Two Priests and one Nun in My Family

When I was a studying in Middle School, my parents had a dream to see me as a Catholic Priests. When I was in Class III, the Pilar Fathers and Daughters of St.Anna working in Baratang Parish Church started preparing me to join for priesthood. When I passed class VIII, my parents talked to the Parish Priest and I was to be sent to an Apostolic School in Ranchi. My parents and all members of my family bade me farewell. I came Port Blair but things so happened that I didnot get the tickets for travel to Calcutta. I had no option but to go back home. After a few days, I got myself admitted to Nirmala School. The idea of sending me to Nirmala School by my parents was that I should join a minor seminary after Matriculation. By the time, I passed matriculation, the priest who were promoting me for priesthood were transferred and other priests were not very enthusiatic to send me to a Minor Seminary. So, I joined Govt. Boys School for Senior Secondary, Port Blair. In the due course, I did my Graduation and Post Graduation and the dream or goal of mine to become a Priest lost. I had topped in Arts Group in Senior Seconary Examination and also topped in B.A. Perhaps keeping in view these achievements my parents also never insisted me to go for Priesthood. I did start my career as a Lower Grade Clerk and subsequently got a job in Indian Oil Corporation too which was highly paid job. Once, when I was passing through the road adjacent to Cathedral Church, Prem Nagar, one priest namely Fr. Basilio Rodrigues met me and told me that they have booked a seat at Pilar Seminary, Nagpur and I have to join there. It was quite surprising for me to listen this after about six years. I told the priest that I have a job now and I am not willing. He insisted and I only assured him to reconsider my plan. Thereafter, I was selected by UPSC for the post of Assistant and decided not to join for Priesthood and finally dropped the idea to become priest.
But my parents wanted that someone from their six sons must become a Priest. It was thus, Zacharias the sixth brother was asked to study for priesthood. After preliminary preparations at Port Blair, he joined a Minor Seminary at Calcutta. Unfortunately, an accident took place and he lost his one eye. It was a sad moments for all of us but left everything to God. His Bishop allowed him to study further for Priesthood inspite of the fact that Zacharias had lost his one eye forever. It was a joyous moment for all of us when on 13th May, 2001, he was ordained to Priesthood by Most Rev. Alex Dias, Bishop of Port Blair.

                               First Mass by Fr.Zacharias Barla at our Village Kanchan Garh on 14.5.2001


While, Fr.Zacharias was still studying for Priesthood, my cousin Tej Prakash Bara (last son of my second uncle Late Paulus Bara) had also joined for Priesthood and was studying at Lucknow and Allahabad. He was too ordained as a Priest on 3rd April, 2005.

Fr. Tej being ordained to Priesthood by Most Rev. Albert D'Souza, Bishop of Lucknow(Now Archbishop of Agra)

(Sr. Neel Prabha Barla, my niece, took her first profession in the Sisters of Charity of St. Anne on 13.5.2012)

I feel happy that we have two priests and one Nun  in our family.

Vist to Andamans-2011

Visiting Port Blair is always a pleasant experience. Often family circumstances do not allow to stay there for longer time, we always try to make a short visit to Port Blair and Baratang. We had a short visit during May 2009 and again from 24th September to 7th October, this year. Normally, we visit our home town in May-June but during last 26 years I had never seen the greenary of paddy field in my village. During the month of September, all the field use to look green. It is said every thing changes after certain period of time. As I entered village, I saw greenary on my field but few of my neighbours had abondoned their field without paddy crops. On enquiry, my family members told me some domestic reasons and said that they are unable to do the paddy cultivation.

There was continuous rain through out the year so everywhere there were muds and leech. Fearing of leeach my wife and younger daughtor didnot muster courage to take round of the field. My old father took me to the hilly area to show me his new banana plantations. As soon as my young nephew will return from School, he will insist me for fishing in the small rivers and all small children will follow us.

It was wonderful time with my Sister's grand daughtor named Angel. She is just two years old but always come and take me field. A small girl but unfearful of leech.

We had a two days stay at Port Blair with my maternal cousin at Shadipur Postal Staff Quarters. On 24th September, we the old students of Government Boys Senior Secondry School, Port Blair at Youth Hostel. It was wonderful to meet friends from other schools after 30 years long gap. Before returning Delhi, we devoted the two days meeting friends and relatives but the time fell short. After many years I could see the festivity of Dushara Pooja. The only thing which hurt me was traffic jams and Auto Rikhsaw demanding uncontrolled fares from passenger. On 6th October, we got a chance to see the beautiful Vellankani Shrine at Panighat where my younger brother Fr. Zacharias Barla is Rector.

