‘Coming Together of Goddess Laxmi & Saraswati’

Normally it’s believed that Goddess of Wealth ‘Laxmi’ and Goddess of Knowledge ‘Saraswati’ do not come together.  Their blessings are seldom showered together on a person.  If it happens it’s very rare.  In other words people who are very wealthy do not have children who are good in studies and on the other hand those whose children are good in studies are seldom effluent.
One of the persons that I have come across in my life upon whom both these Goddessess were merciful was Dr. Uday Kumar Sahu.  I met him way back in 1983 at SCB Medical College, Cuttack.  He was in second year MBBS alongwith my childhood friend Dr. V.S.V. Prasad.
I had gone to Cuttack to pursue my PG in English Literature in Ravenshar College.
Instead of staying in the hostel of Ravenshaw College, wherein I was enrolled, I was fortunate to stay at Dr. Prasana Kumar Prusty’s (Proff. of Medicine at SCBMCC) house along with my classmate Shivendu Sen who was from Anantpur, Odisha.
Prasad was the most brilliant among all my school mates and college mates.  He had qualified for pursuing MBBS in the year 1982 itself.  Because of his presence in Cuttack I was permitted to do my PG in Cuttack which was around 500 Kms away from Jeypore, our native place.
As I stayed in the residence of Dr. Prusty I used to have my food in the Medical College mess, which was run by Vishwanath, instead of Ravenshaw College mess.
Shivendu Sen and me used to spend most of our second half in the medical campus. Due to this I could befriend various medicos of SCBMCC which included Dr. Uday Kumar Sahu.  He was allotted a room in the New Boys Hostel but used to be in Prasad’s room very often.
One of his paternal uncles Amar Kumar Sahu was a renowned person of Jeypore.
Uday belonged to a family involved in liquor business both Desi and Foreign in two states, i.e.,  Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.  His father had unfortunately met with an untimely death.  He could have easily joined his family business empire but he preferred to go in for doing his MBBS.  Moreover, we used to appreciate him all the more because of the fact that he had cleared the competition and had qualified for the seat in SCBMC Cuttack and had not got in through any unfair means.
His family used to live in Titlagarh.  His mother out of pure love had sent a new Contessa Car for him.  Instead of feeling happy Uday had rather felt embarrassed and had sent the car back by giving the excuse that Cuttack lanes were too narrow for a big car.  His mother had immediately sent a replacement in the form of a Fiat (small) car for him.  He already had a Bajaj Chetak, best two wheeler of those days. Instead of parking the car in the Medical Campus he preferred to keep his car in their ware house which was situated in Cuttack itself so that he could avoid embarrassment.
Uday seldom took his scooter out when we all friends used to go out.  As we all moved on our bicycles he too used to join us on a bicycle or hop on one of ours.
Once I remember he had asked Shivendu Sen and me. "How much amount do you spnd in a month?"  On being told that we were managing with about Rs. 400/- to Rs. 500/- per month, he too had tried to do so.  How many rich brats will do this ?
I can also recall the few journeys that we had taken in his Fiat car to Puri and Nua Nui beach.  He used to make us all pay for the fuel charges on contributory basis.  However, after reaching Puri he used to give us all a lavish lodging boarding facility in his family Guest House of Puri.
I had the opportunity of meeting Uday way back in December of 1994 when I had gone to Hyderabad to get trained by CIEFL and Plymouth England faculty members as ELT Resource Person of CBSE. He had not changed a bit.  He had completed his PG in Pediatrics  and was working as CMO of CDR Hospital, Hyderabad.
He still resides in Hyderabad along with his beautiful and smart wife Abhilasha and two naughty and cute teen aged boys.
Dr. Uday Sahu has proved himself to be one of the renowned Pediatrician of South India.
His family still awaits him to join their business empire but his love for the noble profession that he is in is not deterring him from his path.  May God bless him and his family and may his tribe increase.

Talent Vs Good Behaviour

A person may be exceptionally intelligent and talented but unless he is well behaved he is not accepted by the society.  Temporarily his associats may adjust with him but such people can’t build long term relations with anyone.

On the other hand a person with less intelligence and talent is liked by people around him if he has a good behavior.

Now the question which rises is, “What is good behavior ? and “What is bad behavior?”

