On 1^st April, I was at my uncle’s house enjoying my vacation when a distant relative, to whom we used to call Babaji, came at 7 AM and told my uncle that earlier night many shops, including his shop, have been looted in the market. The whole family got panicked as my uncle was a small trader and it was all they had as livelihood. My uncle got suspicious and he asked me to run to shop by bicycle from back door to see truth. Babaji was not made aware of this.

In the meantime, my uncle changed his cloths, tied his turban and took his motorcycle out to go to market through main road. He asked Babaji to accompany him to shop and further to police station. I was back by than; seeing everything intact and even found that the chowkidar was sleeping outside our shop. Uncle came inside on some pretext and I told him the prank-designs of Babaji. Uncle told me & other family members to keep mum and act as they were not aware of facts. He left very fast and Babaji as pillion-rider on bike. He signaled me to follow him on cycle.

4 decades ago it was inner town area of Gurdaspur and at least 30 people including Babaji’s wife had gathered in the lane as they came to know theft in the market and uncle’s shop. Babji’s wife was consoling my aunt.

Now it was our turn. Uncle rode the bike to outskirt of town, told Babaji that he was aware of facts and asked me to go to house and say that bike met with an accident and Babaji’s leg was broken. Babaji said sorry & tried to convince us not to do so but we bullied and almost kidnapped him. As I came home, I told about accident to people present. My signaled my aunt that it was O.K.

Hearing this, Babaji’s wife, bare feet and with a child in her lap started running in lane toward hospital. We followed her and on the way seeing all hue and cry people came out of their houses but she was running and repeatedly crying “I had told him not to play such pranks.” Her brother came on a scooter and started abusing his Jijaji (Babaji). He made her sit on scooter and sped away for his search. It all ended after 1 hour as she had searched all doctors/hospital and nursing home of Gurdaspur for injured Babaji.

In the meantime my aunt prepared pakoras and tea and my uncle came back with Babaji sitting pillion on his bike. It was riot of laughter in the area as that day Babaji became talk of the town.

Even after 4 decades I could not understand as while having tea, Babaji on that day was laughing or sobbing. Near 35 years past, I don’t forget to remember the incident every year on this day; 1^st April, fools day. Whenever I visit Gurdaspur as I ask how is Babaji, it’s a riot of laughter at our house. Thanks to FOOLS DAY for this lovely and unforgettable experience.

On 28^th March, as there was an Alumni meet, a friend initiated and made sure that we all must reach to the college. It was really a nice experience as we could also meet some lecturers who were quite young in late 70s. After attending the lectures of management and esteemed guests in auditorium, we headed toward the college ground for dinner. We really enjoyed a lot seeing alumnis, mostly youngsters, of various age-groups. For me it was really nice feeling to meet all the friends on the Alumni meet after over 3 decades.

The things started moving differently as seeing Vegetarian food at least 3 started whispering that we must go out for dinner though rest of us were reluctant as they talked about having some drinks before the meal. Those 3 friends left with a promise to come back for dinner as they seem to have come with some alcohol bottles in their car. They did not come as they left for drinks and seem to have had non-vegetarian food while going back home. They dutifully invited us to join  over phone but we 3 friends preferred to have food over there and mingle with crowd.

Recalling those who left us in between dinner; they were not less important and good friends though the fact is that they were repeating what was usually done by them in late 70s, during college days. During that period, I used to note that out of our group of 7-8 common friends, 2-3 would miss college on particular day; especially weekends. As there were no so called 24X7 handy communication tools like cellphones to trace others we were later informed that they went for some Desi booze (Chhangh) in a nearby Chinese monastery-market or beer at someone’s place so did not came to college that day.

Though most of the times they were with us in college canteen and coffee houses of DU but sometimes they were particular about these dos and prefer also not inform us about. But in any case they are not lesser humans; very supportive, helpful and ready to stand among friends in every thick n thin even till date.

While coming home I was thinking that different life styles really act to create sects even among Best of Friends. Though the friends are always helpful but when the question of Merry-making & Social-clubbing comes, the situation is different and also does not change after decades; even when boys grew up to men.

