Down the Memory Lane - A Memoirs: November 2014

I was born in Medical College Hospital, Calcutta in 1933 as per my horoscope. My father was born sometimes in 1902 (approximately) and came to Calcutta in search of his fortune in 1918 . He was studying in a school in one of his elder sister's Father-in-law's house at Bagmari, Faridpur (Bangladesh). He was scheduled to sit for his final Matriculation Examination but his elder brother, Motilal, was reluctant to pay the required examination fee and asked him to look after the property along with him. He then came to Calcutta of his own and began fighting for his living and upbringing. After long struggle he became an accountant of a Mercantile farm, Spence Ltd.
He used to stay in and around Moulali in a walking distance from his office in rented buildings.. After the death of his elder brother he had to go, time to time to his native village to look after the landed property and the family of his elder brother, Motilal, consisting of one, daughter, and two sons.

My childhood passed in different rented house within the area covered by four streets.In the south - Dharm

atal Street, north - Bowbazar Street, East - Lower Circular Road and West - Wellington Street. I remember , particularly, of 3 houses; one at Mahendra Sarkar Street, secondly at Gokul Baral Street and thirdly at the present building 23/D Shankaritola Street. But I could not remember the house which I had seen at the four pt. crossing of Shasi Bhushan Dey Street, Gokul Boral Street, Creek Lane and Mahendra Sarkar Street and had heard of many stories. This was the house of "grand mother" ( Thakumar bari). My father , called her Aunt (maternal side, Mauima). This was the convention of the days to call one of ones neighbour. Moreover she was the land lady of the rental house he was staying. When I heard about her and saw her she already sold the the house and shifted to Gobardanga. She used to visit our house till seventies. So far as I could calculate my father was married at the end of twenties when my uncle (elder brother of my father) was alive and had chosen my mother as the groom of his brother. My mother used to say that her elder brother-in-law (Bhasur in Bengali) had chosen her due her fair complexion. She was so fair which was rarely seen in Bengali families.
Most of my education ( from Class IV to Postgraduate ) was undergone in 23D Shankari Tola Street, from Class IV (1944) to M.Sc. (1958), when we came to Madhyamgram 24 Parganas (N). Probably, we had come to Shankari Tola Street in mid.1930s.We had to go to our native village, sometimes in 1939, just before the beginning of WWII and came back to Calcutta in 1941. My elder brother got admitted in a Upper Primary school in Khandarpara, in one of our aunt's (mother side) house and I was sent to Kaolibera to be admitted in a Primary school in my Maternal Uncle's house. I stayed about two years in our native village at present Bangladesh.

After two years, one year at Maternal uncle's house and one year in our native village we came again to Calcutta, 23/D Sankari Tola Street sometimes in 1942. Calcutta was in a grave situation for WWII. There were trenches in all the parks. Sometimes military with full uniform were parading in the streets. All the street lamp sheds were painted black at the outside portion of the lamp. Sirens were making sounds for testing. All the citizens had been informed to come to the ground floor on hearing the sounds of the siren. Once it so happened that a siren started and we all present in the house specially, ladies and children, came downstairs. After some time another siren was whistling and we went upstairs. I became curious went to the roof and found that something was dropping from the plane, along with smokes.After few moments another siren was heard and again we came to the ground floor. It was about 5 P.M when my father came and found us at the ground floor and asked the reason . We told about the sirens . He remarked that we had done a great blunder . The second siren was the danger signal. This incident took . in 1942-43
Another incident I vividly remember. We, two brothers and three sisters, were in 23/D Shankaritola Street. Suddenly,in the night we heard a tremendous loud sound shouting , " Allah ho Akbar". Later I came to learn that it was 16 Aug 1946.

The Calcutta Riots of 1946, also known as the “Great Calcutta Killing,” were four days of massive Hindu-Muslim riots in the capital of Bengal, India, resulting in 5,000 to 10,000 dead, and some 15,000 wounded, between August 16 and 19, 1946. These riots are probably the most notorious single massacre of the 1946-47 period, during which large-scale violence occurred in many parts of India. However, the “Great Calcutta Killing” stands out somewhat in the history of Calcutta, given that it was by far the most deadly episode in the recent history of the city. Although it received its name very soon after the events, it remains a very controversial episode, and different views or interpretations of it were put forward from Britain, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. While there is a certain degree of consensus on the magnitude of the killings (although no precise casualty figures are available), including their short-term consequences, controversy remains regarding the exact sequence of events, various actors’ responsibility, and the long-term political consequences.Our house was situated in a lane consisting of five houses 23/A to 23/E. The lane could be
One during this period my mother asked me bring milk from the co-operative situated in Bowbazar Street. That was at the end of the riots. I went with a can to the Co-operative. The streets were full of American military. I went with trembling in heart. It was horrible when I came Bowbazar Street I just found a dead body lying on the opposite foot path and in front of our school. Milk was not available because the Co-operative is closed .

