To Bokaro In One Go

To Bokaro In One Go

 

On my entry to the steel sector

at the bottom rung of a managerial cadre

designated then as Graduate Engineer

as mandatory to be groomed for a year

before stepping in as first-line manager

in any integrated steel public sector

along with all batch mates together

one hundred twenty in number

I was put under Bhilai training institute

to gauge a steel pant complexity en route.

Theories grasped at our Alma-mater

had to see its demos on the shop floor.

The feel on the reactions of conversion

of an inert mater to spearhead the human civilization

infused life in the theories crammed into the head

to be our live companion in life ahead.

On Bokaro steel’s emergency requisition,

Needed it, engineers, it, to the commission,

a few of us were lottery- picked

as a seventy-one batch of BSL GET

in phases, we had to move to Bokaro

Three of us were asked soon to go.

Bidding adieu to all in Bhilai

breaking the bondage with a heart aching sigh

A short but memorable there was my stay

to the place and the people gratitude I pay.

To T T table, Chessboard and Hockey field

and the friends there, my heart and soul still yield.

By train started for Bokaro steel city

we three Ramani, Khandelwal, and I.

A new plant of gigantic dimension

raising in us many an apprehension

also painting our dreams on our future

at a faster pace to rise on the managerial ladder.

We three together shared our thoughts

over eighteen hours via memorable spots.

to reach Chas, the entry gate to the steel city

where the next ten years of life like a moment did flee.

In course of this journey of recollections

many incidents characters juxtaposed to come out

with love and live memories none I can flout

as they all dance live in my memory lane

But to avoid volumes with the pain I refrain.

Cherish, though I their associations with gratitude

as to exist in life they built my fortitude.

To continue the present story within a limit

only I tell you Bokaro then as I saw and felt it.

 

 

“Around two lakhs workforce in one premise

working round the clock under Bokaro steel’s aegis,

with a yet to come up township and infrastructure

the nearby township being fifty kilometers farther

Marshaling people varied caste creed, cuisine, and color

without any major crisis” was a management wonder

Salute I at this stage to each of its architects

from a menial hand to the head of the project

as I am the witness to their sacrificial contribution

to make this BSL unique in each of its dimension

dedicating it to mother India to forge ahead

proud I am being with them once sharing the bread.

Occupying every inch under a covered space

staying away from families at far off place

each architect to this technical wonder

deserve the nations’ gratitude and prayer.

Management stalwarts may trace BSL’s origin

to bring out from its underneath the treasure hidden.

Russian experts alien to us in every way

along with them we enjoyed their stay.

with two to three words known to each other,

names hard to pronounce still we were knitted closer.

thus it proved “Love overrides all barriers”

when the plant was commissioned with a few interpreters.

“True friendship between Russia and India”.

was demonstrated at Bokaro during Indo USSR era

Also “India despite varieties and vagaries is ever united.

the effect on their united efforts got Bokaro ignited.

 

 

From Chas, if one entered crossing Garga the river

with habitants on both banks adding to her glamour

as if it is a nature gifted moat to guard the steel city

as kings used to create moats for their safety.

In rain, decorates the city, the flooded river

with a gold necklace formed by her yellowish water.

The chief executive bungalow takes the honor

being the first residential building as we enter

commanding respect and fear of city visitors

to sanitize them, in the town of their behaviors.

City Park then the heart of township at the first phase

an honor to the environment with its grandeur and blaze.

Bow we must to the supreme lord before our deeds

Rsmamandir at Sector one true piety in us, breeds.

Sehgal's milk cake, Dilip Canteens fish curry

still moisten my tongue with Laxmi market chicken tandoori.

The weekly market Dhundibag a place to visit

at least on Sundays with better halves, employees make it

Choices of green vegetables raise the appetite

the county chicken and live fishes draw scintillating sight.

On the awestruck feature of steel gate

without present-day techniques and net

at the hands handling a livelihood precarious

I still bow with awe though it is nefarious.

Any certificates with original monogram

without attending classes or passing any exam

one can get on payment as per his desire

may it be of Massachusetts, Harvard or Yorkshire.

But thre food and liquor to your choice and taste

served on leaf and earthen pots by vendors at the steel gate

squatting on streets, dragging on the cart and from the huts

srill I am mesmerized the tests of instantly fried peanuts

Cherish I then besides the steel gates’ panoramic sight.

main entry gate with a flow of employees at general shift

on cycles, scooters, bikes, cars running to be in time

without modern surveillance, security controlled the crime.

Gate pass, gate entry and Gate management at such sight

it will take pages to dwell with the associates’ plight.

An ocean of people together rushing through the gate

present the universal form of Lord, Himself coming to create.

The club the community center developed early

to break the monotony of works and tensions to burry

The swimming pool, tennis court halls for t t and badminton,

hocky and kabaddi field all these still lure me there to run.

Each salient places of the city have names unique

Thana more Chaki more Chhapra more are from them a few

Each Morha has its special hue to signify its name

no official announcement but from the public names came.

Forty years back I arrived at Bokaro as a raw

For ten years her my upbringing with the love she saw

Apologize I parting her being selfish to seek my career

but I always feel confident because of my association with her.

Hey Bokaro steel plant and Bokaro steel city

all brethren, all animate and inanimate in it!

Your love and care have brought me to this age.

Please accept my gratitude in this voyage.

My tears of parting and remembrance for you

may yield you the prosperity through nf through.

 

 

P K Routray

In the service of Lord

 

 

(N B Bhilai Steel Plant and Bokaro Steel Plant are two gigantic steel plants. I started my job at  Bhilai Steel plant and then seved for ten years at Bokaro Stee; P;ant.)