news details |
|
|
| Needs attention! BABA JITTO | | |
While we mean no disrespect to the man who must have designed it we are constrained to point out that the statue of Baba Jitto at the foothills of Trikuta hills on the Katra-Reasi road does not convey the revolutionary image of the farmer who had sacrificed his life while fighting his landlords' murderous attempts to subjugate him. Now it appears that the overall milieu around what is publicized as his temple has too deteriorated with the passage of time.
There is poor maintenance, lack of development and zero infrastructural facilities for large number of people who turns up on their way to or from the holy cave of Vaishno Devi lured by the aura of one of the most distinguished heroes of this land. In specific terms it has been said that though the backdrop is enchantingly idyllic it is soiled in the absence of adequate public toilets. There is a bridge over an adjoining stream that has virtually caved in. This in turn has seriously affected the movement of pilgrims as well as inhabitants of the densely-populated areas on either side. To make matters worse there is no regular parking lot as a result of which the already busy Katra-Reasi road witnesses traffic congestion. Can any of these shortcomings be considered too grave to be immediately attended? Actually, given the resources of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which looks after the place located about six kilometers from its headquarters in Katra; it must be possible to take the corrective measures without any further loss of time.
Baba Jitto is part of Jammu's legend. Not for nothing, thousands of people gather every year at Jhiri, 20 kilometers from this city, to offer homage to him. His image is perpetual reminder of the symbol of the oppressed against the oppressor. It is doubtful whether any study of the history of land reforms in our State would ever be complete without mentioning him. In his bold and brave way he had shown the way centuries before the leaders in the State had woken up to recognise the rights of the tillers in the fifties.
Justice must, therefore, be done to his memory. At a time when the ordinary citizens are compelled to put up with a lot of humiliation in everyday life --- they get over one hindrance or the other by exercising easy options including paying bribes in the name of "practical difficulties" --- it will forever be rewarding to honour those emancipated souls who had the strength to stand up against unfavorable tides. Baba Jitto was the front-runner among them: he had let his own blood flow rather than allow his tormentors to forcibly take away the fruits of his hard and sincere labour.
Unfortunately, there is a general tendency among us to put our heroes on the same platform as gods. We do our part of duty by first placing their idols to one room or the other and then offering flowers and respects as a matter of routine. We forget that there is need instead to learn from the exemplary life and follow it according to one's ability. There are numerous examples to illustrate that it is possible for human beings to attain great heights in every sense of the word. After all, if we go according to our scriptures we will come across gods having often assumed human forms to prove their supernatural powers. Saluting the men like Baba Jitto would enable common people to recover their intrinsic worth. We should always remember it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
