GRIJA DHAR (1934 -2018 )…..A DOCTOR IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY .....A TRIBUTE
Dr Girja Dhar is no more. She was unwell for some time and suffered a massive heart attack. She breathed her last on 13th July, 2018 at her Srinagar residence.
Talking about this great and courageous lady, I feel duty-bound to talk about her equally illustrious and kindhearted husband Dr Syed Naseer Ahmed Shah. Dr Naseer breathed his last in October 2017. This was a unique couple that Kashmiris saw for more than five decades. Unique in their bondage, mutual love and understanding; unique in delivering help, care, compassion and support to the needy and the poor. Help from them came silently without any ostentation or publicity. ” Help, divulge not, forget and move ahead to look at some other needy. ” Possibly that was Dr Girja Dhar’s belief. So was Dr Naseer’s conviction. Muslims, Pandits, and Sikhs could knock on the door of their house and seek help.
Born into a middle-class Kashmiri Pandit family from Safa Kadal, Srinagar , Dr Girija Dhar received her early education from Government Girls School in Downtown, Srinagar. She did her MBBS from King George Medical College, Lucknow and went to England to complete her FRCS and MRCOG . Returning to Kashmir in 1964, she joined as Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Government Medical College, Srinagar. It was sometime in 1964 that this couple went for a civil marriage in London where they studied. They belonged to different faiths yet the underlying mutual love and understanding in this relationship rose far above those faiths in cementing their bondage. For them, human values and humanity proved the biggest faith. As a professional, Dr Girja Dhar earned the respect and affection of a cross-section of Kashmiris that included poor, rich, young, old, Pandits, Muslims and Sikhs. Along with her husband, she played a key role in the spread of medical education in the state more specifically in the Kashmir valley. She was instrumental in establishing the Lal Ded ( exclusive for women ) hospital in Kashmir. She headed Government Medical College, Srinagar as its principal during the dark days of militancy. Despite grave provocations and an abortive attempt on her life by armed militants, she along with her husband stayed put in Kashmir and continued to serve the common Kashmiri through many channels; official and private welfare organizations. She also proved her administrative skills when she was inducted as Chairman of the J&K State Public Service Commission. She headed many committees and welfare trusts.
The couple had crystal-clear integrity and DNA-ingrained honesty. So many friends ( medical representatives ) who came close to this couple will vouch for my opinion on this particular aspect. Every sample that was given to this couple by medical representatives would invariably be passed on to some poor or needy patient silently. I am personally privy to this act.
I saw Dr Girja in June 2012, when, along with her team ( from the Women’s Welfare Trust ), she did something unique in Kashmir. Well-known Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan was invited to Kashmir to dance on Vaakhs of Lal Ded. And the then governor, N N Vora, in his address at that time said that such an exceptional initiative has brought a fresh breeze of hope and goodwill to Kashmir. On that day, I came to know about her missions and proposed tasks for the promotion of peace and goodwill in the troubled valley.This is what Greater Kashmir, a leading English newspaper published from Srinagar wrote on her death:-
“Emotional scenes were witnessed at Karan Nagar crematorium when noted
gynecologist Dr Girija Dhar was cremated there on Saturday. Dr Girija Dhar, who
served the State in many capacities, passed away on Friday here.Amid moist
eyes, people from different walks participated in last rites of the deceased.
Members of majority community were also present on the
occasion. Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and secretary
information Sarmad Hafeez among other officers were present during the cremation.
Several doctors from SKIMS and SMHS also participated in the cremation. Dr
Girija was a gynecologist of high repute who rose to take charge of the
prestigious Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar in 1985 where she served
till 1992. The same year, she assumed charge as chairperson of JK Public
Service Commission. She was appointed as the first chairperson of J&K
Women’s Commission in 2000. She said the wife of noted physician late Dr Naseer
Ahmed Shah. Meanwhile, the family sources said the fourth day (Shanti
Pathh) prayers meeting for Dr Girija will be observed on 16 July (Monday) at
her Kral Sangar House, Brein Nishat here at 4 p.m.”
I know many people who admired this great lady and how bad they must be feeling with this irreparable loss. For the governor N N Vora and his wife, she was like a family member. For them, her death has come as a personal loss.
She was cremated at Karan Nagar, Srinagar and it was Dr Anil Kaul ( her son-in-law married to her daughter Tina Anjila Shah ) who lit the pyre. Dr Anil Kaul ( son of Prof B L Kaul ) and Dr Tina Anjila Shah are presently based in the UK.
My sincere condolences to her immediate family, her brother Jag Mohan Dhar, Dr Phoola Kaul ( her Bhabi ), Muneer Ahmed Shah, Dr Ali Mohammad Mattoo and Prof B L Kaul.
I end this tribute with a couplet of Firaq Gorakhpuri and firmly believe that this couplet defines the adorable couple of Dr Syed Naseer Ahmed Shah and Dr Girja Dhar. Peace be to their souls.
“ Suuntay hain ishq naam ke guzrein hain ik buzurg
Hum log bhi faquir issi silsile ke hain”…….(Firaq Gorakhpuri)
(There once lived. we hear a revered elder; ’Love’,
We too have descended from the same saintly clan.)
( Avtar Mota )
PS
Photo of Dr Syed Naseer Ahmed Shah and Dr Girja Dhar. My thanks to the family for allowing me to use this photo.
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.