Divided by Partition: United by RESILIENCE: 21 Inspirational Stories from 1947

by Mallika Ahluwalia

During the mayhem of the 1947 Partition, lakhs of people lost their homes and livelihoods, while lakhs died. It was a time of catastrophic loss. Despite this, people found the strength to look towards the future and focused on rebuilding their lives and the country they had migrated to. This book captures stories of resilience and sheer grit of people caught in the vortex.It comprises life stories of twenty-one extraordinary individuals who were deeply affected by the Partition, yet went on to achieve greatness in Independent India. Through their first-hand accounts, they provide a visceral insight into the devastation of families who endured the migration, the camps, and the struggle of rebuilding their lives.Each of these stories is inspirational in a timeless way, and the book is ultimately about the resilience and triumph of the human spirit over everything else.Manmohan Singh | L.K. Advani | Madan Lal Khurana | M.S. Kohli | Dharampal Gulati | Faqir Chand Kohli | Manoranjan Byapari | Gulzar | Hamida Habibullah | Kasturi Lal Wadhwa | Krishen Khanna | Kuldip Nayar | Ajeet Cour | Brijmohan Lall Munjal | Govind Nihalani | Anjolie Ela Menon | Milkha Singh | Ram Jethmalani | Satish Gujral | Surinder Singh Gandhi | Ved Marwah

Genres: History, Nonfiction, India

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2018

Reviews

[Bookishbong Moumita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divided by Partition United by Resilnce : 21 Inspirational stories from 1947 by Mallika Ahluwalia

Total pages -182

Genre - Non Fiction

Publisher - Rupa Publication

About the author

Mallika Ahluwalia is the CEO, curator and co-founder of the world’s first Partition Museum, which opened at Town Hall, Amritsar in August 2017. The museum has been listed in the ‘Best of India: 18 Places to Visit in 2018’ list by National Geographic Traveller India. She was recently awarded with an Excellence Award by Conde Nast Traveller and an ASEAN-India Youth Achiever Award for her work in honouring this history. Prior to this, Mallika worked in the field of health and education with some of the leading international development organizations, focusing on social policy that impacted the most marginalized households in India. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MPA/ID from Harvard Kennedy School and an A.B. cum laude from Princeton University in public policy. She lives in New Delhi. Three of her four grandparents were affected by the Partition.

About the book
In the year of 1947 , the new born INDIA wasn't  born with a happiness . India was divided into parts to take a new life . People were tortured . People were killed and others were forced to leave their new place . In order to survive they reached to a new place , where might be they never have been before . Most of them couldn't go back to their old home. Here in the book , there are 21 real stories of famous people who had seen and felt the division .

My views

First look at the cover . Can you see how they are leaving ? Their carts full with their bag and luggage . Some are walking on their foot.Dont you think the cover is appropriate for the title . And the title itself is nothing but intriguing .

Now come back inside the book. Each and every story here written  contained the pain . The stories are collected from their biographies and personal interviews . I really admire that it's really great that these informs are also provided here. A reader is not going to be disappointed after reading this one .I always prefer books with simple writing style , this book is appropriate example of that . The way the stories are bound together your eyes will be moist .

This good deserves a read from everyone .

It's no doubt a 5/5 book .

[Apurba Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank Rupa Publications for their trust in my job as a book blogger, as well as for their undivided attention and patience towards this review. The copy was received much later than anticipated, hence the unavoidable delay. I hope I am able to at least live up to the general expectations.

Divided by Partition, United by Resilience is not just a compilation of short stories which traces the ups and downs of those individuals who have become iconic figures in the national as well as in the global platform; it is something more than this claustrophobic explanation. These stories do not deserve to be judged, nor opinionated, nor criticised. What lies in this book for the critic would be the purpose and the form of the anthology. And yes, "brilliant" is an understatement for such a book like this.

