*An important lesson for today’s youth, deeply rooted in Dogra culture and the story of Baba Jitto. *
By Ashok Sharma | True Roots Media
17 October 2026
We often encourage young people to develop skills, learn technology, improve communication, and pursue successful careers. But there is one quality that deserves equal attention: keeping our word.
In our Dogra families, we have grown up hearing about the importance of zubaan, the value of a promise. Our elders often considered a person’s word a reflection of their character.
Long before modern business contracts and professional ethics became part of our everyday vocabulary, our traditions taught us the importance of honesty, fairness, and responsibility.
A Lesson from Dogra Heritage: Baba Jitto
One of the most meaningful examples comes from the folk history of Duggar.
The story of Baba Jitto, a farmer associated with Aghar near Katra, remains an important part of Dogra cultural heritage.
According to local tradition, Baba Jitto cultivated land under an agreement to share a portion of his harvest with the landlord. When the crop was ready, the landlord demanded more than the agreed share.
Baba Jitto resisted this injustice. His tragic death became a lasting symbol of the struggle for fairness and the importance of honouring agreements.
Even today, the annual Jhiri Mela near Jammu commemorates his memory, keeping this story alive across generations.
The lesson is not to glorify his tragic end, but to remember the injustice that arose when an agreement was dishonoured.
His story reminds us that trust, fairness, and respect for one’s word have deep roots in our own culture.
Why This Matters Today
Whether we are students, employees, entrepreneurs, or public servants, our commitments affect other people.
A student who promises to complete a group assignment, a professional who agrees to meet a deadline, or a businessperson who commits to delivering a service is making a promise that someone else depends upon.
We may not always succeed in meeting every commitment. Circumstances change, mistakes happen, and unexpected challenges arise.
But responsibility means communicating honestly, accepting mistakes, and making sincere efforts to fulfil what we promised.
Sometimes, saying a respectful “no” is better than making a promise we cannot keep.
A Message to Dogra Youth and Young Indians
Our generation has access to opportunities that earlier generations could scarcely imagine. We can learn online, work with international organisations, and build businesses beyond geographical boundaries.
But as we embrace modern opportunities, we should not forget the values inherited from our elders.
Start with simple habits. Respect other people’s time. Complete the work you accept. Be honest when you make a mistake. Avoid promises made merely to impress someone.
These small actions gradually build a reputation for reliability.
Dogra heritage is not limited to our language, traditional dress, festivals, or historical monuments. It also lives in the values we practise in everyday life.
We should preserve those values not only by celebrating our history, but by applying its lessons to the present.
Skills may help us succeed, but character determines how we treat people along the way.
Let us carry the wisdom of Duggar into the modern world, with ambition in our minds, respect in our behaviour, and integrity in our actions.