“Pity his ignorance”

December 1989, militancy in the valley had already taken off. Three Air Force Officers at Rawalpora were already done to death in the broad day light. My friend, the then S P Control Room, presumably for his brilliant academic career  taken as the most intelligent person in our circle, called on me in the early hours of the day with his horoscope in his hand. He wanted me to accompany him to the famous Fortune Teller in my neighbourhood at Zaindar Mohalla Srinagar.

Generally people go to the fortune teller with their horoscope at times of crises. I asked him for the reason. He said that he was transferred to Jammu and he requested the then DGP for his retention in the valley. The DGP assured him his transfer back to the valley after three month tenure at Jammu. He wanted confirmation to the assurance from the Fortune Teller. My plea that I don’t believe in the gimmicks did not work.

Thanks to the Fortune Teller, we had not to wait in the queue.  We were attended out of turn.

Being my neighbor, he knew me, a rustic street urchin school dropout for two years and then a successful head of an educational institution did not need to see much in the horoscope to get feel about my friend.  He said, “Chaki cunea ye kinhee mughar razea zatukh chues” (He is basically worthless but his horoscope is that of a king’s). My friend wanted confirmation to DGP’s assurance; he repeatedly asked him to say something more. The Fortune Teller said, “He has climbed a poplar tree. He is at the top of the tree. Someone gives a shake to the tree. He will not fall, but will get a shake.” Still no confirmation to the assurance given by the DGP, my friend said, “Kindly say something more.” “Basically he is nothing. He is like a willow twig (Dantuen) used to brush one’s teeth, thrown after its use aside the road grows into a willow tree” said the Fortune Teller.

My friend whispered to me,” See how accurate to the nearest decimal his reading is. My father was an ordinary Village Level Worker; none of my relations was a clerk not to speak of HC or Superintendent in any office. I am from a distant village, almost from a jungle. Despite my poor background, I am provided with a chauffeur driven Gipsy on government expenses. I am entitled to a salute from Police officers from ASI to Dy. S P. It is definitely the chewed twig growing into a tree.”

I said,”What rot do you talk? Who else was born a Chinar (Great)? People would aspire for the job of a clerk in AG’s office, or a Bank or a Medical Representative or Patwari etc. Now people worked hard to grow as engineers, doctors, lawyers, police officers, professors etc. It has nothing to do with horoscope and twig growing into a tree.

Narrinder Modi's appreciation

Secularism of Nehru & Modi

Modi Rahul in one

Power of Yoga

Note Bundi

24 carat Hindustani

Mono Comic show

Adhar link losed fake beneficieries

B K Dass to Dr.Shabir Chowdhry

From the archives:

B K DassTo JKLF_Hqs Maqbool Manzil May 18, 2008

Dear Respected Dr. Shabir Choudhry, Convener KNP,Aadab. I am delighted to congratulate you on account of the birth of your new born and delayed concept.I am equally sad for the premature death of your Brain Child of 1977. Apparently the concept is not bad. The concept has nicely been drafted, beautified and ornamented with modern concepts of UN charter and other niceties of the Modern World to make it a presentable bride. However beautiful the bride may be, I believe it is her virtues that matter in the long run. After twenty years of sleep you have woken up to the miseries thrust upon your Kashmiri brethren both Muslims and Pundits by your partymen. After massacre of almost one lac people and exodus of old and young, men and women, infants; the dictum 'better late than never' does not fit here. Divorce to JKLF does not seem to be due to the pain caused by all its misdeeds. It seems probably the child has overgrown his father and has become arrogant.

Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad once said to his interviewer that forty lac Kashmiris stand by him; forty lac stand by Shiekh Abdullah and forty lac stand by any other leader, when the total population was only forty lac. When asked to explain. He said that they are with everybody. They do whatever they are asked to do. They dance to the tune and slogan"Hamla aaver khabardar in 1947 and welcome the same hounded hamla aaver as the distinguished guest in 1990; Alea karengh-wangun karengha is their favourite tune and after every election they dance to the tune aa ghaia ji aa ghaia..." .The same group will be the honoured members of the newly born KNP and the same group will not offend and displease Yasin Sahib, the proprietor of the JKLF.

In 1965, Ashok Koul was my batch mate in the University of J&K at Nasim Bagh. Those days his father was  Principal of the Srinagar Medical College. Ashok was a brilliant student of Physics.He was all around a Gold Medalist. He was still in the University, when he was completing his papers for immigration to the USA . I said to him:”Ashok, J&K Government has given you the best education up to postgraduate level free of cost unlike any other state in any other country in the world. Don’t you feel you are indebted to your State? Don’t you feel that you should serve your State?”Ashok said (In 1965): “Time will come soon when the whole world will become a Global Village. Boundaries will become irrelevant. ”Today after forty-three years, his prophesy has come true. You people sitting in London are feeling the pain of my skin burn. Can’t digest! Kashmiri Pundit is not prepared to be a guinea pig in the laboratory of your new born KNP. A Kashmiri Pundit accepts India as his nation. He is not an Indian Agent, but he is an Indian Nationalist.In Economics, I have read, it is not the plough that matters, but it is the man behind the plough that matters. Here also, it is not JKLF or KNP that matters, but it is the men behind the concept that matters. Men are the same that were in 1977. Time is precious. Time is not so cheap that we can give trial to concepts and live a confused life without any nationality for generations.You please see if KNP has any provision for a KP to live an honourable life without any threat to his life and property and is allowed to have his independent thought and is not gagged. In such case a KP may support your concept of KNP. At present we have a better choice as Indians. I wish you success.
Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv

----- Original Message -----From: Dr Shabir Choudhry To: B K Dass Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 1:39 PM Subject: Kashmir National Party launched - Dr Shabir Choudhry elected as Coordinator

Kashmir National Party launched - Dr Shabir Choudhry elected as Coordinator KNP Press Statement on its launch 15 May 2008  Aslamo alaykam and greetings. Members of media, friends and colleagues on behalf of Kashmir National Party I welcome you all.

1. Most of you know us as political activists of JKLF, organisation which we set up in 1977 in Birmingham. I and my colleagues Zubair Ansari, Masoom Ansari, Ahesan Ansari, Nazam Bhatti and Aslam Mirza are among those who actively helped to establish the JKLF. Like many others we also worked hard for the party and sacrificed in many ways.

 2. JKLF and its ideology and policies were formulated in the geo political situation of 1970s. A lot has changed since that date, not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in South Asia and in the world at large. As a small nation forcibly divided we cannot remain aloof to these changes, because world has become a global village and events taking place in one country ultimately affect others as well.

