Adventure on Ganga in India

It was in the ’80s a group of NCC cadets from Darjeeling reached Kolkata by a raft from Farakka. They prepared their raft by empty cans of vegetable oil, bamboos. The NCC Naval wing organised several expeditions this distance.

In 1995 14 members did boating by 3 boats from Maharajpur, Jharkhand to Behrampore, West Bengal, it was 5 days to cover 190 km. Nest year 18 members another attempt was  made by two rafts made of tire’s tube, bamboos, and straps and they covered 300 km from Behrampore to Kolkata, it took 8 days. Both the expeditions were organised by The Institute of Exploration, Regional unit Behrampore under the leadership of Mr. Debashish Bhattacharya.

All India Women team did rowing from Rishikesh to Kolkata under the leadership of Ms bachindri Pal. The Central Reserve Police also organised boat expedition from Rishikesh to Kolkata.

An adventure by three members from West Bengal Hiked and trekked from Ganga Sagar to Gomukh, Uttrakhand, it was in 1996, they took 111 days. A book titled “Pai Heta Gangasagar to Gomukh” (On foot Gangasagar to Gomkh) , writer Indranil  Sarathi, he was the leader of the program.

A big-budget program by powerboat  was organised by Indo New Zeland in which Edmund Hillary, President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation H C Sarin, ICS also took part. The Films Division produced a film titled Ocean to Sky.

Alternative dependable communication system in natural disaster, available in India

World Communication Day is 16th May. There are amateur wireless operators who are operating there systems 24x7. These operators give yeomen services to mankind specially during natural disasters. In India, the National Disaster Policy does not include such operators in their disaster mitigation as per the 2005 Policy. The matter was discussed during the Indian national Disaster Congress of 2006. During the Tsunami of 2004 Andaman & Nicobar Islands were cut off from the world, it was the Amateur wireless operators who were temporally operating there they contacted the World first time.

An Indian who was there in December 2004 was asking a media person based at Port Blair regarding their alternative communication system in case of a natural disaster (it was before Tsunami). He was not aware of such a condition. There was no permanent functional amateur wireless station at Andaman & Nicobar in 2004. But the various VHF/HF sets in operation by various agencies never thought that they may be functional after this disaster if they had an alternative plan.

Hut Bay, an Iceland of Andaman & Nicobar https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zznfq56_OCXg.kV881f9TT5QA

This Iceland was detached for a few days during the tsunami, 2004. I understand Bharat Sevashram Sangha of Port Blair went first to relief to this Iceland after this Tsunami.I had visited this Iceland after the Tsunami, the SBI Branch was much affected by this disaster, the branch and staff accommodation were at ground level and the distance is from sea line in normal condition is only 550 meters. These premises has been repaired but still at the same location and even at the same floor. It is difficult to understand why they have not shifted to an alternative safe place. The business area is shifting to higher ground.

I had an opportunity to discuss with the police personnel why there VHF set they could not shift to alternative places to communicate outside the Hut Bay? They have never thought of such a situation. I am not sure are they equip in present day? The authority of the Governments may think satellite phones may be the answer to such situations. My question is this service is free? Amateur wireless operators give service free of charge as a volunteer. Are we not welcome and salute them?

17^th May 2015

Our role on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and Indian National Army

1.Last year the whole world heard about British Army Museum’s survey report  on ‘Battles to repel Azad Hind Fauj voted UK’s greatest”

Search result at :

https://www.google.co.in/?gws_rd=cr&ei=s0u9UvnIHsGNrQf1sIGoDg#q=Battles+to+repel+Azad+Hind+fauj+voted+UK%27s+greatest+

2.The Ex Azad Hind Fauj settled in India they have been sanctioned pension under the following scheme.

SWATANTRATA SAINIK SAMMAN PENSION SCHEME, 1980 FORMERLY KNOWN AS FREEDOM FIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME, 1972. ______of dated  15th AUGUST, 1981 under Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/pdf/Annexure%201.pdf

3. A discussion DD News on 23^rd January 2015 on Netaji & INA

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SushantaDe/posts/jkhR3Q8FQeZ

4. A discussion :

http://sushantade.blogspot.in/2015/01/netaji-subash-chandra-bose.html

5. A good number of publications have been published on this subject. Our National Net work of libraries should collect impotant publications for the benefit of Indian nationals for national interest. In the past a civil society of Salt lake, West Bengal  ‘The Young Explorers’ Institute for Social Service’ (TYEISS) approached following agencies:

a)    Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata &

b)    National Library. They should procure and arrange for availability to the readers it may be planned  under their existing policies.

6. It is proposed that all our citizens should take part to find out how and what condition they are ( Ex Azad Hind Fauj personnel )who are living in their vicinity. The Akashbani, DD and community radio stations of our country should broadcast/telecast and also up load this audio and video (s) in web so that interested citizens have the access this information. It will be our ‘Sradanjali’ to the great heroes. Indian Independence League (IIL)and Azad Hind Fauj will be 70 years after their surrender in 1945 to Allied Force. The Indian  Banks and Indian Post can take a lead to find out the living Ex Azad Hind Fauj personnel, they are drawing the pension through their branches

7. Our Historians and academicians should take up research and publications for informing the citizens

8. It will be the appropriate if our PMO Office to examine this proposal for the interest of our country. 

KOLPEX 2015 at Nazrul Tirtha, New Town, Rajarhat under the arrangement of India Post

The smart and solar city is  having postal coverage of Kolkata, pin code 700156, and at present the post office located at the  out side the action area. One of the proposed post office  at New Town has acquired land, it will be functional in a latest services as stated by the Post Master General, West Bengal. 

