Revisiting the Cherished Memories of Stockholm

Revisiting the Cherished Memories of Stockholm

I am in Stockholm (Sweden) to be with Anju and Naresh and family (Pallavi and Arvind). My daughter, Vaishali also joined us from Canada with her two daughters, Komal and Tania. We

celebrated Xmas and New Year at the family reunion. Today, January 13, is the Punjabi festival of Lohri which we are celebrating with traditional fun and frolic at home in the cold  weather. 

Starting from Xmas to this day of Lohri, I have been revisiting the cherished memories of Stockholm meeting old friends and making new friends in the process. We picked up new relations with the family of Maclina and Sanjay Loyal, parents of Sonali.  Sonali and my grand-son, Arvind have been  steady with each other and we approved and cemented the relationship at a solemn ceremony of Roka (Pre-engagement bond) on January 28. We hosted the Loyal family on New Year Eve, December 31 at our home in Marsta to usher into the New Year with hope and promise.  Though I advised Anju and Naresh not to crowd my schedule with too many outings in view of the cold and snowy weather, our friends around are good enough to do what they intended to do to nurture the bonds of friendship. Thanks for the kind gestures of togetherness by our new and old connections. We enjoyed - a delicious Mexican dinner at cosy apartment of Sumitra Behn and Vinod Patel in Marsta, a sumptuous Chinese dinner by Damini and Naresh Lakhwani at the Bamboo Garden in the down-town Stockholm, a homely dinner at the home of Monica Loyal, Aunty (Massi and Chachi) of Sonali, a delicious home cooked Chinese meal at the spacious Mansion of Silky and Gautam, a homely dinner at the home of Neelu and Anil Narula, our old friends of yesteryears.  

Some of these social engagements provided us an opportunity to revisit our cherished memories and association. Among the new connections,  a sophisticated and God fearing people like us, Loyals became our extended family. God bless Sonali and Arvind, the future of our family. At the dinner with Silky and

Gautam, we met yet another promising young couple, Ami and Sashvat, siblings of our old friends, Anju and Sunil Bruta and our old acquaintances, Swapna and Budhdev Sharma. While Ami and Sashvat are highly placed in their respective careers; Ami, a practising Doctor of Psychology and Sashvat, an IT Consultant with a company of his own; Silky is a Marketing Executive with a renowned Corporate House and Gautam is a perspective Banker and Financial Consultant. It was gratifying to know. I found Anju and Sunil Brutas as vivacious and vibrant human beings as they were in the good old days. Anju regaled us with her poetic skills acquired from her family genes, I believe. I recall an Urdu  Sher (couplet) which she shared with us 

Yaar Mat Peena Masjid Mein Baith Ke;

Ek Hi Bottle Hai, Kahin Khuda Hi Na Mang Le.

Among the new picks, we bumped into the young member of the diplomatic fraternity of India, to which I also proudly belonged, First Secretary of the Indian Embassy, Rakesh Tiwari and his gracious wife Shobna at the homely dinner

hosted by our old buddies, Neelu and Anil Narula. A young diplomat, Rakesh Tiwari is holding the Fort, in the absence of Ambassador, as the Charge d’ Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Stockholm. I found Rakesh a well groomed diplomatic colleague with a bright future in the fast evolving diplomatic space of India In the world at large.  It was a real pleasure to meet and interact with our old friends, Rita and Arun Chopra in the process. 

More is still to come in the coming days as I see my schedule with Anju pasted on the fridge in the kitchen. With this, I close this brief blog, my hobby, with all the best wishes on the traditional festival of LOHRI -

Sab Nu Lohri Di Badhai Hove

Khushi Dooni Te Sabai Hove

Postscript:-

Lohri turned out to be all the more enjoyable with the impromptu joining of Sonali and her parents, Maclina and Sanjay Loyal with traditional Goodies like Moongfally, Rewadis and Sweets to celebrate the festival and greet each other. Thanks, let the spirit of Lohri - Well-being for all prevail.

Welcome 2025 - A view from Stockholm

Welcome 2025 - A view from Stockholm

We ushered into the New Year, 2025 today, 1st January - a cold day with mercury at -7 degree celsius with snow at Marsta, outskirts of Stockholm. The day started slowly and calmly, we got up late. We hosted the New Year Eve bash at home with Sonali (Avi’s sweetheart) and her family, our new relations in Stockholm. It was a wonderful evening. 

