Tuesday 22 March 2016

Ration and Ration Ghat Dadikadal



During my school and college days right from 1947 to early sixties, first of every
4th & 5th large roofed boats are Bahatch that used carry ration
month was eagerly awaited. On this day, the Food Control Department, known as Shali-Store used to start issuance of ration for the month in favour of the city dwellers within the city limits, punctuated by Chungi posts managed by the Department of Customs & Excise.
Movement of paddy or rice from villages beyond the Chungi posts to city was strictly banned. Landlords with land holding in villages and living in the city were issued permits for transportation of limited quantity of paddy for their personal consumption. Trading in rice was not allowed. Rice traders known as ‘galea dhar’ were looked down upon in the society. Any unscrupulous merchant was taunted as ‘oh; you ‘galeadhar.
Ration sanctioned per head was four ‘trekh’ of paddy. (One trekh=5 seer and 3 chutangh; There were two types of trekh. One was ‘kham’ and the other ‘pokhtea’. Pokhtea trekh consisted of six seers. (5 chutangh=1 pav; 4 pav=one seer; 40 seer=1maund, 16 trekh=1 khervar; Seer=925 gms). 4 trekh of paddy used to yield 12 seers of rice. Each household would fall short of the actual consumption.
Some people engaged at the Rambagh Silk factory used to pass on an empty utensil to their colleague from across the Chungi post to get it filled with cooked rice the other day. Transportation of cooked rice had no restriction.

Ration outlets were at river ghats. A particular section of the boatmen who owned ‘particular type of Bahatch’ to store and carry paddy and other rationed items to the ghat were licensed to do the job. They had to issue ration against the ration-card piece issued by the ghat munshi. Supervisor from the department used to pay a surprise visit to check correctness of the weight of the ration and ensure that the quality was not infringed with any adulteration.
On first of every month each ration card holder was eager to deposit his ration card at his earliest. Those days the valley used to get a heavy snowfall. The snow would often freeze to make the narrow streets and roads slippery. One had to be cautious lest snow from any tin roof slip and bury the one under its weight. Hanging icebergs too were deterrent.
Despite all hazards, lantern in hand people used to rush at 5 in the morning to be the first. By 8 AM the pile of ration cards would rise to the height of 30 cm. Some muscleman would come and deliberately give a push to the pile to reshuffle and keep his card at a preferable number. Somehow, my ration card was restored its position.
The scene at the ration ghat:
On his arrival, the boatman got the tin box (working table) along with hookah from his boat to the Munshi. In absence of any shed or shelter the Munshi opened his office under the veranda of some neighbouring house. The pile of ration cards in the custody of one of the volunteers was now in safe custody of the Munshi. The boatman made the ‘chilim’ live. Soon the soot was all around and simultaneously people around responded to the call of the Munshi. Absentees were piled up separately. I received my piece and passed it on to the boatman. Coolies were only from the milkmen community. The customer had not to pay him any carriage. The coolie received my supply in a large and narrow waterproof terpal cloth bag known as ‘bostuer’. I had already spread vaguvie and carpet (dhurie) aside the road to dry it of any moisture. It was an off day for my schooling. With a stick in hand I kept the stray cows and sparrows away. At sunset, the coolie came again, filled his ‘bostuer’ and carried it to the local rice mill of my choice. Apprehensive of any pilferage, the paddy was husked in my presence. Loan of any amount of rice, if any was liquidated and the balance was carried to my home by the coolie of the owner of the machine. This total service was rendered to me against the rice polish. In barter system, for his services, the ghat coolie used to get rice polish for his cows from the rice-mill owner.
We had option for any of the three rice mills from Dadikadal to Malik Bagh Zaindar Mohalla. Malik Bagh machine was owned by Aziz Joo and his machine man was Shamboo Nath. Dadikadal machine was owned by Rahim Joo and his two brothers. They were extremely generous during those days of utter scarcity full of crises. Any time, I would go to any of them with a request: “Aziz joo, pouetch huz chue amuet, vie chunea kehien, yotam rusudh kharav totam dhie tomuel vozuem(Aziz Joo, guest came to us. We have no rice. Give me some rice on loan until we get our ration). Without a second thought, he would direct his coolie to give me one trekh of rice on loan. At a later stage, seeing Aziz Joo from distance, I used to come down from my car to express my gratitude to Aziz Joo for his liberal help to all to bridge the crises. Sixth boat on the side of the vegetable boats is the ‘bahatch’ that carried the supply to ghat. Today the ration ghats as seen in the album have become defunct. Ration is no more ferried in boats. Boatmen changed their way of life. Most of them purchased Kashmiri Pundit houses and shifted from boat to houses.
Once the busies ration ghat has become defunct.

