Rao Bahadur (also Raobahadur and Rai Bahadur; abbreviated R.B) is a title of honor issued in India to individuals who have performed great service to the nation. Literally translated "Rao" implies "prince" and "Bahadur" means "most honorable." This title was awarded to Indians, both Hindu and Christian. During the British Rule, the Rao Bahadur was accompanied by a medal. The equivalent title for Muslim and Parsi subjects was Khan Bahadur.-Wikipedia Raibahadurs are extinct now. But it was not so even around five decades back. In and around Rashbehari, Bhowanipur and Ballygaunge areas there were a number of mini palatial buildings with gardens at the front behind large wrought iron gates which used to display names of the owners of the buildings prefixing "Raibahadur" . In my early years, while I was in my morning schools I developed the habit of walking around the Kolkata roads most of the day. I could find a number of those build...
On 3 rd .January, 2016 I found a foggy morning from the 4 th Floor balcony of our flat at Mecon Tower though with a mild assurance of forthcoming sunshine. I could not hope for good Picnic scheduled on the day. By God’s grace I was proved utterly wrong. Sharply at 7.45 AM a bright yellow School Bus showed and parked at the gate. Within minutes my intercom rang and I and my better half Jayasree hurriedly came down. She went inside the bus and I, along with some others, was waiting for the desired ones to assemble. Soon all gathered and the Bus started at 8.15 AM towards its destination. Although a School Bus it was carrying passengers who are mostly Grand Parents of School going kids. The destination was Pat’s Cottage at Sonarpur where we, the Ex-Meconians and their families, would gather for the yearly Picnic. The Bus drove through Prince Anwar Shah Road Connector and took a turn towards south after reaching EM BY pass. On the way it stopped at Kalikapur, Satyajit Roy Film ...
I read somewhere that while two Britishers meet they form a club and while two Bengalees meet they initiate a Puja.Now I understand that Gurudas,my elder ,aged 10 years then and me,8 year old were gifted with both the traits.We initiated a club way back in 1956 with an ulterior motive to organise a Saraswati Puja. The Goddess used to be worshiped in our household in most humble way but we looked for something more gorgeous.The nearby club in the locality, "Dilip Smriti Sangha", used to perform Puja with usual pomp and gay but we were not much accepted in the group as we were fairly new to the locality. We felt neglected. Neglect of this kind, sometimes, ignite a spark within the mind of persons who are creative by nature. I heard that Sir Jamshedji Tata came up with the famous Taj Mahal Hotel as he was not treated favorably in some British five star hotel.Unknowingly we followed suit and decided to establish a club. Space was not much of a problem as the roof of our house ...
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