Tuesday, July 10, 2012

THE BURMA ROAD

WORLD WAR II MEMORABILIA….


Map images from the net***

My grandfather migrated to Burma in the early 1900s and settled down as a Chief Engineer, PWD with the Government of Burma. My father was born in Rangoon and so were his siblings, 8 of them….!! I heard many stories in my childhood about Burma (now Myanmar). The most interesting ones were about their trek through the jungles of Northern Burma and N.E India during the war.
The Stilwell Road, built by General Joseph Stilwell of the US Army, linking India with Myanmar and China during World War II, still resonates harrowing stories from the greatest chapters of World War II.  It reminds us of the refugees that poured into India when Myanmar fell to the Japanese. The 3727ft-high Pangsau Pass in the Patkai Hills was among places they had crossed into India. There should be many published accounts of the Indians who uprooted themselves and later faced the real migration crisis. Time definitely healed all wounds, but couldn't take away the memories! The hearts adapted to the new  environment and only started breathing...

We take our daily lives for granted.  We think, no one would be interested to know about the past? Would the generations that follow want to know about the ancestral lives/ roots…. I believe they would. Maybe a hundred years from now someone, someplace, will search for his ancestral roots. The purpose of this blog is to leave a permanent record for posterity--- a project made up of time and sweat equity, and with no money.

Unfortunately, the family could not bring back many photographs, But Baba’s pencil drawings provided the spark for many of the best pictures…lots of stories came alive through the illustrations. I am going to share some of these sketches which gave us the glimpses of our ancestral home in Rangoon.

Before that a little bit of background:

My grandparents died at an early age. So my father, being the eldest had to take charge of the household. He completed his graduation and was given a job on compassionate grounds by the govt. It was a good life – almost too good to last.... And so it proved, when the Japanese advanced swiftly, setting to flight the British forces.
The first air raid on Rangoon, came on December 23, 1941 and it was followed by another one on Dec 25, this time with incendiary bombs. The initial booms of the guns had caused considerable confusion, but when the raids intensified, it stirred in alarm.

There was a breakdown of law and order and the Indian population began to panic. They started packing their valuables and began to move northwards
towards Mandalay, with the intention of continuing the journey and crossing the border into India.
Baba could not leave Burma because he was classified as an “on-duty” official who had to stay on in Rangoon. However, he did not want to expose his brothers and sisters to the ongoing bombing in Rangoon. So, he arranged to send his siblings in southwest Burma, on the Bay of Bengal; so that they could travel by sea from Rangoon to Calcutta (now Kolkata). The docks were in a mess because of the exodus…departures were announced only an hour before the time of sailing. The unscheduled mobilization plans induced more fear, but people could only grit their teeth in despair.
Many Indian families left their assets, and came holding back tears and feeling indignant. How could they start living in an alien country in such a warped and lopsided conditions…? The question whether their initiative would receive supporting response from the other side remained an enigma. My father’s eldest sister had wisely tucked some gold ornaments in her sari before sailing. So, the young brigade had something in hand to begin with ….my youngest aunt was just five years old, rest of them were still finishing school/college. Education was yet another issue. All this and much more left them filled with apprehensions...
The children had created an image of Kolkata but were ill prepared for the real version of it! Kolkata was crowded with refugees; people were squeezing themselves in homes where they could secure footholds. This coincided with the famous Bengal Famine of 1942-44. Two of my father’s uncles very kindly offered these kids a shelter and slowly the family started ‘living’...though it was a hand-to-mouth existence.
In the mean while, the Japanese were advancing rapidly…  food was scare; law and order crashed down. My third uncle had stayed back with my father; so both of them moved into a local bunker with some drinking water and dry food.

