a docile. On the contrary Girdhari Lal is active, cunning and fraudulent in dealings. Hira Lal had a shop named Hira Lal & Co. allotted in his name at Exhibition Ground Srinagar. Its annual rent is Rs.180. The rent includes free electricity for one electric bulb besides, watch & ward. 

Girdhari Lal managed to influence Hira Lal for sublet of the shop to him. For some years Girdhari Lal managed the shop and paid a little commission to Hira Lal. The owner of the shop Hira Lal worked as assistant and salesman for Girdhari Lal. During winter season, Hira Lal would accompany Girdhari Lal as an assistant for Exhibition at Gwalior and in other states.

By1975, Girdhari Lal prepared ground for taking over of the ownership of the shop. He influenced Ghulam Mohammad Malik and Arjan Nath Parimoo, the then President and Vice President respectively of the Stall Holders’ Union.

Girdhari Lal pretended loss of one bundle of shawls and saris in transit while on way to exhibition at Gwalior. The President and the Vice President already influenced took over custody of the shop and asked Hira Lal to meet the losses before he was allowed entry to Exhibtion Ground premises.

My eldest cousin the late Pundit B B Kachroo, father of Hira Lal sent a word to me for my intervention.

I sought advice of my Phlour trained friend B L Kaw the strategist. My elder brother Girdhari Lal came to know about our secret meetings. He apprehended my quarrel with the Union leaders and the claimant Girdhari Lal. He opted to deal with the situation  

I held a number of meetings with the Union President, Vice President and other Union dignitaries but failed in my mission. Finally the Union leaders agreed to our plea that the shop due to disuse needed immediate renovation and maintenance. Permission for renovation was granted with riders.

Custody of lock and key of the shop rested with G M Malik, President of the Union. Every morning his man would open the lock and let the show go on. In the evening after day’s carpentry, the key was deposited back with the president.

Professor Bushan Lal Kachroo, the youngest brother of Hira Lal Kachroo agreed to assist me. The show continued for a couple of days, until taking and depositing of the key became a routine matter. Confidence of the Key carrier was gained. Now he would not come to lock the shop in the evening. Professor Kachroo would rather go and deposit the key with the Custodian. This practice continued for a couple of days.  In the meantime Professor Kachroo lost his patience. He was groom of the year. The bride was expecting her groom to spend vacation with her at his in-laws at Jallundher. Delay of each day was nothing short of Kashmir Issue for Professor Kachroo.

One day as per our plan, Professor Kachroo was sent to Amirkadal market with the lock to get another of the same shape, same mark and size that were like in shape and size but differed only for their respective keys.

That evening, we replaced the lock and deposited the key of the old lock with the custodian and smuggled the old lock beyond the walled area.

A few days later when their key failed to work the opposition realized our trick. I was summoned in the Union office. ‘Punea tulie dinjie te denjie tulie pun’ the meeting flopped like that of Swaran Singh & Marshall Ayub’s. Finally the President lost his cool and threatened me that he would take my pants off at Chotta Bazar. I mocked at him and told him that if he does the same to his son Nazir Malik (Retired SP), he could try his valour.

‘Hunie kheie bustea khalear’ The next morning Professor Kachroo left for Jallundher to enjoy honeymoon.

Mohammad Yousuf Malik

 http://youtu.be/zbeZYreBB30

22^nd July, 2014 after heavy breakfast at Natraj Hotel Pahalgam along with and by courtesy I K Raina , I took to the camping ground on the Adu road opposite to the deer park. J&K Armed Police tent was already pitched in the ground. I gave a call to its inmates and sought their permission to pitch my tent in their neighbourhood. They welcomed me and one of them extended his help in pitching the tent. Soon two unknowns stepped in and offered their voluntary help. Both of them are trekkers.

Within 15 minutes the tent was erected. The trekkers introduced themselves to me as Mohammad Yousuf Malik and Ali Mohamad from Pahalgam. Though professional trekkers yet it was voluntary service from them. M Yousuf told me that he lived nearby and if needed, he would get ‘nunea chaie with mukaie choet’  (Salty tea and maiza flour roti) for me. I thanked him for his gesture.

