COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - CHAPTER - 8

Chapter – 8

Swapna Ganguly went upon the dais to collect the prize as joint winner in Bridge tournament. Her co-winner was Chanakya Nag who was out of the auditorium. Rozario was sitting on his chair with serious face ogling at Swapna’s heavy hips and protruding breasts. When Mandakini was about to hand over the prize, a leather case containing two packets of cards to Swapna, Chanakya Nag came upon the dais from the side door and collected the same jointly. Nag of course handed over the leather case to Swapna saying “Keep it for your practice to win the next year’s trophy.” Swapna Ganguly almost sprang like a baby waving her bobbed hair, hips and breasts and came down from the dais with the trophy.

Other recipients of prizes got to wait for sometime as Rozario and Nag were engaged in serious discussion. After few minutes Nag got up from his chair and announced without microphone, “Ladies and Gentlemen! After the prize distribution is over, please do not leave your chairs as there is another important item which I will announce shortly. Thank you!”

Gouri Chatterjee called Budhadeb Sinha of stores department to come upon the stage for collecting his first prize for recitation in Bengali. Mandakini handed over to him complete works of great revolutionary Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. After Budhadeb came Jolly, daughter of Chanakya Nag and Mandakini to collect her prize for “Bharat Natyam” dance and Amit, son of Ramani Talukdar and Keya for vocal music. Consolation prizes were given to Badal, son of Jagabandhu Adhikari and Basabi, daughter of Fatik Nandi. Lastly Ramchandra, personal peon of Chanakya Nag got a special prize for his obedience and sincerity.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! I am now happy to announce about the farewell party of Mr. Santanu Majumdar, our ex-Divisional Manager, Home Products. After serving Rainbow India for five glorious years, Mr. Santanu Majumdar left us for betterment in his personal career. We extend our best wishes to him. Today, I mean, this evening we have arranged a farewell party for Mr. Majumdar. Unfortunately he has not been able to attend this function, as we understand, suddenly he got indisposed.” Chanakya Nag paused for few seconds.

Rozario spoke something to Kelvin who shrugged occasionally.

Nandi whispered from behind, “Sir, it’s an absolute imposture.”

Nag said again, “Ladies and Gentlemen! We would have been happy had Mr. Majumdar been with us at this auspicious moment. Anyway since he has not yet turned up, we will send the farewell gift to his residence.” Nag showed a wristwatch to the audience.

He further said, “Third session of our today’s function is cocktail and dinner. Perhaps most of you have come here with your children and some from distant place. So I request those members, especially ladies with small children to wait for few minutes for dinner in the office hall. Those who desire to participate in the cocktail party may kindly be present on the terrace of our office building sharp at 8 p.m. However on behalf of Rainbow Calcutta I invite all adult members to join us at cocktail this evening. Thanks!”

Audience who remained seated in the auditorium with so much patience and discipline started moving out through the main door like stampede as seen in the cinema halls after the end of film shows. We, I mean managers and executives got to remain inside till the departure of VIPs from the dais through side door. Before going out Nag advised Tarit Ganguly and Gouri Chatterjee to see him in his cabin.

Gouri Chatterjee, the thin and tall bearded young man was a personal appointee of Chanakya Nag as recommended by his wife Mandakini who got to oblige one of her co-joggers in front of Victoria Memorial. Being the student of a Calcutta English medium school, Gouri could speak English fluently in Anglo-Indian accent. Very often he used the word “Bloody” even while talking to seniors. He spoke some words in his own accent and sounded something else to others. As for example instead of speaking ‘Well’ he would utter ‘Boel’ and similarly ‘Buil’ instead of ‘Will’. Nag was very much impressed by spoken English of Gouri and appointed him as a Medical Representative in pharma division under P.K. Sanyal. Within a short time Gouri became a top favourite of Chanakya Nag as he was the only person who could procure original Scotch whisky and virgin girl friend in shortest time for entertainment of Rainbow guests and big bosses. There was a confidential rumour that Iris Stephen was one of such virgin girl friends of Gouri Chatterjee. She applied for the post of secretary to GM (East) of Rainbow India as per direction of Gouri who had brought her to Chanakya Nag long before her final selection by Rozario. Gouri once told his immediate boss Prodyot Sanyal that as per prediction of his family-astrologer, he would rise up to a senior position in Rainbow very shortly. Fatik Nandi was standing nearby and he heard Sanyal saying pointing towards Nag’s cabin, “I also foresee, you are occupying that room very soon.”

