by G. K. Gurtu

Owning a house is the first priority after ‘Roti Aur Kapda ’. Man has developed a set of guidelines after centuries of observation and experience. Some of them may seem to be antiquated, impracticable and even laughable in this age of shortage of space and coming up of skyscrapers and multi- storey complexes. However, it may be useful to know some of these.

1. The first and foremost thing to know, astrologically speaking, is whether a person is destined to buy or construct a house or not. Otherwise the asset may not bring the desired results. The planet Mangal (Mars) is the signifier of landed property and the fourth House in the horoscope represents, among other things, owning / acquiring landed property. Therefore, the position of Mars along with aspect (Nazar) of Brahaspati (Jupiter) and Shani (Saturn) also is to be considered.

2. The history of plot/ house should also be investigated. It should neither be under distress disposal nor have an unpleasant history like illness, deaths, financial losses or any disaster suffered by the seller nor should be bought by using threats, coercion, intimidation, temptation, undue influence etc. Further, if, on digging the foundation, bones, a grave, a Tantrik pot, dried -up old well, tunnel etc. is revealed, the work should be stopped and the plot should be sold at the earliest.

3. Construction work should not begin when

3.1. Jupiter and Venus (Brahaspat and Shukra) are combust (Ast);

3.2. The Sun (Surya) is in Virgo sign (Kanya Rashi), in Gemini (Mithun) and in Pisces (Meen);

3.3. It is Malmas, Kharmas, Adhikmas and Shunyamas;

3.4. Main planets are retrogate;

3.5. The land (Dharti) is in sleep (Suptawastha) and not awake (Jagrat);

3.6. The fire (Agni) is overhead (Ooper) and not down below the earth (Pataal).

3.7. And finally, the auspicious day and time (Muhurt) should be fixed for and done during sunlight time and during moon-lit night fortnight (Shukla paksh).

4. The plot / house should not be near a drain, canal, burial place or cremation ground.

5. There should not be any Peepal (The Sacred Fig or Bo-Tree) or Barghad (Banyan) tree in the plot or inside the compound of the house. Any type of place of worship should also not be near enough so as to cast its shadow on the plot / house.

6. The main house should be a little away from the road and not stand bang on the road i.e. with a little break of open space or lawn in-between the road and the main house.

7. The plot / house should preferably be rectangular or square in shape and not trapezoidal, rhombus, triangular or multi – cornered in shape.

8. There should not be a depression or slope on the north and / or east side or facing the main gate. Nor there should be a pit, depression underground pit or tank and natural / artificial waterfall on Southwest side. Similarly, there should not be a water tank below the driveway. Further, it should not have a basement.

9. The plot / house should be facing east, north and west (in that order) and not south.

10. The family temple / worship room / place should either be in the north or east or preferably on the northeast corner and the idols or the pictures of gods and goddesses should be so placed that when one sits for Pooja he / she faces north or east side. The worship room should not be in the bedroom if the bedroom happens to be on that side. The bedroom should, preferably, be in the southwest side.

11. Kitchen / generator / transformer should be in the southeast side.

12. Toilet room should not be located on the north or east side and definitely not in the northeast corner.

13. Southeast side should be closed and not open.

14. Staircase: One should not have a spiral staircase as in a duplex house and the staircase should not either be in the centre or in the drawing room. The staircase should be on one side so that one may not have to walk or pass under it. One should not sleep under a staircase. The staircase should be located in the southeast or northwest side but not in the northeast side. The staircase should ascend clockwise and descend anti-clockwise. The steps in a staircase should be in odd numbers i.e. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, etc.

15. The mirror should be hung on the eastern wall so that one stands facing east while looking at oneself in the mirror.

16. Guests and visitors should be entertained in the lobby, drawing room or living room and not allowed inside worship room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen.

17. Main entrance door should be larger than the rest of the doors in the house. The main entrance should not pass through the kitchen. The number of the doors should be even i.e. 4, 6, 8, 12, 14 etc. but not 10, 20, 30 etc. to avoid 0 (zero). There should not be half arches over the doors, windows, ventilators etc. If the main gate faces west then the gate should be painted in black.

18. Pictures, paintings and statues showing earthquake, fire, funerals, graveyards, wild animals, demons, witches and old, ugly, crying or weeping faces, men and animals fights, bloodshed etc. must not be kept in the house. Instead, pictures etc. showing blooming flowers, happy smiling faces, cows, peacocks, pigeons, green mountains, verdant valleys, streams, rising sun, blue sky etc. should be kept.

19. Disused, discarded or broken items like idols, toys, clock / watches, fans, furniture, sewing machines, machinery, faded pictures, unusable clothes etc. should be disposed off earliest.

20. Thorny plants, lily flower- plants, plants with yellow flowers and plants from which white milky liquid oozes out on plucking leaves etc. should not be kept inside the house.

21. One should not sleep with head towards north and feet towards south to avoid the adverse effect of north and south poles.

22. The head of the family should occupy south-western room / place. This must not be given to children /relations /guests or partners /subordinates in a shop / office / factory, establishment etc. otherwise it will make others powerful, aggressive and undisciplined.

23. Shifting to a new house (owned or rented) should be avoided on Thursdays and also on Chaturthi and Chaturdashi of both Shukla as well as Krishna Paksh.

24. At the time of Grah Pravesh or shifting to a rented house a bucket full of water and a pot of Tulsi plant (Holy Basil) should be taken first inside the house and put in a room before any member of the family enters the house or the luggage is taken inside the house. The water of the bucket should then be thrown near the root of a grown up tree.

25. The photos of the dead relatives must not be put in the worship room. These should be hung on the south side wall or kept on a south side mantelpiece so that these face north direction. Further, these photo frames should have a garland around them.

