That "Planter's Spirit"!

by Danny Pariat 

On seeing the photo of the remains of the dilapidated Goriajan Club building, a retired planter who was a young assistant in the Dhunseri area in the late 60s/early 70s had the following to say about his club during those days, the Dhunseri Polo Club. 

Such a pity that just the skeleton of a shell remains. If only the walls could speak and convey the many flings exuberant planters have had within these precincts it would fill volumes of interesting tales. 

At least Dhunseri Club has survived but it came dangerously close to being shut down in 1972. 

I was the Chotta Saheb in Behora. Two senior planters resigned their membership over a very petty issue of shifting the club days, and the company contributions from WM as well as Tata Tea stopped coming. My pleas for help from WM fell on deaf ears. The then Director cleverly passed on the buck to the Visiting Agent based in Upper Assam, who - to my utter disappointment - had said, "Gone are the days of satellite clubs that were formed during the time of poor transport facilities. You guys can easily take a drive to Goriajan or Jorhat Club twice a week." 

Five of us Assistants met and resolved to keep the club going despite the company’s support being withdrawn. Each one of us pooled in funds. A live band from Jorhat ( Dennis Banks and his boys had formed the 'Gnats' ) agreed to perform for a fee in kind by way of  'unlimited rum and dinner'. 

The Midsummer dance 'do' which was then held was a thundering success when planters from Misa, Jorhat and even Seleng came over for a fun filled night. The news had reached the Director at Head Office and he was gracious enough to send in the companies’ contributions with arrears. 

I had my last word with the V.A. when I said, "Sir it is very simple to close down an existing facility but it takes a whole lot of 'spirit' to keep it going!!!" 

The nice coat of arms for Dhunseri Club was designed by the artistic Dr Banerjee whose talent was in art and wild life and practicing medicine, apparently, was his hobby.

 I gather Dhunseri Club is still a thriving club nowadays.

 - Danny Pariat

Editor's note: Do you have a photograph of the Dhunseri Club? Would you like to share it with other readers? Please email it to me at indianchaistories@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Meet the writer:

DANNY PARIAT

Born and brought up in Shillong, I graduated in Bsc in 1971 and soon after, i.e. Feb 1972, had joined at Koomsong T.E. in Doom Dooma.  I married my girl from Shillong and we have two lovely daughters - Deanna is a doctor in the U.K. and Janice, author/writer, art critic, poet is teaching at a university near Delhi.
My work places varied between the south and north bank - started at Koomsong, then four years later went across to Pertabghur near Bishnauth Charali, back to Moabund near Jorhat from where my actings started then back for my first billet at Harchurah. Thereafter worked at Seajuli,Rupajuli, Margherita and Pertabghur. I finally called it a day in December 2004 and made it back home just before Christmas.


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