EMPLOYMENT IN A POST OFFICE
It was now July 1910. Sahib Singh applied for a post in a post office. He was called for an interview in Sialkot, located at a distance of more than 40 miles from his village. Pasroor city is located just in the middle, where he had studied for four years. He had no money to go to Sialkot and spend few days for training there without any remunerations. He thought that he would anyhow try to walk the distance, but what would he do for his sustenance! There was no money available in the shop run by his younger brothers. His mother approached a few people for the loan of petty small amount for her son to enable him to secure some employment. But none would oblige her, as they were penniless people! At last his mother requested a sweepress to take pity on them and give the loan. That God fearing noble lady, with tears in her eyes, gave the loan of Rupees two to his mother for the purpose!!!
Sahib Singh’s shoes were completely torn, a new pair was bought. He left the house to reach Sialkot. The new shoes hurt his feet and it became difficult to walk. He then put on the old ones. The sole and heel of the shoes had already been worn out. Now the heels got completely detached. His heels were then severely hurt. He then began walking bare footed.. With great difficulty he reached Pasroor – located at a distance of 20 miles from his village. Sahib Singh writes, “I now realized, that we are poor people! I then realized how the poor people are the lifeless persons, fly about like a straw and are trodden down under the feet.”
He went to the school hostel, where he had lived a year before. He saw a number of teachers and students. Pandit Vitsta Persad was not there, as he had got some job in Lahore. Sahib Singh was in a state of utter frustration. To spend the night, he lay himself on the road-side in front of the school hostel. It so happened that the school drill master, Sardar Pargat Singh passed from that side. He was the only Sikh teacher in the school. He saw Sahib Singh, and stopped there with utter surprise, and said, “Sahib Singh! Do you think that, just after lapse of one year, there is no one here, who knows you?” There were tears in Pargat Singh’s eyes. Sahib Singh told him his whole story. He took Sahib Singh with him to his house, where he spent the night. In the morning, he inquired, “How will you go to Sialkot?” Sahib Singh said, “On foot, sir”. The teacher then said, “No, you will not walk the distance any more.” The teacher gave Rupees two to Sahib Singh, and got him seated in a horse cart (tonga).
There was one vacancy in a post office and there were a number of candidates for the post. All were examined. The Superintendent of Post Offices asked Sahib Singh, which of the language scripts were known to him. He replied that he knew Persian, Gurmukhi, Dev Nagri, Landai and English. The Superintendent was very pleased with the answer and asked for his credentials. Here, again the same problem arose. On the certificates his name indicated was “Nathu Ram”. Sahib Singh told his whole story, and the Superintendent selected him for the post. The Superintendent was kind enough to post Sahib Singh to work at Raeiya Post Office.
It was now the month of May 1911, and Sahib Singh was working at Raeiya Post Office. There he met Mohammed Ashraf, who was his class mate at Pasroor. Ashraf had returned to village Matai Ki, from Lahore after appearing in 12th Grade examination. He had joined a college at Lahore after graduating from Pasroor. Village Mati Ki is located a couple of miles from Raeiya. He used to meet with Sahib Singh every day. Ashraf used to tell Sahib Singh his experiences of higher education and college life. This would create great urge in Sahib Singh for attaining higher education. He would, however, calm himself that higher education was not possible for the circumstances he found himself in. He came to know that Pandit Vitsta Parsad, his great beneficent teacher was then a teacher in Dayal Singh High School, Lahore. He, therefore, wrote to him a detailed letter about his desire for attaining higher education. On the fourth day, he received a reply from Pandit Ji, advising him to report to him soon, so that he would help him to get admission in Dayal Singh College.
He seriously pondered over the family circumstances, particularly the heavy debt they were in. Whatever Sahib Singh was earning, practically whole of it was being sent to his brothers in the village for clearance of the heavy debt. But this debt, though did not increase, yet it stood where it was, as his remittances were only sufficient to off set the heavy interest they were paying for the principal amount. Sahib Singh seriously pondered over the situation, decided to take the chance of going for higher education. He would thus earn more to clear the entire debt, also in this way, he would fulfill his heart’s desire for acquisition of higher knowledge.