3. We distinguish ourselves from others that we are dedicated and sincere people who think ahead of time. We helped to set up JKLF at a time when politics of Kashmiri nationalism was not in fashion and talk of an independent Kashmir was a taboo word. Kashmiri struggle at that time was not commercialized. We helped to make JKLF and its ideology house hold name. We could have achieved our most cherished goal of unification and freedom, but once again we were let down by leadership which had compromised the JKLF ideology and made private deals with secret agencies of India and Pakistan.

 4. As a result of these secret deals with secret agencies our national struggle was communalised. Our nationalist struggle was hijacked and was presented as a 'Jihad' which not only deprived us of international support, but also provided a propaganda stick in hands of Indian government to link it with Islamic fundamentalism.

 5. This 'Islamisation' and 'Talibanaisation' of our struggle changed fundamental character of our struggle. To the outside world it appeared as a 'proxy war', planned and controlled by Pakistani agencies in which Muslim sentiments were used to protect and advance what was perceived as 'national interest' of Pakistan, but these policies have proved disaster for Pakistan because those Jihadi outfits are now fighting 'Jihad' against Pakistan.

 6. In this 'struggle' innocent people died in thousands; and this tragedy is aggravated by the fact that Kashmiri culture of tolerance and coexistence was shattered because in name of 'Jihad' innocent non Muslims were killed and uprooted; not to mention thousands of innocent Muslims who were targeted both by para - military forces and militants.

7. KNP demand that all those who were uprooted from their homes should be settled back in their homes with dignity, honour and security. We also demand that human rights abuse must come to an end in all parts of the State, and policy of harassment, torture and culture of continued violence against the people must come to an end;

8. It also became apparent that, by and large, the Kashmiri leadership on both sides of the LOC was dancing on the tune played by secret agencies. People of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered immensely since 1988, but leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have been appropriately rewarded by respective agencies.

 9. The Kashmiri struggle was gradually transformed in to a lucrative business. And people associated with this business which are on both sides of the LOC and include Kashmiris and non Kashmiris are the main obstacle in the resolution of Kashmir dispute.

10. KNP notes with regret that some Kashmiri leaders wearing a hat of nationalism are also part of this mafia which wants to make wealth and fame in name of Kashmiri struggle. Their aim is not unification or independence of the State, but fool people and advance interests of agencies by causing confusion, and by promoting regionalism and communalism and intolerance.

11. KNP believes people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered immensely because of policies of both India and Pakistan, and we have strong grievances against them; but we also hold Kashmiri leadership, especially some so called nationalist leaders responsible for our miseries, as they have not been able to rise to the occasion and lead people to our cherished goal of independence.

 12. These leaders showed more interest in promoting themselves and promoting their personal interest by collaborating with secret agencies of these countries. Some of these leaders want to 'liberate' Kashmir by sitting in lap of secret agencies; and others want to advance interest of either India or Pakistan and present it to people of Jammu and Kashmir as a Kashmiri interest.

 13. On Pakistani side of LOC these leaders tell Kashmiris that they should become Pakistanis. They advance pro Pakistan policies even though unfortunately the future of Pakistan itself is not very bright. On the other side of LOC they are told that they must become Indians, or in some case become Pakistanis and say good - bye to their own identity, history and culture. Irony is that these leaders still claim to be true Kashmiris.

14. KNP strongly rejects both positions. We believe we are different from both India and Pakistan and we must maintain our separate political existence by promoting Kashmiri peoples unfettered right of self – determination, which is different to right of accession sold to us as right of self determination.

15. Our struggle is not for accession of any kind. Jammu and Kashmir after lapse of the British Paramountcy on 15th August 1947 became an independent state, and our struggle is to get that independence. Once our national identity and future is determined in accordance with the will of people, we can play our due role in promoting peace and stability; and help to bring about economic prosperity in the region.

16. We don't accept this contention that the state belongs to India, because of that 'provisional accession' which had to be ratified by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We also reject this notion that the state should have become part of Pakistan because of religion. KNP wants to make it clear to all that the Kashmir dispute is not a religious issue; and nor it is a territorial dispute which should to be settled by mutual agreement of India and Pakistan.

17. We don't only think about future of Jammu and Kashmir; we also care about future of South Asia. We feel our problems are more or less same. Peace and stability of the region should be our common goal. Without peace and stability we cannot meet challenges of 21st century.

 18. KNP rejects Indus Water Treaty of 1960 in which our natural resources were divided by our powerful neighbours. Natural resources of the State belong to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and must be utilized for the betterment of the people. India and Pakistan cannot use these resources at the cost of our people. Be it Mangla Dam, Bahsha Dam or Baghliar Dam, people of Jammu and Kashmir are uprooted as a result of construction or upraising these dams.

 19. Pakistan assumed a role of an advocate of Kashmiri people. We never appointed Pakistan to represent us. Time has proved that we cannot rely on advocacy, wisdom and sincerity of Pakistani officials. Pakistan is a bad advocate anyway, as it gives priority to its own interest at the cost of Kashmiri peoples interest.

20. Pakistan has double standard on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. On one hand they have occupied areas of the state and have deprived them of basic human rights; and on the other hand they talk of Kashmiri peoples rights on the other side of the LOC. Also they have deliberately confused the term right of self determination with right of accession.

 21. Furthermore constitutional package imposed on Azad Kashmir in the form of Act 1974, and the Pakistani role in Gilgit and Baltistan is a serious breach of responsibilities assumed under UNCIP.

22. KNP demand that until such time that the final status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is determined a democratic and representative government in Gilgit and Baltistan with full powers to serve all social, economic and political needs of the local people should be set up without any delay;

23. KNP strongly believes that violence is not the way forward. Use of gun has added to our problems. Politics of violence, intimidation and communalism may be beneficial to some, but it is not favour of the Kashmiri people.

24. We want to promote politics of peace and tolerance; and create space for dialogue and reconciliation. We want to oppose 'proxy politics' and 'proxy war'. We strongly oppose killing of innocent Kashmiris, as we also a right to life and liberty. We also oppose politics of managing conflict and violence; and urge relevant powers to move forward to conflict resolution by making people of Jammu and Kashmir visible in this process.