Gouri came out of Nag’s cabin and approached Iris who was chatting with Leda, Rupa and some other ladies standing near to me.

“Iris! You have got an exciting responsibility! Do you know what is that? You are to show Mr. Kelvin some of the historical relics of British Calcutta. Go down and get inside the air-conditioned limousine for a nice time to Victoria Memorial. From there you will proceed to Dalhousie Square and show Mr. Kelvin G.P.O., Writers’ building and Octorlony monument before taking him to Hotel Intercon for freshening. However, you must see that you come back to Rainbow house at 8 p.m., as Mr. Kelvin is the guest of honour in the cocktail party. Anyway I am coming down with Mr. Kelvin within a minute.”

Gouri delivered lengthy instruction to Iris and proceeded towards Nag’s cabin. Within two minutes he came out with Kelvin and went downstairs for Limousine and Iris.

I decided to spend the period of intermission in the office only. I was not married at that time. My mother was quite old and my sister was allergic to cocktail party. She never opposed my taking drinks in official parties of previous employers, as I would always keep myself confined within limits. But she questioned me many times why official parties could not be confined within tea, coffee and soft drinks. Though I had tried to quote many historical royal parties and modern banquets arranged by country or state heads in honour of visiting heads of other countries where French Champagne, Spanish Sherry and Scotch Whisky were served, I was unable to convince her of the utility of alcoholic drinks.

Chandan, sales executive of my division came to me and asked me when he would be promoted to the rank of DSM. Though I did not like his untimely quest for career development, I smiled at him and said, “Oh yes! Why not? Very shortly.”

Tactfully I avoided his further question and moved towards my cabin.

I had been relaxing on my chair stretched in inclined position for ten minutes or so when Nandi entered my cabin and said, “Sir, sorry to disturb you.”

I said, “Not at all Mr. Nandi! Welcome! So what are the news? Please take your seat.”

“Most disturbing news Sir!” Nandi said comfortably.

I brought my chair in normal position and looked at him curiously.

“Sir! Do you remember Swapna Ganguly? I mean Tarit’s wife?

“Yes I do.”

“She accompanied Mr. Rozario for marketing.”

“It’s alright! What’s the problem?” I asked Nandi.

“No problem Sir. You asked me about latest news and I told you about that.” Nandi said with depression.

I realised that ever jubilant Nandi did not appreciate my total indifference towards latest news provided by him. As a matter of fact though I welcomed Nandi and offered him to sit before me, I was totally preoccupied with my new assignment in USA. Fortunately, I did not accept official flat of Rainbow as one of the perquisites besides official chauffeur driven car for twenty four hours as I had four roomed rented flat in an excellent locality of central Calcutta. My landlord was a NRI settled in USA like millions of immigrants from all the countries of the world who had migrated to this golden continent in search of platinum currency i.e., US dollars. USA also sheltered these immigrants as their citizens. My landlord used to visit Calcutta once in a year and meet us normally on the day before his departure for USA. He was very friendly to me. So in my absence there would not be any problem for my family to stay in the same flat. I decided to inform some of my distant relatives and close friends to look after my mother and sister for some time.

“Mr. Nandi, you did not finish your story of Kipling and Kingsley. So far I remember, you stopped somewhere when Mr. Anderson indirectly invited you to meet him in his hotel room.” I said to make the situation light.

Nandi smiled and said, “Sir! You remember everything so vividly!”

“Yes! I met Mr. Anderson in the hotel same evening. Such a great man he was! Immediately on being informed by reception, I was asked to go to his room. Door was kept open for me. When I entered into the room, Mr. Anderson almost jumped from his chair and said, “Hallow Fatik! Welcome to my room. Like some drinks?”

“What did you say?” I asked.

Nandi became shy to some extent and said with a smile, “I said, most welcome! I am at your service.”

I was about to burst into laughter but restrained on hearing a knock on the cabin door. Nag entered my cabin and said, “Sumanta, I am extremely sorry to tell you, without your permission I asked your driver to take out Mr. Rozario for marketing. If you need car, I will arrange something for you.”

I got up from my chair and said, “Sir, you have done excellent job. There was really no necessity of asking for my permission. I will not go out anywhere before the end of the cocktail party. Mr. Nandi is giving me jocund company.”

