Durga Temple at Kuldabi Sunderbani

Durga Temple at Kuldabi (Sunderbani) is an ancient temple. It is situated at a distance of about 15 Km from Sunderbani town. One has to travel in a Mini Bus via Baja Bain to cover 12 Km and to walk on foot about 2 to 3 Km from Dhok Banyar to reach the temple. However, now a 5 km new road is being constructed under PMGSY from Kalideh to Kuldabi. With the result, the distance from Sunderbani to Kuldabi will be shortened to only 9 Km. On foot journey will hardly be one (1) km.

It is believed that this temple was constructed in the sixteenth century. But there is no evidence about it. It was built with stones and its height was only 12 feet. Now it has been reconstructed and renovated without displacing the original idols of Maa Durga. It has three idols carved on flat stones and have been fixed on the uplifted base. These were built by an expert architect with great care. There three are the idols of Mahakali, Mahaluxmi and Maharaswati. While reconstructing the temple, these idols were not disturbed including the base. These are in the original position, shape and size. The temple has been erected to a significant height with Parikarma attached to it. These carved idols are now painted with different colours making them more attractive. These were painted by a Sadhu with suitable colours, he came here and stayed for few months. He was a good painter as well. He may be a painter turned sadhu. He also painted the pictures of Mahalaxmi and the lion of Maa Durga on the walls of the temple in addition to other paintings.

There is also an idol of Baba Bhairo Nath installed in small temple type housing on the south side of the Temple. The devotees have darshan of Baba Bhairo Nath after worshiping Maa Durga.

It is a holy place of Hindus. The people throng this temple on every Sunday and Tuesday. The devotees are blessed by Maa Durga. The devotees pray for their wishes and these are fulfilled. Many of them are graced with blessings and have turned prosperous. They pray for getting job, for success of their children in various exams and for getting seats in different technical and medical colleges for their wards. Childless couples pray to get issues. Many devotees are get benefitted in one way or the other with the blessings of Maa Durga.

This temple was reconstructed and renovated in 2002-03. It was reopened in 2003 for Darshan on Jyashat Shukla Ashtami (Month of May) after performing Havan and Puja amidst Vedic Mantras followed by Bhandara. Now a Bhandara is being organised every year on Jyashat Shukla Ashtami. This year it was performed on 29th of May 2012. The devotees from Sunderbani, Akhnoor, Nowshera, Rajouri and Jammu attend the function every year.

In Navratras the people of surrounding villages throng this temple and pray for peace, prosperity and satisfaction. Havan is performed and Bhandara is organised on Ram Navmi, the last day of Navratras.

A kitchen has been constructed for this purpose in the premises of the temple. The temple has some kanals of land attached to it. It can be developed as a religious and tourist spot of Tourism Deptt comes to help.
At present the maintenance of the temple is being looked after by a Khajuria (Brahmin) family of Dhok-Banyad whose head of the family performs the puja and acts as Pujari (the Priest). This family is looking after the temple from the ancient times. But family members could not tell the exact year of its construction. Only some elders of this locality narrate the sixteenth century as the period of its construction.
This temple is a symbol of communal-harmony and brotherhood.

By Madan Mohan Sharma

Unexplored Beauty of Dachhan

Dachhan

Dachhan is a picturesque remote area of district Kishtwar. It is 50 km away from district headquarters Kishtwar and 280 km away from Jammu, the winter capital of J&K state. It is dotted with a number of tourist destinations which remain neglected and unexplored due to umpteen reasons-one of them is lack of connectivity via road, air or rail with rest of the State. The populace of this picturesque area is habitated mostly on the left/right banks of river Marwah- Troutrich. It is still a non descript area even in the age of information technology where the entire world has become a small village.

It has several lush green meadows such as Lovmarg, Saterchen, and Nachunbhachun etc. where the nomadic cowherds and shepherds graze their flock. These can be exploited and developed by creating requisite infrastructure i.e., Tourist huts in these meadows. For the promotion of tourism in the area, annual tourism mela on the pattern of Laldraman Doda where Grameen cum Tourism Mela is held every year for promoting tourism in the area, can be organized for luring the tourists. In winter when there is a white cover of snow everywhere, these meadows can be used for skiing and thus world class ski resorts may be developed.

It has some of the highest peaks in the world which offers exciting treks ranging from difficult to the very easy. It has been a favourite with trekkers since the British Raj. A dozen of peaks in the Kiar Nallah include Sickle Moon (6574m), eiger (6001m), Cathedral (5370m) etc. and a dozen of peaks in the Nath nallah include Brammah-i (6416m), Brammah-ii (6425m), Brammah's wife (5297m), Crooked Finger(5630m) etc. which can be used for trekking tourism. It is pertinent to mention here that some of these peaks were tried to scale during the British Raj but many of them are still virgin till date.

Pilgrimage tourism such as annual Hudh Mata Yatra can also be used for attracting pilgrims. The important features of this shrine includes a natural made cave, a temple besides Trisandiya-a stream which flows down thrice a day and becomes dry from downward to upward and leaves not even a single drop of water in the Nallah. Besides, Dachhan is also a hub of several unique places which can be used for spiritual upliftment as they offer a calm, serene and soul invigorating environment for all as these are far away from humdrum city life.

There is an important national park in the region, one of only three in the state. The Kishtwar high altitude national park is situated 33020'-34000'n and 75040'-76010'e. It has an area of 400 sq.km/42,500 Ha. It was declared as a national park in February, 1981. Its altitude varies from 1700m to 4800m. It has 13 types of vegetations, 14/15 species of large mammals and 50 species of birds. It receives an annual rainfall of about 760mm.

Dachhan is abundant with hot water springs called as Tatta Panni which are said to help in the treatment of skin diseases and rheumatic pains. Hundreds of local people visit these springs for a cure every year.

To explore the beauty of this unhidden area, the need of the hour is to develop this exquisite place as a tourist spot by connecting the area through road, creating necessary infrastructure apart from making wide publicity of the area both inside and outside the state through print and electronic media so that all sorts of tourists may be attracted to visit the area which will not only economically develop the area but also these tourists will act as ambassadors in their respective areas for dissemination of information and help in cementing the ties between the people. By way of this, Dachhan can become the most popular summer/winter pleasure resorts. It has temperate climate which is conducive for all.

In the end, I would like to make a sincere appeal to all the stakeholders to pay adequate attention for the overall development of Dachhan in whatever form they can contribute. Just as we work hard day and night for shaping our career, in the same way please make a lifelong mission of developing the area which, in true sense, we can do justice to heaven like Dachhan. Japan has become a developed country despite of causing large scale devastation on the two important cites -Nagasaki and Horoshima through two atom bombs on 6th and 9th August, 1945. Do you know what the reason behind this is? The reason behind this is that if the Govt. building collapses, the Japanese dismantle their own house and repair the Govt. building. Due to this single indispensable quality of Japanese, they have again succeeded in scaling the ladder of development. I want to see such sense of feeling among the people of Dachhan so that it may become a developed area which in turn paves way for the prosperity of the people of Dachhan as well as J&K State. Someday, God willing, these pretty places will make Dachhan a major tourist destination.

