My Father the Snorer

Sham S.Misri

Pandit Janki Nath Misri was born in December, of the year 1905. His father’s name was Sona Joo Misri. The name of his mother was Kudmali, who belonged to a family of Tarivala’s, a nick name that they were the first Kashmiri Pandits to have learnt the telegraphic code (Morse code), and thus responsible for introducing   Telegram in the state of Kashmir.  Kudmali had four sons and a daughter. My father was the youngest of the four brothers. Originally they lived at Fatah Kadal, but later they shifted to Dadi Kadal, Tanki Pora, Srinagar;  Kashmir. Being the youngest he was called by different names by different people at home. Some called him That Sahib, some Bai jaan, while others called him Lalla Ji with love.  

Pandit Janki Nath Misri had done his B Sc. from Punjab University and B.T. from Kolhapur, Maharashtra University. Soon after completing his education he felt that there was a need for the spread of education in the state as a whole. So, he along with some other friends decided to open a school, which was done by opening the first branch of National High School at Bara mullah, Kashmir.  Later, second branch of the school was opened at Karan Nagar, Srinagar. It was here that he became very popular among the students and the residents of the valley. With reverence, the people of the valley would call him –Master Ji.

My father wore a long blue Achkan and tight white pyjamas. He liked to wear red shoes without laces. I hardly remember if he ever used a black shoe. He usually would carry a cane in his hand and leave for school sharp at 9.30 A.M. Punctuality was his hallmark.  Pt.Janki Nath Misri was a man of principle; he was a principal of a public school. He was one of the founder members of National High School. He had passion for teaching. He would always use a fountain pen in which he would use only the green ink. Since the green ink was not available in the market, he would prepare the ink at home, filter it, and add other ingredients required in its making. Green ink was a sort of his trade mark while writing, or teaching or making some corrections in the students note books. 

Pandit Janki Nath Misri authored more than a score of books on education on varied subjects. The books were useful and written right from Primary education, to Middle standard to High school.  The books would come in a series – or parts for primary wing, the middle and the high school.  Some of the books were titled as Popular Translation, Standard English Translation, Children’s Grammar, Essence of English Paper –B, Mathematics Made Easy, Standard Physiology, Standard Hygiene etc.      

Sh.J.N.Misri taught at National High School, Srinagar. Even as a young boy he was very helpful and always found a way of getting himself out of trouble. Mr. Misri was very popular among the students and the staff. He was noble and kind to all. His method of teaching was very simple and practical. He had lot of patience and took great care in teaching even the weakest boys.  He was called by his nick name as Gautama.

He taught many students at home. Many of his students rose to very high positions. One of his students was Sadiq who later became the Chief Minister of J&K State. One day as Sadiq was in the school laboratory a costly instrument fell from his hands on the floor and shattered into pieces.  Now the instrument belonged to the school and, and it was very precious. His teacher, Mr. Misri valued it greatly. As Sadiq was worrying about this incident he heard Mr. Misri coming and quickly hid the pieces behind his back. When Mr. Misri entered the lab Sadiq asked him, “Why do people die?”

“That is just natural” replied Mr. Misri, “Everything only has so long to live, and then it must die” At these words, Sadiq showed his teacher the pieces of the broken instrument.

Misri sahib was one day teaching his students in the class the power of silence. He told his students that silence is golden. Mr. Misri also told the students that it is very difficult to follow this principle. If anybody could do that he would tell him and he would be rewarded. Out of the many students some four friends decided to follow silence. One friend’s room was taken for this practice. They took a vow not to talk for one week. The first day, they kept silence all day without saying a word. As night fell the oil lamp in the room grew dim, one of the friends whispered to a servant,” Take care of that lamp.” The second friend was shocked to hear his friend speaking, said.” You are not supposed to be talking” The third friend got irritated and said,” You fools, why did you talk”

“I am the only one who did not talk,” Said the fourth friend. Mr. Misri had kept some senior students to watch this activity. After seven days they reported the matter to him. The four friends were ashamed of not following the simple principle.

A close friend and teacher, Pandit Vasa Kak wanted to know the wisdom of Mr. Misri. One day, Pandit Vasa Kak told him, what is the most important thing that you practice?

My father, Mr. Misri told him,” Do well to everyone and don’t harm anyone.”

Pandit Vasa Kak retorted,” This is so stupid, you are considered to be a teacher. I have come from Baramulla to see you. Is that all you have to say? Even an ordinary teacher could say that.”

“May be an ordinary teacher could say it, but it is very difficult to practice, even for an old man like you,” Said Mr. Misri.

I have heard my father snoring a lot. One day when I told my mother why my dad snores so much, she was quick to reply that is a reminder to children to be away in their beds.  She had lot of fun and humour. She told me that one day your dad swore that he would not snore any more. So before he went to bed he took an apple from the basket and ate it till just the core was left. He put this under his bed. Then he wore a piece of cloth on his nose, for which, he tore up an old cloth, wet it, and put it over his mouth. He thought this would be a magic cure. Then he got into the bed and went to sleep.

In the morning he asked my mum, “What is the score?”

 “It was a bore,” she replied. “The snores were even worse. And what is the apple core doing under the bed?

“You better apply pure ghee made from cow’s milk that may help you, that is my experience,” Mom said. “Otherwise, tonight you can just have your bed laid in the dub, an extended portion of our old house on the bank of River Jhelum at Tanki Pora, and go to sleep there. Then only the fish in the river and fowls on the bund will hear you.”