Shekhar Da & "Pahad"

                                            Shekhar Da

Shekhar Da is an epitome of simplicity.  He is a the greatest writer these Himalayan hills have ever produced and the editor of "Pahad", an annual publication about the people and places of  Uttarakhand.
 
I met him once few years back at Administrative Training Institute, Nainital in a lecture given by Prof. Ajay Rawat. When I entered the lecture hall, I saw an old gentleman sitting in the front row with a copy and pen noting down the points like a young school boy. For a second, we saw each other. 
A simple namaste was enough to make the bridge of our lasting relationship, which is almost impossible in todays over conscious people about formalities.
 
Since then, apart from our little WhatsApp messages we could not meet but I knew in my heart that our meeting again is inevitable. So, I patiently waited, and as I knew, one day he messaged, lets meet. He invited me for a morning walk. However, the schedules did not permit, so I invited him for an evening tea. And to my utter surprise without any tantrums, he agreed. Such simplicity of a great writer deeply humbled me and made me realize that I am going to be visited by a true gentleman.
 
In the evening Shekhar Da, came to our place. When I went out to receive him, I saw he has come walking. I was not surprised.
 
As a lawyer almost every evening many people come to visit me but before them their big car comes. In a world, where still the size and price of the car is shown as the worth of the visitor, receiving Shekhar Da, who came walking, gave me some kind of hitherto unknown peace to me heart. I realised that the few good men are still there.
 
We had chai and gur in our steel glasses and a long session about history and the people of Uttarakhand. He suggested, both Pallavi and me to be associated with Pahad and its writings. I almost jumped to it joyfully, although deep down I knew that at least for me its going to be difficult for the time being due to professional things. But Pallavi has already promised him and due to her superior writing skills, I think she will be able to do much better than me. We are thankful for Shekhar Da for giving us such opportunity.
 
Honest writing in today’s India can only be at the cost of your personal liberty and may be life. 

In such dark age, Shekhar Da has kept a kindle lighted with “Pahad” publications. 
 
We the people of this state, are grateful to him.
 
 Kartikey