ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

WHY YOU NEED SUCCESS TO SUCCEED IN LIFE?

by 1 Comment

Dr. S CHAKRABORTY

Success is what everybody wants in every sphere of life and failure is abhorred, something that nobody wants. I would like to press for a discussion on one of the aspects of success, a part more related with my field. Let’s start with two analogy;
1)When Mike Tyson , the infamous heavy weight champion returned to boxing ring, his promoter made him to fight against a lesser fighter, whom he could defeat with his hands tied to back. But still he fought and won in 90 seconds. Subsequently he went ahead and challenged bigger challengers like Frank Bruno and regained his heavy weight title by defeating him.
2) The premier football clubs of Europe exposes their talented upcoming players initially to lesser clubs so that they can score more and taste success.
Both are examples of’ Winner effect’. Whenever somebody tastes success for the first time, it leads to tremendous changes in ones brain. It forms new neural circuits, activates older one , increased exchange of information between right and left half of brain and more importantly activates that part of brain which is involved in out of the box thinking, gut feeling, intuition and creativity. It also stimulate our frontal region of brain involved in making quick on the foot decisions. So first success acts as springboard and makes the person prepared and equipped for more success eventually. He starts to behave like a successful person and brain just augments it. He makes wise decisions, has more haunches, picks up winners among pack of losers etc. And for that, the quantum of success doesn’t matter. So a Rs 100 profit in first business will have the same winner effect as that of a Rs 1 crore profit. It also changes the attitude of that person and makes him more mentally resilient so that failures which are always just round the corner, will be handled maturedly. Failure no longer remains fatal. Rather it becomes a good teacher with loads of lessons.
Winner effect is increasingly recognized because it could be used by every body, from student preparing for entrance exams to a wannabe entrepreneur. All this is because of tremendous research being done on neuroplasticity , which suggests the enormous ability of brain to undergo transformation\change at any age. Gone are those concepts which states that brain doesn’t grow beyond first year if life. Now its principle is ‘Use it to fatten it or leave it to shrunk it’. Neuro plasticity explains the power of positive thoughts on physical structure of brain by remodeling it. In practice we see huge difference in the recovery of two patients of same sided paralysis, receiving same treatment but with different attitude towards their condition and about life in general. Not only positive people responds quickly but objectively as well their brain scan differs with appearance of alternative and new neural circuit.
First failure on the contrary could be detrimental unless you are part of a society where risk taking and entrepreneurship is encouraged. Though it could be harnessed and can act as a motivator but a overwhelming majority fails to recover unless receives strong support from family and friends. For example the first international cricket game of Saurav Ganguly in Australia was a disaster. He just disappeared, soaked up all the ridicule and criticism for three years and made a strong come back with debut century at Lords cricket ground.
Take home message; Winner effect is a fact. Anybody can harness it. So instead of diving headlong in your venture, allow yourself a taste of success by hand picking a relatively easy project at the outset.

 

ARE YOU LISTENING OR JUST HEARING?

by Leave a Comment

Dr S CHAKRABORTY

We are given two ears and one mouth for a reason. God knew listening is twice as hard as speaking.

Right from birth to death, the first and most used skill is listening but we always take it for granted. We take coaching for speaking, stage mannerism, to be grammatically correct and all, with just one assumption that our audience is absolutely attentive and truly listening us. Is it so? With only 2% of people being taught listening as a skill, its too much of a ask with a mobile in hand.
So what exactly is true/emphatic listening?

So as the chinese symbol suggests, listening not only needs ears but also undivided attention along with connecting with the heart of speaker while making eye contact.
For most people listening means waiting for your turn to speak or preparing for your next question. Due to this 70% of all communication are misunderstood, misinterpreted, distorted or not heard at all.
True listening depends on three skills; attention , attitude and adjustment. It is a active process and one needs to train oneself. Our brain inherently thinks four time faster than we can speak. We speak at 200- 300 words per minute but can think at 1000 – 1200 words per minute. So it gives us enough free time as a listener, for the mind to wander and go away from the topic. By default our attention will be hard to focus because of this extra time. We need to use this time to listen emphatically by analyzing the content of talk, feelings of the speaker, looking for non verbal cues to know whether he means what he is saying, refrain ourself from completing the sentence of speaker and finally to summarize or reflect back what he said.
Why listening is important?
It is our primary communication activity. Our listening habits are not the result of training but rather due to the lack of it. It is the most important skill that a employer searches before hiring and a patient desperately seeks before consulting a doctor.
Why listening is hard?
We are always pre occupied with the past or future, may not like the speaker or his mannerism, our own anxiety/stress before coming to listen or often having a idea in mind what the person ‘ should do’, makes it hard to listen to that persons point of view.
Finally a good listener tries to understand thoroughly what the speaker is trying to say. In the end he may disagree sharply but before he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is, that he is disagreeing with.

