Late Shri Sunam Rai, M.A.
Freedom Fighter and Philospher
[1896-1959]

Born only 47 years after the annexation of the Punjab by the East India Company, Shri Sunam Rai was able to get the highest degree (M.A. English) from the prestigious Forman Christian College, Lahore. Most of the Youngman of that era had the eye on the highly remunerative Civil Services, but he opted to work for the new concepts laid out by Rishi Dayanand. He preferred to become a teacher rather than serve the British Empire. Many educated persons of his times who later became leaders of Indian National Congress had opted or tried their luck at these services. He wrote whatever his inner atman directed and he was a fearless critic of contemporary customs and personalities as high as Acharya Vinoba Bhave. His mind and spirit were ahead of his times and that is why he viewed the environment around him with the eye of a person who could be identified with any of the saints and philosophers. He wrote very large number of tracts and articles for journals and newspapers. He edited on honorary basis several newspapers without much monetary benefits

But then the society does not change its course like a river or stream even if you put so many dams and barrages. The present day trends in social behaviors in terms of holding money at the highest pedestal are as vigorous as these were during the preliminary stages of civilized human settlements and during the era when personalities like Shri Sunam Rai struggled.

He wrote innumerable articles stressing on the need for change in attitudes and practices for wholesome living. These have been edited and placed in a book form titled ‘Naara-e-Haq’ in Persian script (THE CALL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS). One such article entitled “Wherein lies the true happiness?) has been translated from the collection of his articles in the above book.

WHEREIN LIES THE TRUE HAPPINESS?
by
Sh. Sunam Rai, M. A.

The real happiness in the life of a human is that he sacrifices his body and mind for the cause of his objectives before his body becomes useless and is cremated or buried or dumped on garbage heap. He should use his body for the achievement of his objective. He is not blessed with a body that he should become handicapped and cry over and complain that the world does not give him any solace. The human body is a miracle of power and enthusiasm whose sole purpose is that it should be sacrificed for a strong conviction and purpose. This purpose should become an axis around which he should revolve throughout day and night. A person will not prosper and develop who does not aim high.

• What is the purpose of life for the beloved citizens of my India?
• Is it none other than physical fitness?
Well No, as most of the people are sit at homes and shops.
• Is it work worship?
Not at all, as countless people are habitually parasites and live on the labour and earning of others.
• Is it excellence in economic affairs?
Not even this because, if earning money was the objective then we would never be lagging in promoting technology to be left in poverty and inappropriate situations.
• Is it acquisition of knowledge?

Never, as innumerable people are enemies of knowledge and declare that education is against believers. They run away from education.
To state clearly, the whole nation does not seem to have a goal and purpose. That is why the true happiness is a distant dream. We don’t stand anywhere among the free, dynamic and cultured nations of the world. The Maha-purshas (wise persons) are born from time to time. They awaken us.

Some get awakened but the most of the people are left un-awakened. After some time their followers get entangled in the worldly attractions and leave the theme. Shri Swami Dayanad preached awakening and it was felt that this movement of Arya Samaj will spread not only in India but will benefit the whole world. But after a little time the followers got snared in the worldly attractions. For the love of wealth they have given up high thinking and living. Leaving aside Gaytri Mantra and righteousness they have started earning money by establishing cinema houses and printing below dignity advertisements. The worship of demons has swayed them from goal of happiness.

Then came Mahatma Gandhi who rode the high tide. The wave of penance and love for country was at its peak. But after a little while the aim of righteousness faded away. How could we win the hearts of foreigners, when the local groupism became the order? Some installed cinemas while others opened an agency of cigarettes and some started collecting thousands of rupees by getting into insurance business. That was for enjoying life through money. Those who criticized and taunted the foreign rulers for paying heavy salaries to their employees now collect huge treasures and put aside the people entangled in poverty and slavery.

Forgetting the penance, sacrifice, love of the motherland there is race for acquiring powered vehicles and high-class bungalows. For social functions these persons get golden invitations printed for the occasion and galore over the number of cars parked outside their mansions. The childish pleasure of getting the photographs printed in newspapers is supreme urge while the sacred aim of serving the motherland is gone into oblivion. In a sovereign state whose educated people are engrossed in acquiring comforts through ill-gotten money with illiterate sections ignorant of the affairs of the land how can righteousness prevail? And without any concepts of high class thinking how they can be grouped with dynamic nations. This is the reason that helpless Gandhi has gone silent as the penance and sacrifice required for high class living is no where to be seen among his followers.

And this is the reason that we die like insects. The happiness is far away.
[Translated from “Naara-e-Haq” – page 39, edited by Principal Bahadur Mal, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, October 14, 1966]

Life Sketch Of Shri Sunam Rai M.A.
Place of Birth: Tehsil : Fazilka
District : Firozepur
Province : Undivided Punjab
Date of Birth: November 20, 1896
Wordly yatra: Expired on December 25, 1959
Family: Married to Smt. Indra Devi after matriculation in 1912
Basic Education: M. A. (English) 1918 (Forman Christian College Lahore
Activities: Headmaster of schools, Editor of Magazines, and Public speaker
Beliefs: Stauch Congressman and Arya-smajist
Books: “Naera-e-Haq” collection of articles
Convictions Urge to Uplift the Indian Masses
Aresearch: Poverty in Indian masses and its eradication
Esteemed persons:M.K. Gandhi, R. Ragore, Bertrand Russel, Einstein, Rishi Rayananad, S. Bhagat Singh Shaheed
Popular articles
1. Religious thoughts
2. Political essays
3. Uplift of masses

Source: LoveFazilka.esmartweb.com