Some time in April, I wrote about our plans to start a scholarship in the name of my maternal grandfather Prof. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya. After long discussions that went back and forth between Canada and Kolkata, Bangalore; a meeting was set up with the present Vice Chancellor Prof. Souvik Bhattacharyya, Chief Financial Officer Mr. Pattanayak and my aunt and my husband. My husband visited Kolkata just for two and a half days. Within that time frame he set up this meeting and from what I understood that it was a very successful meeting.
Only a few days after the meeting V.C. Prof. Souvik Bhattacharya was gheraoed for 50 hours by university students on some ragging issues.
Today I heard the shocking news that Prof. Souvik Bhattacharya has resigned. Makes me really sad. He survived the gherao; what exactly happened so that a brave person like him had no other choice but to resign? Makes me wonder. Is it political pressure or something else ?
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Finally Made Some Real progress!!
As I wrote earlier that I was trying to raise some funds within the family in order to start a scholarship trust fund in the name of my grandfather Prof. Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya. Well it has been quite a journey. My goal was 5 lakhs INR. My expectation was I will get most encouragement and generosity from people who were most benefited by my grandfather; but no. Those are the people who stayed away and did not even bother to acknowledge my email. Of course, I did not ask for any money, simply stated that this is what I am trying to do and this is my goal. My aunt Anjali Adhikari was most interested from the beginning, so I had extensive phone conversations with her. She was happy that I could find all kinds of information and finally found a way to go about it.
Anyways only very few people came forward with a commitment, but even then, the amount was only 3.5 lakhs. An uncle of mine who showed a lot of enthusiasm in the beginning suddenly got cold feet. He wouldn't even answer my email. I do not what made him change his mind.
Anyways, to cut the long story short 3 of us went back to the drawing board and came up with more money, and I am very happy to disclose that I have been able to reach my goal.
So now, through this scholarship, not only my grandfather's name will live on, but each year a bright but needy student will receive some money to fulfill his dreams to become a mechanical engineer from Jadavpur University.
Today I feel very happy. After a long time I feel I have been able to accomplish something.
I do not live in Calcutta, so now the ball will be in my aunt's court. Now she has to contact Jadavpur Engineering College and go through the final process. I am sure the CFO will guide and help her all the way.
Follow this link below and under notable faculty and alumni you will find Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya's name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadavpur_University
"Pioneering efforts came from such dedicated and learned people like Prof. Hemchandra Das Gupta, Prof. Hiralal Roy, Prof. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya, and many others, who introduced new disciplines and domains of engineering and changed the dimensions of the colonial engineering education. Their work was carried further by Dr. Triguna Sen, Prof. Hemchandra Guha, Prof. Karuna Roy, Prof. M. L. Schroff., Prof. Tuhin Roy, Prof. Gopal Chandra Sen and many others."
Anyways only very few people came forward with a commitment, but even then, the amount was only 3.5 lakhs. An uncle of mine who showed a lot of enthusiasm in the beginning suddenly got cold feet. He wouldn't even answer my email. I do not what made him change his mind.
Anyways, to cut the long story short 3 of us went back to the drawing board and came up with more money, and I am very happy to disclose that I have been able to reach my goal.
So now, through this scholarship, not only my grandfather's name will live on, but each year a bright but needy student will receive some money to fulfill his dreams to become a mechanical engineer from Jadavpur University.
Today I feel very happy. After a long time I feel I have been able to accomplish something.
I do not live in Calcutta, so now the ball will be in my aunt's court. Now she has to contact Jadavpur Engineering College and go through the final process. I am sure the CFO will guide and help her all the way.
Follow this link below and under notable faculty and alumni you will find Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya's name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadavpur_University
"Pioneering efforts came from such dedicated and learned people like Prof. Hemchandra Das Gupta, Prof. Hiralal Roy, Prof. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya, and many others, who introduced new disciplines and domains of engineering and changed the dimensions of the colonial engineering education. Their work was carried further by Dr. Triguna Sen, Prof. Hemchandra Guha, Prof. Karuna Roy, Prof. M. L. Schroff., Prof. Tuhin Roy, Prof. Gopal Chandra Sen and many others."