 

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part XXXI, (Continued from last week)
Santiago’s story convinced the fugitives that he was not sent to look for them. He would, of course, on his return, report the matter to Cadell. But, by that time, God willing they would be too far for any pursuit.

“How long do you propose to camp here, Santiago?”, Hemraj asked.

“Well, a month, perhaps, or even two. Kwangtung will come after a fortnight with some supplies. I’ll send a report and some convict gangs may come to commence plantation work. That was the plan. What are your plans Hemraj?”.

Hemraj stiffened. Was Santiago trying to extract information from him? He should give a misleading reply so that any pursuers will be thrown off their scent.

“We’re thinking of halting at Coco Island for some time, and then head for Burma”, he told Santiago.
Santiago fell silent for a while.

“Hemraj, you’re my friend. I have also come here as a convict, just like you. My status is but slightly better than yours, because of the colour of my skin. Otherwise I too am just a number in the convict register maintained by Col. Cadell. I promise you I’ll never reveal our meeting to anyone, but I have to share some information so that you may choose a safe route for your escape”.

Santiago sounded sincere enough.

“What information?” Hemraj enquired.

“Even you might have heard about it. Right from the days of Gen. Barwell there have been many proposals for leasing out Greater Coco Island. It was believed Barwell was planning to give it to some party with whom he had some underhand dealings.

“As per the standard practice a tender has to be floated for the lease. When the tender was published three businessmen from Calcutta applied for the lease. Two Parsis, Eduljee and Pestonjee, and one Guzdar have placed bids for Great Coco. One Mr. W.A. Sheppard had placed a bid for Little Coco. Just when the tenders were being finalized a new person stepped in.

“Sherlock Hare was believed to be close to Gen. Barwell. It was also rumoured that he paid a fat bribe to Barwell to get the lease. Sherlock Hare outbid the others by offering 10,000 rupees per annum for Great Coco. He also offered to by the government steamer Constance for 5000 rupees.

“The haste with which Sherlock Hare’s bid was accepted led to the belief that it was shady deal. It was widely believed that Barwell tried to sell of the island. The other contenders Eduljee and Pestonjee and one D. Mohammad and Company of Calcutta who applied for trading rights in Nicobar complained to the government. Gen. Barwell was removed and Col. Cadell posted in his place.

“Cadell, being an upright man demanded that Sherlock pay his rent on time. Sherlock defaulted on the payments claiming he could not harvest enough coconuts to make a profit. Cadell cancelled the lease immediately, but Sherlock went to court in London.

During the investigation it was also revealed that Sherlock had a history of mental illness. Finally the lease was cancelled and the control given to the Chief Commissioner of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Ships are frequently plying to the island as Col. Cadell wanted to build some fortifications there recognizing the strategic importance of the Island. It would be foolish on your part to go the Coco Islands in the present situation.

Hemraj understood that Santiago was telling the truth. But still he did not want to disclose to him the course he has charted in his mind.

“Well, Santiago, we propose to leave by first light tomorrow. We shall avoid Coco Island but head directly for the Burmese coast. But do report the matter to Col.Cadell when you go back. Also give him this rifle. I fired only one shot from it. I don’t need it anymore.” Hemraj returned the weapon and the cartridges to Santiago.

Hemraj understood that the gun would be a liability once reached mainland India. It would draw the attention of the people and help recapture. By insisting that Santiago report the matter to Cadell he can put the manhunt off their scent by sending them towards Burma instead of India.

“I wish you all the best my friends,” Santiago said as he shook hands with them all.

The men dragged the whaler to the sea and launched her in preparation for next morning’s sail. All the stores have been stowed carefully on the boat. The water casks were filled. Half the crew slept on the boat while the others slept in the camp, waiting for daybreak. ( To be continued…)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part XXIX, (Continued from last week)

Santiago reached the shore with easy strokes. He took in the oars and jumped out pulling the boat high on to the beach. He took the head rope and made it fast to a tree stump close to the shore. He started taking things out from the boat. Suddenly, in the middle of his actions he froze. He lifted his head up and smelled the air.

Sheobrat looked at Hemraj, waiting for a silent signal to shoot. Hemraj shook his head. Killing a man before setting out on the last leg of their epic journey would be dangerous, and also inauspicious. He could see that Santiago got the smell of their campfire. He may suddenly push back into the sea and report the matter. Instead, it would be better to reveal themselves to him, and find out what his intentions were in coming to the island.

“Hello Saniago,” Hemraj said as he stepped into the open. Sheobrat kept watch from behind, the rifle hidden behind his back.

“Oh my God, is that you Hemraj?” Santiago said, with genuine surprise. “Everyone thinks you must be safe in India by now.”

Santiago and Hemraj were on very good terms. Both were convicts. Both were good sailors. The camaraderie of the sea brought them together.

“Well, we had bad weather, and had to take shelter many times, But what brings you here?”, Hemraj asked.

“Please let me pull this boat a little higher and land the provisions. Then we shall sit and talk. Be assured that I have not come searching for you”, Santiago said, with a smile.

