Yashpaul Nirmal
The Book entitled (CNI)“General Zorawar Singh” is a Novel based on the life and works of General Zorawar Singh. The original Book was written by Shri Ganga Ram Raji in Hindi language which was later translated by Mrs. Jyoti Sharma into Dogri Language. A reputed publishing house “Sarv Bhasha Trust, New Delhi had published this Book. More than 300 Short Stories of Mr. Ganga Ram Raji have been published in many magazines across the country till date, which have been compiled in the form of 27 story collections. His famous Novels are Man Manthan, Bhairon Never died, Geeta is speaking, There was once a queen of Khairagarhi, Menaka was deceived, Two and two make five, Bird comes and eats grains (children’s novel), Gandhi of Sindh, The heart remembered me again, In the shadow of father (Baba), No one knows my pain, Gurughantal, General Zorawar Singh Kahluria.
He was Honored and awarded by the various National and international organizations such as ‘Sahitya Shiromani Saraswat Samman, Vyang Yatra Samman, Gangeshwar Upadhyay Kahanikar Samman, Gahmar Uttar Pradesh, Sahitya Samarth, Dr. Kumudtikku Story Award, Himachal Academy Award, Hindi Sahitya Bhushan 2020, Pratibha Pushp Samman USA, Bhartiya Cultural Heritage 2021 Samman, Divya Himachal Excellence Award 2021 etc.
Jyoti Sharma, a teacher in the state education department and the translator of this book, has so far published four books: Roop Basant (Dogri folk tales), Pindi Darshan (research book, 2012), Bharatiya Nayika (translation, 2021) and General Zorawar Singh (translation, 2025). She has also been honored by the Sarva Bhasha Trust, New Delhi for her contribution in the field of literature and translation.
Ganga Ram Raji has been continuously active as a renowned storyteller for more than fifty years. Any storyteller should have a depth of sensitivity, broad vision and a conscious sense of social responsibility. In my view, a Novel is a project. A project arising from time, society, contemporary situations, problems and sensitivities. While doing such a project, the storyteller reconstructs history and tradition based on the creative tension of his study, experience and observation. But this reconstruction should first of all be a story. How can a reader read such a creation in which there is no surprise, no movement, no sensitivity, curiosity, affinity and story-likeness. The most essential element in the context of a Novel based on a historical character or event is that curiosity remains in it from beginning to end. In this context, Ganga Ram Raji, who has created the craft of fiction, is an unmatched storyteller. He is adept at presenting myths as facts with story-likeness.
To know how an ordinary man like Zorawar becomes a minister from a soldier, a ruler from a minister and a ruler from a ruler on the strength of his self-confidence, dedication, hard work, goodness and honesty, we have to read this novel. As soon as we start reading the first page of this book, it will take us to a beautiful magical cave. There can be no greater achievement of a novel than this in today's time. Ganga Ram Sharma, novelist Ganga Ram Raji would never have reached this position if he had not created the magic of binding the readers through his creations. The story and vision with which Raji has presented the human being inside Zorawar Singh in front of us in this novel is amazing. The novel is a deep, serious survey, an emotional extract of authentic facts. It is undoubtedly true that only great work knows how to raise questions.
Original Author of the Book Mr. Ganga Ram Raji Says, “What a personality this warrior had! That is why Leh Ladakh is an integral part of our country today. If his own people had not acted out of jealousy then, Tibet would have been part of our country today. And we would not have known this great warrior. I work and continue to work to raise awareness about these greats through my Novels. I will also continue to draw the government’s attention to these personalities.”
Translator of this Book Mrs. Jyoti Sharma Says, “While looking for a book to read, I came across a Hindi Novel by Shri Ganga Ram Sharma Raji, “Singh Shorten General Zorawar Singh Kahluria”. When I saw the book, I was more interested in reading it. One of the reasons for this was that General Zorawar Singh Kahluria’s field of work was our Jammu and Kashmir. We had read about that in our student days but not that much. I had heard enough stories of his heroism and bravery. I liked the book very much and started reading it. As I read the book my interest grew and the layers of General Zorawar Singh Kahluria’s personality also unfolded before me layer by layer. For many days after reading the book, I was still influenced by the heroic story of General Zorawar Singh Kahluria described in the book. The style of writing of Novels by the Shri Ganga Ram Sharma Raji was also so interesting that it made a deep impression on me. I thought I would translate this Novel into the sweet Dogri language of General Zorawar Singh Kahluria’s work place so that our Dogras could also meet and be inspired by that great personality. Now this book is in your hands. I hope this book will prove useful in providing more information to the Dogra people about their hero General Zorawar Singh Kahluria. This book will prove useful for Dogri writers, students, research students, historians and children. That is my belief. I am very grateful to Shri Ganga Ram Sharma Raji for writing such a book on this great hero and for giving me the opportunity to read and translate such a beautiful book. The Dogra community will always be indebted to Shri Gangaram Raji for this historic work. I would also like to thank to Mr. Keshav Mohan Pandey of Sarva Bhasha Trust, New Delhi for his hard work in getting this book into your hands.”
Through the book "General Zorawar Singh", Ganga Ram Raji has not only shown his storytelling skills, but he has also brought the world famous warrior alive in front of us. Dogra society will always be indebted to him for this important work. The translator of this book has also done its Dogri translation with a lot of hard work and dedication. The translation is so good that while reading it feels as if we are reading the original book. Kudos to the translator for this successful translation.(CNI)