PAHARI AND POTHWARI - A SOCIOLINGUISTIC SURVEY

Northern Pakistan boasts a rich variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Much has been learned about the sociolinguistic situation of this part of the world through recent research, such as the Sociolinguistic Survey of Northern Pakistan (O’Leary 1992). Cultural societies in various language communities are supporting mother-tongue literacy and production of vernacular literature as a means of preserving the rich ethnic heritage of this area.

 The Punjabi dialect chain in the Indo-Aryan language family includes millions of speakers in northern Pakistan. This is one area where the sociolinguistic situation has not been investigated. Choosing a well-respected and widely understood dialect for development of printed and oral materials is an important factor in literacy and literature development. Knowledge about language vitality and domains of use is important for language planners who make decisions about future education and training.

Pahari, which means “mountainous,” is primarily spoken in the Murree and Kotli Sattian tehsils of the Rawalpindi District in northern Pakistan. The Murree dialect of Pahari ends at the Jhelum River, but another dialect of the same language, also called Pahari as well as Chibhali, extends into Azad Kashmir. As one travels from Murree to Abbottabad, one passes through a transitional region between Ayubia and Nathiagali, where the language gradually changes from Pahari to Hindko. 

Pothwari is spoken in the plateau south of the Pahari dialect area. Its southern border is formed by the Salt Range; from there the area runs northward to Rawalpindi and eastward to the Jhelum River. As one travels from Rawalpindi to Murree, the language transitions from Pothwari to Pahari around Bharakao, approximately where the Murree Hills begin. Mirpuri is spoken in the district of Mirpur in Azad Kashmir. People who live in this area refer to their language sometimes as Mirpuri but also as Pahari. Hundreds of thousands of those living in this district have immigrated to the UK and other countries (Lothers and Lothers 2003).

Michael Lothers and Laura Lothers published a survey report in 2010, comprised of 262 pages. This report gives a snapshot of the Pahari-Pothwari language complex. It addresses questions of dialect versus language and the number of dialects through synchronic, descriptive means rather than a historical, phonological comparison. The survey team used oral interviews, questionnaires, wordlists, comprehension testing, and our own observation from the two and a half years we lived in Murree, Pakistan.

The Pahari-Pothwari language complex includes three major but mutually intelligible dialects: Pahari, Pothwari and Mirpuri. Those speaking the latter, Mirpuri, also refer to their language as Pahari.

CLICK HERE TO READ "PAHARI AND POTHWARI: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC SURVEY"

GC OSSAMA ZAFAR SATTI - SHAHEED

GC Ossama Zafar Satti was born on 29th May 1992. He passed his F.Sc from F.G Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi, and was enrolled in the Mechanical Program offered at the college of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering(EME), NUST. He was on a hiking expedition at Nanga Parbat Base Camp where his foot slipped and he lost his life on 27th of July, 2013. He was only 21 years old.

Ossama Zafar Satti was an avid sportsman and had a craze for adventure. He had an excellent academic record, and knowledge of world events and enthusiasm on debating them. May his soul rest in peace.

BRIGADIER (R) JAVED AHMED SATTI - RECIPIENT OF THE PRIDE OF PERFORMANCE

Brigadier (R) Javed Ahmed Satti was born in a hilly village of Kahuta hills in Rawalpindi district, who came from a very modest background. He was assisted in his education by Lt. Commander Muhammad Azeem Satti, his relative and an officer from Pakistan Navy, which enabled him to secure commission in the Army. He was a brilliant officer who, besides being talented, extremely motivated, such was the tenor with which he served till his retirement as a Brigadier. He was convinced that access to education made the difference to his life, he decided to repay the debt.

After his retirement, Brig Javed established Al-Azeem Trust with the aim of imparting quality education to deprived children of backward areas so as to enable them to realise their talent, both for livelihood generation and for being socially responsible.