Sahib Singh states. “ I started writing the letter of resignation from the post. I had to write only about 4 lines letter to the authorities to relieve me of the duties. My heart began to tremble, hands too, extreme sense of fear as to what shape it would take, from where to get money for college expenses, what would people say, and all sorts of fears. God so willed, that I wrote down the letter and gave it to the Post Master for onward transmission. I requested him not to leak out this information to any one, till my request is accepted by the authorities. All my colleagues in the post office were extremely surprised by my action. They positively thought that this was an insane act. However, the letter was forwarded to the Superintendent. I wrote a private letter to him also, thanking him for his previous kind considerations. I requested him to relieve me of the duties at the earliest, as I might miss the opportunity of admission in the college.” The resignation was accepted.
Sahib Singh went to his village. After 2 days he disclosed the news to his family members that he had resigned the job in the post office and was thinking of going to Lahore for joining college there. No one believed in him, as all thought that he was going to leave the domestic life and would become a hermit or recluse. Sahib Singh also states, “ This presumption of the family members was to a considerable extent correct. My inner voice was telling me, if the plans failed, then there will be no place for me in this house. I will be lost for them for ever. At my request, my mother cooked food for me. The food was before me to eat. But, who could eat? My sisters were weeping bitterly, so was my wife, mother, and I too loudly like a child. Who could eat the food. Who knows, whether I would meet with all again or not. Not relishing anything, I hurriedly swallowed some food. On September 6, 1911, at 10 A.M., I left the house for my journey to Lahore. …. On September 8, accompanied by my friend Ram Rakha Mal, I reached Lahore.”
Ram Rakha Mal took Sahib Singh to Pandit Vitsta Parsad in Dayal Singh School. Pandit Ji’s residence was in the school itself. He was much pleased to see Sahib Singh, and said to him, “Today, keep your luggage with Ram Rakha Mal. Tomorrow, arrangements will be made for your admission in the college.” Sahib Singh then replied, “Sir, What luggage? I do not have any luggage”. (Sahib Singh had only few coins with him). Pandit Ji was greatly surprised to know all this. He told Sahib Singh, to come to him next day, when he would get some clothes made for him. Next day Pandit Ji took Sahib Singh to a cloth merchant’s shop, bought the cloth for three shirts and three pairs of trousers and gave it to a tailor for stitching.. On September 11, 1911, Pandit Ji wrote a letter to the Head Clerk of Dayal Singh College, and also gave the needed amount of fees for admission. The head clerk gave 50 per cent concession in the fees, and Sahib Singh was admitted in 11th Grade class of the College.
Sahib Singh received financial support from a number of sources and was well settled there in the college. His name was also changed in the University records and everything went well. In May 1913 he appeared in the University Examination of 12th Grade. Among Arts students, he attained 4th position in the University. Among both Arts and Science students, he attained the 7th position. He was to receive the stipend of Rupees 10.00 per month and total fee concession for B.A. classes. Since there was total fee concession, he decided to seek admission in the Government College, Lahore, the most prestigious educational institution in whole of Punjab. In September 1913 he was admitted in Government College, Lahore. He took the following elective subject for his studies – (1) Englsih (2) Mathematics (A) (3) Sanskrit. He also received promises of sufficient amount of financial support from a number of sources.
Professor Gulbahar Singh was the Professor of Sanskrit in Government College, Lahore. Sanskrit was taught by him to the 3rd and 4th year students jointly. After 3 months’ teaching, the Professor was to examine the students during the month of December 1913. Both the Professor and the students had come to know of Sahib Singh’s aptitude toward Sanskrit. The 4th year students requested the Professor, that the students of each of the two classes, be tested separately. The Professor did not agree as the same topics had been taught to both the classes. Moreover, if there can be any objection, it should be from the 3rd year class, and not 4th year class. The 4th year students then told the Professor that they were only afraid of Sahib Singh, and that he would secure more marks, thus would cause humiliation to them. The Professor did not agree. Students of both the classes were examined together to answer the same question paper. Sahib Singh did secure highest marks; the Professor was greatly impressed. He told Sahib Singh that after passing his B.A examination, he should spend one year more in this college and do his M.A. in Sanskrit, He will then arrange for his appointment as Lecturer in the same college with him. Sahib Singh explained to the Professor his family circumstances in detail. The Professor insisted that he should do his M.A. from this college and that he would support him by paying Rupees 25.00 each month. Sahib Singh felt that his future would be bright.
