Sunday, October 25, 2015
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Partly Off Beat, Partly Official
Well, on the day of Civic
Polls it turned out to be a difficult choice to devote almost 3 hrs to an
University’s 15th Convocation or to concentrate on the 2nd Municipal
Elections, an activity that was going to be keenly contested as opposed to its
1st edition in 2010, in which a sizable number of candidates were
elected unopposed in a peaceful setting.
While keeping a track of
events from previous evening and early morning, I succumbed to the friendly
pressure of Brig. Misra V.C. and Dr. P.D Senoy, Advisor to the Group. Upon casting my vote and boosting the morale
of Polling personnel, I landed up at the University, rather ahead of time. My election responsibility was taken care of
later between 2 to 6 PM when I could see 17 booths between Gangtok & Rangpo and to my utter relief, except
for one booth at 7th Mile, things were fine and under control.
I recalled, I was attending their Convocation
for the third time. It was joy, smile,
bonhomie, brightness, all over, on a bright sunny day. More buildings, more Faculty and staff and
off course, plenty of courses and students from all parts of country, spoke of size
and dimension of the University that began as late as 1999.
We were escorted in with
courtesy & style to the waiting hall on level 3, were offered tea, snacks
etc, something that was not needed so early.
However, soon number of we ‘dignitories’ registered a rise. Finally, round one ended with the arrival of
the Governor. More pleasantries than
something light or profound, that mattered now.
With clock wise precision, Gowns were put over each one of us (15). I had a different feel, something, one was
deprived of after I Graduated in 1977, as the system of Convocation in my Ranchi
University had virtually come to an end.
Also it was a fact that none of us bothered to check even whether
degrees were being awarded in this old British style. If I recall, every house having a Graduate in
early Sixties or Seventies would proudly display the photo of their off-springs
donning a black gown with an unusual headgear and holding the rolled up degree
between two hands.
Anyway, to continue further,
stress was on career building at Delhi, so one rushed, got into JNU and
finished two more degrees – MA & M.Phil.
At the end of the process, was eager if one could have a feel of the Convocation. Soon, we coming from lower middle class got
upset, if not dejected, as probably due to its Left domination, the University
never encouraged such functions. So
sooner than later, both the Provisional Degrees were collected from the clerks
of the ‘Centre’ and only after some gap, the originals were received, one of
them by post.
Back to SMU, all of us were
made ready for the ‘procession’ on the 6th Level and stood in a Q as
per indications of the VC and then began the cool, calculated movement led by a
Piped band of the Army. It was a
different, rather exhilarating feeling.
Hundred of talented young boys & girls who had burnt the midnight
oil were eagerly waiting upon cut-throat competition, coupled with investment
of their hard earned family income. Many
of them with their near and dear ones and a few of us starting with the Chief
Guest, was going to hand over Degrees, Certificates & Medals. So what it one was never on receiving end,
the opportunity to give should suffice now with a certain element of self
satisfaction.
Assembled students, Faculty,
Guests, all clapped and cheered. Slowly,
entry into the 750 capacity hall took place.
Clicking of mobile cameras was a foregone conclusion. Lighting of traditional Diya, Goddess
Saraswati Vandana, Welcome addresses, Annual Reports administering of oath,
etc, all followed with good time management.
And then came the turn of distribution of Medals. In good old days, most of the recipients
would be from outside the State. But it
was pleasing and highly satisfying to see that this year more than half were
from this very soil and that too some from dwindling if not vanishing Lepcha
tribe. They had guts, courage and
confidence when they walked to the dias (inspired by T.V. culture I suppose). Some nevertheless, looked shy, would walk
away without looking at the
photographer, unless told or reminded by me.
After all, why should not one make best use of this once in a while
occasion ?
At the end, what mattered or
left an imprint was straight from heart and an absorving speech by the Chief
Guest, Shri. Chandan Bagchi, Head of Mind Tree, an MNC at Banglore. It was good to note that he had links with
South Bihar (Singhbhum) and Odisha and that he too like me came from a lower
middle class background. His speech was
a class apart. The Governor & Chancellor
of the University summed up very well when he stated that his father was
educated in an ordinary way but his mother was not even literate, yet he could
make it to IAS in 1965, then became Lok Sabha, M.P and today he could proudly
say that he was speaking in the capacity of a Chancellor of an University.
So much so for boosting the
morale of the students who, were now on the cross-roads. Unlike our days, they did not have to keep
their fingers crossed but had to make correct choices even on the campus in
view of multiplicity of opportunities both within the country as also abroad,
so well facilited by the rapid strides in the field of computer, Internet,
mobile telephony, etc.
As it happens on such
occasions, grand finale was musical, with a bang. One was busy even while being inclined. Dr. D’souza made it happen, thanks to his
persuasive acumen. Soothing Kathak
performance by a group of teenaged girls, choreographed by a music
society of Singtam, followed by short and sweet dance by two cute little
children set the ball rolling. It was
followed by a mesmerizing one hour Sarod recital by Pandit Bhawani Shakar
Dasgupta of Kolkata, who made it despite his father being on sick bed. From him, one gathered that Sarod owes its
origin to Afghanistan.
