Paddar is a land of myriad festivals. All the festivals that are celebrated in Paddar are in some way or the other connected to the seasons of the year. There are scores of deities in Paddar which are invoked during the celebration of these festivals. Staunch devotees of all the deities dance these days and perform rituals which might look bizarre and unusual to outsiders. Chazag is one such festival celebrated in Paddar. This festival is usually celebrated on the Paush Purnima (Lunar calender) every year. Moreover, this festival is an analogous to the Lohri festival which is popular in the northern India.
Excerpts from the Jammu based hindi magazine on Paddar festivals .
Doors of the temples of all the deities in Paddar remain closed in winters except the doors of the temples of Maa Kali. Chazag festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour in the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Kali. In fact, it begins from the Maa Kali temple. All the villagers excluding members of those families which are mourning the deaths of their relatives that have happened in the past year come outside their homes and celebrate this festival.
This festival usually comes in the month of January every year. It marks the sun’s transit into the Capricorn Zodiac (Makara Rashi). This festival is known by different names in different regions. In Lahul (HP) a festival of this kind is called Halda and in Chamba this festival is known by the name Khoul. On the eve of this festival people gather at a courtyard of temple with dhlyungs (flexible wooden sticks usually made of a plant, locally called Killar). These dhlyungs are sticks with a knot on the top in which kindlings of dry inflammable deodar tree are stashed.
One prime devotee comes up with a huge bundle of deodar tree sticks which is called Diurakh in Paddri dialect. He lights up that bundle of sticks with a holy fire in the courtyard of a temple. All the people who come up with the motive of celebrating this festival light up their respective dhliyungs in the bonfire created out of diurakh. Then with the loud chants of Jai Maa Kali/Jai Maa Bhawani and reverberating beats of traditional dhol dhouns they move toward a specified place in order to dance with the lit up dhlyung.
Watch the video of this festival here.
After this magical dance they throw their dhlyungs towards a safer place already selected. There are many legends associated with the throwing up of dhlyungs. It is believed that a person who throws it at a maximum distance gets some kind of favour from the gods. After this all the participants are given prasada (mixture of soaked rice and jaggery pieces) who take it to their homes for the family members.
Lohri has a lot of things in common with this festival but it is not celebrated with traditional rituals. Chazag is a part of our local culture. Moreover this festival has different stories attached to it at different places. It is also said that Chazag is comprised of two words Chaz + aag which means a festival of fire with logical rituals. It is likely that the rituals which seems bizaare today were of some significance in the past. This generation has lost touch with the typical local culture and with this a lot of lessons which these festivals are showering upon us with these rituals are invisible to us and which are not murky seems unimportant and eccentric to us.
I hope one day we all shall pay our attention to our unique culture and understand its relevance in the modern times. Thank you!
Education is widely acknowledged as an important public treasure and a social responsibility. The benefits it produces to the society are diverse and widespread over various spheres of development and flow for a long period including generations after generations.
“The main hope of a Nation lies in the proper education of its youth” said Erasmus.
The above quote illustrates the importance of education. It is the duty and responsibility of society as a whole to create a conducive environment, where every child can achieve perfection in every field of modern education.
In Paddar subdivision, since the time of independence we are struggling hard to get education. Educational graph of Paddar Pargana since Independence is not good and undulating. For years Paddar was isolated and remains cutoff from the rest of the world because of its typically tough topography. In 1990, Paddar was connected with motor able road, thanks to the Beacon (GREF).
Major investment in the education sector will be necessary to exploit demographic dividends. Tomorrow’s workers are today’s child. Tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, engineers and leaders are today’s children. Our future is our present.
Watch documentary on Paddar by Ashish Chouhan:-
There was oral tradition of imparting education to the masses in the past when there was no pen and paper. Although they knew nothing about literature or letters, but they were uniquely skilled in their traditional knowledge of handicraft, tools and usage other natural resources that were essential for very survival and resurrection. They were far more advanced than now; they not only kept the traditional knowhow of very area but also transmitted it orally to next generation. They knew nothing about science and scientific inventions but their traditional knowledge of medicinal herbs, agricultural practices were of par excellence. Every household essential was locally produced and used. Also, we have heard in our scriptures about educating the masses under tree shades and writing on birch paper (Bhojpatre) is the height of learning how they are anxious to get education.
Today we are living in a welfare state and all the educational expenditure is borne by the government. In 1975, education was put in the concurrent list which paved the way for various government plans and policies to bring much needed changes in our education system.
There is no dearth of funds and every year the Government through its various agencies is increasing funding for educational purposes. Governments and its various agencies are doing their best to achieve 100% literacy rate and universal elementary education. Apart from the benefits of Right to Education (RTE) act, Govt. is pushing hard in its sincere bid to provide each and every school sufficient affirmative supports. Every rural Govt. Primary and Upper Primary schools are entitled to these school level SSA grants every year.