Anju and Vaishali thoughtfully set the Menu of food supported by Naresh, Pallavi and Arvind to add the right Spirits, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. After a session of Welcome Drinks and Snacks, a stint of Song and Dance on the selected

popular numbers was conducted by Pallu and Avi followed by Game of Bingo, as it is said to drive away the bad spirits, was played. As the evening headed towards the D-line to usher into the New Year, 2025, we relished a tasty Indian meal. The clock struck 12, all of us felt happy and kissed and hugged to wish each other all the best in the days to come. I raised the toast to wish everyone Happy New Year with a poetic narration - 

Na koī rañj kā lamha kisī ke paas aa.e

Khudā kare ki nayā saal sab ko raas aa.e

Fun and frolic-filled evening was really entertaining and enjoyable. 

It was already snowing heavily. All were happy as this year, there was no snow in Stockholm on the Xmas. People generally like ‘White Xmas’ in Sweden. We moved out for the

finale to the celebrations - with a bottle of Old Monk Rum especially carried by Jimmy from Jalandhar for the occasion and Sparklers (Phool Jhadis) and Chinese Lanterns.  Naresh arranged the Lanterns to take the blessings of our ancestors in the Heavens in terms of Chinese belief and thought. It is said that the lanterns are symbols of fortune and good luck.

Incidentally, 1st of January is the birthday of my wife, Vidya who left us about a year ago in December,2023. Obviously, her cherished memories became alive at the back of my mind. We

celebrated many New Year Eves in Stockholm together in the course of our diplomatic stay in Sweden and joining my family even after retirement. 

Aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair

Jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere

REVISITING SWEDEN - 2024

REVISITING SWEDEN - 2024

I am on a revisit to Sweden to be with my son, Nareh and his family. It happened to be a family reunion. Vivek (Jimmy) , brother of Anju, my daughter-in-law, escorted me to Stockholm on December 23 from Jalandhar to IGI Airport by taxi to catch the Swiss flight to Stockholm via Zurich on December 24. It was a pleasant experience. Jimmy was extra careful and

caring to help me at each step from Punjab to Sweden. Naresh and Arvind (Abi), my grand-son received us at Arlanda airport. My daughter, Vaishali and her two daughters, Komal and Tania joined us from Canada later in the same evening. They were received by Arvind and my grand-daughter, Pallavi. It was a happy reunion at a picturesque home of Anju and Naresh in the greens of Marsta in the outskirts of Stockholm. Anju treated us with her usual culinary skills with Indian and Swedish dishes to celebrate the Xmas Eve in style. We all had a relaxed day on December 25 to recover from the jet-lag of the long journeys.

As a natural corollary of their social life in Stockholm, Anju and Naresh are doing well in integrating with the society. On December 26, we all went to the sprawling villa of Sanjay Loyal in Sollentuna for a family dinner. The occasion had an

emotional social touch. It was a family get together of two families which were set to cement their bonds of social status. My grandson, Arvind Ryan and Sanjay Emmenual‘s daughter Sonali Sharon, friends and schoolmates from their childhood, have been falling for each other for a few years. Thoughtfully, their parents decided to recognise and accept their relationship socially and bless them. It was an introductory family dinner for me, Vaishali and her two daughters, Komal and Tania. Jimmy had already met the Loyal family during her earlier visits to Stockholm. I found Sonali a beautiful and vibrant young lady with a definite streak of well-grooming. Her parents Meclina and Sanjay were a socially alive and dignified couple. They were totally reverential and respectful to me. I enjoyed this emotionally filled evening with a sense of contentment. Both the families agreed to formalise the relationship on December 28 at the residence of the Loyals with a brief and solemn ceremony of Roka (pre-engagement ritual). 

December 27 was an exciting day to prepare for the big day in the life of Sonali and Arvind. In the evening of December 28, we reached the cozy home of our hosts who welcomed us with traditional sounds of Dhol-Dhamaka and Bhangra (Music and Dance). This traditional Punjabi touch to the occasion overwhelmed us. The Roka ceremony was performed by

invoking the Heavenly Blessings of God with the recital of spiritual prayers and invocation of Verses from The Bible (With reference to Love) by the parents of Sonali. We reciprocated with prayers and invoked Gurbani - Anju expressed her gratefulness to God for giving us Sonali by very thoughtfully reciting a Verse from the Gurbani; Jo Mange Thakur Apne Te Soi Soi Deve. Congratulating both the families, I quoted from the Gurbani to avail of and join the emotions of the families: Jad Satgur Hon Dayal Tan Har Rang Maniye; Jad Satgur Hon Dayal Tan Sharda Puriye. Naresh was equally charged with emotion and said, “Now, instead of one, I have two daughters; Pallavi and Sonali”. It was a fun-filled evening with friendly vibes and spread of excellent food and superb hospitality. God bless Sonali and Arvind.

