Will to Lead

WILL TO LEAD MADHU BAHL

WILL TO LEAD MADHU BAHL NATIONAL AWARDEE C.B.S.E. NATIONAL AWARDEE STATE AWARDEE Bhooma Publishers 7203 SHEA CT SAN JOSE, CA 95139-1359, UNITED STATES

Dedicated to Pita Ji He was my Mentor He was my Strength

Foreword An enthusiastic and spirited young Madhu Bahl completed her M.Sc. (Botany) in 1972 from Kashmir University, Srinagar. Hailing from Jammu, she settled in Chandigarh after being wed into a leading educationist's family. A happy contented Madhu spent her time raising her two children till one day, she enrolled for B.Ed. in Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, Chandigarh and never looked back. Today 42 years hence, Madhu Bahl, Founder Principal, Kailash Bahl DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Sector 7-B, Chandigarh has changed the way people perceive Education. A blend of pragmatism, vision and strong administrative capabilities, she translated her experience, wisdom and good judgement to providing quality education, turning winners out of average students, staying connected with the community, which has become the hallmark of KBDAV-7, a leading public Institution in the city. A National Awardee, Principal Madhu has received over 57 awards and honours. This profile of Madhu Bahl, Principal, Manager and Regional Director focuses on her role as an exemplary educationist, who has transformed the field of education in the city. It attempts to elicit the career chronology and her significant contributions to the field of education. The profile is based on the examination of a comprehensive list of her work, history of KBDAV-7, of which she is the founder Principal, and her career as an educator. I congratulate her for achieving another milestone in her life ! Padam Shree Shri Punam Suri Ji President   DAV College Managing Committee New Delhi

Shoonya Se Shikhar Principal Madhu Bahl has spent years honing her skills as an administrator and an educator. Time spent in the school was focused on the pursuit of excellence. There is no one-size-fits- all definition of success for an educationist. At the deepest level, the sheer love of creation – creating a holistic learner, setting goals and priorities that lead to success becomes central. KB DAV Senior Secondary Public school was the beginning of an extraordinary journey for Principal Madhu Bahl that gave her a better understanding of the Education World in India, herself and her city. In the two decades since then, much has changed in global higher education, including a surge in the number of students studying in the school and the rise of new technologies. The school was started with 4 classrooms and 70 students in 1994. Today, it has about 166 classrooms including beautiful labs and conference halls, with strength of more than 3000 students. The formative years of an institute are very eventful and forge its academic character, value system and culture. KBDAV-7 has been extremely fortunate to receive extraordinary support from a very large number of well-wishers. This cumulative support has laid an outstanding foundation for the institute to thrive in the years ahead, enabling the school to launch numerous initiatives.

What inspired me to write this book? An autobiography is a first hand account that reflects a writer's life. So it is mine. Reading it will give you a better insight into how my experiences have shaped my life. It is a soul- searching effort. Past experiences have always been the basis of the present and a guide for shaping the future. Lord Buddha detailed his life events in Lalita Vistara Sutra so did Gandhi Ji in his book “My Experiments with Truth.” Charles Dickens' “David Copperfield” is a self-discovery. An autobiography acts as a handbook for others, provides helpful hints for building a better society. My parental name is Madhu Gaind. My father, a strong-willed, honest, and a strict person, was Assistant Commissioner, Food and Supplies Department, Jammu & Kashmir State (Jammu).

2 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography My father Sh. Dev Prasad Gaind, was a very tall only and would want no daughters in the family. When and handsome person. He married twice. His I was still in my mother's womb, he gave strict first wife died of Tuberculosis (T.B.) after delivering a instructions to the house's ancestral maid to do away if girl called 'Guddi' later on, named Ashok Gaind. Soon a girl child was born. In those days, children were born after, the father got wedded to my mother Damyanti at home with the help of a 'Maiden Dai (दाई)', who knew Gaind, who was Giani and Prabhkar in Hindi, a blessed person by her \"Wahe Guru Ji\" to write 'Ashirwad' and her job well. 'Shradanjali,' and she could write beautifully. Her vocabulary and beautiful handwriting were par I was born in the hall room of our house with the help of excellence. 'Maiden Dai (दाई)'. She wrapped me alive in a white My father was posted at several places. A strict man, cotton sheet and kept me under my mother's bed. She my grandfather Sh. Bhim Sen Gain, was working in the was waiting for an appropriate time to remove me from Treasury of Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu. My that place with a plea that a still born girl child had been mother gave birth to two daughters, and very soon after born. My mother narrated, she was semiconscious as that, my mother was expecting a child again. My she was never given a proper diet to eat. It was my good grandfather hated daughters. He was in favor of sons luck that our old housemaid entered the room and noticed the wrapped child moving its limbs. She thus

Will to Lead 3 became suspicious, taking that child (the newly born) mouth. The paan was splattered on my whole face. My to the kitchen of the house and hide me there. When my mother, with the help of some office people, was grandfather came to know that my mother had searching for me. As I reached home, my mother hung delivered the third girl (i.e., me), he got furious, and my me from the balcony of the house out of anger. My father also was heartbroken. Our maid luckily saved sisters, as usual, would save me. Meanwhile, I saw that me. My grandfather did not see my face; neither lifted many people used to come to our house with me in his arms, instead imparted strict instructions to complaints against me. the maid and my mother that this girl should not be brought before his eyes. The ladies in the neighborhood used to tell my mother that her daughter was always beating their children It was with a rare sense of happiness that my mother with sticks and was very naughty. After listening to revealed how I was an exceptional child. I was an their complaints, Mummy Ji used to beat me a lot and intelligent girl. I was very naughty. Like boys, I was curb me with these words, \"Why are you born in our very bossy. family?\" I used to hide on the roof of the house or in the toilet or the storage room or go to Jammu Tawi through My mother took me to 'Gurmat Kanya Pathshala' 'Navi Sadak.' I had measured every inch of the streets of school. I was very active and used to participate in all Jullaka Mohalla. I even could cross the Jammu Tawi school activities. I was sharp enough to recognize and reach on another side of Tawi. every street of Jammu. I created my children group of my street named 'Jullaku Mohalla' and started dancing We were all shattered as full responsibility for my around and constituted our creative Ladies Sangeet and father's illness came on my mother's shoulders. She Theatre group. At my initiative, we started holding consulted our family doctor, Dr. Brij Lal, who advised Ladies Sangeet at weddings, and our group became my mother to take our father to Bombay because he had extremely popular. an attack of coronary thrombosis. My father was taken to Bombay to my mother's sister's house and was under At the age of 35, my father suddenly had a heart attack. the treatment of a very famous doctor. My mother was a He had complete paralysis of the left side of his body. strong-willed lady and had to face many difficulties in life. After my father recovered a bit, he was taken to Being very naughty and always a schemer, one day, at Delhi and then back to Jammu. He used to do many around 5.00 a.m., I took the balance money from the limbs exercises himself and soon could walk and move medicines of my father, got ready, and left the house his left hand to some extent. without informing anybody. I started roaming in the streets and waited for shops to open. I kept waiting, sitting outside a shop, went to Hari Singh Palace, wandered around alone, and then found 1-2 shops opened. I brought some eatables like paan and biscuits and came back eating paan with red lips and a red

4 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography My Father Papa Ji, had legal fights with his brother, which lasted till his last days. After the property division, he Sh. Dev Prasad Gaind inherited the Haveli at Jullaka Mohalla, Jammu. That house became abandoned and got spoiled when our My Father Sh. D.P. Gaind was Assistant parents went to USA. Our old domestic help Krishan Commissioner in the Food and Supplies Kumar used to look after the Haveli at Jammu and lived Department at Jammu. He was upright, honest, and a in the same house with his family. strict man. At the age of 35, he suddenly got a heart attack with complete paralysis of the left side. It was a The last days of my father were awful. Our parents very terrible jolt to the family, and my mother had to were visiting Jammu and Chandigarh. I went to Delhi fight alone. to receive them at Delhi Airport and brought them to stay for that night in the Guest House at DAV College He was taken to Bombay for treatment. Due to solid Managing Committee, New Delhi. The following day, willpower and regularity in life, he was able to save unknowingly, with the help of one peon, he went to a himself. Papa Ji was a chain smoker. Besides that, he barber to get his shave. While walking back, he met suffered from Piles with a severe problem of with a car accident, got a head injury, and cut his ear. He constipation. He was a firm believer in Lord Shiva and was shifted to a doctor's clinic by the car owners. By used to go to Shiva Temple every Monday. He was also late evening, we could finally trace him. Being a strong a firm believer in Muslim Rituals and regularly went to man, he did not allow the Doctor to touch him as the Masjid to pay his respects. He retired as Assistant Doctor found a clot in his brain. He was profusely Commissioner. While staying in Dallas, USA, with my bleeding from his head and ears. brother Rajiv, he missed Jammu a lot since he was very keen to return to Jammu and visited India 2-3 times. We brought him to Jammu. There he started dealing with his poor health. A pacemaker was planted. His My parents used to have frequent arguments and fights, health started deteriorating, so he was brought to PGI, which disturbed all of us a lot. An office employee, Mr. Chandigarh. The Neuro Doctor was a well-known Bansi Bali, would visit our house occasionally and help figure, and his name was Dr. Kak. The Doctor informed our father. We used to look after him and help him dress us that he could not be given general anesthesia as he up in the morning. He was a light eater and had a fixed was a chronic heart patient. He was operated upon at diet. He used to eat two slices of bread, a glass of milk midnight without anesthesia. It was a very painful for breakfast, and one chapatti at lunch. Two slices of operation. However, in the morning, he could move his bread and a glass of milk were his dinner. limbs, and he was very cheerful. My brother Rajiv rushed from America and stayed with him till he recovered. As he was not in a state to travel,

