THE HIMALAYAN MAIL Q MONDAY Q DECEMBER 07, 2020 6 THE EDITORIAL PAGE SUPER GURU 370 is Gone for Good In our culture, a Guru or teacher Brig Anil Gupta (Retd) elected. cerity. It certainly was not to the liking of ing to win over the people by creating a fear holds an important position in the As claimed by the leaders of the Gupkar the Gupkaris and their cronies. The sub- psychosis among them. They oppose each The response of the people across both Alliance, Article 370 was meant for pro- dued response of the people much against and every action of the government on the lives of students. However, over regions to the ongoing elections for the tecting the Kashmiri identity. Kashmir's their hopes of bloodshed and huge protests plea that it is meant to kill their identity the years commercialization of District Development Councils (DDCs) is identity world over was recognised as a came as a rude shock to them. The govern- and change demography. Baseless accusa- a curt message to the status quo lobby led by multilingual, multi-faith, multi-cultural ment was falsely accused of use of force tions to emotionally exploit the populace. education and the degree and the Peoples' Alliance for Gupkar Declara- plural society famous for peaceful co-exis- and suppression. The government took One of the lingering fears created among marks, driven curriculum sans the tion (PAGD) popularly also known as Gup- tence. But these very leaders are responsi- precautionary measures to prevent divi- the youth that their jobs will be snatched. kar Alliance. The vast majority of people ble for the murder of famous Kashmiri sive elements from creating law and order The reality is to the contrary. J&K now has moral aspect has changed the per- standing in long queues outside the polling identity. 370 was misused to promote se- problems causing inconvenience to com- 100% reservation for locals in all jobs in- booths in bone-chilling cold while re- cessionism, separatism, radicalisation mon men. These measures proved success- cluding gazetted and non-gazetted. No ception about teachers. Amidst sponding to the news reporters do not leading to onslaught on the Kashmiri Pan- ful. other state/UT in the country enjoys this this, a primary school teacher of mince words while stating that they are dit community, the indigenous community A slew of measures were taken by the unique privilege. voting for development and employment. It of the Valley, forcing them to flee leading government thereafter to undo the ill-ef- The amended land laws were also used Maharashtra Ranjitsinh Disale’s is their sole agenda since they have de- to large scale exodus and ethnic cleansing. fects of 370 as enumerated above. These to create fear among the people claiming life and work stand out and shifts prived of it for long. It is therefore clear Was this the purpose of inserting Article included elections to the second and third that their lands would be snatched and that 60 year rule under the shelter of Article 370 in the Constitution of India? Fears ex- tiers of PRI by holding elections for Block forcibly purchased by outsiders. People are focus on the qualities of a guru. 370 failed to provide the basic amenities pressed by Dr Ambedkar about the future of Development Councils (BDCs) and District being confused by quoting protection en- Disale won a one million dollar of road, drinking water and electricity to Hindu and Buddhist minorities in Kash- Development Councils (DDCs). Urban Lo- joyed by a few states under Article 371. the people at large. Connectivity, educa- mir proved true. Taking shelter of 370, cal Bodies (ULBs) elections were also held. There is no comparison between 370 and award for being adjudged the tion, health and basic amenities still elude Gupkaris refused to include the word "sec- Ongoing DDC elections are unique in the 371, since 371 is a permanent provision and the people despite huge amount of funds ular" in the preamble of the State Constitu- sense that certain deprived sections (West does not promote secession and sepa- world’s most exceptional teacher received from successive central govern- tion after its inclusion in the Constitution of Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis and Gorkhas) ratism. Often people are misled by draw- and he holds lessons for all educa- ments. Where did all these funds vanish? India. are voting for the first time. (Earlier they ing comparison with neighbouring Hi- Reports are surfacing of projects shown as Article 370 was used by the Gupkaris to could vote only for Parliamentary elec- machal Pradesh stating that the state has tionists. He chose innovation over completed in files but not actually existing institutionalise corruption in J&K since tions). 