ALTERATIONS

  • Posted on August - 25 - 2025
  • By Tirtha Basu

ALTERATIONS

2ND CHAPTER, 3RD PART

THEY STEPPED INTO SILIGURI

They crossed the overbridge and stepped into Siliguri. Avirup, Sudha, Samridhi, Anurup, and Biswarup all boarded Anurup's SUV, and all their luggage was kept in Biswarup's SUV.

Avirup looked back to the NJP station, “Yes, it is also changed in look, there were lots of shops and hotels, parking lots, ticket counters, lots, lots of changes, stands a dummy toy train,” Avirup showed it to Sudha and Samridhi

“What a cute train!” they exclaimed.

Anurup explained:“This type of engine runs on track till now. This is a model engine. In the evening, it is illuminated with LED lights and it looks very nice.”

 “OK, we shall come any day,” Avirup replied.

 NJP station has been installed with escalators and lifts. But what actually hurt Avirup was the repetition of the same scenario that he witnessed at the Sealdah  Station.

As usual, on the way, Avirup did not stop to ask about buildings and surroundings and expressed his comments whenever he noticed changes from his memorised scenario..

They reached their ancestral house.

 “Elegant, astonishing, excellent, what a beautiful, how nice, wonderful, magnificent. Who did all these?”

 “Mainly, Mejda, everything is planned by Mejda, we are all his assistants.''

“What a change!” Avirup exclaimed.

“It was enclosed with bamboo fencing converted to decorative steel fencing on a low marble boundary wall. There, it is decorated with murals. The old building was made of wood and, that was a two-story wooden building with a thatched roof of a bungalow. The facade is the same as it was, and the old building structure is kept as it was. The walls are wooden, glass windows, frames are made of wood, renovated and decorated with beautiful colour combinations. Roofs are bright azure and walls are lemon yellow with a mild greenish uncommon effect, borders under the roofs and frames are deep orange. Unorganised, scattered trees have been organised with some alterations and additions, but kept the old mango and guava tree; other than these, all-new, different plants of flowers and fruits have been planted in perfect order along with a lush verdant lawn with a large casuarina tree in the middle of a fountain. The fountain is also encircled with a low sitting arrangement made of marble and inside the water receptacle is filled with lotus, water lilies and colourful fish.

 On the left side along with the old bungalow, a two-storied building is newly constructed with same façade, colours and design, only the difference is, this newly constructed building is totally made-up of sand cement structure, larger than old building, constructed side by side from the middle of the old building not super siding old building in frontal side, extended towards the back. These two buildings are connected with two glass-covered lanais and under a driveway porch fitted with automatic sliding doors, where cars park first. Avirup was mesmerized by these alterations.

 

 Avirup exclaimed, “What you did was a fantastic achievement.”

Biswarup explained, “Barda, everything is planned and implemented by Mejda,” which means Anurup. “Barda, you would not find this type of wooden house in Siliguri nowadays,

It’s very rare, ninety-nine percent of the buildings are demolished and replaced with multi-storied concrete construction and only a very few are remaining like us. Moreover, which is extraordinary, we maintain a joint family status. It is also very few in the country, countable in your fingers, not even in our West Bengal, but all over India, I think it is also rare of the rarest examples in our country nowadays. Our family bonding and joint family status were maintained only due to Mejda; he kept our kitchen common till today.”

Is Avirup being jealous or repentant for those praises of his younger cousin Anurup, or else being ashamed for not being a part of Barda? Yes, Barda, they also maintain the tradition of summoning Barda, Mejda, Sejda and Chorda as their fathers maintained all along their lives. So they are maintaining that culture and tradition and pay their respects accordingly without considering cousins or siblings. They call according to seniority.

Their car was parked under the lanai. The house has been decorated with lighting and entrance of both the house has been decorated with flowers, and a board engraved with flowers inscribed,

”welcome home Barda Boudi and Samridhi". They are all mesmerized and have nothing to say, nothing to comment, only observing astounded and startled. Sudha and Samridhi looked at their ancestral house without any comment, only expressing their expressions silently; they could not imagine such a welcome, even not yet seen ever.