The frequency of bombing increased and one night a bomb exploded just a few yards away from their bunker. Next morning they found their house was hit by a bomb and was buried under a mountain of rubble. Their hearts crushed and brought around a sense of alienation. The two brothers hauled and heaved and thumped through the rubble for the rest of the day, and perhaps a bit of the night…A bird whirled up in the night air before winging on towards the valley…My Dad said," it was an indication, that came to us from the Almighty to join the convoy of refugees…."
They started their trek from Maymyo to India. The distance was about 520 km. Initially, they spent the daytime in trenches, could come out only at night as the Japanese were on the mountains, taking shots at anything that moved in the plateau of Maymyo. There was no electric power at all; even a lit cigarette or a torchlight attracted sniper fire!
 Baba said, it took them almost 40 days to walk through the course of the Irrawaddy and then Chindwin River. The final cross-over into India was the most difficult one, which was through the unchartered terrain—over the mountains that separate Manipur from Burma. The two brothers walked, hand in hand, in the shadows of the mountains; they were homesick and miserable, suspicious of the shuffling night noises, terrified of the dangerous animals, sickness and death studding the dark forests. However, the difficulties of the road were preferable to the uncertainties of remaining where they were….

------------------------------
I sent this link to my elder brother after publishing it.... and he wrote back a few interesting things. I am attaching his note here...:)) Thanks Dada, for adding value to my blog.

 "... some of the childhood stories that I had heard.
1. Our Dadu (grandfather) had later become a builder making bridges and roads as contractor.
2. As Baba and Bhalo Kaku (3rd uncle) were walking back home and riots had broken out between Burmese and Indians. A Burmese group put a knife on Baba . A guy living close to the place where this was happening, opened his window and demanded Baba be left alone as he was very young. The group asked for money to do that and that guy through the money from the window and baba and Bhalo Kaku ran for their lives.
4. During the long walk from Rangoon, they had exotic adventures of living with corpses who died due cholera,with snake and huge big mosquitoes. Some had died due to Malaria and had to be left out they drank water from mountain rivers, ate vegetation created by God. On one such occasion, while Baba was drinking from a mountain river, he came across a Tiger drinking on the opposite bank.
5. Baba was to go to London to become a barrister which had to be abndoned as Dadu expired.
6.Uncle J was studying Medical at Calcutta those days and the family decided he should continue. That was the kind of sacrifice they made for each other.
7. After coming to India Uncle J continued his Medical, others went to school. Bhalo Kaku(3rd uncle) went to George Telegraph to train for a shipping career and Baba went to Lucknow to work and run the family. He also made an income from Tabla at concerts and All India Radio which came in handy for the large family.
8. Recall. the Fluency and pronounciation in English by the 3 Pishis ( aunts) due to their British Schooling. At the same time the letters that the brother wrote to each other were always in impecable English language and superb hand writing. And Bibhu Pishi's paintings were quite famous but she never continued which you followed with your classical music .This Bedhi exists in the next gen also with Buchka ( my darling nephew) never continuing with his cricket.
5. You remember the House in Calcutta they took on rent after coming to India eventually ( where we also spent a good time of our childhood with all our bros and sis)was a make shift conversion from a stable for the Britsih Horses. Recall the brick road leading to the house and the rings on walls of the house. The Road was built for Horses and the Rings to tie them up.  -Also recall the small Varandah with a half wall railing--That was for the horse feed which was kept outside and the Horses could put out their necks to feed themselves.
-You will recall our childhood with eight bro sis with their families and the fantastic Woman Friday Komolar Ma all staying in that 3 room portion of the Stable.The braekfast lunch and dinner sittng on the floor in one such room and exquisite culinery skills of Komolar Ma.
Very Interesting memories conjured up on reading your blog. Thought I share it with you as well.
Dada
These are some of the pencil sketches made by my Dad. We have them in our family album. With age, the papers have discolored, lost sheen---but for Sengupta Collectors, this is a treasure worth millions!


A treasure....preserved in our household....


My grandfather's house in Rangoon ...


the backyard


A Trash Cart...( Rangoon life)


A carriage used by my grandfather ...:)


A Burmese Pagoda...

