His contribution to Durga Puja will never be forgotten

Here is the thirty first unforgettable character in my life …

Durga Puja is the largest festival of Bengalis wherever they may be and our township was no exception. When it started, those who were involved in it devoted their energies to make it a success from the very first day and managed to create a festive mood for not just the four days but the taste lingered on long after the immersion of the idols in the River Godavari.
The period was in the late seventies and the man responsible was an ex-Navy officer. He possessed a never-say-die attitude that is unique to anyone who has seen service in the armed forces. When the Bengalis decided to hold the first ever Durga Puja in the township, he led from the front and ensured that the festivities left a lasting impression on not only on the Bengali community but also the locals.

The biggest challenge was to organize entertainment packages for the four days. Since necessary funds were raised from donations and subscriptions, the donors expected to get their money’s worth. And - he took a decision to arrange programs of artistes from Mumbai and Pune. The tentative program for the four days were – inauguration, entertainment package by artistes of Mumbai or Pune, a program to the Marathi population, and an evening meant exclusively for local talents.
It was that stage in our lives when television was in its infancy and cable TV was unheard of and people would crowd to venues of entertainment to spend an evening and watch celebrities and renowned singers.
He had managed to bring famous artistes from Mumbai like Hema Malini, Manna Dey, Babla’s orchestra, Tun Tun, Sachin Shankar’s ballet and others to entrain the gatherings.
The idol of Goddess Durga and her retinue would be brought directly from Kolkata by train as would be the dhaki and there would be community lunch consisting of khichudi on all the four days that would be open to everybody, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
However, all of a sudden, he passed away and others took off from where he left. Even today, he is remembered as the man who made things happen. The word ‘impossible’ was not in his dictionary.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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He loved a game of contract bridge

Here is the twenty seventh unforgettable character in my life …

In those days, there were young men who married by giving information that was not true – it was sad because, after the marriage, it broke many homes. I have seen it happen. Anyway, the person I will now write about did no such thing – he handled the electrical aspects of the fighter aircraft and he got married to a girl who had a wonderful voice. She could render Rabindasangeet like any well-known singer.

He was also a footballer and an acknowledged player of bridge – he and his partner had participated in many national bridge tournaments and rubbed shoulders with the likes of bridge maestro Jimmy Mehta.
The wife was a calm lady, busy in her household activities and came on stage whenever requested to do so to sing Rabindra sangeet – either solo or in a group. In order to assist his wife, my friend learnt how to play the tabla and would accompany his wife on stage. None of them believed in creating problems.
As per traditions of those who live in a place for a very long time, he purchased a plot of land with the intention of building his own house and living there after retirement. The fact that his younger brother also stayed in the city and had a small business of his own added to his desire of staying on here. But, events willed otherwise.
His small family was complete with the only child, a son – he had little or no interest in either games or music. He was a studious boy and moved from one class to the next with honors. He finally became a Doctor and is currently in Pune. There is no certainty of his returning to Nashik. Therefore, my friend has sold off the land and shifted over to Pune to be with his son.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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We played contract bridge together

Here is the fourth unforgettable character in my life …

He was my partner in contract bridge and we played contract bridge together. We had developed our very own bidding system that we tabled in one of the National championships held in Nashik in 1981. We were no match for veterans who had come from Mumbai, Pune, Sholapur and distant locations but it was an experience that we cherish even today.

My bridge partner and I had an understanding – that is important in these games. One must have the minimum number of accumulated points based on the cards he held and depending on the vulnerability he had to take decisions that could tilt the balance in his favor. Bidding was one part of the game; the actual play was the other. Sometimes I would be over enthusiastic and bid for a game that could never be made – my partner would blow his top if the game was played in the confines of my or of his drawing room.
But, in public when we played in our Officers’ Association or in other forums, he would stare at me as if he could burn me to ashes. Since I was weak at hand play, I would invariably try to settle for game in the suit he bid – but, when I had to open the bidding and when the game came to my hand, I dreaded the consequences. In spite of these drawbacks, we did manage to bag a few awards.
Today he is a retired person like me. He has two sons – both settled abroad. My friend and I stay in different parts of the city and meet only when there is an invitation to marriage. The clubs like Mitra Vihar, where we once played, have acquired a modern look; the Meher hotel has been demolished and a huge shopping center has come up in its place. Our bridge days are over but not forgotten.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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