Anurup opened the door of the car and commented,"Barda! I did nothing by myself alone without the help of all and especially my brothers; it was not possible for me to implement”

Drivers were busy carrying luggage along with other assistants of the house.

All staff, including security staff, were at the gate, welcomed them with Namaskar, with a bow, not with a salute.  It is a specialty of rituals they maintain for all guests, according to the instructions of Anurup. Anurup tried to make everything especially remarkable with some different expressions of attitudes and attributes that will be noticed and admired.

Atirup was present in the driveway under the porch along with their house assistants to welcome Avirup, Sudha, and Samridhi. With a brief introduction with the staffs of the Mukherjee Kutir. Atirup opened another door and Avirup Sudha and Samridhi stepped out of the car in the famous Mukherjee Kutir of Siliguri. They entered the right side old wooden bungalow, which has been renovated and extended exquisitely an extraordinary appearance.

 

 Grand Welcome Ceremony

 

They entered the drawing hall, petals of roses and rosewater had been sprinkled over them. Atirup introduced Sudha and Samridhi with Chotokaka and Chotokakima. On another  couch, there were sitting a too elderly couple, short in height, bright hoary hair, slightly stooped: Atirup brought Avirup near them and asked, “Barda, could you recognise them?”

 Avirup stared at them minutely for a while, expressed overwhelm, “Aadidadu and Mayadadi? Anu never told me about you. I also forgot to ask. I am really, really being startled, surprise after surprise, I didn’t expect so many surprises were waiting for me.”

Avirup genuflected and kept his head on Aadinath’s knee. Aadinath affectionately caressed his head and uttered:  “Now I am ninety-eight and your Dadi ninety-six, I would not be able

to roam you on my shoulder.” Everyone enjoyed this emotive scene, Sudha and Samridhi also touched their feet.

After then introduced with Mejoboudi Priya, her son Samrat,and daughter Anupriya, his wife Adrija and their daughter Anuska and son Soumyajit, Biswarup's son Suvrojit and   Biswarup's wife Suchismita. Sister Aparupa, brother-in-law Ajitavo, their sons Ayushman and Agnivo, Aadidadu’s son Jitendra and his wife Rukmini. They all exchanged their greetings and obeisances. There was present their family priest, Tushar Ganguli, who had been called to perform all preludoi . Chotokakima stood up to perform all rituals and three wives were assisting her. All the children touched their feet, even of Samridhi's. Sudha and Samridhi were adorned with gold ornaments. They were welcomed with sweets and water, though it is not preferable for Sudha and Samridhi. According to rituals, they have taken a bit of sweetmeats.

 Avirup devoured sweets at his discretion with a great wao nicely and exclaimed, after a long gap of 36 years, I am relishing the sweets of Siliguri delicious.

A separate suite of 2 rooms has been allocated for them and they were directed to that suite by Atirup. Anurup asked them to release now to take a bath and prepare themselves to appear for breakfast. A house attendant is also allocated for 24 hours to fulfil their needs. They were directed to their allocated suite.

 Sudha asked Avirup with curiosity, “Who is Adidadu? And Mayadadi, are they any of your relations? You never told me anything about them.” 

Avirup replied. “Yes, it is my fault, they are more than that, but  I could not imagine they are still alive and staying with our family. Aadidadu was like my second grandfather, my grandfather's brother, beyond any relation. He was all in all to my grandfather, advisor, aide, assistant, driver in need, representative, negotiator for any purpose. He was always with him like a shadow. His story is a long one:”

 

Aadidadu’s story:

 

