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| Face book of Udhampur town | | | Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
The present site of
Udhampur city was under dense forest. It became frequently visited area after 1846, by Maharaja Gulab Singh, when State of J&K came into existence and Maharaja used to visit Kashmir via this site. The adjoining Krimchi town was the resting place for the Maharaja and his caravans. The site at present, where the town of Udhampur exists, was a hunting place of Prince Udham Singh elder son of Maharaja, who used to accompany Maharaja Gulab Singh on way to Kashmir. Because of the love and attraction of Prince Udham Singh for this site and finding this site also, a suitable place for accommodation of the royal caravans, being located at the direct route of Kashmir, the site was developed as a town by Gulab Singh with construction of accommodation for caravans and palace for royal stay. The town was named Udhampur on Prince Udham Singh's name. The people of adjoining areas came to settle in the newly developed town. The Prince Udham Singh died in a young age. It took very short time to develop this town, owing to the memories associated with the town of Prince Udham Singh and it was the reason of having special attention of Gulab Singh and subsequent rulers towards this town. A palace still exists in Udhampur town named as 'Tara Palace' on the name of Maharani Tara Devi Sahiba (fourth Wife) of the erstwhile ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. The Udhampur was next biggest town after Jammu. The Town was given status of District in 1931 A.D. The area of present Districts of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi was part of erstwhile District Udhampur. The erstwhile District Doda was carved out in 1948 and District Reasi in 2006 from Udhampur District.
The Udhampur district at present have three Tehsils and District headquarter is located in Udhampur town in the middle of the Udhampur city. Udhampur town has its religious significance, because of the River Devika, which at present has assumed identity as a shrinked small water channel. The importance of the 'Devika' is described in 'Nilmat Purana' written by 'Nela Muni' in 7th century. It is described as manifestation of the mother Goddess Parvati herself and River Devika appeared on Shivratri and considered as elder sister of Ganga River. 'Devi Mahatmaya' says that there is no need to perform 'Japa' or any other ritual for obtaining spiritual benefits at this pilgrimage centre, only to touch water or have bath, in its water is enough to get spiritual benefits. The cremations on the Devika Ghat are considered as meritorious as cremation on the banks of Ganga at Kashi. The ashes of the dead burnt on the 'Devika Ghat' are not taken to anywhere for immersion such as in Ganga at Haridwar for eternal salvation. The Devika site hosts historical three days Baisakhi fair attended by thousands of the people from nearby towns and other parts of the adjoining States. The Devika have lost its glory owing to the reasons of its pollution by the drainage of the adjoining localities, encroachments at the bank of Devika and construction of some of the un-required temples at the site, over the Devika itself. A cluster of natural springs at the Devika site, are becoming extinct and at present are merely left over as show piece rather than their use in required manner, owing to the reasons of pollution of the water. The rain sheds erected at the cremation Ghats lacks attention of administration, civil society of Udhampur and even NGO's showing much concern in electronic and print media, about Devika and its preservation. There is no proper availability of wood required for the cremation at site. There is no sufficient covered space for the funeral participants during rains. There was large chunk of the land as property of the 'Devika Shiv Mandir Gaddi' but its priest sold out the entire chunk of land on lease basis, there by the present 'Shiv Nagar'had cropped up as one of the ward of Udhampur Municipality and is the top most contributor in polluting the Devika as whole drainage and defecation is coming to the Devika. A large statue of lord Shiva erected on one side of Devika bank is marvelous piece of architect and attraction of the people passing through Devika routes.
The Udhampur town was previously also known for its three distinctive characters as 'Baa, Bakey, And Bowlies' means wind, rumors and water springs. The first characteristic attribution to the town of 'Baa' i.e. wind flow may be a past time phenomenon but at present time, its relevancy has eroded and it is not experienced now. This might attribute to the climatic changes. The 'Bakkey' i.e. rumor monger characteristic attribution to the town, raise its head, off and on, leading to 'Bandh Calls' in the town and setting of scores by the political parties. This type of rumor concept is not confined to Udhampur Town only, but almost to the whole country. We do not find any concrete back ground for branding this town as a town of rumor mongers. Third characteristic attribution as town of 'Baowli' i.e. water spring have its relevancy owing to the reasons of number of water springs called as 'Baowli' in the town and adjoining to the town. The 'Bowli' is Dogri nomenclature of water spring. The popularly known such Baowlies located at the periphery and some within town are; Mian Bagh baowli, Kallar Baowli, Billan Baowli, Mangu Baowli, Rataidi Baowli, Cluster of Baowlies at the bank of Devika, Sansu Baowli, Khatraidi Baowli, Saken Baowli, Londna Baowli, Gopal Ghat Baowli, Khold ( Bavey Di Bowli) Baowli, and many others.
