The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 5

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 5

Memory Failed Me – Old Age Impact – Last week I wrote a blog on Indian diplomats in politics which may be accessed at:https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2025/07/diplomats-donning-robes-of-politicians.html

I missed out a couple of important personalities without any rhyme and reason. The only answer, to my mind, is that advancing age takes its tool. My senior colleague and my immediate boss in Peking (Beijing) in late 1970s, Ambassador Avinash Gupta was kind enough to point out these inadvertent omissions (later one of good friends, Sat Paul Ahir, a retired IRS also observed these slips) – Romesh Bhandari, a flamboyant but easy going diplomat who was called
‘Sheikh Bhandri’ because of his excellent rapport with the Sheikhs of the Middle East was the Foreign Secretary in late 1980s. Being the professed foster son of Krishna Menon, Bhandhari Sahib enjoyed good connection with Nehru/Gandhi clan and as such, after retirement, he became the Lt. Governor of Delhi and later Governor of UP. Secondly, M. H. Ansari, popularly known as Hamid Ansari was my boss as the COP in early 1980s. He was honoured with

Padam Shri after the NAM Submit and rose to become Vice President of India in early 2010s. I have had opportunities to work and interact with him for very important assignments and events. The best quality of Hamid Ansari which impressed me was that he never made me feel small in his presence, a loving fatherly figure. I thought of undoing my memory failure by adding this narration. Thanks Ambassador Avinash Gupta and my fellow Jalandhrite and a close family friend, IRS Sat Paul Ahir, Former Income Tax Commissioner of Uttrakhand.

Lahori Ram Balley –

Lahori Ram Balley was a son of the soil and a leader by his own right who passed away on July 6, 2023 remained a public figure of Jalandhar and beyond to reckon with. His 95^th birth anniversary was observed at a solemn function at Ambedkar Bhawan on July 20 hosted by the proud family of Balley Sahib. From the
remarks of the invited speakers, it came out clearly, as expected and deserved, that Balley Sahib earned his due status and respect in the community and the society at large by his sheer work and dedication to the mission and thought of Babasaheb Ambedkar as an intellectual – Thinker, Editor, Writer and Orator and also Politician to contend with. Balley Sahib was one of the founding fathers of Ambedkar Bhawan, a nerve center of dalit awakening in the region. He wrote more than 100 books on Babasaheb Ambedkar, his thought and legacy and also relevant subjects of concern and interest to the community and the country, besides many small fliers and small pamphlets on various issues of topical and current subjects. He distributed these at cost effective costs or even free among the public and contributed immensely in generating much needed awareness to stand and fight for Equality, Justice, Liberty and Fraternity in the country as stipulated in the Constitution of India. Balley Sahib was a much sought after speaker at political rallies of the opposition parties in and around Jalandhar as a tall leader of All India Scheduled Caste Federation and later Republican Party of India, the political outfits floated by Babasaheb Ambedkar. He was instrumental in establishing Ambedkar Bhawans and Buddha Viharas at various places in Punjab and beyond. Though Balley Sahib, as he himself professed, was an atheist yet he embraced Buddhism following his master, Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dr. Gian Kaul speaking at the birthday function clarified the notion that being a Buddhist he was against the dalit spiritual icons namely Guru Ravidass, Bhagwan Balmik, Satguru Kabir among others and said that Balley Sahib was not dogmatic but pragmatic in his approach. He always stood with the Deras and the Sants whenever and

wherever the issues pertaining to the rights of and justice to the marginalized segments came up. His politics was people centric and not ideological for the heck of it. In my brief remarks, I recalled the healthy influence of Balley Sahib’s writings in the Bheem Patrika and his public speeches and also his pleasant demeanor including impressive dress sense with Lenin cap and Fidel Castro waist coat on my own development in my formative years in Bootan Mandi, the Karam Bhoomi of Balley Sahib in Jalandhar in his early years of public life. As such, Balley Sahib was a much respected and revered personality – Badi Muskil Se Hota Hai Chaman Mein Didawar Paida.

With a view to pay a befitting tribute to Balley Sahib, Charan Sandhu, an ardent follower and aide of his, released a song track ‘Kaumi Jodha’ emotionally written by Charan Sandhu and beautifully sung by Sunny Saleem was formally released at the

function. The hosts, Balley family, gift a new book of Balley Sahib,‘Dr. Ambedkar De Mahan Karaz’ to the audience.  The worthy family of Lahori Ram Balley led by Rahul, Anand and Baldev are fully dedicated and committed to carry the caravan of Balley Sahib forward for the larger interest the community and the society at large. I take this opportunity to wish them all the best in the days to come.

Kaun Kehta Hai Ki Maut Ai To Mar Jaunga?

Mein To Darya Hoon Hun Samandar Mein Utter Jaunga.