SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016 (PAGE-3)

SACRED SPACE BOOK REVIEW ‘Change is life’ When Julius Caeser and his folks speak Dogri Suman K. Sharma jalabatan kita ai, te tu’n ohde leyi dohra prove a goldmine to a student of Shake- hoi hoi pave’n, arja’n-minnta’n kare’n, speare. I stand to correction, but Prof Well, everyone knows that Julius jalaalat di dum l’haye’n, taa’n tugi Sharma’s is perhaps the first attempt in Caesar was a Roman statesman and katoore ahla lekha thudda mariye apne Dogri to encapsulate the Bard’s vast well versed in Latin, his mother tongue. rste sha door kari odgan, tugi pataa oeuvre. In Part III, however, the bald The key to But if William Shakespeare could make hona lodchda ai je Caesar anyaa’n ney- claim that Sanskrit had considerable Caesar and his contemporaries speak i’n karda te na ge bilabajah patte’nda influence over the language of the Hit- change is to Elizabethan English in his play Julius ai.(p.126) tites (p.42) has to be taken with a pinch Caesar, why can’t our own Madan Caesar:Thy brother by decree is ban- of salt since there are several hypothe- Gopal Padha put khand mitthi Dogri ses to the contrary. Better it would live a creative on their firangi lips? Padha’s trans- be, therefore, to leave this matter to lation, William Shakespeare da linguists and let them outshout each life and living Julius Caesar (Drama) (Sarasvati other. Adverting to Dogri, the Prakashan, Jammu, 2014) is a brave learned professor notes that an effort, in his own words, ‘to enrich unnamed Dogra scholar had trans- a creative my mother tongue with a translation lated Part II of the New Testament of a Shakespeare’s play’ (p.72). into Dogri, way back in 1818! The Samples from the book: life means to be vocabulary used in that 1818 Dogri Dua Shehri : Mein saaf taur par translation would surprise even an dassi deyan je aun khraab sol (ruh) just yourself. ardent supporter of pristine Dogri. (sol shabd par jor dinde hoi) theek What is Morla Purasb, for instance? karna (p.77) Second Commoner: A trade, Today we would call it Peh’la ‘Dhya sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe – First Chapter. Lastly, while show- conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a ering accolades on Madan Gopal Mehak Gupta Grover TOMORROW OF ITS TROUBLE- IT ble without change. And those who can- mender of bad soles. (Act 1, Scene 1) Padha for his valorous attempt to EMPTIES TODAY OF IT'S STRENGTH! not change their minds, cannot change Glossing the Bard’s pun on ‘sole ‘ wrestle out meaning from English Don't be afraid of change- it leads to It is not the strongest who survives anything. (=soul), Padha has used the paren- words of archaic and confounding a new beginning! It's the new year. Do but the INGENIOUS - who are more Just because past didn't turn out like thetic phrase ‘sol shabd par jor dinde usage, Prof Sharma has made a you need a new 'YOU'? With each new adaptable, quickly adjustable to new cir- what we wanted, it doesn't mean future hoi’ - laying stress on the word ‘sole’. strong case for Dogri to assimilate year- comes new changes, big or small- cumstances. The idea is to not only cannot be better. We just need to thrive It is a deft stroke of a translator. ‘foreign’ words. whether we like it or not. One of life's con- accept the change, but embrace it as an towards it with positive change. Every Portia: …Kya mera thuada sar- The book deservedly finds a stant is change. Sometimes we love opportunity to EXPAND OURSELVES- time we subtract negatives from our bandh ni’ra kitthe rutti khane da, place of honour in Shakespeare change, sometimes we don't but it is OUR LIFE. It is that time of the year lives, we make rooms for more positives. saune de belai araam karne da, jaan Institute Library, University of inevitable. We grow- we age. Technolo- when we take stock of our lives. We cel- To create social change in the world, we fhi kden kadaalen gall-baat karne da Birmingham in the Bard’s native gy reinvents each new day. Some relish ebrate what worked and we draw up must understand who we are as individ- gai…(p.111) town of Stratford-on-Avon, Eng- it - some resist it. Change for the sake of plans for what we want to focus on. The uals, what we stand for and what we are Portia : …Am I yourself But, as it land. Indeed, it is an asset to aca- change is a risk- as it's said ' the grass on challenge is- we often focus on fixing going to create through our own actions. were, in sort or limitation, To keep demics, in spite of its glitches. At The key to change is to live a creative life the other side is not always greener'. But symptoms versus tackling the root cause with you at meals, comfort your bed, And ished: If thou dost bend and pray and page 9, Shakespeare is said to have born and living a creative life means to be why is it difficult for most of us to change? of the problems. Our world is divided talk to you sometimes? (Act 2, Scene 1) fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out on 23 April, 1566. Sixty pages later, JUST YOURSELF. Is there anything Because we are pushed out of our com- into two camps. Firstly, those who Mark Padha’s rendition of the orig- of my way. Know, Caesar doth not Padha ji informs us – and that is the more worthy to do than this? fort zone which becomes difficult for us extract, use and trash things and second- inal