A MODERN REFLECTION OF AN ANCIENT PARTITION

 

Name   : Sayan Arjun

Class    :1 B.Com -D

Reg No:20SJCCC350

REPORT

The struggle for independence and the India-Pakistan partition was probably the darkest and most traumatizing part of Indian history. It had a detrimental effect on the lives of each and every citizen of India and Pakistan. It changed the entire way; the country used to function and had a negative impact on millions. Although the 14th and 15th of august are days celebrated with utmost joy, to mark the independence of India and Pakistan, this was the point when the 2 countries split, and went on to become bitter enemies, constantly trying to prove their supremacy over the other.

The freedom fighters, who dedicated their heart and soul for the country, shedding their blood, sweat and tears, were everyone’s hero, and continue to inspire people around the globe. However, the way the leaders of the past and our forefathers looked at things, and went about with important procedures and took life changing decisions is ridiculed and criticized even today. Their ideas and thoughts might have been accepted in their time, but seem extremely unjustifiable and meaningless to the current generation. Hence most of the stories of the India-Pakistan partition are satirical ones filled with hidden sarcastic remarks.

‘Toba Tek Singh ‘written by Sadat Hassan Manto is one such story, revolving around a person named Bishan Singh, and his constant struggle to find his home town amidst the partition. The two countries wanted to exchange their lunatics in the same manner as they had exchanged their criminals. But the procedure was extremely tedious, and highlights the struggle faced by people who are forced to comply with drastic changes caused by decisions taken keeping in mind a greater interest.

This story is a twisted one which mainly deals with Toba Tek Singh, which is viewed differently by different people. It is the nickname of a man named Bishan Singh, and is also his home town, with the latter being more likely.

Bishan Singh was a Sikh lunatic who was stuck in Pakistan. He hardly created any commotion and used to go about his work extremely calmly, thereby creating no enemies in the asylum. He was once a well-to-do man who, once upon a time, owned a considerable portion of land in Toba Tek Singh. The only desire or aspiration Bishan appeared to have was, to find out where Toba Tek Singh was. He tried extracting every bit of information possible from literally every source available to him, but was unlucky every time.

On the agreed date, the exchange of lunatics was carried on, but the procedure was nothing less than a nightmare, with hardly any lunatic cooperating with the officials. But when Bishan Singh was called upon to give his details and move to India, he managed to learn from an officer that Toba Tek Singh, was in Pakistan. He didn’t waste a single second and ran back to join his companions in Pakistan, and no amount of forcing or convincing was going to be enough to send him back to India, and this way he succeeded is escaping from the exchange between countries. But the most heartbreaking part is that, the man who stood erect on his feet for 15 years, who struggled hard and never gave up, keeping in mind his ultimate goal of reaching Toba Tek Singh, collapsed onto the ground, when he had just about reached the place he was after.

Such stories have multiple meanings and interpretations which can be explored only with an open ending. A simple story with a very basic story line, in which the Ending is clear and justified doesn’t evoke a spark in the reader and cannot be analyzed to its core.

Therefore, the story of Toba Tek Singh permits the use of a creative mode of expression.

The expression I have chosen is memes, and this report gives a brief gist of the chapter and also helps understand the meaning, relevance and significance of the memes in reference to the story. A meme is an image, video or piece of text, typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations. Memes are made for a variety of reasons and purposes, but most memes appear to be criticizing people’s actions, behaviors or statements made in public. They help in viewing, mistakes in general made by people, or various other events in general on a lighter note.

Since this story is a satirical one, dealing with the exchange of lunatics between countries who are sore enemies bod each other, a meme would indeed be an ideal way to give to throw light on the characters of the story. This helps the viewers to know what the story is about at a single glance.

Moreover, topics like freedom struggle, ancient history doesn’t excite the current generation. So, creative expressions like memes about boring topics, caters to the interests of the ‘modern kids’ and draws their attention towards important dates and events of their country’s history which would otherwise be neglected by them.

Almost all readers would really feel for Bishan Singh, who had his dying wish of finding his hometown again; but unfortunately, his body gives way, just before he can do so. Probably the optimistic readers would have hoped for something along the lines of officials or the asylum guards taking special efforts to help Bishan Singh accomplish his goal. The ramifications of a slight change in the attitude of the people surrounding Bishan Singh would have led to the story ending in a completely different way. All he wanted was some information or some help from someone, to see and visit his hometown one last time. But nevertheless, he came very close to accomplishing his goal, and therefore inspires readers to keep hope, and never give up while working hard to make their dreams, a reality.