Manu Khajuria
To Give : A while ago there was video which had gone viral in social media especially amongst Indians both at home and abroad. In Mumbai there is this famed system of Dabbawalas, men on cycles who collect and deliver lunch boxes to people in their offices at lunch hour. This particular Video showcased a novel and a supposedly noble concept of people sending back their ‘dabbas’ and signing up for the distribution of any leftover food in it, amongst the poor and the hungry. This was hailed as an act of worthy charity, since the food is not wasted and the hungry are fed too. This kind of charity though has serious flaws. The very fact that to give someone something as an afterthought, to give them at our own convenience, to give only because we do not know what to do with our surplus, to give because we are pushed to a corner and there is no other way out, to give with an intent which is not pure and we expect to gain something out of the act, to give only that which suits us and not the receiver necessarily, does not qualify as giving in our Shastras or in any other philosophy for that matter. Shraddhya Dheyam is to give gracefully and in time.
This concept of correct giving is clearly absent in the current context of AIIMS to Jammu. Much has been already said in detail about why our Region needs AIIMS. No faults can be found with either the reasons or the need and hence one wonders why Jammu Region has been made to work their way through a maze of confusing statements, unmet deadlines, and silence on the part of some key leaders. If there is anything comical in this tragedy of errors, it is the fact that the people of Jammu had to overnight brush up their English language grammar skills. A lot many Wren and Martin, the trusted English grammar book were dusted off and studied to make sense of this labyrinth created by the curious play of words by the Government. ‘Like and similar’ overnight became dirty words.
What is confounding is the reason that has driven BJP to sabotage its own popularity after people put tremendous trust in them and brought them into power. The lack of prompt and effective communication on their part has caused much avoidable confusion and anger. It has also forced Jammu to take sides. Although people stand united in their demand for an AIIMS some remain skepticalof the Parties backing the ACC today, because these very parties in the past have been unable to fulfill the regional aspirations. On the other hand the trust they placed in the 25 MLAs they elected is also shaken and old murmurs of the Region lacking direction and good leadership grow louder.
Statements in reference to the Dy CM “kahaan gwaach gaya” though bringing comic relief reflect the sense of betrayal Jammuites are feeling. The situation could have been better handled by the Government through dialogue and transparency in its dealings with both the public and the ACC. PDP on the other hand could have shown some genuine interest in the issues concerning Jammu Region and atleast tried to pretend that there does not exist what seems like a clear division of roles between itself and its alliance partner. It looks like Jammu is BJP’s responsibility and PDP works primarily for Kashmir.
When the need is legitimate why is there a delay in the giving. To not give at the correct time has already snatched away the brownie points the Government could have earned itself replacing it with anger and distrust.
ToTake : It was heartening to see many Jammuites debating the efficacy of the nature of the protests and worry about it becoming a pattern. There has been a lot of discussion on social media about the Bandh and its impact on small businesses, daily wage earners and students. The inconvenience caused to the Yatris is not only bad if we see ourselves as a hub for religious tourism but it is also a blot on our Culture as gracious hosts. Bandhs during the yatra season and all that played out on the streets of Jammu throws for a toss our culture of Athithi Devobhav. The wine shops flouting the Section 144 and doing decent business in the midst of a shut down is shameful as are the plans to holiday by a certain section of the Society who can afford to take the shut down as an extended holiday.
The one image doing the rounds of the social media which left a bitter after taste was of a protestor attacking a roadside shop Noorani Muslim Restaurant. It is to Jammu’s credit that it was widely condemned. Many rushed to call it an aberration and the handiwork of anti social elements which get a chance to do their bit when protests spill out on the roads.
The quality of education and the students we produce is detrimental to our future. It does not bode well for the future if we have youth who welcome these Bandhs because it brings with it, postponements of exams and cancellation of classes. We cannot jeopardize the process of learning and promote a culture which has a negative effect on the development of our youth. An appeal issued by the Jammu University asking examinations to be kept out of the purview of Bandh calls reflects the same concern. These are some of the reasons which has people fretting over the methods employed to demand our rights.
It has been good to see ACC being responsive to some concerns raised but it is more a victory of the people who have voiced their issues and sought a redressal for them.
Many supporting ACC also have stated their worry about these frequent Bandhs and the way the City is paralysed leading to economic losses which our State cannot afford. The suffering of the general public during Bandhs cannot be dismissed. The hope is that we will move towards a healthy debate on the drawbacks of promoting a culture of bandhs and brainstorm on alternative ways to protest and dissent, and on how ‘to take’ what should be rightfully ours.
The Other: The demonization of the Police who resorted to lathicharge for reasons best known to them is also worrisome because they are the ones who are responsible for maintaining law and order and protecting us.
The question asking why should Srinagar get AIIMS while asking for it for ourselves, is also something many do not subscribe to. Not because they are not aware of the glaring differences in the infrastructure in Jammu and Sirnangar, or of the acute need of top class health care facility in Jammu, but because the posturing of the question is wrong and leads to an unhealthy trend in an already divided State. Before the voices being raised in mockery and jest asking for AIIMS for Udhumpur,Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar etc on social media, take roots we must remember to expand the cause and be inclusive of everyone in the Jammu Region and the State. Even from within Jammu Regions voices have been raised as a reminder that the Region is more than just the Jammu City. Jammu needs AIIMS undoubtedly but it also needs the overhauling of the existing Institutions and a closer examination of the problems they are riddled with. The entire Region and State is suffering due to badly run or non existent PHCs and District Hospitals. Vacant posts, lack of equipment and technicians to operate the same are true for the entire State. An AIIMS in Jammu will ease the burden undoubtedly but it is not a magic wand which will solve all the problems instantly. The existing problems run deeper than that and the protests have just scratched the surface. We must rise and stand together across Regional and ethnic lines in asking for improved health care infrastructure for all the three regions of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. While doing so we must work on our methods too.
Asking for AIIMS is not a tamasha and one fevently hopes it does not become one. Health care is a fundamental right for all. Everyone irrespective of their region and ethnicity deserves care and dignity in times of sickness. ACC and the various bodies supporting it must remain conscious of the fact that Jammu is becoming more politically astute, edging past the teething troubles and coming into its own. This new Jammu will not be kind to those trying to use this Bandh as a means to forward their own personal and political ambitions at the cost of the larger cause. Jammu will also not accept leftovers or settle for crumbs. As a State and Region let’s not just cry a river over all the wrongs done to us but work on building bridges. One hopes fervently that by the time this article goes to print the impasse has been broken providing relief and resolution to the people.
(feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel