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Bhalessa

Coordinates: 33°02′N 75°54′E / 33.03°N 75.90°E / 33.03; 75.90
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Bhalessa
𑚡𑚥𑚲𑚨𑚭 भलेसा بھلیسہ
Region
Clockwise: Jama Masjid Akhyarpur, Shiv Mandir Gandoh, Jama Masjid Gandoh, Sittla Mata mandir Dalori
Clockwise: Jama Masjid Akhyarpur, Shiv Mandir Gandoh, Jama Masjid Gandoh, Sittla Mata mandir Dalori
Bhalessa is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Bhalessa
Bhalessa
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Bhalessa is located in India
Bhalessa
Bhalessa
Bhalessa (India)
Coordinates: 33°02′N 75°54′E / 33.03°N 75.90°E / 33.03; 75.90
CountryIndia
Union territoryJammu and Kashmir
DivisionJammu
RegionChenab Valley
DistrictDoda
Population
 (2011)
 • Total71,889[1]
Language
 • OfficialUrdu, English
 • LocalBhalessi, Kashmiri, Gojri, Bhaderwahi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
182207
Websitewww.bhalessa.com

Bhalessa is a geographical area within Doda district in the Jammu region of India-administered Kashmir.[1] It consists of the Bunjwah and Bhalessa Valleys, and comprises the three Tehsils of Kahara, Chilly Pingal and Gandoh.

Name

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The name is written بھلیسہ in Urdu, भलेसा in Hindi, and 𑚡𑚥𑚲𑚨𑚭 in the Takri script.

The area is known as Bhales (/bʱəˈles/) to outsiders, but inhabitants of the region use a variety of names, including Bhalessa (/bʱəˈlesɑ/), Bhalesh (/bʱəˈleʃ/, with variant /bʱəˈleiʃ/), and Bhal (/ˈbʱɑl/).[2]

The etymology of the name remains unknown. It has been suggested that it derives from the Sanskrit word for 'good' (bhalla-)[3] or from the name of the 16th-century queen, Queen Bhalla of Bhadarwah.[4][better source needed]

Geography

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The Bhalessa region consists of two valleys: Bonjwah and Bhalessa. Bonjwah contains multiple streams, while Bhalessa contains the Kalgoni stream.[4] The two valleys unite near Donadi and the streams merge into the Chenab river.[5]

The area is easily accessible from Churaha Wazarat of Chamba through passes such as Padri Gali and Mehlwar. To the north, it is flanked by the mountains of Kishtwar.[6]

Bhalessa contains various geographical hamlets, such as Neeli, Jitota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota, and Basnota. Some other areas include Bal Padri, Kanthi Dhar, Soin Bhagar, Naglotan,[7] Goha Dhar, Jawali meadows, Ghasheer Top, Makan and Chashool, Ghati Dhar, Mehal Dhar, Damote Dhar, Lakhan, Kehan Dhar, Mashood Dhar, Mihaad Dhar, Bach Dhar, Nagni Dhar, Talaie, Dhosa Meadows, Rohari Meadows, Lamhote Meadows, Kota Top, Pangas Top Gwalo, Dhanaso Dhar, and Dulchi Dhar.[citation needed]

Culture

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Тhe official language in the Bhalessa region is Urdu, which is used for administrative purposes. The main spoken language of the sub-district is Bhalessi. Other spoken languages include Kashmiri and Gujari.[8]

During the winter, the nomadic people of the Gujjar and Bakarwals come down to the plain and barren areas of Punjab. During the summer, they go deep into the mountainous valley of Bhalessa with their cattle where they produce milk, cheese, and ghee. During marriage celebrations, the Gujjars perform their folk dances.[9]

Traditional industries such as beekeeping, sheep cattle rearing, handloom weaving, blanket making, and ghee production contribute to the cultural economy of Bhalessa.[citation needed]

Transport

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The route to Bhalessa from its nearest airport in Jammu goes through Batote via National Highway 144, the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, and National Highway 244 (known as Batote – Kishtwar National Highway), which later leads to Thathri, which is just 30 kilometres (19 mi) away from Kishtwar. To reach Bhalessa, it is necessary to leave the National Highway by a link road known as Thathri-Gandoh-Khilotran road.[10]

Concerns are often raised about the state of the roads in the region,[11] particularly the Thathri–Kilhotran Road, which as of July 2020 was still incomplete even after decades of construction.[12]

Tourism

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Bhalessa has been a source of attraction for trackers and tourists.[7]

The area consists of green uplands, like Bhal Padri, which can be a source of attraction for tourism. As of 2020, the inhabitants of the Bhalessa region are demanding a Hill District status and a Tourism Development Authority in order to exhibit tourism potential and for administrative convenience.[7] As of July 2020, two potential spots have been identified for the creation of tourism assets in Block Changa.[13] The people of Bhalessa are represented at various levels, in sports, education, politics, civil services, and other diverse fields. Bhalessa is known for interfaith harmony, and religious communities continue to live in peace during turmoil.[citation needed] -there is a tallest mountain, (2415sq. ft) that is "Gasher top" it shows a beautiful view of two states (J&K and Himachal Pradesh)

Politics and administration

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Bhalessa has a Sub-Divisional Headquarter located at Gandoh that is controlled by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate.[14]

Bhalessa consists of three tehsils: Gandoh, Chilly Pingal and Kahara.[15] There have been demands for a Hill District Status for these tehsils,[16] as well as for the creation of a separate Tourism Development Authority[17] and the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC).[18]

According to political listings, Bhalessa is listed in the Bhaderwah constituency and Inderwal constituency. Notable politicians include:

He also served as the Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008. On 26 September 2022, Azad announced his own political party as Democratic Progressive Azad Party.

