Independence Day as I have seen it

Independence Day, for many persons like me, is a day to remember the valiant soldiers who have laid down their lives to bring Independence to our country. And, who have, subsequently, kept up the fight against intruders to ensure that our borders are safe from outside attacks.
On this day, the tricolor is unfurled in the capital New Delhi by the Prime Minister and in the states by the chief ministers. There are the usual lectures by the chiefs to maintain contact with the masses and, some states present parades of the local military, police, fire brigade personnel, NCC cadets, and the Home Guards etcetera.

Nothing is on a lavish scale because the day is in the middle of August which is the season of rains, hence any outdoor program has to be drawn up accordingly.
My memories of Independence Day is one of mixed feelings. In my school days, there used to be the prabhat feri – or procession early in the morning by young boys and girls. They would be dressed in white and would carry the tricolor and march through the streets singing patriotic songs. There would be band boys with drums and they would provide the music.
The tricolor would flutter from each house and the sweet shops would make special Independence Day sweets – usually sandesh in three layers corresponding to the colors of the flag. There would be enthusiasm all around because Bengalis had played a major role in the freedom struggle.
Foremost among them was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who had given the war cry – ‘give me blood and I will give you freedom’. He had formed the Indian National Army and wanted to tie up with foreign powers to help get freedom. However, he suddenly disappeared and it is believed that he died in an air crash in Japan.
Anyway, apart from Netaji, there were many other young freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives so that India could get freedom – names like Khudiram Bose, Prafulla Chaki, Bijoy, Badal, and Dinesh became immortal. Songs were composed to talk about their valor. Those patriotic songs would be sung on Independence Day.
It has to be membered that Bengal was one state that was deeply and directly involved in the freedom movement because of personalities like Netaji with added inspiration of Rabindra Nath Tagore. Bengalis are poets at heart and the freedom struggle got its dose of insulin from patriotic songs penned by the likes of Kazi Nazrul Islsam, Dwijendra Lal Roy, Tagore and others. (to be continued …)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

Take care of the heart – a few dos and don’ts

Chinese research finds that spicy food is the secret to a long life

Swatchh Bharat campaign takes a beating in Delhi itself


Dame Julie Andrews to direct new ‘My Fair Lady’ in Sydney for 60th birthday of Opera Australia

There is a fight scene between Captain America and Spiderman in ‘Civil War’

Shah Rukh Khan’s fond wish - to see Ethan Hunt and James Bond in one movie


Parts of lost plane MH370 of Malaysia Airline washes up on Reunion Island

Niloy Neel, fourth blogger of Bangladesh, hacked to death in Dhaka

Suicide bombers attack Kabul –kill dozens of innocents


A street food named jhal muri

A tribute to Kishore Kumar, the legend, on his 86th birthday

The world of fuchka, golgappa and panipuri

Zoom off from New Delhi to Kolkata by Rajdhani Express for Kolkata Boi Mela

My first working level meeting with the Russian delegation was in January 1995.
It was a new experience as well as a bit of a problem for me because I had to also attend the Kolkata Boi Mela and the dates clashed. The Boi Mela usually took place in the last week of January and went on till first week of February and the meeting was in the 2nd week of January.

My transfer had already affected the publication of Naba Nalanda. Moreover, along with my transfer, one of my partners became a patient of diabetes – therefore, our Sunday visits to the industrial hub of Nashik to collect ads took a beating. The publication was a sort of joint enterprise and, with me unable to devote time because of my new assignment and my partner unable to extend support because of restrictions imposed on him by the doctors, we realized that Naba Nalanda would die a natural death.
In spite of that, we had booked a stall in the Boi Mela of 1995 and my partner had gone on ahead to prepare the stalls. I was supposed to meet up with him directly from Delhi after the meeting with the Russian delegation.
Therefore, I took my boss into confidence and booked a ticket to Kolkata by the Rajdhani Express. My boss cautioned me to return back to Nashik at the earliest and, also suggested that I try to stay away from the publication business since it was impractical to devote equal attention to my profession and my hobby. I had to sacrifice one.
I also knew as much and, my participation in the 1995 Kolkata Boi Mela was our last one. (to be continued …)

