Sipra's diary: Collections from Columbia University (a trip to China ;and to India)

 The students of Columbia University  Business school were elated for getting  the trip to foreign  (emerging )countries .The university gives options to choose where they want to go. My daughter took China -trip first . She planned to take me with her . 

China! Cradle of. ancient civilization; the  Great Wall :one of the seven wonders ;  emperor's palace known as the forbidden city; my long time dream ! But finally I cancelled the trip when I heard that she would cancel the program of  Great Wall and the Palace; as Beijing was risky for the tourists for some climatic hazard or some problem . I tried to make her understand that I heard   from others that   all of them faced  problem with  food and language . As she would be busy with her scheduled program of class, conference tournament, I would be left with boredom. The  destination of the University   was  Shanghai, the third largest financial center in the world . They stayed in International    Grand Hyate hotel . So they did not  face any problem with food or language. The routine of the school was so compact that they had little time to roam  arbitrarily and experience the local life-style of the city. 

The school gave them a city tour . Shanghai was originally a fishing village and market town  situated on the estuary of of Yangtze River; now it serves as the most influential international trade and cultural center of modernity. It is described as the "showpiece" of booming economy of China.The newer part  of Shanghai is on the  the east bund of the river Huangpu river ;it has numerous skyscrapers buildings ; particularly  Lujazul(!) area is famous for   attractive Show-rooms of all world famous products ; the famous Crystal Zade of China .,along with    huge fish -market and  Garment- warehouse  . Tailoring was very cheap .The students were excited to learn that they delivered the dress within two days.So almost all American students bought the best cloth in cheaper price and  ordered several   number of suits .The tailors themselves would come to hotel for trial before the  final delivery.

My daughter narrated amusingly ," it was so funny to see the students,(shedding off the protocol elegancy,) moving  crazily to and fro from  different compartments  of warehouse and screaming ,bargaining ! The word "mad cow'( in figurative sense!)  just flashed in my mind.   The accompanied professor was also watching curiously, as he was  sipping a bottle of coco-cola  near the counter .To notice me he commented , "O, so smart of campaigning the  battle to come back early !"   Then he continued "This is why I come here as finishing touch of city- tour ".He grinned.

"I did't disclose to him that  I. was an escapist to join the battle, for  avoiding  the crowd". I told  him that I am interested to take a tour of the old city  on Saturday. "

He gave me some good suggestions about how to go there and what  to visit and to eat . The old city of Shanghai was completely different in contrast to  the new one.The older part of urban Shanghai , known as the British settlement, is  on the West Bank of Huangpu river.The British named their stretch of riverfront as " bund," a Hindi  word meaning 'embankment' that the traders bought with them from India. Bund was the showpiece of early 20th century Shanghai."shikumen"  or stone-gated house -grey and  brown two storey tenements arranged in terraces  which  was  a   unique  architectural  form to Shanghai .But this key part of the city's heritage has not been protected  with   proper care.  ******

I missed  to mention one appalling story of China. The chairman of 

Asian bank appointed  by the professor  of Columbia,  narrated  some   story to  the students  :

 For  controlling  the increase of population,  Communist government of China made "One child" as legally mandatory .So those who bore more than one child ,they abandoned the  new-born   second /third  child  (specially girls-child ) secretly to exempt from  the punishment of the government. Those abandoned children were picked up   and collected by the orphanage  which  in turn gave rise to a  new  and novel  business.  Lots of People from the west and from America started taking  China tour by cruise. The main purpose  of China- Cruise Tour - was to adopt baby at cheap rate  without facing   legal complexities . In America and Europe,  the process  of adopting  is complex :  the legal issues along with   a lot of money is needed for adopting a baby.  So the issueless   western couples  hunt babies from the overpopulated countries like China, Korea, Indonesia and India.  According to  the censure, the  problem is that ratio of male and female   has been misbalanced.  Globally, the number of female-child has been decreased.

In addition to above story,  another  one  was that in interior china of village the health of people deteriorated suddenly.   It was detected after  enquiry that people used to sell their blood for earning money  to build bigger houses. The reason was they wanted  to build two-storied buildings   for giving marriage to their sons. Actually the buildings look like two-storied from the outside but the upper story had only wall , while inside  was  fake and left unfinished.  Women  have  advanced  compared to men  in   modern China. To get a good bride  the groom must have  education with proper degree ,  a good job. and a two-storied house. A common joke   among the folk  used to  run ,

"O,  you are the. father of girl ; that means you are  commercial bank ; and me?

I am father of male-child, a merchant bank!" 

 China is no more patriarchal.

Asia development Bank  gives loan  in two  sectors  : One is  Public health and secondly, in house-building loan. They are no doubt good steps for social upliftment  of   China.                                                                                                             ****************************************************************************

                               Trip to India.

                                                   

 

Sipra's Diary : Drollery of pickpocket (Fragments of memoir)

                                                        

                                                                              ( Drama )

                                                Title : Drollery of Pickpocket. :          Time:3 to 5 minutes.                

                                         One-Act-Play ./. Place : Metrocity  of  Calcutta.  India./.  TIME : 1965.

                                         Genre:        Humour

Protagonist :          Gargi.  

Antagonist;            Pickpocket  

Other characters :  Two  friends of gargi  ,   Few college students (both girls and boys and others).

Venue :           ......    Public double-decker bus.

The Narrator   :

Calcutta was the #.1 One  overpopulated megacity of the world at that time 1960s .  It was hard to take ride into the bus during office hours in any mid- stoppage, as the buses became full at the starting point. From 9 Am to 10 Am   morning  and  4:30--5:30 Pm. was the peek  hours .

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                                                          Act One          Scene  1

Gargi with two other friends came outside  of the   university gate; noticed some of their known friends taking  chat excitedly.   Someone   suggested ,"  Instead of waiting it's better for us  to   take a walk for home;  perhaps  by this time  ,we could  have reached  home safely.

Gargi.  asked  them: '  Hi, do you know how long the last bus left this stoppage?" 

They( crushing their teeth)  said in chorus voice ,"just now! Ju--st now two  overloaded buses, successively like tweens,   passed  by  us   without  halting  the stoppage ! The conductor waived  his hand   to mean he had no   other  way !". 

Gargi :"  Looking at the watch ,  it 'sjust 4 o' clock!  She thought  it shouldn't be so ,!

A man : Today there is  a  mammoth  gathering   in Esplanade  for  Election  campaign.  So some roads have been blocked ; Only two buses are available from here."

Gargi : I see .

Mallika  screamed :"voila , some bus is coming !" to  get ready she  jumped  down the road from side ways so that bus couldn't cross.

Gargi : " Lo!   you seemed to  become  a patriot , a.  crusador  for getting  the  bus !"

Just like warrior  in army they somehow boarded the bus . Another fight was waiting for Gargi ;because she hast to  drop also in the mid way .  

                                                                  (  Scene -11)

Reaching to   hostel Gargi was very excited  to show her  new purse ,just bought  on the very day ,to her roommates . But she  searched and searched  inside  the  big bag ,for carrying  books and copies , but in  vain .

Roommate (Looking eagerly ) commented : A-ww.   it'sgone , now it must be owned by the wife or girlfriend of the pickpocket. 

Gargi sat sadly . She looked tired :  "you know, I bought it from the fancy  showroom of the College Street.  It attracted me from the showcase ; I entered  the shop and bought that exotic  purse   which was Quite expensive for a student . But I needed  some new to replace the old one;  ( she ,as if, justified herself for being extravagant   )  I emptied  my old shaggy purse  for that new one .Then I   Put my two library cards of the  university ,another one of the British Library ,and 3 copies of passport sized  photo into the new purse   but not a single penny was left for  the  purse !Because I spent all the money for it.

While putting the new purse   inside my side bag  safely , I imagined  proudly that it  would be 'Owner's pride and neighbour's envy" .....

Roommate  snatched the conversation:"HA-,Ha ha ""  Pride has  now crowned to somebody else's    fortune......

Other roommate added :  the thief  must shower a plethora of abusing words for you,  for not having   a single penny and  that too , a lady's purse which would be of no use for him !   You have spoiled his toilsome   risky effort  of the day !

