हिन्दी | English
Third day of Dhai Akhar Prem National Cultural Jatha in Punjab
Sau Me Sattar Aadami Filhaal Jab Naashaad Hain
Dil Pe Rakhkar Haath Kahiye Desh Kya Aazaad Hai
Kothiyon Se Mulk Ke Meaar Ko Mat Aankiye
Asli Hindustaan to Phutpaath Par Aabaad Hai
(Can we say that our country is free when seventy per cent of the people are living in distress? Don’t judge the progress of a country by its mansions, the real India lives on the footpaths.)
Nisar Ali from Chhattisgarh sang this song written by Adam Gondvi when the Jatha reached Palahi from Phagwara on its third day. The paddy fields on both sides of the road were attractive. The water coming out of the tube well was sweet and refreshing; the fields were being irrigated through covered channels. Local people started joining the Jatha and soon it took the shape of a caravan. Another song of Adam Gondvi was sung by Nisar Ali – ‘damadam mast qalandar’ – and in his unique way he kept engaging with the local people. The Jatha is spreading the message of peace, love and harmony. Love and harmony start from one’s home and family, and from there, it spreads to the neighbours and in surrounding areas, and districts, people keep joining… and in this way, the entire country starts loving each other. The Jatha is carrying the legacy of saints like Kabir, Nanak, Gandhi and Bhagat Singh.
The next stop was Ranipur. While the Jatha was travelling, we were informed that there are around five Gurudwaras in Ranipur and almost every local shopkeeper here makes Rusk. The conversation was interrupted as the Jatha reached Ranipur Chowk. Prasanna, National President of IPTA started doing ‘shramdaan’ – cleaning an area under a tree so that people can assemble there and have a meeting. In no time, many local people also joined the ‘shramdaan’ and later they participated in the small programme undertaken by the Jatha. Vineet Tiwari and Nisar Ali, with the help of poems and songs, shared the objectives of the Jatha and interacted with the local people.
It was already two o’clock. Close to this place was Ramsar Gurudwara. It is said that this Gurudwara was visited by Guru Hargobind (the sixth guru) and later Guru Har Krishan (the eighth guru) and Guru Teg Bahadur (the ninth guru) also visited this place. The Jatha members cherished ‘Guru da Prasad’ that is the ‘Langar’ – a community meal served in Gurudwaras – with great enthusiasm.
The Jatha then reached Khatkar Kalan. Khatkar Kalan is situated in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. It is famous for the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh. The Jatha companions visited Bhagat Singh’s house and saw his preserved heritage. A group of students from a local college were also visiting Bhagat Singh’s house. Nisar Ali briefly engaged with the students and on their request he presented a Nacha-Gammat (a folk form of Chhattisgarh) on ‘Dhai Aakhar Prem’. In this way, the third day of the Jatha in Punjab ended with further interactions and cultural programme.
Along with previous companions the Jatha was also joined by Sukhdev Singh Sirsa (National General Secretary, AIPWA), Surjit Jajj (President, PWA, Punjab), Sarabjit Rupowali, Annu Rupowali, Aanchal Nahar, Vaishnavi Nahar, Renuka Azad, Vaishnavi Rupowali, Kalvidar Kaur, Chahatpreet Kaur etc. and a large number of local people.
Report: Santosh, IPTA Delhi