Above: The Prime Minister, with West Bengal's Chief Minister, at St. Xavier's. Below, 1st from bottom: The painting gifted to the P.M. on the occasion. 2nd: the postage stamp issued to commemorate St.. Xavier's 125 th anniversary in 1985.
People
Welcome, Nanaji
by GUNEET SINGH
Calcutta, West Bengal, India - January 16, 2010
Today was special for me, as a Xaverian and as a grandson.
When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said it was "a great pleasure, a great honour, a great privilege" to be at St Xavier's College here in Calcutta for the sesquicentenary celebrations, I watched him proudly from a distance.
I was proud not just as a Xaverian - I am a 2nd year student of mass communication - but as a family member. My naani (maternal grandmother) Pritam Kaur is the Prime Minister's younger sister.
The wait began a year ago. The sense of thrill and excitement was building up from when the Prime Minister had agreed to be part of the inaugural ceremony of the 150-year celebrations. But then he took ill.
I was heartbroken as a Xaverian and anxious as a grandson. The entire family - there are more than 20 of us in Calcutta - was praying for his speedy recovery. And thank God, he recovered quickly and resumed his duties.
Then began the countdown to the concluding ceremony of the sesquicentenary celebrations. Would he agree to come to our campus? Would he be able to make the time? Even after he had said yes and everything was set, would there be any last-minute hitch again?
All doubts were finally laid to rest when he strode into St Xavier's today, through the Park Street gate, at 4 pm sharp.
I could not wait to welcome my nanaji, in the aisle, behind the stage.
"Welcome to St Xavier's and thank you for coming here," I said and touched his feet.
He smiled warmly at me, blessed me and moved on towards the dais.
The brief meeting was more than I could ask for. He is the Prime Minister first and then my grandfather.
Being seated in the VIP block with my family - my parents, grandparents, uncles and cousin Rashmin Kaur (who is in her BBA 2nd year at Xavier's) - and watching him on the dais for such a special event in the history of such a grand institution was like a dream come true.
His words were simple but his thoughts significant. By referring to the glorious history of St Xavier's and its students - from Rabindranath Tagore to J.C. Bose to Jyoti Basu - he was urging today's students to strive for excellence and "all-round growth".
Just before leaving the dais, he waved at us. My naani, her sister Gobind Kaur - the two sisters of the Prime Minister who live in Calcutta with their families - and all of us waved back. Our smiles said it all.
This is the place and these are the grounds I have been coming to every day for the past one-and-a-half years, but January 16, 4 pm to 5 pm, is something I will never forget.
As a Xaverian and as a grandson.
[Courtesy: The Telegraph]
January 18, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Jagdish Singh (Jakarta, Indonesia), January 18, 2010, 8:11 AM.
Nanaji: khushi hundi je taan saadi Sikhi baare kujj soch-oh attey 1984 di history dheek karo ji. Sikh koi terorist naheen hunn.
2: Darshan Kaur (Canada), January 18, 2010, 2:57 PM.
Call me 'westernized' but I am never impressed by people from India who, because they were born into well-to-do families, have no care for those who have very little. I would ask Guneet Singh if this article was really necessary and exactly what is the point ... that he is related to Dr. Manmohan Singh, that his family all live in Calcutta and go to private school? This is so typical of the Manmohan Singh clan ... why doesn't this clan live in Punjab? Is it not good enough for them? Too much poverty and state terrorism?
3: Satinder Singh (New Jersey, U.S.A.), January 18, 2010, 9:05 PM.
Agree that the article is not well written and the main point he is trying to express is not clear. But at the same time, what is the point of the comments being expressed? We should ask ourselves the same question and we will have the answer we ask ... why don't we (westerners) live in Punjab? Is it not good enough for us? Is there too much corruption, poverty and pollution for us? Are we too westernized for Punjab? By the way, if I had a choice I would definitely send my son to Harvard or Princeton University (a private school) instead of a State University.
4: Irvinderpal Singh Babra (Brantford, Ontario, Canada), January 18, 2010, 11:51 PM.
I am also from St. Xavier's College, Calcutta, 1969-74. It's a privilege to have gone to that renowned college. Nothing wrong if this young fellow, Guneet Singh, is highlighting it for its 150 years, so just let him and others cherish it. This is in no way undermining or condemning the education system in Punjab or elsewhere. I want Guru Nanak University and Khalsa Schools and Colleges everywhere to rise to that level also. And what a joy that Dr. Manmohan Singh went there and participated as a special guest of honour.
