Homage - Pandit Prem Nath Bhat   

Yash Bhasin  

(Shri Yash Bhasin, Editor, Daily Panorama Jammu, reminds us about the life and achievements of a leading social activist of the KP community who was done to death brutally by fanatical gun toters in Anantnag in broad daylight on December 27, 1989 Editor)

The assasinatiomnhands of secessionist and fundamentalist Kashmiri militants on December 27, 1989, besides being a great national loss and creating a permanent void in the society as a whole as well as in his family, has been a great personal loss to me and the "Panorama", which I edit and publish. The late Mr. Bhat was a regular columnist of "Panorama", right from the second year of its publication till his murder. with his write ups on various subjects enhancing the prestige of the publication. He was also taking a keen interest in its progress in many other ways, including help to make it financially self-sufficient and sound.

We came in personal contact with each other only after I started receiving his write-ups for publication in "Panorama" in 1985 Though he contributed write-ups on varied subjects, ranging from spiritual and social to political/analytical articles, I felt a great affinity with him and a common wave length. In certain cases I did differ with his strong likings and dislikings of men and matters on the current political scene in J&K. yet I valued his opinions highly as his arguments and expositions carried weight and had a large number of buyers in the State and in the country.

My first encounter with Mr. Bhat was, when during one of my routine visits to Srinagar, in summer when offices and legislature is there, I ventured to visit Anantnag in 1985 specifically to meet him who had by then been regularly contributing articles for "Panorama". It was in his Chamber in the Court that I had first a face to face meeting with him. He was

surrounded by a large number of his colleague advocates, all of whom appeared, even to a cursory observer, to be having great regard for him. He introduced me to various lawyer-friends, most of whom were visiting him to seek advice, guidance and help in their personal matters, as I observed in my subsequent visits to Anantnag. What struck me above all about Mr. Bhat was that while he had firm convictions and stuck to his own guns as far as his ideological fervour, patriotism and nationalism was concerned, he had on open mind about others' views. and analysed and valued these from their positions. Not only did he not close his mind to others' opinion, he even guided them and gave them sound counselling within the parameters of their thinking and their placement. So much so that not only did the pro-Indian Congress and N.C. stalwarts in Anantnag seek his help and assistance for getting aspired positions in their respective parties, and in the Government in the case of ruling parties, he also rendered advice sought by separatist elements. He was a King-Maker for many, while himself remaining above this desire. As I learnt later he had politely turned down offers of some public positions coveted by many others, including some offices of profit.

Notwithstanding his wide contacts with the upper strata of society and men who mattered politically and in the ruling hierarchy, Mr. Bhat led a humble life with a low profile. After visiting his home and staying with him for a night on three occasions, I found Mr. Bhat to be an embodiment of high thinking and simple living Though, as I learnt later, Mr Bhat had vast ancestral property, including agricultural land and orchards in Anantnag and elsewhere in the valley, he led a simple and austere life. Instead of leading a life of extravagance and luxury, which he could afford, he preferred to utilise his material resources for helping needy people and the beneficiaries of his benevolence included people from different walks of life and all communities Mr. Bhat was a true specimen of the proverbial person who would not only guide a pilgrim about the way to the Ganges but would also provide him. with the fare to undertake the pilgrimage

Courtesy:- Yash Bhasin and December 1994 Koshur Samachar

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