Indian Navy

I had watched the Indian Navy contingent marching at Kolkata and then New Delhi on Republic Day parade. Naval ship keep listing Kolkata on Navy Day, the public are allowed to visit the ship. INS Mysore, now decommissioned. I had visited at Kolkata. There few guns which is controlled by single Officer, it was all automatic.

On Navy Day of, 1980 INS Khiltan had called on Kolkata, media representative was taken Budge Budge by road and embarked the ship. It took long time to anchored at Man O War Jetty. My write up was published The Nation, English daily from Patna.

I had the opportunity to witness Keel laying ceremony of INS Sandhya, till Commission at Garden Ship Builders of Kolkata. The first survey ship of Indian Navy. This has decommission. 

Lt Subesh Mitra, VrC, 1971 Veteran who served SBI also. He expired Kolkata, Command Hospital. THE Wion TV telecasted an interview during the 50th anniversary of 1971 operation. He has left wife and son. 

West Bengal Mountaineers & Trekkers Confederation

It was 1980, the Himayan Mountaineering I stitute, Darjeeling was celebrating their Silver Jubliee celebration. Late Mrs Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India was the Chairman of this I stitute.

Mrs Gandhi in her speech mentioned the Gujrat mountaineering activities. 

The Mountaineers of West Bengal who were participating this event were feeling bad.

Mountain Lovers Association (MLA) of Assansol organised the 1st Mountain eers and Trekkers Meet at Jaichandi Hills of Purulia in 1980. It was decided to form an body for cooperate each other to foster adventure in the State of West Bengal.. 

The 1st meeting was held at NCC Club House with the cooperation of The Institute of Exploration (IOE).

Then after series of meetings were held Food Corporation of India. Rangers Club and Rovers Den of Bharat Scouts & Guides (West Bengal). (BSG WB). The next meet in 1982 was arranged at BSGWB  Camp site at Ganga Nagar. near Kolkata Airport with support of BSG WB Rover Unite. It is difficult to forget their contribution. 

For promoting adventure. Seven days program was held at Territorial Army Institute now it is Territorial Army Officers Institute (TAOI). The program was suported by the Dept of Youth Affairs and Field Exhibition of Government of India. 

The display board was loaded in truck and unloaded at TAOI. Indranath who had lost his fingers of hand was opening the packing materials with his amputed hands. I could not imagine even after 40 years what spirit he is having for the adventure 

Late Subimal De, a senior mountaineer of Parbat Avhiyatri and Late Pranesh Chakraborty of Mountain Lovers Association were energetic to form the WBM&TC. 

Mr Prabhat Ganguly, a senior mountaineer and very energetic about WBM&TC has expressed his happiness on celebrating 40th years of WBM&TC. 

Bonding of Indian Army for veterans

Bonding among the unit personal of Indian Army is more than any formation, it is more in Infantry, Armoured,and Artillery units. Working in different terrain, Situation and climatic conditions. It may be 3 to 4 years for Officers.larger duration for Junior Commissisioned Officers and Other Ranks to serve the same units. 

There is regular interactive for Veterans. such as unit Raising Day. Induvidual social occasions. The plaque for marriage ceremony is considered the marriage certificate for soliders.

I missed a chance to attain a marriage ceremony at Chandigarh, it was one of our senior, we moved by road from Nahan, HP, the vehicle was off road, we waited long time at Kala Amb, Haryana and returned unit location without attending the ceremony. But unit Officers and their family members from Palta, North 24 parganas reached Kolkata to attain reception at Territorial Army Institute. By then I have left Indian Army and joined State Bank of India. 

On Independence Day the Government of India  award Honary Rank to outstanding JCOs. Four of such JCOs from Regiment of Artillery was awarded Hony Lieutenant Rank.

 A piping ceremony was organised at the unit location. The Veterans of this unit are located in various part of our country and overseas,they also  got such happy news to feel good. 

To observe Dusera with the all ranks of Gurkha personnel is still a great nostalgia. toremember. To worship arms, ammunitions and equipments is a long tradition of Indian Army. 