You call it “Boys grow Men; but always settle to their Den” or Even among Best of Friends “Lifestyle Acts to create Sects.” It would remain same as our lifestyle and general habits really play a major role on social scenario and create sects; even among best friends.

After having worked on RTI with various departments for last 4 years for selflessly solving problems of the area I am living in, of friends and friends of friends, I wanted to share my experiences with lovely youngsters so they may later on independently take up the issues; personal as well as that of society with various departments.

It was difficult to get railway reservations so I preferred to drive down to Ludhiana and was well in time in the meeting at 5 P.M. The meeting was attended by youngsters who seem to have come fully prepared to learn all and asked many valid questions.

In the meeting, it was really nice to see in person, the youngsters most of them known to me. One local activist of RTI Mr. Kuljeet Sethi was also present and together we cleared the issues to youngsters for nearly 2 hours.

I thoroughly conveyed all Pros and Cons, precautions to be taken, unwritten rules & notes, I had personally experienced in last 4 years. I left some of the soft-files of applications/appeals and notes written by me with them so they may learn and use the act in benefit of the society and also to attend their personal grievances with various government agencies. In fact, I heartedly shared what I had learnt in last 4 years.

Before retiring to bed little bit tired as again next day it was drive down to Delhi, I felt quite satisfied with my efforts as I recalled that it was nice thing as a social activity to catch fish for others but best was to teach others how to catch one.

We must also have had lost less men in armed-struggle for Independence than we lost during partition of 1947 & further in communal riots master-minded by corrupt politicians, who hoodwinked innocent Indians in the name of religion, castes and regionalism. The word scam must also been heard by very few Indians.

In future if there would be a dooms-day, I wish that for every Indian it comes on this day so that before entering into the allotted spectrums; Heaven or Hell, we all Indian feel sorry to the freedom fighting heroes for ditching them; by not following there doctrine of armed struggle and faced the miseries in hands of corrupt politicians. Had we followed them, we Indians would have been more united as countrymen as most of us have had lost our forefathers in struggle of Independence; a common cause.

Had we followed their doctrine of armed-struggle, the situation in the country would not have been as of now; “HAR SHAAKH PE ULLOO BAITHA HAI, ANJAAME GULISTAN KYA HOGA.”

May God bless those; must be restless souls; Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

That day, it was a party at a friend’s residence. As I entered, he heartedly received me. Seeing this, his manager who did not personally know me, instantly became sure that I was close to the host/his boss. He came with a peg and as I declined to accept it, he fired the said salvo at me; “Tussi Sikh ho ke Vee nahi Peende?”  I really found this question very derogatory but seeing sanctity of the situation, I did not say anything. I could see 2-3 Sikhs; prominently visible, in a crowd of around 20 people having drinks. I got Brickbats for being a Sikh

In another dinner party, during same period, hosted by a Japanese CEO of glass manufacturing company on his 1^st visit to India, around 30 people were being served food and drinks on a big table. In his informal address after meal the said Japanese while sharing his Indian experiences said he found that Sikhs don’t take alcoholic drinks. It is also a fact that there were 7 others teetotalers, belonging to other communities over the table but he pointed out me; only Sikh present. I was selected for applauds for being a Sikh.

In both the incidents I have mentioned, the common factor was my distinguished entity as a Sikh. In one I got Brickbats and in another I got an applaud. Our distinguished entity is really a magnifying factor in projection of our community’s image to commoners; whatever we do; Good or Bad.

The case not that the society in general takes us Sikhs as of jovial and lively nature and booze; considered as important part of so called merrymaking, is taken as part and parcel of our own community’s social life. In fact, it is our distinguished entity that magnifies our image as alcoholics, even if a single Sikh is seen publicly taking alcoholic drinks.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, when enshrined us with a distinguished entity, the purpose was that we must not be afraid of anyone so to go into hiding & face the oppression and also that our good deeds are visible from very far to the whole world. Our distinguished entity was created by him to work as a magnifying factor to our good deeds so the world knows what Sikhism is all about.

