When the founding fathers of the company first came here, the High Range was a vast tract of jungle land....
I joined Tata -Finlay in November 1978 and in the very next month the company was to commemorate a hundred years of planting in the High Range. It was decided that at the end of the celebrations a big bonfire would be lit on Anaimudi peak,which would be seen at night in two planting districts - the High Range and the Anamallais.
The Anaimudi is the highest peak south of the Himalayas and is at a height of 9000 ft above sea level.
We were six Assistant Managers who were selected to make this climb to light the bonfire.We congregated at Nyamakad Manager's bungalow and after an encouraging word from the Manager, Mr Baig, we proceeded by jeep to Vagavurrai Estate, where Rangasamy, the venerated leader of the local Mudhavan tribe, joined us to guide us to the peak.
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| Anaimudi Peak, image from Wikipedia. Pix c M D Madhusudan, 2013 |
Accompanied by six porters we gradually made our way towards Anaimudi peak, halting at frequent intervals to conserve our energy. Some of the porters were quite sceptical about whether we would make it in time to light the fire.Their doubts were allayed as we reached the peak by 1.00 pm. Anaimudi was covered with mist and there was a slight drizzle . We rested in a makeshift tent and it was only after the mist cleared that we were able to get a clear view.
When the founding fathers of the company first came here, the High Range was a vast tract of jungle land, and what we viewed was a thriving plantation industry.What a brave and determined group of men they were who faced the hardships of the early days of plantation life,when horses were the chief mode of transport,when medical facilities were lacking and isolation made working conditions unenviable. But they strove hard and the High Range over the years witnessed the introduction of the railroad, ropeway, schools and hospitals. A hundred years of hard work had brought about this transition. It gave us a sense of pride to belong to the High Range and Munnar.
Our emotions however did not overwhelm us and when we proposed a toast to the success of the High Range we did propose one to another hundred years of good boozing! At five we lit the bornfire and made our descent.We arrived at club exhausted, to join the party which was to continue till late into the night.
Deep in our hearts there was a feeling of triumph that in our own little way, we had made history.
Meet the writer:
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| Manjit Singh |
I studied in the Lawrence School, Sanawar, and passed out in 1970. I then did my B.A (Hons) and M.A in History from Hindu College, Delhi University.
I joined Tata Finlay in 1978 ( in 1983 it became Tata Tea ) and worked in the Plantation Division in South India- mainly in Munnar and a brief stint in the Anamallais in Tamil Nadu.
I retired in 2014 as General Manager of the Tea Division of Tata Coffee a subsidiary of Tata Tea.
I am a keen sportsman and represented the Club,Company and Upasi ( United Planters Association of South India) in cricket, squash and golf.
After retirement we have settled in Chandigarh and my son and daughter work and live in Delhi.
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My name is Gowri Mohanakrishnan and I'm a tea planter's wife. I started this blog because one of the things that I wouldn't want us to lose in a fast changing world is the tea story - a story always told with great seriousness, no matter how funny - always true (always), maybe a tall tale, long, or short, impossible, scary, funny or exciting but never dull.
Happy reading! Cheers to the spirit of Indian Tea!
24 comments:
A wonderful account.
Wonderful narrative of a great historical event.
I was in Tata Tea too, though in it's NIPD (Assam & Dooar's).
Joined in '82.
Well written. Brings back fond memories.
An enjoyable account! Pictures of the bonfire and the stalwarts igniting it would be very welcome!
Nice to see you again after more than 30 years! Great story too
Thanks Manjit
Wonderful memories. Benita Datta
Well done
Thanks for the memory M Singh..
A great read Manjit ! Keep it coming. Our love to Devika and the children !
Well written Manjit. What a lovely planting district
Well written Manjit. Truly High Range is wonderful planting district in south India
Feels very good time to be reading this article now from the Nyamakad Manager's B'low. Learnt a lot from Manjit Sir,my first Manager, Ever Grateful. A fine Genleman.
Interesting story! Thank you Manjit Singh.
A well written experience by Mr.manjeet Singh. With reading and encouraging. They were the legends in Mynnar Tea planting community. Still remember him well and recall his experiences which I used to admire while I used to visit Munnar Tata tea estates as Tea Board officer for inspections.
Happy onam wishes to all,
C S Hariprakash,Dy.Director,TBI
Manjit,
Enjoyed reading your fond memories of Centenary event of Tea Planting in High Range.It brought back nostalgia and reminded me of climbing Anaimudi thrice while I served in Munnar. First was with Virendra Lal and couple of other colleagues. The view from top of Anaimudi is grand, incomparably beautiful and far beyond my power to describe. It must be seen to appreciate! Haridas.P
Manjit,
Enjoyed reading your blog on 100 years of planting in High Range with interest. It brought back nostalgia and reminded me of my 3 trips to top of Anaimudi when I served in High Range. The view from top of the mountain is grand, incomparably beautiful and beyond my power to describe. It must be seen to be appreciated.
My first climb was with Virendra Lal and 2 other colleagues when he was in Rajamallay.
Manjit, so good to read your article. Now you must write in more detail. Recall with great warmth, the lovely times we spent together in the Anamallais. Especially your grandmother who used to call Samina Puttar and say that she was her daughter. Good to be in touch. Didn't know that Azam Baig was your first manager. That Mr. Baig in your article is not this Mr. Baig writing this comment though both Mr. Baigs are your friends.
Well written and with your years of experience in Highranges you will have much more to write. What I remember most while working in Chittavurrai Estate which was near to yellapatty where you were posted then was my ride on a mule from Korangani to Top station and to Chittavurrai . The mule appeared to have got fond of me that it used to hang around my house in that secluded part of chittavurrai factory dvn. In those days mules were used to transport goods from korangani to top station.
Well written Manjit of a special time in planting. You brought back the memories & I do remember the occasion. It was a special time of very special people in a very special place! Keep the memories coming... stay safe & take care.
Benita Datta. There are so many ex TataTea planters in Bangalore. How about some stories from you all. Bob Singh I met you when Kutu had the party for Tata Tea and NYK's joint venture at the Taj in Delhi
Manjit Singh and Devika we know you as one of most respected planters of Top station in Munnar during the time we were there. Its lovely to see you pen down your thoughts and experiences.
Delightfully written and took me back to the early seventies when we had to do the arduous trek up Augustya Mallai. Enjoyed every sentence. Keep writing Manjit.
Manjit Sir was one of the finest administrator and an avid sportsman so gifted and a natural.
Very well written Manjit �� Though the time was way before we joined in 1990 , it brings back loads of fine memories �� I recall spending a lot of time in the outdoors and also walking up the same trail to the Anaimudi peak and ofcourse a lot of hikes up from Vagavurrai towards the park . Thank you for sharing
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