While summing up the entire write-up, I would like to quote a few beautiful couplets of Marry Petrie for the praise of Dachhan:- each mountain in wintry grandeur towers, and whitens with eternal sleet, while summer in a vale of flowers, is sleeping rosy at its feet.

 

By Sunil Kumar

Kishtwar Ignored Paradise

With a region of concerning 8000 kms amidst nearly mountainous and hilly topography like that of Kashmir, Himachal or Ladakh region, district Kishtwar has its boundaries touching the valley on its north-west facet and Ladakh region on its north-east with lahul spiti valleys of Himachal within the south-east and Doda district on south-west. the whole district is packed with hills and mountains, forests & vegetation. The population or demography is mixed. Hindus, Muslims SCs, STs, Sikhs and Bodhs are reside herewith amity and brotherhood. The population is found settled upto an altitude of 9500 ft. higher than MSL within the hilly and higher regions. The district has four tehsils specifically Marwah, Padder, Chhatro and Kishtwar with respective Hqrs at Navpachi, Atholi, Chhatroo and Kishtwar, respectively. nearly entire district receives snowfall throughout an honest winter. The climate is analogous to that of valley of Himachal.

With a high potential for tourism the district is packed with hidden charm, wonderful sites and alluring, spots, health resorts, enticing tourism locations, famous historical and spiritual places, sacred shrines and monuments. The forests are packed with mineral wealth, sort of timber and trees of highest quality, medication and herbs and alternative medicinal shrubs and plants like mushroom, chilgoza, black zeera, artemisia, saffron besides the opposite forest resources of tremendous utility. Mineral wealth if properly explored and extracted will become a boon to get revenue notably the massive sapphire reserves mines of Machail Padder.

Tehsil Kishtwar with HQ at Kishtwar extends upto Galhar within the east, Palmar within the north, Thakrai etc. within the west and Sarthal Saroor, Bunjwa within the south-east. At Sarthal the distinguished holy famous temple of Mata Asht-Dash-Bhuja" i.e. Goddess with eighteen arms i.e. Mata Sarthal Dev ji is found where folks and devotees return around the year to pay their obeisance and acquire blessings. At Rakna Palmar there's famous holy Ziarat as additionally at Bhanderkote where sacred temples of Lord Shiva and Durga Mata are located where folks throng to pay their obeisance. At Saroor, Bimal-Nag and in Bunjwa a captivating spot Devigole are the Centre of Tourism attraction for his or her monumental beauty and grandeur price seeing. At correct Kishtwar, we've a holy Gurudwara where several Sharadhaloos return to possess blessings.

Tehsil Paddar with H.Q at Atholi is sixty two kms far from within the east of district H.Q. Kishtwar and has abundant of its own to supply. From Atholi one km away on the opposite bank of river Chenab is found the opposite famous spot Gulabgarh where several Govt. offices are located. The confluence purpose of river Chenab and tributary Bhote-Nallah is admittedly terribly fascinating that none will afford to miss. the foremost non secular and sacred Shrine of Mata Chandi is found at an altitude of 9500 ft. at Machail where lacs of yatries and devotees return to pay their obeisance once a year throughout famous Machail Yatra throughout August.

One cannot and should not afford to miss the possibility of visiting. Gumpas of Bodh faith that happen to be three kms far from Machail and has abundant of its own to supply. All the foot journey type, Padder Gulabgarh to Machail of forty kms length may be a treasure of a nature's glimpses, attractions, expeditions, enroute temples, caves, art and gallery, effervescent streams, springs, lushing greenery snow clad peaks and even naked mountain peaks.

The nature's smiling creativity within the 2 magnanimous waterfalls of the whole volume of Bhote river provides a really thrilling expertise and a feast of pleasure to each passer-by that no camera eye will afford to miss. the govt.   should channelize its all energy to finish the development of road from Gulabgarh to Machial on war-footing basis to spice up tourism and supply quick access to the sacred shrsine of Chandi Mata the holy glimpses of the sapphire mines. A famous hot-water spring at Tata Pani (Kundal) has its own importance where streams of individuals rush to possess a shower to urge rid of joint pains and skin disorders."

Similarly Chhatroo tehsil with its H.Q. at Chhatroo includes a charm of its own amidst its topography, geography, landscape, effervescent streams, meadows, valleys inexperienced fields and forest ranges. Chingam is admittedly fascinating and thrilling location, where natural beauty and providential bit has its own say. The work on Kishtwar - Sinthan road is nearing completion and in due course of your time this shall throw open a historic journey for the tourists to enter into the valley or leave the valley with a replacement thrilling expertise through a replacement landscape, routes and peoples to possess sweet reminiscences of the trip.

Marwah-Wadwan and Dachhan space of tehsil Marwah has distinctive charm of its own to draw in tourists. The inexperienced lush meadows of the region amidst thick and natural forest ranges makes one forget the sooner landscapes one would have come upon and makes one feel that the character will smile within the interior cut-off isolate places for serenity which the providence has descended itself here to settle during this charming and engaging land surrounded by forest wealth. The inexperienced meadows effervescent streams and lushing water falls along side hot water spring at Rinie Nallah and therefore the wild life sanctuary within the space give a feast of attraction to the visiting eyes that no camera will afford to miss from its focusing lens. the world remains un-connected from the district H.Q. Kishtwar and therefore the work of connectivity is incredibly slow and demand immediate attention of the govt.  . to open out this lovely landscape to tourist community at the earliest.

Commanding an altitude of 5300 ft. above M.S.L. the district H.Q. Kishtwar 231 kms NE of the winter capital Jammu connected by NHIA - NHIB and concerning a hundred and eighty kms S.E. of summer capital Srinagar additionally connected by a highway is situated majestically on a plateau formation stretching over a length of six kms and a width of concerning a pair of kms amidst wonderful picturesque mountain ranges with the mightly river Chenab following at its foot forming a semiloop to supply a dimension of further attraction to its location.

The population of the district H.Q that is additionally the tehsil H.Q comprising city, mandal & alternative localities as well as NHPC colony and its advanced is concerning sixty five thousand. The Dul-Hasti Power Project of 390 MW Power generation with its HQ campus at Kishtwar and colonies at headsite Dool and damsite at Shalimar has been a boon to develop the world and its activities.

