Er. Hem Raj Phonsa, Chartered Engineer B.E.(Civil), M.I.E; Fellow IOV, LM IRC. (Ever First Dalit Engineer in J&K State till 1966) Ancestor: Nothing in known about my family history, except that my grandparents Sh. Kashmiri Lal and Smt. Malti Devi were from Village Raipur, Tehsil Samba district Jammu (now Samba) J&K State (Now UT) India. They owned 25 acres of agriculture land. But somehow for unknown reasons they shifted from that place to a Village Patli, Tehsil Shakar Garg, District Gurdaspur, India, which now is part of Pakistan after Indian partition of 1947. Reportedly an astrologist Pandit told them that without their shifting from their place of residence, they shall die male child less, considered a great curse. Migration was due to illiteracy based unfounded imagination or false notion (Vahan- वहिम). However, they already had a female issue named Kesri. So, to escape unknown curse they shifting from Raipur, in a night. They did not disclose to anybody their new destination, for being harassed by police to pay land revenue to government for the land they were deserting. At their new place, they engaged themselves in labour jobs. At the new place, they were blessed with two sons (Shri Tillo Ram and Gillu Ram) and two more daughters. All males remained engaged in labour jobs, including shoe making trade. Meanwhile a shop, in Morri Darwaja Lahore, now in Pakistan, was given to them by the maternal uncle of my father, as he was child-less. With this their financial condition improved a lot. In Lahore my father and Tau ji made 30-35 shoulder hanging small boxes duly equipped with shoe re-paring tools and materials. They used to lent boxes as free help, to those relatives or known persons, who reached them at Lahore to find jobs. When any one of them returned to his home, the box given to him was retrieved to give to some other needy person. The new comers were also given shelter. All took meals in a common self-help community type kitchen. While working in turns my father and Tau Ji had a good saving of money. My grandfather started taking his two grandsons (Aklu alias Charan Das and Chatru alias Chatru Ram) to school, said to be about 3 miles from home. At times the children were carried on his shoulders. The love for Children education was picked in from Lahore by my father and Tau ji. As their village Brahmins observed acute untouchability and suppression with untouchable (Now SCs and Dalits) of the village. As a BEGAR (free labour jobs) the Dalits had to carry many odd jobs for Upper caste Hindus, including making large pads (Locally called) Phallas for thrashing of wheat crop. Two Brahmins gave orders to my father to make Phallas for them, which had to take time. One evening one of the Brahmin abused my father alleging him for deliberate delaying job given to him. On this they had a quarrel and my father gave the Brahmin good leg beating. After the quarrel, my father feared collective attack on him, so he fled away to his In-laws at village Pakhri, in J&K, then under feudal state. He requested to my grandfather maternal (Nana Ji) Faggu Ram to get purchased some agriculture land for our family, as, my father decided to leave village Patli. Shri Gaggu Ram arranged purchased of 10 acres of land for Rs2200/- then a big amount. Some advance was also paid, before my father returned to his village Patli to break the news. All appreciated action taken by my father. It was some time in 1927. But while planning to get the land registered, my family was informed, if it had Permanent Residence Certificate of J&K State, a must document for purchase of immovable properties. Finding no way-out family got a great jolt. The only alternative was found to get the property purchased in the name of a relative, who full filled formalities of purchase. So, the was purchased in the name of Dhanu Ram Son of Badawa Mal of Koulpur village. He was son of my paternal aunt (father’s sister). To our good luck, an unresolvable dispute arose between tilers of our land at Raipur, Tehsil Samba, District Jammu (now Samba). Those tillers belonged to Brahmans and Muslim Gujjar castes. Brahmans were not co-operating to resolve the dispute. The Gujjars started finding out about original land owner Kashmiri Lal. They found an old retired Patwari, who once had served at Raipur. On the clue provided the old patwari, they reached at Patli and then Pakhri. The family was delighted to know from them that we were owners of land at Raipur. My grandfather had died. So, my father and brothers accompanied Gujjars and got prepared land papers from the revenue officers. They were planning to get prepared PRC of J&K on the basis of ownership of land at Raipur. Meanwhile Indo- Pakistan partition turmoil happened. For safety our family migrated to village Kotli Shahpur in Tehsil and district Gurdaspur. The family returned back to J&K, sometime in 