Will to Lead 5 he stayed in Jammu. After a lot of suffering, he the Gaind family. She used to do all the household suddenly passed away on 31st October 1984, the day work, and my father also was not cordial towards her. Indira Gandhi was murdered. As we got the news, my They used to have fights and arguments almost husband and I rushed to Jammu by the first flight. everyday, which scared all of us. But mother did her Mummy was left alone in Jammu. best to raise her four daughters and one son and did her best to educate us. Mummy had a habit of writing her daily diary about each and everything that happened during the day. She I was a very hardworking student. I did my M.Sc. in wrote four volumes of Shradhanjali and Ashirwad. The Botany from Kashmir University. My eldest sister prayers were compiled by me, after she passed away. Mridhu did M.Sc. in Zoology from Patna University. All her daughters are having a copy of her everlasting The other two sisters Manju and Manu, did M.A. in memories. Mummy had taken a vow of Radha Swami's Hindi. name and would follow his teachings very sincerely. Our step sister, Ashok, was living with her Nani since My Mother childhood at Kapurthala. She would never come and live with us at Jammu. However, our parents requested Smt. Damyanti Gaind her Nani and maternal uncle (Mama) to send Ashok to Jammu. She never nurtured the feeling that she would Our mother was a strict lady. She was ambitious live comfortably with us as a daughter of the house. and wanted to become a doctor. Unfortunately, Finally, one day, her maternal uncle came to Jammu to she could not do so as my grandfather was a meet our parents and informed us that they had seen a conservative man and was not in favor of sending his boy for her in Delhi. He asked my parents to bear all daughter for medical studies no matter how intelligent expenses for the marriage. Our parents had to go to she was. My mother also had a big family, four sisters Delhi for her wedding. No credit was given to my and four brothers. Our 'Nani' was also a simple and very parents. Ashok never visited us at Jammu after her religious person. They were looking for a match for my wedding. mother, who had done Masters in Hindi. Her parents got her married to my father without my mother's Meanwhile, my brother and his family migrated to consent. Dallas, USA, and left Jammu. Our mother could not bear the separation of her son and started sinking into My father was very tall, very handsome, and had a acute depression. I brought her to Chandigarh and got pleasant personality of his own. After my father's first her checked by Dr. Chutani, Director of PGI, wife's death, my father married my mother, but my Chandigarh. mother was never given respect, love, and affection in My brother came to India and took my parents to the USA along with him. The most touching and unfortunate thing that happened was that they left the whole big house as it was.

6 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography My Mother Smt. Damyanti Gaind

Will to Lead 7 My Sisters & Brother My second sister Manju Arora called Rosy, is humble, very beautiful, and an impressive My eldest sister is MridhuArora, and her pet name personality. She got married at a very young age of 18 is Lali. She is the most senior of all. Mridhu has only, when she was doing her MA in Hindi and had to been a favorite of both parents. She was also excellent leave her studies in between. Although getting married in her studies. Our parents were unable to buy before her elder sister was an emotional decision for expensive books, so she used to study by preparing Mridhu yet, she happily agreed. Sh. Sudesh Arora Ji, notes of her subject. After completing B.Sc. from Govt. my brother-in-law, is a great human being, very College for Women, she went to Patna to do her M.Sc. cooperative and helpful to everyone. He is in Zoology. unfortunately suffering from pancreatic cancer and has had to undergo necessary surgery of the pancreas. He For several years, she worked in Govt. Schools as a had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Now he Lecturer in Zoology. Later on, she was promoted as has to be very careful with his health parameters as he Principal, and then she decided to take retirement from has become sensitive to changes. her service and started taking care of the house. She is super religious and prays daily in the morning and God is very kind to Sudesh Ji. He has also taken a lot of evening. She is blessed with two sons Sachin Arora and care and the responsibilities of my mother now and Rahul Arora. Both are quite promising and family- then. They are blessed with one daughter Anjali, and a oriented children and take extraordinary care of their son, Raman. Anjali's daughters are Noorin and Aamira. parents. Sachin is blessed with two boys, and Rahul is They are the best children, imbibing Indian values. blessed with two daughters. All her children and Mr. Khalid, the husband of Anjali, is down-to-earth, grandchildren are excellent in their studies. and very helpful. He works with Samsung. My sister gets a lot of credit for keeping her divorced Raman is married to Mini Arora, a very hardworking sister-in-law with them. She takes care of all her and devoted wife. They are living in Dallas, Texas. We responsibilities. Although there were three more always pray for Rosy and especially our brother-in-law brothers of my brother-in-law (Sh. Kaushal Arora), he Sudesh Ji. Sudesh has stood by all his friends at Dallas shouldered all her responsibilities till her last breath. in time of need and is loved by all his friends. May God God will reward them for such an outstanding shower all His choicest blessings on him! Rosy has also commitment. My sister has two caretakers who are run a daycare center for so many years. treated as family members. Rosy had a big setback. She suffered and was After retirement, my brother-in-law does counseling diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. It was very hard and teaches students at home. He teaches needy for her, and it upset every family member. She had to students without charging any fees. Kaushal Arora Ji is undergo chemotherapy and radiation. With the grace of very helpful and stands by any problem related to his God, she is fine now. brothers' families.

8 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography My youngest sister, Manu, got married to Mr. Rajesh Verma from Canada. All of us were very beautiful, and we got well settled grooms. When Manu's wedding was fixed, our parents were almost bankrupt. My parents could not afford a grand wedding for her, like other sisters. Here I must mention the significant role played by my father-in-law Sh. B.S. Bahl Ji, who arranged her marriage in \"Arya Samaj, Anarkali\" at Delhi and covered the cost of the wedding himself. Our parents were simple, very hardworking, and highly religious. All of us got married in well-to-do and known families. Manu is married to Sh. Rajesh Verma and lives in Toronto, Canada. We, out of love, call her 'Choti.' Both Choti and Rajesh have taken extra care of our mother while she was very sick in Toronto. Choti works for special needy, old, and sick people at a hospital. They are blessed with two boys Rishi and Rajit. Rishi is a Dentist and has his own clinic for children only. He is married to Priti and has one son and one daughter. Rajit is in Vancouver and is married to Rosy, and is having three daughters. Our mother was a citizen of Canada. Rajesh used to look after Mummy's morning tea before going to the office. Rajesh is the jewel of our family. Our Sister is very humorous by nature and loves to share funny things. In the olden days, both of us used to be very close to each other. My father-in-law (Pita Ji) had a big role in marrying my sister Choti in Arya Samaj Anarkali, as those days were very hard for our parents. Pita Ji's support was a tremendous help to my parents at that time. The whole wedding arrangement was looked after by 'Sh. Darbari Lal Ji', the then Organizing Secretary of DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi.

Will to Lead 9 Mridhu & Her Family

10 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Rishi Verma, DDS, FAAPD Pediatric Dentistry New Jersey top MONTHLY dentists

Will to Lead 11 Manu & Her Family

12 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Rosy & Her Family

Will to Lead 13 Ameera - Pride of Family

14 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Rajeev & His Family

My Childhood 15 15 As a child, I was naughty, an all-rounder, and very fond of adapting to new things. Besides studies, I had organized a group known as Madhu's Event Management Group, which constituted of girls and boys from the neighborhood. I was always busy dancing, performing Ladies Sangeet in marriages. I used to play 'Dholki' exceptionally well and was entirely professional in singing Dogri and wedding songs. I thus became famous at the marriages of girls in the neighborhood. Our elder sister, who was studying at Patna, got engaged to Sh. Kaushal Arora. Her marriage was solemnized at Jammu. She got married in a joint family, which my mother did not accept that gladly. My sister started working in a government school as a Lecturer in Zoology. She is blessed with two very affectionate sons. Both have done C.A. and are well placed. Being a sports person, I would like to mention that in childhood, I used to play games played by boys like Cricket in the streets, Hockey, Guli Danda. Playing Kancha's was my hobby along with Stapu on the upper floor of our house. Small stones (Geetay – traditional game) were my favorite games. Playing Antrakshri with all my sisters was our hobby. I used to take the initiative, and thus round of Antrakshri used to start late at night.

16 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Both my parents were fond of watching movies. Rajiv started working in a Korean company and held a Sometimes we used to go with them, and sometimes we very high position. He soon moved to Dallas, Texas, used to stay back. I used to wear my mother's saree, do with the help of my elder sister Manju Arora. Our makeup and pretend to copy my mother. My sisters parents could not stand the separation of their only son. used to follow me, and for three hours we used to enjoy My father used to call him in sleep and murmur his and play \"mummy, mummy\". There was a practice to name in the subconscious mind. It looked as if they had be followed by all sisters who wanted to go with lost Will to live without him. Rajiv could only study up parents to watch the movie. She had to do all the work to B.Com. for dinner and serve everybody. I preferred to do that if I wanted to watch a particular film. I was keen to do M.Sc. either in Botany or Zoology at Kashmir University as these two disciplines were not My Education taught at Jammu University. My sister, Manju, was married to Sudesh Arora at Srinagar. They were settled As I grew up, I started teaching and holding tutorial in Dallas, USA. My mother used to accompany me to groups. I started acting as a teacher to them. Being a Kashmir to seek admission. I got admission in both popular child at school, I used to participate in every Botany and Zoology, but I preferred to go for Botany. cultural event of the school. Our Principal, Madam My father took an educational loan to help me study Pushpa Ahluwalia, was very fond of me. Going to there. I started living in the girl's hostel in Women school for me was an amusement. I was naughty and College, Amira Kadal. Only a few other girls were mischievous by nature. studying with me in M.Sc. Botany. I used to crack small titbits and small pranks in the hostel. The warden of the Our mother was very keen to educate her daughters. hostel were very fond of me. I projected myself as an My eldest sister and I did M.Sc. in Botany from all-rounder. The best thing which I did was that I used Srinagar University, and my eldest sister did M.Sc to study from Library Books and borrowed notes from Zoology. I stayed for three years in a girl's hostel in fellow students rather than purchasing any book. Amira Kadal and used to go to Waseem Bagh University daily by bus. Studying in Kashmir was the best experience in itself. Our second sister Rosy, whose real name is Manju, got married at the age of 18, to Sudesh Arora and settled in Dallas, Texas. Our elder sister, 'Lali' whose real name is Mridhu, married Professor Kaushal Arora, who taught at Jammu University. With God's blessings, we got one brother five years younger than my younger sister called 'Choti' whose real name is Manu. We were very possessive about our brother. We called him Sweet, though his real name is Rajiv. He, too, was a very naughty boy.

