APNA APNA SUCH (NOVEL) BY DEEPAK BUDKI; REVIEWED BY DR SAIFI SIRONJI

 

QARZE KI DUNIYA - URDU AFSANA (Deepak Budki)

 

Recollections of Childhood.

The above two paintings are painted by Frantz Charlet 1862-1928.  These paintings remind me of my childhood.

1) I started smoking at an early age of around 11. I was accompanied by a friend who saw someone throw a burning cigarette butt which he rushed to pick up and hid under the pheran (smock). He had a few puffs and next he gave it to me. I was reluctant but he convinced me that it is soothing. So I too smoked a few puffs and coughed instantly. We headed to our home hiding the cigarette under our pheran. Shockingly, I found my mother coming from opposite side in a lane and she saw me throwing out the smoke from my mouth. And you can imagine what must have happened at home. She was angry and furious and beat me with a stick. 

Later on we got used to smoking and used to lit the cigarettes from each other's as in the painting.

2) The second painting reminds me of a game called LAGORI which we used to play in childhood. We placed seven earthen tablets one over the other and a player of one team was supposed to hit it. If he succeeded the team had to run away till caught or else they must rebuild the earthen tablets to be declared a winner.

                                    ππππππ

 

Fortune telling experience

I was watching Indian Idol on Sony TV today. Nana Patekar had been invited as a guest. Since the beginning of this series of Indian Idol, a participant claimed that she was a Numerologist. She was asked by Nana Patekar to tell what was his age? Nana Patekar obviously showed that he doesn't believe in such things as fortune telling and numerology. She was in a fix and out of confusion blurted out 43. Nana smiled and in his own style said, "You are right, but just add 31 to it. That makes it 74". This was indirectly a dig on her numerology.

I recalled a similar incident that had happened with me in 1971. I was working as Branch Manager, Kashmir Govt Arts Emporium, Sector 17, Chandigarh. A bearded astrologer came into the showroom and entered my cabin. He claimed that he is a fortune teller and can tell me about my future. Of course he expected to be paid for the job. I asked him to sit in the chair in front of me and comforted him. 

At the very outset, I asked him a question, "Can you tell me what is my age?" 

He got flabbergasted. 

He looked at my face intently. My look told him that I may be around 20-25 years old but the atmosphere of the Emporium and the chair I was occupying told him that it cannot be less than 30-35. He got totally confused and out of despair blurted out that your age is around 32. 

I laughed and told him that you cannot tell my age though I am sitting in your front, how can you tell my future which is very distant and not yet born. So I requested him to leave without wasting my time. However, while leaving I told him that I was born in 1950 and therefore am 21 years old. He left my cabin hurriedly and didn't look back even once. 

A Remarkable Journey from Kashmir to Literary Fame: Deepak Kumar Budki : Copied from Giltoor

 

A Remarkable Journey from Kashmir to Literary Fame: Deepak Kumar Budki

(Copied from Giltoor FB page)

Deepak Kumar Budki, also known by his pen name "Deepak Budki," has made lasting contributions across multiple fields, from civil service to Urdu literature and the arts. His life is a story of rich, varied experiences rooted in a deep commitment to service and creativity.

Born on February 15, 1950, in Srinagar, Kashmir, Deepak Kumar Budki’s journey has spanned the serene landscapes of his birthplace to various parts of India and beyond, marking his footprints in the fields of administration, literature, and art.

Budki’s educational background reflects his lifelong pursuit of knowledge:

M.Sc in Botany

B.Ed. from Kashmir University

Adib-e-Mahir from Jamia Urdu Aligarh

Graduate of the National Defence College, New Delhi

Associate of the Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai

In 1992, Budki authored a significant thesis titled Genesis of Kashmir Problem and Article 370 at the National Defence College, New Delhi. This work provided valuable insights into complex socio-political issues, contributing to understanding the Kashmir region.

With a career spanning over four decades, Budki began his professional journey with the J&K Handicrafts Corporation, where he served as a Manager at the Kashmir Govt Arts Emporium. In 1976, he joined the Indian Postal Services, a step that shaped his lifelong commitment to public service. During his career, he also served in the Army Postal Service on deputation, ultimately reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His career culminated in his retirement in February 2010.

Budki’s leadership was most visible in Jammu & Kashmir, where he served in challenging roles such as Senior Superintendent of Post, Director, Postmaster General, and Chief Postmaster General. In 1990, he secured pioneering rehabilitation orders for migrant staff, setting an example for other government sectors. His contributions also include expanding Postal Life Insurance to rural India, significantly enhancing insurance access and coverage.

In addition to his public service, Budki has made a notable impact in Urdu literature. He is known for his work as an author of short stories, novels, critical essays, and autobiographies, bringing him recognition across India, Pakistan, and Europe. His major works include:

Short Story Collections: Adhoore Chehre, Chinar ke Panje, Zebra Crossing par Khada Aadmi, Ruh Ka Karb, and Muthi Bhar Rait

Novels: Apna Apna Such, Azadi

Essays and Critiques: Asri Tehreerein, Asri Shaoor, and Asri Takhleequat

Research-Based Books: Urdu Ke Ghair Muslim Afsana Nigar and Krishan Chander-Meri Nazar Mein

Autobiography: Lauhe Hayat

Budki’s works, translated into multiple languages, have reached a wide audience. His writings explore themes of identity, culture, and resilience, resonating with readers from diverse backgrounds.

Throughout his journey, Budki has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Postal Life Insurance Gold Medal and the Rashtriya Gaurav Samman. He has been honoured by the Andhra Urdu Academy, the Kalidas Samman, and the Dr Manzar Kazmi National Award for fiction. His literary contributions have been the subject of research and analysis, with studies exploring his impact on Urdu literature.

Budki’s creativity extends beyond writing; he is an avid artist, engaged in drawing, painting, and cartooning. His love for exploration has taken him to cities like Bangkok, Dubai, Rome, Cairo, and Paris, enriching his life experiences and perspectives.

Deepak Kumar Budki’s life epitomizes the blend of service and creative expression. From Kashmir’s landscapes to the complexities of Indian postal services, and from Urdu literature to the visual arts, his journey showcases a life devoted to learning, innovation, and connecting with others. His story is one of inspiration, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge and beauty.

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Copied from the FB page of GILTOOR which promotes art, culture, and the rich heritage of forgotten traditions among the younger generation of Kashmir. Giltoor encourages young people to engage with and appreciate the artistic expressions and cultural narratives of the past.