Early Times Report
Jammu, June 17: To mark the beginning of bicentennial year of foundation of Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir by Maharaja Gulab Singh, 199th Coronation Day (Raj Tilak Divas) was jointly celebrated by Raj Tilak Celebration Committee and Dharmarth Trust in a simple and stand-alone manner in a public function at Jeo Pota, while strictly abiding by Corona protocol norms.
Pertinent to recall that on this auspicious day in 1822, emperor of Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh himself administered ‘Saffron Tilak’ to Gulab Singh instead of granting the traditional privilege to the pundits and that too unconventionally, ie, upside down, lesser known commonly. When objected to by the priests, the emperor stated that he was planting a tree with roots strongly dug down so that no storm would uproot it ever. (Ironically the new empire that took off by this noble act lasted more than a century proving the prophesy of the emperor right while his own empire collapsed within 7 years of his demise). It was this act of divinity turned a warrior into a Raja to later Maharaja of a vast empire spanning over 84,000 sq miles, largest in British India.
The function started with the prayers and hymns sung by learned Pandits/Priests of Dharmarth Trust for peace and prosperity of Maharaja’s creation followed by offerings of floral tributes by President & Secretary of the Trust/Committee to the plaque of Maharaja Ranjit Singh & Raja Gulab Singh representing the scene of coronation ceremony. After the Pooja Ceremony, the podium reverberated with ‘Maharaja Gulab Singh Amar Rahe’ slogans.
Despite COVID - 19 Pandemic, a large number of dignitaries and prominent persons enthusiastically attended the programme.
Bharat Bhushan Chairman DDC Jammu, Sharda Bahhu, Member DDC Akhnoor, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, President Dogra Sadar Sabha, Veteran Col Bana Ram Sharma, Narinder Singh Bahu, President all India Bahu Sabha, Chand Kishore, SDM Chowki Chaura & Akhnnor, Davinder Singh Kaluria, Chairman Gen Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust. Col Karan Singh, Ajay Gandotra, President Dharmarth Trust; Dr Ashok Kumar, BMO Akhnoor, Kuldeep Raj Sharma, JKAS, BDO Akhnoor, K. Rajan Singh, President Yuva Rajput Sabha, K. Rajvir Singh, Yuva Leader, Capt Jagtar Singh, Gold Medalist in Shooting, Capt Dayal Singh, Shaurya Chakra and Col J P Singh were among many who graced the occasion. The gathering would have been much more and celebration remarkable had the pandemic not forced the event to a low key.
Karan Singh, former Sadar-e-Riyasat, in his message on this auspicious day, hailed the formation of a distinguished empire, today called the ‘Crown of India’, which was multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and yet by his ancestors; otherwise so diverse in many aspects and yet harmonious in its spirit and wished it peace and prosperity.
Interacting with media, Bharat Bhushan, acclaimed the glorious achievements of Maharaja Gulab Singh and lauded the valour of Dogras for extending boundaries of India upto Afghanistan, China, Tibet, NWFP and Russia and assured that Indian Army is fully committed and strongly prepared to defend J&K from neighboring enemies.
Messages, greetings were received from Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, President JKESL and former MLC, Ch. Lal Singh, former minister and MP, Lt. Gen Anup Singh Jamwal, Brig J S Rajput, Secretary Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust, Judge Pavitar Singh, President Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha, Th Jai Singh Chib, President Chib Maha Sabha, Wajid Bashir Khan, DDC Member from Mehandar-B, Sanjay Arya, Shubhi Publications, Col S S Pathaina, SC, Prof Harbans Singh, Prof H R Sharma and Col R P Singh. |