Nandi had got up before Nag entered my cabin and seeing him in person felt very much uneasy. Probably Nag understood the mind of Nandi and said, “Well done Nandi. Why don’t you take out Mr. Bose to the hall, some ladies and children are taking dinner. I am sure, he will enjoy.”

Nag further said, “Sumanta, you can come afterwards to my cabin and enjoy cards.”

I said, “Thank you Sir!”

Nag left my cabin.           

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 5

Chapter 5

On the dais there were six chairs. As per earlier arrangement two middle chairs were meant for Kelvin and Rozario. Two chairs beside Rozario were to be occupied by Antony and Nag. Other two chairs beside Kelvin were meant for Phuchkanwala and Gupta.

Entering the auditorium, I found Mandakini sitting beside Rozario and Nag. Other two chairs beside Kelvin were occupied by Antony and Phuchkanwala. So Chanakya Nag directed Bhar to place one extra chair on the dais beside him for Gupta. However Gupta politely told Nag that he would feel quite comfortable to sit with other managers on first row facing the dais. But Nag did not comply with his request. He came down and escorted Gupta to the dais to occupy his seat beside him.

First row of seats for audience was filled up. There were Tarit Ganguly and his wife Swapna, Ramani Talukdar and his wife Keya, Subbarao Naidu, Pradip Mehta, William Fernandez, Mahendra Soni, sales tax consultant Dilip Sen and clearing and forwarding agent Panchu Saha. I took my seat on the second row between Atanu Samanta and Deb Pratim Dutta in spite of Gauri Sankar’s request for sitting on the first row. Gouri told me that he would send Panchu Saha to second row. I convinced Gouri that Panchu Saha was our guest and as such it would not be proper for us to ask him to leave his seat and go behind.

On the third row, just behind my seat Fatik Nandi was sitting. He whispered, “Sir, I am so lucky! You are sitting close to me!”

“I am also lucky.” I said. Atanu and Deb Pratim glanced behind and whispered, “Here is Fatikda, the great. We are lucky!”

Gauri Sankar went up to the dais and announced on microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen! Miss Iris Stephen will garland Mr. Kelvin and Mr. Rozario and after that Mr. Chanakya Nag would deliver his welcome speech. Since the function begins, please stop your mutual conversation. Thank you.”

Immediately after Gauri Sankar had finished his announcement, Iris Stephen started walking up to the dais vacillating her round hips and protrusive breasts carrying two garlands on two hands drawing everybody's attention, particularly of male members present in the auditorium. Her tight half sleeved red velvet banyan with open armpit and fitting blue trousers specially tailored for exposition of her heavy swaying buttocks made her so attractive, both Kelvin and Rozario seemed to be dumbfounded as if a fairy had come down from the blue to garland them.

Probably as a woman Mandakini could guess the mental disbalance of the menfolks sitting beside her, including her husband. She almost snatched the garlands from iris and put on the same herself around the necks of Kelvin and Rozario. With the clapping of Bhar and Gauri Sankar, whole auditorium almost burst into loud clapping. Iris also started clapping while coming down from the dais with pale face. Chanakya Nag clapped little late as probably he did not approve of sudden action of his wife beyond the schedule and minimum civility.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! I now request Mr. Chanakya Nag, GM, East to deliver his welcome speech.” Gouri announced and placed the microphone mouthpiece in front of Nag.

“Thank you Gouri. Mr. Kelvin, Mr. Rozario, Mr. Antony, Mr. Phuchkanwala, Mr. Gupta and all my colleagues of head office, Eastern Regional establishment, Ladies and Gentlemen!” Nag said, “I welcome everybody present here on the auspicious occasion of the foundation day of Rainbow Eastern Regional office. I thank Mr. Rozario, specially for bringing amongst us Mr. Kelvin, Overseas Director of Rainbow International, who looks after entire global business of our parent company. You will be surprised to learn, he is so busy, if on Monday he is in London, on Wednesday he will be in New York and on Friday he will be in Singapore.”

Both Kelvin and Rozario started laughing and others sitting on the dais followed them.

Nag paused for a moment and narrated in brief how he had sowed the seed of Rainbow in Eastern India and how did the seed germinate and finally take shape of a big tree having so many branches thickened with green leaves and colourful flowers like the ladies and gentlemen sitting in the auditorium.