We will have to see things at two levels, surface level and deeper level.  At surface level ‘shouting’ and ‘yelling’ at someone is bad behavior and being ‘polite’ and ‘soft’ is good behavior.  ‘Wishing’ people we meet, everyday or the known is good ‘not wishing’ them is bad.  ‘Rinsing the utensils’ in which we eat is good ‘not rinsing’ after we have finished is bad, and so on.  These are all outwardly behavior which can easily be seen and also learnt. 

A person gets recognized and liked or disliked due to his behavior which may or may not be physically visible but can be felt by others.

In this context things that matter are :

In execution of ones work. Does the person complete his tasks with efficiency or does he need to be prodded every now and then ?

Is he a facilitator of the policies of the company or an institute or acts as a hindering block in attaining the goals ?

Socially whether one is a supporter type or a back stabber ? whether one has an open mind or is a bigot ?

A person with good habits can only make a permanent impression on the minds of people and can make a permanent place in people’s heart. His high achievement can’t do so. 

Think Twice Before Entrusting Your Girls to Family Friends

Mr. Mohan is perplexed.  He is unable to decide as to how he should help a Class XI girl of his school.

Mr. Mohan is heading a very reputed educational institute of the country. His school is situated in one of the remotest parts of the country.  Inspite of its remoteness the school is known for its best board results.  Children of the school also qualify in professional exams. Mr. Mohan himself has been conferred with many Sate & National level awards.  He is one of the most popular Principals of the area.  Parents, staff and students love him.

This is the reason why Jia (name changed) had shared her problem directly with her Principal Mr. Mohan.  She had suffered a lot from having been humiliated sexually by the son of one of their family friends.  She has been going through the pain since summer break and finally decided to teach a lesson to the boy so that he won’t dare to repeat it with another girl.

Jia has been studying in the school from class Nursery onwards and is an exceptionally brilliant child.  Mr. Mohan had always felt nice to felicitate her on stage every year during various Inter House Competitions.  She is one of the best athletes of the school.

Jia with her friend had walked into her Principal’s Mohan Rao’s Chamber and requested for making a call from his landline.

It is a normal practice followed by students who have some problem to call their parents from Principal’s Chamber.

Mohan Rao gestured through his eyes that yes she can.

But instead of picking up the phone she requested him to spare some time to listen to her.  She sent her friend out and herself moved towards the chair and sat on it.

Principal said, “Yes, Jia, what’s your problem. ? Hope you are in good health.”

Jia said, “I’m fine but not so fine and want to share my personal problem with you if you have enough time.”

Principal assured her in an affectionate voice, “Yes, Jia I do have free time.  Please tell me why are you troubled ?”

Jia said, “Sir during the winter break as my parents had to go to the home town they had left me behind with one of our family friends. They have two sons, one is in Class VI in our own school and the elder one is studying in class XII in my mother’s school.

Uncle was also out of station.  Anuty slept with both of her sons and made me sleep in a separate bed room so that I can be comfortable.  From her side she tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible.  At around 3:00 am I felt someone touching me.  When I woke up completely I realized that the elder son whom I always treated as my elder brother was lying with me on the bed and was holding me down with his hand.  He had pressed his hand on my mouth lest I may shout. Initially I didn’t shout out of embarrassment and later I didn’t dare because of the awkward position we were lying. I had felt that if I had shouted Aunty and the younger son would have come and seen us in that odd position and Aunty would naturally support her son and would have blamed me for having called him to my room.  Inspite of my resistance he did what he wanted to.  I cried the whole night.  At 6:00 am I made a call to my mother and told her everything.  I got ready and as per my mother’s advice and shifted to another Aunty’s place by 7:00 am.

After three days when my parents returned we went to their home and as I had feared Aunty told, “My son was called into the room.” “Tell me Sir, if I was interested then why would I be complaining.” Principal said, “Yes, I do understand. What happened next?”

Jia said, “Now my parents want me to keep quite over the issue.  I’m ready to keep quite but the boy is troubling me.  He is going around and telling everyone in this area that he has had me.  So you can imagine how I must be feeling.  Everyone is looking at me with bad eyes.”

“Without telling my parents I had dialed 1089 to register a complain against the boy.  They provided me with a cell no. I have come to you advise as to what should I do.”

Principal, “Let me talk to your parents.”

Jia, “No Sir, they will not like the idea of me having told you this.”  My parents are planning to shift me from this place.  My point is why should I suffer because of the boy’s fault?.

