Auto BiographyOf

Gurbachan Chand

Village & P.O. SHERGARH

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# 392 Mohalla Baghan Wala,Tehsil & Distt: Hoshiarpur, 146001 (Punjab)

INDIA

Part-ICONTENTS

1. Preface 42. Acknowledgement 53. Birth, childhood and education 94. Employment 95. Appreciation of honesty: Change of my suite case 116. Mail to the Speaker on his foreign tour 147. My and my wife’s first visit to America(1985) 178. Birth of Ashma Raj my grand daughter 189. Pittsburg (California) visit 1910. My second visit to America: Regained my eye sight again2011. Appearance of Almighty God who is Omnipresent 2312. Starting of a new store in Long Beach (California). 2513. Grant of Green Card 2514. My visit to an organization in Los Angeles

2615. My first visit to Canada 2616. Admission in Braille Institute of Orange County

Anaheim, California 2717. One decade of my attending classes

3018. Could have learnt more

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19. An open house Seminar on Health, Happiness & Humor 32

20. Grant of Citizenship by the USA 33

21. Re-union of our family in India (1998). 34

22. Celebrations of 20th marriage anniversary of my elder son and daughter-in-law 35

23. Taking children to various places in Punjab 3624. Importance of mother, father, brothers and sisters 37

25. Grand children: the pieces of our heart. My happiest stay with them in Claim Jumper Restaurant (USA) 40

26. My Bio-Data 41

27. Religion and politics 3828. Creations living on/below the earth are surviving

under one roof of God 44

29. Some of the important events of my life 45

30. From my native village (in Punjab) to California(America) 51

31. History of my sub Caste-Saroya community 52

32. Celebration of New Year Eve in my native village (Shergarh) 53

33. Message to my children 54

34. Helen Keller 56

35. The efforts for changing of my old dream into reality for establishing something in the sweet memory of my respected mother

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36. To establish a Dispensary instead of an Educational Trust in sweet memory of my mother 61

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37. My mission regarding establishment of an Eye-clinic in sweet memory of my mother 62

38. Some important verses 63

39. Prayer 65

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Preface

The idea of writing this book comprising my experiences of different stages of my life, in India and abroad came to my mind when I, sitting at my residence in the USA, was acknowledging whatever the God has showered over me, my wife and my entire family, and has given almost everything, whatever we desired, to both the branches of my family (in India and USA).

I rose from a very small person to a recognizable position in my life, only with the blessings of the Almighty God. Therefore, in this’ book I have tried to narrate the struggle of my life. The facts described are a reality which may be motivative for others including my family members. Although every effort has been made to give all aspects, in brief, of the life/stages but whatever the God has given to me and my family cannot be explained in a few pages of this book. Apart from the thanks of the Almighty God some other important incidents/events of my life have also been touched, in brief, in the book.

I am lucky enough that Omnipresent has always accepted my prayers for my every demand. 0 God give us strength so that we may remember you at every time.

I pray with my folded hands to my respected mother and father who supported and guided me in the way, as a result of which I could lead a happy life. Though my mother and father had expired but they live in my heart.

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Acknowledgement

Written documents are permanent record for new generations, for ever as compared to the un-written/printed words which have a very limited life. Therefore, I wanted to convert and get printed my experiences, which were in the handwritten and unorganized form, into a systematically organized book form. In Chandigarh and around there were many educated and administratively experienced persons. But after a long thought I decided to request Dr. Sodhi Ram, former Controller of Examinations, Panjab University, Chandigarh for his help and expert guidance for fulfilling my desire of bringing out my autobiography. Therefore, I requested him for his help and after some time, he hesitantly agreed to help me, just out of regard, for sparing some time from his busy schedule.

He added/deleted everything whatever I said/desired and gave a proper form to my ideas after modifying and polishing my manuscript and made it coherent/concise and systematic into readable/presentable form. Therefore, as my moral duty, I am very grateful, from the core of my heart to Dr. Sodhi Ram, former Controller of Examinations, Panjab University, Chandigarh not only for his encouraging attitude but also for sparing his valuable time for transforming my raw/handwritten manuscript into this presentable book form. Not exaggerating, but it is a fact, that without his mature academic help it was not possible to have this book in your hands. His wife Surinder Kaur also deserves appreciation for the hospitality, having a very good nature, being god fearing and extra social.

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My limitless thanks are due to my parents who allowed and supported me for my study, provided guidance along with all types of help for my success. I am also thankful to my wife Mrs. Pritam Kaur, for helping and standing with me in all phases of my life., A very beautiful, faithful and clear hearted lady I can not explain her goodness in words. I could reach up to this stage, only with her nice and wonderful company.

I am thankful to my children, especially Dev-Abha in USA, and Chaman-Usha and Dr. Sohan Lal-Nirmaijit (Gogi) in India who have been giving me and my wife full respect/regard and help of every kind.

I am also thankful to my father-in-law, mother-in-law and their children/grandchildren who loved/supported/gave me full respect and co-operation. Their respect and regard still continues.

Mr. Atma Singh Kairon, Supdt. (Retd.) and Mr. Tara Singh, Dy. Secretary (Retd.), Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chandigarh also deserve my particular thanks for their valuable help and guidance from time to time during my service in the Vidhan Sabha and afterwards also. I am very much thankful to Mr. Gurmit Chand Saroya, Under Secretary (Retd.), Govt. of Punjab; Raghbir Singh Dhillon, Former O.S.D., Planning Deptt., Punjab; Tarsem Lal Heer, Supdt.(Retd-), Irrigation Deptt., Punjab; H.L. Jassi, Manager, Central Bank of India; Buta Ram (USA) and all my near and dears in India and abroad for their help, co-operation and valuable guidance from time to time. Special mention needs to be made of Bishan Dutt - Darshna USA, Baldev Mastana (UK) and Paramjit Bhutta, Kewal Bolina and Prem Kumar Chumber (USA). My sincere thanks are also due to Mr. Harnam Singh S/o Ch. Dasondha Singh,

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Ex. MLA and Mr. Mehnga Ram Soond, respectively President and Secretary of PUNSGOVA, UK, not only for the respect and regard they gave but also for the selfless service they are doing for their native fellows in Punjab. I am always indebted to the residents of my native village Shergarh who always guided me to learn goods things in life. I learnt a lot from the institution i.e. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, which helped me to build my life and that of my family. I also feel obliged to them.

S. Devinder Singh Jhawar of USA for donating huge amount for the needy and poor persons in Punjab (through me) and Shri Sodhi Ram along with his friends donated considerable amount of money for purchasing computer for the poor and needy girls of the Community. I appreciate and thank them for their generous contribution.

I thank Amarjit Singh Dhillon, former President of Guru Nanak Sikh Temple of USA, situated at Orangeethrope in California, as I feel my initial interaction with him made my mind strong to stay in America.

I am especially thankful to the Sadh Sangat of different religious places abroad and in India for their co-operation and guidance for ways and means of living in places, other than our original birth place. I learnt many things from them.

My heart feeling thanks to Haribans Ghirra, Gurmej Lal Chamba and Jai Birdi call (all are in Canada) for their lovable co-operation, help and regards have been given to me in the past and onwards.

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My respectful thanks are also due to my Braille Institute of Orange County, California where I had been attending classes for about one decade (with breaks) on different subjects. All the staff members, especially Mrs. Nancy Henderickson who was very kind to me were very able and competent. However, Samual Achs, a very competent teacher in all subjects still loves me very much and he is my friend too.

I am thankful to Jayne-Mari Garland (USA), former second language English Teacher for satisfying my fatherly affection for my biological daughter living in India.

I am also thankful to Baljit Ken, for inspiring in me the benefits of positive thinking.

I feel equally thankful to Parminder Singh Sandhu (Mohali) and Parshottam Kumar Heer of Aslamabad, Hoshiarpur (Punjab) who have always readily made their auto-rickshaws available to me and made my mobility from place to place free from any type of hassle.

Gurbachan Chand (N.R.I)011 (91) 987 276 3501H. No.533, Phase 2, (Sector 54),SAS Nagar (Mohali) – 160 055.

January 20, 2011. Punjab, INDIA.

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Birth, Childhood and Education

I was born in a small village Shergarh, Tehsil & District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. According to the school record my date of birth is January 20, 1937. My parents were poor belonging to a low caste according to the caste system in India.