25. KNP believe that it is a deliberate policy of both India and Pakistan to side- line the people of Jammu and Kashmir from the peace process. This is evident from their past history as well. In the past they bilaterally signed Tashkent Declaration, Shimla Agreement, and Lahore Declaration etc. and assumed that people of Jammu and Kashmir will accept whatever they decide about our future. We cannot allow bureaucrats of both countries to decide our future and future of our future generations. We are the principal party and the suffering party in this dispute and we must have a final say in this matter. Those present in the press conference are:Nazam Bhatti, Dr Shabir Choudhry, Abbas Butt, Sarwar Hussain, Asim Mirza, Ehsan Ul Haq Ansari, Aslam Mirza, Masoom Ansari and Nawaz Majid. Dr Shabir Choudhry has been appointed Coordinator of KNP until such time that office bearer are elected to take their positions.-- Dr Shabir Choudhry

Brijdass chu venan lasiv te basiv

VID 20161207 WA0005

Zaid Hamid Insulted Very Badly By Marvi Sirmed

Alumni Meet

https://youtu.be/zbPOqkkeoAo

The first Alumni meet of Amarsingh Degree College Srinagar was held on 30th August, 2014 under Er. Anwar Ashai the President of the Alumni Association. We remembered most of the teachers of our era. Most of the faculty members at present hold PhD. degrees in their respective subjects, but unfortunately many of them are appointed on daily wages or contractual basis. Appointment of faculty members on contractual basis has denigrated social status of the once esteemed one. Despite lapse of more than sixty years, we even today remember name of our Rev. Principal Sahibzada Mohmud Ahmad and his crew. I believe one of the reasons for the students' unrest is the denigration of the College teacher's post as on daily wages which is no different than a Bihari mazdoor appointed on daily wages or on contractual basis.
https://youtu.be/zbPOqkkeoAo

The Richest of the Rich

Please click the link:
 https://youtu.be/7iGSbyTzo1o
The rich and the poor are two relative terms. To the viewers these ladies may appear to be poor, but for me they are richest of the rich. Many of my desires are beyond my reach, so fall in the latter category. There is no desire which is beyond their reach, so they are the richest of the rich. GST, GDP , Demonetization, reservation of railway ticket in advance, booking of a resort all these terminologies are meaningless words for them. They planned to enjoy an outing for Goa. They packed a few utensils and left for visit to different places of tourist importance en route. They boarded the general bogie of the Indian Railways. Their first stop was the spot Ratnagiri. Cooking gas and gas cylinder is no issue for them. They don't have any obligation of subsidy on gas from NDA or UPA. They say that different political parties unnecessarily use their name and plight at the time of elections. Definitely, they are richer as I do avail of subsidy on cooking gas. Hereafter at their own will, they will pack and leave for another site seeing spot en route. I recall my childhood, when I too was relatively rich. On our return from Tulmul, we used to stop at open Doderhome land on the bank of the River Sindh and cook non veg on chulla made as that of theirs. Fencing of that open land, now Eidgah lost its fancy look of those days when it was a picnic spot for non vegetarians on their return from Tulmul. From that spot, our return used to be in a 'Khouch' a large open boat through Anchar Lake. Now the Anchar lake too is on papers only. Now please enjoy their chat. https://youtu.be/7iGSbyTzo1o

Jawahar Lal Raina educates me about the pooja samgree.

00002

00003

Zavie (Fiction)

Mid fifties,Shoukat from one of the remotest villages around Doru Shahbad had the distinction to be the first matriculate in his village. For his higher studies, he took admission in 4-year Degree course at Khanabal Degree College, Anantnagh, Kashmir. His boarding & lodging arrangements were made at Khanabal as a paying guest. . All his far and near relations, besides, his neighbours assembled to give him farewell. The date of his departure was announced one week before to make the gathering appreciable. Women folk followed Shoukat up to the outskirts of the village in two rows, singing ‘rouf’ in the traditional form. Some threw toffees and ‘shiereen’ over his head to express their closeness and love for him. Mother and his aunts emotionally charged sobbed. It was a separation for three months for the first time. Long wait ended after three months when the college declared its summer break. His reception was more festive than his departure. One reception party was stalled at the out skirts where from he was given the farewell. Volunteers ensured discipline to escape any stampede or any bad to happen. To galvanize, the house was given a fresh white clay wash. Receptionist at the bus stand became restive when a number of buses stopped at the stand and left for onward journey after dropping the local passengers. The more the expected time of arrival got delayed the more restive the receptionist became. Finally the wagging tongues were set to rest when a local from one of the buses alighted from the bus and said that he spotted Shoukat in one of the buses stranded en route due to some mechanical breakdown. Some enthusiasts booked a horse driven cart and rushed to the spot to get Shoukat before the restive guests would leave for their respective destinations. The near and dear ones of Shoukat crossed their fingers and murmured prayers for his safe arrival. The enthusiasts were still on their mission, when Shoukat bypassed the bus route and reached his home through paddy fields. Somehow the word of his arrival reached the receptionists. They ran a marathon race to shift the reception arrangements. His parents and grand parents lost the chance to be the first to hug the young celebrity-an eleventh class student away from his home, the first in the family and for the first time. It was a long awaited day for the volunteers to make the show a success. People around were inquisitive to know about the new environment and his studies and lifestyle. He said that he could measure the height of a poplar tree from a distance of 100 metre from the foot of the tree. All around were excited and wanted to see the feat practically. A long rope, longer than the height of the tree was arranged. People from far and near assembled in the ground. Volunteers controlled the mob.The grandfather volunteered to climb the tree along with the rope and go ahead as would be directed by the scholar Shoukat. From top of the tree the other end of the rope was dropped and tied to a peg at a distance of 100 metre from the foot of the tree. Now while Shoukat was measuring the angle of elevation, grandpa got tired and shouted: "What are you doing now?" Shoukat shouted back: "Zavie huz chues menan” (I am measuring the angle of elevation." The grandpa climbed down and gave a good shoe beating to Shoukat in presence of all and said: "Without measuring the angle of elevation and wasting any time away from home, I could tell you the height of the tree by measuring the rope itself from top to bottom. Haji Mohammad yousuf from Bijbehara was silenced before he could reveal name of the beneficiaries who shared Rs.84 lac and Rs.34 lac. The State Government appointed enquiry commission to ‘measure the angle of elevation’ The Commission without measuring the angle of elevation declared 'khel khutuem te ponsa huzem, Jehan sav vehan seva sav'. (The main witness to swindle is dead; so khel khutuem; Money swindled is not recoverable, so pounsa huzuem-te hunie khie buste khulear’. Let it be one more addition to the number of custodial deaths. Raj Nath Singh the Honourable Home Minister of India has sent Sharma Sahab an expert in Kashmir Affairs to measure ‘Zavie’. Let us dance to the tune 'Aa ghaia ji aa ghaia Sharma Sahab aa ghaia 'Te setee meniev zavie'.