Constable Ashaq Ahmad BSc. B Ed. (Msc. Mathematics previous) attached himself with me until 2^nd August the day I wound up my camp. Ashiq cooked my vegetables and boiled tap water for me regularly. On his advice, I purchased a boiler and one bucket from the market. Next morning he got bucketful of ice-cold water from down the Lider River and made it worthy of my hot water bath. While taking hot water bath, I remembered a piece of advice that was given to me in 1978 by Raj Nath Dhar, a Police officer of those days. By the side of one of the brooks at Pahalgam club of those days utensil full of ice-cold water was placed by my help on the live kerosene stove for my bath. By freak of coincidence Raj Nath Dhar, the then SHO Pahalgam while on patrolling spotted me in readiness for the hot water bath. He was surprised and told me that one must compromise with the circumstances. Since then in such situations I remember the retired Superintendent of Police, Raj Nath Dhar and manage with the circumstances. From the next day, I tuned my body for ice cold water bath on the bank of the river.

24^th July, 2014 Mohamad Yousuf met me in the market and said:” Bae anoea makaie chochie khabuer kheiva (I would like to get maize-flour roti for you, know not if you will accept it). I said: “Che anuekh mahbtea saan kanh khenea chese tueth kiya zeher cha ( You will get some eatable with love, that is hardly poison). Next day M Yousuf brought me five rotis and in my absence kept the pack for me at the police camp. With discount of three, I was handed two that sufficed for my dinner. M Yousuf also wanted me to have lunch at his place on any day I would propose.

2^nd August M Yousuf came to me and said: “My wife had gone to her parents on account of Eid. She returned. You please give me any date for lunch as per your convenience.”

I was packing and promised him that I would honour his invitation on my next visit.” 31^st August, I left for Jammu. Intermittently I get his telephone calls. He often tells me to take care of myself. Third week of November, M Yousuf asked me for my Mumbai address so that he could send me a pack of walnuts by speed-post. I offered him cost for walnuts and in response he said in case I talk of money, he would cease to give calls on me. 4^th December, the doorbell buzzed. It was postman with the packet of walnuts.

I am humbled by his hospitality. 

‘ tueth dubie cha tithie peathie taph pevan’ (Does that veranda get the sunshine as usual?)

Professor Nazir Sheikh (Name changed) (Prof. of Physics) retired Principal Government Degree College is an active member of Islamic Study Circle. He has been my University batch mate during the session 1963-65 and I trust his friendship.

January 1994 when militancy was at its peak, I along with my wife made a trip to valley                                                                            for the first time after four long years in exile. The trip was to accomplish Mission restoration of Jewelry Box. 

Despite chill cold of January and the first day of the month of Ramzan, Professor Nazir responded to my telephonic call positively and called on me at the designated place at Indra Nagar. The Mission was discussed and accomplished successfully.

Professor’s sister Fahmeda Sheikh (Name changed) retired as Director Health services. Her friend was Mrs. Thusoo a doctor by profession. Until her migration, both Dr. Sheikh and Dr. Thusoo lived in close neighbourhood at Gouripora, Bypass road.  Their verandas were within the proximity of exchange of gossip at leisure hours.

After migration, Dr. Thusoo settled down at Banglore.

Professor Nazir said: “Dr. Thusoo somehow learned that her friend Dr. Sheikh was on a visit to Bangalore. She contacted her and did not let her go to any hotel. Chauffer driven car was sent to Airport to receive us. The mansion of the migrant Dr. Thusoo while in exile at Banglore looked like Raj Bavan and so was the life style with a score of helpers, assistants, maids and other domestic staff around. The two friends hugged each other with tears of happiness in their eyes. Refreshed and we sat around the dinning table for breakfast. While gossiping, Dr. Thusoo said: “ Fahmeda  ‘ tueth dubie cha tithie peathie taph pevan’ (Does that veranda get the sunshine as usual?) While revealing the gossip, Professor Nazir sobbed and could not resist stream of tears. He said that he was shocked to realize that despite being a doctor of repute, she had drowned in emotions and thought that in her absence the sun may have changed its direction and the earth its orbit.