I learned Gunnery at School of Artillery and practising as Gun Position Officer (GPO) and Troop Commander with 25 Pounder Artillery Gun of British make is now out of service, you can have a look at National Cadet Club House at Kolkata Maidan

As Battery Second in Command of a Regiment Artillery, Indian Ordinance Factory make 75/24 Mountain Gun was available. 

After leaving Army I got the chance to meet our Unit personnel at social function at unit locations, Regiment of Artillery Réunion and Gunners Day. I got the chance to meet my Directing Staff (DS) Lt General Z U Shah (R) as General Officer Commanding of HQ Bengal Area. 

I got the chance to meet 3 Officers who were posted to HQ Eastern Command. 

Veteran Officers

There are Veteran Officers at the Command, Area, Sub Area level. 

 14th January is celebrated as Veteran Day. At Kolkata it is celebrated at Fort William. 

The unit Raising Day is very important to serving and Veterans. 

Other important occasion is Dusera Utsav, generally the program is organised during day time. The Arms. Ammunitions and Equipments are worshiped. It is generally a family event. 

Accessablity of Digital mode in the libraries of Kolkata, India

We do visit library from school days, Shool  or locallibrary may be the first library  in our life.

During college days we join  library of foreign country at your city. American library is a popular library they have regular cultural activities including video show. I have the first experience of viewing UHS in this library. There was no fee for the Membership. Now they have regular subscription for the members, they have computer and internet service. I had the chance to visit their New Delhi library. they have space constraint for sitting arrangement for the members, The British Council Library also provide computer and internet to their members,

Our National Library also provide computer and internet to the members.

The https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tk1VbtMMNW7MBpJc8 State Central Library at Kolkata was having Computers and internet which is not available now a days. 

The New Town Library is now functional in two floors in three different spaces. They provide computers and internet for the members. Out of 17 Computers 6 are not working may be more than 2 months.

The use of the computers are using may be all the days and all the times of the library hours. No change of the position even after reporting the issue to the authority. 

Induvidual soldier's salary

Recently one Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) of Territorial Army asked me what was the monthly salary of Indian Army of Second Lieutant in 1974? I replied, it was 1000 per month. We had to submit Income Tax return by physical mode.

Now NCO draw about 40,000 pm. He has to submit Tax Return. I was rembering in 1974 a soldier draw his salary when he will be going on leave. The amount accumulated in his salary account which was not getting any interest. Now the salary is credited in his Bank account, the family member can withdraw from their home town. The minium education for a General Duty Soldier was class VIII, now is Madhyamik. 

Catching fish

Fish as  a food item in Bengali culture, I had a good relation with a fisher family. They had no child, I was favorite to them, our ancestral home is in central Kolkata it is one of the area  where fisher men live. They have fishing trawler and big business person.

The fisher couple was poor but they had big heart. I called them 'Dada Babu' and Parul di, the fish item was always with chilli, Dada Babu was an employee of a fish stall at New Market. Kolkata. He had to visit Firpo Restaurant of Chowringhee area for delivering fish. I got bread of Firpo some time Puri and ' Haloua', sweet item at New Market. The Bhetki and lobster were the main item of their fish stall.

During my service in Indian Army, I had the chance to catch fish from pond in Rajasthan and river near Pakistan Border. The fishing net was at Border Security Force at Atwala of Jammu Division, we were four went for fishing at afternoon of 1979 winter. We had caught about 6 kg of fish of different species and size. We had a nice evening with tasty food item. 

Amitabha Bhattacharya

In our family we got a Fair looking intelligent person as our brother in law. He had talent of photography, writing in Bengali and English. 

I had friend to consult even in medical issue. He was our head of the family. His effort grooming his children. 

As an auditor he helped auding accounts about 27 years. 

He had critical medical situation which was handled by his wife, daughter and daughter in law. 

Publishing his writing will be a great tribute to his soul. 