Once the busies ration ghat has become defunct.
He is Sadmuqar.

Ration ghat Dadikadal and Ration Part ii


The Ration Ghat was open up to 12 noon. Those were the lucky who were called up to 12. Rest of the ration cards in a bundle were handed to the trusted one from the crowd. The next day, some would suggest priority for the backlog and some would suggest one from each alternately. Munshi had more powers at the ghat than the Speaker of our Parliament or the Chairman of our Raj Sabha. His decision was final.
Fourth & Fifth boat are bahatch that carried ration for delivery at the ghat
Unlike the present times of so called affluence, during those days of modest plenty and utter scarcity, people irrespective of their tag of religion used to come to the help of one another. If I failed to get my turn and my next door neighbour got it, he used to lend me to meet my requirement. Muslims used to measure with ‘tuer’ (bowl) and the Pundits with ‘wooden longuen.’ September 1953, to quell the followers of the imprisoned leader of the masses, Sheikh Mohamad Abdullah, Bakhshi Ghulam Mohammad played the card of ration. He declared that in his regime, people may sleep two and get up three without caring for food to the additional mouths. He guaranteed enough to the exiting and the additional mouths. He abolished the ‘mujwazea’ system that was prevalent in the valley since ages. Strangely, the rice that was transported from Punjab through Jammu to Kashmir was priced @4annas=Rs 0.25/seer=925gm in the valley and @Rs.1.50/seer at Jammu. Despite prohibitory orders, during Darbar Move or to join part of the family at Jammu, we used to conceal rice in the holdall, little knowing that it was smuggling of rice. The coolie at the transport yard knowing well the reason for the heavy weight of the holdall would never exploit the situation. At Lower Munda police station, one of the constables on duty with a long iron rod would check the contents of the jute sacks. Once my classmate Krishan Lal Tondon retired S P, the then Sub Inspector posted at Lower Munda favoured me with a favourable nod.
Sadmuqar who would forewarn the evil that could be avoided by payment of alms to him
Likewise Sheri Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, leader of the masses played the card of ration in a different way. In his lectures, he said “Adhi roti khaiany ghay sir nahee jukaian ghay.” To the utter disgust of his followers, he did not bow his head only but prostrated flat when he went rushing to open the door of the car of the then PM Indra Gandhi at Srinagar Airport on her arrival and in the river procession he was seen holding umbrella to protect Mrs Indra Gandhi from the friendly sun. People for face saving say that he did so to ensure ‘puri roti’ to his progeny, who being mediocre could not otherwise manage sustenance.

At a later stage, ration card was categorized. For income below Rs.600/pm, one would get at subsidized price and others at landed price. D N Trakru (Dinea Patel) retired SSP Traffic for J&K State, from Lakhenpor to Uri had his ration card that was meant for lower income group. The Supervisor assessed him for higher income group with the argument that he was one among the few who had a fiat car to rideand a huge building to live in. D N Trakru was known for his honesty. He told him that his pension was Rs599, one rupee less than Rs.600. In case he could get his pension raised by one rupee, he would have no objection to pay at landed cost.
Around 1960, ban on movement of rice within the valley was lifted. Hawkers from nearby villages like Sebdhan, Budgam etc. carried rice sacks on their ponies for sale in the city. Now the rice was available in abundance but people did not have the purchasing capacity. Pony load of rice was for about 50 to 60 rupees. Mohammad Shaban from Sebdhan refused the deal on deferred payment or payment on installment basis. He was our regular supplier to augment our rationed ration. He had stock somewhere in the city to load his pony and sell in city. Two to three pony loads he used to sell daily. He never agreed to supply us on deferred payment. He used to deposit his daily sales with my father, Pundit Madho Dass but never allowed deferred payment. My father would pay him in cash, may be from his deposit or not but the loan facility was denied. The only condition was that at the time of his supply, he should be paid in hard cash.
Defunct ration ghat that was once live with hustle & bustle
Zamanie rudh ne hum dhum
Totie kiya gav
Defunct ration ghat that was once live with hustle & bustle