We were in for a pleasant change to the Mexican treat at the cozy home of Sumitra and Vinod Patel, family friends of my son, Naresh in Marsta itself, on December 29. I found both

Sumitra and Vinod excellent hosts with good talk and tenor. We started with Champagne and traditional Gujrati Dahi Bhalla and Kichodis.  Sumitra and Vinod served excellent home cooked Mexican food with the right spirits. Thanks Sumitra and Vinod.

In the run up to the close of the year 2024, Anju and Vaishali remained busy in preparing for the year-end party at home  on December 31; The New Year Eve to usher into 2025 with prayers and wishes for further peace and prosperity in the days to come. Sonali with her parents and extended family are

invited to join us at the New Year Eve. We are looking forward to meeting our new relations to say GoodBye to 2024 and usher into 2025 with hope and aspirations. It is my last blog of the year. Life goes on; Let us hope for the best in the years to come.

खुदा जाने यह दुनिया गाहे नाज़ है किसकी;

हज़ारों उठ गए मगर वही ही रौनक है महफ़िल। 

(God knows whose pride this world is;

Thousands have left but the same splendor remains in the gathering)

Happy New Year

 

PM Manmohan Singh - A Greatman

 PM Manmohan Singh - A Greatman 

PM Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26 at the ripe age of 92. One of the highly acclaimed academic and intellectual bureaucrat and politician of contemporary India. I saw him often in the PMO corridors in the mid-1970s as an Economic Expert and Advisor to the GOI and PM Indira Gandhi; a simple and humble personality but highly respected in the higher echelons of power. 

In the wake of economic difficulties in India, PM PV Narsimha Rao picked Manmohan Singh, the troubleshooter Finance Minister to address the ills of the economy of India in 1991. He rose to the occasion and became the Economic Reformist FM of India with new liberalised economic policies with considerable success. It  paved the way for his career  as an Economist and Sauve Politician. He became the PM of India by his own right in 2004 and served the country for 10 years with total dedication and dignity. 

I thought of writing this small piece to register my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of the worthy son of India. I am on a personal visit to Stockholm (Sweden) and with the demise of PM Manmohan Singh, a vivid memory of him and his Economic Reforms introduced in 1991 came to the fore. I was posted as First Secretary dealing with  Economic and Commercial matters in the Embassy of India in Stockholm. In the wake of new liberalized economic policies of FM Manmohan Singh, Swedish Trade Council invited me for a briefing and interaction on the new policies. After my brief opening remarks, there was a full-fledged interactive session. The President of the Swedish Trade Council, posed a question whether, in view of the fact that the current Government was a minority government, these policies would stand the test of time or these would be short lived and changed with the change of government. It was a difficult question in the given situation. I responded that what I understood, not as an economic expert but as a diplomat, was that it was not a temporary measure of a government but a gradual process of evolution of policies. These economic reforms to integrate the Indian economy with that of the world with liberalization and transparency would be the national agenda in the days to come. With the change of men at the helm, there may be some deviation from the route but the end destination would remain the same. My audience appreciated my submissions. After a year or so the then Minister of Industry, P.J. Kurien visited Stockholm as the

Co-chairman of the India-Sweden Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Matters. The Swedish Trade Council hosted a meeting under the aegis of India-Sweden Joint Business Council in the presence of the Indian Minister and his Swedish counterpart. While speaking at the meeting, the President of the Swedish Trade Council said, pointing towards me sitting in front row of the audience, “Here sits the man who told us some months ago that Indian reformed policies were the National agenda of the country. Now we fully believe and appreciate that. I thought of narrating this small thing as my humble tribute to the memory of PM Manmohan Singh, the architect of Indian economic reform to keep India on the rails. 

My heartfelt condolences on his demise. Rest in Peace, Sir.

