Ayodhya Nath Kerni
There are many legends about Nagar Brahmins available in Purans. Skand Puran contains a full chapter called as “Nagar Khand”.Gujrat was known as Anart Desh during puranic period. There lived a king namely Chamatkar, who was suffering from pigmented skin disease. His ailment was not cured despite various efforts by him. Having heard about the Nagar Brahmins, he approached and requested them to cure his disease. Nagar Brahmins treated him by chanting vedic rituals and applying herbal medicines. This treatment cured his ailment completely and he looked like before. He was very much pleased with the Brahmins and wished to offer them a gift of their choice. The Brahmins refused to accept any gift on the pretext that they do not accept gifts from the kings. Once, all these Brahmins left for a five days visit to Pushkar leaving behind their wives. King Chamtkar deputed his wife Damyanti to go to the wives of Brahmins with ornaments and clothes. Damyanti went with all those articles and requested all ladies to accept ornaments and clothes. They accepted joyfully and thanked Damyanti for the offerings. On their return Brahmins became angry with their wives but on pacifying the matter was settled. The Brahmins asked king Chamtkar to build a town for the stay of their families. The king constructed houses for the stay of sixty eight families. A boundary wall with three gates was also provided. Later on, strength of families raised to one thousand and five hundred. As it was difficult to stay within the boundary wall premises, some Brahmins settled outside the boundary and some migrated to other places. The town was named as Chamatkarpur. Later, it was also known as Vridh Nagar and finally Badnagar. The knowledge of Indian type of medicines is a hereditary profession among Nagar Brahmins. They are also having expertise in Sanskrit language vis a vis vedic rituals.
Rattan Chand Nagar finds his roots in Badnagar (Gujrat). His ancestors had left their native place Badnagar much earlier and reached Himachal Pardesh after staying at various other places. And finally settled down in the different towns of Jammu region. Rattan Chand Nagar was born on February 15, 1925 at Mahanpur (Basohli). His mother died when he was only four years old. His father Moti Ram Nagar managed his primary education at Mahanpur. Due to sudden death of his father, he had to shift to his uncle Mela Ram in 1933 who was already settled at Udhampur. He received education in Gurukul Pathshala and also cleared vishard. He opted and chose his career in Indian type of medicines with the guidance of his uncle as a medical practitioner in Ayurveda. He rejoiced at the start of the same profession as was adopted by his ancestors.
After 1947, he shifted his interest to politics and joined a political party. Soon, he was appointed as block president of that party. After some time, he realized that he can not serve the people as he wanted to. He was detached from politics .He felt suffocated in politics as he felt the need of wider field of activity. The quest for human service in him looked for fresh pastures and newer modes. He felt great tenderness for the elderly people particularly residing in villages. Their misery and apathy were evidence enough that no misfortune was greater than ignorance. It was this realization reinforced by painful memories of his own child hood when he had lost his parents. He got associated with the intellectuals of that time in Udhampur like Moti Ram Baigra, Pt Amar Nath, Pt Faqir Chand, Ram Nath Kailoo and many others.
Being a practitioner of Ayurveda, he never charged consultation fee throughout his entire career. He had been deeply interested in problems of advance aged people. Growing generation engrossed with materialistic approach do not care for their parents and grandparents as it ought to be. His sole aim was to render his services for the welfare of suffering people particularly in rural area. He conceived the idea of helping elderly people but it was not possible with his own limited ways and means as age expectancy has also increased. The elders felt loneliness in the family due to sheer negligence by the family members. The concept of establishing an old age home was the only solution to this complex problem. He focused all his attention for this mission and planned to provide an old age home with allied facilities for the area. The last span of life should be spent peacefully. It was a big challenge which could not be faced by him alone. He made a plan to complete his mission by seeking co-operation from other like minded friends and others.
He discussed his plan with his close friends and sought their help to complete it. He got a positive response from his friends. This encouraged him to form an NGO ‘Jagriti’ which was got registered in 1995. State Government was approached for allotment of land which was allotted with the efforts of some officials who wished to contribute to the noble cause. The land was made available by the State Government. The land being uneven was leveled with some volunteer donations. Area MP/MLA/MLC were approached for donation for the construction of old age home. Dr Karan Singh MP Rajya Sabha those days donated rupees ten lakhs out of his MPLAD. Similarly, contribution from others also started pouring in. The construction work was started and twenty bed rooms along with allied facilities were constructed so as to accommodate fifty aged inmates. Two dormitories to accommodate thirty inmates of Balashram were also created. A hall for conducting social and cultural programme was also provided. Rattan Chand Nagar also constructed two rooms by spending his own money. These rooms are being used for free Ayurvedic Dispensary, functioning to provide medical cover not only to inmates but also to other poor people free of cost. A physical therapy centre is also functioning in Jagriti complex which was established with the help of a charitable organization ‘Help Age India’
Dreams become true only when there is dedication, vision, hard work and aimed at service of humanity. A Bal ashram is also functioning along with old age home in Jagriti complex. Meals, sports, recreation ,medical and other allied facilities are being provided. Even at the age of 93 Vaid RC Nagar is always enthusiastic and never feels tired. He always remains ready to accept any challenge which is in larger benefit of society. All inmates of Jagriti complex wish him longevity as they consider him the sole custodian of human values.
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