26. The statue or the picture of the god / goddess should be on both side of a wall and not only on one (front or back) side of a wall. And should have a garland around it.

27. Wooden bed stead and other furniture should be preferred instead of steel.

About the author:

G. K. Gurtu, whose ancestors were the residents of Tankyapora (Amiya Kadal), Srinagar, belongs to that group of migrants which settled in Kashmiri Mohalla, Lucknow (UP) around 1780. He was Secretary, Kashmiri Samaj, Agra between 1988-90. He retired as Superintendent, National Sample Survey Organisation, (Govt. of India), in 1995. He lives in Faridabad and pursues creative writing and helps the needy.

By G.K. Gurtu

The very mention of the Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.) brings the name of Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya (b. 25-12-1861 d. 12-11-1946) to the fore. The University was his brain-child. So when he unfolded his plan among his friends and well-wishers to establish a Hindu University which will provide good education, build up character and imbibe religious and ethical values among young men and women, it was well-received. People from different walks of life extended their unconditional support whole-heartedly and came forward voluntarily to offer all help.

Money, as is well known, is the first and the foremost requirement of any enterprise. In this case, however, it was to the tune of ‘“a crore of rupees”. How to arrange this mind-boggling amount and from where became the burning issue of the moment. To overcome this hurdle and solve the problem, it was proposed that people, dedicated to the cause of selfless service, should undertake tours, organize public meeting and create an awakening so that people come forward to contribute. Consequently, an appeal was made, the Hindu University Society for funds was formed, deputations were sent out covering the length and breadth of the country, and finally, people from common men to the kings were approached for subscription heralding the start of the project.

The Kashmiri Pandits settled in Utter Pradesh who utilized their spare time, money and energy in acts of philanthropy, charity, social and religious services which included donating money for schools, awarding scholarships, providing free board and lodging to out-station students, giving financial aid to the needy, distributing free medicine, building temples etc., did not lag behind. It may be out of place but tempting to cite a few examples here in passing. Pt. Sunder Narain Mushran of Kanpur donated thirty Bighas (twelve acres) of land besides a handsome amount of rupees ten thousand/for a school in Tehsil Kaim Gunj, District Farrukhabad in 1914. It was upgraded in 1971 and is known as S.N. Mushran Degree College. Pt. Prithvi Nath Chak, a distinguished lawyer, a philanthropist and an educationist of Kanpur, started a school in Patkapur Mohalla in the latter part of the nineteenth century but shifted it to its present site after purchasing the land along with the building on it from the Govt. It progressed, expanded and attained present position in 1959. The college, known as P.P.N. Degree College, Kanpur, is an outstanding memorial of his contribution to education. A statue in the Collectorate Compound, Kanpur proclaims his all-round greatness. Pt. Sartaj Narain Gurtu, son of Pt. Maharaj Narain Gurtu (Allahabad) my grand uncle, donated an amount of rupees one thousand and sixty to Nari Shiksha Niketan Girls’ College, Lucknow in 1966 in the name of my grand mother as ‘Sm(. Mohan Rani Gurtu Scholarship’ with the stipulation that the interest received from the fixed deposit be given to a poor Hindu girl every month. The Kashmiri Samaj, Lucknow operates Pt. Brij Narain Chakbast education fund. Pt. Raj Kishan Langar donated rupees one lakh to the Lucknow Montessory School,Purana Qila. Lucknow in 1991 where his wife Smt. Roop Kumari Langar nee Chakbast, my cousin, was a teacher for building a Library Hall to perpetuate her memory. There is a gold medal in the name of Kumari Munni Gurtu donated by her father in her memory to be awarded by the University of Allahabad to the Kashmiri girl securing highest marks in B.A. Exams. Pt. Sham Narain Gurtu (Allahabad), son of Pt. Kundan Lal Gurtu my great grand - uncle, Tehsildar, tehsil Chhata, district Mathura and a poet (Bahar-e-Gulshan-e-Kashmir, Vol.1) by hobby, distributed free homeopathic medicines. Pt. Iqbal Shankar Kaul son of PL Gauri Shankar Kaul, (Hardoi), my maternal grand father, after retiring from U.P. Govt. Service, Lucknow, gave home-made Aurvedic medicines free. Pt. Jagat Narain Chakbast, father of Smt. Roop Kumari Langar, after retiring from UP. Govt. service, Lucknow and Pt. Chandra Mohan Nath Kunzru of Agra also gave free homeopathic medicines. His father Pt Raj Nath Kunzru provided free board and lodging to outside Kashmiri boys. Major Shivnandan Lal Dar of B.H.U. invited Kashmiri boys living in hostels to his residence to enquire about their welfare and problems and entertained them with home-made food. Pt. Zind Ram Chaudhary Tankha, a Bakshi in the Court of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah (1775-97) built aShiv temple known as Bada Shivala in Rani Katra, Lucknow in I 778. It also has life-size idol of Ma Raagyyan Bhagwati. It is famous as Sankata Devi Ka Mandir among local non - Kashmiris. So, when the present opportunity came, the Kashmiri Pandits came forward and offered their services. An attempt is made here to highlight and assess their role in this noble venture.

Pt. Parmeshwar Nath Sapru will always be remembered for his yeoman’s services. He played a prominent role in fund-raising campaigns. His services were sought after for this purpose. As one of the Secretaries of the District Collection Committee, Faizabad, he visited many places from time to time. If he visited Tanda and Akbarpur and Goshain Gunj and Bhitti at local level for subscription he accompanied the Deputation to places as far as Amritsar and Rawalpindi. Shortage of finances being a perennial problem with the B.H.U. in the early stages of its existence his services were requisitioned as late as 1920, when he joined the Committee constituted to raise funds to expedite some important and urgent construction work.

