H R Phonsa
Great history making persons who make their contributions for the social cause are only a few. It is said “Some persons are born great, others are made great and still others become great by their labour”. Babu Parmanand fell in the third category. His life is a story of self struggle for the cause of others. He was born in acute poverty but due to his determination, sincerity and hard work he became proud occupant of Raj Bhawan Haryana.
Babu Ji was born on 10th August 1932, to late Sh. Jaggu Ram & Smt Matyan Devi; both of whom were deeply religious souls, having deep faith in Sant Mat as expounded by Saints of Radha Soami Satsang Beas .Babu Ji from his early school days was hard – working, punctual, brilliant but a poised boy. He had to travel a distance of over four miles to go to his school bare-footed. But poverty and vagaries of weather could not deter him from his determination to get educated. During those days education was rare, particularly for rural Dalits, as only a few lucky were privileged to go to schools, schools being only a few in number. His will to succeed brought laurels when he passed his M.A. LL.B degrees with flying colours. Parmanand was perhaps, one of the first Dalits from J&K state to acquire such higher qualification before 1958. He also appeared in the State Civil Services Examination1960, earning 9th position. During his student life, he was taking active part in politics particularly as a student leader. He was always ready to help and guide the needy students. His efforts earned scholarships to many students from his area & community and a hostel wing was added to GGM Sc. College Jammu Hostel exclusively for the Dalit students. He was inclined from the very beginning to politics. His strong will to become a public representative, won him his maiden elections from Ramgarh (reserved) constituency in 1962, general election. This was his first leap towards his chosen goal. He continued to win elections till 1990. He had the proud privilege to serve as Minister for various departments including transport, Local Bodies and Local Self Government, Housing, Power and Finance. Babu Ji Served as Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly when Sher-e Kashmir sheikh Mohd. Abdulla was the Chief Minister. Due to his qualities Babu Ji was appointed as Governor and he took the oath for the same on 19th July 2000 in the Haryana Raj Bhawan Chandigarh
On 6th May 1962 Babu ji got married to Sudesh Kumari, daughter of Lala Munshi Ram of Jalandhar town of Punjab. Lala Munshiram was a well to do sports businessman, who had migrated from Sailkot (Now in Pakistan ) to India during 1947 turmoil. Babu Ji was blessed with two equally brilliant sons, and five grand children.
Babu Ji started a fortnightly news paper “The Voice of the Depressed”. He wrote editorials which were acclaimed as best of his times. While launching the “Voice of the Depressed” Babu Ji wrote “The voice of the Depressed will give coverage to programmes and schemes floated for the benefit of people living below poverty line, welfare of Scs/STs, OBC, small farmers, landless, shelter less, unemployed, and living in bad pockets. It shall work as watch dog to monitor full utilization of funds earmarked for poverty alleviation, provision of employment and failures of administration.
Babu Ji left his mortal frame on 24 th April 2008 leaving behind in tears his lacs of workers, sympathizers, two equally brilliant sons, four grand children and his wife. The best tributes to Babu Parmanand a Dogra Rattan is to continue his crusade against the exploitation and deprivation of the poor and downtrodden millions of this great country by providing them equal opportunities and not alms of mercy.
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