Patratu Connect
Those who have lived the early years of their lives in Patratu will tell you that
childhood was their most joyful time. We were fortunate that our parents
came to live and work in the town, where we grew up as if we were part of a
big family. Patratu had a cosmopolitan culture, with people from every part of
the country living there. Besides temples, there was a church, a gurdwara and
a mosque. We are doing well in our respective fields because of the culture
that nurtured us and the guidance we got while growing up in the town. Each
of us fondly remembers the good old days in the town that came to be
identified with the Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS), so much so that
‘Thermal’ became its second name. It has also been known as Shimlatand,
meaning ‘the land of the Shimal tree’. So, here are some of the places etched in
our memories.
Hesla Dam: This was our favourite place for leisurely morning and evening
walks, but changing seasons brought their own reasons to visit the site.
During the monsoon, the dam’s crystal-clear water would change colour. As
the river swelled, the dam gates would be thrown open, with the gushing
water presenting quite a sight. Then, in autumn, during the Chhat Puja,
worshippers of the Sun would throng the dam. The next season would see
picnickers on its banks soaking in the mellow winter sun. The sprawling
Circuit House at the dam site presented to its visitors a slice of good life. Those
who have tasted its desi chicken curry continue to rave about it to this day.
Another highlight was the Damwala Mandir. And no child who has been down
the dam’s ‘tunnel’ can forget the trip.
Hesla School and its vicinity: Many of us have studied at Hesla School. Once
upon a time, it used to be the English medium school in the area, along with
the Adarsh Bal Niketan and the Nursery School. Those who studied at Adarsh
Bal Niketan in the late 1980s will recall that the school would organise Sunday
films shows using video cassettes.
Hesla is an extension of Janta Nagar, and one of the oldest localities of Patratu.
Around 1963, when the dam was being built, workers and engineers used to
stay in asbestos-shed houses in Hesla.
Janta Nagar: The bridge which connected Janta Nagar with the rest of Patratu
used to be the happy hunting ground of teenagers for gossip and news --
Facebook and Whatsapp were science fiction then. Sitting on the railings of
the bridge, we saw how Janta Nagar changed. A mandir was constructed just
next to the market. The market itself has kept spreading and nowadays the
place is as crowded and chaotic as any other elsewhere in India. There used to
be a cycle repair shop at Patel Chowk, where we would often stop to inflate
our bicycle tyres on our way to the dam.
A-Type Bungalows: The four ‘A-Type’ bungalows held a mystery for us, as we
hardly ever saw anyone living in them. In the vicinity, there was a hillock
which had a unique type of sandstone. When we would throw pieces of
sandstones over a hard surface, they used to break into yellowish dust –we
would call this a “bomb blast”.
Middle School: Most of us have either studied at Arvind School, popularly
known as ‘Middle School’, before moving to high school. We can’t forget the
teachers of Middle School and their contribution. The headmaster, whom we
had nicknamed ‘Bagh’, was a terror for those who studied in Middle School in
the early 1980s. A high point of the school calendar was the Saraswati Puja.
Hanuman Garhi and NCDC: The Hanuman Garhi temple, on the top of a
hillock, used to come alive during the Ramnavami celebrations. Besides, the
Hanuman Garhi cricket team was a formidable opponent any day.
The NCDC quarters and the surrounding area were great for roaming around
on bicycles.
New Market: New Market was the place to shop and stroll. Mithila Mishtanna
Bhandar, Agarwal Aata Chakki, Sanjay Sweet House, General Store, ‘Sardarji ka
dukan’, Uphaar, Hauda, Baccha Babu, Ranchi Store were some of the
prominent shops. Later on a vegetable market came up too, with ‘Bangali
sabjiwala’ as the main agent. A stall named Bumbum Chicken did brisk
business on Sundays.
Before Durga Puja, Chaurasia Tailors would be struggling to meet the
deadline. Quite natural, except that many a time the clothes would turn out to
be of totally different from what the customer was expecting.
During Diwali, some of the sweet shops would continue selling their leftover
festival fare even after Chaat Puja.
Situated at one corner of New Market was the town’s only bank, State Bank of
India. Fittingly enough, the road came to be known as Bank Road.
