TRIP TO DUDIPATSAR JHEEL (KAGHAN / NARAN)

     TRIP TO DUDIPATSAR JHEEL (KAGHAN / NARAN)

My trek to Dudipatsar Lake in September 2016, was a bit adventurous as I adopted a shorter and different route which my son USMAN RAZA ALIM suggested to take via BISSIAN on our last trip to SKURDU in May 2016.

First to LOWER TOPA to BHURBHAN to KOHALA Bridge into Azad Kashmir onwards to MUZAFARABAD to GARHI HABIB ULLAH and finally to BISSIAN Chowk. 

The road to MUZZAFARABAD is very good, but at DOMAIL you head towards GHARI HABIB ULLAH which is quite an incline and took us about one & half hours to reach.

The road to BISSIAN is 25 kms, is a shingled road under construction and our speed was check mated by oncoming traffic and bad conditions of the road which terminated at BALAKOT and this route is 95 kms long and the journey time is three hours from Murree. 

So there was a saving of time and avoiding the rush of Hassanabdal to Balakot which has bumper to bumper traffic during the tourist season.

At Naran the weather became cold and chilly so we had to don our woolies and then started for BATAKUNDI for night stay at FWO Engineers Mess. 

 

My army training and my daily routine for the past 35 years has an inbuilt alarm clock in my subconscious that wakes me up early and on time but this was not so with my other participants who were late in getting up on 16^th September 2016.

From BATAKUNDI we moved to JHALKHAD and arrived in BASEL at about 12.30 pm much to my astonishment and dismay BASEL town was deserted, to make things worse was that the overhead make shift cable car called DOLI in local language had been dismantled and there was no option but to cross the River let of KUNHAR on foot at a shallow point and wade through waist deep extremely cold water with an expanse of 30 feet.

We were following the left side of the KUNHAR River and as we went forward the trek became difficult and laborious.

The shadows of the evening were falling and becoming dark somehow or the other I managed to make it to the first ridge by 4.30 pm and started the small descent to GALMA, a small hamlet having a few scattered houses where the seasonal inmates comprising of the KHANA BADOOSH (gypsies) camp during the summer for grazing.

17^th September Morning I went around the village and got hold of two horses on hire, on one we put all our back packs and cooking rations while the other horse was empty in case some member feels tired and exhausted.

At 9: 00 am we started our trek again to DUDIPATSAR lake along the river but this was relatively easy as compared to the trek last evening but my happiness did not last long as we were confronted with glaciers which we had to traverse on an incline steep climb. 

Those of us who were wearing joggers had difficulty in climbing as their shoes were slippery and had to be helped with hand tow and snow sticks were provided to them for leverage.

After crossing MULLAH KI BASTI we came across another glacier which took us about an hour and a half to get to the other side which was again a smooth trek for 30 minutes after which we came across muddy quagmire where some of the participants were bogged knee down and ropes were provided so that they could leverage on it and come out of the quick sand entanglement conditions and finally reached DUDIPATSAR LAKE.

DUDIPATSAR Lake or Dudipat Lake is encircled by snow clad peaks and lies in the extreme north of the Kaghan Valley. The word "dudi" means white, "pat" means mountains and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow on the surrounding peaks. In summer the water of the lake reflects like a mirror. The word "sar" is used with the name of each lake in the area, translating as 'lake.'

The lake's water is beautiful greenish blue hue and very cold, at an elevation of 3,800 metres (12,500 ft). The surrounding mountains, with snow patches in the shady dales, average around 4,800 metres 15,700 ft. Some of the park's fauna includes the snow leopard, black bear, marmot, weasel, lynx, leopard, Himalayan snow cock, and snow partridge. 

The wild life I saw were the marmots (Weasels) who were playing with each other and gave out a shrill call from distance when they saw us and then disappeared in to their burrows when we came near.

This is one of the few clear pristine lakes which still have not been spoilt by the intrusion of HOMOSAPIENS like the deplorable conditions of SAIF UL MALOOQ and LULUSAR Lake.

How can I describe this beautiful lake I may be running short of words to pen the exact picture of this MONALISA of nature.

The morning sun reflects into the crystal clear water giving the image of a mirror where you can see your own reflection which becomes even more augmented and magnified by the calmness and depth of the water.

 

We spent about one hour at the lake site and enjoyed the cool breeze blowing and the sight of the mountains when I called everyone to attention, from the state of trance in which they were mesmerized.

