Khushwant Singh passed away at 99. RIP I wonder why my part of the world--the Salt Range in northwestern Punjab--would end up with a rather hopeless historian like me though the region is certainly one of the most historical significance. The Gandhara land, the Indus Valley civilisation, Raja Porus, Kattas, Alexander, Mahmud Ghaznavi, Qutbud Din Aibak, Hindu Shahis, Babur, Sher Shah Suri, remain preeminent as are Nandna, Kalarkahar, Bhaun, Jogi Tilla and so on. In recent decades three of my neighbours have been persons of letters with global literary acclaim: Khushwant Singh, Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi and Shauna Singh Baldwin.{ PM Manmohan Singh is a writer but is rather known as the economist-manager.} Sadly, Khushwant passed away yesterday in India at 99. A great writer, a wonderful human and an unparalleled humorist! we will miss you. You lived a fuller life to 99--99 names of Allah and 99 names of Muhammad, as Sufis keep reminding me. Hadiali in the Salt Range mourns you, but is proud of its son.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 21:28:10 +0000