Here’s an anecdote that will tell you something about the small-town India of
those days. There was an eatery popularly known as ‘Jha Hotel’. To make
dosas, they hired a guy whose looks resembled a South Indian’s -- curly hair,
big handlebar moustache, and clad in a white lungi. He would never utter a
word while working. Customers got the impression that unlike the other
eateries which had local cooks, this one had hired one from the South and the
dosa was straight out of a Tamil kitchen. Everyone was happy to have ‘South
Indian’ dosa at Patratu and sales picked up. But then, one evening a guy from
some nearby village was passing by and happened to spot the dosa maker.
“Arrey Ketarwa!” he said. “Toh hiyaan par? Sab tora khojat khojat thak gelak
(Hey Ketar! You are here! Everyone has been looking for you and given up.”
The dosa maker replied, “Arrey Jamuna! Hiyaan aaker phans geliyau. Chhutti
na miltau. (Hey, Jamuna! I got stuck here. Haven’t got any holiday.” The crowd
at the hotel was like, “Arrey beta, local hau (Oh boy, he is a local).” Jha Hotel’s
dosa sales continued to beat competitors’, but only for a few months
thereafter.
Paanch Mandir: Paanch Mandir is a landmark of Patratu. The Durga Puja
there was a big attraction because of the huge idol, with the lion’s head
moving up and down in tune with a the roaring sound in the background. In
the 1980s, a ‘Meena Bazaar’ was also held at the back of the temple premises.
The paan stall known as Lallan paan gumti and the roads close to Paanch
Mandir still make us nostalgic because of the childhood memories associated
with them.
Children’s Park, Shram Kalyan Kendra and PTPS Club: The very mention
of these places used to get us all excited because they meant entertainment
and fun. Every Saturday, Shram Kalyan Kendra would hold an open-air film
shows. Spectators sat on the grassy ground, and from Road No. 10, you could
watch the mirror image of the movie. Whenever we came across Ramtacha,
who used to manage the show, we would try to get a scoop on what was
coming up next. There used to be film shows at the PTPS Club, too. While the
spools of the film were being brought from the Shram Kalyan Kendra in a
rickshaw, many of us would already be occupying our seats at the club. Often
some guy would play spoiler and insist on narrating the plot of the film. The
club used also organised an annual indoor sports event, including badminton,
table tennis, carom and chess. For the grown-ups, there were rummy and
bridge as well. Often we used to play till late night to compete in the
tournament. The club would also be the venue for cultural programmes as it
had the town’s only big hall for such shows.
Badka Field, Russian Hostel, Officers’ Hostel and PTPS Hospital: The
Badka field (big field) was the Eden Gardens of Patratu. It was the venue for
the town’s main sports events, including the Republic Day annual sports meet,
the Kurien Challenge football tournament and the PTPS cricket matches.
When there was a cricket match, typically a limited overs game, we used to
report at the ground as early as seven in the morning. The teams were local
but the vibe was big. Such was the craze for the game that the tennis court at
the Officers’ Hostel was often used for cricket net practice.
Similarly, during the Kurien Challenge, our excitement was akin to that of
European football club fans. Spectators would line up just outside the
demarcation line drawn with chalk powder and when a goal was scored, kids
would somersault to the middle of the field. Panday, Jamuna and Vikas were
some of the big names in local football.
The Russian Hostel was built as the residence of the foreign experts visiting
Patratu for the construction of the power station, but many Indian engineers
also used to stay there. Whenever we saw the Russians, we would wave at
them. For most of us, it was our first encounter with a foreigner.
The PTPS Hospital was the only health centre of the town.
Sah Colony, Patratu Bazaar and the Railway Station: A white statue of
Gandhiji was a landmark of Sah Colony, which extended till Bawandhara,
which marked the end of PTPS property. From there onwards was the Patratu
Bazaar area. Besides its cloth stores and tailoring shops, this area was well-
known for Veena Talkies. Going to watch a movie there used to be quite an
event. The Monday haat at Patratu Bazaar was the biggest shopping event, in
which farmers and traders from outside the town participated.
Quite a few long-distance trains would stop at the Patratu railway station,
which was clean and well-maintained.
Patratu has changed a lot over the last two decades, not to mention that the
power plant around which the town flourished is itself showing its age now.
However, we are optimistic that our town will regain its charm. Through
Patratu Connection we hope to share our memories of the years spent there
and strengthen our bonds for a better tomorrow.
