40 years Apart in Srinagar

Then in Aug 1982



Now in Apr 2022

Then in Aug 1982

Now in Apr 2022

Forty years later, meeting at the same place sends shivers down my spine. As the Assistant Secretary of the Northern Regional Electricity Board, organizing the Board meeting in Srinagar was my responsibility. A month prior to the scheduled meeting in August 1982, I obtained special permission from the Chairman of Central Electricity Authority to travel by air to Srinagar in the exigency of work for meeting arrangements in short time.

It was an honor to liaise with the Chief Secretary of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, who graciously arranged all logistics in Srinagar for the esteemed members of the Board, including the Chairmen among seven States/UTs of the Northern Region of India.

Photos in Apr 2022

Boating in Dal Lake

Shalimar Garden

Trying to copy Boil-wood movies

Houseboat showroom - shopping will not get rid of us even in the deepest of waters of Dal Lake.

Pahalgam

Diwan-e-Khas, Shalimar Garden

The Board meeting concluded successfully, with all agenda items accomplished. Meanwhile, members and their families enjoyed delightful trips to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Shalimar Mughal gardens and the Ganderbal hydro power station on the Sindh River, where they indulged in a lovely high tea by the riverbank. A gratifying visit to Chashme Shahi, arranged amidst the night, added to the experience. Evening strolls along the picturesque Dal and Nigeen Lakes, nestled at an altitude of 5200 feet above sea level, offered a refreshing experience, rejuvenating minds with the crisp, cool air of this heavenly locale.

Mrs and Mrs Rakesh Nath

As the Board meeting wound up, it garnered attention in both print and TV media. Amongst the brightest minds in the realm of Power Engineeris and their families, we shared unforgettable moments together. Mr. Rakesh Nath, accompanied by his wife, stood out as a budding young power operation engineer who later ascended to the esteemed position of Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Bhai Vir Singh Sadan Amritsar Punjab

Incredible efforts by Dalbir Foundation headed by S Gunbir Singh for arranging such mammoth gathering in a short time. The Vaisakhi Celebrations at Khalsa College Gurdwara Sahib were out of this world.

A post by Dilbir Foundation on 14 Apr 2022, Amritsar.

ਸ਼ਿਵਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਦਸਵੀਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ

The legacy of singing gurbani under the overarching umbrella of the Raag mala embellished by instruments such as a digital piano, the flute, the cello, the veena, the dilruba and more. Shivpreet Singh is indeed a blessed divine soul regaling those such as us seeking solace. This tenth descendant of Bhai Nand Lal ji at two incredible venues, Bhai Vir Singh Niwas Asthaan and Khalsa College Amritsar

ਸ਼ਿਵਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਦਸਵੀਂ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ, ਦੋ ਅਦੁੱਤੀ ਥਾਵਾਂ, ਭਾਈ ਵੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਕਾਲਜ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿਖੇ: ਰਬਾਬ, ਤਾੳਸ, ਡਿਜੀਟਲ ਪਿਆਨੋ, ਬੰਸਰੀ, ਚੈਲੋ, ਵੀਨਾ, ਦਿਲਰੁਬਾ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਸਾਜ਼ਾਂ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸੁਸ਼ੋਭਿਤ ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ ਦੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਾਲ ਛਤਰੀ ਹੇਠ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਇਨ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਵਿਰਾਸਤ ਨੂੰ ਚਾਰ ਚੰਨ ਲਗਾਉਂਦ ਹੋਇ। ਸ਼ਿਵਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਧੰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਆਤਮਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ, ਭਾਵੇਂ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਯਾਂ ਬਿਰਦ, ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਸਮਰਥਾ ਰਖਦੀ ਹੈ।

#intangibleculturalheritage

Remembering Papa ji and Mummi ji

Vaisakhi holds a special place in our heart, as it brings back cherished memories of celebrating the birthdays of our Papa ji and Mummi ji. 

Get Together:

Dari so happy to be close to Mummi ji

These annual gatherings with family were filled with love, service, and compassion, highlighting the values they embodied throughout their lives. 

