First visit to Calcutta city (11 days stay)

First visit to Calcutta city (11 days stay)

After my M.Sc. (Zoology) and specialization in Entomology in 1968, it was time when I was working as Research Assistant (US Govt PL 480 Project) at monthly fixed salary Rs380 under Dr S N Prasad, Reader in Zoology Department and got registered as Research Scholar under him in Allahabad University.

Unfortunately at the end of June 1970, I got totally disappointed of my continuance further in the research project, when I had to seek some other livelihood. Since the present source of income was to terminate in the very month; I had applied for a number of assignments. But lo! I got my job tenure extended by another 3 months. I was partly happy since I had not to worry for any financial acuteness, but still reluctance prevailed in my mind and it was due to nothing but the step motherly behaviour of our Dr S N Prasad, amongst the staff. A group of really sincere who believed in work was always humiliated by the doctor’s negligence. I was also one of affected persons. Therefore I could feel happiness only in going out of the research project to some other place for a suitable job.

In the June itself, I attended 2 interviews. One at an inter college and the other at a degree college but I could not get a chance of being selected.

On 20^th July, I received a telephone call from a stranger some Mr. Tripathi of 70 Stanley Road, Allahabad that I should contact him for an urgent telegram. However, I got the telegram it was from Education Department, Port Blair. It was direct offer of a post of Senior Teacher Biology at central school Andaman Nikobar Island. Total emoluments would come to Rs 550 per month and residence cum travel free. Therefore, I decided to wire to them of my consent. The same night, I sent telegram. I didn’t feel that necessary to inform about this to any body even to family. Took vaccination and inoculations its certification from public health officer Municipal Corporation, on international form which is necessary for embarkation on to any voyage. Then I got fitness certificate from Civil Surgeon Allahabad on payment of Rs 10 which is necessary for joining any Govt service. On 4^th July , I got cheque of Rs 380 and from Allahabad bank Rs 242 closing my account. Went home on 5^th aug .Met Mrs. and other family members specially mother. But did not tell my decision for going to Port Blair. I told them that I was going to Rangoon by air lines via Calcutta.

On 6^th Aug , I got relieving certificate from Dr Prasad and decided to board the Bombay Howrah mail leaving Allahabad at about 9 pm. I had not much luggage. Only one attaché, one brief case and one hand bag. Cash Rs 380 plus Rs 240 total Rs 620.

It was first journey to Calcutta ,the biggest city of India but recently affected by naxalite menace. At present west Bengal is under the President’s rule. In the train, got a berth and felt cosy throughout the journey. From Naini onward it took another route towards Mirzapur Mughal Sarai Patna etc. Mokameh, Kiul , Dehri on Son , Gaya , Dhanbad , Burdhman , Asansol and then finally reached Howrah by 11.45 am next day. At first sight I thought it was not Howrah but later I understood the fact . With the help of coolie , deposited the luggage in clock room. Most coolies are from Bihar and also other worker community. Hindi is well spoken and written over there. Practically most of the population knows Hindi. Railway station is a big one with 12 plate forms but not as big as that of Bombay. It was 7th aug today and then with the brief case I boarded in 12C bus going to kidderpore. The route is via Howrah Bridge over Ganges Hoogly and Esplanade Chouringhee or Dharamtalla. Reached Kidderpore, Now started on foot to Birla hospital via Medical Research on Diamond Harbor Road. There are number of buses and tram services and thus the conveyance is quite cheap. It was 2 pm now. Contacted Alok’s brother in the hospital and he took me to his residence. After a refreshment ,contacted a person who had recently come back from Port Blair. There from got the address of Shipping Corporation of India,Nilhat house,11 R N Mukherjee road at Dalhousie squire. Alok’s brother helped me a lot but the shipping personnels told me to send a wire to education department Port Blair regarding my arrival to Calcutta and also to make a request for cabin arrangements in the ship sailing on 19^th august. Also send a copy of that to Commissioner Andaman Port Blair. Alok’s brother went back to his work. I went to railway station with a heavy heart, how to spend so many days in Calcutta. If I went back it was a matter of shame and if I stayed there I would go in extra expenditure of about Rs 100. However went to rly stn, sent wire to Port Blair, as it was needed and then took luggage from the clock room. Took a taxi and reached Bow Bazar B B Ganguli Street (no. 217) Medical College hostel where contacted Mr Arup Chatterjee who was a nice fried of Naresh Gaur of Allahabad Medical College. He was waiting me since yesterday. Therefore he cheered me by his warm reception. So my heaviness in mind slightly went away. After tea ,it was 4 pm. Went to his room where 4^th bed was arranged for me . It was a big hostel of big rooms with 4 inmates in each. In that room Mr Aroop Chatterjee (of Delhi) , Sitarambhakta Singh Pradhan (of Nepal), Mr Sanjoy Banerjee ( of Kanpur ) and one whose bed I was using was Mr Gauri Shanker Keshari ( of Buxer). All Hindi speaking friends. One man very frequently used to come over there was Mr Vijay Dhingra( of Dehradun) Lately he also became a friend.