Gargi  became irritated with this jokes .  She murmured  sadly "it was too uncommon to find the  second one !  She had  to bother for issuing  new  library cards  for having access to the library But   she was really anxious  to think of her  address  and photos which evidenced  her  personal informations;  If the pickpocket belonged  to  gang and tried  to exploit  her  ! She  heard  Calcutta  was a notorious place  for professional pick pocket  gang who are trained ( in   special institute ) under gang leader. She was worried 

It made the  roommates  also worried ,they  came near her to   console , sincerely .   

Kajol, one of the roommate ,Said ,'my uncle is chief inspector in Lal Bajar Police Station. Let me report him the fact and ask for his suggestion !

                                                                     ( Scene-111)

After passing two days in tension,  Gargi got a parcel  delivered from the Post office . She opened it curiously and screamed   in surprise and joy to see her lost  new purse  !  She hurriedly pulled the chain to open all the folders and relieved  to see everything in place  But she found out an additional envelop  in one of the folder.   She  unfolded the paper which was actually a note for her :

"Hey,  penny-pinching lady,  don't you feel ashamed to move with empty purse, wretched than a beggar?  I have to spend   even the postage   from my own pocket! Such a disgraceful instance in the biographical history of pickpockets   in the world !"

" Gargi commented emotionally,   " Thank god !  honesty is not eloped   still from this earth !

Kajol  grinned and winked eyes to other roommate  to say ,

' no god  to thank at all , my friend !  It is your "photo"left inside the purse ! 

.....  Hmm,  what to  expect next ? 

I am sure  very soon a love letter  from this   Roam-a-ntique  fellow will come addressing  you :

Hello ,

 Heart-picker/ ( broker) ,  .............

--" you mean, silly creature !'. . ..Gargi  blew the rolled newspaper to her...

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Sipra's Diary : Great personality ,simple story. : CHURCHILL

                                                                  Churchill

Churchill was a great statesman and political hero of United Kingdom.  He became Prime minister  during the reign of Queen Elizabeth-11 .But before taking the career of politician   he was assigned as a journalist ,the beginning of  writing career . He wrote novel and his autobiography. He loved music. The idea of   gramophone company ' His Master Voice'  with the logo of dog  was his contribution. (b

He was a great painter also . Churchill embraced all the creativity to safeguard himself from depression.   This softer corner  of his character remained mostly unknown to many of us. His image has been focussed as a Great war loving  diplomat .

He had great friendship with the then President Roosevelt of America.They used to talk  in phone  almost every morning at the  time  of  breakfast.  Involvement of America in the World war second was  considered  to  be resulted out of mutual friendship between the two heads: Churchill and President Roosevelt.

Churchill was famous for taking  pretty long time in the bathroom for shower.  During this time  he used to  take all the emergency phone  calls , give instructions to his secretary who used to take notes by standing outside the door of bathroom  to read newspaper ; In short ,half of the  morning  job of office was  being  processed   while he was in the bath tub,                 (in his birth-day suit), under  shower. 

There was a funny story.  Once President Roosevelt came to London in Churchill's house  for political issue   during   second World  War Time. One day it happened ,  Roosevelt was so much excited to  share  some news with  Churchill   (.   (during. the second world war ),  that he rushed into  his  bathroom   with news paper.    Both became embarrassed ;  

 To cover up  Churchill  said   "now you see,  nothing remained SECRET between UK and  America!!"

They often joked by Quoting  this embarrassing moment.

 Sometimes there were video-shows scheduled in the  routine  of Columbia university;  Vidio  of those who happened to be  great leader in their. future life .Some more anecdotes about Churchill were referred.

Once Churchill was very much impressed with  the acting of "Othello" played by an award winning artist .After the show Churchill  congratulated the artist who invited him for dinner  next day in a reputed restaurant .

While the star (I forget the name) was discussing with some Italian producer about the financial agreement in the lounge for his next film contact ,Churchill  reached the restaurant.  It was tough for the producer to accept the high demand of the star.  As Churchill entered the lounge , he waved his hand  with broad smile to the star from the doorway and the star also reciprocated.  The producer immediately granted  the wish of the star and  assigned the  agreement contact ; and  departed joyfully.

 The star said  with excitement to Churchill that the producer was so much stunned to notice you waving hands to me   from the entrance, that   he signed my contact at once without wasting time !  He exclaimed gleefully, "You are my lucky tarot card!"

