The Lost Poetry of Sikh Poet Nunihal Singh: Problems and Demands

(Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series to preserve on the Internet the “lost” poetry of Nunihal Singh Layal, the “Tradesman Poet,” who I met in New Delhi in 1974. Some poems contain his original introductions. I have a self-published book of his that is disintegrating and falling apart and over the next year or two I will run and preserve all of his poetry here. Joe Gandelman)

Problems and Demands
by Nunihal Singh Layal

With the dawn of the freedom in India, the demands, problems and responsibilities of its countrymen have also increased. The people are advised about their duties and suggestions are made, that mortal medicine is the only remedy for such described problems.

Courtesy, Courage and Capability is the Cry of the day,
Corruption, Cut-throat Competition should be Cut and Curtailed every day,
Mending of Men’s habits and Morality
Should be the Main Move of the day,
Modesty, Moderation, and above all Meditation
Is the Moral Medicine for the Modern Man of the Day,
Putting off Poverty, Producing Power of
Pluck and Production is the Problem of the day,
Puzzling the Public and the Public Govt
To Provide protection, to the unprotected of the day.
Security, Sense of Sincerity and Service
should be the Stimulent of the State of the day.