By S.M. Pandit

Pt. Jawahar Lal Kaul, Secretary Panun Kashmir, Haryana State and a veteran Trade Unionist passed away at Ambala after a brief illness. At a condolence meeting held in his memory Panun Kashmir paid rich tributes to him and recalled his contribution in community’s struggle.

Born on 23rd July 1933 at Syed Ali Akbar Mohalla Srinagar in a middle class family, at young age of 13 only Mr Kaul was nominated as President of Young Boys National Conference in 1946. Being a National Conference worker, Mr Kaul joined Quit Kashmir Movement.

Sh JL Kaul was subsequently nominated as Vice-President of Mohalla Syed Ali Akbar and Assistant Secretary of Student Federation of J&K. As Chairman of Student Federation of National High School, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, his work was appreciated by Ghulam Mohammad Bakshi, the then Dy Prime Minister of the State. After passing Matric from Solan University (Combined Punjab), Mr Kaul passed Intermediate with Non Medical Subjects from GM College Srinagar.

Unfortunate demise of his father forced Mr Kaul to give up his studies as he had to shoulder the responsibility of his unmarried sister and younger brother. As the responsibility of the family fell on his shoulders, Mr Kaul was in search of livelihood. Being a NC worker, Mr Kaul approached Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for a job on the basis of poverty and work rendered to the National Conference. He had the taste of the communal politics of NC like many of his community youth when Sheikh Abdullah denied him job with the argument that he could get job anywhere in India. God is supreme and if one door is slammed, he opens the other door of opportunity. Sh SC Jain, Director Postal Life Insurance proved as a Messiah for Mr Kaul as he appointed him in the department after having passed the examination on pay of Rs 127.50 per month.

Mr Kaul was transferred to East Punjab Circle and served in Army Postal Service as Warrant officer for five years. Being committed to his job, Mr Kaul won Gold Medal PLI for selling policies worth 34.97 lakhs in J&K Circle only. Mr Kaul was associated with Employees’ unions in his service career. He was elected as Asstt. Circle Secretary of NFPT (National Federation of Post & Telegraph) Employees Union in 1957 and the General Secretary of P&T Admn. Officers Association. Championing the cause of the workers, Mr Kaul resorted to many ‘Hunger Strikes’. He once went on hunger strike for nine days and subsequently for five days. Mr Kaul had the taste of jail as well. He was arrested in 1959 and remained in Bhatinda jail alongwith some other union members for five days. Mr Kaul retired in 1991. Moved by the plight of displaced people and influenced by the ideology of Panun Kashmir Mr Kaul joined the organisation and served the community with all the commitment at his command till last. Mr Kaul was very much instrumental in ‘Kritgta Yatra’ to Anandpur Sahib in 1995.

Mr Kaul fought for the rights of displaced Kashmiri Hindus living in the Haryana state for their registration and relief. It was the result of his tireless work and voluminous correspondence that 370 photo identity cards have been issued to helpless poor migrants living in Ambala, Rohtak etc. and are being paid a monthly pension of Rs 1000/- by the Social Welfare Ministry, Haryana. Mr Kaul was all praise for the generosity of Haryana Chief Minister and was hopeful that the amount will be enhanced in near future. Mr Kaul was also instrumental in the efforts in getting reservation for the migrants in the Professional and Academic institutions of the state. Presently about 300 seats in different professional colleges of the state are reserved for the migrants.

Panun Kashmir honoured him at the National Convention on 14th September, 2004 at Jammu for his outstanding contribution to the community cause.

JL Kaul-A Karmyogi

By SM Pandit

“I am 73 years old and suffering from Parkinson disease but still I am making my best efforts for the cause of the displaced families and will remain attached to the association till my last breath”. These words themselves give an insight into the character, dedication and comitment of the person. These are the words of Mr Jawahar Lal Kaul, who is a staunch supporter of Panun Kashmir, wedded to its ideology and serving tirelessly for the welfare of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus, particularly in Haryana state.