1952-53. The problem of PRC of J&K again started pinching. On the basis of the ownership of my grandfather of land at Raipur. My father succeeded to get PRC with great labour, paying bribe of Rs 50/- the revenue clerk in Tehsil Samba. Husband of my cousin sister Indri Devi, Shri Duni Chand rendered a zoo man’s help in perusing of the issue of PRC. Sh. Duni Chand, perhaps the first constable from Dalits of J&K in J&K Police, was posted in Police Thanna Samba. I saw my father daily going to Samba, on foot, at least 15 Kilometres, for about 6-7 months in acute winter, to follow PRC case with revenue authorities. My father ultimately succeeded in getting the PRC issued in his favour. Till issue of PRCs in the names of whole family male members, the land till 1962-63 remained in the name Of Dhanu Ram. It was purchased in my name besides my two brother and two cousins from Sh. Dhanu Ram after 30-35 years. The sale consideration money paid in Tehsil office Samba to Dhanu for completion formalities of sale deed was that of Dhanu Ram. This land still stands in our name and active possession. About my life happenings: My family then, lived in village Pakhri Tehsil Samba and district Jammu. It was also my mother’s parental village. As per school record of date of birth I was born on Sunday, the 14th June,1940. Due illiteracy no one had kept record of my birthday. My mother Smt. Gullan Devi died about 1.5 to 2 years after my birth, so I was unlucky and had to face life difficulties alone. My elder brother Shri Jabro Ram stood with me, as my mother, guide and anchorage till his passing away on 15 June,2022. My father revered Gillu Ram did not re-married for over 30 years after passing away of my mother.,which was then rare. His plea for not re-marrying was his wish for marrying had already been fulfilled by God and he had six children. I had two elder brothers, namely Chatru Ram& Jabro Ram and two elder sisters Gyano Devi & Puna Devi. My younger brother died in fancy, after the death of my mother for lack of motherly care. During my mother’s life time, Chartu Ram and Gyano Devi were married. Both my Bhabhi Vidya Davi and sister were very young. Majority of marriages, then, were on the basis of exchange of brides, between two families. Our family had purchase and had dug a Persian wheel for irrigation in our land. A proverbial verse was famous in the locality for my family, “ Dagg Vich Talli aa, Tillo-Gillu naa Rakhya Vich Kasmiri Maali aa” Translation, there is a Talli (Dalbergai -Sheesham) tree in open land, planted by Kashmiri, having two sons Tillo and Gillu”. My village high caste people observed acute untouchability with low caste people. There was substantial Muslim population also. In Indo-Pak Partition ,1947, whole population had to fled from border area villages migrated in August to October months. The village properties including matured crops were burnt down, animals were looted by Pakistani raiders, besides killing a dozen of men in my village. All had to vacate the area for safety of life. My family first migrated to Kandi area high reaches then to Punjab state. The construction work of Jammu-Pathankot NH was in progress. All had to travel to Pathankot on foot including children. We settled temporary at Salimpur in Tehsil and district Gurdaspur. To reach that village, we had the attraction that my maternal aunt (Mrs Gullaiy) had already settled at Salimpur, after her migration from Pakistan territory village. Her eldest son died in Punjab Militancy; second son has retired from BSF, and settled at Gurdaspur, third named Paras Ramis pursues his business in Jalandhar and her youngest son Ravinder Kumar alias Ruldu has retired as Punjab Police Inspector and settled at Patiala. We still maintain active contact with them all. From Salimpur we went to Kotli Araian, near Salimpur. Elder family members started perusing different labour jobs. My father besides doing labour jobs, started stitching leader shoes. By investing Rs 18/- in leader purchase in September, he earned a profit of Rs 17/- besides meeting all family needs of winter months up to April next year. This he disclosed on quarry by a farmer, as how he passed long winter with large family in poverty conditions. To eat we were getting only black grams as ration. We passed very hard time. To get some wheat flour breads, my father gave in exchange a new pair of shoes to a village rich family. My schooling started from village Kotli. I was admitted first in Primary school Jyora Chhattran (ज्योढ़ा छत्रानं ) and then shifted to Pry school Varsolla. In the absence of school building, school was running from the village SGPC Gurdwara. I passed my 3rd primary from the school with Punjabi as main language. But through self-study I picked up Hinding reading. Both these languages have many similarities, even some in alphabetical words. My school going was obstructed