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Interesting facts about Machli and Zalim
Interesting facts about Machli and Zalim
The most famous tigress in the whole world is in Ranthambore, India. The name is "Machli". Machli in Indian Hindi language means fish. The very distinctive stripes on her face that looks like fish bones, hence the name. She is the queen of tigers. She has taken part in quite a few documentaries and books on tigers. She is now 17 years old - lost her canine teeth and lives a secluded life.
Recently I watched a beautiful documentary following her life.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNGWdMLtI44
I took the following paragraph from the official website of Ranthambore National Park website.
"The most noticeable thing in Machali is in her name. It is named so since she has the fish shaped marking on the left part of her face. Her legendary fight with 14 foot long crocodile has really created a history and it was the first time since such an encounter has been recorded and filmed. Interestingly, Machali has been photographed many times and have gained a lot of popularity amidst the wildlife lovers. Many documentaries and short films have been shot for her and she had been the star of the wild tiger world. In addition to this many books have been written on her and her park; and even received a TOFT Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to conservation and the wider Rajasthan economy."
But to me the most interesting thing about Machli was when although she was ready to mate, she fought away another male (Boomburam) much bigger in size than her to protect her two 2 years old male cubs. And when she thought these two were ready to be on their own she had them suckle and bid farewell. So unusual. All this has been captured on youtube video.
I came across this article by Mike Snow, Published in Toronto Star, dated 22 Dec, 2012, titled "The celebrity tigers of Rajasthan", where the author mentions a very unusual male tiger named Zalim (T-25) or otherwise called Dollar. Apparently the name is given to this tiger for the dollar ($) shaped stripe pattern on his right flank that has really amazed the tiger lovers.
The most famous tigress in the whole world is in Ranthambore, India. The name is "Machli". Machli in Indian Hindi language means fish. The very distinctive stripes on her face that looks like fish bones, hence the name. She is the queen of tigers. She has taken part in quite a few documentaries and books on tigers. She is now 17 years old - lost her canine teeth and lives a secluded life.
Recently I watched a beautiful documentary following her life.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNGWdMLtI44
I took the following paragraph from the official website of Ranthambore National Park website.
"The most noticeable thing in Machali is in her name. It is named so since she has the fish shaped marking on the left part of her face. Her legendary fight with 14 foot long crocodile has really created a history and it was the first time since such an encounter has been recorded and filmed. Interestingly, Machali has been photographed many times and have gained a lot of popularity amidst the wildlife lovers. Many documentaries and short films have been shot for her and she had been the star of the wild tiger world. In addition to this many books have been written on her and her park; and even received a TOFT Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to conservation and the wider Rajasthan economy."
But to me the most interesting thing about Machli was when although she was ready to mate, she fought away another male (Boomburam) much bigger in size than her to protect her two 2 years old male cubs. And when she thought these two were ready to be on their own she had them suckle and bid farewell. So unusual. All this has been captured on youtube video.
I came across this article by Mike Snow, Published in Toronto Star, dated 22 Dec, 2012, titled "The celebrity tigers of Rajasthan", where the author mentions a very unusual male tiger named Zalim (T-25) or otherwise called Dollar. Apparently the name is given to this tiger for the dollar ($) shaped stripe pattern on his right flank that has really amazed the tiger lovers.
What is unusual about this male tiger is since February 2011, he has been found with two female cubs who were orphaned when their mother T-5 died of intestinal illness. Dollar is not only protecting these cubs but is also playing the role of mother to these cubs. That is very unusual to a male tiger's nature who otherwise is commonly seen as a threat to cubs fathered by another tiger.