With the blessings and kindness of my mother and father and the help of my brothers and sisters, sisters-in-law and others I passed my Matriculation Examination in 1953 and Pre-University in 1964.

We tried our best to get some job but due-to poverty and lack of some good approach (Siffarish) and also little education, it took a long time to get a job. In the first instance I was appointed as an Asstt. Clerk on temporary basis in the Irrigation Department, Punjab. Before getting a job my family circumstances were so bad that we had hardly any money and other things to live by. At that time we were four members in our family i.e. mother, myself, my wife and my elder son (Dev Raj), as my father had passed away when I was studying in school. In those days there were plenty of hardships for us.

Employment

I had a class fellow Mr. Mehanga Ram, a “Jat” by caste. He asked me to go with him to cut wheat during the wheat harvest. On that day the sun was very hot and it was very difficult for me to cut the wheat in the scorching heat. I prayed to God and

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requested him to give me some job. When I came home, on the same day my mother gave me an envelope. I read the letter which was my appointment letter in the Irrigation Deptt. My family got a big relief. With the blessings of my mother and God I joined the job and started work in Ambala. That was a very important day in my life.

After some months may be a year I was transferred to Bhatinda. I tried to do my work very honestly. One day a farmer came in my office and my immediate boss was on leave. The farmer asked me about his application for “mogha” (an outlet of canal). I gave him information and he gave me Rs.5 or 10 and asked me to take some sweets for my home. Those days my wife and my child Dev Raj had recently shifted from Shergarh to Bhatinda. I kept that currency note in my pant’s pocket. By chance I had to go to see a Picture in the cinema hail. My wife washed my clothes including that Pant. The way of washing the clothes was by first boiling the water after putting pieces of soap cake.

My wife so boiled and beat the pant with the wooden baton (Thappi) that with the result the currency note along with my own money got torn into pieces.

That was the first lesson to me that we should not take/accept money from any one except what we earn. On that date God blessed me with contentment of mind. From that date I began to believe that God was always by my side and helped me in all my tasks.

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When I was in Bhatinda working as an Assistant clerk there was a news in the newspaper that for getting a permanent job we should apply to the Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab Chandigarh. I applied and passed the English type test. The aforesaid Board recommended my name for the post of clerk in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, Chandigarh (Punjab legislative assembly secretariat) probably in 1957-58.

I worked as a civil servant in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat for about 39 years and retired in 1995 as Jt. Secy, next to the Secretary with the blessings of my mother, father, my superiors and subordinates, my colleagues, my brothers, my sister, my life companion, my children, my relatives, my friends, my nears & dears, my well wishers and above all my spiritual guru and Almighty God.

Appreciation of honesty: Change of my suite caseI came from Chandigarh to attend the marriage of my

nephew which was solemnized perhaps during 1959, in village Kot Fatuhi near Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur). After the marriage ceremony was over I got the bus from Mahilpur for Hoshiarpur. I put my steel suite case on the roof of the bus. When the bus reached at Adda Mahilpur, in Hoshiarpur I got down from the bus but I could not find my suite case on its roof. I told the conductor that my suite case was missing. The conductor told me that there another similar suite case lying there and no body was claiming that suite case. He suggested that my suite case must have been replaced with someone else. He wanted me to take the left out suite case I insisted that this suite case is not mine. Conductor said that nothing else could be done and that the only solution

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under the circumstances was that I could take that left out suite case. Thinking no other alternative, I reluctantly took that suite case and came home (Shergarh).

After reaching home, I immediately called the Sarpanch of the village Shri Mehanga Ram and opened the suite case in his presence. When the suite case was opened every one was surprised to see the golden Jewellery in it i.e. a big Golden Set, Ear rings, Mundi and Kante. The estimated cost was worked out about Rs.11 thousand at that time.

Early next morning I alongwith my uncle Sh. Mangat Ram went to the Principal Rala Ram, D.A.V. college Hoshiarpur who was also M.L.A. in those days. We tried to inform others also as we could. On the same day two three persons including a Sarpanch of village Bahowal came to my house and claimed the ownership of the suite case. We told them that this matter has gone to the high level and we can not give the suit case to him there. We went to the D.C. office Hoshiarpur and gave them the suite case after verification of their credentials with all their goods. They gave me Rs. 20/- as a reward. I returned Rs. 20/- to them saying that this money be given to their daughter (bridegroom) by considering her as my sister as Shagan from my side. They accepted my offer.

Actually, the owner of the suite case was S. Jwala Singh, a land lord of Bahowal near Mahilpur. His daughter, the owner of the suit case was returning to her parent home from her in-laws home. They got down from the bus at Bahowal village. Their suite

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case was changed there with mine’s one due to hurry of the bus driver.

In my suite case there were only two sets of clothes and one cotton Khesi. Also there was no clue about my address.

However, after vacations when I went to my office every body was asking me about it. They were very happy to see the news in the newspapers about my honesty. I was also surprised and happy to know that matter has been published in the Newspapers with bold Headings.

My colleagues, in my office, started collecting money from amongst themselves to give me a reward feeling proud that their colleagues has done an extremely act.

However my boss asked them not to collect Rs.5/- or Rs.2/- from every person to give reward to me as the money was no consideration in comparison to his honesty. He told them if they give me love from the core of their hearts, it would be every thing for me. Thus, collecting money was stopped and the money collected was returned to the concerned persons.

During that period a D.O. (Demy Official) letter was received from Mr. Sube Singh, I.A.S., Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur by the Hon’ble Speaker S. Gurdial Singh Dhillon with a recommendation for a suitable reward for me for the exemplary honesty shown by me being a person from a poor low community.

After some time, my well-wishers asked me unofficially that why did you know the recommendations were not being sent to the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. I replied I did not know

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why the suitable reward had not been recommended. He told me that you are belonging to the poor society of rural areas, so the concerned officers did not take care of your honesty. Therefore, the case was closed.

Perhaps, in view of my publicity in the suite case issue I was posted in the personal staff of the Speaker, Hon’ble S. Gurdial Singh Dhillon, Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

“MAIL” to the Speaker on his foreign tour

During his foreign tours to attend the Common Wealth Parliamentary Association, Hon’ble Speaker asked my immediate boss, Mr. N. N. Dhar, Private Secretary to speaker to send, all his Dak addressed to him, by mail. We used to send the “mail” to the Speaker as usual through U.P.C.”, means under postal certificate. Accordingly I used to go to the post office and as per the procedure the written address on a separate paper as well as the postal stamps are fixed on it. The envelope along with the UPC paper is handed over to the dealing clerk in post office. After putting the date stamp he used to return the paper containing the address.

One day the Speaker telephoned to Mr. Dhar that the Mail envelope had not reached him. Mr. Dhar asked me about that mail. I told him that as usual that envelope was mailed under postal certificate. So I do not know why it did not reach. Mr. Dhar told the Speaker on phone that the envelope was mailed on such and such date/address. But the Speaker again told that he had not received the same.

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Mr. Dhar doubted me and was under wrong impression that I did not post the envelope. Whenever he talked to me about it I used to show him the same paper containing the stamp and P.C. of the post office. One day he became angry with me and said that he knows that I had not posted the Mail and the U.P.C. is a fraud one. I told him politely with folded hands that Sir, believe me I had posted the mail and it was not fraud at all.

He did not trust me and made up his mind to hand over the matter to the police for investigation after lodging a F.I.R. (First Information Report) in the police. This increased my worry and forced me thinking that I had not done wrong thing, why I am being harassed unnecessarily. In those days when I go home in the evening my wife used to suspect that I am not happy as before and why remain upset. I tried not to disclose it to her. When she pressed me again and again, I told her the whole story. She said that you should not worry at all. If your boss had made up his mind to do this crime what can we do? We remained under tension for about two weeks. One day my boss decided to give the case to the police but on the same day a telephone call came from the Speaker that the Mail (Envelop) in question had been reached him. I felt great relief after hearing that good news.

Later on I was told by my friend that my boss mis-understood me. However, after that he remained very kind to me.

This matter was simple but bosses should not go to such extent to harass their honest subordinates without knowing the factual position.

