A Slice of Life : Author : Dr. K.S. Kang

A Slice of Life

                                                                                Author: Dr. K.S. Kang

They called us cadets so as to make us feel special, unique and different from others though we were also normal students of a normal residential school. Since aim of our school was to hunt and tap officer material for the security forces so our day began at 5.30 a.m in the morning with rising bell. You were lucky if you did not find yourself waiting in a long queue before the washing room situated at the end of the hostel, that were termed as house named after several historical and illustrious personalities again so as to make us feel different from others. After getting ready quickly for morning Physical  Training session that lasted for almost one hour. If you were not in habit of rising early then surely you were bound to get late for PT and had strong probability of facing verbal volleys from Duty Master and PT instructor. PT was a daily ritual of jogging and a few physical exercises and running in the ground and if it was wet and rainy then this ritual was performed in the verandahs of the hostels. After the PT you would be fortunate to find early place in washrooms for bath lest you can find yourself at the end of a long queue outside bathrooms situated at other end of the hostels. After quick bath you have to dress up in Khaki uniform if it is not Saturday. Again to feel us special and unique we had don Khaki shirt, half pants and pants in winter, with black leather shoes and blue stockings. So as to give us a feel of soldier we had to wear a berry cap with school emblem and if it was a ceremonial parade then it had to be with an orange heckle. Like a soldier there were shoulder flaps with school and hostel’s name in brass and name plate at the top of right pocket and if you had some trinket then you can wear it on the left pocket. Champion house was give privilege of wearing a coloured lionyard too. Then there was a web or leather belt also to be worn daily. Evenings were spent in shining and polishing these accessories of the uniform by brassoinng the metal accessories and polishing and blancoing the web belt other wise you could be pointed out and punished for you poor turn out causing embarrassment for your house. After dressing up we had to march all the way to mess for breakfast and then to Parade Ground for School assembly that ended with march past giving salute to officer in charge. After the assembly there used to be classes till 1.30 p.m and as most of us were tired after the rigorous exercises in the morning so most of us used to feel sleepy in the last periods particularly if the last periods happened to be of Maths or Science subjects. After the classes we again marched to mess for lunch and after lunch we used to hurry to ur houses so as to get some rest. You had to cut your rest time if you were interested in Library or some other hobby activity as the classes for it were scheduled to be at 3 p.m. After the evening tea that was served in the hostels you have again to wear white shirts, white shorts and canvas shoes that had also to blancoed atleast twice a week so as to keep it shining white and assemble for compulsory games that used to be continue till 5.30 in the evening where you could p0lay several games like Basketball, volley ball, cricket, tennis and even baseball but mostly football was being played most of the days and most of the time. After the games again there was a hurried bath, as you were full of sweat and dirt after the games and the evening dress used to be white shirt, white pant with a school tie and we had to get ready for evening studies that were popularly known as Prep in the hostels, which were supervised by one of the teachers. It continued till 8.00 p.m when we again marched to mess to get the dinner lazily and lethargically. After dinner though some among us preferred to study but most f us considered our beds as final destination. This was the normal routine of a cadet of a residential school with military bias training.         

Significance of Year 2017 for our family Author Dr. K. S. Kang

Significance of year 2017 for our family

Author: Dr. K.S. Kang

The year 2017 has come as an year of special significance for a number of personalities and events in the world like the 200 anniversary of famous women novelist Jane Austen’s death. Similarly this year has connection with our family too significantly. Exactly three centuries ago in the year 1717 A.D one of our most illustrious ancestor in human history was born in a small village named Kang situated on the banks of River Bein in Kapurthala district of Punjab. He was named as Tara Singh by his doting though poor parents but in history of Punjab he was popularly and better known as Ghebba or the Vanquisher for his deft skill for vanishing the live stock, mainly horses of the enemy. Tara Singh, according to historian Hari Ram Gupta joined Sardar Gulab Singh, Chief of Dallevalia misl. In one of the battle Gulab Singh and his son were killed so Tara Singh Kang became chief of Dallewalia misl as successor of Gulab Singh. One of his first exploit was to plunder the troops of Ahmad Shah Durrani while they were crossing River Bein near his village. Alongwith Kanhaiya, Bhangi and Ramgarhia Misls, he took part in famous siege of Kasur fort, along with other Misaldars of Punjab  for which he got Rs 4 lacs at that time as part of his booty. In the year 1760 A.D after making Rahon as his capital he crossed River Sutlej and conquered the forts of Dharamkot and Fatehgarh and this was the point where our ancestors join this great warrior and dynamic man when he handed over the fort of Dharamkot to one of his four sons who continued the lineage of my ancestors who belonged to Dharamkot. After that he went on to expand his empire till Ambala in Harayana in South and to Jalandhar in North, Firozepur in the West and in Ropar in the East with the annual revenue of 17 lacs. He was also present in the famous sack of fort of Sirhind in which Mughal Governor Zain Khan was killed. He also became a close confidant of Maharaja Mahan Singh and his famous son Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is also said that his eldest son Dasaundha Singh Kang was married to the daughter of Sardar Himmat Singh of Patiala and in those days the wedding party continued for 21 days. This illustrious ancestor connected with our village Dharamkot lived a full live and passed away at the age of 90 years in the year 1807 A.D. It is also believed that Sardar Tara Singh Kang became administrative trainer and advisor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He lived a simple life.     

