Rori Peer Darbar Mela , at Village Akalpur , ( Tehsil Phillaur ) near Jalandhar ,is being held to-day under Sewadar Bibi Harjeet Kaur. Renowned folk singers Pali Detwalia and Buta Mohammad would perform.
December 31, 2008
Ambulance Services Soon For Entire Punjab ; Dial 108
As per an ambitious Rs.22 crore project being executed by a Hyderabad based company, all citizens of Punjab would be able to access an ambulance within 15 minutes of calling.
For whole of Punjab the emergency number would be 108 . The control room for this is being set in Govt. Hospital, Amritsar.
In the first phase 90 ambulances wold be stationed at prominent points and roads in whole of Punjab.
PCM S.D. College For Women To Start New Courses and Build a New Hostel
Principal Kiran Arora of Prem Chand Markanda S.D. College For Women, Jalandhar has informed that in 2009 many new courses would be introduced . These include M.A.- Fine Arts; M.Sc.-Maths; M.Com; and professional courses like Bachelor in Designing and Cosmetology .
To fulfil a long standing requirement , hostel construction for 450 students at a new site 1 km away from the college premises , would be completed in 2009 .
H.M.V. College, Jalandhar to provide many new facilities in 2009
According to J. Kackria , Principal , Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya ( HMV ) , Jalandhar , in 2009 , greater emphasis would be given to placement of final year students .A new course to sharpen skills in personality development and communication would be introduced . In foreign languages courses German would be included .A new hostel and a new block for professional courses would , also , be constructed.`
Punjab School Education Board Exams Date Sheet Announced
P.S.E.B. date sheet has been announced on Tuesday.
Class 8 th and Class 12 th exams are commencing from 21-02-2009. Class 10 th exams would start from 06-0-2009.
Class 8 th exams would be from 9 am to 12 noon.
Class 10 th from 9 am to 12.15 noon.
Class 12 th from 2 pm to 5.15 pm
December 30, 2008
New Year Celebrated by Lions Club , Jalandhar
On the occasion of the official visit of District Governor Navneet Sethi, Lions Club , Jalandhar celebrated New Year.School children presented a variety programme.
Prominent personalities, Renu seth, District Vice President Rajiv Kukreja, former Governor S.S. Kalsi,Lal Kapoor,J.B.Singh, District Secretary Prince Verma ,D.S.Kalra,Harish Banga, Secretary Ashwani Sehgal, PRO Harbhajan Saini, Treasurer Ramesh Gulati, Dharmendra Nath,Hans Raj Malhotra,Laltesh Bhasin,Sahil Sachdeva , Vijay Sachdeva, Ravi Kakkar,Subhash Arora,and many others graced the occasion.
Rampant Drug Abuse in Punjab-An Intoxicating Drug Peddler Arrested
According to S.H.O. Division No. 1, Jalandhar police apprehended, near Jyoti Chowk, a drug supplier along with 400 intoxicating banned drug capsules.
Drug abuse among youth in Punjab has assumed epidemic proportions.While , in rural areas ,it is mainly poppy husk ( Bhukki ) etc. in cities drug addicts are taking intoxicating and poisonous capsules . These are called in their parlance" badaam". Cough syrups like Corex called " chuppa" are , also ,consumed .Many unscrupulous chemists supply these banned products .
Governmental and N.G.O.s should put a strict vigil on drug abuse. Local residents should be encouraged to freely report , with guarantee of anonymity , those chemists who are acting as merchants of death
Unauthorised Constructions demolished in Jalandhar Cantt
Defence authorities by bulldozers demolished unauthorised structures near Military Hospital , Jalandhar Cantt. According to the authorities notice were issued to those squatters..
Breach in Village Fateh Jalal Canal floods agricultural fields
After water was released in the Kotli Minor canal ( "sua"), it overflowed and there were breaches in the canal. Many agricultural fields of Village Fateh Jalal ( near Kartarpur ) were flooded leading to a considerable damage to the standing wheat and potato crops.Most of the landlords affected belong to village Pattar Kalan.
Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar Ajit Singh Pannu I.A.S. visited the affected village and assured compensation.
Fake Currency Pushers Arrested in Jalandhar
Led by Police Division No. 1 In charge Harinder Singh and ASI Sat Pal ,Jalandhar police arrested some persons on a motor cycle near New Grain Market along with counterfeit currency notes.
These young criminals , one of them a school student ,were producing fake currency notes on computer printers . They had rented a house in Basti Baba Khel for this purpose.
December 29, 2008
Majority in Jalandhar Against War With Pakistan
While some sort of war hysteria is visible in both print and electronic media , majority of citizens of Jalandhar are against any war with Pakistan .Punjab being a border state suffers heavily in case of a war . People here do not wish to see common man being harmed in Pakistan too.
But every one , it seems ,wishes to see that the perpetrators of Mumbai outrage punished . If the culprits go scot free then they would repeat their misadventure. What would happen then ?
Prestigious Jullundur Gymkhana Club has cancelled its New Year Celebrations in deference to terrorist attack tragedy in Mumbai.
Nurmahal MLA Gurdip Singh Bhullar Passes Away
Gurdip Singh Bhullar ( age early 50 s), MLA from Nurmahal ( Distt. Jalandhar )belonging to Akali Dal died on 28-12-2008 at Chandigarh.
Bhullar had , earlier too , successfully contested the Assembly elections in 1997 ( Nurmahal)
Consumers of Jalandhar---Know Your Rights
All India Consumers' Rights Organisation is holding a special Awareness Week , in Jalandhar , to educate consumers of their Rights . It was disclosed that :-
1) There is no such rule that a LPG ( Cooking gas ) customer has to wait for minimum 21 days for re booking his cylinder . He can book it at any time as per his need.
2)Rate of Bricks has been fixed by Government @ Rs.1900 per 1000 bricks.
Society President Tilak Raj Pal ;Secretary Bhupendra Kumar ;Joint Secretary Minu Sharma and Vice President , Lakhvinder educated consumers on their rights.
Plot Un-approved Colonies on Hoshiarpur Road , Jalandhar Feel Cheated
Some unscrupulous colonisers sold plots in un-authorised colonies on the Hoshiarpur Road , Jalandhar near Villages Nangal Shama and Dakoha claiming those colonies to be approved . Further .plot holders were told that New Judicial Complex of Jalandhar and Urban Estate Phase III would come up in the vicinity . When these failed to materialise , property rates fell from Rs.2 Lakh per marla to Rs. 1 Lakh Marla. Buyers of plots at higher rates are feeling cheated.
Prospective Buyers of plots of private colonisers should check :-
(1) Check with PUDA , Jalandhar whether the colony is approved or not.
(2)Take from the coloniser copies of approvals from Government.
(3) A No Objection Certificate ( NOC) from Municipal Corporation , Jalandhar about the colony etc.
Prospective Buyers of plots of private colonisers should check :-
(1) Check with PUDA , Jalandhar whether the colony is approved or not.
(2)Take from the coloniser copies of approvals from Government.
(3) A No Objection Certificate ( NOC) from Municipal Corporation , Jalandhar about the colony etc.
December 28, 2008
Free Dental Check up at Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital of Seventh- Day Adventists , Jalandhar
Jalandhar's well known Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital ,Cantt Road , ( Opp. St. Joseph's Convent School ) , Jalandhar is offering free dental check ups and consultations from 28-12-2008 to 23-01-2009 at their new renovated state-of-art dental clinic multi-specialty centre for dentistry.
Timing ; Monday-Thursday 8.30 am---4.30
Friday & Sunday---8.30--1 pm
Saturday CLOSED
CONTACT :0181-2223972
Eye- Dental Camp In Village Kang Sabu ( Nakodar) inaugurated by Mohinder Singh Kaypee
Punjab Congress Chief Mohinder Singh Kaypee inaugurated a a dental & Eye camp in village Kang Sabu( Tehsil Nakodar) , Jalandhar.The camp was organised by Sh Jatinder Mohan Charitable Trust and Manav Sewa Dal at Swami Satyanad Charitable Hospital , Village Kang Sabu. Nakodar M.L.A. Amarjit Singh Samra was the chief guest. Hospital M.D. Mona Oberoi and C.A. Puneet , President of Manav Sewa Dal Pankaj Kapoor welcomed the guests.
More than 400 patients were examined and , also , given free medicines.
Other prominent personalities present on the occasion were Dr. Ramesh Oberoi ; Amarjeet Jain ;Dr. Narinder Pal ; Dr.Rajan Grover ; Dr. Nitin Puri ; Dr. Isha Mahajan ; Ishwar Singh ;Ravinder Singh ;Bhushan Verma ;Balbir ;Rakesh ;Rajbir ;Kulwinder Kaur , Sandeep and many others.
