Memories - Indian School of Mines Days

Nostalgia - Through Shashi Kapoor Lens

2012-04-26T11:17:00.000+12:00

Last Sunday, I spoke to Shashi Kapoor followed by Ashok Syal over phone, and I got few photos of our times. There was so much to talk about and always, time flies so fast on phone. Mrs Kapoor had gone to Jammu after 2 years to meet her parents and all relatives, and Shashi is enjoying his forced bachelor days. Its always pleasure to chat, with our old pals.

I got later email with scanned photos from Shashi Kapoor who took these shots between 1969 & 1970, through his lens, that we are sharing with you all.

I hope our classmates must be having in there collection, some of those moments well recorded in there treasure trove, its only a bit of an effort to get it scanned and send it for all to rejoice our those days.

Memories of 1969 / 1970 Days:

Shashi Kapoor at his Old Hostel Room 101

L to R: Shashi Kapoor, Tejinder Singh & S J Sibal

L to R: New Hostel -??, ??, O P Arora & Shashi Kapoor

Probably P S Grewal will tag these first two photos, as most of our Bengali Friends are settled in Calcutta.

L to R: D S Mathur, S J Sibal & Shashi Kapoor - Howrah Railway Stn.

L to R: O P Arora, P K Johri & Shashi Kapoor - New Hostel

This photo reminds me, when we all wore, white bed sheets, as dhotis with under garments on, to Ganesh shop at Dhanbad Railway Station for a glass of milk with peras, it was the funniest night we ever had. Names, I recollect who joined us, were O P Arora, S J Sibal, M S Sandhu, Shashi Kapoor and my self. Can any one think of doing this again - that is what our school days were.

L to R: S K Nagpal, S J Sibal & P S Grewal at ISM Oval

Can you believe, S K Nagpal is over viewing as if he is chatting about Cricket match, with his match cap and lots to share.


Maithon Dam - Mining Excursion 1970

Well our times, we used to have all B & W shots, and used to get it colored, if our pocket allowed, which was a rare case. I have also attached few of Maithon Dam photos, if some one wants to make another picnic with family and friends.

Sun Set at Maithon Dam

Lets hope some more friends/pals would like to share with every one, some beautiful days we spent together. In less than 10 years we are heading towards our batch Golden Jubilee, can we not bring all known friends under one umbrella.

Best wishes to all, to keep healthy and smiley at all times.

Arun Talwar ('71 Mining)

ISM - Students Internship at University of Auckland, New Zealand.

2012-04-11T18:52:00.000+12:00


Auckland Sky Tower - A Tourist Destination

First time ISM Students come to AUCKLAND, New Zealand for their summer internship study cum recreation, and this has placed ISM on the map of Auckland University for New Interns with scholarship to cover full cost of stay including boarding & lodging etc.

New Zealand has been recently preferred destination for lot of Indian Students from various disciplines, whether general sciences, Computer or Various Engineering courses or attaining new skills which are directly linked with job availability in this country.

Lot many countries, like UK and USA which had been popular destinations for various reasons, both economical, and that there can get jobs after passing out, could offset their expenses incurred etc. during their course of study etc. and also could later take up residencies etc. UK present Government has now come out with different approach, and sessions starting this Sept’ 2012 will see fall of Indian students, but in turn will see more to Australia and New Zealand, most popularly New Zealand which has more tolerant human structure compared to Aussie, where recent incidents, have left lot of mark for Indian students while they would like to choose that destination etc.

Off late, India has replaced South Africa as the second largest source of skilled personals. Indian students now prefer to study in Auckland Universities and other associated Universities to attain better qualifications which are compared at par with other Universities in UK or USA. India for this reason is the largest source of new international students, who are coming to enhance their qualification’s or spend summer internship training here. This growth is largely attributed to work visas and skilled migration form home country India. Indians are hardworking people, who will take extra mile to achieve their goal after undergoing all sorts of hardships, against all odds, like financial, cultural and emotional to settle down eventually.

There is a saying when all doors close, God always find hopes for hard working striving people, and that’s where we win so many hearts. Why not we also bring hopes for others?

In the years, when we migrated way back in 1996/97, things were very different, we were those class of people who had to toil and toil, with no regular jobs, with a focus to see that our children will have better future. Times were very hard, and it was not easy for new migrants to get jobs. Our sacrifices have paid off, and now Indians or I may say Asians are acceptable with all employers who want sincere, honest & hard working class people.

I left my home country as schools were asking lot of capitation fees to admit my children, when we came to India from Zambia to settle, that we chose Auckland as our new home. Now as time has passed by, our children are slowly getting settled, that its for me to make another journey to trace my steps / roots to go back home, where I come from New Delhi, INDIA.

All people who come here, when they go back home, do spread good things about this country, like scenic beauty, quality of air, life in general, free and least corrupt society to work with.

Recently we had a group of three students, who visited us as 'Summer Scholar’s' with scholarship granted for the course by Auckland University and they are:

L to R: Devashish Sharma, Sanchit Agarwal & Rishabh Gupta

Sanchit Agarwal - International Summer Scholar · Dec 2011 to Jan 2012 at University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. His earlier internships were at University of Calgary and University of Queensland. He is 4th Year Student of MSc 5 Yrs. Integrated Course in Maths and Computing and graduates in the year 2013.
Devashish Sharma- International Summer Scholar · Dec 2011 to Jan 2012 at University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. His earlier summer research internship was at Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Germany in June to July 2011. He is a 4^th Year Student of MSc 5 Yrs. Integrated Course in Maths and Computing and graduates in the year 2013.
Rishabh Gupta - International Summer Scholar · Dec 2011 to Jan 2012 at University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. He is a 3^rd Year Student of MSc Integrated Course in Chemistry), he graduates in 2014 from ISM, who were selected for doing their Internship here on the Scholarship given by University of Auckland.

Their story as narrated to me by Devashish Sharma who will be graduating from ISM in the year 2013 is given below:

AUCKLAND: - THE SONG HAS ENDED BUT MELODY STILL LINGERS ON..........

I was selected along with two of my mates for summer internship program at University of Auckland.

Our scholarship was good amount of NZ$5000.00 for a period of Dec’ 2011 to Feb’ 2012 and NZ $1000 for expenditure for laboratory works etc. Totaling NZ$6000.00.

The amount of scholarship was sufficient to cover our cost of living, traveling, accommodation and few out door tours / trips we made to enjoy scenic beauty of New Zealand.

Right from selection process to getting confirmation from Dean of International Studies of University of Auckland was a great experience which went smoothly. Followed by this we had to apply for Visa for our flight and stay for 3 months approximately for New Zealand which also was obtained without great hassles. It’s not only my experience and as told to me by seniors at Auckland, it’s better to take direct flights to Auckland with airlines like Singapore, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways as they do not require visa at transit at these airports.

L to R: Devashish & Sanchit

Our Home away from Home: Grafton Hall of Residence, 40 Sea field View Road, Grafton CBD.

After reaching Auckland, we resided in Grafton Hall of Residence which was a living Hall for Boys and Girls. But we chose to stay at the Cottage being well furnished Kitchen, Bathroom, and Dining Room, 2 single and 1 double rooms inside the campus. This location was very convenient as we could walk down to our study rooms at the University.

L to R: Devashish & Rishabh Gupta

We had a good Christmas Party and New Year Dinner in Common Kitchen of the Hall. We did eat outside at Jewel of Bombay, an Indian Food Outlet. Breakfast and Dinner we usually cooked to have a feeling of home away from home country and also to enjoy Indian cuisine.

Our trip to Auckland was really awesome, difficult to sum up in few words, but believe me is a country of Ultimate Scenic Beauty, we were overwhelmed and a quite a bit of site seeing like visiting neighboring small islands, Beaches, Hiking and Greenness. Important Destinations covered were Mission Bay, Devon-port, Bays Water and many other Islands nearby Auckland. We had lot of fun and laughter, as we could spare some time to enjoy along with our busy schedule of internship etc.

Words are hard to explain everything but we did enjoy the best Scenic beauty, which I am able to vouch to have seen till date.

Auckland being a safe city, we definitely enjoyed hospitality of night outs for entertainments and site seeing etc. It’s good to visit recommended places rather landing in trouble and repenting lifelong, although we can say life is very easy and Aucklanders are easy and friendly going people.

Maori Village Cultural Show

Hot Geysers Blowing throughout Year

Geysers Hot Springs

We also happen to have a trip to Rotorua and due to entry fee at all places and to keep us within our budget we visited Traditional Maori Village (Maori are native residents of New Zealand) with natural hot geysers was a source of curiosity for us.

Gondola Ride or Cable Car

We also had famous Gondola ride which was a fun to reach the top of mountain and view down to see scenic beauty of Rotoura. One piece of advice to all visitors or tourists, check weather as some times it can make your trip disaster due to bad weather, and Radio, TV and news paper media are best sources to have weather update as it unfolds and give a person advance warnings etc.

I even had an opportunity to go for hiking to an old abandoned Gold Mine, namely Tui Mine at Te Aroha, a bit of history if one need to read is given below:

A View of Tui Mine

History of Tui Mine:

The Tui Mine was started in the year 1967. It was Norpac Mining who opened it to extract minerals, including copper, lead and zinc. The mine prospered but when unacceptable levels of mercury were found in the ore and the mine became uneconomical. Later in the year 1975, Norpac Mining went into liquidation and Tui Mine was abandoned.

But the mine left lot of environmental and contamination mess. No progress was made in past three decades to deal with the issues at the Tui Mine but 2007 national budget, Ministry for the Environment’s Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund was created to start the clean-up of the Tui Mine.

The No. 1 Toxic site in New Zealand is currently undergoing the long awaited clean up and Te Aroha & District Museum has some of the interesting collection of artifacts, a DVD of the inside of the mine as it was, if one is interested to know about the mine then.

Last but not the least we did happen to meet our seniors:

ISM has its fraternity of ex-students settled all around the globe.

At Mrs and Mr Pallab Banerjee's Home

At Mrs & Mr Pallab Banerjee's Home

In Auckland, we met two of our Distinguished Alumni, Mr. Pallab K Banerjee (’60 Mining) - Retired NMDC Director) and Mr.Arun Talwar (’71 Mining) - Retired Mining Consultant, Zambia.

Group Photo with Mr Arun Talwar

Group Photo with Mrs & Mr A Talwar

Enjoying Luncheon at Mr Talwar's Home

Group Photo of ISM Interns

Chatting with Mr Talwar's son

L to R: Rishabh Gupta & Sanchit Agarwal

We were hosted by them and do remind the warmth we got, we salute for having best of the ISM traditions still alive, which reminds us to carry the banner on our shoulder in the days to come. The hospitality we got along with Ghar ka Khanna (Home cooked food by our Bhabhi, many thanks to her) and golden old memories of our seniors of ISM. We all enjoyed the home made food, reminded us that we are not away from our home. At Mr. Talwar’s home I had to my stomach full much of Lamb Biryani that I had to skip my dinner that Night. At Mr. Pallab Banerjee’s home, I tasted the KIWI fruit first time to my enjoyment.

We left Auckland with heavy heart as the ------

SONG which has finally ended, but its melody lingers ON ………………..

Overall, I should say the trip to Auckland is really worth and the working culture there is good too. One should definitely try the luck once in student life with this scholarship programme and make New Zealand its favorite destinations, both for study & may be with work experience - one can always enjoy its breath taking scenic beauty which this country offers.

Cheers, A Talwar ('71 Mining)
April' 2012

ISM - What I left and What is Now!

2012-04-08T12:38:00.001+12:00

Rare Old Photos for ISM, taking us from 1926 to 1953:

Lord Irwin (1926 - 1931)

Lord Irwin (1926 - 1931), then Viceroy of India, inaugurated the School's Activities, on the 09th Dec' 1926.

1926 - Opening Ceremony photo a rare one along with few others.

1950 - Late Dr Rajendra Prasad and Late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru visit to ISM.

1953 - Late President Rajendra Prasad visit on the Silver Jubilee of ISM.

1966 to today, photos & glimpses how ISM has progressed:

ISM Main Building in our Memories

My journey started when I entered ISM, way back in 1966 and now let me take you around this journey, how we all enjoyed school days, when we all came to make our destiny in 1966 and later passed out in 1971. I used to travel from Mosaboni Mines where I spent my 18 years (Jan' 1972 to Dec' 1989) with HCL/ICC with lot many great memories of school used to haunt me - and every trip to Dhanbad it used to full of thrill and pleasure to meet our juniors whom we were associated with along with academic staff who taught us etc.