Sushanta De

20 April 2023.

Philatelic Service by the Army Postal Service

Philatelic Bureau of Indian Post are located in metropolitan cities of India. You can have an account with them. The same facilities are available with Army Post Office Philatelic Bureaus, they are at New Delhi and Kolkata. An account to be open and maintain with them, Army Postal Service (APS) released Special covers of Indian Armed Forces. Some Special covers are also available with Civil Bureaus. Some Institutions are very important for individuals and organizations. This can be collected and preserve for life long and it will pass on to the next generations. The Indian Army Regiments , Corps, Celebration are recorded for National event.

INDIA 1973 ARMY POSTAL SERVICES CORPS-FIRST ANNIVERSARY MNH SINGLE STAMP

Visuals collected from Internet

Remembering the first reporting to an Army unit.

Remembering the first day at my unit. After passing out from Officers Training School (now Academy). I was Commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery. I joined Young Officer Course at School of Artillery, Deolali, Maharastra. It was 5 months duration and I was posted to a Field Artillery Unit. It was located at altitude of North Sikkim. The School issued Railway warrant to move New Jalpaiguri.I received a Demi Official letter from the Adjutant, I was advised to get down at Dharampur of Kalka to Simla railway line. After the training at School of Artillery, I spent few days at New Delhi with my uncle's family. 

I got down at Dharampur RS. on 31st October 1974. I contacted unit HQ over phone. After some time one 1ton vehicle with one solider reached. He introduced himself as my helper. He was then Capt Ravindra Kumar. ( Later he was Col).

A tent was pitched in the open space of Officers' Mess 

NCC

In 60 and 70, the Sunday morning towards Brigade parade ground of Kolkata was full of NCC and Territorial Army cadets and personnel. The Brigade parade ground is still there but no NCC and TA  activities. 

I, do visit this area regularly but no sign of such activities. More activitied in the NCC Club house is in a regular manner but it can not give the feeling of Brigade ground. Now this ground is used for political rally under the vigilance of Kolkata police. The NCC Act was passed on 1948, the NCC Day is celebrated on 4th Sunday of November. Now the program is celebrated at Eastern Command stadium. 

My Territorial Army Friends

I have first contact with Territorial Army (TA) fraternity is with Col Ajoy Kumar Sanyal since 1982. He was then DQMG of TA Group Eastern Command, Fort William and Jt Secretary of TA Institute, I was a life member of TAI since then. Col Sanyal is from Brigade of Guards. He settled at Behla. During his time I was involved with Army Exhibition 1984 at Fort William and Promotion of Mountain Adventure at TAI in 1983.Mrs Sanyal died during the COVID 19, her daughters and son could not reach Kolkata. A memorial function was held during 2022. I could attain the same.

I could my Post Commission training with 2 Sikh in 1985. Col K C Kalley VSM, (R) then our TA GP Commander from 2 Sikh.

I have visited Maj A K Deb (R), his home at Kidderpore,ex 121 Infantry Battalion (TA), he his senior most TA Officer. He was associated with several sporting organization, e.g. West Bengal Rifle Association. He was holding Judges/ Jury licence.I have the opportunity to work with him National Championship at Munger, Assansol. He shifted New Town and is staying with his daughter.

He expired on 10th October of 2022.

The TAI is now renamed as TA Officers Institute from 2000. The catering service by M/s Kwality has been more restricted way since COVID 19. We had last General Body meeting on 9th October 2021. We had family get-together on TA Day. 

We are now five Associated members of TAOI are staying at New Town. They are Brig S K Saha (R) ex GP Cdr, Maj AK Deb (R), Lt Col R K Singh (R) ex, he had served Indian Airforce and West Bengal Electronics Limited,Lt S Kundu(R),

is from West Bengal Judicial Service, both of them from 113 Infantry Battalion (TA),& my self.

Development plan of Nicobar

The Iceland Andaman and Nicobar of Bay of Bengal is equal distance from mainland from Kolkata and Chenai. It is Union Territory, having three districts Andaman, Rangat and Nicobar. There is road between Port Blair and Diglipur connecting Andaman and Rangat. There are flight and shipping services between Kolkata, Chenai and Port Blair. Nicobar is connected by boat and helicopter services from Port Blair. The Indian citizens visiting Nicobar required permission.

