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टांकरी बचाने को उठाने होंगे कदम
— सांस्कृतिक धरोहरों विशेषकर टांकरी लिपि को बचाने के लिए कदम उठाने होंगे। यह सुझाव अंतरराष्ट्रीय रौरिक आर्ट गैलरी नग्गर में आयोजित एकदिवसीय कार्यशाला के अवसर पर टांकरी विद्वानों की ओर से आया। आर्ट गैलरी प्रबंधन की ओर से आयोजित एकदिवसीय कार्यशाला में प्रसिद्ध टांकरी विद्वान खूबराम खुशदिल मुख्यातिथि के रूप में उपस्थित हुए। इस मौके पर एक प्रदर्शनी भी लगाई गई, जिसमें टांकरी में लिखी गई कई ऐतिहासिक बातें उजागर हुई हैं। खूबराम खुशदिल ने स्वयं इन टांकरी में लिखे दस्तावेजों को संजोया है, जिन्हें आर्ट गैलरी में प्रदर्शित किया गया। इसके बाद एक सामूहिक चर्चा भी की गई, जिसमें विशेष रूप से बुद्धिस्ट अध्ययन के विद्वान छेरिंग दोरजे भी उपस्थित रहे। साथ ही रौरिक मेमोरियल ट्रस्ट के भारतीय क्यूरेटर रमेश चंद्र व रशियन क्यूरेटर लरिसा सुरगीना मौजूद रहीं। खूबराम खुशदिन ने बताया कि टांकरी लिपि 16वीं शताब्दी की है। हिंदू धर्म के महाभारत, रामचरितमानस व रामायण सहित गुरुग्रंथ साहिब आदि को टांकरी में ही लिखा गया था, जो आज भी उनके पास मौजूद हैं। उनका कहना है कि वह जल्द ही इन ग्रंथों का हिंदी में अनुवाद करके इनमें छिपे रहस्यों को उजागर करेंगे। उन्होंने कहा कि आज के समय में टांकरी की सुरक्षा करने की जरूरत है, ताकि आने वाली पीढ़ी तक भी यह लिपि पहुंच सके। इस अवसर पर भारतीय क्यूरेटर रमेश चंद्रा ने जानकारी देते हुए बताया कि पांडुलिपियों का वैज्ञानिक संरक्षण होना बहुत जरूरी है। उन्होंने बताया कि जून माह में टांकरी लिपि के देश भर के विद्वानों को यहां बुलाया जाएगा, जिससे टांकरी की और जानकारियां लोगों को प्राप्त हो सकें।
The lifeline of hill state, roads, are turning out to be death traps for many. No doubt plans and projects are made to curb the number of accidents on serpentine roads of Himachal, but these remain confined to files only. As a result every year about 1,100 innocent persons lose life in approximate 3,000 accidents on deadly and potholed roads of the state. In other words we can say that on an average three persons lose life and 40 other are left handicapped daily. The state police tighten its grip over violators of traffic rules and those charged with overloading, but with the passage of time the enthusiasm and operation of the police too diminishes. The department orders a magisterial probe every time any major accident occurs, but its findings never come out or are implemented. The major reason behind road accidents is overloading which is a direct failure of the transport department. The recent example is the bus accident in Shillai area of Sirmaur district. The bus was inviting danger as 58 passengers were filled in it. Resultantly 18 of them lost their lives while 38 suffered injuries in major accident. These lives could have been saved if bus was not overloaded. Notably Traffic Tourist and Railways (TTR) wing of Himachal Police identified 536 black spots, including 210 spots on national highway and 326 on other roads, in a survey conducted by them in 2007. According to records of TTR Wing, 3,090 people lost their lives while 15,618 suffered serious injuries in 8,870 road accidents in last three years. The further analysis of report reveals that out of total 3,090 deaths in road accidents, 2006 were men, 947 women and 37 children. The wing conducted a survey on road accidents reported from 2006 to 2012. 314 black spots were identified in the survey. 4488 road accidents occurred on these black spots in six years, in which 1,408 persons lost their lives while 6,844 faced injuries.
Caste politics has reportedly been practiced by almost all political parties, though, they don’t admit it. Even as no census on caste basis has ever been done in the country and Himachal, yet the leader gather information about number of voters belonging to dominating castes residing in a particular assembly segment or parliament constituency. Consequently, political parties field candidates of that particular cast hoping that it would enhance their winnability. Both the main political parties in Himachal, the Congress and BJP, are no different while selecting their candidates for elections. Interestingly, Rajput community has been dominating state politics as the state had chief ministers from this community barring two occasions in 1997 and 1990 when Brahmin leader Shanta Kumar occupied the hot chair. Himachal has nearly 37.5% Rajput, 26.5% SC, 18% Brahmin, 16.5% others and 1.5% Gaddi population.
Himachal politics has been dominated by Rajput leaders as Dr. Y.S. Parmar became first chief minister of the state on April 24, 1952. He remained chief minister for four consecutive terms. Thereafter Shanta Kumar became chief minister for the first time on June 22, 1977 and for the second time on April 5, 1990. The state had 16 chief ministers till now and Shanta Kumar is only Brahmin leader to become chief minister twice. Rajputs have always dominated the hot seat. Political parties also like cast equations as leaders think that a Rajput leader has more chances of winning if fielded from an area dominated by the voters of this community. It is another fact that census has not been ever carried out on caste basis in the country and Himachal. Leaders have gathered figures on their own to form a parameter to field candidates of a particular community.
Brahmins have played the role of kingmaker in Himachal politics but only BJP’s Shanta Kumar could reach the hot seat twice though leaders from this community have established themselves in Central politics. Prominent among these are Shanta Kumar, Sukh Ram and Anand Sharma. Sukh Ram tried all political maneuvers in nineties to become Himachal chief minister but could not succeed. Virbhadra Singh was able to scuttle all his moves that were planned outside the state. As a result, Himachal Vikas Congress party emerged that ousted Congress from the power. J.P. Nadda was viewed as future chief minister of Himachal when he came to state politics from the Centre. He is again active in Central politics. Brahmins leaders are also progressing actively in BJP politics in Himachal