My Views by Dr. K.S. Kang

My Views

Author: Dr. K.S. Kang

I am not an atheist as I believe in some power controlling everything in universe, whom some people call god, some call Ishwar or Bhagwan and some call Allah and some even consider nature to be that omnipotent force  which Wordsworth calls it ‘as whole and soul of universe’, though I am against hypocrisy and exploitation carried out in the name of religion. So at the outset I am grateful to that Omnipotent force for giving me birth as a human being and that too in a reputed and respected family. Then I am thankful to my parents who gave me a wonderful, extraordinary and elite childhood and education. My father believed that three pillars in the growth of a personality of an individual are- parents, teachers and alma mater. So I am also indebted to my wonderful and worthy teachers- both at the school as well as at college and university level, some of whom were wonderful and admirable personalities and scholars of the day. 

            I also record my gratitude to this omnipotent force for giving me ample opportunity to look after my parents, teachers and my alma maters. By keeping my job most of the time at Chittorgarh there is no doubt that nature gave ample opportunity to serve my parents, teacher and my school and college thought is another thing whether I was able to make use of this opportunity to the maximum or not. It is not that I have seen other places than Chittorgarh in my career as I had nearly half a dozen transfers and an equal number of deputation but keeping in line with the teachings of my educational institutions and teacher I considered every student as equal and have taught him or her without any discrimination. Now coming to details I got opportunity to serve my college as a faculty member for quite a long period and I served my school- Sainik School Chittorgarh in the capacity of Secretary of Alumni Association of that institution. For that I am thankful to the member of the association, students, staff and officers of the institution for keeping faith and trust in me that enabled me to fulfill this task successfully. I also thank God for giving me this wonderful job that was according to my liking enabling to serve my hobbies and interests. The job given to me by great central force of universe is simply wonderful. It is such a good job that if you have complaints even in this job that means that you are an evil soul. Though I had made the aim of life a little late during my graduation on the basis of natural hierarch of head, heart and lower portions of the body. I decided to serve the head – the intellect by becoming teacher in the institutions of higher education and it is natural that head must rule over heart and stomach and other lower parts of the body in order to maintain harmony and order. So I thank that omnipotent power for letting me choose the field of education to earn my livelihood and as George Bernard Shaw believes ‘ happiest is the man who earns his livelihood by his hobby’.  

I am also indebted to certain organizations which have contributed immensely to the growth and development of my personality. First of all I would like to mention National Cadet Corps that taught me the traits of leadership and punctuality in my life. Then at the college level and during my job I came into contact with a number of other wonderful organizations like National Social Service Scheme, Rovering and The Art of Living for giving me wonderful experience of life. Being born in a sikh family I was naturally curious to know about the Ragas of Indian Classical music as sacred scripture of Sikhism Guru Grant Sahib is based on ragas. This curiosity to know about classical music and culture introduced me to the wonderful youth organization SPIC-MACAY and I served it in various capacities of Coordinator, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and finally as Chairperson of Chittorgarh Chapter. This organization has given some of the finest moments of my life.