Nyeti...the lady in Lyungi--traditional attire who looked after the kids ..


Burmese Snake Charmer--The Kiss..


Burmese Cat...* this pic from net*

Datas collected from net.....***

The first reaction that came in from the next generation : From Shubhankar Sengupta (my nephew)

Hi..

It was truly amazing to read what you have written. I just can't stop feeling proud thinking that I belong to a family of fighters. Interestingly even I bag a mention in the article. To even get a mere mention among such stalwarts is in itself very satisfying and at the same time immensely motivating. I must say that there were so many stories that I have never even heard of, for instance, Dadai being a government servant while in Burma , Dadai sleeping with corpses plus his narrow escape from robbers with the help of a godsend, about the house you all used to stay in Kolkata, Komolar Maa and her culinery skills and much more.

I cant help but marvel at the way our elders lead there lives with so much respect, dignity and mutual admiration for each other notwithstanding the tough times they were subjected to. There is so much to learn and take out from the way they lead their lives. And of course i thank you for compiling all this and writing a beautiful blog that has much to tell about our family and our roots and more importantly creating a ready reference for the coming generations of our family and for that matter even for me.

Did you post this on Facebook?? If not then can i post it??

Take care,
Love Buchka
Proud member of the Sengupta family.

This came from my daughter: Sudeshna Sengupta Dutta


I am completely honored to be a part of this pragmatic family tree. Having read your article and Mama’s anecdotes, I now know how this generation got its sense of humility, patience and humaneness. As the wise men say, “No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue and influence, but by your own consent”, “The Sengupta Clan” has truly lived up to this. They fought their way through, saw difficult times, but never gave up. They were all successful professionals in their own fields as well as successful human beings in their own way.
Just being there for each other, sacrifices, helping distant relatives in despair, finding them jobs, helping them rehabilitate…..Phew!!!.....Hats off to them!!! Instances such as the family egging Jethu Dadai on to pursue a career in medical studies, Dadai sacrificing a prospective one as a Barrister (in London), Boro Pishi Dida deciding to stay single to look after the younger ones, two brothers deciding to stay back in Burma, while the entire family migrated ; I honestly don’t think this generation has the grit or the selflessness to make sacrifices to this effect. It’s sad that we lost most of them early; Gosh! There could have been just so much to learn and so many more tales to be heard.
Would someday love to go back to Burma(Myanmar now) and trace down my roots.
Thanks for this Ma!

68 comments:

  1. what a beautifully written post! and the sketches are just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot, Ash, Good to see you here.... do read the latest... :)))

      Delete
  2. Really touching, I had goosebumps as I read through your ancestral history. And what can I say of those sketches... priceless and they are narrating me a story of their own... many thanks for sharing these treasures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Arti.

      I am sure there are tons of stories I haven't told you yet... we do have time left yet... :))))
      Do keep in touch!

      Delete
  3. I just loved all the sketches:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amit... Yeah...they are just too good!:))

      Delete
  4. बहुत सुंदर पांचाली जी

    पढ़ते समय रोंगटे खड़े हो गए
    आपके शब्दो और चित्रो ने समा बांध दिया

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a LOT, Shashiprakash for your beautiful comment...:)Gives a nice aroma to the blog...:))

      Delete
  5. Panchali ji, It is a wonderful thing that you've written these details down diligently in your blog. I face the same problem that I know very little about my grandparents. Just recently I sat down with my dad and asked him about his childhood and my baba and dadi. It surprised me to know that he has come this far from a small village in UP. We never did visit his village. And, the sketches are outstanding. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be for refugees to make a living especially with the added problem of famine. And, look at you, here you are a generation down the line. I loved the post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a milion, Rachna...It is indeed surprising that we know so little about our roots, our families...about our ancestors!! I also never had a chance to visit Rangoon...but, want to be there one day!!----maybe it'd give me some nice points to add to this blog --------

      Thanks for coming by...and for your meaningful comment :))))

      Delete
    2. It would be interesting to read your account of Myanmar. To us, the country had such a negative image till now.

