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Photo Blog: Toba Tek Singh, a city and district in Pakistan named after Baba Tek Singh

by Umair Ahmad (Pakistan)

Toba Tek Singh is a city and district in punjab province of Pakistan. The place gets its identity from a saint named Baba Tek Singh who was known for his kindness and generosity. It is believed that he used to serve water from a garha (pot) to the thirsty travellers, irrespective of their identity.

The original spot where he is believed to have sat and served the thirsty travelers is situated near the railway station.

Here are some photos that capture the present of this historical place.

The Railway Station of Toba Tek Singh – Toba Tek Singh is an important train junction.

The Municipal Committee of Toba Tek Singh

Toba Tek Singh has many higher education institutes – Photo of Toba Tek Singh Campus of University of Agriculture, Faislabad. Agriculture remains to be an important occupation of residents of Toba Tek Singh.

Out and Around Toba Tek Singh of Today (Photos from Gojra City, Toba Tek Singh district)

Toba Tek Singh is also a popular place because it has featured in stories of popular authors. Among the most famous stories of legendary storyteller Saadat Hasan Manto is “Toba Tek Singh”, a story set in the time of partition. It revolves around a so-called “madman” named Bishen Singh who hailed from Toba Tek Singh.

Anything to add to this story? Share in comments.

Write a photo blog for your city and send to aaghazedosti@gmail.com


Umair Ahmad is from Toba Tek Singh. He is a peace activist and advocate. He is the Toba Tek Singh Co-ordinator of Aaghaz-e-Dosti.

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Poem: Toba Tek Singh…by Kishor Pahuja (India)

टोबा टेक सिंग

मंटो का बिशन
टोबा टेकसिंग  वाला बिशन
ऐसा लगता है
कि 
मैं ही वो बिशन था

मेरे दिल ने तब भी
विभाजन
स्वीकार नहीं किया था

मेरा दिल अब भी
विभाजन को नहीं मानता
फर्क
सिर्फ इतना है 
तब मैं कहता रहता था
ओ पड़दी गिद गिड दी
मुंग दी दाल दी ऑफ़ लालटेन
तब लोग
उसे बडबडाना कहते थे
लोग कहते थें
मुरख  है 

और अब
मैं बोलते बोलते चुप हो जाता हूँ
बोल नहीं पाता 
लोग कह नहीं पाते हैं
समझते हैं कि मूर्ख  है 

तब का बडबडाना जो कुछ भी था
अब कि चुप्पी  कुछ भी है
विभाजन तब भी गलत था
विभाजन अब भी गलत है

– किशोर कुमार पाहुजा, उदयपुर (राजस्थान) 

Toba Tek Singh

Manto ka Bishen

Toba Tek Singh wala Bishen

Aisa lagta hai

ki

Main hi wo Bishen tha

 

Mere dil ne tab bhi

Vibhajan (taksim/batwara)

Sweekar nahi kiya tha

 

Mera dil ab bhi

Vibhajan ko nahi maanta

Fark

Sirf itna hai

Tab main kehta rehta tha

O Parhdi gid gidh di

Moong di dal di of laltain

Tab log

Use badbadana kehte the

Log kehte the

murkh hai

 

Aur ab

Main bolte bolte chup ho jata hu

Bol nai pata

Log keh nai pate hai

Samajhte hai ki murkh hai

 

Tab ka badbadana jo kuch bhi tha

Ab ki chuppi kuch bhi hai

Vibhajan tab bhi galat tha

Vibhajan ab bhi galat hai

– Kishor Pahuja, Udaipur (Rajasthan)

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