HAJJ
A Novel by M.A.Rathore
Chapter 1
The Dawn of Freedom
It was the dawn of August 14, 1947, in Quetta, a city in the Subcontinent now Peshawar in Pakistan, a young military man named Imamdeen recruited in the Royal Infantry ASC (MT) Battalion, was on his duty. It was a time of great upheaval in the whole of the Subcontinent. Because of the policy of divide and rule, Pakistan was getting freedom from the united British Empire in India. On the other hand, the freedom of India was about to give the next day. The news broke out in Indian territories surrounded by the Western and Eastern borders of India. Everybody was in a fix as to which side they should join in the partition. Both the Western as well Eastern territories were Muslim majority. They wanted to establish a Muslim state in their newly established country. A rumour broke out that soon the Pakistani will molest the common public in and around Quetta city.
"Leave the girl alone and let her go on her way. It is not good to behave badly, especially with girls." You cannot tease a girl, having seen her weak and innocent."
One of them proclaimed," We are not the slave of the British. You cannot give us an order. We are now independent. We are a citizen of a free country. You have to leave our country. It would be much better if you leave us like the British."
"Pakistan Zindabad... Pakistan Zindabad..." The other one cried.
Allah ho Akbar! The other shouted who had worn a white Muslim cap on his head and had a beard.
"Do your business, Mr. Gentlemen. Go your way otherwise; I have to use my dagger for you whom I use to keep with me. I'll kill all of you. If you want to beg your life, you should clear my way and let me go for God's sake.
While she was about to go, a boy among them came in front of her and tried to snatch the pot from her. For the defense of the girl when Imamdeen came forward the other boy put a lathi and moved it in the air. Again the boy moved his blow to him Imamdeen defended himself but it smashed the window of some shop nearby. Because of the smashing and crushing of the window, he ran suddenly from the spot. The rest of the rouges also disappeared soon. Imamdeen came near the girl and said,
"Sister, now you can go to your caravan where your old parents are waiting. They are thirsty. It is too hot to survive. Thank God you are a brave girl. But before going I would like to suggest you leave the newly established Muslim territory as soon as possible. Now people have become thirsty for human blood. They have forgotten the true meaning of humanity. They are now filled with rage and enthusiasm for their hard-earned freedom. Today is the day of the national celebration of the formation of Pakistan. Right from here there will be a grand procession of leaders and the public for this occasion."
Migrating Homeland
There was a remote countryside of Bhiwani District in Haryana presently. Its name was Matani and Peerbux was a prosperous citizen of the area. He had everything that was needed. Good land with promising harvest and respect for which he was known what else was needed of him. It was the time when the engagement of the Prince of England was announced. He donated one rupees note at that time. His relations with British officials were remarkable. His son, Imamdeen was recruited into The Royal Infantry. That night he got a message from his neighbour and the best friend of him, named Chanan that the villagers were at their wit's end and had the plan to kill the family of Peerbux, so Peerbux with the family of ten members left their village to save them from any mishap. Chanan declared,
"Dear friend, Peerbux. The villagers have gone mad. They can do anything out of the frenzy. It is better to leave the village and get shelter somewhere. If we can save the lives, we can meet again."
"Yes. Chanan, where should I go in this situation? Please suggest me. What to do? I hope you will suggest me as per the requirement. Peerbux requested him.
"I have an idea. There is my friend in Khuddi can help you. You should go to him and get proper shelter. He is a kind fellow. His name is Mamchand Poonia. As soon as you reach there, please convey the message that I have sent you there. And without delay, you should leave the village instantly. People around neighbouring villages are leaving their houses and planning to go to Pakistan." Chanan suggested him.
Some people suggested Peerbux should not do such an activity. There is no danger. We are living in a good community. They were giving them the oath to serve him as usual but it was a matter of life. They had to decide ultimately to leave their village. Peerbux and his wife, Hameeda with their four sons including the wife of Imamdeen named Chand Kour with four kids had to migrate that evening. They packed their luggage and baggage on a bullock cart and unchained their cattle and bringing all of them went away towards the unknown land. They had no idea where they were going. It was a constant journey. The members of the family were not able to know what was happening there. They were carrying eatables. Faiz was the eldest son of Imamdeen. He asked her mother,
"Mother, when shall we reach the place we are going to?"
"Very soon, my dear son", she replied.
"My friends have left behind. With whom shall I play?"
"There will be new friends, my son if we can save our lives. Friends are only those who help us in need. We are in a fix to move from our ancestral land. You do not worry you will have new friends there."
It was midnight they had crossed the territory of Bhiwani District and entered into the territory of Rajasthan. They were on the outskirts of Rajgarh, District of Rajasthan. It was about twenty kilometers from the Rajgarh Tehsil. It was early dawn they were about to reach the place. Most of the children were sleeping. Only Chand Kour and two other women of the house were awaking and the owner of the family was still driving the cart. He was thinking to stay there. It was a safe place for them to stay. There was a huge mound of sand and there was a temple near it. They stayed there and stumped their tent there. They managed some essential commodities and then they met with the head man of the village and the friend of Chanan, Mamchand Poonia. He welcomed them in their village and gave them word to protect them if the circumstances so provided. Most of the communities were Hindus there. Under his care, the whole family remained safe during the communal riots in India but became landless and poor. It took them ten days to settle down there. They made a hut out of the thatched and mud and started living there. Now everything was settled down.
There were not many economic activities in Khuddi. People earned their living by doing petty odd jobs. When it rained, they scattered seeds around the land, and the rain was scanty so only some plants of maize were grown here and there; and sometimes 'moong' and 'moth' were obtained. There were no electric flour mills in the village so women used to grind flour from dawn to late at night. There were no means of getting drinkable water. A few wells were dug to supply water. There were two types of wells; one for a drink and the other for washing clothes. It was salty. People harvested water in an open area with a fortified tank in the open fields. Whenever it rained they were filled to the brim. This water was used for the later whole year.
Peerbux went to his friend to ask for a hand grind mill for grinding their flour. He requested him,
"You know as we have nothing with us. We have some grains and some rice for making porridge. So we need a hand mill. Please provide us with. We shall be grateful to you."
"Yes, you can take it and use it as many times as you can. You are now my friend. So I must provide you all that you require," he told him politely and brought the hand mill and surrendered it to him.
Chand Kour who was the daughter-in-law of Peerbux with three small kids used to grind mill for the whole family of ten members but she never felt any wrinkle on her face. She worked hard to sustain her family. She used to go to the farms of the village landlord whenever there was any work for her. She accompanied her brother-in-law on the farms in collecting Kairs, Sangris, and useful eatables from the desert land farms. She brought up her three kids with the whole facilities she could obtain for them. She used to milk cows and make curd. Her kids were healthy. She fostered them with love and care. Sometimes she could remain pensively whenever she remembered her husband. It was a long time since her husband had not returned from the army. She used to think about her and sing for herself his homecoming songs,
"Kaisariya Balaam aayo ni padharo mahare desh ji"
Hameeda used to remember her two daughters who were married in Pakistan and two others were married one in Taranagar and the other in Lakhlana. And on the other hand, Chand Kour whose family included two brothers who also migrated to Pakistan was the great cause of her sorrow. They started living in Bahawalpur of Pakistan. Chand Kour was left behind because she was married to Imamdeen and he was serving in Indian Army. Before coming to Khuddi all four sisters of Imamdeen were married.
Chapter 3
Night of Terror
Almost everything was settled. However, a monstrous terror seized the family of unknown fear of being killed. The realm of terror was the single point on which discussions were made about whether people should join India or Pakistan. It took at least one month to settle the matter. Everybody was in terror. The train that went to Pakistan was wounded and people were killed on large scale. They were sent with the limbs of dead bodies from India and Pakistan as well. People had become thirsty for blood. They were furious. They were least thinking about the public but did as they liked. They killed the newly born babies with the spear. They cut their limbs into two. The heads of so many people were injured. People led their nights in terror. They were reluctant to keep themselves sleeping whole nights but waking themselves. The government of India had announced that those people who wished to join either side of the country; could join Pakistan as well as India. So people traveled to both sides of the country. They were on their carts, they were on foot, and they were on their way which they could afford.
