http://www.boloji.com Boloji is the world's biggest Articles Database. en-us Sat, 09 May 2026 12:49:46 -0500 Sat, 09 May 2026 12:49:46 -0500 http://www.boloji.com/feed/memoirs-rss.xml Boloji rk@boloji.net (Boloji) ideas@ekant.com (Ekant Solutions)https://www.boloji.com/articles/55378/the-hardest-thing-to-loveA diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth. It’s also the softest thing on my hand. A single stone, shaped like a heart, encased in a stylish gold ring. It ends with a slight wave, making space for the heart to rest, much like the chest cavity housing the heart in our bodies. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/55378/the-hardest-thing-to-lovehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/55377/building-my-inner-voiceOpening my eyes to the 5 a.m. alarm to reach the hospital by 7, wearing whatever was at hand without thinking about how it looked, booking a cab without checking whether it was regular or prime, had become the routine throughout the monsoon last year. The sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds that season. Every day brought unpredictable weather.Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/55377/building-my-inner-voicehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/55245/romance-of-innovation-updatedI came back to rural town Phaltan from U.S.A. in 1981 after getting a Ph.D. and spending a few years teaching renewable energy at University of Florida, USA. In late 1981 when I returned, very few Indians with an IIT degree came back. Even the ones who did come back went to big cities like Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore, etc. I went straight to rural Maharashtra which was as alien to me as any foreign country since I hardly knew the local language or the milieu.Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/55245/romance-of-innovation-updatedhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/55126/the-visit-to-alma-mater-for-an-alumni-meetThis photo-essay is a compilation of the author's experiences and the gist of the first ever Alumni Meet on 22 November 2025 in the Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, India. The meet was organized by the Department to reconnect, reminisce, and relive campus memories and a day of nostalgia by providing a common platform to all alumni associated with the Alma mater.Sun, 07 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/55126/the-visit-to-alma-mater-for-an-alumni-meethttps://www.boloji.com/articles/55081/my-motherAnd from there, my pregnancy journey began. My mother called me every day, asking about my well-being. When I told her I had this problem, she became worried. She called 3-4 times that day, asking about my well-being. She couldn't rest until I told her, "Mom, everything is fine now." That's how my mother is.Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/55081/my-motherhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/55000/a-piercing-nightMy friends and I were obsessed about getting our ears pierced. It was in fashion and considered very cool. Four or five of us girls went to a tattoo and piercing studio. We chose different designs, some got their ears pierced with a needle, some with a gunshot.Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/55000/a-piercing-nighthttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54863/time-lordSat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54863/time-lordhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54748/madhur-bajaj--my-dear-friendOn 11th April 2025 I lost my dear friend Madhur Bhai. He was 73 years old and had been ailing on and off for some years. Just on 26th March I spent lovely two hours with him in his house in Mumbai. He was in a cheerful mood and we talked on various things as we used to whenever we met. Little did I know that within a fortnight he would be gone.Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54748/madhur-bajaj--my-dear-friendhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54651/in-memory-of-d.c.-chambial--a-tribute-convivialD.C. Chambial,  An Indo-Anglian poet /critic dearly loved and avidly read is no more. Alas ! a sad news. It came from his workplace and home-town Maranda-H.P. on 20th November 2024. He took his last breath at a hospital in Chandigarh from where  he was brought to Maranda for final obsequies by members of his bereaved family. The final farewell to the departed soul was profoundly a grief-stricken occasion attended by many top-class guests held at - Chambial Niwas - on the last week of November- 2024Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54651/in-memory-of-d.c.-chambial--a-tribute-convivialhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54620/evolution-of-bombayI think of the evolution of the city in which I was born, Mumbai. When I was born in 1966, it was called Bombay. I grew up in Bombay, living there from 1966 to 1985, before moving to the New York area, where I have lived ever since. But what do I mean by the evolution of the city?Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54620/evolution-of-bombayhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54547/fond-memories-of-those-daysSat, 09 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54547/fond-memories-of-those-dayshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54515/in-memory-of-my-guru-vvs-sharmaGreat people are born rare. Great teachers are born very rarely. It is a big fortune to meet them. My teachers especially Sri V. Venkata Sesha Sharma garu dawned as a bright star in the galaxy of teachers working at my school, Zilla Parishad High School, Veenavanka in Karimnagar district of Telangana state in India. In the rural area, the school served as an oasis of learning with him as Teacher, Telugu Pundit for teaching the boys and girls of many villages including mine, Ramakrishnapur. The school with the committed teachers quenched the thirst for knowledge and wisdom of students. Of all teachers, Sri VVS Sharma was the best to be the crest of the school in those days. All people respectfully and humbly called him, “Sharma Sir”.Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54515/in-memory-of-my-guru-vvs-sharmahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54433/spokes-of-lifeIn the labyrinth of Chawri Bazar, I found Raju, a man who pedaled not just a rickshaw but the hopes of a thousand passengers. His unwritten memoirs whispered of love, loss, and the rhythm of life. And as I walked away, I knew that sometimes, the most profound conversations happen on the humblest of wheels. Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54433/spokes-of-lifehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54213/knowing-three-bharat-ratnas-of-2024Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, to former prime ministers Charan Singh and P. V. Narasimha Rao and eminent agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, all posthumously.  In the choice of these awards Modi has again shown political astuteness and statesmanship of a very high order.  For the last so many years he has given Padma Awards to exemplary people who have done good work for the country.Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54213/knowing-three-bharat-ratnas-of-2024https://www.boloji.com/articles/54157/my-bonhomie-with-bolojiToday, I am penning this article or write-up with great pride and satisfaction. The reason is the great support given by the website www.boloji.com where I have been regularly sharing my thoughts on various subjects with love, care, and credibility. I know that like me, there are several writers and socially conscious citizens who get the wonderful opportunity to share their comments, opinions, and reviews on a common platform through which they reach many readers.Sun, 28 Jan 2024 09:28:51 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54157/my-bonhomie-with-bolojihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54113/folded-blessingsKnown affectionately as Nani, Naniji, or Naanimaa, our beloved family matriarch held the delightful role of a raconteur, offering a comforting refuge from parental scoldings and a source of whimsical wishes come true.Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54113/folded-blessingshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54100/street-fighter-ii-30th-anniversarySat, 16 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54100/street-fighter-ii-30th-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54090/my-thambi-uncleCelebrating the life and lessons of my favorite Uncle...my role model and my inspiration..Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54090/my-thambi-unclehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54035/loss-of-inheritancea few days off during this major festival of the Bengalis. She has plans to visit Patiala for a day, pick up sonny, and visit Amritsar for a couple of days. So far, so good. The only stumbling block in the realization of her plan is yours truly.Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:37:32 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54035/loss-of-inheritancehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54032/moms-nervous-breakdownsSat, 14 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54032/moms-nervous-breakdownshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54021/dr.-m.-s.-swaminathan-that-i-knewMSS and Mr. Nimbkar were friends and had known each other since early 1970s. MSS also inaugurated our Institute building in Phaltan in 1980 and had helped us in many agricultural related issues both as a scientist and as an administrator in ICAR.Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54021/dr.-m.-s.-swaminathan-that-i-knewhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53912/homecomingMy recollections of childhood spent in Nagpur and surrounding areas.Tue, 22 Aug 2023 12:20:13 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53912/homecominghttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53879/my-atari-2600Sat, 05 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53879/my-atari-2600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53529/my-parents-last-christmasSat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53529/my-parents-last-christmashttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53487/scrambleSat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53487/scramblehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53430/my-quarter-dollarsIn today’s fast world with everyone glued to TVs, videos mobiles and other gadgets with no time to spare for any conversation, you have spent quality time together, like we used to when we were young. You have learnt to enjoy the little things in life that makes you happy. It generates a bonding that is infectious.Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53430/my-quarter-dollarshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53393/room-number-1068The brown door with broad metallic handle opened again. A woman in her thirty with glasses and apron asked my name again. She asked me to come inside. I inhaled deep and tried to calm my heart. It was the room number 1068. Inside that room once again, life would test me. Inside that room, once again, life was waiting to give me verdict.Sun, 18 Sep 2022 01:10:30 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53393/room-number-1068https://www.boloji.com/articles/53347/antique-record-changerSat, 20 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53347/antique-record-changerhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53326/a-brewing-friendshipOn a first date, one would not think of going to a brewery, but that is what I did. Sat, 06 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53326/a-brewing-friendshiphttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53318/memory-of-the-white-buckThen, I witnessed that beautiful white buck, one more beautiful sign of mother nature. It was standing behind a tree a little far from the herd of bucks. Its eyes were very beautiful and innocent enough to take my breath away. Sat, 30 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53318/memory-of-the-white-buckhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53289/old-magazines-older-thoughtsSat, 09 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53289/old-magazines-older-thoughtshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53288/james-quotbusterquot-douglas-knockout-boxingSat, 09 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53288/james-quotbusterquot-douglas-knockout-boxinghttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53267/fathers-day-2022Sat, 25 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53267/fathers-day-2022https://www.boloji.com/articles/53216/idelkaThe memories of childhood studying in a Convent School with the nuns around, a chapel where we went two times daily during school hours to kneel down and pray with hands moving in all directions. This habit was so very much instilled in the heart which it later diffused with the heart beat as we did it spontaneously on seeing a church as an omen of prayer.Sat, 28 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53216/idelkahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53064/home-sweet-homeSat, 26 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53064/home-sweet-homehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52936/down-the-memory-lane-of-alma-mater-...Sat, 18 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52936/down-the-memory-lane-of-alma-mater-...https://www.boloji.com/articles/52926/unknown-unexpected-and-unforgettable-helping-handsSat, 11 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52926/unknown-unexpected-and-unforgettable-helping-handshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52855/glorious-uncertainties-of-lifeTue, 09 Nov 2021 00:37:33 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52855/glorious-uncertainties-of-lifehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52802/jelly-babiesSat, 09 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52802/jelly-babieshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52799/my-sega-genesisSat, 09 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52799/my-sega-genesishttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52791/how-weak-im-in-the-things-i-loveThen, I wonder why in the first place we need to separate our only planet into countries or continents! How beautiful it will be if we call ourselves only Earth dwellers, not Indian, American, African or Romanian etc.,Sat, 17 Sep 2022 01:05:40 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52791/how-weak-im-in-the-things-i-lovehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52783/gratitude-is-the-memory-of-the-heartIt was the fourth day! No respite from the pouring rains: grey clouds greeted the dawn again by silently pouring rain. Life was at its dullest phase. No discernible human activity around. For, everyone is confined to their own interiors. Wind stood still. Except for the drone of the rain beating the flowing water on the ground, all else was silent.Sat, 25 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52783/gratitude-is-the-memory-of-the-hearthttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52724/the-8th-anniversarySat, 28 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52724/the-8th-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52675/anviks-language-needs-no-filterHe looked still, unmindful of the human verities. He eyeballed only at the swiftly moving Baleno car. He is unaware of the reality that the car and the one in the driver’s seat won’t come back soon.Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52675/anviks-language-needs-no-filterhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52653/wadeSat, 31 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52653/wadehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52598/fathers-day-2021Sun, 20 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52598/fathers-day-2021https://www.boloji.com/articles/52586/normans-demiseFri, 05 May 2023 17:24:37 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52586/normans-demisehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52569/the-2nd-anniversary-of-john-browns-deathSat, 05 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52569/the-2nd-anniversary-of-john-browns-deathhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52511/an-interview-with-poet-t-a-ramesh-by-mr.-nilavronill-shoovroSat, 08 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52511/an-interview-with-poet-t-a-ramesh-by-mr.