17 My Adult Life I was born in Jammu in Jullaka Mohalla to Sh. D. P. Gaind and Mrs. Damyanti Gaind. My grandfather Sh. Bhim Sen Gaind held a very high position of Treasurer (Tosha-Khana) of Maharaja Hari Singh, the father of Sh. Karan Singh. They were living in Maharaja Hari Palace and were controlling the Jammu state. My grandfather was a man of rigid opinions. He built a four-storeyed big House in 146 Jullaka Mohalla, where he lived with my father and family. My father was very tall, handsome, and had a great personality. He was working in the Food & Supplies Department of Jammu and Kashmir state. As per my mother's version, she was the second wife of Sh. Dev Prasad Gaind (our father), as his first wife, had died due to tuberculosis after one year of their marriage. She gave birth to a daughter who was named Ashok. My father got married again to Mrs. Damyanti Gaind, who belonged to the Bawa family. She had four sisters and four brothers. Her mother was very pious and a simple woman. My mother was very keen to do MBBS and wished to become a doctor. But her father was a strict man and did not allow her to do so. Despite, all those restrictions, my mother completed her education in Hindi. She was a Scholar of Hindi literature. When my mother came to Jammu after her marriage, she was not given a warm welcome because she was not as beautiful as my father's first wife.

18 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Our grandfather did not like the girls to be born in his shocked when she noticed that the child was moving family. My mother gave birth to her first daughter, who and shaking her legs. She took the child in her arms, and was nicknamed 'Lali'. Her real name was Mridhu as she saw that it was alive and a girl, she made a hue Gaind. and cry in the house, informing the family members. My grandfather had instructed the maid to immediately After two years, my second sister was born and was take the child out of the house and throw it into the named 'Rosy' as a nickname. Manju is her real name. dustbin. But she had not done so. She took the child Fortunately, both these sisters were gorgeous and (i.e., me) in the kitchen and kept me in the kitchen for looked like princesses. Our grandfather had no liking many days. As my mother came to know about this for daughters in the family. Meanwhile, our father got dreadful scheme, she took me into her arms and left the transferred to the 'Poonch' and 'Rajouri' district. Mr. house carrying me in her arms. Thus she went to her Bhim Sen Gaind used to shower all his love and parent's house along with my other sisters. blessings on my father's brother's sons. He had no daughter but three sons only. My Nana and Nani Ji kept all of us with them for several months. Later on, my father came and took all My mother used to do all the household work but was of us back to Jammu against my grandfather's wish. My deprived of respect and care. Even our father did not mother named me 'Madhu'. No second name was given share her love and affection and often harassed her to me as I was always considered an unwanted girl almost every day. She used to be an excellent cook, and child. I was always compared to my father's brother would alone stitch all the clothes for the family. Sh. Jagdish Prasad Gaind's elder son. But my kind mother started raising me like a boy, teaching me all the After two years of my elder sister, my mother boy's skills, and she imbibed in me such qualities that I conceived, which means I was the third child. At that could well compete with that cousin of mine. I started time, my father held a senior position in Jammu's Food becoming naughty and not a scared daughter. & Supplies Department. After two years, my fourth sister was born, and she was When my grandfather came to know about it, he played named 'Choti' and 'Manu' being her original name. a cruel game and gave instructions to the Nurse to get Thus all four Gaind sisters were named after 'M' as the delivery done in the Hall Room of our big house Mridhu, Manju, Madhu, and Manu. We were like without my parents' knowledge. As per my mother's princesses, yes, very beautiful. Our mother was very version, she was in labor pains, and the Nurse did not keen to provide us with the best education. She allow anybody in the room. Unfortunately, I was born underwent a lot of stress to enable us to study well. I as a third daughter to her. was admitted to 'Gurmat Kanya Pathshala' straightway to a higher class. The Nurse told them that a dead son had been born. She wrapped me in a white cloth and put me under the bed. My mother had seen many hard times, wherein she was Disrespecting humanity, she even got paid for doing made to sleep on the servant's bed without any quilt. the cruel act to finish me! My mother told me that she Till her last breath, she did not forget these painful past had gotten extremely upset and went into an acute moments. With the grace of God, my mother gave birth depression. Our family had a permanent maid who had to a son who was loved by everyone in the family. He become quite old at that time. She came to the Hall was named Rajiv. We were very possessive about him. room to give a glass of milk to my mother. She was

Will to Lead 19 Meanwhile, my grandfather had passed away, leaving perform dances, ladies sangeet, and theatre at people's behind a lot of property in Jammu and Amritsar and a houses. Daily we used to go to Hari Palace and do the huge house to live in. practice there. Then I started taking classes of small children as there was this inborn desire to become a But that happiness did not last long. At the very young teacher. I used to keep a scale in my hands for a full day age of thirty-two years, my father got a very severe and hit the children. Parents of these children used to heart attack and was completely paralysed on his left come to complain against me to my mother. My other side. The doctors of Jammu, especially our full-time sisters were not as naughty as I was. My dominance family Doctor Brij Lal advised mummy to take him to used to save them many times. Bombay. He was admitted to the hospital at Bombay for quite a long time, and when they came back to We used to go daily to Hari Singh Palace, through the Jammu, one of the office employees, Mr. Bansi Lal, streets of Jammu and play over there. We also used to who was very loyal to the family, used to visit us daily take our younger brother Rajiv with us. One day we to inquire about my father. Our father had solid faced a small situation. We would take the lift installed willpower. He would take a lot of pains to exercise in Hari Singh Palace and go for rides in it. It was old- daily. fashioned. That day, it was late hours of evening; and the lift got stopped halfway. We shouted and screamed, As told earlier, I used to act like a boy. All my actions but nobody came to save us. and deeds were like those of boys only. I committed acts at a very tender age for which my consciousness At last, a Police Personnel came after hearing our pricks me. One night as a small child, I saw Mr. Bansi screams, and he saved us by lifting us out. I got so Bali keeping my father's medicines along with the scared of the lift that I would not go alone in the lift remaining money on the table. I got up very early, took anymore. After this incident, we were not allowed to go that money, and left the house without anybody's to Hari Palace to play. knowledge. Now the question arose in my mind about spending that money and what to buy. As it was a very This incident instead encouraged me to adopt other early hour in the morning, and no shop had yet opened, means to start taking classes by acting as a teacher. so I went to Hari Singh Palace and waited there for the Performing Ladies Sangeet in the neighborhood during day to start. When I saw the daylight, I started roaming the weddings by playing Dholak and singing Dogri around shops and purchased Biscuits from a bakery songs brought me immense popularity in Jullaka shop and 'Pan' from one Pan shop. As I reached home Mohalla. with 'Pan' in my mouth and biscuits in my hand, my mother was so angry and furious that she, out of rage, In school, I would lead in every event. While studying hung me from a window as if attempting to throw me at Gurmat Kanya Pathshala School, I used to go out of the window. My sisters and Mr. Bansi Bali saved barefoot, walking up to the school through the streets. me. There is still a 'Hanuman Gali' with a tiny temple with Hanuman Ji's idol. I used to stand there daily for prayer I had the leadership qualities and became the leader of and then go to my school. all the girls and boys living in the street, and formed my own cultural group. I used to train my Theatre and After successfully clearing my Matriculation Dance group everyday in the evening, making them examination, I took admission in Pre-Medical in the Government College for Women at Parade Ground, Jammu Tawi.

20 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography After clearing the Pre-Medical examination, I took who was in a very high position in Jammu and Kashmir admission in the B.Sc. Medical stream. I would go State, managed to arrange my stay with some family in alone to college, select the subjects of my own choice the village. They provided me with tea and food. Late at and liking, and start studying without any extra help. night, those villagers got to know that my father had My father never gave me money to purchase additional come on the other side of the highway in his car to pick books. I used to prepare my notes and would do self- me up. They took me to the route and made me cross the study. My study's venue in my parental house was Roof road, a threat to life. Terrace in the corner of the floor, either in summer or winter. After clearing my B.Sc. Medical examination, I I went back to Jammu with my father, and it took me was very keen to do M.Sc. either in Botany or Zoology, many days to become normal. As I had to go again to but unfortunately, the Jammu University had just complete my official work, my daddy arranged one opened and did not have Botany or Zoology streams. truck. Mr. Bansi Bali, who was like a family member to us, accompanied me to Srinagar. I completed the To do M.Sc. in Botany or Zoology, I had to go to process of admission to the Botany department. I also Srinagar to study at the Kashmir University. My got a seat for myself in the Govt. College for Women mother supported me a lot, but my father was reluctant Hostel in Amira Kadal Hostel, 10 km away from the to send me to Kashmir. university, which was close to Nagin Lake and Hazaratbal. I left for Kashmir with my mother and, My mother took me to Kashmir in a bus, and we stayed after a few days, entered the hostel. There were a few at my sister-in-law's house. I immediately got more girls from Jammu who had also taken admission admission both in Zoology and Botany. After taking to the university. Regular studies had started. admission, we came back to Jammu. Meanwhile, my father succeeded in getting a loan for my education. I I did self-study and regularly attended classes. With had to revisit Srinagar to go to the office of the Botany these efforts, I became the topper of the Botany Department. An odd incident happened. Halfway to department. I had set up my hostel room with an Srinagar, the road was blocked with big rocks due to excellent environment for studies, decorated it with a hail storms. The road was completely blocked, and all carpet and cushioned chairs and a gas stove to make tea the transport, including trucks, buses, etc., were for myself. I was in the good books of the hostel stranded on the road, and there was no eating place and warden, whose name was Vijaylakshmi. She used to no place to spend the night. All that I could see the road call me 'Madhu Gaind' whenever she needed any help. I was full of lined-up trucks and buses. This incident did not buy any books for myself but used to borrow proved a nightmare for me. The truck drivers and bus notes from my class fellows. There was not any activity drivers suggested that I find a place for myself and go in the department in which I did not participate. there to sleep as there was no hope for the road to be cleared even the next day. I aligned myself with one While reaching the finals in the last year, I was asked to Kashmiri Pandit family and started following them. We come to Jammu as Mrs. Malhotra suggested a wedding did not get anything to eat. In an abandoned place, we proposal. She was the warden of DAV Girls Hostel at took shelter to sleep on the bare floor with nothing to Jalandhar and an immediate relative of my father's cover ourselves. They gave me protection being the sister Mrs. Bawa. My two elder sisters had already lone girl with them. By the next day evening, my father, gotten married into good families.