I’m feeling humiliated in the eyes of my friend.  My parents are not supporting me.  Aunty is blaming me. And this boy is going around boasting about his machoness.

Principal said, “See Jia, it was not a macho act done by the boy.  Rather it was a very cowardly of him to have done so.

“It is sad but true that majority of the parents behave exactly as your parents are doing.”

“You don’t bother about what your Aunty is saying.  You know the truth and that is more than enough.”

“How are you sure that the boy is spreading information about you ?”

Jia, “I’m not sure but the other day when I had gone to the Stadium I believe there were few boys of other school who were eyeing me differently.”

Principal, “May be you are prejudiced.  Don’t worry about what people are saying.”

“It’s sad that you have gone through a bad experience I would really love to have a word with your parents in this regard.”

Jia, “No Sir, please, it’s my humble request not to talk to them.  I plead you, if I talk and complain to the no. that I have won’t they arrest him.  Will my name get revealed ?  I would love it if they act on my complain and arrest him and put him behind bars without involving me and my parents?”

Principal, “I’m afraid it’s not as easy as you are desiring,”

Jia, “Then Sir leave it.  I’m already feeling comfortable after having spoken to you.  Your support and faith in believing in me has given me lot of courage.”

Saying this she left for the class leaving behind the Principal.

Mr. Mohan is bit worried as to how to deal with such a situation. 

Parents of teenagers should be very careful. Specially parents of girls should take all precautions. They need to think a lot before entrusting the responsibility to someone to look after them during their absence. 13.7.2015

Let’s Pray to be Earnest, Hopeful & Humble!

Many have come and many have gone. 

Many will come and many will go.

The life that we live is unfathomable.

Life is a process of ups and downs.

Paupers become Kings and Kings paupers.

Strength and ego get shattered in no time.

The meek becomes the ruler.

Few get recognized and become renowned.

Few remain inconspicuous throughout their life.

There are moments that make us rejoice.

And then there are moments that make us lament too.

We rise we fall.

We cry we laugh.

We fight we love.

We take we give.

We live the worst moments of life.

We are blessed with the best moments too.

We can learn to bear the brunt.

And also learn to live in ecstasy.

Only if we learn to accept the doing of the Lord in all its earnestness and remain hopeful during difficult & sad moments and humble during good and happy moments of our life.

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

16.07.2015

Why Not be Good on All Days ?

Today is the morning assembly children of Class IV-B took up the theme of Id-Ul-Fitr and explained its relevance and importance. In their speeches they conveyed how Id-Ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan (Ramzan) in which Muslims keep fast for the whole day for 30 days.

Followers of various religions observe such fasts according to their customs.

During such times followers are also supposed to remain truthful and honest and also adopt non-violence methods.

Various countries who are at war also declare ceasefire during such days.

My point is why do we have to restrict our truthfulness, honesty, non-violence to a certain limited no. of days or a month ?

Why can’t we remain so 365 days of the year ?

How beautiful the world will turn out to be .

Let’s pray to the Lord for such blessings.

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

17.07.2015

“Religious Places Shouldn’t Make One Feel Guilty.”

One of the most common elements which we in India come across when we visit a religious place is a sense of feeling of being cheated.

Whether we visit a temple in the South or North or West or East of our country we get surrounded by the tauts who pod you to spend money to buy products related to the worship or to get across the long queries to reach the deities in lesser times.

Once we manage to cross the hurdle of these tauts another set of looters await us in the holy disguise of priests who pounch upon the visitors as an eagle catches its prey.  Their services are such that a simple God fearing person can’t but accept them. Their questions are like, “Are your parents living ?” If one says, “Yes”, they suggest “You need to go around a pole 7 times while I recite the slokas for their long life and it will cost you such and such amount.  If one says “No”, they suggest, “In that case you need to go around a pole 7 times while I recite the slokas for their souls to rest in peace and it will cost you such and such amount.  Now how can one come out of the situation.  One needs to be very rational and also strong from within to drop both the options and return from the temple without feeling guilty.  This is just one small example by which the tauts and the priests try to cheat the pilgrims.  It doesn’t just end here.  While we try to leave the temple one has to again cross long line of beggars who will really make you feel bad if you leave without giving them the alms.

When one, however, visits a Sikh Temple which is called Gurudwara (Master’s Door) the experience is totally different.  One never comes across any tauts outside trying to prod the visitors to buy any stuff from them for being offered inside as part of any worship.

