Gems of PAU Botany: Ashwani Sethi 1972-75

 

My Association with PAU Ludhiana

Ashwani Sethi 

I spent only three years of my life at PAU Ludhiana from 1972-75 to pursue BSc Hons in Botany. But I felt very happy when worthy Dr CP Malik remembered me so well and interacted with me by quoting my life incidents when we all had a zoom call to celebrate his 85th birthday on 26th July 2020. That was 45 years after I left PAU.

 

It is good that we all got re-connected through that event and now each one of us is sharing our respective life stories. My life story is not a journey of excellence in Botany but has many aspects, which you all may find interesting. Here I go.

 

I was born on 2nd October 1950 at Kotkapura and this date coincidence inspired me to follow the life & teachings of Mahatma Gandhi & Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. I joined RSS and in due course I was determined to devote my life as a Pracharak in RSS. I thought my father would not object to this as we were eight siblings and one of them could devote life in the service of the nation. But my father had different plans and lured me to join a prestigious Punjab Agricultural University in 1972 for integrated MSc Hons Botany program. That is how I landed in PAU.

 

In PAU it was a very wonderful experience. We were a batch of 8 students from various parts of Punjab and were put under Prof Vasudeva Sir as our guide cum adviser. The hostel, the vast playgrounds, the students home, weekly movies in Pal auditorium and many more things along with the company of my naughty batch mates like Hargurdeep, Joginder Minhas, Neeru, Amrit, Arvind & Harpal was enough to engross me 100%.

 

But these could not take away the seeds of idealistic life ideas instilled in me during my association with RSS which continues till date. Every time I would go home, there would be discussions about the marriage or married life of one of the siblings. As is well known, marriage issues in Punjab revolve around dowry and other factors related to it; my constant refrain used be why should there be any dowry and why to make weddings such a grand affair to splurge.

 

While I was still doing my graduation, my younger brother started his own business and insisted on his wedding, which took place of course. In traditional families it becomes a big issue if the younger is married and the elder is not. My eldest Bhabhi proposed a relationship for me with one of her cousins. My father got convinced because he felt that that will be another effective chain to bind his son who was otherwise aspiring to be an RSS Pracharak. During one of my visits to home I was taken to see the girl. As I had proved my idealism for simple weddings without dowry, the event to get introduced to the girl turned into a very simple wedding on 25.08.1974. The next day the news of simple marriage without dowry flashed in newspapers and that is how my journey in PAU got determined.

 

My wife Vibha was BSc, BEd and had recently got a regular job in Govt School at Gidderbaha. So soon after my graduation and with great thoughts about my idealism and love for literature I ventured into printing business that kept me in touch with literary work as well. In due course I started a primary school at Giddarbaha, which became known for value-based education in the area.

 

Another very interesting aspect of my life is that I wanted to become a Doctor before joining PAU because my elder brother also became doctor and he was my role model. But I had two unsuccessful attempts and could not get admission to MBBS. But that ambition continued in me and was fulfilled when my daughter Aastha became a doctor. She is now a successful medical professional from AIIMS Delhi and is married to an equally successful Doctor from Hyderabad. Both of them are well settled in USA for the last 16 years: Aastha being nephrologist & Jayanth Oncologist.

 

On the other hand my son Ankur picked up a unique skill of reading and writing inverted characters called mirror writing which was recognized by Limca Book of records. He started his banking career based on his unique skill set. Ankur was blessed to get into wedlock with Shivi whose father was Director Technical Education Punjab and Shivi herself was M.Tech. That along with his aim to do PhD brought Ankur into Education sector and he played key roles in managing a couple of Educational Institutions in Punjab & Himachal. After completing his PhD degree, now again he has reverted to Banking.

 

I feel proud of the qualification and achievements of my daughter, son-in-law, son & daughter-in-law and of course I am proud of my life partner Vibha who alongwith a successful career in Govt Schools encouraged our children to think big and beyond. In addition, our lovely grandchildren have made our family complete.

We continue our life in Gidderbaha which is a small Mandi town known for a unique product नसवार. Should you happen to pass that way, please feel free to give me a tinkle and drop in. 

With Profound Regards,

Ashwani Sethi 

+91-70877-34635

15.08.2020

Ashwani Vibha

With Daughter Astha & Jayant and grandchildren

Son Ankur & his family

Comments of Friends on Whatsapp Group: https://web.whatsapp.com/

Deep Saini: Dear Ashwani: Yours is indeed a unique story, and every bit as interesting and inspiring as the stories of those who continued their studies further. Of course, as you know, I have been a ringside witness to your life’s story right from the time when we were roommates at PAU. Well done! Let me add two personal, and interrelated, observations: (1) You are the strongest 5 ft 4 inch person I have ever met; and (2) thanks to this strength, through a well-aimed and painful punch in my back, you once taught me how to control my anger (What a paradox!). You may not remember that moment but it was the beginning of the change in a very destructive aspect of my temperament that steered me on to the path of success that I have enjoyed. Because of that moment, today I claim that no one can make me lose my temper. So, thank you buddy, and a big Punjabi style jaffi.

Anju Bhandari: Ashwini ji.... your story is very Interesting and unique. It’s heartening to know that you are running your own primary school... nothing is better than imparting quality education to young children.

And kudos to you for a simple wedding without dowry.

I have two sons and I feel good to mention that we said a big NO to any sort of dowry or gifts when they got married. Infact we organised everything from girl’s(our daughter in laws) Mehndi ceremony to pheras ourselves for both our sons marriage.

Dowry is a big curse in our society... this is one of the main reasons that inspite of all the technical progress ; parents still feel a burden on the birth of a daughter . 

Wish and pray that word dowry / gifts is eradicated in the mindset of people and people stop competing and showing off the stuff they receive from their daughter in laws parents.

Joginder Minhas: Great journey from botany to printing to school Ashwani. I remember you were our batch's moral teacher based on your exposure to RSS. I think you might have given a good competition to Modi, had you remained in RSS!!