It is reported that we are going to have ships calling regularly between Bangladesh and India say between Chittagong and Haldia or Sagar roads. After liberation of Bangladesh, our M.V. Vishwa Tilak was probably the first ship that loaded jute from Bangladesh ports of Chittagong and Chalna (anchorage port ) for Dundee. Sailing to Chalna along beautiful Sunderbans was a sight to cherish. Actually, there used to be more ships at Chalna than at Chittagong, anchored in the river.
We used to go ashore (it used to be muddy shore called Shantinagar with only the thatched roofs but beautiful and welcoming people selling coconut, pineapples etc; where you could sit and chit-chat with the local girls. We used to go ashore by “sampans” , the current in the river used to be very strong and unless you were very agile and alert, you could go overboard while negotiating the gangway. I am sure, we largely survived on luck.
Some years later we used to go to Chittagong from Calcutta on Raj Line Ship M.V. Saleema. This was a ship with two hatches, a midship accommodation and aft accommodation for engineers and crew. The atmosphere used to be very homely and informal, there was no ISM, STCWor ISPS then. The crew all had Raj Line CDC ( they were hailing from Andamans) and they were with the owner Mr CM Jadwet ( a very fine gentleman) from very early age of 15 and together they could do all ship’s work.
Inspite of us telling him not to bring, the steward used to bring our tea balancing two cups in the plates ( mild rolling) over the plank on aft hatch, but not a drop of tea will spill out. Those days Bangladeshis were simple but now they have become very selfish and clever and there are lots of fraudulent cargo claims being raised. There is lot of theft too.
Coastal Shipping works well and runs profitably when it is operated in a homely and completely non formal manner with the co-operation of all parties involved. Ten copies of cargo manifest, “ dur moshai, paliye jaan to, dekhte patchen na ami koto maach tene niye jacchi, apnar matha te sai manifest hoi na keno”. Minimum documentation needed. “Ohre tal mile nadi ke jal me, nadi mile sagar me, sagar mile kaun se jal me koi jane na”.
Myanmar (Yangong) is much better and cheaper place with magnificent “pagodas” if you don’t mind uncharted waters and port people coming with jerry cans asking for diesel, as you approach the berth. We bought our provisions from a lady ( not the conventional ship chandler), stopping briefly on our way out. This is unthinkable at other places. Let us hope a profitable trade is established between Myanmar and East Indian ports in the days ahead. We used to bring pulses from Yangong to Mumbai Indira docks and logs to Kandla. The beautiful and hard working girls here apply “ chandan” paste on their foreheads and faces , clothes, fruits, vegetables aplenty and cheap. “Mere piya gaye Rangoon kiya hai wahan se telephoon, tumhari yaad satati hai…”.