Braving his old age, weak physique and ill health, Mr Kaul has initiative, commitment and enthusiasm that serve as source of inspiration for any youth who comes into his contact.

Having imbibed the qualities of social service, Mr JL Kaul was moved by the forced exodus of his community brethren in 1989-90 and has been fighting for their cause. He associated himself with Panun Kashmir and is presently serving the organization as state secretary, Haryana. It was tireless work of Mr Kaul that many migrant families in the state got “Photo Identity Cards” and are being provided monthly pension. It was result of his efforts and others’ that Haryana government announced reservation of Kashmiri migrants in its professional colleges. Mr Kauls’ correpsondence with Haryana government, Central government, particularly Union Home Ministry, and other concerned agencies while championing the cause of hapless exiled people serve as a testimony to his concern for the community commitment and patience.

Born on 23rd July 1933 at Syed Ali Akbar Mohalla Srinagar in a middle class family, at young age of 13 only Mr Kaul was nominated as President of Young Boys National Conference in 1946. Being a National Conference worker, Mr Kaul joined Quit Kasmir Movement.

Sh JL Kaul was subsequently nominated as Vice-President of Mohalla Syed Ali Akbar and Assistant Secretary of Student Federation of J&K. As Chairman of Student Federation of National High School, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, his work was appreciated by Ghulam Mohammad Bakshi, the then Dy Prime Mijnister of the State. After passing Matric from Solan University (combined Punjab), Mr Kaul passed Intermediate with Non Medical Subjects from GMN College Srinagar.

Unfortunate demise of his father fored Mr Kaul to give up his studies as he had to shoulder the responsibility of his unmarried sister and younger brother. As the responsibility of the family fell on his shoulders, Mr Kaul was in search of livelihood. Being a NC worker, Mr Kaul approached Sheikh MOhammad Abdullah for a job on the basis of poverty and work rendered to the National Conference.

He had the taste of the communal politicsl of NC like many of his community youth when Sheikh Abdullah denied him job with the argument that he could get job anywhere in India. God is supreme and if one door is slammed, he opens the other door of opportunity. Sh SC Jain Director Postal Life Insurance proved as a Messiah for Mr Kaul as he appointed him in the department after having passed the examination on pay of Rs 127.50 per month.

Mr Kaul was transferred to East Punjab Circle and served in Army Postal Service as Warrant officer for five years. Being committed to his job, Mr Kaul won Gold Medal PLI for selling policies worth 34.97 lakh in J&K circle only. Mr Kaul was associated with employees unions in his service career. He was elected as Asstt. Circle Secretary of NFPT (National Federation of Post & Telegraph) Employees Union in 1957 and the General Secretary of P&T Admn. Officers Association.

Championing the cause of the workers, Mr Kaul resorted to many ‘Hunger Strikes’. He once went on hunger strike for nine days and subsequently for five days. Mr Kaul had the taste of jail as well. He was arrested in 1959 and remained in Bhatinda jail alongwith some other union members for five days. Mr Kaul retired in 1991.

Moved by the plight of displaced people and influenced by the ideology of Panun Kashmir. Mr Kaul joined the organisation and is serving the community with all the commitment at his command. Mr Kaul was very much instrumental in Kritgta Yatra to Anandpur Sahib in 1995. Moved by the response of the Sikhs, including Sh GS Tohra then President SGPC, Mr Kaul feels nostalgic even today.

Mr Kaul fought for the rights of displaced Kashmiri Hindus living in the state for their registration and relief. It was the result of his tireless work and voluminous correspondence that presently 370 photo identity cards have been issued to helpless poor migrants living in Ambala, Rohtak etc. and are being paid a monthly pension of Rs 100/- by the Social Welfare Ministry, Haryana. Mr Kaul is all praise for the generosity of Haryana Chief Minister and is hopeful that the amount will be enhanced in near future. Mr Kaul was also instrumental in the efforts of getting reservation for the migrants in the Professional and Academic institutions of the state and presently about 300 seats in different professional colleges of the state are reserved for the migrants.

