The Mecca of Science...08 Oct 2014

Today was a red-letter day for me as I was able to visit the museum dedicated to one of the revered names of science in India. Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose has always been a respected name in my family for his scientific genius. Some of his other aspects and the respect that he commanded amongst his famous peers was a story which was unraveled by me during the course of my visit to Bose Institute.
Located close to Sealdah station on APC Road, this would be missed by many until one is keen on seeing it; nevertheless the institution now a centre for higher research is offering courses only at MSc and PhD level. The first entry was unique. I was told that entry is only for researchers and that too it required the Director's permission because of the rarity of the objects kept in the museum. They must have taken me and my colleague Dr. Biswas as casual tourists. the moment I showed them this blog with all details mentioned every week, the person took us seriously and soon allowed us to get into it. He was also kind enough to request the curator to guide us throughout our visit. Photography was not allowed but the awe was enough to keep us through the visit excited and thrilled.

The section on the ground floor had collection of the instruments that he used; most of which were invented by him. They were primarily in 3 segments namely physics, chemistry and plant physiology. Before I proceed with the list of the instruments, let me mention one thing that with my limited knowledge of science, I would still consider them to be modern by today’s standard. One has to be there to believe that such inventions (infact truly original inventions) are possible.

The instruments on display were compound lever crescograph, Photosynthetic babbler, Response recorder, Socionograph, Oscillating plate phytograph, Strain cell (for qualifying an object as living / non-living), Optical sphygmograph, Oscillating recorder and Microwave apparatus.

On display were the enlarged photocopies of his Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) from Benares Hindu University, University of Calcutta, University of Panjab, University of Dacca and Allahabad University besides his original DSc from University of London (1896). We also see a Honorary LLD Certificate from Aberdeen university. The prized Certificate was the awarding of Knighthood. His name was followed by CIE, CSI, FRS denoting Commander of Indian Empire, Companion Star of India and Fellow Royal Society (obviously London).

There are several handwritten notes, some request letters for demonstration and some letters of thanks. There is an invitation from Royal Institute of Great Britain for Friday evening meeting and a thanks letter to Royal Institution dated 01-Feb-1899.

On another side of the same floor we have original slides used by him (1905), his hand calling bell, hand-made projector and a Stopwatch (make of Wittnaver). There are handwritten notes of many famous people addressed to him; important ones were one of George Bernard Shaw requesting him to go through 1 book (from the lot of 3 books which he wanted him to go through; just in case his luggage would become too heavy), that of M K Gandhi calling himself stupid for forgetting Dr. Bose’s birthday and that of few high ranked British officers including Governor General. Most of the letters address him as Sir Jagdish. Some of his books are also kept namely “Voice of life” and “Quest of Truth and destiny”.

There is a detailed description of the conference hall of Bose Institute where one gets to know that the ceiling  was designed by Nand Lal Ghosh (a painting probably) and we have embodiments of Sun God (which was personally designed by Dr. Bose). We also have portraits of 4 personalities who influenced Dr. Bose namely Michael Faraday,Hertz,Maxwell and Marconi.

The staircase to the floor above is adorned with many rare letters exchanged between him and personalities like Subash Bose (signed in the capacity of Mayor of Kolkata) and Tagore.

The top floor has certain items on display again including his personal belongings (dress materials, his wife’s sarees are also displayed). There is a kurta which is believed to have been worn by him the night before his death.

We also see some rare rare pictures enlarged of Lord Rayleigh. Amongst his famous students were Meghnad Saha (a genius himself) and J.C Ghosh(an institution in himself and the founder of IIT, Kharagpur). Patrick Geddes, who wrote his first biography also finds space in the room. Dr. Bose’s letter to Tagore on his renunciation of knighthood and congratulatory letter on the Nobel Prize is also displayed.

The best part of the first floor was a display section where the demonstration of microwaves is given by Dr. Bose in the presence of Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ray (another genius and a junior to Dr. Bose).

I came out feeling absolutely blessed and thrilled wondering as to who would come close to him genius-ness. But, as they say there are thousand suns and our lives gets over seeing one moving from the East to the West.

St. Andrew's kirk...07 Oct 2014

There was a temporary break from the Sunday escapades because of the ongoing Pujas. The same spirit resumed today again. This time it was again the father-son duo (from where it all began) as my better-half was presumably busy in her newly founded mission.

The large board at the entrance

The frontal view; I had to take an inclined picture to try to cover as much of the structure in a complete frame and that too from as close as possible

The point of survey and research was the St. Andrew's Church; I would prefer the word "Kirk" because of the fact that this is technically the term used for Scottish Church and since this is the one of its kind in Kolkata, let a degree of distinction be attached to the same. It is located besides Writer’s Building; this infact connects Writer’s Building with BBD Bagh. It is at a stone’s throw distance from the High Court on one side and the Old Mission Church (of the fame of being established in 1770) on the other side.