73rd and 74th amendments have special provision protecting their land making his students learn by rote on the ground. Voters are openly accusing none of the progressive anti-corruption been made fully applicable fulfilling the rights. Again the fact is to the contrary. their leaders of having cheated them time laws passed by the Parliament were made long pending demand of the people. There Section 118 in Himachal is restrictive and and discipline them the hard way. and again and becoming unreachable and applicable in the state. This encouraged the are reserved seats for the women and does not put an absolute ban on the sale inapproachable after the elections are over Gupkaris and their cronies to resort to un- Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the first time. and purchase of land and property in Hi- Instead of following a syllabus, leaving them to their plight which has not bridled corruption without fear of being A new crop of grassroots level leadership machal. It has provisions through which, Disale made innovations on the changed during the last seventy years. held accountable or questioned. Rules is emerging which augurs well for the fu- with the approval of government, anyone People have also realised that they were were not only ignored but blatantly by- ture. can buy land and property in the state. lines of what interests the young emotionally exploited with slogans like passed with impunity. The skeletons which Unhappy with the tremendous response While the new land law of J&K totally bans pupil. He made learning a fun and self-rule, greater autonomy, azadi while emerged in the cupboard of Jammu & to revocation of 370, the status quo lobby the sale of agricultural land to other than enough autonomy was granted by article Kashmir Bank Ltd post revocation of 370 joined hands to form the PAGD with the existing agriculturists of J&K. People what he called ‘edutainment.’ 370. Had these leaders been serious and and the Roshni Scam dubbed as the avowed aim of struggling for return of 370 will soon realise that these lies are being Making optimum use of digital committed to the welfare of the people they biggest land scam of the country are just a and statehood. They also announced that told just to discredit the new laws and cre- could have easily provided them the basic few examples of institutionalised corrup- they do not recognise the J&K Reorgani- ate a pitch for restoration of 370. technologies, he made learning facilities of road, water and electricity but tion unleashed by them. sation Act 2019, whereby the state was di- It is the fear of being questioned and instead they chose to mislead them with 370 was also used by the Gupkaris to vided in two union territories (UTs) and all held accountable for their misdeeds in- affordable and easy. Disale thus false slogans and dreams of greener pas- deny the devolution of powers to grass- central laws made applicable, and any deci- cluding unbridled corruption that is became another name of dedica- ture while lining their own pockets with roots level by preventing application of sion taken thereof. However, DDC elec- haunting the Gupkaris. That is the main the generous assistance received from the 73rd and 74th Amendments and not hold- tions being conducted under a notification reason for their demand of restoration of tion to a cause and selflessness. Central Governments. ing elections to the Panachayt Raj Institu- using same Act, forced them to make a U- 370. But the common man has understood This man rose from the yearning This gave rise to a group of elite and priv- tions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies. They turn. Initially, lofty claims were made of how 370 was misused by these leaders to ileged families who assumed controls of were loath to centre of power shifting from elections only as a measure to stop the deprive them of basic amenities while filling for a job and money giving his best not only the government but other organs Gupkar Road to the towns and villages tak- growth of Bharatiya Janata Party but soon their own coffers. They are happy with the of administration as well. While these fam- ing shelter under 370. It was also used to they began to pronounce it as a referen- much awaited change they were yearning to change hundreds of lives in a ilies prospered, ordinary people continued promote regional and religious discrimi- dum for restoration of 370. Appeals are be- for and are hopeful that the representative region where drought is chronic to live a life full of miseries. Gradually, they nation. 370 was used as a bargaining tool ing made to vote for the candidates of they choose for the DDC will meet their grabbed so much of power that they began with the central governments which usu- PAGD so that they can bring back 370. much wanted basic needs. With this hope and people are backward and to consider themselves as invincible and ally succumbed to their pressure tactics in There can be nothing more farther from and visualisation of brighter future 370 has poor. What signifies his selfless- permanent rulers to the extent that the order to appease them. Successive central truth than this since DDCs are nowhere become an irrelevant issue for them. people were scared of questioning them. governments preferred to rule J&K empowered for law making? Yet they are With each passing day, the Gupkaris are ness is his impromptu decision Gupkar Road, a signature elite landmark through them rather than reaching out di- resorting to their old trick of false promises getting disappointed because of the obvious during the award function to share residential area, became the power centre of rectly to the people and