Articles by Sadaket Malik

Physical Features
The narrow road snakes its way through awe inspiring mountains and towering slopes,
throwing up enormous clouds of dust. It passed by little hamlets, comprising a couple of
houses built around pagoda-shaped mosques and box-like temples with sloping roofs
made of corrugated iron. Children play cricket on improvised pitches on patches of land
left fallow or laze around on conical haystacks. Weather-beaten Bakkarwal men, with
their hennaed beards and loosely wound turbans, lead flocks of hairy mountain goats.
Their children and womenfolk follow after them, driving mules laden with pots, pans and
bedding - their mobile homes. The perfect picture of serenity.

Bhalessa is one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Doda. Straddling the
border with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, the area derived its name from its people
"Bhalay Loug" (The right people with right destiny).
The region is known for traditional communal harmony. It has a Muslim majority, with a
Hindu minority of a little more than a third. The two communities continue to live together
in the same towns and villages in relative peace, beside the separatist tendencies of
certain nefarious groups.
The history of Bhalessa and Bhaderwah dates back to 200 BC. Buddhism was
introduced in the region after the revered Buddhist scholar Nagsena met the then King
Mender in his palace at Sakla Kishtwar and encouraged him to embrace Buddhism. On
the other hand, Islam, entered the region when Alhaj Ab Gani adiqi invited the people
and familiarised them of the faith.
The principality of Bhaderwah Bhalessa was distributed into 15 tharas or administrative
units. The total area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa) was 533 sq miles, which
after amalgamation with Udhampur district in 1931 was reduced to 213 sq miles. The
earliest mention of the place is traced from Rajatarangni around (1112-28 AD)
On the recommendations of Private Domain Assimilation Committee, the status of
Bhadarwah ended in 1930 AD. And it consequently became a tehsil of Udhampur
District in 1931. After the reorganisation of District and Tehsils, Naibat Thathri and
Niabat Bhalessa of Bhadarwah Tehsil also became full fledged Tehsils in 1981. Tehsil
Thathri and Tehsil Gandoh were carved out of sub-division Bhaderwah. District Doda
had one sub- district Ramban, two sub-divisions namely Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. While
Ramban and Kishtwar have been upgraded as Districts, Tehsil Bhalessa has been
upgraded as sub-division.
This way there again remain two sub-divisions ie Bhaderwah and Gandoh with three
Tehsils namely Bhaderwah, Gandoh and Thathri in Distrcit Doda. As such, in any case
one sub-division is to have two Tehsils while the other will remain sub-division for one
Tehsil.
Bhalessais full of meadows popularly known as Dhar like Kanthi, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi,
Dagan, Bal Padri, etc. The area is mountainous, it has umpteen number of trekking
routes, which pass through places with unbelievable captivating scenic beauty. The
place is a comfortable base for trekkers and mountaineers, on their way to the Great
Himalayas by road, bus services from Doda connect Bhalessa. The nearest railhead is
119 km away at Jammu. Tiny patches of wheat and mustard, like patchwork quilts,
straddle the edge of the stream that rushes down from the snow-capped peaks in the
distance to merge into the Chenab beyond.
It may be in place to mention that the distance from Thathri to Gandoh is only 30 Kms
whereas distance from Thathri to Bhaderwah is around 60 Kms. Moreover, one has to
first reach Khillani or Pul - Doda and then take another transport for going to Bhaderwah,
causing inconvenience to the public.
External Link: http://www.voiceofindia.in/content/view/5481/75/

Bhalessa: Paradigm shift in tutorial face

By Sadaket Malik
Gone have been the days when makeshift areas similar to of Bhalessa witnessed grave tutorial face. There
is an irrevocable waves in the globe of preparation right from facile to aloft as well as technical sectors. This
indication shift might be due to the arriving of the institutions of value in the area.
The institutions sepulchral in the area have been to be credited in this direction.
Bhalessa- nestling amongst tall alpine as well as cliffy turf of Doda in Jammu as well as Kashmir state of
India Himalayan region, off sharpened tall where skies have been the limits, it is many distinguished
municipality called Bhalessa.
Where spirituality attunes the skies lazy in reserve castes, believe as well as colours as well as
upon top of all religions, it is here, which is Bhalessa. It is Bhalessa where Ruby Gems upon alpine slopes
glows as well as glitters as well as marble of Thathri wink amidst dense, vibrant, sensuous immature
uplands it is here which Perched firmly between the highly evolved snow-sprinkled strong Himalayan
towering chain, the emerald blue skies peeping by the chinks of the clouds, the tall coniferous trees moving
to the stroke of the gusts of wind, all precipitate in to the pleasantly smile, combining the poetic Bhalessa.
Once upon the time, the preparation was rare, there was the singular initial propagandize during Kalgoni
Bhalessa where in singular people got enrolled to get education. Ghulam Rasool Azad as well as Munshi
Mohammed Anwer were the initial to get preparation from this initial school. Both Munshi as well as Azad
Munshi Sahib complicated during the Government Primary propagandize in Kilhotran as well as afterwards
were sent to Bhaderwah for serve studies.
Presently the area seemed full of unrestrained as well as clothes to recieve preparation instituted by the
state as well as centre.
Besides this, the tattering tutorial affairs of the area was made by the afterwards Director Education Ghulam
Rasool Azad who belongs from the area. Packed with superb achievements, Ghulam Rasool Azad left no
mill unturned to revamp the preparation complement of the area. As sick fitness would have it this
mythological male not remained between the people.
At this moment, Bhalessa has been suggested as the heart of preparation as the key of latest institutions of
aloft guidance as well as increases procedure upon the report record as well as veteran education. IGNOU
as well as the little alternative organisations have proposed churning multiform industrially employable
graduates from the area.
The tattering tutorial affairs have been changed after G R Azad era. The people seemed meddlesome to
entrance the farming report centres in this rocky terrain.
The environment up of Government Higher delegate schools in Gowari, Sinoo, Jakyas, Gandoh,
Malanoo has had the good stress over the past 5 years as the people of these areas suspicion of aloft
objectives.
The internal people were perfectionist evident environment up of Government Degree College during
Bhalessa as well as the supervision eventually determined the same. IGNOU as well as the little alternative
organizations similar to ITI proposed churning multiform graduates in different disciplines is an rare
expansion towards the preparation of this rocky terrain. IGNOU set up the centre in Bhalessa in the year
2006 as well as was galvanized by the internal rank as well as file as well as administration.
Apart from tutorial as well as vocational side, there has been an rare expansion of Maddersa’s in this
makeshift area. There is taking flight waves in madersa education, as is being witnessed today. The
Madersa’s increasing in number.
Interestingly, the series rose to 10. Besides nurturing the Islamic clerics from these Madersa’s together with
Hafiz as well as Ulema, these institutions seemed increasingly imparting complicated preparation
additionally during the settlement of alternative supervision schools underneath the ambit of the state
government.
Innovative madrasa’s similar to the Jamia Gunyat ul Uloom have been increasingly manifest today, Jamia
Gunyat ul Uloom Bhatyas determined in the year 1983 as well as was declared after Hazrat Abdul Gani
Sadiqui. The madersa is managed by Gunyat Ul Uloom Trust Bhalessa is the largest Institution imparting
Madersa as well as tutorial preparation to the students of rocky turf of Bhalessa.
It now has some-more than the thousand students upon the rolls. Patterned upon the Dar ul Uloom
Deoband model, it is the singular of the couple of madrasas in the state of Jammu as well as Kashmir which
yield Islamic preparation compartment the Alim Fazil or specialization level.
Besides Jamia, there have been multiform alternative maddersa’s similar to Maddersa Asrar Ul Uloom
during Neeli Bhalessa declared after Shah Asrar ud Din Bagdadi (RA). Other Madersas are:- Maddersa
Anwar-e-Madina Gandoh, Maddersa Aweesya Ameenya Dhraveri, Gulshan-e-Madina during Dhadkai
hamlet, Akhyar ul Uloom during Kahara, Gayas Ul Uloom during Gingota hamlet, Inam ul Uloom during
Donadi, Ume-Sadiqa during Kilhotran, as well as Zia-ul Uloom during Thathri.
In these madrasah’s, the tutorial preparation envisaged by the state preparation dialect is being
supposing upon top of the Islamic as well as Arabic studies similar to recitation of Quran popularly well
known as Hifz as well as Ulema to turn isamic clerics.
There were multiform forces during work assistance to emanate tutorial consider to consider to
report to the elites stopping the villages nearby, Such forces embody NGOs framed by egghead strata.
The NGO enlightenment seemed the conduct tall Educational Environmental amicable sports as well
as informative multitude Bhalessa, National Students Welfare Association Bhalessa, Kohistan Association
Bhalessa. These NGOs endangered themselves in mass civilised world programmes together with
preparation we discuss here the grant of these NGOs here,
Over 10 years all these NGOs proposed giveaway preparation camping’s/ summer schools for the
needy students of the area, NGO- Kohistan Association, NHRDS has to be credited in this citation as the
NGO orderly 6 giveaway preparation camps in Bhalessa in early 5 years.
NGO National Students Welfare Association Bhalessa is carrying the large grant for environment up
of an IGNOU Special investigate centre in Bhalessa as well as putting onward the direct for environment up
of Government Degree College during Kilhotran.
On the alternative hand, In the summer of 1996, the couple of NGOs got together to
consider of ways in which they could fool around the purpose in the growth of preparation in rocky turf of
Bhalessa Doda of J&K state. These immature people common the idea which preparation is the vicious
claim as well as an in effect matter for amicable as well as mercantile shift in the area. Educational
recognition became the bulletin for the movement organisation which emerged from this gathering, to paint
the goal which had brought these people together as well as the goal which they directed to move in to the
lives of girl of the area.
The classification similar to Kohistan Association headed by Ghulam Hussain Bhall, National
Students Welfare Association as well as NHRD Society headed by Basharat Hussain Malik managed
giveaway preparation camps for the students who were incompetent to understand their education. The
camps were hghly permitted by internal erudite encampment similar to Shoket Ali Mattoo as well as Noor ul
Hassan Wani.
As distant as initial preparation is concerned, there have been dual apart tutorial zones tranquil by ZEO
Gandoh covering all area of Gandoh, Neeli, Dudwar, Gowari, Jitota upto Khaljugasar Panchayat, as well as
ZEO Bhatyas covering areas similar to Malanoo, Kahara, Jakyas upto halaran village.
On being stirred by the Tehsil Administration as well as Sub Divisional Megistrate Bhalessa, students as well
as teachers of all these Institutions share the singular list upon the night before of Independence Day
celebrations where they broach nationalistic speeches.As per the rough consult conducted by internal NGO-
National Students’ Welfare Association (NSWA) Bhalessa, there have been —–schools wherein the
students have to stay underneath open air to get education. Some such schools have been possibly carrying
no structure or shop-worn infrastructure.
Ironically, The Government Middle School in Manoie Bhatyas is the sworn statement of the state of
contemptible affairs as the students has to stay underneath the path of inlet to get instructions from their
teachers. The propagandize structure is all shop-worn as well as students in the bad continue conditions
have to leave their studies. In summer it becomes formidable for trusting bad young kids to stay in the
propagandize overdue to the unsound infrastructure similar to buildings.
The infrastructure of the many of these schools is in the bad shape. Some schools have been but buildings
as well as the little have been not in teachers.
Very recently, the supervision underneath the care of the afterwards Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as
well as Mohammed Sharief Niaz MLA Bhaderwah authorised the singular Degree College during Kilhotran,
which as well is opposed unsound infrastructure comforts similar to accommodation, the college is being run
from singular or dual bedrooms vacated by Government Higher delegate propagandize kilhotran, as well as
eventually the propagandize has turn chase of unsound infrastructure forcing the students to lay in an open
air.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS http://www.cubananews.com/bhalessa-paradigm-shift-in-
educational-face/883/

