VETERAN LITERATEUR WHO DEDICATED HIS ENTIRE LIFE TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE GARHWALI LITERATURE YOGAMBER SINGH BARTHWAL IS NO MORE. RIP
SHEESHPAL GUSAIN
Dehradun’s litterateur Shri Yogamber Singh Barthwal has bid final adieu to this world today. He has been delivering enthusiasm and inspiration to one and all throughout his life through literature. His sad demise is indeed an anguishing moments of emotional setback , which has saddened journalists, litterateurs and his admirers. Down to earth human being Yogamber Singh Barthwal at the age of 75 used to walk in tempos on the streets of Dehradun. He used to stay busy in “Yugvani “, and other literary programs from home.
He also worked in the Health Department for protracted 60 years. Along with the job, his passion for incessant literary and writing work went side by side.
To further confirm the news of his absence, I called the editor of Yugvani Mr. Sanjay Kothiyal. He told that, Barthwal ji was supposed to stage a program on August 20 at Hindi Bhawan but when that program did not happen, I called him then he told that the program has been postponed for 22nd. He was on Fever and was admitted to Arihant Hospital.
From Arihant Hospital, his son got him admitted in Kailash Hospital at Jogiwala where unfortunately he breathed his last this morning sending shock wave all around among his family and literally fraternity .
Barthwal ji taught us in Dehradun that we should keep remembering great poets like poet Chandra Kunwar Barthwal from time to time. He struggled to get a statue installed in Mussoorie in memory of Chandra Kunwar. He used to travel in the bus in rain or shine. And he used to fulfill his mission. Even when he was unwell, he did not let us feel it. He always called himself fit.
In the last years, when I was working on King Pradumna, who was martyred in the invasion war of Gorkhas in 1804 in Dehradun, Yogambar ji appeared as our true companion. Used to meet him, used to talk on the phone. Last month, talks were held with the great sculptor Avtar Singh Panwar. This was our last talk. One day I saw the statue of Veer Bhad Madho Singh Bhandari made by Panwar ji in the courtyard of Yogambar ji.
On the phone, he told that his book on Thakur Kishan Singh, a member of the Constituent Assembly, is in the final stages. He has written a book on Hill Development Minister Narendra Singh Bhandari. I had demanded a copy of it, in which he asked to take it from home. Unfortunately he left before giving the book. After the demise of Yogamber Singh Barthwal, his litterateur friends have mourned remembering his poetry, poems and compositions. It was a symbol of his natural creativity.
He has also been famous in research, which he used to display through his literary renderings to solve various issues of the society. Yogmber Singh Barthwal’s demise is a sad news which has made us feel the loss of a talented and dedicated litterateur. His works will always be remembered, and will always inspire us with his ideology and ideals.
Salute to Yogamber Singh Barthwal and his litterateur friends, journalists will always remain the inspiration of his creativity in our entire journey.