Inter-active Career Counseling at Government Schools in Rural Jalandhar

 

Inter-active Career Counseling at Government Schools in Rural Jalandhar

It is said the fragrance of good things spread around automatically. I experienced this instantly. On invitation, I met and spoke to the young students of Ryan International School on November 6 at an Inter-active Session and wrote about this pleasant experience in my blog which may be accessed at:

https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2024/11/interactive-session-with-young-students.html

On November 7, I got an unexpected call from one of my acquaintances, Asha Rani, a Lecturer at Government Girls Senior Secondary School of the Village Sarinh in Nakodar (Jalandhar). She wanted to come and meet me with regard to an important educational activity. I agreed to receive her. I was surprised to listen from her that

she was hosting an Inter-active Mass Career Counseling for the three Government Senior Secondary Schools for the young students of 10+2 of the area on November 8, the next day and invited me to the School Event as a lead Speaker. There was hardly any time and I tended to politely decline the invitation. Asha and her husband Sandeep felt dejected but while, appreciating my constraints, said that it was not their fault but that of the chaotic system and added that they had received the formal permission to hold the Mass Career Counseling Session from Chandigarh only today and if they don’t avail of the opportunity, the students would suffer without any fault on their side. Not standing on ceremonies, I accepted and agreed to join them for the benefit of students.

Asha Rani picked me up and drove to the School at Sarinh in the morning of November 8 passing through the village roads, partly pot-holed and partly newly resurfaced. I may say that Sarinh is a kind of ‘Model Village’ in the area. The School, with more than 125 students (Girls), is located and situated in a fairly good building in

the lush green environment. The premises were neat and clean. It was gratifying to note. The School In-charge, Prof. Kanwaljit Singh (in the absence of regular Principal) received us in his modest office. He said while we take tea, the students from other Schools would come and join their host counterparts. I found him slightly ill at ease and rightly so. He was truthful in sharing the real reason for his discomfort. He told that the nominated official to over-see such activities in the DC’s office in Jalandhar had telephoned to say that they would come and join the Counseling Session in the afternoon and directed the School to arrange attendance of 300 students. Obviously, it made no sense. It seemed that they were not interested in the purpose of the Counseling Session meant for the advantage of students but in making a good report on paper for their bosses and make picnic with some of their collaborators from various educational groups and other concerned offices as usual. Prof. Kanwaljit Singh informed them that the Guest Speaker, Ambassador Ramesh Chander, that is

me, was already on the way and they would start the Counseling Session at around 12 noon and requested them to come accordingly, if possible otherwise they can come in the afternoon and do their work. Our informal chit-chat was an eye opener for me with regard to the state of affairs of our educational set and its functioning.  Frankly, I was surprised to get this disturbing information. I may write about this to the concerned authorities appropriately, in due course.

Coming to the Mass Counseling Session, I can say with a sense of satisfaction that in spite of the fact that it was arranged in a hurry yet it was a well-arranged event with an attentive audience of about 50 young participants from the three government schools in the rural area. I was all the more happy to see that it was conducted by the

Coordinator of the Career Counseling chapter of the School, Asha Rani and Teacher- In-charge, Prof Kanwaljit Singh without any fan-fair and without any monetary inputs made by the so called ‘Educational Administrators’ sitting in their cozy offices. All of a sudden, many aspects of our much neglected ‘Educational Edifice’, cress-crossed my mind particularly with regard to the rural governmental schools which generally hosted students belonging the weaker sections of the society. It would only be good, if this question troubled all of us.

Giving my humble social background, I briefed the young audience about my chequred diplomatic career. I tried to make them at ease by saying that I was there not to lecture them but to talk to them informally as one of them. I said that there was no need to talk big

and in a lighter vein quoted a famous saying about diplomats, “a diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing’ and as such would not say much. Before coming to the crux of Career aspects, I advised the young boys and girls in their formative years that the first Mantra to succeed in life was ‘Get Organized’ both at home and in school – listen to your teachers and parents with a sense of belonging and the second was to ‘Be Aware’ of what was happening around. I added that follow the dictum “Take care of small things and big things will take of you.” – read newspapers and listen to news, read and write beyond the bookish syllabus. I gave an over-view of the career choices and said that to my mind, the first consideration should be to get ready and trained to earn ‘bread and butter’ with dignity. The other things would follow. Starting from the supportive services of Clerks, Data Assistants, Police, Agniveers etc. conducted by Staff Selection Commissions after dong 10+2, I briefly touched the State Services like PCS and Allied Services conducted by the State Service Commissions and the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC for recruitment to coveted careers in IAS, IFS, IPS and other Allied Services. I specially mentioned about the Commissioned and Gazetted positions in the Armed Forces and Para-Military and Security Forces under the banner of CDS, NDA etc.  I was under the impression that most of the things were going over their heads but subsequent inter-action with the young audience turned to be satisfying.