Will to Lead 21 When I reached Jammu, my mother showed me a letter my fiancée Dr. Arun Bahl, whom I found to be down- from my Buaji proposing a boy from a highly reputed to-earth, a man of few words, I could visualize that educationist family. The boy in question had recently writing books was his passion. At that time, he was returned from America after completing his M.S. and working as a lecturer in the Chemical Engineering Ph.D. in Chemistry. They were looking for a beautiful Department, Panjab University. I had this notion that he and educated girl for their son, Dr. Arun Bahl (now my would go back to the USA having lived in Boston and husband). In the afternoon, we reached Jalandhar, and Edinburgh for five years, but he told me that his father Mrs. Malhotra's daughter Neera Malhotra kept on had not allowed him to stay there even for a single day giving details about the boy. after completing his Ph.D. So he intended to remain in India to help his father write books, as his elder brother In the evening, my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and Sunil Bahl had already settled in the USA and had no sister-in-law came to the residence of Malhotras, and I plans to come back to India. had a long chain of questions to answer . After the Roka ceremony, the engagement function Pita Ji asked me, \"Beta Ji, why did you not do M.Sc. in was fixed for July. After reaching Jammu, my mother Chemistry?\" I instantly replied, \"How could I know announced my matrimonial alliance with the Bahl that I would be coming to your family, and you would family at Jalandhar. I told all my friends with great want a Chemistry Girl for your son! Pita Ji was very pride that my father-in-law was an author of Chemistry much impressed with my answer. They all liked me a books and a Principal of great repute. We started lot and considered me the best for their son. They left preparations for the wedding. Mummy Ji took me to telling my parents that their son will come the next day Delhi for shopping and then toAmritsar. from Chandigarh. They had just reached halfway, but to our surprise, they came back midway and told my I used to get one letter daily and a costly gift from Arun parents that they liked the girl a lot, but the final Ji. I had, by the time of marriage, a vast collection of decision would be given by their son,Arun Bahl. gifts sent by Arun Ji. We often used to talk to each other on the phone. The marriage was fixed for 9th October The next day in the morning, their son came to 1972 at Jammu itself. My father had made the stay Mrs. Malhotra's house and met my parents and me. We arrangements at Jammu Cosco Hotel and a short rest had a good interaction like any boy and girl who meet stay at Kathua. I remember that I got dressed up for the each other for the first time. Arun Ji asked me about my wedding day with my own hands with help of a few of hobbies. I responded immediately without any my friends who had studied with me in Kashmir. The hesitation that I was an outgoing girl and was very fond wedding took place in Jain School in Jammu. of watching movies, and I would like to watch a movie once a week. Arun Ji told me a lie that both of us had the The next day when the wedding was over, my parents same hobby: \"I also watch a lot of movies.\" It was a and my family members sent me off to Jalandhar, i.e., very soothing answer for me as he had immediately my Doli was sent as per the Hindu customs. Ladies' given me a positive response. I interacted with my sangeet was held the same day after reaching Jalandhar mentor Sh. B.S. Bahl Sir, whose book of Organic at the residence of the Bahl family. I took the Dholak in Chemistry I had studied in my B.Sc. class. I was my own hands and started performing, singing Dogri pleased to see a highly reputed educationist Sh. B.S. songs to the extent that my mother-in-law gave me a Bahl Sir, who commanded great respect. After meeting signal to stop, but I kept impressing the whole

22 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography gathering with my masterful performance. Respected I went to Jalandhar with Pita Ji for the delivery of my Pita Ji, too, enjoyed it a lot. first child. That day arrived, and it was 15th August 1973. Pita Ji was in Chandigarh that day. My mother- The next day after some ceremonial functions, Pita Ji in-law took me to Ohri Hospital in the early hours of advised Arun to take me to someplace like Dalhousie or 15th August morning. Mrs. Santosh Chaudhary was of Shimla for a honeymoon. But, unfortunately, I caught a great help to me in the hospital. Late at 3.40 p.m., our fever that continued for three days. Meanwhile, my sweet and alert child was born with wide-open eyes, mother got desperate for our visit to Jammu. So after I looking all around her, profoundly and keenly. By that recovered, we started the very next day for Jammu in time, Pita Ji and Arun also arrived. Sweets were our car. It was a pleasant meeting with my family. Papa distributed in the hospital and to all visitors in the Ji, my father, was overwhelmed to receive us. I had an hospital. Vani was a very active child. I named her enjoyable conversation session with my mother, who 'Vani' with the consent of the family members. There used to be a pillar of strength for the family. She would was a 'Hawan Sandhya' after thirteen days. My mother alone carry the whole burden of the family on her had also arrived from Jammu to attend the name-giving shoulders. function, i.e., 'Namkaran' of the child. We came back to Jalandhar and spent our quality time Pita Ji daily used to pick her in his arms and give her a with all the family members. Arun Ji had given me the lot of love and blessings. He often used to tell me that impression that the whole family is of a very serious Arti has given birth to Jhansi ki Rani and everyone will type. All of them were highly disciplined and would get remember her birthday, i.e., 15thAugust. together at the dining table only. After staying at Jalandhar for two months, I brought With the will of God, I conceived, and the situation Vani to Chandigarh and raised her without knowing a changed altogether. We came to Chandigarh, and my newborn child's issues. We used to rush to my first younger sister also accompanied us. I noticed that my cousin's house in Sector 23 whenever we used to have husband was a perfectionist, highly professional, and a any concern about her. But Vani was a happy child. We truly dedicated teacher of Chemistry. By that time, I got busy with her. The urge to become a teacher had was busy with my health, waiting for the first child to started nagging me. My husband and other family come into the world. members did not give their consent. Pita Ji and Mata Ji occasionally visited Chandigarh to I was in the family way again. Both of us were not attend the Senate and Syndicate meetings of the Panjab keen to have another child, so we started visiting University. I also used to go to Jalandhar with them and Dr. Bhargav. She also advised us not to go for an liked to stay with them. My younger sister-in-law's abortion. We saw our cousin and my husband's senior name was also Madhu, so my name was changed friends. They also did not give their consent instead to'Arti Bahl' and was called Arti by the whole family. I advised us to go for a second child, but we were very steadily started knowing Pita Ji. I had never seen in my firm about our decision. We again visited the doctor and life such a strict disciplinarian and an extremely declared our final decision to her. She called us the next hardworking person. My mother-in-law always used to day in the morning at around 10.00 a.m. We got ready to brief me about Pita Ji's strictness and high values of life. leave the house. It was the God-given destiny and a

Will to Lead 23 great surprise for us to see the car of Pita Ji along with for the DAV's. Meanwhile, one day, Pita Ji called me to Mata Ji coming towards our house. We were just about his office and gave me one complete Chemistry chapter to sit in our car, but after seeing them, we hurriedly to Proof Read. He was surprised when I returned to his went out of the car and wished them. They questioned office with the full Proof Reading of the chapter us as to where we were going and that too in the early completed. He gave me Rs. 300 and assured me a salary hours of the morning. It looked as if God had sent them of Rs 3000 per month for his proof reading of Organic to stop us from committing the mistake. Both of them Chemistry chapters, which I kept on receiving till his took us inside the house, and we spoke the truth. My last day of life. The amount kept on increasing every mother-in-law asked me why I wanted to abort the year, and in the end, he was giving me Rs. 5000 per child. I opened my heart and expressed my feelings month. about my fearfulness that, like my mother, I too may have another daughter. Mata Ji blessed me and Later, I approached the Principal of St. Kabir and predicted that I would have a son. They did not allow us worked in his school in Sector 9, Chandigarh. But love to go to the doctor, and we also decided to keep the and affection for our children would come first, and one child. day as I returned from school, I saw Vishal standing at the gate, and he was crying bitterly. That day I decided Daily I used to pray to God to bless me with a son. I left not to continue with the job. I decided to send my for Jalandhar again to give birth to my second child on resignation, and I did that. But the urge and passion for 4th March 1976. I got labor pains and, in the early hours teaching did not let me sit still. I joined Shivalik Public of the morning, woke up Mata Ji. We went to the school and worked there for sometime. After this, I hospital again to Dr. Ohri. In the evening, at 4.40 p.m. I joined Central Mission School, a School of Teachers gave birth to my son. It was a great blessing from God Training, and worked in that school for three years. and of our parents. My son, after delivery, was not Mrs. Ahuja, the Principal of the School, was very fond keeping very well. We had Havan Sandhya after of me. Mrs. Ahuja declared me the best teacher at the thirteen days, and he was named Vishal. We had an Teachers Training School. Pita Ji told me one day and enjoyable stay at Jalandhar, and after two months, I laid a condition that if I have to work, then it should be took Vishal to Jammu to meet my parents. only for the DAV's and in no other organization, Vani, by that time, had started going to the nearby But my husband and I decided that I should first school, which was 'Guru Nanak Play School\". As I was complete my B.Ed. Degree. When my father and I met not doing any professional work, I started looking for a the Chairman of Dev Samaj College of Education, we job for myself. were told that being the subject of Jammu and Kashmir I could not seek admission directly to B.Ed. College, On 31st October 1977, Pita Ji retired from DAV but could only be migrated from some other B.Ed. College Jalandhar, and both of them reached College. So my husband and I went to Abohar to take Chandigarh and started living with us on the ground admission in the B.Ed. College of Abohar, and later on floor of the house. We shifted to the first floor. secured migration to Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, Chandigarh. I became a student of B.Ed. One day I asked Pita Ji that I wished to do some job. But College. Mrs. Satinder Dhillon was the Principal at that Arun Ji wanted me to take care of our children only. But Pita Ji thought differently. He wanted me too to work

24 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography time. She became friendly with me, and I got a lot of Finally, the result was out, and to my surprise, I secured help from her. But soon after taking admission in B.Ed., the Ist position in the University in B.Ed. Class. I At college, I got an attack of spondylitis. On account of thanked God and all others who had helped me secure that, I couldn't go to college and attend classes. I started the top rank. Dr. Kohli advised Pita Ji that I should do staying absent from the college. Mrs. Dhillon did not M.Ed. But I preferred to look for a job. like my idea of not attending college and thus wasting a year. Meanwhile, both Vani and Vishal were going to school. So I decided to start teaching. Mr. Ravinder Talwar, But I started losing interest and, in my mind, thought of Principal of reputed DAV Senior Secondary School leaving the B.Ed. Course. Principal Dhillon started (Lahore), Sector 8, Chandigarh, approached Pita Ji and sending the college notes to me. But that could hardly suggested he send me to his school as a Biology change my mind. Pita Ji told me that this idea of mine teacher. was not matching with my personality. My conscience, too, started scolding me and I started thinking about After clearing the interview, I Joined DAV Senior what people would think about me. Fortunately, the Secondary School (Lahore), Sector 8, Chandigarh as date of the final exams changed. Mrs. Dhillon informed Biology Teacher. Mr. Ravinder Talwar was slightly me about this and motivated me to appear for exams. I apprehensive that being the daughter-in-law of the finally decided to take the exams, and Pita Ji senior-most Vice-President Sh. B.S. Bahl, I might appreciated my decision. As I had hardly gone to narrate daily happenings to him after school. I assured college and was entirely blank about the subjects, Pita him I would do no such thing. I worked hard and Ji requested Dr. Kohli, who was Principal of B.Ed. remained in that school as a dedicated teacher. College Ambala to guide me. He used to visit us at Chandigarh and started tutoring me. He arranged other I started teaching from 9th Class to 12th Class Biology subject teachers from his college who were regularly and proved myself as an excellent teacher. I was even coming to teach me. Dr. Kohli started appreciating my the in-charge of the Science Club and got a beautiful work, and that gave me a lot of confidence. Science Lab made in school with the full cooperation of Principal Talwar. My tenure in his school was very As the final exams' date had changed, Arun encouraged enjoyable. Principal Talwar had been very cordial, me to the extent that I was then firm and mentally extended full cooperation to me, and I proved to be an prepared. I shifted myself to the office of Arun and asset to that school. Principal Talwar was extremely started studying there. Vani and Vishal both used to stay helpful to our family and stood by Pita Ji and Mata Ji at my childhood friend's house, Nimmi Kailani. She during their sickness, when they were admitted to the was also of great help in caring for my children after hospital, especially when Pita Ji had to undergo school hours. It relieved me, and I used to have a prostate surgery at the PGI hospital. Arun and I hold comfortable self-study regime. With support from all him in high esteem. corners, I appeared in the exams and gave an excellent final demonstration of class teaching.

