Blog Archives - Klorofeel School

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Sunday with Solve Ninjas

Four Sundays back, I found myself in a Solve Ninja conference with around 350 college students, sharing their experiences with problem solving.

Who is a Solve Ninja?

Solve Ninjas (https://www.reapbenefit.org/what) are school or college students who notice problems in the environment around them – and get concerned enough to take the initiative to solve some of them.

Reap Benefit (https://www.reapbenefit.org/) is a platform to identify, inspire and coach aspiring Solve Ninjas so they start observing and identifying problems around them – and create change by doing something about it. What they do usually involves ideation, teamwork, communication, and collaboration with stakeholders. And most often, innovation.

Reap Benefit also provides a platform to share their problem solving experiences, and I was fortunate to participate in one such event in Mysore on 29th June.

The purpose of such platforms is to offer a space for listening, for engaging, for encouraging. Young people need someone to talk to, to share … this I what I learnt from Kuldeep after I decided to spend my Sunday with them.

I got the opportunity to meet many problem solvers and got inspired enough to write this blog.

Four students I met were studying MSW or BSW (Master/Bachelor of Social Work), and one of them folklore. They hail from Chamaraj Nagar, Bhadravathi, Mysore, Chikmagalur and Mangalore.

The enthusiasm in the environment was palpable. Young India was here, with inspiration to change a part of their world. There were many experienced Ninjas who were repeat participants – they shared the progress they made, and how they made.

The folklore student

I interacted with a student studying folklore, so indigenous culture and practices are not forgotten. He comes from an agriculture family cultivating paddy, ragi, sugarcane, coconut, areca nut. He is looking how to increase the price for his products – he knows branded products of lesser quality sell at a lot more.

What I learnt from them

About Agriculture produce:

One of them makes natural jaggery which is chemical free. It is dark in colour. There is not much demand for this as consumers prefer light coloured jaggery which has chemicals that are toxic.
The wastage (rejected oil) in the cooking oil production process is sold at low prices to restaurants where we enjoy fried snacks like Gobi Manchurian.

Influencer
I met an influencer who endorses resorts and clothing brands, does wedding shoots. He has promoted 50 brands so far, all side by side with good grades and perfect attendance in college. I learnt influencing and promoting a brand are about catching audience attention within ten seconds.

Common Challenges

Parental Support

Often parents hesitate to support their children in non-mainstream activities. On their own, they’d support their children, but they are influenced by neighbours and relatives who scoff at any path outside the usual. The appropriate response is to do extremely well in studies. Two of the students reported they are in top two in their University, with 100% attendance.

That’s the route to getting endorsement from parents!

“Zoning Out”

Many young people lack direction, could become social media addicts or acquire other bad habits and “zone out” or get depressed. The young people I met are busy in their lives – college, fulfilling hobbies and serving community keep them so busy they do not find time for any negativity. All of them are also inspired to do something for society.

I learnt this problem and the term from the influencer. He also stressed he keeps himself busy with many social and academic activities, so he does not zone out. All the others work very hard too. Staying busy with what you love is a necessity – so you stay within.

Young people, more than their parents and teachers, have identified the problems of their times. They have also figured out how to protect themselves.

Zoning out is reaching alarming proportions in our society today. Solve Ninjas have learnt how to stay away. Serving the community, identifying and engaging with issues in their environment, creating a purpose beyond self, present an excellent way to stay connected with one’s inner self, while being rooted in the reality among them. All they need is a platform to express, an opportunity to share, find people who will listen. Reap Benefit provides that much needed platform.

Ideas changing rapidly

They are all full of ideas, and one of them is concerned his ideas change “dramatically”. I feel that is ok. Having many ideas only implies you are thinking. In early life, it is good to try them and explore. Good not to get stuck on one idea too soon.

Why MSW/BSW?

Many students just come into MSW by accident. The students I met were extremely motivated themselves, but I gathered 90% are not. I also learnt even many teachers don’t know why they chose their profession, or the opportunities therein.