This was short visit but ended with a lot of activities. Mr.Awadh Bihari, Prakash Kumar Choudhary, U.N.Choudhary, Rajeshwar Velu, Stiphen and A.C.Cherian all came to help me wherever I wanted to go.

Memories of Nirmala School, Port Blair.

In the year 1976, after my effort to join a Apostolic School for becoming a Priest failed, I took admission in Nirmala School. Sr. B.A. Fatima was the Principal and Late Fr.Peter Gomes, SFX was Manager of the School. After sometime, Fr. John Camillo, SFX also joined as Assistant Manager and at the same time was teaching us English. I was residing in Nirmala Boys Hostel which was a common hostel for Carmel School. At Hostel, life will begin at 5.00 a.m. by rising from bed and attending daily morning mass at 5.30. Again at evening, we have to queue up in line to Church for evening prayers and blessing by a Priest. English and Science was very difficult subject for me because I came from a rural school of Baratang Islands. Any how, I and a few passed 10th Std in 1978. It being a missionary school had a some difference from a Government School. Main thrust was on discipline. I remeber a few teachers Mr.Emmanuel( Physical Education Teacher), Mrs. Kaur (Hindi Teacher), Mrs.Sharma ( Civics,), Mr. B.B.Singh(Science), Late Mr. Mangra Kujur(History), Mr.Agapit Kujur(Maths), Mrs. Rao(English), Sr. Preeti(Geography).

Ranjit Soreng, me and Ajit Michael(Carmel) Xth Batch of 1970 from Nirmala Hostel.

                              Late Fr. Peter Gomes(2nd from left) Sr. Neel Prabha(Right), HM Primary Section.

Some Memorable Funny Moments of Life

Note Approved:
In offices, often we may find officers who will given verbal orders but if they are asked to approve it in writing they will either be annoyed or do something. One of my colleage who was working under a technical officer asked him to do something and accordingly a note was submitted to him for his approval. He called my colleage and first said why he needed his approval. When the reason was explained he hesitated to sign the note. When my colleage insisted, he said " तुम क्या सोचता है मैं साइन करने से डरता हू, उसने ज़ोर से कहा "जय काली मा" and approved the note.

How to Work in Secretariat:
When we were undergoining probationary training in 1987, one faculty member of ISTM use to say this line-आते नमस्ते जाते नमस्ते, काम कभी मना मत करना, काम कभी करना मत, आते नमस्ते जाते नमस्ते, अफसर को हमेशा खुश रखना, कोई काम कहे तो कहना" हून्ही लो जी"

2. In olden days Britishers use to appoint Jathedar or Risaldar for small area and they use to look after the administrative work but most of them were illiterate. So they use to keep some Babus knowing English. My Sardar friend used to tell me that these Jathedar use to approve the proposal with remarks" Padan Likhan Babu Jimedar, sign kita Sardar Nihal Singh, Jathedar."
Now a days again due to downsizing there are scarcity of Babus or even there are some they are not well qualified so one Babu wrote"
" PUC(Paper under Consideration) is letter from ......,
" I have nothing to Utter..
"Officer Knows it better..
Submitted for consideration and Orders.

