Showing posts with label best gujjar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best gujjar. Show all posts

Monday 8 December 2014

Role of Gujjars for Islam in subcontinent.

Role of Gujjars for Islam in subcontinent.

1) Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi main teacher of Tableegi jammat and leader of Deoband school of thought.
He was an Islamic Scholar and the main person responsible for establishing an Islamic sect, called deobandism. Nanotvi was born in a GUJJAR family in 1833 in Nanota, a village near Saharanpur, India. He completed his early education in his hometown and then he was sent to Deoband, where he studied in Maulvi Mahtab Ali's madrassa. Then, he travelled to Saharanpur, where he remained with his maternal grandfather. In Saharanpur, he studied elementary kitabs of Arabic grammar and syntax under Maulvi Nawaz. At the end of 1843, Mamluk-Ul-Ali escorted him to Delhi. There, he studied Kafia and various kitabs. Later he was admitted to Madrassa Gaziuddin Khan.
his close relative, Muhammad Yaqub Nanotvi wrote:

"My late father enrolled him at the Arabic Madrasa and said, 'Study Euclid yourself and complete the arithmetical exercises.' After a few days, he had attended all of the ordinary discourses and completed the arithmetical exercises. Munshi Zakatullah asked a few questions of him, which were difficult. Because he was able to solve them, he became well-known. When the annual examination drew near, he did not write it and left the madrasa. The whole staff of the madrasa, particularly the headmaster, regretted this very much".

Prior to his enrollment at Madrassa Gaziuddin Khan, he had studied kitabs on logic, philosophy, and scholastic theology under Mamluk Ali at his house. he joined a study circle, which possessed a central position in India with regards to the teaching of the sciences of the Qur'an and Hadith. He studied hadith under Abdul Ghani Mujaddidi.
After the completion of his education, he became the editor of the press at Matbah-e-Ahmadi. During this period, at Ahmad Ali's insistence, He wrote a scholium on the last few portions of Sahihul Bukhari. Before the establishment of Darul Uloom Deoband, he taught Euclid for some time at the Chhatta Masjid. His lectures were delivered within the printing press. His teaching produced a group of accomplished Ulama, the example of which had not been seen since Shah Abul Ghani's time. He went on to establish Darul Uloom Deoband.
In 1860, he performed Hajj and, on his return, he accepted a profession of collating books at Matbah-e-Mujtaba in Meerut. He remained attached to this press until 1868. he performed Hajj for the second time and, thereafter, he accepted a job at Matbah-e-Hashimi in Meerut.
He conformed to the Shari'a and Sunnah and tried his best to motivate people to do so as well. It was through his efforts that a prominent madrasa for impartation of Islamic education of religious sciences was established in Deoband and a fine masjid was built. Besides this, through his efforts and endeavours, Islamic madaris were established at various other locations as well.

Establishment of the madaris

His greatest achievement was the revival of an educational movement for the renaissance of religious sciences in India and the creation of guiding principles for the madaris on which their survival depends. Under his attention and supervision, madaris were established in various areas such as Thanabhavan, Galautti, Kerana, Danapur, Meerut, and Muradabad. Most of them continue to exist, rendering educational and religious services in their vicinity. During his lifetime, Christianity began to rise in India and prodigious efforts were made to convert the people of India to Christianity in every possible way. When he, during his sojourn in Delhi, witnessed this situation, he ordered his pupils to stand in the bazaars and deliver sermons against Christianity. One day, he himself, without introduction or the statement of his name, attended a gathering and repulsed Christianity publicly in the bazaar.
On May 8, 1876, a "Fair for God-Consciousness" was held at Chandapur village, near Shahjahanpur (U.P.), under the auspices of the local Zamindar, Piyare Lal Kabir-panthi, under the management of Padre Knowles, and with the support and permission of the collector of Shahjahanpur, Mr. Robert George. Representatives of all the three religions, Christian, Hindu and Muslim, were invited through posters to attend and prove the truthfulness of their respective religions. At the suggestion of Muhammad Munir Nanautawi and Maulawi Ilahi Bakhsh Rangin Bareillwi, Nanautawi, accompanied by numerous colleagues also participated. All these Ulama delivered speeches at this fair, causing the desired effect. In repudiation of the Doctrine of Trinity and Polytheism, and on affirmation of Divine Unity (Monotheism), he Nanautawi spoke so well that the audience, both those who were against and those who were for him, were convinced. One newspaper wrote:

