Prof. Suresh Chander
My father Om Prakash Saraf: A centennial tribute (Daily Excelsior 02 May 2021) by his son Pushp Saraf, an eminent journalist himself, suddenly reminded me that the institution of my life long learning is not there any longer. It was closed on 25 November 2017. This institution had no teacher or students, everyone was equal irrespective of who he or she was.
Unlike today in the Pandemic world, there are no online discussion sessions for me with Omji.
No topic was trivial for him. Once we discussed for about an hour the word “thanks” after he thanked me for my visit to his Subzi Mandi House when in my own characteristic way said that I don’t believe in the institution of “thanks”. I must admire the patience of Pushp’s mother for not showing her displeasure for a second as the discussion was delaying the lunch.
On another occasion, I remarked about my dislike for Desi Mangos, now extinct in any case.
He promptly asked me to come the day after to dispel my thinking. He got Desi saunfia mangos from Akhnoor. Believe me I have not tasted mangos like that afterwards.
For him nothing was unimportant. About humans he treated everyone young or old, uneducated or a Ph.D. from University, multi millionaire or an ordinary press walah with equal respect – a rare quality .
It is amazing that a man with no official or political position could command the respect and affection of public figures and bureaucrats across the socio-political spectrum from Leh to Lakhanpur. They looked to him more for affection than for guidance. His home in Srinagar had no locks, anybody could come and stay without any formal permission. He had differences with RSS brand of ideology and I was surprised when a prominent leader of Jan Sangh came in early morning to collect a memorandum or a resolution which he had asked Om Saraf to rewrite. This speaks volumes of his integrity and respect for his ideological opponents.
Ranbir, perhaps the first newspaper from Jammu Kashmir, was banned by Sheikh Abdullah for its independent policy notwithstanding the fact that Om Saraf was one of the founding members of the National Conference.
Many National Conference members along with Om Saraf, from Jammu, were expelled by Sheikh Abdullah when they were part of the emergency administration in 1947 after Maharaja handed over power to Sheikh Abdullah. It did not deter Om ji to side with Sheikh Abdullah after his arrest in 1953.
It was his conviction that sections of pro-Pak Muslims in the State can be persuaded to give up their fanaticism. He engaged with them throughout his active life. It was due to his efforts that a would be administrator of failed infiltration in 1965 in the valley realised that violence is no solution to local problems and left the country for good.
I met a number of highs and lows due to Om ji. One such meeting is worth mentioning. It was during the infiltration period in 1965. It was a day after the unfortunate burning of Batmaloo locality. G M Qarra and Om ji met at Ahdoos, a famous restaurant of Srinagar. I also happened to be there with them. Qarra, a genuine secularist, had a conviction that the state should be part of Pakistan. Om ji suggested that in the prevailing circumstances the safer place for him will be jail. Laughingly, Qarra remarked “Saraf Sahib, Hindustan ho ya Pakistan, hamari jagah to jail hi hai”. Suffice to say GM Qarra, a cousin of the then Chief Minister GM Sadiq, was arrested.
Om ji never said that he is not keeping good health that showed his positive attitude to life. However, during my last visit a few months before his death he told me that he is now prepared to go without any emotion. I didn’t argue for the first time.
The institutions don’t die but there is no net now to use the current idiom – the classroom has just faded.
(The author is former Head of Computer Engineering Department in G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology)
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