Money does not always make mare to go!

Travelogue July 2015 (iv)

9^th July, 2015 by 3 PM the ‘Home on Wheels’ was already loaded with the camp paraphernalia. A little before our departure, Dilbar Mir  watchman of the Gagangir Park and Tourist hut told us that a solitary Kashmiri Pundit who once was a prominent figure in the area lives in village Gund Kullar, a few kilometres down Gagangir towards Kangan-Ganderbal. Fragile, he lives all alone, assisted by security guard from J&K Police.

Dilber Mir told me that being conspicuous he is known to all including village children and womenfolk in the vicinity. Curiosity did not let me go without discovering the Pundit. I finally located the particular lane and asked street children to guide me to only Pundit Ji in the area. They named him as Avtar and lead me to a small double storey house through the courtyard of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh. I was already told by a shopkeeper who guided me to the lane that he must be lying in a bed.

I entered into a dark dingy room. All its windows were shut. The room smack repugnant and foul. Intuition lead me to one corner where Autar Krishan lied under a quilt. I removed the quilt a little that made the dirty bedding live with the movement of its inmate. On my request Autar Krishan changed his posture and came to sitting position. He was dressed in dirty warm clothing. Soon two of his three bodyguards, Abdul Rashid, Ghulam Nabi and Ishtiaq from J K Police, in pheran stepped in. On my request the two opened the windows to let in fresh air to replace the stagnant one.

Autar Krishan Raina is a paralytic patient since 2004. He can’t talk. He conveys by gestures and signals.  His security guards usually take him to Soura Institute for treatment in a Police van. His guards are reluctant to admit him in the Institute for want of an attendant. They occasionally change his dress. His neighbour and  colleague Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, a disgruntled friend serves him with one time meal. At times of need they serve him with bed-pot and piss-pot as well.

On my exit, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh in the courtyard greeted me. One of the two guards accompanied me. Both of them pressed me for a cup of tea. My pleading that my younger brother was on wait for me on the roadside and it was the day of fast did not work. I was lead to a common room beside the kitchen. ‘Sheirie chaie’ and homemade roti fried in Dhara was served. On my instructions, the guard accompanying me served my brother with thermos full of ‘sheirie chaie’ his weakness.

Gossip at the tea party was on the topic related to Autar krishan. Thus spake his disgruntled friend Ghulam Nabi Sheikh:

“Autar Krishan Raina son of Pundit Nila Kanth Raina is basically resident of Vicharnagh. His younger brother Piyaray Lal Raina lives at Bantalab area, may be Durga Nagar II. Autar Krishan Raina lives a bachelor’s life.

After mass migration of Kashmiri Pundits, the lone Pundit Autar Krishan left behind became all powerful official at the Electric Department Ganderbal district. Knowing ins and outs of the department, the Chief Engineer, the Executive Engineer, AEE and others trusted him. All financial transactions routed through him. He was not the most favourite of his officers only but favourite of all militant organisations.  He used to throw feasts for militants and pay them well. Militant organisations through internal communication had pledged not to harm Pundit Ji.

Autar Krishan used to pay heavily to run the household of his younger brother Piyaray Lal, who was posted at Leh- Ladakh and whom he treated as his son. He used to send him rice, dry and fresh vegetables besides, meat and fish preparations. Once when admitted at Soura Institute, Piyaray Lal responded positively and came from Jammu to see, serve and attend on his ailing brother. He left for change for a little while. After a long wait he responded from Patnitop on way back to Jammu.

Autar Krishan, financially and officially sound was in a commanding position among locals, relations, colleagues and friends. He was always welcome by different households and so changed his ‘dera’ very often. One day he agreed to my suggestion and purchased five Marlas (272x5 square feet) of land apportioned from the courtyard with passage from me for construction of a house-a permanent ‘Dera’. One day he again shifted to some ‘Dera’ with all his belongings including carpets, TV and other household gadgets.  When back to his house he had to come back without any of his belongings.

Autar Krishan  told me that on its ultimate sale, he would charge me his initial investment of Rs.85,000. To my disappointment Autar Krishan approached the Divisional Commissioner with a complaint against me.  I had apprehensions that payment to a person who can’t speak may put me in the soup. Tehsildar stood witness to the payment and the Judge registered the document with the rider that until he is alive, Autar Krishan will live in the house as its owner and thereafter, the house would automatically in whatever condition be the property of my son in whose name the property is registered. From his gratuity and G P Fund collection, he sent Rs.1,00,000 to Piaray Lal and some amount to his elder brother for distribution among brothers and sisters. The money spoiled relations between the eldest and the youngest for the youngest refused to share one lac that was sent to him separately. Due to dispute of one lac the eldest refused the money.”

In the meantime, Autar Krishan had come out of his room and was in the chair basking in the sun. I offered him my services. He refused to accompany me to Jammu and by gestures and hands towards the sky told me that he left himself to the care of his destiny and God will take care of him.

Gesture of a good host, the guard and Ghulam Nabi accompanied me to ‘Home on Wheels’ collected the thermos and bade us goodbye.

At Manigam Crossing, we took to Ganderbal road, then to 90 feet road and via Dr. Ali Jan road reached Zainakot by twilight. (Travelogue concluded)

Autar Krishan, financially and officially sound was in a commanding position among locals, relations, colleagues ,friends and militants. He was always welcome by different households and so changed his ‘dera’ very often.
Today, despite a good financial position Autar Krishan Raina, paralytic since 2004 is neglected by his friends, relations and others. This is enough to prove that  money does not always make mare to go!
https://youtu.be/L8LRFMvccpA