I was admitted in Class IV in Bowbazar High School . The school authority was eager to admit me in classVI but my father got me admitted in Class IV to make base strong. My elder brother Kumudranjan was admitted in Class VII though he was elder to me by one year only.
The photo , (right), of myself, was taken in 1947 when I was reading in Class VII .To speak frankly, we were born of poor parents and got admission in this school for two reasons. 1. The school was situated near our residence and could attend by walking, 2. we were allowed to take admission with the benefit of free studentship.
My cousin brother, Akhilranjan, came to Calcutta in 1948 after partition of India and elder to me by 9 months and younger by 3 months from Kumudranjan, was admitted in Class IX of the same school.
I got only one friend Rabi while reading in class IV but I lost friendship with him gradually, year by year, because his result in final class examination was deteriorating.

Kanti (left), Abhoy (right)

(myself, left) we three , myself, Kanti and Abhoy became very close which lasted till we passed I.Sc. examination from Bangabasi College.
We, three brothers, passed Matriculation Examination from Bowbazar High School in 1948 ( Kumudranjan), 1950 (Akhilranjan) and 1951 (myself) respectively.
The school was not a good one so far as the teaching staff or its infrastructure is concerned. On the top floor of the building there was a hall, equal to the vertical portion of the "L"(lying flat) shaped building. Its toilet and 2-staircases etc. of the building were situated in the short portion of the "L", making the building in the "L" shaped.. The hall, in the top floor, was made into separate rooms by the movable wooden partition. We studied in these rooms in lower classes from class IV to class VI. In Class VII we got four walled room with separate doors and windows on the second floor; The year, 1944, in which I was admitted, an annual function was held in the hall with prize distribution for promotion of classes and for other credits. But during the tenure of my study (1944 to 1951) I did not find any such occasion. The reason was not known to us.
There was a morning shift for Girl Students with different name, Girindranath Balika Vidyalaya where our two younger sisters, Mantu and Dalu, took there school education. It was a three storied building with no entry to the roof. The ground floor was used by some business shop owners. There was a very narrow corridor,, not more than 10' ft in width, in the ground floor with two openings at the left for two staircases. The front one ended in the 1st floor and the second one went upto the top floor. In the first floor just after the staircase was Office and Headmaster's room, at the left, made separate by partition and after the office there were two Class rooms of higher classes IX and X and the corridor for going to the classes., At the right there was a corridor, with a staircase from ground floor to the top and a wash room. The second floor was meant for Class VI, VII and Class VIII. and the third floor was allotted for Classes IVA, IVB, and V . Other than class IV there was no separate section The school was situated on Bowbazar Street, a very busy street for shopping because there were many retail and whole sale markets on this street.
So far as teaching staff was concerned there was no teacher with post graduate qualification. There were some Graduate teachers with B.A. degrees and some undergraduate teachers. Among them some were having Mathematics as their combination subject who taught us Mathematics in higher classes. Abinash Chandra Saha was our Mathematics teacher in Class IX and Class X. He was also Assistant Headmaster of our school and Headmaster of the Girl Section. At the end of our school we found a Headmaster with History honours who created some interest in history subjects by his method of teaching . We did not remember more than two or three who could create some lasting impression on our mind. In class IX I took additional Mathematics as my optional subjects. I happened to be the single student who took Mathematics as optional subject. Abhoy and Kanti took hygiene as their optional subjects. Abinash Babu was my teacher for teaching additional Mathematics. When he came to my class, he seemed to be exhausted due to his whole days work starting from early in the morning . He was headmaster of the of the morning shift, and was only the mathematics teacher in higher classes both morning and day shifts. Our additional classes were held at the last period which started at 3.15 PM. Probably he had forgotten all the chapters to be taught . He used to ask me to go through the book and try to follow. Thus we had finished Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry but could not go through Trigonometry. At the end of our test examination in Class X, a teacher with B.Sc. qualification was appointed in our School. Abinash Babu advised me to go to Sukhen Babu to learn Trigonometry. One day I met Sukhen Babu requested him to help me about Trigonometry. He replied that he was running short of time. However I may see him at his residence in a lane off Bowbazar Street. After many attempts I met him one day, when it was raining. I saw him in his room placing some utensils to the position of dropping rain drops to protect the room from over flooded. He asked me to came another day. We had three chapters in Trigonometry. At last I was able to get two chapters learnt from him. I could answer 95% in final examination of additional mathematics and got 95 . In compulsory mathematics also I got 92% marks. But I was very poor in literature and history.