5: Sara Singh (Australia), January 19, 2010, 2:11 AM.
"To whom much is given, much will be expected" ... as the saying goes! Dr. Manmohan Singh and his family are in a good situation to actually do something about the situation in Punjab! I suspect that the reason the rest of us do not want to live in the Punjab is because we might 'disappear' in a police encounter or perhaps have a 'burning tire' put around our necks! Lets look deeper than corruption, poverty and pollution ... I believe the correct words are "ethnic cleansing"!
6: Darshan Kaur (Canada), January 19, 2010, 2:18 AM.
Satinder Singh ji, it is always good to know that there are Sikhs out there who would, given the chance, put themselves first before others ... the "I'm alright, Jack!" attitude of which this article is a prime example!
7: Parm Chahal (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), January 19, 2010, 9:06 AM.
Some of the comments hereinabove are uncalled for. He is a proud grandson and a proud student of the school. Why bash that, why attack that? There are Sikhs all over the world. As far as Dr. Manmohan Singh's family is concerned, they do live in Punjab: they are based in Amritsar. His sisters live in Calcutta, and the last time I checked, their girls left home to go live with their husbands around the world. Why do you live in Canada? Because you want to. Dr. Manmohan Singh is not the Prime Mininster of Punjab, he is the PM of India.
8: Sanmeet Kaur (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), January 19, 2010, 10:04 AM.
Dear Guneet: While reading your article, I felt as though you wanted very much to be like your Nanaji; not just because he is the Prime Minister but also because of the man he is. I hope you are not deterred by the criticisms. You must realize that one can and should only be one's best. If you are privy to opportunities and privileges, make the best of them. Let them not be wasted on you. And give back! Many may disagree with me but my charity begins at home. I do not believe that compromising or reducing myself in any way could benefit another. However, fully whole, I find I can be of use to many. Your grandfather is not a perfect man, yet there is lot of good to be said about him, a lot to be learnt from him. I hope you prove to be an able Sikh and student in every which way.
9: Narinder Singh (United Kindom), January 19, 2010, 12:41 PM.
Sanmeet: the definition of a 'good man' is very subjective. If you were to ask those widows of the November 1984 pogroms or the mothers of missing sons in the Punjab ... what would they say to the fact that Dr. Manmohan Singh has denied that human rights violations occurred in India in front of the UN in 1993 and all this time ENSAAF is working hard to get justice for these people in front of the UN! How would you feel if you were one of them? Yes, I agree with you that charity begins at home,in which case home for Dr. Manmohan Singh should lie with the Sikhs and not with pushing and furthering the agenda of the Hindu establishment who have murdered thousands of innocent Sikhs. Perhaps it is time to examine what he has said and done, or what he has not said or done! Compare him to President Obama who has lifted the spirit of his people!
10: Saneha Kaur (Canada), January 19, 2010, 1:29 PM.
Interesting comments! Perhaps people should compare this article to the other one about Jaimeet Singh who has won numerous awards for his seva, including the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh award ... and he is only 16 and lives in the Punjab! I agree that this article is immature and self-indulgent. The issue of living in Punjab is an important one and I suspect most of us have moved abroad for socio-economic reasons. In the last 25 years, Punjab has gone from best to worst! It has also witnessed the worst sort of ethnic cleansing to which the rest of India and the world are oblivious. It is the poster boy for social and economic ghetto-ization. I think it is time that the diaspora started using the critical thinking skills and intellect they have acquired by living abroad and begin to question and hold accountable Sikhs leaders (Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Badal clan, Captain Amrinder Singh and his clan, etc). In the west, those who are privileged are expected to give back to those who have little; it is not socially acceptable to brag about your background; caste differences do not exist amongst them because opportunities are provided for people to better themselves and move from one strata to another. Let us not just benefit economically from the west but also socially. It has a lot to offer which is probably why we are here ... even Dr. Manmohan Singh's daughters have married abroad! Let us be thinking people and not sheep, like the rest of the poor people in India who have been blinded by the crooked politicians.
11: Saneha Kaur (Canada), January 19, 2010, 3:44 PM.
It has just occurred to me that the attributes I am talking about as being part of the western civilization (helping others; lack of caste system) are all in fact part of Sikhi ... so why am I bringing these to your attention? Perhaps because most of us have forgotten these, as it would appear from the way we behave and live!
12: Navi (Pennsylvania, U.S.A.), January 19, 2010, 5:04 PM.
