Sudershan Chopra- Serve without Applause

Sudershan Chopra in her parents Meerut home

I begin my introduction of Smt Sudershan Chopra by thanking her for showing us how to serve without applause! She led an illustrious life as Director of the Punjab Kesari , Hind Samachar & Jagbani group of newspapers; wife of Shree Romesh Chander Chopra ji – the Co-Founder & Editor of the Punjab Kesari Jagbani & Hind Samachar group and a renowned Freedom fighter & post partition leader. We remember her as a dedicated wife, mother, a social worker and above all a fighter sailing through – a spirited soul. Further she married into an illustrious family of Swatantra Senanis-freedom fighters of the acclaimed Lala Jagat Narain Chopraji whose wife Shanti Deviji had joined the movement too. He went on to hold Education, Health and Transport ministries in Greater Punjab (the now Punjab, Haryana & Himachal Pradesh) in free India.

Wedding & the Funeral

At the onset of monsoon season in July 1955 beautiful young Sudershan ji married handsome Romesh Chopra ji in Jalandhar in the Hind Samachar grounds that still exist, little realising that she would be part of his funeral pyre lit in this very ground 29 years later in 1984! The situation was such that they couldn’t go to the nearby cremation ground!

The Sewa

Managing a large joint family fully supported by her younger brother –in-law Shree Vijay Chopra ji and bhabi Swadesh Chopra ji she drew inspiration from the life of her late husband Romesh Chander Chopra and started active participation in several Charities, Organizations and Trusts that she had already joined during his lifetime.

The Family- Bauji Jagat Narainji, Biji Shanti devi ji, Romesh Chanderji,Vijay Chopraji, Swadesh Chopraji.Children- Ashwaniji Avinashji Kiran Balaji, Neetaji,Arvindji & Amitji

This was not just Sewa, it was her duty whilst she struck a perfect balance between being a Home maker and selfless social service.

In her life spanning 92 years she belonged to everyone outside her home- women in distress, children in homes, Old Age homes, counselling marital cases, organising Eye camps, Blood Donation camps and discreetly helping the needy. People approached her with their problems because they knew she would listen first and judge later! Being a good listener she understood situations and took decisions with clarity & positivity.

Humanitarian Actions

After Romeshji left her tragically in 1984, she carried on the path of a meaningful life. She lost, she fought and she rebuilt but didn’t turn her pain into bitterness! It was as if she held her Home with one hand and the society with the other hand! The rustle of the white starched cotton saree and pearl string became her identity as she continued to contribute to several organizations and NGO’s to cite few-

• Nari Niketan Jalandhar– valuable inputs as a Senior Trustee for about 40 years, at late Prime minister Shree I K Gujral’s Nari Niketan set up by his parents; working with his mother Mata Pushpa Gujral ji – a shelter for deprived deserted women and later a Home for Children and Adoption centre.
• Chairperson of the Gulab Devi Trust Jalandhar, established in 1927 by legendary freedom fighter leader Lala Lajpat Rai in memory of his mother in Lahore.
• A calm decision maker member at the Red Cross Society of Jalandhar Punjab
• National level member at the Child Welfare Council –CWC travelling between Delhi & Jalandhar shaping futures.
• Services at Prayaas– Deaf and Dumb school – focusing on education, vocational rehabilitation of children with intellectual & physical disabilities. Contributing at Apahaj ashram and Vridh ashram
• Counselling visits to Gandhi Vanita ashram– a state run shelter home and welfare centre for children, women/widows.
• Guiding at Sanjeevni Short Stay Home for women by ASHI Jalandhar

Personal

An official visit to the East

Sudershan Chopra ji was well travelled globally and was often honoured alongwith her journalist & Gandhian politician husband Romesh Chander Chopra ji.

An evening spent with Mayoress Joan Shackleton & Mayor G F Shackleton of Guilford UK

She had the opportunity to attend conferences and meet the local politicians too. Like one of her favourite memory was that the Chopra couple spent an evening with Mayor Shackleton & Mayoress Councillor Joan Shackleton  of Guildford UK! Then she was visiting her surgeon brother Avinash Chadha who lived in a Manor house with his Irish wife Eileen often visited by actor-director cousin Dev Anand and bhua’s son famous director Shekar Kapur of Elizabeth of Hollywood fame and Mr India of the Bollywood fame!

Romeshji and wife Sudershanji with famous actor -director cousin Dev Anand

Sudershanji took pride in her celebrity relative connections. She was related to the eminent Anand brothers- Director Chetan Anand, actor director Dev Anand and actor director Vijay( Goldie) Anand. She recalled the excitement in her Lahore-home when Dev Anand visited and remembered the childhood spent with Cousin Goldie. She even visited Shekhar Kapur whilst he wrote the Oscar nominated Elizabeth movie.

Meeting Prime minister Indira Gandhi in Delhi to hand over a memorandum- Mrs Sudershan Chopra & Mrs Parminder Berry

Romesh Chandraji and his wife Mrs Sudershan Chopra with Mother Teresa and Father Joseph in the background

Mrs Sudershan Chopra with late Prime minister Manmohan Singh

With the central cabinet minister late Sushma Swaraj

Late President of India Sh V V Giri’s visit to Jalandhar home

With Former Prime Minister Late Sh. Atal Bihari Ji

Just married Sudershanji with young sisters in laws