Brigadier Javed, along with his wife, started the first school of Al-Azeem Trust in their village, Behand, Tehsil Kahuta, District Rawalpindi, in April 2002. The Programme aims at grooming talented children up to the time they are able to generate their livelihoods, whether it involves supporting their higher professional studies or exposing them to vocational training. The Children of parents who cannot afford the tuition fees are admitted. Yet, an excellent quality of education is maintained, for which teachers are trained. They display exceptional commitment, are well paid and the academic standards are strictly monitored.

A unique education system has evolved in Kahuta region over the last thirteen years to endow the younger generation and the larger society with hope. The Al-Azeem School System is an outcome of labour of love a son of the soil who rose in his professional pursuits and chose to pay back.

The Al-Azeem School System is dedicated to quality education and brick and mortar figures out as the lesser priority. Education in the English medium is provided at the door steps and beneficiaries pay for the tuition consistent with their capacities. The marginalised access free education.

Al-Azeem School System is now financially self-sustaining. It provides quality education to over seven thousand students studying in twenty-two schools, from the primary level to the twelfth class.

 Quality control figures out as perhaps the most challenging function in a major undertaking. Yet issues like chronic absenteeism, misdemeanours or financial embezzlement rarely figure out. The School System works on a unique ethos that equates commitment to education with core self-interests. In the beneficiary communities, the elders solidly support the programme as they see the future of their children through the Al-Azeem School System. For the senior teachers, delivering quality education derives self-esteem. The younger teachers endeavour to excel the standards that are set.

In a school in village Behand, neatly lined children were seen collecting wrappers and waste. The activity flows from one of the numerous lessons that promote ‘tarbiat’ or civil behaviour, alongside education. Others inculcate the virtues of compassion, sharing, social responsibility and attending to the personal hygiene. What they learn in schools is practised at home, thus bringing about a social change through the process of reverse osmosis.

Local educated women and younger girls practically run the entire School System which includes providing tuition and rendering administrative functions. Al-Azeem School System stands out as a model for women empowerment and sterling performance which is second to none. Its results rank among the best in the Rawalpindi Division and many students are accepted into the quality institutions for higher education.

As part of its social responsibility, Al-Azeem School System has over the years concertedly contributed in restoring the local forests. These efforts range from community based awareness raising, provision of watch and ward services and re-plantation of trees during monsoons. There is evidence of the pine and tree cover gradually reviving in the region and near denial of space for the timber mafias. An effective communities’ driven model is created which may be studied for wider replication. Environmental awareness can be gauged by the fact that even the local streams are cleaner from our standards.

Volunteerism more than anything else reflects social mobility in a society and fosters a sentiment of self-reliance. It is evident from the wider communities’ support for the Al-Azeem School System which includes activities like maintaining the road access to the schools, providing watch and ward functions and diverse services. The School System is being aptly supported by so many voluntary contributions.

An unswerving commitment to the future of the younger generation through quality education has welded together a sustainable bond between the beneficiary communities and the Al-Azeem School System. A situation where everyone stands to gain.

The Azeem Public School System has set high standards for teachers and students. Competent teachers are hired and are paid competitive salaries. Students are exposed to challenging curricula that provides a strong foundation of math and science, and instills confidence in them. During the past two years boys and girls from Azeem Public Schools have secured top positions in the annual board examinations.

Over the past decade, the dedicated educational service provided by the Al-Azeem Trust has raised the standard of primary education in the villages surrounding Islamabad. In future, Al-Azeem Trust plans to build institutions of higher learning to help their students pursue college education after they complete their secondary and higher secondary education.

The model of Azeem Public School System needs to be emulated all over Pakistan to create level playing fields for the poor children. Kudos to Azeem Public School System for illuminating the lives of the poor children with the flames of educational discovery and curiosity.

Recently a new “Taj Mosque” was inaugurated at the main campus of the Azeem Public School system, located in the village of Behand. The mosque, located on the mountain top, is named after Brig. (R) Javed’s mother “Taj.” The design of the building is the brainchild of Air Commodore Ahmed Salam Khan.

Brigadier (R) Javed Ahmed Satti has been awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance for excellence for services to Pakistan on 23rd March 2018.