"In the gathering of 8 May of the current year (1876), Muhammad Qasim gave a lecture and stated the merits of Islam. The Padre Sahib explained the Trinity in a strange manner, saying that in a line are found three attributes: length, breadth and depth, and thus Trinity is proven in every way. The said Maulawi Sahib confuted it promptly. Then, while the Padre Sahib and the Maulawi Sahib were debating regarding the speech, the meeting broke up, and in the vicinity and on all sides arose the outcry that the Muslims had won. Wherever a religious divine of Islam stood, thousands of men would gather around him. In the meeting of the first day the Christians did not reply to the objections raised by the followers of Islam, while the Muslims replied the Christians word by word and won."

Next year this "fair" was held again in March 1877. On this occasion, Prof. Muhammad Ayyub Qadiri, writing in Ahmed Hasan Nanautawi's biography, wrote that:

"One thing specially deserves deliberation here that the fair for God consciousness at Shahjahanpur was held consecutively for two years with announcement and publicity, throwing in a way.

Death

Nanotvi died in 1880, aged 47. His grave is to the north of the Darul-Uloom. This place is known as Qabrastan-e-Qasimi, where countless Deobandi scholars, students, and others are buried.
Mr Nanotvi is known with great respect in Muslims as he had done a great piece of work for Islam in his 47 years of age.

Source: wikipedia
Thanks.

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya:




Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya:
also known as Mistri or Mestri are a minority Hindu and backward community of the Kutch district of Gujarat state in India, whom claim to be Kshatriyas. They are an artisan community related with Kadia works. Most are employed as labourers under construction contractors They are known for their artistic and master craftsman skills[citation needed] in constructing forts, temples, palaces, ornate decorations, idols and other buildings and statues that led to them being referred to as Mistri by the Portuguese.[citation needed] This term was later used to refer to them as a separate caste known as the Mistri a.k.a. Mistris of Kutch.
History[edit]

Paliyas belonging to war heroes of Mistris of Kutch, standing at Dhaneti dating back to 1178 AD
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas are a group of clans who migrated from Rajasthan in the early 7th century AD[citation needed]. Kadia Kshatriyas first entered into Saurashtra at that time and founded thirty-six villages in the area, while others moved further into Kutch. Around 1177–78 AD (VS 1234), a major group migrated to Kutch from Saurashtra[8] under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru. They settled in the village of Dhaneti.[12][13] There are several Parias of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as memorials of the war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer pooja and their respects to their fore-fathers.[14]
This group, later, made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects in Kutch but also all over British India primarily in the fields of railways and coal mining.[6][7]
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti and went on to establish eighteen villages in Kutch[8] which were granted to them by the King: Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra, Nagalpar, Khedoi, Madhapar, Hajapar, Kukma, Galpadar, Reha, Vidi, Jambudi, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor, Meghpar, Chandiya and Kumbharia.[15]
Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by names like Mistri, Mistry, Mistris of Kutch, Kutchi Contractor, Kadia, Kadia Kshatriyas, Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia, Kumar Gnati, Kutch Gurjar Kshatirya, Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj, KGK Samaj, Kgk community, etc.[10]
Some of the group's members with Rajput surnames claim ancestry to the rulers of Kutch, beginning with Ajepal Chauhan of the Chauhan dynasty. This was followed by the Gohil, Solanki, Kathis, Vaghelas, Chawdas[12][13][16] and finally the Jadeja dynasty came to rule Kutch until the independence of India

Wednesday 10 September 2014

DR. MUHAMMAD AMJAD SAQIB



DR. MUHAMMAD AMJAD SAQIB

(Sitara-a-Imtiaz)
Email: amjadsaqib1@gmail.com
Cell: +92 300 842 0495

A medical graduate from King Edward Medical College, Dr. Amjad Saqib was selected for the nation’s topmost bureaucratic institution, the elite Civil Service of Pakistan with great distinction in 1985. Having stood out as a public servant, right when his career was about to move towards higher echelons, he resigned in 2003 with the intent to dedicate himself to becoming a social entrepreneur and make a difference in societal change through Akhuwat – which had already been founded and launched by him in 2001 and had meanwhile started taking strides towards the force it was to become.