Professionally I got opportunity to serve my subject: English Literature in the capacity of Joint Secretary of Rajasthan Association for Studies in English- the organization that was created to uplift studies in literature, culture and art forms in Rajasthan. I am thankful to its founder President Prof. S.N. Joshi and General Secretary pillar of this organization Dr. Hemendra Singh Chandaliya. I am also thankful to Director/  Commissioner College Education Rajasthan and Embassy of United States of America for giving me opportunity to work as master-trainer under the wonderful personalities like George Chinnery and Ms. Connie Greenleaf . George Chinnery helped me in crating my blog and e-mail id. through which I have realized my dream of creative writing that I have posted on my two blogs- Kang Vision and Kang Views. I also thank my friend Bhupinder by allowing me to translate his poems into English that also contented my urge to do some service to my mother tongue Punjabi as a translator. Last but not the least I thank the almighty power to give constant source of inspiration to me through the wonderful personality of my wife who gave me two wonderful kids and as a family they inspired and supported me to realize my dreams of life by becoming an academician, teacher, author, translator and actor. Here I would like to mention my two sons- Ishupal and Shivpal who gave opportunity to work in the visual world in two short documentaries made by them. I thank everybody who have guided, inspired, supported me in achieving the aims of my life and thus contribute in making my life complete and contented. Thanks       

Slave Dynasty in Medical Profession

Slave Dynasty in Medical Profession

People must have heard about the slave dynasty that ruled Delhi Sultanate during medieval ages. But here I am going to tell you about a clinic, whose ownership was passed from master to servant and not from father to son or some legal inheritor like nephew. This clinic, whose story is being narrated here, was situated in a medium sized town Moga. The initial owner of this clinic, who founded it, was Kartar Singh, who was quack who had learnt a few remedies from a sage during his youth. The clinic was opened in a rented shop owned by a temple trust Shiwala-Soodan. Dr. Kartar Singh, as he was popularly known, was a specialist in brewing wine, and his business flourished by selling the remains after brewing wine in the name of a tonic Lohaasav whose benefit according to him was assured birth of a son. Another talent that Dr. Kartar Singh had was his ability to find out the amount of money carried by a patient in his pocket and in taking out the amount from pocket of the patient. He would match the amount of the remedy and medicines so well that patient was compelled to empty his pocket. Then he would magnanimously gave back the amount of fare back to the patient so that patient may reach his village and it also assured that the patient will come back to the shop again even if to pay back the money he owed to Kartar Singh.

He spent his life luxuriously and married a lady named Gurnam Kaur belonging to Jalandhar district of the Doaba region of Punjab. She was sufficiently intelligent to learn the intricacies of this trade from Dr. Kartar Singh, though she was already married and even had children from her first husband. Perhaps she visited him initially as a patient and then she started living with him . After the passing away of Dr. Kartar Singh, Gurnam Kaur took over the shop and continued this flourishing trade. One day a man came in her life whose name was Shamsher Singh Jwandha. Perhaps he also visited her as a patient in the beginning and then started living Gurnam Kaur and contributing his bit and learning the secrets of this medicine trade. Slowly but steadily he gathered complete control over the shop and then she ousted Gurnam Kaur from this clinic. She returned back to her family and village. As he had learnt the secrets of trade so he also did not much object to the decision of Gurnam Kaur to leave back and go back to her village.  Dr. Shamsher Singh always  carried a gun whenever he went outside Moga. Dr. Shamsher Singh introduced innovation in curative system of the clinic by incorporating allopathic medical procedures, under the mask of Ayurvedic medicines though he continued practicing Ayurvedic medicines too. He even gave pain killing injections and antibiotics to give quick relief to the patients. Normally after asking the patients about the symptoms of malady and after examining the patient he used to tell them to either wait for some time or to go to market for shopping as it will take some time prepare the medicine. After that he would come to the posterior portion of the shop and handing some money to his son asked him to go and get some aspirin tablets from the nearest chemist. Then he used to take them out of the wrapper and crush them into powder and pack them into small paper packets (Pudiyas) in three or four doses and hand back to the patient with precautions and instructions. So Shamsher Singh became complete inheritor of this clinic in word and spirit after Gurnam Kaur. He would have continued to be the sole master of this clinic throughout his life but another lady came in his life. This lady , named Gurmail Kaur was married to a man, who was a shepherd in the next village to Moga. Her husband passed away leaving two sons to her. She also came to the clinic first as a patient and then started living there bringing her two sons also along with her and started learning this trade as well as looking after the household of Shamsher Singh. She would have become the next heir of this clinic but fate prevented it for a number of reasons. The first reason was that Dr. Shamsher Singh in the last phase of his life decided to leave the shop and go into retirement in the house that he had constructed for himself in the outskirts of the town, though he ran clinic there also. And the second the reason was that Gurmail Kaur left this world earlier than Dr. Shamsher Singh. And the last reason was that her both sons did not show either talent or interest in running this clinic so this slave dynasty of medical profession ended after the death of Dr. Shamsher Singh.             

