Memory of Rohtang Pass

Rohhtang Pass 13500 fts

I have crossed this pass four times by foot. It was in 1972 and 1975 both the times we were for mountaineering expeditions at the Lahul & Spiti districts. 

This were Indian expedition to Lion & Central Peaks in Bars Sigri glacier in 1972. And USA Expedition to Mulkila 6 peak.in 1975. 

The Rohtang opens around last week of June or first week of July.

The last occasion I was solo trekker, I had feeling hungry at about 2 pm. I saw Rohtang Cafe with a great hope I will get some food to eat. The snow patch was there to receive me. I got down to Mari and had good food.

Man I liked most

Subash Chandra Bose is our most loved human being.we know his date and place of birth but we do not know his last moment in this world. 

He had moved the world by various mode. 

I look forward to find such human being in this earth. He was in active National  politics, but most important was to took charge and recharged the Indian National Army (INA) at Singapore and led to Indian soil.

We are fortunate to watch some of the ex INA took part in Republic day Parade at New Delhi after 75 years of end of World War II (WWII).

His birth day is celebrated by the citizens of India with great spirit. He is still great hero in the heart of Indian citizens.

The ex INA have setteled in different  East Asian countries.I had an opportunity to meet Capt M Gandhi athan, ex INA, Lieutanant M Ghosh, ex INA. They have setteled at Kulampur. I have an opportunity to meet them at their place in 2007. Lt. Ghosh was from Chittagong. I could not speak to him over phone. It was good luck for me to get down from sky train and reached his place by a cab.e 

Netaji Center was functioenal, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose A Malayan Perspective a publication of this centre. I was informed there was about 1000 ex INA had setteled there.

Capt Gandhi published a book in Tamil, a copy was handed over for depositing our National Library.

I had contact with Capt Gandhi by e mail but no response received after 2008.

Antartica : 39th Indian Expedition

Antarctica is also an attraction for mankind. Several expeditions and exploration by various countries are doing. The Indians team is doing under the Ministry of Earth Science (MOES), Government of India.

Recently Professor Purna Basu of the University of Calcutta joined the 39th Indian Expedition. They had learned about COVID  19 and remembered the quarantine experience of landing in the mainland from the Arctic Region. 

The selection process included thorough medical examination and familiarisation with the glacier, high altitudes were there.

This was a webinar of Bangiya Bijan Parishad's Dr. Gopal Bhattacharya Memorial lecture broadcast on 1st August 2020.

Banjiya Bian Parishad

The speaker explained Dr. Gopal Bhattacharya's write up and his thoughts during 1955. 

He was remembering the work done in the past by Dr. Sudipta Sengupta and her book in Bengali.

The present position of India's first station at Dakhin Gangotri which is now abandoned.

The satellite communication for the member is 7 mins per week only one internet service is functional through which individual mail is received.

International cooperation among the various countries is there. The talk was in Bengali with visuals. Ice formation from nasal air at the mustache may be a problem if it is not removed immediately.

Life at this sub-zero temperature was nicely depicted especially for penguins.

Various scientific research works, living, dining, and recreation were explained.

Mode of transportation by ship, aircraft were explained.

In the past, an amateur wireless station was functional at an Indian station. Internet-based VOIP such as Echolink may be functional. Communication has been made to MOES.

Guarding the ground defence of Indian Air Force base

It was in 1987,we the Territorial Army  (TA) personnel reached for weekly parade at New Alipore, it was Sunday,25th January. We were advised to report for military duty under rule 33 of TA Act.

I was released from my civil employer and joined for Military duty. A special train left from Sealdha Railway station.I had to take over, the Indian Railway staff was among us, they helped me to note the deficiencies of the train on carriage,electrical and mechanical.After reaching the destination the train was handed over to Indian Railway. We had a telephone line between Guard and our Officer in Charge train.

The kitchens were made in the wagons. The length of our train was long it was not stopping in the platform.

Our vehicles and equipments were loaded.

We were assigned the duty of ground defence of the air field. Lt Col KS Negi with his Company was there. My company deployed from the main gate. Lt Col Negi was at the far end.

Out of three platoons and coy headquater only one platoon had the problem of rain water during rain due to low area.

We had hardly any depth in our deployment with the perimeter road. No toilets were there, it was a difficult situation for hygiene issue.We took steps for that.