बंगाली और बिहारी
एक बंगाली और बिहारी ट्रेन में यात्रा कर रहे थे. एक स्टेशन पर बिहारी ने बंगाली से पूछा " दादा ए जगह कर का नाम बा". बंगाली बड़े बेरूख़ी से बोला" हम्मी जानी ना". दूस्सरे स्टेशन फिर बिहारी ने स्टेशन का नाम पूछा तो दादा ने फिर बोला "हम्मी जानी ना". तीसरे स्टेशन पर बिहारी ने फिर वही सवाल पूछा तो फिर जबाब मिला "हम्मी जानी ना". बिहारी को बड़ा गुस्सा आया और बोला " दादा एक गो स्टेशन कर नामे "जानी ना" हो सकत है, दूगो स्टेशन कर नाम "जानी ना" हो सकत है, हमको बेवकूफ़ समझा है" और एक थप्पड़ जड़ दिया. " बंगाली मार खाते ही बोला " अम्मा गो". बिहारी बोला" बंगाली मार ख़ाके ही सही बात बोलता है. पहले कही नही बोला स्टेशन का नाम "अम्मा गो" है.
Traffic Lights:
My friends from Andamans may recall that once we had five Councillors there in the Pradesh Council. When I came Delhi one of the Driver posted with Andaman House told me one amazing thing. One of the Councillor(I will not name) had come to Delhi first time and he was surprised to see the traffic signals at many points. He just asked the Driver who turns these traffic lights "on" and "Off". It looked funny to me but I recalled, those days traffic signals were not in Andamans.
Chutkule:
एक मिस्टर श्याम सिंग थे. वे जब भी घर से बाहर जाते थे तो ग्राउंड में खेल रहे बचो
से सवाल पूछते थे की " मौलाना आज़ाद कौन थे? राजेन्ड्रा प्रसाद कौन थे? सरदार पटेल कौन थे? वग़ैरा वग़ैरा . बचें जब जबाब नही दे पाते तो कहते थे " घर में बैठ कर पढ़ोगे तब तो पता चलेगा. एक दिन बचों ने स्याम अंकल को घेर लिया और पूछा " अंकल आपको पता है राम सिंग कौन है? श्याम सिंग जी बोले "पता नही है. बचों ने कहा " अंकल घर पर रहोगे तब तो पता चलेगा.
2.Keep a Watch: On a return a file one officer wrote " Keep a watch on this case" and marked down to his junior. After 15 days the senior inquired about the file. The Junior very innocently replied" Sir, maine file ko Almira me rakha hai aur uspar apni Ghari(Watch) rakh di hai.
Rail Bandhna:

This is somewhat 40 years old incident. Two of our relatives had just arrived in
Baratang and got a job of Mazdoor in Forest Department. The work of fencing is commonly known there as "Railing" or "Rail Bandhna'. On the first day itself these guys were alloted the work of fencing. As usual their Supervisor told them " बेंत की रस्सी लो, नर्सरी में जाओ और रेल बांधो". These two guys went to the Nursery but did not find any railway line/track. They just thought and discussed, " यहाँ कोई रेल लाइन नही है और रेल आ भी गई तो इतेने बरे रेल को इतनी पतली रस्सी से बंधेंगे कैसे." They just waited and wasted 8 hours for the rail to come.

What I learnt from whom.

   At every moment of life we learn something. The process of learning never ends in life. I just want to mention names of Institutions and Persons who taught me something which is a treasure for me now:

Nirmala Hostel, Port Blair: I learned discipline in this Hostel. Its Director was late Fr. Peter Gomes, SFX. I spend two years in this hostel from 1976 to 1978. We have to do every thing  at the given time. Right from waking up in the morning till we weent to bed. When I was there, I was little disappointed and unhappy because there was no freedom. But thereafter, I realized the importance of discipline in life. I still follow a perfect timing for each of my activities.

Fr. T.Paes, SFX: Fr. Paes was Parish Priest of Catholic Church, Oral Katchaa, Baratang, South Andaman when I was a small boy,studying in primary school. We used to attend a Government School at Oral Katcha. The School timing was 9 a.m to 3 p.m. We had a time constraint but he will arrange a class for moral education before start of our school. He will tell us small stories and tell us not to steal or cheat or tell a lie. Fr. Paes is now working in Kolkata but could never met him after he left Andamans.

Shri C.S.Nair: Shri Nair was a English Teacher in Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Port Blair. An outstanding English Teacher and our class teacher for two years 1978-1980. I was from hindi medium school and that too with a rural background. Shri Nair will never speak in Hindi. It was because of him that inspite of being from rural background I not only got first division in 12th class but topped in Andamans in Arts stream.

Shri N.Francis Xavier: He is now Associate Professor of English in Jawahar Lal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair (formerly known as Government College, Port Blair). He is also an oustanding English Teacher. The way of his teaching English is superb. I learnt proper pronunciations and able to increase English vocabulary of mine. He taught me English from 1980-84. It was because of him that I became Post Graduate in English.

Dr. A.V.Vishwanathan Iyer: Dr.Iyer was my Principal in the College. He was outstanding teacher, able administrator and was competent to teach any subject in the College. His subject was Mathematics but  he was learned enough to teach any subjects, say whether it is Commerce, Hindi, Sanskrit or History. It was he who helped me in getting a posting at College as Lower Division Clerk. It was he who pursuaded me to come to Delhi. It was he who taught me how to be a good Administrator. It was he who taught me as to how tactfully handle a situation. Dr. Iyer is no more in this world but I always respect and regard him as my guru and mentor. Whatsoever I am today is because of him.

