My only encounter with Khuswant Singh ji

 My only encounter with Khuswant Singh ji

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The only time I had the opportunity to meet Khushwant Singh was during my search for fossils in 1987 or 88 when I was a bachelor student in the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) in Geology at Punjab University, Chandigarh. I was influenced by the discovery of a fossil leaf from Kasauli by Medlicott and would spend hours hunting for fossils in and around Kasauli. Fossil collection and their preservation became my passion.

Unfortunately, the illegal mining of sandstone had resulted in the destruction of these valuable relics. I felt compelled to share their story with him and explain why we must protect and preserve such treasures. I believed that if Khushwant Singh wrote about them, it could truly make a difference in raising awareness for their preservation.

On the day of my visit, I was in the same locality where Medlicott had discovered fossils back in 1864, a location near Khushwant Singh's home. It seemed only fitting to seek him out.

I knocked on his door, and his servant answered. I introduced myself and expressed my desire to meet 

Khushwant Singh.

After a few minutes, the servant invited me inside. Upon seeing me, looking somewhat disheveled from my

 time in the field, Khushwant Singh remarked, "Aap ne appointment li thi?" (Did you have an appointment?) 

He continued, "Koi bhi yahan par jab chahein aa jaata hai." (Anyone can come here anytime.) 

He said, "Please go and seek an appointment and come."

At that time, I was studying at the university, and that was the only occasion I tried to meet him. 

Now, it seems like karma—after almost 35 or 36 years, I received this letter of invitation from the 

organizers for an event in the same place where I was once asked to come with an appointment.

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