Vol. XIV No. 8 August 1976/Sravana-Bhadra 2033KOSHUR SAMACHAR Vol. XIV No. 8 Narendar N. Kaul * Editorial Board J.N, Bhan A.N. Kaul S.N. Bhatt ‘Haleem’ L. N. Raina Production Incharge B. L. Razdan Narendar Safaya * Annual Subscription Inland : Rs. 12-00 ‘Overseas (Air Mail) : Rs, 65 * Issued by KASHMIRI SAMITI, DELHI Kashmir Bhawan 4, Amar Colony New Dethi-110024 | A Socio-Cultural Monthly August 1976/Sravan-Bhadra 2033 Our Doors Are Open Certainly, itis neither our penchant nor our cup of tea to harp on the same string day in and day out, especially when much water has gone down the rivers and humans are engaged in a race for variety and ad- vancement. All the same, we are bound by our commit- ment. Our readers know it well that this Samachar of ours is a home journal dedicated to socio-cultural mi and cannot, in the circumstances, dabble in anything else. We have cried from house-tops againt the evil customs of our society, the attitude of mavericks, the ks of our ebullient youth who are the hope of our future, the old Adams, who want to perpetuate the rot eating away our vitals, and other vices which go with sophistication ; yet we have stood by the youth who are edventurous and progressive, who do not want to be tied to the apron-strings but would really want healthy changes. We have advocated the preservation of human values—moral and aesthetic—, a rational and reasonable behaviour which would endear us to all, a simpie living and high thinking, love for all and hatred for none, and all that would make this human society happy. Un- doubtedly, with pain at heart, we have dipped our pen in gall against those whose conduct could be disastrous for the weaker sections of the meek of heart, and who Id like to flaunt their position or wealth to the affront imble or not-so-affluent. That is not sil. We have also discussed numerous other problems facing our society and given an analysis for finding solution. In doing so our aim has been to form a well- knit and compact fraternity which could be a model for others. We bear no malice or ill-will against any one. Believe us, this line of thinking could not emerge out of nothing. It did evolve over the years as we had common - ems which often came up owing to estrangement We made a humble start and woul or chagrin of the hu prob! and made us nostalgic.brought this dear journal of yours to'the Present standing. We did not thrust our ideology upon others but expressed their’ feelings through these very cols. And if we are told we have not been doing well in that we have been treading on others’ corns, or that we are highbrows with a_high-flown language, it would not be fair to us. Our journal has a mission, anda purpose, and it does suffer from limitations in its fulfilment, We have to speak the truth which should Sele be palatable, andin doing so the language and the diction play an important role. Then’ we cannot mis-state facts to please anybody nor can we connive at ‘things’ : yet we have not tobe blunt. These diffi- Culties of ours are to be appreciated, there fore: As we have said from time to time, our doors are open for all, in whatever way they would like to join us; and we welcome any valuable suggestions which would not go againtts the goal set before us all. SNIPPETS Itis with reverence and respect that we remember the great saint-poet and savant af Hindi literature, Goswami Tulsidas, each year, on Shravana Shukla Saptami, which falls on August the 2nd, Monday, this year. His Ramayana provides solace to us all in moments of despair and dark- ness. Qur obeisance to this great saint ‘on the occasion of his Jayanti. Each one of us would desire to have the holy darshan of Amarlingam in the sacred cave of Swami Amarnathji in Kashmir, ‘on the holy occasion of Shravani or ‘Shravana Purnima, which falls on Monday, ‘August the 9th, this year. The sacred tie (Raksha Bandhan), an affectionate exchange of brothers and sisters, is a feature of special sanctity on this day. Pilgrimage to Thajiwara in Anantnag dis- trict of Kashmir, where the devout have their bathin the