understanding to people. Going by the demand of the peo- writing on the wall. Gupkar Road will no J&K favouring their cronies and relatives their problems. ple for development and employment, it more enjoy the status it once did. 370 is half of the prize money with others while the rest were left to look upto them as Thus, the decision taken by the Govern- appears they may not succeed this time gone for good. Bye bye 370, welcome Naya their My Baap who occasionally showered ment of India to revoke Article 370 was and restoration of 370 will remain an unful- Jammu Kashmir. nominated for the award and their blessings on them in form of favours welcomed by the vast majority. The filled distant dream like the greater auton- (The views expressed in the article are spend some money on helping like government jobs or appointments in process to undo the ills and woes of 70 year omy or self-rule. entirely personal. He can be contacted at teachers like him scale up their local bodies which largely remained un- of misrule was set in motion with all sin- Gupkaris and their sympathisers are try- [email protected]) innovations. The man has the vision to work on creating a 50,000 strong army of peace war- Why sportspersons stand firm with farmers riors in conflict zones like India- Rohit Mahajan Sons and daughters of farmers win us out he had to borrow money to be treated pose extreme physical challenges. In short, medals in multi-sports events such as the for a heart ailment, and had to be rescued by they provide food, soldiers and sportsper- Pakistan. Disale’s life is his mis- Hima Das, Lalita Babar, Sushil Kumar, Olympics and Commonwealth and Asian a handout from the Punjab Government. sons to the country. sion. One can imagine how India Kaur Singh, Mirabai Chanu, Simranjit Games. They are aware that if they had re- Kaur Singh was awarded the Arjuna Tough sports that require extremely Kaur, Mamatha Poojary, Dattu Bhokanal, mained tillers of land — their own, or some- Award and the Padma Shri, and he has de- strenuous training don’t attract city-bred and the world will change for bet- Bajrang Punia, Mary Kom, Khushbir Kaur, one else’s as farmhands, like their parents — cided to return these to show solidarity with kids from privileged backgrounds. The sup- ter if his zeal and dedication is Harmanpreet Singh, Sarita Devi, Neeraj they would have lived their lives in com- the protesting farmers. ply to the Indian teams in combat sports Chopra, Nirmala Sheoran, Geeta Phogat, plete obscurity and, in many cases, penury. A shooter — also a farmer and soldier — such as wrestling, boxing, judo is com- replicated by even a few hundred Tejinderpal Singh Toor, Manpreet Kaur, They are grateful for what sport has given once told this writer a tale of him failing to pletely rural — or their practitioners move to Sathish Sivalingam, Pritam Rani, Yogesh- them. And they have their hearts with the do the right thing. “I once used money that a city for coaching — because city kids don’t teachers. We tend to believe that war Dutt, Jitu Rai.… farmers’ protest. was provided to me for training to repair go for sports that could hurt them badly or many teachers have such noble This list, made up almost off the cuff but Kaur Singh had fought in the 1971 war my home, which was in a bad state, in my leave a mark on their faces. Also, tennis with some knowledge of their declared his- against Pakistan. He also won a gold medal village,” he said, with some regret. He courts, badminton courts or golf courses intentions yet they lack initiative tories, is of sportspersons hailing from all in boxing in the 1982 Asian Games in New thought of it as a minor moral failure, but a are available in cities, not in villages. and opportunities. J&K govern- corners of India — and Nepal, in one case. Delhi and thus is a true legend — farmer, failure nonetheless. Anecdotal evidence suggests that over 80 They’ve raised India’s flag at international war hero and sports star. His photograph His story made two things clear — that per cent of Indian athletes in Olympics ment should invite Disale to inter- sports events and, hand at heart, whispered with Amitabh Bachchan from 1982 — the it’s the sons and daughters of farmers or sports are from rural backgrounds, and act with teachers on innovative the national anthem standing on the actor playfully planting a fist on the boxer’s economically deprived families who opt to most of them from farming families or podium, watching the Tricolour go up. square jaw — stirs memories of his heyday. become jawans in the Army, and it’s the ‘mehnatkash’ households, as Gurbax Singh teaching. They have another thing in common — they In his old age, after having served in the sons and daughters of farmers or people Sandhu, former national boxing coach, are sons and daughters of farmers. Army and in the fields, Kaur Singh found used to manual labour who join sports that puts it. Leh to Keylong & back, 1982 Nehchal Sandhu first 50 km upstream on the Indus was a route, clouds developing again and uncer- interrupted by the keenest nature lover breeze; there was no traffic. As we branched tainty about the challenges ahead, we de- amongst us as he spotted a Lachu plant MY