HR is the most preferred path after MSW as that pays well and has “good scope”. Society does not show equal respect for jobs in social enterprise.

Interesting achievements of our young Solve Ninjas

One Solve Ninja gifts the lonely “grandma” and “grandpa” what they need most – his time and company. He is a singer, stand up comedian, counsellor, all of these to be cheerful company for lonely old people. He has spotted a significant problem in community – that of lonely old men and women, as their children have gone elsewhere for work. He already provides this service to more than 20 grandparents, and wants to build an enterprise to address this.

Another Solve Ninja is full of ideas and since childhood is focused on how to help society. She plans to join Civil Services to serve society, but till that happens, she is doing plenty. She serves the migrant workers who live in tents; she started teaching their children and has now become an elder sister to them.

“All they need is acceptance.”
“I make them feel included”
“I should do what I like to do.”
“I am passionate about IAS, and compassionate about social work.”
“Whatever I do, I should not have Ego”

All these, I learnt from the inspired youngster still in her teens. She works with an NGO and shares food with the needy, on Sundays. Spends time with old people, and teaches in schools. Created a platform to reach jobs to people. Shuns planet-unfriendly consumables, and spreads awareness about the same.

After meeting these young inspirations, I feel energised – the future of our society is in safe hands!

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Klorofeel is now Translating IndiYatra Quiz into Odia!

We are very happy and proud to share that! The IndiYatra Quiz is launching Odia version quizzes, and we’re so proud that our very own Manoj Panigrahi Sir, Vice Principal of Klorofeel School Brahmapur, is helping to translate and review it!

This means more people, especially here in Odisha, will be able to enjoy and learn from the quiz in their own language. Manoj Sir’s hard work will help:

Everyone enjoys and learns from the IndiYatra Quiz.
Teachers and students share and discuss these fun quizzes, making learning even better.
Inspire us all to help with similar projects that benefit our community.

Let’s all wish Manoj Sir the best of luck with this important work. We know he’ll learn a lot, and we’re incredibly proud of his contribution. This is a moment of immense pride for Klorofeel, showcasing our commitment to education and community upliftment.

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Rebuilding Education

– Chaitanya Sinha

Class 10, Klorofeel School, Brahmapur

When discussing education, it is essential to remember that expectations and reality are distinct entities. You may not achieve the same outcome when compelling someone to join a program. Similarly, if someone is not suited for studies, we should not expend much effort trying to make them fit. There are reasons why lions are not used for ploughing fields and fish are not asked to paint masterpieces. Therefore, the foundation of an effective education system must begin with focusing on those engaged in it. Investing effort in those involved in studies would positively impact individual growth. On the other hand, we cannot neglect that studies provide us with a basic understanding of the world and, to some extent, an introduction to the developed aspects of our world, which are not readily apparent. Learning can be achieved in various ways. One must not limit oneself to dedicating specific hours to it. There are everyday lessons that are remembered and used throughout our lives. Specifying something can create pressure and a risk of false assurance. We, as humans, are remarkably adept at seeing things, and we rarely encounter trouble with our eyesight. Similarly, if learning occurs throughout the day, there is logical reasoning behind why we would see improvements. Rather than relying solely on textbooks and having students write notes, it would be much better to give them the chance to discover concepts and reason independently. It may sound challenging because we often think that knowledge should be imparted to students, which is not true. Students are eager to learn if we don’t force them to acknowledge it. We can only ensure that resources are available to fill the gaps in their understanding. There will be challenges in this, but we are already blessed with a solution. A teacher can oversee all these aspects. Teachers can guide students toward the conceptual gaps in their current knowledge and surroundings. They can demonstrate how to invest time and experiment effectively.