The salient feature of his public service career – one that perhaps changed the course of his life – was his last assignment, a five-year stint as general manager of the Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) from 1998 to 2003.

It is here that he had the opportunity to closely examine the various initiatives of poverty alleviation, participatory development and conventional microfinance. And this made him realize that “something different had to be done”. This desire to do ‘something different’, something more effective as a panacea for the poor spurred him on to conceive and introduce an interest-free microfinance model based on the idea of Mawakhat or brotherhood.

This makes Akhuwat a unique microfinance organization – indeed the first of a kind. The model has by now been replicated in two countries but at close to $100 million in base capital Akuwat remains the largest such institution in the world.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amjad Saqib took his Master’s degree in Public Administration through Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship from the American University, Washington D.C., USA. He also studied at LUMS, where he completed the one-year LUMS - McGill University Program in Social Enterprise & Management.

Dr. Saqib is founder of Akhuwat and Akhuwat is his real passion but he also renders honorary other services for many other NGOs. He is Vice Chairman Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, Chairman Management Committee Fountain House, Honorary Managing Director Punjab Welfare Trust for the Disabled, Member Board of Director Punjab Education Foundation, Member Syndicate Punjab University, Member Syndicate University of Education, Commissioner Punjab Health Care Commission, Member Punjab Red Crescent Society. Recently, Prime Minister of Pakistan appointed him Chairman Steering Committee for Prime Minister’s Interest Free Loan Programme.

Work:
Besides his pro bono work for Akhuwat, for a living Dr. Amjad Saqib is a highly sought after consultant, and has provided consultancy to various highbrow international development agencies, such as the Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organization, the UNICEF, the World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, USAID and DFID.

This consultancy work has also been in his core area of interest: poverty alleviation, microfinance, social mobilization and education management.

Dr. Amjad Saqib is also a regular guest speaker at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and many other professional forums. He has also been among the visiting faculty at the Kinnaird College, Lahore, the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the University of Punjab. He has spoken at Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, Warrick and Kings College London.

In recognition of his services across many spheres, on March 23, 2010 the President of Pakistan honoured him with Sitara-a-Imtiaz, a most coveted civil award.

Publications:
Dr Amjad Saqib has also authored six books. These are: Shehr-e Lab-e-Darya (Khushal Khan Khattak Literary Award Winner), AikYadgarMushaira, Gautam Kay Des Mein (A travelogue to Nepal), published by Sang-e-Meel Publications), and Ghurbat aur Microcredit. Subsequently, he wrote another travelogue Akhuwat Ka Safar, and a compilation based on real life stories of victims of loan sharks, Dasht-e Zulmat. Another book, under the title Shahab-e Saqib is under publication.

Dr. Amjad Saqib indeed is a prolific writer, and his exceptionally well-written columns appear quite frequently for leading Urdu dailies Nawa-i-Waqt, Jang, Pakistan, Nai Baat and Jinnah. These are mostly on current affairs, events, ideas and personalities, and, according to critics, have the pleasing touch of a litterateur.


Books

Dr. Amjad Saqib has written following books:
• Shahar-e-lab-e-Darya (Khush –Hal Khan Khattak Literary Award Winner)
• Aik Yadgar Mushaira
• Gotham Kay Des Main (A travelogue to Nepal, Sang-e-Meel Publications)
• Ghurbat aur Microcredit
• Shahab-e-Saqib (under publication)
• Dasht-e-Zulmat
• Akhuwat Ka Safar

He has edited following book:
• Devolution and Governance – Reforms in Pakistan (Oxford University Press)


Voluntary Assignments
1. Executive Director, Akhuwat - (2001 – to date)
Akhuwat is an interest free microcredit programme that provides small loans to the poor and helps them start a business and come out of poverty. It is first ever and the largest interest free microfinance programme in Pakistan and has so far served more than 47,000 poor families in fifteen cities.