Rozario clapped loudly and everybody followed. There were loud reverberations of clapping inside the auditorium. In his speech Chanakya Nag did not mention the name of Anderson, founder of Rainbow India and reason I had already known from Fatik Nandi. Rozario, who was elevated from the post of stenographer to Administrative Manager, then to General Manager of Rainbow India and within a short time to Director by Anderson, never liked after becoming Managing Director that anybody should refer the name of his benefactor as it would erase his personal identity. There was also strong hearsay that Anderson was marked with infamy in the board of the parent company i.e. at the headquarters of Rainbow for his princely life style and licentious activities in India. Such an infamous downfall of Anderson was caused by his once trusted and most favourite man, Leonidus Rozario, affectionately called by him as Leo who obviously became overambitious to sit in the cabin of Managing Director without much loss of time. Opportunity came to him when as Director he was sent to Rainbow headquarters in England by Anderson for attending a special meeting in his place. After coming back to Bombay, Rozario did not have to wait long. Anderson was called back and Rozario was made the first Indian Managing Director of Rainbow India.

Chanakya Nag now requested Rozario to deliver his inaugural speech. Rozario thanked him and requested Kelvin personally to speak something about his feelings as a chief guest of the function. Bhar immediately placed the microphone in front of Kelvin who got up from his chair and shrugged looking at the audience.

He said, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Namaskar! It’s my pleasure to be with you and I feel proud to see the development of Rainbow India under the leadership of Mr. Leonidus Rozario. I am also happy to find tremendous organizational capability of Mr. Chanakya Nag in arranging such a beautiful function on the foundation day of Rainbow office in Calcutta. I will be delighted to be with you every year in future. Thank you.”

Rozario, Chanakya Nag and all others on the dais started clapping loudly and audience in the auditorium followed them. Gouri Sankar came on the dais from the side door and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Now our beloved Managing Director, Mr. Leonidus Rozario will deliver his long awaited inaugural speech. Please clap loudly and welcome Mr. Rozario.”

Rozario got up from his chair and said after the loud sound of clapping had sunk down, “Mr. Kelvin, Ladies and Gentlemen!” He glanced at Mandakini smilingly and continued, “I am very happy to be here with you in this pleasant evening. My heartiest thanks to Mr. Nag and his colleagues for such nice arrangement. I thank all the members of Rainbow family for taking so much trouble in assembling in this auditorium to make the function a wonderful success. Though our esteemed government has requested us for family planning, I feel there should not be any family planning in Rainbow. Let Rainbow family spread throughout our country and all over the world.” Chanakya Nag and Kelvin along with other head office dignitaries started clapping loudly and were followed by everybody in the auditorium.

“Thank you, Thank you,” said Rozario and continued, ”Only few years back Rainbow India started operation with few medicines under license of Rainbow International and with the cooperation of the government and the people, today Rainbow India is included in the list of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the country. Two more divisions of Rainbow, Home products and Agro-Chemicals are progressing rapidly. We are planning to put two new feathers on the cap of Rainbow India, I mean the bulk drugs and laboratory chemicals for which we have already got approval from our parent company and the local government.”

Everybody started clapping and in the meantime Rozario cleared his throat by making light cough and sipping gin with lime as given by Binoy Bhar.

Rozario said again, “Probably you have heard, some of our imprudent workers in head office and factory have taken recourse of indiscipline and are trying to disrupt normal work of the peace loving members of Rainbow family. This has caused great concern to us and to our headquarters in England.”

He paused for few seconds and said, “Do you know the reason? It is absolutely ridiculous and unreasonable. They claim that they should get same bonus as they used to get when Mr. Anderson was Managing Director. Not only so, they further claim that the difference in bonus for last two years should be paid at a time. Ladies and Gentlemen! Rainbow is your company. Why should you ask for your bonus? It will come automatically. We are now giving bonus exactly as per government rule i.e. 8.33% though we are not making any profit because of our reinvestment in new projects. I tell you once again, it is your company. You earn more for the company and take more to your home. Thank you! Namaskar!”

“Three cheers for Mr. Rozario.” Gouri Sankar said loudly.

Everybody on the dais started clapping. As usual, audience inside the auditorium also clapped loudly, probably without knowing the reason what for they made loud sound by beating their palms rhythmically.     

