Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Partly Off Beat, Partly Official


Well, on the day of Civic Polls it turned out to be a difficult choice to devote almost 3 hrs to an University’s 15th Convocation or to concentrate on the 2nd Municipal Elections, an activity that was going to be keenly contested as opposed to its 1st edition in 2010, in which a sizable number of candidates were elected unopposed in a peaceful setting.

While keeping a track of events from previous evening and early morning, I succumbed to the friendly pressure of Brig. Misra V.C. and Dr. P.D Senoy, Advisor to the Group.  Upon casting my vote and boosting the morale of Polling personnel, I landed up at the University, rather ahead of time.  My election responsibility was taken care of later between 2 to 6 PM when I could see 17 booths between Gangtok  & Rangpo and to my utter relief, except for one booth at 7th Mile, things were fine and under control.

 I recalled, I was attending their Convocation for the third time.  It was joy, smile, bonhomie, brightness, all over, on a bright sunny day.  More buildings, more Faculty and staff and off course, plenty of courses and students from all parts of country, spoke of size and dimension of the University that began as late as 1999.

We were escorted in with courtesy & style to the waiting hall on level 3, were offered tea, snacks etc, something that was not needed so early.  However, soon number of we ‘dignitories’ registered a rise.  Finally, round one ended with the arrival of the Governor.  More pleasantries than something light or profound, that mattered now.  With clock wise precision, Gowns were put over each one of us (15).  I had a different feel, something, one was deprived of after I Graduated in 1977, as the system of Convocation in my Ranchi University had virtually come to an end.  Also it was a fact that none of us bothered to check even whether degrees were being awarded in this old British style.  If I recall, every house having a Graduate in early Sixties or Seventies would proudly display the photo of their off-springs donning a black gown with an unusual headgear and holding the rolled up degree between two hands.

Anyway, to continue further, stress was on career building at Delhi, so one rushed, got into JNU and finished two more degrees – MA & M.Phil.  At the end of the process, was eager if one could have a feel of the Convocation.  Soon, we coming from lower middle class got upset, if not dejected, as probably due to its Left domination, the University never encouraged such functions.  So sooner than later, both the Provisional Degrees were collected from the clerks of the ‘Centre’ and only after some gap, the originals were received, one of them by post.
Back to SMU, all of us were made ready for the ‘procession’ on the 6th Level and stood in a Q as per indications of the VC and then began the cool, calculated movement led by a Piped band of the Army.  It was a different, rather exhilarating feeling.  Hundred of talented young boys & girls who had burnt the midnight oil were eagerly waiting upon cut-throat competition, coupled with investment of their hard earned family income.  Many of them with their near and dear ones and a few of us starting with the Chief Guest, was going to hand over Degrees, Certificates & Medals.  So what it one was never on receiving end, the opportunity to give should suffice now with a certain element of self satisfaction.

Assembled students, Faculty, Guests, all clapped and cheered.  Slowly, entry into the 750 capacity hall took place.  Clicking of mobile cameras was a foregone conclusion.  Lighting of traditional Diya, Goddess Saraswati Vandana, Welcome addresses, Annual Reports administering of oath, etc, all followed with good time management.  And then came the turn of distribution of Medals.  In good old days, most of the recipients would be from outside the State.  But it was pleasing and highly satisfying to see that this year more than half were from this very soil and that too some from dwindling if not vanishing Lepcha tribe.  They had guts, courage and confidence when they walked to the dias (inspired by T.V. culture I suppose).  Some nevertheless, looked shy, would walk away  without looking at the photographer, unless told or reminded by me.  After all, why should not one make best use of this once in a while occasion ?  

At the end, what mattered or left an imprint was straight from heart and an absorving speech by the Chief Guest, Shri. Chandan Bagchi, Head of Mind Tree, an MNC at Banglore.  It was good to note that he had links with South Bihar (Singhbhum) and Odisha and that he too like me came from a lower middle class background.  His speech was a class apart.  The Governor & Chancellor of the University summed up very well when he stated that his father was educated in an ordinary way but his mother was not even literate, yet he could make it to IAS in 1965, then became Lok Sabha, M.P and today he could proudly say that he was speaking in the capacity of a Chancellor of an University.

So much so for boosting the morale of the students who, were now on the cross-roads.  Unlike our days, they did not have to keep their fingers crossed but had to make correct choices even on the campus in view of multiplicity of opportunities both within the country as also abroad, so well facilited by the rapid strides in the field of computer, Internet, mobile telephony, etc.

As it happens on such occasions, grand finale was musical, with a bang.  One was busy even while being inclined.  Dr. D’souza made it happen, thanks to his persuasive acumen. Soothing Kathak  performance by a group of teenaged girls, choreographed by a music society of Singtam, followed by short and sweet dance by two cute little children set the ball rolling.  It was followed by a mesmerizing one hour Sarod recital by Pandit Bhawani Shakar Dasgupta of Kolkata, who made it despite his father being on sick bed.  From him, one gathered that Sarod owes its origin to Afghanistan.

However, what turned out to be icing in the cake was spell- binding and simply amazing solo Kathak performance by Mrs. Namrata Mali.  While I could capture Pandit Dasgupta rather while in my cell camera, I failed in doing so in case of latter.  She was too dynamic both in  movement and expressions.  Nonetheless, I captured her in my mind.  It may remain for a long time, in the same way like the reminiscences of performances in this very campus by Mrs. Sonal Mansingh, Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt (Grammy Award Winner) and never to be forgotten Soitra(?) dancer from Majhuli, the largest river Island in world located in Assam. 


Thank you Sikkim Manipal University.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Yes Indeed...From the pomp and grandeur of the Convocation -15th in '15 - poetic as it is - to the simplistic yet awesome heights of human talent and dedication in the nimble fingers of the sarod maestro; the supple wrists of the tabla genius and the dancing feet and expressive gestures of the Kathak danseuse....it transported us to realms of delight and dreams. Truly unforgettable experiences and glad to be there to share it with you Sir