Diary of an Old Man

 “1951 Puja holidays I sat in the veranda of the bungalow in Shillong looking at the sunny sky towards the Government house. Suddenly I saw a black cloud down the hill and it was pouring down. It seemed that the house was floating in the sky. A postman came drenched in rain it was a telegram for me to come back to Calcutta immediately from Baba."

(The lines above are a sort of observer history- have corrected a few points referring to myself and some spellings. Have also tried to edit some terms that would not be considered politicall correct in an age of equal rights. My father had a habit that I have picked up of reacting on the spur of the moment to any perceived injustice.. in my case I am often wrong. Anyhow, read on---)

"Next morning I left Gauwhati in a share taxi from there I had to go to Amingaon to catch the mail train to Calcutta, but the train was overcrowded. So, I decided to take the morning train next day so I returned to Gauwhati on the same boat. But I could not get a cheap hotel so I decided to go back to Amingaon and spend the night in the waiting room. As luck, had it space was available in the 1^st class waiting room and I parked myself on an easy chair. A little later a checker came and wanted to see my ticket so I said I will show it in the morning. Luckily, I had met an Airforce personnel who supported me, so the checker had to leave me alone. Next morning the train was as crowded as the previous evening .So I agreed with my companion the air force man l that we board the military compartment as he was in the military and I pretended to be his cousin as he was a Bengali .Beside me was a Gurkha soldier talking to me in Hindi. He asked me where I lived in Shillong .When I mentioned that I was staying with my sister and brother in law Captain S.D Banerjee he was pleased. Dr Banerjee was his regiment Doctor. So, he felt that I had a right to be in the military compartment. I was given extra room to lie down on the seat.

Back at Calcutta on the 1^st of November 1951 I had to appear for my entrance to Calcutta Dental College. Next day we were asked to appear for a viva Dr Barory asked if I know any dentist or was related to any dentist . My answer was no. Next question was from the same person why I wanted to study dentistry my answer was I was studying bio science in the hope of doing Medicine but my uncle who was a doctor said I am a bad student unable to pass Medicine so I was asked to study dentistry .Next question do you think that bad students are able to do Dental studies. My answer was that is the impression I got from my father and uncle . So Dr Ahmed got upset and told me to get out. He was a friend of my uncle whose suggestion it was I had to apply for Dental College. So, I was glad -thinking, “I won’t be accepted”. But as luck had it I was accepted for Dental studies.

I reluctantly joined Dental college with a promise from my father that if I qualified in “one chance” he would send me to England for further studies. We were a group of 25 students from different parts of India, also from Burma and Sri Lanka, Bengali, Punjabi, Oriya, Tamil, Assamese and Andhraite. I was one of the youngest students at 17 years. Most were 4 to 5 years older except Colonel Unger who was a retired army official about 22 years older than us so we called him Uncle Willie. He was from Burma. I behaved badly with teachers and senior students so I was accepted as spokesperson of my class! Also, most people thought I came from a rich family that is why I behaved so badly. They even elected me to represent them in the college Union. I was in the common room most of the time, rather than the classroom. But somehow I managed to pass my exams without failing. So, my father kept his promise to send me to the UK for further studies. On the 9^th of September 1956 I boarded a train to Madras so as to reach Cochin and sail from there on 13^th September Friday. Dada told me to change my plan, as 13^th Friday is unlucky. I told him I am not superstitious. So I went. At Howrah Station, I found all my junior teachers and contemporaries were waiting to say goodbye to me.

On the train a German professor from IIT Kharagpur wanted to know if I had got a scholarship so I said yes from my father. He had a good laugh. I met a co-passenger named Sailapati Bose he talked so much I called him Pagla Bose- a name that stuck with him for life. Another co-passenger was Priti Ranjan Raychaudhury who was assistant Head master of a school in Calcutta. He thought he would practice his Tamil knowledge with the vendor on the train. After ordering our lunch to be servred in Vijayawada he said “ille po” . The result was the whole train got their food except our compartment .The train started moving and we had no food. So I pulled the chain to stop the train and got out on the platform and shouted to everyone to come out. The guard wanted to know what the problem was .I told him we have no food. But the vendor said we had said “ille po” to him (that means go away) .So, we learnt our lesson not to use any language we don’t know .We spent our day in Madras sightseeing and boarded the train in the night. We arrived in Cochin on the 11^th evening and booked into a Brahmin hotel By next afternoon we wanted some non-vegetarian food and asked at the desk to tell us where we could get non veg food. The young chap on the desk got very angry and said I thought you are Brahmin. He screamed for his life. The Manager came out to explain to him that we were Bengali Brahmins- so we eat meat and fish. At the end, he told us where to go for non-veg food.