Punjab Travel Agents Association ( Regd )--office bearers
Elections of Punjab Travel Agents Association ( Regd .) General Body Meeting took place in Jalandhar in a local hotel to elect office bearers :-
President-------------- Kuljeet Singh Hayer
Senior Vice President---R.K.Puri
Vice President---------H.K. Joshi
Chief Secretary--------Meharban Singh Sangha
Assistant Secretary----Gurbux Singh Gill
Treasurer-------------M.S. Bhalla
Spokesman----------- Ramesh Bhatia
December 27, 2008
M.G.N. College of Education , Jalandhar's NSS Camp at Village Sangal
26 students of M.G.N. College of Education are participating in the 10 day NSS camp at village Sangal. The camp was inaugurated by Principal Dr. Amit .Programme officer is Arti . Sarpanch of the village Rajdeep Kaur was present on the occasion .
Severe Cold Wave in Jalandhar
Severe cold is sweeping across Punjab with temperature 2* c below normal. In the morning, there was a heavy fog in Jalandhar making driving on the roads very difficult . The sunshine appeared only about 1 p.m.
Amritsar was the coldest in the region followed by Adampur ( Jalandhar )
Jalandhar Police Chief Seeks Public Co-operation
During New Year celebrations , Jalandhar Police would remain in the highest state of alertness to ensure safety of residents . S.S.P . Pawan Rai has sought cooperation of public . In case of noticing any suspicious person or object , it should be immediately brought to the notice of the police.
The contact numbers of Control Room of police are :-
100
99157-16100
98722-23456
December 26, 2008
Go Karting (F1) at Jalandhar Cantt- open to all
Vajra Go Karting at the Jalandhar Cantonment (Sapper Park, near Jalandhar Cantt Club), which is open to civilians also, is a big attracti
Images by Gopal Aggarwal
White Tiger in Punjab !
 |
| From Chattbir_Zoo_Chandigarh by Gopal Aggarwal |
Kabbbadi & football Tournament in Village Khialan , Distt. Jalandhar
Under the chairmanship of Sant Baba Malkit Singh , Chief Sewadar , Sant Baba Bhag Singh Jabbad ) Manko Walon , a kabbadi and football tournament is being organised at Sant Baba Bhag Singh Education Complex , Village Khialan , Jalandhar , from 28-12-2008 to 31-12-2008 .
P.C.M S.D. College For Women's NSS Camp at Village Pratap Pura
The 10 day NSS camp of Prem Chand Markanda S.D. College For Women , Jalandhar was inaugurated by Chandra Mohini Markanda in Village Pratap Pura .
The inaugural function was chaired by Principal Kiran Arora . Other prominent participants were Camp Organiser Prof. Shashi Rampal ; Dr. Neelam Gupta ; Prof. Kiran Dhawan ; Prof Sushma Sharma ; Sarpanch Dharam Former Sarpanch Laba and many others.
Punjabi Virsa
A grand programme on Punjabi culture " Punjabi Virsa "was held at Jatindra Palace , Adampur ( Jalandhar ) . The programme was sponsored by Nidds School of Fashion Designing ; Faith Group of Career Counselling and with co-operation KNB , Sydney Institute of Technology .
The programme was conducted under the chairmanship of Nidds' Managing Director Neeraj Sahota . Chief Guests were KMB directors Sandeep Malli and Sat Pal Malli .
Guest of Honour was famous choreographer Vivek Aggarwal.Other Special Invitees were Sat Pal Bajaj ; Paramjit Verma ; Gurmukh Singh Suri ; Balbir Singh ;Premjeet ; Davinder Kaur Nijjar ( U.S.A. ) , Manjit Singh Bir ;Surjit Singh ; Principal Smt. Madhu Bala ; Dipti Aggarwal and many others.
Sweety was declared " Miss Punjaban "
Kamal Verma was selected" Mr. Punjab."
December 25, 2008
Prime Minister's Office Takes Steps To Save India's Tigers
India 's tiger population is rapidly declining . When India's leading newspaper " Hindustan Times " carried a report about vanishing tigers in Panna Tiger reserve , M.P. , the office of the Prime Minister ( P.M.O. ) quickly moved in to assess the situation and take remedial action. It is very heartening to note that the Prime Minister of India , Dr. Manmohan Singh is taking a personal interest in the conservation of tigers and other wildlife in India.Tiger population has , in recent times , come down drastically from 3500 to , currently , around 1400.
It may be mentioned here that India remains indebted to the visionary steps of erstwhile Nawab of Junagarh who , in British times stopped hunting of the majestic Asiatic Lions in the Gir forest ( Gujarat ) . Thanks to Nawab's efforts the lion population in Gir increased from the then about 20 to around 350 now. The project to relocate some lions to Morena district ( Chambal River Valley ) Madhya Pradesh , should be undertaken without any delay .
The CHEETAH was not so lucky. Soon after independence Cheetah became extinct in the land which gave it its name. But all is not lost. Cheetah can be and should in some suitable habitat.
We appeal to like minded people to come together and initiate a Project , even as a N.G.O. , to bring back the cheetah in India .
Peace March by students of Franklin Institute of Air Hostesses , Jalandhar
A peace march was taken out by students of Franklin Institute of Air Hostesses on the eve of Christmas at Golakh Nath Memorial Church , Jalandhar .
Apart from offering prayers for peace homage was , also , paid to the martyrs of Mumbai outrage.
The march was led by Jalandhar Centre Chief, Hardeep Singh .
Tibbs Frankie--Famous Snacks House of Mumbai's Outlets in Jalandhar
" The Original Taste of Bombay Comes to JALANDHAR "
Frankies Pulao ; Grilled Sandwitch , Bar-B- Cue , French Fries , Pizza and Burgers '
Launching New Bargain Burgers
Bargain Burger ( Veg ) Rs. 25
Salami Burger---------Rs.35
Outlets
Near Dr. Dogra Hospital , Circular Road ,
Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar ,
Chhoti Baradari
Call For Catering 98143-88872
Lost A Labrador Dog---Rs.5000 Award for Information
A black labrador dog , wearing a green coloured coat has gone missing near Wadala Chowk , Jalandhar .
For information of its whereabouts or for restoration of the pet there is an award of Rs.5000/-
Contact 98766-98175 ; 98157-00078
" Justice For N.R.I. " Meet on 26 th December at Chandigarh
N.R.I. Meet notice has been issued in newspapers with the following details :-
Photos of
1) Sukh Dhaliwal , M.P. Newton North Delta B.C. Canada
2) DR. KULDEEP S KULAR , MPP Bramalea Gore Malton Ontario ,Canada
3) Vic Dhillon , MPP Brampton West Ontario ,Canada
4) Jassi Khangura MLA Qila Raipur , Punjab
Justice For NRIs
" The Real N.R.I. Conference "
" NRIs have numerous issues that have remained unresolved for far too long.
We need to stop NRIs being treated as Not Required Indians
NRIs do not seek an advantage over locals. All they want is equitable treatment.
NRIs and those interested in NRI affairs are invited "
10am on 26 th December 2008
CII Chandigarh Sector 31-A, Opposite Tribune Office , Chandigarh
To find out more go to www.qilaraipur.org or call 0161-3011330
Hosted by Jassi Khangura MLA Tel ; 98761 97761
December 24, 2008
Punjab Medical Representatives Association's Elections
In the elections of Jalandhar District unit of Punjab Medical Representatives Association held at Guru Nanak Library , Rama Kant Sharma has been re-elected as President . Similarly , Rajesh Puri has been re-elected as General Secretary and Sanjeev Chawla as Treasurer.
Master Gurbanta Singh Memorial Janta College , Kartarpur's NSS Camp at Village Sarai Khas
The 10 day N.S.S. camp of Master Gurbanta Singh Memorial Janta College , Kartarpur , began at Village Sarai Khas. The camp was inaugurated by the Sarpanch Jarnail Singh Gill . Other Panchs of the village , Jeevan Kalyan , Nand Lal , Sukhjit Singh and Satnam Singh were , also , present.
The members of the panchyat were welcomed by N.S.S. programme officer , Jang Bahadur Singh , Dr. Surinder Bangar , Prof. Hardeep Singh , Haripal and others.
College principal Dr. Kaur supervised the proceedings.
Jullundur Gymkhana--Executive General Manager
Senior and Executive Member , Advocate Daljit Singh Chhabra has taken charge as General Manager ( Executive ) of Jullundur Gymkhana till such time a regular General Manager is appointed.
K.M.V. College ,Jalandhar's N.S.S. Camp at Village Nurpur
The 10 day N.S.S. Camp of K.M.V. College , Jalandhar was inaugurated by college Principal Dr. Atima Sharma at Village Nurpur , Jalandhar.
College profes, sors , Dr. Purnima , Madhumeet , Dr. Jatinder Pal ,Vishal and Sangeeta were , also , present on the occasion .
Merry Christmas
It is very heartening to see the composite religious ethos of Jalandhar , like rest of India . Most of the schools in Jalandhar, celebrated Christmas among their students and staff members .This is true reflection of mult idimensional India.
On the eve of this great day, we wish every body A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
December 23, 2008
Raghav Jauhar of A.P.J. School , Rama Mandi --Best All Rounder
Raghav Jauhar of A.P.J. School , Rama Mandi , Jalandhar received this year's coveted Dr. Stya Paul Award for best all round performance.
The award and a cash prize of Rs. 3000/- was given at the Annual Day by the Chief Guest Sanjeev Kalra I.G..
