Sunday, September 28, 2014

From Ladisha Laughter To Tearful Memories



My friend Kanwal Peshin & I share a bond that might go beyond the known & unknown practicalities of human thoughts. Often we differ , stop talking for days and then like good old friends start communications again. we often demonstrate all those traits that friends in LORD of the RINGS did. 

I am writing this story to give words to his heroism and humanity which often we forget in his MASKERY ( stand up comedian acts ). he works for Fire department in Kashmir and is often known for his Kashmiri jokes , hilarious songs , humor and laughter. He fills the gathering with joy and entertainment to make life lighter and easy to breath.  He is called vyang Shrimoni by his community members. a title he earned for his satire & comedy.

I am putting words to his story and feeling the moments as he narrates the things to me.


On the intervening night of 6/7 September I ,along with my roommate got up around midnight and went out of our Hotel Hill View in Indira Nagar. After accessing the raised water level & sent information about water flowing into Shivpora area to head quarters but it looked like the things were surprisingly getting out of control much before the SMS could reach the authority. Panic was gripping across the place.

Irshad one of the Hotel employees asked us to leave hotel despite my resentment , we started to move out as quickly as possible. Taking along as many people as we could & those who believed on our word.

The water was fast rising up in adjoining areas & we managed to reach Batmaloo Fire & Emergency Services Headquarters . I was posted there and as such it was my first stop to reach along with many more people whom I didn't knew anyone personally but carried them along as a fellow human being. 

On the way we saw water flowing into Jahangir chowk as if a well was getting filled with monsoon water. Water had started to move into our Hqrs too and upto first floor .

Water had crossed the all limits as if it was jhelum was flowing towards Batmaloo Bus stand rather than its normal course.  Our Head quarter was almost getting dysfunctional as none of us could move out & we have no means to move out . No boats No rafts No life jackets . what ever rescue stock was available was already underwater . It was left to few of us within the HO to save with what ever supplies we had and what ever we could achieve. 

We had to act with what ever few boats we got at our disposal. Suthrashahi was fully submerged & we were rescuing as many people from the locality on our rescue boats but water flow was on such high current that we where forced to stop operation at around . fully exhausted by then & left with few pull overs, we were dirty , wet & fighting for survival .  I could hear people praying . Sikhism , hinduism and Islam : All prayers reaching together to almighty for help. It was only Human being and Almighty God which was to connect and survive.  I was cracking jokes but I knew they wont have any effect on people but may be let them have smile on face in this dance of death.


As our own Family quarters submerged & we started shifting the old , women and children to big Hqrs building which was considered little safe. 

In the meantime a truck carrying passengers from Airport managed to reach nearby & we offered them rescue through ropes& boats to reach our Headquarters. The water level had increased & even one floor of our Headoffice building was submerged now.  

In the morning situation was worst & 100s of people rescued to our Hqrs where afraid of loosing precious lives. 

I along with colleage Abrar & his small brother reached top of the building & wrote HELP on the roof and waved Red shirt to Army Helicopters . 

One of them responded n came to close range he was asking me the situation . I briefed him about the females n children along with others but main cause of worry was Lucky Singhs wife who was expecting and in labour pain. There was hardly anything around to feed people with .Drinking Water was almost over. 

IN this situation , we were supposed to help people in rest of city but we were ourselves on brink of starvation and death was hovering over us. I was thinking to discharge my duties and I thought it is best to start in the perimeter where I am stuck.

Helicopter promised to return with other rescue chopper because he failed to rescue women n children in his first stint. Lucky sing was weeping but I was assuring him & other people that chooper will return to rescue them tomorrow. 

I could have easily saved myself but I opted to save all. I didnt climb the ladder of Chopper thinking about my duty to save rest whoc were weak , fragile and looked upon me as the one who could turn the things. one old muslim lady called me BATTEH BAHADUR ( A brave KP ) after I came down from roof top risking my life again to wave to helicopter.

Next morning same exercise started & Air force rescue chopper came thrice & I manged to rescue all needy people but few tourists could not be air lifted. I again promised them for tomorrow but water level was stagnant on that day. it was a time for group discussion and keepingt he morale of people high. there were lots of locals and non locals . Human bond knew no end and people were connecting hungry and few were angry on themselves and their near & dear ones too. 