Here some Sikhs who are seen publicly taking alcoholic drinks at parties & seen on roads outside wine shop’s queues magnify our image as compulsive alcoholics in the mind-sets of common people and this distinguish entity factor works against whole community.

I hope my brothers will give a thought to it.

Hum honge kaamiyaab, Hum honge kaam iyaab ek din…..

2. When in College

Papa Kahte hai, Badhaa kaam karega. Beta hamara ……..

3. When giving interview to Multi National Company:

Tu hi re. Tu hi re ….Tere binaaa mein kaise jiyunn….

4.    Waiting for interview result:

Intehaa ho gai Intzaarki… Aayinaaa kuch khabar mere yaarki….

5. Just joined:

Too cheez badi hai mast mast…..

6. after some time:

Ye kahaan aa gaye hum??

7. After some more time:

Naa koyi umang hai, naa koyi tarang hai, meri jindagi ek kati Pathang hai (booohoooo)

8. While socializing; Friends ask?

Tum itna kyu muskura rahe ho… kya gamm hai jisko chhupa rahe ho

9. Floating the resume:

kabootar ja ja ja… kabootar ja ja ja… pehele pyar ki peheli chitthi…

10. Not getting any better job:

Jeena Yehaan, marna Yehaan iske siwa jaana   Kahaa….

C..H..E..E..R..S !!  for fun         &       BEST OF LUCK for life

The crooked postman, delivering those letters understood weakness of the lady and offered to read the same for her. He even called himself very knowledgeable in every respect. Every time he came to her house to deliver letter, he would open the same and read for her. The reading style of the postman was so impressive that lady used to get immersed in thoughts that it was her husband who was conversing with her and not the postman; only a reader.

The postman got involved in other affairs of her house and came to know all ins-outs. He would demand money from her on one pretext or another. One day, though inadvertently but in emotional thoughts of her husband, she got entangled with the postman; lost her self-respect, dignity and respect in the eyes of society as it all became talk of the town.

It is not a story of an uneducated lady but of many innocents; daily published in Newspapers…..

2 days back a Sikh from Ludhiana Punjab who had sheltered a Baba at home was searching for his daughters with help of police as one Baba lured his daughters and they were untraceable. Yesterday, another so called Maharishi was caught running a “Sex-racket” in disguise of a Sant. These were crooks were not even postmen; pretending to be postmen of God, taken by victims as Fathers/Husbands/Protectors/True-Preachers.

Let us conclude in simple words. We all are blessed with Guru Granth Sahib, Ramayan, Quran and all religious books not only to follow our faiths but to also learn to lead a life that is worth living. We are educated and don’t require postmen to read message of our God; Husband/Father. In the first place, some of us may find it difficult to understand but when in practice, we learn all and even there are translated versions in every language with full meanings so why we require postmen.

There are several selfless orators worth their salt who teach all meaning of God’s messages in public and religious places but they don’t call themselves Babas. We are educated enough to identify them, if we must need an orator.

Though it is the duty of all religionists to create awareness against such Babas/crooks so there are no further victims but we Sikhs are more duty-bound for this cause as most of them carry free-flowing beards; identical to Sikhism.

One day …..

“These youngsters won’t listen at all.” ”YEH AAJKAL KE LADHKE KISI KI NAHI SUNTE” A man in 60s was shouting on a boy in mid 20s sitting on the seat. In fact, it happened like this that the person had asked the boy; his ears plugged with wire-phone, to vacate seat for a standing lady and the boy did not respond as he was busy with chatting on cell. When the boy, who seemed coming from a good family background realised the situation, he got up and vacated seat for lady.

In spite of the boy reacting positively to the situation; though late, the old man did not stop and started accusing Gen Y, non-stop for its arrogance at least for at least 5 minutes. May be he had some sore personal experiences with a family member and found this as an opportunity to vent out all. In fact, he sent all present there smiling for his foolishness and the boy stood amazed.

Suddenly another man got up at the defence of boy and shouted at the 1^st man “You are wrong. This generation is doing very good, what you and me did was nothing but made only children and the salaries on which we retired are the salaries they are getting at starting. They are innovative, ambitious and doing what we could never even thought of.” He kept on saying all in praise for Gen Y for 10 minutes and the 1^st person stood just lame. Metro was at my destination and with smiles, I de-boarded.