Pt. Iqbal Narain Gurtu, son of Pt. Inder Narain Gurtu, a Sub-judge, Allahabad occupies a very dominant place in the affairs of the University. He was a fund-raiser, a professor and an administrator. He was working as the Headmaster of the Central Hindu School, Banaras when he volunteered his services for fund-raising campaigns during summer vacations. In spite of his delicate physique he braved the summer heat to undertake the tours. He visited many places organizing public meetings at local level. He opened his account in selfless service with a public meeting at Kheri on 21-5-1911. It was attended by well-known and influential people of the area in a very large number. The tours were highly successful. It goes to his credit that the subscription was “One lakh and five thousand rupees in seven weeks”.

Rai Bahadur Pt. Bisheshwar Nath Hangal, a lawyer of Faizabad, a prosperousZamindar of Akbarpur and a social activist was instrumental in organizing successful public meetings of people with influence and well-known in the area for subscription. A unique feature of the public meeting at Darbhanga (Bihar) held for subscription was a very inspiring poem read by Pt. Brij Narain Chakbast, a reputed lawyer and a renowned poet, prompting the Chairman to give rupees One hundred and twenty five to the poet in appreciation of the poem. The poet donated it besides his own contribution. Pt. Prithvi Nath Takru and Pt. Janaki Nath Chak of Lucknow, a pleader and the younger brother of Pt. Prithvi Nath Chak, contributed rupees One thousand and One hundred and rupees One thousand respectively. Rai Bahadur Pt. Vishwa Nath Tholal, a well-known figure of Kanpur also came forward and lent his services towards fund-raising campaign. In spite of inclement weather he accompanied the members of the District Committee, Kanpur to Tehsil Bilhaur for subscription. The meeting at Almora was presided over by Pt. Bishun Narain Dar who made a forceful plea for donation. He was a successful barrister of Lucknow, a great orator, a political thinker, a social reformer, a well known writer and a Urdu poet, the President of India National Congress (1911) and  member of the Victory’s Legislative Council (1914). He raised a storm of protest which divided the community intoDharam Sabha (Conservatives)   and Bishun Sabha (Progressives) groups when he sailed to London (l884-87) to study Law. Thus when the found collection drive which began from Kheri and came to a close by the end of-Nov. 1912 the amount collected in cash as well as the subscription promised combined together crossed the figure of rupees sixty-seven lakhs.

Encouraged by this spontaneous response another campaign for the subscription of funds was undertaken after some time with the main difference that whereas in the earlier campaign common men were contacted, in the latter the Princely States were covered. The result was as expected .Money rained-in in the form of actual cash, promises of cash, recurring and non -recurring annual grants etc. Dewan Pt. Daya Kishan Kaul of Alwar State was among the notable Kashmiri Pandits to promise a handsome amount of donation of rupees twenty-five thousand towards the University fund.

The next phase which began with the preparation and presentation of the Draft Constitution of the proposed University to the Hon’ble Member for Education for consideration and approval and covered activities like enactment of the B.H.U Act (Act No XVI of 1915) , merger of Central Hindu School and Central Hindu College with the B.H.U., search for the site, acquiring of the land, laying of the foundation-stone of the building by the Viceroy and the Governor-General and ended with the establishment and functioning of the University from the academic session of 1917, found the Kashmiri Pandits once again in the vanguard. They participated with the same zeal and candour as shown by them earlier. This can be said to begin with Rai Bahadur Pt. Maharaj Narayan Shivpuri joining the above mentioned historical Deputation as one of its member and continued when they became a part of the administrative set-up as well as teaching staff along with others. A few of them shouldered additional responsibilities besides being a teacher. It continued even after that and draws them to B.H.U. even now. A unique feature, however, was that quite a few of this generation of Kashmiri Pandits offered to and actually did serve the B.H.U. in an honorary capacity.

When the University Court was constituted Dewan Bahadur Pt. Daya Kishan Kaul, Foreign and Financial Secretary, Patiala State was nominated by His Highness the Maharaja of Alwar from among class II- Donors and  Their Representatives Category. Another member of the Court under the above category was Pt. Raghunandan Lal Dar. He was a public-spirited officer who rose to become Deputy Collector. He was made Administrator Nagar Palika, Banaras (now Varanasi). He was an Honorary Railway Magistrate class I for life .The title of ‘Rai Saheb’ was bestowed upon him. He was nominated by the Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir and he participated in the proceedings of the Court as his representative. Dr. Bal Krishna Kaul, Lahore, who was at that time, among others, on the Board of Trustees of the Central Hindu College, Banaras, was elected as a member of the First Court under class III- Elected Category.

Pt. Gopi Nath Kunzru, a lawyer from Allahabad and the younger brother of Pt. Hriday Nath Kunzru, joined the B.H.U. as the Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor, Malaviyaji. He was a member of the Court and the Council etc. during which period he had to deal with the budget of the University. He was concerned with the twin problems of revenue deficit and overdraft. He took active part in the meetings and was forthright in expressing his views on financial matters. He also served as the legal adviser of the University.

Dr. Hriday Nath Kunzru, a well-known figure in the field of public service, had a life-long association with the B.H.U. He was a member of the Court, the Senate and the Executive Committee. He had the privilege of being a member of the Senate and the Court of the Universities of Allahabad and Agra also. An avid reader, a keen observer and a good orator he took active part in the deliberations. Financial instability of the University was his constant concern and agitated his mind. He was made a member of the Retrenchment Committee to explore ways to reduce the expenses and increase the revenue. Later on he was made a member of the Financial Organisation Committee to find out ways to increase the income. His presentation was clear, focused and forceful. He had the privilege of addressing the twenty-sixth annual Convocation in 1943. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in 1955 in appreciation of his services. He was the President of Servants of India Society, Poona, All India Sewa Samiti, Allahabad and Indian Council of World Affairs. He was a member of UP. Assembly and later on became a member of Rajya Sabha. 

Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, M.A., LL.D began his association with the B.H.U. when he became one of the First Trustees of the Society proposed for the Hindu University, Banaras. Later on, with the coming-up of the B.H.U. Act and the dissolution of the Society, he was made a member of the Committee Management to manage the affairs of the Hindu Girls’ College Society, Banaras, as a stopgap arrangement. He, along with Pt. Moti Lal Nehru, a famous lawyer of Allahabad, was elected, among others, a member of the First Court under class Ill-Elected Category in 1916 and participated in the proceedings. His son Justice P.N. Sapru was also a member of the Court for a number of years. Sir Sapru was appointed in July 1923 as an Honorary Professor (Constitution Law and Jurisprudence) along with P.N. Sapru and others for a period of two years by the Council. Sir Sapru was Dean, Faculty of Law from 1924 to 193 8. An honorary degree of Doctor of Letters was awarded to him at the nineteenth annual Convocation in 1937. He had the honour of addressing the twenty-fourth annual Convocation in 1941. Dr. Kailash Nath Katju, a leading lawyer of Allahabad, was, for a number of years, a member of the Court. The Council appointed him in July 1923 as an Honorary Professor of Law for a period of two years. In 1950 an honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him. He was a minister in the first Interim Govt, in UP. and in later life he served the nation as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the Home Minister and as the Defence Minister of India and the Governor of West Bengal. Pt Manohar Lal Zutshi was the first Kashmiri Pandit to serve the B.H.U. as its Registrar during 1917-18. He would have continued for a longer period but had to leave the post to take up another assignment. He was appointed the Principal of Teachers’ Training College, Banaras when it was established in 1918. This Principalship was another first to his credit. His son Pt. B.K. Zutshi also served the B.H.U as Assistant Registrar for a number of years. When Pt. Manohar Lal Zutshi left, Rai Pt. Brij Narayan Gurtu stepped in to offer himself to work as the Registrar in an honorary capacity in view of the vacancy and was appointed on an honorarium of rupee one per month for a period of five years. Major Shivnandan Lal Dar, son of Pt. Raghunandan Lal Dar, although he joined the B.H.U. as a Professor of Philosophy (1929- 51), was first appointed as Deputy Registrar and then elevated to the post of Acting Registrar in 1955. Later on he adorned the post of the Registrar from 1956 till his retirement in 1967. He was made an honorary Major for life on account of his long association with N.C.C. The pinnacle of his career was the monumental book History of The Banaras Hindu University which he co-authored in 1966 on the occasion of its golden jubilee.

Those who served the Central Hindu School as its Headmaster were Pt. K.K. Sukhia (1921-23), Pt. KL. Kitchlu and Pt. S.N. Wali. Professor P.N. Razdan served not only as the Headmaster of the Central Hindu School, Banaras but as the Principal of Teachers’ Training College, Banaras also. A selfless and dedicated social worker of repute and longstanding, Pt. Iqbal Narain Gurtu was perhaps the only Kashmiri Pandit who was associated with the B.H.U. from the very beginning of the movement and remained so all through his active life spanning four decades. He left his flourishing legal practice at Kanpur to serve the cause of education, thus preferring a life of austerity and simplicity over the life of ease and comfort. His achievements as a fund-raiser have already been recorded. He served as the Headmaster of the Central Hindu School, Banaras from 1908 to 1913. He was an Honorary Professor of History in Central Hindu College, Banaras. Although he had served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Allahabad from 1932 to 1938 he did not hesitate to take up the post of Pro-Vice- Chancellor, B.H.U. and served for two terms from 1940 to 1945. He was a member of the Court and the Council. He was elected as an Honorary Treasurer of the University in December 1945 for a period of two years. He exercised a sobering influence over the students and was instrumental in maintaining a fruitful dialogue and liaison with the Authorities on the one hand and peace on the Campus on the other hand during Quit India moment. Incidentally, Dr. Moti Lal Dhar, ex-Director Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow happens to be the only Kashmiri Pandit to serve as Vice- Chancellor, B.H.U. from Feb. 1977 to Dec. 1977 till date.

Pt. Iqbal Narain Gurtu was one of the Joint-Secretaries of the Management Committee of the Hindu University Society in 1911 and was a member of various Committees like the one to effect changes in the B.H.U. Act & Statutes, Financial Organisation Committee etc. He tackled the problem of graded salary and graded post, of pension and provident fund of teachers and other staff and, of deficit and overdraft successfully and was able to present a budget which had surplus. An honorary degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon him at the twenty-seventh annual Convocation in 1944 in appreciation and recognition of his services and had the privilege of addressing the same Convocation. A hostel building stands in his name to immortalize his memory. A commemoration volume (Abhinandan Granth)was published on his seventysixth birthday on 25-9-1953. At the time of his retirement he donated a total sum of rupees three thousand and five hundred for a scholarship named “Rai Pt. Kishan Narain Gurtu Scholarship”. He used to distribute homeopathic medicines free of cost. He was the first President of the Kashmiri Pandit Association, Banaras in 1946. He took keen interest in the welfare of the Kashmiri hostellers and his house was always open to welcome them. He was such a noble soul.