Vegetables from the Dal lake on sale after they paid chungi

Defunct ration ghat that was once live with hustle & bustle

Thursday 17 March 2016

Trvelogue

January 1980, chill cold had already taken over the valley into its fold. Mercury had shied and dipped down below freezing point. The sun was playing hide and seek for weeks together and so was the electricity. Chilea buchea, Chilai kalan, and Chilea budea were replacing one another as per their calendar. Schools and colleges had closed for vacations. Snowfall had blanketed all white.
The National Highway was intermittently declared closed or open on alternate dates. It is called up convoy and down convoy. People used to be attentive to the morning News bulletin to know whether it was up or down convoy.
Our house at Zainakot is connected to the National Highway by a strip of seven metres. This strip was fair-weather road. On wet days an army of neighbours used to oblige us and push the matador in first gear up the fair weather slope.
After a long wait, I seized the opportunity when the traffic from Srinagar to Jammu was declared open on one side only. On the eve of our departure I and my associates loaded the matador carrier with provisions, gas cylinder, gas stove, bedding, clothing, folding chairs, folding table and other articles of necessity for a recess of two months.
Early morning the matador came on the road in first gear with additional manpower to supplement its horsepower. It was full to its capacity, nothing short of all eggs in one basket. My elder brother Girdhari Lal took charge of the steering. All were heavily clothed. By 11 am we reached Bijbehara where we purchased ‘kashuer maaz’ from Mamea Puej. En route we halted, declared the camp open. Spread the paraphernalia. Laid the table and cooked meat for the lunch. Folding chairs and table with green background added to the scenic beauty to the camping ground. Lunch was followed by ‘sheirie chaie’ that signaled closure of the camp. It was both leisure and pleasure drive. No fatigue.
Next day at 3 AM we reached Shastri Nagar. Until morning we stayed in the matador and after the daybreak we located our destination that was nearby adjacent to Dogra Academy.
Next week, we planned to go on pilgrimage to Derbar Sahib at Amritsar. We were joined by my sister, her husband and her sister-in-law. My elder brother Girdhari Lal along with his wife and children had already left for Naya Nangal. So the steering came into my hands. I was briefed by someone about the railway crossings en route. I was told that some railway crossings are guarded by gates and some are left unguarded. I was educated about all the risks on the Punjab Highway.
Ignorance is said to be bliss and so was I. All occupied their respective seats and I, while jumping into the driver’s seat said loudly: “Bolay so nihal” to the collective response Sat –Sriakal. Night had fallen just ahead of Lakhenpor. I concentrated only on speed to be reckoned with as an expert driver. At each invisible speed breaker the matador jumped two feet high and the passengers were thrown up and down. After the event I said sorry and assured to be extra vigilant thereafter. My brother-in-law came to the front seat to inform me about the next speed breaker in advance. In practice it was a futile exercise as to control the high speed at such a short notice would prove fatal. All tuned their body to my omission and commission.
Somewhere en route in Punjab, I saw a number of vehicles parked on the left of the road. I did not take any serious notice of it. I thought it was some marriage party on that side. Barring these parked vehicles the road ahead wore a deserted look. All the more better to accelerate the speed further, thought I. To my surprise, from distance I saw a closed gate that reminded me of the railway crossings closed by gates. It was a horrible scene for a driver who had not made use of the reverse gear till then. Luckily I got a slot to enter and repeated “Bolay so nihal- Sat –Sriakal”. It was one of the miracles I was favoured by Guru Mahraj.
Ahead of Gurdaspur, the road was divided centrally into two parts for development. The left part was raised by earth. It was two feet higher than the right part. The right part was thrown open for two-way traffic. I had already covered 2.5 km when from the opposite direction a marriage party came face to face in an open jeep. They were all drunk. Some of them were seated on the bonnet some on the frame of pipes for waterproof cover.
The drunk driver of the jeep directed me authoritatively for reverse. I was followed by a truck. Coolies in the truck said that they would not reverse. They would rather sleep for the night on the raised bed of the road under construction. My requests to the drunk driver proved ineffective. He said that his jeep was without reverse gear. Finally, I touched his feet and pleaded for mercy with folded hands. Instantaneously, he applied the reverse gear and the jeep climbed a. height of 2 ft in one go. I heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God. It was one more favour to me by the Almighty. A little ahead my brother-in-law said: “Why did you touch his feet? You are brave. I know your bravery. It is unlike your basic character.” I said: “I am definitely brave but not a fool. What I did to escape humiliation is bravery and not cowardice. I have six family daughters and other family ladies in the matador. I can’t bank upon your might and valour or wisdom. If only one of them would be touched, it would be nothing less than death to me. Discretion is the better part of valour.
Once again ‘Bolay so Nihal SatSriakal’
Bríjû dàss chhú vanàn låsív tû båsív.

