When I
joined the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in 1977, it was
smaller in size, staff, infrastructure, and prestige. I was Personal Assistant
to Mr CRM Rao, editor of China Report.
I, however, worked more with Bijoy Babu (Bijoy Bhattacharya) who managed the
production and distribution of the journal. I used to proofread China Report with
him.
When CSDS
started publishing Alternatives along
with the Institute for World Order, New
York , I was associated with the subscription of the
journal. Mr Gabriel had worked for some time, but after his departure I took over the complete responsibility with the help of Mr PKK Namboodiri (my cousin) who by then
independently handled China Report’s
subscription.
Dr
Ramashray Roy was the Director then. A couple of days after I joined, he called
me to his room for something. During discussions, he asked me to call Mr Chadha
on the phone. I hadn’t heard the name before. ‘Chadha’ was strange, but ‘Chanda’
was easier. And I asked for Mr ‘Chanda’. Dr Roy immediately corrected me,
‘Chadha’. And he made me pronounce the name correctly, which I did after a few
attempts. I was overwhelmed when I met with Dr Roy sometime back at the Centre
after a gap of several years.
I also
served under the Directorship of the late Prof. Bashiruddin Ahmed, a
down-to-earth and approachable person. One day I talked to him about Jayasree
for a possible position in CSDS. He later told another colleague, “We are
familiar with the work of Jayanthan and Krishnan (PKK Namboodiri). I don’t
think there should be a problem.” When I wanted to resign from CSDS to join
TERI, he himself advised me to take leave, and not resign. He said, “Any time
you want to come back, do so, and we will take you back. You are always welcome.”
After the initial six months’ leave, I extended it for another six months, and
then I resigned.
The late Mr
CRM Rao was the mildest and softest person I have ever come across. I consider
it a privilege to have worked with him. When I left CSDS to join TERI, he
wrote, “I am sad that you are leaving, but glad that you are doing so for
better prospects.” He invited Jayasree and me to his home, but we could not
make it. While working at CSDS, I did go to Mr Rao’s home once and enjoyed the
warm treatment accorded by him and his wife.
The late Mr
Giri Desingkar was outwardly very strict, but a very warm and loveable person.
The first time he asked me to type a letter for him (this was a couple of days
after I joined), I went and complained to Mr Rao! Why should I work for an
outsider? Mr Rao said, “Yes, yes, he is in the China Report group, and you should
help him whenever he wants.” It takes time to come out of the bureaucratic way
of the government (doesn’t it?), where I worked for two years before joining
the Centre.
A few days
after I joined, I typed a letter for Dr Ashis Nandy. There was a mistake, and
as I used to do in the government office (Publications Division, Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting), I put ‘xxx’ mark over the mistake and typed the
correct version in the margin. When I handed over the letter to Dr Nandy, he
said, “Mmm … in the Centre we don’t do such things, okay?” He was not upset (if
he was, he didn’t show it), but was telling me the difference between working
in a government office and at the Centre. But I remember for several months
after that he dared not give me any work. Later on, when I knew how particular
he was even regarding full stops, commas, and spaces I realized what a stupid
thing was it that I did for him.
I was using
an old Remington typewriter and it was extremely hard working on that. I wanted
a change of typewriter. I put my problem before Mr CRM Rao, who agreed and
talked to Ms Ava Khullar, Secretary. She asked me to send her a note explaining
why I needed a new typewriter. I prepared an elaborate note and sent to her.
About a week or two later I received a brand new typewriter. And I was very happy
and proud. And to my surprise, within the next week, three or four more new typewriters
were purchased for use by other people! It was like push-starting a vehicle.
The initial push-start was very difficult, which I had to do all alone, and
then it was a smooth drive for others!
Even now
when I visit the Centre, the nostalgic feelings overwhelm me. I look at the
corners where I used to work from. Sometimes I go and see the places where Mr
Rao or Mr Bhattacharya used to occupy, or where Mr Khajan Singh used to have his
empire from where he used to prepare the journal copies for mailing and
prepared the register with paper cuttings. All the places have since been
renovated and changed. There were several people with whom I worked and shared
very cordial relations. Some of them are still working or are otherwise
associated with the Centre.
I propose
to write more about my days at the Centre in these columns in due course of
time.
(The Golden Jubilee celebrations of CSDS commences in November 2012.)
[Next update on Sunday next]
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to listen the memories of the CSDS. Once i worked with a French sociologist (Danis Vidol) for a few days (i was a Ph. D.
scholar at JNU) and I met Dr. Ashis Nandi as part of my research assignment.. It was in the late nineties, when T.N.Sheshan created sensation in the political arena through his remarkable electoral reforms and we discussed at length about how a system can be changed from within!
Many thanks for sharing your experience at CSDS.
Best,
Saurabh
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteI like your blog articles, which you delivered me every day. so interesting to me. I expect more and more in future. God bless you more. Pls. don't ignore me from your blog list.
Thanks and regards
Mathew P.J
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ReplyDeletePlease keep sending. They are good.
Moni Singh
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ReplyDeleteYour blogs made me cry. Keep writing and forwarding. I read all.
Ettan
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ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blogs. please do not delete me from the list
Regards
Gouri
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ReplyDeleteFirst, I do want to receive your blog updates; please continue to mail them.
The latest on CSDS memoir is excellent.
Best regards,
Aniyan
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your blog. It is indeed interesting to go through it.I also worked with CSDS for two years 1980-82 , I think. I closely worked with Dr.Ramesharay Roy and Dr. V B Singh and published a book Problems in Rural development with three of us. I used to come to office only for few hours every Monday mostly sitting and talking with Professionals there.There were others like me there like Vijay Pillai and Ali Baquar. Therefore we may not have met.
T.M.Vinod Kumar
Thank you, Prof. Vinod Kumar, for your message.
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