COCKTAIL IN THE RAINBOW - Chapter - 4

Chapter – 4

Family members of office and field staffs assembled in the main office hall. Binoy Bhar requested ladies and children loudly to enter the auditorium and take their seats, as the head office bosses would arrive at any moment. They would be accompanied by Chanakya Nag. Ramani Talukdar had already come to office to arrange for the reception of foreign and Indian dignitaries.

Talukdar showed me the blueprint of the protocolic reception as outlined by Chanakya Nag seven days back. Three Divisional Managers i.e. Divisional Manager Ethical Products alias Ramani Talukdar, Divisional Manager Home Products alias Tarit Ganguly and Divisional Manager Agro Chemicals alias Sumanta Basu i.e. my poorself would stand in front of the reception group at the office gate.

Air-conditioned foreign Limousine carrying Robert Kelvin, Lionidus Rozario and Chanakya Nag would be attended by Ramani Talukdar. Other two Ambassador cars carrying Gregory Antony, all India Manager for Ethical Products, Homi Rustam Phuchkanwala, all India Manager for Home Products, Chandranath Gupta, all India Manager for Agro-Chemicals, Narayana Govinda Subbarao Naidu, Manager – Manpower and Man-Management, Dr. Pradip Kiran Mehta, Manager – Ethical Technical Service, William Vincent Fernandez, Manager – Sales Promotion and Mahendra Lalchand Soni, Assistant Manager – Audio Visual Training System would be attended by Tarit Ganguly and myself.

Behind Divisional Managers would stand second ranking managers like Atanu Samanta, Product Manager – Ethical Products Division, Prodyot Sanyal, District Sales Manager – Ethical Products Division, Deb Pratim Dutta, District Sales Manager-Home Products Division and Chandan Purakyastha, Sales Executive of my division i.e. Agro-Chemicals.

Binoy Bhusan Bhar would stand just at the gate of Rainbow House along with Haldhar Jana and Ramchandra Mondol on his right and left sides.

On the first floor entire group of dignitaries would be received by Mandakini Nag, wife of Chanakya Nag. She would be aided by Keya Talukdar, wife of Ramani Talukdar and Swapna Ganguly, wife of Tarit Ganguly at the main door of the auditorium.

This year’s special attraction was the Rainbow’s own auditorium. Till last year foundation day of Eastern Regional office of Rainbow India used to be celebrated at the banquet hall and the attached lawn of nearby three star hotel. This would normally cost high to the company and cause inconvenience to the family members.

Opportune moment came to Chanakya Nag when the adjacent block on the same floor was about to be disposed of by a Delhi based company willing to wind up their business in Calcutta. He convinced head office bosses and tackled the landlord very efficiently by paying him handsome non-refundable advance money. Entire floor with huge area came under occupation of Rainbow with exclusive right of the roof. Except two big shops, one departmental store and another automobile distributor on the two sides of main gate, whole building appeared to be owned by Rainbow. Being so happy with big amount of non-refundable advance amount, landlord of the building changed its name to Rainbow House from old name Jagattarini Bhawan.

Nandi said, “Sir, landlord got the overall benefit. Besides getting huge amount, he succeeded in getting a job in Rainbow for his son-in-law staying with him. It’s the job of stamp clerk having no worry, no tension!”

“Stamp clerk?” I exclaimed.

“Yes Sir. His job is to stamp the medicine packets or bottles scheduled for government supply.” Nandi said.

“But such stamping is the job of the government Inspectors!” I said.

“You are right Sir. So far as the system is concerned, Inspectors will check up the medicine in respect of specifications mentioned on the labels, order form and challan. If everything is O.K., packets or bottles will be stamped by the Inspectors before final packing in cardboard cartons or wooden cases, not the suppliers.” Nandi said and smiled at me. Without waiting for my next question he said further, “If the system is followed, both the parties will be losers.”

I could not follow Nandi and hence looked at him with curiosity. He said with seriousness on his face, “Sir, one thing I must tell you, Rainbow is very much particular about maintaining quality of the medicine. Because it is for government supplies, quality is not degraded. Multinational company like Rainbow is always conscious about quality, dignity and popularity. But these three virtues can not fetch business. For procuring government order two essential factors play important role. One, the lowest price and another, unofficial arrangement starting from top to bottom including these Inspectors. To cope with the second clause, only alternative is to supply less quantity with the cooperation of the Inspectors who are normally overwhelmed with the warm hospitality of Rainbow.”