During my inter-action both with the students and the teachers, I felt that non-availability of Science, Medical, Engineering, IT streams and the socio-economic background of the majority of the students in the rural schools was a matter of concern and worry not only to the

students and parents but also to the teachers which might become a cause of ‘Inferiority Complex’ among the students. While appreciating their concern and thinking in this regard, I tried to down-play the issue and added that the job opportunities were wide open to the young school or college Graduates with the subjects in the Humanities (Arts). What would matter and be counted at the end will be ‘Hard Work’ which would fructify into realizing the dreams and fulfilling the aspirations.

I concluded with a Urdu couplet of Allma Iqbal to wish the young boys and girls all the very best in the years to come:

·       Mere allah! burai se bachana mujh ko
nek jo rah ho us rah pe chalana mujh ko

·      Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri
zindagi shama ki surat ho KHudaya meri!

 

 

Interactive Session with Young Students – Ryan International School Jalandhar

 

Interactive Session with Young Students – Ryan International School Jalandhar

In the process of my routine activities to meet and interact with young school children in and around Jalandhar, on an invitation, I visited Ryan International School on November 5 for an Interactive Session with the students of 6^th Grade onwards. There are two

schools of the Ryan Group in Jalandhar; One is located in down-town at Chotti-Baradari and the Second on the out-skirts of Jalandhar near Tajpur (Wonderland Resorts) at Ambedkar Marg (Nakodar Road). The School at Tajpur is spread over many acres of land with an impressive building having all facilities and amenities for good schooling with a futuristic approach in an environment friendly landscape without any hustle and bugle of urbanized life. It was gratifying to visit and see the school where my two grand-daughters; Suhani and Rupal are also studying.

My daughter-in-law, Sulekha accompanied me to the School. We were received by Headmistress of the School, Puja Puri and inducted to her office. Over a hot cup of coffee, we exchanged pleasantries and primary thoughts to know each other a bit more. I found Puja Puri was a simple and dignified educational administrator and a professional academic. I asked Puja ji whether they expected me to

speak on a specific theme. She said that it has been purposely kept as a free-wheeling interaction to motivate the young students. Headmistress Puri led us to the Conference Room on the first floor of the school building through an efficient lift opening in the ‘Corridor of Educational Excellence’ thoughtfully inscribed with the Biblical dictums of ‘Moral and Spiritual Values’ for the benefit of the young students.

The Inter-active Session started with a right note of ‘Prayer to God’ by the well-groomed young Anchor, Atishi with a brief introduction of the Guest that is me, in a businesslike manner. Headmistress, without any speech, welcomed and presented the School Memento and a potted Money Plant to me, a good environmental and green gesture and handed over the mike to me. Thanking the hosts, I started by saying that I was there not to make any speech but to

speak and interact with young students with a view to learn from each other. I informed them that I generally tend to grab such occasions with some selfish intend – such opportunities help me in charging my own batteries by mingling and interacting with the young children around. In the process, I felt that my young audience was comfortable and at ease. It made my job easy. Referring to my career in diplomacy, I gave an overview of a Diplomat/Ambassador and his work, informed them about the Civil Services Examination to join IAS/IFS/IPS and other Services and the role of UPSC in this process. Coming to the schooling and studies, I referred to the Motto of Ryan Group of Schools as stipulated in their Website – KASSM Approach; Knowledge, Attitude, Skill, Social Values and Moral Values and said that it explained all. I advised them that with this Approach, you

need not run after big things and added that you simply take care of small things and big things will take care of you. Referring to the social and moral values, I said that these were more important than bookish knowledge. The big Mantra to succeed in life is to ‘Listen and respect your parents at home and teachers in school’. I spoke about simple and routine aspects of daily life. I felt children were fully attentive and involved. It resulted in a good inter-active exercise with several and diversified questions and remarks by the students – on Diplomacy and IFS, Civil Services, Moral Values, Development and prosperity of India and challenges ahead. With a sense of satisfaction about the interaction, I said that India, a large country with big problems, was on rails. It has come a long way but still we are to go a long way. One of the questions from a student about knowledge and morality really impressed me. It prompted me to invoke our fore-fathers. I asked the audience as to who was the father of our constitution? The spontaneous answer, obviously, was Dr. Ambedkar. On this, I informed them of the assertions of Babasaheb Ambedkar on the subject which I quote here for the benefit of my readers as these were as relevant before as these are today, “If I may use the words of Buddha he said that man requires two things; one is ‘Gyan’ and the other is ‘Sheel’. Gyan without Sheel is very dangerous. It must be accompanied by Sheel by which we mean; character, moral courage, ability to be independent of any kind of temptation, truthful to ones ideals.”