The book does not deserve to be merely described as an informative book on the effect of Partition on these twenty-one individuals. Rather, this book presents a vivid picture, born from the bleak hues of sorrow, disruption, and agony. Divided by Partition, United by Resilience stands as the evidence to support the fact that crippling the economy and the emotions of the Indian subcontinent couldn't turn the country into dust. I was overwhelmed with a multitude of emotions while I went on reading each life story; lives which were between the ages of 5 and 30s at the time of the fateful Partition. This horrific man-made disaster, as captioned for the story of Surinder Singh Gandhi, testifies the strength and resilience of the many Indians who didn't back down even after losing everything. Each chapter in the book focuses at not just the hardship, but also how these individuals, at a time of a terrible crisis, didn't go down without a fight. The sheer realisation of standing against the adversities and tackling all obstacles that accompanied the Partition is not an easy task. To embrace such a drastic change in the Indian territory, polity, and history requires a Lionheart. Yes, those millions who lost their livelihood, property, family, relations, and so on, all because of setting up barbed wires to partition the subcontinent into nations, gave up on everything in order to accustom themselves to this change. Who knew a people could be as strong as the ones we read in chronicles of the late 40s? The Partition of 1947 is considered to be one of the biggest migrations, and one of the bloodiest of riots, ever witnessed in the realm of World History. Yes, like me, you too will feel a quarter of the pain they suffered, and the burden they bore, in and after August 1947. You may ask, "Why a quarter?" The answer is simple. We can never imagine the infernal moments the people had to witness at that point in history. Our colonial masters came, saw, looted, exploited, and left us broken and disintegrated. What the Indians could do is pick up those pieces and rebuild their life out of it.

In an age brimming with depression, you look for inspiration to move on in books and films and music. Our grandparents and parents had nothing at their disposal, except the fear of death, and the will to survive and to live. Nothing can move us more than our own history of the mid-twentieth century.

All these thoughts of epiphany were left untouched in some deep recess of my mind, until this book went in their and dug it all up into consciousness. I couldn't thank enough Rupa publications for this iconic read. I wish the writer my best wishes for her upcoming endeavours.

[Sayantani Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]



Author- Mallika Ahluwalia

No. Of pages - 182

Publisher- Rupa Publication

Genre- Non fiction

Blurb: During the mayhem of the 1947 Partition, lakhs lost their homes and livelihoods, lakhs died. It was a time of catastrophic loss. Despite this, people found the strength to look towards the future and focused on rebuilding their lives and the country they had migrated to. This book captures stories of resilience and sheer grit of people caught in the vortex.

It comprises life stories of twenty one extraordinary individuals who were deeply affected by the partition, yet went on to achieve greatness on Independent India. Through their first hand accounts, they provide a visceral insight into the devastation of families who endured the migration, the camps, the struggle of rebuilding.

Each of these stories is inspirational in a timeless way, and the book is ultimately about the resilience and triumph of human spirit over anything else.

Manmohan Singh

LK Advani

Madan Lal Khurana

Ms Kohli

Dharampal Gulati

Faqir Chand Kohli

Manoranjan Byapari

Gulzar

Hamida Habibullah

Kasturi Lal Wadhwa

Krishen Khanna

Kuldip Nayar

Ajeet Cour

Brijmohan Lall Munjal

Govind Nihalani

Anjolie Ela Menon

Milkha Singh

Ram Jethmalani

Satish Gujral

Surinder Singh Gandhi

Ved Marwah

My review- This book is a tribute to human spirit. In spite of the impending doom of partition, these inspirational souls have refused to succumb to it and paved their own way to success and fame in their respective fields. The way partition brought a massive change and affected the lives of the people is pathetic. While, most people were forced to leave their homeland and settle in a new country, the others had to sacrifice their lives for the same. The partition wrought havoc in the lives of people, especially the common masses. Maybe Partition was meant for the greater good, but no-one can deny the aftermath it brought with it. These stories give an insight into Partition, as a whole. While some focus on the catastrophic consequences, the others make a claim that Humanity prevails all. Well researched with a good narrative, this book is an interesting read.

My rating-3.5/5

[Jagruti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this from the Partition museum in Amritsar- it has been edited by the museum curator. It was well written and I read it in one flight back home. It was good to read some of the stories behind some familiar figures in history. I personally like memoirs of lay people rather than famous individuals, which is an entirely personal preference- I was a little troubled by resilience being equated with this level of success (the author has written a note about it in the introduction though).

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

" ... For a long time, there was a belief, not just in our country, but abroad as well, that the history of a nation is that of the ruler—their victories and defeats and their attempts at nation building. No one was really recording the history of the people, and certainly not the history of the common people. ... "

That seems like a typical diatribe from an anxious mindset traumatised by centuries of colonial subjugation, of an outsiders oriented Indian, usually influenced by and likely to regard everything outside as higher. This type is usually anxious to chime in "we too" for every new guilt currently fashionable abroad, whether imposed by left or adopted by West.

But fact is, of several dozens of generations mentioned by name in genealogical records of ancient Indian literature, few rulers, however great, get more than a short mention; one has to be worthy of more for good reason. And it's equally untrue that common people get a short shrift - several are immortalized in epics, again for good reason.