In this dire situation, the family of Peerbux once again was under the trial of fate. They decided to leave Khuddi and wanted to join Pakistan. The brother-in-law of Chand Kour was the first who suggested they should join Pakistan.
Suleman, the second son suggested to his father, "Father I have an idea. We should go to Pakistan. There is the house of our in-laws in Bahawalpur. We shall go there and live our life comfortably. He has a business of salt and it brings handsome money."
Fateh, the youngest son proposed, "Father, It would be better if we take some money in our hand. First of all, we should sell all our cattle.
Ali, the second last youngest son said, "Who will buy our animals? People are in hurry to save life and you are talking about nonsense things.
Peerbux thought on all the aspects and then told with a heavy heart. "Listen to me, my dear sons! I know my friend; Mamchand Poonia is a faithful friend but what would happen if any unknown villager played a tick with us? We shall lose our lives. If you all agree we can make a plan to leave Khuddi tonight. The feelings of insecurity widened in the family. The family planned to go to Pakistan in 1950.
Chapter 4
Life in Pakistan
Life in Pakistan was not easy for the family of Peerbux. They had to work hard to sustain life. Most of the family members used to spin rope with 'moonj'. People began to call them 'moonj-makers. The women of the family were asked to go into the village around and beg for some food. They used to go from place to place to get a meal at a time. Peerbux tried to contact the in-laws of Chand Kour at Bahawalpur but he failed to contact them. There was not much work for them. They were left with hand to mouth and rather they remained half-fed. Even the kids had started wishing to go back to their homeland. The water of Pakistan was not suitable for some of the family members including Ali who used to complain about stomach and had acute diarrhea. He requested his father," Father, You know, I cannot adjust myself here because of the water. It does not suit me. I want to go back to India. Will you mind if I feel so?"
Peerbux said to his son, Ali," It was you who suggested I come here."
"No, father, I was not willing to come here. It was Suleman who made us come here. But now it is a matter of health. What to do now? He replied.
Peerbux asked his second elder son, Suleman, "Dear son, as Ali is not fine here. What is to be done?"
"It would be better if we should return to our native land. Moreover, we do not have much work here. Neither are we happy here." replied the son.
Peerbux asked his third son, Noordeen," What do you think about returning to our homeland, India."
"My dear father, I would like to say that my sister-in-law had to work day and night to manage a times meal from begging around. It is not good begging. Begging is just like death. Do you remember our golden days at Matani? We were affluent and here we have become beggars. Is it good work spinning Moonj all the time? Do you know, father, we have lost our dignity here? As soon as possible we should leave Pakistan and go back to India." Noordeen requested his father demandingly.
Chapter 5
Returning to the Native Land
Finally, the family of Peerbux decided to go back to India, their homeland. It was not again easy to leave the place under the inspection of the Pakistani army. They asked several questions about why they wanted to return. All the members of the family understood the importance of their land. They thought it would be much better to live in their land under the circumstances they chose for them. In India, they were affluent and in Pakistan, they had become a refugee and even under the intense care of the Pakistani Army. These borders were not so fortified that the family decided to cross the border with permission or without any care. But the matter of fact was they were permitted to go back to India. Through the Bagha border, they crossed safely. But again from there, they had to journey on foot. They came back to Khuddi and for the next two years, they tried to settle them. With the same staple diet, they used to foster their kids with what they had in their store.
Chapter 6
The Dadrewa Mela
The effect of time all three kids grew well. Chand Kour used to tell them the stories about the Second World War that she received from Imamdeen. As there was no particular activity in the village and the kids had not joined their schooling, they used to go grazing their cattle. They had at least two dozen of goats and sheep and other big and small animals. Faiz and his younger brother, Safi got up early in the morning and went to the fields. They took their meal with them and came home at twilight. The whole day Faiz used to sing songs in deep sand-dunes around. He was good at fastening relations with even unknown people who came around. He climbed up the trees of Khejri and Bundi. He kept a long stick with a sheath to bring down the twigs of the trees and gathered 'loongs', the soft twigs of the Khejri trees. He gathered the seeds of watermelon and sweet melon there. He gathered 'Kachar' and made 'Fofliya' out of the cucumber. Safi, though not so intelligent in comparison with his elder brother, followed his brother's command silently and had no questions against him and his authority. He was submissive and had surrendered to the will of his elder brother. He regarded everything as if it was approved by his elder brother even if it is sometimes questionable.
It was the month of the Goga Navami festival, the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada of the Hindu calendar; it is believed that Goga descended to earth on this day. This day is celebrated at Dadrewa in Rajgarh District every year. Fateh along with his nephew, Safi planned to visit the fair of Dadrewa. Safi asked her mother," Mother, I would like to go to the Mela with Fateh, his uncle. So give me some money to buy things there."
Chand Kour said," Dear son, don't worry. I'll give 25 paise to spend there."
The son became happy to get money and went to his uncle, Fateh. He gave him some stars which women used to decorate their Chunni. He mistook the stars as money and become much happy to get them. Both the uncle and the nephew went to Dadrewa Mela and enjoyed the whole day long. Dadrewa is seven kilometers from Khuddi. They went on foot and reached there within an hour. Fateh bought something to eat there and both of them enjoyed and loved it. That evening they came late at night. They were on foot and were happy to see the shops well arranged the shops for toys, the shops for sweets. The shops' horses were made of clothes and there were so many things to eat and enjoy.
While returning Chand Kour asked her son, "What have you bought with the money, my dear son?"
"Nothing", he replied.
"And how money was spent there?"
"Nothing" he again replied with happiness.
He added that his uncle had given him money and bought some sweets for him. He was happy with star- coins or fake paisa, and he did not know the difference between money and fake money. His mother understood all that the trick played by his uncle to make satisfied to the child.
Chapter 7
A Soldier Returns to His Family
The Royal Infantry ASC (MT) Battalion moved to Jammu and Kashmir to wage a war against the newly established dominion state, Pakistan. The border was being defined and the army was needed to solve all the matters easily. So the whole troop moved towards the borders. Imamdeen also joined his troop. Imamdeen was from Matani, Post Jhumpa, Tehsil Luharu, and District Bhiwani in Eastern Punjab (now Haryana). His boyhood passed in Matani playing and jumping in the locality. He was the eldest son of his parents and was very dear to them. He had not eaten grain until he had reached the age of 12 years. He was fed only with milk and ghee. He never went to school as a regular student but has learned some basics of Hindi, Mahajani, and Arithmetic.
At the age of 19 years, he got married to a girl named Chand Kour, 7 years old, in 1932. He turned up a very good and very strong youth and was very hard working. He was honest, hardworking, and truthful by his birth. He joined the 'Royal Indian Army' on 20 May 1942 at the age of 29 years.
His family, parents, wife, children, brothers, and sisters were left insecure in his village Matani. As it was the most fatal time for the Muslims in this area. He had heard that his family had been lost. And there was no news of their departure.
For the last two years, he had not been going on leaves. He remained worried. He had left his meals for weeks. He remained weak. When the commander of the troop asked him the reason for his ill health, he told him,
"Sir, where should I go? I don't know where my family is living now. I have heard that the village where my parents were living was evacuated. I am told by my friend that there is no one in my house. Everything was deserted. My family has migrated to some safe place which I do not know, where is on the earth?"
The commander ordered the other soldiers to go to the village of Imamdeen and find out the reason for the story. They went to the village and asked the villagers but none provided any information regarding them. The commander sent another soldier to search thoroughly living there for some time and instructed them to report finally and with accuracy. The soldier went there and inspected the matter and found that the family of Imamdeen had left for Khuddi at Rajgarh Tehsil in Bikaner District.
It was brought into the mind of the commander what the matter was. He instantly sent Imamdeen on leave and sanctioned more days to search for his family and parents. Imamdeen though remained sad for the last two years had brought him around. His cheeks blushed as if the sun rises after winter night and foggy season around. He packed up his luggage and set in from the J&K to Rajgarh by train. He took all his saved money with him and went out in search of his family. It was a heart-wrenching journey for him. Though he was a soldier he had to weep bitterly for his family. He had no idea where his family was. He had just started searching the place where people had suggested to search. It was a long and tiring journey. Imamdeen had forgotten to eat, drink, and be merry in those days. He got down from the rail at Rajgarh but had no idea where to go. He asked one of the passengers, "Do you know, where Khuddi is?
