Kanpur Author : Dr. K.S. Kang

Kanpur

This historical town, associated with Nana Saheb Peshwa, Tantya Tope and Maharani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi was centre of activities during First War of Independence in India in 1857 A.D. My father came to this town when he joined as Technical Assistant ( SAJ- Grade III)  in Technical Establishment Development Laboratory of Ministry of Defense. This organization developed and designed after through research various commodities, tools , implements, dress ranging from weapons to shoes, caps and belts. He joined this organization in March 1951 A.D and he used to tell us that at that time there were 27 Ph.D’s working in various departments of this elite organization. This place was also associated with my father’s cousin who was attached NCO to NCC division of local DAV college. My father tried to do Post Graduation in Maths from this college by contacting the faculty through his cousin. But his efforts were in vain though his cousin gave a couple of rum bottles from his army quota to some faculty of the college. About his life in Kanpur my father used to relate an incident when he retrieved his stolen watch. My father and two of his colleague used to live in shared rented accommodation . One day his colleague came from his home in the early morning train and he was in argument with Richshawwalah over the fare from station to this place. While arguing this richshawwallah came inside the room and as it was winter morning so my father was sleeping in quilt while his watch was by the side of his pillow. Richshawwallha suddenly stopped arguing and took the money from my father’s colleague and left the room hurriedly whisking away my father’s wrist watch also with him. When my father woke he discovered that watch has disappeared. Without wasting any time they took their bicycles and set out in the search of that Rickshawwallah. Soon they traced the culprit as the suspicion of theft was on him so they thoroughly searched him and his vehicle but they could not find the watch. So they reported the matter to the police which was quite active,  efficient and duty conscious force at that time. Officer on duty assured my father that they can take the watch from Police Station by of the Police Officer. Though my father was not very positive about Police officer’s confidence but to their utter disbelief Police Officer handed over the watch to my father when they visited Police Station in the evening. Officer told them that watch was retrieved from a hotel where the owner kept the goods stolen by the rickshaw drivers and others. My father was simply impressed by efficiency of Police that swiftly responded to the complaint of young, educated gentleman like my father and his friend.