Source: ASER 2015.
Besides these funds for the development of school infrastructure, basic needs of the students are also being provided which include 2 sets of uniform, free text books, MDM (Mid-Day Meal), scholarships up to class 8th standard etc.
Educational Scenario of Subdivision Paddar :- Paddar, known for its distinct culture, lies in some 60 kms extreme east of Kishtwar. This region is one of the socially and educationally backward area is limping hard to achieve the educational goals of 21st century.
There is a 10.1 percentage point increase in literacy rate from 2001 to 2011. The gap between male and female literacy rate is much bigger and need to be addressed. In our society, least priority is given to female education. The female education is must for the overall development of the family. In the words of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a whole family.” This statement has a deep rooted meaning in it. Literate mothers have unique power to steer the family and foster the siblings. An educated mother can create a civilized aura in the family and even protect her children from ills of health and society. A comparative table is given below :
This census figure also indicate that we are far behind in female literacy rate than that of district and state as a whole. This table also shows that 69.20% male of Paddar are literate as against 71.75% for the whole district. Also, the %age of female is 41.08% for Paddar as against 44.13% for the district Kishtwar and 58.01% for the state.
Long term initiatives boosted by SSA, RMSA, MDM in subdivision Paddar resulted in unprecedented improvement in the educational attainments at the elementary level. Universalization of elementary education and gradual increase in the enrolment of students at elementary levels of education (especially girl child) is perhaps the biggest achievement. The coverage area, number of schools, other educational institutions imparting elementary education has increased many folds. There were 2 learning centers in Paddar before Independence. After Independence this number went up to 47 up till 2000AD. Further boosted by SSA, 32 new schools have been opened in a short span of 10 years (2001- 2010), which includes one KGBV.
Class wise enrollment of zone Paddar as on May 2018
The total enrolment in Paddar subdivision as on May 2018 is 4597 in which 2472 are boys and 2125 are girls. The category wise enrolment of students is given in the below table.
In Paddar subdivision alone we have 46 Primary schools, 21 Middle schools, 7 High schools and one Higher Secondary School. Apart from this we have 6 private schools and one KGBV. BVM Affani was the first private school opened in 1989. There are total of 4597 school going students in Paddar out of which 3349 students are studying in Govt. schools and 1248 in private schools. About 72.80 % students are getting their education in govt. schools.
It also shows that a big chunk of students are preferably studying in govt. schools. So the future of Paddar mostly relies on the performance of Govt. schools.
Basic Education: – Challenges and chances
There are various challenges before us, in imparting the basic education. Various socio-economic factors such as poverty, parental education levels, social background of school going children and other difficult circumstances that are prevailing in our social setup, understaff schools etc. must be identified and addressed positively. Area specific or village specific actions should be taken by the government in collaboration with parents and teachers to bring substantial changes in our education system.
Also we have to mobilize the available resources with us. We have a good man and mental powers if utilized properly can bring desirable changes in our education system. We have a good number of Aanganwari centres and Aanganwari workers. Every village, every hamlet of Paddar has an Aanganwari centre. Apart from nutrition, the role of these centers is crucial for the achievement of educational goals . Pre-school education is compulsory as it facilitates the process of socialization of the child, necessary to make most of the classroom learning.
Human beings are not born with pre-determined instinctive traits like other animals are. A child is not intelligent or duffer by birth. But our socialization makes it so. The socio cultural environment of a child matters more in the overall growth of a child. The socialization process of human child and its personality occurs through the internalization of values and ways of social behaviors that our social system approves. In addition , human beings not only learn from culture and society but also imitates the prevailing values in the system. So, we must be aware as a parent/teachers to provide conducive environment for the overall growth of a child.
Role of Parents:
Parents are the first teacher of their children. Schools and books cannot accomplish what the parents can in the education of their children. It is an admitted fact that parents are the best teachers of their children. So, the parents must take sincere steps to foster their children right from the early years. To cut the evil at its buds is a well-known proverb. Hence in this digitally connected world, a sharp and sensed caring of students is needed. Otherwise, all the educational feeds would spoil the very career of the students. In the whole system of education, parents play a vital role in shaping the future of their wards/children.
Parents support and involvement in the education of child is crucial and critical. Parents must take their responsibility in teaching and guiding their wards. Parents especially mother plays an important role in shaping the future of the students. According to National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017, parents’ support and involvement in school activities is disconcerting. Teacher do not get enough support from the parents in the villages on the part of school curriculum. The report reads as:
Source: NAS 2017.