Those who have lived the early years of their lives in Patratu will tell you that
childhood was their most joyful time. We were fortunate that our parents
came to live and work in the town, where we grew up as if we were part of a
big family. Patratu had a cosmopolitan culture, with people from every part of
the country living there. Besides temples, there was a church, a gurdwara and
a mosque. We are doing well in our respective fields because of the culture
that nurtured us and the guidance we got while growing up in the town. Each
of us fondly remembers the good old days in the town that came to be
identified with the Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS), so much so that
‘Thermal’ became its second name. It has also been known as Shimlatand,
meaning ‘the land of the Shimal tree’. So, here are some of the places etched in
our memories.
Hesla Dam: This was our favourite place for leisurely morning and evening
walks, but changing seasons brought their own reasons to visit the site.
During the monsoon, the dam’s crystal-clear water would change colour. As
the river swelled, the dam gates would be thrown open, with the gushing
water presenting quite a sight. Then, in autumn, during the Chhat Puja,
worshippers of the Sun would throng the dam. The next season would see
picnickers on its banks soaking in the mellow winter sun. The sprawling
Circuit House at the dam site presented to its visitors a slice of good life. Those
who have tasted its desi chicken curry continue to rave about it to this day.
Another highlight was the Damwala Mandir. And no child who has been down
the dam’s ‘tunnel’ can forget the trip.
Hesla School and its vicinity: Many of us have studied at Hesla School. Once
upon a time, it used to be the English medium school in the area, along with
the Adarsh Bal Niketan and the Nursery School. Those who studied at Adarsh
Bal Niketan in the late 1980s will recall that the school would organise Sunday
films shows using video cassettes.
Hesla is an extension of Janta Nagar, and one of the oldest localities of Patratu.
Around 1963, when the dam was being built, workers and engineers used to
stay in asbestos-shed houses in Hesla.
Janta Nagar: The bridge which connected Janta Nagar with the rest of Patratu
used to be the happy hunting ground of teenagers for gossip and news --
Facebook and Whatsapp were science fiction then. Sitting on the railings of
the bridge, we saw how Janta Nagar changed. A mandir was constructed just
next to the market. The market itself has kept spreading and nowadays the
place is as crowded and chaotic as any other elsewhere in India. There used to
be a cycle repair shop at Patel Chowk, where we would often stop to inflate
our bicycle tyres on our way to the dam.
A-Type Bungalows: The four ‘A-Type’ bungalows held a mystery for us, as we
hardly ever saw anyone living in them. In the vicinity, there was a hillock
which had a unique type of sandstone. When we would throw pieces of
sandstones over a hard surface, they used to break into yellowish dust –we
would call this a “bomb blast”.
Middle School: Most of us have either studied at Arvind School, popularly
known as ‘Middle School’, before moving to high school. We can’t forget the
teachers of Middle School and their contribution. The headmaster, whom we
had nicknamed ‘Bagh’, was a terror for those who studied in Middle School in
the early 1980s. A high point of the school calendar was the Saraswati Puja.
Hanuman Garhi and NCDC: The Hanuman Garhi temple, on the top of a
hillock, used to come alive during the Ramnavami celebrations. Besides, the
Hanuman Garhi cricket team was a formidable opponent any day.
The NCDC quarters and the surrounding area were great for roaming around
on bicycles.
New Market: New Market was the place to shop and stroll. Mithila Mishtanna
Bhandar, Agarwal Aata Chakki, Sanjay Sweet House, General Store, ‘Sardarji ka
dukan’, Uphaar, Hauda, Baccha Babu, Ranchi Store were some of the
prominent shops. Later on a vegetable market came up too, with ‘Bangali
sabjiwala’ as the main agent. A stall named Bumbum Chicken did brisk
business on Sundays.
Before Durga Puja, Chaurasia Tailors would be struggling to meet the
deadline. Quite natural, except that many a time the clothes would turn out to
be of totally different from what the customer was expecting.
During Diwali, some of the sweet shops would continue selling their leftover
festival fare even after Chaat Puja.
Situated at one corner of New Market was the town’s only bank, State Bank of
India. Fittingly enough, the road came to be known as Bank Road.
