Ludhiana-based writer to write PM’s biography

Amrita Chaudhry
Indian Express, June 24, 2004

Ludhiana, June 23: GURDEEP Pandher, a Ludhiana-based writer, has no fascination for politicians and had vowed never to write a book on any one of this breed. Yet, the present Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seems to have changed the plans of this postgrad in Public Administration and a web designer, who is now writing a biography of the Prime Minister.

Pandher, clears one point, "I am not writing on Dr Manmohan Singh as a Congress man but just about his life, in which his association with the Congress party is a small part. When observed closely, one finds how this man is different than the politicians though he is part of a political party. He is a man of few words and of highest integrity."

Pandher, who has to his credit a biography of Kalpana Chawala, which he wrote both in English and Punjabi, "I had planned a book on Dr Manmohan Singh long before he became the Prime Minister. Rather, when he took this office I started having my doubts for I did not want to write on a politician. But then I met Dr Manmohan Singh’s sister-in-law, who lives in Ludhiana and she told me some instances, where Dr Manmohan Singh refused to even put a word or two for his own son-in-law and even his nephews. It was then I became convinced that here is a man who is honest."

From here, Pandher started a series of interviews with Dr Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur, his daughter, his relatives, brother, nephews nieces and also experts like Mark Tully, Humra Qureshi, historian Bipin Chandra, Khushwant Singh, M.S. Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Tarlochan Singh, chairman of Minority Commission.

"Interestingly not even a single person, whom I met, had a harsh word for Dr Singh," says Pandher, while not divulging the details of his meeting with Dr Singh, for this is one condition of his Publisher, whose name again he refuses to give. "The entire talk that I had with Dr Singh can be summed up in one line and that is that his main effort during his tenure as PM, which is also his dream and mission, is to uplift all sections of society. This is what he is sincerely working towards."

As per Pandher, the research of this book is almost over thanks to a lot of help from Sanjaya Baru, former editor Financial Express, who is now media advisor to the PM, "But the writing process is yet to begin. I can complete the book in a months time but then at times writing takes a lot of time so for now I cannot say when the book will be complete."

Pandher, meanwhile, has also completed the translation of Amrita Pritam’s Pinjar, "But as she is in coma I could not get the permission to print it. The book is ready and when I get the nod from her I will print it."

(Source: Indian Express )
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PM’s biography

by Humra Quraishi
The Tribune, June 20, 2004,

Gurdeep Pandher is writing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s biography. The 26-year-old Ludhiana-based web developer had early this year written a book on Kalpana Chawla entitled "Among The Stars: Life and Dreams of Kalpana Chawla" (Unistar).

(Source: The Tribune )
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Tracing Kalpana- Among The Stars

Ramaninder K. Bhatia
Express News Service, Ludhiana, February 8

Gurdeep Pandher, a web-developer by profession and a poet by choice, lives in little known village called Siahar in Ludhiana district, but extraordinary happenings in the space on one February morning last year forced his focus on a person who once frequented a village next door. The person become the muse and Gurdeep Pandher turned writer with his book "Among the Stars! Life and Dreams of Kalpana Chawla."

Exactly one year after India's famous daughter perished in the Columbia tragedy, Gurdeep's book on her brought out innumerable memories and interesting insights into the life of the famous astronaut. Gurdeep makes no pretensions of presenting a great literary piece of work. His effort has been entirely concentrated on his subject and the inspiration that she turned out to be for millions of people around the globe in her short, but very fulfilling life.

The book, an illustrated biography of Kalpana, initially charters the course of Chawla family. It also talks of the early influences which a young daughter in a refugee family might have absorbed in her subconscious, and which shaped a strong character with determination as strong as mountains.

Her background also brings up her Ludhiana connections, as it was in village Uchi Daud and Sihan Daud where the Chawla family found its spiritual mornings in the form of Saint Nikka Singh. The Saint, according to the family belief, saved Kalpana' grandfather Labha Mal from a stage of certain death. The family has been religiously visiting the Saint's village every year and also constructed a Gurdwara in his memory in Sihan Daud. When she was living in India, Kalpana also accompanied her family for these trips.

It was in these villages that Gurdeep found the inspiration to write. "When the world heard the news of the Columbia tragedy, I saw people, old and young alike, in this village crying alike little children as if they lost their own daughter. Such was the love for this family in that village. I decided then that I had to do something in her honor," Gurdeep told The Indian Express today.

(Source: The Indian Express, Dated: February 9, 2004)
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From A Mud House To The Stars

By: Reeta Sharma*

THE international media has paid tributes to Kalpana Chawla and her other companions who sacrificed their lives trying to unfold the mysteries of the space to the rest of the world. The Indian media too has tried to scavenge every bit of information about her school and college days.

Recently, a book Among the Stars- Kalpana Chawla by Gurdeep Pandher has come out. Published by UNISTAR, it traces the roots of NASA scientist.

Kalpana belonged to a family of that suffered the pain of partition. Her grandfather Labha Mal, father Banarsi Lal and uncle Amrik had narrowly escaped death at the hands of Muslims. They had even got separated for 18 days. It was by sheer luck that they all got united again. From Amritsar to Karnal, their journey was full of turmoil. The lived in single set of clothes. The first job that Kalpana Chawla's father found for himself was to make boxes. The hoards of refugees, who had thronged Karnal, had nothing to restore the rations the government distributed. Banarsi Lal made money by selling these boxes. Kalpana's father tried his hand at a number of tasks to ensure at least one meal a day for the family. From being a hawker who carried soap-cakes on his head to selling groundnuts and toffees at Karnal Railway Station, Banarsi even worked in an automobile workshop on a salary of Rs 10 per month, which eventually never paid. It was in this stark poverty that Kalpana Chawla was born.

It was during this period of hardship that Labha Mal became the disciple of Saint Nikka Singh of Uchi Daud village in Ludhiana. This was the turning point. Banarsi had bought a second hand scooter. One of its tyres had to be replaced but Banarsi couldn't find the replacement in the whole Haryana and Punjab. After endless efforts, he got a tyre after depositing advance money and waiting for nearly a month. The incident gave birth to an idea in Banarsi Lal's mind. With extreme shortage of indigenous tyres in the market, which was dominated by foreign brands like Goodyear and Dunlop, he decided to manufacture tyres on his own. This decision changed the Chawla family's destiny, but there were still hurdles ahead.

The bank refused him loan, repeatedly. He eventually sold his idea to two young engineers and laid the foundation of Super Tyres. Two engineers, however, left him when the machines were being assembled. With no money, Banarsi Lal's ship of dreams was once again to sink. At this point, Amrik, settled in Delhi, offered financial help. Finally, the business got established and Banarsi Lal began visiting Europe to tap new markets.

The Chawlas believe that success came to them because of the blessings of Saint Nikka Singh. The entire Chawla family, including Kalpana, regularly visited the Saint. When Saint died, the Chawlas cremated him at Nirmal Kutia, which they had constructed for him in Karnal. There, free meals were distributed to the poor, three times a day. They even constructed a Gurdwara in his memory.

Banarsi Lal and Amrik have been rendering social service in the name of their guru. Under the management of Nirmal Kutia, Nirmal Public Senior Secondary School was opened. It continues to impart free education. Amrik set up Nirmal Dham, to which a major chunk of his income, nearlt Rs. 15 lakh per month, is donated. He is running Saint Nikka Singh Public School, where 2,000 poor children are provided free education. He has also constructed a 140-room home for the aged. A monthly allowance is also distributed to the poor families.

It was the mud house in the model town Karnal, where Kalpana was born. She was the third girl in the family that lived in a society, where even the birth of one girl was perceived as unfortunate and unlucky. But it was very girl who brought glory to the Chawla family. Hats off to the Chawla family who have rebuilt their lives brick by brick and are today busy sharing their earnings, including the dreams of Kalpana, with fellow human beings.

