Lidhran

Nov. 7 was a day for verification of historical data. For 65 years Rupee has believed he was born in the Jandiala village of Jalandhar. Actually, he spent his toddler years in his grandfather's home in Jandiala but was born elsewhere. Today we found out that he was actually born in the Lidhran village of Jalandhar. According to Indian tradition the female returns to her parents' home to give birth. Rupee's mother was from Lidhran and that is where she went when Rupee was due. We visited this quiet village not far from our hotel and saw the exterior of Shakuntla's family home and the courtyard where she and Nand Lal were married almost 67 years ago. The building is in disarray but still standing. The amazing event here in this small town was that Rupee was recognized by an old Sikh gentleman, Jaspir Singh, who remembered the day Kunti's son was born. Jaspir is now 87 years old. Remarkable to come so far and make such connections. R's cousin also took us to the family farm. Most of the land was expropriated by the government in 1990 for installation of power lines. The family received a pittance. There is. however, still some farm land left and it produces potatoes, rice and wheat for the family consumption and for sale. Ashok is a successful businessman who owns 5 tractor/trolley units which he hires out for farm service. R's uncle, Amar Singh, also 87 rides each morning several km. from the family home to the farm to pick up the milk for the day. This ride is on a bicycle along rutted dirt roads, across 4 lanes of a busy highway and along paved village roads. Today there is a picture of this remarkable gentleman on his bicycle. After visiting R's real birth place and the farm we returned to Amar Singh's home for a sumptuous repast - delicious Indian food. We were again treated like royalty. Two of the male family members accompanied us to a goldsmith's shop where Damon bought a gold ring. It has been another emotional and terrific day in India.