A veteran freedom fighter

Ravi Rohmetra
Duggar land has its own brilliant and unique history. It has given birth to veteran political, academicians, social worker and leader of caliber. One amongst them has been Girdhari Lal Dogra. This is the tale of towering personality who worked selflessly for the cause of the people. He was a friend, a guide and a social worker. During his life time he was counted amongst the great personalities of Jammu.

Today is his 28th Death Anniversary
A personality who shared weal woes of needy. The main aim and objective of Girdhari Lal Dogra remained to help the families below poverty line. The feeling of helping and supporting the masses, especially poor was so deepened in his heart  and mind that he always loved to face  all kind of odds or eventualities for the pleasure of other. He always believed that service to humanity is the service to God. This is the basic reasons that the poor masses remember him as their God-father and his name is being taken with great love, respect and honour.
Girdhari Lal Dogra was born in 17th July 1915 at village Bhaiya of Tehsil Hiranagar, District Kathua when Maharaja Pratap Singh was the ruler of the State. He did his B.A. and L.L.B. from the Punjab University. He began to take interest in politics during his student days. He came in contact with Mr Kichloo, an important leader of the Indian National Congress in Punjab. He became an editor of a weekly newspaper “Kissan” which was published from Jammu. He used to highlight the problems of the farmers through his paper. He married K.Kunta of Smailpur, the daughter of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra’s elder brother. During the Emergency Administration in 1947, he was appointed officer in charge administration District Kathua. He organized local resistance against the attack by the Pakistan supported “Mujahids” in adjoining Kathua. He also practiced law in the court and later became Finance Minister in the first cabinet head by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1948 and remained on this position till 1957. He also became chairman of the constitution Drafting Committee, Member Finance Committee and member of the University Council of J&K University. Because of the rift in ruling N.C. there emerge a new political party named Democratic National Conference headed by Mr G.M. Sadiq. He also became its member and took the role of an opposition member in the Legislative Assembly, from 1951 onwards, most of his lifetime was spent in the representation of the State Assembly from Hiranagar Constituency. He again became Finance Minister in 1960 and 1964. He also served as M.P. for one term getting elected to Lok Sabha in 1980 from Jammu, Poonch constituency. He was very polite and helpful. He was a towering personality. He died in 27 November 1987 and with his death a void was created in Jammu political set up. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Like every year this time also on 28th November we all paid rich tributes to take Mr Girdhari Lal Dogra and remembered his spirit of service for the masses. By dint of his clean political life, he was liked by all in the state particularly in Jammu. His tenure as the states Finance Minister for a long period of 27 years shall remain as a record in the political horizon of the state. He never lost any election such was the confidence and the love he enjoyed from the public. For the concept of mobile banking, Chenab Industries and host of other innovations, Girdhari Lal Dogra played a big role-Looking to his capabilities, the Late Smt. Indra Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India had offered he Lok Sabha Speaker’s prestigious post to Dogra Ji. He is particularly remembered for the improvement of the condition of the peasants and agricultural Labourers . In 1952 he played a historical role in making the tiller of the land as owner. He was aware that the industry of tourism was vital for the economy of the state and construction of huts at tourist spots was Dogra Ji’s concept. Present day politicians need to get inspiration from this proud son of Jammu. His son-in-law  Arun Jaitley who was Cabinet Minister for Law and Shipping in Union Govt. headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee Govt. and now in Narendra Modi Govt. he is Finance Minister.Girdhari Lal Dogra statue near PHQ on road to Railway Station was installed by Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial Trust on November 27, 2011. It was unveiled by then Chief Minister, Dr, Farooq Abdullah.
Girdhari Lal Dogra as a “people’s man’ loved by all, beyond party, religion or caste barriers. He remained the state Finance Minister from 1957 to 1975, was elected Member of Parliament twice and contested and won five elections from Hiranagar. Dogra remained on key positions in both the Congress and N.C. He gave the path-breaking initiative of providing drinking water to people in the Kandi belt through tube-wells, a system which now helps meet drinking water demands in various areas of Jammu. Leaders described him as the “tallest leader of his time”, who firmly believed in and followed secularism in the true spirit and fought against communal and divisive forces in the state. Dogra as epitome of simplicity and dedication, who stood for secular values throughout his life.
He served the people of the state for a long time in a various capacities and always worked for poor and downtrodden sections of society. Dogra was a real friend of people and man of high stature. The contribution of Dogra Sahib in providing water to people of Kandi belt through tube wells was path breaking initiative and this system still holds key in meeting drinking water demands in these and other area in Jammu. The best way of paying tributes to the late leader is to follow his style of providing service without self to the people. Girdhari Lal Dogra was one of the tallest leader of his time and was famous for his qualities of leadership and was dear to all classes of people. His contribution to society would always be remembered by generation to come. No doubt Dogra Ji not with us but due to his selfless service for mankind his name will always alive in our hearts. An epitone of humility and resilience, Mr Dogra went on to become one of the most enduring icons of India who dedicated his entire life in the service of the people.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here