Same exercise carried & chopper came for mission again. I rescued all those whom I could in next 6 shifts & I was relieved now as my responsibility was over. Everytime I was looking towards towards Shankracharya temple for blessing me and towards the end , I could see a sun shine on Hari Parvat giving me a smile that things would be better soon. 

All these days I almost forgot that I have a family whom I have informed about my safety . All these days , I felt people areound me are the ones who are my family. I never though of anyone being Hindu , muslim , pro or anti , ideological or Plural , moderate or extremists. My 5 days went on to see human being as Human being only. 


Now I couldnt search anyone else who wanted to be moved out by chopper. I found two ppl who didn't want to take risk to board a chopper.  I promised them safety & I had forgotten day & date by then. Over a joke , Mohan Lal said its friday today sir & Sohan lal replied sir its 12th September.  Someone said we have survived 9.11 too.


I asked them if anyone of you ready to move with me into city and then back home to jammu. By now the confidence to succeed was so strong that many of them replied yes. 

But all three of us who were working so far to rescue people in flood where non swimmers that was the worry inside the hearts but all those whom we rescued , they never knew about it till date that I cant swim. Now that it was time to tread journey towards home , I had to break this secret to the utter laughter of all those in room.

Many didn't believe me at all wondered as to how I carried so many things in last one week risking my life at times.  I had tears flowing my eyes and I just couldnt answer other than thanking God for what all I had done.


And I proceeded in  the morning with the help of a fire ladder we reached on top of a fire vehicle & we shifted the ladder to other side where flow of water was less & we started our mission Airport. A tough ordeal of another two days via Batmaloo , Rek Chowk , Allochibagh , Rambagh & then Airforce station.  I was not fearing anyhow now , faith in God and successful rescue at Head office had made my will to survive even stronger. May be I swam or I didnt at time . I waded through water above my head or upto my head was something which I didnt even know. I was a trans like situation as if I was fully under some unfluence of drug. I was singing kashmiri songs ... ZINDH ROZNE BAPAT CHE MARAAN LUKH & sometimes CHYET WATYI AKYE WIZ WAARYE CHE PAKH ALBARYE ...  

Many rescuers and relief operators saw me , many were wondering on my state of mind and many local & army rescuers were motivated by me on way but now I had just my son and wife in mind. With no news for days now about me , I knew they would in state of shock considering the place where I used to stay was washed away or submerged totally.

I had no contact with anyone in outside world other than my few companions and flood victims around me. As I moved on , someone finally picked me up at airport and I found myself with Maaza mango fruity box and as it went into my body , I couldnt hardly digest it. 

Fatigue or infection of 8 days , insomania & total leaching of Body . I was feeling as if a dead man walking. As of today I am on antibiotics and resting at home but everytime I touch water , it looks like flood will comeout of it.


Some Names that I rememered in rescue attemps include


Sonali kumari Banglore.Soom Nath jammuGopi Shouri jmuKasim ....uriMohan lal jmuAftab Ah jmuManzoor Hussain RajouriManju kumari...delhiSanju kumar.....Delhi.Lucky singhW/o lucky singhRandeep singhGh nabi Sheikh pulwamaAb Qayoom Rangreh nOther 50 to 69 names not known.

This how  Kanwal Peshin our Ladisha Laughter man Vyang Shremoni saved lives & cracks a joke in kashmiri poem like a true LADISHA 







Attempts to take out the Trucks from Fire department was impossibility

It was not flood but Satisar resurrected 

All I could think was Almighty god and Scenes of Titanic 

Even getting stuck and Water jamming Engines , we swam and tried again


Swimming across and using Electric wires for rescue 

Roping up people and giving them confidence to survive 

Every time Helicopter would arrive , it would mean some more would survive 

Final Evacuation drill 

Laid On Floor Exhausted ! Hungry , Thirsty and Starved

Monday, September 22, 2014

Yes I am a Kashmiri Pandit





Yes I am a Kashmiri Pandit !
Yes I am an Indian too !
Burnt from Back & Ugly Injuries on face !
I am smiling with faceless giggles !