Mr Kaul joined Panun Kashmir as coordinator Ambala Distt. He widened the area of influence and is presently state secretary of the organisation.

By Prof. A.N. Dhar

I had the good fortune of getting to know Shri Bansi Lai Khar at Jammu over a decade back . Our relationship flowered into a close friendship within a couple of years. How sad it is that only after a short illness his health deteriorated so fast that he gave up his mortal coil within a few weeks and he is now no longer amidst us in his human form ! The news of his sad and untimely demise came as a rude shock to his numerous friends and admirers from all walks of life in Jammu and Kashmir.

Precisely speaking, Bansi Lai Ji and 1 remained closely associated with each other as active members of the Upanishad Vatika, which is housed in a room of the residential building owned by the Sadhus (KP family at Patoli, Janipur). It was founded by the saint-scholar Shri Jankinath Koul Kamal’, who left for his heavenly abode in the year 1997. Later on, with the passage of time, the Vatika grew into a vibrant spiritual centre, though very modest in terms of\’ physical accommodation and also short of any trappings. The members get together, as devotees, every week in the evening on Tuesdays, offer congressional prayers and also participate in religious discourses on some select spiritual texts. It is with a sense of nostalgia and deep gratitude that I recall the valuable contribution of some members to the growth of the spiritual centre in question over a period of time. They unfortunately passed away in quick succession one after the other: Sarvashri Kashinath Toshkhani, M.L.Qasba, C.L Durrani. Prem Nath Raina, Dina Nath Yach (well known Sanskrit scholar and researcher) and Anupam ji learned son of his illustrious father, Late .Jankinath Koul ‘Kamal’.

Then, followed the recent exit of the great personality we affectionately called Khar Sahib, the “”Bansi Lai” I addressed a poem to in English. He rendered his valuable services to the Vatika through his lectures on the Gita for a couple of years followed by his textual analysis of the slokas of the Sunderlahri. He will be painfully remembered when we meet next at the Vatika after a long break!

Bansi Lai Ji’s signal contribution, through his continuous services rendered all the years to the Pushpati Mandir. upper Laxmi Nagar, deserve special mention. Persuaded by him last year, I chose to become a life-member of the General Body of the Mandir. During the past one year or so. 1 occasionally joined the Puja at this Mandir. 1 am, however, not knowledgeable enough to write in detail about Bansi Lai Ji’s great contribution to this spiritual centre. All that I know is that he was anchor man of the religious body here; he never missed his morning and evening prayers at the Pushpati Mandir. He was in fact the prime mover of all the religious activity that has been going on here.

What I consider as Bansi Lai Ji’s crowning achievement is the hard labour he put in during the last two years in enriching the contents of the English section of the Khashir Bhavani Times- Journal, published by the K..P Sabha. He gave it fine touches and contributed not only valuable editorial pieces but other write-ups too that won him the reader’s applause. He had a flair for writing and was very knowledgeable about the topics he chose to write on. He had all the makings of an accomplished writer and has left behind a large number of published essays that can be complied into a posthumous volume.

Above all, I have known Bansi Lai Ji very intimately as one advanced in the spiritual path. Well read in the scriptures, he was at the same time a Karmayogi of high order, also a Bhakta who attached due importance to religious rituals. A few months back he called on me when I was absorbed in singing Bhajans to the accompaniment of my harmonium. I had a glimpse of his spiritual stature in a momentary ‘vision’. He will continue to live in my thoughts. He will indeed be remembered by his friends, admirers and dear ones as an out standing person, a great soul.

Bansi Lal

By Prof. M.L. Raina

I was, like any other person, shocked over the passing away of Sh. B.L Khar. I had the good fortune of knowing him from close quarters and was immensely impressed by his sterling qualities of head and heart. He endeared himself to all who came into contact with him by his sweet disposition, candour, gentleness and above all his modesty about his achievements in various walks of life. He was a versatile and accomplished writer in his own right and had a good grounding in indology. He was deeply religious and possessed an in-depth knowledge of our scriptures. Sh Khar was verily a sparkling jewel in the crown of his community.

