Homage to our Mentor - Padmashri J.N. Kaul 'Papaji'

Padmashri J.N. Kaul

13-10-1924 to 16-12-2008

With profound grief and sorrow we inform you that our dearest Padamshri Jagan Nath Kaul, fondly called Papaji has left for his heavenly abode on December 16, 2008 morning (5.45am) in Faridabad, India.

Padmashri J.N. Kaul, was father to lakhs of underprivileged children. A visionary, he remained lifelong associated with philanthropic and humanitarian work. Replica of Kashmir’s 'Hari Parbat', in Faridabad was his idea. In his able guidance, Kashmiri Sewak Samaj Faridabad and Roots In Kashmir organised Navreh celebrations each year atop Aravali Hills at Hari Parbat, Anangpur with more zeal and vigour.

Shri Kaul was among those few Kashmiri leaders who were institution builders. He has been responsible for single handedly launching and initiating a number of institutions in the field of social welfare, education, culture and religious heritage. After the forced displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, he had to plunge into one more ardous field of helping his fellow communitymen in exile.

Papaji has been the recipient of many awards and honour's including "Padmashri" presented by the President of India, Raja Rammohan Roy Teacher's Award, G.D. Birla Award, Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award, Twentieth Century Achievement Award (Given by the American Biographical Institute USA), Dadabhai Naroji New Millennium Award, Satpal Mittal National Award and Vayoshrestha Award (Ministry of Social Justice).

We pledge to follow his footsteps and spread the message of love & service to the underprivileged, as he said: "When we give a child home, we are expressing our belief in life and the fundamental good in people."

Activity with SOS Children's Villages' in India

In 1963 Hermann Gmeiner met Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India, who was extremely impressed by the SOS Children's Village concept. Under the auspices of his daughter Indira Gandhi a committee and subsequently an association were founded, which immediately hastened the realization of the first SOS Children's Village Greenfields near Delhi. Of the founding members of the Indian SOS Children's Villages Association, J.N. Kaul became the first village director who in subsequent decades would greatly influence the SOS Children's Village work in this poor and densely populated country.

In 1967 Mrs. Indira Gandhi handed the chairmanship of the committee to Mrs. Tara Ali Baig, who presided over the SOS Children's Villages Association in India until her death in 1989. Since then Padashmi Shri J.N. Kaul has been heading the entire SOS Children's Village work in India.

Peace to his soul.

News in grief:

1. PTI - http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200812161612.htm
2. Indian Express - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/social-activist-j-n-kaul-passes-away/399419/
3. Kashmir Live - http://www.kashmirlive.com/story/Noted-Kashmiri-activist-JN-Kaul-passes-away/399220.html
4. Daily Excelsior - http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/08dec17/state.htm#15

A tribute by the youth of..

Roots in Kashmir (RIK)

…A Worldwide Kashmiri Pandit Youth Initiative

www.rootsinkashmir.org/

www.kashmiris-in-exile.blogspot.com/

e-mail: contact@rootsinkashmir.org/