Wednesday 16 March 2016

GHAR-ACHUN Te BAREA-NERUN

GHAR-ACHUN Te BAREA-NERUN (Entry that leads to exit for the parents of the bride)
Nazir the butcher has two shops, one at Chota Bazar and the other at Jawahir Nagar, in Srinagar. Without any hesitation, he lent meat worth rupees thirty thousand to Sham Lal and refused the same facility to Kashi Nath.
I said: “Nazir why did you extend the facility to one and refused the same to the other”?
Nazir said: “It is business for both me and Sham Lal. Sham Lal has invited the parents and relations of the bride on the function of Ghar-achun. Both of us know that the guests will pay five times more than the expenditure on the feast. Immediately after the guests will quit, Shamlal will liquidate the loan and spare much for his rainy days. He is apprehensive. Statistics tells him that sons desert their parents after the first anniversary of their marriage. He believes in the proverb make hay while the sun shines and so fleeces Kashi Nath to the best of his capacity.
On the contrary Kashi Nath too has the same function of Ghar-achun. But it is with a difference. The guests and hosts have exchanged their positions. But the liabilities here are inversely proportional. Here kashi Nath, the host, after the feast is over, has to pay Shamlal and Co., the guest, heavily. Kashi Nath is already mortgaged. So it is wise not to take calculated risk”. Nazir’s argument was sound and I believe this was the reason why title of most of the houses had changed from some kashi Nath to Nazir Ahmad, or Sone Dhar to Shankar Mattoo.
Mid fifties. Sone Dhar (Changed name) was enjoying a peaceful life in his beautiful dwelling on the bank of the River Jehlum at Zaindar Mohalla. He married two of his daughters within the limits of his budget for the project. To his bad luck phir-saal to his sons-in-law was not within the budgeted schedule. One of his foes in friend’s clothing persuaded Sone Dhar to do away with the function and offered a solution too. Little conceiving the mischief, a blank paper was signed by Sone Dhar for the sake of formality against a loan of rupees six thousand. The loan was managed from Roghe Kaw (Surname changed), the foe’s friend. The mischief plot worked as it was planned. The two sons-in-law along with their relations were enjoying the phirsaal feast. The host Sone Joo, his wife and his other near and dear relations were joyfully exited to see the function through. The foe in friend was conspicuously absent. None had apprehended the climax. Soon Rogh Kaw along with a few dons of the time entered into the premises to execute the blank paper that he had signed against a loan of rupees six thousand. No pleas worked. Finally on humanitarian grounds grace period of a few hours was allowed. Title of the house changed from that of Sone Dhar to Shankar Mote (First name changed), the son-in-law of Rogh Kaw. Within a week’s time, one dark night, Sone Dhar & Family vacated the house and left for some unknown place. He could not stand the shock and the next month his foe in friend did not even participate in his funeral procession. Peace is to his soul. Unfortunately I am eyewitness to many such situations where Barea nerun was the immediate consequence of the Ghare-achun.
The height of it is that Shakar is the nephew of Baghwan Saroop Swami Prakash Ram Ji. And the Swami would often visit the house. The Swami seemed to be immune and indifferent to the tragedy.
Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv.

Sunday 13 March 2016

Kashmiri Songshttps://youtu.be/geUoVuufMe0

13 March - World Culture Festival

‘Feshiel kueth’

‘Feshiel’ in Kashmiri language is the word for anything that brings along with misfortunes and disaster. Its antonym is 'fruetch'. ‘Kueth’ is the word for the sheep. Jugal-bandi of the two words makes it Feshiel Kueth. Feshiel Kueth is the one whose presence at any occasion brings misfortune and disaster. People avoid Feshiel Kueth to escape misfortune.
The word ‘Feshiel Kueth’ was coined for a person whose language was abusive and each word a curse. He was jealous of the prosperity of others and often showered curses even for his own relations and friends. Statistically people had assessed the disastrous effect of his presence. People used to avoid him.
Once at a certain marriage party all were cautious to ensure that the ‘Feshiel Kueth’ was away from the function. Father of the groom said loudly, “Thank God, for the Feshiel Kueth is nowhere around.” Soon response came in a familiar voice that people were scared of: “Bea mahra chues mahrinie mondie putie kinie bihieth (Sir, I am here seated behind bride, the widow).

