Hello uncle! I am ‘Sohini speaking’ a pause, then again ‘Could you recognise’? Frankly, I couldn’t at that time. As such, I don’t like quizzes, not that I’m very old, but like my school teacher would always say ‘This boy doesn’t have any Grey Matter in his head’. Much to my annoyance, Sohini kept on giving me clues and playing ‘Pehchan Kaun’ Finally, she turned out to be my old friend and neighbour Mr Ashwini Kumar Roy Sub Area Manager/ Project Officer East Katras Project daughter. Our adjoining houses at West Muddih colony of Katras area of BCCL had made us close friends for nearly 6 years, but since early 2005, after shifting to Sonepur  Bazari, Eastern Coalfields Limited we completely lost touch with Roy’s. Roy Saab, addressed by all as Dada, was my senior by five years, a thorough gentleman, technical wizard, medium height, soft-spoken, with equally talkative better half Mrs Shivani Roy of Unmatched Bengali cooking skills, who’s voice, wouldn’t rattle Dada, while he relaxed in his chair, brooding, moodily or sullenly thoughtful or serious, sometimes drinking whiskey. Because because of his simple, no nonsense, honest and straightforward nature, though technically much sought after, he never got, his timely promotions, which he never repented a bit. His daughter Sohini Roy was studying in Asansol and later at Vanasthali would come home only during festivals and his little daughter Soini would dart in and out of our house at her free will and time. She was a friend of my son and daughter. Yes, yes I remember you all. How did you get my number? She informed me Aunty ( my wife) gave her. Surprised, I had many questions. ‘Ever since Baba passed many years back, I have been trying to locate and connect with you as by the end Baba wanted to talk to you. Ohh! So dada is a history now. I was quick to pay my condolances. How could I forget him? In the report mining location in the mines of Jharia coalfield East Katras project was one the biggest underground mines of Katras area, Dada would go out of the way to stand up in support of even the lowest level of workmen to ensure his safety, justice and honour. Sumer Singh, a workmen in one of inclines of Katras East Katras, died in an mining accident. As I also remember, he always use to discuss with me, The 

‘Preliminary enquiry’ had pronounced the deceased at fault and obsolved senior officials, who were actually responsible, to ensure their careers weren’t affected adversely. But in the process, the family of the deceased would be deprived of full compensation. General Manager Safety from Company Headquarters of Bharat Coking Coal Limited after getting approval from Director Technical Operations, appointed Mr Ashwini Kumar Roy as the technical member of the enquiry committee. Mr Roy has to finally endorse the finding of Preliminary enquiry and close the file. Sri Roy knew the ins and outs of the machine involved and was aware that deceased workmen hadn’t breached any safety code. One evening, he walked up to Late Sameer Singh‘s quarter in the colony, whose wife hadn’t even had time to grieve and cry as three small children in the house needed her care and attention. Financial consequences of wrongly blamed the deceased would have spelt doom for his innocent family. Back at home, much to the annoyance of his wife, requesting him to eat something, Dada sat in the chair till late night, thinking, analysing and brooding over the case. In office, next day, behind closed doors, he prepared the ‘Technical Observations & Findings’ in the accident, precisely pinpointing the deliberate dereliction of duties by some irresponsible officials. His report stirred and rattled even the senior most management of the company as just for the sake of Dada’s honesty and penchant for truth, this would damage the carrier of identified officers. The company’s Director Technical and Chairman cum Managing Director to summoned Dada to their chambers and pressurised him for hours to alter the report, even promising the due amount of compensation to the family of the deceased. Dada set unmoved. A group of senior most officials, backed by a powerful lobby of business man, Mining contractors assured Dada an astronomical amount, much in excess of the retirement benefits to Tweak his findings. Dada didn’t budge, rather went home unruffled, composed, undisturbed, cool headed and slept off. Finally threats and monitoring lures ceased and his report had to be accepted. * Dada’s* raw courage, honesty and steely resolve to with stand the wrongful pressure and resist the lure of bad money had won. That evening while celebrating success, he said we all are mortals and before going up, I shall confirm that for lifelong I stayed honest and in turn you must assure me to give confirmation to your juniors to continue the chain. I have got his confirmation today. Honesty is immortal. chain must continue. Due due to the lackadaisical approach of CMD and directors, he was never promoted and he remained as chief general manager up to his death. May God bless him with kindness and happiness in Heaven and his soul rest in peace. Sohini told me on phone on that day that they have not yet received their retirement benefits. I immediately rang the Sri PM Prasad the Chairman cum Managing Director of Bharat Coking Coalfields Limited who was also my colleague. He immediately responded, and got the work done and all retirement benefits were paid within a fortnight. 

Shrimati Shivani Roy has become my dharam sister and she is nowadays staying at Bangalore along with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson and enjoying a beautiful life with them.