Ankita of Police D.A.V. Scool Bags a Prize
In the " Champak Creative Child Contest, held in Delhi Ankita of Police D.A.V.School Jalandhar won the Third Prize .
Ankita was felicitated by by School principal Rashmi Vij .
Internet Awareness Campaign in Jalandhar by Intel
A two day campaign to educate people , especially , students about the uses of Interne, specially designed Internet Exhibition buses would visit APJ School , Dayanand Model School ,Guru Amar Das School and Khalsa College and others.
Intel- South Asia's Director Sandeep Arora informed that Internet has the potential to revoltionise the life style of people and society.
H.M.V. College NSS Camp at Village Gakhalan
Under the charge of Programme Incharge Dr. Mahima Kuljeet Kaur , H.M.V. College,Jalandhar's N.S.S. Camp has been set up at Village Gakhalan , near Jalandhar ,from 20 th to29 th December.
The camp was inaugurated byCivil Hospital , Jalandhar's I.C.T.C. Incharge Dr.H.S. Lamba.who guidance and information to N.S.S. volunteers about prevention and symptons of Aids.
Lecturers Purnima ,Vandana Sehgal and Alka were , also ,present.
Gagandeep of M.G.N. School , Jalandhar Third in National Chess Championship
It is a matter of great pride for Jalandhar that Gagandeep Singh of M.G.N. School , Adarsh Nagar , Jalandhar won the Third position in the National Chess champioship held at Nagpur
School principal Satwant Gakhal commended the performance of Gagandeep.
Music Competition-- Harbvallabh Sangeet Sammelan
The music competition was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala J.S. Balamurgan and Saraswati Vandana was rendered by Dev Raj Senior Secondary School , Jalandhar.
In the junior category-vocal , Karan Chaudhari of Pathankot won Gold Medal , Devasish -Silver , Mukhteshi. Sharma-Bronze.
The judges were Dr. Madhu Bhatnagar , Dr. Nivedita Singh and Dr. Jagmohan Sharma.
No New Year Celebrations in Jullundur Gymkhana
Jalandhar's most prestigious club Jullundur Gymkhana has taken the laudable step of not having its traditional grand celebrations of new year .
This has been done to show solidarity with Munbaikars and as a mark of anguish against the November 26 th terrorist attack.
December 22, 2008
The Ancient and Renowned Chandimandir
The Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji worshipped here.
This temple gave its name to the majestic and utra-vibrant city of Chandigarh.
Jai_Maa_Chandimandir_Temple by Gopal Aggarwal
Avoid cruelty Against Fish , Crabs etc . in Restaurants
There have recent accounts in new papers of certain "fashionable and upmarket " restaurants in'Mumbai etc. which serve crabs and lobsters ( sea food ) . According to the reports ,when the customers order dishes of sea food ,first these live and writhing creatures are brought before them alive in tongs .Then these are prepared for food. This means these hapless creatures are kept alive , in utter agony , from the time they are netted right up to the time they are consumed for food in these restaurants.
We request both the restaurant owners consumers of sea food to avoid such practices of having their food ingredients brought alive to them before them in the dining rooms. Once , these creatures are caught by fishermen these are doomed . So, they should not be kept alive any further . They should be killed immediately and preserved by freezing etc.
Even in cities like Jalandhar one comes across pavement sellers marketing fish . Sometimes fish is kept semi alive in moistened gunny bags so that they remain "fresh ". Cruelty to any form of living creature giving us food should be kept to the minimum possible.
( The writer of this article is a non vegetarian )
Former Minister Late Sardar Sawaran Singh Honoured
India's longest serving cabinet minister and pride of Jalandhar ( Shankar Village ) Sardar Sawaran Singh's portrait is being unveiled on 22-012-2008 in Parliament House by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh .
Sardar Sawaran Singh was one of main of Tashkent Agreement , Shimla Agreement and the Indus Waters Treaty Agreement , all with Pakistan . His deft handling of the Indus Water Treaty resulted in India getting the share of Ravi waters.
Sardar Sawaran Singh was India's Foreign Minister from 1964 to 1966 and , again , from 1970 to 1974; Defence Minister from 1966 to 1970 and , again , from1974 to1975 President of Indian National Congress from 1977 to 1979.
Sardar Sawaran Singh was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1992 .
N.S.S. Camp by B.D. Arya Girls' College , Jalandhar Cantt
A ten day Medical Camp in Village Samarai ( District Jalandhar ) was organised by B.D. Arya Girls' College , Jalandhar Cantt.
The camp was inaugurated by Divisional Deputy Director , Narinder Singh. Dr. G.P. Singh ( Orthopaedics ) ; Dr. Mukesh Verma Dr. Ramesh Arora ( E.N.T. ) ; Dr. Shiv Dayal Mali( Skin)Dr. Sat Pal Kaur ( Gynecology ) and Dr. Vivek examined patients .
Dr.G.P. Singh's Bapu Inder Singh Charitable Trust distributed free medicines.
Director of B.D. Srya Girls' College ,Swaraj Mohan and Principal Dr.Sarita Verma expressed gratitude to to the Sarpanch and all residents of Village Samarai.
Little Blossoms School ,Jalandhar Celebrates Christmas
The prestigious nursery- primary School of Jalandhar , Little Blossoms School celebrated Christmas today. The main theme of the celebrations was to impart the spirit of sharing.
Little Blossoms has two branches , one at Urban Estate , Phase II another at Modern Colony , Jalandhar.
December 21, 2008
Jyotish Sammelan in Jalandharfrom 27 thDecember
Akhil Bharatiya Saraswati Jyotish Manchwould be holdinga Jyotish Conference at Jal Vilas Palace on 27 th and 28 th December.The Founder and Chairman of the Manch is Pandit Rajeev Sharma.
Pre Partition -My Beloved Jalandhar- " Tujh Pe Dil Qurban "
AE MERE PYAARE JULLUNDUR, TUJH PE DIL QURBAN
Following are the golden memories Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar who left Jullundur at the age of ten for Pakistan and is presently settled in Chicago, USA.
"
Father: Barkat Ali son of Rehmatullah, Basti Danishmandan, Jalandhar
Mother: Hussain Bibi, daughter of Badruddin of Basti Danishmandan ,Jullundur
I studied Middle School: Sanatan Dharam, Basti Nau, Jalandhar
Took admission for high school: Islamia high School, near Basti Mithu Sahib/Baba Khel. Could n0t study there due to pertition of India
My Father: Barkat Ali (age in 1947; about 38)
He worked in Sind province on a bridge project, as surveyor. He was a tracer also and could draw maps. He liked music, as I saw him attending music and qawalies and he had also a harmonium at home fitted in a folding stand. Other people from this basti, also worked on the Sind project (Sukkur barrage?). My father used to help people writing letters, applications, and did bookkeeping for a brick kiln – so he was called Munshi Barkat Ali.
At time of partition, he was working as manager at Bombay Brass Works Co., Adampur, Jalandhar; manufacturing charcoal heated Irons, silver utensils for kitchen, water nozzles, Nickel plating. He walked to and from his job. He used to go to Lahore (now in Pakistan) to get import export permits.
He used to bring some fruit for us on his return from work. Family used to have dinner together. After dinner almost all parent would come out of their houses and sit outside; doing some gupshup, watch children play for an hour before going to bed.
Father a very loving, care taker of family. Used to take us for eye; ear problems, to a hindu karyana storekeeper; Lala Lal Parshad? He took us to another hindu shopkeeper Ram Chand? Runnig karyana store; make syrups and arqs (evaporation from herbs boiling in a pot). He gave us Jawarish Kamuni (for throat) and syrup for stomachache; other things for such minor ailments.
My father used to prepare some medicines at home; like secretion from silver – (put silver in one clay bowl and cover it with another same size clay bowl – seal both of them with doughed flour) burn about ten pounds of firewood or other fuel like: paathi. The silver would melt into powder; blow up and stick inside the upper bowl. Scratch it; save it for use. He used to secrete oil from almonds (badam rogan) I used to help him with crushing, grinding almonds in a clay/stone large bowl (called koondi – chipped inside) with a thick wooden handle (called Dandah) – He used to spray warm water few drops after few minutes and kept grinding; finally oil will separate itself from the almonds paste. This almond oil was given us in warm milk. He always asked to take a copy of warm milk at bedtime to keep good sleep.
He made some other medicines and I don’t know what which? Published a small catalog/book named “Ramuz-i-Zindgi” – Uncle Ahmad Shah was helping him and I also helped in folding large sheets into catalog size. As much as a child could do. I remember, he gave name as Barkat Ali Sindhu as author of this book. Sindhu – he came back from the Sindh Bridge project and due to this project word “Sindh” was then a renowned word – he took benefit of this flying popularity.
My father used take children to Eid/Dusehra/Basakhi/Devali – organized in an open space between basti danishmandan and basti sheikh. These was commonly enjoyed by all sects of society. Sometime, during heavy rains, this open space was filled with knee high water.
He used to take me to Jalandhar city for text and exercise books; visit shrine of Imam Nasir. Once he took me to a movie ShahJehan (before partition). I was scared when horses were seen running-towards audience. Songs were, I believe, sung by Mohan Lal Sehgal.