  • Mohd Sharief Niaz, a congress leader from Changa village in Bhalessa. He contested the 2009 assembly elections from the Bhaderwah constituency.[22]
  • Daleep Singh Parihar, a BJP leader from Batara village in Bhalessa. He is the former MLA candidate from the Bhaderwah constituency.

Education

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There is a college in Kilhotran under the name of Government Degree College Kilhotran. Schools in Bhalessa work to impart education in rural villages.[23]

Bhalessa also has a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to give technical training to young people.[24]

There is an unprecedented growth of madrasa education in the area. The madrasas in Bhalessa include Jamia Gani tul uloom and Asrar ul Uloom.[25] Jamia Gani tul uloom is the largest seminary madrasa in the Jammu province.[26] The Jamia was founded by Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri.

NGOs

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Several notable NGOs in Bhalessa are as follows:

  • Educational Environmental Social Sports and Cultural Society[27]
  • Lions Club & Token Trust Bhalessa.
  • Kohistan Association[28]
  • National Students Welfare Association (NSWA) Bhalessa[29]
  • Bhalessa Heritage Centre (Bhalessa Saqafati Markuz)[30]
  • The Helping Hand Trust[31]
  • Shaheen Trust Bhalessa[32]
  • Umar Educational and Welfare Trust Bhalessa[33]
  • Bhalessa United Front (BUF)[34]
  • JAKESPASES (Jammu and Kashmir Educational Environmental Social Plantation, Athletic and Recreation Sports Ecological Balance Society)[35]
  • Sahayak Humanity Charitable Trust Bhalessa[36]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b "CensusIndia.Gov.In Data". Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  2. ^ Varma, Siddheshwar (1948). The Bhalesī dialect. Monograph series (Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal). Vol. 4. Calcutta.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Varma (1948, p. 2) makes this suggestion but then goes on to throw doubts on the plausibility of such an etymology.
  4. ^ a b Malik, Sadaket (29 October 2012). "Bhalessa cultural history". Kashmir Media Watch. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Chenab River | river, Asia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  6. ^ "District Kishtwar, Government of Jammu & Kashmir | Land of Saffron, Sapphire & Shrines | India". Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "A separate tourism development authority for Bhalessa". The Chenab Times. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  8. ^ Kaul, Pritam Krishen (2006). Pahāṛi and Other Tribal Dialects of Jammu. Vol. 1. Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers. p. 73. ISBN 8178541017.
  9. ^ Malik, Sadaket (29 October 2012). "Bhalessa cultural history". Kashmir Media Watch. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Jai Valley | District Doda | India". Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  11. ^ interalia. "The deadly roads of Chenab Valley". Kashmir Images Newspaper. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Thathri-Kilotran-Soti road". The Daily Excelsior. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Tourism infrastructure set to take a leap in Bhalessa". India Education Diary. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Sub-Division Magistrate (SDM) Inaugurated Medical store at Doda district". The News Now. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Tehsils in Doda". Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Residents of Bhalessa demanding hill district status - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". www.scoopnews.in.
  17. ^ "Tourism Development Authority". 21 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Bhalessa Student protests, demands creation of the post of ADC for their area". Scoop News. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Ghulam Nabi Azad retains Bhaderwah seat". Hindustan Times. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Ghulam Nabi Azad Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history". Elections in India.
  21. ^ "Ghulam Nabi Azad named Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha". news.biharprabha.com. Indo-Asian News Service. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Mohammed Sharief Niaz Man awakened Bhalessa". 5 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Government Degree College Khilotran Gandoh Bhalessa". Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Directorate of Skills Development, Jammu and Kashmir". Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  25. ^ Sadaket Malik "Madrasah movement in Bhalessa Hamlet". www.jammu-kashmir.com. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  26. ^ "COVID-19: Madrasa management offers hostel building for quarantine facility in J&K's Doda". New Indian Express. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  27. ^ "District volleyball championship concludes". Early Times. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  28. ^ Malik, Sadaket "Bhalessa-A review on Education". January 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ "NATIONAL STUDENTS WELFARE ASSOCIATION". Indian NGOs. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Bhalessa residents demand restoration of power supply". Early Times. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Partnership/Support in Jammu and Kashmir". Karwan e Mohabbat. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  32. ^ "SHAHEEN Trust honour labourers". JK Monitor. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Distribution of ration, essential items continues". The Daily Excelsior. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  34. ^ "Bhalessa residents protest for detachment from Bhaderwah". The Daily Excelsior. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  35. ^ "Bhalessa fire victims, "what they loss and what they gain"". The News Now. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  36. ^ "SHCT hands over Golden Card to critically ill patient". Universal News Timeline. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  37. ^ "Mithun Manhas appointed Chief coach of Delhi". The Greater Kashmir. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Asian Games medallist Chain Singh from J&K felicitated". The Times of India. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
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