The men pulled the boat high on to the beach, taking stock of the things kept in the boat. There were digging implements, provisions and seedlings of many types of plants in the boat.

Once the boat was secured the men sat down around Santiago. Wads of tobacco were offered, pipes lit and some coconuts opened.

“You must be aware that Capt. Wimberley was planning to expand the plantations in the Islands. He wants to have useful trees in as many uninhabited islands as possible, which may be of use to shipwrecked sailors. I have been sent as a pioneer to look for locations where useful trees could be planted.”

Hemraj was aware that Gen. Barwell and Col. Cadell have written to the Home Department to send some European convicts having knowledge of agriculture to appointed as overseers. There was only one response. The governor of Presidency Jail, Calcutta informed that one convict John Lonergan, was willing to take up the assignment. He was the only European prisoner in the jail, but proved to be so useful to the jail authorities that they were unwilling to part with him.

John Lonergan was not highly educated but a gifted person in many ways. He was fluent in the dialects of Bengal and Bihar and could also interpret Italian and Spanish. His knowledge of agriculture was restricted to maintaining a garden. But he was willing to go to Andamans as it meant ‘free’ status.

“Is Lonergan coming to join you”, Hemraj asked.

“No, not yet”. The people in Calcutta are terrified of the Andamans after what Crawford reported on his return”, Santiago answered.

Hemraj had seen Crawford but never knew the reason why he was sent up. He kept aloof from others and hardly spoke even to the Europeans.

“What did Crawford do?”, Hemraj asked. His intention was to keep Santiago engaged in conversation to know if there was any hidden intention in his visit.

“That’s a long story”, Santiago said as he took a long pull at his pipe. “But I’ll tell you, as there’s nothing better to do today. After that you can tell me your story, what you did all these days and what your plans are. I give you my word that I’m not here to search for you or report about you on my return. Anyway the Kwangtung will return after a month.”

“He was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. He had served for thirty two and half years in the Subordinate Medical Department of the Bengal Establishment before retiring with a pension of Rupees 80 and Annas 7 (a princely sum in 1859). He was a successful medical practitioner and well known in the European circles of Calcutta. Michael Richard Crawford lived a contented life in Colonial Calcutta, supplementing his pension with the money he earned from his practice and surrounded by his large family of a wife and eight children, mostly girls. Life seemed comfortable.

“And then one night there was a knock on the door. ‘Police, open up,’ said a gruff voice. A shocked Crawford was arrested and taken away, to be produced before a judge. When he enquired what his crime was he was told that he had ‘witnessed’ a forged Will. A stern-faced judge sentenced the poor pensioner to eight years of penal servitude in the Andamans.

“Crawford pleaded that he was led by some people to sign the Will, which he unsuspectingly signed. Nothing was known of the people who made him sign the Will, or the beneficiaries of the Will. Poor Crawford, advanced in years and suffering from impaired vision, repeated attacks of fever and fits of asthma was sent away to the Calcutta House of Correction, where the main task of convicts was breaking stones. There was uproar in the European community.Crawford was quite popular among them as a gentle and amicable person. A petition, signed by 600 prominent people was submitted to Sir J.P. Grant, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, requesting him for mitigation of the sentence. It was in his powers to do so. But the LG declined saying it was submitted too soon after the passing of the sentence. Unable to bear the shame of serving his sentence in the city where he lived all his life Crawford applied for transfer to Andamans. In 1861 he was sent to Andamans as a ticket-of-leave convict — a better option as he would be free to move about the town unlike in Calcutta where he would be confined and made to do hard labour.

“Crawford came to the Islands during the tenure of Lt. Col. Tytler. Tytler treated him humanely. He was a model prisoner, much liked by the officers and inmates alike. His descriptive roll said that he was capable of performing ‘the duties of a clerk should such be requisite’. His character was shown as ‘very good’. His knowledge of medicine came handy in the Haddo and Ross hospitals. But the problems associated with the tropical climate started telling upon his health. Moreover the government stopped his pension, reducing his family, “to the levels below widows and orphans”. Obviously someone was behind the plot to send Crawford to the Andamans.

“After serving for about two years in the Andamans Crawford sent a long petition in flowery language addressed to Lord Elgin, the Viceroy and Governor General of India. The letter dated Port Blair 6th July 1863 begs for remission of the reminder of his sentence so that he may go back to his family living in dire poverty in Calcutta. He enclosed a certificate of good conduct from the Calcutta Jail and House of Correction, citing how he refused to run away during the famous Jailbreak of 10 March 1861. Col.Tytler also recommended his release saying how another convict, James Grimes, sentenced to 14 years for attempt to murder, had been released by his predecessor. At last the government relented and ordered that Crawford may be released after completing half his sentence. Within six months Crawford was on his way back, lucky to be able to return alive from Kala Pani.