There will still be clarifications needed for subjects other than science, such as math, social science, literature, and the study of the great beings who have led us to the remarkable vision we possess today. This includes scientists, authors, artists, and historians. Such gaps will inevitably arise when adapting to this new way of learning. However, we can counter this through the one thing we depend on: written sources. We can finally utilise books, articles, and verbal teachings. A more effective approach is to create an environment that embraces discovery, invention, and effort. Some things must be tolerated. This includes the abolition of censorship, rules, supervision, and, most importantly, guidance. One primary reason for the inefficiency in the current education system is the excessive help use. Any help will often lead to a lack of confidence, risk of misunderstanding, dependency, and delays in reaching potential. Instead of helping, we can show them what others have accomplished—things that were once considered supernatural but are not now. But at last, it’s better to let them walk on their own path, and we don’t. There is one last thing that remains, beginning. To make students start all these, major components are required. Those include self-confidence, discipline, expressing themselves, engaging in sports, giving opportunities to present

themselves and their makings, giving them a stage to show their physical beauty. Physical beauty is a vast thing often neglected because of false ethical concepts. If something is seen as bad, it’s limited within its motive and this also is not hard at all. Igniting such curiosity is done by the environment. I want to ensure that all these changes can only work with willingness and nothing else. It is an easy and undisturbed path that ensures a hundred percent success in making our education system the best in the world.

In conclusion, I would say that exams must be removed, and voluntary tests, which students would give on a specific day, would be better. Also, there shouldn’t be any class division but division based on years of learning. This way, we will raise humans and not machines bound to focus on the limited world.

Master Chaitanya Sinha views on education published in Gyanprakash, Bhubaneswar and Delhi simultaneously.

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Klorofeel School Prayer जय जगत (Jai Jagat) Lyrics in Hindi

जय जगत पुकारे जा, सिर अमन पे वारे जा

सबके हित के वास्ते अपना सुख बिसारे जा।

प्रेम की पुकार हो, सबका सबसे प्यार हो

जीत हो जहान की क्यों किसी की हार हो। जय जगत…

न्याय का विधान हो सबका हक समान हो

सबकी अपनी हो ज़मीं सबका आसमान हो। जय जगत …

रंग भेद छोड़ दो, जात पात तोड़ दो..

मानवों की आपसी अखंड प्रीत जोड़ दो। जय जगत…

शांति की हवा चले, जग कहे भले भले

दिन उगे स्नेह का रात रंज की ढले।। जय जगत…

डर के जीना छोड़ दो, डरा के जीना छोड़ दो

प्रेम और आनंद के, जीवन में रंग घोल दो। जय जगत …

The song promotes the upliftment of all, non-violent social change, and a society based on love and compassion. Klorofeel School is inspired by this song and uses a few stanzas in their Morning Assembly Prayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGf8bvzOGk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-pmqTF2xo

#JayJagat #School #SchoolPrayer

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Theatre with NSD

National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi, organises a Theatre Workshop for 600 school children in summer where students from various schools in Delhi have the privilege of learning drama from NSD artistes.

NSD delivers this workshop in 8 schools with three age groups.

Our Drama Teacher, Binod Mahakur, is among the artistes chosen by NSD to deliver this workshop. This is a 6-week exercise during which Binod is learning the craft of teaching theatre from the best in the land, rubbing shoulders with the best in the land, all this while delivering workshops to the children.

Binod is among the youngest, and the only one from Odisha, chosen for this.

Klorofeel students have the privilege of learning from Binod.

At Klorofeel School, drama is not just an extra curricular subject. Other subject teachers engage with our Drama teacher to bring theatre into our regular lessons. Bringing regular concepts to the students through theatre is not just exciting for the students, it also helps in retention, as concepts are being taught through memorable experiences. Such pedagogy is also in keeping with Klorofeel’s करके देखो philosophy.

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My tryst with books

My tryst with books started early. The first “book” I can recall was an atlas that I loved to pore over –states and cities, nations and capitals, rivers and mountains – I still love atlases. The India map in that atlas was simpler – North East was easy to remember (anyone can recall NEFA😄); Punjab was one large state, while Karnataka was called Mysore. Today’s school students have a lot more states to deal with!

