TRULY  YOURS FROM A KOLKATAN

(কলকাতাবাসীর পত্র)

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THIS entry is not a well-written travelogue, neither a literary blog worthy of archiving. But perhaps no harm calling it a string of tweets, not fleets, telling you, wherever you are, narrating my story, from wherever I stand now. 
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THROW AWAY THE OLD RAGS ONLY TO PICK THE NEW

{This could be my last post in this column; though I may start a new initiative with the Den. I can also use this stuff in a longer essay that I may possibly try later}.

 Many of you know me since 2003, almost 20 years! I had not been as wealthy as you might have had liked me to be.Neither could I sign better in this competitive business in scientific research and technology. You might have followed me in the Facebook pages of mine during the past ten years (2011--2022).

I started this page because I wanted to stay connected with the Americans and the UIC. I had my intentions to seek readmission with UIC after some experience outside USA, much like they do a second degree in the European style after a gap of 10 years or so. I did whatever I could in Kolkata, Bangalore and elsewhere. But I received the feedback that I may not be able to take readmission to UIC after such a long gap, especially at this age nearing sixty. So I won't qualify for green card or multiple entry H1 visa. Accordingly you cannot call me a Chicagoan any longer. I may be Kolkatan. And my chapter in USA and  St.Patrick Church and other plans remain in pen and paper, as ideas that could remain part of my real experience and academic papers.

I promised you to finish one book.I did publish Yama Yawning as ebook marketed through Amazon.I finished drafts of several books related to but unfortunately they could not be published. Music and other cultural aspects were part of me, but could not groom into a band Poisson. You would find collections of music's from all over the world based on my personal choices that are shared on my Facebook pages. You would see excerpts from China and other countries shared on my twitter handle that could not blossom into Prometheus, the magazine. You would find collections, my editing, on various recipes collated from cuisines world over but it could notbecome Barbe Gourmet or Café Debbie. Is my life then full of failures only? Why brag on failures like a depressed with nothing else to do? Let me tell you poem I read in Chicago printers square (I wish the place is same now) that an English rendering of a Geetanjali poem... it says the flower that dropped before blooming into a full blossom is not lost! You might find a video from that meeting, some 25 years ago. I am still the same person, excusing the differences made by biological aging over past 25 years.

After closing the chapter on Chicago, I shall narrate to you my experiences in India much of what is told in details on my Facebook pages.

I became a college professor near Kolkata, attended and presented several papers in national conferences. I was hoping to start a new magazine with a new business. As it happens with me, again college gave me a termination that stalled all progress and the research group that I could have possibly assembled got dissipated. It meant a total loss of energy, time efforts and everything. I approached the Job. Kolkata High Court but the termination could not be reversed. Then there were a few cheating cases in my personal finance that harassed me like a hanging noose. I approached the Barasat civil court as regards cheating of Rs 153000 while a developer promised to deliver me a flat by 2018. It remained a police case without any redressal. The sale ofeof mysmy father's property inain Kotulpur that is highly valued now was another major  blow tondtanddmy career and  loss in my  life. The entire story if my life around Kolkata appears a clear case of political prejudice that is often viewed as normal n Kolkata but is not supported in Chicago Civil life.

As a result I had to modify my plans outside University and college system to start a small business model for myself that could finance my academic work. I did well for a coupl of years but during the lockdown following the Corona pandemic everything failed like any other endeavours. So I took a even lower profile, though I remained quite active.

As I told you earlier my association with local bodies encouraged me to seek a nomination for a Councillor ticket ,(like Alderman), the progress was good but I could not nomination for any major parties in 2022. The next election would be held only in 2027. So I ended my story here.

Now I am interested in Senator posts (MP and MLC) in the states of South India where I am known so that I could complete my affidavits on public matters. This would help me finish one or two more books.

