Partition to Prosperity: tale of a Punjabi trader

In the year 1945, thousands of Punjabi families braved the horrors of partition, leaving behind their cherished homelands to seek refuge on the Indian side of the border (current day Haryana & Punjab). One such family was of Mr. Dayal Ram Makhija, my? Grandfather.

My lineage traces back to a trading community hailing from the Jhang area of Punjab, Pakistan. And in this article, I am going to tell you the story that bought me the privilege I lived so far, the story of partition, struggle, and entrepreneurship.

Among the multitude of patriarchal families that chose to leave behind their possessions and resettle in India overnight, one family was my grandfather's family. With unwavering determination, my grandfather, accompanied by his beloved wife (my grandmother, fondly known as Bebbe), and my aunt cradled in her arms, ventured to India. At that time, my aunt was just a tender six months old.

My grandfather and fellow traders suffered the loss of all their wealth, connections, and goodwill amidst the chaos of partition.

In those initial days, when the government was still in the process of arranging settlements for the refugees, families spent weeks, months, and even years in refugee camps. Arriving military trucks would toss bundles of rotis to the throngs of refugees.

But my grandfather, a son of traders, could not bear the indignity. He chose not to rely on the provisions in the government-established refugee camps. Instead, he began stitching army uniforms in a nearby city to earn food, which Bebbe lovingly prepared for their family. He earned his sustenance through sheer hard work and dedication, embracing low-value jobs to provide for his loved ones. It was only through the revival of his trade skills that he managed to regain his footing after the devastating blow of losing everything.

Though the partition had snatched away tangible riches, it couldn't diminish his entrepreneurial acumen. United with a group of like-minded refugees, my grandfather recognized a burgeoning demand in Bombay (now Mumbai), a city full of hope. Bombay was witnessing an influx of people and resources, serving as India's gateway to the world. As the population grew, the demand for milk surged, posing a challenge for milk production. Urban dairy owners required the finest livestock and expertise more than ever. This is where the journey of those Punjabi traders, including my grandfather, began.

Setting forth on their mission, these traditional traders personally transported buffaloes from Haryana to the dairies of Mumbai, known as "Tabela." Till that point, the Murray, the most famous desi breed of buffaloes was not so popular. These traditional traders used to bring buffaloes by themselves in the 'Maal gaadi' fetching water and food for the live stocks on the way, taking care of their medical needs, and milking them all the way long. Trains at that time used to take up to 2 days long halts at times. But these thick-skinned traders went all the way long selling giant beasts to earn their status back.?

With time, their business flourished, and prosperity flowed in.

Yet, challenges awaited. In an unfortunate encounter, a Muslim individual defaulted on a significant payment for a shipment, causing my grandfather immense trouble. This clash escalated, involving buffalo farmers in Haryana, where trust and credit were the pillars of commerce. Responding forcefully, my grandfather confronted the situation head-on, recovering the payment and inadvertently landing on the hit list of Muslim dairy proprietors. The weight of responsibility forced him to pivot and explore fresh opportunities across the country. This quest led him to the British-established city of Jabalpur.

Jabalpur, the city with the most important arms and ammunition center of the nation (which it still is) drew people from all corners. Despite the region lacking milk production, it had abundant labor and rich and affordable animal feed.

Some of our relatives were already engaged in various businesses in Jabalpur, including oil mills, agro goods, and dairies. Dairy was one big thing not everyone could crack not just because of the operational challenges and intense labour. Very few of those Punjabis who tried got success in setting up a profitable dairy. The biggest blocker was knowledge of cultural medicine systems to cure seasonal infections and wounds in buffaloes and the right knowledge of feed to improve milk quality and quantity.

?Dadaji was one such person with a great sense of Pashupaalan. ( animal husbandry). He shared his wisdom with numerous local folks and fellow relatives. Recognizing the vast potential, he aimed not only for short-term personal gain but fostering an ecosystem of growth. Central to their venture was teaching people how to produce top-quality milk and providing them with the finest Haryana buffalo breeds. Today, the Dairy industry of Jabalpur produces 2 Lakh liters of raw milk per day.

Dadaji roamed in rural Haryana to curate high-grade Murrah buffaloes and send them to Jabalpur, where he later established his dairy business (a showroom to buy buffalo of your choice). That is when he brought his son my dad first to show them what he has built staying away from home. He was a true family man and an entrepreneur.

Following the dairy's establishment, he acquired two acres of land in a remote place called Panagar, accessible through a rugged path through dense forests inhabited by wild creatures. The year was 1985.

My uncle recalls those early days fondly. "Dad adored horses. He had two of them—one white, the other dark. He personally tended to their needs. He would set out in his horse-drawn carriagea.m.'rning to initiate the milking process, ensuring fresh milk hit the market by 6 a.m. He supervised dairy operations and imparted knowledge to local laborers about animal care, and traditional treatments. Once the milking and health assessments were complete, he would transport milk cans to the city in his horse-drawn carriage. My father recollects his return home, "Dadaji would bring home bags brimming with rupee notes, distributing earnings among his nephews and stowing his share in a safe, setting aside savings for rainy days and weddings."

Witnessing the continuity of the dairy business, initially overseen by my father and later by my brother, fills me with pride. Despite confronting formidable challenges, my brother navigated through crises, preserving the legacy and providing employment opportunities to over 50 individuals directly and indirectly.

Even today, my brother rises at 3 a.m., and the milk still reaches the market by 6 a.m. The mode of transportation may have evolved from a horse-drawn carriage to a hatchback car.

My Grandfather, Father, and brother are examples of dedicated business owners who took business as pride in Providing nutrition to the masses and created sustainable employment opportunities for the last 70 years.

Today, we the grandsons of Dayal Ram Makhija stand at the helm of this legacy, embracing the responsibility of expanding our traditional dairy business. As we embark on the journey, we do so with a profound purpose. The intent is to provide an alternative to processed foods, a step back toward embracing and promoting traditional food habits. By nurturing this legacy, we are contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future, rooted in the richness of our past.