Around this time, my parents subscribed me to a Bengali children’s monthly, Shuktara – but I remember I read only the cartoon strips in that – never touched the stories. Later in third standard, I made my first long journey – from Dhanbad to Delhi was a 19-hour train ride, and that initiated my abiding love for the railway time table. By the time, I was in eighth or ninth, I recall, I had calculated the average speeds of all express trains in the country – a consequence of my love for information connecting with my love for calculations (I did not have a calculator then!). I still buy the railway time table, even though I don’t really need it, except when we need to plan journeys that www.irctc.co.in can’t provide effortlessly.

When in class 3, I received a present I still cherish – an “Amar Chitra Katha” – there were very few of those, then, and this first one made me hungry for more. My mother told me I can get one every time I topped in class, so that was a real motivation. I recall telling my mother when I start earning, I will buy them all! I quickly graduated to Secret Seven, and then on to Famous Five, and Hardy Boys. In parallel, I slowly became an avid reader of Bengali fiction and Shibram Chakraborty was very popular among children of the seventies.

I got introduced to my favourite English language author quite by mistake. I was in third or fourth year of my B.Tech. and there was some exam the next day that I was not prepared for. I made my rare trip to the library, so I can avoid the commotion and the distractions in the hostel. The table I sat at had a book with an interesting name, “The Razor’s Edge”. I opened a random page, and here was Isabel reflecting on how to make her choice for marriage – should she marry for love or marry for security? The discussion was too good to avoid, and of course more important than the electrical engineering exam I had the next day! Thus began my rendezvous with Somerset Maugham – Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence were two of my favourites, apart from many of his short stories – I had probably finished most of his novels before I completed my electrical engineering.

I was interested in quizzing in school (it wasn’t so focused on obscure topics then) and so “general knowledge” books were another attraction in school, apart from periodicals like Sunday, Sportsweek or Science Today which fuelled my need to stay abreast of information. Apart from such info-focused reading, most of my “extra” reading right till my early professional life was limited to lot of Bengali and some English fiction, light reading (Tintin, Feynman, George Mikes), or philosophy (Bertrand Russell, Capra). Like a true technical guy, I avoided “management” or “self help” books. Till one day in 1995 when one team member resigned, and we were discussing on the farewell gift for him. I suggested “Tanenbaum” or some other technical book, and I recall Sylvia suggested why not ask him? To my surprise, this 24-year-old went for Steven Covey’s “Seven Habits”. This led to introspection on why I never looked at such books (I felt technical people are smart enough not to need those), and here was this youngster’s first choice!

Over the next six months, I had finished three of Covey’s books. I recall devouring “Principle Centered Leadership” during the two and half hour flight from Bangalore to Delhi, and from then on, looked forward to long flights. Each was one more opportunity to finish one more book. In a way, it was a continuation of my habit from my student days when I’d finish a Shankar novel in the upper berth of the 19-hour train ride from Dhanbad to Delhi.

Why do I read books?

Well, plenty of reasons – first, I love books, and that’s reason enough.

Second, books help you do a job – as a student, it helps you learn some concepts easily. Once at work, good books give you the confidence you have got the essence. Late in the 90s, after more than a decade of technical work, I moved into Human Resources for two years. I was anxious to know all the basics I needed to know. I recall books gave me that confidence. Later, my first job in MindTree was Knowledge Management – again, delving into books convinced me I can do it. But I must put a caveat on the avid book readers on this point – books are not a substitute to listening to people. Listening to people and their pain, or even better, getting into the mud and experiencing the pain, are always better teachers than books.