 When his father came to my grandfather’s in-laws’ house at Malbazar from then the story began. Their house was at Gorubathan and his mother, Anjali, came to the house to assist our maternal great-grandfather’s household work. She was the wife of railway fourth-class staff Anil, who was a lineman. Aadinath Dadu’s father, Anil, was very honest and loyal to his great-grandfather, Suryaprakash. But he was an alcoholic by nature. He had been warned several times not to drink on duty, but did not care about it; repeatedly, he was doing the same thing, particularly when Suryaprakash was on duty, because he only respected and honoured him. One day, when he was working on the railway track in winter, he drank with his colleague Binoy Thapa. Winter in Dooars was severe and pleasant at noon with full, comfortable sunlight. They both were feeling drowsy. They were completely soaked. Both of them were on duty. Their duty was to rearrange the stones dispersed and scattered on the track. They felt too drowsy. Binoy advised Anil Don’t worry, I will take care of you. Better you sleep now, later I will also enjoy a siesta, if anybody comes, I will warn you. Anil kept his head on the rail and slept, feeling assured. Then they had no watch with them or a mobile like nowadays to see the timings. They did know that the mail train would pass on this track at dusk, and then duty would be over. After a few minutes, Binoy was also feeling very drowsy, so he also slept by Anil’s side, and both of them slept comfortably in a comatose state.

That day was the coolest of the year, fog covered the Sun earlier and dusk became darker. There was no locality within one kilometre before the station, as usual every day, everybody was expecting they would return before the mail train passed.

The signalman and station master signalled the mail. The mail passed by whistling, but Anil and Binoy did not come back. In the evening wife of Anil asked their son Aadinath to inquire at the tavern if his father is still enjoying a drink.

 “Aadi went to the tavern. After a few minutes, Aadi returned from the tavern and reported, “Ma, I did not find Baba there and no one has seen him return. The tavern owner, Banshilal uncle, reported that Baba and Binoy uncle came in the morning to have their drink before going to their duty time and informed Banshi uncle

When asked them. “Do you have no duty?”

 They both replied.

“Today is our off-day.” They drank too much, completely soaked and uttered.

 “Banshi, how severe cold wind is blowing from the hill, in this cool and sunny weather, how can we stay without enjoying drinks?”  It is growing dark. I am not feeling well. Every day at this time, he used to return home, but it is getting dark, till he hasn't come home yet. Why? Maybe he was soaked too much.” After hearing from Aadinath, Anjali thought for a moment and asked Aadinath, “Aadi, come with me hurriedly to the station, They both reached that station and informed the station master. The station master felt worried and the Sardar (Supervisor) and Signalman were asked to search for the whereabouts of Binoy and Anil. The Supervisor (Sardar) signalman and the other two lineman, Anjali and Aadi, went to search. The station master gave them two six-battery torches. They all focused on both sides after a kilometre away, they found the two friends were sleeping on the rail, only the head and body were cut separated

The body was inside the track and the head was on the side of the rail. And Binoy was taller than Anil and his leg’s lower leg from the ankle was on the other side of the trail.

The story began the night became darker, only outcry covered the Coolie Bastis (Porter’s dwellings), the members rushed to Anil’s house/home. Binoy was living alone because his wife

passed few months ago and his parents also passed away early in his teenage years, so he was habituated to drinking and also made others addicted to. He was somehow careless and led a reckless life, most probably due to his life status, living with no attachments, no relations, only with alcohol. He uttered to say, “If I die, no one is my own or of my relation, so no one will cry/for me/no one will shed tears for me and the rail company will gain because they would have either to pay any compensation or pension to anyone for me.” These were the views of Binoy about his life. And he was also suffering from liver cirrhosis. After this incident, Aadinath and his mother, Anjali, were adopted and attached to Suryoprakash and Priyobala’s family. Under the strict supervision of Suryoprakash Aadinath has been admitted to school and passed Matric (10th Standard). At that time, his son-in-law, Sivnarayan, came to establish a business as a profession. That boy, a close acquaintance of Sivnarayan and his mother Anjali, stayed with Suryoprakash and Priyobala and called the Baba and Ma (Father and Mother). She also stayed till the end of life at Malbajar at Suryaprakash's residence and treated/honoured Parbati as his Didi (elder sister). Suryoprakash allocated in his house a two-katha land with a small two-room house separately, as if in the future there would be no conflict between their only heir, Parbati and her family. That Adinath Dada is now 98 years old. Still staying with Simarayan’s family as a member of honour, Anurup never left them. Adinath and his wife Anjali and their only son, Jitendra and his wife Yogamaya, alias Rukmini, all of their entire family are living in this house. And even Jitendra and Rukmini’s only daughter, Lizza, married Ritesh Rai, their son, Papan and Piu also live in this house. So this bonding and loyalty create a humble environment, honesty and dedication, friendship, guidance, cooperation, generation after generation, which yields a good result and example for others. For this senile, frail and retrogressing society and humanity.