He took great pains in serving people in general and the members of his community in particular in the capacity of a dedicated and committed social activist. Humility, which accompanied his entering and result-oriented efforts, set him apart from most of the people around him.

Sh. B.L Khar has served as a typical example of the philosophical concept of ‘life in death* insofar as he, in his life time, placed himself at the service of people selflessly and with dedication and has thereby made himself immortal. He will live in the memory of people for his noble thoughts and commendable deeds.

May his soul rest in eternal peace!

By J. L. Manwati

In early sixties a young Kashmiri walks into the T.O.I. Dharmyug’s office at D. N. Road Bombay, with a Hindi poem in hand and introduces himself to the Editorial Staff as ‘Arun Pradeep Kaul’. Dr. Dharmvir Bharti is impressed with the thought – content and the metrical versification of the poem and ‘Arun Pradeep Kaul’ is instantly columnised as a young talented Hindi versifier.

In the years that followed, the morning aurora (Arun) lends its sporadic radiant emission to the little lamp (Pradeep) who later becomes a trail – blazer as Newscast, Filmmaker, T.V. Producer and Scriptwriter.

At that point of time nobody could visualize that this youngman would one day storm the citadels of filmdom, where newcomers were usually coldshouldered.

It didn’t take long time for the contemporary serious filmmakers like Mrinal Sen, Umesh Kalbag, Shankar Bhattacharya to notice the sharp acumen and the flair for writing of ‘Arun Pradeep Kaul’, who associated him as coscriptwriter in their ongoing Productions.

At that point of time, the new entrant in the world of filmdom felt that his middle name ‘Pradeep’ had lighted his path and he chose to drop it and thus the youngman landed himself on the firmament of Indian Cinema now only as ‘Arun Kaul’.

The analytic temperament and deep incisive thinking made Arun Kaul (now affectionately called Arunji) restive, as he felt, ‘heroes running around the trees chasing heroines in Hindi Films made of mockery of Indian cinematic intelligentsia, of which, he believed, there was no dearth. He, therefore, founded the ‘Film Forum’ and ‘Forum for Better New Cinema Movement’ in India.

Soon rational thinkers, upcoming writers with innovative approach and literatures joined the movement, which made run-of- the-mill cinema veterans skeptical about the activities of this new breed.

The ‘Forum for Better Cinema’ started importing awardwinning films and documentaries from Poland, Germany, Prague and exhibited these in metropolises of India. The intellectual class appreciated, now available, better cinema and the movement of Art Cinema orParallel Cinema caught on. Arunji automatically became the focal point of this new awakening.

Naturally, the various Govt. Agencies dealing with films / cinema and other cinematic institution of the country felt honoured to have Arun Kaul on their Boards as either a Member or as an Office Bearer. Between 1962 – 1980 Arunji was simultaneously connected with 18 contemporary National or International film institutions like; he was Member of the prestigious ‘Film Censor Board’ – 3 times from 1968, Jury Member for National Awards (Documentaries and Short Films) and Jury Member for National Award Feature Films, Founder Secretary of the Society of Indian Film Director’s Association.

During this period he also represented the country as the leader of various Delegation to Karlovy Vary, Venice, Locarno, Annonay, Fukuoka and Mannhein Festivals.

He was the Consultant General on Indian Participation in Venice Festival in 1972.

When Television came to India, it opened new vistas for all the small and big cinematically connected persons. It was natural corollary that Arunji was much sought after by Doordarshan and National Film Development Corporation for production of some of their key projects, which required special and sensitive handling.

Doordarshan commissioned Arunji to co-produce ‘Turning Point’ in 1991 which ran for record number of 5 years and was dubbed and telecast in 10 regional languages.

