Mera Khazana …
Remembering Underground Days: Wearing a Turban And Chadra; Cycling rides
------
A warm meeting with Mehar Sandhu of Bhalloor after many years
— memories of college days resurfaced — the village chubara (upper room) — songs of Sant Ram Udasi — big tape recorders — cycling rides — and an attempted backdoor college admission.
*******
Two days ago, Mehar Singh Sandhu of Faridkot visited my home in Chandigarh. It turned into a warm and affectionate meeting after many years. This meeting revived memories of our old college days, particularly the period of active involvement in the Punjab Students Union (PSU), days filled with diverse and unforgettable experiences. Two incidents connected with Faridkot remain especially memorable.
Life in Hiding, Turban, An Alias Name
The most vivid memory is of the time when I went to Mehar’s village Bhalloor to get recording songs of Sant Ram Udasi. This was during the Emergency imposed between 1975 and 1977. Warrants had been issued against me under the detention law DIR. I was underground at the time and actively working for the PSU. To evade the police, I often tied a turban. Most of the time I wore kurta-pajamas, but occasionally I also tied a chadra. During this underground phase, I used to hide my identity. Like us, Mehar too was active in the PSU because of his left-leaning ideological beliefs.
The village Chubara and the songs of Sant Ram Udasi
In those days, Sant Ram Udasi and his songs were symbols of the revolutionary movement. I came to know that Mehar had recorded Udasi’s songs during some programme. In those times, tape recorders were rare possessions. I specially borrowed a tape recorder from someone (I don’t remember from whom) and cycled nearly 20 kilometres from Bagha Purana (in those days cycling 30–35 kilometres daily was normal) to reach his village Bhallur. In the chubara of his house, I recorded Udasi’s songs, had food, and returned. I was extremely happy because Udasi’s songs were considered a very valuable treasure at that time. Mehar too remembered those days very clearly.
--
Unsuccessful attempt to secure admission in college under a concealed identity
Baljit Balli -Turbaned in 1973
The second incident is equally interesting. I was a student of Bathinda College. This incident probably dates back to 1973. Sitting in the PSU leadership, it was decided that I should take admission in Brijindra College, Faridkot, as the PSU unit there needed strengthening. As a student leader, My name Baljit Balli was well known, and my face was easily recognisable due to active participation as speaker in rallies and protests. However, my certificates still carried the name Baljit Rai.
To change my appearance, I used to wear a turban (the turbaned photograph is attached with this write-up). The plan was to quietly fill the admission form and secure admission. But the plan failed. The college principal and the admission committee discovered my real identity and the admission was denied. I returned to Rajindra College, Bathinda, where I completed my graduation in subjects of Philosophy and English Literature by 1975.
Let us again come to Mehar SinghAfter completing college education, Mehar Singh joined a government job as a Science Master , promoted as Lecturer and later also served as a school Principal. He was also a State Awardee. It must be mentioned that Mehar Singh’s M.Phil thesis was on the poetry of Pash. It was heartening to learn that even during his government service, and after retirement, despite physical ailments and bypass surgery, he continued his pro-people activism — whether it was the village Naujwan Sabha, working in Association For Democratic Rights, or organising medical camps in the village.
Anyways, in just one meeting with Mehar, our old bond was renewed.
Baljit Balli
14 December, 2025
-
-
Baljit Balli, Editor-In-Chief, Babushahi News Network
tirshinazar@gmail.com
Phone No. : +91-9915177722
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the writer/author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media. Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.