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Amarnath Yatra 2009 Marked By Goodwill

Author : Jasbir Sarai | .

Posted on : Thursday, December 31, 2009

The abiding strength of the Indian culture, that has sustained this civilization for millennia, is the resilience and patience with which it addresses the issues at hand. Even under the most difficult circumstances and times when political/social turmoil is at a peak the people display a rare solidarity when it comes to matters that affect their age old traditions. A shining example of this ethos is the conduct of the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir. Despite the turmoil of militancy the importance of the Amarnathji Yatra has not diluted. Lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the shrine every year with complete disregard to personal security. The number of aspirants for the pilgrimage has always been more than what the Government can allow due to security reasons and time constraints.

The holy cave of Amarnathji is located at the head of the Sind Valley in Kashmir, flanked on the north by the great Himalayan range and in the south by the Sasakat Mountain. It is located beside a small tributary of the Sind River called Amaravati. In the cave that has existed for times immemorial there is an Ice Lingam that has been worshipped since early historic times since it is believed that the Lord Shiva narrated the Amar Katha to Goddess Parvati in this cave. The cave is believed to have been rediscovered sometime in the 18th century by a Muslim from Balkot. For ages, the Muslim Malik family had taken charge of the pilgrims. They were responsible for keeping the track in order, escorting the pilgrims, carrying the sick ones and ensuring that nothing is stolen. For this, the family received one third of the offerings. So committed was the Muslim Malik family to this shrine that for generations together and to date they have dedicated their lives to its maintenance and to facilitating the pilgrimage.

Muslims Not Daunted By Terrorists

The Muslim population has never paid heed to threat by terrorists and, along with the Hindus they participate in the pilgrimage with traditional fervour. They are unmoved in their faith and devotion to the shrine and are willing to risk the ire and reprisal of terrorists to maintain the same. Hotels, shops, pack ponies, porters and all other related services gear up to welcome the pilgrims. The guides and porters of both communities are equally conversant with the legend and mythology and are more than willing to narrate the same to the pilgrims.

The troops of the Indian Army deployed in the region play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Yatra. In addition to the Herculean task of providing a security cover for the pilgrimage they are involved in providing aid to the pilgrims and also to the civil administration. The Army is the first to camp for the pilgrimage and the last to move out – always. Initially it patrols the area to tie up security plans and provides a database to the civil administration to start their work of route opening, shelter construction, camp establishment and movement of stores.

Once the Yatra begins the Army plays an advisory role in the establishment of camps and resolution of critical administrative issues. This year witnessed heavy snowfall along the higher mountain ridges making the route clearance an enduring and difficult task. The Army met the challenge with active involvement in the route clearance process and provision of warm clothing, shelters, etc. for yatris in concert with the civil administration. In addition the Army was called in for yatri management in the initial stages when the influx was very high and it assisted the local porter and pony providers by construction of various foot bridges across fast flowing rivulets (nalas).

Humane Assistance By Army

The biggest humane assistance provided by the Army is in terms of medical aid and casualty evacuation. The medical infrastructure that it set up at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni which includes ECG monitoring, oxygen cylinders, minor surgical facilities and essential medicines provided timely and essential medical aid to innumerable yatris and also to the Police and Para military forces personnel deployed there. A number of civilians and men in uniform were saved by timely road and helicopter evacuation. For the same two helipads each were constructed at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni in addition to civilian helipads constructed at Panchtarni.

The rugged and unfavourable terrain along the southern route takes a heavy toll on the yatris. The route from Chandanwari to Sheshnag and from Sheshnag to MG Top involves a climb of over two thousand five hundred feet each. A grim addition to this gruelling journey is the harsh and unpredictable weather conditions with temperature dropping to sub zero at night. Rain/ hailstorm/snowfall occurs at less than half an hour notice and leaves the unacclimatised yatris stranded at odd hours in between two camping sites. To cater for emergency in such difficult conditions the Army had set up an Adhoc Disaster Management Centre at Sheshnag and it deployed a number of disaster management stores including coats, sleeping bags, mattresses, socks, shoes, gloves and goggles for those in need. Rescue teams were sent out from these centres in the evening and well beyond midnight to rescue stranded yatris, many a time making more than one trip in the same night and physically carrying those in distress. The officers themselves led from the front and motivated their men to give their best in these testing times. No profit no loss STD booths were also set up for service personnel and yatris alike. During the last stages of the Yatra the Army opened community kitchens at Chandanwari and Sheshnag to ease the pressure on the civil authorities.

The warmth and cordiality with which all agencies work together year after year to make the Yatra a resounding success gives hope that the Valley can restore its traditional pristine atmosphere despite the negative effect of the shadow of the gun that has impacted normal routine for almost two decades now. This is because the people continue to display the capacity to reject violence and dream of a normal civilised existence. It is also heartening to note that the troops deployed over there spontaneously come to the assistance of the people and the civil administration to ensure that the pilgrimage that is close to their hearts and very prestigious for all of Kashmir is conducted in a smooth and incident free manner, by so doing the Army proves beyond doubt that it has only the good of the people in mind and that it has not allowed the jaundiced propaganda of divisive forces to come in the way of its long and enduring relationship with the people.

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Q1. Best tourist place in india

Answers options :

A. Himachal
B. J & K
C. Kerla