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Thursday, November 30, 2006

KASHMIR, KHUDA (GOD) AND KHUDA BUX--A KASHMIRI TALE

DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS!
I have a friend from North Kashmir. He gave me this story to motivate me to write a book on Kashmir. I've completed the draft and waiting for a publisher's nod. This story is part of the book, titled, "KASHMIR- THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY". My friend hails from Kachhama-Tregham area of North Kashmir. His name is K***din. He is very intelligent and well informed but poor and illiterate as is the fate of most ordinary but well-meaning people. The year he gave me this story was the year of KARGIL Episode. Now read the story----------
There lived a man named KHUDA BUX in TAREGHAM, North Kashmir. He was god fearing, pious and sagacious. He was so gentle and nice that he couldn't hurt a fly. He was respected and likened by everyone. He offered NAMAZ five times a day. It is said that the tales of his piety and saintly ways reached the GOD. He did not believe that in such hard days there could be a man of KHUDA BUX's description. GOD decided to see it for himself. Also the tales of the beauty of KASHMIR enamored him. He handed over the reign of HEAVENS to his deputy GOD and came to see KHUDA BUX in Kashmir. GOD landed in GUL MARG and saw KHUDA BUX. He was impressed. He decided that he would take KHUDA BUX to heavens along with him. He checked up the details of KHUDA BUX’s earthly life and realised that he had some more time left so HE decided to have some holidays in GUL MARG. Thus god became busy in merry-making.
It so happened, one day in the year 1990, there was an encounter at CHOWKIWAL amongst the militants and the security forces. Both sides suffered heavy casualities. Unfortunately, in the cross fire, even KHUDA BUX got killed. All the dead persons were taken to the chambers PRESIDING GOD of the heavens. As soon as a person of security force will march in the presiding god would ask him the place he had belonged to. Each one would give out his state in India. The presiding GOD would command, "A SOLDIER DIED IN BATTLE! MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Next was the turn of the militants. As soon as a militant would tell him that he had come from PAKISTAN, the PRESIDING GOD will announce, "MILITARY & POVERTY PUSHED HIM INTO THIS, HE HAD NO CHOICE; MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Finally came the turn of KHUDA BUX.
As soon as Khuda Bux majestically walked in for a royal treatment, for he was a man of no sin, the presiding GOD, shouted, "Where do you come from"? Holding his head high and Chest straight, Khuda Bux replied, " Kashmir, Sir, Kashmir". The presiding GOD snarled, " Go back you RASCAL." Instantly, KhudaBux was thrown to earth in Kashmir. In the meanwhile, the actual GOD was happily enjoying his holidays in GULMARG. One day the real GOD met the spirit of Khuda Bux in GULMARG, by chance. GOD was stunned. He asked the Spirit as to what had happened? KHUDA BUX narrated his tale of woe.The real GOD was totally cut off with his deputy for his lack of justice and judgement and he decided to undo the injustice to KHUDA BUX. He asked the spirit of Khuda Bux to come along to heavens with him.
As soon as they reached the gates of heavens, the real god sent Khuda Bux ahead of him to the chambers of the presiding GOD. Moment he entered the presiding god got furious and shouted," I told you to go back you rascal". Immediately, The REAL GOD entered and scolded his deputy for his poor judgment and injustice." The erstwhile DEPUTY AND NOW PRESIDING God retorted," You too go back, u ras---"Real God was shocked and asked ,"WHAT FOR?" The Presiding God responded," TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH AS TO HOW KHUDA BUX AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE CONVERTED A LIVING HEAVEN INTO HELL". It is said ever since then the REAL GOD and the spirit of KHUDA BUX have been roaming in the valley of Kashmir to find out as to how it happened. Every time they work out an answer some more KNOTTY questions spring up. They are thus stuck in the time capsule.
When K***din narrated this story to me, I chuckled, " Oh! Goodness gracious! GOD on their side, yet Kashmir is tormenting." My friend, K***din butted in , " NO Sir, Even GOD can not find solution to Kashmir Problem." Thus, the KASHMIR POT KEEPS BOILING for continuously. ANSWER? Wait for my book , KASHMIR--THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY?"

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