Dhanbad Railway Station

Every one will recall, that on reaching Dhanbad Railway Station we came to school premises to join - meeting Registrar, enrolling and doing paper formalities and getting a place to stay, which we call with fondness was HOSTEL a term which has gone through our hearts all these years.

Let me take you all that memorable journey through my eyes closed - there was no gate at the entrance, Mani Mess where we all have enjoyed our Masala and Plain Dosas with other southern delicacies, left side was clutter of small houses of our teachers, with lovely full grown trees making this path as most memorable to pass through. On the right - we used to have Director's Bunglow and little further after we passed out was Executive Block so called living place for seniors coming to stay could stay with first class comforts.

After the corner, if we move right was Registrar's Home, and road where it used to end was a gate, normally kept closed but after that we had group of bungalows for academic staff, till late when double storey blocks for Professors were added in Staff Colony. I believe Prof S B Shrivastava my last known Professor still lives there.

Little further on this main road which connects Main Building or diagonally opposite sit our Post office, and a the road on the left would take us to Upper Barracks and Lower Barracks where first year students would stay. In summer these two barracks used to be like a furnace, we used to throw water or collect water on the floor to make our room Air Cooled if not Air Conditioned with indigenous means. Further same road would lead to our Doctor Mitra's den whom we fondly used to call Ghora Doctor, but we all loved him as he would be in our rooms when he was called to attend us in emergency.

Lower Play Ground

Next to Post office which was on the corner of Upper Play Grounds and that the road lead us to Main Building and right of this main road was Lower Play Grounds. I believe only this play ground has survived the aftermath of new blocks been added to school history.

On left of Main Building few 100 meters away on yet another block used to sit our Engineering Building where we used to craft and learn metal works, and each one of us will have memories of making hexagonal steel with rounded head for keeping safe papers from flying etc.

New Administrative Block

Well, we are now in front of Main Building, where in on the right after our passing out - New Administrative Block was added. My fond memories are there, here I used to often meet Late Prof G S Marwah who used to fondly meet me, and help me out when I was to leave for UK for higher studies. He was I believe the foundation with new vision as he crafted new ISM which is what is today. On my every visit to school and also when we met me in London in the year 1983/84 he will talk about progress what ISM is making. I was a great admirer of him, as I believe he has placed the foundations and vision what ISM is today.

Kapoor Guest House - Jangpura Extension

My last meeting was when I met him in home town - Jangpura Extension in front of Kapoor Guest House located at 1-15, Birbal Road. Jangpura Extension, New Delhi - 110 014 -- and fondly called my name and said how come I am meeting you here. When I told him that I live few home's away he was surprised and told me, there is always a place in God's heart and that he is able to make me meet you, who knows that was my last meeting with him.

Well behind, ISM Main Building was extreme left L - Block where PGPT's used to stay or double diploma students, middle majestically Old Hostel built in 1926 still shines where we all lived. On the extreme right was New Hostel, and in between or behind ISM building was Hall where we used to see old Movies and our exams used to take place.

Today, after I am able to get treasure of new photos from my friends that, see what ISM is today. Its added new feathers to its stream of colors. Its now with so many new branches but ISM glory will move on. I know few are looking for a change of its name - and want to leave legacy of ISM behind, we as oldies can hardly swallow. I wonder why this esteem institute cannot retain its legacy, just like Royal School of Mines, which now falls under Imperial College of Science of Techonology. I would say we could design our name and still keep our identity which is known throughout the world as ISM name is on all big Universities whom want to offer PG studies in there countries.

One name comes to my mind is " Indian College of Science and Technology" and all wings fall below it, like:

Indian School of Mines,

Indian School of Petroleum Engineering,
Indian School of Applied Geology,
Indian School of Geophysics,
Indian School of Mining Machinery,
Indian School of Mechanical Engineering etc,
Indian School of Computer Sciences etc etc.

Any way, that time will tell - but now let me take you through with Video which gives history from the days when ISM was set up and was made at 50 Years clocking of Petroleum Engineering. Its great to hear, with ex-students talks, and that they have contributed both locally in India and overseas. Today ISM graduates do not have to struggle for jobs, due in campus interviews compared to our times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=ULY90EcgvDSHo&feature=player_detailpage&v=Y90EcgvDSHo

& Photos of school today:

Panoramic View of ISM Main Building

Main Building decked as a Queen

Golden Jubilee Lecture Hall

Fossils from Museum - Now adoring Main Building

Main Road Leading to ISM Main Building

ISM Main Entrance Gate


Admin Block

Central Library

Petroleum Engineering Block

Mechanical and Mining Machinery Block

Computer Science Block

Environmental Engineering Block

Lecture Hall Complex

Penman Auditorium

Lower Ground where we once played


Lower Ground


Badminton Game in progress

Squash Complex

UGC Apartments

Old Hostel Center Wing with glimpse of Lt & Rt Wing

New Hostel Now 'Opal Hostel'

EDC Center


Sapphire Hostel

Our great institute Indian School of Mines have greater global image around the globe, due to the fact today all Universities around the globe welcome students from this prestigious college (school) and that its banner is always kept high in the hearts of ex-students who have a greater role, in helping our students a tradition is next to none. ISM graduates are just welcome, and can step into any senior home, or office or any place of meeting and they get welcome, other college graduates from other colleges envy us. I have come across so may times, when they ask me, what ticks you guys to maintain age old traditions, even today. I say to all of them, YES WE DO!

Cheers,

Arun Talwar

('71 Mining)

Auckland, NZ

Memories - Nostalgia by Photos 1966 - 1971

2012-04-03T13:11:00.001+12:00

Last year, during my New Delhi / India trip between Sept' 2011 to Dec' 2011, we had quite a number of get tog ether's, which will always remain a wonderful experience as days pass by.

Most importantly, at M S Sandhu's home when we had our first get together, Virender Sawhney and Ashok Syal brought from there treasure trove photos, of our great association at school between 1966 when we entered to finally passing out in 1971, what we call as our 1971 batch, with which we identify our mates from ISM.

I had then requested every one of them to send me those photos, but after my sending TEXT message to both (Virender Sawhney & Ashok Syal), resulted into a call from Virender Sawhney and next day when I opened my GMAIL account found Ashok Syal had send us precious photos of our times, when we rejoiced together and have made those memories recorded on photos pasted below.

Although Ashok Syal scanned them few photos together, but after learning the art of separating and saving in jpeg file etc, I have placed below for every one to enjoy and recall those moments we enjoyed at school. Its that nostalgia which brings us together.

The photos have been placed under following headings:

December' 1966 - Parasnath Trip for seeing one of the best Jain Temples, believe me we had such an excitement, that a team of 10 to 15 classmates, joined for that trip.
1970 - Possibly during summer time, when we had shifted to New Hostel from Old Hostel, some of the snaps were taken in front of our room (my room was facing road) on the main road. Group photos, and Rickshaw photo reminds us how much we used to use rickshaw those days, the only mode of transport we could afford for going from school to Old Station market, Rajinder Nagar, for cinemas near by and at Jharia etc.
Petroleum Engineering 1971 batch Group Photos.
Geology Excursion

December' 1966- April' 1967:

I can recall the urge, which our Subash Jain, had it and also we were told they are great temples carved out of marble on the hill top of Parsanath. They had been therefor many centuries, and I did some search on web to find our history and its importance to Jain's community. Although I would not like to go into too much details, but how we went there, by train, bus, and then trekking up hill starting early morning hours of the day, till we finally reach our summit. Lot of non Jain's like me and my other classmates it was very much fun, being together for couple of days, which brought us very close to each other. The trip was great, we took candles, torches for our way up in the darkness till we saw daylight some where around 6 to 7 am.

It will good to give the back ground / history of these temples so nicely carved in marble. Difficult to believe, how men took all those stones to make this temples. Its history can be read below, especially for Subash Jain, to let him know that I had to read and edit some of my writing here from net.

History:

View of Hilly Terrain

Parasnath Hill is located in Girdih district in today’s Jharkhand, Bihar and is a major pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. Parasnath Hill has a height of 1,350 meters (4,430 ft) and the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand. It was made accessible when the road was constructed in the year 1838.

The oldest reference to the hills as a holy place is found in one of the twelve texts of Jain literature. The development of the hills was probably prompted by the popularity of Vulture Peak in Bihar, the holy mountain connected with the Buddha where his disciple Śāriputra and others are alleged to have attained enlightenment.

The hill is named after Parasnath, and the special sanctity of Parasnath for the Jain arises from the tradition and according to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (teachers of the Jains) attained Moksha (Nirvana) from this place. According to local tradition the number of Tirthankars who attained nirvana on the Parasnath hill is 20 and not 9. For each of them there is a shrine on the hill.

Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old. Significantly the oldest of the Jain temple appears to date only from AD. 1775.

Baisakhi Celebrations:

Parasnath is the hill with plenty of temples scattered all around the hill tops, and each year devotees assemble during full moon in Baisakh (which falls on 13^th April each year) and celebrate a religious hunt for three days after which great tribal celebrations are held.

Wild Life Sanctuary:

Parasnath has been declared by Government of Bihar a ‘wild life sanctuary’ and local District administration and Forest officials are trying to persuade / teach the local tribe to give up their religious hunt.

The Trek:

To reach Parasnath Temples, one need to reach foot hill first, which is located about 20 km from Parasnath Railway station. The only mode of transport to the foothill is by Taxi, Mini Bus etc. and to reach temples which are scattered all around the hill, one has to resort to walk up hill and occupies all the grandeur of scattered Jain temples.

We left Dhanbad possibly by train and got down at Parsnath Railway Station, from where we took bus to reach the foothills of the temple. Near Madhuban the village has a famous temple believed to be more than 2000 years old. It is a place of considerable religious importance for the Jain. Two temples which are famous for Jain community are - Samos Haran and Bhomiyaji Asthan. There is a Jain Museum at Madhuban which houses a number of Jain scriptures, Idols and manuscript. One can also view the clear sight of Parasnath Temple using the telescope installed at the balcony of the museum.

From the foot hills - we planned to take the walking up hill; a distance of approximately of 27 Kms, (i.e. the trek to Śikharjī and back). We also started early in the morning around 2 to 3 am, with candles lights, torches etc. All the way up hill, we were enchanting songs, seeing lot of devotees walking up hill, and in Jainism we were surprised we found naked sadhus in bitter cold walking up without any fear and cold biting them.

Although people who could not walk all the way have an option to use the services of "doli wallah", a term used to describe villagers who use a one-seater 'doli' to ferry people up and down the hills. We also came across 'dolis' carried by 4 people as well as 2 people, depending on the weight of the person to be ferried up. The charges quoted by 'doli wallahs' vary seasonally but are reasonable due to the fact; people take this holy trip with great pride as what was told to us when we asked out of curiosity. Trekkers as well as "doli wallahs" usually keep a torch with them to assist the steep climb through the jungles early in the morning, with no other safety gadget (we never had mobile phones those days) as trek all around is safe with so many people going up or returning after darshan / prayer.

There were many stalls all along the way serving tea, coffee, water and all kinds of snacks and even fruits, although we carried lot of eatables with water bottles in our air bags. We had to remain vegetarian all through our trek, till we returned Dhanbad.

Most of the route was paved with concrete slabs, although dirt road was at many places all the way up with slope at places becoming steep.

I do not recall which hill we went first, as there are so many hills until we reached Parsanth Hill itself. Some of the photos will speak our travel. We all used to cut jokes, with our colleagues during our journey and back as one of our head cooks at Punjab Mess also had same name, which used to be teasing factor for our Jain friends, as two of our classmates Subash and Sunil Jain had changed from vegetarian diet to non-vegetarian. I do not know what category of food they eat today.

Normally, trekkers / worshippers / and group tours usually first reach Gautam Swamy hill, followed by Chandra Prabhu hill, then on their way back visit Jal Mandir and then finally Parasnath Hill via the Gautam Swamy hill. There is also a way down from Parasnath Hill itself that after about 3kms merges with the road taken while climbing up.

Significance to Jainism:

Shri Sammed Shikharji attracts pilgrims from across India.The number of Tirthankars who attained nirvana at Shri Sammet Shikharji is 20. For each of them there is a shrine on the hill.

The hill is also known as Parasnath, a name derived from Parshva, the 23rd Tirthankara who attained Nirvana there. His present temple is not very old, although the idol in the main temple is ancient. The Sanskrit inscriptions at the foot of the images indicate that they were put in the temple in 1678 A.D.

Archaeologists believe some of the existing temple edifices on Parasnath Hill date from 1765 A.D. although the place is of greater antiquity. It is certain that the present edifices replace older edifices, which were demolished. History says -Jain temples were often brought down and re-built, reasons till today still stand as a mystery, possibly no artifacts have been found to prove otherwise.