Books build perspective. Again, quite by accident, in my school library, I discovered Vincent Smith’s “Oxford History of India”. It was amazing to read this book. My heroes of 1857 were not quite painted in heroic light in this book, and the people they fought (the British Resident of Oudh, for example) were the heroes here. I can’t explain how much a transformational experience this book was in my life. I wish children of every country had access to history textbooks of other countries – in one generation, the world will not just be a safer but also a more collaborative place to live in.
I read to relax – a lot of reading I do today falls in this category. But relaxation also leads to reflection – a good laugh after reading a cartoon, I’d realize “oh God, it applies to me” and then smile once more.
In my tenth standard, I bought lots of books and I regretted after the exams I did not read a substantial number of them. I felt immensely guilty, and became choosy about what I bought. Later when I started earning what looked like a lot of money, and I got introduced to these “management books”, I started buying lot of books just to see what another author has to say on the topic. Once in a long while, one would hit upon a Hamel or a Senge, and feel pleased with the acquisition, but more often it was a waste of money. Then I’d convince myself, my knowledge on the topic is not bad either, and would feel pleased about it! Besides, a lot of rubbish gets passed on packaged in attractive jargon, and non-readers do get overwhelmed when others throw these terms around. If you are reading enough, you know to recognize bull shit even when it’s packaged with perfume, in an attractive container.
I recall my last strategy session in Wipro. I was the HR head of my business then, and I had a large list of ideas I proposed to implement. The Friday evening before the conference week, my CEO (Jani) wanted to see my presentation, and that was a disaster. I was unambiguously told it was unacceptable, and I needed to re-do the whole thing. I had reason to be worried. The conference begins in middle of next week, and I had lots of other work to do before that. Somehow I convinced myself my ideas were good, but the packaging was not, and my concepts seemed too complicated. I spent the weekend delving into my store of books at home – looked at charts and tables, onion rings and four quadrants. By Monday, I was confident I could prepare a good ppt, and for the first time I could prepare one that had something beyond text. Don’t for a moment conclude that the 4-quadrant diagram is mere packaging; expressing my concepts in diagrams helped structure my thoughts, brought in clarity, and helped differentiate between the essential and the peripheral. My final presentation at the conference was a hit, and since then I have not questioned the money spent in books.
That leads me to another thought – I read books not just for content but to understand how thoughts are structured. I look at hit books to decipher why they are a hit. Simplicity, touching you emotionally, connecting with some real experience of yours are just some attributes of successful books, for example. Nevertheless, there’s nothing to beat relevant, compelling content!
Reading helps you find patterns. Through the late nineties and post Y2K (true even now), newspapers in Bangalore would focus on technology, the internet, and technology businesses. You didn’t find that in newspapers in some other metros, for example. You get the flavour of Bangalore that way, you also get the pattern of things to come. You could confidently predict Bangalore is going to be the pre-eminent tech city. Over the last couple of years, every Indian newspaper writes about education in our country. I can conclude this is going to be among the most happening themes in the decade to come. Think of the number of Indians who have won international literary awards in the recent past – I bet you can’t name them all. Are Indians suddenly writing a lot better? More probably, it just indicates the world (at least the English speaking world) is getting more interested in India. That’s another pattern.
Reading, in some unexpected ways, can help one clarify purpose. I recall in the summer of 1995, I was enjoying vacation at home, and reading Vivekananda. I was lost in thought, connecting his writings with problems in modern India, and I thought how prescient he was. Then I realized he was relating to the India of a hundred years back, and regrettably, we still have similar problems. I reflected Vivekananda, with all his capabilities, could not ensure the ideal society he dreamt of. Yet he did what he did. Who am I to expect I can bring more complete or more lasting change than he could? That was a defining insight. I must not wait till I have the perfect plan or I am perfectly capable, that time will never come; I will just do what I must do.
Wide reading also helps us connect – across domains and contexts. They lead to openness of perspective, and innovative solutions. It helps us stay with contradictions, and make sense out of them.

Let me finish with a caution. Reading is a must, but it’s not the only thing. If you read so much, and came till here, chances are you are a good reader. However, don’t just read – act! Action is more important than reading. How much reading is too much? Reading should lead to thinking, discussions, writing, doing. Reading is like investing, and long term. But you do not want to make recurring deposits into a bank account you cannot withdraw from. In short, do read but follow it up with reflection, connection, action! Also, don’t try to read all. If a book is worth reading a chapter, just read the chapter, no need to read cover to cover just because you bought the book. It’s like a buffet – eat what you like, but trying to get your money’s worth will affect your health.