Those who lit me , burnt their fingers too!
Now hide them in Waters of Vitasta !
Still they cry more than me & in anger !
Because I survived their Forest Fire !

Countrymen don't want to see my face !
they hide in shame & call me Ugly !
An unseen blot on Democratic India !
A hidden patch of secularanarchy !

Yes Still !

Yes I am a Kashmiri Pandit !
Yes I am an Indian too !
Burnt from Back & Ugly Injuries on face !
I am smiling with faceless giggles !


 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sealed Directive Security Before Development

Respected  Prime Minister of India ,


A quick rejoinder on the current situation and the prerequisites that nation is looking foward before we envision & embark on our dream for Developed INDIA. 

As your esteemed counterpart in Pakistan has been reduced to post of District Magistrate in Islamabad via Coup-de-Anarchy by Kejriwals of Pakistan , ISI & Army are watching for a golden chance to reinstate themselves as CEO of Pakistan .

Its a turning point in history of Pakistan once again and challenging time for us. Reason for continuous skirmishes , mortal shelling & firing on LOC & International border in J&K is very much by design on two fronts. Its not coincidence but well orchestrated.  

One to gain prominence & get excuse for power brokerage if India retaliates & second to ensure HAMAS type operations in Hindu dominated areas of LOC to create anarchism before elections.




On both fronts its a challenge & opportunity for nationalists & Humanitarians in  J&K.  While as Pak Envoy has left no stone unturned to fuel the internal choas & mass frenzy in Kashmir by his direct involvement in #amarnath #Kausarnag & other communally propelled issues which benefits sabotage zoo keepers in #kashmir but what is most disruptive is the congress led Rahul Gandhi going for personal dinner to Pak High Commission, following Hurriyat foot steps.


One Wonder if the so called Secular Jihadi movement started years back by Congress is now open & in direct exposure of sun . Isnt it time for us to relook at our stand on INDIA vis-a-vis this secularism ,which starts from the formidable questions arising from the Secular construct forced on our country in name of diversity by Indira gandhi to break Emergency Jinx.  Not a single state or country where Muslims are in majority , has this concept of Secularism prevailing whether its PAKistan , Kashmir or Bangladesh then why is it bound so dutifully on us only so much so that HINDU CM for J&K becomes a controversial subject.

Nation needs to rethink on its priorities . Development over the diminished pride and lack of security is impossible. 

Mallows hierarchy must be respected and allowed to flourish with sense of security and equality in reality from those parts where shelling kills our people to places where our women are abducted , raped and converted by #LoveJihad . Unless Psychological pattern of constitution is corrected and security ensured , thinking of other three layers is day dream. 




In 65 Years of India , we have not just became minorities but lost the character of India which was so strong and unique that we would go for fasting rather than importing wheat under Shastri Ji .  

We have to take tough decisions and these decision are in mood/mandate of nation and its people. While as STATE at 10 RR might feel that RAJ DHARMA gets compromised but let me assert with righteousness , last shaloks of Bhagwat Gita 


Chapter 18. Conclusion--The Perfection of Renunciation TEXT 78




yatra yogesvarah krsno , yatra partho dhanur-dharah 
Tatra srir vijayo bhutir  , dhruva nitir matir mama

 English translation 

Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, Prosperity , development  victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.


We need strength of Arjuna today & Mastery of Krishna as prerequisites for your RAJ DHARMA. If Development of INDIA has to be assured, Please rectify the first two things if you really want developed INDIA.

we are fighting an ideology that recalls Ghazweh HInd as major objective, creation of Mughlistan corridor as dream of Jinnah. We are fighting a nation which will contribute 50% polio affected patience across the world in next 5 years ad still contributes 80% terrorist today.  We are living in a neighborhood country where ISLAM has been publicly banned for its religious extremism and intolerance.

Last but not least I see a ray of Hope as my friend from RS PORA said 

Ab Ki Baar , Modi sarkaar ! 
Lahore , Rawalpindi ke Paar !  