Dedicated and devoted efforts of parents are essential to raise the graph of education in Paddar. Some special and sensitized sessions should be conducted for the parent to make them realize the significance of education of their children.
Role of Teachers:-
Teachers play a pivotal role in the development of any society. In this digital world, the teacher must equip himself with modern techniques of teaching. Today we talk about digital boards, smart classrooms etc. But are our teachers prepared for the same? So, more focused approach should be laid on teachers training to equip them with modern teaching aids and learning environment. Teaching is a noble profession. A teacher must feel proud in teaching the downtrodden in remote villages and lift the lot of the poor.
Once Abraham Lincoln wrote a letter to the teacher of his son, I want to quote “My son will have to learn, I know that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also, that for every scoundrel, there is a hero. That for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend. It will take time I know but teach him if you can, that a dollar earned is far more value than five pounds. Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy. Teach him if you can the wonder of books- but also give him the quiet time to ponder over the internal mystery of birds in sky, bees in buds. In school teach him, it is more honorable to fall than to beat. Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough. Teach him if you can how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness. Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Treat him gently but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire make fine steel. Let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind… ”
A child pleads for our help, he wants us to be with him/her like the charioteer “Krishna”. We as a teacher/ parent must answer all the queries a child ask. Children are born to stumble and we to help and heal them. We teacher/parents, as educators have to just ignite the curiosity, confidence and sense of learning in them.
Let education accept the challenges to assist in creating the environment for the individualized action plan that aims to transform every person into personality. To sustain and make it better for generations ahead, we all must realize the value of sharing and caring that emerges instinctively from the internal beauty of human beings.
The development of any region caste, culture depends fully on the education of its people. Therefore to spread awareness among the rural masses about the need and significance of education, more efforts have to be taken by the Govt. agencies, educated youths, teachers and parents. Before closing my thoughts I want to quote few lines of a great English poet Robert Frost.
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep And I have miles to go before I sleep And I have miles to go before I sleep”
(The author is a teacher in the Education Department, J&K Govt.)
Educational institutions in India are currently based on traditional methods of learning (face to face lectures in a classroom). Although many academic units have also started blended learning i.e. use of many audio-visual aids in learning, still a lot of them are stuck with bold procedures. The sudden outbreak of a deadly disease called COVID19 caused by a Corona Virus shook the entire world and the WHO (World Health Organization) has declared it as a pandemic. This situation challenged the education systems to across the world and forced all educators and educational systems to shift to an online mode of teaching overnight to find solutions to the problems caused by lockdown over millions of students all over the world. Many academic institutions, educators and teaching community that were earlier reluctant to change their traditional approach had no option but to shift entirely to online modes of learning. The deadly infectious disease known as COVID19 has deeply affected the global economy. The COVID19 outbreak forced many schools and colleges to remain closed for the last two years and it is uncertain to get back to normal teaching anytime soon. As social distancing is very important at this stage, this will have negative effects on learning opportunities. These circumstances make us realize that scenario planning is an urgent need of the hour for academic institutions. This is a situation that demands humanity and unity. There is an urgent need to protect and save our students, faculty, academic staff, communities, societies and the nation as a whole.
The term “ONLINE EDUCATION”, is one of the most widely used terms after the COVID19 Pandemic. It is that type of education that take place over the internet in virtual mode using various online learning tools. The COVID19 pandemic has triggered new ways of teaching-learning because it has disturbed the traditional mode of learning. All around the world, educational institutions are looking towards online learning platforms to continue with the process of educating students. Online learning is now applicable not just to learn academics but it extends to learning extracurricular activities for students as well. During the years of 2020 and 2021, the demand for online education has risen significantly due to the situations created by COVID19 pandemic and it will continue doing so in near future also.
Despite of its importance in imparting education to our students during COVID19 pandemic, online Teaching also has its own set of positives and negatives. Understanding and decoding these positives and negatives will help all institutions in creating strategies for more efficiently delivering the lessons and ensuring an uninterrupted learning for students during this lockdown and also in future.
Various advantages and disadvantages of online education which have been emerged in the recent years are discussed one by one as follows:
ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE EDUCATION:
Despite having various disadvantages (negatives), online education has numerous advantages also which are explained below:
AFFORDABILITY: Online education if persued on regular basis and all over the country both in rural and urban areas will reduce financial costs as online education is far more affordable as compared to physical and traditional classroom learning. Thus is because online learning eliminates the cost point of students’ transportation and meals and most importantly saves times of travelling to distant places during their studies. Another importance of online education is that all the courses and study materials are available online, thus creating a paperless learning environment which is more affordable and also more beneficial for the environment.
