My visit to “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH, AMRITSAR” the birth place

of RAFI SAHAB

By Sanjeev Kumar Dixit

Photo of RAFI SAHAB in his schooll

I think that I am a luckiest person on this earth because I got the fortunate to visit “KOTLA
SULTAN SINGH, AMRITSAR”, the birth place of our beloved “Rafi Sahab”. My this visit
became possible only because of the blessings of “RAFI SAHAB”.

In the morning of 15th October I reached AMRITSAR from LUCKNOW by “Punjab

mail(3005)”. From there I reached to MAJITHA TOWN Siavara (20 km from Amritsar) by a
bus and from there I went to village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH (5 KM from Majitha town) by
same bus fortunately.

Kotla Sultan Singh Board on the way to village

After reaching the village I met with GURBIR SAMRA ji and his family. House of Gurbir ji is
at the same place where the house of RAFI SAHAB was.

After some time I met with the childhood friend of RAFI SAHAB, MR. KUNDAN SINGH JI.
He is now 85 years old but his memory is so good and he remembered every moment he
passed with RAFI SAHAB.

Gurbeer samra ji (Son of the owner of rafi sahab's house) with Kundan singh ji (Childhood friend of RAFI SAHAB)

He told me when RAFI SAHAB left the village in 1937; Rafi Sahab marked his name on a tree
with a knife for him.

He also told me that “ALI MOHD. SAHAB” the father of RAFI SAHAB, was able to prepare
the RICE with 7 different colors in 7 layers in marriages.

He told that name of Father in law of RAFI SAHAB was “MR. DEEN MOHD. & mother in law
as “MRS. NAWABO” and RAFI SAHAB married with “BASHEERA JI” in 1945.
 I with childhood friend of RAFI SAHAB in RAFI SAHAB'S paternal house

Kundan singh ji with Hardeep singh ji,The owner of house of RAFI SAHAB in back

According to KUNDAN SINGH ji, a saint was there in his village that generally visited his
village and played “SARANGI”. The wonder is this that he called the person’s
(Villager’s) name by his “SARANGI” and sang in very sweet voice. Rafi sahab liked his voice
too much and followed him till very far from his house.

At the last of the meeting “KUNDAN SINGH JI” became sad and his eyes filled with tears by
remembering his childhood friend “RAFI SAHAB” and he HUGGED me and said -”Please
visit the village again, I am at the end of my life but after me don’t forget the village and be in
touch with Gurbir & others.” When Kundan singh ji hugged me then I felt the
presence of RAFI SAHAB in Kundan singh ji. I also felt that RAFI SAHAB is
giving a lot of blessings to me through Kundan singh ji.
He said that before two years we arranged a program on RAFI SAHAB. Many celebrities like
“DARA SINGH, NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU ETC.” attended the program  and promised to
give a donation to village for making a monument of RAFI SAHAB but they forgot the
promise after the program. He kept the cutting of that news paper till now for proof & for
reminding the promise to politicians.

Kundan Singh ji, childhood friend of Rafi Sahab

I spoke with Mr. Gaurav ji, P.A. of MR. NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU JI; He is also a fan of
RAFI SAHAB & became very happy that I remind him the promise. He said he will do
whatever possible for the village.

We also must try to contact “DARA SINGH JI”. If anyone got the contact of any one of these
two please remind him, his promise.
Main gate of the school of RAFI SAHAB

New building of school of RAFI SAHAB

 Old building of school where RAFI SAHAB studied till 4th std.

Next day I visited the primary school of village “KOTLA SULTAN SINGH” where RAFI
SAHAB studied till 4th STD.

Photo of RAFI SAHAB in his childhood's school (I with head of the school, Jaspal ji)
 Gurbir Samra(right) & Juspal singh ji(left), head of the school

A photo of RAFI SAHAB was there in the office of the head master and Mr. Jaspal singh ji
worships daily to Rafi Sahab with putting a “AGARBATTI” in front of the photo. He
introduced me to the children and children said -” JAI SRI MOHD. RAFI SAHAB”, followed
to Mr. Jaspal singh ji. I advised him to put a picture of RAFI SAHAB in every class room &
gave him few photos of RAFI SAHAB. I also advised him that during assembly they can use a
Bhajan or patriotic song with daily prayer. He agreed with me and said he will try to do so in
near future.

Children of school saying JAI SRI MOHD. RAFI SAHAB (Gurbir ji in back)
Every child of the school is familiar to RAFI SAHAB. A girl child sang the song “BABUL KI
DUVAAYEN LETI JAA…” on my request. I also sang a song “HAM LAAYEN HAIN TOOFAN
SE KASHTI NIKAL LE…” for the children on request of JASPAL JI.

I distributing the toffees among the children of school

Peepal tree in school campus where RAFI SAHAB played in recess

I also saw the class room of RAFI SAHAB, Peepal tree under which RAFI SAHAB passed his
time in recess and the hand pump which RAFI SAHAB used to drink water.
 Hand pump of the school which RAFI SAHAB used to drink water

At the last I distributed some toffees to children and returned back.

My visit became possible only by the BLESSING OF RAFI SAHAB, great help of

MR. GURBIR SAMRA JI AND HIS FAMILY. My visit was very successful and sacred
like a “yatra of chardham or Haz”.

I want to say many thanks to GURBIR JI AND HIS FAMILY. I will always grateful to them.

“Long live Rafi Sahab”