Regards ,

Veer Ji Wangoo 

Sunday, August 03, 2014

KOA USA request PM India for Intervention



Verses of Neelmat Puran for Vishnupad Kramsar Yatra



The actual name of Kaunsarnag is Kramasara  (Ref. Nilmat Purana.)  Meaning of the Shalokas From Nilmat Purana-

Verse 181. Brahma, Visnu and S'ambhu gave their own names to the peaks on which they had taken
their stand, on the earth.


Verse 182-183. O best among men, they said to the high peaks of the high-souled king of the mountains: "Whoever shall see you after taking bath in this lake called Kramasara, shall see three of us on the mountain and will go to heaven.

Friday, August 01, 2014

कौंसरनाग तीर्थ : इतिहास और परंपरा Dr Agnishekhar


यह कितने अफ़सोस की बात है कि धर्मनिरपेक्ष  भारत में कश्मीरी पंडितों को पहले अपनी मातृभूमि से धर्म के आधार पर पाकिस्तान समर्थित जिहादी और अलगाववादी शक्तियों ने बेदखल किया ,उन्हें जीनोसाइड का शिकार बनाया ,उनके बारे में झूठ फैलाया ,उनके  शैक्षणिक,धार्मिक और सांस्कृतिक संस्थानों को  हथियाने या उनके बारे में विवाद खड़े करने की साज़िश को परवान चढ़ाया। उनके धार्मिक स्थलों के नाम बदले। जैसे शंकराचार्य पर्वत को तख़्त-ए - सुलेमान ,श्री शारिका पर्वत को कोह - ए - मारान करने तक ही दम नहीं लिया ,बल्कि सम्राट अशोक द्वारा बसाये इतिहास प्रसिद्द श्रीनगर को शहर-ए -ख़ास कर दिया। 

कश्मीर के इतिहास को तोड़ मरोड़ कर लिखा जाने लगा। हाल ही में कश्मीरी हिन्दुओं की कश्मीर में वापसी के सरकारी उल्लेख भर से  बिदक कर अलगाववादी नेताओं  से लेकर कश्मीर के मुफ़्ती आज़म तक  उनके पुनर्वास का यह कहकर तीव्र विरोध किया कि भारत सरकार कश्मीर में मुस्लिम जनसँख्या के अनुपात को असंतुलित करने के साथ ही  यहाँ के पारम्परिक भाईचारे , कश्मीरियत को नष्ट करना चाह  रही है। 


       अभी हाल ही में अमरनाथ यात्रियों पर सुनियोजित हमलों ,करीब 150 यात्री लंगरों को जला डालने ,बच्चों ,महिलाओं सहित सभी  यात्रियों की धुनाई के बाद विश्व  प्रसिद्द खीरभवानी तीर्थ पर सामूहिक हमले के बाद अब  कौंसरनाग विष्णुपाद यात्रा का विरोध ही नहीं ,बल्कि उसके लिए  सरकारी अनुमति दिए जाने के बाद हुर्रियत नेता अलीशाह गीलानी के 2 मई को कश्मीर बंद  के ऐलान और भड़काई गई हिंसा के दबाव में रद्द किया गया। 

          कश्मीरी पंडितों को कुलगाम से होते हुए अहरबल के पारम्परिक रास्ते से  कौंसरनाग विष्णुपाद यात्रा करने से रोकने के लिए कभी पर्यावरण संरक्षण का तर्क दिया गया ,कभी यहाँ कश्मीरी हिन्दुओं के हज़ारों वर्ष पुराने तीर्थ होने के तथ्य को ही झुठलाया गया ,कभी कौंसर (नाग)को अरबी मूल का शब्द कहकर वहां मस्जिद बनाये जाने की बात कही  गयी और कभी इस  विष्णुपाद कौंसरनाग की यात्रा की प्राचीन परंपरा को ही निराधार घोषित किया गया। सबसे हास्यास्पद बात यह कि इसे आर एस एस द्वारा प्रायोजित यात्रा भी कहा गया। अब यह बताया जा रहा है कि  कौंसरनाग  विष्णुपाद यात्रा का पारम्परिक मार्ग  कुलगाम ज़िले से न होकर कश्मीर घाटी से 300 किलोमीटर दूर जम्मू जाकर वहां से 64  किलोमीटर दूर रियासी के पहाड़ी मार्ग से है। अर्थात कश्मीर घाटी के किसी हिन्दू को अगर कौंसरनाग  विष्णुपाद  यात्रा करनी हो ,तो उसे बजाय एक दिन के बदले चार दिन लगाकर जम्मू जाकर रियासी जाना होगा।
        
