Sir,
The sad demise of Khushwant Singh-an outstanding journalist and columnist,an accomplished historian and writer and receipient of many prestigious awards including Padma Vibhushan is an irreparable loss to the world in general and our nation in particular.Born in Hadali (now in Pakistan) and not a ‘brilliant ‘student in his early years,he authored novels such as ‘Train to Pakistan”, Delhi’, I shall not hear the Nightingale’etc,histories such as ‘A History of Sikhs’,besides a number of other books which have won him national and international acclaim as a.writer.He has also written short stories and jokes which are equally admired by the readers.The unique aspect of his writings is that he has handled the language of his writings in such a skilled manner that even a reader with average ability and educationan can understand his stories and writings.His characters are realistic and generally drawn from common people. His autobiography’ With Malice towards one and all’ is worth reading.His last novel ‘The Sunset Club’ published in 2013 at an age of 98 bears testimony to the fact that his mental faculities and imaginative power had not dwindled.
He was as popular in India as in Pakistan. Surely, the loss of such a prolific writer will create a void which will be impossible to filled in the years to come and his departure to the other world marks the end of an era.Every library should have the classic two volume ‘History of Sikhs’to provide an opportunity to the people in general and historians in particular to have an insight into the Sikh history.His novels need to be included in the syllabi of the graduate and postgraduate courses of universities and his stories should be prescribed for the students at secondery and senior secondery level to give tribute to the grand old man of Indian literature and great legend who has contributed so much to India and the world.
Yours etc……
Ashok Sharma,
Lecturer in English,
Govt.Hr.Sec.School,
Barolla
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel