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AN INTERESTING STORY
Swarn left India in 1958 post his B.Sc. (Engg) to the Pennsylvania
State University as a
Graduate Assistant. Post his M.S., he joined Hanna Coal Company,
Ohio as Efficiency Engineer and returned to India in 1961. His
story is told through news clippings/TV interviews what it was
like for a Sikh to be in USA in that era. A Sikh was somewhat
of a curiosity and at times representative of the "Maharaja"
cult that was heard of by the Americans besides the snake charmers.
Some even thought I did not have enough money to shave but that
was rare. Americans were by and large generous, welcoming, and
curious.
INTRODUCTION
Going "Phoren"(Foreign) was a milestone in the 1950's not only
for the person going abroad but for his family, neighbours,
and friends. It was not uncommon to have name plate of a person
ending with "London Returned". Going overseas was news worthy
event. Swarn's departure was duly published in "On Looker",
the then only Society Fortnightly. A tourist class ticket was
well worth chasing by the Sales Staff of Airlines and he was
appropriately taken for afternoon tea by KLM on the lawns of
the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. Going abroad also meant flying
for the first time. A lost baggage at Stockholm, a stop over
to meet a pen pal, was duly serviced by Airlines representative
taking him to the best Store and buying for him shirts, suit,
shoes etc. and apologies for their inability to buy him a turban.
They, however, agreed to fly the same to USA if Swarn's family
delivered these to them in New Delhi. The aero plane could not
cross the Atlantic and had to stop for refueling enroute. It
was a surprise to find that Swarn could telephone his friend
in Pennsylvania from New York by just feeding coins to be connected
'pronto'.Swarn's experiences were by and large pleasant ones.
Every one from the Professor downwards was so very helpful -
his problem was their problem. At the work place and in non
University towns, experiences were mostly positive but there
was some resistance at times... |
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