"No, sir, I do not know." The passenger left. He asked for another one but got no reply. He was almost exhausted and about to swoon and he was thirsty as well. First of all, he took water from the pot which was kept in the water hut there. He came around and felt fresh. Then he went outside of the station. He tried to get all sources together to find out where Khuddi was. Then suddenly a man came there with a camel. He told Imamdeen that he would leave him to Khuddi but would charge Rs. 100. Imamdeen accepted the offer quickly. At that time hindered rupees were handsome money. A marriage function could be arranged easily. But one hundred rupees was nothing for Imamdeen for the sake of his lost family. Both the men rode on the back of the camel and went toward Khuddi. They took at least three hours to reach there. The man left Imamdeen in the suburb of the village at the dawn. Imamdeen kept himself sitting for long hours. Still, he had no idea where to go in the village. People began to surround him and conversed that a Fauji had come to see the village. Slowly there came several crowds around him. It broke out in the whole village like a burning fire there was a Fauji outside of the village. People came to see him.
Peerbux, having heard the story came to see him. He came near the Fauji and recognized his son instantly. The meeting had no words to describe it. Both the father and the son wept bitterly. The whole village just had become dumb to see the spectacle. There were no words but the emotional streams that flew. Peerbux brought his son home. The atmosphere became full of rapture and peacocks danced there to the tune of homecoming songs in the village. Chand Kour had known no bounds. She felt her life a moving stone gathering all happiness and bliss.
Imamdeen stayed at his home for two months. He was worried about the study of the kids. He used to ask Faiz about his study and how he felt at school. He replied he enjoyed his study. As he had spent his childhood in the lap of his beloved Grandfather, he could not go to school at an early age but remained very disturbed due to the shifting of his family from place to place many times. He had helped his mother in her illness and her days of acute trouble. He was obedient and hard-working in his boyhood and he served his grandfather a lot. At the age of 9, he joined a primary school at Khuddi. His uncles had done injustice to him and his mother.
Imamdeen went back to his service. It was a heavy day for the family to part with Imamdeen but the service was important to serve India and there was much money to run the house smoothly. So it was indispensable to join Army and went back to work.
Chapter 8
The Hut was on Fire
Once again the family of Peerbux decided to go to Pakistan. But it cannot be said what was the motif of returning to Pakistan. They spend two years here and again the family decided to return to India in 1952. This time Imamdeen who was working in Indian Army forced them to come to India as he was serving in India and wanted to serve her to death. He brought back them to India headed by his younger brother Ali once again. Earlier it was Ali who brought back once when Ali had a severe stomach in Pakistan the whole decided to come back to India. His family now got settled in Khuddi permanently. His family became landless and poor. As Faiz had already joined his school and had migrated for two years, he came back and joined his school and completed his primary education. He was then 14 years old and he was planning to send his elder brother, Safi to the same school. Faiz was responsible at an early age. Safi had become so mature to join the school. He was then 6 years old and had learned the basic alphabet at his home before joining school so it was easy for the school to make him learn more things easily.
The family was just planning to send Safi to school but all of a sudden there happened an incident at home. Faiz, Safi, and their sister Halima had gone to graze their cattle in the desert of Khuddi. When they returned to their huts, they found it was on fire. Nobody knew what the reason behind this incident was. The people of Khuddi came to support Peerbux in this unforgettable incident but he regretted it and told them that nothing had been lost and that what was lost was that only some rats had died. His satire was on his family members who were not supporting the family in positive ways. The hut burnt and the whole village had gathered there to see the spectacle and felt awe and sorry for the great loss. Later it was found that Sadik who was the son of Noordeen had burnt it but he was just nine. The matter was still to resolve but Peerbux thought it was none but his family behind the incident. It was heartbroken news for him. Hey were thinking to send their grandson, Safi to school but the happiness turned into great grief and sorrow. The hut was burning and the Nero was playing on the flute.
Safi was admitted to school at the age of six. He took birth on Sunday, 25 November 1945 at Matani. He was simple and stubborn by birth. He spent his boyhood without his father. He was not much-taken care of by his elders. His schooling at Khuddi proved fruitful for him. He wanted to read more but there was no higher school, so he had to leave school after having completed his primary education at Khuddi.
But before joining the school, he had started offering Namaz. Once her mother called him and said,
"Dear son, please go to the water tank and bring water from there."
"Yes, mother. I am going to bring water right now. Please give me some pot or pitcher which I am going to fill it." Safi replied in a soft voice.
When Safi went there, he found that the water tank was overflowing. He drew water with the tumbler and it took the whole day. Because of this, his Namaz of Jouhar was missed. When he came back, he wept so bitterly that her aunt asked him the reason for his great sorrow. He explained that he had missed the Namaz and he had to go in suffering after death.
Chand Kour promised her that she would never send him to any work when there was a time of offering Namaz. The boy was made silent and for the next time, he would never be disturbed in offering Namaz at any time.
By the time his elder brother had been sent to Rajgarh for higher study. So it was decided that he would go to Rajgarh and he will study there. He took admitted to a higher school and got a room on rent in the area where the blacksmiths lived. He made his friendship with them. One of his blacksmith's friends made him use to smoke. The habit went with him long his life.
Soon the hut was reconstructed but now the owner of the family, Peerbux remained ill. He had some abdomen problems. He used to complain that his stomach is not working properly. He had some psychological issues as well. He used to read black omens for his grandfather, Maglu Khan, and his uncle, Sher Khan. He used to recall their souls at night and had some converse with them. People said it was a black art.
Peerbux was made the Chief clan of the 27th dynasty of Muslim Rathores. There was held a grand gathering and it was a unique way to elect the leader. They collected the shoes of all the Rathores who joined there with other clans such as Chouhans, Bhatis, and many more. His leadership was without question and he was known for his valour, truthfulness, and responsible voice.
After four years after his return from Pakistan, he died of an abdominal disease on the 10th of February 1956. Some people said he had the sorrow of the burning of his hut and the loss of all his wealth in the settlement of his life. But it was a fact that the strong pillar of the family had left forever. He was buried at Khuddi and the monument was made there. He was remembered for his great contribution to his family as well as to the country. He had got birth to a young man whom he sent to Indian Army. He had never seen his comforts rather than served the other people around him. He was the only listener of others. Who wept bitterly on his departure was nobody else but Faiz who loved him more than his own. His grandfather was his true friend. After the death of his grandfather, Faiz had become irresponsible towards his family.
On Thursday, 14th of August 1958, at Khuddi, when the third son of Imamdeen, Mumtaj took birth, his father won the court case and got 32 Bighas of agricultural land back. Imamdeen said,
"This boy came like the sun to bring dawn to my Khandan."
Mumtaj alias Munna was calm and sober at the time of his birth. His younger brother, Taj took birth after two years after the birth of Munna; hence Munna had to be fed on other than his mother's milk. He got feeding from Goat. He had sucked milk from the goat as if he was sucking milk from his mother. Munna was enrolled as Mumtaj Ali in his primary school at Khuddi. He was very studious and always stood first in his class.
Chapter 9
Voluntary Service Retirement
The time Imamdeen knew about the death of his father, he decided to leave the service and wanted to get a voluntary service retirement but it took seven months to complete the process of retirement. He retired in September 1959. As soon as the eldest son of the soldier, Faiz heard that his father was coming, he fled away from Rajgarh, leaving all his bed and luggage, without handing them over to anyone because he had developed the most irresistible and irresponsible attitude, and had become a refugee at Vijay Nagar in Ganganagar District.
He became a collie at the Railway station. He was able to get a labourer's service at Seth's farm. He became his servant and started to till his land. Seth gave him clothes, food, and shelter. He also paid him a wage of 40 rupees per month. This irresponsible youth began to spend some in gambling. His parents were stunned to learn about the activities of their eldest son. Having known all that his father approached him and asked him to return and to help his poor and starving parents and youngsters. He gave no response to his father and got himself hidden in the Gypsies' (Kanjars') huts. His father remained without food at his residence but he had not appeared back. His father got some roasted gram the next day to quench his hunger. His father set for searching him and found him a house gambling with his friends. His father got him to his residence. Before reaching his residence, he escaped saying that he had to bring some foodstuff.