As per local police verbal information, no crime record in 2004. The  2nos12 bore guns were taken for a public sector Bank from Kolkata for Banking security in 2004. 

The airport of Indian Air Force is used for Helicopter service.The frequency of communication by water ways and air may be twice in a week.

This area is sensative for ethnic and security issues.

As a part of PM Gati Shakti, a discussion was held on 6th June 2022 at Kolkata, Container Transhipment facility at Galathea Bay was discussed. Mr.A K Mehra, Deputy Chairman Haldia Port, Shyama Prosad Mookherjee Port introduce the discussion. 

Meri Ganga Quiz : Doordarshan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUfHq3SrW6Q No 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xNiTeh85t0 No 14 https://youtu.be/8bcD9Bj0GWQ No 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StCmgKQ77Sg No 09 https://youtu.be/-dC7v8Fem64 No 07 https://youtu.be/k10zqtB7x3E No 02 https://youtu.be/k2d-XsmT5Zs No 01

Awareness generating programs on surface water

Institute’s representative was invited to take part in the various programme, two of them are: a) French Expertise in an Indian context for urban and industrial environment, this was held at Kolkata in March 2003, b) Consultation on National Water Policy: Problems and alternatives at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, April 2003. Environment awareness programmes On their initiative, an audiovisual on Rain Water harvesting of Purulia was prepared in Bengali language, this was included second National level film festival on wildlife and environment held in New Delhi. The new threats by global warming and its subsequent effects is definitely a major concern for all of us; their representatives took part in two expeditions on river Ganga, starting from Maharajpur, (Jharkhand) to Behrampure (West Bengal), covering a distance of 190 km in just five days. In the next year another venture from Behrampure to Kolkata, a distance of 300 km. This time by rafts, both these expeditions were organized by The Institute of Exploration Regional unit Behrampure. 96 Route of Ganga expeditions in 1995 & 1996 · An exhibition on Ganga was organized at State Central Library for mass awareness, it was a five days programme in which the subject was presented by visuals, prints, audiovisuals and performing arts. Such awareness programme was organized in various districts of South Bengal, this was mainly in educational institutes, museums, and libraries · A special tram was used for awareness generating among the citizens of Kolkata, the teachers, students and parents took part in this programme. They spread the message ‘peoples participation to protect the environment’. · Institute published a Bengali monthly, titled ‘Youth Forum’; it is mainly to promote volunteerism among the civil society. · Students of West Bengal Judicial Science, Vidyasagar University & Viswabhrati took part with this Institute for their practical works.

Selfie at Vijay Smark Kolkata

The Vijya Smark located at Eastern Gate of Fort William Kolkata the details of Indian soliders in operations of 1962, 1965 and 1971 are there.

Links on program of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

Five days program was jointly organised with the State Central Library and The Young Exploers' Institute of Kolkata on a theme of the Role of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Indian National Army ( INA)    and East Asian Countries for Indian Freedom Struggle. This program was mainly for the students of Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and Howrah.The NCC Cadets of Burdwan Group joined in survey on INA.

Dr Purabi Roy was the only speaker of this event. Another program was jointly organised with the Rabindra Bharati University in 2012. 

Indic Studies Subash Chandra Bose  

Indic Studies 2

Indic Studies 3

https://youtu.be/h2sVdwIUUAs

Science Education in New Education Policy

 

The National Education Policy of India has been announced which gives new dimension on education, This is a joint issue with Central and State Governments, The highlights are 

Redefining and redesigning the education sector has been elaborated on National Education Day. 

Much emphasis has been given to Science Education in the National Education Policy, the study materials are available online. 

The Engineering study materials also available online. 

Extension services to remote places are organising in a regular and planned manner, The District, State Regional and National Science Museums are very active for the academic year. The several programs on radio, tv also organised.

Science exhibitions for a week are being organised in various parts of our country. 

First 23rd and next 72nd yrs of age

Calendar years 

1973  and 2021 different of 48 yrs

Occupation 

College Student, practicing volunteerism with an NGO  and now a  retired person

Marital status

Unmarried and now married with 2 grownup children

Living 

Parental house with parents, sisters, and brothers, now staying all alone.

