The first recipient of National Best Teachers' Award from J&K
By Ravi Rohmetra
Jammu has been blessed with the honour of producing sons and daughters of the noblest kind. Sh. Dharam Vir Ji is one of such respectful social activist and eminent educationist of outstanding merit. Sh. Dharam Vir Ji was born in “Mirpur” most flourishing district of Jammu Province which produced prominent judges, doctors, journalists and social activists. Born on 16th December, 1916 at Mirpur Chomukh now occupied by Pakistan, Dharam Vir was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters in the family Lala Ram Saran who was a Zamindar.
. His maternal aunt (Massi) Smt. Dewan Devi had no child, so he was brought up by his aunt Dewan Devi and uncle Lala Sunder Dass a well known social worker of the area. Master Ji received his early education in one of Government Primary Schools Mirpur
He passed his 10th Class from that Government High School. He received his basic education training at Teacher's Training School, Srinagar under the Headmastership of Mr. G.A. Mukhtar who later became Director Education Jammu Kashmir. After doing training he was adjusted as Teacher in leave arrangement in Primary School Baljaralan in Rajouri. Later he was appointed as Permanent Teacher in Primary School Branch No. 2, Mirpur. After some time, he was adjusted in Primary School Nanoi (Mirpur). Wherever he served, he served with dedication and sincerity. Due to his hard work, the then Inspector of Schools Mirpur transferred him to Central Basic School Jammu before 1947.
He was promoted as Head Teacher of a famous Middle School of Mirpur which was known as “Pandi School”. He joined this institution in 1939 and continued to serve this school till migration due to Pak Army and attack a Kabaili Militants who murdered most of the people, captured young ladies and took them away by Pakistani goons.
On 10th Maggar 25th November 1947 when Kabailies raided Mirpur, Master ji and his family also run for their lives. Like all others, reached Jammu in November 1947. On the way one of his sisters who was about to fall a prey of Kabailies, jumped into the well and gave her life to save her honor. his younger brother Mr. Moti Ram was shot dead by Pakistanis. Master ji and remaining family members somehow escaped under the rain of bullets barefoot. After continuous walking 4-days and three nights, he reached Jhangar (Nowshera) where they were boarded an Indian Army Truck and were camped in Company Bagh, Jammu.
After few days, the then administration geared up to supply essential things to the displaced persons (refugees) in camps. Only 10 present of the whole population of Mirpur was successful to reach Jammu after escaping from the Pakistanis marauders.
Later when the government of Jammu and Kashmir opened the schools in Jammu city, Master ji along with others were also adjusted in one of the Government School. He was adjusted in Hari Singh High School. Now High school Jullaka Mohalla Jammu, He did Adib, Alam and Adib Fazal also from Lahore University. By virtue of his reputation and previous records he was made Headmaster Pacca Danga Middle School which was later on shifted to Kachhi Chawani in Tangewali Gali where he along with his wife Smt. Satya Devi who had qualified “Prabhakar” (which is equal to BA) continued to serve till his retirement, 16th December 1971. His work was appreciated so much in school that the sons of bureaucrats and politicians used to get admission there.
Keeping in view the hard work, dedication, the Govt. of India conferred the Best Teacher Award for his valuable services to the community as a teacher of outstanding merit in January, 1959 he was presented this award by the President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 25th January, 1959. He was one among 32 teachers of the country and first from Jammu to get this prestigious award from First President of India.
During his service, he used to help all the students but especially the poor and down-trodden. He was known well among refugees because he contributed a lot in getting education for their children. As far as Master ji's family is concerned his wife Smt. Satya Devi also dedicated teacher who always walked along with her husband in this noble cause. People of Jammu had great appreciation for him as an Educationist, later Sh. Devi Dass Thakur Ex. Finance Minister and Late Sh. H.L. Bhagotra eminent Advocate and Principal Session Judge, had words of praise for Master Ji for his services. He had two sons and four daughters. His one son Late Sh. Lalit Kumar was also an educationist who retired as the Joint Director Education Jammu Province.
Master Dharam Vir continued to serve the private school without any honorarium after retirement and spread the light of education to all without caste, creed, color and religion. He breathed his last on 18th May, 2007 at the ripe age of 91 years. May his soul rest in peace and his son and grandsons to spread the message of peace and love to the community for which he lived and served the whole life.
(The writer is a Social Activist and a freelancer and can be reached at Cell : 94196-52999 and ravirohmetra@gmail.com)