(Source: The Tribune, Windows, April 24, 2004)

*Ms Reeta Sharma is the special correspondence of "The Pioneer" and the columnist of "The Tribune". She lives in Chandigarh. Her budding son is an accomplished photographer who at present is studying in the US with majoring in the photography
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Kalpana Chawla’s biography released

Tribune News Service, Ludhiana, February 13

The Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr K.S. Aulakh, yesterday released a biography of Kalpana Chawla. It has been written by Gurdeep Pandher, a local youth who belongs to Siahar village near here. Dr Aulakh commended the efforts of Mr. Pandher in compiling such a good book.

He pointed out that a lot of labour went into compiling a book. Moreover, writing a biography demands a lot of research, labour and hard work. He praised the commitment of Mr. Pandher in accomplishing this task, which he performed single-handedly within a short time.

The Vice-Chancellor said the youth and the students should seek inspiration from the life and achievements of Kalpana Chawla. He pointed out that Kalpana Chawla had achieved starry heights and great success in her short life. It only needs commitment and perseverance to reach the top, he pointed out.

He said, there was always a great deal to learn from the biographies of great people like Kalpana Chawla who serve as inspiration for millions.

Mr. Pandher said he had always been impressed by the glorious achievement of Kaplana Chawla. He pointed out that Kalpana had immortalised herself by her glorious death. He said Kalpana had lived and died in glory only and set an example for millions and millions of youth not just across the country, but everywhere in the world.

(Source: The Tribune )
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For those who dare to dream

Among The Stars- Life and Dreams of Kalpana Chawla
by Gurdeep Pandher.
Unistar, Chandigarh.
Pages 162. Rs 180, USD 15.

The Book Review in The Sunday Tribune By: Randeep Wadehra

IF you want to wear a crown of success, you have to have a dream, for realising which you need, among other things, self-belief and dollops of grit. Icons usually dream unusual dreams. They tend to be different, consciously striking out on a path that’s sparsely tread, if not altogether virgin. Admittedly, becoming an adulated idol is not in one’s hand, but becoming a trailblazer is, as has been driven home tellingly by Kalpana Chawla, the small town girl, who literally touched the skies.

Born on July 1, 1961, in Karnal, Kalpana completed her schooling from the town’s unpretentious Tagore Bal Niketan School. Right from childhood she fantasised about flying and airplanes. She took immense delight in watching the star-studded sky. Since she was a brilliant student, and interested in science, she took up Aeronautics Engineering at Chandigarh’s Punjab Engineering College, overcoming a lot of gender-based prejudices. Firm support from her siblings and her own resolve, not to mention her husband’s unstinted support later on, saw to it that she realised her dream. Rest, as we know, is history with tragic denouement.

Pandher has done a lot of research to come up with this tome. It’s well written, tracing Kalpana’s family roots, her childhood and her ascent to immortality. The chapters are short and interesting. Information provided by him is pertinent even as he sculpts the legend of the real-life space heroine with due diligence. Recommended for reading, especially for girls who dare to dream.

(Source: The Tribune )
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City youth pens Kalpana’s biography

Tribune News Service, Ludhiana, February 8
Vimal Sumbly

There may be several biographies written about Kalpana Chawla, who died on February 1, 2003 when spaceshuttle Columbia crashed and the entire crew perished. But Among the Stars! Life and Dreams of Kalpana Chawla, which has been written by Gurdeep Pandher, appears to be "written from the heart".

The 26-year-old Gurdeep, a masters in public administration from Panjab University was always impressed with the life and achievement of Kalpana Chawla. And her tragic death was enough to move him to write. Gurdeep maintains, "it is a real-life tragedy recorded in black and white". The biography is illustrated also with a number of pictures of Kalpana Chawla, colleagues, family members and friends.

She belonged to a family of refugees who had migrated from Pakistan after partition in 1947 and had settled at Karnal. She completed her schooling at Tagore Bal Niketan, Karnal and obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. In 1984, she finished her postgraduation from the University of Texas at Arlington. She completed her PhD in 1988 from the University of Colorado.

She started working at NASA Ames Research Centre in 1983 and joined the Overset Methods Los Altos, California, as vice-president and research scientist. Selected by NASA in December, 1994, Kalpana Chawla went to the Johnson Space Center, Houston, for training as an astronaut. While her first space flight in Columbia in 1997 was successful, the second one ended in tragedy.