2. Vice Chairman, Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) – (Dec 2008 – to date)
PEEF is the largest educational fund in the country created by Government of the Punjab with initial seed money of Rs. 4 billion. It provides financial assistance to talented but needy students. Chief Minister Punjab is the Chairman of PEEF.

3. Managing Director, Punjab Welfare Trust for the Disabled (PWTD) – (Dec 2007 – to date)
PWTD endeavors for the treatment and rehabilitation of the persons with the disabilities. It is the largest endowment fund in the country for the disabled and works in collaboration with 80 NGOs working for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, mentally retarded and physically incapacitated persons. PWTD has served more than 2.8 million patients in last fifteen years.

4. Member Governing Body/Executive Committee, Punjab Red Crescent Society (2007-to date)
Red Crescent is one of the oldest international NGOs and a part of global network for humanitarian support and relief efforts. Governor of the Punjab is the President of Governing body.

5. Chairman, Farrukh Amjad Trust (FA Trust) – (July 2008 – to date)
FA Trust is founded by Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, his family and close friends. This Trust aims at supporting the poor, widows and the disabled.

6. Member Board of Directors of:
• Fountain House Lahore (A project of Lahore Mental Health Association for the treatment and rehabilitation of mentally ill patients)
• Abroo Welfare Trust (Educational Trust for education of poor students living in slums)
• Abroo Welfare Trust (Educational Trust for education of poor students living in slums)
• Line of help (An NGO working for disaster relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims)
• Anjuman Sulemania (Custodian of one of the biggest orphanage houses in Lahore)
• Hum Pakistani Trust (An organization working for relief of disaster)
• Punjab Fund for Rehabilitation of Special Persons (A State of the Art Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Persons) owned by Government of the Punjab
• Member Board of Governors Children Library Complex
• Member Provincial Consumer Protection Council (PCPC), constituted under Section 24 of Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005
• Member of the Committee of Citizen Feed Back Model Project Government of the Punjab
• Member of the Committee to Improve Services in Education Sector
• Member of the Committee of Punjab Health Strategic Plan
• Member of the Committee of Punjab Day Care Fund Society
• Member of the Syndicate, University of the Punjab
• Member of the Syndicate, University of the Education
• Vice Chairman of the Committee of Prime Minister’s Microfinance Scheme
Education
• MBBS (King Edward Medical College, Lahore)
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Public Administration (One year training programme in best universities and institutions in the USA) 1993-1994
• Masters in Public Administration - MPA (The American University, Washington D.C. USA) 1994-1995
• Graduate of LUMS – McGill University Social Enterprise & Management Programme (Lahore University of Management Sciences – LUMS) 2003-2004


Friday 29 August 2014

In the beginning of the 17th century,


In the beginning of the 17th century,

In the beginning of the 17th century, the decline of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was actually the beginning of the Gujjars in the Mughal era. There was an increased power of the Gujjars at that point of time. Finally Aurangzeb accepted the lordship of the Gujjar leaders in various principalities.
The chief Gujjar power of the Mughal era are mentioned below -


Gurjar in Bharatpur district
Bhati of Dadri
Dera Gazi Khan
Gurjarghar
Pawar of Landhore
Gurjar of Maharastra
Nangde of Parikisatgarh
Judeo of Samther

After his murder, his fourth son Ranjit Singh and the Gurjar chief Motiram Baisla of Sundraoli signed a pact of treaty. As Surajmal had taken the lead on his son Motiram Baisla became the army chief of Bharatpur. In 1803 CE, after a stubborn fight, the Gujjars and Jats were defeated and thus, Bharatpur district remained as a small territory under the British rulers.

A great body of Bhati Gurjars along with Dave and Kala Gujjar settled south of Delhi on both sides of Yamuna River with their head quarter at Kasna. The Bhati Gurjar occupied 360 villages. In 1540 CE Sher Shah felt the power of Gurjars round about Delhi and they took vigorous proceeding against them. Akbar allowed these unruly Gurjars to settle IT the area. After the death Aurangzeb, the Maratha hordes of the south plundered the north and the Gurjars again took on arms. Another Bhati Gurjar chief namely Rao Amra had ousted the unruly chief of Bhurta clan and established himself as Raja at Dadri. His successor Raja Roshan Singh was ruling when the British occupied the area.