For example the Bengaluru based Indian Multinational Educational Technology Company, BYJU’S is offering online education to student community worldwide from India’s best Teachers on affordable and reasonable rates and provides all the learning materials free of cost which allows students all over the world to access the learning materials at a time of their own comfort. Thus online education offers students the accessibility of time and place in education as it allows students to attend classes from any other locations of their own choice. It also allows schools to reach out to a more extensive network of students, instead of being restricted by geographical boundaries. Additionally, online lectures can be recorded, archived and shared for future references. This allows students to access the video lectures and study materials at a time of their comfort.
EFFICIENCY: Online learning offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to their students. Using various learning tools such as interactive videos, PDFs, podcasts, a teacher can prepare and plan a lesson for students more effectively and efficiently beyond traditional textbooks. Using online teaching tools teachers are able to become more efficient educators. Online learning will equip our students with ability to use modern learning techniques such as joining online classes virtually, taking part in various online examinations and quiz competitions.
But all these facilities are still a distant dream in the eyes of innocent and poor students of rural India where lakhs of students in rural areas have been destroying their future since 2020 without any such kind of modern technological learning facilities.
IMPROVED STUDENT ATTENDANCE: Online education has gained popularity in cities and areas where internet facility is available and students are getting benefits of these facilities very easily from the comforts of their homes and due to which improvement in student attendance is seen in internet connected areas as online classes can be taken from any place of their choice and there are fewer or no chance of students missing out their lessons. Moreover, it is seen that students are taking more interest in online classes than in traditional classes. So, the increase in attendance is more likely to happen.
SUITS A VARIETY OF LEARNING STYLES: Every student has a different learning style and a different learning journey. Some students are visual learners while some students prefer to learn through audios. Similarly some students are active in classrooms and other students are solo learners. They get distracted and disturbed in classrooms due to large groups of students and noise created in classrooms. Some students are shy in nature and they prefer to read and learn in solitude. For such students, online education proved to be more effective than other learning platforms. Online learning systems with its range of options and resources can be personalized in many ways. It is the best way to create a perfect learning environment suited to the needs of each and every student.
IT COSTS LESS: It is not secret that online classes cost less as compared to real in person classes. Believe it or not schools and colleges cost a lot of money. In schools and colleges, we have to pay a lot for classes, practical, dorm rooms, cafeteria meals, activity fee etc. Due to all these, the education becomes more expensive for which students and their parents have to take out loans. It is seen that many students are compelled to leave the school and colleges without completing their education.
IMPROVE SELF-DISCIPLINE: Succeeding in online classes requires self-discipline. We do not have a teacher to guide ourselves while doing an assignment. We actually have to login and participate in the discussions to get participation credit. Being lazy or undisciplined will cause us to quickly fall behind. By taking online classes, we develop stronger self-discipline, which often translates to other areas of our life such as fitness, work ethic and even relationships.
LOCATION: If a student wants to study in a reputed institution in other foreign country, his study can be really challenging for the student. But with online education, location does not matter. If one lives in India and want to take class in America, he can! All one need is a laptop or a computer or a tablet or simply an android mobile phone and an internet connection. This location independence is a massive often underrated benefit of online education.
COMFORT OF HOME: There is absolutely no dress code with online classes. If one wants to do his/her work in night suit or track suit or any other dress of his/her choices, he/she can. If one wants to lie on his/her bed while watching a lecture, he/she can. If one wants to listen classical music while chatting with his/her class mates on the forum, he/she can do that too.
Some other advantages of online classes are: online classes are easily transferable in case of credits, in online education there is a huge variety of options and it is always easier to focus in classes while attending an online class.
In online education, one can keep his/her job while persuing education. Through online education, one can improve his/her technical skills. A recent survey found that most important skills that employees are lacking are computer and technical skills due to which teachers in remote areas are still unable to operate even a simple computer. If online education is the urgent need/demand of the current scenario, then first step should be taken to make all the teachers in government schools particularly in rural areas technologically literate. Due to lack in computer and other allied skills in rural school teachers, online education is still a distant dream in the eyes of poor rural students whose careers are still in grave danger for the past two years due to COVID19 pandemic and lockdown.
DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE EDUCATION:
Various disadvantages of online education are discussed below:
TEACHER TRAINING: Most of the teachers in rural areas and villages are technologically not sound in delivering and using digital teaching aids for online classes. Online learning requires teachers’ training to have basic understanding of using digital forms of learning. And due to lack of proper training the teachers in rural areas are unable and hesitate to deliver lessons online. Another problem of online class is that teachers in rural areas do not even have necessary resources and tools to conduct online classes. In most of the villages internet facility, telecommunication and electricity supply which are the basic needs of online classes are still not available.
