Dr. Prem Nath Dua, son of, Lala Sant Ram Dua ( known as mehndi Wala) was born in Mohalla Haji Gulab, Bhera, district Sargodha. His father, Lala Sant Ram, owned/leased lands and had a big mehndi’s business. He was a well-known figure in Bhera and surrounding villages. (For details about Mehndi, also called Henna see Wikipedia).
Prem Nath Dua’s Tayya, Lala Devidas, was a science teacher at Government High School, Bhera. He lived opposite Dua Sahib’s house in Mohalla Haji Gulab.
Prem Dua studied in Municipal Committee Primary School No 2 (1876), mohalla Sheikhanwala, close to Chirri Chog Darwaza (Qabli Gate 1865). Then it was till Class lV. Later, Dua joined the Government High School for Boys, Bhera. The school was established around 1882 in Kacheri Bazaar, next to the old Bhera Police Station (1870) and later, shifted to the new building in 1927, near the terminal Bhera Railway Station (Circa: 1881). The old building became the boys’ hostel.
At the time of Partition in 1947, Prem Dua was in 8th Class, about 11/12 years old (he started school early). In India, he became a veterinary doctor, and for a couple of years taught at the veterinary college. In 1961, he went to America for higher studies. He did masters and Ph D, from the United States and since then worked there in the veterinary field.
Dr. Dua has a great passion for Bhera, his birthplace. He vividly remembers his childhood spent in Bhera. He has visited Bhera several times, starting in 1977. Presently, he is close to 90 and lives a retired life in Washington, D.C.
Pictures of his visit to Bhera, his mohalla, ancestors’ house, and lands at Dewanpur ( 7 km from Bhera ) have already been shared on the website, bhera. org.
At my request, Dr. Dua has shared his memoirs of Bhera in an audio message. These cover the history and cultural heritage of Bhera. May be of interest to some. The link is given below.
To be continued…
Zahid Mumtaz
Message/comment by Sahibzada Abrar Ahmed Bugvi, from Bhera on the memoirs of Dr. Prem Nath Dua
Message/comment by Ejaz Ahmed Piracha, from Bhera on the memoirs of Dr. Prem Nath Dua
Message/comment by Hakeem Bashir Bhervi, from Bhera on the memoirs of Dr. Prem Nath Dua
Begum Gulshan Iqbal, daughter of Hafiz Muhammad Amin Qureshi, from Mohalla Haji Gulab, Bhera, after listening to the reminiscences of Dr . Prem Nath Dua from Washington D.C, on the website, bhera .org has shared her memoirs of Bhera. It may be of interest to some. Zahid Mumtaz
Message/comment by Hakeem Bashir Bhervi, from Bhera on the memoirs of Dr. Prem Nath Dua
Part 2. Begum Gulshan Iqbal, daughter of Hafiz Muhammad Amin Qureshi, from Mohalla Haji Gulab, Bhera, has shared a few more memoirs of Bhera. To be continued…
Comments by Khawaja Zahid Nasim, an Advocate from Mohalla Khawajgan, Bhera on the memoirs of Dr. Prem Nath Dua are given below in audio format. Nahida Mehboob Elahi (late) was wife of Khawaja Zahid Nasim . For more information about Nahida see the website, bhera .org, under the category, People of Bhera.
Letter of condolences to the son of Dr Prem Nath Dua on his father’s death on 14 August 2024, in Wahington, D.C., USA.
Dear Anil ,
A great soul has left us… Dr. Prem Nath Dua, a man in his 90s, cherished his birthplace, Bhera, till his last breath. Born in Mohalla Haji Gulab, around 1934 in Bhera, district of Sargodha, Pakistan. He carried the love for his homeland in his heart throughout his life. Despite being far away in Washington D.C., USA, his memories of Bhera remained as vivid as ever.
His eyes would sparkle as he shared stories of his childhood, his voice filled with nostalgia and longing. He visited Bhera several times, and each time, it was like a homecoming for him. The streets, the people, the smells, and the sounds – everything was etched in his memory forever.
We can still hear his reminiscences in audio format on YouTube and on the website bhera.org, under the Category, People of Bhera. His love for Bhera was pure and true, and he held onto it till the very end.
As we bid farewell to this gentle soul, we remember his genuine love for his birthplace and concern for the betterment of Bhera. May God Almighty bless his soul and grant him eternal peace. Ameen. Rest in peace, dear Dr. Dua. Your love for Bhera will never be forgotten.
Zahid Mumtaz
17 August 2024