Gazi Khan Baloch founded a city Dera Gazi Khan after his name near about 1710 CE. Gazi Khan Baloch was appointed as the administrator and he proved himself as a great administrator. Mahmood Khatana with his Gurjar military personals crossed the river Indus and brought the whole area comprising the districts of Mujjafargarh and Faislabad under his total control. He constructed a fort at Dera Gazi Khan.

The British annexed Gurjar Ghar to Gwalior and some portions of its area amalgamated to districts of Bhind, Murena and Dholpur and a portion to the district Agra of Uttar Pradesh. Every Gurjar in Gurjar Ghar holds its own territory. The ancestors of the Gujjars inMaharashtra had been destroted and that is why they migrated to the south. The rulers of Samshergarh were actually a sub-caste of the Gujjars. They belonged to the Khatana sub-caste.

But unfortunately, most of these states and the powers of the Gujjars were finished by the British rulers.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Dharampal Gujjar

Dharampal Gujjar, (Date of birth October 6, 1897) 116-year-old Indian man was old but still fit. He joined the race the 35th National Masters Athletic Championship in South India. 

Gujjar able to print the time unbelievable 46.74 seconds for the 200 meters and won the 400 meters as quoted Emirates247, Sunday (03/02/2014). 

Gujjar has participated in several marathon races. He did not seek government funding. Co-workers who helped him financially in order Gujjar participated in the event. 

Gujjar has the secret to longevity and health. According to him, he just did a balanced diet.

Award of Honor, Chandigarh, 2011
Masters National Athletic Championship in 2012 at Bangalore(Gold Medalist)
Gold Medal at Ovara, UP 2010

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Gojar, Gujjar, Gurjar



Gojri in service of culture (Editorial of Daily excelsior)

Gojar, Gujjar and Gurjara are different forms of one name with which a particular community in the State is associated. Many scholarly research studies have been conducted not only in the country but outside the country as well on the origin, demographic distribution, history and culture of Gujjar community. Surprisingly, some researchers have extensively delved deep into geographical distribution of this community and have asserted that Gurjistan of Arabic and Farsi historians is the present Georgia in the Eurasian region, which was previously a component of the Soviet Union. The people there are called Gorji. At the same time, Gujarat, the southern state of India wherefrom the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes, is also stated to be the ancient habitat of Gurjaras of Vedic and epic times of India. Nearer home, Gujranwala (Gujran is plural of Gujjar and wala is suffix) is a district in Pakistan not far from Jammu. The Gurjaras are often spoken about in our mythological lore. Hence the Gujjars of our State are historically and ethnically connected to a vast human society spread over a huge chunk of the globe. They can become India’s non-official ambassadors to various parts of Asiatic Continent and can become instrumental in forging of a huge international social cum ethnic group.

The two-day State level Gojri cultural meet is a happy reminder of realization on the part of stakeholders that they have to exploit the vast potential hidden in them. These meets can become role model for other communities. We would like that the Gojri cultural organizations, Academy of Culture and Art and the Gojri scholars and literati all join hands to give international profile to intellectual and creative activities they are doing for the promotion of Gojri language, literature and culture. All these activities need to be dovetailed to international profile of Gujjars.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Chaudhry Anwar Aziz Gujjar

Chaudhry Anwar Aziz


Chaudhary Anwer Aziz
Wednesday, 06 February 2013 00:00
Written by The Spokesman
By Amir Mateen


Chaudhary Anwer Aziz claims he is a retired politician. Well, politicians don’t retire. Chaudhary Aziz-definitely not. He may have passed on his Shakargarh constituency to son, Daniyal Aziz but politics remains the lifeblood that keeps him kicking even at the ripe age of 82. Ripe because, at 82, who else can swim 24 lengths in a row and drive from that last corner of Pakistan, Shakargarh, to Islamabad, sometimes at the speed of 120 km per hour on GT Road. Then return to Lahore the next morning after a late wholesome sitting with friends who may comprise a strange mix. You will find in his company the choicest journalists, politicians, intellectuals and then a ‘Shakargaria’ clerk or a watchman who may have dropped by to say Salaam. You can rest assure that the watchman will always get equal respect if not more.