      Delete
    3. Rachna...Thanks for the endorsement..!
      While all the negative images exist, they by no means offer a complete picture...!! I've some good things to talk about...Give me sometime! Let me collect authentic datas from my family members and I shall write a sequel...
      Thanks for coming back again.. :))
      xoxo

      Delete
  6. wow !! so you have a burmese connection as well as bong connection :), lovely pictures indeed capturing the beauty of burma and yr family, and salute to yr family sply yr dad who braved all odds ...... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mere Piyaa Gaye Rangoon
      Kiya Hai Vahaan Se Telephoon
      Tumhari Yaad Sataati Hai Jiya Mein Aag Lagaati Hai

      Lines from an evergreen hit from the movie Patanga, remain etched in our memory even now !!So many Bong 'Piyas' were there! In fact, these Burma refugees had a alumni in Kolkata. My Dad and uncles used to attend the meets every year. I dn't think it exists anymore!
      Thanks Saikat for your witty comments...* am still rolling in laughter* Thanks....

      Delete
  7. It is a treasure worth millions indeed! It is an epic tale of war and partition backed by excellent narration that invokes vivid images of misery and devastation. I didn't want to end it soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Umashankar. Yes..indeed, it is a treasure !Oh, don't worry...I am sure there are tons of stories I haven't told you yet... we do have time to write more... :))))
      Shall post a sequel after I have collected enough datas..Stay tuned :))

      Delete
  8. Hi

    I have the images of two heroes in my mind when I read about your dad and uncle....Some of us know history only from books and newspapers...Every minute there is someone on earth living amidst all that would become a part of future history text books...Awesome post and sketches!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww Jayashree...your comment welled up my eyes!!They were the real fighters...real heroes who fought the horrors of forties stupendously; which meant war, deprivation, deaths, rationing, shortages, and all the things that generally make up human misery!!
      Glad you loiked those sketches. Wish, the artist was alive to read the comments :(
      Thanks a Ton...

      Delete
  9. Really wonderful pencil sketches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rajesh,
      Thanks a lot, coming from a creative artist---it means a LOT :)) Do visit again...

      Delete
  10. Harrowing tales of tough times. Thank you for sharing this with us. Now we know a lot more about those horrific days and the hardships that people had to go through. Those are sketches to treasure. Good that you have some soft copies saved here on this blog. That first sketch is simply WOW!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Divya :))
      Yes, they had a harrowing time..!! What makes it particularly horrific is the fact that it was not a result of any flood, drought or pestilence but entirely a man-made tragedy!
      I feel sad at times..we haven't such memories with our brothers and sisters to put them on record...
      It is advantageous to proceed in a chronological order. I am gathering datas, and would love to write more blogs on this topic:)
      Would love to have you come and read it..hope u wouldn't disappoint me:)) Thanks so much!!

      Delete
    2. Man-made indeed. Sad!!

      I would love to read about all of it. We should be thanking YOU. :)
      (Btw, I miss your old profile pic)

      Delete
    3. Dear Diva,

      Oh, don't worry, I shall get back to my original avatar soon :D
      Thanks for your kind words of encouragement...I am very grateful to my blog-readers :))
      Thanks so much for coming back. xoxo

      Delete
  11. Wow !! Do you know, my grandfather too used to live in Rangoon, working for the British Army. When Netaji came to Rangoon, grandpa joined the Medical corps of INA. Through your pics I visited Rangoon. Will visit this place someday soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to my space, Puru@ShadowsGalore :))
      As I was telling Saikat...the evergreen hit from the movie 'Patanga is still etched in our memeores..Remember the song?