A STRANGE HURDLE
After passing the 3rd year examination, Sahib Singh was now in the 4th year. It was now year 1914. He went to his village Therpal to spend the summer vacations. One morning, all the three brothers were sitting together on the threshold of their shop. With them was also the elder brother of their brother-in-law (sister’s husband). A retired Railway Station Master, named Pandit Ram Kishen, a resident of the same village sent his servant to the shop for purchase of certain articles, on credit basis, money was to be paid or adjusted later. Sahib Singh’s family (father) had borrowed money from Ram Kishen and were paying heavy interest thereon. Shopkeepers generally avoid selling their merchandise on loan basis to start with in the morning. Sahib Singh’s brother refused to sell the articles on loan basis. After some time Pandit Ram Kishen himself, bursting with rage, appeared there. He hurled dirtiest abuses on the family. He then said that the shopkeeper should have adjusted the price of the articles from the money the family owed him.
Sahib Singh writes, “Pandit ji went back to his home after insulting us to his hearts content. But this event totally wrecked my dream of doing M.A. from Government College, Lahore and becoming a Professor there. One who is heavily indebted, has no reason to cherish any hope for the future. After doing my B.A., I felt that all my efforts should be to throw the heavy load of loan on me. When the college re-opened after the summer vacations, I narrated the incident to Professor Gulbahar Singh. I told him that after passing the B.A. exam, my only concern would be to repay the loan and get rid of the worry.”
In May 1915 Sahib Singh appeared in the final B.A. examination. Although he had been unwisely entangled in meaningless political movements, neglecting his studies for a period of four months, yet he secured 3rd position in his college and 13th position in the University. He stood first in Sanskrit and was awarded a Silver Medal by the University.
Soon after his graduation from Government College, Lahore, he got a job of a senior teacher in Khalsa School, Farooka, in Sargodha district of Rawalpindi Division. He was given handsome pay there and also additional allowances for extracurricular activities. The family debt began to clear up rapidly.
STRANGE ENCOUNTER WITH RITUAL RIDDEN PRIEST
It was then April 1916, he received a letter from his younger brother, Diwan Singh. In Raeiya village, a bullock belonging to our common friend Hari Singh, died. The bullock died with the rope round its neck. Brahmins consider this as ill omen. The owner has to go to Hardwar, for a bath in river Ganga and to give donations to Brahmins, to propitiate the gods to undo the ill omen. Pandit Devki Nandan, who was the priest there and wielded great influence in village Therpal also, raised his powerful voice that Hari Singh must go to Hardwar for propitiation of gods, failing which there would a social boycott against him. This put Hari Singh in great worry. He came to Therpal village for consultation with Diwan Singh, younger brother of Sahib Singh. Diwan Singh, who was a very enthusiastic worker, gave necessary courage to Hari Singh to resist this unreasonable demand. He suggested to him to approach his Jat brothers to take water from his hands from the community well, and that he (Diwan Singh) would receive water from him, first of all. Hari Singh did accordingly. The Pandit could not do any harm to Hari Singh, but created chaotic condition in Therpal village against Diwan Singh. The water carrier stopped water supplies for Diwan Singh’s house.
Sahib Singh on receipt of letter advised Diwan Singh to handle the situation calmly, but firmly, seeking the Divine Support. It so happened that in village Therpal, a bullock of a Hindu jat died in the similar way. The jat owner became greatly worried about the inconvenience of a visit to Hardwar. He came running to Diwan Singh’s shop, and began shouting, “O Diwan Singha, who is there to get your water supplies stopped? Come with me, draw as much water from the well as you can. We shall deal with him, who dare stop you.” The jat was holding a big staff in his hand. Thus ended the boycott in village Therpal also. In consequence of this event, a number of people in the neighboring villages became Sikhs, stopped cutting their hair.
