My friend Shrikant

My friendship with Shrikant(h) can be described by two parallel lines, never too close and never to far. Both of us joined Burgess school from Standard III. As both of us were new to the school, we get friends. From three to Standard XII, for ten years, we studied together.

In standard III, I don't have any best friend.

In IV, Sapan Shrivastava, was my best friend.

In V, Austin Vivek;

In VI, our section changed, and again in new group, I think I started associating with Shrikant. Since then we get more dependent on each other regarding studies, or other thing. Since then Shrikant and myself were in same closeness till standard XII. My friends circle was always smaller. Apart from Shrikant, during end of standard VIII, Sunil Gupta, Shailendra Sinha joined our group. Gradually Sachin Pandey, Shishir Saxena, Baikunth Nath Shrivastava... etc. were close.

In standard XI, I remember an incident. That time we came to know that a type of glass or spectacles exists, by which one can see other naked. The topic was new to us and was in our discussion. One day, Shailendra brought a sun glass, a dark green glass in school. All of sudden, Shrikant said, "Is this is that glass, by which we can see anything." At that period, Sachin was sitting at one bench behind our adjacent bench, he was very nearer to us. I put on the spectacles, and by seeing Sachin, I said, every thing is visible. Shrikant told him, that this glass, the the said glass. All of sudden, Sachin put both of his hands in front of his, to cover the secret parts, and we laughed.

Before examination of XII, Shrikant used to come to my house for joint study, especially at night, for whole night study. Few times, Shailendra also joined. During Night, we used to prepare tea, and go on roof, with cassette player, for Music+Tea+Study. Once we went to farm behind our house to steal mangoes.

After our XII, I went to West Bengal for Graduation, as my father was sick and unable to continue his job at Bilaspur. I studied First Year at Krishnanagar College. After then I again had to return to Bilaspur for job. Then Shrikant tried to be close, but I may have avoided. In those days, at just when my age was 19 years, when all my friends were studying, I had to go for work. It brought inferior complex to me, as all used to ask what I am doing. So I used not to be with my friends to their home and that's why the friendship line remain parallel.

My friend: ABDUL

My friendship with Abdul has to be described by a pic.




The graph represents that at earlier times we were much apart. But all of sudden we became closer and still so close. The incident which makes us close is as such. Once he came to Kolkata for any examination for a job. That time he came to my house and passed one evening and following day with me. Since then he is very very closer to me. I would also like to mention that we were in same school from standard III till XII. Then another 12 year passed after our schools, and then one day he came to Kolkata and the closeness is represented by the lines above. (Abdul's image above).

Once about the same thought, I told to my very close friend Shailendra that now Abdul is so closer to me and I think of Abdul before Shailendra's. (I would like to mention that Shailendra is such a good friend, that I always seek him for any thing.)

I feel the reason of us not being close due to distance of our residence. I resided at Uslapur and he at SECL colony (South Eastern Coalfields Limited) where his father worked atleast 12 kms. apart. Also in class we were not on same bench. On school days, he was always taller and I was shorter, so I sat on 2nd or 3rd bench from front, and he from the last.

Abdul is very good in habits. He never smoked nor taken any drinks and surely a virgin. Among other friends we can give example of him, that he is true. He is very gentle.

He has fascination of electronic goods, mobiles, cds dvds etc., and purchases some cd/dvds at intervals. He explained me about 5.1 channel sound output, digital images.

He is the one, who sends me most sms (the most means about 3 to 4 a month, or even less). His classic jokes generally related to sex are good. One incident about sms I remember that I sent a sms joke from rediff bol to his mobile. But he could not recognize me with my rediff bol id, and after few days I received the same sms from his mobile to my mobile. I immediately called him and asked from where he got the sms. He said" don't know from where/whom I received, but as it is a good one I forwarded to other friends". Then I told that I sent him that one from rediff, he laughed and so I.

Similar incident, once I received an sms from him on friendship day at about 11.30 p.m. I recognised the sms from his number and didnot add his name in the content. On the next morning, I received the same message from another friend Sunil Gupta, the exact message, but at last the name was includec and the name was Abdul. I realised that the sms was sent by Abdul to Sunil Gupta, and at that time he added his name and without checking , Sunil forwarded to me. Again we taled and laughed.

