Promila Gupta
Nomadic, tribal and poor rural factions constitute an important component of Indian society. After independence, the realization towards their wellbeing and economic development through their treasure of sheep and goat became a matter of concern thus, inviting attention of scientific Community.
This fascinating but real story provides an account of journey of life, scientific pursuits of a rural young veterinarian Dr J L Gupta who is known in that society by the usual dialect names but officially recognized as dedicated ‘SHEEPMAN’.
He was born on January 04, 1936 in philanthropic Kanhaiya Parivar in the remote village Mahanpur, Distt. Kathua (J&K). He had the early schooling in the village and matriculation from GHS Basohli on a meritorious note. After F.Sc from GGM Science College Jammu, got admission for B.Vet Sc training in Pb. Vety College Hissar in 1956 and joined as Extension officer in the Rural Dev. Deptt. in 1960, later shifted to AHD Majalta and further transferred as Manager Sheep Breeding farm Billawar / Sarthal in 1961. It was his 3rd transfer in a year.
NOMADIC LIFE
EARLY LIFE EXPOSURE:
The life of the sheep farm is of migratory nature and confronted with number of new challenges. The problems were mainly of: – Pasture and grazing resources, Feed-fodder availability, sheep mortality, disease control and security of sheep against wild animal attacks. The other urgent aspect of transhumance system is the need to take up the survey of pasture, weather conditions and migratory route. The book ‘Tareekh Duggar Des’ authored and published by historian Nargis almost five decades back and other journalists too had made a mention of the nomadic Sheepman.
FROM SHEEPMAN TO SHEEP SCIENTIST
By altogether different nature of sheep section work i.e migration of flocks, long tenure of farm life, large farm livestock, tentage living and insecure environments, this section was designated as separate Sheep Breeding wing and further raised to full-fledged department in 1964. Such orders of the Govt. boosted the morale of day and night working establishment of Sheep Farm and small ruminant rearing community. Dr. Gupta was however continuing as only veterinarian in this wing till 1963. To his subsequent active life of 30 years (1961-1993) in public service he headed migratory small ruminants research farms (tenure of Reasi / Zaban over six years, Upshi (Ladakh) and Panthal farms) comprising almost 15 years as nomad. The post retirement 20 years have been a period of continued scientific, professional engagement in Tribal related small ruminant development, their socio-economic studies, teaching, publishing and projecting problems of Tribal and Nomadic sections development besides high level eco sanitation / environment issues.
QUALIFICATION and EXPERIENCE
Backed by extensive knowledge about sheep breeds and their development, he became the first to present the evolutionary history of KASHMIR MERINO and mention of KHAGANI and SHIVALIK Goats in scientific literature. This information was a sole effort of this scientist and this information was required by FAO representatives.
Such working experience of harsh and hard environment over the five decades was a boon and unparallel in the career of this SHEEP MAN. The results of better sheep health care & management improved survivability from 89% to 95%, average body wt. 15 kg to 18 kg, wool production 0.9 kg to 1.5 kg which convinced the authorities about the achievement.
CONTRIBUTION
Notwithstanding all odds, health problems, the scientist maintained multifold personality and excellent results, right from control of Sheep Pox, consolidation of land pasture & livestock.
While working on various posts equipped with higher qualification and varied achievements, he has made a history in the annals of sheep development in the state, and the whole country. A brief account of time-to-time contribution during public service and post retirement efforts while suffering, struggle and successes is a record unmatchable, a brief account of which is historical.
* LAKSH EDU TRUST (REGD.): A charitable Rural Area Educational Trust in District Kathua, founded in 1998 for the promotion of education has benefitted more than 200 meritorious, tribal and poor students by winning awards, scholarships and assistance besides encouraging extracurricular active students and honoring deserving teachers.
* ECO SANITATION WELFARE COUNCIL (REGD.): Dr.Gupta initiated, organized, and motivated the elite section of the society of Jammu in his sanitation program and founded the said NGO. Dr. Gupta founded the said NGO in 1998 and remained president for the next 2 decades.
* Besides, he has been instrumental in managing, founding, conducting, and holding charge of various NGOs and social organisations such as Retired Officers Forum (Patron for more than 20 years), Retired Veterinary Club (Founder Member and Patron), J&K Confederation of Social Charitable Voluntary Organisations. He has also been a senior member and convener of a number of other social and scientific organisations. As a matter of responsible citizen and a well-known scientist, his contribution in various fields of education, sanitation, health and upliftment of tribal and poor sections of the state attracts urgent and prompt attention.
With longest ever 15 yrs nomadic life, he became the member of:
* Central Advisory Committee for small ruminants
* Member of task force of Ministry of Agriculture to review NCA (1976) recommendations.
* Number of highly expert opinions at National level.
Yet for his high degree of scientific management of livestock both for sheep diseases and unsettled adverse climatic conditions against the establishment, his contribution was second to none in the state.
In the field of Sheep and wool improvement he contributed immensely for which he is well known. But during post retirement his activities are multifaced particularlly socio environment, scientific nature, creation of education trust, as founder, convener and managing trustee for twenty years.
Ecosanitation welfare council.
Founder member of Retired Officer’s Forum and patron Retired Vetrenerian Club.
As senior member and patron of ICELA and EXNORA Chennai.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
Fortunately, with the introduction of technical schemes in 1942, the half century anniversary occasion of Sheep development came to be in 1992. This made Dr. Gupta to propose to the Govt. and celebrate Golden Jubilee in 1992-93 which invited the National Scientists also to review the Sheep and wool Development particularly of Tribals through small ruminants, yet another occasion to highlight and present at National Level, came to Director Dr. Gupta to project the tribal / nomadic development through a Tableau on Republic Day Parade in Union Capital on 26th January 1994 by participation of the Sheep Husbandry Department, to project & highlight tribals / nomadic development in the state. It was adjudged the best and won the award.
OVER ALL PERFORMANCE
His achievements have won applause not only from scientific societies, the administration and higher ups but also from Tribals and Nomads.
For summing up the achievements and performance of towering small ruminant needs a mention of his scientific attachments is desirable.
Literary membership of National Geographic magazine of Washington DC (courtesy Dr. S.P. Singh Illinios) Literary membership CSIRO Australia (courtesy Dr.G.A.Bande) Literary membership of various animal, live stock magazines /societies/Journals of the country.
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