Once inside the premises there are no queues to be followed or lines to be crossed on payments.  Ones prayers are not dependent on having any priest as a mediator. Everyone is entitled to pray directly on his own.

People inside the Gurudwara are always more than eager to serve you in some way or the other.  They love to serve the visitors with holy Prasad, with langar (food), tea, snacks, drinks whatever may be the occasion.

One can either sit along and relish the serene atmosphere or join the sangad (holy congregation) and take part in the on going keertan (singing of words in the Lord’s praise).

As the organizers of Gurudwara take good care of feeling everyone including the poor one seldom sees any beggars in and around any Gurudwaras.

Note :             The article is not written to hurt any ones sentiments.  I’ve just tried to reflect my personal feelings and experience.

 16.05.2015

Be Truthful, Grateful & Empathise !

In the early 16^th century there lived a man called Bhumiyar in Dhaka which is now the capital of Bangaladesh.

Bhumiyar used to spend all his earnings in feeding the poor and the needy.  All traders used to have their food at his place, rest and move on.

Once a holy man visited Bhumiyar’s village.  He had an amazing glow around his face and people loved to be in his company and came from far and wide to hear him. Bhumiyar also went to meet him and requested him to visit his place and have food from his free kitchen.  The holy man too had heart a lot about the free kitchen which was run by the Bhumiyar. 

Before leaving for Bhumiyar’s place the holy man asked Bhumiyar, “It’s nice to know that you are feeding the poor and the needy every day and spending your full income in this charitable task.  But may I know the source of your income ?”

The question was asked so abruptly that Bhumiyar was taken aback.  Till date everyone had appreciated his noble endeavor of feeding the hungry and were in awe.  No one had dared to ask him about his source of income. 

As he was a hardcore dacoit he was in a fix regarding what to say.  The glow on the holy man’s face, who was in fact Guru Nanak himself, was of such high intensity that he couldn’t dare to speak a lie to him.  Hence, he said, “I’m a hardcore dacoit. I have been looting and even murdering the travellers since long.  Now a days of course I’m not doing this directly.  I have deployed various men to do the job for me.  However, I can assure you that 100% of the earnings is put into feeing the poor and the needy.”

Nanak said, “Bhumiyar, the food that you are providing in your house has been earned by looting and killing people.  Hence, it renders the food unsuitable for being eaten by me.”

Bhumiyar was highly aggrieved at this and still pleaded Nanak to visit his place and have food by assuring him once again that he spent all his earnings in running the free kitchen.

Nanak said, “It doesn’t matter how you spend your earnings. What matters is the process in which you have earned your wealth. Looting and killing in order to do charity is not acceptable.  Have you ever thought of the pain and anxiety that you have caused to the ones whom you and your men have looted ?  Have you ever thought of the grief that you and your men have caused to the kith and kin of those whom you and your men have killed ? In the Lord’s house charity done through hard earned money is only accepted.” Bhumiyar was pretty impressed with Nanak’s sermon and he requested him to guide him further.  He was in fact worried about the fact whether he will be forgiven by the Lord for all his wrong doings or not.

Nanak said, ”Look here Bhumiyar if you want to be forgiven by the Lord for your misdeeds and be rewarded for the charity that you are dong then try to adhere to three basic  tenets from now on :

1.     Always speak the truth.

2.     Be grateful to the one whose salt you eat and

3.     Empathise with the poor.

 After staying in Dhaka for few more days Nanak left the place. Bhumiyar went on with his charity as usual but had stopped looting and killing the poor people.  Soon he ran out of money.  In order to continue his charity he made a bold decision of robbing the king.  According to his thoughts king was rich and moreover his earnings were not entirely his own hence, he presumed God will also not mind it very much.

That evening Bhumiyar dressed himself in a royal manner and went towards the palace.

The gatekeeper asked Bhumiyar, “who are you and why do you want to go into the place ?”

By now Bhumiyar was trying his best to follow Nanak’s advice.  When the gatekeeper asked him the above question he remembered Nanak’s advice of always speaking the truth.  So he said, “I’m a thief and I want to go into the palace to steal.”

The gatekeeper was surprised to hear Bhumiyar’s reply.  He was confused as to whether he should raise alarm or allow him to go in.  The boldness with which bhumiyar had answered made him take it for granted that the man must be close to the king.  So instead of stopping him he allowed him to go inside with a sweet smile on his face.