SHARENA SATTI - POET / WRITER

Sharena Satti is a poet, born on 7th of February 1984 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. She started writing at a very young age. It was her childhood that sparked the gift of poetry and it soon became her saviour and guide. It gave her a meaning to life and a new direction.

She published her first book "Testing Times" in January 2017, this book contains a variety of poems covering different topics all really relevant to today's society. And her second book "Broken Chains" was recently published in January 2018, this book will allow you to explore the mind of a poet, you will connect to her spiritually and visualise her world. She is currently working on her new book "Phoenix The Reborn". 

Sharena Satti mainly write about life experiences, they have always been her driven force when writing poetry, the more emotion the more real the poem feels. She loves seeking inspiration from nature and the outdoors, where she feels at complete home. Poetry allows herself to express her emotions without bottling them up.

She seeks inspiration from piano music, looking at the moon and stars, weather change, open nature, her children, people and human emotions. Sharena Satti is happily married and mother of three girls, who are her universe and her inspiration.

Click here to visit her blog "MomentousTreasures"

Click here to visit her Poetry page on Facebook

 

TEACHER OF GEOGRAPHY - A DOCUFICTION

Teacher of Geography ( جعرافیہ کا ماسٹر ) is a Docufiction inspired from the short story of Masaud Mufti, and dramatized by Shakeel Adnan Hashmi, is based on Master Chaand Tara of Indian Occupied Kashmir, which was filmed in Kotli Sattian and will be aired on PTV on 5th of February 2018 (Kashmir Solidarity Day) at 07:45 pm.


 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PROMO OF جعرافیہ کا ماسٹر

Behind the Scenes

ZIAFAT SATTI - SHAHEED

Ziafat Satti - Shaheed

Ziafat Satti of Dheerkot, Kotli Sattian was among 11 soldiers of the Pakistan Army, who were martyred on Saturday (03/Feb/2018) when a terrorist blew himself up during a volleyball match near the Pakistan Army's sports unit situated at Sharifabad area of Swat's Kabal tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The soldiers were playing volleyball in the evening outside the Military base, when a suicide bomber managed to blow himself up. The match was also being watched by civilians, and the casualty count couldn't rise as a large number of people had gathered in the area, adding that wounded were shifted to a nearby Military hospital.

BASHIR AHMED SATTI SHAHEED

Sepoy Bashir Ahmed Satti, 38 FF Regiment of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom on 26th April 2014 at Dana Back Sector, LOC Kashmir. He hailed from Biaga, Kotli Sattian, Rawalpindi.

BERBERIS ARISTATA (HIMALAYAN BERBERRY), (SUMBAL)

Berberis Aristata is a thorny shrub belonging to the family Berberidaceae and the genus Berberis. It has yellow root. The flowers are yellow and in corymbose racemes. The fruits are oblong-ovoid or ovoid, bright red berries.

It is widely found in Northern Areas of Pakistan, Mansehra, Balakot, Galyat, Swat and North Waziristan in KPK, Kashmir, Murree and Kotli Sattian hills in Punjab, and also found in different areas of Balochistan.

Berberis Aristata is known as "Sumbal" in local language of Kotli Sattian. Sumbal can treat fatal diseases, including Cancer, Brain tumor, Diabetes, Thyroid glands, Infertility and Arthritis. 

MARPHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

It is a dynamical bush. The old plant is seven to eight feet tall, and It is full of thorns and branches spread around, each thorn is in set of three thorns. Trunk diameter of old plants becomes three to four inches, and the roots are eight to ten feet deep in the ground. This root is used as a herb, its skin is peeled off from the root and then dried in the shade and it’s taste is bitter and colour is yellow. Sumbal flowers flourish in the form of bright yellow clusters, leaves are oblong and sharp-edged, flowers are dispersed after a few days and they are replaced with little green berries, ripening blackish. Its leaves and flowers are eatable with bitter taste. It is used as a treatment of the mouth and throat diseases, and the Powder of Sumbal Root is good for healing cancer patients.