“After his return Crawford refused to mingle with the European community in Calcutta. He also spread reports of the horrors of working in the Andamans, the climate, the diseases, and, the frequent murders. No European prisoners volunteer to come to the Andamans now. Soon I’ll be the only white convict here, and I’m seriously thinking of taking a native wife and settling down here.

Santiago finished his narrative.

“Well, let’s have something to eat now and then I’ll tell you my plans”, Hemraj said as the men rose to prepare food. (To be continued…..)

Chakraborty Multi Specialty Hospital celebrates 6th Anniversary

by Leave a Comment

Port Blair, Apr 06: Chakraborty Multi Specialty Hospital celebrates its 6th Anniversary on 6th April 2014. From a very humble clinic, the hospital today has become a multispecialty hospital with a team of 10 doctors. Many unique & rare cases have been done here right from Pacemaker implantation, Urosurgery, Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal surgery to its upcoming Heart Care Centre.
The hospital has performed many free camps at far flunged areas of Port Blair, Mayabunder, Rangat & Diglipur. Infact the budget for this year’s anniversary celebration is being diverted to treatment of Mr. Parimal Das of Diglipur (a c/o Orbital Neurofibroma) to mainland, for which hospital has contributed nearly Rs. 60,000.
Hospital plans to invest further on infrastructure so that Islanders need not to go to mainland for treatment. However the only hitch is reimbursement of Government employees.
It is so ironic that when a patient receives treatment at mainland, his or her bills are reimbursed but not when he receives same treatment at a hospital which is near to his or her home.
Reimbursement of treatment received here will go a long way in helping the islanders as well as encouraging young doctors like Dr. Chakraborty to come back to their hometown and offer their services. The way hotel industry is encouraged by the administration, in the same manner it’s high time now that private hospitals should be encouraged so that islanders can pick & choose hospital according to their liking and faith.

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

 

N. Francis Xavier
Part XXVII, (Continued from last week)

Hemraj woke up with a start. It was the unmistakable rattle of an anchor cable going down. He aroused the men and with gestures motioned them into the bushes nearby. Climbing a nearby tree he looked towards the direction from which the sound came.

The government gunboat Kwangtung was visible in the distance. He knew the Kwangtung well. It was supposed to be off to China. It must have come back after a re-fit and immediately pressed into service.

A boat was being lowered over the side of the Kwangtung.

Hemraj watched anxiously as it splashed into the water. It had a single occupant. As soon as the boat touched the water the man released the davit ropes. Kwangtung hauled in its anchor as it backed into deeper water. Leaving a thick cloud of black smoke the ship turned round and headed back to the open sea.

The lone boatman shipped a pair of oars and began pulling directly in the direction where Hemraj and the men were hiding.

Sheobratstarted loading the rifle when Hemraj looked down. He made a sign to Sheobrat to stop. He knew the man in the boat.

Even from the distance Hemraj could make out the powerful frame of Santiago. Soon after he got into the boat the man took off his shirt. His back and forearms were filled with tattoos. Instantly Hemraj recognized him.Everyone in Port Blair knew Santiago, one of the white convicts sent to the Andamans during the early days of the settlement.

European convicts have been transported to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the early days of the penal settlement. They have been sent up for a variety of crimes like murder, culpable homicide, robbery, theft, mutiny, forgery, rape, perjury, criminal breach of trust, deserting ship etc.,

The white convicts were segregated from the natives, but were put to work nevertheless. Although leniently treated and given better food the white prisoners still had to perform their prison tasks.

The white convicts were mostly sailors, labourers, quarrymen, soldiers, railway workers, blacksmiths, masons or carpenters. But occasionally there were some high profile criminals like surgeons, surveyors and lawyers.

Before the penal settlement at Andamans came up two exclusive penitentiaries existed for European offenders in India – one at Hazaribagh and the other at Ooty. Calcutta too had a ‘House of Correction’ for white criminals.

When the penal colony was started in the Andamans letters were sent out to the prisons on the mainland asking for European prisoners who knew some trade that can be of use in the budding colony. A free pardon, permission to be at large, remission of sentence etc., were the incentives offered to European prisoners willing to volunteer to go to the Andamans.

The response was overwhelming. Petitions, memorials and applications were submitted in large numbers through the jail officials to the Lt. Governor of Bengal, or direct to the Governor General.

One such was the case of Santiago.

Hemraj was already in the Andamans when Santiago arrived. From the very first day he became notorious for his violent temper. But, being experts with oar and sail a good camaraderie sprung up between Hemraj and Santiago.

Santiago Gregory was an employee of the East India Railway Company. He came to India in the service of the East India Company and continued to work in the Railways even after the Mutiny. The pay was good and India was more fascinating than England. Many decided to take a native wife and settle down in India. Santiago also did the same.

During a long sail he told Hemrajhis story.

He was working at Sahebgunj, a railway town with a large white population. A loop line of the East India Railway was being constructed so that it connects Sahebgunj with the Howrah mainline.

The Santhal Rebellion prompted the British to develop the town and the surrounding areas including the ancient town of Rajmahal and post good number of police and military personnel there.