       कौंसरनाग  विष्णुपाद कश्मीर घाटी के दक्षिण में पीर पांचाल पर्वत - श्रंखला के बीच  शुपयन   में स्थित  कपालमोचन तीर्थ से से 34 की दूरी पर समुद्र तल से 12  हज़ार फ़ीट की ऊँचाई पर 5 किलोमीटर लम्बी और 3  किलोमीटर चौड़ी विशाल पाऊँ के आकार  की एक विलक्षण झील है जिसके साथ मिथकीय आख्यान, इतिहास और लोक विश्वास  जुड़े हुए हैं। इस तीर्थ का उल्लेख नीलमत पुराण , कल्हण की राजतरंगिणी  जैसे  प्राचीन ग्रंथों में तो है ही , इस का उल्लेख कश्मीर के महाराजा  रणबीर सिंह के शासन काल में पंडित साहिब राम  की  पाण्डुलिपि ' तीर्थ संग्रह ' में भी है जिसमें  कश्मीर के प्रसिद्द 365 तीर्थों के बारे में जानकारी मिलती है। यह पाण्डुलिपि अभी तक अप्रकाशित है और भंडारकर यूनिवर्सिटी में सुरक्षित है। 
        
       नीलमतपुराण के अनुसार कौंसरनाग  विष्णुपाद झील के इर्द - गिर्द बानिहाल के पश्चिम में तीन ऊंचे -ऊंचे पर्वत शिखर हैं जिन्हे ब्रह्मा ,विष्णु और महेश गिरि  के नाम से चिन्हित किया गया है। इन तीनों में से पश्चिम की ओर जो सबसे ऊंचा  शिखर है उसे  'नौ बंधन ' कहा जाता है । जल प्रलय के समय  मनु की नौका   हवा पानी तूफ़ान के थपेड़े खाते खाते यहीं जा लगी थी। नीलमत पूरा के अनुसार वास्तव में यहीं पर कहीं विष्णु ने मत्स्य अवतार धारण कर अपनी पीठ से  मनुष्यता के बीज लिए मनु की नौका को धकिया कर पर्वत से जा लगाया था और मनु ने इसी शिखर से उसे बाँधा था। जब 1981 में  मैंने पहली बार कौंसरनाग  विष्णुपाद की यात्रा की, मैं सौभाग्यशाली था कि मेरे साथ प्रसिद्द भाषा वैज्ञानिक और भारतविद डॉ टी एन गंजू ,विख्यात रेडियो निदेशक के के नैयर ,प्रतिष्ठित ब्रॉडकास्टर,कवि और अनुवादक मोहन निराश और महर्षि महेश योगी के शिष्य मोती लाल ब्रह्मचारी यात्रा में साथ थे ।संयोगवष हम सभीने  'कामायनी' पढ़ रखी थी। जब हमें एक स्थानीय गुज्जर ने हवा में अपनी छड़ी उठाकर इन  तीनों शिखरों के बाद  'नौ बंधन ' दिखाया था ,तो हम देखते ही रह गए थे। निराश जी ने मुझसे भावुक मुद्रा में पूछा था ,'' कोई कविता तो नहीं याद आ रही तुमको ?'
      
उनके पूछने भर की देर थी कि मैंने और गंजू साहिब ने  छूटते ही पाठ शुरू किया था :

                  'हिम गिरि के उत्तुंग शिखर पर 
                   बैठ शिला की शीतल छाँह।  
                   एक पुरुष भीगे नयनों से 
                    देख रहा था प्रलय प्रवाह।। 