A Village of deaf and dumb in Bhalessa needs attention

"Not only the government sponsored rehabilitation agencies failed in providing medication but
they failed absurdly in imbibing basic language skills viz a viz an effective Special education
programme to the affected children of deaf and dumb in Dhadkhai village of Bhalessa in
Doda".

Sadaket Malik

Despite the repeated assurances of total rehabilitation of a Deaf and Dumb village in Bhalessa
area of Doda, The affected people continue to suffer from rehabilitation facilities like
education, health care and special schooling.

A remote village in Bhalessa, Doda seems reverberation with the sounds of silence and
government has turned nelson´s eye towards the nomadic deaf and dumb populace. There are
340 families, which have over 95 members who cannot speak or hear.

Fed up with the of the successive governments as well as of the rehabilitation organizations,
people of this village pinned their hopes on the two youth of their village, who after getting
special training from National Institute of Mental Handicapped, returned to their native place
to change the lives of the residents of this mountainous hamlet.
Jan Mohammad and Ali Mohammad, who completed their training in June this year, have
opened a school for the rehabilitation of this affected populace. With the help of an NGO, both
were selected by the Army and sent to Hyderabad for a special training to become instructor
for deaf and dumb.

In the school, both instructors imparted special education to the deaf and dumb but the
expected result is absurdly poor as the children were not even in a position to grasp the skills
or whatsoever the object of was. The area need special school as envisaged by the agencies
likes Rehabilitation Coulcil of India (RCI).

The Rehabilitation Council of India itself is acting as a silent spectator on the Total
rehabilitation of this deaf and dumb populace residing here. Neither the RCI nor any national
Institute has visited the site to conduct even a single preliminary survey of the village.

The children continue to suffer and add three or more children to the exiting numbers every
year.

The village first reported 36 deaf and dumb cases in 1986, and two decades later, the village
has neither a school for the deaf and dumb nor other facilities that can make life easier for
them.

On an average, three children are born with such disability every year in this village. The
villagers mostly belong to the Gujjar community and the researchers believe the disorder
could be due to marriages within the family.

The ever increasing number of deaf and dumb has reached to 92 as some more cases were
detected among newborn children during the past two months.

"We hope that they will bring some changes," Jan Mohammed a local villager said. He said:
"Except promises nothing concrete has been done by the authorities so far to solve our
problem."

Though some efforts were taken by the government to ascertain cause of this congenital
defect, nothing concrete has been done so far. Three years ago, a team of scientists and
doctors came from AIIMS, New Delhi, to study this village´s case, but no conclusive findings
have been made public yet.

Earlier, The Health Department had conducted a survey through which it found 90 such cases
in the village. Subsequently, the matter was taken up with the additional professor of genetic
unit of paediatrics in AIIMS, Dr Madhulika Kabra, who in turn conducted a genetic study on
blood samples of the villagers. The doctor said there was no curative treatment. However, she
opined that future generations could be saved provided villagers avoid getting married within
close relations.
However, the youth trained by the Hyderabad institute are doing a commendable job at their
level to rekindle the hope of the populace but there is a need to set up some foreign and
language special personals specialized in the area pf special education.

The government neither has any remorse nor any plans up its sleeves to cure the village of
deaf and dumb people, except for extending cooperation to an AIIMS medico for carrying out
further studies.

"Despite repeatedly raising the issue in the lower House, none from the government has
visited the village,The government is simply not bothered about the problem and poor
villagers continue to live in shambles.The village is located in the home town of Union health
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad´s but he too has turned a blind eye towards these villagers.

Not only the government sponsored so called rehabilitation agencies failed in providing
medication but failed absurdly in imbibing basic language skills viz a viz Special education to
the affected children of deaf and dumb Dhadkhai village of Bhalessa in Doda.

What is needed is special schooling through the special education programme initiated by the
central government through its autonomous bodies like Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
Composite Regional Centres, The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Health Ministry, and other institutes
of national importance in so that they may seem on the mainstream of the society.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/138214

Ghulam Rasool Azad´s Kashmir Policy

Sadaket Ali Malik
December 24, 2009
Kashmir issue is neither "Hamara Androoni Mamla" nor "Our integral part" as such, nor
terrorism sponsored by neither Pakistan nor can the two nation theory of 1930, 1940 or 1947
be applied to the Kashmir of 1993".