Discussion on such evenings swings from politics to philosophy to anything that flows with the mood but one always gets up feeling a little wiser--or tipsy. One can’t tell the difference sometimes though. It usually ends up with Chaudhary Saheb, as we call him affectionately, reciting poetry and concluded by a cherry on top—a singing session of Mian Mohammad Baksh’s Saiful Malook.


I am always impressed by his zest for life. He lives a wholesome life that a few can claim. Details of the 24 hours that I spent with him to attend a wedding in Karachi should explain. He literally dragged me to swimming the moment we checked-in at Beach Luxury. A small ferry waited for us at the hotel wharf that took us to deep sea ‘crabbing.’ You could trust Chaudhary Saheb, a good chef that he is, for quality cooking. After a moon-lit breezy evening at sea we went to the mehndi ceremony. Once there, he took the lady of the House to the dance floor. The whole party, as always, revolved around him—dancing, singing and laughing at his jokes. The night did not end before he made me watch, once again, the film “Scent of a Woman,” just to prove a point of discussion that Al Pachino makes in his speech at the end—not to mention his tango as a blind man. Before we flew back he made sure that we, among other things, had Karachi’s famous Burns Road nihari. This was more than what some people do in a lifetime. And it’s always this way that he lives his day.


It’s not because of material luxuries actually. It’s his attitude. Nothing is ordinary for him. He will make a simple food seem as a sumptuous cuisine by garnishing it with a sauce, salad or a lassi and then having it on rooftop under winter sunshine. He prefers GT Road over the Motorway in travelling because it has a soul. It’s called as the ‘Royal journey.’ It has all the ingredients of a picnic; the holy water, holier music and, of course, the holiest discussion. The climax comes at Jhelum River where we eat the best Mahasher fish that his jail mate from the Martial Law days, Babbu Khan, always keeps on the side.


His modest demeanor and inquisitiveness for information can be deceptive to the naïve who often take him for a country cousin—basically paindoo. His rapt attention usually encourages the immodest variety to brag a little extra. That’s a mouse-trapper. The moment Chaudhary makes a small observation, quoting Toynbee, Gibbons or Machiavelli’s Prince that he remembers word by word, the other person realizes the vastness of his knowledge and wisdom. It’s always enjoyable for the people who know where the ‘mouse’ is headed.


The range of his interest is exceptionally vast—swinging from Beethoven to soybeans to bio gas. He is perhaps one of the few living Pakistanis who may have the credentials to claim expertise on such a broad spectrum of issues. Fewer have lived the rich life that he has led. Chaudhary saw the trauma of the Partition in his teens. He was groomed by teachers like Sufi Tabassam, Pitras Bokhari, Dr Nazir at the Government College, Lahore. His peers at the GC represented the cream of northern India. Chaudhary lived in the very hostel room where Allama Iqbal stayed. His life-long friends from Iqbal Hostel, to name a few, included Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Military Secretary, the late Major General Imtiaz, Abid Ali Shah, the guru of public relations who had the honour to introduce singer Mohammad Rafi to Bombay, scholar Dr Anwaar Syed and the famous ‘Defender of Lahore,’ Shafqat Baloch who as major deterred two Indian divisions with just two companies in the 1965 war.


Chaudhary represented Pakistan as a swimmer in 1948 Olympics. I saw his friends Shoaib and Saleema Hashmi do this skit about him in a New York ballroom fund-raiser. It describes the announcement of medals. “The bronze goes to England, silver to Canada, gold to Australia and Pakistan’s Chaudhary Anwer Aziz still swimming.” He affectionately curses Shoaib every time the joke is narrated.


He went on a Fulbright Scholarship to Michigan University in the 1950s, where he met his wife Kathleen, and later became District Attorney of California. From those lofty heights, he flew back straight to his village in Shakargarh which in those days did not even have a toilet, let alone a toilet paper that Kathleen was used to. Kathy aunty, as everybody called her, laced her English with chaste Punjabi. The Shakargarhias loved the couple living in their midst—a maim helping them in daily chores in Punjabi. They expressed their fondness by voting the Chaudhary to power time and again.