To combat these challenges, it is important for government and school education department to invest in training teacher with latest technological updates and other necessary requirements so that they can conduct their online classes seamlessly for the benefit of student community.
SENSE OF ISOLATION: Students can learn a lot from being in the company of their peers. However, in an online class, there are minimal physical interactions between students and their teachers. This often results in a sense of isolation for the students. In this situation, it is imperative that the school should allow for other forms of communication among the students, peers, and teachers. This can include online message,, emails and video conferencing that will allow for the face to face interaction and reduce the sense of isolation.
TECHNOLOGY ISSUES: Another key challenge of online education is internet connectivity. While internet penetration has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. In small cities and most villages, inconsistent and indecent internet connection with slow speed is a time consuming which creates big problem while studying. Without a consistent internet connection, there can be a lack of continuity in learning for the students which results in dull and boring teaching -learning process. This is detrimental to the education process.
INABILITY TO FOCUS ON SCREEN: For many students, one of the biggest challenges of online learning is the struggle with focusing on the screen for long periods of time. With online learning there is a greater chance for students to be easily distracted by social media or other sites. Therefore, it is imperative for the teachers to keep their online classes crisp, engaging and interactive to help students stay focused on the lesson.
MANAGE SCREEN TIME: Many parents are concerned about the health hazards of having their children spend so many hours staring at the screen. This increase in screen time is one of the biggest concerns and disadvantages of online learning. Due to increase in screen time, students develop bad postures and many other physical problems arise due to staying hunched in front of a screen. Due to this increase in screen time students can develop digital eye strain and many other common signs of eye strain like headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pains. All these strains are due to the blue light emitted by mobile phones and many other digital devices. These days, students and teachers are taking more time on mobile and computer screens which may cause dry eye and irritation, painful throbbing headaches and pain around eye region.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: With an increase need of online classes during recent COVID19 pandemic situation, students are forced to learn online using computers, laptops, tablets or mobiles which in turn bring attention of the parents towards the use of these expensive electronic gadgets for learning purposes. Students are demanding mobile phones and other expensive devices from their parents for the purpose of online learning which results in the financial constraints of poor parents. They have to manage all these at any cost for their wards. Many students across India continue to remain cut off from online classes due to financial crisis faced by their parents during COVID19 pandemic. Students are forced to leave their schools and colleges to take up temporary jobs at various places to support their parents. Several students have to depend on their parents to get a smart phone to access the classes and assignment given by their teachers over videoconferencing and other online platforms. The increasing hours of live classes on daily basis have increased the expenses for recharging internet packs which is another worry for the students and their parents.
If this pandemic situation continues, our government should, Education department and school management should focus on providing financial resources to poor students so that they could get access of online education. Government and school authorities should launch a digital initiative to help economically backward communities and needy students in providing mobile phones and other learning equipments including financial assistance for internet recharge.
Although technology has been proved to be an effective teaching-learning aid as it has facilitated teaching across borders but it cannot replace a real teacher. There are many reports that discuss the constraints of only using online classes due to which students are more busy on mobiles and other modern electronic gadgets and are distracted due to social media, as a result the use of online classes has been advocated. The COVID19, however, has forced teachers to rely solely on online classes due to which teachers especially in rural areas are facing many problems in delivering online lectures due to weak network and internet connectivity and lack of knowledge in handling digital teaching aids.
So, the advantages of online learning are numerous however, a quick look around the real world clearly demonstrates that most of the parents and students are still choosing traditional face to face classes rather than online classes because of multiple drawbacks of online classes in comparison to traditional classrooms education such as lack of accreditation and low quality of online courses, little or no face to face interaction between teacher and students, more work in online education with intense requirement of self direction and self discipline.
Despite of potential pitfalls, the vast majority of people mostly in cities are satisfied with their online education. They are happy with the online system of education which their wards are taking from the comforts of their homes during this pandemic situation. They are also satisfied with the quality of online education and other contents provided there on online platforms but he question here is how this can be achieved in rural areas as majority of students in rural areas are still dreaming for telecommunication and internet facilities. Citing the example of Govt. High School Sohal Padder and other adjoining schools where hundreds of students are deprived of online classes for the last two years. Here online class is still a big challenge for all the staff members and school administration. In these areas, students and teachers have to travel five to ten kilometers on foot to access the facility of internet. To participate in various online examinations and quiz competitions, students have to travel to network zones by themselves. Another problem students are facing in these areas is non availability of android mobile phones. Teachers have to manage and arrange mobiles for taking part in online educational competitions. Major challenge in rural areas is how to make all the students and their parents aware about the importance of online classes and other modern educational technologies as most of the parents are complaining about the harmful effects of online education. They are making complaints that due to the advent of online system of education, their wards are becoming more addicted to video games, they are becoming the victims of cyber bullying and their ways of talking and discipline have totally changed. They are waking in the nights and sleeping during the days. Their daily routines have completely changed. They are keeping themselves in complete isolation and not taking part in physical works. They are completely remaining in fantasy world of their own.