The history of the state lacks absurdly the evidence of viewpoints made by majority of unsung
heroes of the state on the trouble torn Kashmir. Their Kashmir policy, handling the situation of
communal disharmony over time, the pages of history are absurdly lacking the mention of
such epitomes of peace who played acted as a catalyst for the cementing Hindu Muslim amity
during a course of time.

Ghulam Rasool Azad was very sensitive over the issue on Kashmir. As a freedom fighter, he
pleaded the cause of minority community and shouted for Hindu Muslim relations. The fact
reveals that he is not in the history owing to his belonging from improvised Jammu region.
Even sheikh sahib himself once that if Kashmir region can produce leaders like Azad, like of
Jammu region, it may go a long way to help in achieving the slogan of Naya Kashmir.

Azad opposed the prevalent Propaganda of heartedness disseminated by the political forces of
that time.

Moreover his policy on Kashmir was quite clear that he advocated that that the issue should
not be put in isolation.

Azad being a renowned journalist wrote in his owned weekly "Dahr" where he opposed the
foreign imperialism and the atrocities and discrimination meted by the Muslim minority. He
opined that Kashmir is a commodity discovered from where? Is it discovered from Aligarh to
Jamsheedpur to Ranchi, Ahmedabad to Kanpur or Jabulpur to Sagar or Nagpur, from Indore and
samba ?

As per his analysis, the issue has been discovered from the central departments and military,
department of posts and Railways and Banks and has finally discovered here in Jammu and
Kashmir where the Muslim minority is being harassed and there is of late discrimination meted
to them, Azad pointed in his weekly "The Dehr". He was sensitive over the central government
´s faith towards the minority of Bihar, UP, Delhi, Bangal, Maharashtra, Gujrat and Orrisa and
suggested the centre for Justice with the community. He was of the opinion that be it the
central government or the stations of chauvinism, these be stopped and ultimately the
Kashmir issue will be stopped.

However, such an ideology of Azad, was endorsed by the BJP leader Sh. L.K Advani on 21st of
June 1990 in Calcutta during his speech like this:

" Over the years, instead of looking upon the Muslims as part of Indian masses, the congress
by its actions, has segregated the community and turned it into an instrument of electoral
politics by talking about the so called "Muslim Voters".

Mr. Advani appealed the community in Calcutta to consider the Muslim as Part of Indian
nation.

Azad´s Perception of Kashmir Problem:

1. He advocated that Kashmir issue should not be taken in isolation. It is deeply connected
with the insecurity and deprivation of the muslims of India who are most deprived, the most
discriminated and the most oppressed and suppressed community in the country.

2. Military in Kashmir is the symbol of the assertion of Muslim Identity in India. It should be
recognized and dealt with as such.

Azad asserted the elimination of internal factors responsible for the problem, the problem
actually was a discrimination and injustice confronted to the minority community. He
advocated that the external factors like of Pakistan´s interference can be ended only if the
Government of India can take care of the internal factors responsible for the Kashmir issue.
Azad viewed that even if all the militants are wiped from the valley and there is no militancy
left in the state, the Kashmir problem will still remain with ferociousness on account of the
unprecedented sacrifices made by kashmiri´s till a just political solution is arrived at and
stopping the bullet for bullet policy adopted by Militants and Indian soldiers.
In a letter to Ghulam Nabi Azad on 30th August 1992, Azad wrote:

"We are all sick. The most painful events and aweful situation in the state have made us all
sick and most miserable and every one longs for a solution of the Kashmir problem, an
honorable and Just Political solution".

It was a time when former Governor of the state, Dr. Karan Singh and his wife visited the spot
at Hazratbal Kashmir where forty day´s encounter ended between Militants and Indian
Soldiers. Azad endorsed the former Governor for this visit, while endorsing Dr. Karan Singh for
his visit to Hazratbal, Azad writes on 3rd November 1993 to him as like this:

"Kashmir issue is neither "Hamara Androoni Mamla" or "Our integral part" as such, nor
terrorism sponsored by Pakistan nor can the two nation theory of 1930, 1940 or 1947 be
applied to the Kashmir of 1993".

Azad further writes," Kashmir is neither Punjab nor Afghanistan, It is Kashmir" (Jammu and
Kashmir only).

INTERNATIONAL MEGAZINE: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/134099

Bhalessa tourism needs fleeting attention

Sadaket Ali Malik
November 15, 2009
THERE IS enough potential to hold back the tourist in Bhalessa and areas around for at least a
fortnight. Imagine how much good it could do to the local economy. Places of pilgrimage if
promoted will help bring the tourist to these areas even while the infrastructure is being
developed. Of course a Tourism Development Authority would have to be established.

Bhalessa presents a beautiful picturesque as well as attractive field on the way to Padri Top
which could be promoted as a health resort as well as a picnic spot. This is the conncetion line
between Bhalessa and Bhaderwah. An everlasting glacier, Bal Padri is just 15Km from Padri
Top/Dhaar/Khanni Top on foot/horse back from the Bhaderwah side. It is on huge heights and
one could find large snow fields here even in the month of June. Enough scope exists for
gandola rope ways. Bhadherwah to Kansar could be a good gandola venture with Khanni Top,
Padri Dhaar, Nagni MataTemple and Jaai Valley lying around Bhalessa.
External Link: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/128783

Madarasa's in Bhalessa- Serving education with a

difference
Sadaket Ali Malik
November 06, 2009
By Sadaket A Malik

There is an unprecedented growth in the madarasah´s owing to which the students are
graduated at the pattern of Dar ul Uloom Deoband of Utter Pradesh. The unique feature of
these Madarasah´s is that they focus on Inter community relations. What is interesting is that
donations and frequent visits by local Hindu´s to these madarasah´s.

There is an unprecedented growth of Maddersah´s in a hilly hamlet Bhalessa (Doda). There is

rising tide in madrasah education, as is being witnessed today. The Madersah´s increased in
number.

Interestingly, the number rose to 12 in an inaccessible area of Bhalessa including Thathri.

Besides nurturing the Islamic clerics from these Madrasah´s including Hafiz and Ulema, these
institutions seemed increasingly imparting modern education also at the pattern of other
government schools under the ambit of the state government.

Innovative Madrasah´s like the Jamia Gunyat ul Uloom are increasingly visible today, Jamia
Gunyat ul Uloom Bhatyas established in the year 1983 and was named after Hazrat Abdul Gani
Sadiqui. The madrasah is managed by Gunyat Ul Uloom Trust Bhalessa is the largest Institution
imparting Madrasah and academic education to the students of hilly terrain of Bhalessa.

It currently has more than a thousand students on its rolls. Patterned on the Dar ul Uloom
Deoband model, it is one of the few madrasah´s in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that
provide Islamic education till the Alim Fazil or specialization level.

Besides Jamia, there are several other maddersa´s like Madrasah Asrar Ul Uloom at Neeli
Bhalessa named after Shah Asrar ud Din Bagdadi (RA). Other Madrasa´s are:- Madrasah
Anwar-e-Madina Gandoh, Madrasah Aweesya Ameenya Dhraveri, Gulshan-e-Madina at Dhadkai
hamlet, Akhyar ul Uloom at Kahara, Gayas Ul Uloom at Gingota hamlet, Inam ul Uloom at
Donadi, Ume-Sadiqa at Kilhotran, Madrasa Taleem ul Quran Bharti and Zia-ul Uloom at Thathri.

Madrasah Um –e Sadiqa very recently founded by the Fredya Welfare Society Bhalessa headed
by Alhaj Shoket Ali Batt. The madrasah is unique in the sense that it is meant for Girls only.
There are as many as 80 girl students getting Islamic education. The madrasah is named after
Hazrat Aishya Sidiqa (RA). The Madrasah focuses on the life and teachings of Hazrat Aishya
Sadiqa (RA)

There is an unprecedented growth in the madarasah´s owing to which the students are
graduated at the pattern of Dar ul Uloom Deoband of Utter Pradesh. The unique feature of
these Madarasah´s is that they focus on Inter community relations.
All these institutions follow the curriculum prescribed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Board
for Education, These maddersa´s are either affiliated to the state education department or are
the sister concerns of the Jamia Gunyat Ul Uloom Bhatyas. In Jamia there are as many as 250
students memorizing Quran popularly called Hifz.