With mountain ranges all around and luxurious inexperienced fields lulling the world, the District HQ if caught within the camera eyes from a height or through an aerial read seems a paragon of beauty. Amidst all this Kishtwar district H.Q. includes a nice privilege of heaving a flat, swish stretch of ground (Plateau) domestically referred to as Chowgaan that includes a natural grass turf that transforms it into a soft inexperienced carpet as if a God given gift and a blessing in disguise reminding one and every one to preserve its originality its configuration its dignity and charm for all times to come back. It is, in fact, the face of Kishtwar the grace of Kishtwar and therefore the praise of 1 and every one. Right from Moughal amount kings, princess, historian, folks of all shades by the tourists, trekkers, sportsmen or outsiders all have eulogized its grace and importance. it's of historic, religious, social, cultural and academic significance. At its one finish is found the famous holy Ziyarat of Shah Asar-ud-Din Sahib whereas at the opposite finish is that the famous red Gori-Shanker temple.

Many religious social and cultural, ceremonial, instructional and even sports functions are held here during this ground throughout the year besides political and administrative functions. One the northern finish of this Chowgan there's an aerodrome of concerning one km length where Aeroplanes like Dacotta seven alternative sorts are landing since early 50s at the time of would like and helicopters fairly often. there's full scope for normal air service provided the govt.  . provides attention to the present very important side. At district HQ Kishtwar and in its shut neighbourhood there are a dozen of enticing spots like Tund, Aarsi, Tailmuchi, Bharnoyan, Drab, Cheer-Har, Indra Nagar and Bhanderkote the confluence of river Chenab and Marsudhar river; Sarkoot lake, Chhar-Chinar etc. that if properly taken care of and developed by the Tourism Deptt. Or by the Kishtwar Development Authority within the real earnest, will function the most effective feast for the tourist culture.

So there's not an iota of doubt that Kishtwar is an ignored treasure of tourist pleasure seeking kind attention of Chief Minister and therefore the Tourism Minister to come back out open heartedly with none reservations to spice up the tourism potential of Kishtwar and alternative such areas of the State which require Govt's utmost attention to bring them on tourist map. it's appealed to the CM and therefore the Tourism Minister to deliver justice by bringing all the historic, scenic of the non secular sacred shrines of Kishtwar."

Dera Nangali Sahib

Presently, the Dera Saint Pura Nangali Sahib complex comprises Samadhi of Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji, Tapo Asthan (cave), three storied Gurudwara Sahib building having about 70 rooms, Langer Hall and new Gurudwara building constructed in memory of Mahant Bachiter Singh Ji, first aid centre and a Rest House. It is excepted that this year about fifteen thousand devotees from outside the Distt. Shall participate in Bisakhi Mela. All necessary arrangements including Langer, decoration of Shrine have been made.

This historic shrine has played a great role in preaching Sikhism in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, the Sikh community of the state is greatly attached to this holy Dera. Apart from routine visit of Sikh and Hindu devotees, the Sikhs from all corners of the state assemble there every year on the eve of Baisakhi to pay offerings and obeisance. After Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan Ardas, Bhog and Langer this religious function takes the shape of Mela in which thousands of pilgrims including Hindus and Muslims participate. On this occasion, eatable and other shops are established near the main Shrine. Games are also played. Gatka (the war game) is the main attraction of the Mela in which hundreds of Sikh youths in religious dresses with naked swords display their talent.

The Dera Nangali Sahib has a long historical background. As per Tariq-e-Aqwam-e-Poonch of Mohammad Din Foaq the 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj after laying the foundation of Khalsa Panth had deputed Bhai Pheru Singh Ji, Bhai Punjab Singh Ji and Bhai Rocha Singh Ji for spreading Sikhism in Kashmir and Pothohar areas. Saint Bhai Pheru Singh Ji (1640-1697 AD) remained busy in missionary work in Hazara district on the Western side of Poonch, Bhai Punjab Singh Ji (1672-1729 AD) established his Dera at Chattar Khalas in Muzaffarabad and Bhai Rocha Singh Ji, the disciple of Saint Bhai Pheru Singh Ji was asked to establish his Gaddi (seat) in Poonch Illaqa. Therefore, Saint Bhai Rocha Singh Ji (1688-1803 AD) came to Poonch Illaqa and established the Dera (seat at Rawalakote now in POK). He constructed a Gurudwara, started Guru Ka Langar and preached Sikhism. With the sincere efforts of these saints, the new religion got popularity among Hindu masses and they started embracing Sikhism.

Saint Bhai Rocha Singh Ji died in 1803 AD. Before his death he had nominated his disciple Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji of village Koteray Tehsil Bagh as his successor. Therefore, on Baisakhi of 1803 AD, the sangat assembled at Rawalakote in which Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji was formally declared as Mahant of the Gaddi.

Prof. Netar Singh writes in his book 'Dera Nangali Sahib' that Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji ascended to the Gaddi at the age of 20 in 1803 AD at Rawalakote. Immediately after the construction of Samadhi of Saint Bhai Rocha Singh Ji at Rawalakote, he left the town with armed devotees for mountainous areas on religious tour and reached Poonch town in 1803 AD.

Finding the environment of Poonch town was not peaceful and conducive for a saint to live in, Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji moved towards Bowli (present Nangali Sahib) which was a Hindu dominated village at that time. During his visit, Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji saw a solitary place on the bank of Durga Nadi, a scenic spot. He found it suitable for meditation and decided to establish a Dera here. He at once decided to shift his Dera from Rawalakote to this place. The devotees on his order cleared the forests of Nangals from some area and constructed Kachha Gurudwara, Kitchen and Musaffar Khana for the convenience of the pilgrims. In the month of August 1803 AD, Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji formally inaugurated the Dera. As per Tarikh-e-Aquam-e-Poonch the ruler of Poonch principality in 1803 AD was Gujjar Wazir Ru-Allah-Khan Sangu. It is said that Ru-Allah had approved Thakur Ji to settled in Poonch area instead of Rawalakote. Therefore, Thakur Ji selected Nangali Sahib for meditation and preaching of Sikhism. In 1814 AD during the first attack of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on Kashmir, Maharaja had established royal camp at Bowali near Poonch, visited Nangali Sahib and met Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji for blessing. In 1823 AD the Khalsa governor of Poonch Dewan Dhanpat Rai annexed two villages with Nangali Sahib for continuation of Langer. In 1837 AD when Raja Gulab Singh (later on who became Maharaja of J&K) of Jammu came to Poonch on the order of Maharaja Ranjit Singh for subsiding Poonch revolt, he also visited Nangali Sahib shrine and attached a village with the shrine. 