25 My Journey Starts I, Madhu Bahl, was born to my parents Sh. D.P. Gaind and Damyanti Gaind at Jullaka Mohalla, House No. 146, in Jammu City. I was unfortunately born as their daughter, who was number 3. My grandfather was deadly against a girl child. At the same time, my mother was in the family way, he cautioned the maiden nurse who would come to visit houses only to get the child delivered. On the 28th day of Ashad (11th July), my mother started having labor pains. My grandfather instructed the maiden nurse that if a girl child is born, she be finished and thrown into some garbage dustbin, and the family is announced that a dead girl child was born. After I was born at 11.30 p.m. in the hall room of the house, the nurse wrapped me in a cloth and kept me under the bed with the intention that at midnight she would carry the child and do as instructed. Just then, our very old household maid entered the room. She observed that something alive was moving under the bed. She immediately picked me up and cautiously and quietly took me to the kitchen and hid me in one of the rice bags so that nobody could see. She kept me in the kitchen, kept me hidden for 2 days, but later on, it became an open secret that my mother had given birth to a girl. My grandfather and father became quite upset and angry and started ill- treating me as they wanted a boy, not a girl! I was a neglected child, but I started becoming very naughty at the age of 3 only. I used to play around in the streets with a rod in my hand. The whole day I would spend in Maharaja Hari Singh Palace called Raja Ki Mandi. I had made up my own children's group. We used to dance around in the lane and perform in people's houses with our theatre groups, dance groups, etc. I became very popular in my school as well as in the street. I studied at 'Gurmat Kanya Pathshala' School.

26 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography I was treated very fondly by the Principal, Mrs. Iqbal know that the boy is the son of Mr. B.S. Bahl, Principal Kaur, and the Head Mistress of School as I used to of DAV College, Jalandhar. They were authors of participate in new dances and all the other activities of Chemistry Books. I was carried away. I had studied Pita the school. Ji's Organic Chemistry Book. I waited to meet him and I was also busy doing pranks while going to school on the family in the evening. Hanuman Mandir Street. I used to pass daily through that small temple, and after putting my hand under the For the first time in my life, I had worn a Saree, grill, I used to take out money from God's Mandir, and borrowed from my elder sister, and I got ready in a it was my daily practice. Later on, at the closing time of simple way. In the evening, my father-in-law and sister- school, I used to buy Imli, Pomegranate fruit, in-law Madhu came to meet us. My father-in-law asked Kachaloo, etc., almost every day. I was too naughty me why I did not go for M.Sc. in Chemistry instead of with the bad things that mother used to hang me from Botany. I replied in a humorous and witty manner to the Hall Room's window as a punishment. My sisters him. They were impressed. They went back, saying that used to cry and plead to our mother not to do it. their son will come the next day. The next day Arun While I grew older, I started conducting ladies' sangeet came with his parents and asked me some questions. at my neighborhood marriages and became very He further asked me about my hobbies. I replied that popular. We used to sing Dogri songs, Wedding songs, besides studies and cultural events, I was very fond of etc. I was perfect at playing 'Dholki\" and this practice, I watching movies. After the due conversation, he kept on doing up to college level. I was an excellent assured me that he will also watch movies with me, student during the college days. After doing my pre- which he never did until now. Marriage was fixed very medical, I wanted to do B.Sc. in the same Govt. College happily by parents on both sides. The wedding was set for Women at Parade Ground Jammu. After completing in October, and the engagement was fixed for July. B.Sc., I went to Srinagar and took admission in M.Sc. in the Botany Department. I could not buy any books. I studied with written notes from my colleagues. I was considered good in my studies. We used to do many naughty things in the hostel. My hostel room was considered the best-decorated room. After finishing my theory papers, my mother told me about a letter that she had received from my Bua Ji, Mrs. Bawa. She had suggested a wedding proposal for me. I wanted to study further, but my parents wanted to consider the proposal seriously. They asked me to come to Jammu. So I reached Jammu in June. The proposal was suggested by a DAV College Professor of Physics Mr. S. P. Malhotra, who was close relative of my Bua Ji, Mrs. Bawa. Fixing of my Marriage Both my parents and I reached Jalandhar by bus. Mrs. Malhotra and their daughter narrated details to me about the boy in question and his family. I came to

Will to Lead 27 I was very happy that I was getting married into a and punctual. Their eating habits were quite different prominent educationist's family, i.e., the well-known from ours. We spent a few days at Jammu and then got Bahl Family. My mother started the marriage back to Jalandhar. I took my younger sister Manu with preparations.Arun and I used to interact through a lot of me to Jalandhar and then to Chandigarh. letters. He used to send me several gifts. Thus came the month of July and the day of my engagement with After a few days, I realized that I was in the family way Arun. It was solemnized with a small get-together, and and had conceived so early. After staying in Jalandhar, my name was changed from Madhu to Arti as my sister- we moved to our house at Chandigarh. My sister and I in-law's name was also Madhu. used to have fun together. My husband was very caring about me. I was having morning sickness and was keen The marriage date was fixed for 9th October at Jammu. to go to Jalandhar. I went to live with my mother-in-law The Barat came to Jammu, which was a wonderful during my pregnancy days. She used to take a lot of experience as they had a stoppage point at Kathua care of me. She would accompany me daily for evening District, where my father had made all the necessary walks. She would care a lot about my daily diet. As I arrangements. The Barat reached the venue before the had put on quite a bit of weight, I was assured in my fixed time as Pita Ji, and my father were both great mind that a girl would be born as my mother had personalities having their specific status and grandeur. delivered four daughters. Our Gynaecologist was Jalandhar based Dr. Ohri. After the wedding rituals the next day, we came to Jalandhar. As we reached the principal's house, I was He was taking routine checkups and was guiding me surrounded by several people. As I was too perfect at properly. Being at a very young age to deliver the child, conducting ladies' sangeet, I caught hold of Dholak and I was scared. My mother-in-law was very cooperative started singing Dogri and Punjabi Wedding Songs. I and used to accompany me to watch movies. My sister- was so innocent and could not assume that I was then a in-law Madhu and her friend Nalini also were an newly wedded 'Bahu' and should restraint my limits, excellent company to me. As the time of giving birth to but being so curious to exhibit my talent, I kept on a child was drawing nearer, I went to the doctor, and he showing all of them that I was an excellent singer. told me that it would take 3-4 more days only. I started Despite singing for a long time, my mother-in-law and feeling pains. Hurriedly I woke up my mother-in-law. father-in-law were very excited and happy. Since, like We reached the hospital with my mother-in-law, my other sisters, I was also very good-looking just at Madhu, Nalini, and Mrs. Chaudhary, an accommo- the tender age of 22. dating and superbly cooperative lady. We reached the hospital quite early in the morning, and it was a very I found my husband, Dr. Arun Bahl, to be a man of few painful process for me. Mrs. Chaudhary was really of words. He would speak a little but would focus a lot on great help. She continuously kept on boosting my writing his Chemistry books. He did not take me morale. In the evening, at around 3.40 p.m., I was taken anywhere for Honeymoon, which I regret even today. to the delivery room. Dr. Ohri kept on giving me guidelines. My mother-in-law gave me some tips about their family values. She told me that Bahl Sahib was very It was a thrilling moment when Dr. Ohri announced strict, disciplined, and a punctual man. Nobody can talk that a girl child is born. She took birth at 3.45 p.m. As freely to him. After 2-3 days, we went to Jammu on our Pita Ji and my husband were at Chandigarh, they first 'Karva Chauth.' Being in Jammu, I could open my reached in the evening, and they distributed sweets to mind and talk to my mother. For me, it was like having a everybody. new birth in a new family who were very conservative

28 B.S. Bahl - My Mentor He was born on 16th October 1912 at Kala Bagh District Mianwali (now in Pakistan). Sh. B.S. Bahl had a brilliant academic career. He received his early education at Hoshiarpur and passed his Matriculation Examination in 1929. He joined DAV College Jalandhar in 1931 and gave his Intermediate Science Examination (FSC) in 1933. He then joined DAV College, Lahore, to do his B.Sc. Honors in Chemistry. He passed his B.Sc. (Honors) in Chemistry in 1934, securing First Class First, and topped the University. Next, he joined Govt. College, Lahore to do M.Sc. (Honors), which he passed in 1935 with First Class First, securing the First Position in the University. After that, he joined DAV College as Head of Chemistry Department at the age of 24. He was an excellent teacher and showed brilliant results in the university examinations year after year. In 1955, he was appointed Founder Principal of DAV College, Amritsar. During his seven years, he made DAV College, Amritsar, into the premier institution having more than 4000 students up to MA, M.Sc. Classes. As the Principal of DAV College Amritsar, he also started DAV College of Education and was also instrumental in opening DAV College for Women Amritsar. He also started DAV College, Batala, and DAV College for Girls, Batala. Both these colleges are doing excellent work in the field of education.

