14) 65^TH BIRTHDAY OF “INDIAN PABLO NERUDA” CELEBRATED IN BRAMPTON

By Shamshad Elahee Shams

            On September 12, People’s Voice Forum–Brampton celebrated the 65th birthday of the highly revered poet of Punjab, Avtar Singh Pash, who was gunned down by Khalistani extremists on March 23, 1988.

            Pash was only 37 when he took his last breath, but his glory continues to grow each passing year. Most of his poetry has been translated in all major languages of India, including English.

            At least three people who addressed the informal memorial meeting had been directly associated with the legendary poet.

            Kulwinder Khehra, representing “Kalamo Da Kafila,” shared his memories of Pash, and gave details of his time spent with the poet. He recited the poem which he wrote after hearing the news of the brutal murder of Pash. He connected March 23, 1931, the martyrdom day of Indian independence fighter Bhagat Singh, to the mindless murder of Pash, narrating details that nothing has changed since then. Khehra underlined the relevance of thoughts propagated by Pash, which will continue to gain attraction as long as the economic divide remains in society.

            A long associate of Pash, Lal Singh Bains, shared his political experiences with the poet. We hardly see such a level of political commitment as Pash used to have, he said, noting the poet’s deep understanding of Marxism and his tremendous analysis of the local and international political situation. “That was the real key to understand his poetry. He fought fearlessly for the landless peasants and workers and faced indiscriminate torture of the state head on.”

            Navkiran Sidhu from North American Rationalist Society also shared his meeting with Pash at a function at Deshbhakt Yadgaar Hal, Jalandhar. He was astonished to see his simplicity and said, “Are you Pash?”

            And Pash replied in his own funny way, “Why, Pash would have a tail on his back?”

            Navkiran Sidhu said that he considered Pash sitting next to Bhagat Singh when the question arises about study, commitment and dedication for the Indian socialist revolution.

            Poet Onkar Singh Preet defined Pash’s poem on dreams, and explained why dreams are important for any living society. A dreamless society or dreamless youths are nothing but dead.

            Harparminder Gadri shared his college hostel time memories, when Pash along with his friend would arrive at his room in the middle of the night and start reciting poems, using kitchen utensils as his musical instruments. Pash’s name and his work, he said, will always be a source of inspiration for the working class and their struggle against capitalism and imperialism.

            Surprisingly, People’s Voice Forum found out that this was first birthday celebration ever conducted in GTA in the memory of Pash. The Forum later resolved to carry on this event every year on September 12. Shamshad Elahee Shams conducted the event, while CPC Brampton North candidate Harinder Pal Hundal, Prof. Chanan Cheema, Sukhchain Dhillon, Pushpender Singh Mundi, and Sumeet Bains were amongst those present, and famous singer Baljit  Bains sang a Pash poem to enlighten the audience.

(The above article is from the October 1-15, 2015, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)