In the mid-1960’s, Rajasthan, India, was gradually developing its network of roads and highways. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), with the state government, played a critical role, with geologists in good demand.
Early Road Constructions 🧱
The relentless efforts under the blazing sun resulted in ribbon-like roads winding through the desert, connecting remote settlements around water wells.
father’s camp, yonder in the distance, ghaf
and khejri trees dot the barren horizon
Peacocks and wild desert birds were plenty that visited the camps like the way we see crows in Calcutta.
Geologist’s Role
Geologists conducted rock examinations and performed a feasibility study before the operation began.
for building roads or constructions, and
Geologists play a central part
My father, Mr. Dinabandhu Lahiri, a junior geologist at the time, was entrusted by Mr. Dhavan for inspecting a road building from Sursura to Kishangarh.
behind the shadow of a parked Jeep. Mr.
Dhawan is seen in a strategic meeting on a winter
afternoon, briefing the plans to his team
Among numerous, one incident was as exciting as a thriller.
Ever Changing Weather ⛅
Rajasthan is a dry area, the rainwater hardly poured compared to the other parts of India, especially in the southeastern or western highlands.
Interestingly, when it rains 🌨️huge amount of torrential river gets formed and menacing floods changes the terrain.
My father had started his day early and decided to examine the road on his way back from office.
Swift Ravaging Floods
The work hour started early to prevent sun burning and had almost finished for the day.
The clock was nearing 11 am when the rain gods thought of unleashing its water reserves over the dry land beneath.
a dangerous watery grave
Along with Krishnabahadur, a hard man from the mountains from Nepal, driver, and associate, my father decided to explore.
Crumbling Landscape
river. The local villagers, made bone dry by the
fierce sun, never left the chance of extra natural
water that came their way
Within an hour, the layered sand embankments started to slowly give in to the fast-flowing torrential river which sprouted absolutely from nowhere.
Excellent Driving 🚙
My father was driving a Jeep CJ-3B, equipped with four-wheel drive that enhanced the engine’s torque. As the Jeep slowly approached a muddy bank with a trailer carrying exploration supplies behind it, the engine roared in second gear and the wheels began to skid.
washed by the fast flood water
The raw skill of the driver and the grip the vehicle could master were the only potent weapons to fight the nature’s fury.
The nose of the Jeep kept at sixty degrees, as the river pounded the bumper and the radiator.
Jeep Gets Swallowed
before she started her eventful journey.
Imagine, the situation – the canvas on top hardly able to keep the driving rain, the huge open sides had become by now conduits for the deluge of slanted rainwater hitting the driver and co-driver.
The Jeep started to sink slowly. Krishnabahadur knew what was coming in. If they stayed in the Jeep, death was inevitable.
So, the duo climbed the Jeep’s roof and held on.
Amazing Night Events
The eventful day faded into a quiet night. My father knew they had to spend the night here.
after the devastation
The sky had become a mix of black and violet, and the stars were clinging to this huge skyscape like sparkled jewels.
The white and blue light formed patterns that made my tired father doze off.
Saviors from the Dark 🌙
None of them remember how long they were under the tree when they were startled by the sound of clanking jewelry and hushed undertones of the unmistakable Rajasthani language.
Rajasthani Dialect 🗣️
Was it Marwari, or Malvi, or maybe Dhundhari? …my father could not make out, but in the mild glow of the lanterns, held by few sari-clad figures, both saw they were surrounded by about ten women with tumblers on their heads who had gone to the river to catch the water.
My father was the first to break the silence, “Dekhiye, ham government officials hain, hamari gari pani mein baha gayi hai, .aap kuch madat kar sakoge ?“..in English it meant “We are government officials, our vehicle has floated in the fast river, can you help us?”
with compassion
They agreed to help.
Both were brought to a small village and were given water which I am sure, they had gulped down like a hosepipe.
The compassionate village ladies also gave my father and Krishnabahadur, ‘chapatis’, or wheat bread with vegetables 🥬
The Rescue ⛑️
Thanking profusely, both set off, braving the broken road fragments. They trudged on until, about after an hour, met the rescue team in the form of a pickup truck that was sent by the camp office to track my father and Krishnabahadur.
father and Krishnabahadur on that fateful night
The next day, a search party found the wrecked, and partly broken Jeep.
It had cartwheeled and had been dragged across the riverbed about six miles from where it got stuck by the wrath of the river.
The trailer was found, broken off from the Jeep another mile or so away.
Promise Kept 🤝
My father as a gratitude had promised the villagers that government will try their best to speak to the officials for a concrete bridge construction.
smile on the villager’s faces
The promise was kept, and a bridge was finally built to the delight of the villagers of the twenty villages that surrounded that area.
Star Geologist
by the desert sun early in the day near Kishangarh camp
Months later, my father visited one of the villages with my mother and sister which was about fifteen kilometers from Kishangarh to meet the villagers.
He was welcomed like a Messiah, a liberator.
Inference, Qualities I Learned
- Empathy – A person should be understanding and must care for colleagues, local communities, and the environment
- Patience – Inexhaustible tolerance to challenges
- Community-Oriented – Engages with local populations respectfully, particularly when conducting fieldwork in delicate areas
- Adventurous Spirit – Thrives on exploration and is willing to venture into remote, and unknown
- Curiosity – Always driven by the desire to uncover the unexplored
✨Life of a Geologist, 1960’s Series 👇
| Part 1 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – British Doctor’s Haunted 👻 Circuit House: A 👨👩👦 Family’s Unnerving Experience |
| Part 2 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – Ranikhet, ⛰️ Mountain 🛑Encounter and Unexpected ☠️ Danger |
| Part 3 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – Father’s 🔥 Passion for 🛩️ Flying: A Journey of Dreams and Adventure 🏕️ |
| Part 4 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – Geologist’s 🐕 Canine 👥Companion: Raju the Alsatian |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 