मुझे याद है कि नीलमत पुराण और कल्हण की राजतरंगिणी के सन्दर्भ दे देकर गंजू साहिब और मोहन निराश ने कौंसर नाग के मिथक ,उसके रास्ते में पड़ने वाले अहिनाग (पवित्र जल कुण्ड  ) और  महिनाग (पवित्र जल कुण्ड ) से संबंधित किंवदंतियां  ही नहीं सुनाईं थीं बल्कि उनकी समकालीन सन्दर्भों में भी अपनी तरह की व्याखाएं भी की थीं। मुझे पहली बार तभी पता चला था कि कौंसरनाग शब्द वास्तव में मूल संस्कृत शब्द ' क्रमसर नाग ' का अपभ्रंश है और कश्मीर में त्रिक  सम्प्रदाय ,भट्टारिका सम्प्रदाय ,कुल 

सम्प्रदाय  आदि की तरह ही क्रम संप्रदाय भी प्रचलन में रहा है। कश्मीर में  शिव का एक नाम 'क्रमेश्वर ' भी है। इस विष्णुपाद सर में क्रमेश्वर का वास होने से इस सम्प्रदाय के लोग यहाँ प्रति वर्ष  आषाढ़  पूर्णिमा  और  नाग पंचमी  को आकर पूजा अर्चना करते थे। यहाँ पुंछ और रियासी के क्षत्रिय राजपूतों में छागल (बकरा) की बलि चढ़ाने की भी परंपरा रही है। शुपयन के पास कपालमोचन तीर्थ के पूजापाठी ब्राह्मण पारम्परिक रूपसे कौंसरनाग यात्रियों के साथ हो लेते थे। डॉ त्रिलोकी नाथ गंजू के अनुसार शुपयन के निकटवर्ती  परगोच गाँव के एक बहु पठित पुजारी मोहनलाल  के पास कौंसर नाग का माहात्म्य भी हुआ करता था। उस माहात्म्य के अनुसार  कौंसरनाग विष्णुपाद यात्रा करने वाले यात्री को वही फल मिलते हैं जो अमरेश्वर (स्वामी अमरनाथ ) की यात्रा करने वाले को प्राप्त होते हैं। 

इस तरह कपालमोचन तीर्थ ( शुपयन ) से होकर या  कुल वागेश्वरी (कुलगाम ) से होते हुए  अहरबल प्रपात  जिसका नाम नीलमतपुराण (श्लोक  282 )   में 'अखोरबिल ' कहा गया है जिसका  अर्थ मूषक - बिल होता  है जिस से विशोका नदी ठीक वैसे ही निकली बताई गयी है जैसे भागीरथी गंगा जह्नु ऋषि के मुंह से निकलने पर जाह्नवी कहलाती है। इसके पश्चात कोंगवटन ( कुंकुम वर्तन )की  मनोरम उपत्यका में रात गुजारने के बाद सुबह मुंह अँधेरे अहिंनाग  और महिनाग को पीछे छोड़ते हुए हम विष्णुपद  तक की चढ़ाई चढ़कर बर्फानी जल से झिलमिल कौंसरनाग के दर्शन करते हैं। शब्दातीत दृश्य। अलौकिक झील। मीलों लम्बी -चौड़ी इस सुरम्य  झील के पानी पर छोटे छोटे हिमखंड दूर से राजहंसों की तरह लगते है। डॉ गंजू ने हमें विष्णुपाद की पश्चिम दिशा में  उस मुहाने के पास धीरे धीरे उतरने को कहा  जहाँ से कौंसरनाग से विशोका नदी निकलती है। मुझे याद है यहीं पर फर्फीले जल में हमने  स्नान किया था। पूजा की थी। 

     किंवदंती है की यहीं पर कश्यप ऋषि ने सतीसर की विशाल जलराशि के निकास के उपरान्त कश्मीर घाटी के लोगों के कल्याण के लिए लक्ष्मी की पूजा की थी। इससे पूर्व कश्यप ऋषि ने श्वेतद्वीप में साधना की।  कश्यप ऋषि की प्रार्थना से द्रवित होकर लक्ष्मी विशोका नदी ( कश्मीरी में वेशव ) रूप में कौंसरनाग से बहार आयीं। उसके साथ अहिनाग और  महिनाग भी चल लिए। अर्थात इन दोनों पवत्र कुंडों का जल भी  विशोका में जा मिला। विशोका  कौण्डिन्य नदी ,क्षीर नदी और वितस्ता में जा मिलतीं है। 