So the opening there is turned inside out - writer ought to have, in all honesty, turned that 'not just in our country, but abroad as well' around, at the very least.

" ... In this book, the CEO and curator of the award-winning Partition Museum, Mallika Ahluwalia, has compiled select stories from the thousands of Partition stories the Museum has recorded (and continues to record) to bring to us some truly inspirational stories. ... "

With that false beginning about records of history, it's funny that few of the recorded stories in this collection are from names unknown.

"Sometimes people forget that this history of the Partition of India is not very old. All this happened just seventy years ago—and yet we did our best for many decades to airbrush it away. We, in fact, were doing great disservice to those who had gone through Partition as they were forced, by our silence, to also keep silent about what they had seen and what they been through."

This was chiefly due to Gandhi’s policy imposed by congress, to insist Hindus sufferings were of no consequence whatsoever, whether in Kerala massacre, or Calcutta Direct Action Day, or Noakhali or Lahore or anywhere that refugees arrived from; he in fact had pressured the then government of India to send them back, even if only to be massacred as eleven million others had been across the border.

And this was subsequently also what the government of India did to Kashmir Hindus, forced to exodus via a terrorists imposed order in Kashmir demanding thst they convert, die or leave, but without property, including women. Government of India then imposed silence on media, media was only too willing to obey that order, and till date most part of it calls it migration.

"They lost their homes, livelihood and friendships. Many saw extreme violence and death. Many died. Women and children were also not spared from the violence. Cholera and typhoid tore through refugee camps and shelters; a heavier than usual monsoon caused floods. There were not enough refugee camps, not enough hospitals or medical care. Millions suffered.

"Yet, the stoic fortitude and idealism of the refugees was remarkable. Many Partition survivors still say quietly, ‘Yes, we suffered, but at least we were alive.’

"It is to the credit of the vast majority of the survivors that they did not display their frustration or bemoan the lives they had left behind. They retained their dignity, worked hard, stabilized their family situations, and got involved in nation building."

That's true of those arriving from Northwest. Refugees from East Bengal fared very poorly, especially if they stayed in Bengal, particularly in Calcutta.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had accused the then government of being partial in favour of refugees from Northwest, although that certainly did not mean they were treated well or helped humanely or adequately; Its just that he saw sufferings of those arriving from East.
***

Strange part is, contrary to what one would normally expect, it's the Bengali refugees story that reports mistreatment from erstwhile homeland if and when they visit - and they also aren't pleased at bring termed refugees or Bangal when in India. 

And this, while almost everyone visiting North-West across border, not just erstwhile residents but also others, and those meeting them elsewhere such as in US or in Europe, report a reception that borders on family longing rather than merely friendly. 

And the erstwhile refugees from Northwest, too, aren't particularly complaining about having been called refugees. They rather proceeded, fast, to get back on their feet and work, and did well, unlike the Bengal refugees who tell about camps, severe conditions, lack of government support and so on. 

Is it difference of temperament between the hardy, cold weather Northwest vs the waterlogged soft Bengal held like an infant between Himalayan ranges at North, huge rivers Ganga and Brahmputra flowing in from Northwest and Northeast, and an ocean South that stretches over equator to Antarctica?

Both lands are,  have always been known to be, equally fertile, with additional profligate of seafood in Bengal, from rivers rather than sea. So it isn't about a fertile land making them indolent in Bengal, or fertile land rewarding hard work in North-West turning the people happy with working hard. 

Is it merely a lack of winter? No, South India isn't as dependent on government dole! 

And, one notices, even those from Northwest who "always felt like a refugee" and "still do", don't blame or point accusing fingers at the ambient society; they diagnose the feeling as mourning for their homeland, lost for life. 
***

Strangely enough here the author and compiler makes very serious mistakes and neither the subject nor editors have caught them!

"Gulzar, the film lyricist and director, was fully established by the late 1960s with films like Aashirwaad and Khamoshi to his credit. A series of superhit films in the 1970s, like Anand and Namak Haram only cemented his reputation. There was no looking back after that."

None of those mentioned above were directed by Gulzar. With exception of Khamoshi, rest belong to Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Khamoshi was directed by Asit Sen.

Gulzar’s first film as a director was a remake of a film in Bengali titled Apanjon, which Gulzar titled Mere Apne in Hindi. Meenakumari played a chief character, rest of artists being all young, some new. This was almost her last complete film. Later another one by a then new filmmaker was so advertised, but it's unclear if she'd finished work in that one.

