I was waiting for that black Dio to enter my building. Tuffy
came. He parked his vehicle. Pulled up the seat and took out a Crossword
plastic cover from the compartment. After a brief chat, he handed me the cover.
He left.
I took off the book. Khushwant Singh's face was all over the
cover. Absolute Khushwant was the title. I just had Train to Pakistan in my
mind which unfortunately I've never read.
Once I started reading the book, I realised the amazing human
being he is. Never have I read a person write extensively about the partition
and proclaiming his love for Pakistan but being a truly patriotic Indian at the
same time. It wasn’t just reading the book but knowing who this nonagenarian
was. It was about knowing who Khushwant Singh is. I have seen many joke books
written by him in the school library. Never have I tried to read them.
He fuming on the various riots which happened in India reminded
me of my Godmother Arundhati Roy. Their stark criticism and undaunting courage
startles me.
The way Khushwant Singh openly talks about sex indeed took me
aback. He has written a few books on sex but it shows the immense respect
he has for them. He still goes to meet them.
He is 97. Nor is he underrated neither overrated. He is amongst
the few writers in India who has got his due. He has a fetish towards Urdu
literature and excerpts from them can be seen in his life.
He isn’t a great writer just like he confesses but an honest
human being. Sadly as per this article (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=122512) he
won’t be writing anymore. I pity myself to have started reading him this late.
Let’s hope the dirty old man of Indian Journalism keeps writing.
Some Sardars are hardworking, some head the government but some form into one
formidable man. Khushwant Singh.
P.S. With inputs from Tushar Kathuria.
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