His father did wait for him for two more days but the brave son had not appeared. The poor old father wept like anything. The old soldier took 10 rupees from a friend of his eldest son and came back to his wife and children.
Faiz took some service in the Panchayat Samiti. After some time he became a government servant. Now he began to get a monthly salary. But he neither visited his parents nor spent any money. He had spent his money on gambling and flirting.
Now Imamdeen became the poorest and the most helpless person. He and his family remained from hand to mouth. There were his days of distress. He had rejected the offer to join as a Thanedar in the Rajasthan police. His mind stopped working. He could not find out any way to come up from poverty. He could not provide proper food, clothes, and shelter for his family. His wife, Chand Kour, and his daughter, Halima worked as labourers to meet both ends. He had employed himself as a cowherd to pull on his livelihood.
Safi finished his primary education at Khuddi and then he went in search of a job. He went to the factory of tearing wood but the owner told him that he could keep his elder brother but not him because he was only 13 or 14. He got the training of a blacksmith and had worked for some time. What he had earned he had given to his parents. He had also worked as a labourer in the construction of a road and had faced hard times but he was a responsible boy. He was always worried about the poverty of his family. He had earned whatever he could and gave his all wages to his parents. He was very honest, simple truthful, and very religious. He was obedient and regarded his parents very much.
On Wednesday 30th March 1960, Taj took birth at Khuddi. He was a very curious boy at the beginning of his life. As he grew up, he kept on doing something destructive or constructive. He only loved his mother in his childhood. He was different from his other brothers and sisters. He was sent to school at the age of five. He was seven years old when his elder brothers got married.
Now Imamdeen had to get married to his two sons. By the time Safi had been working as a postman in Rawatsar He had been appointed as a postman on daily wages. Jamaldeen, his father-in-law was told that there were bridegrooms for two daughters at Khuddi. He went there and was approved to marry both boys.
In 1965, Safi obtained a job as an apprentice and a carpenter in Hanuangarh Town; he used to live near a mosque just behind the Sabji Mandi in Hanumangarh where he received some teachings of the Quran. He worked there for two years.
On the 5th of May, 1967, both the brothers got married. After some time, Safi got a permanent service in Panchayat Samiti. Whatever salary he got, he had sent that sum to his parents. He remained responsible towards his parents and younger brothers before he got married. He remained devoutly religious throughout his life. He read Namaz and kept Rozas in the holy month of Ramadan.
Chapter 10
Turning Towards the Elders
It was not easy to cope with the hurdles of life. Everywhere in the life of Imamdeen, there was a need for help for the family in terms of basic commodities as well as for the education of the youngsters. Every time he gazed at the face of his elder sons for everything. He was spending his life herding his cattle in the village; reminding his affluent life in Matani. He had been almost shattered after his father’s death and after his retirement. He was accepting something miraculous but how it could be was a matter of his concern. He requested his elder son, Faiz to facilitate the education of his younger sons, Mumtaj and Taj so that they could get some good jobs. Both the elder brothers were made to think about the future of the elders. Both the elders had decided to make available the right education for the elders for some years.
By the time four sons of Faiz had gotten birth among them were two girls and two boys whereas the three kids of Safi also took birth among them there were two sons and a daughter. Mumtaj, first of all, went to his elder brother, Faiz’s house to study further and joined the school at Tibi, and then moved towards Safi for further study. Before establishing himself in Tibi, Faiz had ventured to Vijaynagar, Raisinghnagar, and Ganganagar in search of some job but ultimately he got a government job in Panchayat Samiti in the department of Animal Husbandry as a waterman. His tenure remained mostly in Tibi, so every person of Tibi knew him well, and he was famous in and around the village for his humanistic behaviour and his service as a compounder of animal husbandry. He was an active servant for the animals they got relief and the best treatment from him. He took efforts for the ease of the animals brought for treatment. He was a boon for the treatment of animals. He was the master of medicines and his prescription was noted for almost all diseases.
By nature, he was a brave man who was never terrified by any man or any circumstances. His younger brothers never tried to oppose him; rather paid respect to him. He was a man made out of the circumstances that provided him at the time of the upheaval of the partition. Partition and the migration of his family and the behaviour of his uncles, while his father was in Army, made him behave aggressively which was in some sense deteriorating. He was blamed that he was good for nothing but the matter of fact was that he thought of his family and children rather than serving the other family members of his father. He was married and had four kids. They were still in their infancy but some of them were going to school. They had started their career as a student. By that time, Taj joined them for further study. He joined the only Higher Secondary School at Tibi. Taj was a studious boy who always stood first in his class and around all competitions. He was struggling hard to receive his formal education so it was indispensable for him to read attentively. He was by birth a man of high principle who never let aside his honour and esteem. His morale was high. He used to learn all the study material as easily as if he saw a mirror and told all that was taught to him by his teachers. He took admitted to class 9th and then passed 10th with a good first division in 1975. He came back to Khuddi the next year. The following two years were very tough for his family so could not continue his study but had to run a shop of tailoring for two years.
There was a friend of Mumtaj whose name was Amar Singh. Amar Singh was a so-called religious brother of Safi’s wife. So he used to come to his house at the time they were just students. Their friendship fastened. They were dedicated to each other. They shared their feelings and had a positive solution to all the worries between them.
Like his brother, Safi was also industrious. He was noted for his service and duty on time. He used to offer his Namaz at a particular time mentioned in the scriptures. He never missed his Namaz as well as his duty in his life. He maintained the balance between his religious activities and his governmental duties simultaneously without any fault. His liking for Namaz grew from a very tender age while he was just a boy and had not joined his schooling then. He could remain hungry but never missed his fasting, Rozas in his life. He could keep fasting without food; sometimes it was not possible to manage the food before keeping Rozas. He never compromised for Namaz and Rozas. It was a hand-drawn line for him to cross. He was a staunch believer. He never used to go to the mosque to offer his prayer but by that time he could not learn Arabic which later he learned after his retirement in November 2012.
Chapter 11
The Great Man Emerges
The great man emerges to raise the situation of the forgotten days. The sailor who sailed the ship of life was studious and brilliant from the very beginning of his career. He steered the ship through the stilled waters. It was none but the younger third son of Imamdeen who was appointed as the direct sailor in the Indian Navy on 19th December 1976.
He was the spark of the enlightenment of the shadowy life of a brave soldier who fought throughout his life; first for his duty as a soldier and then for the life he never imagined to lead it like that. Luck would have a turn in the life of the soldier; he crossed all the limits to serve his family as much as he could serve it. He never went astray from his parental duties. He was so sincere towards his duties that he never wasted even a single moment in his life. He was an enlightenment of the family. His father always loved the country and had a dream that every member of his family must serve the country. Two of the elder sons of Imamdeen had settled into their life with the government services that could only survive their individual life rather than serving the whole family. Their family flourished with kids, and they were busy fostering them and forgetting the rest of their parental responsibilities. Now, who remained who could support the family? The responsibility gravitates towards those who can shoulder it.
Life never stops but provides opportunities for all those who try to open and knock on its door. A new life was rippling in the life of Imamdeen. Good days were expected. It was not easy to get success. It was like breaking the stones and getting water from them. Life never blew so easily. The wings were not enough but it was the courage that made him the way he wanted to be and achieve those untouched goals of his life.
After having completed his Higher Secondary Education in June 1976, he had to spend a life of vagabond from his work to that one to meet his ends. He never felt ashamed in doing petty odd jobs at Azad Hind hotel like washing dishes and the work of masonry wherever he got it. Someone told him that there was a vacancy in the Navy and all the examinations will be conducted at Jodhpur. So he decided to go there. He caught a train from Rajgarh and went to Jodhpur. He was only 17 years and 11 months and still had no experience of going so far from home.