They stay for a night in the hostels managed from the donated money by the management of
the institute.

The students, neatly dressed in spotless kurta-pajamas and topis, sit in a circle on a large quilt
accompanied by a qualified Hafiz or a Maulana- The teacher who teaches the students in
madrasah. The Maulana translate verses of Quran or teaches as to how to pronounce the
verses in a particular language. Jamia is situated in a mountainous slope where Haji Sahib´s
residence is located. Haji sahib who is also regarded as a Mohatmim of Jamia.

There is a frequent visit by one and all even by the local state politicians like Union Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad to express their sympathy to Madersah on an occasions like of annual
celebrations or a meeting with revered Sufi Haji Sahib.

On being prompted by management committee, the Madersah organize an annual day

celebrations with the initiative of the local masses and students of nearly maddersa´s. The
students stand up and deliver an impassioned speech in Arabic and recite Naat Khuwani in
Urdu.

I had a frequent visit to this Institution especially in connection with the Annual day
celebrations. On that very day I sit among the students to listen the details of the programme
presented by the students on that day. The management focused on the importance of
academic education and on how Islam positively encourages it.

Apart from Islamic education in the institution, the academic education is an indispensable
part of the Jamia curriculum; The Jamia is till 10th grade and is affiliated to J&K State Board of
School Education. The result is also very excellent as the institute gets 10-12 distinctions every
year in the matriculation examination controlled by J&K Board of school education in this
improvised area of Bhalessa.

The welcome addresses over on the annual day of Madrasah, I sit with the students and
discuss their studies. One of them wants to know how to secure admission in the English
department of the University of Jammu. Another wants to know how he can I prepare for
Kashmir Administrative services exam after completing my graduation in Islamic studies or
Arabic. A third asks me, in impeccable English, 'Why are Muslims, especially the ulema of
Deoband, thought of as terrorists by many, while they had actually played a leading role in
India's anti-colonial struggle?'

The students and their teachers insist that the Deobandi elders are not against modern
education as is commonly imagined. Mufti Ishrat Mattu who was graduated from Jamia argues
with me, 'Islam says that all beneficial knowledge can be acquired and so our ulema have
never opposed what is good in the modern educational system. What they were opposed to,
however, was Western culture. We can and, indeed, should acquire knowledge of all the
beneficial modern disciplines, provided this is done according to our culture and that it helps
us become better Muslims.

Maulana Shoket Ali Qasmi President of Madersah Asrar Uloom Neeli Bhalessa tells me about
the 60 such students. Who are enrolled in the hifz course in Asrar ul uloom to memorize the
Quran.

However, Asrar Ul Uloom was sat up in 1980, It has 210 other students enrolled for academic
courses upto 8th class and is recognized by the state government. The Maderasah is
functioning on public donation as is clear from the very recent block constructed from the
public donated money.

In contrast to most other institutions that specialize in hifz, the students here must also study
English, Urdu, Mathematics and Science.

Maulana Shoket Ali Qasmi also refers to his plans to arrange for his students to simultaneously
enroll for the tenth grade examinations, so that after they finish their course they can join
various different departments in regular colleges and universities. 'Our ulema must keep
themselves abreast of modern knowledge and contemporary developments', he stresses. 'That
is essential for them to provide proper leadership to the community'.

I ask the Mufti Abid Hussain who joined after, about the Kashmir dispute, but he brushes aside
my question politely. 'We have nothing to do with politics', he says. He stresses, however, that
allegations about madrasah´s in Jammu and Kashmir being allegedly involved in promoting
'terrorism' are false. 'We are completely transparent, an open book, and have nothing to hide.
Mufti added that anyone can come and visit us and sit in our classrooms', he replies. 'Not a
single madrasah in Jammu and Kashmir has been identified by intelligence sources as engaged
in that sort of activity'. He added further that the vision of Madersah is different from the
Politics of land" He explained me a curriculum of Asrar ul uloom. He added that in Madersah
we offer to the aspirants the teachings like, Nazra Quran, Tajweed e Farsi, Ilm-e-Nahw, Sarf- e-
tafseer, Hadees-e-Mantiq, Falsafa-e-Bayan, balagat and fiqah.

He told me as we sit in a circle on a tiny play ground at Madersah flanked by other Mufti´s.
They stressed me in response to my question regarding the Hindu -Muslim relation in this
hamlet. They stressed, "We talk about inter-community relations".

Moreover, he adds, 'we must learn about each other's religions and sentiments not to
condemn and denounce others, but to understand them'.

Lastly, the call (Azaan) for the Friday prayer comes floating in. As we get up to offer the prayer
in nearby Jamia Masjid at Changa, the Maulana hands me a bunch of booklets that the Madrasa
has published, including Taaruf of Maderasa.
Published Internationally :
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/127240
Bhalessa: Saparate Identity imperative for
political empowerment of Bhalessa
Sadaket Ali Malik
November 05, 2009

By Sadaket A Malik

Bhalessa is located in northern most state of Jammu and Kashmir. It has umpteen number of
roots to reach the desired destination. Full of awe aspiring mountains and having a huge
potential of tourism industry here, The narrow road snaked its way through towering slopes,
throwing up enormous clouds of dust. It passed by little hamlets, comprising a couple of
houses built around pagoda-shaped mosques and box-like temples with sloping roofs made of
corrugated iron Bhalessa is known for traditional communal hormony.

Owing to the commitment and mutual understanding of the Hindu Muslim secular heritage the
nefarious designs has been wiped and local inhabitants diverted their attention towards the
higher objectives. Bhalessa has a rich history. The area derived its name from its people
"Bhalay Loug" (The right people with right destiny)- The people working and inhibiting without
any political mileage.The two communities continue to live together in the same towns and
villages in relative peace, beside the fissiparous tendencies of nefarious designs prevalent
here.Bhalessa is full of meadows popularly known as Dhar like Kanthi, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi,
Dagan, Bal Padri, etc. the area is mountainous, it has umpteen number of trekking routes
which pass through places with unbelievable captivating scenic beauty.

The place is a comfortable base for trekkers and mountaineers, on their way to the Great
Himalayas By road, bus services from Doda connect Bhalessa. The nearest railhead is 119 km
away at Jammu. Tiny patches of wheat and mustard, like patchwork quilts, straddled the edge
of the stream that rushed down from the snow-capped peaks in the distance with an
irrepressible passion to merge into the Chenab beyond. Children played cricket on improvised
pitches on patches of land left fallow or lazed around on conical haystacks.

Weather-beaten Bakkarwal men, with their hennaed beards and loosely wound turbans, led
flocks of hairy mountain goats. Their children and womenfolk followed after them, driving
mules laden with pots, pans and bedding their mobile homes. The perfect picture of serenity.

Bhalessa is one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Doda. Straddling the border with
Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, it has a Muslim majority, with a Hindu minority of a little more
than a third of the population.The history of Bhalessa and Bhaderwah dates back to 200 B.C.
When the revered Buddhist scholar Nagsena was invited to a discussion by king Mender in his
palace at Sakla.Kishtwar.

In the discussions Nagsena replied all the questions of the king who then embraced Buddhism
and became king Milinda. Nagsena recorded the discussion in "Millinda Panha" a Pali Treatise
on the fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy.The Islamic faith entered the region of
Bhalessa as a spiritual and moral force, when Alhaj Ab. Gani sadiqi invited the people and
familiarised them of the faith. The principality of Bhaderwah Bhalessa was distributed into 15
tharas or administrative units.

The total area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa etc) was 533 sq.miles which after
amalgamation with Udhampur district in 1931 was reduced to 213 sq.miles only. The earliest
mention of the place is traced from Rajatarangni around (1112-28 A.D.)On the
recommendations of Private Domain Assimilation Committee, the status of Bhadarwah ended
in 1930 A.D. Consequently Bhadarwah became a tehsil of Udhampur District in 1931.