dripping water of the matted turf, and to the Swami Shankara- charya temple on the majestic hillock overlooking the Dal Lake is also perfor- med on this very day. Twenty-nine years ago, on August the 15th, 1947, India became independent, As in the years past since then, our zeal and fervour in celebrating the Indepen- dence Day this year should be heartier still when we rededicate ourselves to the task ahead in building our nation. We can redeem our pledge by hard and relentless labour. In doing so we pay homage to all those freedom fighters who laid down their lives for achieving independence for this country of ours. The Independence Day this year corres- ponds to Bhadra Krishna Panchami,Sunday, which will be observed as Chandan Shashthi by our womenfolk who, as an age-old practice, will pray for the well-being of their spouse on this day, with a determined vow to break the prayerful fast only on seeing the moon at night. 4c Bhadrapada is the month among months when we propitiate Mother Girija (Biba Garaz Mouj) for the fulfilment of our heart-cherished desires on various aU- spicious days by offering ‘thread’ oF ‘pun’ with a vow. % The great festival of Krishna Janmash- tami (Bhadra Krishna Ashtami), spread over two days according to our almanac this year, will be celebrated on August the 17th, Tuesday, and August the 18th, Wednesday. Let not the evils and vices overtake us—is our prayer to Lord Krishna, whose philosophical message of ‘action without desiring fruit’ has sustained us for millennia in this land of ours. Bhadra Amavasya, corresponding tO August the 25th, Wednesday, will be observed as the Magha or durva (darbha or kusa, gtass) Amavasya. Kusa gtass, for its sacredness, is of significance in our sacrificial and religious rites. the ninth month of Mohamme= Ramazan, ylight hours of dan’ year, during all da which rigid and penanceful fasting is observsd, begins on August tho 27th, reckoning. this year, owing to lunar Hearty Mubarak to our brethren | See An allegory medical terminology on our evil customs AILMENT: RASOOMAT-I-BAD (Evil Customs) —pr. A. N. Parimoo*> DEFINITION—An urge for performing ceremonies, especially marriage ceremony, with pomp and show, including exchange of $+ Dr, A.N. Parimoo is a medical practitioner, practising medi over four decades now. He has been deadly against the evil customs of our article is from his trilingual booklet, entitled costly gifts in cash and kind, large-scale feastings, etc. ete. intoxi ‘Modern Degihore,’ sumptuous It isa sort of tion that develops the urge to show cine in Srinagar for society. This brought out in 1970. The theme is perennial and can hold good even today.off. The victim fails to judge what is neces- sary or what he can really afford to do, or how he should spend mony usefully. It spontaneously develops in the friends and relatives on spot. They’ also feel the urge to suggest new items instead of cutting the unnecessary ones already prevalent. CAUSE—Desire to show off is inherent but is uncontrolled and thrives on indiscri- minately rising standard of living day after day under 5-year plans. INCIDENCE—It occurs in a majority of People, irrespective of their caste, colour or creed. There are variations in degree of severity and there are variations in form. Some communities are asbolutely free from this ailment. MODE OF TRANSMISSION—It is transmitted from person to person by sight and hearing, SYMPTOMS—Innumerable as may be imagined from definition. Worry, however, is the predominating feature and starts from the day he starts purchasing things. Fatigue, of course, is felt after going from one show-room to another but passes off by a hot foot-bath at night. The bride, of coure, is a source of relief in worry when she accompanies him to purchase ornaments and dresses for herself and presents for mother-in-law, her sisters and their daughters. Sisters of the bride- goom are on the top of the list. COURSE OF AILMENT—The former long dura- tion has disappeared when both money and 4 articles had to be secured and the ceremony was prolonged. Nowadays