This fertile land of Doda district has been known for several aspects of life. It has produced people from all walks of life. Be it politics, education, bureaucracy, social work, art, literature, or areas like Bhalessa that have produced several saints, educationists, and legends too.
The erstwhile Doda is a land of saints, religious personalities, disciples, and spiritual personalities and has contributed in diverse fields.
The area of Bhalessa too has been and is still an area where the elderly from spiritual lines and educationists whose role in society was multifold. One such personality of the area is Mir Munawer Din, a guide and educationist rated highly in the realm of society and a close associate of belonging to the Sufi order, he always preached in line with the Quran and Sunnah.
Early life and Education
A close associate of prominent saint Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri, Mir Munawer Din was born to Gulzar Ahmed Mir on the 16th of April 1935 at Bhalessa’s Gowari village. Since childhood, he always excelled in the school days. It was an era of illiteracy and poverty. The entire bhalessa had no means of communication. The 87-year old Mir sahib, popularly known as TEO sahib in the area, was enrolled in the only primary school in Kilhotran Bhalessa where he was taught by the legendary teachers of that time like Gulsher Khan and many others. He was groomed by the then legend of the time, Ghulam Rasool Azad, the then teacher and later inspector of schools in J&K. Mir saheb had a relationship with the family and supported G R Azad saheb’s work.
Educational Contributions
Mir saheb has always served the poor and downtrodden sections of society as he belongs to a spiritual Sufi order, besides his educational contributions to the area.
Haji Mir saheb did his Basic Education Course (BEC) at Bhaderwah, where he was taught by Ghulam Rasool Azad and many others. He was groomed by many other associates, like Abdul Aziz Sheikh and Ghulam Rasool Chogani.
Alhaj Mir Saheb was posted as a teacher on the 8th of April 1954 and was posted at a primary school in Chilly. He did his Post Graduation in Economics and then B.Ed. He served as Headmaster at Government High School Jakyas Bhalessa. In 1980, he was appointed as Tehsil Education Officer (TEO). In the year 1990, he was designated as Principal at the Government Higher Secondary School, Kilhotran. In 1992, I served as Tehsil Education officer.
He fought for reforms in education in the area. In his long teaching career, he taught in some of the most remote schools in the state. As a teacher, he was completely dedicated to his job and did everything he could to provide quality education to students living in remote areas.Generations of students groomed by him have affirmed his influence on their lives and attributed their mastery of English and history to his village methodology. He has taught many legendary personalities, like Ghulam Nabi Azad, and many others.
He firmly believed in God and followed the principles of simple living and high thinking. For poor students, he was a Messiah, ever-ready to help them.
In January 1992, he served as principal at Govt. HSS Goha Marmat, a hamlet near Doda. He always played a key role in popularising education, and several schools were opened under his tenure as educational officer. He was friends with other literary figures of the time, such as Mohammed Shafi Mattoo, Retd. Ghulam Rasool Chogani was a headmaster.and a writer. He was a rare teacher, writer, and legend.
Spritual leaning
Mir Munawer Din has held a considerable place in the hearts of ordinary people. A person of spiritual stature, a true guide, a teacher 87-year-old Alhaj Mir Munawer Din sahib. A saintly satire, an unsung guide who has performed his duty of spiritual guidance to those who have the thirst for truth.
His relentless efforts and contribution towards the empowerment and educational upliftment of the downtrodden communities of J & K can never be forgotten. His philosophy, teachings, and life will continue to inspire the people of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Bhalessa in particular. Sufism (Tasawuf) as practised was the most powerful influence on his life, and he has achieved a level in it. and preaches its rituals and teachings among his followers. With such a spiritual upbringing and a Sufi understanding of Islam, he will always be remembered for his services to the people.
He always headed many organisations and Islamic forums in the area and stressed the need to create an environment of friendship and cordial relations between the people. He consistently strived to establish a strong bond of communal harmony and mutual co-existence in the area. He is always consulted for different proceedings and decisions pertaining to Islam. The communities of all the religions and political, social, and common men had considerable respect for him and used to visit him frequently.
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Sadaket Malik is a Research Scholar in Centre for Research and Development LPU Punjab, He is based in Bhalessa (Doda) and can be mailed at sadaket.lpu@gmail.com