Bhumiyar spent the whole night inside the palace.  He could make a good collection of precious gems, ornaments and other artifacts which would surely fetch him great wealth for his future charitable tasks.  He was very happy with himself. Before leaving the palace with all his loot he saw a bottle of ‘churan’ (dry mixture of various minerals and salt).  He knew the taste of the churan and couldn’t resist himself from eating it and pocketed the bottle.  But soon after having eaten churan and tasting the presence of ‘salt’ in it he realized his mistake of having eaten king’s salt.  He remembered Nanak’s second tenet, “Always be grateful to the one whose ‘salt’ you eat.” He felt all that he had so painstakingly collected in the palace itself and reached his home safely.

Next morning when the king came to know that a thief had made an unsuccessful attempt to steal the precious gems, ornaments and other artifacts of the palace he became very upset.  His men started questioning the guards.  While doing so they were intrigued to hear from the guard who narrated about Bhumiyar’s entry.  The guard was immediately put behind bars for being executed soon.  Various poor men and other peasants were arrested and beaten mercilessly by kings men in order to catch the culprit.

On hearing about the guard and other poor men and peasants sad plight Bhumiyar’s heart cried out in real pain for the first time.  He was reminded of the third tenet of Nanak, “Empathise with the poor.”  He couldn’t stop himself from confessing to the king about his attempt to steal from the palace. He immediately rushed to the palace and pleaded guilty and requested the king to spare the guard and other poor men and peasants.

Everyone was surprised at what Bhumiyar had one for this would surely have led to his execution.  The king asked Bhumiyar, “Are you not scared of confessing your crime ?  For this would lead to your death for sure.” Bhumiyar narrated about his background in detail and told the king and others about Nanak’s blessings and his teachings.  The king was highly impressed with his story and in order to set a good example he set Bhumiyar free and made proper arrangements to ensure that he would be able to run his charitable task of feeding the poor and the needy without any hindrance. Bhumiyar alongwith his friends and relatives became a true follower of Nanak and used to congregate everyday and recite Nanak’s hymns which he had taught them during his stay over there. Bhumiyar’s house was converted into a Gurudwara in Dhaka.

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

09.06.2015 1:25 pm

Harmandir Sahib : A Memorable Trip to Punjab

Trip to Punjab

May Itinerary

12^th May 2015 :

Dad and Shailendra came to drop Reena and me at Singrauli.  We had left home around 7:15 am for the train (shaktipunj) was 1 ½ hour late. It arrived around 9:15 am on PF 2. We reached Jabalpur home at about 4:30 pm.

13^th May 2015 :

Dad, Niksy, Preety, Reena and me left for Jabalpur station at 2:00 pm. Dad was able to walk from the from the auto stand till the coach comfortably. Train left in time. Sweety and Piyu joined us from Katni.  We all took early dinner and tried to sleep.

Ity also left her hostel in Lucknow with Vijayan around 8:00 pm took her dinner in Caveln and boarded her train at 11:00 pm for New Delhi.

14^th May 2015 :

We reached Nizammudin at 5:30 am. Took taxi and reached the hotel at New Delhi.  Sudhir Bhaisaab joined us by 6:45 am.  Both of us left for New Delhi station to receive Ity.  He bought the PF tickets and we went to PF no. 10 on the basis of the lady at the enquiry counter and what the sign boards were displaying while on PF 10 we saw from distance a train entering towards PF no. 1.  Sudhir ji saw the train and said Ity’s train will also be of the same colour (yellow coaches).  When we checked online status it should that the train had already arrived at 7:40 am.  There was no announcement made in this regard over PA system, we rushed towards PF 1 from PF 10. On reaching PF 1 we saw the train getting in and it must have been 8:05 am.  How they were showing that the train had already arrived by 7:040 is something we are still wondering. However we received Ity and went to the hotel.

Sarika and Tarun also joined us.  We all got ready and took breakfast.  After Sarika, Tarun and Sudheer Bhaisaab left all of us slept like logs for about 2 hours.

Left the hotel for New Delhi station at 3:30 pm to board Shatabdi from Amritsar. This time also Dad walked upto his coach.

The journey in Shatabdi was pretty good and comfortable.

Till Beas it was in time but in the last 40 mts. it got delayed.  Instead of arriving at 11:10 pm it reached Amritsar at 11:45 pm.

