Buddhist practioners, in India in the last century as observed by an Indian

Buddhist practioners, in India in the last century as observed  by an Indian

Recently there was an International seminar on Asian connectivity, it was held at New Delhi. Another connectivity of Buddhism in Asia was organised by Maulana Abul Kaklm Azad Institute of Asian Studies of Kolkata

I was thinking my personal experiences of Buddhist personnel with whom I have mate, worked in different situations and observation I have noticed as an individual.

I had friends who were originally from Chittagaon, Bangladesh. They were school students of Taltala High School and Rani Rashmoni High School of central Kolkata. few of them played  for Subrato Cup Trophy and also won that for Rani Rashmoni High School in ‘60s . They were simple souls and hard working friends.

During my service with the Indian Army I have the pleasure to play  football with Buddhist soldiers and won the championship, it gave me to know the soldiers better.  Another game they like is Boxing.

It was  in June 1972, we went to climb two peaks in Lahul & Spiti of Bara Sigri glacier of Himachal Praedesh.We were 12 members from Kolkata there were 3 High Altitude Porters (HAPs) and leader was Ring Zing, he had a fair knowledge about the area. The Central (20,620 fts) & Lion (20100 fts) were climbed by a British team, they had published a book titled Four miles high by Joshpehen Scar.We had to cross a ravine called’BarsiNullah’ for which we had halted at Batal and attempted to cross the Nullah early in the morning when there will be less water in the nullah. Two ropes were taken by Lama,  one of the HAP at the other side of the nullah. I was the first volunteer to cross the nullah.I did some physical exercise to warm up the body temperature. I massaged the bare feet with cold  cream. The water was coming from snow it was freezing cold.  was loaded including a 8mm movie camera. I had just moved 10 fts with holding the rope on both the sides. Certainly a huge boulder on which I was standing moved away with the current of the water. I lost the balance and floating on the nullah.

Jonbo, a tall HAP came to rescue me from the water, he first took out my rucksack and then pulled me back. It took some time to bring back my body temperature for which I did good physical exercise. Our Medical Officer (MO) came and checked me and gave me some tablet. I recovered, we crossed the nullah from upper region where the ice bridge was there.

We went to Advance Base Camp after establishing our Base Camp at an height of 12,500 fts, we were 4 members and 3 HAPS. Asit Moitra,our Deputy Leader ate egg item at Base Camp, this eggs were taken from Kolkata, Moitra had a loose motion and vomiting  after reaching Advance Base Camp. He had a good record of climbing, his body temperature was loosing, inside the artic tent,  our MO was at Base camp and we had no communication system to contact him. He was inside a sleeping bag, another sleeping bag was used and the loose portion of the sleeping bag was hold tight by us. His body temperature was rising and he was requesting water which was not allowed to give. Slowly  he went to sleep and early morning he was taken down by HAPs and on the way the MO was mate and he took the charged of him within 2 days, he was fit to climb and ascent the Central Peak (20620 fts) with 2 climbers and HAPs.

In both the incidents the HAPs played very important role to save the climbers at that altitude, climatic and terrain conditions. There contribution for the mountain adventure is recognised by all. In a changing world scenario there materialistic demand has increased but there attitude towards life to be understand.

Da Namgyal, a Sherpa who went to summit camp of Everest with Edmund Hillary & Tenjing Norgey in 1953, due to shortage of oxygen cylinder one has to come down the Da Namgyal was the volunteer, Is it unthinkable of present situation. I mate him last time in 1980 when Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenjing Norgay and other members of Indian expeditions to Mount Everest were there.It was the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebration of HMI. Indira Gandhi was present there to inaugurate this event,it was her last visit to Darjeeling in 1980. I found Da Namgyal at Mal of Darjeeling, he was selling woollen items there. he was then retired from HMI as an Instructor.

I had the opportunity to serve with the soldiers who are Buddhist by faith, they are simple hard working, sincere to their work even in odd situation like their performance in the desert. The Gun Position Officer (GPO) of Indian Artillery after reconcile the  area and planting flag for guns in a running and tense condition, he was thirsty, a glass of water is great to get from them and a cup of tea in odd times. Those are some good memories which will not be forgotten in the life time. It is difficult to realize by civilians of such good things in the life. This simple souls left for  home during his leave with Indian currencies for their family members, few of them were cheated  by some fellow passengers by offering drink. It may be  they could  not think negative aspect of life and love for drink which  is their way of life.

During my service with the biggest Bank of our country, one Bank Guard was lost his life in a road accident at Kolkata, he was lovable man for all. After the death it was possible to keep his body in a mortuary for few days, to bring his family members to Kolkata. His wife has been offered job in the said bank.

It is well known about their attitude towards their life, they are simple living and adopt  to overcome all odds of environment challenges and very god fearing people. This they have learned from Buddhism and nature.