Mr Debashish Sen, Principal Secretary of Department of Urban Development and Chairman of HIDCO was the Chief Guest in a function for opening a Philatelic Exhibition titled KOLPEX 2015 He inaugurated the exhibition and released a special cover on this occasion.

On 11^th march   the first time a philatelic exhibition was organised at New Town, Rajarhat at Nazrul Tirtha (1^st floor), it will be open for the public till 13^th March.

Collection of philatelic materials may be outdated hobby in the cyber age but exhibition shows a good collection of philatelist some of them are Dipak Dey, Malay Sarkar, Eeshita Basu, Souvik Roy and Kolkata GPO.

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

A panel discussion on role of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and Indian National Army (INA) for India’s Independence was  telecasted on last birth day of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose by Door Darshan News.

INA was raised by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose at Germany, the INA at Singapore was raised by Rash Behari Bose. He handed over the charge of INA after Netaji Subash Chandra Bose arrival at Singapore. He was then supreme commander of INA.

It may be the first time our public broadcaster has given due consideration and the speakers discussed the Nation’s role for not giving due importance in this regard.

A civil society of Kolkata took imitative and organised six days programme at Kolkata in State central Library in January 2007, The school students were involved for this programme. Since then this civil society has approached following agencies for organising programmes on this issue.

a)    All India Radio, b) Door Darshan,c) Song & Drama Division &

d)    DAVP to organise exhibition on Netaji, we understand an exhibition is there at Kolkata but our request to organise exhibition never even acknowledge. The matter was lodged to Public Grivance without any result.

The details of telecast

Published on Jan 23, 2015

Affectionately called 'Netaji'.......Subhas Chandra Bose, was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle. India's freedom struggle cannot be imagined without remembering the great sacrifice and determination and contribution of Subash Chandra Bose. He founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to overthrow British Empire from India and came to acquire legendary status among Indian masses.

o Category News & PoliticsRole of netaji Subash Chandra Bose for India's freedom movement

DD News, 28 mins.36 secs.

Memory of Republic Day Camp of NCC at New Delhi

Republic Day Camp at New Delhi

It was a long process for the selection of the NCC Directorate of West Bengal, Sikkim & Andaman contingent for Republic Day Camp at New Delhi. We had 2 Camps at Kolkata started in December 1969 and continued till 10^th January 1970, Our campsite was at Elen bora ground, the outer skirt of Fort William. I was then a Sergeant of 18^th Bangal battalion NCC of Senior Division, Army Wing. I was studying undergraduate in Biological Science at Bangabasi College. Last year I was kept in reserve, the chances were less. This time I was selected in special quarter guard, performing duties at Quarter Guard, a place where any VIP visit the place, he is given salute for inspection. It is called a mirror of the camp or a unit.

We were given mufti and tie, we were Senior Boys, Girls, Junior Boys & Girls of Army Wing, Senior & Junior Boys of naval and Air Wing NCC cadets. An Authorised NCC Officer was there. I was sent to invite the media of Kolkata to cover our camp.  Akashvani Kolkata, ‘Sambad Bichtra’ covered the event.

Our camp store was booked to Indian railway, we were also carrying firearms with us. At Mughal Sarai Junction railway station, we found our stores were on the railway platform, we all encircled the store, the railway staff was called and requested to reload the same and rail was left for Delhi Jn.

I along with another Senior Division Army Wing cadet from Chandan Nagar, Hooghly, was selected from our contingent to be in the special quarter guard of DG NCC republic day camp of  1970. We were called on short notice to give a guard of honor to VVIP & VIP. We were told we will not be allowed to take part in the Republic day parade, we had requested you to allow us, it was considered and we took part. The Army truck used to carry us from Garrison Parade Ground         ( near Palam AirPort) where we had camped under canvas. It was dark when we had left the camp, the cold wind in the truck was freezing us. It took some time to warm up our body temperature. The route was about 11 km., finishing point as Lal Quila. Our rifle was at left hand and the right hand we had to swing. After some time we used to feel we have only the right hand. The pipe band of Pilani NCC Girls was fantastic, the Band Mistress was quite tall, she had good control of the Band stick. In special Quater Guard, the bugler was from this contingent, her playing the tune was fantastic. On the 25th of January had a big shower, we thought the final parade may be canceled, but it was clear weather on next morning.


NCC in 2014-15

On 27^th January, the Prime Minister rally, Indira Gandhi then Prime Minister took the salute of our march past, she presented prizes, trophies, and banner to the cadets. We had a photo session with Prime Minister, next day we called on our Hon’ble President VV Giri at Rashtrapati Bhawan. There also we had a photo session. The last year I have seen the live telecast of this event, and I do have the video link. NCC Prime Minister Rally at New Delhi 2014

Next day we all went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, it was great fun with the NCC crowd.