A Game of Cards V/S A Game of Thrones

A Game of Cards V/S A Game of Thrones

Author : K. S Kang

A card in the pack of cards flaunted before the actors of Game of thrones to be more fair, honest, sincere and upright than the actors of the game of thrones as they do not involve themselves in mud sledging politics- where the glamour of throne and power makes a person blind towards humanity, human relations and reason- that distinguishes man from other beasts of the world. In real politics or in a Game of Thrones man becomes a thinking beast which is far more dangerous that the most cruel and violent creature on the Earth. In the Game of Thrones actors forget about their relations and their blood turns white as the only thing visible to them is power and throne while in a Game of Cards, though there is element of skill, cleverness and cunningness also to some extent but still there are some rules to be followed in it. In Game of thrones every rule is made to be violated sometimes even by those who make it to serve their own selfish interest. In fact no law is the only law in Game of Thrones and it is often said that everything is fair in politics and war. In Game of Cards there is no King who does not accept the authority of Ace or God, there is no queen who conspires against her own King, and there is no Jack who rebels and commits treachery against his own master while history shows that in Game of Thrones is full of accounts of conspiracies, treachery, deceits and frauds not only by the foes but even by the near and dear ones and the most close confidants. Due to narrow and selfish interests actors in Game of Thrones have shoved the world towards violence, anarchy, and destruction. Actors in Game of Thrones can learn a lot from the Game of Cards.  

The Lone Support

The Lone Support

            Author : K.S. Kang

                As I was getting out of my bed this cold winter morning , every limb of my body was aching due to pain in joints that I had developed after the age of sixty years. Both my sons are well educated, engineer-management graduates from the premium engineering and management colleges of the country and hence well settled abroad with their families and children. Though they invite me continuously to live with them but I am unable to stay with them for more than one month due to two reasons- first my weakness for my home town and secondly due to harsh cold weather abroad. It has become the reality of contemporary times that wherever I see I find old couples spending the last phase of their life alone as if paying fine for fulfilling the duties of their parenthood too well as they had left no stone unturned in procuring best possible education for their children as a result of which they are too qualified to get a job according to their qualification in this small town. Most of the old couples are keeping in touch with their children, thanks to technology or rather information technology, through video calls, Skype, Google Hunt, and What’s App.  For most of the grandchildren the existence of grandparents is in virtual world only, as often they are only visiting guest during their vacations for a month at the most. Like most of the parents of my age I rejoice in the progress of my children and do not wish to interfere in their peaceful and prosperous life.

            I would also have suffered like most of the couples of my times but God had showered some mercy and blessing on me in the form of this girl named Vandana. Though biologically she is not my daughter but for every practical purpose and reason I am her father. I found Vandana lying as an infant in the garbage place during the riots. I clearly remember that evening when I was returning from work. As it was winter season so darkness started descending rather early and with that temperature also started dipping. As it was a times of crisis due to communal violence precipitated by the demolition of a religious place in the neighbouring town. As I was hurrying towards my home, I heard a faint muffling cry. When I came nearer I saw that lady in thirties was lying lifeless with an infant in her embrace who was crying weakly. Both the arms of the lady were chopped as if she put her hands to protect the child from the assaulter. Carefully I took the child away from her embrace and saw that it was a girl child and breathing and live. So I brought her to my home and decided to keep her despite protests from my wife and mother who were apprehensive about the class or community to this girl belonged. However, I managed to convince them on account of humanity that after all she was a human child and perhaps it is God’s will that she should live that is why I reached that place to save her in time. This child whom I had named Vandana grew up with my and became their favourite playmate in various games. She went with her brothers to school and with time she developed into a beautiful fine lady. I got her married to a young boy with a good job in the neighbouring colony of the town. She has developed so much concern and affection for me that hardly a day passes when she or member of her family do not visit our home in order to know our well being.  She has become the lone prop in my old age and I thank God for providing this wonderful prop to me in the last phase of my life.