The great Saint Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji passed away in 1854 AD. After that Saint Bhai Mana Singh Ji (1854-1870 AD), Bhai Mangal Singh Ji (1870-1877 AD), Bhai Rattan Singh Ji (1878-1879 AD), Bhai Avtar Singh Ji (1879-1892 AD), Bhai Rattan Singh Ji Modi (1892-1901 AD), and Bhai Morh Singh Ji (1901-1919 AD) remained the Mahants of Dera Nangali Sahib. In 1919 AD when Bhai Mangal Singh Ji attained the Gaddi of Nangali Sahib, the Raja of Poonch Sukhdev Singh also participated in the ceremony. Holiday was declared in Poonch State and on behalf of Poonch government Rs. 500 were offered as obeisance. Saint Bhai Mangal Singh Ji made a number of additions in the Gurudwara complex which was constructed by Bhai Morh Singh Ji. He also started Gurmukhi Pathshala at Poonch and Bhantani (now in PoK).

After the death of Bhai Mangal Singh Ji, his disciple Bhai Bachitter Singh Ji succeeded him on 23rd of October 1947. During the happenings of 1947, Mahant ji was compelled to come to Poonch town as the village Nangali Sahib too fell to enemy. After the liberation of the village, Mahant Ji immediately rushed to Nangali Sahib but the original Gurudwara complex was completed burnt and destroyed by the tribes men. Therefore, he was putting up in a small room near the Dera. Then he planned for construction of a big Gurudwara complex and started tours of villages and towns for collection of donations. In the meantime, due to implementation of land reform act, all the Jagir of the shrine was taken over by the Government except 182 kanal cultivable land. Out of this land about 100 kanal washed away in 1959 flood. Even then the construction of Gurudwara Sahib and continuation of Langer was not stopped by Mahant Ji and in 1966, three storied Gurudwara building was completed at a cost of Rs. 15 lakhs. This is the unique religious building in Poonch Illaqa.

Mahant Bachitter Singh Ji passed away at Nangali Sahib on 1st November 1991. He was 74. On 2nd November 1991 after the cremation of Mahant Ji, a dewan of prominent Sikh personalities was held at Nangali Sahib. In this religious meeting, Sardar Harnam Singh a Sikh leader and associate of Mahant Bachitter Singh Ji told the Sangat before Guru Granth Sahib that it was the will of Late Mahant Ji that his true disciple Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji may be his successor.

Apart from spiritual and missionary work, Mahant Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji took interest in further development of Dera. He constructed a new Gurudwara Sahib at Nangali Sahib in memory of his predecessor Mahant Bachitter Singh Ji.

He purchased about 50 kanal cultivable lands in Jhullas and Chandak area for continuation of Langar. With his serious efforts, an Engineering College and a B.Ed. College at Digiana Jammu have been established for deserving students. This is the main contribution of Mahant Ji for the community. He has also taken a number of social reforms. He is also planning to open a Medical College for the higher education of children of remote and border areas. His contribution in the field of education is remarkable. 

Safeguards of Ladakhs Cultural Heritage

"Natural and Cultural heritage of Ladakh taught us how to live in love, harmony and friendship with all..."

The arid land of Ladakh truly reflects the age old beliefs of Buddhism evident through the mesmerising colourful Prayer Flags fluttering over the vast expanse of otherwise bland snow desert. It is a land of rich culture, traditional knowledge and natural wonders. The strength of locals to tolerate the geographical and climatic extremities often leaves the visitors flabbergasted. Ladakhis are the proud possessors of a hypnotising heritage.

Ironically, a Ladakhi, instead of feeling proud, is more likely to be saddened, rejecting any discussion on Ladakhi heritage as yet another vacant promotional effort. For the tourism industry has, over the years, adversely affected the pristine land of Ladakh. Mass tourism has acted as a powerful catalyst for change that is extremely challenging, unsustainable and seemingly irrevocable. Ladakh has received an overflow of appreciation and only a handful of criticism. To a sensitive onlooker, this raises an alarm about the future; many fear that the coming years will be plagued by pollution and a crumbling traditional society, overrun by the intrusion of foreign culture.

In the past few years, this unique culture has suffered great losses and the indigenous communities, intentionally or unintentionally, have included themselves in the fold of unchecked globalisation, further damaging their cultural wealth. The damage, however, is not irreversible and the local communities themselves have taken a step forward to restore what has been lost and save what is vulnerable at the moment.

The most crucial role in managing the change to protect the traditional wisdom and environment heritage of Ladakh is presently being played by the alarmed older generation. Young Ladakhis, the elders stoically maintain, are easily influenced by the glamour of the alien culture that overpowers the austerity of their own culture. The elders understand the significance of the cultural as well as the natural heritage and thus make sure that they pass on the wisdom to the young lot.

Initially, they would present and perform folk dances only on some occasions. The startling rise in the number of travellers increased the worries of the Ladakhis, leading to more frequent organising of such cultural gatherings. Along with the traditional forms of songs and dances, they chose theatre as a medium to reflect their issues. This caught the imagination of the young generation. It gave the youngsters a platform not only to understand and appreciate their deep rooted culture but to put forth their own ideas, thus developing a better understanding within the community.

It is really commendable to see how wisely, the culturally aware citizens in the region have found new and interesting ways to create an engaging space where people can share their experiences, keeping culture, tradition and nature as the background. One such trend, seen during the festive seasons, is where people from remote locations come to participate in the ethnic programmes organised in the town and perform diverse rituals. One gets to see an amalgamation of various local cultures of Ladakh which also depicts the unity in diversity. This undoubtedly fascinates as well as helps develop a sense of responsibility among the community members to preserve this diversity.

The enthralled groups visit the Gompas and other heritage sites together and organise discussions later on how to maintain the serenity of these places. "We explore the hidden aspects of our historical places. Walking down the lanes of our ancestral villages along with our grandparents and their friends, helps us understand how things have changed since their youthful days. This, at times, makes us feel ashamed of how we have ignored our heritage, both cultural and natural," says Stanzing Kunzang Angmo, a young Ladakhi studying in Jammu, who took inspiration from the initiatives and is determined to play her role in safeguarding the legacy of her people.

The task of the local communities in conserving their heritage is not limited to imparting knowledge; they have, in fact, designed a sustainable framework wherein they focus on strengthening the leadership quality in select members of the community who have it in them to take on the onerous task of protecting their common wealth.

Sustainable growth demands mutual exchange of ideas and this makes this community effort more influential. The elderly are open to new ideas and ventures. They accept feasible points and try to inculcate them in their traditional ideology, thus maintaining the unusual combination of the old and the new in their ancient heritage.

The tourism industry is crucial for Ladakh as a source of livelihood. At the same time, it is posing a colossal threat to its cultural and environment legacy. One cannot entirely reject the importance of tourism industry in the economic stability of the region, nor can the natural and cultural ethnicity be compromised with. The situation demands a balanced solution. The answer to this lies in the warm hospitality offered by Ladakhis. A balance can be maintained by creating a healthy foundation based on humanity; it is the responsibility of everyone involved with the tourism sector to make tourists aware of how valuable - and special - the local heritage really is. For those who love - and visit - Ladakh for the peace it offers, being sensitive to its importance in the lives of the people is the least they can do in return.