After establishment of District Headquarter Doda, Bhadarwah was made a tehsil of this District
including Bhalessa as a Niabet. Consequent upon reorganization of District and Tehsils, Naibat
Thathri and Niabat Bhalessa of Bhadarwah Tehsil also became full fledged Tehsils in 1981.
Tehsil Thathri and Tehsil Gandoh were carved out of Sub- Division Bhaderwah. District Doda
had one Sub-District Ramban, two Sub-Divisions namely Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.

While Ramban and Kishtwar have been upgraded as Districts, Tehsil Bhalessa has been
upgraded as Sub– Division. This way there again remain two Sub-Divisions i.e. Bhaderwah and
Gandoh with three Tehsils namely Bhaderwah, Gandoh and Thathri in District Doda. As such, in
any case one Sub-Division is to have two Tehsils while the other will remain Sub-Division for
one Tehsil. It may be in place to mention that the distance from Thathri to Gandoh is only 30
Kms whereas distance from Thathri to Bhaderwah is around 60 Kms. Moreover, one has to first
reach Khillani or Pul – Doda and then take another transport for going to Bhaderwah, causing
inconvenience to the public.

The motorable road from Thathri to Gandoh is in the process of up gradation which when
completed, will make road journey from Thathri to Gandoh shorter and more convenient as
compared to journey to Bhaderwah. Thus, on the basis of contiguity and administrative
convenience Tehsil Thathri is in closer proximity to Gandoh than Bhaderwah and it will be in
the larger interests of the public of Tehsil Thathri that it is made part of new Sub-Division
Gandoh.

Another demand received by the Committee during its visit to the area pertains to attachment
of eleven villages of Patwar Halqas Patnazi and Jawalapur commonly known as Bunjawa with
Tehsil Thathri after their detachment from Tehsil Kishtwar on the ground of proximity of the
area and convenience of the people. Several projects has been taken by the government like
Kahara Jai Road approved with sum of Rs. 20.78 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF)
Scheme for construction of 16 km long village road (3.75 m wide) with Retaining wall from
Kahara Jai Road up to Village Jaurn. This road will connect village Kahara in Bhalessa area with
Jai in Bhaderwah passing through the villages of Gugara, Malanu, Bithola, Bagdair, Halaran,
Jooda and Shamdalian before entering the picturesque meadows of Jai in Bhaderwah thus
opening up avenues of development for people of all these villages.
External Link: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/127039
Bhalessa: Social and Political awakening
Sadaket Ali Malik
November 05, 2009

By Sadaket Malik

Gone are the days when area like of Bhalessa witnessed a tumultuous days. Of late, there was
a paucity of community leadership on the one hand and sacracity of a membership in
assembly to represent the improvised terrain of Bhalessa on the other.

Mohammad Sharief Niaz- rated high in the realm of Politics was the only torch bearer to
provide solace to the people during the turmoil. Niaz, born in improvised family on 24th of April
1944 in village changa Bhalessa, He is a law graduate, being a legal luminary, he was
entrusted the responsibility as Law Minister of the state in 1989. He patronized the improvised
people above the castes and religions.

Packed with outstanding achievements in democratic arena. Niaz, joined student Union, trade
unions and teachers unions. He joined congress party in 1976, worked as a trade union leader
and pleaded the cause of working class, nominated district president of congress committee
Doda in 1979, unsuccessfully contested 1983 assembly elections on congress ticket from
Inderwal constituency but elected in 1987, inducted into the council lof ministers of minister of
state Law in1989, From 1992 to 1996 he remained a member of USERS consultative
committee in Northern Railway of India, elected to assembly in 2002 . He polled 16,962 votes
and defeated his nearest NC rival Mohammed Aslam by a margin of 6,827 votes He was
inducted as Minister for power in Mufti-led Congress-PDP coalition.

Paving the way to the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest the Assembly elections,
He resigned from the Bhaderwah constituency from where he was elected in 2002. Mr. Niaz's
resignation was accepted with effect from March 1,

It was mandatory for Mr. Azad to be a member of any of the two Houses by the end of April
since he took over as Chief Minister on November 2, 2005. Due to the resignation of Niaz, by-
election was held in Bhaderwah constituency on April 24, 2006. He won this seat with an
overwhelming margin of 58,000.

In 2007, Niaz was elected as a Member of Legislative Council (MLC) for Doda replacing
Mohammad Iqbal Bhat.

This is interesting to note that in the aftermath of Jammu agitation while the assembly
constituency like Bhaderwah witnessed sharp polarization, here the impact was not so deep for
Niaz being the lonely competent condidate for congress high command.

Lo and behold, Niaz reportedly broke down at the declaration of the result,when he was
contesting from Bhaderwah in 2009 By elections as he himself was not expecting to win. Niaz,
defeated Mr. Dalip Singh of BJP by a margin of 2,747. While Mr. Niaz polled 21,966 votes, Mr.
Singh polled 19,219 votes, out of total 53,219 votes polled.

Niaz was not only pitched against strong candidates of other parties but also his own party
leaders, workers and a number of close relatives worked against him. The youth and
disadvantaged played a pro-active role to ensure his victory. Niaz saw a bitter contest with the
BJP roping in Ghulam Ali, brother of Ghulam Nabi Azad, to campaign for the BJP candidate.
Ghulam Ali raised a storm by supporting the Babri Masjid demolition in his speeches.

Local people opines that he won the election keeping in view the contribution of Niaz during
tamultous days of termoil.

To focus on his contribution to the state in general and Bhaderwah Bhalessa area in particular
before 42 years. We can speak it as Political representation of Bhalessa in assembly since time
immemorial. Things seemed changes due to the visionary programmes of Niaz.

He resigned as a Teacher and joined Indefinite strike to metigate the suffering people at that
time. when Bhalessa was witnessing atrocities committed no to the people by nefirious
designs, a fire owing to the turmoil, its he who remained all along with the people who became
prey of violence. The times itself are witnessing that Niaz has by and large contributed for the
peace and amity of the land. He seemed Pro-Active in socio-developmental convas of
Bhalessa.

Regarding the Kashmir conflict, he is on the screen as a think tank for Indo-Pak process viz-a-
viz good goverenance in the state. He always raised the issues in his that a large number of
people living under the constant fear of gun along the border on both sides, are today are
most relieved with this decision. He advocated that Pakistan should take desired measures to
control the militant organisations operating from its soil and indulging in bloodshed in Jammu
and Kashmir.

During his tenure as a cabnit Minister, he ordered a probe into the reasons for the collapse of
the diversion Tunnel Number 2 at the 450-MW Baglihar hydroelectric project in Kashmir.
External Link: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/127046

Ghulam Rasool Azad & Munshi Anwer, Unsung

heroes in digital era
Sadaket Ali Malik
November 05, 2009
By Sadaket Malik

Over time many families in Kashmir have migrated from one part to another in search of
habitation and livelihood. Some of such families inhibited in a remote corner of Doda District
(Bhalessa).

When people of Bhalessa shared a belief in 1953 that how they can represent the democratic
arena. One such families was the Batt family which migrated to the Chamba District of
Himachal Pradesh while a few factions stayed in Bhalessa's Soti village. The family at Soti took
up peasant work. Ghulam Rasool (Azad) was born in the year 1916 to this peasant family.

Another family later which produced Munhshi Mohammed Anwer, traveled extensively from
Kashmir by foot, as there was no transportation in place and the people had no access to
information. Things were totally different in Bhalessa at that time.

Munshi Sahib's grandfather migrated to Changa village of Bhalessa to earn his living,
accompanied by some family members. After some time, the family re-migrated to Soti (an
adjoining hamlet) in search of a livelihood. Both Munshi and Azad Munshi Sahib studied at the
Government Primary school in Kilhotran (the only school at that time) and then were sent to
Bhaderwah for further studies.

Unfortunately, Munshi Sahib dropped his studies and began to work as a labourer in the forests
of Hamachal Pradesh. He got associated with Ghulam Rasool Malik who was a rich contractor
of the then Doda.