 

VISITS AFTER BREAKFAST

 

It was a large dining hall adjacent to the main entrance drawing hall on the eastern side. All members of the family were present, waiting for them to start breakfast. Sudha was unwilling to sit with the young ones, and others, she argued to sit with Priya and Adrija, Priya called her," Bardibhai only today you sit with them and from the next day you will sit with us, then Sudha accepted   Biswarup, assistant professor of a Siliguri Management College, was in a hurry to attend the college on time, Suchismita, wife of Biswarup has completed her MBA so she also sat with them on the first turn. Adrija, Aparupa and Priya were serving breakfast with the help of family attendants. The menu for breakfast was very simple and Bengali cuisine, hot luchi, potato curry, sweets, boiled egg, bread, butter, bread with jam, fruits, fruit juice, milk, tea and  coffee were served according to the choice of everyone. Nobody was forced to relish according to their own choice. Priya and Adrija were asking everyone for their choice and serving accordingly with the assistance of house attendants.

They all completed breakfast except Memo, he is youngest member of the family only four years old, so his Jemma that means Priya takes the responsibility to feed him, he also very like his jemma, even when his mother Suchismita were present and free to feed him, he refuses to eat from others except Jemma and Anupriya daughter of Anurup and Priya. Memo calls her Didibhai/Dibhai. Anupriya is also a favourite of everyone in the house. She is very good-looking, mixed faith, polite, soft and kind behaviour. She is very intelligent, studious and meritorious. She is also multitalented; she can sing well, draw well, and dance

well. She performed several solo programmes in several events. She is also an animal and plant lover. She studies animals and plants. She guides her assistants, how to take care of and nourish them. Anupriya completed her masters in English from NBU two years ago, now she has completed her B ED Degree a few months ago and she is the highest scorer and gold medallist from NBU in MA English. Now they are planning to start an English medium High School at Belacoba, where they have purchased a two-acre plot. Anupriya will herald the project. She has taken the responsibility with the guidance of Biswarup. 

After completing their breakfast, they were preparing to visit the whole house. Anurup, Biswarup, Suchismita and all the other youngsters went for their respective work, school and college. Keka alias Anupriya, Atirup, Avirup, Sudha and Samridhi were waiting for Memo. he is very slow in his eating habits and Priya patiently fed him for a long time. If anybody teases the youngest member and her poppet, Memo, she protests and gives him indulgence.

Today  Priya told, “Memosona, BaraJemma Dibhai, Jethumonis all are waiting for you, don’t be late to catch them otherwise you will be on the backstage don’t procrastinate, they will laugh at you, so I want to show them my Memosona  is not late, you finish your breakfast and catch them from the side corridor to main entrance drawing hall, they would not understand that you are late.” Memo asked, “Is it so? Ok, I will not eat more.”, “No, no, if they ask you, Memo, have you finished your breakfast? What will you reply?” “I will tell them yes, I have finished my breakfast.” “No, Baba, don’t tell a lie, if you tell a lie, I will die, then what do you want?” “Ok, I will not tell a lie. Give me my food, I am finishing immediately.” After finishing, he was ready to go, but Priya called him to wash his mouth. He washed his face and wiped with Jemma's Sari’s fringe. Memo ran and caught them at the drawing hall, and they all started to visit the house. Memo caught the hand of Keka and started to visit. Atirup explained that Mejda created and extended this property; we all supported him with our respective duties only.”

