And for a Friday in good old Calcutta, now Kolkata, a nostalgic journey with a unique group of friends who 50 years ago started as Management Trainees staying at YMCA, Chowringhee, some reflections….. some musings…..
In the mid seventies India was Socialist, controlled Raj of Licenses, permits and absolute discretion of the Babus in Delhi. The private sector was fledgling and continuously adapting to controls and checks. Its in this environment in 1975, that a Mumbaikar like me landed as a Management Trainee in the Pesticides Division of Tata Fison. Posted to faraway Communist, chaotic Calcutta, with a princely stipend of 1200 Rs which was much higher than the Market median of 800 Rs for most MTs. Cheap and best accommodation was the YMCA in centrally located Chowringhee. Came along others from different parts of India and in many top companies of those days including Madura Coats, CESC, Balmer Lawrie, Indian Oxygen etc. etc. We shared rooms, accommodated each other and our careers took us to all parts of the world.
Marriages may be made in Heaven, but lasting friendships were truly made in the lanes, by-lanes and pubs of Park Street. Over the years all 10 of us kept our relationships, attended each others weddings, young women of diverse backgrounds came into our lives. We all had children, we went thru parenthood and attended each other’s children’s marriages and lo and behold, at this young sprightly age of 70+ we are all retired from our 9 to 5 jobs. But most of us are meaningfully engaged in one or the other corporate or Social causes. So as we raise a toast to all of us for 50 years of friendship at the West Verandah of Tollygunge Club, it’s memories and old time stories of yesteryears; jokes, pranks and life incidents. We shared the ups and the downs over the last three days, gulping down spirits in Tolly and good old Park Street; an enjoyable once in a life time party.