With many ancient monuments dating back to the Mughal times and the forests full of game Rajmahal was a veritable paradise for the rulers. It became necessary to connect the town with the railways when the Ganges changed its course making it lose its strategic importance.

When he started work at Sahebgunj Santiago was forty-eight, a powerfully built man with massive, tattooed arms. He was a heavy drinker too, prone to getting into brawls.

One evening, after a bout of heavy drinking Santiago got into a fight with another white man. Blows were exchanged. But the blows from Santiago’s powerful fists proved deadly for the other man. As the case involved British subjects Santiago was brought before the Commissioner of Rajmahal. First Santiago denied the crime, a mistake he would regret later.

The case went before the Supreme Court and Santiago was found guilty. He was sentenced to life with hard labour and sent to Alipore.

Santiago felt he did not deserve such a harsh sentence. His contention was that had he admitted the crime in the first place he would have got a much lighter sentence. He pleaded that the blows inflicted on the deceased were dealt only in the excitement of the moment in self defence and in return for those sustained. He pleaded for remission of a part of the sentence as he had a large family that would be left without support due to his imprisonment. However, in case this is not possible, he prayed to be sent to the Andamans, “where he may sufficiently atone for the wrong he has done, by his usefulness in felling and hewing as also sail-making.” He also had an extra qualification — his ability to speak Hindustani and Bengali.

After a prolonged correspondence the Governor General relented and ordered the transfer of Santiago to the Andamans, along with another convict. Thereafter things moved fast; passage was arranged for both convicts on the steamer Arracan, which was about to sail from Calcutta. Santiago boarded the vessel on Sunday 2nd November 1862 and sailed for the Andamans via Moulmein.

It was Santiago’s expertise in sail-making that brought him in contact with Hemraj. Both would spend hours checking the rigging of the many sailboats and ships in Port Blair. They would accompany expeditions to the outer islands in search of areas that could be developed as future settlements for the growing penal colony.

The veins stood out as Santiago pulled on the oars with his powerful arms. The boat moved forward easily with each stroke.

Why was Santiago dropped off here? Was he on a spying mission? But Cadell would never send a lonely man against eleven desperate convicts. The men watched with bated breath as the boat neared the shore. (To be continued…..)

AN EVENT THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD

by Leave a Comment

Dr. Sudip Chakraborty
As a doctor we always search for explanation for things that fall in our domain. Here I would like to narrate an incident that has baffled me more than 3 years now and I don’t have any reasoning for it. Hope this article will somehow solve the mystery. Of course there is no denying the life changing perspective overhaul that the event did to me. Problems are now easier to solve.
Three years back, one day an elderly male patient was brought to our hospital in an unresponsive state, without a pulse and non recordable Bp. The man apparently fell while feeding chickens and lost consciousness since then. Immediately I went ahead with emergency CPR with DC shock of 100 joules. Meanwhile intubation and securing of airway was done. Encouraged by return of pulse, I went ahead and connected the patient to a ventilator. Everything went fast and we revived the patient. A diagnosis of complete heart block (pulse is inadequate to perfuse vital organs) was made by ECG. After explaining the relatives, immediate temporary pacemaker was implanted. Patient became absolutely fine with a good controlled pulse and Bp. He was taken off from ventilator and soon he was talking with the relatives.
While all these things were going on and I was preparing for pacemaker implantation, another person came to causality with an unresponsive baby aged 1-2 years. I gave a quick look and felt for pulse. Found him to be cold and pulse was absent. It was obvious to me as well as to the kids parents that the baby was dead long back and they want confirmation. As my attention was completely on my previous treatable patient, I quickly did the formalities. I then went back to my earlier patient and engrossed myself with his treatment.
Within two days, we removed temporary pacemaker and implanted a permanent pacemaker. Patient tolerated the whole procedure beyond my expectation and looked in great shape. On the third day, when the storm of emergency went away and all looked perfectly settled, suddenly a thought came to my mind. This gentleman was pulse less when brought, don’t know for how long. So what did he experienced in that interim state of near death? I casually went to him and asked.
He explained that he was feeding chickens when a voice that resembled his elder brother, called him. He stopped his act and tried to go in the direction of that voice. It appeared to come from a house with closed doors and a baby was crying infront of the door. He picked the baby, opened the closed door, dropped the baby inside the room. He saw his brother inviting him in. Before he could respond, somebody pulled him and he found himself in hospital. To continue the conversation, I asked who that kid was, he replied Varun (name changed). A relative who was there listening the conversation, shouted in horror “doctor, it’s the same kid who was brought dead to you while you were treating him and his elder brother died 30 years back”.
I stood there motionless, tongue dry and a chill running down my spine. All the nurses and ayah in that room were also shocked and speechless.
Somehow I dragged myself to home. For two days my thoughts were constantly oscillating between what he said and tried to explain the proceedings but in vain. How did he know about the kid and why he picked him, of all his neighbors? He was not told about his death by anyone. Somehow I carried out my duties and discharged him fine on seventh day of admission.
When he came for follow up after 15 days, he found me uneasy, infact the whole hospital staff to be spooked. He then gave me a quote; Death touches us all and smiles at us, all we can do is keep ourselves ready and smile back. He said every morning he prepares himself ready to meet death any time and lives the day as if there is no tomorrow. Since then, day to day struggle and source of tension of ours, looks immaterial and trivial.
He is fine now. He meets me once every three months with a smile of a man who has discovered how to really live life as it should be, unafraid of all the imaginary and anticipated problems that hound us.

