Baishnab-recovering

Baishnab-recovering


https://flic.kr/p/2mhXGSD

Prof. Bidhu Mahanti

Prof. Bidhu Mahanti


https://flic.kr/p/2mhCpHq

Bibhuti working on ripe jackfruit

Bibhuti working on ripe jackfruit


https://www.flickr.com/gp/sswain_1999/X6eguZ

Baishnab recovering at home

Namita Rani and Bhubon Chandra on their wedding anniversary today

Mihir

Bidhu, Mihir and Sudarshan with Subrat Babu

Photo credit Bidhu

Someone said………

 A poem by Ajay Upsdhyay

Someone said.....

Someone said:

Never look down upon anyone,

unless you are

admiring their shoes.

I took it by the letter,

when I spotted him,

walking towards me.

But, 

caught in shine 

of its polish,

I missed the shoes.

Until, our paths crossed.

On looking back, 

what struck me,

beneath the glare,

was his limp.

Looked deeper 

into what I saw; 

then flashed his smile.

It all fell into place.

What stuck in my head 

was the smile, 

it’s sparkle

undimmed by the limp.

Because, 

perhaps, my mind 

was more open 

than my eyes?

Never mind,

what you look at;

You haven’t really seen anything,

until, 

you care to 

see through them!

Ajay Upadhyaya

June 2021

Upendra – A Towering Personality

                          By . Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra

    Upendra, a reliable all-weather friend, that is well realized by all of us, MKCG 1970 batch. The fact was evident from our online discussion on 23rd evening, when over 20 to 25 of our friends expressed their feelings, emotion and conceded opinion about “Upendra”. Baring a patch from 1976 till 1984 or so I was in constant touch with him, may be one of the friend who visited DII- 29 quarter at East Kidwai, Nagar, Half way between AIIMS and INA market. Most of the time me and my wife walked in evening to INA market and dropped in Upendra’s house. He also used to come to our house be it D2, CII or CI where I spent over 25 years. Whenever he came to AIIMS main campus, he used to park his car in from of my house of garage and finish his work and drop in my house. My wife was very much free with him. 

     His laughing face, simplicity and honesty in expressing his views had impressed us, and what was most remarkable his stable, balanced mind, which never expressed his distress and tension to anyone. That is how he could, manage Jaggan and yet could do best for him taking him too many countries when he visited. 

     I learned many things from him. His management skill, his planning and dealing with human being be friend, Junior or Senior, was unparallel. It is sad that he is taken always from all of us, more sadly, death of Jaggan. It looks they were father and son, they were like two sides of a coin; one survival was impossible without another, the souls speak to each other and wanted to depart together to heavenly abode. I sincerely believe he will be with us forever

The Whispering Epitaph

             

         The Whispering Epitaph

It was in 2014, the exact date I can’t recollect as some dates are like that,Implanted in the heart. One sweet voice in Odia “Kie Baishnab ?” (who , Baishnab?” (Who am I speaking to you)Mun Kie Kahuchi Jani parilat ?”Pondered for a couple of seconds and shouted in ecstacy,”Hai Upendra, kana Cochin ru?Equally surprised Upendra blurted out,”What a memory Baishnab,40+ years and You could recognize my voice,wonderful.”I just quipped some voices are like that it gets recorded and echoes every time. Our  master craftsman was with him.

 

Of all flyers who were airborne  on 13th May Upendra must be most skilled  with a lions heart,eagles eyes and ladies fingers,yet the best of planes and pilots can meet untimely crash. Such is the tragedy on the aftermath of Upendra’s getting out of the orbit;” started losing heights but piloted with brave heart with the defiant  voice “I AM THE storm” to the turbulence of the craft “Can you withstand the storm” till withering of his power, slowing of the lions heart and shrinking of ladies fingers and the crash  with the retrieved black box  whispering :

 

“Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

  

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of day.

 

 

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.”

 

                                            

                           

 

The values you set in the  MKCG  1970 Batch mates  group are beyond appreciation ,beyond praise and beyond comparison. No language however eloquent and complimentary can describe its vast, varied and versatile contribution to the group. And  they will always remain with us.Upendra,always a source of inspiration has left behind a rich harvest of memories, to cherish,honor and emulate.

      

  Upendra’s last conversation with me,”Baishnab ,can you please add xxxx name and details in our icon”. Dear Upendra can’t you do this exercise once for all .It is infact a Herculean task

“And  for you  , 5minutes ? You can’t disagree, as in xxxx case you had done it.This is the last time I am requesting you. I shall prepare a consolidated final list and give it to you ,please give some time.”

But before that, he joined the heavenly choir. And His promise?

Reborn as “UCB ICON”.

 Unfinished task is for others to complete

                                     In reverence and remembrance

                                               MKCG 1970 Batch mates

                                              Dr(Major)BCNAYAK