My Story - Part 1

India was partitioned into India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1947-48.  Our house fell in the domain of East Pakistan.  I attended Itna high school and was a top student.   When my father suddenly passed away with small pox in 1957, my family left for Jamshedpur, India with my eldest brother Ranjit , who was 22 years old and working in Tisco, Jamshedpur.  My mathematics teacher, Amulya Bose, asked me to stay with him to finish my matriculation, as I was expecting to create a record for my school.  I did my matriculation with a scholarship from East Pakistan Secondary Education board, Dhaka in 1958.

  

I decided to come to join Calcutta University for my intermediate science degree (I.Sc.), but needed a passport to come from East Pakistan to India and maintain my scholarship. 

(East Pakistan, 1958)

  

I became an Indian citizen using the picture above for my passport and is the earliest photo I have of myself.  Attended Ranaghat College, Calcutta University from 1958-1960.  Stayed with my cousin, Shanti didi and commuted everyday from Chakdah to Ranaghat by train.

  

Finished my inter science in  1960 with 1st Division and scholarship. 

I was lucky to be in a picture in “Raja Saja”, with Famous Bengali actor, Uttam Kumar.

 

Joined Jadarpur University for bachelor of Telecommunication engineering in 1960.  Stayed with my sister-in-law for a few months.  Mukhirjee’s house for a year and then in University residence.  Most memorable achievement was becoming assistant Secretary and Vice-chairman of the student Union. 

In 1961, on the eve of the Chinese aggression, I had the privilege of attending an emergency meeting with Dr. Chester Bowles, US ambassador to India and  close advisor for President J.F. Kennedy.  Also attending was Dr. Triguna Sen, our rector and future education Minister in India under Ghandi's cabinet. It was a very memorable moment in my life. 

By 1964, I received my B.Sc. (Eng) degree.  During this period, I finished my Diploma in German Language, Max Muller Bhavan, Calcutta 1964.  Lucky to get a job as a research scholar with NML, council of scientific and industrial research, Government of India. 

(Delhi 1965)

This gave me a chance to live with my mother and family for a period of one and a half years.  I was promoted to Scientist, gazetted officer and was sent to Trombay Atomic Energy of India in 1965.

(Bombay, 1965)

I was the youngest Scientist in our isotope division and stayed in Sanai, Bombay.

(Isotope Lab 1965)

Enjoyed my stay in Bombay for six months.  At this time a dream was conceived to come to Canada for my masters in electrical engineering.  Received a national research council of Canada scholarship of $150/mth, started preparing for my new journey in life...

  

Reached Canada on September 15, 1966 and joined Nova Scotia Technical College to do my masters of Electrical Engineering.