As a result I remained same person who failed in the US tenure track system , but remained active intellectually. On this journey I accumulated good business experience outside USA exposing me to intellectual property issues. The overall approach would be named Sir JC Bose Business Model. To keep an identity outside the UIC I had started Center for Marxist Analysis. I received a letter of commendation from the Consul, Gov of India, Indian consulate Chicago. I followed up on the goodwill generated and got access to many high profile Individuals. As I used to know several distinguised professors at the US National Academy, I got a chance to interact with several distinguised professors at the Indian Science Academy. I am not shy to say that I know Prof Vijay Raghavan, the principal scientist to the Govt of India. So we did well.

As it turns out now I would not be able to continue with any high profile activity in West Bengal, due to political differences.And I am into academic business without interest in starting a new political forum. So it became necessary to shift my focus elsewhere. I would live in my father's apartment in Kolkata but my mind would be elsewhere. So I am finishing this column by quoting a few lines from Nazrul..."mahabidrahi ranaklanta, aami sei din habo Santo...

I shall finish this  post tomorrow

******  KOLKATA, MAY 17, 2022. ******

EDUCATION PRESIDENT

Bengalis were admired  for their exposure and love foreducation and culture. During Indian freedom.movement Bengali Intellectuals provided foresight and leadership.But popular negative  sentiments in this century since 2000 had been Bengali edge had waned out and lans for industrial ization did not pan out. Pranabbabu became first Bengali president but could not change the perception.

My link to USA and UK was always education: I talk about Universities and governments.So as a promising Bengali in USA i wanted to stay with education, I could have possibly reached as high as education secretary without prejudice.

We all would like to see an education.president,though may not be a career politician, who could in reality free us from the evils of feudocolonial institutions.

Dr. Subrata Ganguli,

Kolkata, Dec 26, 2021.

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--------*******KOLKATA DEC 26 2021*****-------

INDIAN RANGOLI

I meant to write this for a long time. Almost six months ago. Everyone something else comes up and I loose. You can simply rationalize me as the looser!

Rev Jesse Jackson was well-known for his speech on the American quilt. I liked his speech and I wanted to be part of your colourful success. I have become what I am and regrets.

My mother was good in sticking quilts. The thinner ones made of worn pieces of old clothes are called kanthas in Bengali. She was good in sticking asanas, the fllormats we stich thatrthat are ittingused for sitting on floor and for religious purposes.

But you may like our RANGOLI. Indians are good at making beautiful rangolis. I bet you would like us. You would one photo on mine with some students that I meant to post here, it is on my Facebook page. Indians play with water soluble colours during the festival of Holi and Dole and they look like a different organism. You would like us. Our Rangoli can not only bring peace, but also prosperity to you, to me and to the rest of the world.

HAPPY  2022.

____Dec 20, 2022______

CORONATION OF CORONA:

The word corona means crown or wreath.The name coronavirus refers to the virion structures with protruding spike proteins in the surface reminiscent of solar corona or halo. When the virologists acceptd this scientific name very little had they guessed the power of these tiniest objects. The COVID-19 pandemic we are living with is caused by coronavirus.It has forced to change our daily routine, lifestyle, economy and priorities.

Globally as of April 30, 2021 WHO confirmed 150 millions- plus cases of infections. As of 28 April WHO administered more 1 billion doses of vaccines. Americans lost 568000 lives and Indian lost 208000 at the least.

You would find the photographs of piles of deabodies being burnd in the funeral pyre. I had posted few of them on my Facebook page that were shared from Telegraph kolkata and Peoples Daily,  China. The images are stomach churning and might remind you of the war in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. The virus is fighting this deadly war to win against human civilization and superiority

In Indian Mythology Devils fought wars with the Gods, with the diabolical jealousy and trickery and devilish hunger for power and wealth, and with their demonly attributes of penance muscle power and perseverance. Whenever the Devils won, they ruled their way, but only sure to be vanquished eventually even if after aeons of mythological era.  

Corona is ruling us now, it is taking away our lives at an annual rate of over 2 millions per year. Even if they were to rule for 100 year they could kill only 200 millions of us, less than 3% of us.

We the humans would win against the virus.