Each pilgrimage site represents centuries of devotion, which found expression in temple-building, and to this day are at the center of pilgrimages and festivals at frequent intervals. Although many of the temples may seem complicated in appearance, each is designed on the principles common to the religious architecture of the late medieval period, the elaborations being due to such factors as the addition of supplementary shrines, second stories, and adding pillared cloisters around all the larger examples. One variation unique to Jain temples is the frequent production of a class of temple known as charmukh, or four-faced.

Myth or Strong Believe:

There is a Temple of Bhomiyaji at the start of the Hills (Termed as Taleti) and it is said that once you bow your head at this temple and start the journey towards the top of the hill, there is no way you can be mislead in the journey. The moment you forget the way, there will be Dogs who will guide you the way and will soon disappear fast once you are back on track.

With priest on extreme right

Tired but took snap at the foot of the Temple

Group Photo in Jungles Up Hill

Parasnath Temple

Front Row - Talwar, Kapoor & Sandhu & fellow mates

Parasnath Temple

Smiling Faces of our Group, tired but fresh for photo shoot

Hill View

Parasnath Temple

Panormic View of Hill

Front Row - Sawhney, P K Johri, Second Row - Subash Jain, Sandhu & P K Sharma, Standing ?????, K N Ojha, D S Mathur, ????

Parasanath Temple

View of Parasnath Hill

Return to Dhanbad:

We returned to Dhanbad after two or three days, fully exhausted, with sore feet and blisters, which took some time to heal, and we were back on our study course, with off course memories which we are sharing now after 45 years.

Panoramic View of Parasnath Hill

Another View of Parasnath Hill

Time passed by, until last year when we had few get tog ethers with our classmates, when I happen to see few photographs that I thought of penning it down our memories and to enlighten all our mates of this holy place. Some of the names of our mates we who traveled with us, are: M S Sandhu, Virender Sawhney, Subash Jain & Sunil Jain, A K Ahluwalia, Ashwani Sarin, P K Johri and few more and myself. Can others recognize themselves.

1970 - Possibly during summer time

Flower Blossom at Main Building Oval

Culvert in between Old and New Hostel - Mhajhan, Syal, Jain, Sawhney & Johri

L to R - V Sawhney, Johri, Syal, Mhajhan & Subash Jain

L to R - Talwar, Mahajhan, Johri, Syal & Sawhney

In front of New Hostel - Syal, Jain, Talwar, Johri and Sawhney

Talwar, Johri, Mahajhan with rose, S Jain & Ashok Syal

P K Johri, S Jain, A K Syal, Mhajhan and Arun Talwar

Sawhney, Mahajhan, Syal,Talwar & Subash Jain

Great photo memories of school days, wont you all rejoice, by calling your mates.
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Petroleum Engineering 1971 batch Group Photos:

L to R - Ravi Khanna, ???, Johri, Mahajhan & Syal

L to R -Vijay Poplai, Johri, Khanna, and Ashok Syal

Group Photo of Pet Engg Batch 1971

Geology Excursion:

Caption Names

Have fun with these great memories, sent by Ashok Syal, can we not dig our photo treasures, I believe every one will have something to share. Only thing is we are too lazy to did and share with our friends. Anyway I pen down here, lets be all happy when we will be coming close to senior citizens from western world where they recognize us at 65 Yrs, In India its +60Yrs, am I right? My prayers are with every one for a gala good time, with grand children and keep yourself fit, hale and hearty for awaiting your Golden Jubilee at ISM followed by 75th birthday.

A Talwar,
('71 Mining)
Auckland, New Zealand

Get Together ISM-1972 Batch!

2012-02-01T00:54:00.002+13:00

At Raddison Hotel, Near International Airport –

New Delhi on 22nd Oct' 2011.

L to R - A Talwar, A K Duggal, Manoj K Dosi & R S Saxena

First time, I posted my note on WWW. Batchmates.Com for Manoj Dosi was way back on Saturday, October 18, 2008, but got reply from Manoj Dosi only on 03^rd Feb’ 2009, when he wrote me the email, so the inquisitiveness of knowing your mates whether classmates or who were very much known at school days , buddy names always ring up bells. I was glad to get his email, when he was then working with London Mining Company, for there operations in West Africa. In fact while he was still with them, one day I called him on his Tel No: + 232 76 312000 at Sierra Leone, and had short conversation a he was tied up in a office meeting, and our contact was established, as we started writing emails to know each other welfare.

Later he wrote me, in the year 2010 (Reference his communication to me on 29^th Mar’ 2011), he has moved from London Mining Company to Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, and is currently based in Madagascar & Tanzania. It is basically one’s urge to meet and greet or make contact with his mates, and from where I started connecting mates, with very few names, but today the list has crossed I believe more than 850 – 900 names.

But what made me really sad, while I was connecting that I lost some of my very close friends, namely P K Chandiok (’69 Mining) , P D Sharma (’70 Mining), my heart bleed ed, and I started thinking how small world is that one day we all have to go, why not I say hello to mates, with whom we spent one of the greatest time, of our PRIME YOUTH, and what I loose nothing, but get some inner satisfaction, to make me feel younger, while we exchange jokes of that time. My own sickness for past 12 months had a great toll on me, but my meeting and greeting all with whom I came across, I revived my old association and for some time I forgot my own pain which remains most of the day. I met P K Chandiok once, when we happen to visit Ranchi, where in along with him, we met S J Sibal (’71 Mining) who was awaiting his marriage, and P S Grewal (’71 Mining)

P D Sharma (’70 Mining) – Shastri – I never met him after we parted from school, that in my heart I started thinking what the hell we are doing when electronic world has made people so closer, this lead me to embark on Global ISM Directory. Intial response had been very poor, but they say where there is will there is way. So I kept on going and going- and did not restrict my batch mates but ISM as Global community. I get so many lovely emails, not to pat my back – but if every one is proactive how busy you are – to respond few lines it makes you feel closer.

P S Gyani With a Great Smile

It was on 18^th Oct’ 2011, when through P S Gyani mail I came to know, arrival of Manoj Dosi, that I flashed the news to all of 1972 batch, on my electronic mailing list. I never knew who all are settled in New Delhi and who are away as we do not have most of our mates contact telephone/mobile numbers, forget about where they are settled. I had tried that in 2008 & 2009 by sending excel file, which I even made on line, but hardly any one updated, and hence, with due apologies, my aim was to try to rope in as many mates while Manoj Dosi (’72 Mining) as he was coming from overseas (either Madagascar or Tanzania). Idea was in today’s world people who are computer novice will certainly look into there mail box, and if that mail interests them will certainly love to join or be in touch. Am I right!

I was very excited to meet him, as back of mind I looked this as an excuse of Manoj Dosi arrival which can make more to join, who had same urge as I had, some did not like it – but when heart’s are clear, doubts can get cleared very easily as they say.

I believe, we do not need any introduction, when it comes to meet and greet our mates, whether juniors / seniors or classmates. I had the privilege of being looked after by my seniors, and my doors always remain open to all those who belong to ISM, and because of that we had so many meetings last year – details I will be updating in my another blog site which is exclusive for seniors (http://indianschoolofmines.blogspot.co.nz/) some time soon.

So whether it’s a small gathering or big does not really matter, more so Manoj had only 1 hour at his disposal, so more mates would have been merrier & welcome any way.

L to R - P S Gyani, A Talwar, Anil Duggal, Manoj K Dosi & R SSaxena

Unfortunately our group was very small but by and large we all enjoyed company of Manoj K Dosi, P S Gyani, Anil Duggal & R S Saxena. Above group photo will remind our fondness, love and inner urge which brought us from far and wide, how busy we may to one place to meet our friends.

Anil Duggal & P S Gyani in a Cool Chat

I did got few calls, like Deepak Vidyarthi (’72 Mining), P S Grewal (’71 Mining) who could not come being away from New Delhi, but did spoke to me with great nostalgia and it made us feel closer once again. I narrated joke or incident which took place at M S Sandhu / T Singh while we were in Old Hostel, 3^rd year - was initiated by Ashok Syal and completed by S J Sibal in verbatim.

The inner urge, will only bring like minded friends together, since we all parted to make our own destinies, am I right?

03^rd Feb’ 2009 – Manoj K Dosi wrote:

Hi Arun,
It was wonderful to get a note from you . After such along time ...rather life time!!!

I am with a British Co. London Mining Co. Ltd. as Managing Director of their West African Operations. My family is settled in Jaipur, have one son who is a business man - into retail trading of branded garments ... he has several show rooms in Jaipur .

P D Sharma - I met long time ago, in Barbil, cannot say where he is.

Anil Duggal

Good to know about others in your batch. I recently met P S Gyani , Anil Duggal in Delhi .

Where are you settled? Keep in touch.

Manoj - mdosi@londonmining.co.uk - phone 00232 76 312000

R S Saxena in Great Mood

24^th Oct’ 2011- R S Saxena wrote:

Dear Mr. Talwar,

Please accept my grateful thanks for our wonderful meeting at Radisson Hotel on 22^nd Oct’ 2011. Your coming to the meeting despite your health problem and that too from such a distance is highly appreciated.

Wish you a fast & full recovery as we wish to see you well soon.

This meeting was particularly special for me as I got a chance to meet you and Manoj for the first time since we left ISM. The happiness and joy that I got is difficult to describe.

It’s indeed God's blessings that we could meet again after four decades!

Now that we are in communication, hope there would be more opportunities to meet in future.

With warm Regards,

Raghuvansh

=======================================================================

Anil Duggal & P S Gyani anxiousaly awaiting Manoj Dosi arrival

I have placed all photos which I took at Radisson Hotel for all to rejoice and to remind us our meeting in the days to come, clock never waits for any one, see its almost 40 yrs when we passed out, and in another decade we will be approaching our Golden Jubilee, this year 1962 batch is going with lot of nostalgia, will send you report sooner I lay hands on it through our seniors.

As now most of your batch knows I am settled here in New Zealand, so any one gets a chance on official or holiday visit, please do call us, our doors will remain open to meet and greet you.

Anil Duggal, Manoj Dosi & R S Saxena

Manoj Tired had wink of sleep!

Manoj was very much tired, as you can see from this shot captured on camera.

I take this opportunity to request one and all, to send as many names from there contact list so that we can rejoice few moments of our life and share the joys with one and another. All of us are heading in senior age brackets calling them as SENIOR CITZENS, that I wish every one a health and happy days ahead. Allow me to pen down here.

Cheers,

Arun Talwar (’71 Mining) Feb’ 2012

Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road!!

2012-01-31T13:13:00.000+13:00

Hosted by Avichal Malik

Avichal Malik (Host) at India Habitat Centre - Delhi 'O' Delhi Restaurant – 15th Oct’ 2011:

We had just completed, get together at M S Sandhu’s place on 09^th Oct’ 2011, followed by at my place on 10^th Oct’ 2011 when Shashi Kapoor & Ashok Syal could only make it as others were all tied up for one reason or the other.

On 14^th Oct’ 2011 - Out of blue, I got a present surprise, when I received Avichal Malik’s call, while writing my last email to my batch mates, I had remembered him along with Nav Kumar (whom I later met him at ISMAA Delhi Chapter get together - 06th November’ 2011 at Bawal, about 60 Km from Delhi.) I have also attached his photo for all to see he is wearing blue shirt and has hardly changed.

Nav Kumar in blue shirt at Delhi Chapter Get together with our seniors

Isn't it very great to feel that some of our fellow classmates have same feelings as if we were still at school? He recalled my Dad’s business of motor spare parts in Karol Bagh / New Delhi and was wondering what the hell I was doing instead of joining business, which I explained him what my Dad wanted me to see, so decided to remain in mining career. Also that I have no regrets not so ever as I made my Dad happy. Also when I look retro respect back wards he had better vision for me and my family. We chatted for almost an hour, wherein we exchanged lot of old memories which were locked in each other’s mind.

Interestingly during our chat being when he (Avichal Malik) gladly accepted to host the get together at his venue of choice, INDIA HABITAT CENTER, LODHI ROAD, NEAR LODHI GARDENS at 1.00pm to accommodate all of us at central place, especially P Gopalkrishnan (71' Pet. Engg) who had to catch up his flight from Indira Gandhi Airport at 5.00 pm same evening.

