Vacating schools and hospitals

Sir,

A few days ago GoC 15 crops told media person that army had completely vacated schools and hospitals in the valley (DE, Nov. 23).
In absence of some suitable places and many units of army had occupied hospitals and school. It was one of the chief demands of many political parties that army should vacate these areas. One of the much touted relocation plan for the army raised by one particular party which is an important constituent of the present coalition Government was that army should immediately vacate places like schools or hospitals etc. Respecting the public mood Army in a highly professional way has vacated the places that it had occupied. It may not be out of context here to add that army paid rent in most of the cases.
With events getting fluid in Pakistan, army has even greater role to perform. It has accounted for itself exceedingly well. Its role has not only been to safeguard borders but to bring a sea change in the mindset of the local population. Operation Sadbhavna that the army has launched is working wonders for the last five or six years now. This programme has helped the people of the State in a big way. As the State is still underdeveloped there are many places in the State which are devoid of the basic facilities like power and roads or even health care.
In such areas army has worked like angels. They have provided much needed help to these remote areas. This highly constructive role of the armed forces has to be noticed by one and all. In this context the vacation of hospitals and schools will help further improve the interface between army and local population.

Yours etc...
R L Mehra
Narwal
Jammu

Promoting culture

Sir,

Quite recently an event was held in Srinagar. After a long time artists across the State and the country are brushing their ideas in the scenic surroundings of the valley (DE, Nov. 27).
It is after a long time that such an event has been held in the valley. Really speaking the turmoil in the State has taken a heavy toll of the cultural activities. Previously the valley was buzzing with activities of different nature. If I am not wrong, in the long past I mean four or five decades ago there used to be a grand cultural festival of Jashn-i-Kashmir. Artists from all over the valley would come and display their multivaried talents in such festivals. These festivals were real bonanza for the people. Now, times have changed. Especially during the last eighteen years of militancy such festivals have come to a dead end. When there is smoke of guns and noise of blasts around who will care to consider the need to hold such events. When your very life is threatened obviously such things take a backstage.
The State has produced pioneers in the field of paintings and sculpture. Not to speak of the ancient times when the valley was the centre of the astristic revolution in the whole country. I am reminded of such pioneers like G R Santosh who made the State proud with his paintings. It is a happy news that J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has undertaken to organise such programmes. Efforts should be made to give due consideration to the folk lore of the State. In these times of cultural degeneration we need badly to preserve our folk lore. Hope that due steps will be taken in this direction.

Yours etc...
Mohd Rafiq
Alamgari Bazar
Srinagar

Maharaja Ranbir Singh

Sir,

In the Sunday Edition of this paper (Nov 25) an article appeared about Maharaja Ranbir Singh. To be frank the article was long over due. Atleast some material has been published on Maharaja Ranbir Singh.
In the history of this State many rulers have come who have contributed to the arts and letters in addition to the general welfare of the people. In this context the name of Maharaja Ranbir Singh will be remembered as a doyen who helped build the State on Modern lines. In his times there were few Maharajas who were as well read as he was. Really he was a man of vision as well as a man of letters.
Today if we pride on Jammu city being called a city of temples then substantial contribution in this regard has been done by Ranbir Singh. He built huge temples. In his reign the temple of Raghunath Mandir was completed. Ranbirshwar temple along with many other temples were completed in his time. Similarly many big temples along the banks of Jehlum (Vitasta) were built in his period. Truly he was a king who took keen interest in building activities. Some curious additions to Mubarak Mandi were done in his reign. He was a man of letters. He took keen interest in promoting education in the State. He build Pathshalas and Madrasas where children could get education. He ensured that the priceless heritage of the State in the form of books and manuscripts is preserved. He thus laid the foundation of Ranbir Sanskrit Pathshala and library in which priceless manuscripts were kept for safe keeping. Today, this repository of knowledge and heritage is pride of whole country. We hope that in future too articles of such nature are published in this paper so that people know about the great sons of the State who otherwise will pass into the dark and alley of oblivion.

Yours etc...
R L Sharma
Sidhra
Jammu