It was time to make our way back to MULLAH KI BASTI but without any indication or warning it started raining cats and dogs and we have to don rain coats and to protect our rations from getting wet.

Since it had rained recently crossing the muddy quick sand became even more difficult but somehow or the other with the help of the ropes and the guide we made it to the other side and reached the left side of the river where we picked up the trail to MULLAH KI BASTI.

The night at MULLAH KI BASTI we found better tents, sleeping arrangements a hot supper of Dall Roti which we gulped down quickly and off course my delicacy and weakness of cardamom tea was the last call of the evening before we went to sleep at about 9 O Clock.

     

18^th September 2016, quick breakfast at MULLAH KI BASTI, started back for GALMA village which we reached at about 11.30 pm where we said good bye to the horses and our guide.

We reached BASEL and after crossing the KUNHAR river made it where our vehicles were parked and started our way back to our Mess in BATAKUNDI which we reached at about 3 O’ Clock where I changed in to fresh clothes and went for a rest. 

In the evening I was awoken by teammates that they had bought a big lamb and were going to have BBQ and bon fire to make merry.

As I look back over my 50 years of experience as a Mountaineer, trekker and ecologist and having traveled to all the nook and corners of Pakistan there are still two adventurous treks which have eluded me in my career.

That is Rush Lake & Astola Island which I hope to complete ASP before I become too old to trek and climb mountains.

DR. BABUR ZAHIRUDDIN

OASIS IN AN ISLAND

OASIS IN AN ISLAND 

If you consider Rawalpindi Park area an Island of the elite of Rawalpindi, housing the General’s colony, Army House, GOR –I   and the area of 22 ACRES within this island there is an Oasis called the Murree Brewery (MB) Estate on park road.

For an outsider M.B estate gives a defiant mysterious esoteric bearing & demeanor but this M.B is one of the oldest companies of South Asia with a very rich history corporate diversity and archival heritage. 

The history of the company dates back to the year 1860, when there was dearth of supply of good beer to the British troops in Northern India.

The imported beer being costly in those days, hence Pir Panjal Hills Brewery was setup in 1860, and Quetta distillery was part of this setup till 1947.

This GHORA GALI brewery was built in the Gothic style of architecture was vandalized during the riots of independence of Pakistan in 1947, while the brewery in Quetta was destroyed in 1935 because of the great Quetta earthquake.

In the formative years the Brewery was managed by the family of Edward Dyer, father of Colonel Reginald Edward Harry Dyer of Jallianwala Bagh massacre fame. He was the man who had supervised the Pir Panjal Brewery construction in the beginning and later on was managed by George Duncun who remained the general manager of Murree Brewery for 40 years.

Murree Brewery is one of the oldest public companies of the South Asia and was registered on the Kolkata Stock Exchange on 18^th August 1884 and its shares were traded as early as 1885 and is now the oldest continuing industrial enterprise of Pakistan. 

Great progress was made by Murree Brewery Company LTD, after its formation in the year 1860, and the unprecedented demand for their famous ales and stout over a greatly increasing area of the Northern India, encouraged the directors to erect a another branch brewery at Rawalpindi about thirty years later.

In the 1940’s, the controlling shares or interests in the brewery were obtained by Peshton Dhanji Bandhara, who used to run a liquor business in Lahore prior to the independence of Pakistan by the name of D.P Edulji & Company (Pvt.) Limited which still has its offices in No. 10 commercial building Shahra – e – Quaid Azam Lahore.

P.D Bhandara at the time of independence had to run from pillar to post in order to purchase the shares of MB from Hindu’s, Sikh’s and British Shareholders. He was given a very tough time by Sayid Saigol who also was interested in hostile takeover of Murree Brewery but P.D Bhandara hired the tops lawyers of that time Sir Abdul Rashid Mr.  M.  Amwar and Justice Shabir Ahmed who won the court cases for P.D Bhandara which got him the hold of the control of the company. 

Peshton Dhanji Bandhara was succeeded by his son, late M.P. Bandhara who later on carried on the family business and now it is being run by a grandson, Mr. Isphanyar Bandhara who is also a minority MNA in the N.A of Pakistan.

Mr. M.P Bhandara early in 1960 at a young age of 21 years diversified the company in to downstream activity by opening up associated TOPS and Murree Glass in 1969.

Keeping in tradition for new avenues M.B in 2008 went for value addition and induction of new technology where R&D became foremost followed by Refinement & Consolidation in glass bottling technology.

