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.

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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)

5th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar launched in Toba Tek Singh

Toba Tek Singh: On January 8, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a joint Indo-Pak Friendship initiative, launched its 5^th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar in Toba Tek Singh in collaboration with Youth for Human Rights Pakistan. The launch preceded a discussion on Indo-Pak peace with eminent speakers including Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem (GC University Faisalabad), Hafiz Abdul Hai (Religious leader), Ms. Zara Shah (Human Rights Activist), Abdul Khaliq Sannam (Poet and Author), Irfan Gill and Khurrum Fiaz (social activists), Muhammad Asif Nadeem (journalist) and Umair Ahmad (Coordinator of Aaghaz-e-Dosti and Chairperson Youth for Human Rights Pakistan). The program was moderated by Gulzar Ahmad and Adil Fraz.

Every year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, launches an Indo-Pak peace calendar in India and Pakistan. This calendar includes selected paintings of students from India and Pakistan and is launched followed by a seminar ‘Sharing of Hopes for a peaceful and friendly co-existence’. This calendar also includes messages from renowned personalities working on the peace from both the countries. The importance of the calendar is that it is a collection of shared dreams and hopes for friendship which we will be reminded of everyday.

The launch in Gojra Bar Association saw a large numbers of people gathering. People from all walks of life had participated. Sammia Sanam student from Govt. Girls High School, Gojra Toba Tek Singh whose painting was selected for inclusion in the peace calendar had come and were felicitated. The distinguished guests spoke on different issues concerning Indo-Pak peace.

Dr. Muhammad Saleem emphasized that an Indo-Pak friendship initiative like Aaghaz-e-Dosti is extremely needed in these times for peaceful co-existence in the globe. Such initiatives play great key role in enhancing cultural, traditional, and trade values in the region and will help full to eliminate the environment of hatred.

Mr. Hafiz Abdul Hai stressed that religious scholars play crucial role in promoting peace by delivering actual religious messages. All religions preach peace, love, and harmony. He also shared about renowned Sufi saints of sub-continent for betterment of mankind.

Ms. Zara Shah said that both countries visa policy for good exchanges visits, health, trade, and promotions of tourism should be revised for easy access. Abdul Khaliq Sanam expressed that people of both countries suffer from extremism and terrorism and could mutually stand against their elimination.

Umair Ahmad spoke briefly about Aaghaz-e-Dosti, its initiatives, and its outreach. Heads of both states should hold international convention on the cessation of war to avoid danger to human lives and devastation at large scale, he added. Umair Ahmad also stressed the need of friendship relations with India and all the neighbors. He said that the inter-religious and inter-faith harmony was the need of the hour for which world leaders should come forward. He also said terrorism could not be defeated by bullet.

The calendar was launched in Lahore on January 1. This calendar is also scheduled to be launched in several other cities like Peshawar and Karachi in Pakistan and Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Panipat in India.

View more photos from the launch

Press Release issued by

Umair Ahmad

Co-ordinator – Toba Tek Singh

In case of any more details required, you may email at aaghazedosti@gmail.com or yhrpak@gmail.com