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.
