Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar hails from a family that excels in repairing and duplicating German-manufactured medical equipment in Indian-administered Kashmir.
His family is renowned for their proficiency in reviving outdated medical equipment produced in Germany, earning them the distinction of being the ‘German Khurs’.
At 77 years old, Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar acquired this skill in his early years, alongside seven other family members, marking the fourth generation in the Ahangar family.
In an interview, Ghulam Mohiuddin shared, “As no one else in the Valley (Kashmir) could repair German machinery, our forefathers earned the reputation of being ‘German Khors’.”
Ghulam Mohiuddin recounted that a German national in Srinagar once brought German-made equipment to his grandparents in the early 1940s after failing to find a repair service elsewhere in the valley.
He stated, ‘Prior to approaching us, he encountered difficulties in finding a suitable location in the valley to have it repaired. An elder from our family successfully fixed it after several days of work.’
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Now in his seventies, Ghulam Mohiuddin crafts and mends small tools every day in his modest workshop in Renavari area of Srinagar, having learned to create replicas of numerous small medical instruments over the years.
This expertise has been passed down through generations via their ancestors, who learned from their predecessors, with the family even crafting their own tools.
Due to his esteemed reputation, individuals from across the valley bring broken hospital equipment, such as wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors, and hospital beds, to him, knowing he is the only one capable of fixing them.
Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar claims that he never received any government support, with the family desiring a designated space to share their experience with the younger generation.
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Analyzing the ‘German Khurs’: A Family’s Legacy in Reviving German Medical Equipment
The Ahangar family, also known as the ‘German Khurs’, has made a name for themselves in reviving outdated German-manufactured medical equipment in Indian-administered Kashmir. Their exceptional skills in mending and duplicating German medical equipment have been passed down through generations, with 77-year-old Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar being a prime example of their expertise.
While ‘Kurs’ is a German term meaning ‘course’, similar to the concept of a learning program or series of classes covering a single subject [[1]], the term ‘Khurs’ specifically refers to the Ahangar family’s proficiency in repairing German machinery.
The Ahangar family’s expertise in repairing German medical equipment is a unique example of family legacy and cultural exchange. Their reputation as the ‘German Khurs’ has been built on their ability to revive outdated machinery, a skill that has been passed down through four generations. The story of Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar and his family highlights the importance of preserving traditional skills and cultural exchange between India and Germany.
The ‘German Khurs’ is a testament to the Ahangar family’s exceptional skills in reviving German medical equipment, and their reputation is a shining example of family legacy and cultural exchange between India and Germany.
‘German Khurs’: The Unsung Heroes of Kashmir’s Medical Equipment Repair
In the heart of Indian-administered Kashmir lies a family with an extraordinary skillset – the ‘German Khurs.’ For generations, the Ahangar family has been repairing and duplicating German-manufactured medical equipment, earning them a reputation that transcends borders. At the forefront of this legacy is 77-year-old Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar, a craftsman who has dedicated his life to preserving the art of repairing outdated medical equipment.
Ghulam Mohiuddin’s journey began in his early years, learning from his family members, who had inherited the skill from their ancestors. This fourth-generation craftsman has not only mastered the art but has also created replicas of numerous small medical instruments over the years [[3]]. His modest workshop in the Renavari area of Srinagar is a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
The Ahangar family’s expertise in repairing German-made equipment dates back to the early 1940s, when a German national brought his broken equipment to Ghulam Mohiuddin’s grandparents, who successfully fixed it after several days of work [[3]]. This incident not only earned them the reputation of being ‘German Khors’ but also highlighted the lack of skilled repair services in the valley.
Despite the absence of government support, Ghulam Mohiuddin has continued to work tirelessly, relying on his family’s expertise and reputation to sustain their business. His workshop has become a go-to destination for individuals from across the valley, who bring broken hospital equipment, such as wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors, and hospital beds, knowing that he is the only one capable of fixing them.
Ghulam Mohiuddin’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional crafts and expertise. In an era where modern technology has taken over, the ‘German Khurs’ have managed to maintain their reputation and relevance, despite the absence of government support. Their dedication to their craft is a testament to the power of family legacy and the importance of preserving traditional skills.
Other Notable Names
In a separate search, I came across another individual named Arvind Kumar Saxena, who is associated with Saxena Hospital in Palia Kalan [[1]]. While not directly related to the Ahangar family, this search highlights the importance of searching additional names and references in the given query.
Additionally, I found a reference to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization, and an individual named Ghulam Mohiuddin Sheikh, who was not related to Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar [[2]].
the story of Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahangar and the ‘German Khurs’ is an inspiring tale of dedication, perseverance, and family legacy. Their expertise in repairing German-manufactured medical equipment has not only earned them a reputation but has also filled a vital gap in the valley’s medical equipment repair services.
References:
[[1]]https://punjabandsindbank.co.in/document/DEAFundHistory31052023.pdf
[[2]]https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/India/states/jandk/terroristoutfits/lashkaretoiba_lt2009.htm
[[3]]https://www.dw.com/en/meet-the-last-of-kashmirs-german-khar-craftsmen/g-56009426