Kashmiri Sabha, Calcutta - In
Retrospect & Prospect
Ashok Dhar, Calcutta
It is now an acknowledged fact that the Kashmir
Sabha, Calcutta has become a Socio-cultural Institution in its own right.
What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow, perhaps aptly fits this Sabha
as well. It has been amongst the first to bring out a Baradari Newsletter
for almost forty five years; perhaps the first to construct a Kashmir Bhavan of
its own; the first to start Kashmiri language classes; the first to start a
community Herath Watuk Pooja and develop a well stocked Library devoted to
Kashmiri history, literature and culture; amongst the first to bring out annual
issues of VITASTA (since 1960), a magazine so rich in literary content; conduct
unanimous elections of office bearers for about five decades etc. the list of
achievements can go on and on ... The role played by the Sabha to help maintain
Kashmiri heritage and provide a meeting ground for the Baradari to share joys
and sorrows is indeed commendable by any standards of bench marking with
comparable sociocultural organisations.
My study and work assignments have taken me and my family to many locations -
from Srinagar to Nainital, Kanpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jammu, Calcutta,
jeddah, Dubai and now back to Calcutta. Where next, I guess only God
knows. Courtesy these re-locations in India and abroad, we have had
interactions with many Kashmiris wherever we were stationed and often heard a
word of praise for the Sabha in Calcutta and its activities. No wonder,
VITASTA keeps receiving nostalgic letters from the Baradari members wholeave
Calcutta after a brief stay. One wonders, what has made this Sabha so
different? How was this Sabha conceptualised? Who have made it
possible? Where is it heading now? I attempted to get some answers
largely from the previous issues of VITASTA, which I guess in this era of
knowledge and information sharing, can provide a road map for other Sabhas, if
they so desire. I also hope that the next generation of Kashmiris in
Eastern India (which this Sabha represents) will keep our community united
preserving its unique secular identity, especially in the changed scenario of
our forced migration from the valley for past ten years.
How Sabha Was Born
Calcutta has been a home to a limited numbers of Kashmiri Pandits for a long
long time. Around partition of India, in little groups they often thought
of forming a social and cultural association, which they could call their own.
During Dr. Katjus's Governership of West Bengal, many of the Kashmiri Pandits
had occasion to meet one another at his place, the Governor's House, on Navroz (Navreh)
once every year in which his daughter Smt. Subhadra Haksar used to play a
leading role. Immediately after the Tribal raids in 1947-48, there was a
gradual increase in numbers of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley and these
youngmen felt uprooted from their well knit family bonds, lost in the multitudes
of life in an alien land which was hubbling and bubbling with industrial
activity handling half of India's total exports.
It was largely this group of uprooted youngmen who felt badly the need of a
common meeting ground where they could revive something of their social
cohesiveness, which gives meaning to life. Perhaps, after an initial
period of uneasiness they would have also resigned to the inevitable, but for a
significant development which proved to be a turning point. In March 1955,
on the Navreh day, a gracious lady (Smt. S.K. Handoo, wife of Shri Handoo
of Imperial Bank) took it upon herself to issue individual invitations for a New
Year's get-together to all members of Baradari whose addresses she and some
enthusiastic persons could gather. Most people saw one another for the
first time. Everybody felt an urgent need for some form of an Organisation.
To make it possible, a meeting was held at residence of Shri J.N. Munshi and
a seven-member subcommittee was formed in February 1956 to give a practical
shape to the idea. Thus Kashmir Sabha was formally inaugurated on February
19, 1956 at the Federation Hall when about fifty persons gathered together and
after adopting the Constitution of the Sabha elected the first executive
committee under the Presidentship of Dr. Govindjoo Vaishnavi with Shri S.S.
Raina as the Secretary who was the pivot of the Sabha at that time. Since
then, the Sabha has strived unitedly to fulfill its aims and objectives, simple
and noble, which can stand out as a model for all Sabhas. These are:
Aims & Objectives
A) To foster and encourage social and cultural contacts and welfare
activities among its members in particular and the Kashmiri Pandit Community in
general.
B) To meet at and observe together the social, cultural and other festivals
in which Kashmiri Pandit community is interested.
C) To provide aid and relief, to the extent possible, to the authenticated
and deserving cases of distress in the conununity.
D) To discuss problems of common interest and take steps to represent,
wherever necessary, the interests of its members in particular and the Kashmiri
Pandit community in general.
E) To purchase, acquire and/or otherwise obtain property both movable and
immovable, and receive donations etc, for furthering the aims and objects of the
Sabha.
F) Provided that the activities referred to in Subclause ab,c & d above
shall be construed to exclude subjects, activities etc, of a political nature.
