Wishing peaceful and socially harmonious year for humanity
Attended Bhog ceremony for Dr. Daljit Singh today, December 30, 2017 in Amritsar and surprisingly did not click any picture from my mobile, it was sad, but absorbing time for me. There was a huge turnout from far off and local area, number of official cars were there, means many ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats were there. Only two persons spoke after Kirtan, Dr. Daljit Singh's class-fellow and friend from School days Principal Jagdish Singh and Dr. Ravijit Singh,elder son of Dr. Daljit Singh. The best part of their thanksgiving speech was that not a single person whether minister or other biggies was mentioned by name and everybody was thanked collectively.
It seems more people from AAP joined, though Dr. Daljit had left AAP. Another notable aspect of the gathering was that the humane features of Dr. Daljit Singh's personality, many unknown so far, were described in most informal manner. For instance, Jagdish Singh remembered how in school Dr Daljit Singh would come out with a Basketball and play for certain time even alone, if no other student turned up!
Ravijit memoirs were most touching told in very simple style, sharing what remains n my memory-
1.Daljit did not speak for almost one year after birth and was named ‘Ghughu ‘ਘੁਗੂ’ and that Ghughu became Daljit Singh.
2.In school/college,Daljit used to make sketches of teachers, so first thing his English teacher will utter at entering the class-Daljit get out of class! And Daljit will sit in the library and score more marks than those attended classes!
3. Even in 1957, Daljit had ‘love marriage’, a rarity in those days, so he was a love jehadi sixty years ago!
4. When Ravi was just in second class, daddy Daljit got him a book to read-मनुष्य महाबली कैसे बना in sixties and when Ravi could not make anything of it, Dad will read and explain it to him.
5. Daljit wrote in his fiancée gift dairy-‘Professional competence is the best patriotism’ and he worked throughout till last days 16-18 hours in hospital innovating first lense for eye from a Dentist gifted small chemical bottle!
6. Daljit could play any number of musical instruments-harmonium, tabla,western, he got even saxophone but could not play!
7. Whole house was full of cameras, he was best photographer even he did computer sketching of friends!
8.Son Ravi could never beat Papa in any indoor game be it carom board, table tennis, chess or billiards! City club has engraved Daljit Singh as two time billiards champion.
9. Daljit was fond of painting as well, in his last bed ridden days he did many nature paintings, wished even to attend hobby art classes, though could not!
10. Dr. Daljit would know of his student, patient or friend need and help him without letting him or her know!
11. Daljit contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections and someone asked 50 thousand ₹ for some votes, he told not to vote him, as he won’t give money!
12. Ravijit spoke as Daljit would have wished him to speak, perhaps it was best way to remember and celebrate him! RaviJit also expressed that earlier he thought that Daljit Singh was just father to his two sons, and they looked to him as father, but now he realises that there could be many who could be looking to him as father figure and likewise Daljit Singh may also had been caring many like his two sons!
Adieu Dr. Daljit, a fulfilling life lived meaningfully and well, inspiring rational humanism in others by your life! Hope your legacy continues as you took forward your father Prof. Sahib Singh legacy
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Prof Chaman Lal, Retired Prof of JNU, Writer and Researcher
Chaman Lal
Phone No. : +919646494538
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