TOPS started its operation from Chowburji in Lahore in 1990, but later on shifted to Kot Lakpat on 31^st July 1993 but the title deed was transferred on Murree Brewery’s name in 1996 and second plant started in Rawalpindi in 1995 and later on shifted to Hattar in 2004.

Murree Glass plant was imported from Sweden in 1974, first installed at Rawalpindi and later on shifted to Hattar in 1993.

Murree sparklets was purchased by M.P Bhandara from Hashoo Group on 01^st April 2011.

 

Many of the Pindite’s may be unaware that the Army house was gifted by M.P Bhandara in 1982 which was at that time named as Park Lodge. Park Lodge a majestic residential property which was purchased by M.B from Mrs. H. Whimper in 1888.

It was the principal residence and the head office of the company till 1959 until it was taken over by Government of Pakistan to house the office of the Prime minister of Pakistan. Sums of Rs. 2.80 Lakhs were paid as lease money for the camp office of Army Chief. This park lodge also used to house the HQ of Anti Narcotics Force, Banazir Bhutto later on made it in to SINDH HOUSE for a short time. 

It remained an office of the head of State of Pakistan from 1960 till 2008.

Some very interesting folktales about Murree Brewery is that there was an underground tunnel linking the camp office with M.B estate but on my further sleuthing and investigations of the cellars I did find plastered and closed openings in the cellar hence I could not come to any logical conclusion. 

 

Another historical point of interest which very few Pindite’s are unaware of that a narrow gauge railway track used to come to the Military Diary farms and terminated at Murree Brewery bringing the supplies to Military Diary Farm and Murree Brewery.

As the General’s colony was being built this line was subject to scuttling hence the small gauge locomotives ceased to come to its termination point in the head office of Murree Brewery. 

Apart from its corporate diversity M.B is also a very socially conscious corporate citizen and is funding the CSR training institute where the building and Utilities are maintained by M.B.

The Bhandara Foundation with its head quarters in Lahore is headed by Justice Nassira Iqbal and Justice Amer Raza as its trustee and are looking after the poor and down trodden section of the society.

The Murree Brewery Polo Cup and Golf Cup which is an important fixed event in the Rawalpindi Garrison’s Annual Calendar is sponsored by M.B since 1904, under the auspices of the Rawalpindi Polo Club. In spring each year the top polo teams of Pakistan compete and vie for the honor of this cup and the cup is held for safe custody by the president of Rawalpindi Polo Club housed in the Race Course Ground.

 

The present management of M.B wants to take the company to the pinnacle and zenith for the maximum return to the shareholders but is bogged down by multiple problems like high Utility bills, disruption of gas and Electricity supply and dual taxation.

Such step motherly treatment is being meted out to the company that the company is under litigation with the taxation authorities in various courts of law which are Sub judice.

Now a day’s Murree Brewery is a thriving public limited company where the main share holding rests with the Bhandara family and there are about 1600 share holders including this scribe.

The present success story of Murree Brewery is not a bed of roses but a roller coaster ride through ages having survived prohibition and liquor ban by the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Secondly it had to face shutting down of its operation for 26 days because of the vested interests in collaboration and connivance with the local and political authorities who instigated the worker’s to strike taking the protective umbrella of the environmental protection laws.

Despite all these obstacles, hurdles, impediments and adverse scenario M.B has been able to keep its head well above the waters and has come of age. It is now amongst the top 25 award winning companies of the Pakistan Stock Exchange contributing a handsome amount to the national ex-chequer and giving the maximum return to its shareholders.

BABUR ZAHIRUDDIN

BOTAL GALI (THE FADING BAZAR)

BOTAL GALI

THE FADING BAZAR

It was a working day early in the morning when I accompanied my driver in Karachi to go to BOTAL GALI (Bottle Lane) as my previous attempts to enter into this congested and narrow lane proved to be an exercise in futility because I committed the common mistake of accessing this lane during the peak rush hours in the afternoon previously.

It was about 9.00 am the traffic was light and I made my way from D.H.A. Karachi to Bander road. Here again I had to make a double left turn to Hassan Ali Effendi road and crossed Pakistan Chowk to reach BOTAL GALI.

BOTAL GALI at the time of partition was called PARSI GALI as most of the residents at that time were PARSI’s having migrated from India and even some people of British origin also had their residences there.

The street gradually transformed from a thriving residential district to a commercial one, featuring shops selling all kinds of bottles — perfumes, medicines, beverages, you name it.

