Ralioke

Articleissues
citationstyle = September 2008
peacock = September 2008
rewrite = September 2008
travelguide = September 2008

Ralioke [ [http://www.mbendi.co.za/a_sndmsg/place_view.asp?C=3&PID=3149492] ] is a village near Daska in the Sialkot District of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

A road passes through the village and links it to Daska, Sambrial (home of the Sialkot International Airport, and larger cities such as Sialkot and Gujranwala via Bhilo Mahar [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Bhilo_Mahar.html] ] and Motra Thana (police station). [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Amotra.html] ]

Ancient village

Ralioke is an ancient village. It is inhabited on the bank of an ancient natural stream known as “Nala Aiek” (Nala stands for stream in the local Punjabi language). This stream causes flood in the monsoon season. This stream was the source of water for the villages of this area from ancient era along with water wells. But now this historic stream is polluted with drain waters a misery of distract human prosperity.

Inhabitants

People of this village are hard-working, loving and caring. They are still near to nature and natural life. It is a pollution free village. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Nearby industrial cities of Sialkot and Gujranwala, also provide employment to the people. Some joins armed forces and other government jobs. Some became overseas Pakistanis in search of employment. There is a canal near the village. The famous ancient stream “Nala Aiek” crosses this canal and the cross point presents a beautiful natural scene when water flows in two different directions in an eye-catching way. This point can be developed as a picnic point.

Religion

Before partition of sub-continent into Pakistan and India, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians used to live in this ancient village. After partition of sub-continent in 1947, two countries, Pakistan and India emerge on the world map and great migration of history took place. Sikhs and Hindus migrated to India and Muslims migrated to Pakistan. Now Muslims and Christians live in this village. Although followers of Islam are in majority but all the people live in complete harmony and peace. A significant portion of the population comprises of the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmed Qadiani. They belong to the Gujjar clan who migrated from the surrounding villages of Qadian. The local population accepted this new migrant community after 1947 and both communities integrated well with each other.

Language

Punjabi and Urdu are basic languages of the people. Now, new generation is also well conversant with English.

Calendar

Three calendars are often used by the villagers. Old age people are well conversant with Islamic calendar & Bikrami calendar. But the most commonly used calendar, nowadays, is Christian calendar which is also known as Gregorian calendar. Almost all the festivals, falling in these calendars, are observed with enthusiasm.

Seasons

This ancient simple village is blessed with five colorful natural seasons. Spring starts from November and spread its beauty till mid of April, then starts summer which brings fruits and continuous till June. Monsoon season bring lush greenery during July and August. Then autumn falls, which creep slowly through September and brings change of colors. After autumn beautiful winter season come with long nights of story-telling, gossip and fun. Delicious dry fruit add more taste to these events.

Food

Food of the inhabitants is simple but tasty and rich e.g. Aaloo Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=113] , Aaloo Keema [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=112] , Aaloo Methi [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=3] , Aaloo Palak [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=34] , Bariyan [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=116] , Bengan ka Bhurta [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=5] , Besan ki Roti [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=118] , Bhindi - Fried [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=120] , Bhindi Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=119] , Chanay Ki Dal Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=7] , Chicken Curry [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=123] , Daal Maash [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=83] , Dal Moong-Phareri [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=131] , Dal Palak [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=10] , Ghiya Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=136] , Gobhi Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=137] , Karhi [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=143] , Keema [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=2] , Khichra, Khichri-Dal Moong [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=149] , Khicry-Dal Chana, Koftay [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=18] , Lobia Keema [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=152] , Matar Keema, Mixed Vegetables [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=22] , Murgh Cholay, Paey [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=158] , Palak Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=156] , Pulao-Chana [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=159] , Pulao-Matar [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=162] , Salan-Sabzi Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=167] , Salan-Sada (Mutton Curry) [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=26] , Salan-Shaljam Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=169] , Salan-Shaljam Gosht Bhunawa [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=170] , Salan-Tinday Gosht [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipe.aspx?Recipe=173] , Dal- Chawal, [http://www.desicookbook.com/recipelist.aspx] . Wheat, rice, meat, poultry products, fish, vegetables, herbs and dairy products are often used in the meals. At the eve of celebrations sweet dishes are especially prepared. No fast/junk food concept prevails in the village. There are only few General Stores which provide daily household items/grocery for the inhabitants. No burger, pizza or fried chicken etc available nor inhabitants like this type of fast food. Even there is no restaurant. People like to cook and eat at home or at there place of cultivation (farm house). Fish meat and chicken are consider to be healthy food and often used in the cooking of celebrations. For the feast of marriage chicken, mutton, beaf, rice and sweet dishes are arranged.

Cultural heritage

Though it is a small village, but it is near to nature and bestowed with rich cultural heritage of loving and caring community. In spite of several problems, faced by the villagers, regarding security and civic services, people help each other in all events of life. One can say that whole of the village population lives like an extended family, sharing joys and grieves of life together.