Gurdeep disclosed that while the sketchy details of her life and personality were readily available it needed a lot of hard work and research to get an insight. It took about 10 months and travelling between Delhi, where Kalpana Chawla's parents stay, Chandigarh, where she had college education, and Karnal, where she had her schooling. Gurdeep said her father, Mr Banarasi Lal Chawla, mother Sanjogta Chawla and brother Sanjay Chawla were very cooperative and forthcoming with facts and other details. He also had several meetings with Mr Harrison, the scientist husband of Kalpana Chawla.

This is the third publication of Gurdeep Pandher. Earlier he had published "Diving into Heart", a collection of English poetry and "Mitti De Ghar", a collection of Punjabi poetry. Gurdeep was also the founder president of the Panjab University Young Writers Association.

(Source: The Tribune )
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Remembering Kalpana - the legacy of Chawlas

Tribune News Service, December 16, 2003
D.B.Chopra

Kalpana Chawla would be remembered as one of the seven astronauts who met with a tragic end on February 1, 2003, shortly before space shuttle Columbia’s scheduled touchdown in the USA. But very few people know that the brilliant flight engineer from Karnal did not call her father, Mr Banarsi Lal Chawla, "daddy" or "papa" but "bhaa jee", a Punjabi word meaning brother, and how she stuck to her decision of becoming an aeronautical engineer in spite of stiff opposition from her father who wanted her to look after his tyre business.

These and many other hitherto unknown facts of Kalpana Chawla’s life have been brought out in a 64-page book in English compiled and edited by Mr Harvinder Singh Chahal, president, Chahal Welfare and Sports Club of Uchi Daud village in Ludhiana district. The book was released by Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, recently at a function held in the village.

The book comprises five chapters, four of which explain the family history of the enterprising Chawlas, while the last one is exclusively devoted to the activities of the club since its inception in August, 2001.

From the first chapter, which has been penned by Mr Gurdeep Pandher after a lengthy interview with Mr Chawla, one learns about the Chawlas’ deep devotion to Sant Nikka Singh, who lived a life of a mendicant in a small hut near the sand dunes outside Uchi Daud village. The author writes that when the mendicant reached the Khel Gaon residence of Mr Chawla in South Delhi, the latter was reading verses from "Japuji Sahib", which forms an important part of Gurbani. Mr Chawla tells the author that his daughter would always call him "bhaa ji", imitating his younger brothers who called him so. Never did she call him "papa" or "dad", tells Mr Chawla.

Tracing the family history, the author goes back to 1909 when Mr Labha Mall Chawla, the grandfather of Kalpana, was born in Keelley village of Sheikhupura district of undivided Punjab. He was named so because he was born to his parents after prayers extending over years. He was married to Kartar Kaur in 1931. Two years later, Mr Banarsi Lal Chawla was born. Mr Labha Mall was then blessed with two more sons - Amrik and Darshan - and a daughter, Sujata. Mr Labha Mall and his wife were regular visitors to gurdwara Sacha Sauda, which is associated with Guru Nanak Dev, 8 km from Keelley village. Mr Labha Mall would ask his eldest son to recite Gurbani, which he has been doing to this day.

A little before partition, the Chawlas moved to Choorkana Mandi, also in Sheikhupura district, for some time. And from Choorkana Mandi, the Chawlas, after surviving a number of attempts on their lives on the way, finally moved to Karnal where a deserted mosque became their first shelter in free India. For a living, Mr Banarsi Lal, who was hardly 15 at that time, took up a number of menial jobs, while his father teamed up with a relative to set up a small shop. It was at Karnal that Mr Labha Mall’s fourth son Satish was born.

Since hordes of refugees, who were pouring in every day from Pakistan, did not have canisters to store the ration being given to them in refugee camps by the government, Mr Labha Mall started making tin boxes with lids.

Mr Labha Mall fell ill in 1953 and there was little hope of his survival. But his wife was hopeful. When she heard that a saintly mendicant had arrived in Karnal from a distant place, she took her husband to him. The mendicant, Sant Nikka Singh, told Mr Labha Mall to bring “lassi” for him every day. That proved to be a turning point in Chawlas’ lives as not only did Mr Labha Mall’s health improved but it was also the beginning of a family tradition, according to which one of the family members has to live a life of a mendicant in spite of the vast riches the family enjoys at present.