I found the following article on the net when I googled the name Zalim tiger.
http://www.ranthamborenationalpark.com/t-25.html
A few words on Tigers
Monday, December 17, 2012
My last blog was about my feelings about Tigers - specially the situation
of tigers' survival in India. In Mr. Thapar's book there are pictures and numbers
that say how many tigers were killed by the Maharajas and the British in India.
My heart ached and couldn't help feeling happy that the mass killing of tigers
is no more and its good that the murderers are gone. Now there are thieves -
the poachers. But I feel sorry for them - they don't know any better - they are
probably poor people trying to make a buck. They don't know why it is so
important to save the tigers - why it is so important to save the jungle.
I have never seen a tiger in a jungle. I have been to Africa and seen Lions. I have been to African Lions Safari in Cambridge, Ontario and seen Lions freely walking about, sleeping and yawning away. But never seen a tiger. They are evasive indeed.
My grandfather saw a tiger in Sundarban. In fact he saw a tiger taking a man. While telling the story of what he saw to his grandchildren - he will have goosebumps on him. He said actually he did not see the tiger. From the boat he saw a man sitting down on the river bank to gather some woods for cooking or doing something (nature's call may be) and suddenly he saw a yellow blanket flying about him and the man was not there any more!
According to wikipedia, in Sundarban the tigers kill about fifty or sixty humans per year. That's not good either. Just because they are poor - no one cares? I hope Government is doing something to help the villagers.
May be there are too many tigers and they don't find enough food in the mangrove jungle. Is it possible to relocate some tigers to some other forest area where there used to be tigers before but now vanished.
In Bengali to express a helpless and dangerous situation there is a saying "Joley Kumir dunga e baagh" means there are Crocodiles in the water and tigers on the land.
There is a very nice documentary that I found on youtube. The Last Man Eater. Here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfSTt1tcj0
I have never seen a tiger in a jungle. I have been to Africa and seen Lions. I have been to African Lions Safari in Cambridge, Ontario and seen Lions freely walking about, sleeping and yawning away. But never seen a tiger. They are evasive indeed.
My grandfather saw a tiger in Sundarban. In fact he saw a tiger taking a man. While telling the story of what he saw to his grandchildren - he will have goosebumps on him. He said actually he did not see the tiger. From the boat he saw a man sitting down on the river bank to gather some woods for cooking or doing something (nature's call may be) and suddenly he saw a yellow blanket flying about him and the man was not there any more!
According to wikipedia, in Sundarban the tigers kill about fifty or sixty humans per year. That's not good either. Just because they are poor - no one cares? I hope Government is doing something to help the villagers.
May be there are too many tigers and they don't find enough food in the mangrove jungle. Is it possible to relocate some tigers to some other forest area where there used to be tigers before but now vanished.
In Bengali to express a helpless and dangerous situation there is a saying "Joley Kumir dunga e baagh" means there are Crocodiles in the water and tigers on the land.
There is a very nice documentary that I found on youtube. The Last Man Eater. Here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfSTt1tcj0
I have always been simply mesmerized and fascinated
by Tigers. Any day, Tiger is my most favorite animal. Not that I would like to
own a tiger - nobody can own a Tiger. The most beautiful, the most captivating
and ferocious animal that roams the planet earth.
Even as a young girl I had posters of tigers in my room and not those of film stars. After I was married I had a poster of a Tiger and a Tigress in my bedroom.
So a few years back I bought a very informative book on Tigers (from Amazon.com) written by one Mr. Valmik Thapar. I was so impressed by the book - I did a little research on Mr. Thapar, and my goodness, in my mind he is a hero - the Tiger Man. He even looks like a Tiger. He is married to Shashi Kapoors daughter Sanjana Kapoor and has a son by the name Hamir. One time he followed a Tiger named Hamir. Hats off to this man for being so much into Tigers and for trying to do so much to save this amazing animal.
He has done everything possible to save tigers. All his books are written in English. In India, the people who become poachers for money - how many of them can read English? How many of them can appreciate the jungle and why it is so important to maintain the ecological balance!