The religious character of the Udhampur town can well be scored, owing to the reason that the town is frequented with number of historical as well as newly raised temples, the existence of Gurdwaras, Masjids and Churches of greatest attraction to the people. Some of the prominent temples are; Devika Temple complex of Raghu Nath, Shiv, Radhey Krishan, Kalika, Shani. Pandav Temple near Ramnagar Chowk, Jagan Nath temple at Gole Mela site, Isckon temple on Dhar road, Kali Mata temple near T-chowk, Vishvakarma temple at MH Chowk, Guru Ravi Dass temple MH Chowk, Kargil Hanuman temple near new bus stand, Dudhadhari Barfani templer at circular road Karlai-Kallar, Temple complex at Kallar, Sharika Mata temple near SSP office NHW, Temple complex at Industrial Estate, Temple complex at Mian Bagh, Shiv temple at Billan Bowli, Shitla Mata temple at Chabutra Bazar, Shani Temple at Sailan Talab, Kalika temple at Barrian and many more. The Udhampur town blessed with Gurudwaras of unique attraction and the main seat of Guru Ji, is at 'Omara Junction' and Gurudwara within the heart of city just opposite GHSS Udhampur. The old and famous Mosque located just few yards ahead of Sailan Talab Chowk and Eidgah another Muslim sacred place at Aadarsh Colony Udhampur. The Union Church registering its presence in the town opposite SSP office on NHW is a temple of better education to the 'Udhampurians. The town has a unique character of celebrating the occasions and festivals of all the religions jointly in a colorful way, which speaks of the secular minds of the people of the town. It is a place where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live in a very peaceful and congenial atmosphere and this town has never experienced communal charged atmosphere.
Once the Udhampur town was widely appreciated and known, because of the sports activities especially in the field of Volley-Ball and Circuit and every now and then, these activities were attracting the sports lovers and sport teams almost from all over the India. These activities have received a jolt because of departure of sports mind from the active field of sports; our young generation is struggling again to bring the Udhampur town on sports map again.
The Udhampur town feel proud of his son of soil late Sh. Moti Ram Baigra, who was member of 'The Constituent Assembly of India' and signatory to the document 'Constitution of India', adopted on 26th January 1950 by the people of India. He was also one of the members of J&K Constituent Assembly, formulated to adoption of Constitution of J&K State. His services to the nation and J&K State are not remembered in Udhampur town to the extent it should have been. Another son of soil a veteran leader late sh. Chuni Lal Khajuria MLC, remained Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, is known for his sobriety and political acumen and worked relentlessly to uplift the people of the area. The contribution of Late Sh. Yashpal Khajuria, also finds its mention as Minister of J&K State. The Udhampur town has produced number of intelligent think tanks in the field of literature and writing, who have worked beyond expectations in giving a boost in the field of 'Dogri Sahitya' and many of such personalities of Udhampur and adjoining Udhampur area stand recognized by way of 'Padam Shri', 'Sahitya Academy Awards' and number of other recognitions at the State, National as well as International Level, such as Jitender Udhampuri, Desh Bandhu Dogra Nutan, Parkash Premi, Bal Krishan Bhaura, Om Goswami and many more.
The Udhampur town feels proud of Northern Command Headquarters, Northern Command Hospital, Police Training Academy, Air force Station, subsidiary Training Centre of BSF and many other important establishments of other paramilitary forces. The Udhampur town is launching pad for many of tracking events and number of tourist places around the city such as Pandav temples of Krimchi & Manwal, picturesque destinations of Pancheri, Kud, Patnitop, Sanasar, Saruinsar and Mansar lakes, historical religious pilgrimage sites in Ramnagar, Sudhmaha Dev, Pancheri and to hilly districts of Doda.
As it goes the politics is an activity aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization. It is a practice and theory of influencing other people. The political turmoil of the Udhampur town and Assembly Segment leads to the conclusion that the town cannot be branded as a town of particular political party dominated town. The town stands represented by MLA's of NC, INC, BJP and JKNPP apart from independent candidates also. The political party registering their confidentiality in people to maximum extent is attributed to the INC and JKNPP as their candidates have maintained continuous consecutive two time win in Assembly. The Udhampur town represented so for by MLA's are;
S/Sh.
