Maheen Charakan, Samba August 21: Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu, (DSS), has made a fervent appeal to honourable Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha to rename the historical water pond at Badhori village in Samba district as General Baj Singh Sarovar to honour this great Dogra soldier who travelled 200 kms all the way from Skardu to join Fateh Shibji, now 4 JAK Rifles, the J&K State Forces Battalion, as part of the Imperial Service Force at Gilgit and to walk 400 kms with them on the mission to lift the siege of Chittral in 1895 by leading from the front. After a grim battle, General Baj Singh laid down his life after a valiant fight which is a rare example in the world history of Combat.
Sharing this public sentiment, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, former Cabinet Minister and President of DSS, while thanking the government for conceding the demand of the Sabha for raising Balidan Stambh in Kashmir which is now coming up at Sri Pratap Park Srinagar., he appealed that General Baj Singh must also be honoured in the same spirit of nationalism conceeding the demand of Sabha by naming the historical pond at Village Badhori as General Baj Singh Sarovar. Shri Charak was speaking at a largely attended meeting of the members of the DSS including Sarpanches, Panches, Numberdars/ Chowkidars and other prominent persons from the surrounding areas at Maheen Charakan.
Shri Charak, on behalf of DSS, once again conveyed to the government headed by Shri Manoj Sinha that all the realist and rational people of Jammu region, particularly those connected with heritage and culture, vehemently oppose the dangerous move of the bureaucracy of Jammu and Kashmir to convert Maharani Charaki Palace into hotel being totally against the standard norms of State Protected Monuments.
The participants spoke in one voice that the plan to shift invaluable archives repository from Mubarak Mandi Complex, Jammu to elsewhere was ill-conceived and the archives which are the soul of this historic monument should not be shifted out of these palaces complex in any case. They appealed to the government to ensure that the heritage monuments of Jammu region are revived and conserved for cultural, historical, religious, research and academic tourism and employment generation. “Essence of heritage shouldn’t be lost in the process,” the participants demanded.
DSS demanded that there should be a proper display of artifacts etc. of Dogra Museum and proper upkeep of the prestigious old library in the Mubarak Mandi where more than 29,000 rare books have been kept. Demand was made that the Heritage Complex be restored on war footings and kept open for visiting tourists.
Speakers emphasized that the institution of Numberdars and Chowkidars provides the most effective services to common masses in rural areas and it is imperative for the government to duly empower them and fulfil their genuine and long pending demands that include raising the monthly remuneration (honorarium) from the existing paltry sum of Rs. 1501 and Rs. 1500 respectively to at least Rs. 9000 per month, comparable with the minimum of Rs. 300 per day, they being involved in important round the clock government work.
Demand was made that effective mechanism be put in place to check the drug menace which is spreading unabated even amongst the school going children including the girl students.
The Sabha expressed resentment over the installation of smart meters for electricity consumption and high rates and numerous toll plazas on the highways. The participants expressed no aversion to technology, but asked the government to adopt a rational and pro people’s approach that doesn’t burden the poor who are already suffering because of high cost of living. They also unanimously demanded that Toll Plaza at Sarore must immediately be removed and warned the government against taking any suppressive measure to silent the voice of patriotic people of this region.
Shri Charak also appealed to the Lt. Governor to be genuinely considerate towards the long suffering daily wagers of the Union Territory and concede their demands for regularization and one time settlement at the earliest.
Demand for issue of Dogra Certificate in favour of the community members was once again highlighted here also. Participants said that it grants due relaxation in matters of height etc of the candidates during recruitment to armed forces, etc. It was emphasized that the valorous Dogra youth had proved their mettle in defending the nation time and again and the Certificate would facilitate the eligible in seeking employment in the field of their choice to serve the motherland.
Earlier Sh. Gulzar Ahmad Qureshi, former Director School Education and Sh. Haji Bashir Ahmad Malik, Ex Sarpanch appreciating the people of the area for maintaining their age old brotherhood even during the various provocations and appealed them to be vigilant in future also especially during the elections when cheap politicians try to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.
Sh. Chaman Lal Chaman, a Dogri Poet of the area recited Dogri Poems about the bravery of brave hearts of the area and Master Jagdeep Singh explained in detail about the problems being faced by the people of this Kandi Belt. At the end Sh. Kuldeep Kumar Stage secretary thanking the guests and other participants of this grand function appealed to all for joining the Preeti Bhoj.
Among others who expressed their views on the occasion were Sarpanch Ghulam Hussain, Swarn Singh Ex Sarpanch, Master Chhankar Singh, Madan Bhagat, Balkar Singh, Parshotam Singh Charak, Ex Sarpanch Angrej Singh,