The time moved on. The founder-generation, having accomplished the task assigned to themby Baba Vishwanath, faded from the scene. If Baba Vishawanath and the Holy Ganga attracted the people for spiritual advancement and enlightenment, the B.H.U. -  the” temple of learning -  attracted the young for educational advancement and intellectual enlightenment. And the Kashmiri Pandits, being devotees of Shiv and blessed by the Goddess Saraswati, were no exception. Varanasi became their destination because the B.H.U., unlike other universities, offered Courses in numerous technical and professional subjects like Engineering, Medicine & Surgery, Aurveda, Pharmaceutics, Mining & Metallurgy, Geology, Agriculture, Teachers’ Training, Music & Fine Arts, Theology, Oriental Learning etc. under one roof.

Smt. Brij Kumari Hukku was the first Kashmiri Pandit graduate from among the first batch of twenty-six students who appeared for B.A.(Final) exams, in 1918, and got her degree at the first Convocation in 1919 from Mrs. Annie Besant (1847-1933), a great theosophist and an educationist. However, with time and need their role also underwent a significant change. To illustrate the point, some of those who joined the B.H.U. as students opted to serve it as teachers like Major Shivnandan Lal Dar, M. A., LL.B., the Professor of Philosophy and later on, the Registrar.

Among others are Dr. P.K. Tikku, M.Sc, Ph.D., who taught as Professor of Chemistry. He was also Dean, Students’ Welfare. Professor S.K. Kak became a Professor of Electronics. He was Incharge Computer Center also. Dr. M.N. Wali, M.Ed., Ph.D. and a Gold Medalist, was a Reader in Education Department. Professor P.N. Kaula, although a Librarian, was elevated to become a Professor of Library Science and retired as Dean, Faculty of Library Science. He is well-known for his scholarly work on the subject. He became President, Indian Public Library Science Association, Lucknow and lives there.

Pt. T.N. Munshi was assigned the work of supervision and maintenance ofKamachha hostels. Pt. Dwarika Nath Kaul was the Office Superintendent in the University office. Others, after completing their education from B.H.U, took up jobs elsewhere, rose high, made a name and brought glory to theirAlma Mater. One of them was Smt. Kamla Razdan, M.A.,L.T. who joined Education Department and retired as the Inspector of Schools, Kanpur in 1970.

Among others are Pt. Bhuvanesh kaul, son of Professor J.L. Kaul of Kashmir, who joined the College of Mining & Metallurgy, in 1943. He took up employment in Martin Burn in Jamshedpur and retired as a senior executive.

Professor B.B. Dhar came for B.Sc.(Mining Engg.) degree in 1956 and joined as Professor in I960 and became Head of the Department of Mining. He was also made Chief Proctor. Later on he joined Central Mining Institute of CSIR, Dhanbad as its Director. Air Vice Marshal Autar Krishna Zadoo, VSM, did his M.Sc. (Electronics) in 1963. He topped in M.Sc. (Prev.) in 1962. He joined the Air Force and retired as Air Vice Marshal in 1998. He was awarded Vishisht Sewa Medal in 1986. He is an Aeronautical Engineering Consultant and lives in Gurgaon. Air Vice Marshal Kapil Razdan, BE, also joined the Air Force and retired as Air Vice Marshal in 2001. He was awarded Vishisht Sewa Medal in 1982. He now lives in Kanpur.

Pt. Brijnandan Lal Dar, BE, joined National Engineering Industries Ltd., Jaipur (Birla Group of Industries) and retired as its Vice-President in Sept, 2006. Pt. Gautam Dar, BE, joined Durgapur Steel plant and later on he shifted to Hindustan Copper Ltd., District Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan and retired as Chief Training Engineer. He now lives in Gurgaon.

Pt. Rameshwar Nath Gurtu son of Pt. Onkar Nath Gurtu (Allahabad)  -  my cousin -  did his B. Pharma in 1972. He was a good and a popular badminton and cricket player. He obtained P.G. Diploma in Management from Punjab University, Patiala in 1986. He started as Manufacturing Chemist, Searle India Ltd., Bombay (1972-75) and after a steady rise as Deputy Production Manager, Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hyderabad (1975-96), as Production Manager, Cheminor Drugs Ltd. (Dr. Reddy’s Group), Hyderabad( 1996-99), as Head, Formulation Department, Granules India Ltd., Hyderabad (1975-96), is now General Manager (Technical), Occean Pharma Coat Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. Miss Vijaya Shivpuri, M.A. (Eng.), M.Ed., Ph.D., is Principal, KFI Vasanta College for Women, Varanasi.

To wind up the assessment it can be concluded that the role played and the contribution made by the Kashmiri Pandits without craving for the limelight is a matter of pride for all of us. This encourages us to aspire and to endevour to attain the lofty ideals. I close with the couplet of Firaq Gorakhpuri:

Insan Ki taqdeer to koi

taqdeer nahin Taqdeer to

kaumon ki hua karti hai.

by G. K. Gurtu

[Reproduced from 'Kashmiri Pandits : A Cultural Heritage '- Edited by Prof.  S. Bhatt]

It is indeed an arduous task to encompass the achievements and contributions of a great family to society in a few pages.  How much my humble venture in this field will give joy and inspiration and satisfaction, I leave this to my readers to judge.  The Kunzru family is one of the few families that I came in close contact with, during my stay in Agra and had the privilege of knowing a little about this distinguished family.

