Categories
Traveller's Diary

Trip to Rijeka

Our member Ms. Binapani Chatterjee travelled extensively with her mother, sister and few other close relatives to different parts of the world. Her sister studied in Germany, she is well aware of the beautiful places of Europe. She suggested to visit Rijeka (pronounced as Riyaka) at Croatia. An inlet of the Adriatic Sea, a low-key destination, less popular with Indian tourists. This only akes it surreal.
It was middle of 2019 Ms. Chatterjee visited Rijeka, the Western Croatian city, by road. Rijeka, major port and industrial, commercial, and cultural centre of western Croatia, is located on the Kvarner (a gulf of the Adriatic Sea) and is the country’s major port. Rijeka carriesthe symbol of water in its name. It literally means River in Croatian language. “Driving by thehighway from Zagreb, we first climbed high mountains of Julian Alps. Then we took a sharpdescent to the plains of Adriatic Sea. Rijeka emerges between the hills where Rjecina river flowsinto the Adriatic Sea. We have heard about this beautiful European seaside and Rijeka was truly stunning.” They stayed in the 11 th floor of a 12 storied hotel where they got the best view of the city and the Adriatic Sea. A walk on Korzo, that runs parallel to the waterfront and gives the opportunity to view the Adriatic Sea, is one of the best things to do in Rijeka. One can soak up Croatian daily life and feel the rhythm and spirit of the city, that will make you love it.
The city’s economy largely depends on shipbuilding and maritime transport. They travelled around the city to get the feel of their culture and tradition and more so, it’s scenic beauty.To appreciate Trsat Castle, a thirteenth century Roman Fortress, one of the worth visiting place in Rijeka. One must stand at the crest of the steep hill next to the Rjecina Gorge and have a look in the ancient time architecture. The turquoise blue sky and the spectacular view of Adriatic Sea made it a unforgettable for them. “We felt really blessed that we took a pause to discover the charm of this bustling seaside of Croatia.”
Categories
Down Memory Lane

Memories of Bhopal

Our member Mr. Ravinder Kumar Puri was associated with the much-known Union Carbide India Limited and he travelled through out the country for his posting. He shared some of his beautiful memories of Bhopal prior to the tragedy.
Mr. Puri was posted in Bhopal for 3/4 years during late 70s. The quite sleepy town with people of laid-back attitude, scattered hillocks, river Betwa, two skyline silver coloured lakes everything came alive in his mind while describing. Once a princely state and suzerainty of the Nizam of Hyderabad, people had their inborn “princely” attitude! “We spend a wonderful time there with a stunning garden full of roses, a big bunglow and some beautiful people.” The Union Carbide plant the 2nd in the world after the US plant, completed in front of his eyes. Mr. Puri’s job was to depute people for the factory. “We had to constantly tell and remind staff there that a small amount of the chemical can destroy Bhopal and if the whole chamber burst it can destroy the whole of Madhya Pradesh, so you have to work really cautiously.” But that will turn into reality, he might have never dreamt of. He used to visit the plant every now and then even after he was transferred to Mumbai and eventually to Kolkata and the tragedy happened in 1983. “The devastation is known to all, but we were deeply disturbed because many of our friends and colleagues got affected due to the tragedy.” The highly toxic substance made its way slowly with air around the small towns located near the plant. Though the cause of the disaster remains under debate, but finally it is a single drop of water that entered the gas chamber which caused the devastation.
“We have never been to Bhopal after the tragedy”- may be because of the fear that the air is still intoxicated or maybe they don’t want to see their loving workplace transformed into an abandoned place with a deserted look.