There was a scrutiny test and he was shortlisted because of his high grade in most of the examinations throughout his schooling with distinction and after that in the process of direct entry into the Navy. There was a written test in August 1976. Results were declared in November 1976. He never felt unconfident; rather faced all the challenges as a brave sailor.
The examiner asked him, “Why do you want to join the Navy? And what is your motto?”
“I want to serve the country as my father served in Indian Army. My motto is to uplift the standard of the Indian Navy.” He replied with confidence.
The examiner asked again, “What was your stream? Why have you chosen it?”
“Sir, my discipline of studies was Science and Mathematics. I want to become a good submariner. So I took this faculty.” He replied in a sober and serious gesture.
The examiner asked him at last, “Please, tell us why we should select you in place of other deserved candidates?”
“I am honest and hard-working and I feel that I am the right person for this post because it is my dream to be a part of the Indian Navy.” He answered with full confidence.
After a short break, a man came to him and informed him that he was going to Goa that night by train for further training and that he had been selected on the first rank by the board. By the same night train, they left for Goa.
While on the other side, Imamdeen was waiting for his son and he got no reply from him. In those times only letters or telegrams were the only means of connecting people living in distant lands. The recruitment board sent a letter of appointment to the address of Imamdeen but it was missed. Imamdeen was very much worried about his son because there was no reply from him for weeks after. So Imamdeen decided to go to Jodhpur and want to know what the reason was. As soon as he reached the office of the recruitment Board, they told him that his son was selected and directly sent to Goa for further training.
On the other hand, Mumtaj who was under training passed all the examinations with distinction and achieved the highest score in all the examinations held for him. It was a matter of pride that his name was inscribed on the pillars of the training centre; writing the script that he had secured the highest marks in the entire training programme conducted during the training period. It was written in golden ink.
Chapter 12
Gathering All that has been Lost
Now it was time to gather all that had been lost in the dust of time. Those wealthy people were once they were, but now the time had returned to muster up all that had been left behind. It was the time to perform the responsibility in due course of life. Joining in Indian Navy with his third younger son, Mumtaj proved a milestone in the life of Imamdeen. He could dream about those comforts that he had never enjoyed in his life. Throughout his life he had been tumbling down; slowing down his morale after his father had died. Serving in Army was a different thing but serving the family was a circumstance of do and die. A soldier could not do anything except serve the country on the borders. On the matter of a family, he often legged behind. This was not a big issue because the elder brothers of Mumtaj had already settled down with their families and had their expenses as well. But the most important thing was that they were not dependent on the family; rather earned their livings. Who left in the family and required support were four of his youngsters including three brothers and a sister.
What happened to the 32 Bighas of agricultural lands that Imamdeen got back which was left behind in Matani (Haryana); it was under the custodian general of India. He got back his land in 1958 but his other brothers were reluctant to till the land so he had to sell that land at throw-away prices with his brothers. He had sold his land on 2nd February 1963. This day was the second occasion of the greatest grief for him. Imamdeen with his family remained in dire poverty from 1963 to 1976. In his day of poverty and distress, he kept on praying Namaz and remained honest and truthful. He had never lost his patience. Imamdeen reminded the day when his third son, Mumtaj got service. He said, “All the problems from my body vanished as if they had never existed.”
Mumtaj had a sense of responsibility. He took care of his parents as well as his younger brothers and sisters. He made education possible for his younger brothers. He laid down the foundation for the pleasure and prosperity of the family. He had made a pucca shelter for his family members. He brought pleasure and happiness to all those who came across him but no grief to anybody. He brought a new dawn to the family. He listened to all but worked genuinely. He was a poet of humour and wrote poetry in Hindi but those had been lost somewhere while he was shifting his headquarters from one place to another.
His contribution to the family is worth mentioning. He had built a well-furnished house with all the available facilities. There was a separate portion for his father as well for him to stay while he came on leave. His bonding with his father was like that he just imagined and the work was done. Now there was no worry of wealth and recourses of his living, all was well-maintained.
Taj, the younger brother of Mumtaj was struggling with the tools. Having passed his Secondary Education in 1975, he could not carry on his further education for two respective years due to acute poverty. During these years he learned many things in his life. He had mastered agricultural activities, tailoring, and reading the holy Quran; learned to play ‘Patta’ (Sick and Sword), and worked as a cowherd.
People use to turn towards religious activities when they find there is no hope of getting a desired goal. They inclined towards an easy way to get out of the situation. They try to follow some and the other way to satisfy their ego and present needs. Taj had no work at the time when his elder brother, Mumtaj joined Indian Navy as a sailor while Taj started a new job by opening a tailoring shop in Rajgarh.
His younger brother, Liaquat who got birth on Thursday the 25 October 1962 at Khuddi, enrolled in the village, finished his primary and upper primary education there, and accompanied him to higher education.
Taj asked him, “Will you accompany me to Rajgarh where you can join the school for higher education?”
“Yes. Brother. Why not? He replied in haste.”
“Will you help me in my tailoring job there?”
“Yes. My brother,” he replied in haste.
“You always reply. Yes. My brother... Yes. My Brother... If you are not interested in accompanying me then you can forbid me. It is the best opportunity to study there. Your future will be safe if you study well. I don’t need you’re your help. I can do it for myself. You shall pay attention to your study. Okay.” Taj told him.
“Yes. My brother... I’ll.” Liaquat gave the reply in a low voice.
Liaquat by nature was very sober and calm. He never opposed his elders but whenever he found something missing on his part he started weeping with purpose and sometimes without purpose. He loved his study and developed a love for planting trees at the back of his parent’s house. He was an intelligent boy who stood first always in his entire life venture. He got selected for the Indian Air force on July 4th, 1984. It was the greatest day when he was about to leave for Madras from Jodhpur. He was a devoted worker and became a specialist in MIG-29, a fighter, in the Indian Air Force, a technical branch.
The youngest son of Imamdeen took birth on Sunday, the 14 February 1965, at Khuddi. He got birth in dire penury. His parents were almost starving at that time. A series of droughts occurred in 1964, 1965, and in 1966. Like his elder brothers, he enrolled in the same school at Khuddi where he had completed his primary, middle and secondary school. He completed his graduation as a private student from Ajmer University in 1988.
Taj returned to study and started reading at Mohta College Sadulpur, Rajgarh as a student in his second year of T.D.C. in 1981. He completed his graduation from Jaipur. He got seven services in different sectors but he joined R.T.S. in September 1987. He wanted to serve the needy by being a government officer. He achieved his goal in the latter half of his life. He tried to reunite the family of Imamdeen after the death of his father.
Chapter 13
When Children Becomes Motherless
It was the 22nd of May 1981. The wife of Faiz died on this day. It seemed the stone had shattered and there was no place, where the tears had not flown in the house of Faiz at Tibi. It was a heart-wrenching sorrow for the family and friends as well. The wife of Faiz, Jainabi had been suffering from stomach and was in acute pain. She was healthy but in due course, she got weak and ultimately left her abode.
She was a very generous woman who loved her children affectionately. She never differentiated her children from the others. She remained patient during the days of her married life and fostered her kids well. She was the wife of a young man who never felt beaten yet his courage was so high that he could pass all the adverse effects on his life. Though it was not easy for him to live without her wife the responsibility of the growing children was much that he had never thought of remarriage. He was a responsible father who loved his children more than him. He never let them feel less in any type of situation. Two of his children were enough grown and were understandable that they kept their father in the time when he was emotionally shattered. A house like that had been a lonely and deserted land without a mother. The walls around seemed to engulf the whole of the family. And it was necessary to keep them under care. They were still children and they did not know life and had no experience of bad days. They were enjoying all things obtained easily.
The life of Faiz was a tale of a vagabond and it was not to have rest and enjoy the bliss of life. His beginning was on wheels and still, they were worn out by the access load of life. Who could maintain the life of the children well was the burning question in front of the family members. The children had become orphans. That was the time for leading a peaceful life after a government job but there was no happiness in the life of Faiz. If other members of the great family suffered, he suffered a lot as well. Commenting on people was so easy but maintaining the decorum of life was a different thing.
As the wife of Safi, Balkesh was the real sister of Jainabi, she thought of going to take care of her niece and nephew at Tibi. She told her husband,
“Dear Hubby. As there is no one who can take care of the children. I think we should go to Tibi to join them. Better if you can a request to the government to have a transfer so that we can take care of the children.”