phrase ‘comfort the bed’ as ‘saune wrong, nor without cause widely acknowledged fact – that the IT TAKES ONLY ONE PERSON TO to embrace. We have important 3 C's of ly, who plant new possibilities, cultivate de belai araam’ – being at ease at bed- will he be satisfied. (Act 3, Scene 1) poet’s date of birth is 23 April 1564. At CHANGE YOUR LIFE- YOU! life- CHOICES, CHANCES, CHANGES. them and generate positive benefits. time. What Shakespeare’s Portia says pages 69-71, Stuart Dowden becomes We have to focus on the quality of our Padha’s Dogri version not only We must make a choice to take a chance They can be called 'CHASER' and 'CARE- life. We need to change the context of our is something different. The last line in adheres strictly to the original passage, ‘Start Dowdon’, unbridled is ‘unbundle’ or our life will never change. TAKER'. We need to decide in which lives and not just the content. We change her monologue makes it explicit: ‘Por- but it also resounds with the thunder- and the titles of some the plays are Willingness to change makes it much group we want to keep our minds on. our clothes, our looks, but that doesn't tia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife.’ Near- ous outburst of a mighty hero giving a dished out with little attention to easier. Reality is what we make it- it may Change is good. It's also often hard. change our innerself. Question is not but er our times, we may recall, the Japan- piece of his mind to a cringing kin of spelling or grammar. Thus: Two gen- be forced or chosen- our thinking makes The status quo can be so much more com- what we do and what we do not do. It is ese Imperial Army recruited Chinese someone who has roused the hero to a tlemen of Verona, The comedy of the whole difference. If we think change fortable. But to succeed in life, we have about 'HOW WE DO' - this changes and Malaysian ‘comfort women’ - pros- towering rage. errors, Twelveth night, King Lier and is going to be tough, we will feel it, we will to run towards it. Twenty years ago, we life. Our life wouldn't get better by titutes – during World War II, for its What adds immensely to the value King Jhou (King John?). end up acting like it and then the change didn't have an email address, but today chance, it would improve by change. We battle-weary personnel. Padha ji, of the book is a 62-page Preface by Late The doings of Printer’s devil not will end up exactly like we thought. On it's hard to imagine life without it. Ten need to make an effort. If we do not go immured as he seems in Dogra culture, Prof Lakshmi Narayan Sharma. The withstanding, Madan Gopal Padha has the other hand, if we feel positive, we will years ago, we didn't have facebook, and after what we want, we will never have it. has chosen to avoid delving into conju- erudite write-up is divided into four done a yoeman’s service to the cause of think something good can actually come now millions of people are connected If we never ask for something, the answer gal intimacies of Brutus and Portia. parts, comprising an introduction to Dogri. As Prof Lalit Magotra puts it apt- out of this, we will end up with favourable through it. Even though we might not be will always be no. We need to take a stand Here is an instance of a translator’s cul- Shakespeare’s life and works, a literary ly, Dogri without a translation of Shake- results. Adapting to such a change directly involved in technology industry, and make an effort to change our lives tural trait subverting the author’s criticism of the play Julius Caesar, an speare’s plays was like a bride without becomes less stressful as we don't focus but it has played a major change in our and make it more meaningful. intent. eye-opening discussion on Dogri vis a ornaments. Padha ji’s translation work on the discomfort of the unpredictable. growing industries. These changes mean " Use your smile to change the world, And yet another sample: vis English and an appraisal of Padha’s has added a valuable jewel to Dogri’s WORRYING DOES NOT EMPTY we have to change. Progress is impossi- don't let this world change your smile." Caesar: Tere bhrau gi nijme mtabak translation of the play. Parts I and II can treasure. The best and the worst of times in Namsuru

Dr. Mohinder Kumar funds. coins of denomination 20 Paisa in 1950 only. Later they started using copper coins to Students go to school daily walking two hours from 8-10 AM even as road condition buy-sell goods. During 1950, in Namsuru, 5 'ser' salt or tobacco cost 25 Paisa. Villagers Namsuru is located on the way to Valley in Taisuru block of district. is not good and there is no transport facility for school. They walk up to four hours dai- of Kargil area were fond of using hookah pipe in those days for refreshment; so they Village is situated amid nallahs near river Suru, 30 km from Taisuru and 70 km from Kargil ly. Basic amenities are average/ not so good in Namsuru. Village has veterinary center bought raw tobacco. Four Rupees were sufficient to buy ration for household for full city. It is partly plain, partly hilly. It is a small village with population of 750 persons and and cooperative society at Taisuru and Panikhar. Two Self Help Groups (SHGs) of poor month, recalled villagers. Even villagers from far beyond Kargil would take risk passing 130 households, of which 100 houses are kutcha. It has 6 mohallas. Entire