We took two autos and reached Guru Arjun Dev Niwas at 12:15 am.

With the kind help of Sardar Paramjeet Singhji we could manage to get two rooms in Arjun Niwas itself, which is a very difficult job.  On reaching the threshold of Arjun Niwas Dad became unwell and he threw up.  Fortunately he did so outside the Niwas near a drain.  Within minutes there was heavy thundering and rainfall because of which we didn’t have to clean.  Dad becoming unwell at the threshold of Arjun Niwas reminded us of Mom also throwing infront of Arjun Niwas booking counter while sitting on the sofa way back in 2009.  We had to do the cleaning too.  We just wondered at the strange coincidence that how both Mom & Dad had to throw at the same place and that too on arrival.

Though we had, at least I had, thought of performing the seva of cleaning the utensils but three days journey had drained out all our energy and we were compelled to sleep.

15^th May 2015 :

Left Room no. 74 & 3 and shifted to Room No. 85 because of loads and loads of pilgrims arriving into the campus.

Shifting from 2 rooms to 1 took away the first half of the day.  Went for the darbar of Shri Harmandar Sahib.

The moment one steps into the premises the feeling of divinity starts pouring faith.

Whosoever one looks at he or she looks divine.

Sikhism had followed few brave concepts right from the beginning which are very practical in life.  Sikhism doesn’t follow the concept of fasting.  Hence when one has to go to meet the Guru we follow the concept of satisfy your bodily needs and then meet the master.  We call it ‘Pehlaan pangat phir sangat’.  Pehlaan – first ; pangat – line for eating the langar (food) ; phir-then  and sangat – congregate.

There is no point of going to the master or congregating with an empty stomach.  It will be a futile exercise for our mind will remain inclined towards the food.  Hence keeping this in mind we first went towards the langar halls to eat the food.

Among the manmade wonders of the world I strongly feel that what is happening or rather has been happening for centuries at this place will take the top position.  Feeding the pilgrims, non-stop , 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  And each day (24 hours) feeding people from 1 to 2.5 lakh in number.  The whole process is so swift and clean and efficient that one finds it difficult to describe dedication of the volunteers, taste of the food, the zeal and the spirit of service, endless lives, it’s just out of the world.

Amazingly the entire process of entering the langar hall, having the food  served to you, eating it and coming out of the hall takes not more than 30 minutes. The way ones spoons, bowls and plates are taken away from the hands and sent into the assembly of waiting volunteers to clean them leaves the visitors mesmerized with tears of appreciation rolling the eyes of many.

All credit of free kitchen service langar goes to Guru Nanak’s ‘Sacha Sauda (True Transaction).  He was given Rs. 20/- by his father Kalu Ramji to go to the weekly hatt and do some profitable business. Guru Nanak spent the whole amount in feeding the holy men he had come across on his way as they had not eaten from many days.  As he felt that nothing can be more profitable in our lives than to feed the hungry.  Since then his followers, the Sikhs, have not looked back as far as serving the poor and the needy is concerned.

After having our langar Reena, Ity, Niksy and we went for the darshan. Inspite of the hot weather the arrangements were such that we didn’t feel the heat.  Corridors were pretty cool and fortunately lots of breeze was blowing.  We sat for a while in the corridor and took various photographs.

We reached the main entrance (Deoddi) in front of the Akaal Takth at 2:05 pm and got into the live to reach the Harmindar Sahib.  We crossed the line by 2:50 and got the opportunity of getting inside the sanctum sanctorum.  Could stay inside for about 3-4 minutes and came out with fresh energy.

We came out, took the round of the parikrama and crossed Beri Sahib and reached our Room 85 at Arjun Niwas and took rest.

16^th May 2015 :

Today we took Dad for the darshan of the sanctum sanctorum. Till the main entrance (Deoddi) we took him on the wheel chair.  From there onwards he had to walk the last 84 steps upon the connecting bridge between the parikarma and the Harmandir Sahib.  One facility that is provided to such old pilgrims or to those who are physically challenged is to take the right lane from which the pilgrims normally return and is less crowded.  It took us as little as 20 minutes to complete the darshan as against around 70 minutes of yesterdays darshan.

Here however I personal feel that some more compassion and care needs to be extended to old people and those who are physically challenged by extending the wheel chair facilities right upto the Darbar Sahib.  This would enable so many people to dare to travel to do the darshan.