No government or non government organisation can contribute to the conservation of the society without the participation of the local communities. They know their land, its strengths and weaknesses. More than anything else, they know that they owe their lives to this barren land. This alone is reason enough for the community initiatives to be strengthened by locals and visitors alike.

Rajendar Tiku a Contemporary Sculptor

The belief in ‘society’s grasp of its past becomes a source of creativity in the present’, informs the philosophical basis of Rajendar Tiku’s practice as a contemporary sculptor.

The winner of Alit Kala Academy’s National Award and the international Triennial Award, Rajendar Tiku, is one of the eminent artists of the country who ‘perceives images, shapes and symbols that seem to usher, technical, intellectual, aesthetic and philosophical human endeavors into the realm of the universal’.

Born in Wadwan, Kashmir, Rajendar Tiku, since his appointment as faculty member in Institute of Music and Fine Arts in 1979, is living in Jammu. Apart from being a leading contemporary sculptor, he in his role as an artist teacher has also been almost single-handedly responsible for catapulting Jammu as one well known centers of contemporary sculpture in the country.

Rajendar Tiku made his mark on the national art scene in late 1980’s when his sculptures received admiration for the creative integration of different media like terracotta, wood and stone in compositions that in addition also displayed accomplishment in the manipulation of surfaces and textures.

Mainly inspired from the wayside shrines of Duggar, baolies, mohras, and sculptures besmeared with vermilion and black, he created a body of reliefs and three-dimensional works which along with calligraphic and pictographic markings engraved on the surfaces, emerged as syncratic talismans with a distinctive morphology.

One who specializes in monumental and out-door sculptures, it is his endeavor ‘to bring out in a tangible form the seemingly intangible aspects of silent and sacred and shapes ranging from mundane ones located in our immediate surroundings to visual grandeur of monuments located in the trajectory of the timeless’.

He ‘perceives images, shapes and symbols that seem to usher, technical, intellectual, aesthetic and philosophical human endeavors into the realm of the universal’.

For Rajendar Tiku, ‘the phenomenon of the past and the present as a continuum where lines of distinction between historical memories and personal experience blur, if not disappear that we realize an internal source which energizes us to flow on and be a part and parcel of a larger cultural gamut’.

From the small sculptures and reliefs which demand special display spaces to the sphere of open air monumental stone sculptures, Rajendar Tiku’s dexterity in handling material makes him a true inheritor of the great legacy of the art of sculpture; one of the high water marks of our cultural achievements.

His works like the one shown here titled ‘Sanctuary for a Tablet’, is a project ‘that envisages giving an expression to silent and sacred within the format and ambit of contemporary sculpture and try to find and establish its relative dynamics vis-à-vis a particular surrounding, environment and space. In this act he tries to materialize those spatial and plastic relationships, which are fuelled with energy to transport us beyond the particularity of the structure, the physicality of the medium and situational framework into an area where the environment of our aspirations is not only realized but also enhanced. This phenomenon in turn may relieve us of our direct, physical or visual bonding with a work of sculpture ands even while standing within its space allow us to generate our freely expanding aspirational space’.

One who is a regular participants in the sculpture symposia and workshops organized in different parts of the nation and in countries like Switzerland, Israel, Russia, Egypt, Russia and Thailand, just to name a few, Rajendar Tiku, has the advantage of locating his own distinct creative expression within the global scenario of the practice of contemporary sculpture.

One who believes in the potential of sculpture to induce, generate and establish emotive and psychological relationships, Rajendar Tiku as a practicing sculptor considers ‘sculpture as a larger phenomenon, of which a medium, its execution and dimension etc. is only a part. The lot more beyond these attributes is its potential to reveal truth: Its potential to work on us in return and impart meaning to our existence’. 

Mansar and Surinsar Lake

It is high time that this published scientific data be given wide publicity by the concerned quarters such as Departments of Tourism and Information etc. through revised/updated brochures. The abstract version of this data is published in Records Of Geological Survey Of India, Vol.131 Part-8 : Extended Abstracts Of Progress Reports Of Northern Region : Field Season 1996-97, P.16 - 24. Full report on Geoenvironmental Appraisal Of Mansar & Surinsar Lakes, issued in 2001, is also available with Geological Survey Of India.

Historical Myths :

Mansar lake is considered to be abode of a Hindu serpent god, Shesh Nag by the locals and populace of surrounding areas and some religious rites such as mundan ceremonies are performed here for their sons by many families at the Shesh Nag temple. Even to this day, local folk and many others believe that the lake doesn't have any bottom. In other words they mean that the depth of the lake is so great that it cannot be fathomed.

Well, when oceans can be fathomed, why not a small lake? Science has made all that possible.

* Regarding the formation or origin of the lakes also, there are mythological stories such as - the great Arjuna of Mahabharata times shot an arrow to carve out twin lakes of Mansar and Surinsar. But such magical things are very hard to digest by the modern educated generation, especially. These lakes have been formed by a well defined geological process, though a rare one.

* Have you ever noticed that for reaching Mansar lake, you have to climb a hill from southern Samba side? From northern Battal side (on Dhar - Udhampur road) also there is a gentle upward gradient towards the lake. Isn't this peculiar? Normally lakes are found in depressions and you have to go down to access them. Generally, only glacial lakes such as Kaplas Kund also called as Vaskund at 13500 feet height in the Kaplas Range in Bhadarwah area, are formed at great heights due to scooping action of moving ice (glaciers) on the rocks over a long period of times.

* So, Mansar lake is formed on a structural high called as an Anticline in geological parlance. Anticline means an arch of rocks with its high turned upwards. Same is true for its sister lake called as Surinsar, situated at 11.7 Km Northwest(N55W) of Mansar lake. The core of this anticline has a number of fractures or faults, including cross-faults. It is these fractures or faults which have resulted in spring activity in the lake basins (Mansar and Surinsar) yielding perennial source of lake waters. Most of the lake waters are coming from below, welling up as copious springs along the fracture planes, in what is called as artesian conditions.

* Next time you visit Mansar or Surinsar, please note that no stream or nala is feeding the lakes for water source and the catchment area is also very limited, the rainfall being about 1400 mm annually. In other words both the lakes are closed drainage type.

These TDS values are well within permissible limit for A-class potable water which is 500 milligrams per litre as per Indian Standard IS-2296 (1982).

Safeguards :

So we are lucky to have such beauties in the form of two very deep fresh water lakes in Jammu which still enjoy pristine glory of environment. Any future surveys of this nature would reveal the current status of the lakes at that time. This is the first ever baseline data generated which will be useful in the future studies for comparative assessment.