SG

 ------**** KOLKATA May 1st  2021 *****------

HOW ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS?

Since the time I last posted so many things happened. You Americans had your second wave of COVID 19, then the American Elections to the Whitehouse. We here in Kolata did not get the secondwave with you, but the virus is merciless now with this new eave that started in April this year. we also had assembly elections in West Bengal to elect State Senators. I want to contest for the next councillor election (like alderman in Chicago system) though i am likely to loose badly. My income during this time is also very low like many of you. At times I get limited access to internet since I could not keep a system at home.

So I was waiting for a bit longer to.post on Covid and election but I got a shove from Jackie yesterday. The lazy bums who never logged in may loose their priviledges.

So I hurried posed this right now. I am planning a couple of pieces in a few days. I know I can.add photos and PDFs also. 

With best wishes,

SG

---** ----  KOLKATA APRIL 30, 2021------***----

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Finally I have a good news to share, my book is our. The book of poem that I planned during summer of 2004 finally is loaded in the kindle book store.  It has 18 of the old poems and lot of new stuff added. The first one third is old  what You previewed at the Den. The book has a long philosophical discussion in the epilogue.

At the front cover back, I reproduced my communication with Authorsden and the previous notice of publication. So if this is the first edition, then what you know of was the zeroth edition.

The book is named Yama Yawning: Kiss of Death and OtherPoems (2002--2020).

Wish me luck.

SG

________    Kolkata, Oct 2  2020.___________

Lord Yama and Nachiketa:

As I promised, I finished my book to be published. It took exactly 18 years to finish (sep 17 2002 till sep 16 2020). Now I am talking with publishers and want to make it an e-book. So I am hopeful that you would see it during 2020.

I meant to consult few Upanishads and Raja Yoga during editing to finalize the epilogue section of my book of poems. I am happy that I finished my book with a prologue and an epilogue. I believe it enhanced the literary value.

I would take another occasion to compile a few sanskrit hymns and liturgy and explain in simple terms with a literary humourous interpretation.

I end this note by mentioning that sexrelated words are not taboos in the mahabharata, ramayana, and Upanishads. Words like yoni, raman, ramani, garbh mithun etc. Abound. It is in this context I had used word like mr dick, mr as**ole and fu*k. They all lack vulgar sexual connotation in the context of relation and matter. Dick is a common nickname to many of you. As**ole simply means, bottomest of the bottom or uncultured or nobody, much like John and Jane Doe. The word fu*k means nothing other than secretive union, as in a conspiracy, or destroying private defence. Many of you in your conversation in this sense. Other usage could be sexually oriented or vulgar.

I shall take another opportunity to write on the matter.

SG 

Kolkata 

Sept 17  2020.

------------------      Kolkata, September 17, 2020    ----------------

Betal, Vikramaditya and Vidyasagar:

If you had read my old blogs (safe to say journal) published at the Den during 2003 and 2008, it would find several citations to ghosts. In the literary and folk tradition one may always argue whether the host is Hindu or Christian, retaining the religion he was born with, or is he religion-independent (or one in many) religious spirit after death, a synonym of one supreme unifying being.

In the Sanskriti and Bengali tradition one refers to betal with allusion to the legendary king Vikramaditya and betal, the evil spirit of Chandrabhanu possessing a corpse, and the Yogi Shantasheel desirous of obtaing supernatural power. The king wins and is able to perform his 'rajdharma' by sacrificing the shantasheel before he himself could be slaughtered by the Yogi. I was looking for the Bengali translation and eventually found the 1868 edition of Betal -panchabigshati by iswarchandra vidyasagar thanks to the internet servers. In a lighter vein imagine what would happened if betal of Vidyasagar were to ride on my neck until the matter was resolved the way it is described his his 1868 book! 

You delve into my old posts,  take a deep breath, say 'he lives he lives' and have a great laugh.

Hopefully my book would be finished by Sep 17, 2020 on the Mahalaya in this year's Hindu calender.