in many ways by my village Jats farmers. They wanted me to continue my animal raring of Sardar Mulkha Singh, as I was doing before my school admission. We had got accommodation to live in a house in the house compound of Mulkha Singh. The house had been vacated by a Muslim family before migration to Pakistan. Even village panchayat passed a resolution to get discontinue my studies with a suggestion to my father to take wages in kind, for me, if I re -start raring of Mulkha Singh’s animals. But my father defied all such temptations. Farmer’s school going boys even gave me beatings to harass me to discontinue school going. But I resisted that boldly to continue my studies. We shifted back to J&K State some time in 1952-53, when it was observed that a little peace is on the international border. Our village, first near facing border and was fortified with raised common compound over 6-7 feet in height having single entry gate. Over the gate had a strong bunker, where whole night vigil was kept to guard our hutments against Pakistani robbers. Government had issued four riffles to ex- army persons to guard village. Mostly gents had come back, leaving behind their family and children at safe places. Gents got engaged to re-cultivate agriculture land, which had become barren over the years. All villagers ran for safety during border disturbances. It was very hard time. I was admitted in Govt. Pry. School Gadwal around 5-6 kilometres away from our village, still it was nearest of all available schools. Only four students attended school from my village. I pursued the patents of one Chhalo Ram, to send him school. Village Gadwal is near Vijaypur, now a medium town, having Tehsil Head quarter, was then a deserted place. I passed my 5th primary class in Hindi medium. I had picked up Urdu language also by self study. Then I was admitted in Govt. Central Pry. School Gho- Brahmana which was at a distance of 9-10 kilometres from our village. It was the only school in the area with facilities of study up to 7th class. I had no alternative but to be day scholar. Whole route was barren. English and Sanskrit subject was introduced. Many a times I was fined an anna for every day's arriving late in the school. I approached school Head Master Sardar Sardara Singh, explained my difficulties, who pardoned my ½ hour’s late arrival. I took interest in my studies, more so for Sanskrit. I had grown a long hair lock to look like a Pandit. I can read and write in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu with equal ease. I passed my 6th Pry class and shifter to 7th class in newly upgraded to High school at Ramgarh, new a Tehsil HQ of District Samba, J&K(UT). The school was at a distance of 5-6 kilometres. To supplement our income, we opened a small grocery shop in our home, which eased grocery needs of villagers and saved their time of travelling to Vijaypur market at a of distance of 10 Kms to purchase daily grocery needs. From High School Ramgarh I passed Matriculation Examination standing first in my school results in 1959. Some memorable events of Ramgarh school. I passed 8th class J&K School Board Examination in 975, I stood first in school. This helped me to earn nearness to Babu Parmanad, who after passing B.A was appointed as a School Master in leave arrangement. He later served as Minister, J&K Assembly Speaker and Governor of Haryana State, India. He also visited my house, and advised my family to continue my education, even after Matriculation. Our relations with him continued even after his passing away in 2008. He mediated my marriage to Mrs. Savita Kumari my wife. My wife and Mrs. Parmanand, Sudesh kumari are real sisters. The students of Ramgarh helped in construction of some school class rooms by Sharamdan(श्रम- दान), free physical labour and financial help. Many village residents extended financial help. To get sanctioned social welfare Dept. scholarship of Rs35/-in 9th class, I had to take three extra persons to Jammu for recommendations with the M.L.A, gave rupees 5/- to school teacher. I was included in annual youth camp to Srinagar in 1957 and saw Kasmir’s natural valley beauties. Our camp had to stay over 23 days instead one weak, because of high floods in Kashmir. The trip was memorable in many ways as we were taken to many tourist destinations of valley. I passed Intermediate from GGM Sc college Jammu and was nominated to undergo Degree in Civil Engineering in the Regional Engineering college, now NIT, Hazratbal Srinagar, Kashmir. I was first Scheduled Casten to pass B.E(Civil) till 1966 from the whole of J&K State till then. Some memorable instances of my stay in REC Naseem Bagh Srinagar: a) On my first day in the campus, I was stranger to all, as non was known to me and by nature I was hesitant to make friend. I was also, afraid of senior student’s ragging during night. Therefore, to remain