Churchill :"Really!" 

'Then next time  I will give you a 'hug' before signing a contact so that you can demand  double than you deserved !"

They  both began to laugh ,with foamy  peg in hand.

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Sipra's Diary: Great Personality with simple story : (Series1). MOTHER TERESA.

                      

                   Word=1345 /pages 4       Mother Teresa :Sipra Roy. 

When my daughter  got  chance in  Columbia Executive  Business  school, my joy and enthusiasm knows no bound .From the day of orientation I was eager to hear from her the stories in details :about the class ,about  professors , about students .My daughter was too much interested to talk about the food served to the students.  Food  was really awesome   But interrupting her food enthusiasm ,I squeezed   from her stories and class performances.  I will mention some stories learnt from her.  As a student of Columbia Business school she had the opportunity to get classes from enlightened professors  like Stigliz , and  successful  entrepreneurs . 

I had the opportunity  to listen  from her some  unheard stories of great personality. I wish to share those unique  stories .

Film director Jennet came to take class in the university ;she told her own experience about Mother Teresa . She went to Calcutta as she got a contact to make a documentary on mother. Richard Attenborough was with her .Attenborough achieved 'Oscar by making Gandhi. He was also very enthusiastic about this new endeavor .

 Jennet narrated the story of mother as. follows: she  had no plan to highlight religion in  this documentary.  Jennet:

 "But  I realized that the bond of faith is so strongly rooted in mother that  it is unimaginable to  either break   or to  omit it from mother's life. I stayed five years to finish the documentary; but after coming back, I missed mother so much that I went  to India again  and stayed  10 years with mother in Calcutta. In her influence my perception  and vision of  life   changed miraculously.  In course of time I became her  unwritten personal assistant cum secretary and virtually everything .Mother became obsessively dependent on me .

In the beginning, mother was  often asked by people,"who that lady always hangs with you? Mother laughed amusedly towards me: " O, she is my run-after"!

Really I was her cook, her driver, photographer, assistant cum secretary, everything !All total 

I spent fifteen years all total with her.  Even after coming back from Calcutta, we continued the connection by phone ;we had such an unflinching bond ! When she was admitted in the nursing home in her last phase of life,  she asked me to come to meet her.

I travelled many places with her ,which enriched my  experiences. She led a very simple and  benign  life for herself. In everyday life, she used to do her  own washing ,cleaning her bed and room by herself without taking service from others.  She advised Jennet to practice regularly the "mantra" she had given to her .  she said ,"Mantra" generates great mental as well as environmental power.  I followed her every word dedicatedly. Mother had great sense of humor also.  I shall mentioned it later on."

Once mother asked Jennet to buy a statue of Mother  Mary and meet her directly in the Vatican City of Rome where she was invited by the Pope .She needed the statue as special gift for some one. Mother wanted Jennet also to accompany her . Jennet was in London at that time.Anyway Jennet's  friend dropped her in  the Hithro Airport .It was a windy, rainy day .

After reaching the Airport she came to know that she missed the intended flight just for few minutes. Jennet became anxious for mother who would reach to Rome from India on the very same day, and alone.No flight was available  in London before next morning. How to hand over the statue to mother, in time? Mother gave  her that responsibility  and her failure would cause discomfort to mother! Jennet began to meditate on the "mantras",quite helplessly.  Jennet's friend asked  her to go back,  sadly.

Some astounding announcement was heard. : the 'missed flight' had come back  to the airport either for stormy weather or   mechanical failure !  Captivated with the news, Jennet stood up with the statue !  When She was proceeding towards  with the boarding pass and the "Statue "cautiously', she heard her friend screamed in shrilling voice,'O,please tell me what is that 'mantra'?.........

....Mother was happy to see Jennet in the airport who was waiting to accompany her. She reached the Vatican Palace escorted by her .While passing through the enormously gorgeous passage and corridor of the palace , mother commented out of simplicity (or humor,)"wow , who keep this gigantic palace such neat and clean! It is too hard to maintain cleanliness.

Jennet:(Perhaps mother was thinking her own everyday life of 'self-help'!)Mother used to perform by herself in her everyday life :cleaning, washing, etc .