-nilavronill-shoovrohttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52505/the-late-burkette-greeneSat, 08 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52505/the-late-burkette-greenehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52471/ten-year-anniversarySat, 17 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52471/ten-year-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52469/in-the-good-old-days-...It never ceases to amaze me that my frequent eatery, cozy and air-conditioned on one of the arterial roads in Chennai, is frequented by several elderly faces, often single or in groups. I acknowledge them with a smile or nod of the head when I am busy digging into spicy or delicious stuff to stimulate my gastric juice. Sun, 11 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52469/in-the-good-old-days-...https://www.boloji.com/articles/52463/a-disappeared-magazine-and-...Sat, 10 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52463/a-disappeared-magazine-and-...https://www.boloji.com/articles/52462/forty-years-of-playing-video-gamesI've been playing video games for forty years. I began playing video games in April of 1981 at the age of nine. The first game that I played was Phoenix. For those who may not know, Phoenix is an arcade game that was released by Centuri in 1980.Sat, 10 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52462/forty-years-of-playing-video-gameshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52452/side-effect-of-lockdownDadubhai left for Bengaluru yesterday. It signalled the end of a dream sequence for us. His presence meant a complete sense of being loved, relevant and being cared. We had him for eleven months at a stretch, to be precise. It was nearly after a decade that we lived together. He had left home after doing his higher secondary; He would visit us at infrequent intervals for very short durations.Wed, 07 Apr 2021 22:39:10 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52452/side-effect-of-lockdownhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52426/memoirs-of-my-school-daysI joined in a village primary school in first class at my age of six in 1943. My father was the school teacher. He belongs to Gandhian ideology as many teachers of those times. We were 35 students in the class. A slate and a slate pencil were the only things. Most of the students did not have them also because of poverty. Some students did not even have shirts or had torn shirts. Our teacher used to spread sand like slates on the ground and make the students to write with index finger on the sand slates and learn.Sat, 20 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52426/memoirs-of-my-school-dayshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52398/the-kabuliwalaLife & Life's lessonsTue, 09 Mar 2021 07:52:35 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52398/the-kabuliwalahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52237/ties-that-bindIt was a warm and humid summer evening back in 2017 in El Dorado, in North Eastern Trinidad. I was sipping the local rum with Lal at his house. Lal is an 80-something Caribbean man. His son Barry is my neighbor in London, and we were visiting the island together with our families. Lal had cooked delicious jeera pork and rice for us earlier that evening.Mon, 28 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52237/ties-that-bindhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52228/masanam-margasershosmiAgrahayana or Margashirsha is the ninth month in the Hindu calendar. Since Vedic times, it is known as Margashirsha after the Nakshatra (asterisms) Margasiras. It normally corresponds to November/December months of the Gregorian calendar. With the arrival of Margashirsha, Sarad autumn ends and the Hemant ritu winter season sets in and as the Maharshi described, niharaparuso lokah people feel frozen with fog. Water is anupabhogyani no more enjoyable. Earth is sasyasalini full of crops. And agni fire becomes subhagah more lovable. The days are enjoyable at noon as it is quite pleasant atyanta sukhah to move about as the Sun is not scorching. Sat, 26 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52228/masanam-margasershosmihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52151/dr.-aruna-tyagi-my-mother--the-day-she-closed-her-eyesThe narrative describes the day my mother, Dr. Aruna Tyagi, a prolific author and a poetess left for her Heavenly Abode.Sat, 21 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52151/dr.-aruna-tyagi-my-mother--the-day-she-closed-her-eyeshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52106/the-deluge-2000-part-3--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalOn 20.9.2000, the submerged areas of Kaliganj Block required the assistance of Military and Paramilitary Forces and even air dropping was felt necessary. The 15th Rajput led by a Major reported on 22 September with two boats. It was directed to proceed towards Kaliganj. However, they could not proceed beyond Dhubulia on the first day. They later helped the civil administration in Nakashipara and Kaliganj Blocks. Another column led by a Lieutenant also reported on 22 September late at night with three boats. Sat, 07 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52106/the-deluge-2000-part-3--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52102/the-deluge-2000-part-2--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalFloods are a regular feature in West Bengal. In the 29 years before 2000, the state had witnessed floods 21 times. However, the unprecedented floods in September–October 2000 will be remembered for decades to come. The intensity of the floods had surpassed even that of the landmark floods of 1978. All records of rainfall were broken. The water levels in all the major rivers in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly basin touched new heights. All roads, including the National Highway (NH-34) which connects South Bengal with North Bengal, were submerged. More than 21 million people were affected; about 2 million houses were damaged or destroyed and hundreds of lives were lost. Infrastructural losses were enormous. Bridges and culverts got destroyed at many places. There was devastation all around. The total estimated damage was about Rs.5660 crore, which