Charming Vignettes

Chachaji had a way of recalling events, telling stories and creating a lively and compelling atmosphere; often a little fiction or imagination mingled with facts. But the tale told by him was interesting and often carried a ring of higher truth. He inspired countless people through his unique storytelling art, guiding and leading them towards higher life values-moral and spiritual.

He was influenced by the teachings of several saints and sages and had imbibed the essence of Indian culture. He had a huge store of experiences which he freely offered to all for their benefit.

His observant eye missed nothing, he had a genius for spotting the unusual, the exceptional and the droll, and he found the right words to invoke the odd fact that had caught his eye.

This book includes a variety of interesting stories and other writings that came from Chachaji' s pen-reminiscences, allegories or simple observations. They may be vignettes on profound truths or just funny jottings and titbits-but all readable.

Surendra Nath Jauhar: Born August 13, 1903 at village Vahalee, Distt. Jhelum (now in Pakistan), resident of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, New Delhi. Education at D.A.V. College and National College, Lahore; member D.C.C. (1939); member P.C.C. (1934-47); took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942); defied Martial Law Regulations (1919) and suffered beatings and forced marches under the British Sergeants. In 1930, organised boycott of foreign cloth throughout the "Katras" of Chandni Chowk; November 14, 1930 read the Congress Independence Day Resolution at the Clock Tower; arrested and tried for six different counts; sentenced to nine months' R. 1.and Six months' R. 1. in the Central Jail Multan; tortured in Jail and released in 1931 on account of Gandhi-Irwin Pact; in 1942; went underground and worked with Shrimati Aruna Asaf Ali and Shri Jugal Kishore Khanna; arrested on September 17, 1942 after fierce fighting at the point of pistol; dragged along with his wife in Connaught Circus followed by thousands of people; in the scuffle, the Magistrate on Duty ordered to shoot him dead, escaped providentially; tried under various counts for about two years and acquitted on May 6, 1944.