Across Seven Seas and Thirteen Rivers

Today, we bid farewell to Dipak Dutta , a cherished companion whose friendship graced my life for over four decades. In the quiet hours of this morning, he left us from his hospital bed, leaving behind not only memories but a legacy of joy, camaraderie, and integrity.  Dipak and I - Calcutta Club Nababarsha Evening 1991 Dipak was more than a neighbor and a friend—he was a man of substance. A distinguished chartered accountant , a passionate golfer , and above all, a consummate social being who brought people together with ease and grace. His leadership as Past President of the Calcutta Club remains etched in history, not merely for the title he held, but for the spirit of fellowship he embodied.  I recall that unforgettable evening vividly, decades ago, when Dipak triumphed in the presidential election of the Calcutta Club. Clad in a lemon-yellow T-shirt, he stood at the men’s bar, radiant with cheer, offering drinks with a smile that lit up the room. That moment captured the...

  [Note 1 - regarding the delay in publication: I wrote this piece during the three weeks ending March 5, 2024, shortly after Srijoni passed away on February 9, 2024. However, Srijoni’s mother, Nayan, asked me to postpone its publication until she has time to process the event's impact. Accordingly, I withheld the publication. Today, February 9, 2025, on Chini’s first death anniversary, Nayan asked to publish it. So, here it is].     [Note 2: This piece contains hyper/video links. It reads better on a laptop]. Overarching attributes: I will remember Srijoni Mitra -- or Chini, to me and her other family members, friends, and classmates -- as a young person with multiple attributes. She possessed an unbounded curiosity, innate empathy, inherent socializing skills, self-effacing leadership qualities, and courage to be resolutely herself. I will remember her ingrained abilities to sing, dance, and write poems. Simultaneously, she excelled in karate. She studied behav...

Figure 1 The library of the Institution of Civil Engineers - I sat here for  my membership qualifying examination in 1970 - photo by my wife Kalpana Sen, 2014 Fifty years ago, in the spring of 1970, I sat for the membership qualifying examination of the Institution of Civil Engineers London. I sat in the library of the Institution, at this table, and on this chair. Since then, the Institution will have refurbished the furniture. But this is where I sat and took my examination Figure 1 . On that occasion, I was the only candidate for the membership qualifying examination. I sat in one of the corners of the vast library. Aside from me, there were a couple of women who worked there. I could not see them but could only hear their infrequent whispers, and the silence suited me fine.   Having earned my PhD in structural engineering at Imperial College London, the previous year, I had fulfilled the educational base requirements for membership. (Then the Institution did not recognis...

  List of Contents [Note: This post is relatively long; its length is that of a novelette. So, I have added this list of contents to help the reader navigate through my story. The story is in a Q&A format. The questions were framed by the Alumni Office of Imperial College London and are listed below, except that I have added a prologue and an epilogue.] Prologue Extracurricular activities you were involved in? Do you have a website or social media channel you'd like us to feature or tag? Your time at Imperial What did you learn during your time at Imperial, in class or out? Can you tell us about your studies at Imperial? Who did you find inspiring at Imperial and why?  What is your fondest memory of your time here?  What is your favourite place at Imperial and why? Your career Tell us about the work you're doing now and your journey to this point. How has what you learnt at Imperial helped you in your career so far? What have been your career highlights and lowlight...