"In his entire film-making career, Gulzar has not made a film on Partition though, and doesn’t think enough films on the topic have been made. ‘The Second World War was extremely traumatic, but in Europe, in America, in Britain, they made films, and they purged it out. But we were not able to make films on Partition, neither in India nor in Pakistan, so it remained suppressed inside us and made us claustrophobic. Maybe if we had done this then, maybe if we had cried out completely, if we had completely let out our emotions and regretted the violence that happened, it would have been behind us today. But we kept it suppressed.’"

That's only partially correct. Mostly filmmakers were apprehensive about showing realities, since India was not as purged of 'other' as the separated North-West, nor was its film industry free of such domination in any way; moreover, Gandhi’s policy imposed by congress was to avoid any negative depictions of an Abrahamic-II or Abrahamic-III character, including as subject of comedy, and this wasn't said explicitly but was imposed nevertheless.

Still, there were some films that did depict horrors and trauma of Partition suffered by people, however oblique the depiction.

From Raj Kapoor’s Aag to Manmohan Desai's Chhaliya, there were several straight but veiled depictions.

Comparatively recently, there was Pinjar, based on a work by Amrita Pritam, renowned author. Gulzar did write songs of that one.

Then there were more oblique ones.

One, ostensibly about a joint family where a brother in law causes Partition of a joint family home, caught the trauma of hearts, although not depicting massacres. Especially a song - Kal Chaman Tha - caught this grief heartfelt by most who weren't involved in killing.

Another showed devastation of losing family, home and homeland, without ever mentioning Partition, by showing the devastating earthquake of Quetta as the cause; but all five members of the family ending up in Bombay and none staying back was a dead giveaway - that is, if anyone in audience questioned the storyline.

There were more.

Garam Hawa in 1974 was exceptional, but also safe, depicting plight and quandaries of muslims in India, before, during and after Partition, but not the massacres suffered by the refugees from across the border.

Sahir Ludhianavi, who went after Partition to Lahore to join his mother, but subsequently escaped to India, wrote at least one poem specifically about Partition massacres; and his long poem of 90 odd stanzas about war and aftermath, includes pain and the subsequent devastation of Partition, but without mentioning it specifically in so many words.
***


" ... For Muslims living in the heartlands of India, the question of whether to leave for Pakistan or not was a very personal one.

"Each couple within the Habibullah household took their own decision. A tragic consequence of this was separation.

"Sheikh Muhammad and Inam Habibullah did not want to leave. Neither did Enaith or Hamida, but all his other siblings and their spouses chose to leave India."

"At Partition, when everyone in the armed forces and government services—those working in the army, police, libraries, railways—was given the option of India or Pakistan, Enaith chose to serve in the Indian Army.

"‘We did not believe the country should be divided. My husband, Enaith, went to plead to Nehru that he should not allow Partition, that there is no difference between Hindus and Muslims,’ remembered Hamida. ‘I was asked to give a speech at a Muslim League election rally in 1946, but I refused. I said I could not, as I did not believe Partition should happen.’"

Reading about the separation of family members due to Partition in this tale is faintly reminiscent of the WWI account of separations in The Royal Mob.

"In the beginning, there wasn’t a clear sense of what Partition meant for such divided families. ‘People thought it would be like a Union, and that people would go back and forth,’ muses Saif. In the early years, it was like that. All of Inam’s grandchildren from Pakistan spent their summer vacations in their ancestral home in Lucknow. However, over time, the borders solidified. ‘We completely lost touch with that side of the family. ... "

The Royal mob, on the other hand, was cleft suddenly and swiftly asunder, with war, revolution and massacres added to requirements regarding loyalty to nation making it impossible for close relatives across borders to even know of one another, much less meet every holiday and summers, weddings and funerals. Battenbergs, perhaps, were affected most.
***

It's startling, to say the least, seeing Kuldip Nayar's name amongst refugees of Partition, especially if one has read his account of his meeting Jinnah shortly after Partition and much more shortly before the latter passed away; he'd asked Nayar in course of that interview, Nayar writes, to ask the then PM of India to "forget about Partition", to become one nation again!

One forgets the response Nayar records when the message was conveyed, but vaguely recalls it was taken as emotional rather than serious proposal, and that too from someone who may not have held power to do do any more. From what one gets on internet, he lacked medical care when his final hour came.
***


"It was a terrible condition, Milkha remembers. The hunger was overwhelming, with nothing to eat. ‘No one had water to drink, no one had food to eat, no one had clothes to wear. One dead body was lying here, another dead body was lying there, and people were sleeping in between. And when someone would come with food, they would throw chapattis like they were being thrown to dogs. But we were so hungry, we would jump to get something to eat. Those who were able to grab something, were able to eat, the others just slept hungry.’ There was no sanitation, so cholera also spread quickly."