DE ADDICTION CENTRE; NEED OF THE HOUR

by Leave a Comment

Dr Sudip Chakraborty, MD(Medicine)

If you see just one week collection of any local newspaper, one thing you will find common and that is alcohol and other drugs related incidents, either directly or indirectly. The latest haul of ganja, mushrooming of bars near places where it shouldn’t be and my personal experience as a clinician, seeing alcohol related health issues that stares at your face daily, leaves me numb .I know fully well that treating alcohol related complications are like brushing garbage under the carpet. He will come again in a week or so.

It’s so easy to read it on paper, have a debate on the issue, criticize the concerned authorities and move on as if you have done your part. Yes it’s high time now as a community, we must arise and be more pro active, so that our coming generation are not consumed and destroyed by this menace and we are not left with the guilt that if only we would have been more pro active and mobilized the society, things would have been better.

How bad is the scenario? 09 out of a scale of 10. And I can say that because Iam dealing with young alcoholics day in & day out, not even 20 years of age with liver damage beyond repair even at the best of centres. Add to it, the indirect effects of it like marital disharmony, accidents, loss of job, rising incidents of concomitant recreational drug use like ganja, codeine based cough syrups etc, believe me it’s very bad. Recently lost 3 young earning member of a family to alcoholic liver cirrhosis not before they have lost every penny to alcohol and its treatment related expenses. I think every person in these Islands knows either a relative or known to, who has an alcohol related problem.

Do we really need alcohol to add to our misery when already our hands are full with malaria, dengue , Andaman fever, rising diabetes, heart attacks and oral cancer?

Let’s be realistic. I don’t expect anytime in near future our society to be alcohol free. It has been there since civilization. The point is to help those people who cross the thin line between social drinker and getting addicted. If you need a eye opener drink early in the morning, has guilt feeling due to alcohol use, your social and occupational duties getting affected due to alcohol, than definitely you have crossed that line. You also need to stop if you have alcohol related health issues like alcoholic liver disease, pancreatitis, gastropathy and diabetes mellitus.

How do you eat an elephant? Definitely not at one gulp but in pieces. Similarly alcohol addiction has taken an elephantine proportion and we can only solve it in pieces.

This article is actually intended to be a conduit for all the islanders who are fed up with alcohol issues and would like to make a change. I dream to start a independent, collective NOT FOR PROFIT deaddiction centre where any addiction can be treated scientifically, hollisticaly and by using proven alternative methods if needed. Rehabilitation of those troubled souls will be included in that as well. I can arrange for psychiatrist, trained deaddiction councilors who ensures continuous follow up, if needed home visit, nurses and other medical infrastructures. What I need is lots of constructive ideas of like minded people, funds to start and maintain, road map to proceed etc. I know it’s a herculean task but if only we unite and take the most difficult first step, everything else will fall in place.

So if you are interested so please join on the Facebook page of this news paper or can call in mobile number 9932084868. Soon we will convene a meeting. It’s time to give something back to the islands.

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier, Part XXVI
(Continued from last week)

Mr Homfray and Mr Portman waited at Ross jetty, next to the steam barge. A light plume of smoke rose from the smoke stack of the boat. Lascars waited to cast off the ropes as soon as the Superintendent embarked. Col. Cadell will inspect Chatham Island today.
Standing next to Mr Homfray was Jacko, his Great Andamanese friend. Jacko was the one who had been taken to Calcutta by Dr F.J. Mouat in January 1858.

Col. Cadell arrived in a rickshaw, pulled and pushed by four convicts. Capt. Birch rode behind him on a pony. Homfray and Portman saluted and greeted Cadell. He jumped off the rickshaw and boarded the vessel. Straightaway he went to the wheel house and took his seat next to the master’s chair. The boat headed towards Chatham.

On the lower deck Birch told Portman and Homfray that the Superintended wished to locate some sites on Chatham for watch towers where he wanted to station marksmen to shoot at any escapees from Viper. It is likely that Hemraj’s escape might have encouraged some convicts to follow his example. Most of the people in the settlement started believing that the fugitives must have made it to the mainland safely and reunited with their families.

The barge rubbed gently against the stone jetty. The gangway was placed and Col. Cadell strode briskly on to the road. The officers and men followed. They crossed the brickwork structure built by Archibald Blair to supply water to the boats from the reservoir on the hillock. Beyond the sheds for storing timber and the barracks for convalescent convicts was the second high ground on the island.