Pakistan Dilawar Khan from Wazirstan ki zabani

Conspiracy

Conspiracy

Mid Eighties, Indian politicians had evolved a formula to dislodge the state chief Minister and usurp power. The easiest way was to dislodge by inciting a communal disturbance.

Feb, 1986, Mufti Mohammad Syed, the then State Indian National Congress President applied the tested but outdated formula to dislodge the government of Kh. G M Shah Sahib and takeover the throne.

He blew a street quarrel between the two participants of opposite communities at Residency Road Jammu beyond proportion. Gave it a communal colour and fuelled it to the hilt by panic.

The first busload of Kashmiri labourers from his neighbouring village Wanpoh arrived without notice untimely unscheduled to their home at the dead of night. When Ramzana was asked about the welfare of Subhana, he heroically cooked a story that he could narrowly save his skin, while the rest had been massacred by the Hindu zealots.

The government, while in deep sleep, was taken unaware and napping. The panic worked as it was plotted. Hindu temples and Hindu households became the first target of the victims of panic.  

By this time the Chief Boss and his crew in Delhi had become wiser. Syllabus was changed instantaneously and the ‘formula’ enacted was declared fractious throughout the country. It gave a big jolt to Mufti Sahib, who had crammed and planned the outdated syllabus with great efforts.

1990, in view of his little work, the then Prime Minister of India V P Singh who had himself failed to rule as Chief Minister, inducted him into his cabinet  as the Home Minister of India.

Mufti Sahib was one of the best schemers. He imposed AFSPA. He was the author of Rubiya Syed episode, 1986 conspiracy, AFSAPA and fooled the nation and the Prime Minister of India very often.

https://youtu.be/eEpFJPpob_c

https://youtu.be/eEpFJPpob_chttps://youtu.be/eEpFJPpob_c

Best of the Worst-2015

“Those were the days of Helen”

Mid sixty were the days of modest plenty. Those were the days when Indian Railways was not on the map of Jammu & Kashmir State. Those were the days when the nearest railway station for J&K State was at Pathankot in Punjab. Those were the days when there was no internet. Those were the days when there was no television. Those were the days when the Telegraph, Telephone and the Post Office were one department. Those were the days when the fastest mode of communication was telegram through Posts & Telegraph department. Those were the days when each word of telegram cost Rs.0.25. Those were the days when text of the telegram used to be too brief to bother for grammar and complete sentence. Punctuation marks were counted as words, hence never used. Those were the days when specific numeral numbers were coded for specific greeting or condolence messages. Those were the days when address of the addressee on telegram was too vague to be located. Those were the days when the Ambassador & the Fiat were the only makes of cars in India. Those were the days when Kupwara and Bandipore districts were part of Baramulla district. Those were the days when ration ghats were at the river ghats. Those were the days of Helen. Those were the days when any film with Helen on its cast was a box hit film. Those were the days when in mid sixties, the messenger from the telegraph department Baramulla was too excited with the word Helen to be normal. The telegram read: “Reaching on third arrange boarding lodging Helen”. The telegram was addressed to 969 Army Engineers Baramulla. The messenger in excitement disclosed the contents of the telegram to every Tom Dick and Harry. People with great fervour waited for third anxiously. Two days wait seemed to them a wait for two years. On third, Baramulla Bus Stand wore a festive look. Since morning people trickled in their festive dresses meant for festivals to have a glimpse of Helen from a safer position. Local police took note of the situation and positioned jawans in adequate number to ensure that there was no stampede. Mid day Panna Lal arrived in a local bus. Alighted from the bus, Panna Lal said to the Army staff car driver on wait: “Who is coming? For whom staff car is on wait? Why is local police here to control the restive crowd?” The staff car diver said: “Helen is coming. In this context 969 Army Engineers received a telegram from Simla.” Panna Lal opened the door of the staff car, sat in the rare seat and signaled the driver to move. Before the driver would reprimand him, he said: “I am Panna Lal Helen Head Draftsman from Simla".

Atrocities inflicted on local populace by militants, says Rashid Khan

Hungama Hai Kiun Barpa Thori Si Jo Pi Li Hai - Manajri - Courtesy MediaOne

Doom's Day

Almost one week before 10^th February, 1962 all National papers in India carried the news that 10^th February, 1962 the whole world would come to an abrupt end. Some papers carried complete description of the doom’s day.

One more hot news about the claim of a sadhu was that on a particular date with his spiritual powers, he would walk on water of the river as he walks on the macadamized road. People gathered on the river bank to witness the miracle. One in the crowd was the then Home Minister of India. Those were the days of the print media only. The event was given full coverage by almost all the big and small national and local News papers.  The final event was described by one of the prominent News papers of the time as “The moment Sadhu stepped one of his feet on the flowing water of the river; he miserably went down like a plumb into it. Soon thereafter, finger was raised on the then Home Minister. His presence was taken as crowd gatherer.

February 1962, I along with my elder brother Girdhari Lal was posted at Verinagh. Doom’s day news panicked my father. He deputed Trilok Dass, my eldest brother to persuade us to come down to Srinagar for meeting the eventuality together under one roof. Somehow we did not oblige the messenger and preferred to face the event as and where we were.

10^th February 1962 passed on peacefully. Some claimed peaceful day was due to offering of their prayers and some attributed it to minor errors in calculation.

24^th February, both of us joined our family at Zaindar Mohalla. Vincent Tailors delivered us the three-piece suit of the same cloth and the same colour. We dressed up in the brand new three-piece suit. Same colour gave it a look of uniform. J L Pandita, the retired Police officer, the then teacher in some private school, on way to one of his tuitions, spotted us and joined us. He put on leather jacket of Girdhari Lal to look smarter.