Indian National Congress was carrying on nicely for decades. Man Mohan Singh had agreed to seize the opportunity to work under the Feshiel Kueth who brought disaster to both the age-old Congress and Manmohan Singh himself. He is always on a lookout for some ones suicide and drought to attack the Government. Strangely, when he has no reason to attack, he pretends to pull the sleeves of his white kurta up and accuses the Government of suit-boot ki sarkar. Despite anti National slogans, he sided with the sloganeers. Poor fellow with poor advisers, besides, Feshiel Kueth, he has made a clown of himself. At times, he laughs at himself. I wish the present government to perform well and not to give the Feshiel Kueth any chance for the fulfilment of the desire of Manmohan Singh. Jai Hind

Friday 11 March 2016

Poor Health! Remote chances of recovery.

Vijay Malliya has all the three "Zun-zever-zameen" to fight the Central Government that seems to be on dialysis. Transplantation of Gurdha at this hour will prove fatal.
In the initial months of takeover of the Government by the NDA, high hopes were hyped among the people. General GD Bakhshi started browbeating his counterparts from across the border on Arun Goswami’s Times Now channel. He said: “Beware, the guards have changed.”
Soon Rajpora Kathua and now Pathankot Airbase sojourn by Pak trained militants proved General GD Bakhshi’s caution to Pakistan a faux and myth.
The Home Minister, Raj Nath Singh and the Defence Minister issued statements to cool the atmosphere that worked as lolly puff for the citizens with injured feelings. Raj Nath Singh said that he is capable of doing surgical operation to abduct Hafiz Syed and Azhar Masood from Pak land the way Usama Bin Laden was handled by Obama. It was nothing short of Nath Ji’s warning to his opponent who had beaten him right and left. To implement words into action Nath Ji must have ‘Gurdha’ to act.
Vijay Mallya’s escape exposed the poor health of the Government. No chance to replace Gurdha of the Ministry that seems to be badly in need of dialysis.
Vijay Malliya proved the age old dictum ‘zun-zever-zameen’ for one’s downfall wrong. He is enjoying all the three.
India asks Pakistan for handover of Dawood Ibrahim and other terrorists, when she can’t retain the ones that are in her net. Jai Hind




Saturday 5 March 2016

“Peshav kerie gonah te Butus” peiea choab

ander Shalteng. The ‘Area Commander’ gallantly slit veins of my neighbour Nisar Shah, in his earlyWhy are you misleading the World with misinformation campaign?
Historical decisions right or wrong are beyond correction. It is beyond Shariat and beyond the preview of seh-telaq. What happened in 1990 and thereafter is all misfortune for all Kashmiris in general and for Kashmiri Pundits in particular. The blunder was initiated by the youth from the majority community who humiliated their elders, abused and accused them of acquiesce since 1947. Some of them assured them accession with Pakistan, some secession from India, some Sultanate of Sheikhs and some Switzerland type Government within a fortnight. Soon well armed mercenaries from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon and many other countries joined the misadventure’ an abortive dream supported by the State Government of the Time and the Central Government that is always caught napping.
The highwayman in the dark night turned honoured citizen in the daylight. Soon for his nefarious jobs he attained name , fame and recognition as an Area Comm thirties for he had challenged the Imam for sowing seeds of communal hatred. Khaliq Pachen’s corpse was shoed and spit for one week at the Habba kadal crossing as scarecrow until some Mufti dared to declare the gallantry un Islamic. Additional DC Rashid Khan was shot dead and no jinaza was allowed in favour of the innocent victim, no matter whether Hadith permitted it or not. The list is unending. Unfortunately the progeny is fed with misinformation with ill motives by those who are one character in the dark and the other in the light. 27th October, 1947 I was a boy of 8. To the best of my knowledge, the Indian Army was invited and welcome to rescue Kashmir from the Pakistan invaders and as such is not an occupational force. My information is not from any tainted History. I am personally a witness to the occurrences of the event. 1947, our common slogan was: “hamla awar khaberdar, hum kashmiri hain teyar. Sheri Kashmir ka kiya irshad: Hindu Muslim Sikh itihad.” My commander those days was Sheikh Ghulam Nabi my junior, retired Executive Engineer, cousin of Sheikh Abdhul Salam, retired Commissioner for works. At times we in a joint parade with Tankipora cadets were commanded by Shamasdin son of Noor Mohammad, gatekeeper at Pladium Cinema a resident of Tankipora, Elders were commanded by Sheir Aziz. Slogan against Indian Army was out of question. While sorties were bombarding the invaders at Shaltengh ( Battle of Shaltengh), the civilians, both Muslims and Pundits, contrary to the instructions to lie down at the threshold entrance on hearing siren, used to wave their shirts or some red cloth to the bombers with cries of welcome in excitement on their rooftops. Pundit Vedh Lal Vakil Dhar from Zaindar Mohalla was put in jail in 1947 by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (Read Runghea duchie) for he had opposed both Sheikh Sahib and Pundit Nehru for their policies. He cautioned that once the Indian Army was invited subject to signing of the instrument of accession under compulsion or as per sweet will would not be revocable. Early fifties and even in mid sixties after his release from jail, Sheikh Sahib in the robes of a Sultan (Night gown-little knowing that the night gown reminds one of a bedroom) was often seen in processions through Zaindar Mohalla. On his either side there used to be two well built and well cut Guers- Shahban Guer and Mohamedi Guer (milkmen) armed with long round-ball type top ‘dandas’ in their hands to pose for the body guard of a Sultan. Unfortunate that he left his mortal frame before he could be declared Sultan; he seems to have whispered to his progeny to ensure that Kashmir was declared a Sultanate to bring peace to his soul. I personally worked hard for the issuance of Passport in favour of a Pak trained ex. militant Bashir Ahmmed Haroon who served his jail term of nine months under PSA so that he could go for pilgrimage to Mecca Medina. Despite favourable recommendations by the SSP IPS CID on 24-05-2011, the department has not cleared it. On the other hand Yasin Malik head of JKLF left for the pilgrimage on the 29th of October 2011. It is said that ten quintals of mutton is prepared to give a sumptuous feast. It smells that ‘dulghee is aez terfie serkar’