A land line was always attainded 24x7. The winter clothing was issued.The food used to come from outside the air base. The distribution utensils were not there for delivery of foods for three times.

Bengali News Akashbani Kolkata on Rafel air craft flying

Sri Ravi Shankar, Union Minister of India on Rafel

Centurian Indian of New Delhi

I first visited New Delhi at the age of 20 years, a college student my railway journey was reimbursed by the recruiting agency. It was extremely cold, I reached Old Delhi Railway station by Howrah Delhi express, it took 36 hrs. I reached my uncle's house, Naroji Nagar, by auto. I was not able to hold the luggage.

My further destination was Meerut Cantonment. I had to get down at Tundla and catch the train for Meerut. The return journey was much more difficult for people who were coming to New Delhi to watch the Republic Day Parade. I had watched the final rehearsal at Janpath. 

A file photograph during his last Centenary birthday in New Delhi.  

Next year, in 1970 I took part in the Republic Day parade at New Delhi, I was selected from NCC West Bengal, Sikkim & Andaman Nicobar. Our contingent was Boys, Senior Division Army wing. We marched with .303 Rifle. Our right hand was holding the Rifle and our left hand was swinging. We started from outside the President House complex and finished at Red Fort.

My visit to New Delhi several times since then was for mountaineering, NCC, Army, Civil Society activities.

Staying at my uncle's house I got to have a chance to know my cousin's brother Deepak, an electrical engineer from IIT Varanasi. He is now retired from Indian Railway Service. 

My cousin's sister Deepanita, supervising the staff of Syndicate Bank. We enjoyed Durgapuja in 1974 in New Delhi.  I had to give my shoe size of mine for mountain climbing with the Japanese team, Deepanita helped me to take an outline of my feet. 

Sri Dulal Chandra De, a graduate in Commerce from the University of Calcutta. He had 4 brothers and 3 sisters, nobody living in 2020. His father Late Amrita Lal De expired in 1962. He was then working at New Delhi.

My uncle's dress code was only traditional Bengalee even in extreme cold. He worked as a Senior Accountant and retired from the National Research Development Corporation. He was active in social work. I heard after our Independence a team from Kolkata reached Delhi by train playing band.

My aunty was a housewife and her school was Sister Nivedita Girls School. She had a dream to return back to Kolkata, her family members reside in North Kolkata.

He had his last breath on 12th January 2022 at about 1. 35 pm at his New Delhi residence. The last right was carried on the same evening. The rituals of 'Shardha' will be held on 24th January 2022 at his New Delhi house. 

On line meeting of Civil society

On line meeting of Civil Society of Kolkata, India.

The Young Explorers' Institute for Social Service (TYEISS) had requested UN NGO net work to start activities on line. Now various programes are on line.

During in lock phase II a meeting was conducted on line, the agenda was sent by e mail. The proposal was share on line.

Members have expressed their views and resolution were taken and recorded.

Remembering India media.

In December 1971, after the Bangladesh liberation  we, the members of The Institute of Exploration of Kolkata organised their first Rock Climbing Course at Sushunia Hill, Bankura.I got the scope to announce our course details through Akashbani, Kolkata.Next year our first successful mountaineering expedition to Central (20620 fts) & Lion (20100 fts) peaks well covered by Akashbani Kolkata, Delhi and Chandigarh.

Subaequents years the representives from Akashbani Kolkata covered several times.

In 1983 six days event on promotion of mountain adventure was organised at Territorial Army Institute (TAI),( now Territorial Army Officers Institute).

Raft and boat expeditions, program on Ganga were well covered by Akashbani Kolkata.

A two hours live programe on Ganga 'Aaj Rate' was very interesting to depict the important on Ganga.

A geet gazal programe was organised  by the Akashbani Kolkata for the Territorial Army personnel and their families at TAI 

In 1995 five adventures went to Bhutan, Nepal and India on a SAARC Safari by three motor cycles were covered by Akashbani and Doordarshan Delhi when they arrived New Delhi.

Amateur wireless operation for Scouts & Guides was covered during their Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) event.

During February 2019, The Institute of Exploration organised their 50th Rock Climbing Course at Sushunia, Bankura. The representive of Akashbani Kolkata cover the event in a befitting manner.