 Snowflakes started to fall. Sheikh Bashir Ahmmad cautioned us for smarter looks and asked us to beware of ‘Adam nazar’. On way to Lal Chowk, we en route collected shawls from Sun Shine Dry Cleaner and marched on for Regal Cinema. The show had already started. We made up our mind for the second show. J L Pandita said that he was given date and time for payment of tuition money of Rs.35 by Vesh Nath Khazanchi R/O Sathu Barbar Shah, father of his tuition and suggested that we could manage collection of money and be on time for the second show. We agreed to his suggestion and took to Sathu Barbar Shah. Girdhari Lal waited on the roadside and I accompanied J L Pundita up to the main door of the Khazanchi House. J L Pandita went upstairs and soon called me through the window for help. All chaos and confusion, I went up stairs to take Pundita out of the premises. Litigant as he was, Khazanchi pounced upon us and caught hold of both of us. Girdhari Lal unaware of the situation too fell in the trap. Pundita single handed gave a good fight to many Khazanchis and their sympathizers. The message of the scuffle spread like wildfire among Khazanchi relations. Two of the brothers-in-law, Makhan Lal & Chaman Lal from Drabiyar girdled up their sleeves to support the husband of their sister. To our good luck, both were our friends. Dry cleaned Shawls were confiscated and kept in the custody of Chaman Lal. Both failed to retrieve us without any police case against us. Chaman Lal eyed and signaled that Shawls were in safe custody and returned the same to us later on.

Pundit Jia Lal a ferocious faced ASI chowki officer Maisuma Police Chowki arrived along with a few constables at 10 PM. The room was packed to its capacity. By 12 in the night, we in handcuff in chill cold and heavy snowfall were taken on foot to Masuma Police Chowki. The late Chaman Lal Saraf, our friend and son-in-law of Jia Lal and my eldest brother stood surety to get us bailed out. Despite his being son-in-law of the Chowki Officer Jia Lal, we were released on bail only after payment of a bribe of Rs.50. By 2 A M we were back to our home. In descending order we ashamed of the untoward happening took our position in the bed. Girdhari Lal lost all his cool and started abusing and cursing me. My father, after a little while intervened and asked Girdhari Lal as to why he indulged in all the mess. Girdhari Lal said that he got involved because of his brother. Father said that he (Me) got involved because of his friend. Had he deserted his friend in that situation, he would not consider him as his son.

The next day, the late Jagar Nath Bhan of Zaindar Mohalla, the then office superintendent to SSP Srinagar, suggested to ask Jia Lal to close the case or otherwise refund Rs. 50. Closure of the case was beyond his capacity. Under threat of complaint to D N Koul, the then DIG Kashmir, he refunded Rs. 42. He pleaded that he paid Rs.8 to his daughter as ‘atea guth’ that reached the household of our friend Chaman Lal Saraf’s.

Jagar Nath Bhan grabbed Rs.42, but failed to get the case of trespass under article 448 closed. With excuses he failed to refund the money either. One day he used slang language and challenged for no refund. He got a heavy slap that kept him rolling on the road. I took custody of his spectacles and told him its return would be subject to payment of Rs.42.

Two long years we responded to the call ‘Sarkar V/s J L Pandita and others. We had taken Adv. T N Dulloo by his face value. With no questioning the witnesses, he had almost placed us for sentence. We approached the late Advocate Pundit Janki Nath Bhan for his help. He accepted the case for no money in return. He said that the case had reached the stage where only pronouncement of sentence was to be made. He went to Vish Nath Khazanchi in his own car along with the government prosecutor and requested him for compromise. Luckily Vish Nath got influenced by Bhan Sahab and compounded the case.  Even for paper work, Bhan Sahab paid from his own pocket.

The catastrophe proved Sheiikh Bashir’s caution right and the real Doom’s Day to be remembered.

, 

Bued Babi

1961 on my return from Verinagh, I had lost appetite completely. Even seeing cooked rice from distance would cause me to vomit. I used to visit my matamal very often. One day my arrival was at the time of morning meal. All the family members took their position on their respective wooden chowki. My mami asked me too to sit for meal. I expressed my inability because of loss of appetite. Peace be to her soul, she told me to try her dish. My resistance proved an exercise in futility. I finished my thali of hot hakea rus hakh and tout tout (hot)butea first of all and asked for a little more. It had a soothing effect on my eyes and restored my normal appetite. It was no less than a magic in her hands. She was Mrs. Radha Rani Ambardar from Dalhasanyar and to us she was Bued Babi to differentiate her from Laket Babi. Both were very nice Mamis. Today our grandchildren know neither matamal nor any Mami.

Enjoy trip to J&K University 1964-65

Kripal Singh

KRIPAL SINGH
Characters: Kripal Singh: Student of English Department J&K University, Naseem Bagh, Srinagar, Kashmir.
Professor Kenneth S Woodroof (Oxon): Visiting Professor to the English Deptt. J&K University
Dr. Basant Ram: Student of Mathematics Department, J&K University,Srinagar. (Retired HOD Mathematics Science College, Jammu)
D V Gupta: Student Mathematics Deptt. Proctor University Hostel.Retired Principal Dewan Badri Nath School.(A big name at Jammu for coaching Mathematics)
Dr. Mahesh: Research scholar, Zoology Deptt. Retired HOD Zoology Ms. U. Sharma: Student of Hindi (First Position and then Govt. lecturer)
Qadir : Hostel cook. Long hair up to ear tips; fur cap covering a little of his head; military shirt running up to knees with loose flaps; Shorts going a little down his knees; Complexion changed to jet black for the only fuel to cook was firewood and that too fresh. Could be recognized in the daylight only.