This advent of new era due to advancement in technologies and closure of educational institutions due to COVID19 pandemic, students are totally cut off from their teachers and schools. They are totally free from busy schedules of school curricula. They are not receiving any moral lessons from their teachers. Their daily routines have completely changed. Examinations and other tests are being conducted online and students are getting more marks as compared to real examinations. As a result, students are no more in need of their teachers. They are receiving their lessons from Youtube and other learning platforms like VEDANTU and BYJU’S . The grave concern which is creeping in our societies is that teachers are not being respected in schools and societies. Their importance is no more felt as education is being received in virtual modes due to which the most sacred relation between a teacher and student is in grave danger. We all should take serious note so that the real value of education and teachers could be felt at an earliest and saved in near future.
By TENZEN SAMBEL,
A School Teacher
Presently posted at Govt. High School Sohal Paddar.
Paddar, which today is popularly known by the name “The land of Sapphire”, is a tiny subdivision of Kishtwar District of the newly created UT, J&K. Nestled in the lap of lesser Himalayas and surrounded by the tall snow-capped mountains from all sides this region of the planet which remained unknown to the rest of the world for many centuries was brought to glory in the 1880s and 1980s by the discovery of world famous Sapphire Mines and with the commencement of famous Machail Yatra respectively. This region which remained isolated for centuries has its own unique culture and history.
Stone Pillar in Paddar, Ungaie
Though no concrete data is available about the early history of Paddar, but there are some records, forlorn stone fountains and early sculptures which suggest that this land was traversed if not inhabited by the people many centuries ago.
Geologically it can be speculated that this tract of land especially area in the vicinity of the today’s financial Capital of Paddar, Gulabgarh, was part of a lake thousands of years ago formed by the confluence of mighty river Chenab and its tributary Bhotnallah which originates in Paddar. With the time this land of sand to a depth of about 10-12 feet would have been formed. For years this region remained untouched from the human activity. Situated in the lap of Himalayas this region is rich in flora and fauna.
Map of District Kishtwar, Paddar.
Meadows in Paddar are widely known to this date for its rich juicy grass. These meadows would have certainly allured cattle grazers from the surrounding areas to this land and which would have finally paved way for the inhabitation of the area in the later years. Pointing exact dates of such dwellings are unfeasible but it can be said that this all would have happened between 6 th and 8 th centuries CE.
To the west there lies Nagseni, an area about 30 km away from Paddar, history of which dates back to around 200-300 BC. One of the Great Buddhist Monks Nagsen who wrote book Milindapanho was born there. Carving roads through the Himalayan Mountains especially Paddar would have been truly a daunting task but should it not be questioned that how an area which was only at a 30 km distance from an inhabited place remained uninhabited for years on end.
Naurn
Legends tell that stone fountains, popularly known as naurn in Paddar were built by Pandavas. Same structures can be found scattered in many areas neighbouring Paddar viz. Pangi, Bhaderwah and Nagseni. It is true that these structures are centuries old and are a matter of research but calling these to the time of Mahabharata would not be sound as we have no data to justify this claim.
