The celebrated intellectual, journalist, novelist, historian, critic and short story writer Khushwant Singh, the most popular name among the contemporary intellectuals in the sub-continent, has left us. May God bless the soul of the deceased! He was unique and stood out among the galaxy of Indian journalists and litterateurs. Several books have been published on the theme of partition but his Train to Pakistan could not be surpassed. By writing the two-volume History of the Sikhs, he proved that he was a historian of immense originality and impartiality. It is a classic. But it is in the arena of fun and humour that he outshines all the rest of his contemporaries. He poked fun on so many gasballs but most conspicuously on himself.
Khushwant Singh was fearless, brave and deeply passionate about historical truth. He walked with great personalities but he never lost his unassuming simplicity and closeness to common man. Having been born in pre-partition Punjab and having studied at Lahore, he had cultivated cosmopolitan approach to life and persons and was a mixture of east and west. In journalism, he can be called the founder of a new style as has been said by his admirers. He was acclaimed for his devastating humour which spared none including him. His circle of friends was admirably vast and classless. He mercilessly tore apart myths, taboos, rituals and senseless traditions. Brevity was his art and scalpel was his evaluation instrument. The nation is poorer by his departure.
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