In the year 1977, Surinsar lake was surveyed by Department of Geology & Mining, J&K Government by Plane Table mapping on 1 : 2000 scale. That report was also consulted in the studies by GSI. On comparison of 2 maps on same scale of 1:2000, one prepared by DGM in 1977 and the other by GSI in 1997 , it was found that there is no change in depth or area of Surinsar lake in 20 years time. No early data on accurate surveys existed for Mansar lake.

This, however, doesn't mean that we should not take due care about the ecology and pollution of the lakes. We must preserve them in all purity and beauty. Mansar and Surinsar lakes are amongst the deepest fresh water lakes in India. We have much deeper lakes in Ladakh, but they are not fresh water, they are brackish waters, remnants of great seas of the past with enchanting geological history. Kashmir lakes which also are fresh water lakes are of much lesser depths, Mansbal being the deepest one amongst them at around 10 metres depth. Nainital lake at the noted hill station Nainital is considered to be very deep. It, however, is 18 metres only at its deepest point.

Facts & Figures :

So let us have the facts about the twin lakes, as revealed by authentic ground surveys:

Mansar Lake Surinsar Lake

1 Area 0.522 Sq.Km (52.2 ha) 0.29 Sq.Km.(29 ha)

2. Circumference 3020 metres 2420 m.

3. Catchment area 0.778 Sq.Km 0.46 Sq.Km

(lake areas inclusive)

4. Deepest point 35 metres 23.20 m.

5. Height 666 metres above msl.

6. Long Axis(Max.length) 1038 m (N32W-S32E) 862 m (N33W-S33E)

7. Max.Width 644 m (N62E-S62W) 510 m (N57E-S57W)

8. Lake Island - 1 (NNW-NNE : 90m x 18m)

9. Water Quality…Very High Geochemically for both lakes.

Average Total Dissolved

Solids(TDS) ..151 mg/litre (surface water)

175 mg/litre (sub-surface water).

By J.K.Vaid

Cultural Academy of Jammu Kashmir

Status & Mandate: One of the few constitutional bodies in the State like Universities and Public Service Commission, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was set up by the Government in the year 1958 by proviso to Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir for a specific purpose of to foster and co-ordinate activities in the spheres of letters and languages, visual and plastic arts, music, dance and drama and of culture generally. It was declared as an autonomous corporate body, vide SRO No-340 of 1963.

Having jurisdiction over the entire State, the Academy combines in itself the functions of: a) Sahitya Akademi (Akademi of Letters)b) Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi of Music, Dance & Drama)c) Lalit Kala Akademi (Akademi of Visual and Plastic Arts). Other than its headquarters at Srinagar, which moves to Jammu during winter in camp, it has also set up regional offices at Srinagar and Jammu and sub- offices at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Rajouri. In Jammu the Academy has its office.

Governing Authorities: With the Governor as ex-officio Patron, Chief Minister, as the ex-officio President, the Secretary is the principal executive of the Academy. The supreme authorities that exercise entire administrative and financial control over the Academy are a General Council and Central Committee.

Achievements: The pioneer institution now popularly known as Cultural Academy, having the fortune of flourishing under stewardship of luminaries like Jail Lal Kaul and Mohammad Yusuf Taing and others as Secretaries, has made a seminal contribution in preserving folk arts and promoting developing languages and cultural expressions in all the three regions of the State through a number of novel schemes and initiatives.

Languages & Literature: Various schemes operated by the Academy for the promotion of languages and literature which have yielded fruitful results include publication of ‘Sheeraza’, a literary journal in all languages of the State, annual anthologies, books in regional languages. So far more than 300 books bave been published by Academy in Kashmiri, Urdu, Persian, Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi, Ladakhi, Gojari, Pahari, English and on Fine arts and Music.

Cultural Academy has done a yeoman’s service in Preservation of Folklore and Music by way of collecting and documenting in book form folk songs and folk tales, folk proverbs, in all the major regional languages of the State. Other initiative of the Academy is the on-going projects of publication of Dictionaries and Encyclopedia. So far multi-volume dictionaries in Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri and Urdu- Kashmiri Farhang, have been published while the work on Ladakhi, Pahari & Dogri- Hindi Dictionaries is in progress. Encyclopedia Kashmiriana’s four fully illustrated volumes have been published and cover areas like Kashmir Archaeology & Architecture, coins, handicrafts, language and literature. While the fifth volume on Folklore of Kashmir is in process. Academy has also started the project of Encyclopedia Dogriana.

Other measures to encourage writers in the Sate include, ‘Subsidy to Authors’, ‘Best Book Awards’ holding of Mushairas, Seminars, Literary Conferences, Sham-i-Afsanas, Sham-i- Ghazals and Literary Get-togethers, All State Writers Camps, Play Script Competitions, Meet the Eminent Contemporary programmes. The following Eminent Contemporaries have participated in these programmes till date are Sarva Shri Amin Kamil, Rehman Rahi, Hamidi Kashmiri, Dina Nath Nadim, Ram Nath Shastri, Jagan Nath Azad, B.P. Sharma, Ved Ghai, Padma Sachdeva, Sukhdev Singh Charak, Mohd.Yousuf Taing, Nishat Kishatwari, Madan Mohan Sharma, Dinu Bhai Pant, K.S. Madhukar, Yash Sharma etc.

Performing Arts: With reference to development of Music, Dance and Drama, Academy in its role of Sangeet Natak Akademi, has been working for revival of Bhagat Theatre in Kashmir. Today the dying tradition stands revived and here are more than 32 theatre groups, which are committed to the upliftment and development of this most cherished folk form of Bhand Pather.

Theatre: The vibrant modern theatre movement in the State today that has brought J&K theatre on national scene is due to the policies of the Academy which included sponsoring scholars to National School of Drama, New Delhi for training in dramatics, and holding of ‘Theatre Festivals’.

Music: Academy has been organizing Classical Music and Dance Concerts from time to time. Almost all the top-notch vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers of the day have performed in these concerts.

Academy is regularly organizing Folk Festivals with a view to encourage the folk performers and keep their interest alive in this field. The results have been encouraging as is evident from the revival of ‘Bhand Pather’, ‘Daastan’, ‘Chakkari’ and ‘Dhamali Dance’ forms from Kashmir likewise ‘Haran’, ‘Masadhe’ and ‘Geetru’ etc. from Jammu region.

Academy’s the Inter State Cultural Exchange programmes in form of sponsoring organizing visits of local cultural troupes to various States of the country have contributed in promotion cultural understanding between the State of J&K with rest of the country.