** All books written in favor of tigers should be translated in all Indian languages - at least in Hindi.
** Another suggestion which is tricky and may take years. In India we worship Hanuman - the monkey god. Let there be a tiger god. After all tiger IS devi Durga's transportation. When people do not fear law they may fear God. Let the tigers lovers spread the word that when you kill a tiger bad things will happen to your family. Look at all the Rajas and Maharajas's family! Where are they now? They are all gone. Extinguished.
Well these are my thoughts. Everyone has a blog now - to express one's thoughts. May be some people might read my blog - may be my blog will reach Mr. Thapar someday.
Even as a young girl I had posters of tigers in my room and not those of film stars. After I was married I had a poster of a Tiger and a Tigress in my bedroom.
So a few years back I bought a very informative book on Tigers (from Amazon.com) written by one Mr. Valmik Thapar. I was so impressed by the book - I did a little research on Mr. Thapar, and my goodness, in my mind he is a hero - the Tiger Man. He even looks like a Tiger. He is married to Shashi Kapoors daughter Sanjana Kapoor and has a son by the name Hamir. One time he followed a Tiger named Hamir. Hats off to this man for being so much into Tigers and for trying to do so much to save this amazing animal.
He has done everything possible to save tigers. All his books are written in English. In India, the people who become poachers for money - how many of them can read English? How many of them can appreciate the jungle and why it is so important to maintain the ecological balance!
** All books written in favor of tigers should be translated in all Indian languages - at least in Hindi.
** Another suggestion which is tricky and may take years. In India we worship Hanuman - the monkey god. Let there be a tiger god. After all tiger IS devi Durga's transportation. When people do not fear law they may fear God. Let the tigers lovers spread the word that when you kill a tiger bad things will happen to your family. Look at all the Rajas and Maharajas's family! Where are they now? They are all gone. Extinguished.
Well these are my thoughts. Everyone has a blog now - to express one's thoughts. May be some people might read my blog - may be my blog will reach Mr. Thapar someday.
http://www.earthtimes.org/newsimage/asian_tiger_12.jpg
http://www.earthtimes.org/conservation/asian-tiger-numbers-could-triple/246/
http://www.earthtimes.org/conservation/asian-tiger-numbers-could-triple/246/
Calling all Women - You are Important!
You are Important!
I was visiting my daughter in Toronto. Picked up the news paper Toronto Star, and on the very first page I saw the horrible news on Delhi, India. Since then, every day the media over here has been covering what was going on. What a shame. First time in my life I was ashamed of the country I came from. The country that boasts of its ancient culture, its scientific achievements, its Nobel prize winners, its history and geography - every thing - every thing has gone down the drain. Nothing matters now, because you are nothing if you do not value your women - you are nothing if you do not have respect for women. India's dirty laundry has been washed in front of the whole world. There is a lot of agitation that has been triggered by Nirbhaya's rape, torture and death. But you know and I know this will die down in due course of time and everything will go on as usual. Right after this horrific incident a few rapes took place in Delhi. This is not the doing of a mentally deranged person - this is done by just anybody, may be just anybody looking for an opportune moment to overpower a girl, a woman.
This is not only done by people who do not have education, who live a miserable life and have no value for human life or dignity. This is also done by people with money and power and with so called education. This has been going on for long long time - only now Nirbhaya's suffering and consequent death has brought the problem out in the for the whole world to take notice. Much has been said - little has been done.
I have been thinking of writing down my thoughts but I guess was too numb to do so. Every morning I wake up and think about it. I talk to my girl friends and this topic comes up. I go to bed thinking about it. What is happening to us? What can we do ? What can we do to make men understand our worth and and not to mess with us!
When a woman has an important job and makes big money she might command some respect. But otherwise very often a home maker is put down and disrespected by her family members. She cooks, she cleans, she shops, she takes care of the children at home, she drives them around. But is there respect ? A rapist may get caught by the police and may go to jail, but the disrespect is deep rooted in society. Even women feel sad when a girl child is born. How do we bring changes on a social level?
