Just Like That | Here's why Kushwant Singh was a beacon of sharp intellectual thinking

March 20, 2024, marked the tenth death anniversary of Khushwant Singh. To commemorate this occasion, his son, Rahul Singh, along with Bhaichand Patel, the ever-green octogenarian known for his conviviality, loyalty to friends, and memorable parties — as also his close friendship with Rahul — invited friends and admirers of KS. Deeply disappointed, I was about to return to New York, when HD Shourie, the highly respected former bureaucrat and social activist, whom I knew well and was very fond of, advised me to meet KS. But KS did precisely that, and a few months later, I got a call in New York from David that Penguin India would publish it. In describing him and his attitude to life, I am reminded of this couplet of Firaq Gorakhpuri: Aage kisi ke kya karen dast-e-tama daraaz Yeh haath so gaya hai sirhane dhare dhare Before whom should I extend this hand of want This hand has long gone to sleep resting against my head.