Ours was a single storey house with a water well in it and a big NEEM tree. We had a swing fixed with it. There were two honey bee combs; one very large (bari makhi) hanging from a stem of neem and the other small (chhoti makhi) on a wall.
We kept a cow in house; as other people also had, some had buffaloes, for healthy milk, butter and lassi (butter milk). My phuphy/sister Zohra and myself helped mother to churn curds/yugard, take out butter and lassi – these were so much nourishing
Whenever we went to buy a cow from a closeby village (don’t know name) he took me with him. On way he used to recite this:
HASBUNALLAHU WA NEMAL WAKEEL, NEMAL MAULA WA NEMAN NASEER
Translation: "Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us); what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord) and what an Excellent Helper! “
He used to check how much milk we draw in the evening and how much in the morning. He preferred to see quantity of milk drawn in the evening; so that, if it was not drawn, quantity would be larger in the morning – giving misunderstanding about the total milk during one day.
Uncle (chacha) Ahmad Shah:
Education: High School or BA. I don’t know/remember where and what job he was doing. His wife was from Mohallah Qarar Khan, Jalandhar City.
Uncle Irshad: Don’t know education, or his skills. He joined army. Later, on the
request of his wife (from basti danishmandan) he was released from
army service. At that time, a fauji (service man) was paid Rs.17 per
month. It was a world war time, (the saying went around “Indian
sacrificial goat for Rs.17 only).
Uncle Habib: No education. Did masonry work. Moved to Bulland Shehr, then to
Ferozabad. He married there and had children. They visited us in Pakistan. Later he died there. God may keep him in peace.
My mother – Hussain Bibi:
Housewife – loving wife, mother; took good care of kitchen; clothing, all household. She used to prepare some energizing sweets of Alsi (flex), Dal Moong, etc. She stiched our dresses. She prepared breakfast and served to all of us in kitchen sitting of a mat.
By the time we come from school, lunch was ready. We used to take dinner all together
father, mother, children. After dinner we were given some fruit or sweet desert.
Brother of grandfather:
Fazal Din. Living in Lahore. Had his own good comfortable house and annexe. He was superviser for contruction of State Bank of Pakistan and perhaps that of GPO buildings.
He died couple of years after partition. Had no children. His wife Janet (jannat) went back to her parents.
The Bitter Painful Migration 1947
When we were in a camp (during migration) at Jalandhar Cantt. One evening; my father went out to fresh up for prayer; he never came back. He had all the savings/jewelry on him. My uncles /brothers of my mother/ ran around, announcements made by camp management; we there was no trace, our hopes did not die down even after partition. But he never showed up. May God keep him in peace Time healed our injury. Our maternal/paternal uncles/families supported us. My mother knew stitching which helped her earn for livelihood, support children education. She died in 1965. A great mother. God bless her, keep her in peace.
Maternal grandfather/mother:
Grandfather: Badruddin (living in basti danishmandan, in a mohallah opposite of so called dewan khana. He loved art and published a book called “Guldasta-i-Badr” giving flower art for pillow covers, shalwar, kameez, table cover etc. etc. He was a construction contractor and supervised also the art work of a small tomb in basti danishmandan – Mian Sahib ka mazaar which had two graves; one of the muslim saint and the other of a thief who climbed up to steal a golden moon from top of the tomb and became blind; released it; got eyesight back; gripped it again to take off; gone blind; finally left it there and got his eye sight; and became a deciple of the saint.
He had also a cow in the house.
Grand maternal mother: Bakhtawar. House-wife. Died in old age. Lived good life.
Their sons: Ishaq, Shafi, Imdad .
Ishaq – (did carpentry, engraving, iching, floral artwork) Was married
to a daughter of a relative family (who were living at Noor Mahal and had a house in basti danishmandan also). Her name was Hassan Bibi; she died later and uncle was married to another women and settled at Faisalabad.
Shafi – doing construction work; later became a contractor; was married to elder daughter of a relative; she died soon, and married the younger sister.
Imdad worked in a Factory, as pattern maker and later founded his own works Imdad Tanning Machinery at Baghbanpura, Lahore.
Their daughters : Hussain bibi (my mother); Irshad married to Yaqub in basti shaikh; Fazl bibi (Fazli) married to Iqbal in basti Shaikh.
Places, events and moments in my childhood memory
There were basties (12) and kote’s in Jalandhar. Name of our Basti was/is Danishmandan. There were other basties; like, Shaikh/Shaikh Darwesh, Guzan, Nau, Mithu Sahib, Baba Khel, and others I was not familiar with.
Basti Danishmandan
My family had been living in this wonderful basti composed of various communities. They had their own worshipping places. It was populated on both sides of a main bazaar about one mile in length running in curve; with a small moque near adda tonga (horse-driven carriages); on this location, there was postoffice and a four mill+ginning mill. In the middle of length of this bazaar was central mosque. Close by living were Feroze Khan, Mushtaq Khan, Ilyas Khan: and on the other end was another small mosque.
On the corner of our street; an off-shoot of main bazaar; was a fresh sweets shop run by Lala Badri. Little down the street, was a blacksmith (Sardar ji’s shop) doing cattle nailing; besides other works, they were living in a sub-street along side of his shop, rather this was a part of their house, I guess. Going further in that street, lived hindu community. If I remember correctly, I heard there lived Mr. Bedi, who worked in movies?. Further down the main street, there was a water well and a sub-street going into Kacchi abadi where reshmi/silky cloth was woven, they kept some insects fed on leaves of guava tree (I heard so). These insects produced something like thread wrapped around their bodies which was removed to weave. If we go farther in our street, in front was an open space, on right was a water pond and up there closeby was walled graveyard. Turning to left on our street at about 100 yards was our mohallah and our house was on the corner of this street. It had one window in main street and one door in the dented corner. There was an open space in this mohallah.
Believe there was an open space left in all busties/streets for any festivities, marriage parties, guests seating, cooking parties meals, qawalies, etc.
On this open lot Meals for parties were cooked in daigs (big size brass utensils) and served to the guests fresh. Perhaps there were no catering contractors. Old ones used to take charge of each daig and young ones standing in line from daig to the guests delivered meals hand to hand and as such, returning empty meal dishes to the daig-caretaker. This return trip of dishes/bowles was so swift that it looked like running a conveyor. Then this group of distributors and servers would take meal after serving all guests – I heard good meal was left and saved behind in daigs.
It was totally safe environment all around. I walked alone to my school; Sanatan Dharam in basti Nau (nayee basti) via basti Guzan. I walked alone to Basti Shaikh where headmaster (sorry, forgot his name) of our school lived and offered free help in math and English during summer vacation. Sorry, I forgot his name. Thanks to him and his family who let us share their vacation/leisure time.
Basti Nau (nayee basti)
This was property of Maharaja of Kapurthala, and was adjacent to Basti Guzan. Was under the administrative rules and regulations of the Maharaja. As I heard at that time; these two areas (Basti Nau and Basti Guzan) were like two different states. Any criminal or any other persons who would step over into Basti Nau for protection, could not be chased and arrested by the administration of Basti Guzan. One would go through proper permission from Maharaja’s administration.
I studied upto 8th grade in Sanatan Dharm school (Basti Nau), sponsored and funded by Tikka sahib? who was a retired judge? And had a chain of these schools (that I heard). At times, there were an announcements; classes was windup at such as such time and come in line at an entrance of a room where mitha’es (sweets) were baked fresh and distributed to students. Students would enter one by one; take sweets and exit from the other door. It used to happen two three times a year. As I heard to celebrate a birth or child in Tikka sahib’s family, etc.
Some students living in villages used to study urdu/hindi in their local village school and then come to this school to do their English 7th and 8th grade.
Along with good teaching practices; there used to be one 30 minutes period called “chup dharan” – Khamosh rehna. A teacher would come into the class room and sit Calm Quiet for 30 minutes. We were told this was to recover energy lost. Sounds good. Why not this is practiced now, when we definitely need it in this stressful time!
I remember students used to play drama and all students were invited to watch. There was physical exercise every day. Urdu was also taught and there was no compulsion to take hindi courses.
I remember a newsbreak spread in school – an airplane crashed near school on road from jalandhar city to basti sheikh darwesh. Student were there and was some parts spread in the fields (khet) and some seen on trees and the body stuck up in the tree (tana) the basic tree.
Basti Guzan
Don’t remember much of it, except that there was bakery in the main chowk/crossing (at the entrance of a bazaar) where my father used to buy “araroot” biscuits very nice, soft. This word “araroot” rested in my memory until I looked at its meanings, and found it’s a type of special flour for baking biscuits. This shop was on the right while going towards basti nau. Standing at same position, on my left, was another bazaar. There was another sweets shop; fresh sweets; jalebies (dark golden sweet swirlies); and the shopkeeper’s son (Yesh Pal?) was my classmate.
Basti Mithu Sahib
Couple of our relatives lived there; I guess one was a map-tracer, the other was Mohammad Islam (later worked as office superintendent in PWD office in Lahore) to whom elder sister of my father (Zainab) was married.
