Pradeep Kumar Nigam, a distinguished alumnus of BITS Pilani, currently continues to work in his 52nd year as an Aviation Meteorologist. His glorious career began in the Indian Air Force, where he served for 36 years (1971-2006), providing vital meteorological expertise. Following his service, he became an instructor at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy (IGRUA) for a year (2006-2007), sharing his extensive knowledge with future aviators. Since 2007, he has been leading a team at Laminaar Aviation Infotech (India) Pvt Ltd, driving innovation and excellence in aviation technology and meteorological services. With over five decades of experience, he continues to be a pivotal force in the aviation industry.
I was not even 16! Alone, I had reached BITS Pilani from Calcutta (Kolkata) just on the basis of having sent my application form for admission to Engineering in July 1965. I did not even carry the fee for admission. I met Dr Shiv Yogi Tiwari, then Dean Science Faculty and told my status. Late Dr Shiv Yogi Tiwari, who lived beyond 100 years, somehow had mercy on me for whatever reason I do not know. He asked me to get the form from engineering faculty and approved my admission to four years B.S. (Hons) course. I was on seventh heaven.
Lo the admission fee had to be paid within three days! There was no way that my parents could have sent money from Calcutta. God sent angle, Bibhuti Bhushan Prasad from my locality in Calcutta who had fortunately met me in train and had come for admission offered help. My all stars were probably were extremely favourable.
Prof Gundu Rao, of Pharmacy Department was the warden of Budh and Ram Bhawan. Malviya Bhawan did not exist then I got a single room in Budh Bhawan. With all happiness, rushed to Dharamshala, got my luggage and settled down with a wooden cot, build in wall almirah. I am not sure if the ceiling fan was there, but when they were installed in each room, did not have regulators. Bulbs of different wattage were used to regulated speed till I left in 1970.
During winters, for warm water shaving blade pieces were used for warming water. Some time, heater coil wrapped around a wooden rod was used.
Heera Lal was the ever smiling mess manager. It was all vegetarian food. Mess charges were Rs 65/- p.m. when I joined in 1965. By third year, i.e. some time from 1968, non vegerarian (mutton) was introduced. During 1965-68, we used to carry chapattis from the mess, go to dhaba for non veg and hog. Some of us ate as many as 40 roti where as 15-20 was normaI. I left Malviya Bhawan sometime in July-Aug 1970 and the mess charges had risen to Rs 130 p.m. Food had always been good. Good quality curd was there invariably everydaya for lunch. Sweet dish was usually Kheer or Custard served during night. If one desired not to have dinner, he could get a big glass full of sweet dish. This option was preferred by many
Pyare Lal was the most sought after person by most. Being a postman, he would bring letters and most importantly money order (M.O.) or telegraphic money order (T.M.O.). He would of course expect a tip on handing over the money.
Raju’s chai shop at Bus Stand was open 24X7. Past mid night, we would ask him to clean the utensil and make strong tea with fresh tea leaves. Most of the times he would oblige with a smile. After about 50 years, Raju’s shop did not exist at bus stand. One of our class fellow, Rajan Babu Saxena, hell bent on finding him, after all found him. Raju, surprisingly recognized Rajan Babu and recollected that Rajan liked famous peda. Raju got emotional and sent his son to fetch the famous peda and gave the 2 Kg pack. Raju did not take any money even on insistence of Rajan. Some Pilani connection.
It was Shiv Ganga where I learnt swimming. Top end and the two lower ends of pyjamas were tied and soaked in water. Air would be blown with mouth to make the two leggings filled with air. This worked as very good reliable float. Whole group would go and spend hours in water.
After the swim, visit to Connaught Place for Samosa with suace or curd and tea was possible close to the days when M.O./T.M.O. Visit to Volga, the airconditioned restaurant for dinner was also an event some time on receipt of M.O./T.M.O. Some well informed class mates had bank accounts and the money would come by draft.
Candidates fighting for Union elections as secretary and president would take their support teams to each hostel for canvassing. They would present nice entertainment shows. One in my memory is “Don’t touch my gagari mohan rasia…”
Among the activities of Dramatic Club, one of the famous plays Adhey Adhure by Mohan Rakesh was very well done. Jai Prakash Agrawal, initially a science student, moved to engineering in second year but continued to be in Budh Bhavan with us. Rachana, a hindi magazine was his brain child and I eagerly helped him. For printing we had to go to Jaipur. We learnt proof reading. Our journey and expenditures for printing were borne by BITS.
Movies were screened in the open air and sometimes in the auditorium. One show was for boy students and one day the show was for staff members, their families and girl students. We always looked forward to the screening of the movies. Some for having a look at the Meera Bhawan girls passing by in front of our hostel!
Sometime in 1967, a student was hit by a truck inside the campus. The injured student was taken to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries. It was alleged that adequate medical attention was not given. The agitated students burnt the truck. Later the students grouped in large number and went to the hospital seeking explanation from CMO who did not come out of his house. The mob burnt his car in the anger.
In the convocation held in 1968, CEERI had installed the close circuit TV. It was B&W TV place outside auditorium and it covered the happenings inside the auditorium. My batch had three convocations, one for three years B.Sc., one for four years B.Sc. (Hons) and one for M.Sc.
Music club was very active with Utpal Barsaikia, Ashok Dube, Basu et el. During 1969-70.
Saraswati temple had been the place where three four of us were very regular. The prayers memorized then are still part of my life.
From my M.Sc batch of 15, I was the first one to join Indian Air Force in Meteorological Branch. Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Ajit Tyagi and Group Captain Avinash Chander Sharma joined a year later. Finally Squadron Leader Arun Jain joined two years later.
(Ashwani Agarwal - Pradeep Sir's friend from Nepal)
To relive the nostalgic memories of my five year stay in Pilani, in Apr 2019, almost 50 years later, I along with my wife visited Pilani for four days for reunion of BITS alumni who had joined defence forces. Our four days stay and programs were very well craft by BITS. Young students were looking after us in every way. For 25 of use, it was extremely wonderful experience. My wife had pity on us that we had to stay in such heat, walk considerable distances within institute etc when we were students. In our times students did not keep cycles which is a common practice. Lot has changed. Some changes are good while for some changes we will miss the past glory.
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