I have already mentioned in the previous paragraphs that we were six brothers and three sisters. Now we are only two: myself and my sister. I am the youngest in my family and my sister is elder to me.
During my teen age Honourable Sant Sunder Dass Ji used to visit our village and generally used to stay in our family. When I became free after playing with my friends, most of the time, I remained with him. Sant Sunder Dass Ji’s (one room) Kutiya is situated in village Nainowal Dhugge, Tehsil and District Hoshiarpur. Sant Jee took me with him to his kutia and I do not remember how long I stayed there.
After some time my mother sent my father to see me and to bring me back. My father came but Sant Ji told my father that I will bring him with me. Sant Ji did not go for some time. My mother again sent my father for bringing me back but Sant Ji’s answer was the same.
When I came back to my home with Sant Ji there after my mother did not allow me to go again. She loved me to stay with her.
When Sant Ji again asked my father to take me with him my mother did not agree to that. This issue remained under discussion for five six days. At last I decided to stay with my family. Sant Jee was bit disappointed on this because, Sant Jee wished to make me his disciple.
Time was passing but I was not doing anything. Once my cousin, Mr. Bhag Ram came from his village Chiloper (Rapur-Chalupur) in Hoshiarpur for his further education in Hoshiarpur as there was no high school in his village. He was scholarship holder, otherwise.
One day he told my parents that I should be sent to school and he will help me in teaching. It was very difficult to get admission because of my age. Mr. Bhag Rain was a shining student and scholarship holder. He went with me to Government Primary School, Bajwara (Hoshiarpur). He promised the teacher that he would prepare me to pass two classes in one year. The teacher agreed and I got admission in that school. Mr. Bhag Ram helped me very much and due to his help/guidance as also that of my teachers, that I got qualified in 1st and 2nd class in one year. I again did hard work and I passed my 3rd and 4th class in the next year. Thus, I passed four classes in two years. Although my parents were reluctant for my further study due to their economic condition, but finally, they decided to get me admission in the S.B.A.C. High School, Bajwara, Hoshiarpur, 4 kilometer from my residence.
I started my study there. I was hard working and a shining student in my class. As I was long (tall), therefore, most of the students used to call me long man in taunting way. I used to stay alone, but the intelligent students were my best friends.
I was married when I was studying in the 5th class. Though a little but change did come in me after my marriage. However, I tried my best to continue my study. There was a custom in those days that the bridegroom stay only one night in the in-laws and on the next day she went back with her brother and sister-in-law as per the tradition prevalent at that time.
As per the tradition, after some period when the bride and bridegroom became young/adult than “Muklawa” ceremony is solemnized. Accordingly, my “Muklawa” was, performed when I was studying in the 8th class. Being shining student I was preparing for the scholarship. The scholarship amount was about be Rs.5-10 per month, so far as, I remember. Though, I could not get the scholarship but I passed the Middle Class examination. In spite of many hurdles and difficulties I continued my studies. During that period, unluckily my father expired. However, my mother encouraged me and forced me to continue my study. At that time I, my mother and my wife were already living separate from other members of the family.
My wife gave birth to a boy Dev Raj. It is not out of place to mention here that after two-three months of my matriculation examination the result was declared and I passed my High School getting good marks. I also faced the problem in getting a job because of the lack of approach as also due to the fact that I belonged to scheduled caste community. However, after some time, I got the job in Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Punjab Legislative Assembly) Chandigarh, and I was the only Scheduled Caste first clerk in whole of the Secretariat.
According to the reservation policy of the Government of India and the Government of Punjab for the members of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, I was promoted as Superintendent under this policy adopted by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
However, a non-Scheduled Caste employee Mr. Balbir Singh Walia challenged my promotion in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. It was again a very hardship and unforgettable period for me as it was out of my reach to fight it. But with the blessings of the God and moral support/co-operation of my well wishers I won the case from the High Court.
The matter of my further promotions did not finish with the above said decision of the Hon’ble High Court. Again at the time of my next promotion as Under Secretary, the hurdle was again created by another person, not from a non-Scheduled Caste but from my own community. Mr. Lekh Raj Parwana (Scheduled Caste) who was junior to me filed a writ petition, against my next promotion, in the same High Court.
Again with the blessings of God and the support of my well wishers I won the case from the court. But it is a pitiable position that I got my promotions with hard struggle. However, the High officers, colleagues and my subordinates gave me full co-operation, help and gave me full status during my whole service. I have no words by which I could appreciate them. Even after my retirement till now all employees have full regards for me.
Whatever has been written in this book is written by the blessings of God because without Guru, means Teacher/Master one can not do anything.
I was born in a very poor (below poverty line) family in a small village in rural area of Punjab, India. Now I became a citizen of America which is number one country in the world. According to my personal thinking I do not see any difference, from any angle between India and America.
I, according to my personal knowledge, believe as under:
“Two is company, three is none.
If three is in one, everything can be done”.
So all the developments and growth in my family have been done with the blessings of my respected mother, father and Almighty God, as well as the help and co-operation of my wife in particular and all my family members, relatives and nears and dears in general.
I have been trying my best to obey the order of my Guru Sant Gareeb Dass Ji Maharaj of Dera Ballan (Sach Khand), Tehsil and District Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
I have always been trying to help the needy persons in my life according to my capacity. Therefore, in spite of the fact, I am physical handicapped and have 100% impairment in relation to my vision since 1999, thinking on the same line I have given option for donating my body, after my death, to the PGI, Chandigarh.
After my retirement, all my needs are fulfilled with my retiral pension. Also my children help us from time to time. Therefore, I have never reimbursed any of my medical treatment/medicine bills, except the admissible medical allowance as per my salary/pension, up till now, considering it as a contribution towards economy of the state, although I and my wife are patients of some chronic diseases. My wife has sugar as well as spinal problem where as I am legally blind due to advanced glaucoma.
It is relevant to mention also that I have been a continuous reader of The Tribune since 1954 which for me remained more reliable throughout my readership.
I do not desire to share my views about further guidance and advice to my family members because I am satisfied that they know very well, how to lead their lives. Moreover whatsoever we have been sharing or shared in the past are more than sufficient to follow.
It is my great pleasure to say that all my family members are obedient, nice, intelligent and hard working. I am fully satisfied with their performance and services which are being given to both of us by them (especially Abba), Usha and Dr. Sohan Lal Bhatoa. We are sure that they would continue to follow our good traditions and practices in future for their peace and prosperity. God bless all.
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