Cadell and party made their way to the top. From there they had a clear view of the channel on either side of Chatham. Riflemen from there would be able fire upon escapees before a boat could be launched to pursue and apprehend them.

Cadell told the Executive Engineer to construct the watch towers. Birch was to man them with the best shots in the police force.

The men came down. Below the hill, in the open ground was a lonely grave. Cadell asked Portman whose it was.

“Sir, it is a double grave, with the remains of two crew members of the surveying brig Multan”. Portman answered.

They walked towards the white marble cross and read the epitaph.

Here lie the mortal remains of
John P. Streeten, 3rd Officer
And Mr. Maddock Clerk
Of the Hon’ble CO’s Surveying Brig Multan.
Died March 4th 1858
Killed by the natives while executing their duties

“How did it happen?” Cadell asked.
“Sir, Jacko here will be able to explain it better. Mr. Homfray, please call Jacko. ”

Homfray stepped forward towing Jacko along. Jacko wore a cast off sailor’s suit. His brilliant white teeth gleamed in the sunlight, in contrast to his jet black skin.

“Well, Jacko, did you see it?” Cadell asked.

“Yaassir, I was there. I remember it well. It was just six days before the first batch of convicts arrived here. SS Semiramis came here on 10 March 1858, with 200 convicts. Before that Capt. Man came here to take official possession of the islands. He left a ship of the East India Company, the Multan, to render any assistance to Maj. James Pattison Walker, the first Superintendent of the settlement.

“The men of the Multan were regularly coming to our village at North Bay to ogle at the women. Every day they would take out the ship’s boat and land at our place. They would bring tobacco and rum, and then tell the men to show them the women.

“We knew their intentions, but our men were badly addicted to tobacco, opium and alcohol by them. They would do anything for them.

“On the 4th of March the boat came as usual. One of the men, I think he was the midshipman of the Multan, made obscene advances to a woman and tried to molest her. We were shocked. We didn’t expect the fair skinned, properly clothed people to show interest in us, whom they called ‘savages’. There were shouts and a scuffle. Our men rushed to get their bows. By that time the crew of the Multan started getting into the boat. We let off a volley aimed at the culprit, but struck two others who were still on the beach.

“They died on the spot, pierced through the heart. The boat pulled away in a hurry leaving the bodies behind. The whole night the Multan kept cruising between Ross and North Bay, firing at us to keep us away from the bodies. However, we buried them the next day where they lay, according to our customs. They were not the ones that offended us. We begged forgiveness from their spirits. One of the men had a watch on his hand. I took it as a good luck charm.

“We abandoned the village and moved into the jungle after that. The crew of the Multan did not dare to come near that place but cruised around waiting for the arrival of SS Semiramis.

“On the 10th of March the SS Semramis came. It was a steam ship, with two huge paddle wheels amidships. It was like the Pluto that came earlier with Dr Mouat, but bigger. We watched in amazement as the convicts were disembarked from the ship. Their chains were removed to facilitate getting into the boats. The moment they landed the convicts started making attempts to escape. One of them, an ex-sepoy named Narain jumped into the sea and tried to swim towards Haddo. He almost made it when the Naval Brigadesmen started firing and made him change course. By that time a boat was launched and he was captured. It was just four days after the arrival of the first batch.

“Dr. Walker had a make shift gallows erected even as the boat returned. Narain was hanged immediately, in front of everyone, to send the message that punishment would be swift and severe.

“During that month more than two hundred escaped into the jungles. They thought they could walk to Burma or Calcutta, but most of them died of starvation. We killed a few who tried to attack our settlements. Some of them returned to Chatham, hoping for pardon. But they were mistaken. Walker hanged them all on a single day, and buried them right here, in an unmarked mass grave. They were buried with their irons on.

“The rest of the prisoners were terrified by the cruelty of Dr Walker. He used brutal methods to maintain discipline among the convicts. Their handcuffs and fetters were never removed. Many died from infected sores.

“The Semiramis departed immediately to get some supplies from Moulmein. Meanwhile ship after ship started coming with more and more convicts. They were shifted to Ross Island. Dr Walker stayed on the Multan with the Naval Brigade while the huts and barracks were being constructed.

“Some four months after the settlement the crew of the Multan and the Naval Brigadesmen raided our village and set it on fire. They found the watch in my hut. They dug up the remains of the two men, brought them here and reburied them after a funeral service.
“This part of the island is believed to be a haunted place by our people. There are so many lying buried herewho met a violent death.
Jacko concluded his story. The men were already getting ready to leave, scared of the spirits of the dead.

“We should perhaps transfer this grave to the Aberdeen cemetery”, Cadell said. “They should not lie among these niggers”.