This land measuring 12 kothas has been extended to 40 kathas. We purchased more than 28 kothas from other neighbours, who sold their plots to the Mukherjee Kutir. This wooden bungalow, this 12 kothas of land, all is a heritage property rest of the land and the bungalow-type, a large extended side-by-side two-storied house, with the same facade of an old building, expanded land, everything was done later by Anurup with the consent of the other brothers. Sometimes, about the property matters, Anurup tried to discuss and took consent from Avirup, but he always wholeheartedly supported Anurup and commented that “I am not taking any part physically or financially, so I don’t have any say. Whatever you will do for the good of our Mukherjee family, I will always support you wholeheartedly, even if you ask me for any financial assistance. I  am ready to cooperate with you eagerly,” but  Anurup never asked for money; only he asked for his blessing and consent, which he received duly. So there never arrived any disputes or litigations. This Mukherjee Kutir, which is protected, regained and extended, was planned by Anurup.

“You know, Barda, our main house was built on 12 Kathas of land. Later, gradually Mejda purchased from backyard land owners and side plot land owners of the northern and eastern sides, respectively. Now the total land is 40 Kathas only. On So back side, we also have the main road that leads to the Bidhan Market. So we could access three roads in front of the southern side main road that also leads towards Bidhan Road, the western side lane connecting with the southern and northern roads. You know, there were two families on the backside. Ratan, his father Dwijen Kaka and his mother Anjali kakima they had 8 Kathas of land. Ratan’s father was suffering from asthma. The last five years before expiring, he was continuously being sick and intermittently admitted to the hospital, and then our Hospital was started. Ratan was posted in Amritsar. He was in the Defence service and built a house there, so he had no intention to come back to Siliguri. Every time Dwijen Kaka was seriously ill, Kakima asked for our help at any time, that may be day or midnight. Mejda, every time, admitted Dwijen Kaka to the Siliguri Hospital and supported them in all respects, though they had sufficient financial strength. They had no manpower here and moral support, which we extended anytime as our social and moral responsibility. That night, when Dwijen Kaka expired was a heavy rain with a thunderstorm. Kakima called us on the landline; the mobile phone has not yet been started in Siliguri. I went to  Delhi for an official job. Only Biswa and Mejda were in the house; the side building was not built, so this type of house arrangement and staff facility were not available at that time. Only Aadidadu and Maya Dadi were staying with us. Then Aadidadu and Mejda went off with our car and took Dwijen Kaka and Kakima to the Hospital, but the Hospital declared him dead after examining the Doctors and advised us to return the dead body. Mejda and Aadidadu arranged everything for cremation. Ratan has been informed. He and his wife came the next day at noon. He and Kakima were grateful to us. Ratan and his wife stayed up for the funeral ceremony. Within this span of time, Ratan discussed with Mejda and Aadidadu what to do next and what would be the right decision for his family. Because he and his wife had no intention to return to Siliguri, Aadidadu asked what his mother would do alone. He replied I will take my mother with me and Cnandni, his wife, also wanted to. So he wanted to sell the property at a reduced price. Then Mejda showed interest and paid the available market price of that time, though he offered a reduced price. But Mejda paid the actual price; his view is, “not to  take the opportunity when anybody is in need, he paid full price. That was the beginning of our extension plan for this residential place where the Mukherjee Kutir stands now.

They were relieved after selling the property to us and took their mother with them. Ratan was my friend, still now we still have contact with them, and intermittently we talk over the phone. They have no issue and he has no interest to adapt. Kakima is also happy to live with them, but the only grief is that she has not seen their next generation.

 After that next plot was of Jatan Kaka and Manasi Kakima, they had two daughters, Shraboni and Sharmila. They were married and their in-laws' houses are in Kolkata.  After the early demise of  Kakima, they sold their property to us. Jatan Kaka is staying with his younger daughter, Sharmila. She established a music school there and Jatan joined as a faculty there. Still, he is in good physical health and staying with his Grandchildren happily. Up to this much was easily purchased.

The rest of the 6 Kathas on the eastern side were too troublesome. There were 8 Kathas. Plot, it is our good luck that there was also no trouble except high price, exorbitant. Beyond market price. It was purchased later and this annexed building was built, they realised we have the financial capability, and they had taken the opportunity.”