There was an advertisement in June 1916 papers regarding opening of a Khalsa College in Gujranwala. Sahib Singh thought of joining the new college as Lecturer in Sanskrit. He wrote to his teacher, Professor Gulbahar Singh in Government College, Lahore to favor him with credentials to support his application for the post. In no time came forth the following certificate –
COPY Govt. College Lahore 13. VI. XVI.I have great pleasure in certifying that Sardar Sahib Singh read with me for two years in the B.A. classes and that I had many opportunities of knowing him as a very diligent any intelligent student. He has a special aptitude for Sanskrit and his knowledge of the language is undoubtedly much above the average. Certain reasons kept him from taking up the Honours Course, otherwise I am sure he would have stood first in Sanskrit in the province.
I have a very high opinion of Sardar Sahib Singh’s attainments and feel no hesitation in stating that he would make an excellent teacher of Sanskrit in any school or college, which is fortunate to secure his services.
As a matter of fact, I really think that Sahib Singh was the best student that I have ever had during my tenure of office in the college.
He is a quiet, modest and unassuming young man and bears an excellent character.
Sd:- Gulbahar Singh M.A., LL.B., M.R.A.S. Professor of Sanskrit
Sahib Singh was selected as Lecturer in Sanskrit and Divinity in Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujranwala. He reported for duty on May 4, 1917. He had served for about 20 months in Khalsa School, Farooka. There he was making about Rupees One hundred per month, and thus was able to completely wipe out the debt of the family. In addition he was able to invest more capital money in the village shop, run by his brothers, who did so much for him. He led a simple life, observed austerities in the matter of spending money, in order to clear the family debt.
The College offered him the salary of Rupees 70.00 per month, while he was making Rupees 100.00 in Farooka School. He accepted the offer for his love of knowledge, notwithstanding the hardship of less salary.
The college re-opened in September 1917, after the summer vacations. Hardly a month had passed, when he received the news of the DEMISE OF HIS DEAR MOTHER. Sahib Singh writes, “ Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught – kavan na mooa? kavan na marsi? – Who did not die? Who shall not die? Ten years before, when our revered father died, we were all children only. Our dear mother worked hard and looked after our comforts in extreme state of poverty. My earnest prayers at the lotus Feet of Sat Guru Ji shall ever be, keep them under Your protection. The children cannot repay the debt of their parents.”
During 1918 there was the severest onset of influenza in epidemic form. No place in Punjab remained unaffected by this virulent disease. Sahib Singh at that time was in Gujranwala. Earlier he had the onslaughts of typhoid fever, small pox and malarial fevers. This time too he had the severe attack of influenza. The college was closed for the summer vacations. Sahib Singh was all alone in his room, no one to help him in such a state of high fever, unconsciousness, severe body aches, and body discharges. Sahib Singh said, he firmly believed that his end was near. It so happened that a student, named Darshan Singh, who happened to visit the college, on his return thought of meeting with Prof Sahib Singh. The student was surprised to see Prof Sahib Singh in that shape, and inquired, who was attending him. Hearing no answer, Darshan singh decided to serve his teacher, notwithstanding that his own five brothers and sisters were similarly laid on bed. Darshan Singh would bring medicines and other essentials for his brothers and sisters, and at the same would do the same service for his teacher and also would spend most of the day time attending him. Inspite of Sahib Singh’s repeatedly telling him to leave him to his fate and to attend to his brothers and sisters, he did not agree. “He would day and night press and massage his body and would clean his gelatinous, viscid, gluey mucus discharges.” For fifteen long days Darshan Singh served his teacher, who was brought back to life from the clutches of death. Sahib Singh writes: “O my Lord! It was You, Who gave me life again. O Gracious Lord! Be Merciful to dear Darshan Singh, Your Beneficent Hand of Blessings may ever and ever remain on his head.”