Trip To Pakistan and Happy Baisakhi

My family recently travelled to Pakistan, and saw the school that my maternal great grandfather Lakshmi Chand built in Haripur, Pakistan. It is a teachers training college now. Here is some information Haripur, which is in the North West Frontier Province.

Haripur is a district in Hazara Division in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan that contains the city of Haripur. The Haripur district has the highest Human Development Index of all districts in the province.
Haripur (meaning Hari's town) was founded in 1822 by Hari Singh Nalwa, a Sikh General of Ranjit Singh's army. He was the Governor of Kashmir in 1822-23.
Haripur is surrounded by mountains, a piece of land adorned with beautiful streams, springs, rivers, lakes, gardens, lush green plains and meadows.

This was organized by the Kinnaird College, where it seems my maternal and paternal family passed through. I think my grandmother might have been in one the first batches of women students to graduate from there.

The college was established at the start of the 20th century when it was housed near Kinnaird High School. Initial tuition focused on Intermediate classes beginning in 1913, followed by B.A. classes four years later. The college moved to Lake Road in 1926 after it was determined that more space was needed.In 1933, the college acquired land near Lahore's canal and new buildings were constructed to house the increasing numbers of girls studying at the college. By 1939 the college had grown into a twenty acre campus.

The architecture of front of the school resembles The Modern School in Delhi, part of which was built by my paternal great gradfather. I wonder if they wanted to recreate in Delhi, what they had lost in the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Here is a note from my aunt Toshi, describing the experience.

Yes, the trip back home was quite fulfilling. Haripur School, standing strong and well-built is now a teachers training institute complete with the marble plaque of Kamal's grandfather's name. We were met by Gen Ayub Khan's grandson, who is a Nazim - elected non-political head of that area. Haripur is named after Hari Singh Nalwa, Ranjit Singh's general and has a very well laid drainage system which is being studied, we were told! Also famous for `red-blood' maltas.

People expressed admiration and appreciation for ancestors who opened schools. There was an attitude of gratitude(!) that made one happy and proud.

On another note Happpy Baisakhi for the 13th of april.

The farmers of India and Pakistan harvesting wheat on both sides of the border (East and West Punjabs) is a rare feast to the eyes.
After harvesting the winter crop, the farmers of the northern states of Punjab and Haryana celebrate the beginning of another year. The day coincides with the solar equinox on the 13th of April.

The social, cultural and educational institutes celebrate this festival with great zeal.

There is lively dancing and loud joyous singing as the traditional folk dances of Punjab, called the Gidda and Bhangra, are performed. Baisakhi is auspicious day for the Sikhs community that coincide with the anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa Pantha.