Chandausi Junction-Soan Papdi

Bishambar Dayal, the zamindar of the city, belonged to a family, that was respected not only for its wealth but also for its good deeds and social work. Bishambar’s grandfather had built the first school in the city so that the children of the city could get a good education.

However, in his lifetime, the school could only have classes till fifth grade. Later on, Bishambar’s father arranged for classes till eighth grade and Bishambar fulfilled the family tradition by expanding the school on the ancestral property and not only arranging classes till Inter but also opening up a playground.

Under his supervision, the Principal of the school used to invite senior teachers and professors from Lucknow, Allahabad, and Banaras. All the fee collected from students was used for running the regular expenses of the school and Bishambar like his ancestors used to bear the expenses for the maintenance of the school.

The family practices stated very clearly “This school is not for business. We will incur the expenses to develop the forthcoming generations, but will not take away even a single penny from this institution.” The family owned almost one-third portion of the city and used to get sufficient wealth by the rent received from these properties and the crops sold from the fields owned by them in the nearby village of Akbarpur.

Every year, the school used to have a gala event on the day of Basant Panchami. On this auspicious day, Bishambar Dayal, like his forefathers, would be visiting the school with his family members, in his buggy (a very well decorated horse cart). He would be meeting, apart from the students, all the school staff members, i.e., Principal, Teachers, Attendants, etc., listen to the devotional songs dedicated to Ma Sarasvati, distribute awards and accolades and finally give away sweets to all the gathered members.

It was this last activity that was the most awaited event for the students, as the sweet being distributed was no ordinary sweet, but the Soan Papdi of Mangal Sen Halwai3 and Kallu Halwai4. Made from shudh desi ghee, this Soan Papdi was considered to be the jewel in the crown of Chandausi. People who were visiting the town from as far away as Moradabad, Bareilly, and even Delhi would make it a point to visit these shops and get the boxes packed to take them to their native places and then share them with their family members.

For the students, the sweets were of added significance as on this day, they could lay their hands on a full box. After the ceremony, Bishambar Dayal would give a one-kilo box to each individual who was present to attend the event. Which student would miss this golden opportunity of having this delicacy to one’s heart’s desire, for the next few days, if not weeks?

This year, Bishambar Dayal thought of playing a little prank. He asked his attendants not to offload the boxes of Soan Papdi. Like every year, the program started with introductions, devotional songs, recognitions. It was at the time of award distribution, that some students observed that the legendary boxes of Soan Papdi were missing, but the others assured them that they will be coming in good time.

How can an age-old practice be discontinued so suddenly? As the last of the awards were being given away, students’ disappointment started turning to panic. Slowly the murmurs of “Arrey Where’s the Soan Papdi?” “Why it has not yet come?” “What happened?” could be heard. Bishambar Dayal, his family, and close associates witnessed all this, but feigned ignorance and enjoyed the comic situation. Some students were still hanging on to the ray of hope that from somewhere and somehow the avatar of Soan Papdi will certainly descend on this day.………….

(for reading the rest of the story and many more stories like this, please get your copy of Chandausi Junction at the leading online and off-line book-stores like Universal Booksellers-Hazratganj-Lucknow, Universal Book Centre-Mahanagar-Lucknow, Harmony the book shop-Varanasi, Garg Brothers-Allahabad, Browser Library-Chandigarh, Om Book Store-Delhi, Bahrisons-Delhi, Book Ganga-Pune, Read on rent-Jabalpur, Rathi’s Media Centre-Jodhpur etc. The book is also available on kindle. Don't forget to share your feedback at shankarsahay7@gmail.com-)