Hari Pradarshini

         Johar munsiyari watch

  Hari pradasani samaroh, village- dumar / burfu

  Every year Sri Hari pradasani samiti organizes hari pradasani samaroh w.e.f. 5^th  to 7^th November in the memory of late hari Singh jangpangi, a fierce orator, undoubtedly the most aggressive, vibrant and forceful freedom fighter and an amazing social reformer among other freedom fighters of johar valley. The specialty of jangpangi was after independence he continued his struggle for social awareness in terms of elimination of poverty, termination of illiteracy, removal of menace of untouchability, empowering women, empowering village panchayats, encouraging cooperative societies . As a matter of fact hari singh jangpangi was a staunch follower of Gandhi who led the freedom movement in the country, his priority / dream was to free India from foreign rule. Once independence was achieved second phase of Gandhi’s movement for social justice and communal harmony had begun and after his assassination his disciples decided to spread the massage of great saint throughout the nation and truthfully act upon his vision, but could not get decisive support because significant number of people were in favor of industrialization and during that period there was no hue and cry for pollution hazards, however, zeal of his followers did not diminish. Hari Singh was deeply impressed and admired social justice principle of Gandhi. He effectively worked for downtrodden and socially neglected class.

  Hari Singh popularly known as hari-da worked for the poor segment of our valley. He established Gandhinagar near madkot for the harijans of Burfu village and worked for their upliftment, he also founded a union of small scale traders to fight against monopoly of the big traders and helped them get cloth quota from the government .This made his work exemplary and his reputation as a social reformer improved tremendously .His close associates were Late Nari ram and Late Madhav Singh Jangpangi both freedom fighters who also contributed to his vision with the same passion. However due to his consistent movements and meetings he fell ill and expired .Society was deprived of his noble services which was genuinely required by poor section of our valley. Under the leadership of late Nar Singh Jangpangi with others (freedom fighters, social workers, traders and women) of johar valley decided to construct a memorial called hari samarak and hari pradasani samiti foundation was laid, that would organize function / exhibition every year in the month of November. The dreams of the most admired leader and a true social reformer of Johar Valley were carried on.

 Exhibition includes sale of woolen products like pasmina, carpets of different sizes, thulma, pankhi, maflar, tweeds etc. high Himalayan herbs and plants, other agricultural products which are useful for medicinal purposes. It was in order to encourage and provide marketing facility at door step to our weavers and growers. Expert’s advices regarding High altitude farming has given a confidence boost to farmers and economic stability .

Other programs are also included for various age groups of students to make them disciplined citizens of India, folk song and folk dance like dhuska chachuri, shoguna marriage songs etc. Competitions like Murga jhapat, Teen Per ki daud, katai dangal, tug of war like entertaining competitions for youth clubs and mahila mangal dal of villages. It is an effort to preserve our culture, tradition and values, simultaneously to provide a marketing platform for producers at their doorsteps who can not afford to go to market places to sell their items .It is a fantastic time to visit our native place when all have come from all over India to bond together, for elderly to meet their old friends, for younger ones to make new, to visit ancestors native villages, to buy traditional carpets, pasminas and to see and understand our culture. This will definitely encourage our cottage industry as well as promote tourism, resulting employment generation along with wealth generation. Neither we nor our children would like to rely or depend on government’s facilities forever. This is the era of competition and by nature we wish to live in the competitive environment.

  Indeed emphasizing on hand made products was a dream of Gandhi as it generates employment in the entire rural areas at the same time helps in checking exodus of rural population, products are environment friendly, give smell and touch of swadeshi. Hari Singh honestly spread swadeshi feel, he focused to protect our identity as bhotia tribe of johar valley, thus it is our duty to preserve our language , our culture , our traditional dress , food , folk songs and dances like dhuska-chachuri by passing information about the community down to generations otherwise they will always be confused about their community identity .No doubt our elders insisted community people to perform effectively and endeavor for remarkable achievements in all the fields, should be visible every where without loosing own identity. In order to translate thoughts of late hari Singh and other freedom fighters into tangible results, our elders had decided to organize Sri Hari samarak samaroh and which is regularly being held for more than five decades, thus, to a great extent we are able to come to their expectations. In the past years some of the notable persons and social figures of our valley that had been regularly visiting the function and contributing to make samaroh a grand success were regional freedom fighters, social workers like late Mangal Singh rawat, Late Durga Singh martolia, late lal Singh pangty, Late Hayat Singh brijwal and Gobardhan singh dhapwal etc.  When most of the families were shifting or migrating elsewhere for better opportunities, it was becoming difficult to run the celebration successfully this is why I wish to mention names like late Sri Megh singh jangpangi who motivated others and advised that samaroh has to continued and late Dham Singh jangpangi a primary teacher despite financial  problems arranged hari pradasani celeberation every year. He never worked for namesake; he was just a silent worker. Sarpanch Lok Bahadur Singh is also contributing his services in the foot steps of his father dhaam da. Unbelievable family contribution! Yes, it is true .

   

Hence I along with my wife smt pratima jangpangi, nokura, dumar / burfu,munsiari, presently at haldwani appeal and invite our valley people to please participate in the function and share your respective knowledge, experience to benefit our own people . We shall always welcome new ideas and suggestions to bring improvement.

Believe us hari pradasani samity’s commitment is social welfare for which hari Singh jangpangi struggled throughout his life.   His object was community to develop, let us all join hands in bringing our people together and protect our culture and help in growing it.

  Devender,