Finally, if you are already a good reader, try and spread the virus. Try and gift thought provoking books to your friends any time you find an opportunity. Quite by chance, I happened to gift Childcraft to my sons early on in their lives, and that got them attracted to books like a magnet. But then, that’s their tryst with books.

(This was written around 2010. We had many interesting Communities in MindTree, and around 2010 we created a book readers’ community to encourage reading habits. This piece was written on request of the founders of that community.)

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You inspire us

Thrown out of her own house at the young age of 20 by her abusive husband, she resorted to begging.

While she was begging for survival, she found her mission: to care for orphan children.

From taking care of a few orphans, to becoming the “mother” to over 1500 orphans, Sindhutai Sapkal charted a path that shows what it means to be a human. If that is not what a true saint is made of, I don’t know what is.

Sindhutai Sapkal, also known as Mai, passed away this morning.

Let us pray that she will inspire a million more people to “be human”; and to care for other beings; may she inspire a million people to create a happy, healthy, loving society.

May all beings be in peace.

sarve bhavantu sukhinaha.

Mahesh Shirgaonkar.

5th January 2022

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Inspiration

Kumar Ajit Prasad Singh Deo was a prince, the younger son of Raja Jyoti Prasad Singh Deo of Panchkote Raj state, located at Kashipur, near Adra (now in Purulia district in West Bengal).

Ajit Prasad Singh Deo moved with his family to Purulia town and ran businesses that thrived with time. He supported students from deprived backgrounds and treated them as his own. This story is about that.

One young boy, Basudam, used to walk every day from his village, Ghoragara, 7 miles away, to Victoria School in Purulia. After school, back all the way to Ghoragara. Ajit Prasad Singh Deo spotted him, talked to his father and offered to provide accommodation and boarding to Basudam. This will save him the 14 mile walk every day.

Thus changed the script of Basudam’s life.

Once Basudam completed high school, Basudam’s father requested Ajit Prasad Singh Deo to get him a job. “Matriculation” was a big qualification in India of the 1940s, and a job would have been the perfectly logical path to pursue, specially for a boy coming from a family that could not afford two square meals a day.

But Basudam wanted to study further. Ajit Prasad Singh Deo indulged, sent him to BHU for further studies. Basudam completed his I.Sc. and then his B.Sc. from BHU. Again, with Ajit Prasad Singh Deo’s support, he pursued his M.Sc. in Geology from Patna University, before joining Central Fuel Research Institute, a CSIR lab, where he pursued his science and research career. Basudam’s career in research and exploration led him to a Ph.D. degree as well, from the Indian School of Mines, but Ajit Prasad Singh Deo did not live to see this.

Ajit Prasad Singh Deo and his family’s involvement did not end with funding Basudam’s education. Basudam became a member of the family. Ajit Prasad Singh Deo was father, and his wife, Sarojini Devi, mother to Basudam. Their children were brothers and sisters of Basudam, and with time, grandchildren were nephews and nieces.

A few years after his marriage, Basudam was diagnosed with a life threatening disease. Sarojini Devi and her sons and daughters responded like a close family would. Not just in organising the best available treatment, but being with him, for the one and half years it demanded till he completely recovered. This and many other instances provide the confidence that the deepest emotions among humans, e.g. love, caring and sharing need not be limited within relationships by birth alone. It is for us to broaden our perception of who we are, and who is our family – and enjoy the expanded sense of our perspective.

Basudam’s life was not the only one impacted by Ajit Prasad Singh Deo’s perspective of the world around. There were many deprived children who grew up along with Basudam, going on to pursue successful professions.

But, as you have understood by now, this story is Basudam’s. Basudam understood how education can change lives. His son, Kalyan Banerjee, pursued a career in computing before being drawn into education and eventually conceiving Klorofeel School, building it with patience along with Dr Haribandhu Panda, Anand Rao Ladi, Adarsh Rath, Gopal Krishna Rao, Somnath Patnaik, Taniya Mukherjee and all the early teachers you have experienced so far.