Jesus Christ: He is the greatest Teacher of my life. I read Holy Bible but not a regular reader. But whatsover, I read, I try to follow it in my life. All help came from him through various persons in my life. Lord Jesus gave me wisdom, authority, intelligence and made be capable of doing anything in my life. I always feel the presence of Jesus in my life. Whenever something wrong happens in my life I just look on him. Jesus never allowed anyone to insult me in my life. When I need something, he always gives me abundantly. Jesus has given me so many things in my life which I will never be able to count. He is my friend, my brother and my God.Thank you Jesus.

Loading and Unloading

           The word "Loading and Unloading is very common and frequently used in Andamans. This is so because all goods/material is transported from Chennai or Kolkata. So goods are to loaded on Ships at Kolkata and Unloaded at Port Blair. Wooden logs are loaded on trucks and unloaded at sea-shore. So many people are engaged for the workd of loading and unloading of goods. If you ask any such person as where he is going, he will say"Loading mein ja rahe hai." or "Unloading mein ja rahe hai.". If you ask them " what is your duty?" they will reply "Loading duty hai" or "Unloading duty hai".

          I remember one instance where a person wrongly used the word "Loading and Unloading". This person was sending his wife to Kolkata by ship and wanted his brother at Kolkata to receive her. Some 20-25 years ago, Telegram was the only fastest means of communications for Islanders. He sent a telegram to his brother " WIFE LOADED ARRANGE UNLOADING."

MY FIRST JOURNEY TO CAPITAL OF INDIA.

In the year 1983, after I graduated, while I preparing for Civil Services Examinations, I appeared for Assistant's Grade Examination for the first time and I got through it. I was alloted to Ministry of Communications for appointment and posting but the process of pre-appointment training took a long time. I had got a job of a Clerk in the College itself, which is now known as Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair. Just after Union Public Service Commission published the result, I got a job of Clerk in Indian Oil at Port Blair itself.  Since Indian Oil was good salary masters, I was little reluctant to come to Delhi, a city which was unknown to me. But with the pursuation of my College Principal, Late Dr. A.V.Viswanathan Iyer, I finally decided to resign from Indian Oil and to join Ministry of Communications as an Assistant( a Group "B" Post). On 12th of October, 1985, with anxiety but with sorrow and sad heart left Port Blair by Indian Airlines flight.  Luckily, Dr. A.R.P.Sinha, Lecturer was also travelling with me. He told me that he was going to Aligarh and will take care of me till that point of time. Dr. Sinha helped to get a ticket for Kalka Mail and we both boarded to the train in the evening. Dr. Sinha got off at Aligarh  wishing me all the best.The train reached Delhi Station in the night so I could not dare go out of station. I have only one suitcase so decided to stay at the station itself. Some stranger told me that I can take rest in the restroom so I just went in there and spent a lonely night.  Before leaving Port Blair, one Mr. Asim Poddar a senior to me in the College had given a letter in favour of Shri Hemraj Bahadur, then Public Relation officer at Andaman House and now an Advocate in Port Blair. In the early morning I took a three-wheeler who overcharged me but reached Andaman House. I gave the letter to Mr. Hemraj who allowed me stay there for a week there. In the morning of 14th October, 1985 I had to report for my duties so asked Mr. Hemraj as to how to reach there. He asked Mr. Pritam Singh, Driver to drop me to Sanchar Bhavan where Ministry of Communications is housed. The next step was for search for a rented room but it was too solved with the help of Mr. Thakur of Andamans and Mr.Kishen Singh of Andamans, who had earlier worked in Delhi in Andaman and Laksha Dweep Harbour Works.
There is nothing unsual about this story but small help from people makes the events memorable. I always remember all the people whose name I have mentioned.  May God Bless them all.

Andamans-Lime Cave and my Marriage

In 1988, Baratang was never a tourist spot. No one knew, there is a Lime Cave and Parrot Islands.  Erruption of mud vulcano and Beach at Baludera made it important tourist spot in the recent past.  Last year when I went Baratang, I saw the craze of people for Lime Cave and Mud Vulcano.  In olden time, Baratang was most unwanted place to live at. When we go Baratang, we tell our children that my Barat had gone to a Forest Camp near the Lime Cave.  The name of the Camp was Middle Strait Forest Camp which was diagonally opposite to the present Middle Strait Jetty. My wife was then a Primary School Teacher in the Primary School at Middle Strait Forest Camp. My Step Father in Law, one Maternal Uncle and my own Uncle, who were employed in the Forest Department were also posted there. On 30th April 1988, after our marriage was blessed in the Church. we went with barat to that place. After we reached there in the evening, all baraties had a nice tribal dance.  My friends from Port Blair who had come to attend my marriage also participated in the dance and enjoyed it.  But the sad part of the ceremony was that due to some enmity, people of that camp delayed the programme of reception and dinner.  The baraties were too angry and refused to take their dinner.  It was difficult time for me to arrange for dinner for my friends.  I approached my Maternal Aunti who had some rice and dal and my friends had to satisfy with it. In the early morning, I along with my wife travelled on foot to my village. My friends still remember my Marriage. My wife says they use to visit  Lime Cave frequently. I feel little privileged that that place has become so important now.

