An unspoiled social rebel
Nirmal Sandhu
Anyone buying this rather expensive book in the hope of getting to know pre-Partition Punjab may be disappointed because, contrary to what the title suggests, the memoir is limited to a small part of the writer's growing-up years in Dera Ismail Khan as well as Lahore, where he spent his adult life. This in itself is rewarding enough since Ruchi Ram Sahni led an eventful life and had a knack of story-telling, using personal details and incidents to reflect on the times he lived in.
Hailing from a well-to-do business family that made its pile from lending and trading, Ruchi Ram as a boy saw his life of abundance and comfort change into one of want and struggle. The family lost its wealth as a boat it hired to carry merchandise to Karachi capsized. The rise from the ruins itself would have made an interesting read but the book's focus is more on the prevailing social, cultural, educational and political environment. Childhood hardships and indignities strengthened Ruchi Ram's resolve to fight discrimination and injustices, which were quite common then.
Ruchi Ram was not a child of his times; he was a non-conformist in the conforming times. He was different from his peers who followed whatever their elders said, something that provoked him to observe perceptively, "… many persons have proved failures in life largely because they were too much guarded and suppressed by ‘loving parents’.
Quite early in life, Ruchi Ram started taking his own decisions and risks. When he did not find a teacher who could impress him, he quit school to go to the uncertain world of faraway Lahore. He did get into a school reputed for its good teachers. Apart from science, he delved into English literature that honed his writing skill. What he once said then - "Today we read to know and not to enjoy" - holds true to this day.
After school, Ruchi Ram Sahni moved to Lahore, where he studied and taught in Government College from 1887 to 1914. As a chemistry teacher, he was devoted to research, working well past the duty hours. He did not bluff; if he did not know an answer to a student's question, he would get back to books and search for the right answer to satisfy the student's curiosity.
He belonged to the first generation of Punjabis that got education in English, waking up to liberal values and human rights. Whenever faced with a situation, Ruchi Ram stood up to arrogance of Englishmen and did not let go discrimination unchallenged. He has written extensively on "an Indian official's trials and tribulations" and even a chapter on The Ethics and Technique of Maintaining Self-Respect.
For one who reacts to injustices, politics is often a natural outlet. Within the constraints of government service, he contributed funds to the Congress and contributed articles to The Tribune, taking up public causes. Post-retirement, he became a trustee of The Tribune, shouldering the responsibility for 30 years. He shared with Dyal Singh Majithia, The Tribune founder, the liberal values as espoused by Brahmo Samaj preachers.
Ruchi Ram lived to the ripe age of 85 at a time when life expectancy was low and healthcare facilities were limited. Before or after college, he would often walk around Lahore, covering 10 miles or so. If he had to meet a doctor, he would cycle from Lahore to Amritsar. His mantra for good health was: eat less, regularly consult a doctor, lead a disciplined life and have a sense of optimism, best summed up in his father's Punjabi saying to him: "Rochi Rama, Badli aye hai badli.Busle, busle, busle. Saade leere hi gille karenge. Hor ki karenge" (rain can only wet the clothes but can't dampen the spirits).
There is a lot in this book that may make elderly people nostalgic about pre-Partition days to relive memories. For others like me who got attracted to life in Pakistan through dramas telecast on Zindagi channel and available on YouTube, the book provides a feel of the land of our ancestors. The price may be a deterrent. Stripped of references and reduced to a bare autobiography, the book could have been priced lower, enabling it to have a wider reach.
