It give me utmost pleasure to send my warmest greetings to fellow Derawals most of whom may have been born after I bade good-bye to my fatherland in April 1948.
D.I.Khan was unlike other Districts of N.W.F.P. Its residents, both Hindus and Muslims were highly cultured, educated and progressive in their outlook. Indeed it was the intellectual and commercial capital of the province. Mutual relations were cordial and they participated in each other’s festivals and social festivities.
Upon my father, R.B.Chy Ruchi Ram Khattar, M.L.A’s sad demise in 1937, when I was only 16 years old, I received full support from his Muslim friends, notable among them were K.B Abdur Rahim Khan Kundi, Barrister who had the distinction of representing N.W.F.P in the first Central Assembly of India in 1923 and was later Chairman of N.W.F.P. Legislative Council, K.B. Major Muqam Khan, Chief of Bhittanis, Dr.Khan Sahib, the then Chief Minister of N.W.F.P and Sardar Habibullah Khan, then Deputy speaker and later Home Minister of Pakistan and Chairman of Senate, On both his visits to India, he sent for me.
After partition, I stayed for 8 months in D.I.Khan at the instance of the Government as our firm had six supply contracts of Frontier Corps spread over Waziristan and Baluchistan besides the Khattar Electric Supply Co: set up by my father in 1921. the then Chief Minister of N.W.F.P khan Abdul Qayum khan forbade me to leave and I was asked to look after the Electric Supply Co.
Although I was offered accommodation in the guesthouse of D.C D.I.Khan, I stayed in my own house where a company of S.W. Scouts was stationed since April 1947. I was provided bulletproof transport and personal escort. I kept travelling in Waziristan and Baluchistan during my one-year stay, and received usual courtesy from everyone. Truly speaking, I regard it as a memorable period of my life, however, on personal intercession of my esteemed friend, late Nawabzada Mohd. Aslam Khan, a scion of Amb Ruling family and then Prime Minister of Kalaat State with the Chief Minister, I was permitted to leave.
I left behind a host of friends and their fond memories. Some of them attained exalted positions as Federal and State Ministers, Governors, Judges and Ambassadors. Late Sardar Abdur Rashid Khan, who became Chief Minister of N.W.F.P and later Home Minister of Pakistan, visited India twice with his family in 1983 & 1991. I had the privilege of his gracious company throughout his stay here and received his usual overwhelming affection.
I would like to send my greetings to Khan Abdur Rauf Khan a fellow Derawal who was Pakistan’s Dy. High Commissioner here in 1967 and later Ambassador to Nepal. He was kind enough to look us up whenever he visited Delhi after leaving it.
I again send my sincerest greetings and best wishes.
D.B. Shyam Khattar |
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