I later confirmed him in the night and confirmed with email the following attendance ( as seen in photo) for the get -together; ladies could not join as they were having fasting Indian Hindu Festival (Karva Choth):

L to R- Malik, Talwar, Syal, Sibal & Gopalkrishnan

Virender Sawhney, O P Arora, Ramesh Mahajhan & Tejinder Singh could not join due there other engagements. I did write few emails to Tejinder Singh, but sorry mate we could not meet you may be next time. P S Grewal kept on calling for latest updates, it was always a pleasure to hear - he could not make it, neither could I re reroute my journey via Calcutta as my flight goes direct from New Delhi – Honkong – Auckland.

Thanks to Avichal Malik who hosted afternoon lunch:

Ashok Syal & Avichal Mailk

It was with great pleasure, that moment came, when we all met at India Habitat Centre- Delhi 'O' Delhi Restaurant, when Avichal Malik hosted a get - together, and some of the great memories of yesteryear's with great fun and great enthusiasm we all rejoiced.

As the story goes - well as clock started clicking (15th Oct' 2011, 13.00 Hrs), I was first to arrive at the center, when I called Malik, who was 10 minutes away. Followed by P Gopalakrishanan and S J Sibal both came from Noida, followed by Ashok Syal and last was our host who was tied up with so many calls, that he almost had to stop on his way to complete and then stopping his mobile so as to reach venue where we all were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Happy Moments - Malik, Talwar, Syal & Sibal

History marks this occasion, of our love, association, and our urge to meet and greet our fellow mates get - together. The greatest fun, we had with a incident how funny it was with adult theme, was story / joke narrated by Ashok Syal for our dear mates ( M S Sandhu & T Singh / linked in back ground of Sunil Jain). You can believe, time passes but school time events / jokes / tit bits always remain in one’s mind.

The joke with fullest, and minute to minute details was completed by S J Sibal who remembered it as he is one of the great stalwarts with cool memory to recall from his encyclopedia. I have not placed those words here, due to the fact, all our mails / blogs are shared with our better half & I did not wanted to be rude with world as whole who read our story on the net, but any one would love to hear it, please call me or S J Sibal or all who attended this get-together.

Interestingly I shared that story / joke of that time with P S Grewal, who enjoyed it with me over phone and has sent me mail that night.

We hoped for Deepak Gupta followed by P S Grewal, but sorry mates we missed you both from bottom of our hearts, we would love to see you next visit, God willingly. P S Grewal had been very kind to request me to visit Calcutta, from where I have more than a dozen requests, from my colleagues of Mosaboni, ISM mates both classmates & our seniors etc. I shared with him my inability to fulfill in this visit, but next time when I will come to India with my wife, we will love to meet as many when we will have Bharat Darshan.

So once again, many thanks goes to A Malik for hosting such a great get together, with drinks and sumptuous lunch with our people's choice as we were to order food from menu and every one had to there own taste. Some of the snaps which we took, as our golden memories are here:

Drinks session with fun & laughter:

Gopalkrishnan being helped for his Mobile Phone

Gopalakrishnan, Syal & Malik

Gopalkrishnan, Reading Msg -Syal, & Sibal

Gopalakrishnan, Syal & Mailk hearing joke from Sibal

We laughed and laughed!

Mailk & Sibal enjoying drinks

Luncheon in Progress:

Time to leave:

Gopalakrishnan confirming his wife his departure

At Reception

Malik, Syal & Sibal

Final shot - Get together Group Photo

Group Photo - Mile' the', mile ge' phir'

Bidding bye to Mailk & Syal

India Habitat Centre will be remembered for our meet after 40 YRS, with our mates!

Cheers, my mates you all made my day and hope we all enjoyed as I did, we had fun, lunch, photos shoot to remember this occasion. I believe those who missed this occasion, please take few moments, with us on our next visit (when it’s a?), no one will ever regret it later.

Arun Talwar ('71 Mining) - Jan’ 2012

=================================================================

H V Sharma (’72 Mining) wrote on 17th Oct' 2011:

Dear Arun
Nice to note that you are in Delhi, Wish we could meet, I am at present at project site in Arunachal Pradesh and may come back only on 25^th Oct’/ Nov’ 2011.

Will try to catch up if you are still there

Regards

Harsh V Sharma/ Executive Director / JKM Infra Projects Ltd.

With many best wishes to our batch, to have healthy & long life so that we all could see & enjoy Golden Jubilee coming up in 10 yrs from now.

Arun Talwar ('71 Mining) Jan' 2012

=================================================================

Get Together ISM-1971 at My Home!

2012-01-31T13:11:00.001+13:00

Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at my Home:

Shashi Kapoor and Ashok Syal - 10th Oct' 2011

In continuation of my earlier blogs of 24^th Feb’ 2011 (Memory Down the Lane) followed by another one of 17^th March’ 2011 (wherein photos sent by Shashi Kapoor of college days were placed), that my visit to New Delhi / India medical check up got also utilized to meet some of our class mates. One such person was Shashi Kapoor as I had undaunted urge to meet and hence - I wrote to him – my greetings for Dushera / Puja / Diwali while and that I have already landed up in India.

My mail to him followed by quick calls, resulted him in making his plan, which suited both of us and to catch up face to face after 40 years. Sooner he received my mail, call came back, and that he is traveling by train to Jammu for attending marriage function. I requested him, if he could accommodate, he happily agreed to change his travel to New Delhi by Spice Jet Flight SG – 116, reaching Indira Gandhi International Airport on 10^th Oct’ 2011 at 08:45 am. He wanted my address, and I confirmed him and his wife that, it will be my pleasure to pick him from the airport, so he need not worry, and also to maximize our time of meeting & be together. I promised him he can have breakfast / lunch at our home & later I will drop him at Old Delhi railway Station wherein lots of our old memories are also locked in.

Shashi coming out from Air port, smiling, he has not seen me!

On the day i.e. 10^th Oct’ 2011, I was very much there, as I booked a car for whole day. The plane was half hour late, but it was just that immense pleasure to see him coming out of the airport at arrival area with smile on his face and thinking next as picked up by my camera that shot, before he saw me. We came home had breakfast together, he even brought packed one duly packed by Bhabhi which we had together along with fruits and tea etc.

L to R - Shashi Kapoor, Arun Talwar & Ashok Syal

L to R - Talwar, Kapoor & Syal having lunch cooked by us

Later at lunch time, Shashi Kapoor joined with me & my brother to cook our lunch – Menu - Chicken Curry & Rice with Salad, had few glasses of wines - which we all enjoyed together. Ashok Syal took time off from his office in South Extension and we all enjoyed sumptuous lunch cooked by us and ate together at my home, with my younger brother.

Kapoor & Syal enjoying meal

Syal made me laugh with his jokes

I kept Shashi updated with all the events, till that day as we had come lovely get together at M S Sandhu home on 09^th Oct’ 2011, never to say I had great opportunity to meet him at airport and then at my home, so many memories flashed by, and that he recalled visiting our home hay days at School. His daughter Anchal was very kind as she did inquire about my health and helping to understand my health issues etc. being Doctor herself.

View from Main Road in front of Delhi Railway Station

After our lunch Ashok Syal left for his office, and me and Shashi for Old Delhi Railway station a distance of not more than 20 Kms, but it took us around 2.5 HRS, that’s the traffic of our country where every one is in rush – ‘Ye Desh Hindustan Hamra’.

LOT OF OUR MEMORIES ARE TIED UP HERE- WHEN WE TRAVELED TO ISM BY TRAIN

I was all the time getting panicky for his train, but when I dropped him at station he had to run to catch up train – which he managed and sent me TXT message that all is well for him to go to Jammu his next destination. We enjoyed to our brim, what little time we had at our disposal, that’s the spirit we all should have.

On my return to Auckland, with jet lag did manage to call him other day, and reminded him of our photos, and few of our last snaps captured on his camera, which he sent has been added here.

Shashi Kapoor wrote on 25^th Dec’ 2011:

Dear Talwar - Delhi Photos sent by me have come out to be excellent & will remind me of our meeting after 4 decades. Though we all look oldies but young at heart. Photos taken with my camera are very large and need editing which I explained him and his daughter Anchal did manage to send me & also inquired about my health.

I pray for your speedy recovery. May 2012 bring good health for you & Bhabhi ji.

Sincerely Yours, Shashi Kapoor

Cheers,

ARUN TALWAR (’71 Mining) Jan' 2012

============================================================================================

Mrs. & Mr. Pradeep K Sharma - 01st Nov' 2011 visit to my Home:

Mrs. & Mr. Pradeep K Sharma

I had been in touch with PK in short over phone from New Zealand, early part of last year and later when I reached New Delhi in Sept’ 2011. I had been coaxing him, and not only him but almost every one from our batch, who were in and around my home town or have plans to cross over Delhi metro, lets meet.

Pradeep call comes in and that he showed possibilities are that he will visit N Delhi to attend Formula 1 car race in Greater Noida India, car racing, sponsored by his company etc along with his office work. It was great to know when he finally made it, no less than encouragement he got from his wife who said why he should not meet, when I am not too well & also when they both were not very far from my home.

Mrs. Sharma enjoyed her short stay together

My dear PK, your visit made an extra flare, and you and Bhabhi made it cool. We all enjoyed Diwali Sweets along with Dry Fruit etc, and Bhabhi brought with her ready to eat hot Samosa with tea together.


PK giving sweet to Bhabhi

Bhabhi giving sweet to PK, Great!

P K Sharma & A Talwar

Some of the photos, which we took at my place, will always remind our meeting after 40 YRS of passing out from school. You really made my day and many thanks to Bhabhi who made the evening more rejoice full against all odds.

Cheers,

ARUN TALWAR (’71 Mining) Jan' 2012

============================================================================================

Get Together ISM-1971 Batch at M S Sandhu's Home!

2012-01-30T13:02:00.008+13:00

09th Oct' 2011 New Delhi / India at M S Sandhu’s Home:

The day I arrived New Delhi from Auckland on 26^th Sept’ 2011, I had several emails / telephonic conversations, with M S Sandhu and my other mates of our class namely – Virendar Sawhney, Ashok Syal, Shashi Kapoor (Hyderabad), S J Sibal, P. Gopalakrishnan (Kerala), Avichal Malik, Deepak Gupta (Goa), P S Grewal (Calcutta) , Tejinder Singh, Subash Jain (Houston, USA), O P Arora & Ramesh Mahajhan.

I also chatted or got responses from 1972 batch ( P S Gyani, Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Deepak Vidyarthi,) and from senior batches Mr. R P Prashara (’58 Mining / Chandigarh), Mr. Ajoy K Chaterjee (’60 Mining / Goa), Mr. R Y Kutumbe ('60 Mining), Mr. Pallab Banerjee ('60 Mining), Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay (’70 Pet Engg / USA), Mr. Suresh Mehta (’62 Mining) & Mr. N N Gautam (’62 Mining) to name a few out of memory.

I did not had every one’s telephone numbers, which we got it soon after ringing few whose numbers I had and after knowing everyone's welfare, my first task was to see if we could all meet and our first planned get together was held at M S Sandhu ‘s home on 09^th Oct’ 2011, who was very pleased to host the get together with drinks followed by lunch.

L to R, M S Sandhu, S J Sibal, A Talwar & V Sawhney


L to R, Mrs. & Mr. Syal, Mrs.& Mr Sawhney, Mrs.&Mr. Sibal & Mrs. & Mr Sandhu

Sibal, Sandhu, Sawhney & Syal

L to R, Mrs./ Syal / Sawhney / Sandhu / Sibal

It gives me great pleasure write the whole story of our meeting at his home on Sunday afternoon. It’s very difficult to express my personal happiness in meeting our class mates and equally M S Sandhu & his wife and others who expressed there joining us for a wonderful get to get together at his home. I cannot find appropriate words of my pleasure, that you and our fellow mates had same desire and love for their fellow mates to meet who once parted in different directions, to make there own destinies in the mining field.


Syal, Sibal, Sandhu & Sawhney

Sibal & Sawhney enjoying food

Finally on Sunday the 09th Oct' 2011, between 11.30 am to 12.00 noon, we all (Sawhney, Syal, Sibal with there wife’s and me alone) gathered at M S Sandhu's home, and believe me what a great thrill, smile, laughter and happiness was prevailing on each other minds that all of us had, words cannot express that inner feelings, but for those who missed may rejoice our meeting with photos of that occasion which I took that day and sent for wider audience over email, few weeks ago.