A Visit to Ranchi

All chotanagpurians, whether he hails from Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal or Chattisgarh, they are commonly known as "Ranchiwala".  When I came Delhi in 1985, I had a desire to visit Ranchi from where my father belonged. During the childhood, we had heard much about our ancestral place. It was June, 1987 when I finally landed to Ranchi.  I had a friend Tobias Tirkey working in a Post Office. Just a few years back, he had come to Ranchi on transfer from Port Blair.  I requested him to accompany him to my village, because he also belonged to same place.  He agreed and on the appointed day we started for Simdega.  It was early morning and weather was fine.  We reached a place called Kolebira from where we had to change the bus.  We boarded in a bus of Bihar State Transport Corporation. The condition of the Bus was very pathetic. The roof of the bus was just like open sky. The bus was almost in two pieces so when the driver put a break, half portion will go ahead and rear portion will just push it.  Suddenly, the rain started and every body took their umbrella out in the bus. The conductor came and collected Rs. 3/- per person but didnot issue any tickets.  After travelling a little distance, the bus got struck to a muddy place and even after efforts, it could not be rescued. So we came out of bus.  All the passengers also came out and started demanding refund of money.  The Conductor refunded 50 paise to every passenger and my friend too took back Rs.1/-.

     We had look for another vehicle.  People told us that it will take an hour to reach Simdega on foot but incidentally, one Truck came and took us on board. We reached Simdega and met some people who had come from Andamans. I met one of my class-mate too. After having lunch, we took another bus for my village called Banabira.  We were totally stranger so neither any body asked us nor we spoke to anyone.  My friend asked me to got down at one lonely place.  There were no one to ask but we could see one person coming from field.  We told him that we want to go to Banabira, so which way to go?  Pointing his fingers, he told us to go through a "road". I just had a look on surrounding but except one, no road was there.  My friend then explained me that the people call the " kutcha road or pagdandi" as road.  We started moving on feet.  My friend told me that we had to cross two rivers, one small and another somewhat bigger.  One river we crossed without any difficulties.  Before we could reach another, we met few students coming from School. On our asking, they told that the water level is upto knee only.  When we started crossing the river, the water level was not upto the knee but upto the waist. There was a village on the bank of river and people started laughing on us.  Perhaps, we had followed a wrong path to cross the river.

     Till we crossed the long village, everyone was inquiring as to where we were going. We asked villager as to which way to go for Banabira and one fellow told us just reach the small stone hill, it was very near to that. But it was not less than 5 k.m. When we reached there we could find only few boys looking after their animals.  We again enquired from them and they told us to cross a big farm land which was again 5.k.m. long.
We had already travelled some 15-17 k.m. and almost getting tired. When we crossed the farms, we asked another person about the house of my maternal uncle.  He pointed out towards a house and said just get right turn from the "Deviguri".  This was again a strange word for me.  My friend explained that, tribal people's worship place is called "Deviguri".  When we reached my maternal uncle's home, we found only few ladies. We were told that my maternal uncle has gone to work and come only after sometime.  No one asked to sit so we kept standing outside.  We were so tired that I lost my patience told them that I am coming to this house only.  My cousin sister and maternal aunti were also there, so they  immediately guessed my name and asked us to sit on a mate.  According to tribal customs, our legs were washed and gave us water to drink.  We slept early on that day but next day my maternal uncle arranged a big party ( to my belief beyond his capability).  In the evening, we went to my father's house.  To my surprise, the house and Aangan was already     filled with people.  Every one had news that someone from Andamans has come.  I had taken two packets of choclates but it was not sufficient.

    We were treated like any thing but next day we had to come back to Ranchi. When I visit there, I find people have alienated themselves but I still remember my first visit. I remember the simplicity and give away nature of tribal.  Often I tell jokingly tell this instance to my friends too.