Nevertheless, Munshi Sahib emerged as a big gun with a contractorship and Azad sahib a
revered educationist turned Politician.

Unfortunately, Malik's business collapsed shortly afterwards and Munshi Sahib took up work
with Jodhamal in Himachal Pradesh.

Azad was deputed to England for a DAATP training course, where as Munshi Mohammed Anwer
was appointed as In charge National Conference Doda region. Owing to this training
programme, Azad was enlightened with the educational institutions in the UK, England, Wales,
Scotland, Belgium, Thailand, West Germany, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, USA and France.

Lo and behold, the people like Ghulam Rasool Azad and Munshi Mohammed Anwer came on
the front to work for the welfare of the area.

In 1935, Ghulam Rasool Azad passed the graduate entrance examination from Jammu Centre.
He graduated in Mathematics. He did his post graduation from Punjab University in 1943.
During this period, he was appointed Publicity secretary of the Punjab University Students
Union.

To democratise the system of education and to familarise the poor farmers of Bhalessa with
education, Ghulam Rasool Azad launched an intensive awareness mission to change their
mindset. He would get children to make a pledge to education. In 1946,
Gradually, he earned a good reputation and became his mentor and taught him a work ethic.
Azad was appointed as a teacher in Shri Ranbir High School, Jammu. During his tenure, he
strived hard and worked honestly. The salary was too small but Azad proved an ideal teacher.
He started Jammu Provincial Teachers Association and pleaded the cause of teachers. Due to
an indefinite struggle for the cause of teachers, Azad and his associates were dismissed from
service in 1946 by the government. In 1947, Azad was entrusted the responsibility of looking
after the welfare and prosperity of the masses of the Doda region. He reached out to every
nook and corner of Doda to spread the massage of love and friendship. The need was to unite
the scattered Hindus and Muslims. The government rewarded Azad for his outstanding
contribution in that period.

Keeping in mind their political sense, he was appointed General Secretary National Conference
in 1947 and in 1948 he was appointed as Assistant Inspector of Schools for Rajouri, Nowshera
and Poonch.

On the other Munshi Sahib was felicitated with the title of Chokidar of Bhalessa area by the
Dogra rulers.

When the Dogra rule ended and the State was handed over to the Sheikh Mohammed
Abdullah, Munshi Sahib was appointed the President of the National Conference, District Doda.
He played a proactive role in uniting the Hindus and Muslims at that time. When Munshi
became a leader, he appointed Munshi Ram Chand as his spokesman since Munshi Sahib was
not in a position to speak fluently. Munshi Anwer acted as the brain and Munshi Ram Chand as
his tongue to intensify their struggle for the sake of the people.

Comparatively speaking, Azad was entrusted the responsibility of both educational and
political governance of the state. In 1953, when Sheikh Sahib was arrested and Bakshi Ghulam
Mohammed was appointed Prime Minister of the State, Ghulam Rasool Azad and Munshi were
living activists. Azad Sahib went to England for DAAP training and Munshi Sahib was inducted
as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLC).

As a member of the J&K legislative Council, Munshi Sahib acted upon the roadmap and
proposal of Ghulam Rasool Azad for the immediate construction of Thathri Kilhotran road.
Under his tenure as MLC, Munshi put forth the demand for construction of this road. Both
Ghulam Rasool Azad and Munshi Mohammed Anwer worked as catalysts for the opening of this
road and the government higher secondary school in Kilhotran.

Intrestingly, the demand for construction of the road was highly endorsed by Ghulam Rasool
Azad and Kotwal Chuni Lal. Munshi Sahib raised the demand in the house and the road was
finally approved. In 1962, Munshi Sahib was mandated a ticket to contest election for assembly
and was elected.

In 1950, Azad was appointed as Field Publicity Officer, Jammu. From 1949-51 he was District
Vice President National Conference of Rajouri. In the same period, he was appointed PA to the
Director Education. He was appointed a member of the All J&K General Council NC. His top
priory was to look after the welfare of the people, and for this he won a special place in the
hearts of poor people. After his return from England, he was appointed to analyze the
economic conditions of Doda, Poonch and Rajouri in 1956. He was appointed as principal of the
Government Higher Secondary School, R S Pura, in 1956-1957. This was the only higher
secondary school in Jammu region.

Azad resigned from service soon after and contested election on the behalf of teacher
fraternity.

Ghulam Rasool Azad candidature from Hindu dominated Jammu and Dina Nath Nadim as
candidature from Muslim majority constituency of Kashmir as MLCs from teachers quota is a
glaring lesson that the leaders of the present time should emulate. To quote the couplet for
these mass leaders deserve special mention here:-

"Wo loag kia they jo dushmani main waqar rakhthey they dosti ka,

Ye loag kia hain jinhain saliqa na dosti ka na dushmani."

Sadaket Malik is a freelance Columnist based in Bhalessa. He is conducted a research on

"Peace keeping and human conflict in J&K" funded by The Third World Studies Institute
Philippine"
External Link: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/127041

Bhalessa transport in bad shape

Sadaket Ali Malik
November 05, 2009

By Sadaket Malik

However, the area like Bhalessa is evidence that except slogans the authorities failed to speed
up road connectivity. If one goes deep in the remote areas of Doda district, the real picture
exposes claims of the authorities. Bhalessa still become prey of discrimination by the
successive governments. The residents still confront the inconveniences due to the bad roads.

Notwithstanding claims of the successive state governments to accelerate developmental

activities in the remotest areas of the Jammu region, the Bhalessa area of Doda district
exposes all claims of the authorities to take "revolutionary" steps for the development and
betterment of the neglected and the remote areas.

However, the area is evidence that except slogans the authorities failed to speed up road
connectivity. If one goes deep in the remote areas of Doda district, the real picture exposes
claims of the authorities.Bhalessa still become prey of discrimination by the successive. The
residents still confront the inconveniences due to the bad roads.
People seemed out of the so called e-governance projects and slogans of reaching the
unreached. The area witnessed five accidents from last three years due to wrost condition of
roads.

Despites the increase in road accidents and knowing that it often results in fatal accidents
overloading in allowed in hilly terrines of Doda district. Take an example of June 6, 2000, At
least 11 people were feared dead and 15 others injured as a bus rolled down a road and fell
into a gorge at Manoi Bhatyas.

In 17 January 2009, At least 11 people were feared dead and 15 others injured as a bus rolled
down a road and fell into a gorge on the same road.

In August 2009 accident on this road, two children were killed and 30 others got injured when
a matadoor plunged into 350 feet deep gorge at Bathri The area is witnessing several
accidents of mini buses since two years.

That time too several precious lives were lost but nothing more than condoling the deaths and
expressing shocks and grief were done by government and any authority. Regrettably no one
tried to look into the root cause of accidents and came out with a plan or suggestion to
decrease the frequency of accidents.

It is pertinent to note here that Thathri Kilhotran road has been taken up for Improvement, up
gradation by way of providing and laying 50 mm thick bituminous macadam 20 mm thick
premix carpet and providing laying WBM grade IIIin stretches for surface connections in km 1st
to 5th. But what to speak of the progress, the road is still wrost since two years and its
condition has gone from bad to wrost as the concerned agency lacks interest to complete the
project.

The form of the land is rugged and mountainous surrounded by the sprawling mountains that
one can reach Gandoh and Neeli Illaqa in difficult mode.

Owing to such depilating and narrowness of the road the area faced fatal accidents. "The State
government and its related departments have failed to avert these tragedies in Doda district.
We condemn this callous attitude of the administration" added a local shopkeeper Shah
Nawaz.

The people said that it is for more than seven times that the area became prey of accidents
but till date the area has not been provided any kind of transportation by the government. The
people said that private Tata sumos are plying in the area but the people lack any kind of
governmental support. The area is facing acute shortage of buses.