money is in abundance and articles are readymade in stores and of all varieties. On the day of marriage and a day previous to it the victim is most worried. At this time services of the youngsters are very useful (boys and sirls). Their modernism has a consolatory effect and their performance is exhilarating to the victim so that he can stand the fe vity calmly. A short description of their activities would be interesting to the reader. With least disrepect he is comfortably seated to watch their movements and is duly instructed not to open his mouth except for drinking and eating. With rest and fees he gains vitality enough to see the place of cath-taking ceremony himself. This place of so-called Lagan has no importance to them because now that house grabbing has been Started they expect girl-grabbing and boy. clinging will soon follow. Although belonging to organisations of different ideologies they Work ina team with the one slogan ‘Long Live the Couple’. To bid Khushamadeed (welcome) to the bridegroom and the guests, and for their reception and en:ertainment they do all sorts of jobs. They will even Pick up brickbats and stones and throw them away. Devoting themselves to the cons- tructive part of the ceremony they attend to the furnishing, furniture, bunting and glass articles, etc. Gate and the dais are artis- tically erected. Sawdust, which is otherwise burnt to ashes in homes, has ingeneously been put to a novel use. Dyed stuff is scattered over the lane so as to present an appearance of a foreign carpet. At inter-vals they gherao the bridegroom and prepare him for insisting ona Rajdoot instead of a Lambretta, as originally proposed. About record-player he has his own choice and blowing out circles of smoke they nod their heads in agreement. Catching the sight of his finger-ring they admire the jewel it con- tains and return to their job rejoicing, as they feel they will get similar rings from their fathers-in-law. Similarly, girl friends collect round the bride and impress on her not to yield to the authority of the mother-in-law from the very first day. The more experienced ones advise her to. keep all’ the articles of dowry in her ownroom. Another reminds her to include stretch. pants and a woollen scarf in the list of presents for the sister-in-law. Yet the third one advises that the articles should be presented in a decent leather case with chain. The bride gives them a surprise when she mentions. the television, set anda gas stove in the list of articles of dowry, and cleverly changes the topic by recalling to their memory acting of the heroine ‘Sabhyata’ in the film ‘Chaos’ and giggling they disperse on hear- ing the call for lunch. The bride adjusting the chain of her Dejihor follows them mut- tering about the progress made by women of the Western bloc. After lunch all the youngsters start attend- ing to the main job of decoration and enter~ tainment. Discussions on selection of bis- cuits, cigarettes and soft drinks are interest ing. They don’t think beer can be substi- tuted for soft drinks in the current 5-Year Plan but cabaret as an entertainment for guests is a possibility in place of old-fashion- ed Chhakri recital held on Mehandirat. About kissing at the time of reception of Barat opinions differ But they agree to postpone it till it is well-introduced in films. ‘About feastings they are enthusiastic and discussion becomes hot. Yet they cannot decide before holding a seminar and post- pone the decision till the next 5-Year Plan when many more hotels and restaurants may have come up and more money is thrown into circulation. The feastings could be left to hotels. Meanwhile, they feel contented with substituting names of cooks and their workers by caterers and bearers, So the reader can imagine how exhilara~ ting performances of the youngsters must be to the victim. He experiences a sense of well-being which lasts for several days following till the after-effects start showing. in their own turn, AFTER-EFFECTS-They depend on the quality of show exhibited beyond his capacity. Those who