THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK-
Ramesh Chander
Jalandhar- One of my fellow BootanMandians and an old family friend Hardev Kaur Shant, 77 years, passed away in the night of April 26-27 after prolonged health problems. Hardev was the wife of my childhood friend Prem Shant with whom we have had close relations since our formative years in Bootan Mandi Jalandhar.
Prem was a bureaucrat of Pubjab Government and retired as Excise and Taxation Officer. Hardev was a duty bound and dedicated house wife till they settled their children. In this process, Hardev proved herself and contributed immensely in making the family; a family of which everyone would feel proud – out of their four siblings, two daughters, Neena and Rimpy are practicing doctors with coveted professional degrees of MDs. Both are married to MDs and practicing professionals. The third daughter, Baby is highly educated lady with B.Ed and LL.B degrees. She is married to Additional Sessions Judge, Rashpal Singh. The scion of the family, Sushil Sheemar is an ITS technocrat and is currently holding the BSNL’s fort in Chandigarh as Chief General Manager. Sushil’s wife, Jaswinder (Lovely) Sheemar is yet another Additional Sessions Judge in the esteemed family of Hardev and Prem. From these details, one can easily make out as to how much effort, dedication, sacrifice and involvement Hardev must have given to raise such a coveted family. Hardev was a family maker par excellence. She could be a source of envy for many of our ladies.
Prem Shant inherited and imbibed social involvement from his parents who were staunch Ambedkarites and social activists in the area. Prem was fully associated with the socio-political bandwagons as a student and always extended and devoted his time and energy to carry forward the ‘Caravan’ of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Babu Kanshi Ram. Hardev was not to remain behind. She stood by Prem through thick and thin and joined him as a social and political activist. Hardev carved her path in the BSP with her sheer dedication and humility. It is a matter of satisfaction to write that she have had opportunities to host Babu Kanshi Ram and also Behn Mayawati at her home in Jalandhar not once but several times. One can easily understand as to how much confidence and faith Babu Kanshi Ram must have had in the family of Hardev and Prem. BSP reposed faith in her and made her BSP candidate from a Jalandhar Assembly constituency not once but twice.
With the demise of Hardev, We have lost an ever smiling and hospitable friend. My wife Vidya who left this world a year ago was a close friend of Hardev. Perhaps they would catch up and revive the association in the Heavens. I will personally miss Hardev’s sagacious and spontaneous Jai Bhim. Jai Bhim as a salutation does not come to me spontaneously. Hardev knew it and will purposely and pointedly say Jai Bhim to me and add that this was the mode we greet each other.
We will miss you, Hardev. Our heartfelt condolences to Prem and the bereaved family.
न हाथ थाम सके न पकड़ सके दामन,
बहुत करीब से उठकर चला गया कोई.