“Hum. You say right. At least the kids will not feel alone.”
As Safi never forbade the desires of his wife, he applied for the transfer and very soon got approval. They started for Tibi the next day to join the shattered family of Faiz.
Both the brothers lived together for two years but the human conflict went on. Soon they departed. They had different opinions of the way of life. Faiz was a man of free thinking and spent a lot where money was needed to save. He used to bring something to eat for his children secretly. It was not matter but all the kids were the same. As there were the children of Safi also but they were not given anything to eat. As time went on the differences widened. Once it was decided to part with both the families with happiness.
But before leaving Padampur, Safi sent some three thousand rupees to Faiz so that he might buy a plot for them. If it would necessary they might live if any dispute took place between the brothers. I was near the High school. Just opposite the ground of the school. But before leaving for the new house Safi asked for the key to the house.
He said to Faiz, “Please. Give me the keys. Now it is high time we should live separately.”
“Which keys? Which house you are talking about? It is mine.”
“Brother. I sent three thousand rupees for buying a house for us. And you received that. And you bought a house near the High school. Safi politely requested his brother.
“Forget it. I’ll charge ten thousand rupees for the house. If you want to take the keys to the house, you have to give me the rest of the money.” Faiz replied to his question of Safi.
“This is not fair. Brother. In the name of Allah, don’t tell a lie. I never do such a business as you know. I always remember the name of Allah. Money is not the matter but it is the truth that matters much. One should have faith, Iman and the rest is on Allah. I believe in Allah and his ways no matter if he takes sometimes many tests. However, I am ready to pay you the rest of the money very soon.” This was the first time he ever spoke so boldly.
The next day they took away their luggage and settled there. Faiz used to come to receive the money. As soon as the money was given, he tried to avoid passing through the street that way. He sometimes passed that the children of Safi informed him that Papa was going but he never thought of asking about the health of the family members including the kids. The kids were unaware of the reason for the negligence. All the children grew up living in two different houses and the differences in their upbringing was clear that there was a difference between them.
Children were growing up but still, they felt the scarcity of their mother. Balkesh was an aunt but an affectionate one. She used to think about the kids, their schooling, and their marriage. Though she was living in a separate house yet worried about them always. The time came when the two girls of Faiz were able to be gotten married. It was Faiz who sought new relatives. He brought the photo of both the future bridegrooms for the girls, Minu and Baby. The marriage took place at Tibi. None but Riyaz could join the marriage with Chand Kour, the grandmother of Minu and Baby. Both the sisters now went to their father-in-law’s house.
Once again the life of Faiz had been disturbed. The remaining two sons rivaled on working of the household. One used the utensils and the other washed them. Their work was separated yet they quarreled on petty jobs. The elder brother, Jakir was thinking about getting some help from Hamid but the latter was a young child. Hamid had to work extra. His main duty was to wash dishes however they were left for days when Hamid went to his Grandmother’s house.
Time was passing so fast now but for the children. What about the life of Faiz, he remained alone and used to remember his wife and wept sitting hours in a room. By the time Mumtaj and Taj were tied in the bond of marriage on 27th August 1982.
Chapter 14
The Boy Who Couldn’t Tolerate
Time was growing so fast. The circumstances were also growing. Safi joined his service at Surewala, eight kilometers from Tibi. He used to go by bicycle as there was no other vehicle. He was never late and instead reached on time. As usual, he performed his duty with determination. His reputation was good in the village where he was appointed. His officers were impressed with his sense of duty. He joined as a waterman there. He was healthy and had never devoured any medicine except some Paracetamol whenever he had some pain or fever. His body was like steel. He was not idle. He used to get up early and offered prayer five times regularly and without excuse. He used to go to the mosque at Surewala at the time of Jouhar. His officials never objected to him but rather appreciated him. Once his younger son, Aslam brought some pebbles from the mosque while returning after Jouhar’s Namaz. He made him put the same instantly while his son was just a boy.
Aslam said to his father, “Father, These are just four pebbles to play with. I want to play with it. Please allow me to keep it with me. After all, we are the offspring of Allah.”
“No., my son, it is not good taking things from the mosque. Allah will rebuke you and punish you for this folly.” He explained.
“How can a father like Allah rebuke us for these small pebbles? Will he never love the children? I have heard that Allah loves all the people and he loved much to the children” Aslam put his statement in front of his father.
“You are a Satan who is asking such a foolish question. Go instantly and deliver the same pebbles to the mosques and out them where was in the mosque. Otherwise, I’ll punish you for this act. He ordered his son angrily rubbing his nose and wrinkling his forehead. The son went instantly and out the pebbles to the place where he had picked them.
He accompanied him sometimes whenever he desired to and his father tried to make him an obedient Muslim. No matter whether he followed all that was taught to him. Aslam also started learning all the prayers like his father. He adopted Islam as his father was following. He learned Namaz and used to go to the mosque with his father. Everything was according to the desire of the father. The father was also happy but still, he expected more from his son.
Aslam was a growing child. His sense of understanding was developing. He always asked questions of mysteries but he was not satisfied whereas all the replies he received were not apt and sufficient for his maturing mind. Whenever he asked anything to his father, his father was able to satisfy his queries but propelled him to some unknown mysteries still not solved in his life. His questioning loomed large and every time the father sought many other arguments that couldn’t satisfy the need of his son. Safi was a good follower but a bad teacher who could not make his child understand the basic of Islam. Whenever he put any question he tried to suppress the feeling of the growing child rather than satisfying him, and he provoked his queries. Many times Aslam had to apologize for his questioning in front of his father.
He asked his father, “Father. I would like to ask you a religious question.”
“Don’t ask any questions. Allah will be angry with you.” He said.
“Father, whom shall I ask my questions? You say Allah will be angry. If you are not angry with me, please give me the answers to my questions. Why can’t we raise questions about those we do not know? Should I ask for any Moulana?” Aslam implored.
“Okay! You can ask him but don’t ask anything. I can’t give you the answer to any of your questions. I fear Allah will rebuke me for all those answers. He made him silent and left his room. He was just getting late for his hospital.
Time rolled by months and years. Aslam started reading in High secondary school where he got his 10th class. Still, the father forced him to offer Namaz at the time of the examination. Aslam was worried about his examination rather than the fear of Allah.
He requested his father, “Father. My examinations are at hand. So I need some attention towards it. I have been trying hard to pass my secondary education. If you permit me to keep myself busy with examinations. I will follow all your guidance after the examination is over.”
But he overheard the plea of the child. The boy could not tolerate the strange behaviour of his father at the time of the examination. His father never made him woke up for examination rather he thought Allah will chide him for disturbing his sleep.
Aslam got birth on January 24, 1974, at Bhukarka, his maternal grandmother. He wept when he got birth. He used to cry in his infancy. People said he had some supernatural issue. His mother, Balkesh used to tell him the reason for his weeping. According to her, he was hovered by some ghost spirit at the time of his infancy. Aslam started weeping at night and used to drink a lot of milk when his mother touched it with his mouth the baby enlarged the length of his body in the evening while at the dawn his body started shrinking. He carried her son door to door for the treatment. She went to all the Muslim Moulana to get its remedy but felt disappointed until she went to Nohar. There was some Moulana who made a talisman and suggested some rituals, gave something to burn in the wood but it took tons of wood to burn the matchbox given by him. From that day onwards Aslam never did any strange activity. With these activities, he used to fall directly mouth wards and got injured his nose. It became strong and the bone hardened. He was only one year old then.
Aslam was enrolled in a Primary school at Padampur in Sriganganagar District with his elder brother, Angrej or Yakub. Both the brothers went to the same school with their little sister, Shamim who started going to the school for rehearsal. The father sometimes left them to school on a bicycle.
