Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

88ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH 2006 / 537-38 NSPromises were made to him for a life-long association, but somehowthings did not work out, because some associates in the Vidyala createdmisunderstanding between Bhai Sahib & Bhai Takhat Singh, and hehad to leave for Wazir Bullar again.He used to visit Faridkot now & then for parchar. Raja Sahibpromised him life-long service and adequate compensation. Ultimately,he moved to Faridkot in Vaisakh 1968 BK. For a year, he servedwithout any salary, and then was appointed as hazuri ragi for kirtan inthe royal premises at gurdwara Quila Mabarik, where Raja and hisfamily used to listen to him, regularly. Gradually, more and moreresponsibilities were entrusted to him which included weekly Dewansin Gurdwara State Dharamsala, Gurpurab celebrations, then Secretary,Gurdwara management Committee, Faridkot (looking after the historicGurdwaras of Faridkot State) and Manager of the “Teeka House”,dealing with, printing, publication and distribution of first evertranslation of Guru Granth Sahib known as Faridkot Wala Teeka. Thetranslation was done by Bhai Badan Singh & other Sikh scholars oftraditional style. Probably, Bhai Ladha Singh was the coordinator ofvarious activities, as can be seen from a joint introduction along withBhai Badan Singh of the first volume of the “Teeka”. Inspite ofheavy duties, his compensation remained modest. Though the Rajawas always courteous & appreciative of his work, the bureaucracydid not let him have all the advantages promised to him verbally bythe Raja.After demise of Raja Brijinder Singh at young age, while the youngRaja Harinder Singh was still a minor, an advisory council took chargeof the administration. Bhai Sahib patiently waited the young Raja totake over. But even after that promises made to him did not materialise,and he continued to discharge the multifarious duties with his modestsalary. His aspirations of proper recognition were never fulfilled.Although there were feelers from Kapurthala & Patiala states forhis services, but he evaded these suggestions, as he had promised thelate Raja Brijinder Singh for life-long services of Faridkot state.At Faridkot, he had brought his eldest brother Jhanda Singh’swidow and his surviving son Inder Singh (our father) and supportedthem till our father completed engineering education at Rasul, andwas married and settled in a job at Faridkot. That is how we were