Story
of Mirpur
Sir,
Apropos
''Story of Mirpur'' an editorial in Daily
Excelsior February 7, 2005 is well
written but unfortunately there is a very
little information available for the
countrymen in general & people of
J&K in particular about the Mirpur
Community. Mirpur district comprising
tehsils Bhimber, Kotli & Nowshera was
known for its glorious tradition of
secularism, progressivism &
patriotism. Only the elder generation can
recall about their contribution to the
freedom struggle & their sacrifices
in achieving the goal of independence.
This community contributed much towards
the enrichment of social, cultural,
economic, educational & political
scenario of this state. History of
J&K eloquently speaks of the role of
eminent persons like Mahatma Budh Singh,
Raja Mohd. Akbar, Master Roshan Lal,
Krishan Dev Sethi, Comrade Trilok Chand,
Judge Harbans Lal, Chowdhary Gian Chand,
Sadabarti Ram Lal, Mahashay Karam Chand,
Jagan Nath Vakil & Kedar Nath Sawhney
in the socio-political life of J&K
state both in pre & post Independent
era. It is a matter of pride to state
that Arun Prakash the present Chief
Admiral of India Navy is an illustrious
son of Mirpur.
Mirpur had
the pride of having a degree college
& District hospital even during
pre-partition days. The first Chief
Engineer Dina Nath Gupta & the first
Accountant General of J&K State Ram
Lal Gupta were from Mirpur.
The
survivors of the Mirpur community after
their uprooting from their homes during
1947 managed to establish themselves by
virtue of their diligence & hard work
with no political or economic support.
Whereever, these people settled they held
prominence in business as well as in the
civil administration.
The
community had the pride of producing
judges, lawyers,, educationists, doctors,
engineers, scientists, technocrats,
professionals & businessmen of
repute. Even the Mirpuri Muslims who
migrated to U.K after partition are
playing an important role in the
politics, economic affairs of that
country.
In a
democratic setup, the political identity
of any community is of paramount
importance, but unfortunately the
scattered settlement of Mirpuris at
different places in the country deprived
them of any representation in the state
elected bodies.
What is
left of Mirpuris now is their high
intellectualism.
There is
no doubt that 1/3 rd part of this state
is still under Pak occupation but atleast
the people of that area who had migrated
to this part could have been given
representation in the State Legislative
Assembly or the council by way of keeping
some quota reserved for them.
Once
again, when the issue of J&K state
has acquired a world wide concern &
the process of dialogue has been
initiated by both the countries in right
earnest & lot of efforts are being
put in to create an atmosphere of
friendship, it will be most appropriate
& meaningful, it the people belonging
to these areas may also be made a part of
the confidence building process. Even
opening of routes from Jhangar to Mirpur
& Rajouri to Khoiratta/Mirpur will
help much in generating good will on both
the sides.
Yours
etc...
Bharat Bhushan Gupta
Former Director of Agriculture
243, Bakshi-Nagar, Jammu.
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