Virender Sawhney

Sawhney had even brought few snaps of School days from his treasure trove of old albums reminding all of us our great association then 1966 – 1971. One such photo was on Rickshaw ( Sawhney, Syal and Mahjhan are present, with me) in front of New Hostel. This meet will go on records as we all met and greeted each other after we all passed out in 1971, a historic occasion after 40 yrs. All youth days faces have changed to oldies now, but I believe there was not too much difficulty in recognizing each other once we were face to face, but the old matured glitter was very much there in all faces. More thrilled were ladies

S J Sibal

who have joined there hubbies to make this occasion a greater success, as without there presence it would not been complete in all respects. Me and my wife had met Mrs. Sandhu, Mrs Sibal few decades ago, so even my wife took an opportunity to call from Auckland to catch up with them.

Only person I missed personally was O P Arora who used to always meet me during my trips to N Delhi from other metros & later when I used to come from Zambia, due to his involvement and preparations of his daughter's forthcoming wedding in Nov' 2011, I requested him in numerable times to make it and more so I was not very well, but that inner urge to meet unfortunately never kindled in him so we all dearly missed him. I hope that wedding must have gone well; the news later was given to me by M S Sandhu who did attend the function.

Few more mates missed Deepak Gupta (Goa), Tejinder Singh & Ramesh Mahajan, as they could not make it due to there pre occupations with some other urgent work in there family. And till my departure from N Delhi we could not meet.

During our meet at Sandhu’s house, I also informed all that Shashi Kapoor is coming on Monday 10th Oct'2011, by air from Hyderabad, I will be picking him from airport and to add extra flavor to his visit, please keep your Monday free, working executives, if they could spare just 2 to 2.5HRs at my home, between 11.30am to 2.00pm, as Shashi was to leave by 4.30 pm train from N Delhi same afternoon. This meeting I had with Shashi Kapoor was another wonderful one, which was joined by Ashok Syal as others could not make it. He had lot of wonderful memories and even reminded me that he had visited my home when we were at school.

Manjit Singh Sandhu

M S Sandhu was very kind to confirm and write to all on 08^th Oct’ 2011 - It's great that we all are meeting at my home - Tower 7, Flat No.703. PARSVNATH PRESTIGE II. SECTOR 93A NOIDA-201304, Sunday 09^th Oct’ 2011 between 11.30 to 12'O clock. It will be my pleasure to welcome you all.

My special thanks to Talwar for his initiative and vision for us to meet after 40 years.

M S Sandhu also sent us directions to his home - Take NOIDA - GREATER NOIDA express highway from NOIDA and take the first exit to drive on the service lane along the same direction. You will find a cluster of high rise after around 500 meters. PARSVNATH is next to ATS GREEN and the prestige II can be approached from the back road which runs parallel to main express way. You may contact me for further clarification. But actually when we were going to his house, on Sawhney car, my mobile was on and Sandhu guided us to his home.

All our communication was going on email and we kept updating to our mates settled in India, Australia and USA, if any one could join us. Few were kind to give us a call and one such name comes for Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhayay who called me from Florida his home town and enquired my health status.

Thanks to M S Sandhu who hosted this afternoon:

Our mates with there better halves.

It gives me great pleasure to send my heartiest thanks, on behalf of me and my wife and behalf of whole 1971 batch for hosting such a lovely get together followed by sumptuous lunch. We had lot of memories revived, of school days.

Virender Sawhney brought lovely photos of school days, which reminded us our great association we had together when we were still at school. He has agreed to get it scanned, and send it to every one.

Ashok Syal ever Cheerful.

Ashok Syal has promised to send us school days photos, especially Parsanath Trip we had with our class. S J Sibal made us laugh and laugh with lovely joke, which brought us lot of humor and smiles, even ladies did rejoiced it.

My wife Anjali did not wanted to miss, the occasion, so she called from NZ and greeted Mrs. Sibal, Mrs Sandhu, Mrs Sawheny and Mrs Syal and spoke to them over phone.

Sandhu being looked after, after he took care of every one

M S Sandhu and his wife took lot of pains, to get this sumptuous lunch cooked at her home for all of us to enjoy, so believe in me, I enjoyed to my fullest so did our mates who joined us, great was the love and believe in me, it was very great satisfaction when we parted later.

Although after our passing out, we met, what a great feeling I had, so did our fellow mates who hugged every one with same closeness as when we parted from school.

I have also posted few our snaps along with this blog to record our meeting for wider known to our friends around the globe who are computer novice and would like to read our get together and rejoice our photos taken then.

Syal & Sibal enjoying his fill

Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay ('1970 Pet. Engg) USA:

Lastly, I also got a call from Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay ('1970 Pet. Engg) from USA, inquiring about my health and showing concerns as fellow mate from school. This is what makes us feel we are part of that Alma Mater whose history, traditions and love are deep rooted in every one hearts, how far and wide we all are settled. Thank you my friend I had a lovely chat with you for around 30 minutes, which I will cherish.

He has conveyed me to get well soon, get checked and was wondering why all our mates have to travel back home for getting proper treatment compared to where we are living in western world. To what I told him, how they treat you as if they are experimenting on you. He was telling he can place S J Sibal, else faint memories are there for others. I have promised him to send him latest photos, to what all we rejoiced our meeting yesterday. He will be traveling to India in Dec' 2011, if some of our mates, would love to meet him.

Subash Jain (’71 Mining) wrote from Houston, USA:

Dear Arun,

Its when you are meeting with old-timers lovely friends and enjoying your golden days of ISM, you need not to take any medicine. Laughing is the best medicine for all cures. I love and miss you all. Have sweet dreams, SUBASH.

Mr. Ajoy Chaterjee (’60 Mining), wrote from Goa:

Dear Arun,

I am glad to know that you and your 1971 classmates had an enjoyable get-together at Noida on the 10th of October, 2011.

I wish you speedy recovery from your ailments.

Best wishes, AJOY CHATTERJEE (‘60 Mining).

So once again, we all thank you for hosting such a great meet, treat & greet at your home in Noida giving us a individual care.

Cheers, Arun Talwar (’71 Mining)

New Delhi Trip – Sept’ 2011 to Dec’ 2011!

2012-01-29T21:01:00.007+13:00

New Delhi Trip – Sept’ 2011 to Dec’ 2011

Dear All,

Notes from my Diary:

I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, peaceful & healthy new year 2012, we are already finishing first month of new year. Lot many make new resolutions what all they want to achieve in this New Year other take stock of what all has been achieved and few will make themselves in the history down the lane. Who knows what and where world takes us, if we have taken step on this mother earth, one day we all will go slowly and it’s inevitable. Some time we become philosophical, some times in our younger days we were romantic, work alcoholic but time never remained to be same. Time has now come close to retirement some say retirement from work, but I say a great time to rejoice, if we all have inner urge to rejoice, either meeting old pals, meeting forgotten relatives, else going on voyage to different parts of the world to re trace our steps which once we took. My inner gut feeling is one day, with God grace I would accomplish with my wife for a trip to India –to cover as much, Africa – Zambia, Melbourne - Australia, London - UK, Paris, France, Bonn- Germany, Amsterdam - Holland, Callie - Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, USA – still do not know where?

As we see fall of 2011, we only see that most of our mates will be retired soon if not at present and enjoy the thrill of connecting with there mates where once we all entered ISM to make our destinies, when we all parted on the close of 1971, and I started my new chapter on the dawn of New Year 1972. 40 years since elapsed, and last year had been a great thrill in my life, how was yours whom we all met.

Without a doubt the year of 2011 would remain one of the memorable years of my life, firstly I had an opportunity to get our batch, seniors and juniors connected with the today’s electronic world followed by telephonic calls. More to ponder having said so, we had few get together with our mates at Auckland who happen to visit us at our new home on a holiday or other wise and I have updated the list below:

1. Mrs. & Mr. R P Prashara (’58 Mining), (Chandigarh, India), visited us few years ago, when they came to meet his daughter Anu/Vinod Sharma who were then settled in Auckland now moved to Melbourne/Australia.

2. Swati Jain & Mayul Jain son of Subash Jain (’71 Mining), Houston, USA, visited us on 25^th Dec’ 2008 when they came to enjoy there honey moon trip to land of paradise.

3. Mrs. & Mr. R Y Kutumbe ('60 Mining), (Nagpur, India) / Mrs and Mr Piyush Dutta ('60 Mining), (Florida, USA) - 06th Feb' 2011.

4. Prof J R Kayal & Mrs Kayal ('69 Applied Geophy) , Calcutta, India)- 20th July' 2011.

5. Mrs. & Mr. Ajay Rohatgi ('68 Pet. Engg), (USA)- 30th July' 2011.

6. Mrs. & Mr J B Singh ('62 P.Tech), (USA) - 15 Sept' 2011.

Later, this was also followed by my trip to New Delhi, India – it was just incredible journey and for me to write this great experience. My trip to India was mainly for my medical check up as I had been suffering from UTI infection / Recurrent Prostatitis and all efforts failed to contain this pain. But to my relief, I kept myself mentally busy and it also brought me back great memories as I was fortunate to have few get together with our batch mates, seniors & juniors.

It's very hard to explain how all was achieved; a mere urge I had to meet my old timers. But am happy to report we had fun, cut jokes Ashok Syal & S J Sibal reminded us great story and we all shared some of the happy moments of school days call it nostalgic. Each of us had a desire to meet & greet & vice versa. Few could not make it, its shame, but it was nothing I could do, although I must have rung up almost all in my diary or contact details given to me while I was in New Delhi, and each lead was well harnessed. Few could even make it from other metro’s as they were in our loop / trail of email that they spontaneously responded and few did pop up are P Gopalakrishnan and Shashi Kapoor who flew from other metros to spend few hours with us. Deepak Gupta showed his desire but he could not make it to New Delhi from his place of work Goa, although he spoke to met at length on Skype face to face.

After a gruesome trip to New Delhi between 25^th/26^th Sept’ 2011 to 02^nd/03^rd Dec’ 2011, I am back to my adopted new home in Auckland, to share my / our memories which I have started penning it down. Initially my stay was only planned for 5 to 6 weeks, but my medical treatment which I was having at Apollo Hospital with Urologist Specialist Dr N Subramanian, that I had to extend my stay, to have fruitful progress on this front as my specialist could get all my medical tests at Apollo Hospital to get to the root cause in proper diagnosis. I can say I am still not 100% okay but under his medical attention for next three months wherein he has prescribed medication, I believe some good results may pop in, fingers crossed. I am also making a follow up here with our local GP and Urologist Dr. John Tuckey, who are surprised why with best of medical attention / medications my system is not responding, making path for full recovery.

Most of my trip was pre–occupied with numerous Doctor’s visits and follow up etc. My first GP visit was on 28^th Sept’ 2011 and thereafter this was followed by series of appointments with specialist etc.

During my stay in New Delhi, I had following accomplished:

Personal:

My ancestor’s home at Jangpura Extension, New Delhi – which needed attention, after my parents departed to heavens was completed during my last two visits to India (one in Nov’ 2009 to Mar’ 2010 & second from Sept’ 2011 to Dec’ 2011) to its old glory, with only very few jobs left for my next visit.

Netaji Bose Photo in Action from the collection of Captain S S Yadav

L to R Captain S S Yadav INA & Arun Talwar S/o of Late Captain R L Talwar INA

I had great desire to meet my father’s INA associate Captain S S Yadav who is +95 Yrs, to meet him at his home for my Biography to sketch out there role during Netaji Subhas Chander Bose era, when they all fought for India’s freedom.I had wonderful chat with him for couple of hours, he spoke very high of Netaji Bose and comrades who laid lives for India's freedom. Later I found he knew more about me, as he used to meet my Dad in hay days, after the war and also when my Dad looked after accounts for INA committee. I will take up that in a separate blog.

I had desire to meet my relatives, both from paternal side and maternal side, which to some extent were achieved. Due to shortage of time and due to my health concerns could not do full justice.

Catching up with old Colleagues – Mosaboni Group of Mines ICC/HCL:

I had desire to meet & greet our ex- Mosaboni Mines (HCL / ICC) friends with whom I had worked and was associated from 1972 – 1989. Few came to meet me at my home whilst others we spoke over phone to revive our old loving memories. Some of the names, I may add are Mrs. and Mr. J N Chattopadhyay, Mr. Amal Ghosh, Mr. S K Gulati, Mr. I J Chowdhary, Mr Salim Khan , Mr. Y S Chauhan, Mrs. and Mr. R Y Kutumbe, Mrs. and Mr. R P Prashara and Mrs. and Mr. J K Mahajhan etc. Our garage checker Bymokesh came to meet me at my home.

