In college we learn a lot of theories, basically to pass examinations. We do have a lot of examples to try and imagine and focus on mythical problems but the best teacher is life itself. Each and every problem and challenge in life teaches you much more than books ever can for each challenge is a unique question which actually has only one answer there may be options buts each options leads you on to another unique set of options.
The sinking of the wells was done in the shape of steel caissons, floated into position and filled with concrete. The rest of the operation was by conventional methods. The concrete was done from floating barges with cranes, concrete mixers and material ferried from the bank. With my limited experience, I found that the wells were tilting beyond the permissible limits, which could never be rectified. So we found a method of counter balancing and building the well cap. Next was cracking of wells, and we attributed to the revised draft bridge code, and got away with it. As a rectification we put a RCC ring around the wells to prevent further cracking. Then we found by constructing from both ends there was a large gap, due to defective survey done by the department. For this we built a small span, and got extra payment for the extra length.
The last but not the least was that due to tilting of the wells, the alignment of the bridge was not a straight line, and we provided a slight curvature. My brother who was an electrical engineer used to tease me that the bridge will collapse, but till date it is standing safe and sound.
The work was new to me but we successfully cast the 70 tonnes beam, pre-stressed and launched them on the piers already cast.
During this period there was a gardener, who used to have visions, and predicted that I would stay in Bhutmundi for two years and ten months, and lo and behold! This happened. I was posted to Jajpur Road to build a Ferro Chrome plant of IDC. The consultants were WS Atkins, and there was one Roy as their rep, the owners having MVCL Rao my batch mate. There was a Keralite GM, who had come from Germany. Being an electrical engineer, he gave me full authority in construction of both RCC and steel structures.
We stayed in a small house but in a permanent colony about a Kilometer from the town and 3 Km from the railway station. There were few forms of entertainment here so the great events were the monthly shikar with a doctor friend of mine, once we sighted a panther in the forest (Which was a source of conversation for many weeks!).
For the Shikar we took along a school teacher whose father was the Shikari (Hunter) of Sukinda Raja. He had a double-barreled gun and a rifle, which I took. The searchlight showed two panthers; I trekked all the way into the forest. One of the panthers came in a circle keeping safe distance onto the road. I took a kneeling position to take a definite kill, but the schoolteacher took the rifle from me and shot. I had to give in as the rifle belonged to him. He naturally missed by a foot, and I could see the bullet hitting the ground. I promised to buy a gun then and there. We made several trips but came back with a rabbit or two!
One more exciting happening - A serious railway accident occurred just a little away from our quarters, there was a lot of comings and goings; I remember that our servant vanished after this incident (most probably after taking the loot from the dead bodies!) I also bought my first car (a second hand one from my Uncle who cheated me by replacing the tires!)Then my third daughter was born here, who died at an early age.
The Ferrochrome plant was an achievement for me in industrial structures, consisting of steel and RCC foundations including coal handling, rotary kilns and power stations. There were Swedish experts, including one with a beautiful wife staying in the guesthouse. The food was excellent the guesthouse, I stayed there when my family was not there. There was a manager who took care of me.
In 1969 I took over Taldanda Canal Bridge for the railway’s Paradip line in addition to my job. I used to stay in a rented guesthouse while at Cuttack, and the work was interesting if not challenging. In this also one foundation was rejected by the railways, since we couldn’t de-water fully, and a new foundation with changed span was built. The achievement of getting all deviations accepted in expressway was not possible with the rigid railways engineers.
Then I got posted as headquarters Project Engineer at Bhubaneswar, and immediately I enrolled at the Flying club and fulfilled my long cherished desire. Here I got an office job, and was at the Airport which was 5 km from my residence at Madhusudhan Nagar. I was at the club at 6 am every day for one year, except when I was on tour! I did my solo in 12 hours and completed 60 mandatory hours in one year.
My job here involved the central store, procurement and small projects not having Project managers- Paradip port monoliths, industrial buildings at Cuttack, transmission tower foundations at Narsingpur and a day school at Phulbani. This Job involved going on tours of one week in a month. Tours meant shikar on the way, I mostly managed to get birds and small animals. But Life was good with its small pleasures and excitements. It was the actual learning period in my life It got over before I really appreciated the fact!
It is a wonderful period to look back on and cherish the ups and downs of that period.