THE FLOWERING AND FRUITING SEASON

Flowering in Berberis Aristata starts from the first fortnight of March and remains in progress up to the end of April. The peak flowering season under Solan conditions was recorded to be from 8-25 April. The fruit start ripening from the second week of May and continue to do so throughout June. They can be retained on the shrub after ripening for quite a long period, but they fall off soon after the onset of rains. The fruiting season, therefore, ends abruptly with the commencement of the rainy season.

The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects and self. The plant is self-fertile.

The small fruits with their seeds are sweet, with a blend of acid. They are slightly bitter and the bitterness is due to the seeds. The taste and flavour of the fruits is good.

SUMBAL HERB NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Botanical name : Berberis Aristata
English name : Tree Turmeric, Indian Berberry, Himalayan Berberry
Urdu name : Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries), Rassaut (Root bark extract), Sumbal, Sumbloo

Arabic name : Ameerbaarees
Persian name : Filzahra (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Baloch name : Zaril, Koroy
Pashto name : Zarilragay, Koroy
Kashmiri name : Rassashud (Root bark extrat), Kaw Dach Mool (Root)
Punjabi name : Rassaut, Sumlu

Pahari name : Sumbal
Chinese name : Huang Lian

German name : Indischer Berberitze

French name : Epine-vinette d’lnde

Hindi Name : Rasaut (Root Bark Extract), Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Nepali Name : Chutro

Cancer (All Types):

Mix the Sumbal and the Turmeric powder in same weight. Fill the mixture in double zero sized capsules. Take one capsule after morning and evening meals, with milk. Cancer of every type will be controlled within a month.

1. Mouth or Breast Cancer: Mix the Kushta Sunkh (کشتہ سنکھ), Sumbal and Turmeric powder in same weight. Use a double zero sized fill capsule 3 times a day, after meals with Dhamasa soaked water.
2. Soak the small piece of Sumbal in a bowl of water in the evening, and drink in the morning, before meal. Similarly soak in the morning and drink in the evening.
   
   

   Brain Tumor:

   Take Siris tree bark, Kushta Sunkh, Sumbal and Turmeric Powder in the same weight. Add sum sugar and fill in double zero sized capsules. Diabetic patients may exclude sugar. Take one capsule thrice a day, after meals with Dhamasa soaked water. Continue it for 3 to 4 months for complete health.

   Cancerous Sore:

   Use half filled double zero sized capsule of Sumbal Powder thrice a day with fresh water or milk. The sore will be healed within 20 days.

   Mouth Disease:

   Sumbloo can also be used in mouth or sore throat. Hust keep small piece of Sumbloo in mouth and sleep. The bitter Sumbal water goes through mouth and throat and patient is healed within a night.

   Toothache:

   Take half-filled double sized capsule of mixed powder of Sumbal, Galingale (پان کی جڑ) and Jujube (عُناب) in same weight, twice a day, after meals.

   Pawn Ribs or Neck Pain:

   Take half-filled, double zero sized capsules of Sumbal powder, twice a day, after meals.
   Best Toothpaste: Mix Sumbal Powder equal to half the quantity of a good toothpaste, Now use it like a toothpaste.

   Thyroid Glands:

   Mix the Kushta Sunkh, Turmeric, Sumbal and Arsenic Powder No. 2 in the same weight and fill it in double-zero sized capsule. Take one capsule twice a day, with milk, for two to three months. You can also keep a small piece of Sumbal in mouth at night will also help healing Thyroid.

   Chronic Wounds:

   Just sprinkle the Sumbal powder on chronic wounds, to cure them, and also take a small quantity of it twice a day, with water or milk.

   Diabetes:

   Take small quantity of Sumbal twice a day with milk. You can also drink Sumbal soaked water twice a day before meals. To get rid of diabetes, soak a small piece Sumbal in a bowl of water at night and drink in morning. Similarly, soak in morning and drink before night meal.

   Arthritis:

   Take small quantity of Sumbal powder with milk, at night. Pain will be relieved within two or three days.Boil the two or three pieces of Sumbal, and drink. The joint pain will be removed.