Kirpal Singh was a unique character in the campus. He was from some village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He often used to introduce himself as son of Jagjit Singh Principal Higher Secondary School, Hoshiarpur. It was only from the admission record that some overzealous could discover his name. Mischievous boys around generally affected a laughter, raised their hand to give a sound strike on his stretched hand to receive a clap. Poor fellow could never assimilate their mischief to fool him.
Kripal Singh and Professor Kenneth Woodroof (Oxon) were chums. While Kripal used to talk to Woodroof in crude Punjabi, Woodroof would respond in Oxon English. Either’s language was Greek to either. The Language barrier was surmounted; know not how they understood each other in their respective native languages. The riddle is yet a mystery. May be body language was the means of communication.
Woodroof being a visiting Professor was highest paid in the University @Rs.1000/pm. He used to stay in a Houseboat at Dalgate @Rs.500/pm.
He was a chronic bachelor. Urchins around the ghat at Dalgate used to look for the arrival of Woodroof, who used to throw a few coins in the lake that the boys would dive and recover. I have personally seen Woodroof a number of times sitting on knees in the front row to enjoy bachea nagmea (dance) of Gani Trali at Nishat Bagh. He did not enjoy good relations with his HOD, Dr. M S Wantt, who himself was an eccentric character. It is said that Woodroof took up his next posting in Japan where his soul and body divorced each other.
Those days the University Canteen was housed in a small space under the staircase of the English Department.
One morning while Ms U Sharma was enjoying a cup of tea, Basant Ram stepped in. Limited space and limited chairs, Basant Ram was about to retrace his steps, when to his surprise Ms Sharma offered him a chair next to her. Both being from Jammu, native affinity had influenced Ms Sharma. She even paid four anna coin for the natural guest.
Bassant Ram mistook the friendly gesture as her romance for him. He could not control himself thereafter. He even threatened to kill Dr. Umesh to whom Sharma was likely to be married.
Last day of the month, D V Gupta after dinner deputed Qadir to each room with the monthly bill. Qadir opened the door of the Basant Ram’s room. He saw Basant Ram in his bed taking a nap after dinner. He closed the door and left for the next. In his half-sleep, Basant Ram heard the sound of the opening of the door; he raised his head to see the visitor. Seeing no body there, he slept again. Qadir on his return replayed his action. Seeing the status quo position, he closed the door again. Basant Ram again in his half-sleep heard the sound of the opening of the door. He raised his head again to find nobody there. Vanish of the horrible image of Qadir in his let loose dress and abnormal hair style caused horror to Bassant Ram.
Ghulam Mohammad Bhat my classmate in the ground floor heard screeching sobs of Basant Ram. He rushed to first floor and pulled Basant Ram who was about to jump through the window in hysteria.
Soon it was all a mess. All the boarders headed by Kirpal Singh huddled in our room(D V Gupta the proctor and I shared a common room). Basant Ram was somehow laid on the neat and clean bed of D V Gupta. Some boys massaged his sole, others cleaned his foamy sputum and some his flowing nose. Intermittently he stood ferociously and cried ‘mujay choaddho’ (leave me alone). The ferocious scene emptied the packed room. Frightened boys rushed down the stairs. They cared little for others who stumbled in the process.
It was a long awaited opportunity for Kripal Singh to show his leadership traits. He seized both the opportunity and the telephone.“Hallo”, son of Jagjit Singh, emergency. One boarder serious.
From the other end: “What VC has to do with it? You phone the hospital emergency. I shall also ring them.”
“Hallo, son of Jagjit Singh. One boarder serious. Come soon.”
“Where?” from the other end.
In response: “Hostel.”
“Which hostel?” said the emergency doctor from the Hospital.
In response: “University Hostel.”
“Where is it located? Give me the location.” said the doctor.
In the meantime all the boarders huddled around the telephone to enjoy Kripal Singh. They controlled their laughter and managed with a quiet smile only.
Kripal Singh said: “You reach Dargah gate; (simultaneously drawing site plan in the air) go this side then this side and then that side….you will reach the hostel.
Boys around could no more resist. They screeched with laughter.
Kripal with live telephone tugged to his ear lost control on him and shouted at boys: “You bloody fools can’t you be quiet for a little while.”
Doctor on the other end became nervous. He took the reprimand for him and said: “Kindly let us know nature of the problem so that we shall send specialist of the same.”
“I know nothing about the problem. He shouts ‘Mujay choad dho’ (Leave me alone). And that is the problem.” said Kripal in response.
Soon the other end became dead and a little later; an ambulance came to a screeching halt at the hostel gate.
By this time Basant Ram was perfectly all right. The medical staff and the doctor alighted from the ambulance. The doctor was nervous. In view of Kripal’s behaviour on phone he was shaky and expected worse situation.
Fumbling with his stethoscope, the doctor stammered: “Who is the patient?”
We were all quiet and pointed towards Basant Ram. The doctor heaved a sigh of relief and said: “He is normal. We were expecting a serious and a dying patient. (Seeing no sardar around)Who among you is son of Jagjit Singh?”
Without any response, we bundled Basant Ram into the ambulance and a few of us accompanied him. Basant Ram was admitted. Others returned to the hostel on foot at dead of the night. I went to my home at Zaindar Mohalla and climbed the wall to enter into my home through the kitchen window at first floor stealthily to give a surprise to my other family members the next morning. I volunteered to serve as an attendant to Basant Ram. Next day Professor Jan Mohammad paid a visit to the patient. Professor’s visit gave VIP treatment to Basant Ram. The third day, after University hours, our HOD Professor M R Puri’s and classmates’ visit aborted when Basant Ram waving my Tiffin box arrived in white duck pant hale and healthy.
Other batch mates of the session from the English Department were:
Piaray Lal Waguzari (Retired English lecturer)
Professor Divendar Koul (Retired Principal Vishwa Bharti College, Srinagar)
Dr. Tej Nath Dhar (Ex. HOD English Deptt. Kashmir University; Visiting
Professor Eritrea University East Africa)
Professor Amin (English Deptt. Kashmir University Retd.)
The late Badri Shahbadi Advocate
Akhtar Hussain Jan from Babapora (Left for Pakistan. He was interested more in Precious stones)
AND
R L Kampasi.
Grateful to R L Kampasi for reminding me the name of Akhtar Hussain Jan.
The late Lassa Koul (Director Radio Kashmir, assassinated by militants in February 1990)
The late Mrs. Sarla Wattal
Mrs. Veena Koul and many others.
God willing ‘phir milany ghay’

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“Fire Weapons at Us” Instead: Army Chief Dares Stone-pelters of Kashmir

In our school days there was a story on Gulzar, a pampered child. In his friend circle Gulzar was notorious for his mischievous character. His mischief always used to be an innovative one. He used to make fun of his teachers at school, his neighbours in his neighbourhood, strangers, relatives and others. He had crossed all limits of decency. His victims were scared of him. Everybody would try to maintain distance from him.

One day while offering Nimaz, he mischievously fingered a stranger who was in the row ahead of him. The stranger responded with a smile and rewarded him with a five rupee note. Emboldened, the next day Gulzar deliberately took to the row behind the stranger and repeated his mischief. The stranger paid him a 10 rupee note for the act. After a few days, the stranger abstained and stealthily watched Gulzar from distance. For Gulzar, it mattered little whether his victim was elder or younger to him, whether known or unknown, familiar or stranger to him. He took everybody for a ride. By now Gulzar had become a habitual offender and addicted to mischief.

No sooner did Gulzar finger the one in front of him, the victim to his bad luck, a Pathan took out his sword and beheaded Gulzar. All human right activists raised hue and cry. Electronic and Print Media made headline of the episode. FIR was lodged against the Pathan. The Pathan was taken to the police custody. The Pathan pleaded, but nobody believed his story. The Stranger finally came to the rescue of the Pathan. He revealed the mischievous behavior of Gulzar. Soon all the victims of Gulzar seconded the stranger.

