Visiting the in-Laws

A Visit to the 'In-Laws'

Our daughter, Kathryn, chose to marry a man whose parents originated from the Punjab region of North East India. At the wedding we were invited to visit our `in-laws' and that's how I found myself over 4,000 miles from home, enjoying Indian hospitality.

We arrived in Delhi, where we visited the usual tourist attractions, but mostly acclimatised to the crowds, noise, pollution and traffic chaos. Delhi station is teeming with vehicles and people - (1 Million per day. 15 platforms each 1/2 mile long). We travelled by train to Ludhiana, about 4 hours across flat fertile land growing rice in tiny fields, all done by hand except stationary engines which raise water from deep wells.

Ludhiana is an industrial city of 2 million people where we hired a taxi for the trip to the village about 25 Kms. further north. The village was home to about 2,000 people who enjoy electricity but hand pump well water from standpipes. Before 1947 and Independence, the village was Moslem, with Partition, it became entirely Sikh - a liberal and just form of Hindu based faith. The mosque was converted into a temple.

We met Daljit's uncles and their families. One is a farmer and the other is a bank official who enjoys status because he has a salary. Aunty is a head teacher at the local school so was in a good position to give away our presents of pens, paper and rubbers etc. Parents pay a small fee to send children to school so discipline is not a problem. They all sit quietly and attentively in class. Corporal punishment comes from parents if required.

The farmer's family have converted to Christianity and it was a pleasant surprise to see a picture of Jesus on the wall of their home. There are about 2 million Christians in India and some very active ministers are changing lives.

It was a real pleasure to share a day with our `in-laws' and it was interesting to talk with another farmer, whose life has changed little over the years. They have falling water tables, falling prices and many suicides through debt. The other uncle took us around the village, meeting many `elders' and others in his circle of friends. Everybody looked well and clean and the children were lively and contented. The social fabric seemed inclusive, the elderly were cared for and the children were playing happily. It was a brave man who left this village to face racial prejudice and the English Winter of 1950, but Daljit's father made it and put his children through university and sent money back to India.

We went on to visit many tourist attractions. It was especially memorable to have the opportunity to share time with our son-in-law, for whom I have the greatest respect and affection. India assaults all your sense and I give thanks for my safe return.

Chris Search

This article first appeared in the Ramsden Bellhouse Baptist Church Review - Winter 2005 Edition.