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.