ISM Mates get together / AGM ISM - Delhi Chapter:

Next, I had great desire meet our ISM classmates with whom we all made our destinies when we passed out in 1971. I had been connecting my pals since 2010 both electronically by email and by telephonic calls, and later quarter of 2011 my visit to India I had an unbelievable urge to see if we could meet them in person. This finally did result in mini get together s at different venues to accommodate each other convenience etc. I have listed the get tog ether’s we had, which I will write separately with photos:

1. M S Sandhu (Host) at his home - 09th Oct' 2011.

2. A Talwar (Host) at his home (Shashi Kapoor and Ashok Syal)- 10th Oct' 2011.

3. Avichal Malik (Host) at India Habitat Centre - Delhi 'O' Delhi Restaurant – 15th Oct’ 2011

4. Mrs & Mr Pradeep K Sharma came to meet me at my home around Diwali - 01st Nov' 2011.

I also got an opportunity, to welcome Manoj Dosi ('72 Mining) who was returning from overseas trip to meet his family in Jaipur and we all met him at Raddison Hotel, near Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi on 22nd Oct' 2011, wherein we had attendance of P S Gyani, Anil Duggal & R S Saxena.

I had also a desire to meet & greet our seniors and Mr. Suresh Mehta (62’ Mining) along with Mr. N N Gautam (’62 Mining) who were very kind to invite me to join there AGM cum get together at Bawal about 60 Kms from New Delhi on New Delhi - Jaipur HWY which was wonderful & amazing experience.

5. Mr. Suresh Mehta (’62 Mining) & N N Gautam (‘ 62 Mining) - ISMAA Delhi Chapter - 06th November’ 2011 at Bawal, about 60 Km from Delhi.

Imperial College of Science & Technology, London – Alumni’s meet:

Lastly I was invited by Imperial College of Science & Technology, London – Alumni meet, wherein we happen to meet our very senior friends.

6. Imperial College of Science & Technology (Host) – British Council India & Sri Lanka, 17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 01^st Dec’ 2011

We were shown documentary of the progress made by the institute on 01^st Dec’ 2011, which was followed by Dinner at British Council Lawns (British Council India & Sri Lanka, 17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi.)

Last but not the least, I must thank Mr. Pradeep Gangopadhyay ('70 Pet. Engg) for his telephonic call from USA, while I was still in India for inquiring about my health and all others who kept giving me an encouragement to take life as it comes, after all we have done enough in our life in placing our children on the right footing.

I left New Delhi after a final check up with my GP and Urologist on 02^nd Dec’ 2011 and reached Auckland next day.

Cheers, Arun Talwar, Jan’ 2012

Nostalgic Photo of ISM 1971 & 1972 Pet. Engg batch!

2011-04-22T16:05:00.004+12:00


Farewell Photo of ISM 1971 Petroleum Engineering.

Today I will start with Mr. Suresh Mehta ('62 Mining), -ISMAA Delhi Chapter his words which echoes our hearts and hope it does yours or will go back to school days where we used to sing:

"Na Kabhi Judaa Honge Wo Saathi Hamare"

"Mile The Sabhi Jo Dhayia Ke Kinare".

And the one, which I murmur in my great nostalgic mood is:

“Zindagi Ek Safar He Suhana, Kal Kya Hogo Kisne Jana”

The above Historical Nostalgic Photo was sent to me by our dear mate Ashok K Syal (’71 Pet. Eng.), farewell photo of 1971 batch given by 1972 batch, hats off to him, as it brought a great response / memories, from seniors, juniors, & our class mates who shared those moments to bring back 40 yrs, when they were at school (ISM). Later I requested them to tag all names. and we were fortunate to tag all.

I am also sad to report that few of our beloved professors and few of our class mates are no more with us. We can all pay tributes to them, who made us all to rejoice of such a long journey from 1971 to 2011. I take this opportunity on behalf of me and my family and on behalf of all who actively participated in this historical photo to pay our deep seated tributes and respects to our departed friends and our departed teaching faculty who are not with us today. There names have been marked red in the tag list.

Well I can say God wanted them early, so they are in Heavens now and May there soul rest in peace.

This historical photo poured lot of nostalgic replies:

Some of the comments / replies, for every one to rejoice, starts from senior most batches to >>:

Alumni who contributed are from (’60 Mining), (’62 Pet.Tech), (’70 Pet. Engg), (’71 P. Engg), (’71 Mining), (’72 Pet Engg), (’72 Mining), (’73 Pet Engg), (’74 Pet. Engg).

Mr. Ajoy K. Chatterjee (‘60 Mining), India wrote:

Thanks for a rare group photo (forwarded by Mr. Pradip Gangopaghyay -’70 Pet. Engg) consisting of your faculty and students of Petroleum Technology Department of our Alma Mater. In one of my visit to my home town in 1980 or 1986, I came across a Russian Couple inside the ISM campus who were said to be teaching at P.Tech department. I do not recall their names; but both were more than six feet tall and handsome. Do you have any idea who they are?

Dr. Mohinder Gulati ('62 P.Tech), USA wrote:

It brings back old memories. Prof B P Pandey Ji ('62 P. Tech) is of course my classmate. And I took classes from Late Prof. N V R Subramaniyam and Prof G S Moni & Late Prof. S. Srini-Vasan was my boss at the Research and Training Institute (ONGC) at Sahastrdhara Road in Dehradun in 1965-66.

He would have again been my boss at ISM if I had accepted the Assistant Professorship in 1969. Instead, I chose to come to Stanford in 1969.

Regarding KVSN Murthy, how come he is not in the picture? He came back from UK and was teaching Petroleum Engineering in 1965. I was also teaching there in 1965 as a guest lecturer from ONGC. I saw Murthy's picture accepting some award at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Pet E Dept in 2007.

Mr. Pradip Gangopadhyay ('70 Pet. Eng.), USA wrote:

Prof. K.V.S.N. Murthy taught his class mates Reservoir Engineering in 5th year (1969-70) and he is not in the picture. Prof. B.P. Pandey taught our 1970 Petroleum Engineering batch several subjects, viz., formation evaluation (well logging) and reservoir engineering in 4th year & then taught petroleum economics in 5th year.

Mr. Pradip Gangopadhyay ('70 Pet. Eng.), USA wrote:

This is a very good collection of 1971-72 batches with the teaching faculty and many thanks in sharing with us. I know them and would identify most of them.

First, I would like to write a few words about our Professors:

I recall one statement from Dr. S.N. Sarkar: You deserve, and then desire.

This remained the mantra of my life. If I couldn't accomplish something, I thought I probably don't deserve it. In fact that helped me to overcome any disappointments in life.

(I can add a man rises to what he learns at school, and learning never ends, what he wants to retain, this always leaves a dent marks for ever . I believe sentiments expressed by Mr. Pradip Gangopadhayay are true facts of life, one you want to adore and one you want to make a chapter of your own life, so as to over come any disappointments.)

Memories down the lane:

Dr P. Gopalkrishnan

Swapna & I visited ONGC Chandkeda campus at Ahmedabad. I think the year was 1983(?). I remember Dr. P. Gopalkrishnan ('71 Petroleum Eng.) received us at ONGC, Ahmedabad. He came back from France after receiving his PhD. I talked about huff & puff/steam injection.

Back then, I was working with Dr. Henry B. Crichlow. If I recall correctly, Sood-Sahab [Satinder K. Sood ('66 P. Tech)] was there as well.

I worked with Sood-Sahab in Lakwa oil-fields of Assam, ONGC Eastern Region.

Prof. Henry Crichlow taught us Reservoir Simulation & Advance Reservoir Engineering at Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman campus. Swapna & I took lessons from him.

Incidentally, Dr. Henry B. Crichlow is the classmate of Dr. Mohinder Singh Gulati ('62 P. Tech) & Dr. Anil Kumar ('65 P. Tech) at Stanford Univ.

Keep up the good work. Good job in identifying the folks in the picture.

Mr. Ramesh K Sansi (’70 Pet.Engg) wrote:

Please accept my greetings to you and the 1971 Pet. Engg. and congrats for the efforts made to identify your batch mates. I wish somebody had a photo for our1970 batch.

Deepak Vidyarthi (’72 Mining) wrote:

You have sent us a golden treasure; will send you list of contacts of our mates soon.

Manoj Dosi (’72 Mining) wrote:

Manoj Dosi

Great remembrance and will some body will have 72 batch photos to share.

Dinesh Gautam (’72 Pet. Engg) wrote:

Lot of old memories flashed by, when you look back at days passed by at ISM. I had forgotten many persons, but by seeing our college mates my memory got a refreshed. Finally they say one picture is worth thousand of words and does bring back a craze to speak / or be connected with them.

Updated list is posted below, (hopefully errors are not there) and one can see names with respect to scanned photo below:

Farewell Photo 1971, Pet.Engg.

	Standing from Left to Right:

A1	Vinay Bhusan Poplai ('71 Pet. Engg)
A2	P Gopalakrishnan ('71 Pet. Engg)
A3	S N Chakraborty ('71 Pet. Engg)
A4	Siva Ravindran ('74 Pet. Engg)
A5	Ramesh K Sabharwal ('71 Pet. Engg)
A6	Ramesh C Mahajan ('71 Pet. Engg)
A7	P S Gyani ('72 Pet. Engg)
A8	J P Sharma ('72 Pet. Engg)
A9	A K Agrawal ('72 Pet. Engg)
A10	P K Bishnoi ('72 Pet. Engg)
A11	T C Gupta ('72 Pet. Engg)
A12	Late Amitabh Sengupta ('72 Pet. Engg)
A13	Dinesh Chandra ('72 Pet. Engg)
A14	S R Das ('72 Pet. Engg)
A15	Rathin Chaterjee ('72 Pet. Engg)
A16	Sukumar Majumdar ('72 Pet. Engg)
A17	B M Singh ('72 Pet.Engg)
A18	Subrata Das ('72 Pet. Engg)
A19	Shyamal Barua ('72 Pet. Engg)
A20	Ajay Kumar Kapur ('72 Pet. Engg)
A21	Late Y B Joshi ('72 Pet. Engg)
A22	Late A K Bammi ('72 Pet. Engg)
A23	L C Ram ('71 Pet. Engg)
A24	Bijoy Kumar ('72 Pet. Engg)
A25	T K Das ('71 Pet. Engg)

	Sitting from Left to Right:

S1	Ambrish K Gupta ('71 Pet.Engg)
S2	S K Dutta ('71 Pet. Engg)
S3	Prof G S Moni (Reservoir Fluids and Petroleum Refining)
S4	Prof B P Pandey ('62 P.Tech) (Formtn Evaluation / Well logging)
S5	Late Prof. S. Srini-Vasan (Drilling Engg and HOD).
S6	Late Prof. S.N. Sarkar, then Director and Head of App Geology.
S7	Late Prof. N V R Subramaniyam (Petroleum Expl & Drilling fluids)
S8	D K Gautam ('71 Pet. Engg)
S9	Ravi Khanna ('71 Pet. Engg)
S10	Niladri Mitra ('71 Pet. Engg)
S11	Ashok Kumar Syal ('71 Pet. Engg)
S12	P K Johri ('71 Pet. Engg)
S13	Rajiv Kapur ('71 Pet. Engg)

Its very difficult to mention all names, but my congrats goes to all, who made it happen, and that's why I keep on saying where there is will, there is way to accomplish. Hats off to all, we need more nostalgic photos of our times.

May be we have current photos with our children & grand children etc., how's that!

Hope some who are still sleeping, do not find time, or are lazy, would soon try to share, there treasure with us, please send your photos, and leave it rest to me.

I know so many of our fellow mates have contributed, so my sincere thanks goes to all, who did respond and those who did not, there will be yet another time for those who did not participated, so lets all rejoice these moments.

I would also request, all our friends, who are in photo, send us, passport size current photo, which will add further flare to our album / blog which will go live thereafter. I hope those who are not in photo may also send us, to make batch wise photo together.

I have copied to all who made it happen, if some is missed out, please let me know.

One more request for batches 1972, 1973 & 1974, send me any photos of your times, will be much appreciated.

My final thoughts goes to Siva Ravindran ('74 Pet.Engg) to place his final boundary to complete list, much appreciated.

This historical photo with all names has gone live now for all ISM fraternity to have a glimpse & rejoice some special moments of life as it came to me. Special thanks from all of us goes to Ashok Kumar Syal who shared with us this historical photo.

I pen down here, this blog is finally completed after 8 to 10 hours of compilation and editing to make it nostalgic look.

Arun Talwar, 22 04 2011.

ISM - Memories of Yesteryear's Songs !!

2011-04-16T16:37:00.001+12:00

ISM - Memories of our Yesteryear's Old Hit Songs, which I love and hope you all will love so thought why not I take my class mates, trip down memory lane with the collection of beautiful songs, which some times we loved to sing, while in shower or alone in our room.

