Katriv Degh (Earthen Pot)

Characters:

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

Mohinder nath, the uncle of Roshan Lal.

Kamla the sister of Mohinder Nath.

Poshkar Nath , brother-in-law of Kamla.

Kalakendra: A dramatic club at Shiwala Mandir Chota Bazar.

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

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

Correlation of Sakhshi Mahraj MP (BJP) And Swatch Bharat

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

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

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

Over crowded transport

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

Children working hard for livelihood

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

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

Vigilance Raid.

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

‘Thukea Peand’ (Platform for rest)

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

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

Hira Lal & Girdhari Lal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mohammad Yousuf Malik

 http://youtu.be/zbeZYreBB30

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am humbled by his hospitality. 

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

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

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

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

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

After migration, Dr. Thusoo settled down at Banglore.

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