“We shall do that sir”, Birch piped in. “By next All Souls Day we shall have them re-buried, for the third time, in a proper grave”. ( To be continued…)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part XXV, (Continued from last week)

Hemraj woke up before the break of dawn. He could not sleep well that night. The mosquitoes and sand flies attacked in swarms. “When can I sleep in a comfortable bed again?” he wondered.

The men were curled up in the sand and fast asleep. Hemraj walked to the other side of the camp to complete his ablutions. The sea was a dead calm. The pink glow of dawn was slowly spreading on the horizon. He waited for the sun to come up, a fiery red ball. He performed the prayers to the Sun god, asking for blessings on the final leg of the long odyssey. He made libations of sea water to all the gods to stand by him and see him safely home.

The hazards of the sea are unpredictable. One never knows when a squall can come without warning. Their frail boat has already taken a lot of punishment. But he had faith in its sturdy planks and keel.

“OK boys, get up, let’s check the traps.” he shouted to the men.

After a breakfast of rice and water the men went out to check the snares and lines they had set during the night. They did not dare use the rifle for hunting. Sounds carry long distance over the sea.

By noon the hunting party returned with two fat pigs. A giant barracuda was caught on one of the lines. Soon the aroma of roasting rose over the camp. With sharpened appetites the men sat to eat.

How different from eating food on Ross! There they were made to squat in rows in the open near the kitchen. Those of the untouchable caste were made to sit separately. The Jemadarsthrew half-baked rotis into their rusty plates and poured watery lentil soup over them. There was never enough to fill the stomach.

Self-supporters had a better time. They could cook their own food, supplemented by an occasional fish or chicken. Some used birdlime to trap pigeons.

Here they sat around their food, irrespective of caste or creed and shared whatever nature offered them.

After a hearty meal all heads turned towards Bhaman.

“Let’s hear the rest of the story Bhaman; what happened to Gordon?” they asked.

Bhaman lay sprawled in the glistening white sand, a driftwood log for a pillow. He started his narrative.

“After the fall of Delhi we retreated towards Mathura. There were about 30,000 sepoys. Gordon was appointed our Commander by Bakht Khan and Feroze Shah. The Raja of Surajpore also joined us. We were sheltered by Raja Narpat Singh in Ruiya Fort, situated in thick jungles and surrounded by a ditch full of thorn bushes. Gordon quickly set up the defences, placing the guns and snipers at vantage points inside the fort.

“We heard the English were advancing with a huge army under the command of Brigadier Adrian Hope. It was the 15th April 1858. There were 93rdHighlanders and Sikhs with him. Gordon told us to hold our fire till they were real close. We all marked our men. When Gordon saab ordered fire the entire frontline of the English fell. They were forced to take shelter behind the trees.

“Adrian Hope was a seasoned soldier. He planned to blow up the gates of the fort using bags of gunpowder. The engineers were entrusted the job of advancing towards the gates under heavy covering fire, plant the bags, light the fuses and run back.

“If the gates are blown up we will not be able to stop the rush of the Sikhs. There was only one way to stop them…to kill Adrian Hope.

“Gordon saab quickly climbed a tree with his rifle. He started taunting the British to come into the open and fight.

“In unmistakable barrack room English, he shouted at them, ‘Come on, you *** Highlanders! Come on Scotty! you have a harder nut to crack than eating oatmeal porridge. If you can come though these bamboos we’ll warm your *** for you, if you come in here!’.

“Brigadier Hope peeped from behind a tree to see who it was. The next moment he was shot, right through the heart. Gordon claimed another victim.

“With the death of Hope the British panicked. They retreated into a mango orchard for the night, to bury and cremate their dead. They suffered their heaviest casualties for any single day during the mutiny.

“That night we quickly slipped outthrough the secret tunnels in the fort and disappeared into the jungles. When the British entered the fort the next day it was empty.

“After that Gordon led us from one fort to another throughout the summer of 1858, as the British doggedly followed us. Finally, when Bakht Khan was killed at the decisive battle at Nawabgunj we all scattered.

“The mutiny was coming to a close. Most of the leaders were caught and hanged. The Queen of the English announced a general amnesty to all those who wished to surrender. Many rebels wanted to lay down their arms. ‘Don’t do that. You’ll all be hanged like dogs or sent in chains to Kala Paani’, Gordon told them. But they wouldn’t listen.

“Most surrendered their arms, collected the two rupees and a discharge certificate and returned to their villages. When the Gordon saw them go, he sat down and wept, saying he had neither a home nor a country to return to.
“ I too decided not to surrender. We started moving towards the Nepal border. We were told that Begum HazratMahal and Nana Saheb were already there, granted asylum by Jung Bahadur after they paid a huge ransom.

“I was arrested just before I could cross the border, and transported to Andamans. I don’t know what happened to Gordon.” Bhaman stopped.

“Let’s hope we meet him somewhere…if he’s still alive”, Hemraj said, as they started work on the boat. A big load of coconuts picked up from the trees on the island have to be loaded, the water casks filled up from the stream, the sails to be repaired. They have a long sail ahead of them. (To be continued…)