Dr Ishwar Mittal
About 60 old people of the Punjabi Purusarthi class who have reached India after facing the horrors of Partition took part in this program.
Bhiwani: On Akhand Bharat Diwas August 14, a program of honouring the elderly people born in united India was organized in Baliyali village of Bawani Kheda block of Bhiwani district of Haryana province. Incidentally, on that day, the Government of India has also declared *"Partition Horrors Remembrance Day"*.
About 170 people participated in this award ceremony. About 60 old people of the Punjabi Purusarthi class who have reached India after facing the horrors of Partition took part in this program. State Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Haryana, Vijay Kumar, made his address as the keynote speaker. Before the program commenced, all the honoured guests went to the local Bada Gurudwara and paid obeisance, where Siropa was presented to everyone by the head Granthi of the Gurudwara.
At the beginning of the program, after the geet, the elders told their story of the horror of Partition, hearing which the people's eyes present filled with emotion. An elderly lady even told how she was married in those days, and the Muslims robbed her procession. An elder discussed about the cooperation made by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at that time. The head Granthi told how they worship for united India in their Gurbani every day. In another incident, it was told that if we Punjabi people were displaced from Pakistan, then we have come only here to save our dharma.
Vijay Kumar shared many instances of the time of partition in his address. Also, he said that India could be united again and become Akhand Bharat, and this will be no exception. He also said that India could not be Akhand Bharat is not a 'Universal Truth', but it is a 'Settled Truth' which can also be changed, and it will be. At the end of the program, all the elderly people were welcomed by wearing shawls, mementoes and flower garlands. Females from various sects also actively participated in this program.
As the chief guest, Shiv Shankar Pahwa, National Coordinator, Baba Banda Bahadur Sikh Community, participated in the program. The program was presided over by Chetan Prakash Dhamija, Sarpanch, Ratera village. Bhiwani Vibhag Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Sanjay Kumar, Bhiwani Jila Karywah Madanpal, Bhiwani and his deputy Trilok Chand, Bhim Singh, Ishwar Mittal and many other workers were participated in this programme. Mukesh Raheja of Bharat Vikas Parishad, Bhiwani, Akash Raheja of Swadeshi Jagran Manch Bhiwani, head Granthi Sudarshan Singh played their major role in organizing the program.
The writer is a Bhiwani Jila Prachar Pramukh, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Management Studies and Research, Maharshi Dayanand University
