To some, honesty meant all

YES, there were such people. A middle which appeared in The Tribune a few days ago inspired me to be honest and coaxed me to gather courage to pen down some memories of the past which may act as a catalyst for youngsters. History is the essence of human evolution and civilisation; it is not a ‘dead’ subject. The only prerequisite is that it must be viewed in the correct perspective, with objectivity, as enunciated by Margaret Macmillan in History’s People.

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 My grandfather, the late Master Nand Lal, came from a very humble background and had to do lowly jobs as clerk and deed writer in the Deputy Commissioner’s office immediately after his matriculation. But his love for the country was so intense that he left the job within a few years — the only source of earning for the family, comprising a young wife and six siblings. Pushing them to a life of hardships and suffering, he joined active politics and the British, peeved at his fiery speeches for freedom, frequently sent him behind bars. He was in and out of jail for over a decade. 

After Independence, Masterji was appointed a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, and was subsequently elected MLA to the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the Karnal constituency after the first general election held in 1952.

The Partition hurt him deeply and the entire family migrated from West Panjab (now Pakistan) to Panipat with a heavy heart. They occupied an old house, but eventually it had to be vacated as Masterji could not buy it in the open auction as the reserved price was over Rs 10,000. As per the rules, the occupants could retain the property if it was evaluated at, or less than Rs 10,000 by making the payment. He could have got the price fixed accordingly, but he did not do so. 

 My father, who is in his mid-eighties now, says that Masterji’s instructions were clear: If anyone in the family spoke of quota, permit or licence — given by the government to freedom fighters in lieu of their services — he/she would be disowned. Masterji, who breathed his last in 1958, lived like a pauper. 

He was offered chairpersonship of the Improvement Trust by the then CM, Partap Singh Kairon, but Masterji, unlike some ‘far-sighted’ political colleagues, politely declined the offer,  saying if he could not look after himself, how could he work for the improvement of the town!

The Latin word ‘honestas’ stands for both reputation and moral excellence, and befits the persona of Masterji and his honesty. To him, ambition purely for one’s own gain was a source of shame and condemnation. He passed the litmus test of this word in true sense and spirit.