KS Correspondent

In the passing away of Dr. MS Jalali Kashmir has lost an out standing Veterinarian and an ace cricketer. He was probably the first Kashmiri veterinarian.

Dr. Jalali had passed his Bachleor's degree in Veterinary Science from Lahore. He was one of the best players of his college cricket team. J&K was not on the Ranji map in his times, otherwise he would have played for J&K State on account of his cricketing ability. Even at the age 65 he used to have net practice with Rainawari youngsters in Jogilankar ground, which was near his residence. He had retained his cricketing reflexes even in advanced age.

As a student in Lahore, Dr Jalali was exposed to the revolutionary ideas of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. When Bhagat Singh and his colleagues were hanged, Netaji Subash Bose led 2-lakh strong funeral procession.

Dr. Jalali would recall with pride how he had participated in that procession.

As a veterinarian he served for long tenures in the frontier regions of J&K State. At many places he was the only medical personnel available. He performed this job with distinction.

His wife had contracted Tuberculoris early in life. She died quite young, leaving behind no children. Dr. Jalali turned quite lonely.

After retirement for a while he sought employment in Zaroo gun factory, to pass off time. He used to take long evening walks to Hari Parbhat area, where he was accompanied by his contemporaries -  Dr. J.N. Kachru and Dr. R.K. Kachru.

Dr. Jalali was an ardent patriot and leaned towards Nehruvian Socialism. To him JP movement was an 'imperialist conspiracy', meant to destabilise India. He was so disgusted with Indian media over its support to JP movement, that he stopped reading widely circulated English dailies and switched on to lesser known 'Patriot'. In mid- 1970s he would be seen arguing hotly with the supporters of JP Rainawari.

He was in often a lonely voice to support Indira Gandhi.

Dr. Jalai had a distinguished lineage. He was son of Pt. Kailash Koul of Mohalla, Bagdaji, Rainawari. Dr. Jalali had two brothers - late Vishnath and late Niranjan Nath. The former was a close associated of Pt. Shiv Narain Fotedhar, the well-known Pandit leader, Vishnath retired as Marshal J&K Assembly. Pt.

Niranjan Nath was an avowed leftist and a prominent trade unionist in Jammu region.

Pt. Kailash Koul's brother, Pt. Tota Koul was head clerk in PWD JKENG 00333/26/AL/TC/94 JK No: 1213/18 Regd. JK-219/2005 Printer Publisher B.N. Kaul for and on behalf of Panun Kashmir Foundation.

He had four sons.

His eldest son Pt. Radhey Nath Koul was associated with revolutionary movement.

Later, he shifted to Sitapur (UP) and was a leading civil contractor there. Other sons of Pt.

Kailash Koul were - Sh. T.N. Koul, former Foreign Secretary, Sh. PN Koul, a former Colonel in Indian Army and Secretary Tibetan Affairs and Lt. Gen (retd) Hriday Koul, former Chief of Army Staff.

Dr. Jalali's nephew Sh. Dwarika Nath Dhar is author of many books on Kashmir. In his youth he played excellent Hockey and was associated with the left movement in Kashmir.

Source: Kashmir Sentinel