SG

-------- Kolkata, September 14, 2020 --------

FORTHCOMING ESSAY

A TRIBUTE TO WB YEATS:
An Ode to the Infallible, the Invincible, and the Inevitable;  Life, Death and the Foretold

I was planning an essay of this short since 1995, I took some notes in UIC main Library also. My intention was to write a longer essay. 25 years passed, and many know what hapened over the past 25 years. You may never know, I might still get some recognition from a University.

Now I am almost certain that I would post an article, a short one. I just compiled a few poems of Yeats, essentially highlighting by me, that flow like a continuos piece  without much editing and commentary.

It is short but I liked it. Please read after it is posted here.

SG,
Kolkata,
September 8, 2020.

  -------------  Kolkata, Sptember 8, 2020  ------------

OLD POEMS MADE NEW

II.  KISS OF DEATH AND OTHER POEMS

I take this time to thank all of you, though many may not recognise me now, I had many friends at the Den during 2003--2005. During this lock down of 2020 I am bored to the heel, and trying to get back to writing. However I am under lock down, in a sense, since Nov. 2010,when my landlord locked me out. I fought the civil case in Bangalore and the homeowner could not win against me even after 7 years. But I lost many valuable manuscripts and other office items, as my workspace and private study was locked out, with connivance from the Police.

Anyway, I was paging through whatever is saved with you at the Den and I am rewriting part of the book of poems. However I approach with caution since during lock down my access to internet and typing is very limited. Not only I lack hardcopy/manuscripts, often saving on pendrive or in the email was not possible. I do not know if you saved my old writes. I liked many of them rereading after so many years.

I shall write a small review on my own poems after I publish the book, hopefully this month. But today I want to remind you the following points:

1. in my poems you look for words, not so much emphasis on meters (cf prosody). Some words may have more than one meaning, in several languages. In editors' note I intend to point out if relevant.

2. tension due to accent. I try to bring out as non-native speaker of English, and hope you get it.

3. tension due to names. for example those who do not like me would hate to hear Ganguli. Same with names of politicians. Eventually one learns to ignore and laugh, citing 'just a poem'! much like we appreciate cartoons.

4. Imageries: I had used Hindu and Bengali imageries in some poems, for example in one poem on brothers' festival (bhaiphonta). Hope you enjoy. Then on slums and middle class flat owners language and poit of view. 

5. In a few longer poems I had tried to merge stories with poems. I think they are poems, you might think story. But language in my favour.

6. Few poems you you observe that I try to depict humour from other languages, that are hard to convey after translation, but appear harmless. You can just laugh even if you do not understand me fully.

But I still face the same question that bothers me every night. Was it worth the time, money and energy that I hadspent over decades! I have nothing much to show, I dont know if it could change, forcing me to "beg questions like new model"?!

So much for today. I wrote this piece in my slang the way I speak. Let's wait till my book is printed and I write a critical review myself.

SG

(to be continued....)

----------   Kolkata, Sep 3, 2020   --------------

I.

"And here you come,with a cup of tea,.....
......
You hand me two children, two roses  .. ".... Sylvia Plath (1963)

I was looking as my old poems published in Authorsden. I meant to publish a book of poems. But I lost few of the pages at the Den. I did not have the manuscripts or the hard copy either. Most of you might have had written me off, as it was a gap of more than 15 years.

Past few weeks I was gearing up to finish few of the unpublished works,to keep my long-broken promises. So I paged through my memory, looked at the few pages at the DEN, rewrote and edited, at least made an attempt, to publish my books soon enough,in 2020 if possible.

(to be continued...)

--------------  Kolkata, Sep. 1, 2020. --------------

PRANAB MUKHERJEE PASSED AWAY

Mr. Pranab Mukherjee passed away. He was the 13th. President of India.

SG

---------------  Kolkata, Sep. 1, 2020. ----------------

AJTAK: THE DOOMSDAY

"Eye, the cauldron of morning.."   Sylvia Plath (1962)

MAYANS might have predicted wrongly the doomsday, but 2020 became the year to be remembered with COVID 19, rain, heatwaves, locust swarms, floods, earth quakes, and what not, in India and everywhere else.

