Among the Not So Great

Work

Birenda was a good worker. Some of us being very close to him followed him. Though it was difficult in the beginning, he pulling us along and we willing to be pulled — it became easier and later a good habit. He said and showed that no work is too low or demeaning. Much of this experience was gained during the regular “harvesting” that all we students and teachers and some others went for to Cazanove or Rizière or Highland (Ashram’s rice fields). The school remained closed during those 4-5 days and we worked from morning to evening. Birenda was one who inspired us young ones on this occasion. It was backbreaking work — bending and cutting with a sickle and then hand-threshing the paddy, stacking up the hay, etc. — specially to those unused to it, like us. But we kept at it and soon were enjoying it. I dare say some of the girls were ahead of most of the boys. Pushpa, Kumud, Mridula and Bhavatarini were terrific with the sickle. All these girls and some of us, Pratip, Prabir, Narayan, Richard and I naturally gravitated around Birenda — it was a nice group.

Birenda is gone, but his pioneering spirit has broken quite a few frontiers. I believe it was he, with our batch of boys, who started seaswimming and the picnics and outings. That “spirit” is still alive.

A new chapter in Birenda’s life opened. The New Bindery was opened with him in charge. He was older now — yet strong, active and enthusiastic enough. He did some good work there. He went every morning up to the Mother (at about 6 a.m.). Richard and I had the good fortune to accompany him up, first as his crutches (He had his leg in a plaster-cast) and later independently, as just Her children. She wrote a message in his Report-Diary. (These messages were brought out in book form by Borun Tagore.) Sometime during this period he cut off most of his connections with the Playground activities. Not many noticed his retreat — but a legend was lost.