In the evening, we all arrived at the port to catch the boat. Priti Ranjan da’s name was not in the list of 150 passengers. So, I had to ask all the passengers not to board the boat till it was agreed that Priti Ranjan could board the ship. The boat was held up till they got his passage arranged. By the time, we left Cochin it was after mid night. We were all on the deck. I heard several people crying but I felt overjoyed as at last I am going abroad. Suddenly I felt someone touched my elbow it was Shymali di asked why I was crying so I said no not me those are Mama’s babies, I have no mother so I do not cry. I lost her 20years ago.

Next day before lunch we gathered in the billiard room some were playing chess some of us joined some Italian workers returning home from Australia they offered me some beer so I accepted it one of them asked if I was a Hindu so I said yes I am. The other fellow asked how come I take alcohol other Hindus do not drink alcohol? I said with jest they are low cast I am a Brahmin so I can do what I like. The result was the other Indians got very angry and left me alone with the Italians. So, at lunch time no one shared my table except a Bengali lady doctor. Every table had a carafe of wine. So, I finished my carafe and exchanged the empty bottle with a full bottle from next table my companion got very upset and called me a drunkard and she never sat at my table. So, I had the company of an Anglo-Indian couple. I asked them why they came and joined me, the answer was they saw me taking wine from other tables so that they can share the wine. Most of the Indians did not like the Italian food, so the steward asked would they prefer rice and curry most of the said yes. But I asked what else they had he said veal cutlet I opted for it.

While everyone was having rice, I had two large veal cutlets with veg. So, everyone wanted know what I was having I told the steward to tell them it was donkey meat, so they do not mind eating it having it for the next meal. After dinner, I went to the room carrying an Oxford dictionary to show them what was veal. They were very cross with the steward and opted for lamb curry and rice. I enjoyed any Italian food with the Anglo-Indians as was the wine. We entered the Swiss Canal in the third week of Spetember’56. France and Britain already declared war against Egypt. The captain of the ship told us any Indians can go to Cairo but Pakistanis’ and Europeans are not allowed because they may be mistaken as British or French. We all ate our fill in Cairo.

Rest of the journey was uneventful except Dr Emma Mukherjee decided to marry Dr S. K Mukherjee a Bengali professor from London. We got off the boat in Naples from there we took a train to Rome there we were thirty in all so we entered a café everyone wanted a glass of water. I asked for a beer result was I paid 60 lire but they had to pay 100 lire each. We spent the day in Rome sightseeing. At about 10 pm we boarded the train to Paris. The train was overcrowded we manage scramble into a cubical. I saw an elderly lady standing outside in the corridor with a small boy and young teenage girl teenager so I offered the old lady a bit of space beside me. Others got very angry saying it is Europe you do not consider about ladies. After while we were all hungry the train had no food to buy. Then I saw the old lady took out a basket of food with Ham sandwich and roast chicken and a bottle of wine so I explained to the lady with gestures that I need some food and drink and I will pay some money. She knew no English but understood my gesture. Said no money she gave me sandwich and a piece of chicken also offered some wine. Others were very upset they did not think of offering any room for the lady. We got to Paris next day my cousin Susanta was with me he refused to take beer he wanted to have water so at Paris Nord he asked a railway official for water. He showed us a room we went in it was a toilet. So, we took the train to catch the boat to cross the Channel. I sent a telegram from Calais to Kalyan da my brother to meet me at Kingscross Station.

We arrived there but no signs of Kalyan da so I decided to put my luggage in left luggage when I saw him hurrying towards me. He said he had arranged for me to stay in his room but not Susanta . So, we had to find to find a room but he would not stay without me. So, we went to Euston Square National Union Students hostel and spend the night in the dormitory.

After we arranged our accommodation we went to an Indian Restaurant to have dinner I was very tired Kalyan da wanted a beer he told me I hope you don’t mind. I said no but I would like the same also a small whisky with it. It was a shock to Kalyan da as that was my 1^st day in the UK.

Next day after breakfast Susanta and myself went to India House and found his relative there, so I was relieved of him. In the evening Kalyan da met me and took and took me to the station to catch flying Scotsman and he left. There I saw Gopal da one of my classmates to be in Edinburgh. So, I introduced myself, he was happy to meet me as he heard from my uncle in Calcutta that I am to joining the same course in as him in Edinburgh.