My friends: Mohan

Lets start from the begining. (I will try to write in detail for more and more persons)





My neighbour boy Mohan is always a good companion to me. We are neighbours since my father posted at Uslapur someabout in the year 1981. Mohans father came to Uslapur somewhat 2 or 3 months later. In 1981 I was 4 years and Mohan was 2. So we are "Langotia Yaar" (in hindi) it means the friends since very young age at which one learns to wear minimum clothes.





As i was 2 years older than him, i always used to be his tutor in every thing, every thing one would learn for the first time. He still lives in Bilaspur.



Many things in an uprising age, he used to know from me. Times when I used to tell about sex he used to got astonished and said" huh! how is this possible". I wonder if he remember those things, how will he feel.



Many many times we used to go to city by only one bicycle. The half way, I has to ride and the other half he does so. It also saves One Rupee for parking cycles. On summer days when schools were off, we used to play hide & seek (Hindi: Res-tip) in the evening. If the evening were dark, it makes our game more entertaining. Also one ningt followed by few other nights, we went to agricultural farm located in back of our row of quarters, to steal mangoes (raw mangoes), and papayas. Within three or four nights, we gave the tree much relief by reducing the weight of the mangoes. Thanx to us.

I last went to Bilapur on Mohan's marriage. One thing I would like to mention that Mohan booked AC car to go to girls house and has wish to bring the bride by AC car in hot days. As per the set, he has to return by night from girls house. But there the programme changed and they had to return by next day morning. By that the car driver said he has been hired by another customer for the next day, and if they are not returning that night, the driver has to return by any way. This lead to some argument, but the only result was that the wish of bringing new bride by AC car remain unfulfilled.

Uslapur / Bilaspur : Tourism Importance

Uslapur is situated beside Bilaspur, or one can say it is a locality in the expanding Bilaspur city. The tourist interest includes:-

1. Amarkantak: Amarkantak is a pilgrim town and a nagar panchayat in Anuppur District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Also called "Teerthraj" (the king of pilgrimages), Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum. This is the place from where the Narmada River, the Sone River and Johila River emerge. Approx. distance from Bilaspur is 120 km.
2. Kanhan Pendari: It is approximately 8 kms from Bilaspur and 6 Kms from Uslapur. It is a natural park and one can find different animal species there.
3. Ratanpur: Ratanpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located about 25 km from Bilaspur on the National Highway 200 towards Ambikapur. The town is popular as a religious center and many devotees come here to offer their prayers and seek the blessings at the Mahamaya Temple. Many other temples such as Bhudha Mahadev and Ramtekri are also situated there. Mahamaya temple is one among the 52 peeth of Godess Durga.
4. Kuthaghat: It is basically a dam located appx. 10 Kms. from Ratanpur. It is surrounded with forest and hills. There is a rest house near to that dam. It is a natural tourist point.
5. Mallhar (Saravpur): Once open a time the Saravpur was the State of Capital of ancient Chatishgarh. It is approximately 14 Km. away from masturi block on the way of frtom Bialspur to Raigarh. At this place remaining found of the period from appx. 1000 BC to Culturi regime. The temples of 10th and 11th century old are seen here. Among those Pataleswar kedar temple is one of them where Gomukhi sihv ling is the main point of attraction. The Didneswari temple of Culturi regime is also found. Artisitc idols are found in Deor temple. At this place, there is mesuem having good collection of old sculpture being managed by Central Govt.
6. Talagram: Talagram is famous for "Deorani-Jethani" temple and is situated appx. 25 Kms. from Bilaspur on Bhojpur-Dagori road. The another name of Talagram is ameri-kapa gram. There is a wondeful statue present in the temple which is approximately 7 ft. height , 4 ft. width and weighed 8 tons. People from all corners of the world come to see the statue. There is no any name has been given to that statue even after several years.

Shorter than window,,,,, at Uslapur Railway Quater no. 3/3

One interesting fact I remember and want to share, is the height of mine was once so shorter that I could not see outside of our house from my window. I remember my brother and mother are standing in front of the window and my father sitting in the bed inside the room but almost straight to the window. They all are able to see outside but not me. But I can see the top of three tall nilgiri (eucalyptus) trees which are near the Uslapur Railway Station Building. These trees are so tall, that, though I was shorter than the base of window, still I can see their top. Also I used to jump frequently to see the outside. By that I can get a glimpse outside. Also I used to stand on the window base holding the rods in the windows.