One day it happened Yakub and his younger brother and sister got late for school, they spent the whole in the street behind the cinema at Padampur. And when at the time of bell they went back to their house. This was the only day they missed school. Aslam was in class 4th when he got the news of his aunt, Jainabi died from pain of stomach and his elder brother, Yakub was in 5th and his sister was just a beginner. They had to leave Padampur and join Tibi. At the very start, they were admitted to the primary school at Tibi. In this school, there was a teacher whose name was Likhma Ram ji who was fastidious. He used to beat the students very badly that none had tried to abort the idea of reading and learning their lessons properly. There were Sangeeta Ma’am and Bhoora Ram Ji who were very kind to the students. Aslam when remembered his boyhood days said to his friends that He had remembered all the lessons of Social Studies at the time of Likhma Ram ji in class 4th and 5th.
Chapter 15
Ramleela: The New Interest
Having completed his primary education, Aslam joined the Higher Secondary School, Tibi for his further study. There he received his education and passed out matriculation in 1989 with 3rd division and then Senior Secondary examination in 1992 with second division with by grace in English subject. He failed in 11th in the Biology stream. Then he changed his stream in the next class to Agriculture. He was not willing to study more because of his poor performance in English but his father, Safi pressurized him to join college he requested his father if permitted him to take English Literature for his career. He gave him permission on any condition but it was necessary to continue studying. The reason was that he had not been given the chance to read further due to the runaway of his elder brother, Faiz from school at Rajgarh. So it was as necessary as to the dying man, the air is necessary. Aslam then joined college taking English Literature as his choice with History and Political Science.
Once at the time when he passed his 12th class, he went to the rehearsal of Ramleela at Tibi, Amichand; his teacher at school offered him the role of a Mantri, a minister. He could not deny his offer and even he was interested in taking part in social activities and strengthening the relationship with society. Amichand was in the role of Rama and the main force in the drama while Bhoora Ram was the Director of Ramleela. A one-month rehearsal was given to all the players before the actual stage was enacted. This was a very simple role for Aslam. He played it with so much enthusiasm. And the main dialogue was,
“Live long the Emperor, Rawan who had ten heads. Live long the emperor!”
Safi never wanted his son to take part in Ramleela. He forbade him to join these activities but Aslam fled from his house to fulfill his desire to take part in Ramleela as he had recently learned to stand in front of the public. Before he was in 12th he never took any part in co-curricular activities on the school campus except playing cricket in house tournaments. He was introverted by nature then. He wanted to explore the latent power within him but he was not getting proper exposition. And taking part in Ramleela was an opportunity for him to groom the hidden talent in him. He was growing and now was the day scholar at college. It was not easy to control him as he was a revolutionary bent of mind. He was never defeated by the adverse condition in his life. He regarded his father very much but the father was not thinking about the happiness of his son. He never allowed him to take part against Islam and its rules but his wife, Balkesh allowed it for a short time. She used to go to see Ramleela with the neighbour. Shamim, the sister of Aslam also accompanied her.
Aslam participated in Ramleela for fifteen years and performed several different roles. Once it happened that Aslam was performing the role of Khar and the other character was Dooshan. They both including other Raksasas were to scatter the things for Hawan and Pooja so that the Sadhus should leave the area. Aslam had a bottle though of water but it was shown that the bottle was that of wine. He waved his bottle over his head and staggered while playing the role so perfectly as if he was a drunkard.
Sitting at the podium, his mother cried, “Come home, my son. I will tell you how to play such a role of a drunkard.”
Returning home, he found a severe punishment for the role played that day. Aslam had to ask for mercy and he promised that he was not going to perform such a role in the future. From that day onwards he never took part in such roles and changed his mind. He went to Ramadal and adopted the emotional roles including the role of Kevat, the father of Sarwan Kumar, Janak, Narada, Vibhishana, and Bharat, the younger brother of Rama. With so slight makeup, Aslam performed his roles. He had never accepted the other than the philosophy of other religions but played the roles to fulfill his desire.
He strongly felt the politics behind the curtain. Everything was done. No person of low caste was given the main roles of Ramleela but they were given petty roles and they accepted help from them to perform all the activities and management of Ramleela. Aslam too was surrounded by petty issues; sometimes the choice of the role, sometimes the point of politics. Ultimately he left to take part in Ramleela. But still, his father was not happy to hear it all. He developed wrong thinking against him and started hating him for the purpose and without any purpose. While his son used to go to the mosque and offer Namaz but his father had developed anti-thought against him.
In 1992, Aslam started working as a teacher in S.D. Public School at Tibi privately for 6 months then left this job because there was an examination at hand.
Chapter 16
B. Ed. V/S Promise of Namaz
Aslam joined S.D. Public School once again. He joined it when he was just 12th class pass out. He was a curious boy who wanted to explore his latent power in him. His teaching ability made him open the ways. He was selected for teaching at that private institution. He had made up his mind to teach students while completing his graduation as a regular student. In his second-year session, he just went for a single day there. It was a single poem, The Receipt of My Mother’s Picture, which he read in college that year. The rest of the days he utilized in teaching in the same school. While teaching he became an expert in delivering his lessons properly. His interest in teaching was Science. He had the chance of teaching Mathematics also.
At college, he met with his professor, Chanderbhan Singh Yadav, his English teacher who taught him English for one year at college and the rest four years at his home because he retired that year. He impressed him more than any other professor at college. His impression went on with his whole life and he adopted his Guru’s style of teaching and started teaching English at schools. It was Chanderbhan Singh Yadav who called him a poet at the retirement function held at college. There was another professor, Mr. K.K. Sharma who motivated him to write free verse. Aslam started writing one-act plays while he was in class 12th. He wrote his first one-act play, Apradhon Ki Ghati Ke, Ye Mahake Phool at school. In college, he wrote a one-act play entitled Indira Gandhi that was published in the college magazine, Vaichariki while he was in his second year. In his first year of his college, he wrote a sonnet, “What does the Darling Buds Say?” which was published in the college magazine. He was made the student editor of the magazine. He wrote one more one-act play, “Ek Ghoont Jahar” in Hindi which was also published in the same college magazine. He won many prizes at college with the first position. He had become a thinker while he was at college. His essays had been widely published in newspapers. Having completed his graduation, he wanted to join his Master's degree in English but could not muster courage because he found there was a lengthy syllabus for the Master's; he rejected the idea of further study and went to teach in the Val Vikash English Medium School at Tibi for one year.
While he was just in class 8th he got the chance of learning painting for some time. Once he was standing in the place where his future Guru was painting a wall at some shop. Aslam was inclined to imitate the same painting which was painted by his Guru, Budh Ram Lakesar from Nohar. Once the Guru asked him what the matter was. He asked Aslam if he wanted to learn painting, and the latter accepted his proposal and joined his shop without taking the permission of his parents. His parents never knew until one day his mother asked him where he had brought money because neither of his parents gave him money to spend. He was beaten but he never disclosed the secret of joining the shop of a painter. He was interested in painting which according to his father was not allowed in Islam. If anybody painted a picture of a man he had to enliven life in the picture as God fills life in human beings. Once his mother brought him to the cotton fields to pick cotton buds, countless insects bit him by the neck and he had blisters on his neck. He requested his mother to exempt him from taking him with her on the condition that he might earn comparatively more money in comparison to the money brought from the cotton fields. The very next day he went to the market and got some painting work and earned the money. He brought the money home and gave it to his mother. His mother was worried. She asked, “From where have you brought money, my dear son? Please tell me otherwise I will beat you.” She started beating him until he fell to the ground. He made all ways to make her understand but she did not believe all that because he had never been out of the home. Then how could he learn all that? There was a friend of Aslam. His name was Raju. He was also an apprentice for learning painting from the same Guru. He came to his home and told all about the money Aslam received by doing some painting job in the market. His mother allowed him to remain at home. She left him behind at home because he was earning more than she made it earn in the cotton fields.
His mother came from an agrarian family from Bhukraka. She could not sit idle at home while his husband was in a government job yet she engaged herself in farm activities with the village landlords. She used to carry a bundle of sticks as well as a bind of hay as huge as she could. She used to work like a man in the fields. No man could work as much as she could in furrows and while she irrigated the fields. She had tilled 10 Bighas of land nearby Tibi. She worked like a lioness in the fields. She was physically strong. Her voice was so vibrant that no man could maintain his standard more powerful than he was.
