Rajan Mehra
July 4 2008
We are delighted to have this memory
of a visit to the Aberdeen Reunion lunch 1985 from Rajan and Shalini Mehra
and we thank them for sharing this experience with us. We thank Shalini
for her story and the photogrpah of the day, it is shown in total
plus in two halves to help identification of your old friends
To
See Pictures from the Planters Reunion 1985 Click Here
Planters Reunion 1985
An everlasting memory
For
years Tea Planters’ Reunion Meet at Aberdeen remained a much awaited and
well attended event. An
annual meet would be organized and planters, mostly expatriates, working
as well as retired, would travel distances to meet their old friends and
colleagues. Gradually the attendance became lesser and eventually the
tradition died down.
The
heartening news that Aberdeen Planters’ reunion has been one again
resumed and will be held on 15th August this year, summoned up
my memory and I could not help travelling back in time to revive images of
one such Meet I had attended.
In
August 1985 my husband Rajan got his first UK leave. Every year our
company, (Assam Company Ltd.)
would select two couples on seniority basis from the estates for
UK trip. The visit always coincided with Planters' Reunion Dinner at
Aberdeen. The other couple with us was Mr. and Mrs. Nazrul Haq Choudhury.
Nazrul was then Manager Kondoli Tea Estate. The Company Managing Director
Mr. H.D. Wahi was also in London with his wife and daughter. They too were
joining the Planters’ reunion get-together at Aberdeen. Our train
tickets from London to Aberdeen were booked in advance by then London
Visiting Agent Mr. Frank Wilson who very generously booked us in 1st
class, which somehow did not turn out to be very comfortable for us as
others were travelling general class (I am not aware of what was it
called). Rajan and I felt very embarrassed when we discovered the faux
passé but both Mr. and Mrs. Wahi very magnanimously made light of the
situation to put us at ease. It was a night journey so we missed out
watching the scenic countryside that I had heard so much about.
It
was a bleak, grey morning when we arrived in Aberdeen. Scotland can be
very wet and windy. It dampened my spirits as I was looking forward to
explore the land of pristine natural beauty and rich colourful kilts. We
checked at the hotel Metcliff but by the time we finished breakfast the
sun peeped out and the whip-lashing wind turned caressing. It lifted my
spirits.
Rajan
and Nazrul had to hire a DJ Suit which was the formal dress for the
evening dinner. Later we came to know that it was a usual practice for the
planters traveling from distances and not carrying one. There was this
particular shop we were directed to by Mr.Wahi and in no time they both
had been fitted with smart suits, of course only for the evening.
Since
the get-together was in the evening we had the whole day to explore the
city. What struck me as very unusual were the stone structures! These
stunning granite buildings give the city an extremely unique look and its
nickname -‘Granite City’.
"Aberdeen
to Heaven - nae not a great step."
So
goes a proud local boast about Scotland's lovable city of fine granite
buildings set against the bright impeccable parks and gardens. There were
plenty of interesting bars, restaurants and very decent shopping centers
in the city to explore. To the south east on the stunning and very
dramatic shoreline was Dunnottar Castle - perched high on the red cliffs
above the red sea. We were told that there were many beaches both south
and north of Aberdeen, lovely quiet places to stop and enjoy the sun and
view on way up the coast. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore
much.
Later
in the evening we got back to the hotel and got ready for the
get-together. I had carried a sari especially for the occasion. In 1973
when I came to Tea most of the expatriates had already left. I recognised
very few named on the attendee list, namely Mr. and Mrs. E.K.Deighton, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Will, and Mr. & Mrs. Clayton but for Rajan there were
many familiar faces and he was thrilled to meet them after a long gap of
time. We were allotted different tables but besides Mr. and Mrs. Will,
there were not many familiar faces on our table. We had just settled in
when appetizers and drinks arrived, introductions were done and
conversation commenced. Very soon planters were in their element as if
transported in time capsule back in the Tea gardens. All this was new to
me and most of the time I remained a silent listener. But not even once I
felt out of place. In fact looking back I recollect that I was being given
extra attention by everyone on my table. Since I am a vegetarian, special
dishes were ordered. The dinner lingered on and the conversation was
never-ending. I was basking in attention and compliments that Tea planters
are so generous in giving. They were all admiring my sari and
jewels—“how exquisite… just out of this world!!!!” The whole
atmosphere was charged with animated camaraderie enough to give this young
memsahib a high, no don’t read wrongly as I was as sober as any
teetotaler could be.
“Remember
when I was….” were oft quoted beginnings of conversation as the
attendees reminisced and regaled one another with old time stories. How I
wish I knew then that one day ‘The Camellia’ would carry such stories!
I could have filled pages with treasure full of memoirs that evening. What
a loss to posterity! For someone like me, who had only heard about the
tales of the pioneers this was history coming alive from its sepia pages.
This was the gathering of a generation of tea planters who were
trailblazers and trend setters, who had borne hardships in a foreign land
and helped establish not only a big business but a great institution also,
namely –Tea. I felt elated to be proud of that illustrious gathering.
Finally
the evening drew to an end with good-byes, hugs and kisses and of course
promises to meet the coming year. All of us got up for a group photograph
that I am attaching here. There are faces in the picture that are bound to
be recognized by many of you, some have departed from the earth, May God
rest their souls in peace but some might be there. Though images are
little blurred but every time I look at this picture I feel proud to be a
part of a heritage that passes on and on.
Next morning our train was very early. Though feeling little drowsy as we had slept late the night before, I could not afford to miss the landscape unfolding outside the moving train. It was breathtakingly beautiful, at the horizon, the blue of the sky melted into the blue of the sea making it look like a vast canopy, now and then the stone buildings came into view standing like sentinels on watch, for miles spectacularly laid out golf courses coasted along the sea. I sat glued to my window seat soaking in the landscape. I made a promise to myself to visit this unique place at least once again in my life time.
Now
with the renewal of Aberdeen Planters Reunion get–together there is an
extra incentive and hopefully we will be able to make it next year. Memories
of the 1985 get-together are bound to come back but with a difference, I
am sure I will be one of those telling the tales, not just listening. In
addition I am sure I would know many more visitors because of our
association through The Camellia. I also promise that I will be well
equipped with a pen and note pad or rather carry a tape recorder/laptop to
record many a tale for you readers.
What
a collection that would be from the pages of tea history! My heart tinkles
with just that thought!!!!
By the time this edition reaches the readers the event will be over. On behalf of all of us from The Camellia I wish the organsers a big success and hope the tradition that has been resumed will continue for years to come. I also wish that the tea companies will also resume their practice to send the younger generation Planters on routine visits to attend the function and meet their predecessors! After all what better way to learn the ropes than an exchange of ideas, especially with those who were there before you and have not only a treasure full of stories to impart but a trove full of experiences too.
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