can afford all that they have done feel happy. In the case of others an anaemia of pennilessness develops. Ina few it is severe enough to cause dissensions between parties, The husband forgets the promises made and the girl gets adversely affected. She lives in a state of tension and ill-health. Isolation in her parents’ home is instituted for a short time or silently even for life. Rumours of homicide and suicides may follow. TREATMENT—The ailment may with diffi- culty be eradicated altogether straightaway. Even the antibiotics of laws may not succeed, 3So prevention of spread should receive the greatest attention. Non-injurious and taste- fully compounded mixtures of advice and persuasion deserve a patient trial for an appreciable period. Declaration of dowry should strictly be prohibited. People should enthusiastically be encouraged to set examples} Samiti, Delhi, had announced the insti- of simplicity and frugality to earn from the | tion of the First Damodardass Tarawati Society admiration, respect and gratitude.!| Kachru Memorial Prize of (Rs. 1000|- People should be warned not to indulge in} Kindly donated by Shri Daya Kishan copying others beyond their means, as such | Kachru. As has now been decided in indulgence is disastrous. Religious educa- | @¢cordance with the desire of the kind tion of young and old is important to create | donor, two prizes of proposed denomi an atmosphere of healthfulness and content- | Nation will be given to those Kashmiri ment. It needs special attention even | students (residing in Delhi and appear- unaided. It should not be considered inex-| 9 fom the University of Delhi) who pedient in the present circumstances of | Se0u7e ‘meritorious positions in B.A. secularism, because a person following the | 94. (Hons.) and B. Se./B. Se: (Hons.) moral code of life prescribed by his religion, | 2/ wniversity examinations. Expen- which is equally good inall, wil also be «| ‘ute incurred on the award of these good citizen. prizes will be met from and out of the interest accruing on the donated amount which has been deposited with the Samiti’s bankers. DAMODARDASS TARAWATI KACHRU MEMORIAL PRIZES Our readers will recall that Kashmiri We are one and all—government, people, parents, sons and daughters—responsible for propagating the ailment due to perverse line of thinking which could well be corrected by religious teaching. Along with teaching vice and virtue, religion injects fear of God. Catt be a substitute even if supplemented with Under His law each individual is being watch- lathis. Other types of lessons and diplomas ed, punished for vice and rewarded for virtue in moral education will merely be used for automatically. No other type of education job-hunting. @. *NEWS FLASHES Master SUNIL KUMAR HALI, son of Shri Jagan Nath Hali (B3/9P, Munirka, D.D.A. Flats) has won first prize in'a debat- ing competition held in National Integration Camp at Nainital. He was awarded a silver cup and a merit certificate. SUNIL got another silver cup for extra-curricular acti- vities. * * * Shrimati LALITA SAHIB_ left Washington on June 26, 1976, to jo husband, Dr. M. K. Sahib (S/o Shri Nirajan Nath Sahib), who is currently working as a isiting Scientist with the National Heart and Lung Institute, N. I. H., Bethesda, N.D. * *~ * Shri BRU) NATH WATLOO ‘BETAB’ (Akingam, Kashmir), news-reader, Srinagar T.Y., has joined All India Radio (Kashmiri Unit) as news-reader and has taken up resi- dence at Sector VI/653, R. K. Puram, New Delhi-22. * * * Dr. ASHOK KUMAR BHAN (Ph. D., Botany), who had already been selected for LFS. (Indian Forest Service), has been declared successful in LP.S. He has now joined the I.P.S. cadre and is at the Mussoorie Camp. Dr. Bhan is the son of Sub. T. N. Bhan of Rughnath Mandir, for her Srinagar, and is closely related to Shri K. N. Jalla of Paharganj, New Delhi. * atx MATRIMONIAL For a handsome K. P. Air Foree Commis- sioned Officer (ground duties), age 25, satisfactorily provided at home, with no commitments or liabilities, a pretty, sociable and smart girl. Correspond care