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In 1964 Punjab Government issued instructions for the welfare and development of the down trodden and poor, socially and educationally backward people in general and for the scheduled castes in particular and introduced reservation for these categories in promotion in services as per the Constitution of India, and as per their proportion in the population.

In those days I was working as clerk. My colleagues told me that since I fulfilled the criteria you should apply for promotion as an Assistant, which I did. And I was promoted as an Assistant.

From that position up to the promotion to the post of Joint Secretary of Punjab Vidhan Sabha I tried to do my duties, to the full satisfaction of my superiors.

I enjoyed my entire service in Punjab Vidhan Sabha happily because my superiors as well as my subordinates were very helpful, co-operative and kind persons.

I may tell about one of my most important events when I was appointed as Secretary, Punjab State Sri Guru Ravidas 600th

Birth Anniversary Committee, Chandigarh in 1978-79 on deputation basis for one year as the committee was constituted for one year for the celebration of 600th Birthday of Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj as was done in the cases of communities for other Gurus.

Hon’ble Giani Zail Singh, the then Chief Minister of Punjab and later on Hon’ble Sardar Parkash Singh Badal as Chief Minister of Punjab were the chairmen of the committee as the government changed from congress party to Shiromani Akali Dal Party. Shri Gurmail Singh the then minister of Punjab and later on S. Kartar

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Singh Vaid the then M.L.A. (Punjab) were the working chairmen respectively. Sh. Sada Nand I.A.S. was the Administrative Secretary from Punjab government. The members of the committee were from all walks of life i.e. Religious persons. Educated persons, social persons and Political persons etc.

My and my wife’s first visit to America (1985)

God granted us each and everything for the pleasure of our life and is still giving more and more. So far I remember, we did not see any sufferings (any problem) in our life. If God gave us some suffering some time, he simultaneously gave us courage and his blessings to face and to solve the same. I am sure and it is certain that God blesses all of us for our welfare and our happiness and prosperity.

After my son’s marriage in 1979 he migrated to America and settled there and all are enjoying their lives. And we had been enjoying our lives in India, as well.

March 1985 was a historical time when I and my wife visited America for the first time. Before that I never thought that the one day we will go to America. At that time we were living in Nor Walk (Los Angles) area. We enjoyed that trip very much and during that period we saw many important places of California State. During that period, our daughter-in law and son started a video store. It was a big store.

Another most important event during that period was an opening ceremony of Guru Ravidas Temple in Pittsburg

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(California). I along with my family members attended that ceremony which was a wonderful event (June 2, 1985) for us.

During our visit we stayed here (in USA) for some months and went back to India. That was very important time in our life. We experienced a tremendous change in our life and that visit gave me a third eye in my knowledge. From that period till now our family started making more and more progress. I would like to express my mind in few lines :-

During that visit I, along with my wife, also visited England and Canada and my relatives and friends attended us gracefully and gave us honour everywhere. They also showed us important places of these countries.

Birth of Ashna Raj my grand daughter

Ashna Raj, my only grand daughter was born on March 21, 1985 in Norwalk town of Los Angles. She was considered lucky as after her birth, the first family business of a video store was started in Moody and Cypress by my son and daughter-in-law.

To keep myself busy I decided to start improving English. One day my daughter-in law’s friend Neera took me to La- Mirada

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High School and got me admitted in the English Electronic Type writer class. I continued going there during my stay in America.

During that period an annual function of that school was held. The teacher told every student to wear the dress representing their country because the students were from different countries. Teacher asked me to arrange an Indian lady’s traditional dress and I did accordingly. I wore my clothes and my daughter-in-law draped the “Saree” on another lady student (from Japan or Mexico). I and she performed the show.

A song (American) was sung in a big group by the students of different countries. The function was very wonderful as it was decorated in a nice way. Every student held their country’s National Flag.

During my study I passed the Typing test at the speed of 59 words per minute on English electronic type writer.

I enjoyed my study very well because the staff and students were very co-operative and helpful.

Pittsburg visit

In June, 1985 a grand opening ceremony of Sri Guru Ravidas Temple (Pittsburg) was held. I, along with my family, was invited to that opening ceremony.

With the blessing of Almighty God and Sri Guru Ravidas I was honoured with a ‘Siropa’ and memento by the “Sri Guru

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Ravidas Sabha, California. Thus I enjoyed my visit very much. There alter, I returned to India and joined my duty at Chandigarh.

The annual reports of the subordinate staff was to be written. I wrote the annual progress reports of my subordinates honestly and independently first time after my trips to the U.S.A.

When my boss read the reports (he was little different so far as I understood). I guessed that he became angry with me. For some period I could not understand the reason of his anger. But after some time I came to know that he was angry because I did not consult him before writing the reports according to his desire.

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My second visit to America (1989): Regained my eye sight again

In 1989, I got my eye sight checked from the P.G.I., Chandigarh and according to the Doctor my vision became very weak. I was a glaucoma patient since 1966 when the glaucoma surgery of my both eyes was done in PG1. Before that, I did not know about the condition of my vision because of the poverty and lack of education/knowledge of my parents. My mother and my two brothers were also having this disease.

I told my Doctor that my son with his family is residing in U.S.A. Then the Doctor immediately asked me and advised me that I should go to America. I made my arrangements and went to America for the treatment of my eyes in 1989. When I reached at the residence I could hardly recognize the faces at that time.

Immediately after arriving in America the treatment of my eyes was started. I asked my son that on the operation day, first of all I want to go to the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Buena Park(USA) for prayer, then we will go to the Hospital. At that time the Gurudwara was at some distance. Now the new Gurudwara is very near to our residence. We went to Gurudwara Sahib and I prayed. It was my personal feelings that I should pray myself. I did pray and then we went to the Hospital. I remember that the time of the operation was in the early morning.

Before the operation the Doctor (D. Fagio) told me everything about the operation. The last words of the Doctor was, he hoped 99% of success but 1% was risk and that 1% risk can do anything means if blood started then she can not do anything.

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Immediately she asked me, are you scared? I replied when competent doctors are here and are taking my care how I could be scared or worried. She appreciated. She also said that they would give me general anesthesia, means I would be made unconscious, so that I may not move during the operation. I said no problem and may God bless all of us. Operation was started but I did not know what they did. When I came to my senses the Doctor told me that the operation was successful and next day they asked me to go home. After one day doctor removed my bandage and again said that everything was O.K.

It is not out of place to mention here that for the treatment of my eyes, the interest, role and time given by my daughter-in-law Mrs. Abba who is very obedient and hard working is very appreciable. I could not find words to appreciate her. This apart, my wife, son, grand children and my relatives from Abba’s side and other near and dears extended full help to me.

By the time slowly the fog started disappearing. Then there was some clarity after some days more clarity after some months. Thus, I regained my eyesight. It was due to my America visit that I got my eyesight and up till now I am seeing the wonderful creation of Almighty and enjoying my life happily.

The year of 1989 was most eventful year in my life, when I regained my lost eyesight again and myself and my wife were granted Green Card. For this, I am grateful to Mr. Harbans Lal Jassi of Singriwala, Manager Central Bank of India, and my nephew (Bhajna) besides my family members who helped us a lot in completing the formalities by sparing their precious time. I

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pray Almighty God that he may bless them with good health and happiness.

The nutshell is that God is great. We should not forget Him and we should thank him. I feel and think that God keeps us normal while we remember Him. When we do not remember him then he makes us handicapped. He makes us handicap for facing the punishment so that we repent our deeds and do not do again.

Appearance of Almighty God who is omnipresent

It is my great pleasure to write this chapter. One day, when I was in USA, I was walking towards Walker Street from my residence on La-Palma Ave. From Valley View I turned left just to make a round of the Block. When I was walking on the Valley View, a man as God met me. He said me Hallow, I replied him accordingly. He did some miracle. At that time I could not understand, who he was. Moreover, I did not see his nice face. I could see his feet and his legs only. He disappeared. Now after thinking and thinking I concluded myself that he was not a man but God himself. I was so un-lucky on that day that I could not talk to Him.

During this period I thought that the man took some intoxicating thing. But now I feel, that, that feeling of mine was wrong and totally wrong. Now I repent. It was my blunder mistake. So I pray that O God I be excused. I request for forgiveness.