is the highest for any single disaster in the state.Sat, 07 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52102/the-deluge-2000-part-2--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52083/the-deluge-2000--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalFloods are a regular feature in West Bengal. In the 29 years before 2000, the state had witnessed floods 21 times. However, the unprecedented floods in September–October 2000 will be remembered for decades to come. The intensity of the floods had surpassed even that of the landmark floods of 1978. All records of rainfall were broken. The water levels in all the major rivers in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly basin touched new heights.Sun, 01 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52083/the-deluge-2000--devastating-floods-of-west-bengalhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52078/twenty-five-years-of-retirementHaving recovered from my long spell of sickness I find we are now in October of 2020. In sickness one loses track of time - days, dates and months. I have been down with bouts of UTI since last July and had to be hospitalized and administered 21 intravenous shots which, while seemingly ridding me of UTI, have made me very weak and infirm. The first thing antibiotics do is to knock off the appetite.Fri, 23 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52078/twenty-five-years-of-retirementhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52045/the-story-of-12-years-lockdown-and-corona-outbreakIt was last winter, we heard about this deadly virus named Covid -19 or Corona. As I am a postgraduate in Botany and my special subject during my postgraduation was Microbiology, microbes like bacteria, virus or fungi were the common subjects of my study. But since marriage, I have been living my life as a home maker and a stay at home mom of two daughters, I start forgetting even these creatures exist except while helping my younger daughter in washing her hands, who is only 4 years old. The virus and bacteria are the terms I always say to convince my daughter for washing her hands before eating.Sat, 14 Aug 2021 06:02:03 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52045/the-story-of-12-years-lockdown-and-corona-outbreakhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52040/police-firing-at-islampur-1984Islampur village is situated in Raninagar-I Development Block of Lalbag Subdivision in the district of Murshidabad, West Bengal. While the Muslim population in the Block is high, Islampur is more or less a Hindu dominated village. There is no mosque in this village. However, the surrounding villages like Nashipur, Nashihat, Hadhadia, Natempara are all Muslim dominated and have mosques too. The Muslims of Islampur offer their prayers in the nearby mosques, which are at walking distance from the Islampur bazar.Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52040/police-firing-at-islampur-1984https://www.boloji.com/articles/52024/fifty-fifth-wedding-anniversarySat, 26 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52024/fifty-fifth-wedding-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52013/conflict-between-panchayat-and-bureaucracyMurshidabad District with its Headquarters at Berhampore, located almost in the middle of West Bengal, is a very important district of the State. During the early eighties due to emergence of the new Panchayat system following the panchayat elections of 1978 the relationship between government officials and elected representatives at the cutting edge levels was deteriorating in all the districts of the state. Murshidabad was no exception. After the second panchayat elections in 1983 this relationship was further strained and in many cases ended up in assault of the government officers by the Panchayat functionaries and their allies and their resultant transfer.Sun, 20 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52013/conflict-between-panchayat-and-bureaucracyhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52002/two-studies-in-social-injusticeIn 1975-1977 I was posted as the Additional District Magistrate & Collector in charge of Land Reforms in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, India. The 20 Points Programme was in full spate, with distribution of title deeds to the landless featuring as one of the points, and rescuing the poor from the grasp of money-lenders. Here are two instances I dealt withMon, 14 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52002/two-studies-in-social-injusticehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51989/fiftyDedicated to John W. Brown who died on June 3, 2019.Wed, 09 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51989/fiftyhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51963/the-7th-anniversaryFri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51963/the-7th-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51953/my-first-clash-with-a-ministerIn mid-1973 I was posted as Subdivisional Officer in charge of Chandernagore Subdivision in the district of Hooghly, West Bengal. It was a new Congress (I) run government then under Siddhartha Ray as Chief Minister, but Chandernagore city, an ex-French colony, had a very strong Communist (Marxist) following. On taking up Court work, I came across a very interesting case. R.K. Das, the District Fishery Officer (DFO) in charge of Nadia District in West Bengal had taken temporary settlement of government land privately in Chandernagore Subdivision of Hooghly District consisting of a pond and its surrounding area for rearing fish.Sun, 30 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51953/my-first-clash-with-a-ministerhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51918/the-all-india-railway-strike-1974It