The chapter goes on to describe how after many trials and tribulations, Mr Chawla finally bought a second-hand scooter. One fine day, the tyre of the old scooter burst and Mr Chawla began scouting the markets of Punjab and Delhi for a new tyre. He had to deposit the money in advance and wait for some time before he could procure a new tyre. Mr Chawla then decided to set up a tyre manufacturing unit in Karnal. His idea was scoffed at by many who told him that it was not possible to manufacture tyres with indigenously developed machinery. But he made up his mind to go ahead in spite of all odds (no bank would sanction him a loan) with the result that Super Tyres Private Limited was born in 1969 on the Delhi Road near Karnal.

Soon, the Chawlas, who were leading a life of poverty, started rolling in money. In the meantime, Mr Labha Mall Chawla started devoting most of his time to mendicant’s service. He frequently visited him in Uchi Daud village. Soon it became a pilgrimage for the family.

The author goes on to describe the relationship between the Chawlas and Pahwa family of Ludhiana as their stories of struggle and poverty ran side by side. The Pahwas had also migrated from Gujjranwala in Pakistan. Both Mr Labha Mall Chawla and Mr Ram Lubhaya Pahwa belonged to inter-related families of the yore.

Sudershana Pahwa, daughter of Mr Pahwa, wedded Mr Darshan Lal Chawla, younger brother of Mr Banarsi Lal Chawla. This relationship brought Ludhiana and Karnal closer to each other industrially also. Both Kalpana and Neeraj Pahwa were born in 1961. Both the girls grew together as classmates with common academic interests.

(Source: The Tribune )
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Pandher’s "Diving Into Heart" brings him global recognition.

Hindustan Times
Ludhiana, August 20

DIVING INTO HEART, a book by renowned writer Gurdeep Pandher that was released in America recently, has brought him global recognition. The book is also available on sites www.amazon.com & www.barnesandnoble.com
(or www.bn.com) on the internet. The writer, who hails from Siahar village of Ludhiana district, is being appreciated by Punjabi laureates all over the world for his work. An outstanding student in college and university, he is also known to have established a "Young Writers Association" in Panjab University.

(Source: Hindustan Times, 21 August 2002)
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S. S. Johl Inaugurates website on writer

Express News Service, Ludhiana, September 18

English writer Gurdeep Pandher's website was released in a simple function organized at Punjabi Bhawan today. Dr. S.S. Johl , eminent agricultural economist launched the website called www.gurdeep-pandger.com.

The writer, who is author of Mitti De Ghar, a Punjabi book, and Diving into Heart , an English book. A resident of Siahar village, Gurdeep said, "Social themes like poverty, inequality, rights of women and environment were my favorite themes and I had written hundreds of poems on them."

Addressing the gathering, Dr. S.N. Sewak said, "His writings are as consistent as the writings of Dhani ram Chatrik and I love reading his poems too."

Meanwhile, Gulzar Pandher said, "This is an effort by Gurdeep to bring the name of Punjabis forward and also make efforts so that they are recognized internationally in the field of literature through latest technology." Dr. Johl who earlier inaugurated the website appreciated the efforts of this young writer who is only 25 years old. Among other who addressed the audience were Janmeja Johl, Gurbhajan Gill and acting president of Punjabi Sahitya Academy.

(Source: The Indian Express, September 19, 2002)
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Punjabi poet’s ballads on Net

Tribune News Service, New Delhi, September 26, 2002

Gurdeep Singh Pandher has earned the distinction of being the first writer from Punjab to have his book of poetic songs, ‘Diving into Heart’, displayed on prominent websites. His book was recently published in the United States and has been recording good sales.

