That was along time ago when I was just about to enter college. I spent my summer holidays with one of my uncles who were the Chief Engineer in the Border Roads organization of the Government of India. He was in charge of the construction and maintenance of the road bordering China up to Nathu-La Pass, the entry point to China. He was stationed at Gangtok a high altitude hill station and capital of the state of Sikkim. It was quite cold even in summer. But I had a great time with my two cousins there. It was fascinating, seeing road construction in the very difficult mountainous terrain. The most exciting time was when my uncle during one his inspection tours took me and my cousins up to Nathu-La where we could see Chinese soldiers on the other side.

I like reading and watching sporting events on TV. But, I also enjoy doing the small chores to be done in the house to make it livable. Though not an engineer, I like to tinker with anything that needs some attention and I am quite good at it. I have a comprehensive tool box, a carry over from the days when I owned a car. Except carpentry and metal work I try my hand at all other repair work. I enjoy especially electrical and minor plumbing work like change of tap washers etc. Apart from the pleasure of doing something myself I save good money and precious time. Getting an electrician or plumber to attend to minor work in the house is very difficult and expensive.

It is what I ate last night. Like all South Indians, I am also a rice eater. But, having grown up in Kolkata during my school days, I have strong liking for North Indian and wheat products also. Therefore, there has been a dietary change in my family’s dinner at night. It is dry chappatis (baked on fire) with one or two vegetable preparations with a vegetable salad occasionally. So, last night, I had chapattis with curry made of potato and vegetables and then a little rice with curd. My mother had prepared a special sweet from bananas, coconut and jiggery, stuffed in rice paste all cooked in steam.  That was the dessert.