However, what turned out to
be icing in the cake was spell- binding and simply amazing solo Kathak
performance by Mrs. Namrata Mali. While
I could capture Pandit Dasgupta rather while in my cell camera, I failed in doing
so in case of latter. She was too dynamic
both in movement and expressions. Nonetheless, I captured her in my mind. It may remain for a long time, in the same
way like the reminiscences of performances in this very campus by Mrs. Sonal
Mansingh, Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt (Grammy Award Winner) and never to be
forgotten Soitra(?) dancer from Majhuli, the largest river Island in world located
in Assam.
Thank you Sikkim Manipal
University.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Reflections in Settings of Contrast
There is nothing like
pleasure emanating from basking in Sun. Sun which is glorious and all
pervading. Specially after days of Mist and Fog and imminent battle with
visibility. Resumption of overnight downpour over three days was not irritating
per se, but was not called for,
either. Alex was in a mood to enjoy this richest source of all energies and
direct 'giver' of Vitamin 'D' after three back to back meetings cum conferences
and emerging, if not, perpetual Retina complication.
Time permitting, he would have a 360 degree angle of the
beauties of nature in the cool hilly settings till six months ago. With the
passage of time, he was almost devoid of sight on the one side. But as they
say, no point in giving up, keep facing and waiting. A day may come when, with
medication, coupled with HIS blessings, there is likely to be light at the end
of the tunnel.
At this juncture, when his body seemed to have received some semblance
of heat, and he was tempted to take off his jacket, a sort of restoration of
positivism in his thought process and urge to maintain patience if not display
indomitable will power, all of a sudden, emerged. Densy, his spouse was fond of
saying - life is beautiful, to be lived meaningfully, with a purpose, sense and
enthusiasm even when chips may appear to be down. Her long cultivated habit of having
a new dress once a month and getting ready early even on a holiday, subsequent
to a focused puja, was a reflection of positivism and enthusiasm factor.
On a similar day in Delhi on 24th Sept., Alex’s 'B' day, they had
faced mild Sun but same was not accompanied by cool wind that he was experiencing
today. A pre-arranged visit to the Surgeon in a reputed Eye Centre was on the expected
lines. Physical condition of eye looked better, bereft of pain, swelling and
less of red-ness. But the lurking fear of another operation for getting rid of
reaction or infection dominated his half an hour passage to the hospital. Almost
two hours of wait with dilated eyes by Lalji, at last, brought momentary relief
from the Surgeon, who opined - him-“Let us have photography to assess the
improvement over the last 12 days”. As if that was not enough, Ultra sound too
was desired. When former had positive hints as per the technician, latter
showed traces of Silicon oil (supposedly removed in Surgery) and some apprehensions
regarding attachment of the Retina itself.
Another analysis of the two tests after good one and a half
hours brought them back to square one - Vitreotomy Surgery which may still be
needed, but medicines were working, though some impact of infection remained. They
decide to wait with the present dose of Medicines, in view of acute pain and
discomfort between second operation and administration of more than one
injection within a span of just six days. Scene before and after and misery
undergone, were best to be erased from memory as soon as possible, Alex
confided in Densy.
Another appointment with the busy Surgeon after three days did
not materialize. Instead, the former Surgeon friend volunteered, saw, photographed,
analyzed and assured, Roughly 20% improvement over a 9 day period was
indicated. Photo of infected eye by a normal phone camera sent through Whatsapp
medium had looked really scary.
Alex was left with no option but to take-off sooner than
expected, land in a place within two hours, wherein temperature was on lower
side. Heat was coming and going, not due to atmospheric reasons but owing to
increased biotic interference along the highway.The evergreen and soothing
Mahananda Sanctuary and Teesta in spate at this time of the year, provided
needed relief in between. A break after 2 hours for drops and grub at Melli
GREF Mess was something, badly required. Alex resumed his ‘business’ same night
between 9 and 11:00 PM with the supports and presence of active Benu and a
fresh bout of determination, grit and imagination which suddenly could be
sensed. Sound sleep after 5 days helped, relaxed his ruffled feathers,
subsequent to a tasty Dinner cooked by old faithful, Mahesh.
Upon mega meetings and clearing up of heap of files and papers over
a week, he shifted to a new 'independent Unit’ in the downtown. Very few of
such abodes were left behind in this cleanest hill station of the country .He
was lucky to enjoy and cherish this facility after a gap of exactly 8 years.
Sun was now in a sliding mode. Descent had started before he
noticed it but his spirit was still upbeat. He, therefore, shifts his chair on sensing fall in
temperature from the shadow area to the Gate side, wherein one could still avail
of free gift of Vitamin 'D', And scores of fresh Marigold flowers of 6
varieties, Calendulas, Corotons, thin Pine, Peepul, Utish and Banana trees, too
manage to have a eye contact with him. Upon concentration, rapport proved instant.
As
opposed to 24th Sept., on 2nd October, there was no pain and agony. Blankness
on the left side, however, was becoming a matter of habit. Previous day
consultation with the Residents Ophthalmologists had led to stoppage of two
drops but addition of a tube at bed time.
He feels drowsy by the time it is 4 pm. Good sign, he supposes. Sun
was still there looking at his new dwelling unit from a different but far-off
angle. He, however, had to hit the pillow to retain energy to finish off some
urgent commitments in the evening and be fresh with a renewed vigour and
vitality to face and live through yet another hectic week.
A nice ear pleasing tune on a Gelling is something he had not
aspired for but same came out of blue from the neighbourhood to facilitate and
comfort.
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