Inside Khushwant Singh’s apartment, on his 3rd death anniversary
This is where he died exactly three years ago. We are at E-49, Khushwant Singh’s red-brick apartment at the colonial-era Sujan Singh Park in central Delhi. Privileged members of Delhi’s high society used to plot and manoeuvre to get an invite to his drawing room. The author of classics such as Train to Pakistan, Delhi: A Novel and the two-volume A History of the Sikhs had lived up to a ripe old age of 99. Singh also edited The Hindustan Times. His drawing room was one of the most sought-after places in the Capital. Every evening, he gave audience to friends, ministers, intellectuals, industrialists, authors, and admirers, especially if these admirers happened to be visiting Pakistanis. The meetings, even with intimates, were always arranged by appointment. The board outside the apartment door famously said: ‘Please do not ring the bell unless you are expected’. The board is still there. It is the first time that an outsider is stepping inside the home of one...