Adil Najam
[UPDATE: Unfortunately the story of Gulab Singh has not been a pleasant one since the great start that this post originally reported on. Current, and still evolving details, here.]
A few days ago a reader sent me a link to a BBC story about Dr. Gulab Singh Shaheen who has been inducted into the Pakistan Punjab traffic police and has become a celebrity on the roads of Lahore where he is quite literally stopping the traffic as Lahoris stop to embrace and greet him.
I felt real good about the continuation of this trend towards reintegrating minority communities who have been systematically sidelined in the past, and even more about the wonderful reception Lahore is giving to Sub-Inspector Gulab Singh. And, of course, my fascination with traffic cops is well known to ATP readers (here, here, here, here, and elsewhere).
However, I hesitated because I wanted an on the ground confirmation. That came today from the Lahore Metroblog (yes, in general, I have more respect for the three Pakistani Metroblogs than for BBC!).
(By the way, I am intrigued by the fact that he is a homeopathic doctor since we had earlier carried another post and video report on the Khalsa Dawakhana and Hakim Sarbir Singh; of course, Sikhs have a long history in what is now Pakistan - here and here - but I wonder whether and why this community has a particular focus on traditional medicine studies).
It turns out, in fact, that Daily Times had a wonderful story on him last week which I had missed earlier. Here is what it said:
“Since yesterday, I have been hearing different greetings, such as sat sari kaal, jo bolay so nihal and ballay ballay from car and bus drivers, motorcyclists and children. Lahoris are really very loving people and these are unforgettable moments for me,” remarked Dr Gulab Singh, the first-ever Sikh to be appointed traffic police warden in Pakistan, in an exclusive interview with Daily Times.
Gulab, the 25-year-old Sikh traffic warden, who hails from Nankana Sahib and now lives in Defence Housing Authority, said that joining the force as a sub-inspector was a dream come true for him. Pledging to do his duty wholeheartedly, he said that the loving welcome he had received from the public had added to his joy. He said he had joined his duty station on Wednesday, and by the second day, dozens of children had forced their parents to stop the car so that they could meet him. Singh is deputed on Alif Laam Meem Chowk on Aziz Bhatti Road in Cantt.
Gulab said he was born in Nankana district in January 1982. His father, Manna Singh, is a farmer and a father of seven - five boys and two girls. Gulab is the youngest of the siblings. Gulab completed his matriculation in Nankana district, graudation in Lahore and then received a doctorate in homeopathy from Bahawalpur. Gulab said he also operated a homeopathic clinic, which he might have to shut down because of his new and demanding posting.
Gulab said he applied for the sub-inspector post when announcements inviting applications appeared in newspapers, but did not tell his family. He informed them only after he was appointed, which translated into a delightful surprise for them, he added. Commenting on his training process, Gulab said, “The attitude of my fellow trainees and officers was very good towards me. Nobody ever forced me to do anything against my religious beliefs.” He said he had no problems wearing his kara (bangle), or keeping his kirpan (dagger) on him. He added that, as he was a vegetarian, green meals were arranged for him in the mess during the training period. “I am very grateful to my officers for this gesture,” Gulab said.
Gulab is multilingual and has command over Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Seraiki, and Sindhi. He added, “I can also speak English, but not very fluently.” Gulab also said that he was fond of Punjabi bhangra music and that his favourite singers are Abrar-ul-Haq, Harbajhan Maan and Waris Baig. In terms of the future, Gulab said, “I will do my duty honestly, work like a true and dutiful citizen, and dream of a corruption-free atmosphere.”
Zakoota, if you are already a Muslim, of course you wouldn’t have experienced these things. I suspect Umar Khan knows whereof he speaks.
Jayjay, you are burning up the threads these days. Wonderful comment.
Now, I have to wonder, are Lahoris embracing this cop because they love him so much, or because he’s such a curiosity, a standout, so out of place as to be almost a freak of nature (like the costumed dwarf outside the hotel in Karachi)? If the second, the interpretation of all the attention and greetings of “bally bally” becomes somewhat less heartwarming and positive.
In a city once ruled by Sikhs, the sight of a single living Sikh becomes cause for turned heads. It does give one pause for thought, doesn’t it?
[quote comment="46093"][quote comment="46090"]
Zakoota, if by a big heart you mean majority has not killed every single minority member over years then I agree.
[/quote]
ok….than how many minority members do you know who have been killed because of their faith. I would like to know as well.
Stop talking like Pakistani politicians and talk with some examples or references.
Hello, Mr. Alvi, I only know a few isolated verses from Iqbal, such as:
[quote post="688"]muslim hein hum, watan hai saaraa jahaan hamaara,
Cheen-o-Arab hamaaraa. Hindustan hamaara,
tegon key saaye mein hum palkar jawaan hue hain,
khanjar-o-hilaal ka hai qaumi nishaan hamaaraa. [/quote]
I would dearly love to read more, but I have the same problem here: unless it’s in Devnagari script, I can’t read it. As MQ pointed out, some of Ghalib’s poetry is available in Devnagari; I have to find out if other Urdu poets are, as well.
Some people, here, seem to be indulging in self-pity. Carry on…
I am not aware of any of Faiz’s work in Devnagri script. Perhaps an English translation that also provides transliteration would serve your purpose. And I am sure there are several such books available. I am sorry I am not being very helpful. But I will be on the lookout for any such information. Perhaps, someone reading this blog could come up with more specific information.
Btw, selected poems of Ghalib are are available in Devnagri script.
Mr.Mohan Preetam: You seem to be an admirer of Pakistani Urdu poetry. Do you like to read Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan or your admiration is limited to Faiz only.
Nasir: In your rebuttal you have left out some of my comments that I made to Mr. Umar Khan. Since your concerns seem to be mostly regarding the Ahmadia group, let me copy it down here.
“umar khan: You are right. Ahmadis in Pakistan indeed have been treated very wrongly. I have personally witnessed this wrong. I hope we do not digress here into ‘Qadiani’ debate but I do sympathise with you and your family and indeed with your group. Take it for what ever its worth. But in general, non-Muslims in Pakistan, and by that I mean Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Parsis do have a normal and peaceful coexistence with Muslims.”
I stand by my comments regarding ‘peaceful coexistence’ between various religious groups in Pakistan. But that is not to say there is no room for improvement.
About the external pressure on Pakistan government. It has much to do with the threat of terrorism, christian missionary programs and some time just international politics in general. Pakistan being a Muslim country and at the same time a recipient of economic aid will always be under pressure from the aid donor christian west. Don’t think that external pressures are just for the humanitarian reasons alone. There is more than that what meets the eye.
[quote post="688"]Un ko Islam kay lut jaanay ka dar itna hai
Ab woh kaafir ko musalmaN nahiN karnay daitay[/quote]
Wah, wah, maza aa gaya. MQ, thanks for the Faiz quote. I would like to read more of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’ works, but I can’t read Urdu. Do you know if the works of Pakistan’s most famous poets are available in the Devnagari script (i.e., Hindi)? Would be grateful for any suggestions. Maybe some publishers in our own sweet Dilli publish such books, but I haven’t heard about them.