So while you read my blogs, spend some time, with earphones old Hindi songs, which we used to murmur:

Year 1949: I believe you will love some of my collection of song's starting from "Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki", which was recorded just when I was one year old, by greatest singer of all times (Late Mohammed Rafi Saab) but do not know, why it had been my most emotional song, as I carried with me, till date from when I first started singing in my youth days.

It always brings tears & joys, and make you remember your home, your roots, as for many years, I have lived overseas. Life is here where one lives with his family for one reason or the other, but heart beats for my home, where I grew up at Jangpura Extension. Our home, is today 60 Yrs Old, but rich in its ideals. This song, has been sung by so many, but my favorite collection is here.

'Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki" -

A Memorable Hindi Song by Mohammad Rafi from the Movie Dulari (1949)

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LjF6yjrgYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yR5ht-PtOpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFv5ybbwW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2bLwng30DE

Year 1956: Here my memories are attached as our parents from the painful days over come with the birth of my second younger brother, whose name was kept same, to one we had lost when he was +4 Yrs old.

View the most famous song pictured on Shyama.

'Aye Dil Mujhe Bata De...' from the film Bhai Bhai (1956),

sung by Geeta Dutt and music by great Madan Mohan.

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssHSGFRngYI&feature=player_embedded

Year 1960, when I was studying at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi saw one of the great movies of all times - Chaudhvin Ka Chand - A Guru Dutt production. I recall my parents took the whole family (me, my younger sister and my younger brother) to a business cum holiday trip to Bombay. This film was grossing top box hits that time, and to get entry to cinema hall was so difficult, that people were lining up day in and day out to grab tickets to see this movie. This ran to fully packed houses for several months. The black marketers were making roaring business, when we finally got tickets through my father’s connections in the motor parts industry.

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5Ud2rsMT5ng

Year 1964, when I was still studying at my Ramjas Higher Secondary School No: 3, Old Delhi when Hindi Movie Sangam was released– A Late Raj Kapoor producttion. We young lads had too much of craze to see some of the hit movies of that times. Almost all songs became hit and few of the songs, I loved and they carried with us. Some of the golden memories are locked, in my heart as then we were turning from young boys to grown up lads.

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNuu9ykkpGQ&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovyGxgml5Q&feature=player_detailpage

Year 1966 to 1971: My stay at Indian School of Mines, where we made so many friends, one of them Late Prem Dutt Sharma (Shashtri Jee) (’70 Mining), my next room neighbor in Old Hostel always took me as a companion for almost all old movies hit of yesteryear's era, as his love was same as I had for old songs and old movies of that era from 1950’s to 1970’s when ultimately we passed out. I tried my best to get connected to him, but when I was almost close, I was told by Dinesh Shankar Mathur (Fondly we called him Daddy at school), that he is no more. May his soul rest in peace, we dearly miss you.

I had an opportunity to see some of those movies, which we saw together some old hit ones and some new to our times: Not in any chronological order namely: Mughal - E - Azam, Anarkali, Nagin,Shree 420, Toofan Aur Diya, C.I.D, Mother India, Di Deke Dekho, Ganga Jumna, Junglee, Bees Saal Bad, Mere Mehoob, Taj Mahal, Phir Wohi Dil Layan Hoon, Sangam, Kashmir Ki Kali, Woh Kaun Thi, Arzoo , Guide, Dus Lakh, Love in Tokyo, Ram Aur Shyam, Jewel Thief, An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Kati Patang, Mere Naam Joker & Tere Mere Sapne, Andaz...

Andaz (Hindi: अन्दाज़, Persian,Urdu: اَنداز) is a 1971 Hindi romantic movie starring Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna.

The film was directed by Ramesh Sippy. Music by Shankar-Jaikishan. You will love it. Dedicated to my dear class mates 1971!!

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CNxE_a84f4&feature=player_detailpage

One of the best songs by Late Kishore Kumar. Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi. One of the great Indian Singers of all times, whose songs always echoed my heart!! His last journey was taken to his home town, Khandwa, M.P, where his last rites were performed.

Incidentally, Khargone was the nearest town, where my summer of 1965, was enjoyed with my cousin brother family ( J C Talwar, now retired) , and my parents and my siblings, while I was a young lad of +16 Yrs.

This town echoes for him and his loving heart breaking songs, of Late Kishore da.

This was the time when my Higher Secondary Board Exams were also published while we were enjoying our summer holidays. Finally next journey, to enter Engineering College was laid, as my cousins were either Engineers or Doctors. Finally, I entered ISM following year, on the basis of All India Exams, in July' 1966.

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1PhxqhSueRs

Taj Mahal in 1890

Taj Mahal Jan 2011

I had always loved Taj Mahal, for its beauty, master piece, love of Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal and no wonder it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Due to my love, which I believe all love it, I saw movie Taj Mahal more than dozen times, for its nostalgic love songs and to know history etc. In my life, I also had opportunity to take my many friends at my cost from New Delhi to Agra to this great monument an architectural master craftsmanship.

"Taj Mahal" [1963] is and Indian Hindi film directed by M. Sadiq. Starring Bina Rai and Pradeep Kumar. Music is by Roshan...

Great Song by Late Mohammed Rafi. Awesome & Superb. No words can describe his Greatness & Sweetness of his incomparable golden voice. This song was from romantic love story, ever green film - "TAJ MAHAL". Lyrics by Sahir Ludhyanvi & Music by Roshan. All songs from this film are melodious, full of love & hit of that era.

I love to hear even today and also hope you will also enjoy
my memories linked with memorable songs of our yesteryear's.

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5kuatik-tM&feature=player_detailpage

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mdzgekpNNs&feature=player_detailpage

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awxbOlfgxZ8&feature=player_detailpage

To know more about Taj Mahal about its construction, and latest research:

Taj Mahal Construction Specification Amazing History

Click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppAQDPb8DYM&feature=player_detailpage

Source: YouTube

ISM - Memories of 1971 Batch in Photos!!

2011-03-17T21:08:00.000+13:00


SHASHI KAPOOR, Golden Era at ISM Today I had received photos collection from our dear class Friend, Shashi Kapoor, and they have been placed here for every one to rejoice. School days were glorious days, you all will agree, when we we used to wait for money order to come, and how post man's arrival was always awaited. I have so many memories about school days, and if I start writing will certainly fill up a size of the book.

Going for shower, Johri teases lamboo Arora,
and Kapoor calls others,
not in photo!

Shashi Kapoor in helmet on right,
who is on your left ?

O P Arora in thoughts, behind Shashi Kapoor,
who are ???

Studio Photos - A K Ahluwalia, Mahjan, S Kapoor
Can U let every one know, what was that day like, and what was in your thoughts!

Nagpal, Kapoor, Sibal & Sandhu, possibly were getting
ready for going to mines for summer training.

Two film stars of 1971 batch, pre - final days
at Dehradoon!

Three Musketeers, Three ISM mites,Three Jewels
of 1971 Crown
Sibal, Sandhu & Kapoor

Hero Shashi Kapoor
at
ISM Oval flowers in blossom

My journey is to connect, all our class mates, which in short time, we have touched a figure of +20, and list is getting richer day by day, at slow pace, but eventually will touch every ones hearts, who still have that great feelings, when we all enjoyed, played, studied, spent mid night oil, studied under candle night, when lights were off. Need every one's help, how small it may be. Well I would love to meet or chat with every one over phone, to recall our days.
17th March' 2011

Memorable Journey Down the Lane!

2011-02-24T20:51:00.000+13:00

How do you feel, when you speak to some one, with whom you were associated in your prime / youth life at Indian School of Mines between 1966 to 1971, and that you are able to get connected after 4 long decades:

Arun Talwar - Mar'2006

I happen to get contact nos for our class mate Shashi Kapoor, and believe me I left no time to call him and what followed was opening of a Pandora Box with all the memories that took us back to 40 Yrs, when we passed out (1971). We all classmates took different paths in the hope of making our own destiny, some going to coal fields for there careers, and my going to Mosaboni Copper Mines, near Ghatsila Railway Station.

It was 23rd Feb '2011, my call to Shashi's home was picked up by his wife Mrs Veena Kapoor, fondly I called her for the first time Bhabhi. She wanted to know who is on-line, but I convinced her that I want to give a surprise, if I am at the right home of Shashi Kapoor. She said yes, although I believe she did had curiosity, but possibly I got her convinced, and my question to Shashi was can you recognize who is on the line. 40 yrs time, when some one least expects a call, what a surprise, when I told its Talwar calling!

My ears were glued with phone, and so was Shashi and then there was a tale of old sweet memories refreshed once again as if we were school talking to each other face to face.

Well after a chat of more than one hour, I did chatted with his wife, and exchanged our good will to invite each other.

Shashi Kapoor at 60's, his farewell!

Recently, I got photo of my dear friend Shashi Kapoor, at 60's I can with confidence, say even I could not recognize him, yes, if seen very closely, there is some resemblance, but that is it. His latest photo is here.

What followed was same day my email, to get an over view of my life, or where destiny took us:

Excerpts of my email are placed below:

Dear Shashi & Bhabhi Veena,

Hello to you and your family!

Nice talking to you today, and thought to catch up with you on email of 39yrs of absence that's on departure from Dhanbad.

What a life, we passed out in 1971, started my job on 01st Jan 1972, worked at Mosaboni until Dec' 1989, and then moved to Zambia from Dec' 1989 to Dec 1999. I was married in 1975, and have three children, two daughters (now moved to there homes) and one son, who has just completed his Masters last yr in Elect Engg and started his new job last year.

It was Mosaboni Mine which built our career both experience wise, and also academically as company sponsored me to Imperial College of Science & Technology / Royal School of Mines for my P G in Engg Rock Mechanics.

When I moved to Zambia, in Dec' 1989, my role was U/G Mining Specialist / Consultant etc. This was the place where we enjoyed our stay and earned good monies and lost also substantial monies of our life savings etc.

Time had come to leave Zambia, so we came here to New Zealand on holiday in Nov/Dec' 1996, and finally migrated to Auckland, NZ. My family settled here in Auckland in the year i.e Nov/Dec1996 to March' 1997, my elder daughter joined us here in Aug/Sept ' 1997.

My self, I packed up my boots for yet another over seas venture to Queensland, Australia via Auckland, in Feb '2000 after spending 10yrs in Zambia and spending some time with parents in Delhi from Dec' 1999 to Jan' 2000. But this job got fiddled out, due to immigration / work permit etc that my mining boots were hung up for ever.

I had been in touch with few friends, namely N S Dhanota (Ex-ISM), A B Deoras (Ex-ISM) , R P Prashara (ex-ISM) etc, along with our class mates, O P Arora (now do not have his contact details, is in Bombay or N Delhi), M S Sandhu (lost contact with him),R K Diwedi (lost contact with him when he left Mosaboni some time in 1973/74 etc.

Well yup Subash Jain is settled in Houstan, USA and Vijay Kumar (settled in Melbourne , Aussie), and more recently with Harsh V Sharma who is in Indonesia, S J Sibal I know he is retired from DGMS.

What ever details/contact details tel nos/email ID's U have pls send me.

You can also update our Xcel file and is on line also for you to update.

Best Wishes to you and your family, hope yr children (how many may be cricket team are all settled, but am told only one bowler you have).

I would appreciate your detail email, how's life has taken you, I do remember our school days, next visit to India we can have a gala together how's that!!!!

Reply soon.

Arun Talwar

ISM passing out Batch 1971!

2010-12-03T23:56:00.054+13:00

ISM Main Building Side View

Its been my pleasure to start this blog, as I thought best way to get connected with our class mates of 1971 batch, to which I belong, but is open to all ex-students, past and present including staff who has contributed so fondly to make us what we are today. I would like to share my days spent at Indian School of Mines, fondly to local people is known as Mining College.

Mission:

My mission is to see, if we all contribute to my blog, with memories, stories, photos etc of our days spent together at Mining College will be inspiration to our future generations, who will have some thing to read and to know of our days spent together. I know most of our friends / colleagues may not be computer novice, but there children will be, who could get every one connected and could chat with there parents to place there memories.

Brief Background:

The school was laid on the pattern of Royal School of Mines (RSM), London to impart studies in Mining and related fields. Later on the lines of RSM, London, ISM, Dhanbad, India was created on 09th Dec 1926; when his Excellency The Vice Roy Lord Erwin formally opened this great institute of excellence.

From 1926 to 1966, a span of 4 decades it was under the umbrella of Government of India, both during colonial and after independence with present Republic of India. It was granted university status, in the year 1967, which was during our period of study. I remember no body liked to get their batches, (emblems for our blazer) removed to new ones as old had Ashoka Lion on it, which earned a great respect when we used to travel on trains etc.