   Infertility:

   Fill the double zero sized capsule with Kushta Sunkh, turmeric and Sumbal powder in equal weight, and take thrice a day with milk, for at least six months.

   Broken Bones:

   Mix Sumbal Powder in white part of eggs and apply on broken bone. Also bind strongly if possible. the bone will rejoin in 20 days.

   Hepatitis:

   Soak one piece of Sumbal in a bowl of water in the evening and drink in the morning before meal. Again do the same in the morning and drink in the evening before evening meal.

   Enlargement of Liver or Spleen:

   Prepare green tea of Sumbal and take before meals, twice a day.

   Stomach Worms:

   Take a small quantity of Sumbal powder early morning with water to get rid of Stomach Worms, within two to three days. You can repeat the process if needed.

   Diarrhea and Cramps: Mix Sumbal and dried Ginger powder in same weight and take thrice a day with milk or water.

   Side Effects :  Sumbal is safe for use but because of the berberine it contains, it must not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women and should not be administered to newborns.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Reference : Watt (1889)
                      Healthy Manners
   
   Research : Anjum Satti

PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION OF KOTLI SATTIAN

The different areas of the Subdivision Kotli Sattian vary greatly from each other. The highest point in the Subdivision is at Phofandi Peak, which is over 7,035 ft above sea level. The lowest point is on the River Jhelum near Pattan, which is only 1,587 ft above sea level. 

The Subdivision posses a unique position on account of its strategic location, climate, environment and scenery produce a general characteristics. The shortest and safest route that connects the Federal Capital to the sensitive frontiers of Kashmir is through this subdivision. The high walls of mountains on the northeast side, protects the Federal Capital as a fortress. As the homeland of most of the in-service and retired forces personnel, it stands surety to the well-being of the motherland. The Federal Capital, to some extent, depends on this area for water supply, construction materials, fruits, vegetables, poultry and much of the labour force.  

Reference : A HANDBOOK OF KOTLI SATTIAN

SATTI SISTERS - PAKISTAN TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

Raheela Anjum (now Raheela Kashif) and Naila Anjum are daughters of proud Satti tribe from Kotli Sattian in Rawalpindi district, who donned the Pakistan colour. They ruled at National table tennis horizon for a decade during the 1990s. They went to play in the Tokyo championship, Japan. Both sisters also represented Pakistan in Asian games. That was the golden era of table tennis in Pakistan.

Raheela went to the Barcelona Summer Olympics (1992) in Spain to represent Pakistan. She won the bronze medal for Pakistan at 8th SAF games, Nepal (1999) in women's single and silver medal in women's double. She is gold and silver medalist in Asian Games, National Games, Pakistan Master Cup and many other tournaments. Raheela started playing professionally at the age of 12, and became national championship, a year after in 1990. She is 3 Times National Champion, Silver Medalist SAF Games 2004, Bronze in SAF Games Sri Lanka, Silver Medalist SAF Games 2016, 4 Gold Medals in National Championship 2000, 3 Gold Medals in National Championship 2016.

Naila moved to United States after getting married and settled there, but Raheela is still playing for last 27 years as there are no fresh players to replace her. Raheela Anjum of the 90s is now known as Raheela Kashif, after getting married to Kashif Shahzad.

Raheela Kashif, Shabnam Bilal and Maliha Khursheed participated in World Championship in March 2016 and qualified for semi finals. Later on, Raheela Kashif qualified for the quarter-finals of the women’s singles table tennis competitions of the Fourth Islamic Games in Baku, Azerbaijan in March 2017. The duo of Shabnam Bilal and Raheela Khalif - members of the Pakistan women's team who bagged silver Medal in 2016, are both over 45. They were also part of the Pakistan team that clinched silver at the 2004 edition in Islamabad.


International Table Tennis player Raheela Kashif introduced an indoor table tennis facility as Islamabad Table Tennis Training Club in Islamabad to enable the beginners with learning the sport and develop ultimate skills of game enabling them to perform at National Level.