हर साल 26 जुलाई का दिन कारगिल विजय दिवस के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इसी दिन भारतीय सेना ने पाकिस्तान के सैनिकों को खदेड़कर कारगिल की चोटियों पर फिर से कब्जा कर लिया था। पाकिस्तान की सेना ने दोनों देशों के बीच हुए समझौते को तोड़ते हुए भारतीय सीमा में घुसपैठ की थी और कारगिल की चोटियों पर कब्जा कर लिया था। इसके बाद भारतीय सेना ने 60 दिनों तक लड़ाई करके पाकिस्तान को भगाकर कारगिल जीत लिया था।कारगिल का युद्ध कुल 60 दिनों तक चला था और 26 जुलाई 1999 के दिन भारत को विजय मिली थी। इस घटना को 22 साल हो चुके हैं और हम आज भी उन जवानों की शहादत याद करते हैं, जिन्होंने देश के लिए अपने प्राणों की आहुति दे दी थी। उनके बलिदान को कभी भुलाया नहीं जा सकेगा। इन बहादुरों को आज और आने वाले हर दिन याद किया जाना चाहिए।
“भारतीय सेना को कोटि-कोटि नमन्”
शहीद हुए जो सरहद पर, उनके प्रति मेरा दिल ये कहेl भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
भूला मैं नहीं शहादत उनकी, मिट गए देश की खातिर जोl पग -पग पर सींचा रुधिर से, सरहद में मिल गए आखिर वोl जाते-जाते कहते वो रहे, खुशहाल मेरा चमन रहेl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
वे कल भी थे वे आज भी है, उनका अस्तित्व अमर रहेगाl सरहद पर शहादत में उनकी, मेरा वतन का तिरंगा रहेगाl दुश्मन को मिलाकर खाक में, बस मेरे देश में अमन रहेl भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
Celebrating Vijay Diwas at Wagah Border, 2018
मैं हर गली चौराहे पर, बस यही प्रश्न उठाता हूंl मैं अमर शहीदों के चरणों का, और उनका यश गाता हूंl उनका हम पर है कर्ज बड़ा, इस बात को मेरा खून कहेl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
मत भूलो उन वीरों को, सरहद पर जो मर मिट गएl मत भूलो उन माताओं को, जिनके अति प्यारे सूत गएl उस वीरांगना पे क्या बीती होगी, सागर जितने अश्रु जिसके बहेl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
At Wagah Border, 2018
अपनी जान रख के हथेली पर, सीमाओं की रक्षा करते हैंl सीने पर गोली खाकर भी, दुश्मन से टकरा करते हैंl वह अपनी आखरी सांस तक, हंसते-हंसते हर दर्द से सहेl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
निस्वार्थ भाव से देश की, सरहद पर पहरा देते हैंl सर्दी गर्मी हर मुश्किल में, कर्तव्य पर डटे रहते हैंl परिवार अपना त्याग कर, आजाद हिंद वो कर गएl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
मेरे देश की सेना हो सम्मानित, यह पूरे देश की आशा हैl बन जाऊं उनकी चरण धूलि, सोनू की यही अभिलाषा हैl युगों-युगों तक धरती पर, हम विजय दिवस मनाते रहेl
भारत मां के उन वीरों को, मेरा कोटि-कोटि नमन् रहेl
देशभक्तों के चरणों में समर्पित यह मेरी एक छोटी सी भेंट उम्मीद करता हूं आप सभी इसे सरहाएंगेl “जय हिंद की सेना” (लेखक सोनू भारद्वाज)
The Paddar valley lying in the north of Kishtwar range in the Greater Himalayas, located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was traditionally very rich. In fact, every micro region of the valley was richly endowed with its unique traditions. Whether it be performing arts or woodworks, metal casting or dying, handicraft or embroidery, the range was varied and most forms had a highly developed theoretical basis. They were also living traditions which became a way of life for those involved .These traditions were not just a performance, but the individual’s entire life and livelihood revolved around these traditions.
Once” Majnu Bhai” a local farmer from Paddar approached the then Maharaja Partap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in his royal court to request the king for exemption from Ghaascharai tax, a local tax paid during that time for cattle grazing. The Maharaja wanted to know about their hard life from Majnu Bhai. When Majnu Bhai explained about daily life and hardships of inhabitants of Paddar , the Maharaja was so surprised about their hard life and asked how they managed their livelihood. He asked how many people are here in Paddar, the answer was 500. Then he asked how many people are labourers, and the answer was again 500.When asked about how many are cobblers, the answer was surprisingly again 500.When the Maharaja wanted to know about the total number of tailors, the answer was again 500 and so on . It means Paddris ( inhabitants of Paddar) were experts in every fields of arts and crafts and managed their livelihood from local traditional technologies. The Maharaja was so pleased with the answer given by Majnu Bhai and the Maharaja exempted the said tax of Ghaascharai.
Also watch documentary on Paddar by Ashish Chouhan:-
But the slowly changing modes of life and introduction of new technologies over generations altered every aspects of the artisanal mode of life beyond recognition. The current forms of economy, increasing needs and complex life styles are leaving very little space for these cultural forms to coexist. As a result, each passing moment is seeing the death of these age old arts. As parents encourage their children to study and not follow the family traditions, there is a gradual and imperceptible movement towards the obliteration of these heritages which may remain only as museum pieces in future.
The traditional flour mills commonly called as Ghiraats ( Rantak or Randak in local Buddhist dialect) which once seen in every villages of Paddar are now remained only in dilapidated conditions. In olden days, they were the source of grinding grains like wheat, Maize, Barley, Kodra etc. But with the advent of modernity, flours and other grains are being purchased directly from shops and as a result these Ghiraats are left without any care and are now on the verge of being completely lost forever. These Ghiraats are so designed that shows a perfect example of scientific skills. The importance of these Ghiraats are many folds. They are eco-friendly and purely run on water, Pollution free and economic. And the flours so grinded in these flour mills have natural taste and fibrous. They were once the source of income for the owners who run these Ghiraats. But during last few decades, machines replace human skills and artistry and the artists themselves become construction labourers.