Wish you all a hearty welcome to Klorofeel School. We are inspired by Ajit Prasad Singh Deo whose thinking and actions brought transformational shift in Basudam Banerjee’s life.

Together, we shall create something beautiful. And we have already begun the journey.

This talk was delivered by Kalyan Banerjee to Class 6 students of Klorofeel School, Nov 2021

Ajit Singhdeo’s image adorns the intersection of the two main corridors of Klorofeel School.

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Missing the Generous Man

On the first day of May, my uncle, Jagadanand Prasad Singh Deo, transited to the world of eternal peace.

I know him as a very generous man. He loved everyone, unconditionally. Very simple in his habits, and very happy with very little, something very difficult to practice.

He was also an outstanding sportsman. As a child I remember he would come to play tennis championships at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, and then come to our house in the evening. And win them too.

Sometime during my childhood days, I had the job of selling lottery tickets and on one of those visits, I requested my uncle to buy some. He replied, show me how many tickets you have, I will buy them all. My father had to intervene, so I did not get greedy after his offer!

In his school, Rajkumar College at Raipur, he broke the High Jump athletics record. Later his sons broke his record!

I learnt from Deep (his younger son) he was a good hockey player while in Calcutta studying at St Xavier’s College. So good that Olympic medallist Vece Paes fondly recalled his hockey skills many decades later.

He was an excellent shikari too. In 1983, he was invited by the West Bengal Police to kill a leopard that had entered a village and mauled a few people. They went to the village outskirts and saw the villagers had surrounded the animal. My uncle moved ahead to have a good view of the leopard; the waiting leopard caught him unawares and charged on to him within seconds. He fought the leopard with bare hands while his brother, Kamakshya who was accompanying him could not shoot, worried that the bullet might hit his brother rather than the leopard, given that they were interlocked in battle. In midst of this battle between man and animal, a local policeman who was supposed to control the crowd, fired at the leopard, and unfortunately the bullet hit my uncle just below the left knee. This made my uncle lose balance and he fell down with the animal on top of him. Now my uncle, Kamakshya, realised there’s no choice – the leopard will eventually overpower his powerful but bullet-hit adversary. With a prayer in his lips, he took his chance and shot at the leopard and fortunately found his target.

Jagadanand needed an year of expert medical treatment before he recovered from the battle with leopard and the bullet.

Such feat usually wins a President’s Medal at Republic Day. All while deputed in government duty, too. He is a hero easy to admire, but difficult to imitate.

He would always be very happy when I will call him – respond with a very cheerful voice. I last called him a week before his divine call, and he sounded happy as always.

He was a passionate farmer too who thought ahead of his time. Loved agriculture and commercial pisciculture, and enjoyed experimentation. He started a small rice revolution in the local farming community, being the first person to Introduce Taichung variety of rice (a short variety of Rice found in Taichung in Taiwan) to Purulia district in the late 1960s. Today Taichung is synonymous with high quality rice in the entire eastern India. He was also the first to introduce wheat farming in Purulia district way back in the early 1970s. This was unheard of till he set a precedence and now diligently followed by progressive farmers in the district. He also introduced Broiler chicken farming and mushroom farming in his home district in the early 1980s. A pioneer in such agro and farm initiatives who led by example, he was one of the early members of the Bharat Krishak Samaj, the leading farmer’s forum of India founded in 1955.

While still active at his farm, in his pre-leopard days, he was one with the farmers, and they saw him as one of their own.

During my first trip to US, he told me to get a remote controlled boat with a long range, that he can use at his pond to exercise the fish. I could not find, and didn’t know how to search.

In a world where aggression commands respect and so many are just racing in the fast lane, he was the great harmoniser, caring for the privileged and the deprived alike, equally at ease with the big things and the unglamorous, happy and cheerful with the world.

He leaves behind an example very difficult to follow. The world will be richer with more people like him.

Credits: Debjit Prasad Singh Deo, for his contribution, and his encouragement to write this.