population women have been formed in Namsuru. MNREGA and Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) schemes through mountains, forests amid wild animals, and walk down or use horses or donkeys, is Muslim and Scheduled Tribe (ST), who speak . are implemented; 18 houses were covered for repair under IAY. Houses have electrici- to load carriage purchased from Srinagar, and come back home after a month or so. Of total 750 acres village land, 50% is pastures for grazing cattle. The remaining 50% ty connection but streetlights are not installed. Streets and drains are pucca though water Buying goods was adventure. land is agricultural, with average holding of 2.88 acres per farm household. Yield of wheat overflows. There is no piped drinking water scheme installed in Namsuru. Drinking water Villagers today cannot decide, in retrospect, whether 1950s or current period is bet- in Namsuru is 1 quintal per kanal (8 quintal per acre or 20 quintal per hectare), which is is a major problem. Village has one dispensary but there is no private doctor or medical ter: "That period was also good, current period is also good", Sarpanch sitting amid vil- close to the State average but not as high as compared to other villages -some of which shop. It has 3-4 grocery shops and one fair price ration shop. Transport connectivity is lagers affirmed; saying further that "we cannot decide". Remark by Sarpanch reminds produced 2 quintal per kanal (40 quintal/hectare). Farmers use variety of wheat with long very poor. Village has access to post-office. what Charles Dickens wrote about feudal period of the late 18th century France and Eng- stalk and long plant as they need "bhoosa" for fodder. Land in Taisuru block is less fer- Private economic assets in village include two tractors, 600 cows and 3000 goats- land (1775) in his famous novel "A Tale of Two Cities" in 1859: "It was the best of times, tile as compared to land in other blocks. Namsuru farmers cultivate late variety of wheat sheep. Tractor is hired for cultivation from nearby villages also @Rs.8/minute. Two vil- it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was harvested in late August though other villages of Kargil harvest in July when wheat plants lage youths (shepherds) act as shepherds and go to mountain pastures on rotation basis the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the age of darkness, it was the in Namsuru fields can be seen still green. Farmers also cultivate barley, vegetables (pota- for cattle grazing. A majority of the households (80%) are poor even as BPL list does not spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had noth-

Willow and apricot plantations dotted along the internal road support Namsuru's Houses amid lush green wheat fields on nallahs of river Suru in Namsuru. Wheat Mix of wheat, potato, apricot, willow and 'alfa-alfa' grass. 'Noon Koon' glacier seen in the village economy that traversed from barter system to monetization and eventually came ripes in August before/ around when snowfall starts. Long stalk/ stems are needed for backdrop in July month has abundant ice which is source of water for nallahs in Taisuru to settle at semi-subsistence level. fodder. Farmers use late variety of wheat. block, sufficient for entire Summer, but needs watershed developmeent.

to, pea) and Alfa-Alfa grass. Women are engaged in all farm operations. Though there exist since no survey was done. Though financial poverty is pervasive (80%) no house- ing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way is economic differentiation in holding size, villagers make no difference in reaching out hold faces problems on account of food inadequacy/ deprivation, warm-clothing or fire- -in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authori- for help to others. Custom of land-leasing is popular and small holders lease-in land wood/fuel. However, 50% households face problem of lack of cash and finance. Bank ties insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of com- @Rs.500 per kanal (Rs.4000 per acre) or one quintal wheat/kanal or paid land rent in loan is desired by all households, which is exceptional though only 30 households actu- parison only." This account serves as prophetic pointer to the difficulties that lied ahead. fixed quantity of grass or "bhoosa". ally got bank loan. The remaining households keep searching "guarantor" for bank loan, "During past 30-40 years there has been progress. In 2008 came roads, schools, Villagers reported performance of Panchayat as satisfactory. Sarpanch provided all which has to be a permanent serviceman only. This arrangement creates ruthless over- pucca houses, etc. There are a few households (10-20%) which are very poor and have information. Households got help in getting ration card. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) is issued dependence of prospective borrower on serviceman, acting as intermediary. Villagers kutcha houses. They won't be able to change in next 5 years". It is a debatable state- to 70% farm households by J&K Bank. A fixed lump sum limit of Rs.25000 is sanctioned renew credit from shopkeepers (grocery, cloth, wood, etc. goods) each year. Economic ment with implicit question on paradigm of development which invites reasonable reply under KCC to all farmers irrespective of land owned and crops cultivated. Servicemen inequality exists in village. Permanent service differentiates the rich and the poor. as to why they won't be "able to change" present state of kutcha house, leave side attain- in village are easily sanctioned loan Rs.1 lakh and above. Farmers do not get bank loan ing any landmark of household development. Schemes face shortage of money and cap- that easily as they depend on servicemen. Out of 130 households, 109 persons are ital. Villagers and Sarpanch elaborated by clarifying that under IAY 18 houses got assis- MNREGA job card holders. Each household has one job card holder. Wages are paid VILLAGE WEEKLY tance (Rs.15000 each) for repair though houses deserved new construction. The RDD, as soon as project is completed. Wage rate increased from Rs.121 initially to Rs.145 with due concern, expressed "shortage of funds" for construction of pucca houses during 2013. Villagers find wages too low despite that they've come a long way from the Villagers informed that Namsuru (Taisuru block) has unique climate. Snowfall starts @Rs.50000 per unit. Villagers said there are around 20 other houses in the list, not con- early 1950s when none of them had seen currency note/coins and were happy with barter in August. Even July month witnessed record snowfall in Namsuru, and up to Zanskar sidered even for repair, under IAY. Villagers speculated it shall take five-ten years to see valley. As a result, soil moisture is very high in this area. No farmer has installed pump- system due to lack of monetization of rural economy; today, philosophy of Monetization repair/construction of those 20 kutcha houses. This is like experiencing Dicken's "worst set on nallah or river. They want to raise apricot plantation but climate is too cold. Vil- of times" amid snow and cold in kutcha house that cannot give warmth. has been taken over by the idea of Financial Inclusion. lagers sum up their responses to say: "People are hard working, but do not get results". Out of 250 youths in village, 50-60 youths are B.A., B.Ed. and employed as teach- This is like "best of times": Villagers have no complaint on MNREGA implementation. Villagers stay inside house (5-6 months) as roads are closed in this most difficult terrain. All Job Card holders get 100 days' work as per norm and full/equal wages of Rs.12000 ers; 25 youths have migrated to and Kargil cities in search of wage-labor and paid Like Drass snowfall here is 8-9 feet. Proper working season is for 3-4 months. service in shops, hotels, restaurants, establishments, construction sites, etc. Occupa- each (100 days x Rs.120). After 15 days muster sheet from village is sent to BDO. Around Villagers, in reminiscences, compare the eras of pre-1950s with 2013-14. Decade of 15 days are taken in processing at district level to credit the amount in job-card holders' tional pattern in village is changing from agriculture to service & wage labor. People pre- 1950s too saw flourishing of barter trade. As economic history of the world tells, barter fer wage-employment to self-employment. This pattern is restricted to few households. bank accounts. Villagers are enthusiastic about the ongoing construction of Zanskar system started with the tribes bordering on village boundaries. Namsuru bartered goods Road (Kargil-Zanskar Road) under PMGSY which passes through Namsuru. Namsuru Main occupation (for survival, not money income) is still agriculture though it could change with Pahalgam located 80 km from Namsuru. Three-four people used to join and go to villagers as part of wished Old Namsuru-Pahalgam Road (80 km) were to be in near future. Since farming is subsistence-based, villagers do not feel requirement of Pahalgam by walking all the way for barter trade. Goods were loaded on donkeys. Some reconstructed any time so that their traditional link with Pahalgam through this old route agricultural market. J&K Bank branch is situated 3 km from Namsuru. Road and bridge people would go by horses. Namsuru exported wheat, goats, sheep and horses; Pahal- is revived to re-establish not only its economic value but also to reaffirm their sentimen- condition is reported as good though water-logging and damage to road can be seen gam exported almonds, walnut, honey, salt, etc. Apple was not yet planted in Kashmir. tal link with Kashmir Valley. Villagers recall with joy "best of times" nestled in old idyllic due to water from nallah draining on road surface. Fertilizers are purchased from Taisu- Pahalgam procured salt by purchasing it through Srinagar, from Lahore. Salt used to be world that is lost amid today's world of exchange where money and exchange-value ru Cooperative Society in which Namsuru has three members. Seeds are supplied by a hot commodity in Kashmir valley including Ladakh in 1950s. Barter exchange rate in counts to the detriment of all other values, including use-values and human values. Agriculture Department, Taisuru, in village itself. Villagers and Sarpanch make rounds Namsuru was: 2 'ser' wheat = 1 'ser' walnut (One 'ser' weight is slightly less than one of BDO and district headquarter offices for public works such as canal, slide (doubling) kg). Namsuru people saw currency note first time in 1950. They saw 'silver' and brass (Author works for NABARD. Views expressed are personal) on road, education (no teachers in school), road, etc. They demand early release of Feedback:[email protected]