Fading colours of Naoun (Source of drinking water and Water reservoirs made of stones) mostly seen in areas of water sources in every corners of Paddar are perfect example of ancient art and architecture. These Naouns were perhaps built with the purpose to conserve drinking water sources. They were built in the memory of some high profiles after their death. On close observation it can be seen that the traditions were carried out by the same art and artists. Work carried out by the artists in designing these Naouns is so stunning and stone carving done to produce these structures are still remained as mystery in the eyes of historians. Through these magnificent structures, one can understand how our ancestors conserve drinking water sources. But in the recent days due to developmental works, these invaluable structures have been ruined without knowing their past history and values. The tradition of these arts is no longer followed here in Paddar by their caretakers without knowing their values and importance. No one even knows who had constructed these Naouns. Only stories are now being told about these Naouns by some elderly persons. The designs of these structures and figures carved on the walls and beams are conveying strong messages of the epic like The Ramayna and the Mahabarta or some Mythological gods and goddesses.
Paddar valley is also home to the rich but slowly dying traditional customs, rituals and arts. One such dying tradition is the famous Gurie dance performed by a group of dancers during every special occasions. A Gurie team generally comprises of 10 to 20 dancers and singers who sing in chorus and dance in circular form with colourful dresses. Rich and colourful costumes add charm to Gurie dance which make a lively presentation of stories from legends or some past incidents and even dramatic scenes from actual life etc .But these colourful and attractive dance forms which were once source of entertainment during past days during special occasions are only seen in schools during Independence day and Republic day celebrations only. The traditional attires which were used during these special occasions are now only seen as show pieces. It is only the passion of few individuals that has kept the art form alive, as individual artists hardly get anything in today`s world due to mostly dependent on modern technology and machines rather than on traditional ones.
Another example is the famous Musaade, a musical show performed by local musicians in olden days is now hardly known to new generations. In fact Musaade has its origin in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh but some believes it as a folk song of Jammu region .A Musaade team generally consists of a couple who carry various musical instruments like Sitar, Tabla etc. They roam from street to street and from village to village singing melodious songs in local dialects which make a lively presentations of stories from historical episodes, epics and mythologies and earn their livelihood.
The week long famous Losar festival in Buddhist villages which is celebrated to mark the beginning of new year starts with the Prayers and chants with hoisting of prayer flags, decoration of houses and Gompas has now reduced to single day as per choices and convenience. All the rituals performed during Losar are now remained only in words and have no practical value in real life. Traditional attires which were once used to wear during these special occasions are not remained in pictures.
In Paddar valley, art is a way of life and everyone here is an artist practising one or more art forms like wood carving, wool rearing, spinning, weaving , stone sculpture etc. Everyone here used to be busy in artistic creation throughout the year. Local shoes made of Paddy, wheat or barley grasses commonly known as Poola and local grass mats known as Mander were mostly seen in every houses are now remained only as strange names to younger generations. These traditional mats and shoes are now replaced by plastic, nylon and other harmful materials. These century old crafts that involve interweaving of wheat or rice straws to provide warmth in winter and cooling effect in summers are now becoming extinct and having these traditional carpets and shoes in homes is a pipe dream. The introduction of modern decors like wall –to- wall, imported carpets and rugs has made these traditional carpets completely out of fashion. Their extinction has not only impacted our traditional way of décor but has impacted our health as well. Sleeping on them and wearing these shoes can help incurring backaches and provide natural pain relief. They are said to increase blood flow, release muscle tension, clear away toxins and promote relaxation and healing.
Use of stone pots commonly known as Duggal and Batdi ( Dolthok in local Buddhist dialect) were once common in every household. These famous art forms of Paddar has now become vogue in the eyes of all . Food cooked in these traditional vessels is enriched with the minerals of the respective stones. They are safer than modern cookware made of steel and plastics. They not only make our meal tasty but they have an ayurvedic and therapeutic advantages also. Spinning of wool and weaving of local blankets, colourful murals, carvings, sculptures on doors and windows have also been replaced by artificial paints and readymade ply woods.
With the dying tradition, we are loosing our identity and we are not in a position to tell the stories about our culture and heritages which our forefathers left for us .Realising the importance of our heritage, we all should try to recreate our past glory by bringing Paddar valley on tourism map. Each and everyone should come forward to make Paddar a tourist friendly place. Government should help local artists to promote local arts and culture. However, it would be wrong to depend completely on government but all art lover in every field should come forward and extend their hands in promoting the declining arts, customs and rituals. But who will take this huge responsibility is still unsure.