Will to Lead 29 In 1962, Sh. Bahl was sent back to DAV College, British Council guest. There he gained first-hand Jalandhar as its Principal in place of Sh. Suraj Bhan knowledge of the pattern of education and classroom who was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra instruction. University. He remained the Principal of DAV College of Jalandhar for 15 years (1962 to 1977). It registered In 1971, he was sent to Yugoslavia by the Govt. of India overall progress in academics, cultural, and sports to represent India in a seminar on University Education activities. It had more than 6000 students on its rolls. to help out Dubrovnik in Yugoslavia. There he read a While he was the Principal at DAV College Jalandhar, paper on \"University Today,\" which was highly the college developed and flourished by leaps and commended. He also presided over the Education bounds. He constructed the new auditorium, a Girls section of the International Aryan Conference held in Hostel, the Postgraduate Block, Commerce Block, and London in 1980. laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Sh. Bahl was a renowned author of advanced-level During this tenure, he not only got a big name in Chemistry books. He had written more than 20 books, academics but also in sports. Principal Bahl added new which include his prestigious publications. These playgrounds. DAV College Jalandhar bagged Sh. Shadi books are ATextbook of Organic Chemistry, Advanced Lal Sports Shield for securing top positions in Sports in Organic Chemistry, and Essentials of Physical Panjab University from 1962 to 1966 and then overall Chemistry. His first book was published in 1943. Sh. proficiency in sports in Guru Nanak Dev University. Bahl was a great educationist and philanthropist. He While at Jalandhar, he started DAV College Kangra, founded an Educational and Charitable Trust, namely DAV College Baniket, and DAV College Nakodar. He Kailash Bahl - B.S. Bahl Education Trust. This trust was assigned the responsibility of starting DAV gives scholarships and financial assistance to brilliant, College at Kangra. Sh. Ramesh Chander Jeewan was poor, and needy students in different schools and sent as its Principal in 1976, who, under his guidance, colleges in India. The primary source of income of this made DAV College Kangra one of the best DAV trust is the royalty from his book Essentials of Physical Colleges of Himachal Pradesh. Chemistry. In 1964, the State Department of Washington invited When he retired from DAV College Jalandhar, at the Sh. Bahl to participate in a seminar on college age of 65, he shifted and settled with his son Dr. Arun education for three months as a member of a team of 18 Bahl and his family at Chandigarh.As Vice President of principals from India and Nepal. There he read a paper DAV College Managing Committee, he looked after all on undergraduate education in India, which was highly DAV Colleges and Public Schools in Chandigarh, appreciated. While on his way back to India, he got an Panchkula, and Surajpur. opportunity to visit various U.K. universities as a

30 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography He started DAV Centenary Public School, Sector 7-B, Sh. Bahl was one of the most senior members of the Chandigarh, in 1994, and I was appointed as its DAV organization, and he had served the DAV Founder Principal. This school now provides education institutions with a deep sense of dedication and to more than 3000 students up to the Senior Secondary devotion for more than 75 years. His former pupils level, i.e., up to Class 12th. KB DAV Senior Secondary from DAV College, Jalandhar and DAV College, Public School, Sector 7-B, Chandigarh, is considered Amritsar held very high positions in various walks of as one of the best Schools in the tri-city. life in India and abroad. KB DAV Senior Secondary Public School was opened When he passed away, he held the position of Senior by following all norms of DAV College Managing Vice President of DAV College Managing Committee, Committee, New Delhi. Proper MOU's and resolutions New Delhi, which governs admirably more than 900 were passed by DAV College Managing Committee, schools and colleges all over the country, even abroad. New Delhi. The school was started with a huge sum of donations, which helped in the building's growth and He was an untiring worker, a great visionary, an construction. administrator and organizer of the highest order, an author of national reputation. He had compiled the In 1984, Sh. Bahl founded the DAV Public School, DAV Alumni Directory in Four Volumes, which Ludhiana, of which he remained Manager and includes bio-data and a photograph of all prominent Chairman for several years. Mr. R.S. Patial was Alumni DAV's in India and abroad. appointed Principal of this school. He belonged to Palampur and was a competent Principal. The school His father, Dr. Salig Ram Bahl, was the only son of Lala had more than 4000 students on its rolls. The School of Krishan Chand Bahl, a respectable Shopkeeper in a Ludhiana was at the top in academics. Mr. Patial passed small village Sham Chaurasi, District Hoshiarpur. away after a short illness last year in 2019. Salig Ram Bahl was lucky enough to receive his early education in the village high school when young. He Sh. Bahl was the General Secretary of the Non- had completed his Matric examination when he got Government Colleges Management Federation for married to \"Bibi Gauran Devi\" the only daughter of more than 20 years. He represented the problems of Bawa Heer Singh, a well-to-do landlord of Goindwal, Non-Government Colleges at the University and the Tehsil TaranTaran. His mother had three brothers, of government level. whom Bawa Gurumukh Singh Bhalla was one of the leaders of Arya Samaj. Even during those days, when He was a member of the Syndicate and Senate of even a single rupee had value and worth, he had Panjab University for more than 25 years. He had been donated Rs. 1 Lac in 1935 to Arya Pradeshik Pratinidhi President of Arya Pradeshik Pratinidhi Sabha for the Sabha for Vedic Prachar through the then President of establishment of Up-Sabhas in various states. After Sabha, Mahatma Anand Swami Ji, who is the that, he became the Vice President of the Sabhas till the end.

Will to Lead 31 Principal B.S. Bahl addressing students at DAV College, Jalandhar.

32 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography grandfather of President, DAV College Managing grandmother's hands. Half of that house is intact as it Committee, Sh. Punam Suri Ji. Bawa Gurumukh Singh used to be at that time. Every villager was proud of the Ji took Sh. Salig Ram Ji to Lahore for admission in the Bahl family. Half of that house has been taken over by Government Medical College. some unknown people, and they have renovated their portion. After getting his final diploma, Sh. Salig Ram Ji was posted at Kala Bagh, Distt. Mianwali. He was a In the first week of June 1926, his father visited a brilliant doctor. It was at Kala Bagh that Sh. B.S. Bahl patient in the nearby village. In the scorching heat of was born on 16th October 1912. the sun, he traveled by an open cart. On return to Jhajjar, he fell very sick. He developed jaundice. He Sh. Salig Ram Ji was promoted and posted in prescribed medicine it for himself, but the disease was Prestigious Civil Hospital in Jhajjar, District Rohtak. more severe. All his efforts could not bear fruit, and Here he was rated among the top physicians of the state. ultimately he passed away on 26th June 1926, leaving The secret of his success and popularity was his the entire family in grief. After his death, the family sympathetic and kind treatment of the poor folk. He could not live in the home at Sham Chaurasi in would not charge any fee for their visit to his residence. Hoshiarpur. However, Bawa Gurmukh Singh Bhalla, Instead, he used to help them even from his pocket. He his cousin from the maternal side, came to their help. was full of kindness to the core and would attend to the He was a great man, and knowing fully well that patients even at odd hours, sacrificing his comforts. besides being a burden, they would be of no use to him, he stood by them. He acted as their guardian. Although A descendent from the holy dynasty of Guru's Amardas he was a prominent cloth merchant of Amritsar, he Ji, Sh. Bahl Ji's mother was a noble and pious lady. She came to Sham Chaurasi village every Saturday was a pillar of strength to him in discharging his duties traveling by 3rd Class to arrange for their routine for every noble cause. requirements. Sh. Salig Ram had left behind about Rs. 20,000, and that was his life's savings. Bawa Ji had At Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, the house where he kept his money with him and would give Pita Ji's lived with his parents is still there. We went to see the mother its interest to support the family. Pita Ji's mother house when Sh. B.S. Bahl had felt a longing as if was a very wise lady and taught the family to live missing it. He wanted us to go there. My husband and I economically within limited means. She would get up went there with the Principal of Dasuya. We were at 4 a.m. in the early morning and used to spin. She did wonderstruck to see the house, even though it was not so all day long. This kept her busy. She was a God- in that state. Pita Ji could not visit that house after his fearing person and used to pray to God everyday for a mother and father's death, but his elder brother went to daily dose of strength. Pita Ji was entirely devoted to see the house and brought several belongings of his his old mother and used to do all the outdoor work. He mother, such as the cotton floor carpets made by his

Will to Lead 33 Giani Zail Singh Ji, President of India decorating Principal B.S. Bahl

34 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography used to bring water from the nearby well, holding two that girl 'Kailasho' (nick name), and finally, that water pails to the first floor of the house going by the resulted in his relationship with her for life. Those days staircase. He also took half a wheat bag on his shoulder people believed that the life of couples is arranged in to the flour mill located one mile from the house. He heaven. That proved correct in his case as he had not used to study sitting in the staircase. The natural air in seen the girl's face even, and it was nature which the stairs used to serve him as a fan. decided his fate through his sister. His nephew Bawa Bir Singh (Bawa Gurmukh Singh's son) happened to He joined DAV Intermediate College at Hoshiarpur. pass through Joginder Nagar in the summer of 1931. There he led a simple life. He used to wear Khadi Kurta He knew about his marital relation with the daughter of and Pyjama prepared from the yarn spun by his mother. Sh. Desh Raj Trehan, an Engineer in Mandi Hydro- Lala Ram Das was the Principal of DAV Intermediate Electric Scheme, is in the offering. He stayed with Sh. College, Hoshiarpur. He was an Arya Samajist to the Trehan for a couple of days. He looked at his life core and was held in high esteem. He died at the age of partner's photograph in a group photograph where Ms. 104. Kailash was sitting in the first row on a chair. Readers may believe it or not, but he did not see his wife's face Pita Ji used to live in the hostel. This was when he till his marriage in 1936. He also told him that Kailash learned to struggle hard to achieve something despite goes to the jungle to graze the cattle. Pita Ji enjoyed his the adverse circumstances in which he was placed. He remark and reiterated that it was a common practice in used to study till late hours on the roof of the hostel the hills. building. First of all, Pita Ji had thought of becoming a doctor. As a student of Class 9 at DAV Intermediate College, But later on, he joined DAV College, Jalandhar. This Hoshiarpur, one day during the Physical Education college was very well known for its high academic period, while he was playing a group game, Kotla standards and discipline even in those days. Here he Chhapaki under a tree, an old person came to school was living in the hostel, and college fees used to be and asked the instructor to call Pita Ji to talk to him. He Rs. 25. This amount was given to him by his mother. asked him for his father's name and went away. Pt. Mehar Chand Mahajan was the Principal of the After a month or so again, he came to the college hostel College. He was an embodiment of simplicity, and wished to meet him. He drew a sheet of paper from austerity, with total commitment to the cause of his pocket and started writing his name, father's name, education. Pt. Mehar Chand used to go for a morning number of brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, he was walk along the railway track behind the hostel. Pita Ji wearing a torn shirt. After about a week, he received a was living in a dormitory with two other classmates. letter from his sister that she had selected a beautiful One morning, with his roommate, he was studying girl for him to his great surprise. He was the uncle of

Will to Lead 35 Shri G.S. Pathak, Vice President of India on his visit to DAV College Jalandhar.