un-noticed by seniors, I spent night without meals. b) I purchased my life long companion book named, “Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, His Life and Mission 1954, authored by "Dhananjay Keer, from Kasmir Book Shop costing Rs 20/- which was equivalent to 2/3 of my college hostel mess monthly charges. This book was also lent to many other SC students, as an afford to spread knowledge about sacrifices and empowerment works of Baba Saheb for his Depressed classes people. I also met fate of “fool “as per an old saying “A who lends books in fool and the one who returns them is a bloody fool.” As on few occasion borrowers did nor retuned the book, so I had to purchase new one more than one instant. The book continues to shine in my personal library of over 600 books. c) Someone pick pocketer stole my purse, while I was on enjoying Muslim religious scenes on a festival day near revered Hazratbal mosque, Srinagar, so I left the use of purse till I purchased a car for my ride. d) In my first trial of public writing, I wrote an article titled,” Back Buncher” for the first issue of my college magazine “Sabzar”. It was published and was admired by readers. e) Normally college students went to city on passes issued by senior students. Weakly one pass to visit city was allowed. Many a times many students missed last city bus, so had to travel to college campus on foot, a distance of about 12 Kms. There was the city bus stop on the college entry gate. Occasionally in the checking, some pass- less travellers were found, who were nominally fining, by college Hostel warden Mr. L.V, who was also college librarian. Many interesting things used to happen during routine checking. Once when a student was fined for his unauthorised city visit. The student offered fine for his next day’s visit as well, saying that only city 4 city visits passes are issued per month, but he had to visit city daily. He thought Mr. L.V. Sahib you, do not take trouble of coming next day for checking. Other students gave a loud laughter. Many such student’s knotty episodes happened. f) I found a Dalit student reading in the Kashmir University in a desperate state of mind, as his date of examination form filling last date stood fixed was next day, but money had not been received by him from his home to defray form filling charges. He had even taken wine in his desperation, seeing losing his education carrier. I assured him to give him money next day, to fill up his examination form and take examination. Next day I gave him needed money, he appeared in his post-graduation examination and passed it. Later he served in the State Higher Education, he also passed his M- Fill Degree and raised his kids to get higher education. His all kids are serving o high government service positions. g) In 1964 Srinagar had unprecedent snowfall. In our college campus we observed over 3 feet thick snow sheet. Our examination was postponed, college mess was closed for about 3-4 days, as majority students had left for their homes for winter vacations. Since the Jawhar tunnel stood close due to h heavy snow fall, so student’s buses returned to Srinagar. Students faced many difficulties. Luckey due to our class students ’s examination was in progress, so I along with my class mates had not left college campus. Complete Dul lake was frozen, Hanjies or boat men, were seen pulling or pushing their boats over snow, instead of rowing. During closer of the college mess, left over students in campus, had to travel from college campus to Srinagar and back on foot over a thick sheet of snow on roads to take meals in city Tabas, for some days. NCC boots and woollen socks can Handi and protective for walking over snow. College mess was again started after some days, as many students had returned back to the college campus. h) As I was keeping continuous contact with college’s Registrar office, I found an enquiry letter of union Education Ministry to the college Principal about observance of Reservation for Scheduled Caste students in the college admissions. I discussed the matter with Mr. G. M. Bhat, the office superintendent, who was unaware of the Reservation Rules for SCs. Then there were no reservation Rules for SCs in services and admission in higher education institution in J&K State. I explained him in details about the Reservation for SCs Rules, in services and higher education admission in all other Indian Sates and UTs. He processed the letter of G.O.I, and SCs were given 15% reservation in college admissions 7-8 years before, the Reservation Rules in J&K State for the SCs were initiated in J&K State, after Martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Ama Nath in 1970. i) I visited to Soami Amar Nath cave on ht. of 12,756 ft from MSL. I visited in a team of the College Himalayan Hiking Team, via Baltal route. It was some days earlier to the