The demise of revered Sh P K Joshep Dhar, a vibrant
volunteer of the community, who played a role of an Idol for many like me, came
as a jolter to the social organisations of the community.
I still remember our first meeting when he corrected my
anchoring script and gave me some enlightening thoughts and couplets that I use
regularly. His positivism and blissful aura always made me feel blessed for
being known to him. The day He kept his hand on my head and arm on shoulder at
a Doctor's clinic, half of my anxiety and disease was gone. His confidence,
will power and socialism did not leave him even when he was lying on bed.....
much to say about this noble soul but dont find words to express this
benevolent personality.
It has been his immense love for literature and getting
communities together has got him a mention in “The great people of Jammu and
Kashmir”, a 440- page book authored by Surjit Singh wherein, a write-up on
“Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir” written by, Mr. Predhuman K. Joseph
Dhar, figures in the book.
Mr. Joseph Dhar was a journalist of repute whose articles got published in various journals and newspapers in India and abroad. Even while
going through his letters to editor, one can sense the intellectual and moral
righteousness of this great literary man. Mr P K Joseph Dhar had a deep sense
of history, which the book named above too endorses. Besides propounding
chirstianity among people of the state, his articles have also covered social,
political, economic, philosophical and religious issues.
The manner in which he played with words, being staunch and
yet sophisticated, putting up almost all the right points before the people as well as the
governing authorities through his master pieces of articles and letters. The
reader comes to know about the scholarship, literary acumen, and interpretive
bent of mind of the author of the articles.
Mr P K Joseph Dhar throughout his life, proved to be a
teacher in real sense. His phenomenal memory got to his credit to figure in the
“Encyclopedia of the Kashmiri Pandits” and “WHO IS WHO”, published by the
American Biographical Institute, Carolina-USA. It was through his effortless
work towards the society that won him several of State and national awards for
his objective writings and contribution to the field of Education.
The Door Darshan
Kashmir has earlier telecasted a 28 minute documentary titled “Shehil Kul” (Shady Tree)
on Joseph Dhar recently. His written scripts for many documentaries telecast
over Door Darshan Srinagar chief among them being “ Aurat Yahan Aur Vahan” (
Women here as there- In India and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and “Paet Kum”
(Silk Worm) are words of wisdom. He has translated the Holy Bible into Kashmiri which was released
by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, at Jammu October 2. The Kashmir Version includes the Books of the
Apocryphaas well. It took him 16 years to accomplish the task and is published
by the Bible Society of India. He is the Convener of Catholic Christian Forum
Jammu and Kashmir and is the “defender of Faith” in this part of the country.
People may have different opinions regarding his work on bible. different are the interpretations to his being the bridging loop between communities; But, to
me, translating any religious book in our mother tongue brings an addition to
the literature of our community language. Rather than criticising, we need to
ponder what effective measures of the other religion forces a great man like him
to pay more emphasis to an unknown religion.
his leaving this world of materialism may not haunt many but is absence is a great loss to KP community and to the Christian community as well.
May his soul rest in peace!!
Bindianil