36 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography loudly. Pandit Ji opened their room door with a stick. DAV College Lahore in 1934. He topped the University As he entered, he saw a looking glass and a comb lying and was awarded the gold medal, and after that, a on his table. He got furious and asked Pita Ji to see him scholarship. He also did M.Sc. Honors at Panjab in the office at 4 p.m. that day. Wearing Khadi Kurta University. For his research work for M.Sc., he was and Pyjama, he entered his office. Mr. Mehar Chand selected to work with Dr. S.S. Bhatnagar, Director of looked at him with kindness but in anguish. He asked the University Chemical Laboratories. Dr. Bhatnagar him not to take his dinner that day as a punishment. Pita was highly impressed with his diligence and high Ji cherished the incident's memory as it was a technical skills in M.Sc. Honors. He got first Class and punishment that taught him, but it did not hurt. first position in the University. Pita Ji used to come to his laboratory room at about 8 a.m. and generally used After having passed F.Sc., he applied for admission in to work up to 9 p.m., without a break. B.Sc. Honors in Chemistry at Panjab University through DAV College, Lahore. He had the privilege to Another professor Dr. N.A. Yasnik, wrote: \"I have a study Physics at the feet of Dr. G.L. Datta, a great very high opinion of Mr. Bhim Sen Bahl's moral teacher of Physics who had just returned from character and ability. He is an active and energetic Germany after doing a Ph.D. One day he was a bit late young man. He is thoroughly trustworthy and reliable. I for his Class. He did not allow Pita Ji to enter the Class. am sure he will have a brilliant career.\" He had to stand outside. This was his first lesson in punctuality, and Pita Ji never got late after that. Dr. H.B. Dennineliff, Principal, Government College, Lahore, wrote: \"Bhim Sen Bahl obtained the Master of DAV College Lahore had a big hostel comprising two Science Degree in Chemistry in 1935 from this college. quadrangles with two-storeyed blocks of rooms on all He has a sound knowledge of General Chemistry and sides. Pita Ji lived in 'G' Block and was the most well- has a balance and judgment, which would justify his behaved and disciplined boy. He made Proctor of his appointment to an executive post.\" Block. One day, when he had taken the roll call of his Block, soon after, the hostel superintendent made a Dr. J.A. Ray, D.Sc. (Oxford) was his Professor of surprise check. He found that a particular student was Organic Chemistry. He was a teacher both in thought absent while he had marked him present. Pita Ji told the and action. Pita Ji used to top in Organic Chemistry warden, \"Sir, when I took the attendance, he was paper. The secret was the effort. He used to take present, and maybe he slipped away after that.\" The complete notes of the lecture in the Class and studied next day, the Superintendent turned up again and several books from the library. He developed these inquired from that boy the factual position. He was notes into a book form for his B.Sc. Text Book of satisfied and appreciated his honesty. He passed B.Sc. Organic Chemistry authored in 1949. This book (Honors) in Chemistry from Panjab University through continues to be the best book at the national level.

Will to Lead 37 Pita Ji became a teacher by choice. The financial department for the said post. Then Pandit Ji himself position of the family was terrible. Before his result, he suggested that he would consider him for that went to Dharamshala. I, as he says, met the appointment if he agrees to serve in an honorary Headmaster, who told him that there was no vacancy. capacity for a period of probation. Bawa Ji advised him However, he returned to Lahore and found that the to accept the offer with a pay of Rs. 50 per month as Geography Teacher's post was required in Intermediate financial help. Then Pt. Mehar Chand wrote to Pita Ji: DAV College at Rawalpindi. There he proceeded and \"The Vice President Mr. Nanak Chand has been was directed to see Lala Mansa Ram B.A., LL.B, who pleased to appoint you as the Professor of Chemistry on was President of the Managing Committee of the six months probation, which expires on 31st March College. He was a man of few words but a shrewd judge 1937. For providing excellent service, your of persons. He went through Pita Ji's application honorarium is increased to Rs.75 per month and hurriedly and asked Pita Ji to see the College Principal, Rs. 110 the day you are confirmed.\" Lala Hari Mal Vohra, in his office. That Principal immediately gave him an appointment letter for Thus Sh. Bahl joined DAV College Jalandhar as Head Assistant Lecturer in Chemistry on Rs. 90 per month. of the Department of Chemistry on Rs. 75 per month on He joined the post on 4th December 1935. The Head of 23rd September 1936. Pt. Mehar Chand Mahajan was the Chemistry Department then gave him some lecture pleased over the excellent results shown by Sh. Bahl Ji. work with the senior classes. He was happy that he did this job to his entire satisfaction. During those days, there was no library. Pita Ji took the initiative and started a departmental library-cum- In the meantime, the college was upgraded to the reading room wherein the latest books and journals degree level, and Lala Gian Chand Mahajan, Vice were placed. This was one of the reasons that his Principal of DAV College Jalandhar, was appointed as students excelled in the university examinations. After Principal. he was appointed lecturer in the College, Pt. Mehar Chand offered Sh. Bahl Sahib a house on the college When the post of a Professor of Chemistry was premises. advertised for DAV College Jalandhar, Pita Ji sent his application. He approached Bawa Gurmukh Singh to This was the time when his brother-in-law, Hem Raj help in securing the position. He took Pita Ji to meet Khosla, fell seriously ill and was shifted to Joginder Sh. Mehar Chand Mahajan, the Principal of the College Nagar under medical advice. His three children came to and requested to appoint Pita Ji on that post. But live with Pita Ji, who was himself financially very hard Pt. Mehar Chand Mahajan declined to offer the up. My mother-in-law took over this responsibility appointment because Dr. S.S. Bhatnagar had already joyfully. She happily took care of them. They stayed recommended a senior person from the Chemistry with Pita Ji for four years. Anyway, they were all settled well in life. His brother-in-law was suffering from a

38 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography disease of the bones, and his health was deteriorating institution of those days, offered him an appointment as day by day. During the summer vacation of 1937, he the Head of Chemistry Department in his College. This accompanied him to Pahalgam to live in the healthy post was held earlier only by an American Missionary. climate of Kashmir valley to see if the healthy Pita Ji again politely declined the offer and said that he environment of Kashmir could do him a favor. was wedded to the DAV Society for his entire life. As a teacher, Sh. Bahl was entirely devoted to his work. During the Second World War, the government He would prepare his lectures by spending long hours recognized his services for a senior post inAmmunition in the library taking notes from the latest books Factory at Pune. He had to use the influence of Bawa available. He would buy books for his library from his Gurmukh Singh Ji to get him freed from the obligation. savings made out of his meager earnings to keep The higher pay and status were of no effect, and there himself updated about the latest developments. He was no attraction for him to leave the DAV's. often took additional periods for dictating notes since there were no excellent textbooks available that could As Head of the Chemistry Department, he had an office meet his students' requirements. The book written by in the old Pandit Lakhpat Rai Science Block. The new Pita Ji was the first ever written by an Indian author. Chemistry Block was constructed in 1954 under his supervision. It consisted of six laboratories and two Once a batch of four students came to Pita Ji for private lecture theatres. Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan, the tuition. He taught them regularly at home for a month. then President of DAV College Managing Committee, When they passed the B.Sc. (Final Examination), they inaugurated the new Block and showered his blessings offered him some money and fruits. He told them that on Pita Ji for his future success. The Block is known as he had helped them as a teacher and as a Principal. He Mehar ChandAggarwal Chemistry Block. would not accept anything from his pupils. Mahatma Hans Raj, the founding father of the DAV Once, Professor Mohan Singh, Deputy Director of movement, passed away on 15th November 1938. As Punjab, came to conduct a university practical they got the news, the staff members hired two buses examination for Pita Ji's students. He was highly and left for Lahore to participate in the funeral impressed with his students' practical work training procession. They went to DAV College, Lahore, where and performance. When he went back to Lahore, he the sacred body of Mahatma Ji was lying on a stage on wrote Pita Ji an official letter if he would accept the post the platform in the hall of the college. A group of of a lecturer in Govt. College on almost double salary. Pandits was chanting the Ved mantras, and people were Pita Ji wrote back to him: \"I had accepted DAV Service going around his body. The staff of DAV College, as a mission and would continue serving the DAV even Jalandhar, also paid homage to that great man who had on a small salary.\" Also, Dr. Camming, Chairman of the laid the foundation of the vast DAV movement. The Gordon College of Rawalpindi, a prestigious newspapers wrote that \"The Sun of Education in

Will to Lead 39 Dr. Zakir Hussain, Vice President of India, being shown the aerial view of the DAV College Jalandhar, when he visited the College.