The judge acquitted the Pathan with strictures against the stranger, who with his innovative method indirectly punished Gulzar. The Title of the case file is ‘Pathanea sunz ongujie’

I believe instead of blaming the stone-pelters in the valley, we must blame the Unified Command Chaired by  the Chief Minister of the State for emboldening the stone-pelters. Unfortunately Sabzar like Gulzar took his opponent for a ride and paid the price for it. Peace be to the soul of both Gulzar and Subzar.

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'He'

He was our neighbour at Zaindar Mohalla Srinagar for ages. Our houses in mud –mortar were separated by hardly a twenty feet wide general road. He was son of the third brother in a hierarchy of five. All the five brothers with separate kitchens lived peacefully in that house. Ganea Subh was the eldest and he was followed by Bodh Sabh, Lassea Sabh, Mogluea Shah and Noor Din. They all were engaged in Government Silk Factory Rambagh. Despite modest plenty they all gave relatively quality education to their children.

Lassea Sabh’s wife expired in early years of her marriage and she was survived besides her husband by one infant son and one daughter, named Badshah. I am told that the wife of my eldest cousin Gopi Nath Dhar gave the infant her breast feeding. This infant later on was known as Pirzada Ali Shah and we the youngsters used to call him as Shah Sabh.

Shah Sabh was elder to my eldest brother Trilok Dass, whom we used to call Papa. Strangely, little knowing the connotation of the words, we used to call our father Pundit Madho Dass as Baisabh and brother as Papa. All in the mohalla adopted the same connotation. Those were the days when new Hindi and English names for different relations , like Babi, Bahu ji, aunty, Mummy without appropriate usage entered into our households. Names like Beniteath,Benijiger, Kakenijiger, Dedh, Kakenie died unceremoniously. Even mother in some families is  now called Babi and great grand mother-in-law as Bahu ji by her children, grandchildren and even by her daughter-in-law.

Shah Sabh never expressed but he loved Papa like his younger brother. Until 1947, Shah Sahib was away in areas that later on became Pakistan territories. All his correspondence with his father routed through Baisabh.

1947, on his return he married a beautiful damsel of teens, we later on called  Ammi ji. She was from Ustad Mohalla Jammu whose parents had escaped to Pakistan.

Early fifties, Shah Sahib rose to a very good position as Liaison Officer at Gulmarg. He was simultaneously holding the job of a Labour Officer.

Mid fifties he left his job and joined Political Conference, headed by Mohi-ul-din Qarra.

He suffered imprisonment intermittently that shattered his house in making. His wife gave him moral support. She looked after her siblings, their education and to their day to day needs.

27^th May 1964 at mid day with a gloomy face, he through his window called “ Baisabh, Baisabh”.

Strangely my father while playing chess was deaf to the outer world, but that time my father responded to his call “Everything all right.”

“Depan mahra Nehru ji guzreaev (It is said that Pundit Nehru passed away)

Mid seventies, Sheikh Abdullah came closer to him. He visited his place a number of times. His closeness to Sheikh Abdullah was torpedoed by Kh. Ghulam Mohammad Shah. Medical seat assured for his meritorious son was sold at a price. In the meantime he had seen the real face of politics in Kashmir. He unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections on Janta Party nomination.

2011, his elder son Muzaffar Jan arrived from America for his chemotherapy. During a recess of fifteen days in his therapy he deputed him to Jammu to enquire about our welfare. Until 1 in the night he visited all his neighbours scattered in Jammu city. Already booked he stayed for the night at his friend Sushil Raina’s place at Subash Nagar and returned back to the valley next morning to report to his ailing father who was eagerly waiting for the welfare message of his neighbours in exile.

March, 2012 I got a mail from his younger son Babu settled in Karachi. He wrote: “For complete one month prior to his demise he remembered all the members of M Dass Family and expressed concern for them”.

I remember how he used to tie the other end of the rope to his window sill to make an arch to welcome Dushera and Janam Ashtami processions.

He was the person who phoned Dr.Roop Kaw at America and pathetically and helplessly told him that his home was plundered and vandalized.

Peace be to the departed soul.

‘Travelogue’-Trip to Bhaderwah

Trip to Bhaderwah was programmed by Romesh Dass Raina-Rinku, my daughter three months in advance. I postponed my personal routine summer trip to the valley and prioritized the Bhaderwah trip. TIME as rightly noticed flies faster than the fastest. It was to refresh my fifty year old memories about Bhaderwah when I participated in the marriage function of the younger brother of my friend D V Gupta in 1967.

Finally the long awaited date the 6^th May 2017 arrived and Romesh joined me. 7^th May at 11:21 we gave a start to our journey. Karmanya and Navia my grand children joined us. Romesh and I exchanged the driver seat intermittently. A few kilometers ahead at Karan Nagar petrol pump, I noticed fault with the cooling system of the 99 model. Somehow, the problem was rectified at the first available Maruti workshop at Udhampur. Two hour journey from Jammu to Udhampur was covered in six hours. The rough and dusty road ahead of Batote was an additional eyesore.  Google information of four-hour journey from Jammu to Bhaderwah proved to be misleading. Abnormal delay panicked Bal Krishen CEO Tourist Corporation Bhaderwah. He kept us prompting until we reached Tilli Garh Tourist Complex at 11:30 in the night.

Next morning on 8^th May, we visited the local tourist resort Nalthi, half an hour drive from the Tourist resort Tilli Garh. Connectivity by rough and dusty roads is time and energy consuming.  Nalthi is developed to its capacity, but the follow up care for want of watch and ward to maintain  the place is tantamount to ‘anie sunz kolie khodaius hawalae’ (Blind man’s spouse is left at the mercy of god).

 

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Corruption in the teaching profession

Mid eighties at Sadiq Nagar, Delhi, one student of sixth class boasted his trickery for copying essay on the cow in his examination. He had concealed the smuggled paper in his geometry box. He had already paid the invigilator to let him copy. I noticed many mistakes in the text and told him that besides many mistakes he had written wrongly that the cow has two years instead of two ears. The boy said that he already scored hundred percent marks in the paper. We in the valley had 'A' class education that sustained us in exile. The Cow culture has taken over Kashmir to make it at par with Sadiq Nagar Delhi and integral part of India. 'Kacher Gav' (Brown Cow' was issued admission card and roll number slip for taking entrance test for technical education. Pir Sahab, the erstwhile chairman for technical education was jailed in the recent past for selling question papers on wholesale to retailers. 'Halat tushvish nak hain ta hum under control hain-Baki sub theek hai' Allah CM sahab ko rakhu bunavay'

