... privileged sweepers — with some difference. Devendra approached one of them and asked, “Dada, I too want to sweep. I am free at this time and can help you.” Biren-da looked up and asked: “Bhai, tumi parbe ki...” (Bhai, will you be able to do this work...) and continued, “It is a difficult job. You see, Nolinibabu walks up and down, from the Meditation Hall to the Samadhi — and how can anyone sweep when... deeper feelings — so I mention them. Bula-da was not only in-charge of “Bula-da’s”. He was, as importantly, one of the three-member “Commando Force” within the Ashram (Dyuman-bhai and Haradhan-da being the other two). Dyuman-bhai and Bula-da had no day or night duties. They were on 24 hours alert. To us now those early days seem like some “Frontier days”, with hardly any amenities and back-up systems... time in the Ashram when everyone knew everyone. There is some truth (not all the truth) in the saying “Small is beautiful”. That was the time when we referred to the Ashram Departments as Khirod-da’s, Mani’s or Udar’s. One such was Bula-da’s. I am glad to note that some still call it Bula-da’s. Surely Bula-da’s is more homely, has more an old-time charm, than “Régie d’Électricité” or “the Plumbers”. Who ...