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Saturday 6 November 2021

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 310 of 2021

2121hrs:

The timing goes with the year but I have so much to do. So many requests for information (research data/analysis), so many communications to inquire about my well being, so many invitations to attend various functions in the forthcoming future and then so many other important matters of life, that I constantly and painfully have to neglect.

What is certain is that winter must be utilised for hibernation more than anything else.

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Here's a glimpse into building design and habitat in the pre 1947 era:


This area is Chawara - Kukuta near Dhar Bazaar in tehsil (subdivision) Hajeera, district Poonch in AJK; ironically not far from the LOC.

A 2 storey house made of mud, stone and wood pre 1947. Its owner is Kundun Lal s/o Maniram of the Hindu Khatri community. For obvious reasons (read 2 nation theory) he had to flee from here in 1947. It is learned from this video that Kundun Lal's descendants live in Chandak, near Poonch city on the Indian controlled side. Which isn't too far - possibly less than 20 kilometres away - but alas separated by what locals describe as a 'khooni lakeer' (bloody line).

This is the only surviving such residence in the region and it is close to dilapidation, as visible in the video footage. Locals have urged the government of AJK to begin taking immediate notice of such heritage and do something to salvage what remains of it. Of course, this also requires mutating out of the 2 nation theory cited above.

Judging from the interviewees' comments the pain of being forcibly divided without reason is regularly evident. Sensing a loss of artistic creativity in the region since 1947 is also noticeable. Being stuck in a conflict zone for decades takes its toll on every aspect of society.

The current occupant since 1983 Sardar Nazakat (a migrant from the other side of JKA) says that the government has never approached them or taken any interest in this piece of valuable heritage. However, many media outlets have visited over the years for its natural attraction. 

The current occupant is also in touch with Kundun Lal's grandchildren who have urged him to not demolish the building, which the former has been seriously considering, as the building's condition is no longer safe to live in.

It is also learned towards the end of the video that when the 'invaders' came in 1947, they used this building as their base and thus gave it the name 'quarter'.

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