I purposely wrote this blog in a bit detail as I promised to my young audience that I will write and share with them. The other reason for this working at the back of my mind is to initiate and motivate children to write their day to day experiences.

 

 

 

October 27, 1951 – Ambedkar Visited Bootan Mandi Jalandhar

The Ambedkarites living in and around Bootan Mandi at Jalandhar commemorated the historic visit of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on October 27 at Ambedkar Bhawan situated at Dr. Ambedkar Marg

(Nakodar Road) where the iconic, Babasaheb addressed a mammoth public rally on October 27, 1951. It is a matter of great pride for us that we the BootanMandians hosted that visit led by our forefathers namely; Seth Kishan Dass, Seth Sunder Dass among others and the youth of that time which included K.C. Sulekh, Pritam Ramdasspuri, Kartara Ram Madhas, inter alia.

I happily joined the function at the Bhawan thoughtfully arranged by Ambedkar Bhawan Trust to commemorate the visit of our icon, Babasaheb. On the occasion, a Free Medical Camp for the benefit and advantage of the residents of the area was arranged with the help of professionally qualified doctors and Medicos led by Dr. Charanjit Singh.  The Chief Guest of the solemn function was a staunch and scholarly Ambedkarite, Dr. Surinder Ajnat. Speaking on the

occasion, Secretary of the Trust, Dr. Gian Kaul gave a brief resume of the visit of Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1951 and a thought provoking address he delivered at the huge public meeting. Dr. Ajnat paid handsome tributes to Babasaheb and recalled his immense contribution to make India a land of democracy in spite of all odds in doing so. President of the Trust, Sohan Lal thanked the guests and the attentive audience and also the Medical Team for joining them in commemorating the historic visit of the Leader. The high-light of the function was the release of the ‘Citation of Honour – Maan Patra’ read by K.C. Sulekh the then General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Caste Federation from the podium of the function on October 27, 1951. It is a rare and historical document. It is a matter

of gratification to know that this document was thoughtfully obtained and preserved by one of my close friends, Ram Lal Dass. At such occasions, Chief Editor of the Desh Doaba and the Ambedkar Times of the US, Prem Chumber always and as usual remain handy to help. Prem Chumber very kindly and thoughtfully got the Citation transcribed into Punjabi and translated into English and published it in his esteemed papers, the mouth-pieces of the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Babu Manguram Mugowalia of the Ad-dharam Mandal. Ambedkar Bhawan Trust with the help its fully involved and dedicated volunteer,  Finance Secretary of the Trust, Baldev Bhardwaj got the Citation of Honour printed and framed and and presented to the Hon’ble Guests and the Doctors who conducted the Free Medical Camp. I take this opportunity to thank K.C. Sulekh Sahib, Ram Lal Dass, Prem Chumber and Ambedkar Bhawan Trust for doing their part in preserving and protecting the history. I am reminded of the poem of Gurdass Ram Alam which he recited at the Public Rally in the presence of Babasaheb on October 27, 1951:

ਬੜਾ ਸ਼ੋਰ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਗਰੀਬ ਦੇ ਡੇਰੇ; ਇਹ ਅਜ ਕੌਣ ਆਯਾ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਸਵੇਰੇ,

ਲੱਖਾਂ ਲੋਗ ਜੁੜ ਬੈਠੇ; ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਚੁਫੇਰੇ; ਅਜ ਕੌਣ ਆਯਾ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਸਵੇਰੇ.

I close this brief narration with a bit of more information with regard to the visit of Babasaheb Ambedkar to Bootan Mandi in October, 1951. With the visit, the stretch of the Highway – Dr. Ambedkar Marg – Nakodar Road has become ‘Ambedkar Hub’ – Starting from Ambedkar Chowk to Kabir Chowk (Wadala Chowk), it entails important sites and institutions pertaining to Babasaheb namely; The Head-office of the Bheem Patrika (Office and Residence of its Chief Editor Lahori Ram Balley at Abadpura), Ambedkar Bhawan, Chobara of Seth Kishan Dass at Bootan Mandi where Babasaheb visited and had the Punjabi meal of Saag and Makki ki Roti, Ambedkar Municipal Park, Ambedkar Community Center at Sidharath Nagar, Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar Degree College. It goes without saying that these sites occupy an important place on the map of the City of Jalandhar.