Questions remained in my mind and are there in every family in our country. Fact is that our children to whom we have exposed to competitions and big ambitions of Global standards are like shot-arrows aiming for new and higher goals. They would stand with us in thick n thin but may not be in a position to be always with us or respond us as we did to our elders. They are like runners who may respond only to cries but not the usual chirps. Expecting them to react the way we, while just walking, reacted to our elders or situations is foolishness.

This is transformation of a generation who have gone too busy to care for the things we used to care and when we already have spend our fortune on them to make them learn all new; acceptable Globally, then why interrupt or distract them with our outdated local ideas.

This is also a fact that there are lot of changes in behaviour of children due to changed social-economic and working scenario and it would further change as we are just at the starting process of transformation on Global standards. We must accept all that heartedly as there is no U-turn now and even there should not be as we ourselves always loved to grow and see our children doing the good things that we did not do; for whatever reasons.

There would be tremendous changes in future as the 1^st lessons of primary studies are changing. It is from “Daily morning touch the feet of your parents as they are like God-figures” to “Don’t forget to wish/send card to your parents on Parents day, as they make you happen”

At present, we are just Mid-way of this transformation process. We must accept all the outcomes; sweet and sour, heartedly. Progress must take its toll, if any.

This post is with Best Wishes to Gen Y; Our future.

She used to hang around me all the times since early years. In fact, that was a period when my Dad was building his business though he also spent a lot of time with us. She tried my patience or to be precise I must say she build it otherwise being only son of my parents, I was a brat. It all started when she was just 2 years old; I used to stand in front of almirah, sometimes for half an hour as the princess of our house used to select her frocks for the day and I was just a help.

I recall that when in school, she was called very prudent & was favorite of every Mam at school. She would raise her hands for everything; school charts or anything not related to regular academics as she knew that at home she had an obedient pet that would not say no to her for extra work; deliberately procured by her from school to prove her efficiency. It is pertinent that in my school time, I used to get all such works; that were only extremely necessary, done by other students.

One day, when she was 10 years old, as a friend opted not to go for a movie, she joined us to cover extra ticket and for next one week she told me the story of the movie at least 20 times. Afterward she would peek into my conversations with friends to know which next movie was and in most of occasions she was part of the party. Whenever, she was scolded by Mom for childish acts she would sit dumb to weep later, only when she heard sound of my bike because she knew that her savior had arrived and even Mom can’t say anything.

It was in the year 1990, as the family was preparing for her marriage, another girl; my daughter came in the family and was again nick-named with letter “S” as Silky. My 1st daughter like figure is a teacher and would feed me stories of naughty children at her school. The new “S” listens also all.

The new “S” girl; my daughter again proved to be a Daddy’s girl. I recall that when she was quite young as after coming from office, I used to go to washroom, she always stood out like a guard. She would come to drawing room even if I was busy with someone, to take my lap. She would jealously look at guests as they were invading her conquered territory; while talking to me. She took me as a fully owned company with no follow-ups or checks of auditors; do whatever she likes. I took many meals of my life with her in my lap.

When she was 5 years old, one day as I was relaxing on sofa in drawing room, reading a periodical, she came with a comb, opened my tied hair and made a pony tail. As I had gone habitual of not disturbing her, it was free for her. Later, as some unexpected guests entered home, realizing my state, I had to run to my bed-room as my hair were woven as pony-tail with ends tied with a red ribbon and lot of clips on my head. In fact, I never scolded her for anything. It was just free as she pleased. She always takes liberties even as of now.

As my daughter is nearing 20 years of age and my unmarried son is 25, I don’t know what’s in store for me by destiny but still I foresee as a wish; a little girl entering my home as my grand-daughter; as my daughter Silky gets marry.

If Waheguru allows, for me it may be like living in role of a Dad for decades; say 6 or 7 when a 3^rd girl grow in our house around me; looking a father figure in me.. Till date for last over 4 decades, I really enjoyed this revered experience as a figure of Dad; most favorite and obedient pet of any daughter.