After encircling the entire parikrama and taking various photographs to went back to the room and took some rest.

In the evening once again we went inside to move around the parikarma and to take the holy dip in the sarovar (water pool).  The moment we stepped out of the Arjun Niwas we were both surprised and thrilled to see the crowd of pilgrims.  They were sleeping in every nook and corner of the campus including the Manzi Sahib Gurudwara and the corridors.

Ity, Reena and Preety were there with me.  I took my holy dip in the sarovar and then we moved towards the Akal Takth Saheb.  We reached there around 11:45 pm.  We saw the main gate closed and the sight of Amrit Dhari Sikhs getting accumulated in front of the main gate of Harmandir Sahib so beautiful and attractive that we couldn’t resist ourselves from sitting there inspite of it being so late. At 12:20 am the Amrit Dhari Sikhs started entering the Main Gate from the small door for cleaning the Sanctum Sanctorum while group of other Sikhs were performing keertan at the threshold.  It was a sight worth watching.

We returned to our Room No. 85 at Arjun Niwas.

On knocking the door neither Sweety nor Niksy opened the door but Dad did so.

18^th May 2015:

In the early morning Preety, Reena and Dad got ready along with Sweety & Piyu and went for the darshan.  Dad took the holy dip.

Around 11:00 am Reena and me too got ready and left for Jallandhar in a hired taxi (an Indigo) to visit PIMS Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences where Sonu is admitted after having met with an accident on the day of Holi on 5^th of March 2015.

As I had conveyed to Charanjeet Chachaji about our arrival were able to meet almost everyone in PIMS.  Sonu’s situation is very grim.  His right leg has been amputed at thigh level.  Left leg is in bad shape.  Right hand has blood supply but nerves have got severed due to which he doesn’t have sensation in it. His jaws are in bad shape. Yet he has survived. All of us are trying to cheer him up and encouraging him to look forward to his life. Chachaji, Chachiji, Vicky, Monia, Vikcy’s son, Niketa and her husband all were there. Except Sonu and Chahanji we all went to a nearby hotel to have food. After lunch we went back to Sonu and took leave for return to Amritsar.

On our way back we got the opportunity of once again visiting Govindwal Sahib. Visited the house where Guru Amar Dasji lived. Where Guru Ram Dasji lived.  Saw the room where Guru Arjun Devji was born. Saw the remains of the tree around which Guru Arjun Devji used to play. Saw the fire place where food was prepared.

Saw the ‘pallaki’ which was used  by Guru Arjan Devji for shifting of scriptures which were to be included in the holy GGSji.

It’s amazing to note the kind of reverence which the Gurus have rendered to the ‘word’ through which the scriptures are expressed.

Didn’t feel like leaving the place which has seen the presence of Guru Amar Dasji, Guru Ram Dasji and Guru Arjun Devji.

From the humble house of the Gurus went to the nearby famous Gurudwara of Govindwal Sahib which is known for its langar hall and its Bauvili (Deep well).

During the time of Guru Amar Dasji Emperor Akbar, who was his contemporary, had paid him a visit. Akbar was asked to join the ‘pangat’ (line) for eating the langar before meeting Guru Amar Das ji.  People who had accompanied the Emperor were taken aback to realize that they will have to sit among the commoners. So they requested for enabling the Emperor to have his meal along with Guru Amar Das ji presuming that he will be served in a special way.  But to their surprise they saw that Guruji was served just as other common people were being served.  The Emperor was aweyed at this arrangement and felt happy to see that people from various castes and works of life were being made to sit together and were being served with the same food.  This was amazing because the society was divided between casts so much so that a person from low caste couldn’t even dare to cast his shadow or come in way of a person from the high caste.

Emperor Akbar had offered thousands of acres of land surrounding the Gurudwara at Goindoal for being used in langar service.  Guruji using his visionary powers declined to accept the offering and said that the langar service will go on only on the basis of donations made by the pilgrims and not by any other source.  Moreover he said adding so much property would lead to fights among the followers in the days to come.

The campus of Govindwal Gurudwara also has a famous water collection which can be reached by climbing down 84 steps.

People believe that each step represents 1 lakh species into which one gets incarnated on the basis of his karma.  People take a dip in the holy pool in this baaxli and then recited Japji Sahib Paath written by Guru Nanak on as many steps (one path on each step) as possible under the belief that each step will clear off 1 lakh incarnations.  There are few who stay there for days together to complete the process on each of 84 steps in order to ensure that they are blessed and their souls finally RIP.

