SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
One fine day, some days ago, my friend Harmesh Jassal dropped in and presented me a book of Raj Paul of the UK published and distributed recently by Malind Prakashan, an outfit managed and run by Harmesh Jassal himself. It is a small booklet – My Dreams (Autobiography) of Raj Paul comprising of 72 pages and also some colored photos of Raj Paul’s life and work over the years. Frankly speaking there is nothing much to write about the book as such but my indulgence in community matters and my pastime of writing blogs made me sit and write about the book Raj Paul of Kartarpur (his native place in Jalandhar) who kept himself associated with the community as a staunch follower of Babasaheb Ambedkar and a devout Buddhist while earning his bread and butter with dignity in the UK. I appreciate Raj Paul’s endeavors as many of our people don’t pay much attention to the things healthy for the mind and soul.
Coming to the narration of the book, the author, Raj Paul himself has given the justification for writing the account of his life and work in the Introduction of the book. Frankly speaking, there is not much write about the book as it is but the sheer grit and dedication of Raj Paul to carry with him the lofty mission of Babasaheb Ambedkar to the UK and keep himself engaged with it for the benefit and advantage of the community motivated me to write about this. Reading the book, I noted that author is the nephew of the then known socio-economic personality of the community in Kartarpur, Tulsi Ram Paul who was duly known and recognized in Bootan Mandi, the nerve center of Dalit consciousness along with yet another, Bhana Ram (Bhana Mantri). Raj Paul has devoted the book to the details of life and mission of Babasaheb Ambedkar and rightly so. Dalits of the Doaba region of Punjab remained ahead in migration and mobility for greener pastures.
Father of the author, Bishan Dass first moved to Singapore as a spring board to land in England in 1957. Raj Paul moved to England in 1961 and spent his young formative years in schools and work places as an apprentice. He got married to one Nashatar Kaur in 1971 who moved to England with her parents as a young lass but never when to school. It gives a glimpse to the socio-cultural life of migrants from Punjab; even in England the parents did not care about the education of their children and remained busy n earning Pounds to send back home and purchase properties. Anyway, it is yet another aspect of life. It was a matter of satisfaction for Raj Paul that in accordance with his insistence; he was permitted to marry Nashatar Kaur with Buddhist rites and ceremonies. The author engaged himself with Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Committee of Great Britain and became its General Secretary in 1976 and remained at the helm of the esteemed Committee for more than 30 years holding positions of General Secretary and President. It is not a mean achievement and should be recognized as such. Raj Paul played a pivotal role in establishing Buddha Viharas and Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorials both in England and back home in Punjab and beyond. One may easily note from the narration that Raj Paul consciously and diligently developed and nurtured the community relations with our political leadership aligned with Babasaheb Ambedkar like Babu Kanshi Ram and Kumari Mayawati and Lahori Ram Balley, Prakash Ambedkar among others including PM V.P. Singh. Yet another appreciable contribution of Raj Paul is establishment of Dr. Ambedkar Buddhist Resource Center in Hoshiarpur (Punjab) with the active support both, monetary and moral, of his associates; D.R. Jassal and Diwan Singh on the land donated by Gurdial Sandhi and his family. One another good attribute which I have noticed is that Raj Paul and associates motivated ad involved ladies, spearheaded by none else but his wife Nashatar Kaur herself, in community matters including raising of funds. Raj Kumar has, I am happy to note, he has duly recognized and appreciated the support of his wife in his efforts including adoption of girl students for their education back home in Karatarpur. In fact the book has been dedicated to his wife, Nashatar Kaur and rightly so. With this, I think Raj Paul has succeeded in fulfilling his ‘Ambition’ to follow and carry forward the caravan of Dr. Ambedkar as stated in the book. Raj Paul closes the book with an ‘Overview’ which tends to set the things in right perspective.
With this, I take this opportunity to wish Raj Paul all the best in the years to come particular with regard to his substantive contribution to the community and the society at large. Salute to Raj Paul for his zeal in a poetic expression of Allma Iqbal: –
Hawaida Aaj Apne Zakhm-e-Pinhan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
Lahoo Ro Ro Ke Mehfil Ko Gulistan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
I will surely exhibit all my hidden wounds today
I will surely change assembly to a garden with blood‐mixed tears