Next morning I met him again at Edinburgh station holding a Saturday evening standard. He asked me why I was reading previous day’s newspaper. So, I said I am looking for an accommodation as I have no place to stay and it is Sunday. He said do not worry I have a place to stay, I am sure the land lady will fix you a bed for tonight. Tomorrow you can find from the Dental school office for a reasonable accommodation. It was nearly 8 O’clock in the morning so we decided to look for a café for breakfast in Princess Station. Most places were closed on a Sunday morning. At last found a café door was open and someone was cleaning the tables. So, we went in asked for some breakfast and coffee the man said we must wait for an hour but we can sit there, we agreed. After breakfast, we walked down to Gopal da’s digs I also got a room there.

Next morning, we went to the Dental School for our admission I also asked for reasonable digs. I noticed our other classmates are also looking for accommodation. So, we all trooped into the same digs, that is Joarder da, Robi da, Gopal and Shyma in the house of Mrs Cunningham. 64 Dalkeith Road. I shared a room with Robin da soon I got fed up as Robin da insisted I go to my room and study not sit with the landlady and other Scottish chaps who are not students. So, after few weeks I looked for another dig, and I found a place nearby and a single room,24 Blakey Place.

In the evening, after dinner I went to Mrs Cunningham ‘s place they were pleased to see me as I joined the card table. So, about 10pm we were served tea and sandwich so Robin da was upset they only got tea and biscuit. But I was served with sandwich and cake. So Mrs Cunningham explained I am a guest of the and not a boarder. Every evening after dinner I went to Dalkeith Road to Mrs Cunningham.

Robin da and myself and Shyma Ghosh were assigned to oral surgery. I was a bit late the head of the department asked me whether I know how to take out a tooth I said off course. So, he asked me to give a mandivila block after washing my hand I proceeded to give an injection but Dr Duval stopped me as I put my fingers in the patient’s mouth. He asked me how long I have practiced dentistry? I said I just qualified only nine months ago, I haven’t worked outside my college. So, he was not keen on allowing me on my own. Luckily a Senior Consultant who was present told Dr Duval to allow me as I was so confident. He said the other two, Robin da and Shyma both being senior to me worked for a few years and they were not sure that is why they came to Edinburgh. At the end insistence of the consultant I was allowed to handle the patient. After giving the injection Dr Duval asked me whether it is time to extract. So, I said you check whether patient’s jaw is numb. He checked and said go ahead and pull out the tooth. He was happy told me I can work on my own and if I had a problem to call him. He also asked Robin da and Shyma to come to him to the to watch him attending to patients. They were very upset as they had fair amount of experience but I had none. Dr Duval said he is confident of what he is doing. But you are not sure so you have come to learn here.

Next week we were asked to attend orthodontic Department as usual I was late and entered the department about 9.30 and stood behind the group. Suddenly our professor turned and looked at me asked who I am I said I am one of the student she was very angry told me not to enter his class late in future. But the next day I was late again so I decided to go to the common room and have some coffee. He also came there after the class. So, he wanted to know why I did not attend his class so I told him I got up late because of the cold, I had come from a hot climate and was not used to the cold and you told me not to enter your class late. So, he laughed in future not to be late but even I am a bit late to come to class. All other students thought this was the first time he allowed a student to attended his class late.

Next problem was Professor Campbell, he was teaching dental anatomy after a month he decided to have a test. I had not studied so I decided to ditch the exam next day caught me and asked why I did not appear, so I said I had a stomach ache. So, you are ok today I said yes. So, you can come with me to my room and sit for your test. He looked at me and laughed and told me he had been teaching for 50 years and was 75 years old and knew when a student was told a lie. Do not be over smart. Next encounter in his class he handed a bone specimen to us to look at and tell him what it was. So, most of the students said it is mal formed tooth or odontoma. When I wanted to look at it he said no you will be last so it was I looked and asked him where did he find it, it looked like a fossilised bone. He laughed and said yes it was he found it on the road. We developed a love hate relationship. He asked all my classmates to look at the microscope. But he would take a stool and sit beside me and ask me about India about religion, ethnic diversity of India. One day he asked me why I came to came to Edinburgh I said I wanted to see Europe. Few days later I walked into the common room and found a group of local students playing cards I also joined them put some coins on the table. Suddenly someone said Dean Professor Hutchinson walked into the common room we quickly put our money in our pockets. decided to sit at our table and asked for some cards. He took the cards what is the stake you can’t play cards without money so we all took out our money and said penny a point. It was an education that a professor and Dean of the faculty could sit at a table as one of us. Being an Indian student it was an experience.

