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| How Maharaja Pratap Singh tackled JK's five deadly epidemics | | Throwback for current rulers! | | Early Times Report
jammu, Mar 28: At present when the government in Jammu and Kashmir is battling all odds to prevent the spread of deadly COVID19, it may take a cue from the series of vita methods taken by Maharaja Pratap Singh during his tenure to combat similar crisis back in 1892.
Maharaja Ranbir Singh was succeeded by his son Mahraja Pratap Singh in 1885. He was 35 years old when he ascended to the throne and had already made his mark as a scholar and administrator.
The insanitary and squalid conditions in towns led to the outbreak of serious diseases. In the year 1892, the epidemic of cholera took the toll of ten thousand people in Kashmir valley. Four years later, in the year 1896, the epidemic of cholera spread in the entire state including the Jammu region. Similar diseases spread in the year 1902, 1903-04, 1906-07 and 1910. In order to prevent the recurrences of such epidemics, Maharaja Pratap Singh took several important measures that prevented the spread of such deadly diseases in the state.
As per the historical records, sanitary conditions were improved in Jammu and Kashmir and modern water works were established for supply of wholesome piped water. Roads and streets in the cities were widened and paved. Latrines were built and arrangements for scavenging were made across the state. Vaccination against the small pox was introduced for the first time in the state in he year 1894. Though some medical institutions were established d during the rein of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, Maharaja Pratap Singh built the government hospitals well equipped with medical equipments and facilities. A number of hospitals were also established in many rural areas of the state. A maternity hospital was established at Srinagar as well as in Jammu.
Intensely devoted to his religion, Maharaja Pratap Singh was a benevolent ruler and was popular among his subjects and accessible to all. Endowed with remarkable memory he patiently listened to the grievances of a petitioner and would reprimand the officer who neglected to address them on priority. He was anxious to see his people prosper and had sympathy with those who were in trouble.
Pertinently, at the present time when the erstwhile state is reeling under the misgovernance and the shirker attitude of the bureaucrats, the model of governance of Maharaja Pratap Singh could act as a tech bearer.
Especially at present time of COVID19 pandemic, one can recall how Maharaja Pratap Singh with his able command combatted various epidemics and revolutionised the health scenario of the erstwhile state to the core.
At present the COVID threat continues to loom large in Jammu and Kashmir with cases with infection mounting to 27 on Saturday.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day countrywide lockdown on March 24 evening, the Union Territory administration here had announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till March 31 on Sunday as part of its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. |
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