1 Amar Nath Sharma 1962, NC. 2 Hem Raj 1967, INC. 3 Dev Dutt 1972, Ind. 4 Shiv Charan Gupta 1977, Ind. 5 Balak Ram 83, INC. 6 Balak Ram 1987, INC. 7 Shiv Charan Gupta 1996, BJP. 8 Balwant Singh Mankotia 2002, JKNPP. 9 Balwant Singh Mankotia 2008, JKNPP. 10 Pawan Gupta 2014, Independent.
The performance of MLA's rated mostly on following parameters;
n The attendance in the Assembly.
n The number of questions asked in the Assembly.
n The appreciation of different policies.
n Interaction with the people and steps to redress their problems.
n Acceptability of the MLA after election.
n Interference in the local administration.
n Contribution by way of bringing developmental projects.
n Behavioral changes after elections.
n Accessibility to the commoners.
Taking into account, these parameters, the contribution of S/Sh. Amar Nath Sharma, Shiv Charan Gupta and Balwant Singh Mankotia, always figure in the discussions and their periods are regarded as more beneficial for the people of Udhampur as compared to other MLAs. The voices of S/Sh. Shiv Charan Gupta and Balwant Singh Mankotia both from opposite benches have registered their presence in the Assembly, and the best Legislative award was conferred on Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia in the year 2006-2007, who is also credited as to take oath in 'Dogri' for the first time in J&K Legislative Assembly, marking as a historical event in Dogra culture. The sitting MLA of the constituency has won election as an independent candidate after mandate denied by the BJP but was accommodated by the party as MOS on BJP seat during late Sh. Mufti je, but dropped by the Mehbooba led government. The Udhampur town presently is passing through a dark phase of unchecked encroachments and the encroachers have not even spared the natural water channels by way of construction of palatial commercial buildings over such water channels and 'Nallah' embankments. The encroachment in the town is witnessed at a large scale The easy cake for these encroachers is the forest land, banks of the rivers, barren land, area became available due to extinct water bodies and even the encroachment of seasonal water passages such as 'Nallas' etc. The Udhampur Town deserves to be taken on priority to free it from encroachers, as it is most effected city after Jammu. The alarming situation of this city can be gauged from the very facts of encroachment of even 'Nallas' just adjacent to District Hospital Udhampur, Near air force crossing Mian Bagh, Birwan Nala, Devika and many more. The connivance of political stalwarts, revenue departments, Municipal authorities and muscle men is the combination responsible for all these encroachments.
The lack of parking slots in the city is adding to the miseries of the people and the town presents a picture of haphazard parking system, unchecked dangerous run of matadors in the city, poor system of electricity supply compounding the problems, faulty water supply system, huge garbage dumping spots emanating foul smell and many others. There is mushroom growth of nurseries, schools and tuitions centers in almost every lane and Mohalla of the town without proper and adequate facilities of play grounds and required infrastructure.
The city is catering as take off point to all adjoining towns by way of Buses and matador services. The matador service in the city is a big chaos and city routes required to be de-congested and these Matadors are required to be pressed into services at following routes witnessing always plying heavily over loaded vehicles:-
n Sailan-Talab to Battal- Ballian,
n Bus- Stand to Chery-Swail, Kawa via Udhampur Railway Station.
n Slathia-Chowk to Udhampur Railway Station via Sangoor.
n Bus-Stand to Ramnagar Railway-Station via Venus-Chowk.
n Bus-Stand to Airforce-Station via Sailan-Talab.
n Bus-Stand to Garnai via Rehamble.
n Bus-Stand to Garnai-Lotta via Airforce Mess road.
The rural routes such as Udhampur- Chenani Sudhmahadev, Udhampur Kaldi-bletar, Udhampur-Jaganoo, Udhampur -Ramnagar within and onwards, Udhampur-Pancheri Lander, Udhampur-Moungari, Udhampur-Jandrah and many others required to be provided extra Buses as well as Matadors to cater to the needs of the daily travelers.
Another big problem for the people flocking to the town for their routine works in various government offices is about the location of dozens of government offices operating from private buildings. The more troublesome fact of this phenomenon is that, almost all these offices are located in the interior lanes of the city in un-conspicuous locations, which cannot be located in normal course. All these offices are required to be clustered in one complex to provide solace to the people.
The Udhampur town is all set to get a modern look if, announcements made recently of construction of Fly - Over and other development activities turn into a real commitment. |
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