It was Pandit Kirparam who alongwith the members of his family had to migrate from his native home Kunjargaon, in Baramula, Kashmir and after temporary stay in various cities for sometime the family finally opted for Agra and engaged itself in business.  It was a period during which to escape political, economical, social and religious persecution, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit families were forced to leave their beautiful homeland never to return, but only to cherish the memories of their sweet home amidst snow-capped mountains, the green meadows, the murmuring brooks and the rows of Chinar.  The struggle for survival, retention of Kashmiri culture and traditions and separate entity was long and tortuous.  It was only by dint of industry and intelligence, that the forefathers could carve out a place for themselves in India and abroad.  In the milieu no wonder our mother tongue became a casualty.  The sun heralding fhe dawn of return to homeland and a welcome embrace from our Kashmiri-speaking brethren is yet to come up.  However the years rolled by.  The period of struggle for the family was over.  His son Pandit Kedamath before he settled down in Agra, had served the Jhajjar State (near Delhi) as Dewan.  By the time Pt.  Ajudhianath, the son of Pandit Kedarnath, came on the scene, the family was firmly established, fairly prosperous and had acquired social status.  The firm Kedarath Ajudhianath was a flourishing concern.

Pandit Ajudhianath (1840-1892) was born, brought up and educated in Agra.  He was proficient in Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit and spoke Urdu and English with equal ease.  He was a leading lawyer of the Agra Bar.  He shifted to Allahabad in 1869 after the establishment of High Court there.  He became the first President of Allahabad Bar Association.  In between he attended to and expanded and diversified his family business with acumen, earning fame and fortune.  He was known for his penetrating insight, subtlety of mind, clarity of thought and straight forwardness of expression couched in most dignified language.  He earned the respect of his colleagues and admiration from the bench.

His interests were wide and varied.  His time was divided between professional, business, social and political activities.  He founded the Indian Herald to voice his views on social and political matters.  He was also associated with another paper Indian Union.  He was bold and fearless in his views.  Even in those days in British Raj he advocated participation of Indians in the affairs of the Government.  In view of his position as a leading lawyer, an established businessman and an enlightened person he was nominated to the Legislative Council of the Lt.  Governor of the NorthWest Provinces as a Member from the non-official member side.

Pt. Ajudhianath was drawn towards Congress and became Chairman, Reception Committee in Allahabad.  He was a great organiser.  He addressed meetings in many cities and raised funds for Congress.  He became Joint Secretary of Congress in Bombay.  Some of his close associates were W. C. Bonerjee, A.O. Hume, Pherozshah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Madan Mohan Malviya.  He was a forceful orator but neither dogmatic in approach nor communal in attitude.  He held liberal and progressive views and was persuasive in arguments.  He worked for the unity of Hindu and Muslim communities and discouraged the efforts of those who were trying to alienate the two.  He desired that both should come on one platform and work unitedly for the welfare of the country.  It was his sincerity of purpose and honesty of approach which brought people from different communities in large numbers into the fold of Congress.  He was from an orthodox family but he held secular views and kept himself aloof from narrow controversies.  He was respected both by his admirers and critics.

Pandit Ajudhianath took keen interest in education.  He was one of the founder members of the Victoria High School in Agra, a Trustee of Agra College and Senate Member of the Universities of Calcutta and Allahabad.

He was a man of social vision.  He associated himself with various associations which had been formed to discuss topics of current interest.  To save people from debt, degradation and death he voiced his concern against drinking.  The plight of economically poor masses did not escape his attention.  He utilised the forum of Congress to criticism the taxation policy.  He did not approve of child marriage and purdah system.  He desired that girls should also be educated.  He stood for the emancipation of women folk so that they may also participate in nationbuilding.

He was kind hearted towards birds and animals.  He was moved to see sick or wounded animals still yoked to work or lying unattended.  He was highly critical of cock-fighting and quail-fighting as a means of entertainment and could hardly bear the sight of people enjoying the dumb birds entwined in fierce combat, lie bleeding or writhing in pain with limbs broken and once beautiful plumes torn and scattered all around.  His love and concern for mute creatures prompted him to move a Bill for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Alas, he left the stage too soon with many a task unfinished.  In his untimely death the Congress lost an able organiser, India a dedicated leader and society an honest and sincere social worker.  His family and business too received a great set back.  He was well-built and of medium height.  The flowing beard, the penetrating eyes added charm to his graceful personality.  To mourn his sad demise meetings were organised, rich tributes were paid and resolutions were passed to record his selfless service to society, the nation and the Congress.

Pt. Rajnath, the eldest son of Pandit Ajudhianath, by his second wife, was then a minor.  He was born on 14th August, 1884.  He studied upto Intermediate Class.  He was well-versed in Urdu, Persian, English and Hindi and spoke all the languages with equal command.  He was an active student during his college days.  He acted in dramas organised by the College.  His interest in acting continued even after his college days.  He took part in games and was fond of physical exercises.  He established an Akhara in his house and invited young boys of his locality to joiru It is still functioning.  He was married in 1900 at the age of sixteen.  He was only twentysix years old when his wife died in 1910 due to pneumonia fever leaving behind three sons and two daughters.  The responsibility of bringing up his children along with his brothers and sisters fell on his shoulders.  He did not marry again in their interest.  This early responsibility developed in him a loving and friendly nature with a life.  Numerous Kashmiri and non-Kashmir boys availed of the benefit of his benevolence.  Quite a few of them even stayed in his house for years, to complete their education.

Pandit Rajnath took up contract work for a living because his family business had by now, due to various factors, wound up.  From 1906 to 1912 he was engaged in the job of construction of buildings.  The present house was constructed during this period.  In 1914 he established a firm Kunzru and Dattatriya in partnership with Pandit Sharka Prasad Kaul to manufacture carpets and durries.  This continued till 1918.  From 1920 to 1932 he worked as Manager, Benaras Bank, Agra Branch.  In between he looked after and consolidated his agricultural land.

By the time Pandit Rajnath made his public appearance he was well established and much respected.  He too, like his father, was drawn towards Congress, though later on he felt disenchanted and so withdrew.  The idea of strikes and Satyagrahs did not appeal to him.  He subscribed to the view of 'first deserve then desire' and as such advocated hard work and sincere approach.  However in 1916 he alongwith his brothers and like-minded people organised Home Rule League and addressed meetings and organised processions.