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There was another similar incidence. Perhaps it was in August 2004 when an idea came in my mind that I should do something. In those days I was going for a walk from my residence to Lincoln on Knott Road. I started picking up anything lying on the side-walk. When my carry-bag became full I put it in the trash box lying on the Bus stop for about four-five days. I wanted to continue that work but I wished to stop it. On the day when I decided to stop there was a man sitting on the Bench on the Bus-stop at Lincoln. An empty paper glass was lying on the left side of that man. I tried to pick up that glass but I could not do so because that man cried on me and he said so many things which I could not understand because of my English problem. I was so scared that I stopped that work. After that I felt that God does not want me to do the work and I should remain free. He might have thought that this was not my duty.

Now I feel that God is always with me and he will continue to bless me all my needs as in the past. Therefore, God is omni-present and we should worship him every time for our good health, peace and prosperity.

The above chapter’s base are the teachings and advices of my mother and father, Guru, Teachers and my nears and dears.

The most important thing was that whatever I see, I feel, I do good or bad, are through my great-grandson (Dogy boy, named as Play Boy) because he loves me very much. That is why I consider him so (as God). I pray God that he may bless him good health, peace and prosperity.

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Starting of new store in Long Beach

God blessed us with the starting of the second store (video store) in Long Beach City. That was bigger than the first one. Side by side Dev, my son, started attending classes of real estate subject. Gradually he started real estate business.

I remember that when Dev did first business of real estate he brought a cheque of $ dollar seven or eight thousand and he handed over that Cheque, as a token of respect, first to his mother i.e. my wife who touch the cheque to her forehead and handed over to Dev. We all thanked God.

Grant of Green Card

In that year (1989) the American government granted green card to myself and my wife. It was an honour which America granted us.

I think/remember that Neilash Raj was born when we were living in Los. Alamos. One day Neilash became sick, may be fainted. I and my wife were worried and nervous but I saw that day Abba remained courageous and calm. She immediately called for the Ambulance and went to hospital with Neilash. From that day on ward I considered that Abba is more courageous member of our family.

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My visit to an organization in Los Angeles

In 1985 I, along with my relative Mr. Bhagat Ram Sandhu visited a religious place in Los Angeles, during our first visit to America. The place was the headquarters of self realization fellowship founded by Yogi Parmahans Yogananda. There we also met Dayamata and 10-15 other persons from different countries of the world. I got appointment to see her after three month’s wait as she had a busy schedule. I visited the place because an Inspector General of Police of Haryana asked me for the same because his wile was a follower of that society.

In those days a world conference was also organized by self realization fellowship in Los Angeles in Bonaventure Hotel. Luckily, I was allowed to attend that conference, though I was not a member of that organization. I attended full conference for seven days. My wife also attended one day. That function was very wonderful and it was a very important event in my life. I wish everyone may enjoy such functions in their life.

My first visit to Canada (1985)

In those days I visited Canada. I met my old friends like Haribans Ghirra, Makhan Chamba, Darshan Khera and so many others. I also met the members of the family of Chaudhary Dasondha Singh, EX. M.L.A. of Punjab.

All the people gave me full respect but I was not competent and able person to get that respect. They showed me important places of Vancouver and around that area.

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I also visited the residence of Mr. Harbans Sandhu S/o Gurdas Ram of Daulatpur. They are our nearest relatives.

God bless them with a happy, good and healthy long life.

Admission in Braille Institute, Anaheim, California and

admission in District High School, Law Mirada, Los

Angeles

When we were living in Los Alamos our next-door neighbour became my friend. One day we were sharing our views and during our discussion a point arose about my eye-sight. I told him that my doctor told me that I am legally blind. My neighbour told me that I should go to the Braille Institute, which is about three miles from our residence. One day I went there and I saw the class rooms and the Reception office. I was very much impressed to see the wonderful working and teaching system of the Institute. Looking at everything I made up my mind that after my retirement if I have a chance to stay in America, I would try to get admission here.

In January, 1996 when I again came to the USA I decided to attend classes in the Braille Institute, Anaheim, California for different subjects relating to new vision for the men, women and children who are visually impaired or visually handicapped.

I continued my study and I attended the classes regularly.

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I attended classes on different subjects but there were two main

subjects i.e. (1) English second Language and (ii) Independent living skills. With the co-operation and help of the staff of the Institute and class fellows especially my teachers I got a first appreciation in November 1998 as under:

“Mr. Gurubachan Chand has been enrolled in classes at the

Braille Institute, Orange County from January 1996 to

present. He has successfully completed the following

classes:

English as a Second LanguageIndependent Living SkillsSensory AwarenessOrientation and MobilityStress ManagementInvest in YourselfSuccessful Aging/Important World ReligionsNews and ViewsMemory Alive

Mr. Chand has excellent attendance and is an enthusiastic student.”

Then I went to India and after my return after some month, I again started attending classes in the same institute.

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Annual function held in 1985 of District High School, La-Mirada, Los Angeles, California,

U.S.A.

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(Gurbachan Chand wearing turban from India)

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One decade of my attending classes

With the blessings of god and co-operation & help from my teachers I completed five years of my attending the classes in the Braille Institute. I was so much impressed and motivated by the academic environment of the institute that I completed one decade in the Orange County Brail Institute in 2006.

So I was happy that my dream was fulfilled and feelings have been changed into reality.

It is true that if a person makes any determination with the core of his heart for any good work, he succeeds in his mission with sincere efforts.

After my retirement it was my dream to get more education in America, if I have a chance to live here (U.S.A.). During my visit in 1985 I started to go to La-Mirada, High School which was near to our residence (in Nor Walk).

During that period I participated in an Annual function of the school. The teacher told us that if any body wanted to take part in the function he had to wear the standard dress of their country. Accordingly I took part in that function and the photographs of that august occasion are affixed below:

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Therefore, it was the beginning of my mission to get education from this wonderful country after my retirement.

When I again came I attended classes in Cypress College, Cypress, in Orange County. In the college, I got 82% marks at the time of admission. I liked the atmosphere as well as the discipline of the staff and the students of the College.

It is also very essential to mention here about the admission of my wife in a college in the U.S.A. My wife did not go to school in India during her life because there was no tradition of sending the girls to schools specially from the rural areas. But when we came to America my wife got a chance to go to college in Orange County Cypress college. Moreover, when we come to America she started learning Punjabi Language. Now a days she can read books and Newspapers in Punjabi Language. The most important thing is that she does Path of ‘Assa di war’ and ‘Rehraas’ daily in the morning and in the evening.

I along with my wife and the family members pray to almighty God that he may bless America with more prosperity and progress in future so that America keeps helping the world and especially the under developed countries.

Could have learnt more

During my stay in America I tried my best to learn some valuable education and knowledge but due to my limitations I could not avail the opportunity properly for learning more about the good values/qualities of that society. I could have done that which I could not.

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I personally feel and think that if such facilities as available in America, are provided to any other person he could have improved his education quite a lot. However, from my experience I advise family members, that please do not waste time and work hard if you want success in your life because the golden chances or opportunities come rarely.

An open house Seminar on Health, Happiness and Humor

In 2000 an open House seminar was held on October 21 at 11-AM by library services of Braille Institute, Los Angles on the subjects of Health, Happiness and Humor.

In this connection, a circular was circulated indicating that a note was required on “What is Happiness. The note should not exceed 26 words. So, I tried to become a contestant though my English is not so good. I prepared a note according to my aptitude and thinking. There was one hundred and fifty one, may be more constants. My note on the subject was under:-

“Happiness is the satisfaction ofMind, which has to reach byThree steps of a ladder to attainDesire; respect; faith andThen we reach happiness”

It is my great pleasure to mention that I got 6 th position amongst the contestants. I was so happy that a man like me got a 6th position who knows only broken English. So I think that it was

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my great achievement in my life. It was a very big thing for me. It was due to the blessings of God.

I am thankful to my grandson Vishal who helped me a lot for typing etc. for me because I could not type and he typed very nicely.

Grant of Citizenship by the USA.

I submitted my application to the USA administration for granting me citizenship of that country. After processing my application I was asked to appear for interview on December 2, 2003 in the Naturalization and Justice Department.

The day when my interview was taken, was very eventful day in my life. With the blessings of my mother, father and Almighty God, I was declared qualified in the test because my oath was truthful.