“Musalman by name” says Kashmir Diaspora

The basic fault lies elsewhere. Indian security forces were taken unaware in 1990 when militancy crept up all of a sudden. They lack training in mob controlling that was one of the lectures at NCC level. 1990, it is said that they thought that they were taken on election duty. In response to mammoth rally on way to Chrar, they said "Akbar zaroor jitay gha (Akbar will definitely win the election). They took the slogan 'Allah o Akbar' for Akbar to be a contestant candidate. 1990, P C Dogra, the retired DG BSF was IGP BSF Jammu. His daughter used to come to my friend for coaching in Mathematics. My peon Ram Lal who too migrated requested me for managing recruitment of his younger brother in BSF. As directed by P C Dogra, the requisite documents like school leaving certificate and other relevant documents were to be submitted in his office. One day to my surprise, the boy in full uniform with CRPF badge came and saluted me. I said how was it? He said that he paid Rs.18000 and got recruited in the CRPF without any hassle. Without any prerequisite training he had already served duty at Zainakadal and other four places. Kashmir provided field for practical training in guerrilla warfare to the security forces and for militants it proved a joint exercise. Initially they would open fire even on a bus for the burst of one of its tyres. 1974, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was still out of power, when some rival of Mir Qasim the then CM phoned Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah regarding desecration of the holy book. It was alleged that some of the pages of the holy book were torn and found in the toilet of the Women College Srinagar. Sheikh Sahib smelt the conspiracy. He asked the informer as to why he phoned him and not the concerned Police station or the Government in power. He retorted at him that the holy book is not to instigate violence for political reasons. Unfortunately, innocent people become fodder to the conspiracy hatched at high places. Security forces must know that each killing goes as help to the political adversaries. They are required to be given rigorous training in mob controlling with little loss of life. Kashmir Diaspora Quotes: “Shame on those people who still support NC, PDP, Congress etc. They are fully responsible in the discretion of the holy Quran; what if their names are Ghulam Mohammad, Ali Mohammad…..they are the namesake Muslims” Unquote: I have mentioned in many of my write-ups that I am not victim of Muslims, though hounded out and looted by my next door neighbour Ghulam Mohammad , Ali Mohammad contrary to Hadith Sharief the sayings of Prophet Mohammad. Kashmiri Pundits usually believe a Kashmiri Muslim when he swears by ‘Khudayas Rasulus paeth’, or by ‘Quranus peath’ ‘Nabi taj darus peath’…..In their association I too had adopted to swear by holy Quran.

1965 during Indo Pak war students and teachers in the J&K University Srinagar got vertically divided. My classmate and roommate Ghulam Mohammad Bhat from Barmulla, retired Joint Director Planning objected to my swearing by Quran. He said: “Brijdassa chai chukh butea chea kiyazi havan Quranus peath (You are a Kashmiri Pundit. Why do you swear by Quran?”

Quran came to my rescue with a ready wit. I said: “Gulea Butta, Quran kati ave te kumie suez (Where from did Quran come and who sent It?” He said: “Quran has been sent by Allah.” I said: “Is your Allah different than my creator?” He said: “No Allah is one”. I said: “Then who has given you rights to swear by Quran and denied the same rights to me.” I am witness to many occasions when Muslims (by name) swore falsely by the holy Book and Khuda Rasul for their material gains. May Allah forgive them for they don’t know that they will lose access and entry into ‘Janat’ as it is only open to a true Musalman

Elections! 1977?

Elections! 1977?

Excuse me to add a little to what I claim few are abreast with.

Kh.G M Shah, son-in-law and cabinet colleague of Sheikh Sahib was in charge of a big Brigade of ‘seirie valie’ from Pather Masjid the Head Quarter of National Conference since thirties. One of the Brigadiers of the Brigade was Gulea Hoer, a condemned criminal but a perfect human being to the best of my knowledge.

I along with my eldest brother the late Trilok Dass had the privilege of knowing Gulea Hoer closely while  being one of the inmates of Barrack No:9 adjacent to his Barrack No:10 in the Central Jail in 1967.

On his arrival, Trilok Dass started cultural activity to give colour to the dull life in the gloomy environment away from one’s kith and kin. He changed it into a colourful environment. Gul Hoer was discovered a good singer. While singing emotional songs, his eyes used to turn into a fountain and tears would stream down, Balak Ram Sharma (Dismissed Teshsildar from Punjab)   , one of the inmates, with white trimmed beard, to give him a saintly look, besides, to be incognito when clean shaved outside the jail played tabla on a plate.

On our release, Gulea Hoer turned emotional, hugged Papa tight and expressed his remorse for our release and full stop to the changed environment.

Ten years later, December 1977 an unknown to him said:” Papa namaskar.” Papa was managing Bookshop of M Dass after his office hours.  Papa took him for some parent to purchase books. He casually responded:”Adab.”

The man in a leader’s clothing-nimazi cap, kurta-pajama and waistcoat rightly guessed that Papa did not recognize him and said:”Papea bea mahra chues Gulea Hoer (Papa I am Gulea Hoer)”

Papa stood up to hug him and said:”Chea kerue trovhokh (When have you been released?”)

Asie mahra treviekh Sheikh Sab zenea navnea khetrea. Yuem searee Minister mahra chi cheani noker. Kenh keam agher yemuen nish chea te vean mahra vunie kernavekh  (We have been released to ensure Sheikh Sahib’s success. All these Ministers are at your service. I assure you help from any of these Ministers. Tell me if you need any.)”

Papa thanked him and offered a cup of tea at Kumar Sweets a teashop across the road. Gulea Hoer declined the offer and said: “Yem mahra tohie (you) vuchn(see) mai setie(with me) chaie chevan(taking tea)  tim mahra depuen Dass sub chue zehira chorea mal kenan (Those who will see you sharing a table with me will think that Dass Sahib is probably selling stolen goods.)

Deputation of Setarwala an observer from Delhi to ensure fair election caused a furore in the concerned political wing of the National Conference. One of them cooled down others when he claimed: “We are atharawala and we know how to make him zerowala”.

On his arrival, he was provided with the services of the brother of National Conference candidate from Kargil as his personal Private Secretary. He used to bell the cat before he would visit the rats.

One of the observers a Kashmiri settled outside was heavily drunk at Broadway Hotel while the polling was on. He failed to recognize his classmate, the late Triloki Nath Dhar, SE Doordarshan who had gone to tell him that he was not let cast his vote by the goons who claimed that his vote was already cast in favour of a ‘right ‘candidate.

In the meantime ‘Sona chea kuer penenie kuem’ Sona did his job.