When I think about it I get agitated - I feel I should also call on a strike. Calling all mothers, daughters, sisters and wives to go on a strike. Non - cooperation Gandhi style. No cooking, no cleaning no sleeping with the partner. If it is necessary leave home temporarily and go somewhere else. Does not matter if the man in your life is good or not so good. Do it for a week - let the men understand what life is like when the woman turns her face away.
Think about it. If you do not understand your worth no one will. If you do not know how to be strong and command respect no one will. So non cooperation for a week. If you think this might work spread the word. Everyone is trying to find a solution so am I. Are you with me ?
I was visiting my daughter in Toronto. Picked up the news paper Toronto Star, and on the very first page I saw the horrible news on Delhi, India. Since then, every day the media over here has been covering what was going on. What a shame. First time in my life I was ashamed of the country I came from. The country that boasts of its ancient culture, its scientific achievements, its Nobel prize winners, its history and geography - every thing - every thing has gone down the drain. Nothing matters now, because you are nothing if you do not value your women - you are nothing if you do not have respect for women. India's dirty laundry has been washed in front of the whole world. There is a lot of agitation that has been triggered by Nirbhaya's rape, torture and death. But you know and I know this will die down in due course of time and everything will go on as usual. Right after this horrific incident a few rapes took place in Delhi. This is not the doing of a mentally deranged person - this is done by just anybody, may be just anybody looking for an opportune moment to overpower a girl, a woman.
This is not only done by people who do not have education, who live a miserable life and have no value for human life or dignity. This is also done by people with money and power and with so called education. This has been going on for long long time - only now Nirbhaya's suffering and consequent death has brought the problem out in the for the whole world to take notice. Much has been said - little has been done.
I have been thinking of writing down my thoughts but I guess was too numb to do so. Every morning I wake up and think about it. I talk to my girl friends and this topic comes up. I go to bed thinking about it. What is happening to us? What can we do ? What can we do to make men understand our worth and and not to mess with us!
When a woman has an important job and makes big money she might command some respect. But otherwise very often a home maker is put down and disrespected by her family members. She cooks, she cleans, she shops, she takes care of the children at home, she drives them around. But is there respect ? A rapist may get caught by the police and may go to jail, but the disrespect is deep rooted in society. Even women feel sad when a girl child is born. How do we bring changes on a social level?
When I think about it I get agitated - I feel I should also call on a strike. Calling all mothers, daughters, sisters and wives to go on a strike. Non - cooperation Gandhi style. No cooking, no cleaning no sleeping with the partner. If it is necessary leave home temporarily and go somewhere else. Does not matter if the man in your life is good or not so good. Do it for a week - let the men understand what life is like when the woman turns her face away.
Think about it. If you do not understand your worth no one will. If you do not know how to be strong and command respect no one will. So non cooperation for a week. If you think this might work spread the word. Everyone is trying to find a solution so am I. Are you with me ?
Jadavpur Engineering college
I contacted the Chief Finance Officer of Jadavpur Engineering college, Kolkata, India and found out how much money is required to start a scholarship. The money will be kept in bank and earn interest - which should be enough to support a bright and needy student. Enough to cover his or her tuition fees, books and hostel charges.
I am currently in the process of raising money only within the family and not outside. The expectation is when a student receives the scholarship - he might wonder who is this person Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya ? So he might jump on the Internet and try to do some research. There there is nothing.
So before the scholarship gets going I must start a website or a blog in his name. That way i think my grandfather's name will live on.
Recently I found out a write up on him written by one of his students ... Mr.Chakrabarty, who was also his friend and colleague's (DebendraNath Chakrabarty) son. I used to call him Pawdo Uncle. He wrote an article on Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya on the occasion, when his family got together and celebrated his 100th birthday in 1996. It is written beautifully - but it is in Bengali. However, I saw him as my grandfather - and did not know much about his professional life. This article is very informative for me as well.