Being a Kashmiri, Arunji was thought to be ‘right choice’ for producing weekly Magazine ‘Kashmir File’ in the tumultuous militancy period in Kashmir, which dealt with rich cultural heritage of Kashmir and also subtly hinted upon the dwindling ethos of ‘Kashimiryat’. Being Kashmiri Pandit, proud of his Brahminical blood running in his veins Arunji now prefixed ‘Pandit’ epithet to his name and supporting a big vermilion Tika on his forehead, he went for location shooting of the ‘Kashmir File’ assignment, now, as ‘Pandit Arun Kaul’, much to the consternation of both his friends and foes. After 85 episodes the programme, which was even appreciated by bulk of Kashmiri Muslim for its unbiased treatment, was terminated at the interference of the power that be, because the weight of satirical pun was to much to bear for them.

Besides, ’50 Years of Indian Independence’, (4 Parts) commissioned by Doordarshan and many such other prestigious projects, the 8 documentaries produced by ‘Arunji’ on ‘Museum and Museology’ can not go without a mention here; because the subject of art in any form was close to his heart.

Arunji brought out aesthetic beauty and rich cultural heritage enshrined in the museums of ‘Bharat Bhavan – Bhopal’, ‘National Museum – New Delhi’, ‘Mani Bhavan – Bombay’, ‘Prince of Wales Museum – Bombay’ and ‘Bhau Daji Lad Museu – Bombay’.

Producing musical documentaries (sans spoken words) on ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ and ‘Qalam Likhti Nahin Itihaas’ for Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity, Govt. of India undertaking, manifested yet another aspect of Arunji’s multifaceted personality.

That his knowledge of naad (music) could rival his penchant of scriptwriting.

His chivalrous and gallant nature came to fore when he had to deal with the lives of 5 most venerated ladies in the field of art and literature, or who had done the country proud by their social service, viz. Dr. Usha Mehta, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Mrs. Ela Bhatt, Mrs Gul Bardhan and Ms. Lailu Writer through the medium of documentaries under the title of ‘Nari Narayani’.

Besides, Govt. electronic media channels, Arunji produced dozens of video documentaries for other channels as well, out of which the documentary on ‘Kashmir – a Perspective’, was exhibited at the ‘Inaugural Global Meet on Kashmir’ at London and Geneva, which changed globally the perception on Kashmir imbroglio.

A voracious reader, one would find Arunji immersed in books, when not engaged in filmmaking. This childhood habit to devour the literary classics, helped him to understand the undercurrents, deep nuance, tone and feeling of the story content.

Knowing this trait of Arunji, when Gulzar Sahab thought of making a serial on Ghalib, he could think of none else other than Arunji to script it. Having seen the irrepressible writer in Arunji, which, to an extent, Gulzar Sahab felt proximate to his own self; he invited him to co-script his three films Ijazat, Lekin and Zevar, which were critically appreciated by the film world.

Or when Door Darshan thought of making 17 – episode serial on Premchand’s ‘Karmbhoomi’ the Kendra was sure that ‘Karmbhoomi’ could be dealt with excellence by Arun Kaul, who himself as a ‘Karmyogi’ – a firm believer in ‘Work is worship’.

Man who was never interested in the material gains, Arunji was principled, courteous, humble and embodiment of gentleness.

But one thing which, perhaps, was a barrier in his material prosperity was, what one may call, his being ‘supercilious’. Of course, not amounting to arrogance.

At best, it could be termed as his non-compromising attitude.

While doing serial ‘Nupur’ of Hema Malini, Arunji’s younger brother, needed his physical attendance at Hyderabad for some eye treatment, which would mean being away for couple of months. Arunji apprised Hemaji about his domestic compulsion.

Hemaji, in a casual manner, said ‘Arunji write the seven remaining episodes in a day or so then attend to your brother’.

The non compromising Arunji said ‘Hemaji, I am no electric gadget that you put in socket and script would be printed out. I write with my soul, sorry I quit’.

The Noopur had to end suddenly with 13 episode.

