4 Apna Desh - Ravinder Ravi > Punjabi kalma ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਕਲਮਾ

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Punjabi Shayari Kavita Poetry

4 Apna Desh - Ravinder Ravi

Ravinder Ravi

I was born on March 8, 1937, in Sialkot, Pakistan. My official date of birth, as recorded in the documents, is March 8, 1938. My father, at that time, was a teacher of Punjabi & Divinity in Murray College, Sialkot. I received my primary education, in the Urdu medium, in Khalsa Scool, Dholaan wala chowk, near Sialkot Railway Station. I won the District Board Scholarship in grade 4. When I was in grade 5, due to the partition of India and Pakistan, we had to move to our ancestral village Jagat Pur, in district Nawan Shehar. I became an integral part of my extended family in Jagat Pur and started understanding and enjoying life in a new rural setting that was strikingly different from my urban background. I completed my Matriculation from Khalsa High School, Sarhal Qazian, a mile and a half from Jagat Pur, in 1952, and joined Lyall Pur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, as F.Sc.(Medical) student. My father, at that time, was a prominent figure and well known teacher of Punjabi and Urdu, in this college. He wanted me to do M.B.B.S. and become a doctor/physician, but I had absolutely no interest in medical sciences. First, I failed in Physics and then in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. My father knew well that I will not fail in the remaining 2 courses of English and Punjabi. He saw the writing on the wall and allowed me to pursue a teaching career. I completed my J.B.T.(Junior Basic Teacher�s Training) from Doaba Khalsa High School, Jalandhar, in April, 1956. I was appointed, as a primary teacher, in the District Board Primary School, in my own village, Jagat Pur, on May 14, 1956. This school, later on was taken over by the Government and became a Government Middle School. I worked there for the next 8 years or so and involved myself in Bhangra, Folklore, and Kabaddi. I trained my students for successful Bhangra performances and they won many awards. I made my name as a distinguished Kabaddi player, in our area. I passed Giani(Honours in Punjabi) examination in November, 1956. Thereafter, it was an endless journey of examinations, as a private candidate, while still enjoying the intrigues of the teaching profession. I passed F.A., B.A., M.A(Punjabi) and B.T.(Bachelor of Teaching) examinations, in the follwing 8 or so years. I became actively involved with the Paryogsheel Lehar (Experimental Movement) in 1961 and the Coffee House, at Jalandhar, was the centre of our activities. During this time, I published my first 2 collections of poetry: �Dil Darya Samundron Doonghe� & �Bukkal De Vich Chor�, in 1961 & 1963 respectively, and the first collection of my short stories: �Charaavi� in 1963. I also compiled and edited: �Paryogsheel Kaav-Darpan�, which was published in April, 1964. According to Dr. Haribhajan Singh, I distinguished myself, as the leading poet of my generation. Principal Sant Singh Sekhon and Dr. Gurcharan Singh wrote the introductions of the first collection of my poetry. Kirpal Singh Kasel, Dr. Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia and Dr. Jeet Singh Seetal wrote the prefaces of my second collection of poetry and it was published by Prof. Mohan Singh, for his outstanding publication firm: the Hind Publishers, Jalandhar. Kulwant Singh Virk, Devinder Satiarthi, Kulbir Singh Kaang and Isher Singh Attari introduced my first book of short stories to the Punjabi readers. I also founded the first literary association of our village Jagat Pur(Nawan Shehar) under the name of Punjabi Likhari Sabha and organized quite a few literary seminars and functions under its banner. Prof. Mohan Singh, Dr. Jeet Singh Seetal(Director, Bhasha Vibhag, Punjab,Patiala), Dr. Gulwant Singh(the linguist), Isher Singh Attari, Dr. Attar Singh, Dr. Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Prof Katar Singh Tar, S.S. Misha and Sukhalvir Singh Hasrat etc. were among the well-known participants. During this time, my friend and poet Mohinder Dosanjh played a key role in the organization of this Sabha, as its first General Secretary. Towards the middle of 1964, I was transferred to Government Model Secondary School, Jalandhar(Near Teachers� Training College), for a period of 6 months or so. Famous writer and criric Prof. Avtar Joura and the poet Mrityubodh were among my students, in this school. I ended up in Government Higher Secondary School, Talwan, district Jalandhar, for teaching English and Punjabi to the Senior Secondary students. I published my poetry book: �Bindoo� in 1965 and completed �Maun Hadse� during my teaching career in Talwan. �Maun Hadse� was published in 1967, when I was in Kenya but the poems, included in it, were written up to December 31, 1966. I started my teaching career, on May 14, 1956, at a monthly salary of Rupees 97.50 and after obtaining M.A. & B.T degrees; and working for over 10 years, I was getting only Rupees 244.00, per month. This was not enough for a spendthrift like me, who had dreams of touching the skies and do extensive globe-trotting. I tried my best to get a reasonably respectable job in a college or university, but to no avail. At that time, we did not have very many colleges and universities. So, the results were evident. My friend and story writer Mahram Yaar immigrated to Kenya in 1966, in pursuit of a teaching career. He promised me that he will call me, as soon as possible. So, he did. I, who was fed up with the tightening noose, around my neck, of my heavy handed spending, availed this opportunity, contrary to the wishes of my family and decided to sail to the unknown lands and charter the unchartered waters. I was married in 1960 and my first son, Amritpal, was born on September 26, 1962. My wife was pregnant, when I left for Kenya, to give me the news of the birth of my second son, Saihajpal, on February 5, 1967, when I arrived in Nairobi. I travelled by train to Bombay and from there I boarded the ship: �State of Haryana�, on January 21, 1967 and travelled via Karachi and Seychelt to the port of Mombasa, in Kenya. This ship used to be a pride possession of the British India Steam Navigation Company, once, but now it was owned and operated by the Indian government. I paid only 420 Rupees for my 13 days colourful and lively maiden voyage in the Indian Ocean