Introduction

aba Narinder Singh Ji, my father, hailed from an aristocratic family of Ahluwalia Chieftains of Kapurthala State. He was the son of Sardar Sahib Sardar Suchet Singh, Police Chief of Kapurthala state, and grandson of Sardar Sahib Sardar Isher singh, Representative of Kapurthala state with the British. Both his father and grandfather held high positions of honour, eminence and dignity in the erstwhile Kapurthala state. Our grandfather was a renowned and gallant police officer and had won a number of gallantry awards including The King's Police Medal for gallantry. It filled my father with pride to say that in his profession he derived all inspiration from our grandfather.

Father was one of the most highly decorated police officers for gallantry at the time of partition of the country No account could possibly be kept of the numerous deadly encounters he had with most notorious dacoits. In addition to other gallantry awards, he had been awarded the King's Police Medal for gallantry and again a Bar to the Kings Police Medal also for gallantry. This was the highest award for gallantry in the police. His name had become a legend in Punjab because of his exploits and adventures in dacoit hunting and a terror for dacoits. In many instances, on merely learning, that they had been surrounded by Him the most dreaded and notorious dacoits had laid down their arms and surrendered to him.

Once I happened to be travelling with him in a jeep at midnight on the Ferozepur-Ludhiana road. From a distance he noticed in the light of the jeep a villager crossing the road. He stopped the vehicle and called the person. He made certain enquiries from him with regard to his credentials. The man gave his name and that of his village and further told that he was proceeding to his fields to avail his turn for water. Father proceeded but again stopped the jeep and beckoned that person, and asked him about the zaildar of that village. The man fumbled. He was covering himself with a blanket. Suddenly he took out a revolver and pointed it at father who with unique presence of mind thundered and roared like a lion and the revolver fell from the hands of that person. Father always used to keep his loaded revolver on his right side, and instantly that was pointed at that person. He was tied and bundled into the jeep and was later identified as a wanted notorious criminal. When father had thundered and roared like a lion, we all were also shaken from our roots.

He was blessed with highly magnetic, impressive and charming personality which radiated majestic influence. His subordinates, equals and superiors and all others who came in contact with him confronted him with compelling reverence. His life was saga of gallant feats and spiritual fervour.

In 1942, when he was standing alone in the holy presence of Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj, Mahan Babaji while looking deep into father’s eyes had said-

Thus Mahan Babaji had assured father of His Eternal Presence, company and protection against thousands of adversaries in all challenging situations.

Before the partition of 1947, he was posted at Rawalpindi. Firmly established in the Lord, fearless of death, totally dedicated and wedded to his profession, he was tireless and full-souled in action.

With this fire of immortality in his radiant eyes, he performed great heroic acts of valour at Rawalpindi. He came to be widely known there as the ‘Saviour of Rawalpindi’.

Mr. Scot, Deputy Inspector General of police, Rawalpindi, Range, once remarked to me that he had never seen a more gallant police officer than my father in his whole service. A brief account of some of these incidents will be given in the next issue. Unique and wonderful was the Eternal Presence and Glory of Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj, with His beloved spiritual son, in every challenging situation.

He was well known for his charitable disposition, religious fervour and hospitality. Not a single needy person ever went away from him disappointed. After partition, when many refugees known to him and members of the Sangat of Babaji approached him for help, he provided all help to them. Many of them turned up penniless and without any warm clothes. I still remember there was no blanket left in our house for our personal use because everything was given away to the needy. He was the Police Chief of Ludhiana District then.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib embodies the divine utterances of the Lord Himself and whoever hears these holy hymns in His Living Presence, is rewarded and blessed.

Faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib has a great redeeming and dynamic force. The powerful Nectar which flowed from the most compassionate glance of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib turned the greatest sinners into seers/sages/gods. The same Nectar continues to flow even today from His Eyes due to His Eternal presence in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Powerful rays of Love beaming out of His Holy Glance, engulf everything that comes in its way and sweep, and are sufficient for the liberation of the soul.

Father’s mind was always saturated with this sterling faith and devotion and the Guru’s abiding presence with him wrought wonderful miracles in his life.

His whole life sparkles in all its fullness. It sparkles with illustrious, heroic valour, it sparkles with rare devotion and it sparkles in its full divine glory.