And those were the people beaten with sticks by police, ordered by government of India, because Gandhi wanted them to vacate festival place of muslims!

[Kunal Chhabaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is description of Partition and the effects it had not from the eyes of not the ruler or the ruled but from the eyes of the common man who lived in the time.

Its a story about courage and determination of the people that were uprooted from the places that they comfortably lived in to a place that was alien to them with virtually nothing.


Read this book not for facts or to understand history. Read it for the emotions that people went through in that time.

[Yash Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided by Partition, United by Resilience: 21 Inspirational Stories from 1947 epitomizes the phrase that says, No force on earth can stop an idea whose time has come. 

The word partition doesn't invoke any good feelings. Even today it hurts when people hear about the division of a family, business, or even a nation. Imagine the pain of those multitudes who not only lost their family members but also their homes and livelihoods in the madness of the year 1947.

Some of you might be thinking what's special about the year 1947. So, in 1947, not only did India gain its independence from the British, but it was also partitioned. And by dividing India, a new nation by the name of Pakistan was born. 

And during that time, the way people butchered each other in the name of God is unfathomable. Hindus killed Muslims in the name of Hinduism, and Muslims killed Hindus and Sikhs in the name of Islam.

 Although, it's ironic that those who attacked were ordinary people and those who died were also common people. People of means reached safely towards their destinations. 

In fact, the partition of India in 1947 saw the largest migration of humans in recorded history. Albeit, people of India can read about the history of the partition and the pain and suffering it caused to a multitude. But now they can also relate it with another tragedy that the majority of us (here Indians) experienced with our own eyes. I'm talking about the horrific second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. It's the only one parallel to today's generation that can relate to those hapless people who ran from pillar to post just to save the lives of their loved ones in August 1947.

Although this book is not about those who died, it's about those brave souls who lost their everything in the partition, but still they rebuilt their lives from scratch and reached the top positions of their respective fields. 

So, let's see who these people are. 


What is United by Resilience Divided by Partition? 

Divided by partition United by resilience is the tale of those 21 Indians who have experienced the mayhem of India's Partition, but still they overcame their sorrows and became a living epitome of success and greatness. 

From a former Prime Minister of India to one of the greatest poets of the Indian subcontinent, the stories of these people are awe inspiring. 

Although this book contains the stories of only 21 people, there are (were) an uncountable number of people who also rebuilt their lives after the partition and did great for society. So, we can't forget them also. 

 

Stories mentioned in the United by Resilience divided by partition—

The book contains the stories of these 21 people—

. Dr. Manmohan Singh
. Lal Krishna Advani
. Madan Lal Khurana
. Captain Manmohan Singh Kohli
. Dharampal Gulati
. Faqir Chand Kohli
. Manoranjan Byapari
. Gulzar
. Hamida Habibullah
. Kasturi Lal Wadhwa
. Krishen Khanna
. Kuldip Nayar
. Ajeet Cour
. Brijmohan Lall Munjal
. Govind Nihalani
. Anjolie Ela Menon
. Milkha Singh
. Ram Jethmalani
. Satish Gujral
. Surinder Singh Gandhi
. Ved Marwah

Although we will discuss five people here. 

 

The Silent Sikh—

Dr. Manmohan Singh was the former Prime Minister of India (2004-14). In fact, Dr. Singh was the only prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru who has completed two full consecutive terms as the PM of India. 

Although things didn't start well for young Manmohan. He was born in the village of Gah, Tehsil Chakwal, District Jhelum, West Punjab (now in Pakistan). 

Dr. Manmohan Singh's grandfather was murdered in the communal violence of 1947. He came to India along with his family to start anew. And he worked extremely hard to reach the top position(s) in independent India. 

Not only did Manmohan Singh become India's first Sikh Prime Minister, but he also served in different fields to serve his country. 

In fact, in the year 1991, when the then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, opened the Indian economy for the rest of the world, even at that time he selected Dr. Manmohan Singh as his finance minister. 

Even after experiencing the horror of 1947, Manmohan Singh didn't lose hope, and that's why he commands authority and respect not only in India but throughout the world. 

Although several survivors of the partition visited Pakistan to see their old homes, Dr. Manmohan Singh never visited his village, Gah. 

He said, and I quote here—

I did not go there because of the memory of my grandfather and the others who were killed for no reason. All the houses were burnt anyway, so there was nothing to go back for. 