As soon as he completed his graduation, he came at the age of twenty-one. In 1995, it was decided that he should get married to Mobina, the sister-in-law of Yakub, his brother, with the marriage of his younger sister Shamim that year. The Barat for Shamim came on May 27, 1995, from Lunkaransar, Bikaner, and the Barat for Aslam went on May 29 to Nohar, Hanumangarh district.
Mobina had only passed her primary education. After her marriage, she was admitted to the S.D. Public School for her Upper Primary education as a private student. She passed it with average marks. She was a kind-hearted who cared for her husband and the whole family. She used to offer Namaz without forgetting a day or moment. Although Aslam’s father was rooted in Islamic thought, he liked her daughter-in-law and was much impressed with her behaviour. The strong impression of her was because of the same faith. She adopted her father-in-law as his own father and did what he liked for her. There were not many issues about her behaviour or her work for the family. On the other hand, Aslam remained a man of a revolutionary nature who could not limit his thoughts to a particular religion and wanted to spread his humanistic ideas to the whole of the world. He always thought of the common and the religion without any difference.
Aslam had to work for a living because he had been married. Money was needed. Everybody told the importance of money after marriage. Now he had to earn money for her wife as well, but he wanted to complete his M.A. in English, but how that was the question in front of him. One day, he went to Hanumangarh to buy books for his M.A. When he went to the shop, he asked for books. The shopkeeper showed him all the books prescribed for M.A. in English. As soon as he saw the books in bulk on the counter, he felt giddy and could not muster the courage to read all that was shown. Finally, he had to leave the shop without purchasing any books. That year, he spent his precious time enjoying the days of his married life and did nothing except join the Bal Vikas School at Tibi to earn some money, maintain his head, and remove the blot of unemployment.
Next year, Aslam decided to join college to complete his M.A. in English. He went again to the same shop to buy books for his M.A. He asked for a single book to be read one after one that time. He bought it and read in a week and then went back to bring the next book for him. Again, he read it within a week; again, he did the same until he read most of the books for his previous year. Then came the examination, and he secured good marks in English Literature among the thirty-eight students. In the final examination of the final year, he was the only male student among the five other female students. The result of M.A. was the second division with 48.44% marks. He was an English teacher and could teach well. He joined the National Public School at Talwara Jheel and started teaching. He spent four years in the same school and gained popularity as a skilled and expert teacher. He had to change schools after school due to his way of thinking and working without any flattery. Due to his frankness, he had to change many schools until he got a permanent government as a teacher in English.
By the time Aslam was appointed a tutor to the children of the owner of S.D. Public School, where he met with Ritu Kaswan and her younger brother, Rahul. Both the students were so curious that they were satisfied only with the thoughts and ways of explaining the subject matter of the discussion. Rahul was more interested in asking philosophical questions and more satisfactorily answered by Aslam. Rahul never disappointed Aslam, and Aslam gave all his questions a new way of thinking. He widened the thoughts of Rahul. Ritu told him that only he could satisfy his brother. Ritu accepted that Rahul was happy and well satisfied in the company of Aslam, while he used to go to teach Ritu, and he just came to ask his queries there. That went on for three year years. By the time Ritu got good marks in graduation. She applied for a B.Ed. Degree and got admission as a trainee.
While preparing for the PTET examination, Ritu once asked Aslam to come and have a discussion. Aslam told her they had many discussions. She told him to discuss him. When Aslam visited her, he asked her what she wanted to ask. She said,
‘My dear Sir, You have taught me well. You have motivated my younger brother very well.’
‘Ok, but why are you telling me all that. This is not a work of a single day. All the teachers do their work dedicatedly, and I have done my duty by doing so. What is particular about this?’
‘Yes. Sir. You are right, but.’
‘What but?’
‘You have changed the lives of so many students by teaching and guiding them, but.’ She proclaimed and sometimes hesitated to say.
‘What, if?’
‘You have not done anything for you.’
‘What?’
‘Yes. You have not done anything for yourself and still, you have not given the right direction to your life.’
‘Oh! Aslam exclaimed with wonder. He felt it deeply and thought for a moment, then asked her.’
‘What should I do according to you?’
‘You should do something, Sir. I do not know what is to be done.’
She suggested him. They discussed it for about half an hour that day. Aslam had never seen her so much serious. By the time Aslam went back to his home. That night, he could not sleep well. He just thought about his future, and ultimately, when he got up in the morning, he decided to join a course for a B.Ed. from the University of Jammu and Kashmir with a donation of one lakh. He asked his father to give him One Lakhs Rupees so that he could fulfill his desire to become a teacher and thus secure his future. But was it easy to get money from that father who started hating him for a single reason; the reason that Aslam was not following the path of Islam besides joining the Namaz for Friday regularly. But, that was not satisfying for the father. He could never think out of the box. He called his son and said.
‘Will you start offering Namaz regularly? If you accept the condition, I shall give you money for your B.Ed.’
Aslam felt devastated when he found out his father was sad about him and would never allow money for anything. He went directly to his wife and told her what had happened between father and son. Her wife requested her husband to square with his father, begged for God's sake, and told him to follow as his father wanted.
‘Ok, Aslam said. I will do all to make you happy. I will not put my leg behind. I will compromise with my own thoughts with that of the thoughts of my father even if it makes me hurt.’
It was January eight when Aslam wanted to join his B.Ed. Course from J&K. He did his professional degree in 2006 and got first division. It was not easy for him to do so. He had to undergo many hurdles to study there because all the time, he thought about the promise that he had made his father that he would follow the path of Islam rigidly. After getting his degree, he came back home. For the next three days, Aslam offered the Namaz and all that he was required to satisfy his wish. But was he able to follow the path of Islam? That was the burning question of that time.
Aslam had promised his father that he would follow the path of Islam rigidly. He followed him only for three days. He could not sustain the thought for more days. He did not touch his wife and his two-year-old baby in these three days, and he remained pious as a saint, wearing a white Payjama and Kurta, a white cap used by the Moulana.
Chapter 17
The Struggle for a Job
It was not easy for Aslam to get a degree in education without the support of his father and the proper counseling from his wife. It would never have been possible without the timely help of his wife if she could not force him to accept his father's proposal, even if he forbade accepting it later in life. Come what might to achieve this degree, his father was a driving force behind all that. He gave one lakh rupees for his education and for a certificate which was needed to get a government job. Getting a government job was a tradition in his family. Whenever anybody got a government job in his family, the whole family never enjoyed it. It was just news to tell that someone had joined the government service. Only for this news, he had to undergo a hard journey, and it was not easy for Aslam to get this news. Aslam belonged to a family where most male members were in government service and had high grades and positions. His father was in a veterinary hospital at Surewala, and his great uncle, Faiz was at Tibi on the same post. Both were watermen in the department and his uncles were in different departments with a reputed rank and post. So, Aslam had to work hard to fight hardship.
Aslam never forgot those moments of his disgrace by his uncle, a Tehsildar in Bikaner. Later he was transferred to Gharsana. The incident had an unforgettable impact on Aslam’s mind and made it easy to achieve his final target. Someday he went to Bikaner with his mother there. His mother told him that he should take guidance and counseling from his uncle. When his mother forced him to ask what was to be done to get a job, he told him he should cobble shoes if he could not work hard and study well. These were the biting and derogatory yet motivational remarks that ultimately made him successful as a government teacher.
Aslam used to think of taking revenge against his uncle because of the comments and negative enforcement. None had tried to understand him. All went against him until he got a permanent job. He thought of a plan that the day he got a job, he would go to the office of his uncle at Gharsana and polish the shoes of all the employees there and would tell the people that he was a nephew of the Tehsildar. For this, he had to burn into midnight oil. Making a plan was not a simple thing, but achieving it was Hercules' task. To think and to do practically was a different thing. He started working on his plan from the day of his final result of the B.Ed. He attempted many times, but all was vain. He failed at the nearest target with one and one and a half marks far from the job. It took six years to achieve this goal. To be continued.......
Coming Up.....
Chapter 18
Shaping Life: A Turning Point
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nice work. Mama ki. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteKeep it it go on✔️👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
ReplyDeleteThank for visiting and humble regards for your motivational appraisal. Keep motivating like this.
DeleteThank you, brother.
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