Information about vacancy application mode

through printed media, Application hard copy was sent by surface mail

 Vacancies notification and application in  Electronic mode

Selection physical appearance is written, physical activities and medical about 7 days

Call letter received through  surface mail

Electronic mail.

Instructions 

Hard copy

web base

Documentation 

Hard copy through surface mail

Electronic

Training before service

10 months physical

Online

Joining for training 

By surface transport in the country

Joining for volunteering it is not Service, by air outside the country

Receive money 

After about 12 months through Bank

Maybe within 1 month

Background of joining Indian Armed Forces.

10 years National Cadet Corp training as a cadet in School and College passed NCC proficiency test C cert. Done Advance Mountaineering Course and organised and joined NCC's First successful mountaineering expedition.

9 years volunteerism with Civil Defence Casualty service and one NGO as executive head of the organisation.

After 48 years serving 10 organisations under Government, Public Sector, and the Private sector in Physical Security, Facilities Management.

Volunteered for 2 more NGOs for 34 yrs.

Completed online training from International Red Cross Learning, UNITAR, and e UNV Campus.

Worked as a correspondent with a news agency at Kolkata. Participated in Broadcasting Radio program, Articles published in print media.

An amateur Wireless operator, holding the license. 

Worked as a volunteer, as a Liasion Officer with foreign mountaineering expeditions teams of the USA, Japanese, and Australia. 

New Year celebration in the past and now.

I had the opportunity to join the NCC Camp at Elenbora Ground of Fort William, Kolkata, this was a selection camp for Republic day Camp of New Delhi. In this camp, the cadets are selected. The result was out on the 1st January of 1970. We could hear the blowing sound of ships anchored in the Ganges. at the midnight of New Year day. 

English calendar's New year celebration was not popular before 1973 in West Bengal. I had my first experience at my Army Unit location, we were located in Shimla Hills. We could watch from certain points, including from the living room of snowy peaks towards the North. The street lights of Chandigarh if the weather is clear, we had to look towards the south. 

No Television transmission started at our location. We had a long-playing record player to enjoy the music. The married family accommodation was available, we were five dining bachelors members in our Officers Mess.

A Jazz Group was raised by the artists who are soldiers, they are very talented. The Commanding Officer was very fond of western dance. For any entertainment, you have to go to Chandigarh or Ambala. 

Dagshai Google Map

This Jazz Band was popular in no time. We moved to another hill station which is also on Himachal  Pradesh, being a district headquarter theater halls were there. The social get-togethers was in a regular manner.

After receiving to Kolkata, I joined Ter retrial Army Institute, We had the New year eve program for a few years.

Sending New Year card for renewal of contacts, I started from 1974, those were Academy and Regimental cards. Lately, I have also used a computer to prepare this card.

I could speak to , Hedwige Smekens, a lady from Belgian, recently she has visited her son's place in Switzerland. We had a talk about the cost of living in India and other places. She has visited several times to in India and appreciates the artwork of temples of the south.

Echolink is software for amateur wireless operators, on New Year eve, 31st December 2021 during the evening time.  I could speak to VU2CUW  India

Sarabjeet "Sarab" Chhabra, 110/8 Saraswati Sugarmill Colony,Yamunanagar, HR 135001

I could hear very clearly and Sarabjeet gave me the report of my voice at his location was 5/9, 

A housing complex in New Town was ready for welcoming the New Year by the residents. 

The Covid 19, during last 24 hrs. 

In India 16764and West Bengal 3451

Virtual Exhibition on Path to pride on Indian Defence capability.

Citizens of Kolkata always have an interest in the Indian Armed Forces exhibition, which is organising in a regular way.   

During the National Science event at Science City and other places, the Defence Research and Development organisation had displayed various laboratories activities. A good number of students and youths were there. 

Recently an online exhibition is interesting to visit to have a look at. It is accessible through Path to pride

It is an interactive session for the visitors. The last physical exhibition was held at Royal Calcutta Turf Club as a part of  the Swarna Vijay Varsha Program at Royal Calcutta Turf Club 2021