Here’s an anecdote that will tell you something about the small-town India of
those days. There was an eatery popularly known as ‘Jha Hotel’. To make
dosas, they hired a guy whose looks resembled a South Indian’s -- curly hair,
big handlebar moustache, and clad in a white lungi. He would never utter a
word while working. Customers got the impression that unlike the other
eateries which had local cooks, this one had hired one from the South and the
dosa was straight out of a Tamil kitchen. Everyone was happy to have ‘South
Indian’ dosa at Patratu and sales picked up. But then, one evening a guy from
some nearby village was passing by and happened to spot the dosa maker.
“Arrey Ketarwa!” he said. “Toh hiyaan par? Sab tora khojat khojat thak gelak
(Hey Ketar! You are here! Everyone has been looking for you and given up.”
The dosa maker replied, “Arrey Jamuna! Hiyaan aaker phans geliyau. Chhutti
na miltau. (Hey, Jamuna! I got stuck here. Haven’t got any holiday.” The crowd
at the hotel was like, “Arrey beta, local hau (Oh boy, he is a local).” Jha Hotel’s
dosa sales continued to beat competitors’, but only for a few months
thereafter.
Paanch Mandir: Paanch Mandir is a landmark of Patratu. The Durga Puja
there was a big attraction because of the huge idol, with the lion’s head
moving up and down in tune with a the roaring sound in the background. In
the 1980s, a ‘Meena Bazaar’ was also held at the back of the temple premises.
The paan stall known as Lallan paan gumti and the roads close to Paanch
Mandir still make us nostalgic because of the childhood memories associated
with them.
Children’s Park, Shram Kalyan Kendra and PTPS Club: The very mention
of these places used to get us all excited because they meant entertainment
and fun. Every Saturday, Shram Kalyan Kendra would hold an open-air film
shows. Spectators sat on the grassy ground, and from Road No. 10, you could
watch the mirror image of the movie. Whenever we came across Ramtacha,
who used to manage the show, we would try to get a scoop on what was
coming up next. There used to be film shows at the PTPS Club, too. While the
spools of the film were being brought from the Shram Kalyan Kendra in a
rickshaw, many of us would already be occupying our seats at the club. Often
some guy would play spoiler and insist on narrating the plot of the film. The
club used also organised an annual indoor sports event, including badminton,
table tennis, carom and chess. For the grown-ups, there were rummy and
bridge as well. Often we used to play till late night to compete in the
tournament. The club would also be the venue for cultural programmes as it
had the town’s only big hall for such shows.
Badka Field, Russian Hostel, Officers’ Hostel and PTPS Hospital: The
Badka field (big field) was the Eden Gardens of Patratu. It was the venue for
the town’s main sports events, including the Republic Day annual sports meet,
the Kurien Challenge football tournament and the PTPS cricket matches.
When there was a cricket match, typically a limited overs game, we used to
report at the ground as early as seven in the morning. The teams were local
but the vibe was big. Such was the craze for the game that the tennis court at
the Officers’ Hostel was often used for cricket net practice.
Similarly, during the Kurien Challenge, our excitement was akin to that of
European football club fans. Spectators would line up just outside the
demarcation line drawn with chalk powder and when a goal was scored, kids
would somersault to the middle of the field. Panday, Jamuna and Vikas were
some of the big names in local football.
The Russian Hostel was built as the residence of the foreign experts visiting
Patratu for the construction of the power station, but many Indian engineers
also used to stay there. Whenever we saw the Russians, we would wave at
them. For most of us, it was our first encounter with a foreigner.
The PTPS Hospital was the only health centre of the town.
Sah Colony, Patratu Bazaar and the Railway Station: A white statue of
Gandhiji was a landmark of Sah Colony, which extended till Bawandhara,
which marked the end of PTPS property. From there onwards was the Patratu
Bazaar area. Besides its cloth stores and tailoring shops, this area was well-
known for Veena Talkies. Going to watch a movie there used to be quite an
event. The Monday haat at Patratu Bazaar was the biggest shopping event, in
which farmers and traders from outside the town participated.
Quite a few long-distance trains would stop at the Patratu railway station,
which was clean and well-maintained.
Patratu has changed a lot over the last two decades, not to mention that the
power plant around which the town flourished is itself showing its age now.
However, we are optimistic that our town will regain its charm. Through
Patratu Connection we hope to share our memories of the years spent there
and strengthen our bonds for a better tomorrow.
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