Another incident was mentioned by jennet. She was invited to get award in  Leningrad Film Festival for "Mother Teressa".She accompanied with mother. But Russian government refused mother to enter on religious basis.But Film Society gave permission.  Mother carried that statue of Mother Mary with her. 

Jennet :please don't take it with you ;they may refuse to give you permission"

But mother didn't listen to her." don't worry, nothing will happen to me"....she  proved to be true.  Jennet was ready to go for the festival and ask her blessing.

Mother: Go and  put on your  fancy dress,  jewelry and  little make up also.("So motherly, amazing!")

Jennet: yea, I am ready, am I not looking good?"  Mother  observed her scrutinizingly and remarked :this dress ?that too black  coloured? Some one among them applauded:yes, black is the latest fashion, Mother.'  Mother murmured "o, latest fashion ;then fine ;let it be!'  she blessed her.

"Mother was an efficient negotiator", Jennet narrated a touching story related to this.

Jennet took a city tour with mother. Mother became upset to witness the penury and destitution of women in one of the 'orphanage'  Basically it was a brothel .After talking with those prostitutes , mother appealed to transform that brothel to real orphanage home .In the background i.e. behind the stage,  tide of conflict was rising  on, for giving entry to a veteran  religious personality in the non religious red land of communist country .Government issued null and void to the application of mother . Finally military general came with his crew to hand over 'NO Permission". Mother argued that she was not asking for pitching any of religious institution but for a social institution, for the welfare  of humanity which has no conflict with communism.  Anyway, Jennet was invited in some other big event with mother . It was attended  by some prestigious honorable guests as audience. All were impressed by the simple talk of mother . Some  dignified  officer pampered mother in indulging voice , "You know, You remind me very much of my own grand--ma! "

Mother: Really? mother smiled affectionately ; so if it is true ,will you listen and obey what this new  grand-ma will ask to you ?

"Sure , sure ,why not !"

 Mother :"O.K. " I  wish here  to establish a house  with three rooms , one kitchen, two bathrooms, and a balcony !  There was something in her voice  that was unavoidable! was it mysticism ! 

The man  agreed ; he was a  Real Estate owner.

Thus in no time a "center' ( Probably , this center for the orphan women)was established in Russia.

"Did you feel any vibration of spirituality in mother?" somebody asked   Jennet.

Jennet paused and replied thoughtfully:  yes, it seems to me she had some spiritual power. Otherwise, how inspite of military objection to leave the country immediately, she  managed to sanction an. orphanage home in the country?

Mother Teressa was very simple in appearance and also in talk; no big talk;  her only message:

was : love and serve the destitute, sick ,needy.  She took  help neither from government nor from Church. She worked hard ;  With the  capital of her own will force coupled with  people's good will , she led the institution. At the base of   making the Organization Global   lies her   mystifying  and extra-ordinary negotiating power in both political and financial sphere .Sometimes she used her own image of nun  for achieving benefits for the orphanage.

            

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( Next :CHURCHIl)   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..

 

Sipra's Diary : BHAI-PHONTA( Brother's Day: Fragments of Memoir)

                                              BHAIPHONTA ( Brother's  Day)

It was on the occasion of the auspicious day of  Bhaiphota for the Bengalese, with my youngest brother "Manu":  wishing long life for brother marking sandalwood sign on the forehead .There is similar type of festival in other parts of India, like Punjab, U.P and Bihar which is known as "Raksha-Bandhan".He was  7/8 and I was like 17 . 

He was a  gentle ,bright and loving boy. After  he completed schooling in RKM Boarding School

(which is equivalent to Eaton in UK or Harvard inUS ),   became successful award winning doctor .

DR.Ardhendu  Majumdar 's name came in WHO'S Who ,while he was too young to achieve  such glory.He was posted in the PG hospital of Calcutta. 

As fresh doctor he served initially  in National Medical College ,NRS Med.college.  Medical college

of Calcutta, and  then  PG hospital. He took the teaching profession He was very popular as teacher among students.

He was loved  and adored for his simplicity ,jovial  nature as well as for his profound. knowledge. 