Papa ji gardening skills are persisting. 

Enjoying fonta and fuana in our back yard.

It's wonderful to recollect how these memories continue to be treasured, serving as reminders of the warmth and joy they brought to our family. 

Meeting toddler Geet seemed to bring Mummi ji boundless happiness, washing away any troubles or sufferings she maight have been experiencing. The joy of being in the presence of such innocence and purity was truly uplifting, filling our heart with warmth and contentment.

Our heartfelt touching prayers and wishes for both of you. Bye…

May Waheguru continue to bless and protect them, keeping them close within His divine embrace. Our devotion and love may shine through in our Ardaas, offering solace and strength to them always.

Tributes to Gulshan Madhur by Madhu Maheshwari

Dear Madhu ji,

Thanks very much for sending me the link.

His verses are thought-provoking and reflective of the societal issues he observed. It’s evident that his poetic talent was multifaceted, allowing him to express himself effectively in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

Your anecdotes about his interactions with fans and his linguistic versatility add depth to his persona. It’s an honor for the family that a talented and learned person has paid tribute to such a remarkable individual through her writing.

I am witness to crazy fans both boys and girls from Delhi University who were indeed his ardent fans in early days in Delhi. It also reminds me of stories how kids and young alike will surround him on family weddings and other functions.

He would usually talk to me in typical Peshawri Punjabi. I felt aghast how good he was in Punjabi while his professional  work was in Hindi.

Often he shared his poems with me and I reproduce  ‘Dohe’ below:

कुछ दोहे

*******

समझो   उसके  ह्रदय  में  अंदर  तक है  खोट

जाति,  धर्म  के  नाम  पर   जो  भी   मांगे वोट

लोकतंत्र   के   नाम  पर   मूरखता   का   राज

अपढ़,  अनाड़ी   बन  गए,   देशों  के  सरताज

उस   नेता   का   दूर  से   ही   करना   सत्कार

जो   कहता  हो   एक   मै   सब  का  तारनहार

लोकतंत्र   को   लगाने    ओछेपन    का    रोग

सत्ता   में    ये   आ    गए    कैसे    कैसे   लोग

नेता  उसको  जानिए,    जिसकी   बेढब   चाल

बातें    जिसकी    बेसुरी   और   सोच    बेताल

देस देस  में  चहकना,   घर  के  दुख  पर   मौन

नेता    यायावर    बने,   घर    की    पूछे    कौन

आंखों का  इक  भरम  था,  वह सपनों का गांव

कड़ी धूप के  सफ़र में   बस  छिन भर  की छांव

लाख   मनाओ    मन्नतें,    रचो   हज़ारों    गीत

तुम  उसके  मन  में  नहीं,   तो  फिर  कैसी प्रीत

हर  रिश्ता  है  अहम,  पर  उनकी अलग  सुगंध

रस्ता   चलते   बन   गए  जो   अनाम   सम्बन्ध

कहने को  था  बहुत कुछ, अकथ रहा पर प्यार

अर्थ    पहुंच   से   दूर  था,  शब्द   बड़े  लाचार

शब्दों    की    ईंटें   रखीं,  और   उठा  दी  भीत

पर जब तक मन अनछुआ, तब तक कैसा गीत

पल   भर   पंछी   पाहुना    आ   बैठा   था  संग

यह  जा   वह  जा   उड़  गया   डाल  हुई   बेरंग

                                         ------------ गुलशन  मधुर

Thanks once again for your valuable time and efforts to write golden words on Gulshanji. Yours efforts will give solace to my cousin Shanna Madhur who gets a chance for a rebreather after such a huge loss by your memorable kind words.

With warm regards

- Preet Kapoor

*********

Reply from Madhu Maheshwari:

Dear Preet,

I was a literary friend  of Gulshan  Ji and we have co-edited  a First Hindi Anthology in the USA which has been used in many prestigious universities’s courses. When I was a chair person of the International Hindi Association then I have formed a committee to organize Kavi Sammelans and he was in that committee! 