Although he experienced the worst of communalism, this man never let this scar of partition let him promote anything that incited violence and hatred amongst the different communities of India. A feat in itself. 

 


From a Tonga (horse cart) driver to the Masala King of India -

Indians love spices. In fact, Indian food is incomplete without the flavors of different spices. And the majority of the Indians are familiar with the brand of MDH Masala (spices).

But do you know about the man who was behind the idea of MDH masala and its story? 

The full form of MDH masala is 'Mahashian di Hatti.'. The man who built this company from scratch was Dharampal Gulati. 

Dharampal Gulati was born in 1923 in Sialkot (now in Pakistan). His family used to own a masala shop in Sialkot by the name of Mahashian di Hatti. But, during the partition, they also left everything in Pakistan and came back to India. 

In fact, Dharampal Gulati was not even a graduate. He was a fifth-grade dropout. But, still, he created an empire worth crores of Indian rupees. 

When he came to India as a refugee, he did odd jobs to survive. He also worked as a horse cart driver to help his extended family. But nothing worked for him. Since his family was dealing in spices when they were living in Sialkot. So, Dharampal Gulati decided to start what he knew the best. And that's it. Bingo. 

Slowly and steadily they built their company. In fact, for a partition survivor and that too a refugee who was not even a graduate, building a company from scratch is commendable. 

In fact, Dharampal Gulati said in his autobiography—

We ourselves are responsible for our victory or defeat, so rather than blaming fate, we should focus on cultivating our strengths and reducing our weaknesses so that this God-given mind and body can be put to full use so that we know that all our talents and energies are doing some good in the world. 

People like Dharampal Gulati are the best examples for entrepreneurs. It is all about taking the risks and believing the idea that you carry in your heart, mind, and soul. 

 

The poet whose words speak for the masses—

Gulzar, The name speaks for itself. In India, he is fondly called Gulzar Saheb. Although he wasn't born with this name. Gulzar is his pen name. 

Sampooran Singh Kalra is the real name of Gulzar Saheb. He was born in a Sikh family. At the time of the partition, he was in Delhi. He saw the killings with his own eyes. But, through his poems and songs, he made sure that his words spoke for the multitude. 

That's why he wrote these wonderful lines—

लगता है ज़िंदगी कुछ खफा है।
अजी, चलिए छोड़िए, कौन सी पहली दफा है?

( Life seems to be a little bit sad; let's leave this is not the first time.) 


The Fearless Journalist -

Kuldip Nayar was not only a fearless journalist of his time, but he was also an author of some wonderful books, including the most readable biography of Bhagat Singh, Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh. 

Kuldip Nayar was born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan). He also left his home along with his family and came to India. In fact, during that journey he escaped death and humiliation both because a mob mistook him as a Muslim. Although he was saved, that memory stuck in his mind forever. 

During his research work for one of his books, he visited the man who drew a line on a map that defines the border between India and Pakistan. That man was Cyril Radcliffe. In fact, the official border of India and Pakistan is known as the Radcliffe Line. 

Radcliffe said a very interesting fact to Kuldip: Initially, the city of Lahore was to come to India. But then Radcliffe realized that Pakistan had no big city. Even in the East, he had given Calcutta to India, and Dhaka was not ready at that time, so he gave Lahore to Pakistan. 

So, people like Kuldip Nayar never let curiosity inside them die. In fact, through his works he made sure that even after his death he would enlighten society. And he achieved that with utmost respect. 

 

The Flying Sikh -

Milkha Singh, one of the greatest athletes that India has ever produced. Although young Milkha Singh saw his entire family killed in front of him. They were killed in the madness of partition. 

Milkha Singh said,

I have watched everything in front of my eyes. My brother, sister, and my parents—all of them were killed in front of my eyes. And my father's only words were, Milkha Singh, run and get out of here! Milkha Singh, run and get out of here! They will kill you too! Escape! I ran. 

But this great man didn't lose hope. He fought back against the circumstances. And not only did he win several gold medals for India, but he also became an epitome of hard work for the aspiring Indian athletes. 

Although Milkha Singh said very clearly and loudly that Milk Singh became Milkha Singh not in a day or over a fortnight, it took several decades of hard work that he reached the top. So, in life there is no shortcut. You've got to work day and night for your dreams; only then will you be able to achieve greatness. 

 

The message of hope—

Out of these 21 people, none of them said anything against any community. In fact, these people saw and experienced the worst of partition, but still they moved on and did great in their careers.

These people not only cherish hope but they also believe in a society where people live like humans. 