Few weeks later it was 6^th December ’56 we were sitting in Professor Hutchinson’s class he asked me why I was looking outside have you never seen snow falling I said no so he told me it is no good sitting here, why don’t you get out and enjoy yourself under the open sky. Another experience of western education, that it is why it is different from our Indian system.

Somehow managed to complete the course sat for the Royal college exam after nine months but I failed. Gopal suggested to go and see the dean why I failed Professor Hutchinson said I don’t know why you failed. Go and see Professor Campbell is the Head Examiner of Royal college in Dentistry who failed me in viva. Next day I went and saw Dr Campbell he looked at me and said why have you come to me, I said Dean asked me, so he laughed and said you have come to see Europe now you have seen go back home as you know Dentistry. I said but my father paid for the Royal College Diploma I had to get it. Then he said now you know we know Dentistry. I asked him what I had to do, he said go and have a holiday and sit for the exam again you will pass as you have learnt your lesson. So, I had to wait for the next exam. Next time Dr Campbell kept his word. I went back home to the digs but my landlady worried about her son Michel who has not returned from school. So, I went to his school and his friends’ houses no one knew where he was. After two hours, I went back to my digs and found my Landlady feeding him. I lost my temper and caught his hair. Mrs Liddle stopped me to find out why he was late. Answer was last Sunday the Priest in church told them, if an innocent child asked God something the will receive it. So, he went to church because his parents were discussing about my result as I was not studying seriously. So, he went after school to pray.

We decided to have some drinks with Mrs Liddle and other members of the digs. But it past 10pm Bobby Mrs Liddle husband Bobby had not come back after work so we got worried at the end 10.30pm one of his friends brought him completely drunk. He looked at me I asked what why he was drunk. He looked at me I asked why he is drunk he said I thought you will fail so he went to the pub to drown his sorrow. So, we started drinking knowing that I passed and carried on till midnight. Then we saw Bimbo the dog was drunk and discovered 11-year-old Michel got hold of a bottle of beer and behind the curtain was drinking and giving some to Bimbo in a saucer, it was a real celebration.

Next day I decided to go to London for a job. So, in London I met all my Dental friends, Dada had sent me 50 pounds so that I am comfortable till I find a job within a week. I spent the money and asked Kalyan da for some more money he told me not to be so extravagant. Next Monday I started a job at 10am.But the boss asked me to sign an agreement that I had to work for him for a year. So I said I do not mind if it is congenial to work with him but I can’t sign any agreement as my word is honour as I am a Brahmin. But he insisted I sign so I left my first job in an hour. But there were plenty of jobs available so I can choose. So, I met Mr Tippet who offered on condition that whatever I work he will give 40% of the total earnings. Four of us working in separate rooms I was the only Indian but I enjoyed the company. One Irish two English and one South African write who refused to treat any coloured patient. He told me how to earn more while pulling a tooth damage the adjacent good tooth so you can make more money. That way you save more money and return home to your country. I started avoiding him. But enjoyed the company of the of the other three Dentists I left the job after a year as I promised.

I joined a group in east end of London. There were about eight other dentists I joined the group on condition that there should be no interference. But it is a registered company. On the 5^th day one of the Directors of the company entered my room and asked why I refused a patient. First thing I told him he should go out of my clinic and ask my permission before he entered my room. Any patient can nearly half an hour late him away so the next patient is not delayed. Next morning I went to the Clinic the Head of the clinic asked me why I sent the Director to knock at my door. My answer was my condition when I joined but he failed, so I am leaving now. Next day another dentist came to my flat and asked me if I join his company. I asked him who told you that I am looking for a job he said my brother and highly praised you. I wanted to know who is his brother. He said Mr Dome whose company I resigned yesterday so. I refused to join him.

So I looked for an independent clinic where I can work on my own. I found a place in Essex village a lady Dentist wanted one year break to have a baby. So I joined her clinic as a working partner condition50% of the income was mine. I used to spend the weekend in London sharing a flat with three others’ At the end of the year I decided to go back to London I found another English Dentist with whom I worked as a Junior Partner .But as usual I could not work under someone. This time I found a clinic owned by Dr Turner who was an anaesthetist at Romford, I joined his clinic without interference of another Dentist.