Creative Edge

The Calcutta All India Radio Nilima Sanyal. The girl in the Copa Cabana of her life.   I can still hear the crisp, elocution-correct voice coming over the “aajker bishesh bishesh khobor holo” (Today’s Special News) and rattle off in a terse, no-nonsense stream the important facts of the daily news. If you were experienced in picking up the subtle undercurrents of a voice, you might detect the previous night’s cigarettes and whisky beneath the smooth exterior, which finally signed off with: “Khobor porche Nilima Sanyal!” (News Read By Nilima Sanyal).   The voice belonged to my mother’s special girlfriend, the glamorous, sexy Nilima Sanyal who read the Bengali news every day of her life. To us, the three Guha sisters, she was known as Nil Mashi: always warm, gregarious, hot-tempered, fun-loving, exciting and fashionably chic. Exuding charm wherever she went, all men fell for her in ninepins when she shot her sexy, Cleopatra-style eyes at them. Her thin lips, covered with...

Ladies and gentlemen, Today, I stand before you inspired by the life and legacy of a remarkable individual whose story reminds us that true greatness is not measured by power or wealth, but by knowledge, courage, and character. The life of Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee is not merely a chapter in history; it is a guiding light for generations that believe education can transform individuals and nations. I speak to you today as Hylton Upshon, with deep respect for a man whose values resonate strongly with my own belief in purposeful learning and human excellence. Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee was born on 29 June 1864 in Kolkata. From a very young age, he displayed an extraordinary love for learning. Books were his companions, curiosity was his strength, and discipline was his foundation. Mathematics fascinated him, but his brilliance was not confined to one subject alone. He went on to study law, becoming a judge, yet even this prestigious position did not limit his vision. He understood that educat...

David Sassoon David Sassoon (October 1792 – 7 November 1864) was the treasurer of Baghdad between 1817 and 1829. He became the leader of the Jewish community in Mumbai after Baghdadi Jews emigrated there. Sassoon was born in Baghdad, where his father, Sassoon ben Saleh (1750-1830), was a wealthy businessman, chief treasurer to the pashas (the governors of Baghdad) from 1781 to 1817, and president (Nasi) of the city's Jewish community. The family were Iraqi Jews. His mother was Amam Gabbai. After a traditional education in the Hebrew language, Sassoon married Hannah Joseph in 1818. They had two sons and two daughters before she died in 1826. Two years later he married Farha Hyeem (born 1812 - died 1886). The pair had six sons and three daughters. Following increasing persecution of Baghdad's Jews by Dawud Pasha, the family moved to Bombay via Persia. Sassoon was in business in Bombay...

THE MAN WHO BROUGHT THE EAST TO THE WEST AND CHANGED GOA FOREVER VASCO DA GAMA Vasco da Gama is a Portuguese explorer widely credited with the discovery of an oceanic route linking Europe and India in 1498. He was the first European to reach India by sea, and his voyage to the East marked the beginning of an era of maritime imperialism by European powers in Asia. Da Gama's journey to India had a profound impact on the history of the region. It opened up trade routes between Europe and India, which allowed Portugal to dominate the lucrative spice trade in the region. At the same time, it enabled the Portuguese to spread Christianity throughout Asia and to expand their colonial empire in the region. The Portuguese, under Da Gama's leadership, also established their base in Goa, India. Goa was the first Portuguese colony in Asia, and it would remain under Portuguese control until 1961. During this period, the Portuguese introduced numerous innovations to the region, such as ...

Raja -Who is a superhero? Kavita - A superhero is somebody who saves lives, it is as simple as that.   Raja - Have you met a real life superhero? Kavita - No, but I would like to meet one.   Raja - Ok, then let me introduce you to Ambulance Dada, a real life superhero.   Kavita - By the way Raja, why is he called "Dada", is he a Gunda?   Raja - No, he is not a Gunda, but a social worker from Dhalabari in North Bengal. He is called Dada out of affection and endearment.   Kavita - Ok, Raja, then tell me more about Ambulance Dada.   Raja - He is from Dhalabari, a small town in North Bengal, famous for its tea gardens and Gorumara forest range.   Kavita - I am really intrigued now, so tell me about this social worker?   Raja - He is a school dropout who has saved more than 7000 lives since 1998.   Kavita - I wonder how did his journey begin?   Raja - It all began with an unfortunate event when he l...

Who is a Superhero? A superhero is somebody who saves lives   Does superhero require a cape and a mask? Honestly, no!   What we need to do? Don’t waste time Complaining /instead take the initiative to solve problems Ordinary people can also become superheroes, what they require is will and courage to do the impossible. Let’s look at somebody who has done it by himself.   Who Is Ambulance Dada? KarimulHaque, 57, was the third of his parents' six children and was born in Dhalabari. His mother and father were agricultural laborers, so he dropped out of school early to work odd jobs at a local tea garden. According to BiswajitJha, a former journalist who authored a biography of Haque two years ago, "He, perhaps, studied until Class III." Jha's book, Bike Ambulance Dada: The Inspiring Story of KarimulHaque (Penguin India, 2021), chronicled Hak's journey as a humanitarian driven to aid the underprivileged and destitute. The book received its first ...

Ladies and gentlemen, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein Albert Einstein once said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” These words are more than a quote; they are a guiding principle for humanity. They remind us that real peace is not built on power, fear, or control — it is built on empathy, compassion, and the willingness to understand one another. Force may stop a conflict for a moment, but it cannot heal wounds. It may silence voices, but it cannot change hearts. History is full of examples where battles were won through strength, yet wars of hatred and division continued because understanding was never achieved. True peace, lasting peace, comes only when we open our hearts and minds to truly see one another. Understanding begins with listening — not just hearing words, but listening to the emotions, the pain, and the stories behind those words. When we listen with empathy, w...

Ladies and gentlemen, Buddha once said, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” These words, though simple, hold profound meaning — a message that resonates across centuries, cultures, and generations. In a world that is constantly noisy, restless, and demanding, this wisdom invites us to pause and reflect: true peace is not something we can buy, borrow, or beg for from the outside world. It begins within us. Too often, we think peace will come when life finally aligns perfectly — when we get the dream job, the perfect relationship, the ideal home, or the recognition we crave. But life is unpredictable. Challenges will come, storms will rise, and not every plan will unfold as we imagined. If our peace depends on external circumstances, it will always be fragile. Buddha’s words remind us that peace is an inner state , a choice we make every day. It is the quiet confidence of knowing who we are, the strength to stay calm in chaos, and the courage to let go of things we...

How did Desmond Doss inspire? But when it came time for war Desmond put the bad things behind and many of the lives he had saved were the men that treated him poorly earlier on. Desmond Doss is an inspiration because of his selflessness, his forgiveness, and that he never killed anyone while on duty.13 Feb 2018 How is Desmond Doss a hero? Doss successfully rescued 75 men trapped at the top of the escarpment by lowering them with a special knot he knew. He had miraculously not been wounded and stayed in the fight with B Company. On May 21, Doss was wounded several times by grenade fragments and a sniper's bullet through his arm.12 Oct 2020 What was the impact of Desmond Doss? Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty. What are the quali...