Ramani Talukdar entered my cabin and said, “Bose, let us go down. They are coming.”

We stood like army regiment in “attention” position as per blueprint on the footpath in front of the gate. Everybody was silent and checked up necktie knot. Within five minutes, the large air-conditioned black Limousine followed by two white Ambassador cars arrived below Rainbow House. Chanakya Nag was beside the driver of the Limousine. He got down from the car and opened the door of the rear seat to help Rozario and Kelvin get down. Though Talukdar tried to throw his body for opening the rear door, he missed the big catch. Chanakya Nag advised him to look after other guests and proceeded towards the gate along with Rozario and Kelvin.

Talukdar introduced me with Gregory Antony, Homi Rustam Phuchkanwala and other guests. I knew Chandranath Gupta as he had been with Rozario during my interview in Bombay.

Chanakya Nag showed Kelvin and Rozario the new glow-sign board of Rainbow House and company’s nameplates written in English, Hindi and Bengali on both sides of the gate. Glossy brass letters shining like polished gold were fixed on black stone. Entire group reached the first floor walking up slowly on the thickly carpeted wide staircase.

Mandakini Nag was waiting at the auditorium gate with smiling face along with Keya Talukdar and Swapna Ganguly standing on her both sides. Their faces seemed to be glittering with more brilliant smile like the smiling stage girls standing on both sides of the magician exhibiting his magic skill.       

On arriving at the auditorium main gate Rozario shook both fair and soft hands of Mandakini Nag by his blackish hard hands and said, “Halloo…Halloo Mandakini! How are you?”

“Very good! Thank you Sir!” replied Mandakini.

Though waiting for warm “shake hands” from the two big dignitaries, both Swapna Ganguly and Keya Talukdar were disappointed as Rozario and Kelvin did not do that. Instead, Rozario entered the auditorium along with Kelvin keeping his left hand on Mandakini’s lower back. However Rozario did not disappoint Swapna Ganguly. While entering the stadium he patted softly Swapna’s plump cheek with his finger and rubbed her protruding breasts with his right elbow as if not intentionally. Being excited with sudden ecstasy Swapna jerked her bobbed hair and said “Thank you, Sir.” Keya Talukdar stood aside with pale face and looked at Swapna. Tarit Ganguly observed the entire episode standing beside me and seemed to be delighted with the performance of his wife. He introduced Swapna with Homi Phuchcanwala, his all India boss who shook hand with her and entered the auditorium hand in hand. Tarit Ganguly followed them.

Ramani Talukdar seemed to be thoughtful, whether due to poor performance of his wife or his failure in attending Rozario and Kelvin as per blueprint, I could not make out at that moment. But this much I could understand that he was a practical salesman. He changed his facial expression instantly seeing his divisional all India Manager Gregory Antony talking to Chandranath Gupta before entering the auditorium. He almost dragged his wife Keya and brought her before Antony for introduction.

With ready-made smile Talukdar told Antony, “Sir, I told you many times about my wife Keya? Here she is.”

Gregory Antony shook his masculine hands with thin dry hands of Keya and said, “How do you do fair lady? I am so glad to meet you.”

Keya almost jumped up an inch above the ground and said “Thank you, Thank you.”

Talukdar seemed to be tremendously happy and escorted his wife and Antony to the auditorium. So far I studied Talukdar within few days, he would prefer to be satisfied with buttermilk to pure milk not available when desired.

“Nice door-ballad! How do you feel Mr. Bose?”

I looked behind and found my departmental boss Chandrakanth Gupta smiling. He seemed to have enjoyed the reception of big bosses. I did not comment anything, simply smiled at him. I requested Gupta to enter the auditorium as I got to take care of other head office managers. Fortunately Gouri Shankar Chatterjee, who was given charge of conducting the function along with Binoy Bhar, came out and escorted Gupta into the auditorium.

Though Atanu Samanta, Prodyot Sanyal, Deb Pratim Dutta, Chandan Purokayastha and Binoy Bhar were standing behind me, I requested Subbarao Naidu, Pradip Mehta, William Fernandez and Mahendra Soni to get inside the auditorium. After they had gone, I requested all my other junior colleagues to enter the auditorium in spite of their resistance. However they complied with my request.

I felt a pat on my shoulder and looked back.

“Bravo Sumanta! Well done! I am happy with you.” Chanakya Nag said.