Events, holidays, and ceremonies

*Shab-i-Miraj (Isra and Mi'raj) [http://www.zackvision.com/weblog/2007/08/shab-e-miraj.html] [http://www.islam.com/MfMairaj%20.htm]
*Shab E Baraat
*Ramzan (Ramadan)
*Laylat al-Qadr
*Eid ul-Fitr
*Eid ul-Adha
*Mawlid (Eid Milad an Nabi)
*Christmas
*Easter
*Good Friday
*Birth
*Aqeeqa (Head shaving & name giving ceremony) [http://www.humanappeal.org.au/Aqeeqa.aspx] [http://www.wimmauritius.org/guide_to_muslims.html#aqeeqa] ,
*Marriage Ceremony
*Death
*Cultivation
*Harvesting
*Mela
*Urs
*Basakhi

Births

At the occasion of birth of a child sweets distributed among the people. Words and gifts of congratulations extended. People sing songs of pleasure. Prayers are made for newborn and his family.

Economy & Professions

Ralioke is an agriculture based village. So its economy and professions of people are mostly related with agriculture in one way or another. Moreover its soil is very fertile and rich, which is suitable for almost all types of crops and trees. Some of the basic professions of people are as under;
*Farming
*Cattle farming
*Fish farming
*Poultry farms
*Cobbler
*Goldsmith
*Blacksmith
*Carpenter
*Watchman
*Marrassi
*Mashaki

Crops

Wheat, rice, sunflower, sugarcane, potato, tobacco, Oilseeds, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, leaf vegetables, stem vegetables, onion, garlic and vegetables are major crops harvested by farmers of the village. Crops are devided in two major groups i.e. Rabi crop and Kharif crop. Besides these, farmers keep buffalos and cows for dairy products (e.g. milk, butter, cheese) and goat, sheep and hens/ducks for meat and eggs.

Animals

There are different animals which can be found in the village and its surroundings. Villagers/farmers often keep horses, donkeys, dogs, buffalos, cows, bulls, goats and sheep. But certain wild animals can also be found in the crops fields and ponds (e.g. pigs, jackals, rats, frogs, fish, turtles, snakes, and other reptiles).

Birds

Various kinds of birds can be founded in the village and it’s near vicinity. Villagers/farmers often keep hens, ducks, pigeons, and other birds. There can also be found house sparrows, parrots, owls, crows, doves, seagulls, different kind of sparrows and water birds.

Educational institutions

Only one Government Primary (up to 5th class) School, without having proper building, exists in village. Children get education under the trees (open air).For further or proper education students go to nearby villages of Baddoke and Jamke where middle (up to 8th class) and high schools (up to 10th class) are situated.After matriculation (10th class) students go to Daska, Sialkot or Gujranwala for College education.

Eminent personalities

*Mr. Imam Din (late) (Social personality)
*Mr. Miran Bukhush (late) (Social personality)
*Mr. Nwab Din Butt (late) (Social personality)
*Haji Maher din Butt (late) (joined Royal Air Force and retired from Pakistan Air Force)
*Captain (R). Abdul Rehman Butt (Commissioned Officer Of Pakistan Army)
*Subedar (R). Muhammad Younus Butt (Retired Officer Of Pakistan Army)
*Mr. Ijaz Ahmad Butt (Renowned teacher at Baddoke school)
*Mr. Khalid Mehmood Butt (Engineer)
*Mr. Rashad Mehmood Butt (Businessman)
*Mr. Shahid Mahmood Butt (Attorney at Law/government officer; serving with consumer protection headquarters of Government of the Punjab, Pakistan). [ [http://pcpc.punjab.gov.pk] ] [ [http://www.punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/477.html] ]
*Mistry Noor (late) (Building contractor and politician)
*Choudry Sharaf-Ud-Din (late)-Eminent social personality
*Colonol Retired, Mohammad Riaz (Late)
*Colonol Ayaz Riaz, Pak Army
*Choudry Naseer Ahmed, (Social worker)
*Khalid Chishti- Geophysicist ADNOC
*Zaheer Gorsi- Businessman

References for Butt tribe

• Butt (surname)• Bhat (tribe)• [ [http://www.dangoor.com/75054.html] ]

ports

Youngsters love to swim in the canal and stream. Some enjoys fishing as well. People often play Kabaddi (a local way of wrestling), kho kho, gilli-danda football, netball, cricket, and hockey. Some matches are arranged between teams of different villages. Overall it’s a village blessed with natural beauty and peace.

Ancient places

*There are remains of a Hindu temple.
*There are remains of a well attached to Hindu temple which remains source of water for near about a century.
*There are remains of an old garden in which some graves are also situated.
*Ancient graveyard, situated nearby the village, which is a soil-hill and pitchers were found in the old graves.
*Once there were remains of a Sikh temple.

Prominent places

*Eid Gah (a place for prayers of two Islamic festivals i.e. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha)
*School (Boys' primary school)

Nearby villages, towns, and cities

*Baddoke [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Baddoke2.htm] ]
*Kaulpur [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Kaulpur2.html] ]
*Sahibke [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Sahibke.html] ]
*Jamke [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Jamke2.html] ]
*Bhilo Mahar [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Bhilo_Mahar.html] ]
*Motra Thana (police station) [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Amotra.html] ]
*Daska
*Sambrial
*Sialkot
*Gujranwala

Notes

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/4/Ralioke.html Falling Rain]