was 1974. Mihir Kumar Das, an officer of the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) cadre, was posted in Chandernagore sub-divisional headquarters of Hooghly District in West Bengal, as one of three Deputy Magistrates on duty. He had spent about one and a half years in the Subdivision. He used to perform Treasury work in the first half and Court work as Executive Magistrate in the second half of the day. He was also assigned magisterial duty in law and order problems either at Telenipara or at Champdani as and when required. These were communally the most sensitive places of the Subdivision.Sun, 09 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51918/the-all-india-railway-strike-1974https://www.boloji.com/articles/51912/memories-of-a-receding-past-48Since I had gone to Kalimpong, I thought it was my business to nip across and see for myself what was happening in Gangtok. I had been here more than twenty years ago but that trip was made on Leave Travel Concession. It was absolutely unofficial. Now that I was in-charge of the operations in that state too I decided to take a look. Sat, 08 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51912/memories-of-a-receding-past-48https://www.boloji.com/articles/51911/memories-of-a-receding-past-47Capital of Bengal during the Mughal Rule Murshidabad has a special place in every Begali's heartFri, 07 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51911/memories-of-a-receding-past-47https://www.boloji.com/articles/51856/agnes-my-chihuahuaOn July 11, 2020 my Applehead Chihuahua dog passed away. Her name was Agnes. She was nine years old. I found her dead about 10:00 PM. I was about to go to bed but immediately knew there was no need to go to bed. When I found her dead in the kitchen, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get any sleep so I stayed up most of the night.Sun, 19 Jul 2020 19:23:16 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51856/agnes-my-chihuahuahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51809/drinking-rubbing-alcoholTue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51809/drinking-rubbing-alcoholhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51789/fathers-daySun, 21 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51789/fathers-dayhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51768/memories-of-a-receding-past-52Memories of post retirement lifeFri, 19 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51768/memories-of-a-receding-past-52https://www.boloji.com/articles/51762/memories-of-a-receding-past-51Memories of post-retirement activitiesFri, 19 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51762/memories-of-a-receding-past-51https://www.boloji.com/articles/51745/memories-of-a-receding-past-50As we sat cooped up in the plane for almost two hours a train of thoughts passed through my mind. I was going to take over as a Member of the Board which was the most that we could get to. But currently departmental officers were becoming secretaries. Things seemed to have opened up considerably. When I was a probationer the same man who tarried over my transfer back to Delhi from Kolkata had told me at Nagpur in 1962 that there was no future for me and that I was going to retire as a probationer.Sun, 07 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51745/memories-of-a-receding-past-50https://www.boloji.com/articles/51740/the-curtain-raiserEach theatre had its signature tune for this, all excellent instrumental pieces. But the instrumental that some of us liked as the best was in Sreekumar, the magnificent Espana Cani, also known as Spanish Gypsy Dance. Espana Cani, meaning Gypsy Spain, was, according to Wikipedia, composed by Pascual Marquina Narro (1873-1948). Used as an accompaniment to fast paced Spanish Gypsy dance, it was a befitting accompaniment to the brief but spectacular raising of the curtain in Sreekumar.Sat, 06 Jun 2020 12:23:54 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51740/the-curtain-raiserhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51722/memories-of-a-receding-past-49Memories of my stay in West BengalSat, 06 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51722/memories-of-a-receding-past-49https://www.boloji.com/articles/51690/memories-of-a-receding-past-46A write-up on SantiniketanSat, 23 May 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51690/memories-of-a-receding-past-46https://www.boloji.com/articles/51677/memories-of-a-receding-past-42Our Postmaster General, Kolkata, was a very competent officer. Being a local product he knew most of the employees and he also knew most of the worth-seeing places. On a Wednesday he came and asked whether I was interested in taking a trip to Sunderbans on the next week-end. I thought the opportunity was God-sent. Who wouldn’t like to see a slice of the great Indian mangrove forests that protect the hinterland, including the megapolis of Kolkata? Sat, 16 May 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51677/memories-of-a-receding-past-42https://www.boloji.com/articles/51673/memories-of-a-receding-past-41I was shifted to Kolkata in 1993 when I had just 2 years left before retirement. The Secretary knew the number of transfers I had undergone yet he insisted that I went to Kolkata (it was still Calcutta then) even if only for six months. He said a promotion, the last one in my case, was likely to come around that time. I had told the Secretary in that case I wouldn’t move my stuff and would stay in the Departmental guest house. Sat, 16 May 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51673/memories-of-a-receding-past-41https://www.boloji.com/articles/51645/curtain-calls-big-and-smallSixth