Col J P Singh, Retd
A photographic retrospective of life and time of Dr. Karan Singh is housed in Amar Mahal Museum and Library (AMML) in the very entrance hall of the magnificent Palace. A cursory look at the vast photographic panorama will suggest that His Excellency is an inseparable constituent, not only of pre and post independence socio-political history of J&K, but also from the contemporary world. The pictorial retrospective is a chronological presentation of country’s tallest Dogra intellectual’s life journey beginning on 9th March 1931 from Cannes, France. It goes onto his schooling at Srinagar, Doon School, Delhi University and later his taking over as Regent of the State in 1949, followed by his marriage in Nepal Ruling Household, to becoming an elected Sadar-e-Riyasat, member of parliament, Union Minister, Ambassador to USA, role in UNO / UNESCO to the present day member of Upper House and Chairman of ICCR with the Cabinet rank. The Central Hall of AMML tells the entire story of a Prince, the Inheritor of largest empire of erstwhile British India, rising to be one of the world’s known scholar statesman.
Yuvraj Karan Singh was born on 9th March 1931 as ‘heir apparent’. He would have ruled as monarch if the history had followed its chronology right. Seeing independence in the offing, Maharaja and Maharani groomed him for a democratic role which he performed diligently as Regent, as elected Sadar-e-Riyasat and later as Governor in his own state. He continues rendering his illustrious services to the nation as Member of Rajya Sabha, Chancellor of prestigious universities, President of ‘Indian Council of Cultural Relations’ (ICCR) and Hon’y Colonel Commandant of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in the rank of Major General.
He joined Doon School in 1942 where he had to make his bed and polish his shoes. There he used to get a paltry sum of Rs 5 as monthly pocket allowance. His stay in Doon School helped him make the crucial transition from feudal to simplistic way of life. He passed BA form S P College Srinagar, MA in Political Science from Delhi University with 1st Class 1st in 1957 creating the university record which still stands unbroken. He did his Ph D from Delhi University in 1961.
State plunged into political turmoil soon after independence. Yuvraj got catapulted into political life when he was barely 18. Maharaja Hari Singh appointed him Regent on 20th June 1949 and left the state for good. Handling the political crisis during Pak invasion and subsequent transformation from monarchy to democracy fell upon his young shoulders. It is said that the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful. Hence the Yuvraj soon blossomed into one of the most respected leader in his own state and renowned statesman world over.
He was elected Sadar-e-Riyasat in 1952, 1956 & 1961 and appointed Governor in 1964. The post of Sadar-e-Riyasat came into being with Dr. Karan Singh in 1952 and ended with him in 1964 with the distinction of being the only Sadar-e-Riyasat in India. He abolished monarchy on 15 September 1952 with his own signatures. On 8 August 1953, due to unprecedented political turn of events, he dismissed the govt of Sheikh Abdullah which pushed the state in yet another political turmoil which he handled remarkably. Instead of ruling as monarch, he led the state as an elected head for 18 years before moving to Delhi as Minister. His personal life and history of J&K are therefore intertwined and inseparable.
On 16 March 1967 he joined Indira Gandhi’s cabinet as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. At 36, he became youngest ever Cabinet Minister. From 1973 to 77 he was Minister of Health and Family Planning and Minister of Education and Culture from 1979 to 80. In first ever world Population Conference in Bucharest in 1974, he coined the slogan “Development is the best Contraceptive”. He presented National Population Policy in the Parliament in November 1976 and made statutory warning compulsory on Cigarette packs. He voluntarily surrendered his privy purse and put the entire sum he had received into Hari-Tara Charitable Trust named after his parents.
He was elected to Lok Sabha four times between 1967 to 84 from Udhampur constituency. In the general election following tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi, he was persuaded to change his constituency to Jammu. On popular demand, he contested as independent candidate. Swayed by sympathy wave the result went in favour of Congress candidate which turned out to be watershed in the politics of the region. In the retrospect people realized that they lost a great leader and a respected statesman, who, by virtue of his image and genius, would have ensured peace and harmony in the state during turbulent periods of militancy and prevented unfortunate migration of Kashmiri Pandits.
In 1989, Rajiv Gandhi appointed him Ambassador to USA. In 1991 he became President of Auroville Foundation with cabinet rank and in 1992 he became President of India International Centre (IIC). In 1996 he was elected to Rajya Sabha, appointed its Deputy Leader and Chairman of Ethics Committee. In 2002 he was appointed Chancellor of JNU. Presently he is Chancellor of BHU and University of Information and Technology. He is member of National Integration Council, Standing Committee of Home Affairs and Chairman of AICC Foreign Affairs Cell. In 2005 he was conferred with Padma Vibhushan. He has imparted new dynamism to ICCR by his personal indulgence. ICCR regional branches in Jammu and Srinagar are his gift to the State. He has composed and recited bhajans and songs in Dogri which we often rejoice through Radio Kashmir-Jammu. Last year, persuaded by Rajkumariji, he gave a recital performance in Amar Mahal Jammu reflecting his deep understanding of Hindustani Classical Music. Recital started with Ganesh Bandhna, Rag Bhopali, Tarana and was followed by a gazal and Dogri folk songs. It turned out to be great show of his artistic talent.
In 1955, he met Khrushev and Bulganian in Delhi and invited them to J&K. While at Srinagar, they declared that J&K was an integral part of India thus putting all apprehensions of UN Resolution at rest. He paid a return visit to Soviet Union in 1959 which further strengthened Indo Soviet ties. In 1971, Indira Gandhi sent him to East Asian Republics to project Indian concern with regards to the crisis in East Pakistan. Dr Manmohan Singh sent him to Nepal during unprecedented Maoist uprising. He advised the King to gracefully respect the will of the people and hand over the power to them.
He has converted Amar Mahal Palace into museum and library which contains priceless collection of Pahari Miniatures, modern art and his personal collection of nearly thirty thousand volumes. He has written 33 books. ‘Meeting with Most Remarkable Women’ is the recent one. He is Chairman Trustee of Dharmarth Trust. He is recognized as an outstanding thinker and acclaimed author on political science, philosophy, travel and poetry.
He is internationally respected humanitarian and one of the most learned individual of modern times with his everlasting impact on philosophy, culture, education and environment. Deep understanding of Hinduism and varied past of India flows through his writings and recitations. In 2007, he was designated as special envoy to the 8th World Hindi Conference at New York, having earlier led Indian delegation to 2nd World Hindi Conference in Mauritius. He has travelled the World, illuminating intellectuals, diplomats and lay audience with his eloquent speeches. He is one of the most active Octogenarian in the public life today. He has earned a cherished place in the hearts of crores of Indians as an intellectual philosopher. World over, he has earned unique acceptability as global citizen and a humane crusader of religious interfaith.
He continues to be one of the shinning personality of India of which the Dogra Community is immensely proud of. Hope our children will pass on inspiring stories of the son of the soil to their progeny. May he continue shinning the world over with splendid scholarship, guiding statesmanship and inspiring leadership.
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