Last visit in 2009 I had managed 4 paaths and the time 1.  So 5 lakh in carnations I shall escape !.

In this regard, however, I’m yet to come across anything said by any of the Sikh Gurus.  Even the present Guru of ours GGSji doesn’t mention any such thing.  Hence I take it as something which is blindly being followed.  No harm if people are getting attached to baani in this way.

As soon as Rahraas Sahib Paath started at Goindwal Sahib Reena and me got and left for Amritsar.

We reached the Gurudwara campus at 8:40 pm.

Went to the room. Came to know that everyone took rest for the day. Dad was not taken out the whole day.

18^th May 2015

After Dad took the holy dip everyone got busy with breakfast.  Later in the day Reena, Niksy and Ity also went along with me. They went into the cubicle for taking the holy dip.

Evening was spent in going around for little bit of shopping.

All of us took a ride on e-rickshaw ate kulfi made by Radha Swamy’s followers.

In the night time Reena & we went out.  Ate bread pakodas, booked two autos for taking us all to the Railway Station at 4:00 am.

All of us did our packing and slept around midnight.  I was the first one to wake up at 2:55 am, others followed.  We all got ready and managed to leave Arjun Niwas sharp by 4:05 am. Reached the station in time and boarded Shatabdi.  Enjoyed the journey loved to pass through the luxurious, green fields of Punjab and Haryana.  Reached new Delhi at 11:45 am.  Got settled in the hotel.  Sarika and Awani joined us.  We all took lunch together Ity, Sarika and Awani left around 3:00 pm in a rickshaw towards Ajmeri Gate where Tarun was waiting for them in his car for taking them home. Ity would be going for bit of shopping in the evening and would be leaving for Lucknow the next day by Shatadi at 6:10 am.

Dad, Sweety & Piu left for H. Nizammudin by an auto.  Rest of us Reena, Treety, Nixy and we left the hotel at 3:30 pm in a Scorpio. We first went to Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.  As the time was less I didn’t go inside.  Instead I wasted near the Main Gate.  Reena, Nixy & Preety left their slippers and went inside.  I had told them to just take Prasad and come off but due to misunderstanding Preety & Nixy rushed in and Reena had to follow them in.  I was left standard out. But anyway I felt nice for enabling them to go in.

We reached H. Nizamuddin by 4:00 pm.  We saw Dad sitting on the staircases along with Sweety & Piu.

While sifting luggage to PF No. 3 Niksy got lost for a while but then after a short turmoil period of 20 – 25 minutes during which tme the weather had also turned hostile and scary we were able to find her.  We boarded the train at 4:40 pm.  The train was scheduled to leave by 4:50 pm but it left by 7:00 pm.

20^th May 2015:

In the morning of 20^th may 2015 we crossed Katni at around 10:00 am .  Seeety & Piu got down.  We all proceeded for Jabalpur.  We reached safely home at Jabalpur around noon.  As we all were extremely tired we all slept like logs inspite of the heat.

Ity also reached her hostel at around 1:00 pm safely.

Our house at Sainik Society needed some minor repairs. So got them done.

I left Jabalpur on 24^th afternoon by Intercity Express and reached her hostel around 1:00 pm safely.

Our house at Sainik Society needed some minor repairs.  So got them done. 

I left Jabalpur ion 24^th afternoon by Inter City Express and reached the comforts of home around midnight.

This time the whole month of May has remained extremely hot. Temperature soared upto 47 C.

Pinky’s presence at Nigahi proved to be a very pleasant one.

Reena joined us on 29^th night.

Vicky arrived here on 31^st morning.  Dad went to Shaktinagar to receive him.  Pinky, Vicky & Rana left for Jamshedpur.

Let’s Feel for the Poor!

It happens with most of us irrespective of whether we are at home or at our work place. At one particular time of the day our fan is switched off by the sweeper or the sweepress for sweeping the room. The whole process gets over in about 3 – 4 minutes but it makes us all feel uncomfortable.  We look forward to the task of sweeping to get over as soon as possible so that we may start getting the breeze again.  But how many of us ever empathise with the sweeper or the sweepress for whom there is no breeze whichever room he or she is going to.  We even at times express our irritation and shout also at the sweeper or the sweepress and scold them for making us uncomfortable for a while.  Let’s feel for them.