Pandit Rajnath is known to the people of Agra as an educationist.  He took keen interest in the field of education.  He was in the management Committee of Agra College, Raja Balwant Singh College, Shobia Mohmadia College and Mufid-a-Am Inter College for years.  He served as Manager, Thakur Biri Singh Intermediate College, Tundla; Annie Beasant College, Krishna Ashram, Allahabad and Victoria High School, Agra.  He was instrumental in raising the last named school to the present status of an Intermediate College in 1966.  The present building of this College which stands on a piece of land donated by the Raja Saheb of Awagarh speaks of his dedicated efforts and the esteem he was held in, by the Raja Saheb.  It was his keen interest and sincere service to the cause of education which elevated him to the membership of Educational Re-organisation Conunittee for Intermediate Education in 1960.  He was also nominated a member of the Executive Committee of Agra University.

Pandit Rajnath served the cause of trade and industry.  He had a clear vision about the role and importance as well as future need of co-operatives as an instrument of progress and prosperity.  His becoming a member of Organisation Committee for Industrial Co-operative Store and President, Quality Marked Footwear Manufacturers Co-operative Association Ltd.  Agra speaks of his interest in this sector.  He encouraged handloom cloth weavers to organise themselves into co-operative societies so that their goods could be sold through co-operative stores to their profit.

Pandit Rajnath having inherited from his father zeal for social service added a new chapter in dedicated and selfless service.  Inspite of various engagements he found time and directed his energies in this direction.  In 1918 he founded The Sewa Samiti in Agra.  During that period Agra was in the grip of plague and dengu fever.  People had begun to move out of the town leaving behind valuables, the sick and the dead unattended.  He worked tirelessly during those critical days.  He organised relief operations and supervised relief measures.  He remained present on the spot to do the difficult job of checking any mischief by unsocial elements, moving the sick to hospitals, distributing free medicines and removing the dead for cremation or burial besides keeping night-watch over houses left vacant by fleeing people.  He set up safety squads.  His brothers, Pts.  Gopinath, Dinanath and Keshonath-too, joined him in this humanitarian work.  The risk of catching infection did not deter him from this work.  He had the unique distinction of continuing as the Secretary of The Sewa Samiti from 1918 to 1970.  He was a member of Viceroy's National Defence Committee from 1940 to 1945 and in that capacity, visited Middle-East as an observer to assess the problems of Indian troups stationed there.  He joined Rotary Club as a Member and rose to become the Governor of the District thirty-six and went to America in 1958 on invitation.  He was also an ardent member of The Theosophical Society and actively participated in its deliberations.  He was a member of Ram Lila Committee from 1913 to 1926 and its President from 1927 to 1971 and gave his full time to the Ram Lila Celebrations.

Pandit Rajnath was a religious man.  But he was not an orthodox.  He held liberal views.  He respected all religions and attended functions and celebrations of other communities to share their joys.  He helped all those who sought his help.  He kept himself aloof from controversies.  He was loved and respected by members of other communities.  He was equally a ease with children and grown-ups.  He was jovial and playful in the company of children and grave and philosophical among older people.  Though be held strong views on some matters he was always responsive to reason.

A self-made and fearless man, Pt.  Rajnath was fair complexioned, well built and of medium height.  He was a proud possessor of graceful personality with a deep voice which carried the force of conviction. he was a good orator.  His high forehead, long nose and trimmed white beard presented a picture of a noble soul.  He wore Sherwani and Chitridar and a matching cap adorned his head.  He was almost a father figure to the Kasbmiri Samaj, Agra.  He lived up to the ripe old age of about eighty-eight years quietly fulfilling the mission of selfless service with all the sincerity and dedication under his command.  He breathed his last in Agra on 19th December, 1971, after a brief post-operation illness.  His death left a void in the field of dedicated social service.  People of Agra still remember him with love and respect.  He was truely a torch bearer of his late father.

Who has not heard of Dr. Hirdaynath Kunziu?  Handsome with well-cut features, curly hairs and a medium height, Dr. Hirdaynath, the second son of late Pt.  Ajudhianath and younger brother of Pt. Rajnath, presented a picture of academic grace.  He radiated intellectuality.  Anyone who came in his contact was immediately impressed by his encyclopaedic knowledge.  Clarity of thought, straight forwardness of expression and brevity were the hall mark of his speeches.  People listened to him with rapt attention.

Dr. Hirdaynath was bom in 1886.  He was the favourite child of the family.  He was lean and thin in his childhood and very quiet by nature.  He was educated at Agra and Allahabad.  Inspite of his weak constitution he was very studious and devoted to his studies.  He was a voracious reader and was blessed with superb memory.  Reading was his lifeing hobby and he was seen engrossed in books.  His only complaint in the evening of his life was his failing eyesight due to which he was unable to read much.  He went to England and took B.A. and B.Sc. degrees, with specialisation in Political Science.  An honorary Doctorate was conferred upon him in recognition of his services.  He also became a Member of the Senate and the Courts of the Universities of Agra, Allahabad and Benaras.

Dr. Hirdaynath was married in 1908.  Tragedy, however, struck him when he was only twenty-five.  His wife expired during child birth in 1911 and unfortunately, the child also died after six months.

He was greatly upset, and like his elder brother, did not marry again.  Instead he decided to dedicate his life to social and political work.  Shri Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a close friend of the family, exercised great influence upon him.  It was Gokhale who asked for Dr. Hirdaynath from latter's mother for the service of the nation.  As such, from 1916 onwards he devoted himself to the service of mankind.