A United Sabha
Thanks to the far sightedness of the founding members of the Sabha, the
Constitution has detailed the procedure for membership, sources and
administration of funds, election of office bearers etc to make sure that the
Sabha served faithfully the interests of the Baradari without giving to anybody
a chance to make it a personal show or to use it for ulterior or personal
purposes. Hence, Organisation has always remained supreme and
personalities have remained in the background as far as possible. The
Executive Committee elected each year by the general body of members has always
been elected unanimously. To make sure that no person occupies a
particular position for a number of year - a bone of contention in many places -
the constitution provides that no executive post can be held by the same person
for more than two years. The elected Executive Committee meets once a
month to discuss issues of common interest to the community. Disagreements
are not uncommon but never have these led to creation of dissenting groups,
thanks to the commitment of the Baradari in Calcutta to the moral - United we
stand, Divided we fall.
Blend of 'New & Old'
"New" and "Old" are relative terms. It was common
practice from the 50's to the late 80's of last century to refer to the Kashmiri
speaking Pandit migrants from Kashmir after partition as the 'New"
Kashmiris by their brethren whose forefathers had migrated from the valley since
the sixteenth century either to escape the fanaticism of foreign Muslim rulers
or to seek greater heights in India. The "Old" Kashmiri Pandit
families of Kauls, Nehrus, Saprus, Katjus, Bhans, Dhars, Haksars, Wanchoos are
well remembered for their contribution in nation building. This group of
"Old" Kashmiris by sheer dint of hard work and intelligence had
achieved great heights. At the same time they had successfully maintained
a good social network and retained most of the Kashmiri rituals with appropriate
adjustments as dictated by the constraints in their new places of stay.
This blend of "Old" and "New" still exists and it is a
vleasure to see Atals, Haksars, Tikus, Tankhas and others sharing their moments
of joy and community rituals with post-partition migrants in the Kashmir Bhavan
at Salt Lake. I have reasons to believe that with passage of some more
years, this distinction of "New" & "Old" will totally
disappear.
Once the Kashmir Sabha, Calcutta took a formal shape in 1956, it was doubly
blessed. The enthusiasm of "New" Kashmiris was ably supported
whole heartedly by the "Old" members of the Baradari. Some of
the early settlers even came forward to lead the Sabha from the front as office
bearers of the Sabha like Shri P.N. Haksar, Smt. Subhadra Haksar, Shri K.N.
Baqaya, Smt. Bilas Razdan, Shri B.P. Wanchoo and others. From the
"New" Kashmiris, the leadership provided was equally rich in talent
who shared a common vision for the con-tmunity irrespective of their social or
economic status or Kashmiri language speaking capability. In the eyes of
the Sabha, all members were treated with equal respect. Late Shri M. L.
Zutshi, Lt. Col. P. N. Kak (Retd.), popularly known as Papa by most
Calcuttans, Shri M. M. Dhar, Dr. M. K. Raina, Shri S. S. Raina, Shri C. L.
Wattal, Shri M. K. Ogra, Late Shri S. N. Wali, Shri Udai Kaul, Dr. C. L.
Kashkari, Shri P. L. Sapru, Dr. B. K. Moza, Shri B. L. Razdan, Shri B. L. Raina,
Shri P. L. Dhar, Shri P. N. Tiku, Shri B. M. Misri, Late Shri J. L. Kaul, Shri
A. K. Dhar, Shri B. L. Tickoo, Shri Pajan and many others dedicated stalwarts
from the "New" Kashmiris provided a right blend to lead and conduct
the affairs of the Sabha for many years.
While it is generally true that Organisation has always been supreme and
individuals have always been in the background, I guess it will be not incorrect
to say that at least on one occasion in recent years, the leadership provided by
one man stood a shade above the rest. It was during the Presidentship of
Shri Avtar Kishen Dhar, that the Sabha constructed the Kashmir Bhavan and saw a
new direction in community social events. Few would disagree with his superb and
exceptional performance as a leader with great commitment to the cause of
preserving our identity. Wish he could spare his time to play a stellar
role for our Baradari on an All India and Global level.
A Bhavan of their own was the dream of Baradari in Calcutta since 60's when a
very big plot of land was procured at Sonarpur, near Jadavpur, which for
unfortunate political unrest in West Bengal at that time had to be abandoned.
A key role was played by Shri M. M. Dhar in purchase of the land at Sonarpur and
by Shri M. K. Ogra in procuring a plot for constructing the Bhavan at Salt Lake.
Perhaps, it would be a fitting tribute to dedicate the Golden jubilee Issue
of VITASTA to such stalwarts in our community who have helped create such a
Sabha and include therein a consolidated list of all office bearers for past
fifty years with chronological record of events. Our future generations
should know the causes that were so dear to their parents and grand parents and
be motivated to contribute their best in years ahead to further preserve our
distinct cultural identity.