This young lad, Guneet, is proud of his grandfather and indeed there is no reason why he should not look up to his beloved Nana ji. There is nothing wrong with privilege either, as long as you keep your end of the deal ... to give back as much in return. To Guneet: hold your head high, your ambitions even higher and try to emulate all the good qualities of your Nana ji as you grow up. You are fortunate to have such a role model in your life.
13: Sanmeet Kaur (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), January 19, 2010, 8:29 PM.
PM Manmohan Singh and his government have been equally inadequate when it comes to the survivors of the Gujarat riots, the Bombay blasts and the conflict in East Assam, or the farmers that routinely commit suicide, and so many other social issues that plague India. I suppose having been born and raised in India, away from Punjab, has altered my perspective. I take the Bombay blasts and subsequent riots as personally as I take 1984. I don't know the man personally so I refrain from judging him but have seen India benefit from S. Manmohan Singh as both Finance and Prime Minister. If you complain about him, you should get to know some of his predecessors! And the options available today! I don't harbour misconceptions about India, its people or politicians, but if Punjab means that much to you, I hope you are doing something to help. Is it really important where his daughters have settled? And all this from folks living in UK and Canada? It is sad that a simple matter of familial pride has been morphed into something so twisted. If there were so many objections why not voice them when S. Manmohan singh was chosen Chic Sikh of the Year? Is this teenager such an easy target that he is hard to pass up?
14: Kartar Singh Bhalla (New Delhi, India), January 20, 2010, 6:26 AM.
Sardarni Saneha Kaur has stated that 'even Dr. Manmohan Singh's daughters have married abroad!'. This is not correct. Two of Dr Manmohan Singh's daughters are married in India and live in India. The third daughter is in America. I do not know whether she is married.
15: Sawan Singh (Delhi, India), January 21, 2010, 3:52 AM.
Sardar Kartar Singh ji: I believe all three are married. The two in India are married to Hindus and the third in America is married to a Caucasian. I want to put the record straight!
16: Kartar Singh Bhalla (New Delhi, India), January 22, 2010, 3:28 AM.
Thank you, Sardar Sawan Singh ji.
17: Karan Singh (United Kingdom), January 22, 2010, 12:22 PM.
The day Manmohan Singh said 'Sikhs must forget 1984 and move on' is the day I lost any shred of respect I had for him. He honours his revered mother, 'Indira' every year but those Sikh women who lived through the genocide are told to forget? Disgusting. You bring shame to all Indians worldwide!
18: Shree (Delhi, India), January 26, 2010, 1:10 AM.
I am horrified at Darshan Kaur's comments. Why should Sikhs live in Punjab only? All India and the world is their home. Why is she living in Canada? By her logic, she should be in Punjab, and all who have settled in any part of the world should return to their land of origin. What about the thousands of others who are from other communities living in Punjab today or Punjabis settled in other parts of the country? What kind of a mentality is that in today's world. I want to add that I am happy to have Sardar Manmohan Singh as our Prime Minister. And I see nothing wrong in his young nephew taking pride in that fact.
19: Bikramjiit Singh (London, England), January 26, 2010, 11:58 AM.
Why all the accolades for Manmohan Singh? A man born in a Sikh home and yet the next generation of his family will be Hindus! he who has told his fellow Sikhs to forget the government sponsored pogroms in 1984. He belongs to the political party that sent tanks into Darbar Sahib. Is there anything positive this man has done for Sikhs? If not, then why even give this man or his grandson the ego boost of having his write up on this site?
20: K. Kaur (Delhi, India), February 06, 2010, 7:05 PM.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh is a 'diminutive' man as correctly described by the media but he has even lower self esteem and self respect which is why his daughters are married to Hindus!
21: Jas (United Kingdom), April 12, 2010, 1:13 PM.
Good stuff, Guneet Singh. Avoid the unwanted comments. If you're concerned about Punjab, pack your Gucci and Prada bags and move to Punjab. If his daughters have married hindu and caucasian men, why do you have problems? It's his family, not yours. If anything, he's doing good for the country. He started globalisation in India due to which it's booming today. If Punjab isn't exactly where it should be, blame it on the Punjab government, not the PM. Punjab has the highest number of imported cars in India - who's to be blamed? The PM? People abroad show dreams of Mercedes, houses, lavish lifestyle ... and the uneducated farmers sell their lands for their kids and move here - the end result is debt! I can go on and on and on, but this topic will never end. Stop playing the blame game, if you cannot do anything to help.