By Balwant Sanghera – TWENTYFIFTH IN A SERIES ON MY LIFE
Since my arrival in Canada in 1966, my family and I have been back to India many times. During the past few years we have been visiting India almost every year. Every time we visit, there are a lot of changes. Most of these changes have been for the better. The standard of living, especially in the Punjab, has improved considerably. The modes of transportation are also ample now. Some of the previous governments have done an excellent job in connecting most of the villages with paved roads. The bus service has also improved a lot. On some of the major routes, there is a lot of competition. This has greatly benefitted the consumers-the travelling public. A lot of the buses are airconditioned and have videos playing a variety of songs and movies. Also, one finds a lot of motorbikes, scooters and cars on the roads and in every village. Such changes are also evident in cities everywhere. The consumer goods available in the western countries are also easily available in India now. All of this has given a big boost to tourism in India.
Speaking of tourism, the central and state governments have done a good job in building, protecting and maintaining a large number of tourist attractions. These attractions are a great asset for the provinces and the nation. This is an integral part of India’s history. I had an opportunity to visit a lot of them during my high school and college days. Even after leaving India, it has been a passion for me to visit them. Every time my family and I visit India, in addition to visiting friends and relatives, visiting some of these historic places of worship has been on the top of my list.
On one of my recent visits, my wife, some friends and I visited Patna Sahib. It was our first visit. I was very impressed with the hospitality. Visiting this birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh ji is a pilgrimage. The old city of Patna has a number of Gurdwaras associated with Guru Gobind Singh ji, Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Guru Teg Bahadur ji stopped over here with his family on his way to Assam. Guru Nanak ji also visited Patna during his Udasi to eastern India including Assam. Visiting all of these Gurdwaras in and around Patna was a real treat. From Patna we went over to Bodh Gaya, a four hourdrive. Bodh Gaya is the place where Siddhartha, who later became famous as Buddha, meditated under a Peepal tree and attained his enlightenment. It was a very spiritual experience to visit the temple and the devotees meditating on the surrounding lush green grounds. From there it was on to the ancient Nalanda University.
Nalanda was one of three centres of higher learning in India almost two thousand years ago. The excavation and restoration work by the department of archeology was in full swing. It was an eye opener to see the vastness and reach of this ancient university. We learnt that a Chinese scholar Hiu Tsang studied at this university and then taught here for several years. His writenaccount formed most of the basis of the research and restoration of the university. It has been reported that more than ten thousand students from all over the world were in residence while going to school here. We spent many hours going around and marvelling at the way students were learning here more than two thousand years ago. Heading back to Patna we had the privilege of visiting Rajgir, a historic town in ancient times when Chandragupta Maurya and his descendants were ruling over India with their capital at Maghd/Patliputra, modern day Patna. Rajgir was a major centre of activity at that time. Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon here. Guru Nanak Dev ji is reported to have visited this place on his way to the east and back. A small Gurdwara here is a reminder of Guru ji’s visit.
India in general and Punjab in particular have a lot to offer the visitor. It is always a delight to visit these historic places and remember those who contributed immensely to this land.
Balwant Sanghera is a retired School Psychologist and Community Activist.