In fact, we Indians need to understand that an uncountable number of people gave their lives for the freedom of this country. We as a nation can't remain ungrateful towards those who gave their everything just for the sake of posterity. 

It's our responsibility that rather than creating chaos in the society in the name of this and that, we should learn from those people who've had experience with the horrors of partition, and still they didn't lose their hope and did great for the society. 

Let's build this ancient land, which is known as India or Bharat, together. 

I'll end with these lines of the former president of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Dream, Dream, Dream 
Dreams transform into thoughts. 
And thoughts result in action.


I hope you like this. Thanks for reading. Jai Hind. 

[Chitra Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a layperson in modern day India, the Indo-Pakistan Partition is just a moment in history.
For these 21 extraordinary individuals, the Indo-Pakistan Partition is a chasm of cataclysmic chaos.

This book, finely curated by Mallika Ahluwalia, gives an incredible account of oral histories of prolific individuals in India's society. From acclaimed artists and distinguished Prime Ministers to entrepreneurs and lawyers, this book helps us understand Partition for what it truly was:
It wasn't just the drawing of borders. It was unexpectedly losing a part of your identity and the ones you loved.

Each story, in this book, is equally gripping and poignant. After reading this, you can truly see how, behind the illustrious accomplishments and indomitable resilience, these people are also battered victims of one of the most silent catastrophes of our South Asian History. Reading this makes you understand why it's important that you realise how living with trauma and achieving great feats despite the burden truly is.

As a reader, you also learn the true value of resilience, especially in tough times like these, where you have no other alternative, except to be mentally strong.

I highly recommend reading this and if you're interested to know more about the Partition, you HAVE to visit the Partition Museum in Amritsar.
Let me tell you, it will be a profound experience unlike any other.

[Uday Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The manner in which the days of partition brought a huge change and influenced the lives of the general population is regrettable and reading about them can be disturbing, pitiful and yet likewise educational. Understanding them after so long will be one way or another additionally let help you to remember the human soul and its quality that helped those individuals survive with the goal that we can live in a today that isn't that way.

The thing that surprised me as soon as I opened this book was how it contained real stories of real people and I knew the all of them. You may too. And even though they are at reputable posts today, behind those cheerful days, there still are some healing scars that date way back to the days of partition. That's what we get to witness too, while we read them.

These accounts give us an incredible point of view from the eyes of the individuals who experienced it. There can't be a genuine examination of these accounts, however simply that they won't neglect to contact your brain in one way or the other.

I will recommend it to everybody who's dwelling in India and the ones that are prepared to peruse the battles even after the Independence that fabricate this country from a close point of view.

[Govind Pilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good read , They mentioned forehand, but I still prefer the stories of lower middel class and poor impacted by partition.


This book to summarize ( not to criticise)
Just sounds like a history book written by MBA students.

I personaly feel history and revolutionary historic moments should be delt by historians and librarians rather than MBA students , because these are sensitive topics which need be considered irrespective of economic benefits and inspirations ,

As people we need to see beyond economics , we need to see their pain and sufferings and sacrifices for millions of people for the sack of others , stories that inspire us not to earn but to serve .

Yes , are a couple of stories which inspire spiritually but lacks in majority , which make this book emphasis more on economic factors of refugees and their success.

P.S

The word CEO for a historic Museum is not apet , more like curator or director whould have been perfect.

[SAMEER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goosebumps

I have been to Partition Museum more than 15 times. I am a Tour Manager from Mumbai. I often take my guests & students to this museum to show them how difficult the partition was.

For Indians, partion might be a happy thing but only those who have suffered would know the pain behind it. I am very sensitive to the people of Punjab who Suffered because of Partition.

This book shows the very real stories from real people about their upbringing, suffering and life after partition. After reading all the stories, one thing is common among all - They all miss their childhood land in Pakistan. I understand their feelings. Childhood doesn't come back. The memories weren't good for them but the pain will be with them for the life which very few will understand

Great writing, amazingly narrated

[Soumya Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Partition of India: A decision taken by the prominent leaders but it's cost was paid by the citizens who lost their everything in the land that they were born and had their entire livelihoods and moved to a another land as refugees.
A lot has been lost during those days. People lost their homes, their lives and their lands. But the most severe loss incurred was the loss of brotherhood that was the true essence of undivided India. It has now turned into regional and religious enemity, which is here to stay, just like the line on the map drawn to satisfy the hunger of power.
This book consists of just 21 exceptional stories of people who faced bloodsheds and massacres and were among the lucky ones to cross the newly formed border. They rose from the ashes and touched the height of skies. It is a must read, for it unleashes the pain and agony of the warriors in their own words.