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


EU realizes the curse of plastic carry bags – to banish the bags

100 cities in India would turn into Smart Cities

Pet Pomeranians of Surat married off, 500 wedding guests enjoy the feast

Woman kills her husband because of his dark complexion

Baltimore on fire as protest over death of a black youth in police custody spirals out of control

‘Papri’ and ‘Barood’ - collection of Bengali short stories published from Nashik

British Army wants computer whizzkids to counter the growing menace of ISIS propaganda


Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities


Durga Puja - priest dancing with devotee (YouTube video)

Buying a Premier Padmini of 1978 vintage for Rs 30,000

In those days, HAL gave Rs 30,000 as car loan for purchase of a four-wheeler because it was that period when there were a few models of cars on the roads. Most popular in the four-wheelers were the grand old Ambassador car of the Hindustan Motors and Premier Padmini, the Indian version of the Italian Fiat. The amount of car loan was just enough to cover the cost of a second hand model and, when I became eligible to get a loan, I applied.
The approval of competent authorities used to take some time because there was an annual quota of loans that would be disbursed and, invariably, there would be someone who would try to squeeze in the queue quoting some reason or the other.
As I waited for the approval, I set in motion activities connected to acquiring a car, activities like carrying out a recee of the cars available in the market. To help me in this work I got hold of a Malayalee – he was a master in automobiles and, most of the garages in Nashik had hordes of Malayalee workers. That helped.

Finally, I zeroed in on a white colored 1978 Premier Padmini and settled for Rs 30,000. I paid the owner a token amount for booking. My application for loan had been cleared but imagine my surprise when I came to know that there was an embargo on issue of further loans for that financial year. It was a directive from HAL Corporate Office.
When I checked with my friends in Bangalore, they informed that the orders had certainly come but the local Finance department had decided to pay the loans to those whose approvals had come and then apply the embargo.
Unfortunately, in Nashik, the Finance department was a stickler for rules and, even though my loan had been approved, I could not get the loan amount. I was in a fix because I had already committed to the deal and had to, therefore, arrange the money from alternative sources.
All this happened just before my departure with the Russian specialist to New Delhi and I had to leave the car parked in front of my quarter. I never imagined that my son would take advantage of the ready availability of the car and, on the pretext of warming it up in the mornings, he would take the car out on the road.
By the time I returned from Delhi, he had mastered the art of driving and, later, taught me how to drive!! (to be continued …)

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Pattern of death changing in India – heart and lung related diseases are top killers

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

Meeting with Air Force officers at Air Head Quarters

Yes, I have mentioned earlier that my TD to New Delhi was for 3-days but, the first meeting at Air Head Quarters set the rend for an uncertain future. The problem was a technical one and it pertained to the engine but, the officer who had come from HAL Korput preferred not to intervene. His Russian specialist also played dumb kept looking towards for a solution – and I had not the faintest idea about engines.
It was all a blame game. While Air Force blamed HAL, the manufacturers, I along with my Service Engineer took the stand that the problem was not that great and was being exaggerated.

The Air Force officers did not appreciate my insinuations and, one of them even threatened that he would complain to my Managing Director about my attitude.
We broke for lunch and the Russians went to their hotel. This hotel in Delhi catered mostly to Russians and they felt comfortable to dine with Russian music floating in the air and Russian cuisine on the table.
As to me I went to our Guest House and was lucky to get my General Manager on the line at the first attempt. I debriefed him on the meeting at Air Head Quarters and he smiled off the threat. He assure me that he would keep our MD informed and ended by saying – Ghose, you are now the GM of Nashik in Delhi. Take your decisions, we will stand by you.
That sort of an assurance does great things to one’s morale and boosts his confidence sky high and I felt I could really pull off this mission with success. (to be continued …)


Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist


A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Teenage girl of Brighton sat on a needle in a bus and is now getting her blood tested for HIV

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

TD in Delhi of three days turned out to be one of 30-days

This was one TD that I would never want to be repeated. It was supposed to be a TD of three days in New Delhi in the month of June – and it turned out to be one of 30-days!!
The work was related to the induction of a new variant of MiGs by the Indian Air Force – the aircraft had been supplied by HAL Nashik and the engines mounted on them were supplied by HAL Koraput. Since Nashik supplied the aircrafts mounted with the Koraput engine, and since the problem pertained to engine, a team was sent to the Air Head Quarters in New Delhi to discuss with them and resolve the issue.

I had to go along with a Russian specialist and it was a TD of three day’s duration. Air passage was authorized from Nashik to Delhi and back and I left with a change of clothes packed in an attaché case.
The outward journey was uneventful. The fight from Nashik to Mumbai took around 45-minutes. We got down at Mumbai, had some snacks and boarded the flight to Delhi. At Delhi airport, there was a vehicle and the driver held aloft a placard with HAL Nashik written on it. Locating him was no problem and we went to a hotel where my Russian specialist would stay.
As for me, I took the vehicle to our Guest House in Asian Games village. From there I rang up our Service Engineer who stayed in Hindon. He was expecting me and our Russian specialist and we decided to meet next morning at Air Head Quarters. I asked the driver to report to me next morning by 8.30am.
But the interaction with the Air Force officers did not turn out as I had expected. A Russian specialist had come from Koraput along with a senior officer of Koraput and they remained silent spectators. I had to take the leading part and knowing that Air Force were our customers and the customer is always right, I had to play a crucial role. I had to ensure that things did not go out of hand. (to be continued …)


Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist


A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Teenage girl of Brighton sat on a needle in a bus and is now getting her blood tested for HIV

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Pitfalls of Temporary Duty – the Delhi-Bareilly experience

As a member of Customer Services it was but natural that I proceed on Temporary Duty to Air Force locations, sometimes at short notice. It began with my first TD to Air Force bases at Bareilly in UP and Tejpur in Assam. I had got a promotion and, while my immediate boss wanted to retain me in the office, his boss wanted that I go to some Air Force base. And, as luck would have it, one of our Service Engineers was retiring and I was asked to take over the inventory from him. He held charge of two bases – one at Bareilly, the other at Tejpur.
The time was December and it was my first ever TD – I expected to get guidance from the officer who was retiring. But, it turned out that he was not happy with our boss because his request for extension had not been approved. Hence, he bore a grudge against him.

Unfortunately, he was a Bengali, hence, my colleague wanted to vent his anger on me.
Anyway, the journey from Nashik Road to New Delhi was uneventful. We had boarded the Punjab Mail and, in those days, there was a First Class compartment. By manipulating with the TTE, my colleague managed to wrangle a couple of berths for us.
We got down at Faridabad and took a cycle rickshaw to the house of my friend’s son in law – it was terribly cold as it usually is in Delhi in the middle of December. The cyclerickshaw-wallahs had covered themselves in blankets and pedaled without removing the coverings. After a north Indian dinner we retired for the night.
Next morning, he wanted to go to the Air Headquarters – to follow up his request for extension. I tagged along with him and, saw some important landmarks of New Delhi. Then we went to the house of another of his son-in-laws in Delhi for lunch. Our plan was to leave for Bareilly by taking a bus from ISBT - accordingly, I arrived at ISBT by evening but my friend was nowhere to be seen. I rang up his daughter and she said he had already left. I was getting in a panic because one bus was getting ready to leave for Bareilly when I saw him coming. (to be continued …)


Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist


Links to some more interesting stories –


Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

Health tips – lose weight without dieting


My Boss wanted me to become a detective

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart