Pritam Singh’s recollection of the 1947 Partition
Even though he wasn’t moving from the Pakistan side of Punjab, it still affected him. Pritam lived close to the area which was to be marked as the India and Pakistan border, an area called Gurdaspur.
When I was recording him, I knew that he didn’t come from that side of Punjab, though it occurred to me to ask, as he may have seen or heard something around the time of this. Little did I know of the tales I was about to hear.
He spoke of his beloved neighbors and how they would sit on their rooftop, looking over their courtyard when his mother was not present and it was just the children at home. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was so moving to hear that neighbours were so loving and cared for one and other.
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The tale of Ramzu was beautiful yet painful. He shared how his life was spared, as his last wish to go and greet a Sikh neighbour ‘Sat Sri Akaal’.
The 1947 Partition was a traumatic time for the whole nation and those who were around recall the details vividly to tell it today.
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