KS/MAT/174. Asuitable K.P, boy fora tall, beauti- ful, fair-complexioned girl, coming from a respectable family, studing in B. A. (Binal). Write to KS/MAT/175. OBITUARY Death occurred in New Delhi, on July 10, 1976, of Pushpa Rani, mother of Shri M-L. Garyali (C-35, Pamposh Enclave). Cruel hands of destiny snatched away from our midst Shri C. L. Kaul (Sarvodaya Enclave) on July 17, 1976. Shri Kaul was in his early forties. Death occurred in Srinagar on July 27, 1976, of Shri Kashinath Reshi, affectionately known as Bhaikak, the eldest brother of Sarvashri S. N, Raina (Reshi) [A-278, Kidwai Nagar] and B. L. Razdan (143-Jagmohan Nagar, Ashram). Shri Tika Lal Ganjoo of Rainawari passed away in Srinagar on 4th July, 1976, ‘after'a brief ailment. He was the maternal uncle of Shri Som Nath Raina of Daryaganj, New Delhi. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. 7Editor’s Mail Sir, T would feel obliged if the ‘Koshur Samachar’ could helpme in solving my academic problem. Ihave been working on the Kashmir Shabda- mritam for’ my Ph. D. in Banaras Sanskrit University (now Sampurna— nand | Sanskrit Vishvavidyalya, Varanasi) for the last five years. Kashmir Shabdamritam is an accu- rate and exhaustive grammar of Kashmiri language written in Sans— krit. by the great scholar Ishwar ‘This treatise can be equated Kaul. with Panini’s or Hemachandra’s works. Shri Kaul has discussed “politeness” in the language as well, the most recent concern of the sociolinguists and the language teachers. Besides beinga gramma- rian, Shri Kaul was a lexicographer. He had compiled a Kashmiri-Sanskrit dictionary but could not complete it. Both his works were edited by the famous linguist George 4. Grier- son in 1898. Ihave almost completed the an- alytical portion of my thesis. It is held up because little is known about the life of this great scho- lar. Through this journal T want to reach those persons who know something about Shri Ishwar Kaul. It 8 would be very kind of the learned readers if they could guide me, with authenticity, inthis respect. Iwould feel grateful if the infor- mation could be dropped on my add— ress, fe, 39/16 Shaktinagar, Delhi-110007. 39/16, Shaktinagar, Yours etc. Delhi-7. July the 2nd, 1976. Susheela Sar [The Samachar family is equally anxious 10 know if the young scholar could be helped in her pursuit, Many a veteran in our, biralari can enlighten us on the life and works of the great scholar of Kashmir, Pandit Ishwar Kaul. The appeal made by Sushri Sar will ‘move the proper quarters and prove fruitful, Ed. Bd.) it is hoped. Change of Address Shri Vir A. Magazine from Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, to Zaindar Mohalla, Srinagar, Kashmir. x * * Shri. K. Sapru from.D-188, Malviya Nagar Extension, to M-S7 (B), Malviya Nagar, New Delhi-110017. * * * Shri P. N. DUDA from B-202/1, D.D.A. Flats, East of Kailash, to W-21, Green Park, New Delhi. wtBIL CATT we Yo FEA {O08 /ATATI-ATT Yo 32 | tae age aa ata ovenra afer gaara aft ore oh aha | afr & agare qea ft aia ated @ feat aa, fama ght wa crs 7e fad, fer mene aia rina area as fr ware | aMda atte sare ‘atefier-wa’ gy affine aint arm. mS ate Aacifad aarit oored wert ef ateeeat ait ore qa fa fe ge were Aaldt are gran fr aa weet Is oT Fie Gaara | Te Bath frets i fre Bl! fe qacra dat ain age | met ar da wo we fedrfiec wax aa vier cat aretnn ate atfar) fa & aerate dar fer we wa, Wey cama | weyT Hae GA Eh TA, age dara amad afq gy etara aie Hart | ae art aT ae g— Firm afer weer fa aran wa waa — ffm @ aren fa far ena afy tax aga, fea dae feafer omer ag mara wt gra sift fea ata ald et afaa wa mama ay, anda ge aaa hg amar arma acarst afta safe cing Baa ged ¢ ea ate aifatee goed fe atta a oafe are fix waft arora far grat anf eraras anea art Prong a age fegat agai, ai cam dame rot sift) agar ge agi ag fate gga aaa saga dite fay aaa far fa wie iat tig qe aerart aif anger d ashen g dtaga— ayia ygraea’— ates dare gy aa aiaat— aaa sa att care aifat age an G1 ft ar aredt fied ama, fr af oat arfae afer fa weata oe area ge afy 1 @ aa aci—feaea fa g azafea afer sit