The dealing officer said that I have passed the test but the period of stay in America is little bit less according to Rules. The officer gave me a letter for telling about “the physically presence from 1996 to date”. In fact, at the time of filling up my application I missed one entry from my passport, inadvertently. Accordingly, I replied to the letter and my name was approved by the aforesaid Department for my citizenship.

Through a letter I was called for taking oath of Allegiance. I accordingly went and took the oath of Allegiance on February 25,

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2004 (Wednesday) in Los Angeles. They gave me a beautiful certificate regarding citizenship of America.

I, with folded hands, thanked my mother and father and God with whose blessings a supreme status was granted to me, a poor, so called, low caste, unknowledgeable, inefficient and ugly man (Gurbachan Chand) which was beyond my reach. So, I personally feel that the America is number one country in the world where everyone is being treated equal in every sphere of life.

I and my family members are living normal life. I am lucky that I am being treated very well by India and America.

I love and respect both India and America.

Re-union of our family in India in 1998.

It was a very great day in the history of my family when we reunited in India in 1999 in S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), near Chandigarh.

In 1998, I along with my wife was living in America with Dev, Abha and their children. One day my wife wished that we should make arrangement of the re-union of our family. I was very happy for this good cause and we started discussing with our son and daughter-in-law. According to our program whole of our family in America reached India. It was blessings of Almighty God when we reached India all our family members, relatives and friends were very happy to meet us.

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Keeping in view this re-union Chaman Lal, my son, completed the second story of our home in Mohali within very short period.

After the “Path” of Sri Guru Granth Sahib,, Kirtan by famous “Ragis” was arranged, followed by Guru Ka Langer. The function went very well.

Celebrations of 20th marriage anniversary of my elder son and daughter-in-law

It was very wonderful and historic day in our family when 20th marriage anniversary of Mr. Dev Raj and Mrs. Harbajan Kaur Abha was celebrated in S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali).

I sent the invitation for the marriage anniversary, mentioned above. All the invitees attended the august ceremony. It was very cold season in those days. Luckily, my office colleague Mr. Vijay Saini from Canada was in India on that day. He is now living in Toronto (Canada). I had visited his residence in Canada. His wife belongs to our village Shergarh.

My fast friend and colleague Sardar Atma Singh Kairon did Bhangra on that day. So far as I remember he performed Bhangra first time in our function. He is a God fearing person. He belongs to Kairon village in Amritsar and his in-laws are in village Murkhai in Tehsil Zira, district Faridkot.

According to me the presence of Muneesh S/o Lallie and Dr. Ashok was very important. By joke, some body gave him little bit of liquor by mixing in coke. I think that he took that first time. I became a little bit angry on this mischief, though he enjoyed very

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well. I love him as he did not demand any more liquor. He remained with us and obeyed us during the period of our trip to India. Taking children to various places In Punjab

I tried my best to show the important places of Punjab to my grand children. First of all I showed them my place of birth, in village Shegarh where I was born. After that, we went to the residences of my brothers and cousins and other neighbours homes.

The other most important places which I showed them were my school S.B.A.C. High School, Bajwara, Hoshiarpur and the birth place of my wife Village Dada Distt. Hoshiarpur. The important thing which was noted by my grand children was the small trees of “Bhang” (in Punjabi language). He said he would take some of those Bhang trees with him. After that I showed them “Shish-Mahal” one of the important places of Hoshiarpur city. The history of that place is that a man was very rich and he had countless money. He wanted to get made marvelous things very artistically. There was a mason who was very perfectly skilled man for such creations. One day both of them discussed it with respect to money and the price of the skill. After some discussion the mason told the rich man that against the artistic work money has no value. Money can fall short but the skills does not finish. The mason made nice statues of the British Rulers and trees etc. The result was that the mason won the game and rich man lost because the rich man could not supply the material to the mason for making more wonderful things. In the nut shell, result is, that

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the hard worker/skill is richer than the man who makes the money by easy business.

Then I showed them some other important places such as:

Pathankot (Distt. Gurdaspur): where Nirmal Gogi and Dr. Sohan lived with family,

Kishangarh (Jalandhar): my sister Mahon Devi lived.

Nasrala (Hoshiarpur): my eldest sister Gango lived.

Jandu Singha (Jalandhar): my sister Gurbachani lives.

Daulatpur (Nawanshehar): birth place of Mr. Bhagal Ram Sandhu

(son’s father-in-law).

Thopia (Tehsil Balachaur): Nirmal’s in-laws.

Biaspind (Jalandhar): Native place of grand parents of Muneesh

(Abha’s nephew).Dera Sachkhand Ballan, Jalandhar-Pathankot Road, Jalandhar.

Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar.

We also saw Taj Mahal in Utter Pradesh and some important places in New Delhi, the capital of India.

Whatever I have written so far I have tried my best to write factually. It has been written under the blessings of the God. For example, if the God permits and is with me I can see, I can understand, I can speak, I can write, I can memorise, I can walk, I

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can eat, I can worship and I can do anything whatever I wish. Otherwise I cannot do anything.

Uptill now I and my wife are very happy with all my biological children (our family members), our daughter-in-laws, son-in-law, our relatives and our friends and near and dears. Now-a-days, we are living in, like heaven, here as well as in India. Every where in the world, it is hell if we do bad deeds, although everything is being done by the God. He Himself does good or bad for us. Always do hard work and pray God that He may forgive our sins and give courage to do good things in life.

All sacred books of all religions of the world are respectable which teach us about work and worship for leading good life.

In Guru Granth Sahib the “Baani” hymns are written by the most religious and very important personalities of India. In it, it has been written that God is one and only one who is the creature of everything on the earth, below and above the earth.

Importance of mother, father, brother and sisters

Father is knowledge/science Mother is meditation/medicine.

If we maintain the equal status of both mother and father with letter and spirit in our hearts then we would actually lead our life peacefully.

As per our elders’ views the ratio of ability of mother and father is 23:24 has been approved by the scion tests. It means

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that woman is powerful by one number than man. That is why the children have a little bit more love and affection for their mother than father generally. Moreover if we fix hundred marks for the welfare and development of children then according to our elders views eighty marks go to mother and twenty go to father. The woman is five years ahead/advance than man means the woman is a little bit advance by her responsibilities. For example, everyone is aware that when we make arrangements for marriage we always consider the ages of both boy and the girl and always keep in mind that the girl must be of less age than the boy, generally the difference ranges between 1-5 years. No matter that the woman is physically weaker than the man, she is strong. However, the man competes with woman by his knowledge and his ideas.

Two big wars/battles were fought in India long ago where main contention was the woman. Those battles were “Ramayan” and “Mahabharat”. Ramayan was fought between “Ram” and “Ravan” and Mahabharat between “Kaurvas” and “Pandvas”.

In the nutshell, the result of their wars is as under:-

Ramayan means, if we do something for other needy human beings without any selfish motive then we get its reward automatically. And if one does something for our own selfish motive then its use would be for his own self and the other needy human beings would not gain any benefit from that deed.

So far as I feel and understand that everyone in this world wants to go forward and wishes to become a rich man but God grants him his rewards according to one’s deeds. For getting

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good rewards, we should do good deeds and hard work, honestly and sincerely according to our Almighty’s wish. Then we may achieve the goal of peaceful life.

Therefore, the important method(way), is,(i) we should know who we are?;

(ii) what1purpose,.God sent us on the earth, and

(iii) what we have to do here?

If we follow and implement the good beliefs then we would be happy.

Grand children: the pieces of our heart. My happiest stay with them in Claim Jumper Restaurant (USA)

My grand children are very nice, smart, active, beautiful and intelligent.

One day, I was very happy to see that my grand children Vishal, Ashma and Neil bought the grocery from the store and prepared the food for us themselves. They prepared everything themselves which was very nice and tasty. They served us very respectfully and lovingly. They made “Moongi Di Dal” and stirred the wheat ‘atta’. We were very happy because our grand children did very well in spite of the fact they generally eat the ready made food.

On April 16, 2005 I was lucky and very happy as on that day I had special dinner with my grand children, Vishal, Ashma and Neilash in a very nice hotel namely, Claim Jumper

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Restaurant. The food was nice. We also shared our views openly in a very happy mood.