Looking back at his illustrious career of 40 years in the film world, it is beyond comprehension that one could have scripted and produced nearly 50 documentaries many of which earned him National and International Awards; produced three path – breaking movies, (Ek Adhuri Kahani directed by Mrinal Sen), Bhuvan Shome (Directed by Mrinal Sen) and Andhi Gali directed by Buddadeb Das Gupta; co-scripted ‘Dharma Keshtra’, with Umesh Kalbag, which won him ‘Best Original Script Award’ of NFDC; ‘Diksha’ a Hindi film based on Kannada Short Story by Dr. U. R. Annanta Murty; Mirgya - Hindi film with Mrinal Sen; Ashwamedhar Ghora with Shankar Bhattacharya, Sampark; Kal Chankra; Khazanna - 6 part serial by Yash Chopra – one would say GENIUS INDEED! Diksha (initiation) produced as well as directed by Pandit Arun Kaul was adjudged as the ‘Best Hindi Film’ and won Rajjat (Silver) Medal in the National category in 1991. It was selected by the Directorate of ‘Film Festival’s National Jury’ for inclusion in the ‘Panaroma of Indian Cinema, Bangalore’ in 1992. It also won ‘Film Fare Critics Award’ as the ‘Best Directed Film’ and in the same year it also got ‘Yugshree Award’ as the ‘Best Directed Film’ for Television.

The film apart from being in the portal of Indian entries to various International Festivals in 1992, it won two major awards : Le Prix du Public and La Prix du Counsel General de L’Ardeche in ‘Annonay International Festival’, France in 1993.

Arunji’s pursuit to gather knowledge on all the forms of art led him to interact with that time famous ‘Little Ballet Group’ an IPTA Branch, which used to hold world wide shows of Indian Classical dances; where he met a coy, dove-eyed and cute performing artist – Sharmishta in 1963, who ultimately became his life-partner.

Sharmishta bore him two sons – Vilash & Indraneel, who are also connected with films and are doing quite well in their respective fields. Though Arunji was a doting husband and an affectionate father, yet the family had a grudge – ‘that he was wedded to the films rather than to his family’.

“Arun Pradeep Kaul” descended upon this earth from the celestial milkyway as a beacon on 12th August, 1933 and left for his heavenly abode as ‘Pandit Arun Kaul’ on 21st July 2007 after enlightening the film world with a brilliance of a Genius (though unsung). When the history of Indian Cinema would be written some day Pandit Arun Kaul’s name would be recorded as the harbinger and a pioneer of healthy and serious cinema in India.

By M.M. Munshi

A gem and a brilliant scientist of our community Dr. Arun Fotedar passed away due to liver failure at UCSD Medical Centre, Hillcrest California on 9th July 2007. His disease surfaced in less than two months before his death, and doctors were unable to determine its origin .”His death is a tragedy not only for his relatives and friends but to the world because he was positioned to develop a whole new line of cancer drugs”, stated Dr. Albert Deisseroth, President and Chief executive of Sydney Kimmel Centre.

Dr. Fotedar was born at Srinagar, Kashmir on 12th May 1953 . He studied at C.M.S Biscoe Memorial High School and S.P. College Srinagar before passing his B.Sc. Though he wanted to pursue scientific research as a career but at the insistence of his parents he completed his MBBS degree from Srinagar Medical College in 1977. In 1983 He was awarded Ph.D in immunology by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He later did postgraduate work at the University of Alberta, Edmonton in Canada and taught there before joining the faculty of the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology in 1991. In 1992 he moved as Professor and Director at Cancer Cell Biology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Centre , San Diego Centre California and assembled an international team of scientists to design the drugs that approached cancer from a new angle.

According to Dr. Albert Deisseroth Dr. Fotedar explored cell cycles as a way of interrupting the development of cancer cells before they were allowed to spread, he wanted to block things at that stage. Dr. Deisseroth added that Dr. Fotedar’s strategy was an innovative way fighting cancer cell development “.We are zeroing on the bull’s eye, as opposed to a broader target and this means more effective drugs with fewer side effects “stated Dr. Fotedar in a seminar in 2005. He was an extremely intelligent and great scientist, one of his colleagues at Sidney Kimmel Cancer centre said. He always wanted to get to the bottom of things. It wasn’t enough for him to accomplish one task, he always wanted to look miles ahead and remained at the forefront of the quest of battling and local fund raising for cancer till his death. He was an internationally sought after speaker for symposiums and his work was published in the top peer reviewed scientific journals . His profile and publication can be seen at

http//www.skcc.org/fotedar.html

http://shcc.org/fotedar-refs.html

and

http:// www.biomedcentral.com/search/results.asp? and db=pm&terms=fotedar A&field =AU