“As far as I could remember, there was a large Berry tree and two coconut trees within our boundary. From the Summer up to  Spring, every day, complaints were common. Sometimes, about fallen leaves, caterpillars or any kind of problem they were facing, they started calling Thammi or Dadai to solve immediately, otherwise they were not getting relief and their daily routine work was being disturbed, even if we swept our garden, they were facing problems. This was their nature. There was living an elderly widow, whom we called Thakuma, with  her daughter and son-in-law and their children.”

“Yes, you have remembered right, Barda!”

But the eastern plot created great trouble to acquire. There were another 6 kathas of land; without that land, our plot could not be perfectly rectangular. That plot was owned by four warisons, three brothers and one sister. So to bring them to an amicable agreement was a great hassle, none of them agreed to unite, later, after long meetings day after day agreed, one of them was a cheater. He stealthily sold the property with fake documents to a promoter who started construction on the adjacent plot. Naturally, he needed the plot much more than us and tried to acquire. Mejda did not leave the matter easily. The matter went up to the high court, but after all, they were defeated and surrendered to us with an amicable solution and compromise. All these are our land acquisition episodes.   

 “Very good! Anu has done a good project,” Avirup replied.

They started from the old house to visit, and they went first to the Oratory on the 1st floor of the old house. It was renovated and decorated with white marble and its latticed window, marble sculpture and the room has been extended at least four times. Previous one, there was a large marble decorated throne on the eastern side, a Gods and Goddesses Idols are there. They all genuflected to pay their obeisance. After they all started from the first floor, there were only 12 (Twelve) rooms earlier in the old house, now it has been transformed to only four rooms, two large rooms on the ground floor and two large rooms on the first floor. The main old building has been extended towards the backside, that is northern side. On the ground floor, only a large drawing hall and dining hall and on the first floor, one large room converted to an Oratory and another large room for Choto Kaka and Kakima. And extended back portion consists of six rooms on each floor, allotted to each brother’s two rooms, including Aparupa and an extra room for guests. And one two-room suite allotted to Aadinath Pradhan and his wife, Maya Pradhan. The main Artificer/Architect is Anurup. He did not complete his graduation but all other members and acquaintances are well educated, all his other brothers and sister Aparupa also did their masters and Biswarup also did his Ph.D. in management, his wife Suchismita also did her MBA and was classmate, Suchismita also joined their family business and she is CEO of the Mukherjee Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Really Avirup was astonished with all these happened and built within this span of thirty-six years time.

Atirup exclaimed, “Barda! All these were not easy to build, you don’t know how the struggle, what the consequences and hazards we had to face. Once, when you went to America and those days, it was not so easy and convenient for anyone to come back frequently and not even possible to contact anyone except through physical mail, through letters, or ISD calls only in emergency situations. People used to call ISD, especially to inform any close acquaintance demise or any special news, whether good or bad. So it was not possible to inform you about the situation we were in at that time, or it was also not possible for you to help us. When you left for America then you were also studying. After five years, Baba died. He was suffering from several diseases, including kidney failure, and he had to be treated with dialysis regularly, which was expensive and not affordable for us to cover the expenses. Baba was confined in the house and was not able to look after our medical shop. Mejda bore all responsibilities on his shoulders and left the study and college. But my education did not stop. He sternly instructed me, “Anu, don’t stop education to overcome this situation. I am arranging everything, don’t worry,”

“Ma understood the situation, she handed over all her ornaments to Mejda to continue everything. Then, for the father’s treatment, a huge amount had been expended. Two times, he had been sent to Chennai for better treatment to save his life. Adi Dadu (Adinath Pradhan), Ma and I went there and stayed for months at a stretch for Baba. Mejda maintained all these expenses and looked after our medicine shop and family.”

