TRIBUTE
This goes out to one of our most loved Teacher who we lost on 2 Jan 2024! The shockwaves of Rajnath Bhat’s departure are a testament to the profound influence he had on the society as a whole, leaving behind a void that will be hard to fill.
Rajnath sir was originally from Nagam Village of Disst. Budgam, by profession he was a teacher . We saw the fist glimpses of this great man in early nineties during our school days at Govt Primary School Hafroo Bata Pora Chadoora. He possessed not only excellent teaching skills but also a charismatic and approachable personality. The fact that he was dynamic, good-looking, well-dressed, and always had a smiling face which contributed to his popularity and the affection he received from students. He became the darling of million hearts in a quick go. The way he made learning enjoyable and created a vibrant and positive atmosphere in the classroom is a testament to the dedication and passion he had for his profession.
I remember one of the excursions which we had for Pahalgam. During this trip one of our bus went faulty ,and suddenly Rajnath Sir started singing a Kashmir Song “ME CHUE BASAN ASE GACHI SHAAM YATIE” along with the students . By singing of this Kashmiri song he played a significant role in turning a potentially inconvenient situation into a memorable one and uplifting experience for all the students on the trip. The fact that this memory still feels fresh and vivid after a long time suggests how special place that has in my heart and the hearts of those who were part of that moment.
During early nineties we lost the contact with this great teacher because of turmoil in Kashmir. Since I was a child and it meant very little to me at that moment of time. Every passing day would add to the sense of increasing awareness of turmoil and a feeling that the situation has become confusing or difficult to navigate. After almost the gap of 10 years we somehow came to know that our hero has joined Radio Kashmir Srinagar. Rajnath Sirs significant contributions to the Kashmiri language during challenging times, is indeed very valuable and commendable effort. This was the most joyous moment not for me and my family but for all of his well- wishers. Those days we would always remain awaited of 7 PM to turn on the radio and listen the voice of our hero. This line “YE CHUE RADIO KASHMIR SRINAGAR WAN BOOZIE RAJNATHI NE ZABEN KHABRE” always sounded like coming from heavens and it always made a heavenly ambiance for us
I have had the luxury to know this great man very closely from last 8 years. The relationship with him has been filled with genuine emotions and moments of profound connection. The first time my ears got to listen to my hero after 27 years , was when he called me up from Lalchowk at a time of loss and mourning for his brother-in-law, I went in a rush to see my hero after this reunion with Rajnath Ji brought back a flood of memories and emotions, created a poignant moment. We stayed together for some good time which provided us an opportunity to learn more about his life experiences over these years.
Very recently he again visited us and spent good time with us and alas we never knew this is going to be his last visit. I remember this time when I was taking him in my cab to his sitters house, I got the chance to ask my hero about the journey he had been through all these years. I asked sir why are you still rented in Jammu, he took the deep breath and replied that you know my son this is a big pain that I am living with. He said that he thought the anticipation of a swift return To Kashmir, which he had initially believed would only take weeks, turned into a prolonged and unfulfilled hope. The deep love for the land is evident in his decision not to purchase a house in Jammu, highlighting a unique and profound connection to the place. Despite this sentiment, he acknowledges the challenge of conveying this profound feeling to others, even his own family and friends. The phrase “with this hope that I will be back soon to my home” suggests a strong desire and anticipation of returning to his roots.
After I tried to get more from him, he interrupted me and took a deep breath again. He then requested me to move the cab and the mention of wanting to reach Parnewa for some rest indicated a need for personal space and perhaps an emotional moment for him. The sudden realization that my questions may have unintentionally reopened old wounds adds a layer of sensitivity of that situation.
During this journey what I could get out of him is that had been through significant challenges and hardships. This revelation underscores the gravity of his experiences and may explain his reluctance to talk further on the topic or share more about his personal journey. The deep pain reflected in his eyes conveys a profound and unspoken sorrow, emphasizing the weight of untold stories and unspoken struggles that he carries.
The love of land and the dream to return to his home remained elusive. This reminds me off Mirza Galib Shair “KITNA BADNASEEB ZAFAR DAFAN KE LIYE, DO GAZ ZAMEEN NA MILYE USE KOY-E-YAAR ME”. These shared experiences and memories are precious, created a bond that goes beyond mere acquaintanceship and these moments shared with him will likely to remain cherished memories for years to come.
Rajnath Sir would be missed very miserably, and the void he has created in our hearts and minds will be never filled. Lossing him is simply a personal loss to me and my family
My hero you lived all the pain in this part of the world, may you live peacefully in the other part of the world.
Daye Rooznaye raez!
(Author can be reached at: [email protected])