Location:

It is situated in the heart of India's major coking coal belt, so called Jharia Coal Belt. Its nearest rail station being DHANBAD, with ISM campus spread over 88 hectares, is fully residential and has facilities which I believe have been upgraded to match global institutes around the globe, as lot of constructions had been going during late. Late Prof G S Marwah’s time, when I happened to visit school way back in Jan to Aug’ 1983, to get my papers organized through him and Prof A K Ghosh for my admission to Imperial College of Science & Tech / Royal School of Mines, London, UK.

The School has links with reputed universities and institutes across the globe and has an alumni base all over the world. I can say with confidence, that students from our college earn lot of respect in universities here and abroad.

Our Days:

I joined ISM, Dhanbad, in July 1966 on the basis of all India entrance exams. Our director then was Prof D N Prasad (who I am told is no more, will write his memories separately, what a great teacher, professor, father, friend - respect he had in the hearts of students, both past and present. I was offered Mining Geophysics, which was my first option, which later, I changed to Mining, possibly when I entered second year and there after carried on to complete Mining Engineering degree in the year 1971.

So my passing out batch was 1971. We started with a mining engineering batch of around 90 students, but by final year we were 50, as some left us after 1st year, some after second and very few before the end of 3rd year.

Our first stay at ISM, was in barracks accommodation, (had upper and lower, we stayed in room no: 253, upper barracks) and me and my room mate Ashwani Sarin stayed together.

Later, in second year, we moved to Old Hostel, Room No: 88 and I lost my friend Ashwani Sarin who left us, to join Stephen College, in Delhi to pursue, English Honors and made his career as a Journalist along with many more.

In 1981, just few years after his graduation from Stephen College, head lines zoomed with a story of from my friend, Ashwani Sarin a then resident of Malviya Nagar, New Delhi regarding purchase of Kamala a mother of six children for two thousand rupees only. He attained many highs and lows, but I believe that he instead of becoming Mining Engineer became India's famous Journalist with lot of presidential awards in his kitty.

We did keep our friendship for many years, even after my passing out, but off late I have lost connection with him. Never know if we get connected through my blog.

Some where, in second year we moved to Old Hostel and stayed at Room no 81, single than twin sharing in first year, with neighbors as P D Sharma (fondly we used to call him Shastri, sadly he is no more), M S Sandhu, Subash Jain, V K Sawhney, P K Sharma, far end towards main road was room for Shashi Kapoor, and room facing road was Vinay Dewan (our senior).

Few others to recall were Virendar Sawhney (whom I managed to speak after 4 decades), Manjit Singh Sandhu, and O P Arora, S J Sibal (now retired from highest position DGMS), Subash Jain and many more.

Later when we were moving to 4th year, we moved to New Hostel at Room No: 81, which was ex- P K Chandiok my senior's room. He passed out in 1969 batch along with Mr. R D Passi and others.

We moved to final year in 1970 as our sessions were going almost 6 months behind schedule, and after our final exams, in Dec’ 1971, last part was to submit our final year thesis, as a prerequisite to complete degree was I may recall titled "Recent Developments in Linear Measuring Instruments" under the guidance of Prof S P Ahuja. Thesis was finally submitted on 27^th Dec’ 1971, and me and my fellow class mates who had completed left by Kalka Mail back to our home town, from where we first came to join our school. A feeling of satisfaction, also not knowing what future has is store for us.

On 28th Dec' 1971, I reached home as a free bird, had lot many thoughts going back of the mind. My parents, where happy to see that I am back home, possibly to be called in few months as Graduate Mining Engineer. But to my surprise, was O P Arora my classmate was waiting to at my house convincing my parents, before my arrival that they should leave my evening or night train back to Dhanbad, so that we could start our work at Mosaboni Mines, from 01st Jan' 1972. This happen to be our first job, unlike PGPT Training, it was company arranged.

Initially, I was a bit hesitant as I wanted to spend some time with my family, but later we both left to start our new career, and reached Dhanbad on 30th Dec and by taxi to Mosaboni on 31st Dec' 1971, and occupied New Hostel wing which was newly constructed for Graduate Trainee's at Mosaboni.

I stayed at Room No:10 with another graduate M S Raju from Raipur, and O P Arora and R K Diwedi lived together in adjacent Room no:9. This remained our home until May’ 1975, when I moved to ICC Flats as I was then engaged to my life partner.

We started on job training after first few weeks roaming in different departments, and had it was most enjoyable period we all had, as in New and Old Hostel had approximately 20 trainees, both graduate , diploma in mining and mechanical and later electrical also joined and we all lived there.

My memories for Mosaboni Mines is being blogged in yet another chapter, which all can read at:

http://mosabonimines.blogspot.com/

I had connection with Prof S P Ahuja, even after my marriage (Dec’1975) and we had our first baby (Dec’ 1976), she was few months old, when we stayed at his home, in staff colony. What a great time we spent together (1977), from our academic staff to family. Days. He had always been great inspiration to me, and our bondage grew more while I was in final year. I have not been able to connect with him, am told he possibly is settled with his son in Australia.

Some of the ex-ISM friends I am in touch with or was after passing out from school:

Subash Jain - settled in Houston, USA.
Vijay Kumar Agarwal - settled in Melbourne, Australia
N S Dhanota - settled in New Delhi, India.
R P Prashara - settled in Chandigrah, India.
R Y Kutumbe - settled in Nagpur, India.
A B Deoras - settled in Nagpur, India.
O P Arora - settled in Bombay or N Delhi, India.
R K Diwedi - settled in Allahabad, India.
K M Agarwal - settled in Tatanagar, India.
B B Sarkar - sadly he is no more, was settled in Tatanagar, India.
S B Sarkar - settled in Tatanagar, India.
S B Shrivastava - still works for ISM, Dhanbad, India.
H V Sharma - works in Indonesia.
G S Marwah (Prof) - Director of ISM - sadly he is no more now.
A K Ghosh - Prof in Mining Engineering.
Deepak Gupta - Inspector of Mines, settled in Goa.
Virendar Sawhney - settled in Gurgaon, India.
Shashi Kapoor - settled in Hyderabad.
Manjit Singh Sandhu – settled in Noida, Haryana, India.
P S Grewal - settled in Calcutta (met him last with my family way back in 1976 / 77's at Ranchi, just after Chasnala Disaster). Not in touch now.
S J Sibbal - last met him in Dhanbad, when he had two young daughters, way back in 1976 /77, and now retired awaiting response to my e-mail.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER:

On 21st July' 1969, old hostel balcony, in the midst of our exams for 3rd year (session was running late), is a great night to remember. All our class mates were glued to radio / transistor sets, for: Apollo 11- Moon Landing which took place on 21st July 1969:

We were staying at old hostel, we are were glued that night for news on radio's or transistor's (so do my classmates and me were no wonder were also glued to hear first hand news on there ears), along with all the world around the globe were awaiting eagerly to hear the news, of Apollo 11 flight which was heading towards moon for astronaut's to walk on moon soil.

Later, that night Astronaut Neil Armstrong and his mate Adrian walked on the soil of Moon, when all of us had a great sigh of relief and happiness.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1969-059A,

"The Lunar Module landed at 20:17:40 UT (4:17:40 p.m. EDT) in Mare Tranquilitatis (the Sea of Tranquility), Armstrong reporting, "Houston, Tranquility Base here - the Eagle has landed."

Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface at 02:56:15 UT on 21 July (10:56:15 p.m. July 20 EDT).

Following are the notes from above web site, along with what Neil Armstrong spoke when he stepped on moon.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind",

And Aldrin followed 19 minutes later.

The astronauts deployed the EASEP and other instruments, took photographs, and collected 21.55 kg of lunar rock and soil.

Briefly, astronauts traversed a total distance of about 250 meters. The EVA ended at 5:11:13 UT when the astronauts returned to the lunar module and closed the hatch."

Those words spoken by Neil Armstrong became great words / quote of all time, which people still speak with love and respect."

Well for more details, one can refer above web site, for some of the greatest photos mankind could see.

Journey / Era at ISM were half way through:

At the end of 3rd year or beginning of 4th year, our batch moved to New Hostel and my room was in front wing room no 88, which was previously occupied by my senior friend Mr. P K Chandiok (who was a great inspiration to me in person, for hard work, to achieve your goals).

My next room mate was Mr. Subash Jain (now settled in Houston, USA), with whom I got connected in the year 2000, when I moved from Zambia for good to Auckland, via Alumni .com, since then we are in touch with each other over phone along with Vijay K Agarwal, who even traveled to Auckland and we spent some time together with nostalgia with our families.

Until 2009, I was only in touch with Subash Jain mostly over phone, when one day I got a call that his son is coming for honey mooning to our Auckland. His son arrived here on 25th Dec' 2008 on Christmas Morning, we received him, at the Auckland airport brought him & his wife to our home, with whatever fellow friend hospitality could have been offered. His son could not believe how a tradition of ISM for fellow class mates/ juniors / seniors etc still persists to this day. Hope fully he enjoyed whatever little time he had with us. I have added dual photo of Shashi Kapoor (left facing) & Subash Jain (right facing) of ISM days.

His wife Swati & Mahyul, with me and my wife along with our eldest daughter Gitanjali & grand daughter Meera, for some of the happy moments we spent together on Christmas afternnoon of Dec' 2008.

Recently on 21st April' 2011, Subash Jain sent me his family photo, with his son and daughter - there families along with proud parents with grand children in there laps. Compare the photo of Subash Jain with ISM days, no body can recognize him. See how our bodies have changed over the past 40 yrs. I can only recognize him, with his voice, until we may have an opportunity to meet once gain in our life's.

Some of the traditions of ISM graduates are greater bondage, right from entering the college to this day when we are all retired from active mining life. Seniors help juniors for school notes, books, hosting them when we used to go for field training in different mining fields, whether coal or metal mines, both open cast or underground, only thing we always saw was who ex-ISM is working as a Manager there. I am forgetting name of the person, who was our draftsman, who could from his memory would tell us so and so is working in that mine etc. for us to facilitate our training to the best.

Some more memories are for our Mess System:

I mean our mess system, which was fully run by students. In the year 1966, we used to spend & three rupees per day, I mean a total mess bill of Rupees 80 to 90, and by the time we passed out in 1971, our mess bill was rupees 100 to 120.
I recall, when in our 1st year our bill rose to Rs4.00 per day, there was too much of hue and cry. Later that exercise of running mess, fell on my hands along with few class mates like Sawhney, Sandhu, Syal etc, and our mess bill was record the lowest of my stay in ISM which was Rs. 2.70, per day (all meals, break fast, lunch, evening tea and dinner etc), amounting to Rs. 81.00 pm. What a satisfaction, we got it, and the whole story went like wild fire to our seniors, who could hardly believe it?
We did it, by getting things on whole sale prices, doing survey the market, where we could get groceries, eggs, meat etc at reasonable prices.
We could sustain our life at parents expense of rupees 150 to 200 per month. This I believe must be around Rs 3000.00 to Rs. 4000.00 per month won’t know what correct figure is this day. But see, if some one could help me from passing our batches.
To this day, every one will remember Ram Dhani ki Chai, near rear gate after L - Block (although current topography has changed quite a lot as during Prof G S Marwah, Director who did lot of constructions etc, to what school is today.

Prof S B Shrivastava

One day, I would love to see my school, again as I still have one connection known to me from ISM and MSB days and has invited me to visit school, is Prof S B Shrivastava to whom I recently spoke after many years over phone, since we left for Zambia in Dec' 1989.

Famous Eating Places for us:

Money Mess, we used to call, when we used to go out our school, just situated on the left of Main Gate, on the road side Dhaba which goes to Asonsol. Here in our days, we used to get our dosas, idlis, vadas, uptham etc along with samber etc. One could get his fill in just Rs. 2.00, what is today?
I believe no one will forget our milk with pera, or masala chai with Ganesh Shop at Dhanbad Railway Station.

Dhanbad Railway Station

Night Adventure Near Dhanbad Railway Station:

One night, some where when we were in New Hostel, S J Sibal, Subash Jain and Shashi Kapoor and myself took a rickshaw for night adventure to Dhanbad Railway Station rapped up our body in white bed sheet, like a dhoti to have Ganesh Shop Chai. We kept on smiling, making fun, laughing all through till we returned that night to hostel.

I will continue later again, to complete my memories. God bless, turned +60, retired from active mining life and joy to see children settling now and spending playing time with my grand kids.

(updated 05 05 2011).