      Mere Piyaa Gaye Rangoon
      Kiya Hai Vahaan Se Telephoon
      Tumhari Yaad Sataati Hai Jiya Mein Aag Lagaati Hai

      Many 'piyaas' went to Rangoon. There is a certain sense of romance and attachment that an Indian still finds with this port. There was a lot of India in Rangoon ( now Yangon).Good to know that both of us have our roots there...one day, we shall be there...maybe soon! Amen.
      I want to write a sequel after collecting more datas. So I would like you to stay in touch. Thanks a LOT!!:)

      Delete
    2. I am currently reading the novel "The Glass Palace" by Amitav Ghosh and reliving the Rangoon of those days .. I read out this story to my Didu and she got really nostalgic :)

      Delete
    3. Puru@SG...I am so glad that your Didu enjoyed listening to this story!! Is she also from Rangoon..?
      My favorite author is Amitav Ghosh, and I have read Glass palace a couple of times...the three generations of Indians in the countries of Malaya and Burma been depicted so well !!It has a fascinating account of the large Indian migration to Burma in the 19th and early 20th centuries, first to harvest teak, then to work the rubber plantations...oh, am going to read it again! Have yiu read hungry tide--read it, and yo'll love sundarbans!!:))))
      Thanks for coming back, Puru..or is it Purnendu?

      Delete
  12. Dear Panchali

    will read this one again and again

    and the sketches are great
    love rajni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Rajni,

      I can't imagine anything more pleasing..love your presence always :))
      Thanks for the compliments..wish baba was alive to read all the comments :((
      Thanks a zillion..xoxo

      Delete
  13. The sketch of the burmese cat is simply lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Neha...Love your comments... always... :))))

      Delete
  14. Knowing about one's ancestors really gives a new meaning to our lives,you have recorded it wonderfully....& your Dad is a great artist-sketching as well as tabla!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Indu, Am absolutely gratified to see you here...:))Your perceptive comment shows you read the details...wonderful to get comments from readers like you!! Yes, baba was extremely creative. He could play almost all the musical instruments ...that include violine and flute. But, of course, his mastery was on tabla and sitar...:))
      I want to write a sequel...so hope you'd come and read that blog as well...:)) Thanks once again.

      Delete
  15. Not much has been written about the great Indian exodus from Burma. It was just recently I read about it in the Indian Express.

    It was a treat reading your version!

    And your Dad's sketches are masterpieces.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purba,
      Myanmar is in news these days because of the communal clashes. Even I read a couple of articles recently...Some Muslims were apparently beaten to death by a Rakhine Buddhist mob in revenge for the rape and murder of a woman, and this sparked the violence...
      In fact, all this and much more egged me on to write this... I intend to write a sequel after collecting more details from my family members.(like my dada added a few after reading this) Hope you'd come and read me.
      Amitav Ghosh's The glass Place, has fantastic settings and locations of this place Well...you know it, am sure!!:))
      Thanks for the encouraing comment..:)

      Delete
  16. Lovely sketches and a very beautiful post..:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coming from you Nagini, that was some compliment. I am sooo pleased you liked this. Thanks a bunch :)

      Delete
  17. This is a treasure trove, and the sketches are just out of this world. You are an artist's daughter. So proud:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Ghaz...I was waiting for you to cme and read this post...!Thank you for that lovely comment. It is MOST gratifying to win a pat on the back from someone you admire....xoxo

      Delete
  18. Woww. You took me on a trip to Burma :) Loved the post, so quickly joined your blog now.

    http://movieroundup.in/ if you love cinema, check out my site :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to my space, Haricharan Pudipeddi! I am more pleased than I can tell you that this resonated with you. Glad you joined the bunch...am grateful. Thanks a ton!!
      Shall visit your space soon.
      Hope to see you more on these pages....:)Thank you!

