A Happy Childhood

IN THE CONTEST,’ ECHOS OF THE PAST: ILLUMINATING CHILDHOOD STRUGGLES‘ Story Mirror has called upon writers to shed light on the generational trauma, childhood misparenting or maltreatment and explore the depth of childhood experiences.

My story on the other hand is the story of my childhood, having been brought up by my Great Parents with comfort, contentment and happiness.

My earliest tryst with God dates back to when I was six years old and was a student of second standard in a primary school on the outskirts of our village Jaura in the district of Gujranwala in Undivided Punjab. My grandfather was the Sarpanch of the village and commanded great respect from all the communities who lived in great harmony. Each community, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims had their respective places of worship; Mandir, Gurudwara and Masjid. They had great respect for each other's faith and participated in each other's festivals.

It was in this environment that I was brought up to respect every religion, so much so that I occasionally visited the different shrines with my Sikh and Muslim friends.

There was only one primary school on the outskirts of the village where students from all communities studied together. The Urdu language was very prevalent among all communities. However, the Hindu and Sikh ladies always read their Scriptures in Gurmukhi. My mother was a very pious and religious lady. She used to perform her daily prayers with me always beside her. She used to narrate the stories of the Hindu Scriptures to me regularly. These stories had a profound effect on my mind and gave me courage, strength, wisdom and resilience to enable me to sustain my future life.

Ours was one of the most affluent joint families in the village. My grandfather and uncle managed a huge family farmhouse, a dairy, and a flour and rice mill on the outskirts of the village. My father owned a Surgical Instrument Factory in Sialkot. He used to visit home every weekend. He was very affectionate and I had an occasional ride with him on the bicycle. He also owned a horse for his commute from Sialkot to home and back. I many times enjoyed the horse ride with him on the banks of a canal that flowed nearby and enjoyed the refreshing cool breeze. It was very exhilarating.

At the end of the lane where we lived, there was a Gurudwara and a Mandir. In Gurudwara, religious discourses used to be recited daily where Hindus and Sikhs used to participate. I always accompanied my mother who regularly went there to recite verses from the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib.

It was here she told me one day, at the tender age of six, to visit the Gurudwara regularly and pray every day. She advised me to do it daily, without a break, for forty days in the morning with my pure body and soul without eating and before going to school.

She emphasized that God would make me very intelligent if I followed this ritual. I remember I followed this ritual diligently and continued thereafter every day.

God was very kind to me. I was overwhelmed with joy when at the annual day celebrations I was awarded a prize for being the best student in academics, by the Headmaster. On my way back home I went to Gurudwara, bowed down, thanked and prayed in front of Guru Granth Sahib. I came home and hugged my mother tightly.

The ideals taught and practised in my childhood went a long way in shaping my academic career and my future life. There has never been a looking back!