Camping in Badbar — Then and Now
These days, we are camping in my beautiful village of Badbar District Barnala, Punjab. Sitting here, memories of my childhood summers keep flowing back.
My San Ramon family will be thrilled to know there is street side Liabrary too. But English books are very few.
I still remember visiting Badbar during school vacations. In those days, we would carry fruits, vegetables, and supplies for the village including some emergency medicines and stay here for a few peaceful days. Life was simple, slow, and deeply connected to the land.
Wheat harvesting combines have turned Monster to Miracle.
At this time of the year, Punjab faces its scorching heat. The hot winds blow endlessly across the fields. Yet these very winds helped ripen the golden wheat crop. Today, the wheat is harvested, thrashed, sold, and the money reaches the farmers almost within hours. Earlier, it used to take months of hard labor by men and animals to complete the same work.
Shoppers are busy improving their lands for the next crop.
Village life too has transformed dramatically. In earlier days, nights meant darkness, lanterns, fear of snakes, insects, and other venomous creatures. Today the village is fully electrified and vibrant.
Fine dining Swagat Badbar is about 3 miles from our village on NH-7
Nearly two miles before entering the village, one now sees bustling activity, furniture shops, electrical stores, mechanic workshops, grocery shops, and all kinds of modern businesses.
I deliberately purchased most of my furniture and furnishings from our local Sarpanch’s (name)furniture shop. These village businesses survive because villagers support them. He has been extremely fair, gives reasonable prices, and attends to every complaint personally.
Panchayat Ghar -a modern new building being build by the Government.
I was surprised when the Sarpanch of our village stood up and rushed towards me to touch my feet. I was aghast to observe how the cultural values are still being passed on.
From 4th May onward, despite the intense summer, we were comfortably sleeping under air conditioning. Honestly, I doubt even a five-star hotel could have given us the same emotional satisfaction.
But last night reminded us that village life still has its own uncertainties. There was a major power breakdown, perhaps a transformer failure. Electricity came briefly for a couple of hours and then disappeared again until nearly 11 in the morning. It became a difficult and restless night.
We even went up to the rooftop where the cool open breeze was surprisingly pleasant, green surroundings, no mosquitoes, absolute silence. The only problem was that we had no cots there. I have now decided to place two or three cots permanently on the roof for such emergencies. Sometimes the old ways still offer the best comfort.
On our way we had the Darshan of Gurdwara Sh Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala
Finally at around 6:30 in the morning, we decided to leave for Fatehgarh Sahib, the sacred place associated with Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji, who embraced martyrdom with unmatched courage.
This was my second visit there, after nearly sixty years.
Harvinder looking emotional to be present at the sight where Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji were bricked alive
The emotions were overwhelming. Memories, history, sacrifice, and spirituality all seemed to merge together. We could not control our tears while paying our respects.
And perhaps by Guru’s grace, by the time we returned home, the electricity too had come back.
Such is village life in Punjab, hardship and peace, discomfort and blessings, all walking together.
