KRUSHCHEV AND MARSHAL BULGANIN IN KASHMIR

                                                                                 

                               ( Russian leaders being received at New Delhi's Palam airport by Nehru
and Indira Gandhi )

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                  ( Bakshi Ghulam Mohd welcoming the Guests  )

                                              ( At Kashmir Government Arts Emporium )

  In the first week of December 1955, top Russian leaders were in Kashmir. They were official visitors and were treated with unprecedented hospitality . The delegation was jointly headed by Nikolai Alexandrovich Bulganin and . Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev . Nikolai Alexandrovich Bulganin was minister of defence of the then USSR (1953-1955 ) and later premier of the soviet union(1955-1958 ). Bulganin beard is named after him. Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev became premier of  the Soviet Union ( 1958-1964 ). They were also joined by a battery of officials from the then USSR , Representatives of RIA NOVOSTI( Information and news agency of Russia ) with photographer ANATOLIY GARANIN .The delegation also included Dzhabar Rasulov, Zukhra Rakhimbabayeva and Sharaf Rashidov, representatives of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. At a luncheon ceremony attended by Dr Karan Singh  ( the then Sadar e Riyasat of the State ) , Smt Yasho Rajya Lakshmi ( wife of Dr Karan Singh )  , Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad   ,the then Prime Minister of the State  , Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq , Syed Mir Qasim ,  Girdhari Lal Dogra  and  many other dignitaries . At the press conference ,  Marshal Bulganin said this  :-

“ Your state is situated close to the Central Asian republics of the Soviet Union-Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This is why we accepted with gratitude the invitation from your Chief of State, the esteemed Yuvaraj Karan Singh, to spend some time in Kashmir. We have enjoyed visiting your state because it is the birthplace of your prime minister, Mr. Nehru, of whom we think very highly.Here live the Kashmiri, Dogra and Ladakhi nationalities, as well as Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs and representatives of other nationalities and religions. 

All this indicates that the peoples of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, who are of various nationalities and religious beliefs, live harmoniously and want to work productively for the good of their native state-the Republic of India . Friendly cooperation among peoples is very familiar and understandable to us. Our country is a multinational country. Representatives of many religious beliefs live in the Soviet Union. But this does not create any misunderstandings among us; Soviet people live and work as a single, harmonious family. ”( Thunderous applause form the gathering ."

Pandit Jawaharlal  Nehru sent  Indira  Ji to Srinagar to see overall arrangement  for the Russian  guests. 

Elders tell me that wherever the Russians went they simply kept saying this:-

("kak vas za-voot") - What is your name?

("och-en pree-yat-na") - Pleased to meet you..

("da-svee-da-nee-ye") - Good-bye.

("spa-see-ba") - Thank-You.

("pa-zhal-sta") - Please You're Welcome

I was told by an elderly leader from our state that Marshal Bulganin in particular was highly impressed with  the scenic beauty of Kashmir . He was heard often exclaiming :-

“Kra-si-va-ya “ – Beautiful!

The Russians were entertained to lavish lunches and dinners . They enjoyed the WAZWAAN. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad exchanged food from his plate with Kruschev and Buganin. Nadim's opera,  Bombur  Yemberzal ( bumble bee and the narcissus flower ) was performed in Nedou’s hotel by a galaxy of Kashmiri srtists and singers led . Marshal Bulganin was reportedly seen foot tapping when the artists sang the song Bombro Bombro. Mohan Lal Aima  had innovated the  Chakri tune with a faster tempo for this song. However, at Nedou's hotel,  on stage live orchestration was done by  Dewan Varinder Mohan  of radio Kashmir , Srinagar.

                                                       

  ( The Russian leaders with Kashmiri srtists at Nedou's hotel Srinagar December 1955 )

Dr Karan Singh , Nadim  , Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad shared the front row with the Russian dignitaries who had been invited to enjoy this opera that showcased Kashmir’s rich cultural  heritage . ANATOLIY GARANIN the Photographer from RIA NOVOSTI kept clicking . . The dignitaries hugged poet Nadim  for creating this impressive and musical composition. They shook hands with every artist and expressed a desire to be photographed with the performers who were many well known names from the field of music and performing art in Kashmir.

                                    

   ( The Russians on s boat ride   in Srinagar )
           
"Bomburuss Yemberzal Beyee Samkhaavon ,

Nerunn Prein Armaano ,

Toofaan Shaitaan Neri Zung Fatrith .

Saavon Munz madaano .

Bomburo Bomburo Shaam Rung Bomburo ,

Kyaazi Chhukh Yoot Naalano.

Haal Baav Panunuy Haa Shaam sondharo ,

Ais Karroy Jaan Qurbaano ."

( Dina nath Nadim )


(O delicate narcissus! uptil now , You

have endured lot of pain and suffering .

We shall make narcissus meet her love ,

They shall fulfill their desires .

This satanic hurricane visiting our garden at the moment ,

shall depart shortly and die down in some open field .

O Bumble bee ! bumble bee ! O dusky bumble bee !

Why do you lament so much ?.)

( So sang Maswal ( iris ) Gule Laala ( tulip ) and many other flowers in Dina Nath Nadim's opera Bombur  Yemberzal depicting romance of bumble bee and narcissus flower )



( Avtar Mota )

13.09.2012 Time 11.55 PM………

(My sincere Thanks  to  Family of  Bakshi  Ghulam Mohd  ,  Some Friends and Ria Novosti for above Photographs )
                                         

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