(Source: The Tribune)
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Gurdeep Pandher's Books With Par Excellence

Punjabi-Munch, US

The book of English Poetical-Songs penned by Mr. Gurdeep Pandher titled "Diving Into Heart" has been published in US. This book is now available on www.amazon.com , www.barnesandnoble.com (OR www.bn.com ), www.walmart.com , prominent UK-US company www.alphamusic.com, www.alibris.com, www.rbookshop.com, and www.knowbetter.com which are world-famous websites for books. It’s a biggest ever achievement by its author as he has become the first writer from Punjab whose book has been displayed by most-viewed websites of the world. With this achievement, Mr. Pandher got a global recognition. This book is recording a good sale in world books market. The writer, who hails from Siahar village of Ludhiana district, is being appreciated by laureates all over the world for his work. This book has been released in US last month by 1st books Library. He graduated from Govt. College Ludhiana & Post-Graduated from Punjab University Chandigarh. Even, renowned writer Khushwant Singh appreciated Mr. Pandher’s work. He is founder of Punjab University Young Writers Association, Chandigarh and member of Punjabi Sahytya Academy, an organization of Punjabi writers. His articles and poems have been published in many Newspapers & magazines. Editors of Daily Ajit and Daily Punjabi Tribune wrote him to write columns for their respective newspapers. The sites www.amazon.com & www.bn.com (or www.Barnesandnoble.com ) are world’s two most-viewed websites for buying a book as rated by a publication of BBC. Moreover, Advance Magazine, US listed his book "Diving into Heart" in its October issue. Diving Into Heart can be ordered through Ingram’s Books in Print Database. For a brief period, Mr. Pandher also Edited Tarkash (Monthly), a Punjabi news-magazine. Before it, he also penned a book of Punjabi Poetry "Miti De Ghar" which was published by Arsee Publishers, Delhi. Miti De Ghar is appreciated by many Indian Sahytya (Literature) Academy Award Winners including Ms. Ajeet Cour, founder president of Foundation of SAARC Writers. Next month, Mr. Pandher is visiting different countries of world for promoting his book including France, England, US, Canada etc. This is an effort by Gurdeep Pandher to bring name of Indians forward and also make efforts so that they are recognized in the field of literature.

(Source: Punjabi-Munch, An America Based Website)
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Function in memory of Kalpana Chawla

Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, February 2, 2006

Punjabi Sabhyachar Academy, Ludhiana, and Apna Punjab Publications, New York, in collaboration with the Young Writers' Association, PAU, will organise a special function to pay tributes to Kalpana Chawla here tomorrow at Students' Home, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Renowned NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla had perished in space on February 1, 2003. On the occasion, Mr Gurdeep Pandher, author of "Among the Stars," is based on the life of Kalpana Chawla, will give a visual presentation, highlighting the glorious achievements of Kalpana Chawla. Dr V.K. Sharma, Register of the university, will preside. Born on July 1, 1961 in Karnal, Kalpana completed her schooling at Tagore Bal Niketan and obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. In 1984, she finished her post-graduation from the University of Texas at Arlington. She completed her Ph.D. in 1988 from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Soon after, she started work at the NASA Research Centre. In 1993 she joined overset Methods Inc., Los Altos, California, as vice-president and research scientist, selected by NASA in December 1994, the reported to the Johnson Space Centre, Houston. After the success of her first space flight in Columbia in 1997, she was hailed as the proud daughter of India. Her second flight ended on February 1,2003, when the space shuttle, Columbia, and her crew perished during entry, 16 minutes prior to scheduled landing. Kalpana's achievements attracted worldwide attention. She often said, "I was not born for one corner, the whole universe is my native land."

Courtesy, The Tribune, February 1, 2006
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Tributes paid to Kalpana Chawla

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 2, 2006

Tributes were paid to Kalpana Chawla on her third death anniversary here today. A function was jointly organised by the Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi, Ludiana, Apna Punjab Publications, New York, and the Young Writers Association, PAU. Gurdeep Pandher, who has authored a book on the life of Kalpana Chawla, gave a visual presentation on her life. The presentation included a number of slides and sketches about her life. The function was presided over by Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, PAU. Dr Sharma exhorted the youth to emulated the achievements of Kalpana, who by virtue of sheer hardwork and her own ability had touched the skies. He pointed out that there was no dearth of talent among the youth and they only needed to work hard and channelise their energies.

Courtesy, The Tribune, February 2, 2006