Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Thakur Master Bhagat Ram, a renowned teacher of Doda-Siraj area and a complete institution in himself, breathed his last at his native village ‘Ganika’ located on Doda-Dessa road at the age of 97 after a brief illness. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Born in a poor peasant family in 1915, Master Bhagat Ram did his primary schooling from Government Primary School, Doda, sixth from Government Middle School, Udhampur and later with the upgradation of Primary School to Middle School his seventh and eighth from Government MS, Doda and Matriculation from Government High School, Bhaderwah. He passed FA from the then University of Punjab. With poverty coming in his way, he could not continue his studies.
He was appointed as a teacher on 15th October 1935. His first appointment was in Government Primary School, Chinta (Bhaderwah) and worked in many other schools at Khalani, Trigam, Batote, Ramban and Udhampur. He served for a major part of his service spanning over 19 years in Government Higher Secondary School, Doda where he attained superannuation in 1970.
As a teacher, Master Bhagat Ram was known for its strict discipline and dedication besides high moral values. He was a model of simplicity and high thinking. The best teacher award was conferred on him by the then Governor Jammu and Kashmir Mr. Bhagwan Sahai, on the Republic Day in 1968.
Though he is gone, his plantation that he nurtured with so much care and commitment is blooming and flourishing in this vast area of Chenab valley.
Acknowledging his services, the citizens of Doda organised a function in 1997 to express their indebtedness to this great saint teacher who used to teach his students English, Math, Persian and Sanskrit with ease.
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