      Delete
  19. wonderful narratie interspersed with personal accounts and opinions... beautifully done Panchali!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deepak, for tht beautiful comment.I have always agreed with the adage that 'Adversity is a character builder'---and my ancestors proved me right!! Glad you are happy with the presentation...
      Your comment is of course the cherry on top. Thank you for your very 'sedate' words of appreciation. I ma grateful...please do visit again :))

      Delete
  20. This is amazing. Glad to have discovered. It is so refreshing to read real history rather than re-hash of existing official history from internet and books. Look forward to read more. By the pictures were amazingly drawn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TF...
      I am so glad you came and read this post..:))
      Yes you are right, due to regimented syllabus, we have lost the art of enjoying simple pleasures... and I feel so sad for the kids who have to go those prescribed books --even when they don't find it interesting! I never liked history...but, did a lot of mugging up before exams and sailed thru...thank goodness!
      Thank you so much for your visit and kind words.... :)
      I would definitely post a sequel after collecting datas from mu family members! Do stay in touch, and I would love to have you here more often...:)

      Delete
  21. you must be so proud to have a family history like this ! And yes the sketches are wonderful. Will be eagerly waiting to read more ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tangy Tomato Twist !!
      It is such a pleasure to have you here always.Thanks a ton!
      Yes, I do feel proud to be part of them. But, am glad I wasn't born then..it's not easy to take a leap away from a settled pattern of life.How precious it is to us, our narrow comfort zone...! ..aah!..lazy me :D
      Part 2 coming up in a short while. Stand by please... :))))
      Thanks so much for your kind words, TTT
      Do visit again.:)

      Delete
  22. Hi Panchali

    Completed Chitra Banerjee's book Palace of Illusions just yesterday - and now I am writing to someone named Panchali.

    Life in Burma is those difficult times must have been harrowing for the members of your family.

    You have narrated your family history quite well. Its like a report from another world.

    Those sketches are windows to the past ... Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jayadev
      Wecome to my space :))
      Wow... that is the book I so much enjoyed reading!!....narrated from Panchaali's point of view.. While I have read many different versions, but they were never told from a woman's point of view and that made the book so spl,and different!! Panchali's temper, stubborn nature, vanity, desires, all come out superbly well during the narration. Her love for Karna and her connection with Krishna - ah, beautiful..

      Yes, after remembering all that my jabber must be silenced. For silence is the soil in which greatness takes root....LOL..

      Thanks for coming by.Me coming over too... soonest :))))
      Hope to see you more on these pages---

      Delete
  23. The sketches are just too good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meoww :))
      I am thrilled to my toes...:))
      Thank you so much...!! xoxo

      Delete
  24. Very nice post...really read it thoroughly.
    Yes you are right, we should write or save some information about us. Because definitely the next generation will be keen to know that. Whenever I visit any ancient monuments, I just imagine, how was the social life during that period.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ranjana,

      Glad you liked the sentiments coming through. Precisely, that's the intention of the blog !! I shall leave it in the web for Posterity; hence, am adding the notes/ reactions of the family members in the blog itself...
      I am sure, there's much more and would love to write a sequel after I have gathered sufficient data.
      Thanks a lot.. Good to see you here...always :))))xoxo

      Delete
  25. Great to read your post.All Sketches are awesome. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rupam,

      Thank you so much for your kind words..:)) Yes, those paintings are nice and very close to my heart...How I wish, my Dad was alive to read all the appreciative feedbacks.
      Please do visit again.

      Delete
  26. Hi frnd,

    The life time opportunity indeed. All of these posts are worthy having some standards.
    Great job!
    More jobs available at Indian Job Vacancies at http://www.indianjobsguide.com

    Friends, daily u use to LIKE hundreds of posts from Facebook, which will never be useful to you.I am working for you all in providing indian jobs, Bank jobs and Government jobs information on facebook. In this regard, we need your support to our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/indianjobsguide

    Please access and click on LIKE button. This small like will give you instant updates of indian jobs, Bank jobs and Government jobs information and also help us in growing more and more..

    I liked ur blog and I hope you will do same for my blog www.facebook.com/indianjobsguide.

    Thank q

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Indian Jobs Guide for being here with your job offer. Though I am not looking for job opportunities, however, shall check out your link soon.