The triangle is visible and so are the pillars; the triglyphs and metopes are distinctly visible

What catches one’s eye is the imposing size (in terms of height). The loftiness speaks also of the thickness of the walls and the girth of the pillars. The pillars so thick that one cannot cover by ones own arms. The structure for sure is very strong because there was no single crack (or sign of decay) on the structure or inside it despite it seeing 196 summers. Yes, I have my statistics correct and doubly checked; it was made public on 08-Mar 1818 though the foundation stone was laid om 31-Nov-1815.

The large pillars are I believe quiet large in diameter

The structure with an isosceles triangle and pillars below it is similar to that of the Greek Church at Rashbihari. There are Doric columns below the stylobate with triglyphs and metopes. I would like to enlighten myself about the uniqueness of this structure; there must be something about the same else there is no reason why a race as enlightened like the Greeks used it extensively for all the temples.

Another distinct visible uniqueness was the presence of the cock over the spire. There is a long story behind the same as to the cold-war between the then Bishop present at St. John’s (which is nearby) and the first Minister of the kirk namely Dr. Bryce. The Bishop insisted that having a spire was the prerogative of the Church and the kirk cannot have one. Stubborn and true to the Scottish style of functioning, Dr. Bryce took the case head-on and insisted on placing a cock on the top of the spire symbolizing that it would crow at the Bishop and also further up the already high structure’s height. The spire also bears a clock which is still working.

The famed cock at the top of the structure; infact this itself makes it distinct in the city's skyline too.

The famed clock on the spire

Photography was not allowed inside; hence all the photography in the blog is thus from outside. I was not that unlucky afterall; found the chief administrator to be an Odia (Mr. Chuintamani Behera from Bhadrak). Needless to say, he was kind enough to be kind with me and my son; almost treated us as his personal guests.

The design was very simple. Once one enters, there is a room on each side of the entrance, the left one used by the Chief Administrator and the right one by the Presbyter Revd. Andrew Simick. As one enters the sacred space, one is stupefied by the absence of any structure or portrait related to Jesus as is typical to any Protestant Church. I felt odd because of my previous Church visits had been to St. Pauls, the Portugese and that of St. John’s which all were Catholic ones. There is a first floor also but I was advised by the Administrator not to venture there; so I (rather we) did not.

This picture has been taken from the internet to make the write up informative. One may notice the two levels, the altar for preaching (one on the ground and the other slightly elevated. One also sees the circular arrangement of chairs typical to this structure.

The frontage is marked by two levels of podiums. One is leveled with the ground which is used for the normal addressing but there is also a raised one which is used by the speaker for large gatherings. The table was a heavy and huge one with the following inscription which was etched on the same: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME; probably referring to the Passover supper where Jesus broke the bread and shared and then shared the wine with all people around.

Another distinct thing that visually seemed different was the arrangement of the audience chairs which was in a circular fashion and not the typical straight arrangements as was the case in the above-mentioned churches. The chairs were solid black with a typical cane arrangement. It seemed there were not much followers as the chairs at the back showed up that there not many sitters out there.

One appreciation point was the fact that it was well maintained. As I and my son were hopping from one memorial notice to the other, the carpet was removed and the sweeper was carefully mopping the floor with care so as not to touch any of the chairs. I stood in awe at the care being taken by an almost illiterate person. If the wet cloth touched any of the chair, it would not damage much but yes the damage would be miniscule; why not be slightly careful and avoid that too!

A crest has been given presented by Calcutta Police to commemorate the First Police Commemoration Day on 22-Oct-1978. This is the only crest while all others are memorablias.There were the following memorial tablets dedicated to

a. John Clarke.

b. Capt. I J R Bowman (Late 1^st attendant of this port and nominated by the Hon. The Court of Directors of East India company) erected by Bengal Pilot Service. I came across this specialized wing of the Britishers for the first time here.

c. Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Ist battalion of The Queen’s own Cameron Highlanders who died in India & Burma during the batallion’s tour of Foreign Service (1914-1934). I appreciate the due respect given to all the ranks of members of this battalion.

d. Alexander Garden ESQ M.D., Presidency Surgeon. ESQ stands for Esquire, a rank below knight.

e. Charlotte W/o James Forlong.

f. Col. William Dunlop, Quarter Master General of the EI company’s Bengal Army.

g. Robert Eustace Dalrymple Laudes Harley.

h. Anna Dorothee W/o Thomas Dickson Junior.

i. Lieut Col William Mactier of Bengal Light cavalry; came across this specialized group also for the first time.

j. James Ogilve of University of Calcutta.

k. 2^nd Batallion of The Royal Scotts Fusiliers who died during the tour on foreign service (1919-31).

l. James Shaw, Judge of Sudder Dewanny and Nizamut Adawlut of this Presidency.

m. Donald Macleod, MD, Inspector General of HM Hospitals in India.

n. Alexander Chalmers MD, Presidency Surgeon d 28-Apr-1851.

o. James Brown, DD; junior minister of the Church. From here I came to know that DD stands for Doctrate in Divinity. I had no clue about the same till now.

As has always been my mission i.e. to get to know something new; this time too there were many things which I came to know about the city and the British era.

A design I found just outside the kirk

As I have always done in my past escapedes, I end with the picture of my fellow traveller; this case only of my son.