To encourage various age groups from among school and college going children, Academy has been organizing On-the-Spot Children’s Music Competitions, Summer Training Camps are also organized by the Academy to introduce children to the dramatics and dance. 

Academy in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, had sponsored the visits of State Cultural Troupes to Germany, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, France, Malaysia, U.A.E and erstwhile U.S.S.R. etc.

Visual Arts: In the field of visual arts Academy was first in the country to hold All India Artists/ Sculptors Camps from in 1968 in order to introduce local artists to the works of senior artists of the country. At present the Academy collection includes nearly 385 paintings and 118 sculptures. Great Artists of our time like M.F. Hussain, G.R. Santosh, Luxman Pai, N.S. Bendre, J. Swaminathan, B.C. Sanyal, Jatin Dass, Manu Parekh, Sukumar Bhattacharjee, Paritosh Sen, Tyub Mehta, Amba Dass, Robin David, Vidya Rattan Khajuria and a galaxy of other artists’/ sculptors’ works form the Academy’s most valuable collection of modern art.

Holding Annual Art Exhibitions launched in 1960 have since become a yardstick for acknowledging individual excellence in the field. To provide encouragement to the artists, Awards were also instituted. The scheme of giving subsidy to artists has been facilitating in holding of one-man and group shows both within and outside the State. 

Academy also confers Robes of Honour and Fellowships on the towering personalities of the respective fields. The State Academy Award of Rs 1.00 lac for the life, to the outstanding, significant contribution in the field of literature and art was instituted in 1997.

Reference Libraries: The regional libraries in offices at Srinagar, Jammu, Leh and Kargil have collection of rare and reference books, which are made available to scholars for consultation.

To keep the age-old tradition of Urdu Calligraphy alive in the State, Academy is running a calligraphy class. The students are also paid scholarships.

Financial Assistance/Recognition is being given by the Academy to the voluntary organizations engaged in the promotion of languages and literature, performing arts etc. Presently the Academy is providing financial assistance to more than 100 cultural and literary institutions. Academy provides financial assistance at the uniform rate of Rs.300/- per month to the writers and artists who are in indigent circumstances and who leave their families unprovided for. Kitab Ghar: Academy has set up outlets in the cities of Jammu, Srinagar and Leh for the sale of its own publications and audiocassettes besides other books. Books of local authors, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and many other agencies are also being sold through the following Kitab Ghars.

Issue of Autonomy: In the light of fast changing scenario in Jammu and Kashmir where boundaries of politics and culture are getting blurred day-by-day, there is an urgent need to strengthen the functional as well as financial autonomy of the institutions like Cultural Academy.

The delay in appointment of Academy’s permanent Secretary, despite the recommendation of the Selection Committee formed for the purpose, lying in its Chief Minster office since more than three months, has again raised question in the minds of community of littérateurs, regarding the seriousness of the highest political authority towards the affairs of the Academy.

Make the General Council functional:

In a blatant violation Academy’s Constitution, there has been no meeting of the General Council, the so-called supreme authority of Academy, since 1989. Despite the fact that after every five years, the official term of one General Council, the process of the nomination of the members has regularly been taking place. But term of each of such Council was allowed to lapse without holding any single meeting.

This much-needed step to correct blatant violation of Academy’s Constitution will not only restore the democratic functioning of the Academy but also address one of the major grievances of intellectual community.

Trifurcation of the Academy: In the light new forms and products that are redefining present day practices of arts, it is time to consider the reorganization of the Cultural Academy into three separate academies on the national pattern that is also being followed in many other states of the country. That is the Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy and the Lalit Kala Academy. This demand of trifurcation of the Academy which is being raised by J&K writers and artists since last few decades, needs to be taken up seriously so as to provide equitable opportunities for promotion and development Arts of Letters, Performing and Visual Arts in the State.

In the light of the above it is also felt by writers and artists that instead of more infrastructure like the proposed plan to open sub-offices at Kishtwar, Bhadarwah, Kathua, Udhampur, Pulwama, Kupwara, Shopian, Baramulla and Budgam districts of the State, it is important to update and modernize existing schemes, facilities and infrastructure like the proper cataloguing and conservation of art collection and books, digitization of libraries, display and presentation at Kitab Garhs etc.

Jammu stuck in traffic snarls

The traffic situation in the City of Temples continues to worsen day by day. Despite every effort by the Traffic Department to stremline it, there seems no respite from frequent traffic snarls, road skirmishes to the Jammuites.With the High Court tightening its noose over the local authorities for regulation and control of traffic in the wake of irksome traffic jams and increasing rate of road accidents the local administration is all geared up to take corrective measures. 

The Supreme Court has clearly stated that proper management and control of traffic is a matter of public safety and is a fundamental right for the purpose of Article 21 of the Constitution. The state High Court had issued directives to the State Government and local authorities earlier in 2006 for traffic management and pollution control in Jammu city.So many interwoven factors have contributed to the increasing chaos over the years.

Governments pursued neo-liberal reforms that not only increased the buying capacity of the middle class but also expended the markets to splurge. Automobiles being the most desirable commodity and a sign of prosperity among the middle class have seen a constant surge.

Jammu adds more than 20,000 new vehicle on its roads every year. The demand is even more and varied. Easy loans, cheaper models, dirty money have made it easier without giving a second thought."Dil Mangey More, This is my life" are the imbedded slogans of modern life.

Jammu city is a curious mix of old, new and the not so new. The old is thickly populated and alleys are narrow. Encroachment of public places, roads, side walks is very common. Inadequate parking adds to the chaos. Urban development has not kept pace with the surging automobiles.

Legal hassles like land acquisition have stalled the proposed construction of new flyovers, over bridges, links, parkings.Town planning and infrastructure for present and the future would be a key challenge for the governments keeping economic realities in mind. General public holds mini buses responsible for frequent jams and commuters are irritated with the drivers. "There are no fixed stops so our drivers have to board and alight passengers wherever they are asked to," says Jatinder Khajuria Provincial General Secretary, Minibus Worker Union. What used to be our stops are now a free parking, he adds. . Corruption in the motor vehicle department and the traffic police is an open secret. A mini bus owner pays Rs.100 a month as entry on every traffic point depending upon their number on a given route. "If we all pay collectively on a route, we also get a rebate from them. Two or three of us can ply for free in rotation, says Roshan Singh a minibus driver. . It relaxes them to play audio, overload passengers and other things like fitness of the vehicle. Danesh Rana, the D.I.G of police (Traffic), however, said corruption of this kind is collusive and both sides are equally culpable for this fix. "We have taken the most stringent action possible against the corrupt cops recently and won't spare any if such incident is brought to over notice by anybody. Keep your documents fit, obey rules and report us if anybody demands a bribe," he asserted.

