Col GKS Reddy Coins: MY BUCKET LIST - VISIT TO EAST INDIA

CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY,
C/O COL GKS REDDY,
Secunderabad - 500 015.

Visit to West Bengal (D + 16 to D + 19)

West Bengal /w ɛ s t b ɛ ŋ ˈ ɡ ɔː l / (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ) is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also theseventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. Spread over 34,267 sq mi (88,750 km2), it is bordered by the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The state capital isKolkata. West Bengal encompasses two broad natural regions: the Gangetic Plain in the south and the sub-Himalayan and Himalayan area in the north.

Ancient Bengal was the site of several major Vedic kingdoms. Bengal region was part of large Indian empires such as the Maurya empire (second century BC) and Gupta Empire (fourth century AD); and part of the regional Pala Empire (eighth to 11th century) and Sena dynasty (11th–12th century). From the 13th century onward, the region was ruled by several sultans, Hindu kings and Baro-Bhuyan landlords, until the beginning of British rule in the 18th century. The British East India Company cemented their hold on the region following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and Calcutta served for many years as the capital of British India. The early and prolonged exposure to British administration resulted in expansion of Western education, culminating in development in science, institutional education, and social reforms of the region, including what became known as the Bengal Renaissance. A hotbed of the Indian independence movement through the early 20th century, Bengal was divided during India's independence in 1947 along religious lines into two separate entities: West Bengal—a state of India—and East Bengal—a part of the newly created Pakistan—later becoming Bangladesh in 1971.

A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's net domestic product. Noted for its political activism, the state was ruled by democratically elected communist government for three decades. West Bengal is noted for its cultural activities and presence of cultural and educational institutions; the state capital Kolkata is known as the "cultural capital of India". The state's cultural heritage, besides varied folk traditions, ranges from stalwarts in literature including Nobel-laureate Rabindranath Tagore to scores of musicians, film-makers and artists. West Bengal is also distinct from most other Indian states in its appreciation and practice of playing soccer besides the national favourite sport cricket.

D + 16 (26 Mar 2013)

From Airport, went straight to Hoogly View Guest House of the Army, where I was allotted a Suite on the 10^th Floor. It was a beautiful view of Kolkata City by Night Illumination. Had a good Night’s Sleep & was to go in search of Coin Shops to look for Ancient / Old Indian coins, along with a old friend of mine, Col MJ Dharmale of Signals, also a Numismatist. Unfortunately, the programme had to be cancelled, due to an unforeseen commitment of his. So I spent the day going around Fort William & the Army Golf Course, where I had played while posted in Kolkata from 1998 to 2001and also went for shopping at Chowringhee. In the evening, I had dinner with Col P Sengupta, a Unit officer at AOI Fort William. Mrs Sengupta and Mrs SM Tabib (Wife of Col Tabib another unit officer) were also present. We had a long chat, remembering the good old days in the Battalion. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera.

D + 17 (27 Mar 2013)

(a) It was ‘Holi Festival’ and I was advised by friends Not to venture out before Noon, as Kolkata was known for Hooliganism & Violence by lumpen elements, mostly so called political workers of CPM & Trinomool Congress. As I was short of time, I decided to take a chance and visit my old friends and subordinates at Kalyani & Kanchrapara.

(b) Took a Taxi to Sealdah and caught a local train to Kanchrapara, where I was received by Sub & Hony Capt NR Bala, who served with me at 6TTR (Ponda), Goa from 2007 to 2009. After breakfast, we celebrated HOLI with his family & friends and then proceeded to Kalyani to meet old friends.

Celebrating Holi - With Sub & Hony Capt NR Bala & Family

(c) At Kalyani, we went to meet Maj Gen DK Sen & Family. I met Lt Col Devraj Sen (AMC), after a long time, as he happened to be on leave from Comd Hosp Lucknow, where he is posted as Radiologist. From there, I went to NCC Group HQ Kalyani (My old Office, from where I retired in Mar 2007), where I met the Group Cdr Col RK Joshi of Corps of Signals, Lt Col Man Mohan Singh (Punjab Regt), Adm Officer and an old friend Maj Bakshi (AMC) Retd. Had lunch with them, met the staff and started back for Kolkata.

With Maj Gen & Mrs DK Sen, an old friend, at his Residence in Kalyani

Alongwith his son Lt Col Devraj Sen (AMC), posted as Radiologist, Comd Hosp Lucknow

With Maj AK Bakshi (Retd), AMC, an old Friend

With Col RK Joshi, Corps of Signals, NCC Group Cdr Kalyani (To my left)

& Lt Col Man Mohan Singh, Punjab Regt, Adm Offr

(d) I had dinner with Col MJ Dharmale, Corps of Signals, who served with me in 6 TTR, Ponda, Goa and an old family friend, who is presently on study leave at Kolkata.

With Col & Mrs MJ Dharmale, at his Residence in Turf View Officers Colony

Col & Mrs Dharmale and Shreya their Daughter

D + 18 (28 Mar 2013)

(a) It was beautiful day and I went for a long stroll along Red Road & Maidan (My old Haunts during my stint at ZRO Kolkata from Aug 1998 to Apr 2001). After Breakfast, I went to meet my old Collegue from 6 Assam days (1975 to 1985) Col A Banerjee & Family (As newly Weds, we shared the same Bungalow for almost 06 months in 1978, as he could not get a house at Meerut, where 6 Assam was then stationed) . It was a touching Re-union, as I was meeting them after a long gap of 15 years or so. I had lunch with them and parted with a heavy heart.

Col A Banerjee's Family - Arijit Banerjee, Son, Col Banerjee, Mrs Banerjee & Sahana, Daughter

With Col & Mrs Banerjee

Snap by Arijit Banerjee

(b) In the evening, I went to meet Col Promit Roy (Retd), a Regimental Officer and an old friend. We served together in ZRO Kolkata from 1998 to 2000 and again at Kalyani / Barrackpore from 2005 to 2007. It was nice to meet them after six years and we had a long chat, remembering good old days. We had very late dinner and it was midnight by the time I reached my room. I departed for Secunderabad, early in the morning of 29 Mar 2013 and reached home on 30 mar 2013 evening.