Most of us - we are ordinary people. We come to this earth - grow up, get education, get jobs - raise a family, look after the family. Grow old and one day we die. Our children and friends remember us. Then slowly our name slip into oblivion. That is normal for us ordinary people, but Satish Chandra was no ordinary person - he was extra ordinary, his name should live on and I will do everything I can to make it happen.
Once I write about him and my readers read my write ups they all will agree with me that he was no ordinary person.
Since I retired, I started making jewelry and by selling them supported two of my favorite charities. That gave me a purpose. Now I have a new purpose in life - do something to keep my grandfather's memory alive.
I am currently in the process of raising money only within the family and not outside. The expectation is when a student receives the scholarship - he might wonder who is this person Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya ? So he might jump on the Internet and try to do some research. There there is nothing.
So before the scholarship gets going I must start a website or a blog in his name. That way i think my grandfather's name will live on.
Recently I found out a write up on him written by one of his students ... Mr.Chakrabarty, who was also his friend and colleague's (DebendraNath Chakrabarty) son. I used to call him Pawdo Uncle. He wrote an article on Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya on the occasion, when his family got together and celebrated his 100th birthday in 1996. It is written beautifully - but it is in Bengali. However, I saw him as my grandfather - and did not know much about his professional life. This article is very informative for me as well.
Most of us - we are ordinary people. We come to this earth - grow up, get education, get jobs - raise a family, look after the family. Grow old and one day we die. Our children and friends remember us. Then slowly our name slip into oblivion. That is normal for us ordinary people, but Satish Chandra was no ordinary person - he was extra ordinary, his name should live on and I will do everything I can to make it happen.
Once I write about him and my readers read my write ups they all will agree with me that he was no ordinary person.
Since I retired, I started making jewelry and by selling them supported two of my favorite charities. That gave me a purpose. Now I have a new purpose in life - do something to keep my grandfather's memory alive.
My grandfather- Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharya
Prof. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya
In his professional life, he achieved a lot - he was a great person, a genius. Prof. Satish Chandra Bhattacharyya, was born in 1896. Times have changed. All his life he was connected with (today what we call) Jadavpur Engineering College, India's first independent Engineering College, Independent of the British Raaj. He was one of the pioneers.
After completing his Masters Degree in Mathematics, he studied Mechanical Engineering. The teachers were so impressed by his results, they decided to send him to Germany for further studies with scholarship. He was already married to my Grandmother Charubala Debi, and had a baby girl Renuka. However, he went to Germany and obtained Masters and PhD in mechanical Engineering in 6 years time. He could speak read and write German language fluently.
He made many friends there and maintained life long friendship with his friends through letters.
As soon as he landed in India he packed all his Western clothes in a box and wore Indian clothes made indigenous. Those were the days when India was struggling to gain Independence.
My grandfather had three more daughters, Arati, Anjali and Bulbul.
I am Arati's daughter.
If found this picture where clad in white dhoti and punjabi (Kurta), where he is standing beside a model of Howrah Bridge.
After completing his Masters Degree in Mathematics, he studied Mechanical Engineering. The teachers were so impressed by his results, they decided to send him to Germany for further studies with scholarship. He was already married to my Grandmother Charubala Debi, and had a baby girl Renuka. However, he went to Germany and obtained Masters and PhD in mechanical Engineering in 6 years time. He could speak read and write German language fluently.
He made many friends there and maintained life long friendship with his friends through letters.
As soon as he landed in India he packed all his Western clothes in a box and wore Indian clothes made indigenous. Those were the days when India was struggling to gain Independence.
My grandfather had three more daughters, Arati, Anjali and Bulbul.
I am Arati's daughter.
If found this picture where clad in white dhoti and punjabi (Kurta), where he is standing beside a model of Howrah Bridge.
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