I told the whole story. They insisted me for that much stay. In the evening went to Air Lines Corporation very near there on Chitaranjan (central) avenue ,a big building and air conditioned. My flight could not be availed due to pass port. Did not go back to room but Arup took me for walk and showed a number of places out of which most pleasant was bank of Hoogly , the beautiful place for sight seeing. Enjoyed a ship at rest over there. I thought that it would be pleasant to make a journey on these ships. Their lives are all interesting. At that time , it rained therefore we were wet. Came back to hostel and talked each other. Fixed tomorrow’s programme. Arup had his flight to Jorhat on 10^th, therefore I was left alone on the mercy of other inmates. In night at about 11.30 took dinner. The worst because all the inmates are communists and they say that they will eat only that what the labourers eat. They smoked the cheapest Charminar because the workers smoke Charminar. Only I used Wills Filter but I was fearful whether other inmates might harm me if they saw me using Wills Filter a costly cigarette. After dinner went for a walk to medical college and at about 1 am , went to bed. Got a sound sleep.

Got up in morning by 7.45 and it was 8^th aug. took bed tea and read news paper. Went to bath room and finished toilets and bath. After nasta, they went to college and I was left alone. Kept busy in reading two novels one of Hindi of Acharya Chatursen Shashtri and the other of English the Land Fall. The English novel was nice one. Both novels were offered by Arup. In the evening of 8^th I and Arup went to Calcutta café and took beer. He suggested me to take either beer or gin. I took only one and half glass while he took four and half and the bill was Rs11 + 7 Rs 18. Saw that the girls for enjoyment were frequent. They were smoking and taking beer or gin. We consumed 10 Wills Filter cigs. Came out. We both were in order, but I was slightly affected. It was 10 pm, didn’t go any where. Back to room. Didn’t like to take food at lovely restaurant in casino foods (in hotel ordinary were not good). Today slept earlier and a sweet sleep.

On 9^th morning got up ,after toilets bath and breakfast it was Sunday . Read novels. On 8^th , also went to Bank of India with Arup. Saw B B Ganguli street fully. It was all occupied by jewellary and furniture merchants. In the night of 8^th I happened to go in a street which was prostitutes street.

Yes let me come to the 9th day. Arup went to his relatives house in morning to come back in night, so Sanjoy took me to tea in evening because he was more familiar with every body.

On 10^th morning, went to see off Arup to air lines corp staff bus. Vijay went up to aerodrome. I had to go to Shipping Corporation of India for further enquiry. They entered my name in the waiting list. My name was 87^th, therefore I had no hope of getting bunk reservation. I contacted another personnel for the cabin reservation. They assured if I went over there on 14^th ,the reservation list from Port Blair will reveal whether my name was there or not. I came back to room. After lunch, took rest. In Calcutta only 3 shows of cinema 2.30,5.00,8.00pm. Saw one Bangla film Pratham Kadam Phool. Two Hindi films Sharafat and Pavitra Papi and three English films Yesterday Today and Tomorrow, Five men Army and the Italian Job. All movies in top cinema houses. No. of times went Esplanade and Dalhousie square. One day went to witness Birla Planetorium which was very much interesting. One evening went to Lake Gardens, Park Street and New Market also . Saw Calcutta National Museum thoroughly. It was really greatest in India. The same day went to see Victoria memorial and enjoyed most. The other day went to see Birla technological museum near Ballyganj. Saw big and huge many storied buildings and offices of Calcutta. Enjoyed the bus trips and tram services. One thing which I found most frequent , that there were rallies and demonstrations by CPI(ML) every day.

Murshidabad tour

On 15^th august, instead of going to Zoological Gardens , went to the historical city of Murshidabad about 6 hours journey by train. We were four that day. Mr Sanjoy Kr Banerjee, Mr Vijai Dhingra and Mr Gauri Shanker Keshari. Of course fourth ,myself. This trip I enjoyed most and real adventure I witnessed. Saw palace of Sirajuddaulla (Nawab of Bengal Bihar and Orissa). His army chief Mir Zafar’s tomb and also temples of Murshidabad. Bhagirathi flows through that city. There were no hotel accommodation .It was only town area. That day they had some festival Jhoolan Jatra to be celebrated in Hindu temples. People flooded whole night and worshipped and slept over there on bare floors of temple. We also did the same. The other morning we enjoyed another day there, took bath in the river, in evening came back to rly stn and in night by 12 reached Sealdah stn and by 12.30 to hostel. The other day in the fine morning got up. It was 17^th aug.after breakfast,went to Shipping Corporation office and to great surprise I found my real elder brother Vinod ji over there. He had gone to take me back. It gave me great pain but on his no permission I had to come back. The same evening by 7.30 came to Howrah stn. Vijay Sanjoy and Keshari had come to see off me. I was pleased. The train started and took me back to Allahabad.

This was the greatest truth of my ill fate and misfortune. Really I was wonderstruck to realize how hard lucky I was. Perhaps the predictions of Sen Dada, a palmist from Bombay (as written in previous diary) was correct that in my fate it is inscribed that I shall be a factory worker at last who enjoys the fruit of full labour.

On 18^th reached Pratapgarh,Chamrupur. There I found that every body even cheap people were looking down at me . They thought I was sent for Kala Pani (transportation of life). Even my mother . she felt that I left them alone and I fled away to that place where no body likes to go.

I gave them a good deal of jolt for their ill knowledge of about changing India.

Reached back to Allahabad on 19^th. It became a matter of insult to me that whosoever is coming to me is talking that.

However it was all probably fated. Instead of sailing to Part Blair on scheduled date 19th Aug, I returned back to Allahabad.

Sushil Kumar Ojha

27.08.1970

263,Madhawapur(Birhana),Allahabad.