Dr. Hirdaynath joined Servants of India Society, Poona, which was founded by Gokhale.  He worked as volunteer during Kumbh Mela at Hardwar, Allahabad, Nasik and at other places.  He rose to become the President of this Society.  The sphere of his dedicated service expanded.  He joined All India Sewa Samitil Allahabad and later on became its President.  He continued to serve the poor, the needy and the destitute.  He felt happy to be of any service to others.  He was a very disciplined worker.  He had great respect for elders.  He was a man of determination.  He never tolerated indiscipline, insincerity and flattery or sycophancy.

Dr. Hirdaynath founded the Sewa Samiti Boy Scouts Association in Allahabad.  The idea behind this movement was to mould school-going children into the service of the society.  He wanted youthful energy to be employed and some constructive work.  He advocated participation, organised camps and addressed rallies.  His efforts paid dividends.  The movement became popular and spread far and wide.  He ultimately rose to become Chief Scout after the death of Chief Scout Pandit Madan-Mohan Malviya.

Dr. Hirdaynath too, was attracted towards Congress but later on withdrew from it alongwith Shri T. B. Sapru, Srinivas Shastri, M. M. Malviya, C. Y. Chintamani and J. N. Mulla.  However, he rose to become a leading political figure by his hard work.  He was member of the U. P. Assembly as Independent candidate from Muzaffar Nagar and was a member of Upper House of Parliament for many years.  He was a staunch nationalist. He advocated equality and justice for all even during British Raj days.  He was against colonisation and slavery.  He was of liberal views and preferred discussions to agitations.  The conditions of the colonies, Armed Forces and Finance were subjects of his special interest and attention.  He actively participated in the debates and always came fully prepared.  It was hard to contradict him on facts and figures.  His speeches were marked by clarity of thought and straight-forward approach.  He could never be cowed down by the high and mighty.

People heard him with rapt attention and in pindrop silence.  They were awed by his masterly and accurate presentation of the subject under discussion on the floor of the House.  Even those who held opposite view respected him and never questioned his sincerity.  His elevation to the presidentship of Council of World Affairs speaks of his interest in the world affairs as well as the esteem he was held in by the people.

Dr. Hridayanath was a deeply religious and God fearing man.  Bhagwat Gita exercised greatest influence upon him.  He believed in simple living and was always humble.  He was a true Nishkam Karm Yogi.  He too, like his elder brother, lived upto the ripe old age of about ninety-two years fulfilling the task of serving humanity assigned to him by Almighty till his end.  Inspite of his failing eyesight and weak body his mental faculties were clear and sharp.  He was constantly thinking of the country, its people and the work that remained to be completed.  The concern for the welfare of the people made his agitating mind restless.  The end came suddenly on 3 April, 1978.  He died peacefully at his home, in Agra and with it rested the body and soul of a tireless worker.

Affectionately called as 'Chand Bhai' by Kashmiris and 'Chand Babu' by non-Kashmiris, Pt.  Chandra Mohan Nath, the eldest child of Pandit Rajnath, was bom on 24 October, 1902 and was broughtup and educated in Agra.  He had his early grooming by a tutoress Mrs. Fantham.  He was an average student but a good sportsman and represented his college in numerous matches and tournaments.  He took part in college debates and dramas.  His favourite games were football and hockey though he was equally proficient in Basket Ball, Volley Ball, Table Tennis and Cricket.  He served the cause of sportsmen by becoming a referee in 1923 and remaining so till 1954, which speaks of his popularity, impartiality and expertise among sportsmen.  In that capacity he visited places like Karachi, jodhpur and Secundrabad.  He was very strict and impartial on the playground and his decisions were rarely challenged.  He was married in Lucknow on 3 May, 1936 and is blessed with one son, (Dr.  Krishna Mohan, a surgeon in England) and two daughters.

Pt. Chandra Mohan Nath began his career as a teacher in 1931.  From 1938 to 1942 he was an insurance man.  In December 1943 he joined the Royal Indian Air Force from where he was released in February 1952 as Ft.  Lieutanant.  Thereafter he established New York Blacking Co. in partnership to manufacture shoe polish etc.  In this business he remained from 1952 to 1971.  However, during this period he assisted his father and did whatever little social service he could do.  This was a tradition he had inherited from his family.  Helping others came to him instinctively.  He joined The Sewa Samiti Agra and is its Secretary since 1972.  He is an active member of Ram Lila Conunittee.  Since 1969 he is associated with Kashmiri Samaj, Agra.  Presently he is Patron of the Samaj.  He is an eagerly sought after person on the occasion of social and cultural gatherings and he discharges his duties with pleasure inspite of his advancing age.  For decades he has been doing this service.  The tradition of helping young boys who come to town for studies is still continuing.  All those who come find a welcome smile and a comfortable roof.  The poor and the needy, at times, are assisted with a little monetary help too.  Since he is a health enthusiast he invites boys to join Akhara.  He is a believer in the maxim of 'healthy body breeds a healthy mind'.

Pt. Chandra Mohan Nath is a nonpolitical and religious man.  He has simple taste and lives a simple life.  To him service to humanity is service to God.  He is an upholder of dignity of labour.  He loves children.  They eagerly await his arrival and crowd him to hear interesting anecdotes told in an interesting manner.  Older people also consult hirn on matters of importance.  Distributing free homoeopathic medicines and gardening are his hobbies.  Attending to patients or watering or trinuning plants are conunon sight in the morning.  Although eighty-four, he is still active and visits people in the town enquiring about their weffare, offering advice and helping solve their problems besides looking after his family agricultural land.  He is truly, a standard-bearer of the great traditions of his noble family.  We are sure the young generation will emulate his example of dedicated and selfless social service.