     यहीं इसी विष्णुपाद कौंसरनाग के पश्चिमी मुहाने पर सविनय हाथ जोड़कर कश्यप ऋषि देवी विशोका की स्तुति करते हैं -'' हे माता लक्ष्मी ,तुम इन कश्मीर हो !तुम्हीं उमा के रूप में प्रतिष्ठित हो !तुम ही सब देवियों में विद्यमान हो !तुम्हारे जल से  स्नान आने पर पापी भी मोक्ष पाते हैं। '

       नीलमत पुराण का गहन अध्ययन करने पर पता चलता है कि कश्मीर घाटी में प्राचीनकाल से उत्सवों और यात्राओं  की साल भर धूम रहती रही  है। ऐसी वार्षिक यात्राओं में कौंसरनाग यात्रा भी  कोई अपवाद नहीं है। कश्मीर की आदि नेंगी  ललद्यद चौदहवीं  शताब्दी में अपने एक लालवाख में  क्रमसर नाग का उल्लेख करती  हैं  जिससे इसके माहात्म्य का साहियिक सन्दर्भ सामने आता है। ललद्यद् अपने पूर्जन्मों की स्मृति की बात करते हुए कहती हैं क़ि उसे से तीन बार सरोवर ( सतीसर ) को जलप्लावित रूप में देखने की याद है। एक बार सरोवर को मैंने गगन से मिले देखा। एक बार हरमुख (शिखर) को  क्रमसर ( शिखर) से जुड़ा एक सेतु देखा।  सात बात सरोवर को शून्याकार होते देखा। 

         जो अलगाववादी आज यह कहने लगे हैं कि उन्होंने कभी कौंसरनाग यात्रा होते नहीं देखी  है ,इससे बड़ा झूठ कुछ नहीं हो सकता। जिहादी आतंकवादियों और अलगाववादियों ने 1990 में जब कश्मीर से वहां के मूल बाशिंदों को ही जबरन जलावतन किया ,जो कि कश्मीरी पंडित थे ,स्वामी अमरनाथ की यात्रा छोड़ के बाकी सभी यात्राये प्रभावित  रहीं हैं। क्या ऐसे जिहादियों को बताने की ज़रुरत है की मुगलों के शासनकाल में कौंसरनाग यात्रा  प्रतिबंधित रही है। रही बात इस यात्रा से पर्यावरण प्रदूषित होगा ,इससे बचकाना और बनावटी तर्क कोई नहीं हो सकता है। अभी कुछ वर्ष पहले मुग़ल रोड के निर्माण के दौरान हज़ारों हज़ार पेड़ बिना किसी चूं - चपड़ के काटे गए , डल झील को मौत के कगार पर पहुंचाया गया ,चिनार काट डाले गए ,जंगलों का सफाया किया गया, हज़ारों हाउसबोटों का मल - मूत्र डल में निर्बाध जा रहा है। आचार झील और विश्व प्रसिद्द वुल्लर झील की दयनीय हालत पर कोई अलगाववादी नेता ,आतंकवादी सरगना बयान नहीं देता ,कश्मीर बंद का आह्वान नहीं करता। 

      कौंसरनाग विष्णुपाद की यात्रा की इजाज़त देने से कश्मीर की मुस्लिम अस्मिता खतरे में पड़ने वाली है ,ऐसा भी खुलम खुल्ला कहा जा रहा है। . 


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Friday, July 25, 2014

कारगिल का युध थमा नही , कारगिल अभी रुका नही !