cafe wag? aya caf zane arecagT gq dade sar) anrtt, ere, eafeatdt t wealtt caat< fan aif sefera fa, for fe a garg, ane ath aeftet fir fa arate 1 aa ate faa gfe adl sates 1 eae adtat fate & fr aft dist art qt frat aed d arr e fg we mit a ge afer att fe sage TAT aT aifa a aga ce sartara df pers feat safe ett 2)aaa ge ana afa dogg dia areat 1 a aa tara afer are set 1 ae 4 eau ae ie aage aida, aa a arate aree fat arf 42, we gar gage arn aft caene | fafa aeiga firefaate arfet at — aa oe at ed afer Te fea, anne aa arf aifae gt sz, ma a ats get ata ora era, aa a wage ate ta aeafa aa: waagn tm aa a ate feat arent | Oy aris af Vaya ate ATTA a aaa aie ata ae aH aa saat adh Aaya aT aa a caara-diedt af ea a7, ad art aify ai marge an, aaa area gf aren tae afe-acea af dome gz art ata, gates aa cia oid sista, af a arafy aren wate anf ate 1 ae aaagera afr att afr are a afy 28 FF aera area, af a diaa saath ate fa ez, iter hers ata fig gata rare aera ag it aa a oft nana afar ota wg — wien fier gfe af eae are ota 1 aimae sr af a tq anf att ar aaa arafa Set ait ea AIT ® BF FAM Gt aga aTaaTe | ga aan aft qe gage wafeare | af a aren arte fer arena aia, ae aera age aa ata aaa cit gre ate, fe add gs, aft area fq 28 gagra aha, ae Gat Fy Ha TTA TATA 8g, siainas ge athe od aera mea tye ¢ a womia az, af 4 grat sitio sega Ae ate, Regn tax a aa site aif ara, aif fa aie aftr ard a atfere age — ae yaifea card-acatel a1, aed aaa ae a ara ails dizer, ae gat wa ga a create fram, im aT orga age fa cif aie, aa a& fact far we cafe afer exq— ae era aig, mre site, afer eg | aH wage aa mate awe afera, aad agen sae Wea aR aiefaan ga aif aeeiét wert 1 ae erat rg we aaa ATATAAATT OF AAT GH Us aga ATATTTaga a gate gE (we ge-faazra, det ea) fr 3 aa da a4, ate ot fain ae areTE afefe ais adada @!) fect fret ifoe arma wea site se auger, fee ave sive afta Qatewa ata agar aaa set | a maine wer eer nage aeage qa fog, arr rar aware | ani, ae ata qe aT mife afea site oer nersigan ats ary wae, 1a Hee areas olla ada xfist aie, wean aisha, achida gaa af, naare fufaae fefa dimare Sto ait 1 afa ate g agaaT walfer Ga fe wacara gana 1 oa ale aT FTE etter are aa aarava wea Peer Bert Te ave ae fuera site far ange site oa ite ETT af maar sora F GANT BTA TTT I afe ag mana yeaa wale ada cae ailfng dorm waite. amare aaeia gaeit re ma afte rae we —"% avert fetta fe gar Bee gar aft eile ea, ger wife ara” aqag arffage at aaa ter wat age fe maa qe aa da usr aa a caq alexa d aren “fn ga eae gargs, sifra gat fr fanft aicam fa afrar afer aan angi wife fagn frost 1 gata aaa (3 ga dave waft aga” aaa aa fa qfta aa a taaa “ag ra FATA farg Ogata” Ufo To eer Fer fart ara & yore eA yee a fam guard wre | ane aaa F amit vt % FET st Ww By grat wary aeT WIE gn aia ATH a ate ger a, ama aedt amar xz 1 gat Ga az aT AMT gard, afecita aa fe tm Bay gat & ae & at at &, f i aR AN ae Be, —yeataia yt ame Pram arf gat a ata az, fe qart wal ara are ey Fert walt aa g F ua, ane at fir IR TyT' qT EL qa at mane fe ae 78a, AT Faas fave wr ei [23FART (ROR Yo HMTAATT 83 Ura gy cfrare gg array 5 FAT RX FAA Re eae as afta Re tiaare o MAAIT ACTHAT VEE 9 gaat & aTAaTt 5 qaare Bae TatT WE Foo Tet Pale, TAH ATH Y To Ve fire, fat By adar, dae aah, erat faae, ta aaTcT Rae 30 fio fart asst, fate | SH aeeHT aaa timeerit | Garsent | Ala TAH ATTA, 22 Fo Yo fito ta ae frat |Registration No. Regd. No. D(S)-017 2seeic8 KOSHUR SAMACHAR ‘A SOCIO-CULTURAL MONTHLY | -KASHMIR BHAWAN The pride of the Kashmiri Biradari in the Capital is in the urgent need of funds ' for its proper maintenance and also for the second phase which include } —Addition of a second stort —Improvement of acoustics and lighting system; Installation of a public address syste’ —Development and beautification of the surroundings. We expect the Biradari to rise to the occasion and donate liberally to achieve these objectives. Ssued by : Kashmiri Samiti, Delhi Printed and publishod by 6, L, Ragdan from Kashmir Bhawan, Kashmir Bhawan Marg, Amar Colony, Naw Delhi-24, for the Kashmiri Samiti, Delhi, at BHAN PRINTERS, 776/8-1, Naveen Shahdara, Delhi-32. indar N. Kau!