I remember that in Chandigarh when I received a telephonic call about the birth of Vishal I considered that we became the share holders of America. I thank God that, those feelings have come true later on when we got the citizenship of this country where we are enjoying our lives like anything.

We can do nothing except we pray to Almighty God that he may bless America with richness so that it may help the other countries especially India, which is still an underdeveloped country.

My Bio-data

Part-A

1. Myself : Gurbachan Chand

2. My Father : Shri Kalu Ram

3. My Mother : Shrimati Achhary Devi

4. My wife : Shrimati Pritam Kaur

5. My sons : Dev Raj & Chaman Lal

6. My daughter : Nirmal Jeet (Gogi)

7. My daughter-in-law’s : Mrs. Harbhajan Kaur Raj (Abba)

Mrs. Usha Rani

8. My son-in-law : Dr. Sohan Lal Bhatoa

9. My grand sons : Vishal Raj, Bahul (Monu)

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Neilash Raj, Sahil (Sonu)

10. My grand daughter : Ashna Raj

11. My grandsons (Daughter’s sons): Navdeep Singh (Navi) Abhijot (Savi)

12. God daughter : i) Jayne Mari Garland (USA) ii) Gurbax Kaur w/o Sodhi Ram (USA)

13. God Sons : i) Devinder Jhawar (USA) brother of Jaswant Singh Jhawar.

ii) Sodhi Ram (USA)

Part-B

1. My date of birth : January20, 1937

2. My place of birth : Village Shergarh, Distt. Hoshiarpur (Punjab), India

3. My qualification : Pre-University

Registered Medical Practitioner (Homeopathy), Punjab.

4. My occupation : Joint Secretary (Retd.),

Punjab Legislative Assembly,

Chandigarh.

5. My experience :(i) Joint Secretary (Retd.), Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

(ii) Member: Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Sabha, Punjab (approved by Punjab. Govt.), India.

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(iii) Member, Recruitment Committee, Deptt. of Labour and Employment, Govt. of Punjab, for Class Ill & IV Posts.

(iv) Secretary, Punjab State Sri Guru Ravidas 600th Birth Anniversary Committee, Chandigarh.

(iv) Life Pattern: Society for the care of Blinds, Sector 26, Chandigarh since May 1985.

(v) Hobby: Social service, promoting friendship and walking.

(vi) Countries visited : U.S.A., U.K. and Canada.

Where ever I went and met the people I found/felt that they are very helpful and co-operative ones.

According to the names of my family members the last name differs i.e. Chand, Raj and Lal. It may create little bit confusion in the minds of the people of foreign countries. So I am of the view that the last name should be “Saroya”, as our Gotra. (Sub Caste).

Religion and Politics

Religion : I respect every religion of the world because every religion believe in one God. I also believe in one and only one God.

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I myself and my wife took Amrit (Guru Dakshna) from Sant Gareeb Das Ji Maharaj, Dera Sach Khand Balan. Tehsil and District Jalandhar, Punjab (INDIA).

Politics: I did civil service in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, Chandigarh and retired in 1995. However, after my retirement I did not become even a primary member of any political party because during govt. service I did not take part in politics.

So far as my faith is concerned I may say that I tried to make faith/trust in my ownself, because every religion is in my heart and I try to search it. I believe that I could not find God out of myself. Therefore, on this account, I consider sinner myself as I myself create problem and the solution to solve the problem is also myself. In nut shall I myself is responsible for good or bad.

My father and mother told me that we are Scheduled Caste. Therefore, I believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib/Guru Ravidas Ji.

Creations living on/below the earth, are surviving under one roof of God.

The creations of God like human beings, Animals, birds, trees etc. are living under one roof of one and only one God. Every village, block, tehsil, city, district, state and country of the world are running their Administrations according to their Rules, procedure and law. Similarly, people are leading their lives under the laws and social system of their country. These social systems and laws are generally similar in whole of the world but the implementation of their laws are different. In a country where the

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law and the social system are implemented properly in letter and spirit, that country will definitely make progress and live in peace and prosperity.

Keeping in view the above spirit/position the people can live peacefully and happily/happy where they live, may be they belong to different countries in the world but the condition is that they must maintain honesty, faithfulness, God fearing and hard work.

If good/positive thinking, co-operation and spirit to help others, come in our routine matters then we would not hesitate to share our happiness and any problem with any person even one may be stranger. We must be very clear that everyone can be made happy.

Some important events of my life

I have already mentioned in the previous paragraphs that we were six brothers and three sisters. Now we are only two: myself and my sister. I am the youngest in my family and my sister is elder to me.

During my teen age Honourable Sant Sunder Dass Ji used to visit our village and generally used to stay in our family. When I became free after playing with my friends, most of the time, I remained with him. Sant Sunder Dass Ji’s (one room) Kutiya is situated in village Nainowal Dhugge, Tehsil and District Hoshiarpur. Sant Jee took me with him to his kutia and I do not remember how long I stayed there.

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After some time my mother sent my father to see me and to bring me back. My father came but Sant Ji told my father that I will bring him with me. Sant Ji did not go for some time. My mother again sent my father for bringing me back but Sant Ji’s answer was the same.

When I came back to my home with Sant Ji there after my mother did not allow me to go again. She loved me to stay with her.

When Sant Ji again asked my father to take me with him my mother did not agree to that. This issue remained under discussion for five six days. At last I decided to stay with my family. Sant Jee was bit disappointed on this because, Sant Jee wished to make me his disciple.

Time was passing but I was not doing anything. Once my cousin, Mr. Bhag Ram came from his village Chiloper (Rapur-Chalupur) in Hoshiarpur for his further education in Hoshiarpur as there was no high school in his village. He was scholarship holder, otherwise.

One day he told my parents that I should be sent to school and he will help me in teaching. It was very difficult to get admission because of my age. Mr. Bhag Rain was a shining student and scholarship holder. He went with me to Government Primary School, Bajwara (Hoshiarpur). He promised the teacher that he would prepare me to pass two classes in one year. The teacher agreed and I got admission in that school. Mr. Bhag Ram helped me very much and due to his help/guidance as also that of my teachers, that I got qualified in 1st and 2nd class in one year. I

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again did hard work and I passed my 3rd and 4th class in the next year. Thus, I passed four classes in two years. Although my parents were reluctant for my further study due to their economic condition, but finally, they decided to get me admission in the S.B.A.C. High School, Bajwara, Hoshiarpur, 4 kilometer from my residence.

I started my study there. I was hard working and a shining student in my class. As I was long (tall), therefore, most of the students used to call me long man in taunting way. I used to stay alone, but the intelligent students were my best friends.

I was married when I was studying in the 5th class. Though a little but change did come in me after my marriage. However, I tried my best to continue my study. There was a custom in those days that the bridegroom stay only one night in the in-laws and on the next day she went back with her brother and sister-in-law as per the tradition prevalent at that time.

As per the tradition, after some period when the bride and bridegroom became young/adult than “Muklawa” ceremony is solemnized. Accordingly, my “Muklawa” was, performed when I was studying in the 8th class. Being shining student I was preparing for the scholarship. The scholarship amount was about be Rs.5-10 per month, so far as, I remember. Though, I could not get the scholarship but I passed the Middle Class examination. In spite of many hurdles and difficulties I continued my studies. During that period, unluckily my father expired. However, my mother encouraged me and forced me to continue my study. At

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that time I, my mother and my wife were already living separate from other members of the family.

My wife gave birth to a boy Dev Raj. It is not out of place to mention here that after two-three months of my matriculation examination the result was declared and I passed my High School getting good marks. I also faced the problem in getting a job because of the lack of approach as also due to the fact that I belonged to scheduled caste community. However, after some time, I got the job in Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Punjab Legislative Assembly) Chandigarh, and I was the only Scheduled Caste first clerk in whole of the Secretariat.

According to the reservation policy of the Government of India and the Government of Punjab for the members of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, I was promoted as Superintendent under this policy adopted by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

However, a non-Scheduled Caste employee Mr. Balbir Singh Walia challenged my promotion in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. It was again a very hardship and unforgettable period for me as it was out of my reach to fight it. But with the blessings of the God and moral support/co-operation of my well wishers I won the case from the High Court.