      Delete
  27. Amazing,. A fine example of how love and dedication unites families.
    My namaskar to all those who sacrificed so much , for the sake of family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Namaskar Vetrimagal...!

      Welcome to my post :))Thanks for those kind words of appreciation. I am grateful.
      A big thanks to you on behalf of my family!!

      Delete
  28. What touched me when I started reading this post was the line where you said we are creating a log of life for the generations who will be interested in reading it and this is created without money and only love. I added love in it.

    Coming to the post, it must have been difficult for your family, just to say the least. I am running short of words here as though the tale is sad, someone moved from their world with nothing. But the whole narration and the response of your family to this post made it so beautiful, warm and of course, a treasure.

    I loved the sketches, they are treasure worth more than millions. Thank you for sharing this :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru,

      Thank you dear friend. It was such a pleasure to have you along on this journey... to share... to learn... to experience. With your permission, I'd love to add that little word 'love' to that line...can I??
      Sometimes I wonder how people can call interactions on the net 'virtual' interactions. What's more real than the depth with which you have exchanged thoughts with me about this blog...?
      Thanks for the time and wonderful feedback, Saru. How much I covet a pat from a blogger of your stature..Thanks a zillion :))
      xoxo

      Delete
  29. I was moved to tears after reading this remarkable tale of love, affection and immense courage during tumultuous times. You have penned it down beautifully as a fitting tribute and as a wonderful record of a great story! And was simply amazed by those pencil sketches. Priceless possessions indeed! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raj,

      Wow...Thank you for the echos you have let me hear. It is certainly the most powerful validation in the world. :))))
      Priceless it is....for sure :))))
      Thanks a million for your visit and apprecition. I'm thrilled :))

      Delete
  30. it was quite amazing to read about your family and the way you and those who have added to it have narrated it gives the reader a feeling of being a participant. you are truly very fortunate to belong to such a family. and i am fortunate to be knowing about it through you.

    i wrote a post about the good in me and the good in you in response to a blogging tag from aarathi selvan of between life's doings. it was a pretty interesting experience to pull together what i considered was good in me. i would like to see what you consider the good in you, panchali, so i tagged you too. see this post for details.

    http://subhorup.blogspot.com/2012/07/aarathi-selvan-good-in-me-good-in-you.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shubhorup,
      Wow..Just checked the link!! Thanks for the recommendation....kinda overwhelmed!! Your blog itself is so beautifully penned! It’s a great learning experience for me Shubhorup .. to read your stuff here. you are unique..so original and I simply love them all.:)
      I went thru some of your old posts as well. Let me share a quote that I hold dear and I saw it come alive in ur posts.
      Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need no pruning... -Francis Bacon

      Thanks for tagging me. Now I have to take up the mammoth task of digging out the appropriate blogs first from my old archive. You have to give me some time..please.:)
      Bless you for this gift you gave me...though I am pretty shaky at the moment.. :D
      Thank you!:)

      Delete
  31. excellent.. Glad to know what you are doing in making a log and all , this will keep the likes of me to know what all happened and how it happened.

    The sketches are beautiful and some of the things like the post card is indeed a treasure..

    I have always been in awe of how and what our grand parents did, they were there during the independance struggle, A few years back when my grandfather passed away , I went through his belonging which had been laying around for decades, I was surprised to know so many things about my grandfather and his family when he was young.. I have some old pics of his times and during the independance struggle.. This post has given me a idea as how i can put them in blog to atleast make a log of things..

    Take care and I will read more of you for sure

    Open letter to all Indians-Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bikramjit for that wonderful comment. I am sorry about this delayed revert...
      Indeed...so many people, so many situations - happiness and misery go hand in hand. We are the fortunate ones to have better lives than most our ancestors have lived.... :)
      Treasure you Grandfathers stuff, Bikramjit.Put them up in the web for future generation :)
      Glad you enjoyed reading this...I am thrilled! Please do visit again.

      Delete

Please leave a line if you have the time...Thanks!