40 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Punjab has set.\" In 1947, the partition of the country After the death of Pandit Mehar Chand, Lala Gian took place. Punjab was divided into West Punjab and Chand Mahajan took over as Principal of DAV College East Punjab. Jalandhar. He was a life member of the DAV College Managing Committee. He was conducting the policy of DAV College Jalandhar was declared a refugee camp. appeasement, which did not work. The discipline in the Sh. Bahl Ji was appointed as the Camp Commandant college deteriorated, and there were frequent strikes by with the duty to settle the refugees. He did his best to the students. serve the inmates of those camps with perfect devotion. DAV College Lahore was also converted into a Camp Sh. Mehar Chand Mahajan decided to appoint Lala where refugees from different places in West Punjab Suraj Bhan as the Principal of the College. Lala Suraj stayed in transit to East Punjab. Bhan was an administrator par excellence, and he handled the situation tactfully but firmly. The students' Question of local decisional Pandit Mehar Chand, the strike was backed by Prof. Gian Chand himself and Founder Principal of the College, had a frail demanded to bring Lala Gian Chand Mahajan back. constitution. He carried on as the Principal up to 1944. The students gathered near Lajpat Rai Library, raising Because of his deteriorating health, the DAV College slogans against Lala Suraj Bhan Ji and the DAV Managing Committee advised him not to continue College Managing Committee. Sh. Bahl could not beyond 74. Prominent persons like Sh. Manohar Lal, tolerate the rowdy elements, and he walked right into Bakshi Tek Chand, Raj Bahadur, Durga Das, Justice the center of the mob to warn the ring leader. The group Mehar Chand Mahajan, and other distinguished was pacified for a short while, but later on, the students persons had come to join the celebrations. As ill-luck went around the classrooms forcing other students to would have it, Pandit Mehar Chand, the hero of the join them. As the hostile students entered the hour while sitting at Havan that day, suffered a severe Chemistry Lecture Theatre and one of their ring leaders heart attack and was carried to his residence. got on the table and started instigating the students. Sh. B. S. Bahl, on the spur of the movement, took one of his In the absence of Pandit Ji on Silver Jubilee Function, faithful students into confidence and asked him to slap his portrait was placed on a chair on the dais with the ring leader and force him to come down the table. garlands. The thread of garland got broken, and it fell. The trick worked. The attention of students was But the dignitaries from Lahore paid a rich tribute to diverted, and the strike fizzled out. After that, there was Pandit Ji for his contribution and made DAV College no strike, and the discipline continued to be excellent Jalandhar a prestigious educational? The doctors under the competent stewardship of Lala Suraj Bhan. attending Pandit Ji could not save him, and he passed away on 30th March 1944. He died on the day following his retirement from college.

Will to Lead 41 After the division of Punjab in 1947, the Panjab Joginder Nagar, moved toAmritsar on a bus. They were University teaching departments were rehabilitated at without food and water all along the way. However, Govt. College Hoshiarpur, while its Secretariat was set some village social workers at the Beas Railway up at Solan. S. Bahadur Teja Singh was the first Vice- Station gave them the rotis and dal, which he accepted Chancellor of the University. Dr. G.L. Dutta and on his hands, and this was a boon for him. On reaching Principal Niranjan Singh got Sh. Bahl nominated on Jalandhar, he straightway went to his house at Adhoc Committee of Chemistry and Sh. Bahl was Vikrampura. inducted into the university work. However, it was a matter of great satisfaction for Sh. In 1949, Sh. Bahl was elected as a fellow of Panjab Bahl that about 75% of the manuscript of his Text Book University. He was re-elected as a fellow from of Organic Chemistry for B.Sc. students was Registered Graduate Constituency in 1953. After that, completed at Joginder Nagar. he continued to be elected fellow and syndic of University for over 25 years, which was a record. He In 1949, this book was published by S. Chand and was also elected convener of the Board of studies in Company, New Delhi. But for the royalty from the Chemistry and various other university bodies in which book, which ought to have been very high, it was capacity he continued till 1970. significantly less even to make him meet his family's needs. Mysterious are the ways of God! No honest Sh. B.S. Bahl wrote a book in the Summer Vacation of work ever goes unrewarded. Nature has a role to play. 1947 at Joginder Nagar, where Bawa Gurmukh Singh Ji had purchased a house. He had taken with him a box Sh. B.S. Bahl was appointed at Amritsar - The exciting full of books for reference. He worked day and night to Seven years as Principal atAmritsar complete the manuscript of the Text Book of Organic Chemistry for B.Sc. students. There was a fierce cobra In March 1955, a delegation of the leading Arya often seen in the boundary hedges of the house. So Pita Samajists of Amritsar comprising of Dr. Tulsi Das, Ji was scared, and he used to remain awake till late at Bawa Gurmukh Singh Bhalla, Shri Des Raj Puri, Shri night, thus devoting his time to write his books. Shanti Swaroop, and Principal Bhagat Ram met Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan, the then President of the DAV The Partition of Punjab took place at that time. The College Managing Committee at his residence of conditions got bad at Jalandhar too. There were LalaKhushi Ram Mahajan. They all requested Justice communal riots, and his family at Jalandhar could not Mahajan to open a DAV College at Amritsar, a long- move out due to the curfew imposed in the city. standing need and desire of the city. They assured him Unfortunately, his mother got sick. His wife handled of collecting enough funds from the local business the situation bravely. Pt. Durga Dutt came to inquire community. Dr. Mahajan agreed to the proposal, and about the well being of his mother. He remained in the the DAV College Managing Committee duly house for a few days and procured medicines for his recommended that Sh. B. S. Bahl be appointed ailing mother. Pita Ji, after summer vacation at Principal of the College.

42 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography Immediately after the country's partition in 1947, DAV credits based on his long connections with the city College Managing Committee was allotted the people. Mr. Suraj Bhan gave Rs. 50,000 from his DAV abandoned premises of Mao Degree College located College Jalandhar, which later on Principal Bahl could inside Hall Gate (Katra Sher Singh). That building was be asked to refund. But Justice Mahajan declined to do severely damaged and burnt because of communal so. He made it clear in the presence of Bahl Sahib as he riots due to the partition of the country. Dayanand remarked humorously: \"Suraj Bhan, it was a part of the Polytechnic Institute was started in one of the dowry.\" He had a tough time initially, but later on, he buildings. Two Central blocks of the building were could carry on his work without much difficulty. His given to them to start the DAV College. Another starting salary was Rs. 550 per month. He asked the separate building across the road abandoned by Mao DAV College Managing Committee to fix his salary at High School also was allocated to the college. Later on, Rs. 650 per month, but the committee did not agree, and the Science Department was housed in that building. he continued to draw Rs. 550 per month. He was not The Principal of Dayanand Polytechnic Institute was allowed any house rent even. For about a year, he lived requested to vacate that building, and in one of the in the Annexe of the Kothi of Baba Gurmukh Singh. rooms, he set up his office. He borrowed from him a Because of the distance of about 4 miles from the small table and chair, which he gave very reluctantly. college, he shifted to a rented house on Lawrence Road. Then Pita Ji asked him for a lock, which he refused. He remembered his words, which he spoke: \"Principal Pita Ji used to come to the college around 9.00 a.m. and Sahib Thuk Nal Bade Nahi Pakde.\" He said if you want would stay till about 6:00 p.m. While living in to run the college, procure the funds first. He wrote to Dayanand Nagar on Lawrence Road,he made friends the DAV College Managing Committee to send some with Vaid Vidya Sagar, residing near their house. Vaid money after those words, but the reply thus received Vidya Sagar was the jewel of a man who would even go was quite disappointing. The reply was,\"collect to his house relaxing after dinner. He was given a free donations from the city, purchase a cycle and appoint a hand to appoint lecturers through negotiations. peon.\" On his recent renewed request, they sent him Rs. 10,000. Thus he purchased a cycle and some stationery. He went to DAV College Moga for an inspection of the He used to type all letters himself. He hired a clerk on University examination center. He requested a teacher Rs. 25 per month for maintaining the accounts. of the college to call some lecturers from the Chemistry department. There he met Mr. R.N. Mehta. Later, he The classrooms and the office were in bad shape. The called him telegraphically to Amritsar. He asked him: so-called hall was full of heaps of debris and bent \"Young man, what salary would you like to accept if I girders. He removed the debris and organized the appoint you as a lecturer in my college?\" He said: office. He placed his table and furniture in the office to \"Rs. 200 will be alright.\" So he was offered Rs. 200, make it look presentable. The furniture and laboratory and he was happy. He proved to be an asset to the tables were locally made. This was possible only with college. Once there was a strike in the College, Pita Ji Bawa Gurmukh Singh Ji's help, who got it done on called him to his residence at 10.00 p.m. He

Will to Lead 43 Lala Suraj Bhan and Principal B.S. Bahl at DAV College, Jalandhar.

44 Madhu Bahl - Autobiography immediately came, took the instructions from him, and for their cooperation in starting the new college of the went back to carry out the work. On the following day, Holy town. He appealed to Dr.Tulsi Das, Bawa he had done the job to his entire satisfaction. Later on, Gurmukh Singh, Lala Khusi Ram Mahajan, and others Pita Ji got him appointed as Principal of DAV College, to collect funds for the institution, build up Batala. Then he was appointed as Principal of DAV infrastructure, and impart quality education to College Amritsar. Sh. Bahl Ji appointed several students. persons as Principals at various colleges. He came to know that there was an outstanding teacher Shri R.S. He had to face specific incidents regarding the Sharma in the Department of English at D.C. Jain discipline of the college. He used to impose a heavy College. He appointed Shri R.S. Sharma as Senior fine, say Rs. 100. Rupees one hundred was a hefty sum Lecturer in English. He proved to be an asset to the those days. This worked very well, and the functioning institution. Shri R.S. Sharma proved to be an eloquent of the college became smooth. speaker and conscious worker. He was held in high esteem by both the staff and the students. Prof. M.L. During Hindi agitation in 1957, a mob of students of Sharma was appointed as Head of the Department of Hindu College came to his college. They broke the Biology, who was earlier working as a Lecturer in glass panes of the Science block by throwing brick bars Biology at local Khalsa College. at the building. They were raising the slogans, \"close the college and send out the students.\" Pita Ji called the After the death of Shri Bahl Ji's wife, he requested him ring leaders of the mob in his office. He announced on to compile the divine bhajans composed by her. His the mike that the behavior of those ring leaders with the name was Prof. D.C. Kapur, who was Head of the Principal was objectionable. Not a single student came Department of Mathematics. He gladly compiled the out of the classrooms. The news about the college book. Similarly, Prof. D.V. Pasricha was appointed incident reached Chief Minister Sh. Partap Singh Lecturer in English, an excellent English teacher, a fine Kairon. He wrote a handwritten letter to Pita Ji. He organizer, and an excellent speaker. Because of his appreciated the discipline of the college, and as such, talent, he was appointed the Principal of R.R. Bawa he will be happy if he could do anything for the DAV College, Batala, and later at DAV College institution. Pita Ji was transferred to DAV College Amritsar. Pita Ji said: \"In my opinion, the appointment Jalandhar by the President of DAV College Managing of the staff should be made entirely on merit and no Committee, New Delhi, Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan other consideration. However, the Principal should be strong enough to disagree with any political person in Sh. Bahl was a firm believer in the discipline of a high this regard.\" order. No teacher was permitted to come even a minute late in the college. He used to send a note to late- The DAV College Amritsar owes its existence to coming teachers. In case there was a class without a Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan, who inaugurated it on teacher, he would go to the Class and address the 1st June 1955 at a function. He thanked the city's elite students on general topics, say planning of their career, taking care of their health, reading habits, and so on.