Tuning in further, to the Fourth Unit of
Inquiry - our new unit on ‘Migration’ under the theme – ‘Where we are in place
and time’, we had ‘In Conversation’ a guest speaker, Brigadier Jagdish Singh
come in on 18th Jan 2017 to share a part his journey of his life with Form 4,
at Pathways School Noida.
On a cold, yet crisp winter morning of
January 2017, Brigadier Jagdish Singh came in to talk to a very excited Form 4,
who were looking forward to listen, to his story on his journey of Migration.
It was a different research – A one on one research with Brigadier Singh, where
their listening skills were enhanced indeed as there was pin drop silence once
his story began…
Keeping in view the Central idea of this
Unit - 'People migrate for different'. Reasons with wide ranging effects, it was an
apt ‘In Conversation’ with him.
He began talking about what kind of Migration
he had to undertake – which was a Political Migration in 1947. He spoke about
how based on just a decision by the then British Government a new nation
Pakistan was created from India, based on religion.
He then went on to how the migration happened
at that time - on foot, train and bullock carts. How they basically had to
leave their land, belongings etc. and escape. A sense of history was created
and the students reflected on times now and then.
Going further he spoke about how a relative
of his, had to hide on a tree for about 8 to 10 days to flee the looting and
killing at his village, which that relative could see as he could see his
village from the top of the tree. He spoke about the travails, struggles and
danger while the migration took place, basically to save their own lives.
Towards the end he spoke about how an Army
truck gave them a safe haven to successfully unite with their other family
members in India finally. How the Indian Government also helped them to
relocate.
During the question answer session after the
conversation and a PPT which was shown by him, the students asked pertinent
question, like what does a refugee mean, and understood that all migrants are
not refugees, accept the ones that are forced to flee their nations and take
refuge in another country – so the Civil war in Syria was also touched upon and
the current refugee crisis facing Europe.
The students particularly reflected on the
sight and plight of the young babies, children, sick and old people who had to
flee and migrate, with moments of palpable silence from them.
In conclusion, as Brigadier pointed out that
it was a senseless, largest mass migration, the effects of which till today
India and Pakistan face. Also bringing to focus that it was an unorganized,
motivated decision by the then colonial British government that led to
confusion, chaos and hatred, and that how so many lives were lost during this
time.
After a warm and emotional conversation, Form
4 bid goodbye to Brigadier Singh, taking a peek into history and came to a
consensus, that indeed Brigadier Singh was truly a Risk Taker at the age of 7.
