Moga: Author: Dr. K.S. Kang

Moga

The first place that my parents saw other than their birth place village was Moga, as this town is associated  both with my father as well as my mother. My father took admission in Doctor Mathuradas College of the town as a Student in Faculty of Arts or F.A. after his matriculation. Since my father figured in merit list of matriculation exam so he was granted scholarship other wise after the passing away of his father, his brother was in no position financially to support his higher education. So as to cut down the expenses my father’s elder brother got accommodation for him free of cost in the house of his friend Dr. Kartar Singh, who was a quack in indigenous medicine and owned a shop cum residence area in the main street of the town, that was popularly known as Doctor’s Street and the shop was owned by Shiwala Soodan Trust. So as to live frugally my father cooked his own meals and wore simple rough clothes and got most of his supply of cereals and pulses from his native village. My father came to Moga around 1945 after his matriculation from his native place Dharamkot and my mother also came to this place almost at the same time from her native place Parao Mehna. The place where my father took his accommodation was in the main market of the town that was popularly known as doctor Street. My mother even got her school education from 8^th standard upwards from his place as her village had only school up to 5^th or 8^th standard. At that time she lived in a hostel as even Government girls school of that place had hostel facilities for girls and this school was also situated in the Doctor’s Street but my parents did not know each other till their wedding. Both my parents still remained in contact with this place as it was nearly equidistant from the native places of the both. They had to come to this place frequently for shopping , so they opened even an account in Punjab National Bank, Pratap Road branch. After the demise of my mother’s parents as my father’s parents had passed away even before the wedding of my parents, my father decided to purchase a house. So he bought a three room accommodation situated in Sardar Nagar Akalsar Road. This house remained property of my family till the dawn of 21^st century when my father decided to sell it off and settle at Chittorgarh in Rajasthan.

          Moga is situated in the middle of Ludhiana and Ferozepur. It is almost equidistant from these two places, It is grain capital not only of Punjab but of entire country also. Currently it is well connected to important places of the country like Delhi, Amritsar, Dehradun, Firozepur, Ludhiana, Jaipur and the like. As it is a commercial town so it is a chief attraction of the people of the surrounding villages. Besides the rail link the famous Kasur-Ludhiana section of Grand Trunk road passes through this town. Another attraction of the town is Nestle Factory situated on Ferozepur road which produces Coffee, chocolates, noddles and desi ghee. Coffee’s aroma can be felt in the air of the town many a times.  Another attraction of the town is Gita –Bhawan that is known for its wonderful architecture, peaceful ambience and the greenery in the town, Several idols and chariots have been artistically shaped by architects from Rajasthan. There is also a martyr’s park in the town in which some volunteers associated with RSS were killed by terrorists. Besides D.M. College other institution that has sprung up in the town lately is Guru Nanak College which has good ground and sports infrastructure where people can be seen walking and jogging in the morning. I with my friend used to visit this college whenever I stayed at Moga during summer vacations. Besides as a student my father also used to visit Public Library managed by municipality of the town to get his daily diet of information.  This town has given a number of illustrious personality to the country and society like world famous eye surgeon Dr. Mathura Das who holds world record for performing eye surgeries. Current famous woman cricketer Hamandeep Kaur also belongs to this town. This place has been associated with atleast three generations of my family as my children and wife have also visited this place frequently in their life. A popular proverb about the town is “Moga, Chai Joga”, as its tea, particularly of the stall at the railway station is legenedary.