Ladakh tenure was drawing to a close off into a tributary of the Indus, it began to cided to drive hell for leather. A gentle (Rheum spiciforme) and extolled its use in in the evanescent phase of the autumn of pour. Fifteen minutes into the defile, de- climb to Lachulung La, then a steep 3,000 indigenous medicine as a wonder cure for 1982. On a quick tally, there was no appar- spite limited visibility, we found ourselves foot descent to Tsarap river and a drive rheumatism. This perennial herb, a ent disparity between official objectives hedged in by sharp slopes distinguished by along it upstream to Sarchu gave us confi- rhubarb of sorts, with all the leaves at its and accomplishments. However, on the deep purple rocky bands; occasionally red dence that we would make it over the Bara base and dried red flowers in the form of personal front, I was afraid of losing the op- sandstone emerged to make for an interest- Lacha La into Himachal Pradesh before cylindrical spikes, was in abundance portunity to proceed from Leh to Manali on ing chiaroscuro. This spectacle was capped dusk. And so it transpired. around Lachulung La and thus lends its an alignment that had not yet matured. by the unusual sight of a stream carrying But soon after crossing Suraj Tal, where name to that Pass. Following a demarche by Kushak Bakula, grey black water crashing into the purplish we did not tarry to absorb sufficiently the Two captivating sights followed in the who was later to represent Ladakh in Parlia- water rivulet that had accompanied us ever amazing change from azure in the centre of next few hours. The deep cleft between ment for a decade from 1967, with the Cen- since we parted ways with the Indus at Up- the lake to turquoise on its fringes, we came weathered sand-coloured escarpments at tre, work on this alignment commenced in shi. upon a terrible landslide at Zing Zing Bar. Pang could well be characterised as 1964. Bakula later complained to Prime In the Miru-Gya belt, famed for hosting There being no chance of getting across it Ladakh’s Grand Canyon. And a lone horse- Ministers Morarji Desai and Charan Singh the snow leopard, Eurasian lynx, blue sheep and nightfall anigh, we reconciled ourselves man with a cocky hat riding a spirited horse about the languid pace, but failed to have and Tibetan argali — an endangered moun- to a night there huddled within the solitary at a fair pace across the deserted More the project expedited. The former report- tain sheep, poor visibility and wet condi- tent that we had. Having consumed a heavy Plains in the late afternoon, generating a edly conveyed that the Army, though ini- tions extirpated the possibility of any sight- breakfast and a heavy lunch en route and plume of dust, ignored our presence and tially keen, had lost interest in it. ings, not even of a marmot, and so our with our frames shaken during the 15 hours headed determinedly towards what must be Buoyed by accounts of the adventurous camera shutter remained unexercised. spent on the way, we gave up on dinner and his destination in Changthang; he seemed few around us, we decided to drive from Several layers of hairpin bends saw us as- hit the sack. The young cook, who had been inured to the difficult terrain and confident Leh to Keylong in Lahaul district of Hi- cend quickly to Taglang La, which was ex- jolted around in the back of the one-tonner, of dealing with any challenge that nature machal Pradesh, 70 km short of Manali. pectedly barren and swept by vicious icy had the beans to cook next day’s meals and The fittest Jonga and a one-tonner were cool winds amidst a weak snowfall. As we pack them before he turned in. might throw at him. readied. A small posse of the willing and descended from this point at 17,500 feet, Waking up at dawn to a clear sky, we Back in Leh that night, after covering able was enlisted. Two of them had been the rising solar orb tore through cloud able track, our vehicles would frequently spent a while contemplating the still and about 620 km in 29 hours, one wondered part of the way on this route during a visit to cover. Its rays fell on jade green bluffs past get stuck in the loose sand. A covey of Bar- colourful waters of Suraj Tal before making as to when this strategically vital axis to Leh Kar Tso, the highland salt water lake, Debring. And after about 25 km and a de- headed Geese, obviously laggards, heading a hurried run through Bara Lacha La onto would be completed. That did not eventu- wedged between the eastern extremity of scent of about 2,000 feet, we got to the aure- southwards, and the occasional raspy call Sarchu, which had been deserted by the ate for another seven years — a quarter of the Zanskar range and western lobe of ate More Plains. That innocent looking of Chakors constituted the only distractions seasonally deputed PWD staff, leaving a a century after work on it began, but fortu- Changthang. level stretch was to prove to be the most from our predicament. derelict road roller behind. Our collogue in nately during the lifetime of Kushak We set out at 4 am in early winter. The challenging to negotiate; with no identifi- Having covered less than half of our the cabin about the challenges ahead was Bakula!