I hope family members will sort out his translated work from English to Hindi and  will publish it! He did not believe in publicity but have  worked  hard to enrich Hindi’s multiple  dimensions! 

Nice knowing you through this email! I have asked Shanna to send this article to his family in India! 

Thanks for sending the Dohas, he used to post it on his Facebook page! 

Thanks!

Madhu 

Balbir Veer ji appreciates Shivpreet - Classic Description

With Balbir Veer ji - fond memories

Our journey of friendship with Balbir Veer ji and Lavleen Bhenji though short has been a rich tapestry woven with shared experiences, laughter, and learning.

From the moment we connected with them, it seems we embarked on a journey of mutual growth and appreciation. 

Some of the many get togethers:

Exploring the Bay Area's culinary delights together has been a delightful way to bond and create lasting memories. Their selflessness, upbringing , and sophistication likely infused our interactions with depth and warmth, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts. It's evidently clear that their influence has been profound, enriching our lives in ways beyond measure.

You will find below one instance how they reacted so beautifully on Shivpreet’s performance in a recent Interview:

****************************************

Respected Veerji  Wkwkf 

Extremely delighted and Proud of the in-depth knowledge of Gurmat, totally relatable context as expressed by our Brilliant and Beloved Shivpreet in this extraordinary interview.

This interview allowed me to see the deep ingrained philosophy and passionate spirituality of our Dear Shiv unknown to us 

Candidly speaking he is true embodiment of the spiritual soul of our most revered Bhai Nand Lal ji . How blessed are you as parents and we as the community to benefit from his selfless contribution .

Kindly accept and convey our heartfelt congratulations 🎉  and Kudos to Dear Shiv for this extraordinary revelation of Guru’s bliss 

His most ardent and proud admirers.

Brotherly 

Uncle Balbir & Loveleen Aunty

*************************************

We are constantly praying for their healthy life and appreciate how boldly they face the chalalnges.

In the midst of our Wheat Fields!

Visit to Badbar Apr 9, 2022

The golden hues dancing in the gentle breeze, the rustle of the stalks as they sway, and the anticipation of the bountiful harvest all contribute to a sense of fulfillment and connection to the land of forefathers.Ki

Standing amidst the golden wheat fields just before harvesting is indeed a moment of pride and awe-inspiring beauty..




It's a moment where one can truly appreciate the fruits of labor and the cycles of nature, reminding us of the importance of agriculture and the timeless rhythm of life.

Our partners in crime- Tubewell and Tractor

Visiting our farm lands thousands of miles away likely evokes a mix of emotions—perhaps a sense of nostalgia for the familiar sights and sounds of the land, a feeling of pride in our agricultural endeavors, and a deep connection to the earth and its cycles. 

It may also bring a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, knowing that our hard work contributes to the productivity and sustenance of the land. 

With my fav Sukha who is all in one, a plumber, an electrician, and above all a budding artist. He can get you from a needle to an Airplane in twinkling of an eye.

Overall, it's a moment of reconnection with nature and a reminder of the significance of our role as a steward of the land.

When Geet 5 decorates our ‘Baba Ji Room

‘I LUVE YOU  BAB J (BaBa Ji)’ 

Our 5-year-old granddaughter, Geet Kapoor, decorated our prayer room with a handmade picture. Although her spellings might be grammatically incorrect, the message she conveyed still reflects the wisdom of a wise person.

It's a beautiful example of creativity and innocence merging to express profound sentiments.

Sardars of Badbar

In 2019

It's fascinating to note about our family history and connection to Bhai Nand Lal Goya, the esteemed poet laureate in the court of Guru Gobind Singh ji. 

The journey of our family across different regions and finally settling in Punjab after the partition of India is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our ancestors. 

Travelling to Badbar is a wonderful tradition to keep the connection with our roots alive and ensure that the values of our ancestors are passed down to the next generations. Visiting our ancestral village annually can provide a valuable opportunity for our family to bond, learn about their heritage, and appreciate the legacy of Bhai Nand Lal Goya and others who came after him, It's important to cherish and preserve such traditions for the continuity of our family's history and values.