annual yatra. It took our team 2days to complete the tour. j) Invariably, on free Sudays I used to go for cycling around the World-famous Dal Lake and enjoyed its natural beauties. The cycle was available on rent of Rupee1/2/per day from Hazratbal. Many other students also followed the same practice. On some Sunday holidays many of us went to Shankaracharya temple. k) Once while returning from Chashma Sahi on Shikara to our college campus. Our friendly team met with a gale storm. The expertise of Hanzi, the Shikara driving man, save our life. Many people lose their lives I such gales in the Dal Lake. l) In our college education tour, our college bus met with a life-threatening accident, when the student’s team was on way to Missouri from Dehra Dum. But Luckly, suddenly a tree struck the bus from back, when it was moving downhill slipe. The bus got halted so, our lives were saved with the grace of nature. m) While pursuing the higher college education, the Scheduled caste students were getting either Social Welfare Departmental Scholarship or Education Loan from the government. The Scholarship amount was insufficient to meet the college expenditure. I perused the matter with Government through our pollical leaders, and succeeded in getting sanctioned both facilities. Which eased our life. n) In a joyful evening college students, collectively from the old and new campuses, arranged a fun marriage. All arrangements including joint dinner for guests and hosts was made in New College campus (Now NIT Campus). When Varmalla(वरमाला) and the marriage party reception finales were in progress, some mischievous students made false complaint with Mois Raza the College Principal, that religious riots may take place in the college campus, as bride was Muslim boy and bridegroom a Kashmiri Pandit boy. The principal reached the scene and ordered in a filmy style” Yeh Shadhi Nahi Hogi” i.e. this marriage will not happen. Whole joy and fun ended in chaos. I passed out from the REC (Now NIT) Srinagar in 1966, but results were declared in early 1967. I earned the distinction of being ever first Scheduled Castes from the J&K State to obtain such distinction till then. A gala farewell party was given to me and Dr.SD Karloopia, our first SC Medical Graduate. The party was arranged and participated by about 30 SC students both from REC and Medical colleges Srinagar. The party was also joined by all SC employees of, Civil Secretariate, J&K Police Dept. and business persons. Special guest was Bhagat Amarnath Director Social Welfare Dept., first SC IAS officer. Me and Dr. Karloopia had helped all students at Srinagar in one way or the other. Dr. Karloopia joined Indian Army’s medical Core and retired as Brigadier. He had earned MD, D.M(Cardiology) Degrees. Sadly, he passed away, after his kidney failure in early morning on 23rd March, 2016. I joined service in J&K State Engineering Service as Technical Assistant in July,1967 and retired as Executive Engineer in July ending,1998. During all my service I faced numerous man-made hurdles, many due to caste hate, particularly on account of my seniority and postings. I was transferred over 16 time in my service. My majority posting was in rural areas, and mostly outside in my parent department PWD(R&B). I had only 4 postings as Assistant Engineer and one as Executive Engineer in the PWD(R&B). I am Chartered Engineer. I continue to be life member Indian Institute of valuer, Indian Road Congress and member of Institute of Engineers. After my retirement, I kept my self-engaged in various technical related activities. I became a Chartered Engineer. I working as empanelled Valuer for land and buildings for various Public Sector Banks, I-Tax Department besides a Consultant to NABARD and also successfully completed a World Bank assignment of550pages on Rural Roads Construction and maintenance through IWDP project. I successfully wrote a paper of 550 pages for the Construction and Maintenance of Rural Roads for IWEP2001 for World Bank. Successfully Writing large number of articles for local and National press, which earned great public admirations. I have authored book “Dr. Ambedkar and His Associates “Vol. I& II(English) and also jointly authored Jiwan Aur Shikshayan of Sadguru Sain Ji Maharaj (Hindi). I have also edited my Dogri poems book (under Printing). Besides this I have large stock of written material, pending check and printing. For all this literary work I have been Awarded Baba Saheb Dr. National Award by Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy Delhi; Ashoka Mitera Award by the Buddhist Society India, Babu Jagjivan Ram Century award by Gandhi Global Family. I am all India Spokesman of Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy. My Blogspot “Dalit Vision” has nearly 135 Dalit topic related essays and the site is viewed by nearly 3 lac readers from world over.