There were other families doing beef business. I think that was the only place/basti from where beef was supplied.
Basti Baba Khel
I think Islamia High School was located in this basti, where I took admission in ninth grade but soon we had to migrate to Pakistan. A bazaar from basti Guzan was leading to this Basti and Basti Mithu Sahib. But we the student from basti danishmandan walked through field – a short cut – to the school – in chilling winter, in scoching heat. Hoowever, my mother used to give a-carry-out for lunch – a thick sweet crispy biscuit like paratha which I used to eat it on my way to school, every morning; perhaps feeling hungry during walk. Took usual school tuck-shop stuff at lunch time.
MY EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Thal Development Authority, Pakistan
Pak Industrial & Trading Corporation, Pakistan
Guy F. Atkinson (Mangla Dam Contractors), Pakistan
IMPREGILO, Milan (Tarbela Dam Contractors), Pakistan
Tamimi-Fouad-Atkinson-Grove, Saudi Arabia
GE (USA) in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
Wordprocessing, USA
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, USA
EDUCATION
BA
Diploma in Bookkeeping and Accountancy
Certificate in Commerce and Secretarial Practice
Diploma in Mercantile Law and Secretarial Practice
Business Management, University of California.
I owe many many thanks to my wife Sarfraz Anjum who encouraged and supported me to take up more and more education to enhance my skills.
On 20 January 2008, her time was up and God called her back. May God keep her in peace in her permanent abode. Aameen.
HOBBIES
Gain more knowledge and skills for job to support my family.
Badminton.
Playing with children for paper-craft and other experimental, educational exercises.
Planting vegetables and flowers.
WRONG IMPRESSION
I always put myself in other’s place to feel his/her sufferings/feelings. Likewise, wrongfully, I have always been under the impression that he/she must feel my feelings. Still as we must be patient; act for forgiveness, some times I react sharp hurting someone; perhaps he/she did not did that act intentionally. I am sorry for that and ask for forgiveness from he/she and forgiveness from the Almighty, Kind God.
GENERAL
Pardah/Haya
Observation of pardah/haya is mandatory for men and women.
WOMEN
Muslim women used to wear a one-piece burqa (usually made of white cloth) from head to leg-foot joint (takhna). A space about 2” wide and 5” long was cut and woven like mesh in burqa, below the forehead to see through by women.
Hindu women had saries wrapped around and a large part of it spread over the head to shoulder.
Sikh women had dupata/large scarf covering back, head and front of their bodies.
MEN in these communities had their own head covers; Muslims topi/head hat while or red roomi topi, hindus white cloth caps; sicks turbans/pagries.
Marriage parties
I will talk about muslim community. Bridegroom will ride a horse with a sub-bridegroom (called shawala) while guests will walk along – if bride’s house was far away; all will travel by tonga (horse-driven carriages).
All the gifts; jewelry; dresses; given by parents of both sides and friends were shown one by one from a conspicuous place so that all guest, who wish to, could see.
The music bands would travel with the baraat/marriage party all the if this was in the close vicinity. If it was far away; then the bridegroom’s will hire the band in the area of bride’s house; to lead them to her house.
Salami / a monetary gift was given by guests to the bride and bridegroom – by some in a closed envelope; while others openly. A person would sit and write on a paper how much who paid, so that they payor had similar function at their house; such gifts would be presented there with “some addition”.
Myths
People used to put a black goat head or spread different dals; split beans; in the chowks; street crossings; thinking that would avoid bad luck and keep away troubles.
Some small denomination coins were thrown out, every few minutes, in the air, over the bride and bridegroom, as a sadqa – an offering to avoid difficulties for the couple. It was difficult for local and outsiders to pick up these coins from under the foots and from dust, so they made coins traps with two large sticks 4-5 feet apart connected with a sheet of hard cloth. As soon as coins were thrown, they would open and spread these traps under the coins falling down and thus more coins were caught.
WARNINGS BY SENIORS
If I went for pulse or a karyana item; the shopkeeper (even the hindu shopkeeper) would ask for a piece of cloth to put the stuff in it. If I didn’t have, he would me to bring next time; told me putting these food stuff in papers was calling for dearness.
That was the world war II time – and it was heard “Jad roos panjabay away, rupaeey da ik sair un wakaway” (sorry if my Punjabi writing is not clear). Means, when Russia will come the one kilo of wheat flour will cost one rupee – perhaps; prices would rise four times or in multiplication of that.
We used to bring vegetables in cloth.
Ghosht/mutton was put in a cloth wrapped in a white paper. Some time the seller would put a piece of charcoal in it; saying it will keep bala/bad omens away. He said if mutton was wrapped in newspaper its calico ink printing will damage the ghosht.
RESPECT OF ALL BY ALL COMMUNITIES
Functions/festivals were not disturbed. Everybody respected others’ events. For example, on basakhi (a festive by sikh community) they will travel around on bullock carriages, sing joy songs loud, but as soon as they entered the basti’s muslim abadi/community, they started singing a praise-song (naat) – “SAAREY RASOOLON KAY SARDAR MAKKI MADNI” meaning the head of all prophets is that who is in mecca/medina.
PLEASING CHILDREN
Some sweet rice or kheer (pudding) or even black roasted grams mixed with sweets were distributed in children each month. Children would hear a call by the distributor “Kurio, mundeo, wundi the kheer (etc) lay jao” – (girls and boys, please come and take ------“ As soon as –even one child- would listen; he will start calling other children; and in minutes 15-20 children would show up – all of this same mohallah. Some children would ask for a share of his sister or brother (she/he is at home, and couldn’t come). Children were happy, and it’s good for your well-being to make children happy.
In addition to please children, as explained above, the shopkeepers used to give a candy or something sweet to the child returning after purchase. This also made children happy.
Hair cuts at home:
It was done at the salons but where arranged it was done – on Sundays – for some permanent customers at their houses. Hajjam (hair cutter) brought with him a small water container with some burning charcoal under it, to use warm water for shave. At the client’s place, he would refill water and charcoal and move to another house.
EGGS and Chicken for free:
Hens/chicken were kept in almost all houses. They were fed some leftover breads crumbs in the morning; had some water; they let loose, go out of house all day long searching for food; in the evening they will return and by evening fall enter their cage.
Each morning collect some eggs from the cage.
On a fashion day or to serve a special guest with delicious feast, one of the chicken from cage would do the job.
Maintenance of household cows and buffaloes: There comes a period when these animals cannot provide milk, and a period they expect. Therefore, instead of their maintenance and feeding at home, they were left with some farmers until they were due to deliver baby. The owners would bring them back home and pay a settled amount to the farmer for maintenance.
Maintenance of household goats: Some people used to collect goats from their owners, each morning, take to the grassy places and bring back home at noon. They were also paid monthly by the owners.
Maintenance of Farms; water well wheels; ploughs, accessories, bullock-carriages (gadd), was done by supposedly arranged contractors; carpenters, blacksmiths. They will do the job whenever needed and farmers will supply them sufficient Produce (wheel, maize, etc.) at each cultivation period.
People’s Safety without guns
Entrance doors of all houses were kept open during the day. Real, and I don’t know how, no robberies happened. Except, that those who were cheaters, used to knock and call out the resident to tell past and future and what they could do to keep the calamity away – in exchange of some money. Ladies were convinced and they took away money from them.
At night – evening through to morning – one (just one person) with a stick and on foot, used to walk through streets of a mohallah; a portion of a basti; uttering loud “JAGTEY RAHO”. Thieves would not dare come to enter the area or face him. Was that person scary just with a stick walking around alone?
A government employee with a ladder on shoulder and carrying two conisters; one with kerozone, one empty; would come each evening and take out used kerosene from lamps fixed to walls on each turn and middle of streets and refilling and lighting them. He would come again in the morning to put off the lights.
Jugglers
With Snakes, Bear and Monkey, goat tricks used to come and stop at few places in street to show children how bear, money and goat would perform on the signal of a stick. When they entered they would play the “dugdugdi” – a handmade papercraft instrument with threads with one rice or tiny stone on both sides of the small drum made of paper. When spinning these rice would hit the drum and make a noice. Children understood the juggler has come. At the end children would give their some money or a handful of wheat flour.
Hawkers made some essentials available at door steps
- Ladies with needles (assorted sizes) and threads.
- Sabzi wala – with a bucket of vegetables.
- Ghost wala – carrying different parts of mutton. Used to mince manually.
- Fruit wala – with assorted fruit.
- Kerosene wala – with a barrel of kerosene on a hand-pushed trolley.
- Kaprey wala – Carrying dress fabrics on a bicycle.
- Oil wala – Another person carrying mustered oil, and other perfumed oils.
How about the kitchen stuff; ata, dal, ghee, mirch, masala (flour, pulses, cooking oil, spices). I am talking here about Basti Danishmandan. A shopkeeper (named: Khushia; Khushia Mal) used to come (I should say all houses) couple of days before end of month, and checked for quantities and stuff needed. He would carry all orders on a bull- o-cart (could not find this word in dictionary) – it was wooden flat-bed trailer pulled by bullocks; and deliver door to door without money. On payday he would come back to be paid. What a facility!