With regard to the developmental initiatives, about a dozen villages in the Gandoh belt,
comprising a population of 30,000, solely depend upon a wooden bridge which cannot bear
burden of more than three persons at one time. This wooden bridge is known as Shoran-Chili
Bridge and constructed under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme.
Other areas like Thaloran-Kilhotran nullah, there is no bridge as the Children are not in a
position to pass the nullah to reach nearby schools. Although Gandoh is the native place of
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, majority of the villages in this belt lack facility of
drinking water, electricity. One has to regularly track a distance of not less than 5 km on foot
to reach the road.

Moreover, Dadkai village which is known for deaf and dumb population and teams of expert
regularity visit this hamlet to check out strategy for rehabilitation of such families. Outsiders,
who visit our belt, are surprised to see road connectivity in this area.

With every passing problems of the inhabitants of this belt have been increasing but promises
of the politicians remained only on paper.

"Our problems and demands remain unsolved and unfulfilled. We have been crying and trying
to raise our voice, but our voices remained unheard" pointed an elderly, Abdul Rehman.

The local people have demanded that more SRTC buses be deployed to the area so that
students may not suffer any more. Locals have lashed the government for its failure in
preventing the area from accidents.

The area need to be brought under special economic initiatives of the central and state
governments so as to achieve the slogan of reaching the unreached.
Published widly in Kashmir Times, Excelsior, and International Media
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/127047

Bhalessa scholars face bullut of Gun to end

insurgency
Sadaket Ali Malik
November 02, 2009
Things were limping back due to semblance of normality in several hamlets of the state. The
chauvinism and fundamentalism which saw its head high is no more revealing in the paradise.

Comparatively speaking, the terror attacks from the last one year showed less in number and
human rights violations also seemed declined. It may be after the death of several legendaries
of the state especially people representing the scholarly strata in remote rural hamlets. The
insurgency came to an end owing to the contributions of our scholarly community who face the
bullets of Gun. During the tumultuous days the area like Bhalessa witnessed migration of the
people from Khaljugasar to Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh. The area engulfed under the
terror attacks on common Hindus and Huslims, Children and women, elderly and innocents.
The atrocities on the part of Indian soldiers were not less in number. The people ware harrased
and some killed by militants and Indian soldiers, but no human rights Organization seemed to
probe the atrocities of the people of this terrain.

A glaring example is that in area like of Bhalessa in Doda, several people were killed by both
the insurgents and army man. Women were raped, children were killed mercilessly, Dr. Mujib
ur Rehman of Bhalessa a first researcher from India´s reputed Aligarh Muslim University faced
a bullets of insurgents when he spoked of the progress and education advancement of
Bhalessa terrain.

It may be due to the assassination of this reputed scholar that area witnessed fewer atrocities
on the part of both the forces.

A scholar rated highly for his contributions to education in Bhalessa. He was really a leader in
the field of education and as ill-luck would have it; this learned scholar was not to remain
among us for long. Dr Sahib´s irrepressible loss is a loss for Bhalessa and a loss for humanity.

This man with a vision was mercilessly assassinated by militants. The reason for the killing of
this young scholar was that Sheikh Sahib spoke up for development and education and was a
source of inspiration for the youth of the area. Packed with outstanding achievements in the
area of education, he was the first researcher of the area to conduct an extensive study into
India´s renowned Aligarh Muslim university.

With regard to the activities and programmes he was involved in, he was excellent in his own
area of specialisation.

He had practically planned and constructed a "botanical gardens" in the government schools
of Bhalessa. He was a great orator owing to his participation in debates and seminars at the
level of University as well as in several local fora.

Younus Salim, of Tendla Bhalessa, was orphaned when his father Mohammed Sharief was killed
during insurgency in his home

I narrate nothing but his vision to become an IAS officer. Younus has been adopted by SOS
organization in Channai himat unit.

Younus was very recently on his way to Bhalessa to celeberate Eid with his mother, He
expressed his tooth of tale with me. He was traveling in a bus from Jammu to Bhalessa. He
held next to my seat. I snuggled and asked him his name and residence. He told me he has
been in SOS since his father was killed by the militants. I shrugged in my mind and I
interviewed him to tell all about his episode and future studies. He told me in hushed tone all
about him when bus was plying towards Bhalessa, He has been in SOS when he was a child he
adds.

We reached the mountainous slopes of Doda and he asked me "I have been orphaned but I
don´t feel alone due to other SOS friends" No body looks after me except SOS organization, he
added. Younus perceives Matriculation from SOS.

I questioned him what is his ambition and future plan, he told me he wants to become an IAS
officer in response to my query.

We reached Thathri hamlet wherein we both entered a tea shop whose amiable owner rustled
to us a spontaneous meal of Rajma Chawal (popular meal in these parts)

We shared a single table. After we finally retired to Bhatyas, the home village of Younus where
her mother resides, I found myself alone. I hugged him in a farewell and promised him that I
will highlight this instance in local media. He asked me to visit the sos home after celeberation
of holy Eid.

The contribution of such innocents and scholarly community has by and large contributed their
lives for ending insurgency in the area.

The area is witnessing a polarization free area, there are some other forces at work to ensure
peace, It may be due to the coming up of new educational institutions, The stress is on
education and higher objectives, people are busy in participating the developmental
programmes like NREGS, and Employment schemes initiated by the central and state
governments.
Published World wide: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/126565

Kalgoni Temple: Mortar of Hindu Muslim Amity

Sadaket Malik

NAMED AFTER the main stream of Bhalessa, Kalgoni stretches from

Kansozoo and merges into the River Chenab. The Kalgoni Temple remained all
along a source of Hindu-Muslim amity. Situated and thickly carpeted
with evergreen forests of Bhalessa dotted with tiny hamlets, is home
to roughly equal numbers of Hindus and Muslims. Owing to the
movements of several chauvinists and fundamentalists, strong ties
bind the Hindus and Muslims and have halted the complete
polarisation of the populace. This is something that one can see here
today.

Bhalessa terrain surrounded by mosques, temples, ancient Hindu

religious placesDurga Mata Cave in Khaljugasar and Mehlwaar, Kalgoni
temple and Jamia Masid are really a great mortars for cementing this
age old tradition of living with peace and brotherhood.

A fair is held at Kalgoni temple in the month of Baisakhi where the local
Muslims and Hindus celebrate the same as a common venture. Holy
places here could be promoted to attract tourists.

The ties between two communities has had maintained owing to such
monumental holy places of Hindus and Muslims. The Markazi Jamia
Masjid is managed by Bhalessa Tameeri Committee while as Kalgoni
Temple is executed by Sanatan Dharam Sabha. Here is an Aman
Committee aims at creating peaceful environment in the terrain. The
committee has played a key role during turmoil. Both the communities
pledged to live and protect one another from nefarious designs.
Interestingly, for the last five years, things began limping back to a
semblance of normality in Bhalessa. The number of killings registered
a rapid decline. Long spells of curfew were done away with. As were
the army checkpoints that had come up at every kilometer or so on
the road connecting Bhalessa with Doda and Jammu. Hindus and
Muslims, were ecstatic about the prospects of peace.

People here inhibit has had thrown away the communal chauvinists
initiated by so-called leaders. There was of late a movement of
fundamentalists and chauvinists before but the things seemed changed
now. Education has wiped all this.

There were of course so-called people's leaders over here before but
till date the youth activists tried their level best to eliminate the empty
slogans perpetuated by them.

But at the same time as communal identities have become increasingly

polarised, large numbers of Hindus and Muslims still privately insist on
the need for cordial relations and do their own bit in that regard in
their own ways. Jointly demonstrating against the slaughter of
innocent villagers in a remote village, Aman Committee jointly
spearheaded by the elderly and eminent masses of Bhalessa is a major
revolt against such communal frenzy. People are busy in pooling
resources to rescue people trapped in an avalanche or injured in a
road mishaps, or simply pointing out that true religion teaches love
and that, as the tired clichés go, God is one and everyone's blood is
red.

There are secular Hindu leaders as well as secular Muslim leaders who
represent their own communities in line with the religious guidelines.
On the eve of Id, Deepawali, Holi, Ramadan people host functions for
each other and thus try to maintain their brotherhood.