Chaudhary is perhaps the only living member from the 1964 Assembly, winning against the will of the ruthless Nawab of Kalabagh, the second person being Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi. He became Federal Minister in the Cabinets of Prime Ministers Zulfiqar Bhutto and Mohammad Khan Junejo. The credit for giving Ziaul Haq his first shock by defeating his candidate for Speakership, Khawaja Safdar, in the 1985 National Assembly goes largely to the Chaudhary. Junejo’s defiance against the dictator could also be partially attributed to Chaudhary. A whole generation of journalists such as Nusrat Javed, Shaheen Sehbai, Mohmmad Malick, Zafar Abbas and myself, has learnt the ropes of politics from him. He is equally sought by the younger lot of Rauf Klasra, Arshad Sharif and Asma Shirazi and the grandies such as Munoo Bhai, Abbas Athar and Nazir Naji.


It’s a treat when he is around. His literary credentials are no less. He was the host when Mustafa Zaidi was introduced by Sufi Tabussam as Tegh Allahabadi who then recited his famous poem Tarash-i-Aazrana for the first time. Jalib considered his house as his second home. So did Jafar Tahir, whose long epic poem ‘Wapsi’ we always insist him to recite. Intellectuls Ismat Alig lived in his house for years and he was close to the firebrand orators Abdullah Butt and Shorish Kashmiri, writer Abdullah Malik, painter Sadeqain, Punjabi poets Imam Din Gujrati and Sharif Kunjahi. He discussed political theory with scholar Samuel Huntington and hosted the Kennedys, Henry Kissinger, Yasir Arafat, among others, as a Protocol Minister. If this is not enough reason to envy him, our generation particularly, what is?


But I respect Chaudhary Sahib more because of his love for the common man. He is constantly thinking about what he can do for the poor and the needy. Anybody who has ever met him will have a story to tell. Why-and-how-he-did-what kind of stories. How he always gave a hike to anybody who raised a hand while travelling; how he always paid money to every beggar who approached him; how he sat, ate or stood up--there was always this Chaudray style of doing things.


He pioneered milk pasteurization by introducing Tetrapack in Pakistan as Bhutto’s advisor on Livestock. We sometimes laugh about his passions but he is always up to something. He tried to improve the economy of commoners by distributing Angora rabbits, known for their long and soft wool. He tried schemes to promote cows, goats and vegetables. He distributed the newly arrived Broiler chickens among his people hoping they will return eggs, thus starting a chain to boost their economy and poultry. Some did and most did not. But this did not stop him from bringing sacks full of new seeds that he distributed for free. He spent years promoting cheaper soya milk as he believes the ‘robber barons’ will let the price of milk come down and that normal milk cannot fulfil the nutrition requirement of Pakistan. Many of his may not have worked but this has not deterred him. He is now busy devising ways to cure brackish water through solar energy. How do you draw your energy, I asked him once. “From the poor people in Shakargarh,” pat came the response.


“Shakargarh, Shakargarh, Shakargarh—I am sick of hearing this from Chaudhary Anwer Aziz all my life,” this is how Abbas Athar started his column on him. And this is what defines him. I have not seen a politician who is as much in love with his voters—actually people he considers as his extended family--as Chaudhary is. Last time when I we had the ‘royal journey’ he was so proud to show me the trees on both sides of the road that leads from Narowal to Shakargarh. The only time I ever saw him bragging, spark in his eyes: “I grew them, many of them literally with my own hands.”


I had the privilege to play cards with the exclusive club of his childhood mates on Eid for many years. A stage came when we missed a member or two every year because of their death. Age, I suppose. We stopped praying for them as it turned the game into a condolence meeting. We had to stop the practice as the club came down to little, very little, two years ago. It has been my honour knowing him for almost a quarter of a century. May you live for 182 years, Chaudhary sahib. No retirement!


Edittor: Chaudhary Anwer Aziz has consented to do a blog for us where he will share his ideas with our viewers. This article explains the vastness of his expertise. We have named the blog as Baabay Di Gall. Considering his vigour, he is the last man to be called as Baaba but this is how people in Shakargarh address him affectionately.