Ladies were not seen doing general shopping. They would go to a fabric store to buy and stich all dresses (I am sure) at home or to have it done for money from another lady with sewing machine. Same was true for sweater and muffler (to cover head, ears and wrap around neck) buy wool, do it or get it done.
System of cleaning of streets
Government employees came every morning to sweep the streets. Of and on during summer, to avoid dust rising up, a waterman (carrying on his shoulder a MASHQ; water container made of leather/full-size goat skin) would come and sprinkle water before sweeper worked.
Toilets and drainage
There were gutters; sumps; dumps; Latrines were in the houses and cleared by some person every morning and dumped outside locality on heap (called rudi – garbage pile).
The street drains were cleared or sand and stones.
WORLD WAR II
Those days terrorism-cum-war was between countries; not communities. There was no electricity, at least in our basti. There were kerosene lit lanterns dimmed at bedtime or clay-made little blows filled with mastered oil feeding a burning wick. People were warned to blackout ventilators; by carbon papers or other stuff; and not any light seen from outside to help enemy. If a light was seen; a color would be spilt on that roof by the airplane to identify and punish next day. Young boys – within the weight and height required, were recruited from poor and influenced countries to help bygone fight a war. There were warnings announced not to pick stray pens, pencils or other gagets on the street or roof; those could be booby traps dropped by the enemy and would blow out.
These fears traveled thousands of miles to become now unidentifiable from from an arm’s distance.
Times is a cure: In couple of years war effects were fading and people enjoyed leftovers of wars, Potatoe chips; parachutes; servicemen’s tiny stoves with wax burning under, servicemen’s stomping lasting-long shoes; khakhi uniforms, cots and other accessories were on sale and adopted by the people. It was a good and cheaper source of pacifying injured poor people. It’s my dua/prarthana – these same injured suffered people should never try a war; if we had one arm decapitated; not let the other arm also fall down. Let’s spend on welfare of people’s water, power, education, environment, food and industry.
Farm land is being rapidly sold for increasing population’s housing needs, thereby reducing Produce Supply against the Demand. We should review the taxation system. The farming land to be taxed lower than the banjar land; if this formulae could work, more and more banjar land would become under farming. Give more incentives to people who would cooperate. Or make such banjar-cum-farm lands tax free for five years.
BE MY GUEST!
It’s a hand shake; sharing a dining table; some gupshup; then depart to meet. We meet to depart; isn’t it.
Like Ashwani Kumar Aggarval from Jalandhar invited me to be his guest and show me around my native home place and its new look. Reciprocating this I invite Ashwani ji with same spirit to be my guest and let me serve.
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http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2009/01/zinda-manzil-shah-kuli-basti-guzan.html
http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2008/05/jalandhars-town-of-bastis.html
http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2009/01/old-gate-of-basti-shah-kuli-jalandhar.html
Following are the golden memories Sheikh Muhammad Sarwar who left Jullundur at the age of ten for Pakistan and is presently settled in Chicago, USA.
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Father: Barkat Ali son of Rehmatullah, Basti Danishmandan, Jalandhar
Mother: Hussain Bibi, daughter of Badruddin of Basti Danishmandan ,Jullundur
I studied Middle School: Sanatan Dharam, Basti Nau, Jalandhar
Took admission for high school: Islamia high School, near Basti Mithu Sahib/Baba Khel. Could n0t study there due to pertition of India
My Father: Barkat Ali (age in 1947; about 38)
He worked in Sind province on a bridge project, as surveyor. He was a tracer also and could draw maps. He liked music, as I saw him attending music and qawalies and he had also a harmonium at home fitted in a folding stand. Other people from this basti, also worked on the Sind project (Sukkur barrage?). My father used to help people writing letters, applications, and did bookkeeping for a brick kiln – so he was called Munshi Barkat Ali.
At time of partition, he was working as manager at Bombay Brass Works Co., Adampur, Jalandhar; manufacturing charcoal heated Irons, silver utensils for kitchen, water nozzles, Nickel plating. He walked to and from his job. He used to go to Lahore (now in Pakistan) to get import export permits.
He used to bring some fruit for us on his return from work. Family used to have dinner together. After dinner almost all parent would come out of their houses and sit outside; doing some gupshup, watch children play for an hour before going to bed.
Father a very loving, care taker of family. Used to take us for eye; ear problems, to a hindu karyana storekeeper; Lala Lal Parshad? He took us to another hindu shopkeeper Ram Chand? Runnig karyana store; make syrups and arqs (evaporation from herbs boiling in a pot). He gave us Jawarish Kamuni (for throat) and syrup for stomachache; other things for such minor ailments.
My father used to prepare some medicines at home; like secretion from silver – (put silver in one clay bowl and cover it with another same size clay bowl – seal both of them with doughed flour) burn about ten pounds of firewood or other fuel like: paathi. The silver would melt into powder; blow up and stick inside the upper bowl. Scratch it; save it for use. He used to secrete oil from almonds (badam rogan) I used to help him with crushing, grinding almonds in a clay/stone large bowl (called koondi – chipped inside) with a thick wooden handle (called Dandah) – He used to spray warm water few drops after few minutes and kept grinding; finally oil will separate itself from the almonds paste. This almond oil was given us in warm milk. He always asked to take a copy of warm milk at bedtime to keep good sleep.
He made some other medicines and I don’t know what which? Published a small catalog/book named “Ramuz-i-Zindgi” – Uncle Ahmad Shah was helping him and I also helped in folding large sheets into catalog size. As much as a child could do. I remember, he gave name as Barkat Ali Sindhu as author of this book. Sindhu – he came back from the Sindh Bridge project and due to this project word “Sindh” was then a renowned word – he took benefit of this flying popularity.
My father used take children to Eid/Dusehra/Basakhi/Devali – organized in an open space between basti danishmandan and basti sheikh. These was commonly enjoyed by all sects of society. Sometime, during heavy rains, this open space was filled with knee high water.
He used to take me to Jalandhar city for text and exercise books; visit shrine of Imam Nasir. Once he took me to a movie ShahJehan (before partition). I was scared when horses were seen running-towards audience. Songs were, I believe, sung by Mohan Lal Sehgal.
Ours was a single storey house with a water well in it and a big NEEM tree. We had a swing fixed with it. There were two honey bee combs; one very large (bari makhi) hanging from a stem of neem and the other small (chhoti makhi) on a wall.
We kept a cow in house; as other people also had, some had buffaloes, for healthy milk, butter and lassi (butter milk). My phuphy/sister Zohra and myself helped mother to churn curds/yugard, take out butter and lassi – these were so much nourishing
Whenever we went to buy a cow from a closeby village (don’t know name) he took me with him. On way he used to recite this:
HASBUNALLAHU WA NEMAL WAKEEL, NEMAL MAULA WA NEMAN NASEER
Translation: "Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us); what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord) and what an Excellent Helper! “
He used to check how much milk we draw in the evening and how much in the morning. He preferred to see quantity of milk drawn in the evening; so that, if it was not drawn, quantity would be larger in the morning – giving misunderstanding about the total milk during one day.
Uncle (chacha) Ahmad Shah:
Education: High School or BA. I don’t know/remember where and what job he was doing. His wife was from Mohallah Qarar Khan, Jalandhar City.
Uncle Irshad: Don’t know education, or his skills. He joined army. Later, on the
request of his wife (from basti danishmandan) he was released from
army service. At that time, a fauji (service man) was paid Rs.17 per
month. It was a world war time, (the saying went around “Indian
sacrificial goat for Rs.17 only).
Uncle Habib: No education. Did masonry work. Moved to Bulland Shehr, then to
Ferozabad. He married there and had children. They visited us in Pakistan. Later he died there. God may keep him in peace.
My mother – Hussain Bibi:
Housewife – loving wife, mother; took good care of kitchen; clothing, all household. She used to prepare some energizing sweets of Alsi (flex), Dal Moong, etc. She stiched our dresses. She prepared breakfast and served to all of us in kitchen sitting of a mat.
By the time we come from school, lunch was ready. We used to take dinner all together
father, mother, children. After dinner we were given some fruit or sweet desert.
Brother of grandfather:
Fazal Din. Living in Lahore. Had his own good comfortable house and annexe. He was superviser for contruction of State Bank of Pakistan and perhaps that of GPO buildings.
He died couple of years after partition. Had no children. His wife Janet (jannat) went back to her parents.
The Bitter Painful Migration 1947
When we were in a camp (during migration) at Jalandhar Cantt. One evening; my father went out to fresh up for prayer; he never came back. He had all the savings/jewelry on him. My uncles /brothers of my mother/ ran around, announcements made by camp management; we there was no trace, our hopes did not die down even after partition. But he never showed up. May God keep him in peace Time healed our injury. Our maternal/paternal uncles/families supported us. My mother knew stitching which helped her earn for livelihood, support children education. She died in 1965. A great mother. God bless her, keep her in peace.
