E-Paper
?Young? man who recreated India in America for the old
Thousands of kilometers away in America he recreated India. And when he was a kid he dreamed of making a big house in which the whole world could live. This is an extraordinary story of an ordinary 88-year-old 'young' man Arya Bhushan who was born in a small city (Meerut) and rose to the position of Chief Commissioner Railway Safety. After graduating from Allahabad University in 1937 he joined Thompson College (now IIT) Roorkee for civil engineering degree.
Thousands of kilometers away in America he recreated India. And when he was a kid he dreamed of making a big house in which the whole world could live.
This is an extraordinary story of an ordinary 88-year-old 'young' man Arya Bhushan who was born in a small city (Meerut) and rose to the position of Chief Commissioner Railway Safety. After graduating from Allahabad University in 1937 he joined Thompson College (now IIT) Roorkee for civil engineering degree.
One day fighting his loneliness while in America with his children, Arya Bhushan decided to form 'Chajju Ka Chaubara--a literary and social organisation--at Indo-American Community Centre to help senior Indian residents in America to overcome their boredom and develop a positive feeling towards the community.
"The name Chajju Ka Chaubara owes its origin to an old Urdu couplet my father often used to narrate, which goes like this- 'I went round the whole world but could not find anything as special as Chajju Ka Chaubara.'
It is possible that in some village there was a place owned by the village chief whose name was Chajju where all the aged people gathered to spend time and enjoy gossiping and from here this famous couplet was derived," recalled Bhushan.
"Ten years later the organisation has become a truly global with its own publication of news, stories, poems and views given by the members. Those who attend the Chaubara and return to India get so much interested that they keep in regular touch and send their articles to be read at the weekly gathering.
It also promotes the seniors to develop their own direction of thinking and polish their skills," he adds.
Arya Bhushan is also an avid writer, techno-savy, net surfer and his energy level can put youngsters to shame. The magnetism in his personality is palpable.
About two decades back after reading a book of Dr Ian Stevenson on '20 Cases of Suggestive Reincarnation' he started an interesting study on reincarnation and birthmarks.
"In 1985-86 I published a paper on 'Birthmarks in Reincarnation and Explanation.' After the study I realised that there is some truth in the theory of Karma. During the time of death the unfulfilled desires and attachments motivate the Atma (soul) to come back in the same background and fulfill the wishes. It is also true that the Atma selects its parents and place of birth," he pointed out.
Arya Bhushan has also translated numerous books and stories in English and Hindi which give the glimpses of Indian society between 1935 and 1965--a period of modern Indian renaissance. The prominent among them is 'New Life'.
And then there is an interesting collection of poems and stories 'Nahley Par Dehla' written by him and his late wife Swarnalata Bhushan.
"My wife was my guru and was a 'Dehla' of my life," he said with a beatific smile on his face.
