How and Why We Named ‘KaramVas’

KaramVas when at the brink of completion

When I decided to rebuild our ancestral home in the village, it was not a simple task. The house had stood there for over 150 years, originally allotted to us after the partition in 1947. It was a humble structure where my Dadiji, Karam Devi, and my father, Sardar Vasudev Singh, off and on lived. As the years passed, my father purchased an adjoining lot to accommodate the growing needs of the family. We built a room there, which served us for 20 to 30 years. Eventually, the old house grew decrepit, but its foundation held memories far too precious to be forgotten.

In view of poisonous insects and snakes, heavy machinery was deployed.

The JCB deployment made the job easier and quick.

When the decision was made to demolish it, I ensured we salvaged the small Nanak Shahi bricks a piece of history worth preserving. For ten years, the lot remained vacant. Life demands and the COVID pandemic kept me from finding help to supervise the construction. Our trusted aarthi, Pawan Kumar, son of the ever-reliable Lala Gopal Das, eventually agreed to oversee the project despite the uncertainty surrounding his trade.

The Architect and structure engineers plan was approved with back and forth communications over the Internet.

The challenges were many. The lot had become a dumping ground for the neighbors garbage. Poisonous insects, including snakes and scorpions, deterred laborers from working there. Pawan came up with the idea to get insurance policy for the workers against such risks, which finally got things moving. Heavy-duty machinery was brought in to dig the foundation.

We requested Pawan’s respected mother to bless the first bricks to be laid. She was kind enough to oblige us even at her age. Dhan Dhan Mata ji!

 

The foundation stone was laid with Karhah Prashad from Mastuana Sahib Gurdwara and offered a tiny donation.

25 dumpers of fresh earth was dumped to fill up 4-5 ft of lower level so that the whole lot was at the same level.



A strong column supported by equally strong beam in the foundation was built to make a car Garrage canopy.





Fresh earth being dumped to make one level of the lot.

The RCC roof being laid.

Since the newer portion of the lot was four feet higher than the older section, we decided to fill up the lower portion with 25 dumpers of earth, carefully ramming and watering it to ensure stability.

Geet proudly climbing the steps which has been supported by a chrome plated railing.


 A view of living room through master bed room.

The guest room

Contractors proved unreliable, often abandoning the project midway. Eventually, I opted to hire daily wage workers. Though it seemed costly initially, it turned out to be more economical and efficient. 

Another frontal view with rented Car porched under the canopy

Progress was slow, but the craftsmanship was meticulous and aligned with my requirements. We concealed the electrical work, laid the roof, plastered the walls with POP, and completed the interiors and bathrooms with modern tile work. Split A/Cs have been installed in each room. Instant Geasers are provided for each bath room. Automated pump for filling overhead tank covered with a roof to avoid heating of tank. Separate sanitary tank has been built in the back yard. A platform has been constructed in the back yard for Bar-Be-Que along with a provision for earthen old style Desi chullah. 

A covered balcony with a view of the village, a connecting street with interlocking pavers and a local Gurdwara turned from Masjid. Here we regularly hear Guru Granth Sahib Path both early mornings and evenings over their PA Systems. We occasionally hear public announcements including lost & found animals. All announcements by individual residents start and finish with Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! But in between some times uncalled-for language is used when we burst into laughter.

A third full bath room for use  of servants/driver has also been constructed on the terrace. A Mazanene floor for kids to sleep indipendently has been made. We have a covered balcony for evening tea.

The Living room cum Kitchen

An open family room with a kitchen island became the heart of the home a space designed more for making tea and coffee than for elaborate cooking, given the proximity of Deepak Dhaba, a nearby dhaba known for its excellent food.

The Nanak Shahi bricks have been ornamentally used. These bricks are soaked with breath of my Dadi ji, my Papa ji and Chacha Ji. All our generations can still smell it.

When the house was complete, it was not just bricks and mortar it was a living testament to the legacy of those who came before us. Inspired by my father’s memory of our relatives in Multan, who had inscribed poetry about four generations on a plaque, I was moved to honor my own lineage in a similar way.

Present Proud owners

English version of write up in Punjabi written on the name plate outside KaramVas.

I composed a poetic stanza, striving to uphold consonance and harmony in its structure. It was a tribute to my Dada Ji, Bhagwan Das, Dadiji Karam Devi, my father Vasdev Singh, and my mother Savitri Devi. The verses carried the weight of their lives, struggles, and values. In 2022, Harvinder, Shiv, Shilpy, and I collectively submitted the poem, which was engraved on a marble plate near the front gate of Karamvas.

My same-day-born cousin Mannu - Dr Manmohan Singh was one of the first visitors who sent me this pic and remarked that now onwards Badbar will be known where uprooted family of Bhai NAND Goya was rehabilitated after partition of India in 1947.


Gobind was superthrilled to visit KaramVas with his Dad Shiv while celebrating his 21st. He promised to stay there if provided with WiFi.

It stands today as a heartfelt homage a bridge connecting past generations to the present and a reminder to future ones of the strength and love that built this home.