I love that. I had just done my middle at Sanatan Dharam high school, Basti Nau, Jalandhar and gone for the 9th in Islamia High School, Basti Mithu Sahib. Whatever I could remember, that is a treasure. I will love to visit my place again if God approves and permits someone to help me perform it.
Our House in Basti Danishmandan - Jalandhar (India) had two portions with an open courtyard (sehan) in between. There was a water well and large tall NEEM tree in the center. Leaves of this tree when dry, were used to put in dress and fabric boxes to keep insects away and were also used to make their powder and swallow to purify blood. I believe the present day medicine for this purpose is called "Saafi". People also collected these leaves from our house for their above purposes. This tree had a small fruit; sour when green and sweet when rippened. We used to eat lot of this to avoid pimples on our skin. You could also boil these leaves and wash affected skin to disinfect.
We had swings hanging from the tree. There was a big honeybeehive (of big bees) on the tree about 4 feet long and 1-2/2 feet wide. Another behive (of small bees) was on a wall near well.We used to squeez honey every year from these resources.
We had always had a cow for fresh milk, butter, buttermilk (lassi). Sometime lassi was saved and shared with other residents to cook a tastey "karhi" (curry made of buttermilk; a sour dish with "pakora"(spicy dumplings) made of gram flour in it.
That was a neighborhood community/mohallah of about 25 houses and all were more than neighbours. They knew each other very well and shared their grief and sorrow.
All children (boys and girls) used to come out and play at sunset for an hour or two. Parents were watching, exchanging greetings and and discussing general topics with each other. "my boy friend" "my girl friend" were not phrased by then. Now these words are chasing boys and girls to try them. There is no limit in page and numbere of friendships.
You are encouraged to correct me wherever you feel I need it. Thanks.
sheikhmsarwar@gmail.com
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2 comments:
It is really connecting, I am one of the Baraki/urmar pathan tribe that set up Basti danishmandan, I feel proud to inform you that the good nature of life you have mentioned in your post is still followed by me, The neem , the well water, the Curry. my 83yrs plus mother still longs for neem fruit every year,its pleasure knowing you sir Be blessed
Sheikh Sahib when I born in Basti Danishmandan in 1964 and that time the population of Basti was less than 10000.These days its poulation is app. 200000. Many new places are built up there and the most of the old inhabitants shifted from there.
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