My father asked us , myself and my elder brother Rangda (Kumudoranjan), to get admitted in a club of multifarious activities. He wanted our physical and mental development along with our education. The name of the club was Shiksha Samity with many activities. Sports , games, sword fighting,stick play, knife play, and band party with bands and bugles etc. It had separate routine for separate activities. There were some organizers Known as Karida , Sanatda etc.Karida was expert in many activities and was our main trainer. Gradually we began to participate in all the activities. I took much interest in drill and band party. On several occasions our club was getting invitation to play band party. On such a occasion we would usually put on white dress with white shoes and white caps. We had one set of white dress for such occasions.
The political situation of India specially Bengal became very grave in 1946.

In 1946, the Indian independence movement against the British Raj had reached a pivotal stage when the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee sent a three member Cabinet Mission to India aimed at discussing and finalising plans for the transfer of power from the British Raj to the Indian leadership, providing India with independence under Dominion status in the Commonwealth of Nations. After holding talks with the representatives of the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League—the two largest political parties in theConstituent Assembly of India—on 16 May 1946, the Mission proposed initial plans of composition of the new Dominion of India and its government. On 16 June, under pressure from the Muslim League headed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Mission proposed an alternative plan to arrange for India to be divided into Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. The princely states of India would be permitted to accede to either dominion or attain independence.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the one time Congressman and Indian Nationalist, and now the leader of the Muslim League, had accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan of 16 June whereas the Congress rejected it outright. On 10 July, Jawaharlal Nehru held a press conference in Bombay declaring that the Congress had agreed only to participate in the Constituent Assembly and regarded itself free to change or modify the Cabinet Mission Plan as it thought best. Fearing Hindu Domination in the Constituent Assembly, Jinnah denounced the British Cabinet Mission and decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly to try to put pressure on Congress and the British, by resorting to "Direct Action". In July 1946, Jinnah held a press conference at his home in Bombay where he declared his intent to create Pakistan. Jinnah proclaimed that the Muslim league was "preparing to launch a struggle" and that they "have chalked a plan". He had decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly. He rejected the British plan for transfer of power to an interim government which would combine both the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress. He said that if the Muslims were not granted Pakistan then he would launch "Direct Action". When asked to specify Jinnah retorted: "Go to the Congress and ask them their plans. When they take you into their confidence I will take you into mine. Why do you expect me alone to sit with folded hands? I also am going to make trouble."

On the next day, Jinnah announced 16 August 1946 would be "Direct Action Day" for the purpose of winning the separate Muslim state. Muslim League Council Meeting held during the period 27–29 July 1946 passed a resolution on recommendation of Raghib Ahsan {dubious entry}, declaring the Direct Action Day was intended to unfold “direct action for the achievement of Pakistan.” Raghib Ahsan{dubious entry} in fact gave leadership to the historic “Direct Action Day” in Calcutta on 16 August 1946 to forge and demonstrate the support of Indian Muslims for creation of Pakistan.

( My first photograph, taken in 1947 when I was reading in Class VII.)
The year 1947 was a critical year for India as well as myself. A Hindu-Muslim riot started in Calcutta on 16th August 1946 by the call 'Direct Action' of the Muslim League . Our house 23D Sankaritola Street was situated in a small narrow lane, consisting of 5 houses , 23 A to 23 E can be closed by a wooden door.During Riot we were not allowed to go outside the lane. As a result we, the childrens of different houses had chances for intermixing, had fun, indoor games , listen to songs of Gramophone. In 23 A, there were one girl and his brother (deaf and dumb), in 23 B there were two girls younger to me, and three brothers, unmarried, in 23 C there were one brother of my age group and a sister, in 23 D we two brothers and three sisters, in 23 E there was a little girl. All of us became very close to each other. In
23 C there were different games and gramophones and all the family members were very cordial. In most of the time we had been in that house, playing Carom, Trade and other indoor games.

.My father had to provide a private tutor, Naba Gopal Mallik to my elder brother. Nabagopal Babu was used to stay in the school building in one room and in his spare time he coached privately some school students with Rs.10/- as his tuition fees and used to teach all subjects. My elder brother was weak in Mathematics and English but strong in history and Geography. He got 48 out 50 in geography in his Matriculation Examination but did not take higher education in Geography at the insistence of my father.
There was a teacher Abinash Chandra Saha who taught us Mathematics in Class X. He was assistant Headmaster of Our School and was Headmaster in the morning shift. My elder brother,
myself and my cousin brother passed Matriculation Examination from this school in 1948, 1951 , and 1950 respectively.
After passing I. Sc examination in 1950 from Bangabasi College my elder brother got admitted in B.Com, in the night shift, and was trying for service . He got a service in Indian Post and Telegraph as a sorter in 1953. By departmental examination he uplifted his position to a 2nd Class Gazzetted Officer/ He was married in 1956 and got a child in 1958.