Friday 4 March 2016

Communalism and Secularism

1998. On way to Mumbai, my co passenger was a Muslim from Gujrat.  En route, we talked on different subjects to pastime. BJP Government was in power.
I said: “Is there any marked difference in the governance of the State by the present regime?”
He said: “Yes.”
I said: “What is that marked difference?”
He said: “During the Congress Government, communal riots were more than frequent. A Muslim entering into a Hindu dominated area would rarely come out alive and likewise a Hindu entering into a Muslim dominated area would not be spared. A minor scooter accident would flare up into a major communal riot and a number of people would be massacred from both the communities. If the score of the dead would not be up to the mark, it would be leveled by the police firing. Now since the change in the Government Gujrat has seen no communal riots.”
I said: “The reason?”
He said: “The BJP government has put all the mischief mongers irrespective of their party or community affiliation behind the bars”. Both Hindu and Muslim goondas have been cut to size under anti goonda act. Communal riots are the creation of the Congress Party. They scare the minority by these riots and give them the false impression that they are their saviors”.
Knowing that I am a Hindu from Kashmir, he posed me a question.
“Is it not true that Mufti Mohammad Syed the then Congress President of J&K State initiated communal riots in the valley in 1986 to grab power from the then Chief Minister G.M. Shah of National Conference? He managed to set ablaze a number of temples and Hindu houses in Anantnagh district. When despite the gimmick, he failed to become the Chief Minister of the State; he deserted the party and joined Janta Party to be the Home Minister of India. Who is responsible for the miseries of seven lakh Kashmiri Hindus? Had the BJP been a communal party could it not instigate its people against the minority in rest of India? I believe in the contrary BJP is secular and the Congress governed by an imported lady is communal to rule, using the imported formula divide and rule”
I had no reply and preferred to change the topic.

It is proved mathematically by the method of induction that for the development of the State, the CM must be a bachelor one.

Wednesday 2 March 2016

Prof O N Labru's erstwhile home at Balgarden

A
few months before his death, I called on my Guru, Professor O N Labroo at his
Delhi residence on 14
th June, 2012. My reference to Kashmir
irritated him and he said "Hell with that Kashmir." I said: “Papa Ji,
until 1967, you lived in your ancestral house at Zaindar Mohalla, then from
1967 to 1990 for 23 years you lived in your house at Balgarden. Now since 1990
you live in your Kashmir apartment in New Delhi. Kindly tell me which of the
three places you visit in your naps. Stream of tears slid down his cheeks and
in sobs he said that in his naps he invariably reaches Zaindar Mohalla, his
ancestral house. I changed the topic and begged for an apology.