Packed yearly Social Events' Calendar
In keeping with its aims and objectives, the Sabha organises a series of
social events addressing the social and cultural yearning of most members and
for all age groups. There is hardly any month when Baradari members don't
get opportunity to meet one another. The events include an annual picnic,
various competitions in games and sports for children, functions on Shivratri,
Navreh, Roop Bhavani Day, Jestha Ashtami, Zangtrai, Gazals Night, Dance and
Music competitions for children and many others. Shri B. M. Misri has been
playing a key role in these events. Smt. Shakti Kaul and Shri L. N.
Kaul together with Shri Rakesh Kaul are conspicuous by the dedicated
contributions they make towards the administration of Kashmir Bhawan and the
hospitality that is provided over here.
It is common practice now to perform marriage, Yugnopavit and other social
functions as per traditional Kashmiri rituals at the Kashmir Bhavan by most
Baradari members.
VITASTA - keeps all in touch
Annual issue of VITASTA is one of the most sought after literary rich
publication brought out by any KP association. The annual numbers have in
addition been able to raise significant revenue for the activities of the Sabha.
Well focussed numbers like Bahar-i-Kashmir, Homage to Nehru, Homage to Indira
Gandhi, Martand, Kashmir 2000, Kashmir Bhavan - Three Numbers, Preserving
Kashmiri Pandit Identity, Contribution of Kashmiri Pandits to Indian Culture,
and now Kashyap Bandhu Number are some of the Collector Numbers issued by the
Sabha. These numbers have raised necessary finance for running the
activities of Sabha and provide capital to part finance construction of the
Kashmir Bhavan at Salt Lake.
While Shri S.S. Raina, Dr. Chaman Lal Kashkari, Dr. M.K. Raina, Smt.
Mohini Raina and others played a key role in editing the annual numbers in early
years, a noteworthy contribution has been that of Dr. B.K. Moza in editing the
annual numbers consistently for decades and raising the level of this magazine
to such heights of literary acclaim. In addition, he has inspired younger
generation (M. K. Kaul), Anjali Razdan, Anju Munshi, Vivek Kaul, Rajiv
Sapru, Jyoti Sapru, Ashok Dhar and others) to undertake editing work for the
magazine from time to time. For editing the Devanagiri section comprising
of Hindi and Kashmiri languages, a key played by Shri M.K. Ogra in early years s
been followed consistently for many ars by Smt. Niva Kaul with great
finesse. The contribution of husband-wife editorial team of Smt.jyoti and
Shri Rajiv Sapru of Monthly Issues of VITASTA is remarkable. The Quiz
competition run through this Monthly is a great hit with children.
Kashmir Sabha Trust to support the needy
With whatever resources that could have been raised, the Baradari has always
stood ahead in helping the needy amongst us. Be it help for a kidney
transplant or help in gaining employment or sending contributions to help the
recent group of migrants from Kashmir or activities of the All India Kashmir
Samaj and its other affiliated units, All members have tried to make
contributions, big or small, to show their concern and solidarity for the
welfare of the Baradari.
Looking ahead
It is a matter of great satisfaction that our Baradari today has formed
similar organised groups at the places of their chosen stay all over the world.
Many changes are inevitable with the changed world order and the speed with
which we will observe, orient, decide and act to find ways of preserving our
cultural heritage and identity will decide our existence as a distinct cultural
group. These little groups can use their collective wisdom to decide best
ways forward to preserve our identity in their chosen places of stay. Of
course an umbrella Organisation of all such Groups with their total support and
active involvement can be a great cohesive force. Fortunately, despite
being dispersed in far-flung areas in India and abroad, the Baradari has
displayed a unique resilience to face calamities with all its might.
There is no community without its share of doubting Thomasses and our
community cannot claim to be any exception to the rule. A culture of
applause for whoever makes any token contribution can in such predicaments help
us all. We should have reasons to believe that our community will have a
bright future ahead, be it in social, cultural or economic fronts. We need
to put on Yellow Hats of optimism and work to help needy ones amongst us.
Sabhas have come to stay and transform the inner urges and cumulative beliefs
of our community gathered through six thousand years of history. They
should provide a link between the present generation with the generations gone
by. If we want that the view we hold of our culture should be understood
and appreciated by others, we have got to establish some kind of harmony between
it and the outside expression in our actual living and that is what I guess is
being so successfully done by the Sabha in Calcutta. I am confident that
the next generation of Kashmiris in Eastern India (which this Sabha represents)
will keep our community united, preserving its unique homogeneous identity,
especially in the changed scenario of our forced migration from the valley for
past ten years. Looking ahead, I have full hope that Kashmir Sabha,
Calcutta will prosper with the blessings of Mata Kshir Bhavani along with other
Sabhas of our Baradari elsewhere.
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