When the Dust settled Down- The 1947 India Pakistan Partition.
Denis Khan
On August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, British India was divided and the new States of India and Pakistan were born.
Partition meant different things to different people.
At the time, I was a child born into a mixed love marriage. My father was a Muslim, and my mother was a Christian.
We were building up
our family roots. However, with the confusion and turmoil, my Dad
disappeared, and my Mother was left to look after five children.
The Catholic Institutions helped us in our Education. A Muslim magnate, Mr.Fazalbhoy, employed my mother.
Our family was a
prime example of National integration. Thats how people got used to
seeing Denis Anthony Khan around, much beforeAmar, Akbar, Anthony!
Our early days were
idyllic. Everything was freely available. There was no need for big
bucks. I remember, once, a neighbor got Rs.100/- salary. The whole
village gathered around to celebrate and glimpse the Rs.100 note!
We used to watch
movies form the benches in front. Eagerly we lapped up the roaring MGM
roaring lion, and enjoyed the whole movie. After The End was flashed
on the screen, we immediately stood up and proudly sprang to
attention, as the Union Jack was waved on the screen, and we lustily
joined in the British national Anthem, God Save our gracious King!
I still recall that
fervor, every time a Rock Show is conducted at Wembley stadium. A hush
falls over the crowd, as the band plays the Anthem, before bringing the
stadium roof down with shrieking decibel music.
A chicken plate on the Frontier Mail dining car cost 6 annas, three pice two pies.
Today, there is no
value for small change. Today, we have a black holed economy, with
crores disappearing at the macro level, and small change disappearing at the micro level.
The Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas are modern temples, where elected representatives solemnly swear to serve the Nation.
Robert Clive and Warren Hastings were punished for fleecing India. Has any elected representative been taken up till today?
Instead, bandhs are organized to increase the suffering of the common man.
Years ago, my
little son noticed a uniformed official saluting
baron. He innocently asked me as to how a lawmaker was saluting a law
breaker. Till today i have no answer.
Midway through
college, I joined Western Railway and plied trains for 41 years over
the WR system, including 25 years over the suburban network.
In the early days,
there was extreme dedication, and it was considered a shame o bring a
train late into destination. Everything has changed.
During 41 years in
service, nobody bothered to ask me about my religion and caste. I
firmly believe in the words of Swami Vivekananda, Keep
windows of your Mind open, and let the cultures of the four corners of
the world flow into you. That is why I named my son,Dinesh (God who
remembers the poor), and my daughter, Giselle (Israeli ballet dancer).
Jai Hind!