External Link: http://www.merinews.com/article/bhalessa-the-binding-force-of-

hindu-muslim-amity/15782692.shtml

Secular acquisation in Bhalessa

Sadaket Malik

Bhalessa is settled in rural most realty of Jammu and Kashmir. It

has many sorts of roots to accomplish the desirable destination.
Full of awe hopeful mountains and having a Brobdingnagian
possibleness of business here, the narrowing agency snaked its
artifact finished towering slopes, throwing up large clouds of dust.
It passed by lowercase hamlets, comprising a pair of houses
shapely around pagoda-shaped mosques and box-like temples
with sloping roofs prefabricated of corrugated shackle Bhalessa is
famous for tralatitious communal hormony.

Owing to the dedication and shared discernment of the Hindoo

Islamic secular acquisition the wicked designs has been wiped
and topical inhabitants pleased their tending towards the higher
objectives. Bhalessa has a flush history. The Atlantic derivative its
study from its grouping “Bhalay Loug” (The correct grouping with
correct destiny)- The grouping employed and inhibiting without
some semi political mileage.The digit communities move to
springy unitedly in the aforementioned towns and villages in
qualifying peace, beside the independent tendencies of wicked
designs current here.Bhalessa is flooded of meadows popularly
famous as Dhar same Kanthi, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi, Dagan, Bal
Padri, etc. the Atlantic is mountainous, it has many sort of
trekking routes which transfer finished places with unlikely
enthralling scenic beauty.

Bhalessa is digit of the most far and outback parts of Doda.

Straddling the abut with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, it has a
Islamic majority, with a Hindoo eld of a lowercase more than a
ordinal of the population.The story of Bhalessa and Bhaderwah
dates backwards to 200 B.C. When the reverend religion person
Nagsena was solicited to a communicating by power Mender in his
hall at Sakla.Kishtwar.

The motorable agency from Thathri to Gandoh is in the impact of

up rank which when completed, module attain agency travelling
from Thathri to Gandoh shorter and more favourable as compared
to travelling to Bhaderwah. Thus, on the foundation of closeness
and administrative lavatory Tehsil Thathri is in fireman closeness
to Gandoh than Bhaderwah and it module be in the large interests
of the open of Tehsil Thathri that it is prefabricated conception of
newborn Sub-Division Gandoh.The towering town of Bhalessa,
thickly carpeted with evergreen forests and dotted with tiny
hamlets, is home to roughly equal numbers of Hindus and
Muslims, Besides walls of suspicion strong ties bind other Hindus
and Muslims and have halted the complete polarisation of the
populace. This is something that I’ve been attempting to study
since long. A township well knitted by historical kalgoni temple
and Markazi Jamia Masjid managed by Sanathan Dharam Sabha
and Temari Committee.

The people in community social work, Aman Committees of hindu

and Muslim populace presents a very interesting picture and
reveal the massage of brotherhood.

In his article Youginder Sikand- a writer par excellence working in

Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi has conducted an extensive tour of
the area to study Hindu Muslim relations in Bhalessa, pointed that
the people of the area owe peace and end the nefarious designs.
The story of yoginder Sikand in his articles entitled “Hundu
Muslim relations enthralled me. The story goes like this…..!

“For the last five years, things began limping back to a semblance
of ‘normality’ in Bhalessa. The number of killings registered a
rapid decline. Long spells of curfew were done away with. As were
the army checkpoints that had come up at every kilometer or so
on the road connecting Bhalessa with Doda and Jammu. My
friends in Doda, Hindus and Muslims, were ecstatic about the
prospects of peace. But now, with the ongoing agitation in Jammu
and in Kashmir over the Amarnath yatra, that might be a mere
chimera if things are allowed to spin out of control, as they indeed
seem to be”.
Yogi- A good friend of mine shared with me during my interaction
with him as like this:-
“It was a little after noon that we arrived in Bhatyas, a settlement
consisting of a row of houses and shops along the main road,
some seven kilometers from main town. Exhausted and ravenous,
we entered a tea-shop, whose amiable owner rustled up for us a
sumptuous meal of rajma-chawal, standard fare in these parts.”

despite the walls of suspicion that have come up between local

Hindus and Muslims in early years, the two communities continue
to live together in the same towns and villages in relative peace,
barring occasional incidents. While sporadic killings of civilians
lead to further polarisation and mistrust, there are other forces
that are at work that help maintain centuries’-old bonds between
Hindus and Muslims in this area.

Yogi’s amazing experience with Local Sufi:

When yogi finally arrived at Akhiyarpur and entered Haji Sahib’s

room, he was sitting in a corner on a mattress with a crowd of
supplicants in rows in front of him. Most of them were Muslims,
but some were Hindus, too. A few of them had come from so far
as Poonch and Kathua in the hope of a miraculous cure to their
woes. One by one they narrated their troubles to Haji Sahib in
hushed tones. He listened to each of them patiently, advising
them on what to do.

After the last of his other visitors had left, Haji Saheb turned
towards Yogi. His eyes were soft, yet sad, gentle and the same
time firm and determined. He looked considerably younger than
the roughly seventy that they were told he was.

A day long conversation turned to the ongoing conflict in the

region. Hindus and Muslims, Haji Sahib assured Yogi, had
traditionally lived harmoniously in the area, even in the
tumultuous days of the Partition. Killing an innocent person, he
referred to the Qur’an as saying, is tantamount to slaying the
whole of humankind. That principle applied in every case, he
stressed, when Yogi asked him about the atrocities committed
both by militants as well as Indian soldiers, which were not few in
number. ‘May God grant the world His blessings’, he cryptically
replied in response to my query about the possibility of a realistic
resolution to the Kashmir conflict.

An hour later they found themselves snuggled under layers of

thick cotton quilts, tucking into a sumptuous meal in the house of
the principal of Haji Sahib’s school. The principal and his son were
impeccable hosts, and despite the fact that we were complete
strangers and uninvited guests we were treated like some long-
lost friends.

They talked late into the night, mostly on the ongoing conflict and
the impact this had had on Hindu-Muslim relations. Before we
finally retired for the night, the principal read out to us a letter
written by him and recently published in a Jammu-based Urdu
newspaper.

The letter stated, Jammu town observed a complete shut-down.

That very morning the principal’s grandson, a student in Jammu
University, had to appear for an important examination.

He assumed that because of the strike the examination had been

postponed. In the afternoon, he rang up a Hindu friend of his, who
told him, to his shock, that the examination was actually on
schedule and that he had just entered the examination hall. No
vehicles were plying in the streets that day and the principal’s son
had no way out to reach the university. However, his friend
magnanimously rushed out of the examination hall and sped on
his motorcycle all the way to his house and picked him. They
arrived in the examination hall just in time to write their paper.
‘Such examples of Hindu-Muslim harmony and friendship must be
regularly highlighted in the press’, the letter stressed. It
concluded with a line in which the principal revealed that he had
sent an appeal to the Chief Minister to announce a reward to his
grandson’s Hindu friend for having ‘served as a model of
communal harmony’.

The next morning, after a heavy breakfast which we had to accept

after much protest, we trudged down the mountain back to the
main road to head back to Doda town. And as the principal hugged
me in farewell, I promised him that I would, in my own modest
way, do what he had advised in his letter: to highlight this
instance of love and friendship beyond communal boundaries as a
lesson that others could emulate.

Besides the divisive policies of nefarious designs, communal

identities have become increasingly polarized, large numbers of
Hindus and Muslims still privately insist on the need for cordial
relations and do their own bit in that regard in their own ways:
Jointly demonstrating against the slaughter of innocent villagers
in a remote village, Aman Committee jointly spearheaded by the
elderly and eminent masses of Bhalessa is a major revolt against
such communal frenzy. People are busy in pooling resources to
rescue people trapped in an avalanche or injured in a road
mishaps, or imparting higher education to their children who
before a recent decade, during the darkest nights, had to hide
them in their chests in order to escape the claws of death looming
over their heads

The story is narrated by the author after the prior meeting with
Yoginder Sikand-Who is serving as Professor in India’s Jamia
Millia Islamia University New Delhi.

External Link: http://www.cheap-motorcycle-farings.com/secular-acquisation-of-

bhalessa-town/