Maternal grandfather/mother:
Grandfather: Badruddin (living in basti danishmandan, in a mohallah opposite of so called dewan khana. He loved art and published a book called “Guldasta-i-Badr” giving flower art for pillow covers, shalwar, kameez, table cover etc. etc. He was a construction contractor and supervised also the art work of a small tomb in basti danishmandan – Mian Sahib ka mazaar which had two graves; one of the muslim saint and the other of a thief who climbed up to steal a golden moon from top of the tomb and became blind; released it; got eyesight back; gripped it again to take off; gone blind; finally left it there and got his eye sight; and became a deciple of the saint.
He had also a cow in the house.
Grand maternal mother: Bakhtawar. House-wife. Died in old age. Lived good life.
Their sons: Ishaq, Shafi, Imdad .
Ishaq – (did carpentry, engraving, iching, floral artwork) Was married
to a daughter of a relative family (who were living at Noor Mahal and had a house in basti danishmandan also). Her name was Hassan Bibi; she died later and uncle was married to another women and settled at Faisalabad.
Shafi – doing construction work; later became a contractor; was married to elder daughter of a relative; she died soon, and married the younger sister.
Imdad worked in a Factory, as pattern maker and later founded his own works Imdad Tanning Machinery at Baghbanpura, Lahore.
Their daughters : Hussain bibi (my mother); Irshad married to Yaqub in basti shaikh; Fazl bibi (Fazli) married to Iqbal in basti Shaikh.
Places, events and moments in my childhood memory
There were basties (12) and kote’s in Jalandhar. Name of our Basti was/is Danishmandan. There were other basties; like, Shaikh/Shaikh Darwesh, Guzan, Nau, Mithu Sahib, Baba Khel, and others I was not familiar with.
Basti Danishmandan
My family had been living in this wonderful basti composed of various communities. They had their own worshipping places. It was populated on both sides of a main bazaar about one mile in length running in curve; with a small moque near adda tonga (horse-driven carriages); on this location, there was postoffice and a four mill+ginning mill. In the middle of length of this bazaar was central mosque. Close by living were Feroze Khan, Mushtaq Khan, Ilyas Khan: and on the other end was another small mosque.
On the corner of our street; an off-shoot of main bazaar; was a fresh sweets shop run by Lala Badri. Little down the street, was a blacksmith (Sardar ji’s shop) doing cattle nailing; besides other works, they were living in a sub-street along side of his shop, rather this was a part of their house, I guess. Going further in that street, lived hindu community. If I remember correctly, I heard there lived Mr. Bedi, who worked in movies?. Further down the main street, there was a water well and a sub-street going into Kacchi abadi where reshmi/silky cloth was woven, they kept some insects fed on leaves of guava tree (I heard so). These insects produced something like thread wrapped around their bodies which was removed to weave. If we go farther in our street, in front was an open space, on right was a water pond and up there closeby was walled graveyard. Turning to left on our street at about 100 yards was our mohallah and our house was on the corner of this street. It had one window in main street and one door in the dented corner. There was an open space in this mohallah.
Believe there was an open space left in all busties/streets for any festivities, marriage parties, guests seating, cooking parties meals, qawalies, etc.
On this open lot Meals for parties were cooked in daigs (big size brass utensils) and served to the guests fresh. Perhaps there were no catering contractors. Old ones used to take charge of each daig and young ones standing in line from daig to the guests delivered meals hand to hand and as such, returning empty meal dishes to the daig-caretaker. This return trip of dishes/bowles was so swift that it looked like running a conveyor. Then this group of distributors and servers would take meal after serving all guests – I heard good meal was left and saved behind in daigs.
It was totally safe environment all around. I walked alone to my school; Sanatan Dharam in basti Nau (nayee basti) via basti Guzan. I walked alone to Basti Shaikh where headmaster (sorry, forgot his name) of our school lived and offered free help in math and English during summer vacation. Sorry, I forgot his name. Thanks to him and his family who let us share their vacation/leisure time.
Basti Nau (nayee basti)
This was property of Maharaja of Kapurthala, and was adjacent to Basti Guzan. Was under the administrative rules and regulations of the Maharaja. As I heard at that time; these two areas (Basti Nau and Basti Guzan) were like two different states. Any criminal or any other persons who would step over into Basti Nau for protection, could not be chased and arrested by the administration of Basti Guzan. One would go through proper permission from Maharaja’s administration.
I studied upto 8th grade in Sanatan Dharm school (Basti Nau), sponsored and funded by Tikka sahib? who was a retired judge? And had a chain of these schools (that I heard). At times, there were an announcements; classes was windup at such as such time and come in line at an entrance of a room where mitha’es (sweets) were baked fresh and distributed to students. Students would enter one by one; take sweets and exit from the other door. It used to happen two three times a year. As I heard to celebrate a birth or child in Tikka sahib’s family, etc.
Some students living in villages used to study urdu/hindi in their local village school and then come to this school to do their English 7th and 8th grade.
Along with good teaching practices; there used to be one 30 minutes period called “chup dharan” – Khamosh rehna. A teacher would come into the class room and sit Calm Quiet for 30 minutes. We were told this was to recover energy lost. Sounds good. Why not this is practiced now, when we definitely need it in this stressful time!
I remember students used to play drama and all students were invited to watch. There was physical exercise every day. Urdu was also taught and there was no compulsion to take hindi courses.
I remember a newsbreak spread in school – an airplane crashed near school on road from jalandhar city to basti sheikh darwesh. Student were there and was some parts spread in the fields (khet) and some seen on trees and the body stuck up in the tree (tana) the basic tree.
Basti Guzan
Don’t remember much of it, except that there was bakery in the main chowk/crossing (at the entrance of a bazaar) where my father used to buy “araroot” biscuits very nice, soft. This word “araroot” rested in my memory until I looked at its meanings, and found it’s a type of special flour for baking biscuits. This shop was on the right while going towards basti nau. Standing at same position, on my left, was another bazaar. There was another sweets shop; fresh sweets; jalebies (dark golden sweet swirlies); and the shopkeeper’s son (Yesh Pal?) was my classmate.
Basti Mithu Sahib
Couple of our relatives lived there; I guess one was a map-tracer, the other was Mohammad Islam (later worked as office superintendent in PWD office in Lahore) to whom elder sister of my father (Zainab) was married.
There were other families doing beef business. I think that was the only place/basti from where beef was supplied.
Basti Baba Khel
I think Islamia High School was located in this basti, where I took admission in ninth grade but soon we had to migrate to Pakistan. A bazaar from basti Guzan was leading to this Basti and Basti Mithu Sahib. But we the student from basti danishmandan walked through field – a short cut – to the school – in chilling winter, in scoching heat. Hoowever, my mother used to give a-carry-out for lunch – a thick sweet crispy biscuit like paratha which I used to eat it on my way to school, every morning; perhaps feeling hungry during walk. Took usual school tuck-shop stuff at lunch time.
MY EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Thal Development Authority, Pakistan
Pak Industrial & Trading Corporation, Pakistan
Guy F. Atkinson (Mangla Dam Contractors), Pakistan
IMPREGILO, Milan (Tarbela Dam Contractors), Pakistan
Tamimi-Fouad-Atkinson-Grove, Saudi Arabia
GE (USA) in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
Wordprocessing, USA
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, USA
EDUCATION
BA
Diploma in Bookkeeping and Accountancy
Certificate in Commerce and Secretarial Practice
Diploma in Mercantile Law and Secretarial Practice
Business Management, University of California.
I owe many many thanks to my wife Sarfraz Anjum who encouraged and supported me to take up more and more education to enhance my skills.
On 20 January 2008, her time was up and God called her back. May God keep her in peace in her permanent abode. Aameen.
HOBBIES
Gain more knowledge and skills for job to support my family.
Badminton.
Playing with children for paper-craft and other experimental, educational exercises.
Planting vegetables and flowers.
WRONG IMPRESSION
I always put myself in other’s place to feel his/her sufferings/feelings. Likewise, wrongfully, I have always been under the impression that he/she must feel my feelings. Still as we must be patient; act for forgiveness, some times I react sharp hurting someone; perhaps he/she did not did that act intentionally. I am sorry for that and ask for forgiveness from he/she and forgiveness from the Almighty, Kind God.
GENERAL
Pardah/Haya
Observation of pardah/haya is mandatory for men and women.
WOMEN
Muslim women used to wear a one-piece burqa (usually made of white cloth) from head to leg-foot joint (takhna). A space about 2” wide and 5” long was cut and woven like mesh in burqa, below the forehead to see through by women.
Hindu women had saries wrapped around and a large part of it spread over the head to shoulder.
Sikh women had dupata/large scarf covering back, head and front of their bodies.
MEN in these communities had their own head covers; Muslims topi/head hat while or red roomi topi, hindus white cloth caps; sicks turbans/pagries.
Marriage parties
I will talk about muslim community. Bridegroom will ride a horse with a sub-bridegroom (called shawala) while guests will walk along – if bride’s house was far away; all will travel by tonga (horse-driven carriages).
All the gifts; jewelry; dresses; given by parents of both sides and friends were shown one by one from a conspicuous place so that all guest, who wish to, could see.
The music bands would travel with the baraat/marriage party all the if this was in the close vicinity. If it was far away; then the bridegroom’s will hire the band in the area of bride’s house; to lead them to her house.
