Kushwant Singh's Mano Majra

Introduction

Kushwant Singh is a famous Indian writer.  Mano Majra is the first chapter of his famous novel Train to Pakistan.  This chapter describes the village and its people.

Description of Mano Majra

The village Mano Majra is situated in between Delhi and Lahore, at the banks of river Sutlej.  It is half a mile away from the village because the river floods during rainy season and it comes into the village.  There are three brick buildings in Mano Majra.  One is the house of Lala Ram Lal, the only Hindu in Mano Majra.  Lala Ram Lal is a moneylender.  The two brick buildings are a mosque and Sikh temple respectively.  Apart from these religions there is a pseudo Christian in the village.  In spite of their religion, all the villagers go the stone bench and offer prayers.

Description of Railway Station

The railway station at Mano Majra is a busy place.  The train passing the station takes the single track that runs over the river Sutlej; therefore, many trains stop at Mano Majra station.  There are many wagons around the station, to load the goods train.  There are many sellers in the station.  The stationmaster of Mano Majra sells tickets, collects them, sends and receives messages, and waves the flag.  A person who changes the track and takes the light signal during night assists him.

Morning mail train

Trains play a vital role in the life of Mano Majra.  Early in the morning, the morning mail train crosses Mano Majra.  It blows two whistles on which the Mullah of the mosque wakes up and sings the Morning Prayer.  On hearing the mullah’s prayer, the priest of the Sikh temple wakes up and cleans the temple and starts chanting a prayer.  The whole of the village wakes up after sometime.

The passenger train

By 10.30 in the morning, a passenger train from Delhi to Lahore crosses Mano Majra.  During the time it passes the men are in the fields, the women are busy doing their daily works, the children are busy grazing their cattle.  The bullocks are busy, the sparrows are flying and the dogs are sleeping in the street.

The Noon Train

At noon when the express train cross, the men in the fields has their lunch, the children start to swim in the pond, the women in house pick lice and talk about many things.

The Evening Passenger

At evening, the passenger train comes from Lahore to Delhi.  When it crosses, all the people come back to their homes.  They put their cattle at the respective places.  The women in the house are found busy preparing meals for dinner.

The Night Train

During night, a train passes Mano Majra.  During that time, the Mullah of the temple sings a prayer and the Sikh priest follows him.  The villagers will fall asleep on hearing the sound of train.