Traffic police lacks modernization when it comes to checking violations. Alcosensors (Breath Analyzers), speed radars, lux meters digital still cameras, basic software for identifying habitual offenders are still nowhere in the proposed improvement. Traffic records have been computerized recently yet. Rate of issuing challans is very low as compared to wholesale violations. Intercepting eluding offenders is risky for both. Its like playing "Cops and robbers" in the absence of technology. A constable in the traffic police works for upto 14 hours on most days without an overtime for addition hours. The condition of traffic booths is pathetic.

"It's not possible to catch and punish every violator mostly who are young in the absence of stringent motor vehicle laws. They need to be amended so that the quantum of fines has a deterring effect," explained Rana. He assured that the police are going to install a GPS device in every registered motor vehicle to track its position with the help of satellite. Installation of traffic signals and signs has been entrusted to the JMC and hopefully it would be complete by the end of March, he added. "The Motor Vehicle Department has blocked the issuance of new permits to avoid congestion. Permits are issued only to favoured persons and there is a wide discrepancy between the fares and the increased cost of living" says a source in the Motor Vehicle Department Given the number of increasing automobiles the Motor Vehicle Department of the state works with less than 200 employees (Officers included) and generates a revenue of approximately 70 Crores a year. Ironically it has to live on the modernization doles from the Centre for basics like computerization.

Lack of administrative reforms and Transfer Raj is a serious impediment in the smooth functioning of authorities. Officers in the traffic police and the RTO admit the serious lack of coordination. Section 213 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 gives ample power to Motor Vehicle officers to carry out functions of the traffic police and are therefore answerable to a single head. Earlier in most of the states there was a fundamental budgetary bias: transport was treated as a non-planned expenditure head or implicitly an expenditure that did not result in any tangible benefits for the state.

It becomes imperative for State Governments to formulate an effective transport policy keeping in mind the realities of the last few decades. Cosmetics do not work long. A perfect hormonal balance is must to look graceful, and of course to stay young.

Dharpur in Sunderbani

The Village is situated at a hill top of Barnara, 15 kms away from Tehsil headquarter Sunderbani. The village is covered with dense forest and wild animals like leopard, apes, peacocks, ostriches, snakes etc. The village has historical and social importance as it was a place visited by deities (Devi and Devatas) of Chelda Bradri. After every six months, a Mela congregation is organized in the village and about 15000-20000 people participate in it.

A beautiful temple of Bua Datti known for its faith & rituals is also located in the area which gives the pleasant view of low lying areas abounding with natural waterfalls.

The village is on the hilltop and many low lying areas and villages like Bahmbla, Nahoti, etc are visible from here. It has a natural catchment and feasibility for Tourism. Having serene surroundings, huts can be constructed on hill to add to the beauty of village.

Reach: The place is merely 10-12 kms away from Tehsil. Sunderbani. The main drawback of the non-development of such hilly places is that Government only approves schemes/ projects in such areas but the corrupt employees and contractors befool the people and make its limitation only in papers. 

Habitation: There are a total numbers of 13 families in the village. There are no basic facilities of education, health, water sanitation and road connectivity to this village. The children also face problems to reach their schools. Also, a dozen of the families belonging to nomadic tribes have been totally deprived of their basic privileges for their survival.

School: There is only one school located at a distance of 3½ kilometers from the hilltop to the downwards in Barnara. The students have to descend this hilly and tough terrain to reach the school. 

Atta Chakki: There is no Atta Chakki in the village. The habitants have to get grinded the maize/wheat grains and have to walk a distance of 3½ kms downwards in this hilly area. The pathway is such a slant and kachha that nobody can go ahead a single step even empty handed. They face trouble to fulfill their day to day needs. 

Water :Presently village is having a few natural resources of water and the same is being supplied to Langar, Nohti, Baranara areas. The water tank constructed by P.H.E. Department in the last decade is in wretched condition and still not functional. Also there is no maintenance of the natural resources. These natural springs are on verge of dryness. In summer, the habitants are fully dependent on these natural resources but due to lack of regular maintenance of these resources crisis can be foreseen in the area. Proper maintenance of these resources is urgently needed lest the habitants of the village face water scarcity problem.

Electricity: The village is having electricity facility but there is no regular maintenance of its utility. In case of sudden curtailment or any fault no employee bothers to visit the area to redress the grievances of people and restore the same well in time.

Road Connectivity: The village is located about 1.5 kilometers away from link road (Bambla-Nahoti) and people have to cover this distance on foot through dense forest. Although a project is already under process by P.W.D. for construction of the road but no action has been initiated so far. As the roads are being considered most urgent part of development of any area, the people living here are facing problems due to the non availability of the road and deprivation of their mobility and basic amenities.

Health Centre: The village is having no medical centre. The nearest health centre is about 5 kms from the village. For vaccination of children, the women have to cover this distance on foot. No vaccination camp has ever been organized by Health department in the locality. 

Aaganwari Centre: There are kids in the village and it is difficult for parents to send them through the dense forest for schooling. In this case there becomes a feasibility of Aganwari Centre in the village. The availability of Centre will help these kids for getting the nutrition and education in the school. 

Agriculture: There is a stretch of approx 400 kanals of agricultural land in the village but due to non-availability of road connectivity just 25% to 30% area is cultivated and low yield of food grains is obtained which is not sufficient to meet the daily requirements of area. Out of this land 35% is fertile land to be used for agricultural purpose. The major crops cultivated are maize, wheat, mustard, pulses etc. The people use to plough in the fields using bulls as there is no road and thus having no facility of tractors. 

Horticulture: The climatic condition of the area is favourable for growing fruit trees like mango, Apricot, lemon, apple, Guava, Orange etc. This will increase the income sources of the people but this section is totally neglected. If the area is extended with the facility through Horticulture department and come up with some new schemes it is sure that there would be upliftment in living standard and boosting in economical conditions. 

Medicinal Plants: The Place is full of Medicinal plants like Amla, Harida, Khar, Aloe Vera etc.

In present era, everything is possible but there is only lack of initiative, priorities and a strong will to proceed with multi projects which are an essential ingredient to boost the development process and benefits of the schemes to the common rural folk without any discrimination and deprivation of their basic and fundamental rights. India in real sense can feel pride when the development reaches to a poor man living in the remote corners of the country. I am sure, with zeal and zest, everything is possible for the development of rural areas of country.

But it is unfortunate that the people of this village are living a life which deprives them of the basic facilities like water, electricity, health care facilities, education, road connectivity and other utility etc. 

In the era of 21st century when Man is going to construct structures on Moon and everything has become possible due to advent of computers, the habitants of this village are not having a school, a healthcare centre or any other government facility.

Despite having these problems, people have not been included under SRO 294 and are being considered as "forward". Thus they are denied their basic rights of reservation for backward classes under this SRO which could have been easily extended to the natives of this small village.