 

Later on it was termed as BOTAL GALI because all sorts of bottles whether in glass, ceramic, brass, plastic, pewter and leather could be sold and purchased here. The real fascination of this GALI is that you can find all sorts of fancy, psychedelic empty liquor bottles which have been cleaned and purified for future consumption.

  

BOTAL GALI stands out as a mix of architecture having survived centuries old wear and tear and beyond expectations it gives a very fascinating appeal from a distance but as you come near it and enter the GALI you find surviving blocks of apartments and shops here and there that are in sharp contrast with the monumental ugliness of recent horrendous cement construction which has taken around this place.

 

Now a day’s BOTAL GALI also is a home for a lot of perfume vendors and their shops glow with the full glitter of the energy savers that are used excessively to highlight and portray the numerous types of perfume bottles which signifies that this business of perfume is better as compared to their neighbors who are selling empty bottles.

In Pakistan there are certain names which click to the mind as if those things are in abundance there but the names are a misnomer as you do not find monkeys on Bandar road, no boat in the boat basin and no female cobra snakes in the NAGIN CHOWRANGI but in BOTAL GALI you do find bottles of all sorts. 

 

BOTAL GALI is surrounded by colonial style buildings which have many stories to tell dating back to pre-partition times and it seems  that this place lives more in the past than in the present and it is more of what it was and not what it is now. 

The old residents of BOTAL GALI have slowly faded out along with the colonial style buildings which have fell in to partial ruins and decrepitude probably because of disrepair, neglect apathy and up keep by the lack of sense of ownership of the residents but two important factors are also an aggravating and catalytic for the present dismal state of affairs and responsible for the slow death of BOTAL GALI the first being the excessive sale of plastic bottles and secondly the increasing crime wave in Karachi.

 

The residents of BOTAL GALI are so akin and used to the common “Robberies, holdup and snatching that they take it as a part of their daily routine. 

The irony of fate is that BOTAL GALI could have been preserved as a symbol of national heritage and reverence to our shared past colonial rule and but it seems that BOTAL GALI has been left to fend for itself against all these odds, as the insecure residents and shop keepers have very little resistance to offer and remain there more for their emotional attachment rather than for the business that they are pursuing. 

The emotional attachment that the people of the street feel for it is evident in their determination to stick to it, no matter what. It’s almost like they are living in the past as if today doesn’t matter.

Of course there are the national problems of load shedding and water supply which makes the place unfriendly and inhospitable to the new comers despite the fact that this is the problem of the whole country.

BOTAL GALI is a collectors delight where you can find a variety of colorful and beautifully carved bottles available in a range of sizes. The most common ones are the plastic and glass ones, especially the smaller palm-sized bottles used by the local perfume and ITTAR industry. 

Of course, many bottles found here are also used solely for decoration purposes. I visited one shop where the shop keeper showed me unique glass bottle and vases which he claimed are more than a century old and has been handed down to him from one generation to another. I jokingly asked him about the price of this decorative long bottle but he proudly shrugged his shoulders and said that these bottles are family heritage and not for sale.

 

The general impression about the shopkeepers of BOTAL GALI is that they are rude and arrogant but what is really interesting is the stories they have to tell some of which date back to the pre-partition times. 

BOTAL GALI is like a small island demarcated by old high rise buildings but it is just a street which has an amalgamation of the past and present, from genie style mysterious colored glass bottles to the present bulk produced plastic bottles where you can see people buying and selling and interacting with one another.

There are certain nooks and corners of BOTAL GALI which give a mysterious look as they do not appear as they used to be, by that I mean closed shops and blank walls which are just used as a support of dump trash. Motorcycles are parked haphazardly in the GALI which makes the flow of traffic and pedestrians difficult causing parking problems which is a nuisance for the shop keepers who by virtue of shared  emotional attachment are sticking to their shops despite the fact that the business in now going downhill.

This is a wakeup call for all the students of fine arts and volunteers who believe in fine artistic values to come forward redesign these shops hand paint these old bottles so that they can be sold at a premium and the money recycled back for the face lift of BOTAL GALI which is much needed otherwise it will sink into oblivion. 

I appeal to the governor of SINDH along with the minister of Tourism SINDH to kindly allocate some funds for the rehabilitation and refurbishing of this BOTAL GALI so that it can be preserved as a National Icon for posterity and succeeding generations.

 

Dr. Babur Zahiruddin