google.com, pub-7870541769880094, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

When a peon becomes a professor | Chandigarh News


Written by Varun Roojam

In 2005, I was training in Faridkot, working as a Naib Tehsildar in a small town called Sadik. One day, when I entered the court, I saw cameras set up to record. As my car drove through the gate, a thin young man in a khaki uniform stood in front of the camera and shouted, “Cut, cut, cut! Curious, I got out of my car and asked my student what was going on. He informed me that a writer from a nearby area was filming a short film about his life. The author, who used to work as a secretary to the judges, had left that job and gained fame for his books, especially his history. The movie that was shot that day was based on that book.

Intrigued, I asked my student to bring this young man. When he greeted me with “Sat Sri Akal,” I motioned for him to sit. He hesitated, humbly folded his hands and said, “No, sir, I am not fit to sit in this seat.” After insisting, he finally agreed to sit down.

When I asked about his story, he began to tell, “Sir, my circumstances forced me to stop studying after the tenth grade. However, I developed a love for singing and, at the age of twelve or thirteen, I became a student of the famous Indian folk singer Lal Chand Yamla Jat. Under his guidance, I learned music and started writing. My first major work was a complete biography of my teacher, published by Punjabi University, Patiala.

“Because of my academic and cultural activities, I received an invitation from Canada in 2001, where I was honored in Parliament by the then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. When the Prime Minister heard that the 23-year-old had written 24 books, he joked, ‘It seems that when you were born, you already had a book in hand.’ We both laughed.”

He continued, “Later, I gave a speech in the UK Parliament. My writing journey took me to America.”

From 2005 to 2024, I saw Ninder’s life unfold in various artistic colors. He has shared every joy and sorrow with me and never fails to bring me a copy of each new book he publishes. His works deeply touch the struggles of common Punjabis.

In literature and art, Ninder’s progress has been excellent. Since 2012, he has been teaching new IAS and PCS officers at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh on Punjabi art and language. His life, full of significant struggle, is a testament to endurance. He has written an impressive 70 books, including one about his experience as a referee, which is now part of the MA and MBA courses at several universities. To date, twelve students have completed the M.Phil. and Ph.D. these are based on his works.

Now, I must reveal the name of this wonderful writer: Ninder Ghugianvi, who lives in his ancestral home near Faridkot. Recently, I read in the newspaper that he has been appointed as a Professor of Practice (POP) at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. This news brought me back to that young man in uniform.

When he was honored with the “Sahitya Ratna” award for his writing contribution by the Vice President of India at Panjab University, he humbly said, “Sir, humility has paid off.” For me, Ninder Ghugianvi is the supreme medicine of Punjabi literature, full of literary gems.

(The writer is a Punjab-cadre IAS officer)

Discover the Benefits of Our Subscription!

Stay informed with access to award-winning journalism.

Avoid misinformation with reliable, accurate reporting.

Make smart decisions with important details.

Choose your subscription package





Source link

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top