TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
Mr. S.Tandan from Karachi
D.O.B: 7th November, 1929
Place of Birth: Jullander, Punjab
Education :
Karachi Grammer School, 1945
Government College, Lahore, May 1947
M.A., St. Stephen’s, Delhi University
Parents:
Father: In business. Was also member of a Municipal Committee
Mother: Member of Municipal School Board
Siblings: 1 sister, 2 older brothers
Family Life and Early Years:
We had a patriotic environment at home. My Nani (maternal grandmother) wore Khadi. Though as a family we were not involved in the political movement.
In 1942 we went to Dalhousie. We had family friends there. A decision was taken to talk only in Hindustani among among friends and family. My cousin however would speak to our dog Hector in English. When reprimanded, she said “Kutte ke sath kutte ki jaban main bolna chayiye” ( One should speak to dogs in their own language!)
I remember in school we were not supposed to eat rotis (Indian flat bread) with our hands. We had to use a fork and knife.
In 1945, world war two ended. Three army officers were tried in the Lal Quila- Seghal, Dhillon and Shahnawaz, for firing against the British when they deserted the Indians in Singapore. They were pardoned due to the Independence fervor. When Seghal returned home, his mother was waiting to receive him with open arms. Before he embraced his mother he saluted and his first words to her were “Jai Hind”
My mother went to Lahore to congratulate the family. She knew the Seghal family very well. I got his autograph. It was very exciting.
15th August, 1947
We heard the radio address by Pandit Nehru and we were thrilled. The British had treated us badly.
Partition
When we were growing up there was harmony between Hindu's and Muslims. I had close Muslim friends in my college hostel- Jameel, Mazhar and Zaffar. When the news of partition came, a bit of strain came in the relationship. One of my friends in the RSS even agave me a knife to protect myself as stories of riots were all around us. I was so embarrassed about the knife.
I heard about the slaughter in Jullander from my Nani (maternal grandmother). There was a fire in a depot and Muslims were pushed in. There was a madness in the air. Both sides went crazy.
My Masi (mothers sister) drove from Lahore to India on 13th August 1947. They had to drive over bodies. From Rawalpindi to Gurgaon (outskirts of Delhi) there were huge attacks.
I was sent to Delhi to study. A teacher of Sanskrit was also going and I was sent with him. The day I reached there was a curfew because of rioting and I could not go to Daryaganj, where i was supposed to stay with relatives. I instead stayed at Hailey Road withe Sanskrit Pandit.
My father finally sold our house in McNeil Road as in1948 as there was trouble created by the Mohajirs. There were still many Hindu families.
India Now
India is much more corrupt now and the political system needs to change.
This interview was conducted at Jaya Mehta's home in New Delhi. Mr.Tandon was happy to share his memories with us.
Mr. S.Tandan from Karachi
D.O.B: 7th November, 1929
Place of Birth: Jullander, Punjab
Education :
Karachi Grammer School, 1945
Government College, Lahore, May 1947
M.A., St. Stephen’s, Delhi University
Parents:
Father: In business. Was also member of a Municipal Committee
Mother: Member of Municipal School Board
Siblings: 1 sister, 2 older brothers
Family Life and Early Years:
We had a patriotic environment at home. My Nani (maternal grandmother) wore Khadi. Though as a family we were not involved in the political movement.
In 1942 we went to Dalhousie. We had family friends there. A decision was taken to talk only in Hindustani among among friends and family. My cousin however would speak to our dog Hector in English. When reprimanded, she said “Kutte ke sath kutte ki jaban main bolna chayiye” ( One should speak to dogs in their own language!)
I remember in school we were not supposed to eat rotis (Indian flat bread) with our hands. We had to use a fork and knife.
In 1945, world war two ended. Three army officers were tried in the Lal Quila- Seghal, Dhillon and Shahnawaz, for firing against the British when they deserted the Indians in Singapore. They were pardoned due to the Independence fervor. When Seghal returned home, his mother was waiting to receive him with open arms. Before he embraced his mother he saluted and his first words to her were “Jai Hind”
My mother went to Lahore to congratulate the family. She knew the Seghal family very well. I got his autograph. It was very exciting.
15th August, 1947
We heard the radio address by Pandit Nehru and we were thrilled. The British had treated us badly.
Partition
When we were growing up there was harmony between Hindu's and Muslims. I had close Muslim friends in my college hostel- Jameel, Mazhar and Zaffar. When the news of partition came, a bit of strain came in the relationship. One of my friends in the RSS even agave me a knife to protect myself as stories of riots were all around us. I was so embarrassed about the knife.
I heard about the slaughter in Jullander from my Nani (maternal grandmother). There was a fire in a depot and Muslims were pushed in. There was a madness in the air. Both sides went crazy.
My Masi (mothers sister) drove from Lahore to India on 13th August 1947. They had to drive over bodies. From Rawalpindi to Gurgaon (outskirts of Delhi) there were huge attacks.
I was sent to Delhi to study. A teacher of Sanskrit was also going and I was sent with him. The day I reached there was a curfew because of rioting and I could not go to Daryaganj, where i was supposed to stay with relatives. I instead stayed at Hailey Road withe Sanskrit Pandit.
My father finally sold our house in McNeil Road as in1948 as there was trouble created by the Mohajirs. There were still many Hindu families.
India Now
India is much more corrupt now and the political system needs to change.
This interview was conducted at Jaya Mehta's home in New Delhi. Mr.Tandon was happy to share his memories with us.
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