 “Choto Kakima cooperated and Anjali Dadi came from Malbazar to Siliguri to look after our family. Choto Kakima asked several times to know our needs, but Mejda did not seek any

help from them. Actually, you know, Choto Kaka has taken our existing construction business, Mukherjee Constructions Pvt. Ltd., which was established by Dadai, our late grandfather, Sivnarayan Mukherjee. Though I was very young when he died but I could remember him very faintly and at that time, I had no idea about family matters or business. It was not possible for anyone at that age of mine, rather you know better than I. Then his business declined due to heavy losses incurred. I don’t know the actual reason, but most probably for the arrogance and lack of sincerity, a lavish lifestyle. So, all of a sudden, Choto Kakas’s business has broken down. At that time, Thammi (grandmother) also died; she was sick and bedridden after a severe cerebral attack and was staying with us. Can you imagine, Barda, what the situation was then?”

 “Yes. I could realise and visualise the situation, you then most probably 11 to 12, accompanied your father, mother and Adi Dadu to Chennai for the treatment of Mejokaka. Here at home, Anu, Thammi Parbatimala, a bedridden cerebral patient waiting for her last days in coma to leave her breath, supported by Anjali dadi. And all these huge expenses were not from that medicine shop, which was maintained rather than being fought alone by Anu. Secondly, Chotokaka had nothing to support your family either financially or physically, because he was neither of that mentality or not was he in that condition. I know, he was too addicted, is he still continuing that habit?”

“No, not in such a condition, but a little bit with the advice and recommendation of the doctors’s he continues. Only for him. Mejda allowed alcohol in this Mukherjee Kutir. He used to take on permitted measures to take inside his bedroom, closing the door not openly as we have seen, only at bedtime. Otherwise, no one else is permitted to drink in this house. If anybody, even from the staff, takes a drink containing alcohol, they will be driven out of this house and from their job, also, who are staff of this house. But office staff are different. So at that time, huge expenses could not be met from our shop and a huge amount of debt had been incurred. So, stocks of the shop were decreasing day by day, and the sales had also declined gradually. He was only 20 (twenty) years and at that time, not mature like nowadays.”

 

 

 

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6 Responses

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Amanita sen
March - 19 - 2026
A trip down the memory lane- the people, their shades; and most importantly the place where it all happens refreshes the memory. The characters seem so familiar, like I could be one of them.
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Parna Samanta
March - 31 - 2026
What a marvelous writing it was! The way of elaboration is really beyond any appreciation. All the characters are supposed to be very very familiar to me as if I could know them. Last but not the least the writing style is so lucid that anyone can enjoy it...
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Baby shaw
April - 03 - 2026
The story “ALTERATIONS” is beautifully written. Through Avirup’s eyes, after 36 long years away in America, the massive changes in Kolkata, Siliguri, and the Dooars come alive vividly, the sharp contrast between nostalgia and harsh reality is captured wonderfully. Along with the joy of family reunion, the author naturally weaves in the uncomfortable truths: the poor condition of the railways, the heartbreaking sight of children addicted to inhalants at the stations, and the wider social decay. The final image of the unchanged, majestic Kanchenjunga and Avirup’s silent prayer is deeply touching. There is genuine emotion, realism, and above all, the story captures the theme of “change” in a very profound way. It does feel a bit lengthy in places, and the language could be smoother with fewer English-Bengali mixes and tighter sentence flow. Still, overall, it’s a very good read. This kind of real-life, nostalgic storytelling suits perfectly.
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Somolekha Sur
April - 03 - 2026
My humble feedback: The writing shows strong emotional depth, rich observation and a compelling core built around nostalgia, family bonds and social change, making parts of it genuinely engaging and meaningful; however, its impact is currently reduced by overly long and repetitive descriptions, weak language control, unnatural dialogue and a lack of clear narrative flow, which often overwhelm the reader and dilute the story’s power—so while the material itself is interesting and full of potential, it needs significant tightening, simplification and structural refinement to become consistently readable and truly impactful.
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Ranjita Mondal
April - 05 - 2026
The story is engaging as it keeps the reader interested throughout. The emotional journeys of all the characters are well developed . The writer has done a great job and the writing shows a great creative potential.
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Ranjita Mondal
April - 05 - 2026
The story is engaging as it keeps the reader interested throughout. The emotional journeys of all the characters are well developed . The writer has done a great job and the writing shows a great creative potential.

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