and final part of my memoirs of working as head of operations in Howrah Division of Eastern Railway in 1975-77Sat, 02 May 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51645/curtain-calls-big-and-smallhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51628/more-on-managers-and-those-who-keep-the-wheels-turningFifth part of my memoirs of working as head of operations in Howrah Division of Eastern Railway in 1975-77Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51628/more-on-managers-and-those-who-keep-the-wheels-turninghttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51603/howrah-division-managing-the-managerFourth part of my memoirs of working as head of operations in Howrah Division of Eastern Railway in 1975-77Sat, 18 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51603/howrah-division-managing-the-managerhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51589/more-on-operations-sahibganj-loopThird part of my memoirs of working as head of operations in Howrah Division of Eastern Railway in 1975-77Fri, 28 Jul 2023 02:10:28 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51589/more-on-operations-sahibganj-loophttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51576/howrah-division-the-umbrella-syndromeSecond part of Memoirs of my working as head of operations in Howrah Division of Eastern Railway in 1975-76Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51576/howrah-division-the-umbrella-syndromehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51557/howrah-division-mission-accomplishedWhen I joined Howrah Division as Senior Divisional Operating Superintendent (T), (Sr DOS (T)) towards the end of November 1986, MK Sinha IRSME was Divisional Superintendent (DS) and AK Guharaja IRSE was Deputy DS. I had cordial relations with both. Sinha was DME (Power) Asansol when I was posted as Divisional Safety Officer Asansol. He let me have a free hand, especially after the success of some of the measures I had initiated. Mon, 30 Mar 2020 01:05:29 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51557/howrah-division-mission-accomplishedhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51542/brief-return-to-commercial-department-accident-claimsMemoir of my working on Eastern Railway as Claims Officer for claims resulting from an accident involving casualties in 1975Wed, 25 Mar 2020 02:12:07 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51542/brief-return-to-commercial-department-accident-claimshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51539/memories-of-a-receding-past-40This was my third assignment in Delhi. From the 1970s to 1990s, almost in every decade I came to Delhi on a posting and every time I had problems in having a house of my entitlement allotted to me. There was so much of corruption. A batch-mate of mine told me he had been asked to pay up Rs. 70000 as bribe to get a government house of his entitlement. He said even the minister was in it. Seeing all this I gave up pursuing the matter and eventually I was allotted a flat on first floor on Vinay Marg in Chanakyapuri meant for deputy secretaries whereas I was of the rank of a joint secretary having hit the top of the scale three years earlier.Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51539/memories-of-a-receding-past-40https://www.boloji.com/articles/51531/an-ode-to-my-husbandIt was 26th January some five years back. He was posted as Sub-divisional Officer at a nearby place called Chakghat. It is different story how there is stagnation for general category officers in state services and how one ends up being at the same position where one started. It is a different saga, not to be told here. Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51531/an-ode-to-my-husbandhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51529/memories-of-a-receding-past-39A brief description of the interesting outing to Vasai in MumbaiFri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51529/memories-of-a-receding-past-39https://www.boloji.com/articles/51511/memories-of-a-receding-past-38Looking back on days spent in Mumbai around 35 years agoFri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51511/memories-of-a-receding-past-38https://www.boloji.com/articles/51506/phoenix--40th-anniversarySomething terrific happened 40 years ago. In 1980, a company called Centuri released an arcade game called 'Phoenix'. Phoenix was the very first video game that I played, and I began playing it in 1981 at Kroger in Morristown, Tennessee. I put a quarter in the machine and when I started playing it, I fell in love.Sat, 29 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/51506/phoenix--40th-anniversaryhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51503/memories-of-a-receding-past-37On another day Sukumar came home and asked whether we would be willing to take a trip to one of the drilling platforms of Bombay High. My first reaction was who would allow us on a drilling platform and then one had to take a ride in a helicopter. Logistics were plainly against us but Sukumar with his never-say-die-attitude would have none of it. He brusquely told me to leave all that to him.Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/51503/memories-of-a-receding-past-37https://www.boloji.com/articles/51500/memories-of-a-receding-past-36At Bombay I met up with a batch-mate who was from the Customs and Excise Service. He was working as Collector Customs, Bombay. Sukumar Mukhopadhyay, that was his name, was a very sincere worker and a very good friend. I recall two very interesting trips out of Bombay with him. One was a trip to Uran in the yacht of a Customs officer.Sat, 29 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/51500/memories-of-a-receding-past-36