[Pritha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart wrenching memoirs. Every story made me stop and think about a horrible time, and made me more proud of my resilient country. All of the ones mentioned here were lucky enough to escape with life and make something worthwhile of that second chance, but there were so many who did not even have a chance. My thoughts went immediately for them, made me shudder more than once.

Just one thing I missed, I would have wanted to have more accounts from people of the East side of the partition. Otherwise, this is a very valuable addition in partition literature which points out all the hardships, all the suffering but yet keeps the light of hope on throughout.

[Sandeep Bhat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 179 page book by Mallika attempts to capture 21 famous personalities life impacted by the Partition in 1947. It is very painful to hear the experiences of angst, fear and horror during the communal times of 1947. If the privileged lot had to go through these, one can't imagine what common folk had to go through. First hand accounts of these personalities tend to impact the reader and tend to shed some light on the largest forced migration. Each of 21 chapters deserve a separate book and abridging their lives into few pages tend to reduce the impression on the reader. The stories are inspiring and showcases qualities of resilience and courage.

[Surbhi Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

each of the experience was written so well. the story expressed their sorrow, their struggle, the havoc which was created during partition and how it has impacted their lives. the way each person told their story, you can feel their pain even after 65 years. the book forced me to realize how they would have dealt with it and how haunting that pain would be for them. a longing which will go with them till their death bed.
it shares their inspiring stories and teaches us how fate can change your life upside down, still how you should not give up and continue with your ambition.

[pallav mishra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book, though 21 stories in 160 pages only mean a very shallow treatment of events surrounding the Partition of India. Each story follows a similar pattern and is fairly repetitive because, naturally, these are Partition stories.

I would have wished for a better researched book that didn’t just compile 21 stories, but clubbed all of them to describe how those lives and experiences were similar despite their very different lives and destinies.

[Tejas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author provides experience of successful refugees. Almost all characters selected were from well to do family except Milkha Singh and Manoranjan Byapari. If you want to know about horrors of partition, this book is not for you. There were countless orphans, abducted girls and women, forceful conversions of Sikhs and Hindus, starvation. No account of marginalized people on West side of India border. This book does not accomodate those unfortunate souls.

[Bharati Shroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

They rose from the adhes of Partition.

So many literally rose to great heights from the ashes of the Partition.
I had heard stories of Dr Manmohan Singh and I wished there would one day be a book on the lives of Simi l are hero's.
Thank you for this book.
And salute to the true hero's.

[Meera S Venpala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of pushing my comfort reading choices. Was truly worth the attempt. Because it indeed gives you an exposure to the dark partition era, about which I had hardly known from the highschool textbooks.
These stories of the 21 people, whose lived had been traumatised by partition, but also who rose to the great heights of their own fields with resilience, are highly inspiring.

[Mahrukh | diaspora.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In the beginning, there wasn't a clear sense of what partition meant for such divided families. People though it would be like a Union, and that people would go back and forth."

"And even in their moments of doubt, there seemed one surety: 'Lahore was the safest place because Lahore would stay in India- everyone beloved this, she remembers."

[Shevaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some stories were good, a better job could have been done for LK Advani. I don't think representation was lacking, but rigor in storytelling sure was. The writing was pretty mediocre with a couple of spelling errors. However it is a good light, start to reading about people's journey through the devastating Partition.

[Asif · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 21 stories will make you realise that "a phoenix rises from the ashes" is true. With nothing in hand after the partition, they found themselves in a new place with all sorts of challenges and a life that needed to start from scratch. These 21 survivors went on to become famous personalities in independent India.

[Nikhil Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories of persons and families whose lives unravelled during Partition of India. These are tales - unsettling and visceral - of lives which had been lost, memories that remained and the resilience that persisted.

[Anil Swarup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting set of experiences of some important people who saw, some even suffered, the horrors of partition. What is truly inspiring is the grit of those like Milkha Singh who overcame the trauma and made a mark for themselves.

[Ishmeet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is very conscisely written and paints a picture pf partition in very plain words. By the end of the book you will feel resilient enough to work through your struggles once you have read all the 21 stories kf rebuilding lives.

[Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on the partition. Story of resilience and positivity.

[Atoorva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book ...inspiring and moving stories.

[Gargi Hurria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like that they have taken people from different backgrounds and profiles to feature in this book.

[Nishant Mudale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Book

Very captivating Book on horrors of partition, how these people survived and excelled in their lives. Must read. Go for it.

[Naved Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book to know about Indian Partition history, it’s sorrows and loss of human compassion.