The matter of my further promotions did not finish with the above said decision of the Hon’ble High Court. Again at the time of my next promotion as Under Secretary, the hurdle was again created by another person, not from a non-Scheduled Caste but from my own community. Mr. Lekh Raj Parwana (Scheduled

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Caste) who was junior to me filed a writ petition, against my next promotion, in the same High Court.

Again with the blessings of God and the support of my well wishers I won the case from the court. But it is a pitiable position that I got my promotions with hard struggle. However, the High officers, colleagues and my subordinates gave me full co-operation, help and gave me full status during my whole service. I have no words by which I could appreciate them. Even after my retirement till now all employees have full regards for me.

Whatever has been written in this book is written by the blessings of God because without Guru, means Teacher/Master one can not do anything.

I was born in a very poor (below poverty line) family in a small village in rural area of Punjab, India. Now I became a citizen of America which is number one country in the world. According to my personal thinking I do not see any difference, from any angle between India and America.

I, according to my personal knowledge, believe as under:

“Two is company, three is none.

If three is in one, everything can be done”.

So all the developments and growth in my family have been done with the blessings of my respected mother, father and Almighty God, as well as the help and co-operation of my wife in particular and all my family members, relatives and nears and dears in general.

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I have been trying my best to obey the order of my Guru Sant Gareeb Dass Ji Maharaj of Dera Ballan (Sach Khand), Tehsil and District Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

I have always been trying to help the needy persons in my life according to my capacity. Therefore, in spite of the fact, I am physical handicapped and have 100% impairment in relation to my vision since 1999, thinking on the same line I have given option for donating my body, after my death, to the PGI, Chandigarh.

After my retirement, all my needs are fulfilled with my retiral pension. Also my children help us from time to time. Therefore, I have never reimbursed any of my medical treatment/medicine bills, except the admissible medical allowance as per my salary/pension, up till now, considering it as a contribution towards economy of the state, although I and my wife are patients of some chronic diseases. My wife has sugar as well as spinal problem where as I am legally blind due to advanced glaucoma.

It is relevant to mention also that I have been a continuous reader of The Tribune since 1954 which for me remained more reliable throughout my readership.

I do not desire to share my views about further guidance and advice to my family members because I am satisfied that they know very well, how to lead their lives. Moreover whatsoever we have been sharing or shared in the past are more than sufficient to follow.

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It is my great pleasure to say that all my family members are obedient, nice, intelligent and hard working. I am fully satisfied with their performance and services which are being given to both of us by them (especially Abha), Usha and Dr. Sohan Lal Bhatoa. We are sure that they would continue to follow our good traditions and practices in future for their peace and prosperity. God bless all.

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From my native village (in Punjab) to California (America)

I was born when my parent’s, economic status was below poverty line. I could get education up to Pre-University level only but could not get more education due to poverty.

My native country provided me a good job in Punjab Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh. I served there for a period of Forty (40) years and from there I retired as joint Secretary in 1995. After that I alongwith my wife came to America. Now we are enjoying with our family as this wonderful country has provided us every facility which is provided to a V.I.P. person.

It is very important to mention here that according to the law of the land I and my wife don’t do any work as we are handicap. Therefore, we do not pay any Tax. Rather we get social security benefits for our daily needs and for boarding and lodging to live happily in America.

Sometimes good thoughts come in the mind that I should do some volunteer work. Accordingly, I tried my best but in vain because of my poor eye sight and my language problem.

Now I am thinking again and again that I may be able to do some social service in Punjab, India for the needy poor people. It does not mean that I am a rich man. It is not so, but I believe my heart is rich. I have in my mind that a small project, in the beginning, may be started, according to the resources of myself and my family members.

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Whatever, I did in my life has been done with the presence of God, who was always with me. I feel a part and parcel of God. For instance, I can not see clearly with my eyes due to some disease. My right eye became completely blind due to my own ignorance and also my financial constraints. I could not care about my eyes because I was not educated and I had no knowledge that neglect would lead to such a damage. Now here (in U.S.A.), I do not consider myself born in low caste and have any such complex.

The atmosphere here taught me that every one is equal and has equal rights according to Natural Law and social law of the land (America). I can only say that here in American society there is no caste. Every where in the world there are two groups, man and women. Only the difference is rich and the poor.

My parents were also good and respectable but due to caste system they were ignored by the high caste people. Therefore, they could not make too much progress and remained poor but they were rich by hearts. They worked hard and lead a normal life.

History of my sub Caste- SAROYA

When in 1977-78 I was appointed as State Secretary of “The Punjab State Sri guru Ravidas 600th Birth Anniversary Committee, Chandigarh”. I started researching about the origin of my sub caste.

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Though the God has made no castes, he only created two categories: man and woman but the caste system was created by social persons to divide and rule the people.

Later on I again joined the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Chandigarh as Superintendent. To search the origin of my sub-caste I contacted ‘Gurbachan Singh Khokhar’ my friend, in “the Department of Archives of Punjab and took his help in this regard.

There are so many sub-castes under the heading of Saroya or Saroye or Saroa or Sarao. During my search, I found that these sub- castes Saroya or Saroye or Saroa are in Sangrur and Bathinda district. Saroya sub caste is also available in Kapurthala district. I also read in the record of the Archives Department in Patiala, that Saroya caste is also available in U.P., Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.

I also understood that some of Saroya community had changed the name of their gotras such as Bhatia sub-caste has changed their gotra Bhatoa, Bhutti and Bhatma etc.

Celebration of New Year Eve

On 31st December, 2007 I celebrated New year’s eve at our residence i.e. village Shergarh (Hoshiarpur), with my grand daughters and great grand-children especially girls. They sang songs, poems, “lok geet”, dance, gidda and bhangra. Sweets were distributed among all the present. The number of children (girls) were fifty-one. We enjoyed very much. Participants were given gifts.

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On that day I announced that an eye test, blood sugar test and medical check up camp would be arranged and the same was organized on January 20, 2008 (my birthday) successfully. More than one hundred and fifty one persons came. They were provided each and everything as we could.

Dr. C.L. Kajal an Eye specialist, Hoshiarpur, Dr. S.L. Bhata an M.B.B.S. and Mr. Vijay Kumar, Laboratory technician attended to the patients. They gave the medicines also to the patients.

Message to my children

It is my pleasure to thank Almighty Omnipresent that I have been seeing my family members, my family members moving, working, studying, reading, writing and promoting friendship. I can share my personal experiences, with my wife, my children including my God daughter (Jayne Mari Garland) and God son (Devinder Singh Jhawar brother of S. Jaswant Singh Jhawar) in particular and with my relatives/friends in general.

I can say if we do anything with, confidence after applying our mind then we can and definitely will lead our lives peacefully/successfully. We should try to solve our problems by ourselves. In case of a big difficulty we should consult our spouse, siblings, children and the tested friends. In the last, we should go to the person who is an expert in the concerned subject for which you need guidance/advice.

It should be our principle that:

“Work hard, play with good principles and tell the truth.”

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I had chances to deal with the poorest and richest persons of all walks of life during my life and experienced that everywhere there is a standing policy of giving and taking. The cases of ‘not’ giving and taking policy is very rare.

We should try to speak sweet from the core of our heart. Not Artificial. Artificial sweet speaking is dangerous. We should always speak truth and speaking half truth is also dangerous.

We should also keep in our minds that “Love and lie never go together”.

“Love is a tree whose roots are deep in the earth and the branches are extended into heaven”.

We should make habit to help the visually impaired, handicaps and poor-needy persons.

We should always and in every moment TRUST IN GOD and always obey the mother and father and love the youngsters.

I have been making my best efforts to follow the nice advices, teachings, good thoughts of our ancestors, saints and my parents but I could learn only very little.

I even did not think that I would be given such a high position as Joint Secretary of Punjab Legislative Assembly, Chandigarh as well as I would be granted citizenship of America.

In my view following are some good findings:

1. To be happy with a man, you must understand him thoroughly and love him a little.

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2. To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand at all!

3. A woman marries a man expecting him to change, but he does not.

4. A man marries a woman expecting she would not change, and she does!

At the time of celebrating a special and very important occasion we should take pledge for providing best education to our children as per their potential so that they could compete with others, get them set in better position and bring prosperity for parents/relatives.

I am personally of the considered view that the following points must be examined carefully by ourselves and then we should choose that what we should do during our life period:-

1. We should be faithful to ourselves, our parents, our spouse, our teachers and our family members/relatives/friends and well wishers.

2. We should be faithful to our Nation.

3. We should be faithful to our Omnipresence.

4. We should be more faithful to strangers as the gods are on the side of the stranger.

Helen Keller

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This section is being written in the sweet memory of Lady Helen Keller whose Birthday falls on 27th June.

At the age of 23 Lady Helen Keller had written three books and “earned a College Degree”. She said that “good and kind persons, normal or handicap, could do anything”. She had proved this truth for herself and everyone else.

Helen Keller was a woman from the small farm Town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, who taught the world to respect people who are blind and deaf. Born on June 27, 1880 in North West Alabama in the U.S.A. she loved animals also especially dogs. She owned a variety of dogs throughout her life. The first ‘Akita’ dog in the United States was sent to Helen from Japan in 1938. Helen visited 39 countries around the world during her lifetime. She was the first deaf and blind person to obtain a college degree. She graduated from Radcliff College, with honours, in 1904. Among her friends, there were many famous people, including Alexander Graham Ball, inventor of the Telephone, the writer Mark Twain, and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

She quoted that “We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others”.

(i) “The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.”

(ii) “Life is either an adventure or nothing”.

(iii) “The handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people towards them.”

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(iv) “I believe humility is a virtue, but I prefer not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary.”

(v) “What a strange life I lead a kind of Cinderella-life half-glitter in crystal shoes, half nice and cinders!”

(vi) “If I, deaf, blind, find life rich and interesting, have much more can you gain by the use of your five senses!”

(vii) “The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination.”

(viii) “Faith is a mockery if it does not teach us that we can build a more complete”.

Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in TUSCUMBIA, ALABAMA. Her father was Captain Arthur Henley Keller and mother was Kate Adams Keller. In 1882 after seeing her sight and hearing about her disability, one could understand what exactly the disease she had, but some people thought it was scarlett fever.

Anne Sullivan came to the Keller home (on March 3, 1887) and started teaching her letters by signing on to her and (“Manual sign language”). Anne made a “Miracle” break through, by teaching Helen that everything has a name by spelling W-A-T-E-R on to her hand and making water flow over her palm.

In 1889 Helen joined Perkins Institution for the blind in Boston, her first formal education. Helen becomes a member of the freshmen class of 1904 at Radcliffe College and in 1902 Helen wrote the story of my life with the help of an editor.

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Helen became the first deaf-blind individual to earn a college degree (in 1904), graduating with honours from Radcliffe.

In 1909 Helen joined the suffragist movement, demanding the right to vote for women. In 1924 Helen and Anne together began their work with the American foundation for the Blind.

Helen, Anne and Polly Thompson started traveling abroad (for the first time in 1930) and visited Scotland, Ireland, and England for over six months. This trip was only the beginning of Helen’s overseas travels who visit 39 countries. In 1943, Helen visited blind, deaf, and disabled soldiers of World War II in military hospitals around the country.

In 1964, Helen was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour by President Lyndon Johnson. She expired in 1968.

The efforts for changing into reality of my old dream for establishing something in sweet memory of my respected mother is still going on

Almighty God has been blessing me for fulfilling my desires since my childhood. But my desire for the establishment of something in sweet memory of my respected mother Shrimati Achhari Devi is still lingering on. I myself feel that the God will bless me for the success in my mission.

When I along with my wife went to India in May 2005, I had a plan in my mind that I should do something about the desire toward my mother, during that visit. But I could not do anything due to the fracture in my left wrist before going to India.

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On April 23, 2005, I was going for a walk (exercise) as usual in the morning. I used to go from Holder Street Wall side towards Senior Citizen Community Center. When I crossed the first street towards the Senior Citizen Community Center between San Hilario and Knott Ave somebody started his pick up (may be Car). When I heard the sound of start pick up I stopped and waited for about 2-3 minutes. I thought that the person may have gone to bring something from his home. The windows were closed due to cold. I was under confusion whether I should go ahead or not. After waiting for almost three minutes I started to go ahead. When I crossed the vehicle, it hit my left hand wrist and I fell down. Immediately, after felling down my left hand became swollen and pain started. That man stopped the vehicle and came out of the vehicle and asked me if I was O.K. I replied yes, I am O.K. He did not help me in standing up. I tried to stand up and picked up my cane myself. He asked, if I needed help? I replied, “no, please”. I felt that he was little bit worried. I told him that I would try to reach my residence myself. Then he, however, insisted to take me to my house. I accepted his offer and sat in his vehicle with his little help. When I reached home, my son and my daughter-in-law wanted to enquire about the incident. I immediately asked them not to ask any question to him. I told them that it was the will of Almighty God, and I do not want to go further because the God is angry with me. Immediately, we should go to the Doctor and I along with my daughter-in-law went to my family doctor. I was referred to the Emergency. After that, my primary doctor referred me to the Bone specialist. There I was examined thoroughly and the plaster was put around my left arm.

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With the permission and advice of the doctor we decided to go to India as everything was finalized and ready. I was of the hope that my wrist fracture might be O.K. in two three months. And after that I would do something about my dream to establish anything in honour of the sweet memory of my mother.

When we arrived in India we started treatment as per the advice of my doctor in America. The progress was very good and the plaster was removed.

In the month of September 2005 I sowed some flower plants in one corner of the Park near to my residence in India. On alternative days I used to water the plants.

One day, I was giving the water and inadvertently I put some more water in bucket and picked up, as usual, by both hands. After some time I felt some pain in the wrist. I told the doctor who advised me, to give full rest to the left arm. By that mistake, the progress of improving became slow and it took some months to normalize. Thus, it was my bad luck that I could not do something about my old dream about the project related to my mother.

In February 2006, we come back to America and are continuously living here in California, the USA.

To establish a Dispensary instead of an Educational Trust in the sweet memory of my Mother

For the last about three years the Almighty God has blessed me to do something in memory of my respected mother, somewhere. After long thinking I considered that an Educational

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Institute may be established. Accordingly, taking into account all aspects of the project, I drafted the constitution of Bibi Achhari Devi Educational Trust, Shergarh, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India as per my financial ability. Then I consulted my family members and also my Braille Institute Teacher about the Trust.

However keeping in view my qualification, my physical ability and my resources I changed my idea to establish a Dispensary for the needy poor people who are economically weak instead of an Educational Trust. I am also of the view that this dispensary should be for the females only run by the female staff. However, expert male persons may be hired for special purposes.

It is my heart felt desire that the remaining period of my life may be spent for this socially useful cause and I am sure and confident that my wish will be fulfilled with the blessings of Almighty God and the help from my family members and friends.

My mission regarding establishment of an Eye- Clinic in the sweet memory of my mother

A small accommodation (Residence-cum-Office) for opening an Eye-clinic has been built in 2008 at the place I had already purchased in 1963 in my native village Shergarh. I have also got some experience by organizing an Eye check up, Blood Sugar tests and general check up camp for needy persons in 2008 in the aforesaid small building.

The name of the Institute is as under:

Indian-American Charitable

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Eye Clinic for poor ChildrenMohalla Sunder NagarHoshiarpur (Punjab).

I was motivated for this project because my maternal grand mother, my mother and my two elder brothers had 100 per cent impairment relating to vision.

And all efforts are being made for starting the construction of building. However, for the time being, the management of the entire project is being managed from Residence-cum-office at V& P.O. Shergarh (Hoshiarpur), Punjab

Some important Verses:

I sought strength from GodHe gave me difficulties

to make me strong.

I sought wisdom from GodHe gave me problems

to solve.

I sought prosperity from GodHe gave me brain

to work.

I sought courage from GodHe gave me danger

to overcome.

I sought love from God He gave me troubled people

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to help.

I sought blessings from GodHe gave me opportunities

to avail.

I got nothing I wantedBut I received everything I needed.

(Rupinder, NORWAY)

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Prayer

Dear God

I do not know you

very well, but I realize that

You know me. I know you

See the sin in my heart, but

You love me any way. Thank

You for sending … …

Please forgive me, and cleanse

me, and come into my life as

my master from now on

Help me change, and show

me how to serve you

for the rest of my life.

WELL BEING OF ALL

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