Monday 26 May 2014

Don’t get divided : TRCF to Gujjars-Bakerwals

Don’t get divided : TRCF to Gujjars-Bakerwals Srinagar - 25th of May 2014. Cautioning the Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir of the attempt of some particular groups mainly active in Poonch, Rajouri districts and Uri , Karanah Tehsils to divide our community on small ethnic lines –the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -a frontal organisation today appealed the tribe to remain united on all fronts and give a befitting reply to disintegrating forces. Dr. Javaid Rahi , Secretary of Tribal Foundation while addressing a meeting community members here stated that some people in border areas of the state are bent upon to segregate the vibrant Gujjar identity into two parts which is highly condemnable and deeply intolerable. He said that Gujjars and Bakerwals are one Tribe popularly known as Gujjars or Gurjars in South Asia. He said Gujjars have many names like Ajjadh , Dhangar, Dohdhi, Vanvasi and added that those Gujjars who rear “goats” are called Bakerwals- as word Bakarwal is derived from the term, Bakri/Bakar meaning "goat/Sheep", and Wal meaning "one who takes care of" therefore this name was given to those Gujjars who are rearing goats and Sheeps. He said they – Gujjars and Bakerwals - share same History, Culture, Language-Gojri- and racial identity . Even all anthropological and genetic studies conducted on Gujjars-Bakerwals says that they are not a separate identities in any ways, he added. He said in 1991 the Gujjars-Bakerwals are granted Tribal status in Jammu and Kashmir and a study was conducted by Union Government of India before granting the Scheduled Tribe Status to them . The study reveals that Bakerwal is another name of Gujjars entered in revenue records that’s why both the names ( Gujjars and Bakerwals ) were included while the community was enlisted in tribal category in Indian constitutions. Dr. Rahi said ‘Hazrat Baba Abdullah Larvi’ popularly known as Babaji Sahib” R A of Wangat Kangan Kashmir-the grandfather of Mian Bashir Ahmed was a Bakerwal-Bajran-Gujjar saint and was most revered by Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir thereby the division created by some anti Gujjar forces among Gujjars-Bakerwals is irrational ,illogical and unjustified. Essentially, the name "Bakarwal" implies "high-altitude goatherds/shepherds" Gujjars .The Bakarwals belongs to the same ethnicity stock as the Gujjars, and inter-marriages freely take place among them. They enjoy equal status in Tribal society Dr Rahi said and added there are number of examples where one brothers name entered in revenue record as Bakerwal and Others as Gujjars. Recently there were some reports of division between Gujjars-Bakerwals and some non tribal groups of Poonch and Rajouri are instigating a wrong war to divide Gujjar community who form third largest group of the State after Kashmiri and Dogras and constitute more than 20% population of total population of Jammu and Kashmir.(by dr javed rahi.

Ch rahmat ali and his grave


Saturday 24 May 2014

Wikipedia in Gojri

TRCF offers free service for Gojri version of 'Wikipedia'

EARLY TIMES REPORT 
JAMMU, Feb 14

In a major initiative for promotion of Gojri language, Tribal Research and
Cultural Foundation (TRCF)-a frontal organization of Gujjars- today
offered its complimentary collaborative service to worlds most popular
free internet encyclopedia “Wikipedia” to develop its ‘Gojri version’
on internet.

Giving details, Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary Tribal
Foundation said, “Our organisation has sent a comprehensive proposal to
Wikimedia Foundation with an open offer of free service from our side to
develop the Gojri version of “Encyclopedia Wikipedia” on internet. 

“We expect a positive word from the other side,” he hoped.
The
Encyclopedia “Wikipedia” is available in more than 60 languages of
world and is a multilingual, web-based, free-content project based on an
openly-editable model. Wikipedia’s articles provide links to guide the
user to related pages with additional information. 

Dr Rahi said,
“We have already sent a list of 500 articles chosen to be developed or
translated into Gojri from English or other languages for uploading on
‘Wikipedia’ Gojri version on trail bases,” adding, “We want to develop
Gojri as internet friendly language of the world.” 

He further said
the foundation is also working hardly to develop a e-literature site of
Gojri language which would provide some of the rare books of Gojri
language on internet. This step will go a long way in developing this
rich language in term of its readership.

He said the electronic Gojri
Channel on world's most viewed video sharing portals ‘You Tube’ and OAL
videos UK simultaneously launched by Tribal Foundation is very popular
among Gujjar community residing in different parts of the globe.



http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=49975

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