Amritsar Menons

It was December 1971, immediately after the Indo-Pak War. I was the 2IC Fault Control, 1 Corps Signal Regiment, then deployed at Samba. My immediate boss, the OC Fault Control was Captain RC Sharma, a dashing young officer. In a short span of time we became good friends, mutually supporting. I admired his professionalism, leadership and above all guts to take up a stand, especially when any senior was found unjust or unreasonable. In fact, he taught me not to get bullied and not to accept nonsense from anyone senior in rank. RC influenced my future conduct in no small measure. I became more confident and in turn relaxed as a young officer in my first unit.

RC had been waiting for the War to get over, to get married.  He got engaged by the end of the year 1971 and his marriage was scheduled to take place early next year in Amritsar. Although he had invited all officers, the CO asked Major SB Sharma to represent the Unit for the wedding and also to take a young officer along with. Since RC and I were close friends, Major Sharma asked me to join him on the day he was set to go to Amritsar. I could barely collect a few essential clothes from my tent as Major Sharma was waiting in his vehicle. He was at the wheel and asked me to sit next to him as the co-driver. It was a memorable journey for me. We discussed many things, but when I asked about where we were going to stay he told me to await a few surprises! We reached Amritsar in the evening and Major Sharma asked me whether I was keen to see Jalianwalabagh? I was, indeed! Then he told me that we were about to reach that historic place and added that we would be staying there for the next two days! No sooner than we reached the destination, I noticed people waiting to receive us. It was a very warm welcome to the Major Saab and me, the Captain Saab as I was being addressed! Major Sharma introduced me to his wife. He announced my name, Unni and clarified further in Punjabi, that it was pronounced exactly as 19 in that language. This evoked instant recognition and of course amused the hosts. I got a big surprise when Mrs Sharma affectionately introduced me to a young man saying, “Unni, meet my brother Padam Menon”. Neither Mrs Sharma nor her brother looked like  Malayalees! Major Sharma chipped in, “Unni, now you know why I got you here, my in-laws are from your place, Kerala”! I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears! Now, Mr Padam Menon shook hands with me and said, “Captain Saab, It is true, I’m a Menon, but I’m not from Kerala. However, we do have a connection. We will discuss it later. Let us have some tea and refreshments. Have you ever had Amritsari Kulca, the best in the world? ” With those words, he led me into the house and to the dining table. It was an excellent treat! I relished several authentic Punjabi dishes, but it was the Kulcha that created a lasting impression!

 I asked Padam to tell me more about the Kerala connection. With a chuckle, he asked me whether I had been to Kalady. When I said yes, he started talking about the great Adi Sankaracharya who revived Hinduism centuries ago. I knew about the great saint and his mission to spread Adwita philosophy. Padam went on to narrate Sankaracharya’s tour to the length and breadth of India covering several latitudes, longitudes and scaling the Himalayan altitudes and the magnitude of what he achieved in a very short span of his lifetime. There were several disciples and followers who accompanied the great saint. One of them, a Menon, stayed back in the Punjab. He never returned to his native land, Kerala but settled down in Amritsar. Padam is a descendant, a great grandson of this follower of Adi Sankarachrya. “So there is a connection with Kerala, albeit centuries old, surviving through generations”, said Padam.

I was impressed. I could see a great unifying force in India, the Hindu religion.

RC’c wedding was grand, in typical Punjabi style. I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The Menons were very hospitable and in two days I got a fair exposure to Amritsar and its rich culture. In fact, I liked the place and the people. Culture takes time, several years, may be hundreds of years, to evolve. I’m reminded of a definition of culture by Swami Chinmayanada, another saint of Kerala who said that when a group of people live for a long time in a place what habits, beliefs, rituals and the way they live all together would form their culture! It took only two days for me to get influenced by Amritsar culture!