Though a renowned doctor himself, but he had many health issues from young age. he passed away last year, living behind his only son and wife who is also award  winning successful doctor as well as an extraordinary loving mother and homemaker. They wrote  books jointly on medical subject( published by Harper- Colins)which are translated in different languages and included in the syllabus  of medical college.

Every memory with him  is so vivid , so living to me ; his joy used to burst in  his smile and eyes  whenever I came home  from hostel in vacations.

 He was the first among our  siblings to leave this earth ; The photo pinches me my 'Bhai-phonta" did not work!
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Sipra's Diary: FOOD, FESTIVAL And PETS ( Closer to Home)

                                                           Food , Festivals   and  pets (Home)

Food,  Festival and Pets.   by Sipra Roy 

Words=398.   /       ..........................Essay.  1.

Food festival and pets are closely related to 'home'.

 Food and festivals are intertwined  throughout  the world. India is a land of festivals. Some festivals are provincial while some are national. Among them Dewali, Holi ( festivals  of colour), Durgapuja and X-mas are  celebrated  with pomp and splendour throughout India. They are declared and marked in calendar as national holidays.

Most of the global festivals come within  October to December and related to the position of moon. Like Dewali ,Jewish Hannukkah, X-mas,  China's lantern festival :all are 'festival of lights' and connected to religion trailing interesting stories. Food, and music also are closed to festivals.  variety of Sweet items ,fruits and nuts  are  offered .Festivals are not only center of social gathering of friends and family but  also of business. leading to   commercial gain .  On the occasion people  shop new clothes ,shoes  cosmetics jewelry  and lots of gifts for friends and family. Thus ultimately they add to country's economic growth.

 Pets are related to home, next to food and festivals.They have been integral part of most family, whether living in city or in  urban  area. Among pets dogs, cats  and birds are popular both as useful and as companion.  Senior people are fond of pets as companion, as their children are away from them . With the absence of  three generations living together, value and status of pets  have been  upgraded. Pets also like to be pampered. Cats don't need  to chase behind any mouse for food ;They get nutritious food from pet's shop; so are the dogs. Instead of protecting the house from miscreants staying awake throughout the night, they feel sleepy like young school kids in  early night .They are kept as   owner's pride,  as  if decoration pieces to beautify  the home  and not for utility as they used to be.

In our childhood we were fond of reading comics of 'Aronyadev'(god of jungles) where  all animals live peacefully bonded with love; lamb and lion used to drink water from the same lake.

It seems we are coming near to that state when animals will be devoid of animosity and achieve divinity.

How long the human specie will take  time to be promoted to become. such   pet animals? This   mundane  earth with lots of contradictions and confusions will turn into  heavenly abode ,  not in dream or conference   but in reality ? 

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Sipra's diary: "What's Up?"( Fragments from everyday life)

 I asked my 8-year grandson "WhatsApp"?  

He smiled and immediately, pointing finger with head high  replied promptly,"hmmm, blue sky, birds fly, setting sun and a  plane also.....!"I laughed .

***I am Indian and Bengali. So any good words about Bengal gives me joy;I like to share it with others .

Calcutta is the capital of  BENGAL;Calcutta is a metropolitan city .I am born in Calcutta;I did my higher education in Calcutta.  I love Calcutta of my own time .

       Calcutta has its special charm. In spite of having the same features of all other metro cities of the world, it surpasses something more. It has 'terrible beauty' of contrast: a  cocktail of British sophistication and simplicity of curious native mind that inspires and embraces whoever comes in contact. "City of Palaces", City of Joy", or "Midnight  Children"fail to depict the true spirit of Calcutta, the soul of the city.

Surprisingly,  I felt sameness in both tone and tune between  Calcutta and  NewYork in many points.  Obviously, I don't mean only the landmass of New York.  But the people of New York.  European  snobbery  cocktailed with chivalry and native simplicity with heterogenous diversity walk parallel, peacefully; crossing over the conflict of race religion wealth.

Anyway I wish to share the  accumulated glories of my birthplace with others .I jot down  the long list but I will mention  only some of them. Bengal holds the 4000 thousand years old   civilization and it is world's 3rd ethnic community, right after Arabs and Chinese Huns.