कारगिल का युध थमा नही , कारगिल अभी रुका नही !
कारगिल  युध विराम हुवा नही ! भारत कभी जुकाह नही !  क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी

वो महाभारत की एक ओर अध्याय थी !
जिसका अंतिम शालोक अभी कृशण ने कहा नही !   क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी

आज़ाध मैदान मे जभ अमर कुंठ पर लात मारी जिहादी ने !
वो शीशा टूटा मगर , मेरा सामर्थ्य टूटा नही !   क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी

जब मुंबई की रेल मे, धड़ शीश से अलग हुवे !
धमाकू की गूँझ से ललकार मेरी रुकी नही !  क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी

जब जहाद की तलवार कश्मीर से केरेला तक चीरती रही !
लहू गंगा मे तो बह गया , मगर अभी धरती सींची नही !  क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी

जब ओवसी , गीलानी और बॅट्कल चिलाते है पाकिस्तान पाकिस्तान !
मेरे अंतकरण मुझ से कहते है , तुम अभी रुकना नही !  क्यूंकी   कारगिल...अभी 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

10 Minute Deep Dive on Kashmiri Pandit Feminism



KP baraderi in London made a historic start by getting all the KP folks together & celebrate JYESTAH ASHTAMI  together . I was really impressed by the sheer magic of young people namely Laxmi , Anupama , Vinod ji & even the elders like Dr Vivek & others.  A great rejoice at a time when we waning on thin hope of our return.  

Recorded a 10 minute clip for the function and hope you too would like it !



Thursday, June 19, 2014

Mid Summer Yearning from Kashmir in Exile !



BEFORE SNOW MELTS THIS YEAR ,
BEFORE THE KANGRIS BURN COAL !
BEFORE MY SOCKS WEAR OUT ,
May My Faren become my Body & I ITS SOUL !

Thursday, June 05, 2014

Postcode 19001 : Kheer Bhawani


Year 1988 , Summer vacation were getting over but I extended them in heart of Ganderbal District with my Mamaji. At such an age usually these days boys want to play with angry birds. Our Project was to reconstruct the temple at village KOLUPUR very next to Safapore village on lake shore of #MANASBAL.




We prepared a lot for the camping and raising funds for temple reconstruction at TULMUL MELA. We fixed the Public Address System at Sofi electronics with all the humor & Adult Jokes which I was supposed to ignore or show that I couldn't understand. By Midday , we packed for the Kheerbhawani Mela from home at Safapora. It was a very hot day and we took a JKSRTC bus from AJAS ADDA towards Srinagar which would go across J&K Sainik school & picturesque road till we reached the valley of Durhama Road junction & then beautiful Lush green Rice Fields would emerge .
In between the shades of chinar gave all the gracious cool breeze as we had mounted all the stuff on roof top include trunks , collection box , tent , Bamboos , Vegetables , kerosene & some bedding for few nights. I was almost tied with a tool box fearing on turns of GRATABAL , I shouldn't fall down. We finally reached the Venue & unpacked the stuff. Ours was the most shady tent exactly at the entrance as most of the key locations were taken by bigger associations. Still we managed to keep our banner and stuff in front. Soon my Mamajis friends from other villages and Banamohalla Srinagar joined in and that was best time to erect a tent as there was huge thunderstorm in evening following us. I felt asleep after lot of hardwork and was waiting for next day morning when pilgrims would arrive and I will request them for keeping their shoes as well as seek donations.
I was allowed to narrate Shaloks of BHAGWAT GITA on saptami Evening . Listening to my shaloks , my SHAKHA Guru Sh SANJAY RAINA came to tent and inquired. He hugged me along with SH Kamlesh Ji . It was a proud moment for me to sing BHagwat Gita & get noticed by someone who taught me in 1985-89. Next day was so hectic & I couldn't even meet my Mother & sister who came , prayed , Enjoyed  & blessed me before returning back home to Srinagar. I stayed back with team.
I kept adding & collecting shoes of pilgrims next day . For first time , I never thought to play with water balls , didn't go for swim to MAAER . We collected around Rs 6800 & that was a big sum in those days. I received lot of love and Joy from whole team. Next day we worshiped and served KHEER to left over pilgrims before winding up . Thanking Goddess for her benevolence & Mercy .

Next year by Spring 1989 , temple on Banks of MANASBAL was ready with a Shivling transported from abandoned Sikh cluster of village ASHAM. Alas I wonder today what happened to that temple within 1st year of terrorism in 1990. May be it doesnt exist anymore !

Tonight as my friends bathe and enjoy there , in my thoughts I wonder if Goddess ever was unhappy with my devoted work in 1988 that for 24 years now , I am away from her physically ! In Exile