It hardly makes any difference if it is an elder brother, Dad or Grand-Dad; raising a girl-child at home and seeing her grow with tenderness is an heavenly experience; beyond imagination.

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart and in due course a father willingly remains a high-class hostage for his whole life.

Recalling the day; it was Hawan ceremony at a friend’s plot in the morning as he was about to start construction of his house. He asked me to arrange for some tents and catering; which I did. I decided to go late so to reach there at lunch time; after all religious ceremonies were over but as I reach at the spot, the Hawan was on last stage. Respected father of my friend on seeing me signaled me to sit on Durries. The Pundit ji, who had come to put Tilak on foreheads and tie Mouli on wrists of all present, also came to me but as I did not give my nod and folded my hands, he left with a smile on his face to the next person and nobody noticed.

After the ceremonies as we were waiting for lunch, as said above, the little girl seeing me without Tilak thought that Pundit ji forgot to put Tilak on my forehead and contempt toward respect of an esteemed guest had been committed by him so she cried……..

It was bit embarrassing for me, my hosts and Pundit ji too. I took my courage and smilingly said “Soldiers are put Tilak only when going for war” There were smiles on every face & it settled as respected father of my friend understood all and to further ease the situation, he praised me in the gathering as it was me who facilitated most of the arrangements for the Hawan ceremony and was always available to them whenever called for. He also recalled how during partition in 1947, members of Sikh community came to their rescue as they were attacked; while coming to India.

As said above, we Sikhs living in society are having business and personal ties with followers of other faiths so attending their religious functions; part of family ceremonies is a regular affair. For us while attending functions at Hindu’s houses there is not much problem as we live as a community; the feasts served are same and both the communities for a long time have been living like family members & also witnessing the religious affairs of each others. A lot of understanding is there among them on the religious issues.

In case of Muslims, who are staunch religionists, the care for the feelings of their guests from other religions is also there on their part. I have attended Muslim’s weddings; not their religious ceremonies but again for business obligations only, the feasts where they arrange for separate; kitchens, cooks, vegetarian foods and even a separate eating place for guests of other communities.

I would like to share another incident to explain, how the situation could turn out to be so weird, when one starts following parts of other’s religion along with one’s own; It leads only to confusions as the same is neither possible nor practical.

A Sindhi family, that was regularly doing Sewa at a local Gurudwara adjacent to their house in Delhi; planned to have Mundan (Hair-cutting) ceremony of their child and in the process gave address of Gurdwara on invitation cards. In fact, they had only asked management if they could serve Langar in Gurudwara. It turned out to be such a fussy situation for all involved as reservations cropped-up even on the issue of Ardaas in Gurudwara for the Mundan ceremony. Nobody could doubt integrity of the Sindhi family as they had all respect for Gurudwara as it was just done being unaware. Later on it was resolved that Sindhi family will have all their religious ceremonies outside Gurudwara in the lane and they were allowed to hold the Lunch/Langar in the Hall of Gurudwara Sahib.

While concluding, I wish to recall that the basic concept of Sikhism is that it was not formed against any religion, caste or creed. The basic idea was to protect & strengthen masses and take them out of the shell of “Darkness of un-required and weakening rituals”; they were trapped in. The martyrdom of our Ninth Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji is exemplary as it was for the sake of Tilak and Janju of Brahmins, though he never wore one. It is also pertinent to recall that Sikh warriors attacking cities of enemies never deserted any temple or mosque.

It really aches when I see my co-religionists following rituals of other communities; against testaments of Sikhism. Our generous nature may prompt us to do several things to please others but that does not mean we blindly start following others. In simple words; “Respecting one’s uncles is good thing but blindly following him as replacing name of one’s father with him on profile of life is like abusing one’s own mother.” No self-respected person in the world would love to do that. Lucky ones as we Sikhs are whose great father; our Tenth master; Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, sacrificed all for others should never do so by blindly following rituals of other religions, contradictory to teachings of our own Gurus; even in dreams.

I have tried my best to say from the core of my heart without prejudice toward anyone. I hope that valuable inputs from all others would further clarify the subject.