Salami / a monetary gift was given by guests to the bride and bridegroom – by some in a closed envelope; while others openly. A person would sit and write on a paper how much who paid, so that they payor had similar function at their house; such gifts would be presented there with “some addition”.
Myths
People used to put a black goat head or spread different dals; split beans; in the chowks; street crossings; thinking that would avoid bad luck and keep away troubles.
Some small denomination coins were thrown out, every few minutes, in the air, over the bride and bridegroom, as a sadqa – an offering to avoid difficulties for the couple. It was difficult for local and outsiders to pick up these coins from under the foots and from dust, so they made coins traps with two large sticks 4-5 feet apart connected with a sheet of hard cloth. As soon as coins were thrown, they would open and spread these traps under the coins falling down and thus more coins were caught.
WARNINGS BY SENIORS
If I went for pulse or a karyana item; the shopkeeper (even the hindu shopkeeper) would ask for a piece of cloth to put the stuff in it. If I didn’t have, he would me to bring next time; told me putting these food stuff in papers was calling for dearness.
That was the world war II time – and it was heard “Jad roos panjabay away, rupaeey da ik sair un wakaway” (sorry if my Punjabi writing is not clear). Means, when Russia will come the one kilo of wheat flour will cost one rupee – perhaps; prices would rise four times or in multiplication of that.
We used to bring vegetables in cloth.
Ghosht/mutton was put in a cloth wrapped in a white paper. Some time the seller would put a piece of charcoal in it; saying it will keep bala/bad omens away. He said if mutton was wrapped in newspaper its calico ink printing will damage the ghosht.
RESPECT OF ALL BY ALL COMMUNITIES
Functions/festivals were not disturbed. Everybody respected others’ events. For example, on basakhi (a festive by sikh community) they will travel around on bullock carriages, sing joy songs loud, but as soon as they entered the basti’s muslim abadi/community, they started singing a praise-song (naat) – “SAAREY RASOOLON KAY SARDAR MAKKI MADNI” meaning the head of all prophets is that who is in mecca/medina.
PLEASING CHILDREN
Some sweet rice or kheer (pudding) or even black roasted grams mixed with sweets were distributed in children each month. Children would hear a call by the distributor “Kurio, mundeo, wundi the kheer (etc) lay jao” – (girls and boys, please come and take ------“ As soon as –even one child- would listen; he will start calling other children; and in minutes 15-20 children would show up – all of this same mohallah. Some children would ask for a share of his sister or brother (she/he is at home, and couldn’t come). Children were happy, and it’s good for your well-being to make children happy.
In addition to please children, as explained above, the shopkeepers used to give a candy or something sweet to the child returning after purchase. This also made children happy.
Hair cuts at home:
It was done at the salons but where arranged it was done – on Sundays – for some permanent customers at their houses. Hajjam (hair cutter) brought with him a small water container with some burning charcoal under it, to use warm water for shave. At the client’s place, he would refill water and charcoal and move to another house.
EGGS and Chicken for free:
Hens/chicken were kept in almost all houses. They were fed some leftover breads crumbs in the morning; had some water; they let loose, go out of house all day long searching for food; in the evening they will return and by evening fall enter their cage.
Each morning collect some eggs from the cage.
On a fashion day or to serve a special guest with delicious feast, one of the chicken from cage would do the job.
Maintenance of household cows and buffaloes: There comes a period when these animals cannot provide milk, and a period they expect. Therefore, instead of their maintenance and feeding at home, they were left with some farmers until they were due to deliver baby. The owners would bring them back home and pay a settled amount to the farmer for maintenance.
Maintenance of household goats: Some people used to collect goats from their owners, each morning, take to the grassy places and bring back home at noon. They were also paid monthly by the owners.
Maintenance of Farms; water well wheels; ploughs, accessories, bullock-carriages (gadd), was done by supposedly arranged contractors; carpenters, blacksmiths. They will do the job whenever needed and farmers will supply them sufficient Produce (wheel, maize, etc.) at each cultivation period.
People’s Safety without guns
Entrance doors of all houses were kept open during the day. Real, and I don’t know how, no robberies happened. Except, that those who were cheaters, used to knock and call out the resident to tell past and future and what they could do to keep the calamity away – in exchange of some money. Ladies were convinced and they took away money from them.
At night – evening through to morning – one (just one person) with a stick and on foot, used to walk through streets of a mohallah; a portion of a basti; uttering loud “JAGTEY RAHO”. Thieves would not dare come to enter the area or face him. Was that person scary just with a stick walking around alone?
A government employee with a ladder on shoulder and carrying two conisters; one with kerozone, one empty; would come each evening and take out used kerosene from lamps fixed to walls on each turn and middle of streets and refilling and lighting them. He would come again in the morning to put off the lights.
Jugglers
With Snakes, Bear and Monkey, goat tricks used to come and stop at few places in street to show children how bear, money and goat would perform on the signal of a stick. When they entered they would play the “dugdugdi” – a handmade papercraft instrument with threads with one rice or tiny stone on both sides of the small drum made of paper. When spinning these rice would hit the drum and make a noice. Children understood the juggler has come. At the end children would give their some money or a handful of wheat flour.
Hawkers made some essentials available at door steps
- Ladies with needles (assorted sizes) and threads.
- Sabzi wala – with a bucket of vegetables.
- Ghost wala – carrying different parts of mutton. Used to mince manually.
- Fruit wala – with assorted fruit.
- Kerosene wala – with a barrel of kerosene on a hand-pushed trolley.
- Kaprey wala – Carrying dress fabrics on a bicycle.
- Oil wala – Another person carrying mustered oil, and other perfumed oils.
How about the kitchen stuff; ata, dal, ghee, mirch, masala (flour, pulses, cooking oil, spices). I am talking here about Basti Danishmandan. A shopkeeper (named: Khushia; Khushia Mal) used to come (I should say all houses) couple of days before end of month, and checked for quantities and stuff needed. He would carry all orders on a bull- o-cart (could not find this word in dictionary) – it was wooden flat-bed trailer pulled by bullocks; and deliver door to door without money. On payday he would come back to be paid. What a facility!
Ladies were not seen doing general shopping. They would go to a fabric store to buy and stich all dresses (I am sure) at home or to have it done for money from another lady with sewing machine. Same was true for sweater and muffler (to cover head, ears and wrap around neck) buy wool, do it or get it done.
System of cleaning of streets
Government employees came every morning to sweep the streets. Of and on during summer, to avoid dust rising up, a waterman (carrying on his shoulder a MASHQ; water container made of leather/full-size goat skin) would come and sprinkle water before sweeper worked.
Toilets and drainage
There were gutters; sumps; dumps; Latrines were in the houses and cleared by some person every morning and dumped outside locality on heap (called rudi – garbage pile).
The street drains were cleared or sand and stones.
WORLD WAR II
Those days terrorism-cum-war was between countries; not communities. There was no electricity, at least in our basti. There were kerosene lit lanterns dimmed at bedtime or clay-made little blows filled with mastered oil feeding a burning wick. People were warned to blackout ventilators; by carbon papers or other stuff; and not any light seen from outside to help enemy. If a light was seen; a color would be spilt on that roof by the airplane to identify and punish next day. Young boys – within the weight and height required, were recruited from poor and influenced countries to help bygone fight a war. There were warnings announced not to pick stray pens, pencils or other gagets on the street or roof; those could be booby traps dropped by the enemy and would blow out.
These fears traveled thousands of miles to become now unidentifiable from from an arm’s distance.
Times is a cure: In couple of years war effects were fading and people enjoyed leftovers of wars, Potatoe chips; parachutes; servicemen’s tiny stoves with wax burning under, servicemen’s stomping lasting-long shoes; khakhi uniforms, cots and other accessories were on sale and adopted by the people. It was a good and cheaper source of pacifying injured poor people. It’s my dua/prarthana – these same injured suffered people should never try a war; if we had one arm decapitated; not let the other arm also fall down. Let’s spend on welfare of people’s water, power, education, environment, food and industry.
Farm land is being rapidly sold for increasing population’s housing needs, thereby reducing Produce Supply against the Demand. We should review the taxation system. The farming land to be taxed lower than the banjar land; if this formulae could work, more and more banjar land would become under farming. Give more incentives to people who would cooperate. Or make such banjar-cum-farm lands tax free for five years.
BE MY GUEST!
It’s a hand shake; sharing a dining table; some gupshup; then depart to meet. We meet to depart; isn’t it.
Like Ashwani Kumar Aggarval from Jalandhar invited me to be his guest and show me around my native home place and its new look. Reciprocating this I invite Ashwani ji with same spirit to be my guest and let me serve.
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http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2009/01/zinda-manzil-shah-kuli-basti-guzan.html
http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2008/05/jalandhars-town-of-bastis.html
http://www.punjabjalandhar.info/2009/01/old-gate-of-basti-shah-kuli-jalandhar.html
Mazaar of Baba Lucky Shah, Jalandhar Cantt
Near Regal Cinema, Jalandhar Cantt. This mazaar every Thursday numerous Devotees.
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