WHO reported total number of confirmed cases of covid infection as 24587513 and total death toll 833556 in this world as on August 29, 2020.

SG

-----------   Kolkata, August 30, 2020 --------------

BRITISH FIRST 

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity" ....

W.B. Yeats in "The Second Coming" written in 1919 during flu epidemic and printed in Nov. 1920; hundred years before this current pandemic of Corona virus.

CRICKET was the game of the British.

The press reported that James Anderson became the first pace bowler to reach 600 wickets in his long career. It created history during the match beween Pakistan and England on August 25, 2020.

James Anderson is British. So he is the First British to score such a distinction.

James Anderson played good cricket to bag those many scalps. He is British. So British First.

Cricket remained the game of the British.

SG

_______________  Kolkata, Aug 28,2020.  ___________

HOW ARE YOU AFTER THREE YEARS? 

(Eto din kothai chhilen)

Well it had been over three years since I had posted in March 2017. I mentioned of the uncertainties in my life. My feelings then were that my life was getting over; if not pysically, then definitely the fear and premonition of seeing the flame of my energy that enthuses everyone around me being extinguished. But never say no. It is not over until really it is.

During the past three years I had improved my blogs written in Kolkata, a life centred around Bengali neighbours, local friends, ex-studentsand ex classmates. You would see them in my Facebook writes, blogs, and one must agree that I had filled inmany more pages during the past three years.

When have free time, browse through my page Tarulatha or Prometheus Club. It is meant to be read; I would be the happiest if you enjoy me as I laugh or as I cry whether in exaltment or in pain.

You would also notice that I am nearing completion of a collection of my literary work, gleaned and edited from whatever already published on this page and elsewhere. With a piece of luck, I should get my first work with an ISBN within this magic year 2020.

You would notice my progress in writing scientific papers, seminar etc., though I had not yet finished publishing any books on Bio-technolgy. My dreams of getting a D.Sc. as a second academic degree remained a dream, perhaps no longer. My assertion of a possible new business model remained untouched being ignored as unworthy to assent of recognition.

When you browse through all the pages of mine, I am sure you would cherish and share my dream of the magazine Promethus, filled with humour_ science_ technolgy_ health_ culture_ politics and literature, the threads interwoven and all rolled into one Dr.Subrata Ganguli that distinctively identify and typify myself as one complete human.

Be it stated that in the social networking digital platforms, Facebook, Twitter, and on this page at the Authorsden, I had used the initial SG quite often. It is the same and the one person as Dr. Subrata Ganguli, IIT and UIC Alumnus, just following his natural bent of mind hoping to entertain you in a humourous way on serious matters concerning this planet we live in.

Dr. Subrata Ganguli reserves the copyrights on his authorship as applicable under the relevant provisions.

Dr. Subrata Ganguli,
B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D.
Aug. 25, 2020.
Kolkata.

------------------------------- Kolkata, Aug. 25, 2020   --------------------------------

ME ON HOLIDAYS? perhaps. WHAT TO DO?

I shall be taking off for the time being. The magazine that I had talked about had NOT materialized as yet, though the number of readers had increased. If you call me a writer/editor of a web-based literary "little magazine", it is not an inappropriate exaggeration.

I enjoy reading at the Den. I should be back with a bigger enthusiam after the uncertainties in my life end.

I harbour no negative feelings towards anyone in the USA; in fact I enjoyed your atmosphere of freedom of speech, minority rights, fair job opportunity, tension and harassment free work environment and the money you Americans pay to the Indians. But I would be more successful with the UIC perhaps with a more socialist platform in health, education, and housing. When the Rupublicans endorse such a platform in the mainstream politics, you should feel my presence in Chicago again.

Thanking you for being nice, hearty and courteous.

Subrata Ganguli,
Kolkata,
March 5, 2017.