He also became a member of the American National Institute Health’s Tumor Cell Biology Peer Review Group. His friend Bob Margolis described Dr. Fotedar as a very fulfilling person to have deep discussions with on any subject like religion, art, history, physics, astronomy or other subjects.

Dr. Arun Fotedar is survived by his parents Lakshmi and Prof. D.N. Fotedar formerly head of Zoology Deptt and Dean of Science Faculty Kashmir University, his younger brother Avinash Fotedar, Bhabi Rinu Fotedar and nephew Adhtya and other relations and friends who are inconsolable.

*(The author is Maternal uncle of Dr. Arun Fotedar).

By L.C. Kaul

The Antartica Hero, affectionately known to his large circle of friends and admirers as ‘DOD’, left for his heavenly abode, on 18/2/2008, after having suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage, on 10/2/2008. His untimely and tragic demise has left all his relatives, friends and colleagues dumbfounded and heartbroken. Fondly known by different names- ‘Baba’, ‘Babuji’ and ‘Kaul Sahib’, he was a karmayogi, an extraordinary human being par excellence, a scientist of limitless talent and courage.

Born on 9th May 1940 at Bagh Jogi Lankar, Rainawari, Srinagar, Shri Kaul passed his M.Sc. Geology in 1961. He served Indian Bureau of Mines from 1962 to 1965 and Geological Survey of India (GSI), thereafter, till his superannuation on 31st May 2000, as Director (Selection Grade).

In 1969, he was married to Nirmala, daughter of Shri P.N. Dhar residing at Hauz Khas, New Delhi. Shri Kaul had settled at Faridabad in 1985 in his own house (No: 67), Sector 17. He  is survived by his wife, a daughter, a son and a grand daughter.

During a span of 39 years of active service, he was engaged in geological, glaciological and mineral surveys in J&K and HP Himalaya and on the icy continent of Antarctica. He was trained in Mountaineering from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, in 1968 and in skiing from the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, in 1973. Shri Kaul was the member and also the leader of several multidisciplinary and interdepartmental scientific expeditions which included expeditions to Nun Kun, and to Rulung (Ladakh) and Nehnar glaciers in J&K, Gara, and Gorgarang glaciers in Kinnaur, HP and to Antarctica. Particularly noteworthy was his role as the leader of successful fifth Indian Expedition to Antarctica (1985-86), organised by the Department of Ocean Development (DOD). He was one among the veterans whose vision and endeavours culminated in the birth of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) at Goa. He was a member of several committees of DOD and NCAOR and Indian National Committee for SCAR (Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research).  He attended several National and International Conferences and made valuable scientific contributions to Indian and Foreign journals. As the Editor of the publication ‘Inventory of Himalayan Glaciers’   - a contribution to the International Hydrological Programme (Tech. Pub. No: 34, GSI), he contributed significantly to an endeavour which was the first of its kind in the Asian region. Based on his scientific achievements,, he figured in “Reference Asia (Asia’s Who is Who of Men & Women of Achievement-Volume Fifth-1989)”.

Shri Kaul’s invaluable contribution to the study of Himalayan glaciers and Antarctic Sciences will ever be admired by future generations. In recognition of his distinguished services, Shri Kaul received the prestigious ‘National Mineral Award (1987-88)’ from the Govt. of India.

As an individual, intensively human person, sublime simplicity, helpful attitude, sweetness of temper, soft-spoken, with an all-around personality, a man of learning and erudition in his professional sphere, Shri Kaul was a self-made man by dint of his hard work, commitment and dedication. He will live for ever in the heart and thoughts of his relatives, friends and colleagues.

May his noble soul rest in peace.