SMJ pays poetic tributes to Comrade Dhanwantri
‘Son of the soil, still devoid of his due’
JAMMU, Mar 7: ‘Legends never die. They remain etched in the memory of generations to come.
Comrade Dhanwantri is one among such immortal revolutionary characters of the history of Indian freedom struggle. A great son of the soil, he, still, continues to inspire millions of those, who believe in human values and freedom.’ This was the assertion of renowned Hindi litterateur, painter, and the former Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) Ramesh Mehta. He was delivering his presidential address at an impressive function organized by Jammu Sanskriti Manch Jammu (SMJ) to celebrate 119th birth anniversary of Comrade Dhanwantri here on Sunday.
“Though he has not been given his due yet his inspiring persona and contribution are still strong enough
to move and shake our conscience and thought process. This finds resonance in this unique programme
cherishing his memories,” he said while congratulating Sanskriti Manch Jammu for its endeavour.
Mehta averred that just installing his statue or naming the university library after him (Dhanwantri) was
not enough to keep alive his memory.
Mehta also lauded the poems, supporting the ongoing farmers’ agitation, rendered by prominent Hindi
poet Manoj Sharma on this occasion. Earlier Mehta, joined by SMJ president Abhimanyu Sharma, its founder member and poet Manoj Sharma, secretary-general Sheikh Mohammed Kalyan, prominent writers and scholars present on the occasion, paid floral tributes to the picture of Comrade Dhanwantri.
This was followed by a lively rendition of his poems “Dangai”, “Aansu”, “Suraj Chadh Raha Hai”, “Goonj”
and “Jhooth Ne Apne Muhawarey Badal Diye Hain” dedicated to the agitating farmers, by Manoj
Sharma.
SMJ president Abhimanyu Sharma, in his address, reiterated his commitment to preserve and keep alive
the memory of Comrade Dhanwantri. “Our endeavour is to make a documentary profiling his entire
work, contribution to freedom struggle and the society at large. We are also contemplating to initiate an
annual lecture series in his memory,” Abhimanyu shared.
He also read out letters, which formed part of rare nuggets of history, written by the prominent
freedom fighters including Durga Bhabhi and one of the iconic personalities of Hindi cinema Prithvi Raj
Kapoor to Comrade Dhanwantri.
At the very outset of the function, SMJ secretary-general Sheikh Mohammed Kalyan, in his welcome
address underlined an exemplary contribution of Comrade Dhanwantri in the framing of (now
abrogated) the Constitution of J&K.
Dr Alka Sharma ably conducted the proceedings of the programme.