Calcutta is the first metropolitan city, first Metro rail, first University of India, ( estd in Jan 24, 1857). First college of India. Presidency College (1870) First male  graduate is Bankim Ch. Chatterjee. ,First bank of India, Bank of Hindustan( 1770),later known as State bank of India ((1806)

First Nobel prize winner  in literature is R.N. Tagore (1913).

*** Indian National Anthem : Written by R.N. Tagore. National Anthem "Janagana-mono.." is declared as the best anthem of the world by UNESCO. 

First newspaper is published  in Calcutta  BENGAL GAZETT (1780)

World's largest drinking water tank is TALA TANK. of Calcutta (Estd 1909)

Largest National Library (1903) situated in Calcutta.

First "Miss Universe from India (1947) is Promila from Calcutta.

Calcutta high court (1862)

Second largest stadium in the world :  Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta.

Founder of BJP:  Shyamaprasad  Mukerjee from Calcutta.

Tenjing Norgay from Darjeeling(Bengal) is the first to climb Mt. Everest.  The first Indian to promote Hinduism in the West was patriotic saint Narendranath Dutta. (Later known as Swami Vivekananda)( 1993).

*********************************************************Today I went to the school of my grandson (8years)as they had fete and day of winter closing. My grandson did not come running to me nor to my son, his father. It is a private school. 

My son's  schooling was in St.Xaviers and daughter's was in Mt. Carmel;  both in Durgapur ( W. Bengal).I was ruminating the superb performances of the  elementary students, the dedicated and efficient teachers, the elegant school building  of my children  compared to this private school of America with poor performance and exorbitant  charges!

I felt sad both for my grandson and for  my son  who is lacking  required fatherly vision, in spite of being extraordinary student himself. I was thinking of good Boarding school of America  where my grandson can be shifted.

I volunteered several times  here, in US with students of grade four and five in  elementary school. It was so disappointing experiences. for me. I won't be astonished  if within 25 years this land become one of the poorest country in knowledge, education and economy. The  future of nation is potential  within each and every child ; they are the future leader of the country.  A country with diverse nations, races, religions and languages must have something unique to mould  them, to unify them  as a nation. There is no national anthem in  regular school curriculum . The syllabus is bogus and superficial; neither teachers nor students understand well the head or tail of it;both teachers and students are overburdened with extra-curricular activities which spare little empty time, free space to think ;most dangerous symptom that I felt  is  the decay of curiosity and imagination  in kids which is the amazing world of creativity; Story books enriched the young brain!  

  There should be some sagacious 'base' of selecting the Storybooks for reading,  considering  their emotional   hunger and curious mind of the kids, of the teens; story books are not  less but rather more important than syllabus books. *******************************************************

So many publishers, so many writers, so many books but few proper English  reading books suited to the grades of  students ! When I entered the  classroom of grade five (in US) first time with Indian mind,  I noticed the 'freedom' of students in contrast to my country.The British left India ;but they left  back many  valuable imprints such as rules regulation, 'discipline' which are still  prevalent in all good schools...Anyway, the noise decreases  as  each table with 3/4 students with one volunteer teacher  settled  down. I noticed in every class the girls were smarter than the boys; although all seemed equally intelligent ;boys were relatively quiet. The young teacher was too gentle and polite while talking to the students. I diagnosed some extra-cautiousness in her body language instead of students. It was just reverse in our school life. In the past the relationship between teachers and students was mixture of fear and reverence accompanied with distance. Now the relationship  between the two is more friendly but  absense  of distance has stolen  desired respect about teachers.                                                              

I was never asked any question  by students. Once the title of  reading piece of the story-book was"keep Quite".  

Mahatma Gandhi ,who was called as father of the nation, preached three lessons : 'keep quite',  'don't lie','don't listen rubbish'.

I asked, the students 'Do you know in which country mahatma belonged to'?

One of the students answered,'yes, it is India'.

'Thank you !'do you know I am also from the same country?

'Nobody showed any interest about me .'Who can say the other two lessons of  him?'

 Nobody raised hands. I myself answered but nobody paid heed to me.

Though I had in my mind  to say few words about 'Mahatma' to enrich their G.K. but I checked myself.

Curiosity is dead or may be gasping. and curiosity is the 'Mother of Invention !'

                                                     End