Fw: : : The historians, and their dilemmas.

[madhav kapdi]

                    Subject: : The historians, and their dilemmas.
 

                    In the article appeared in Wal-mitra magazine, Mr.Jaywant Gujar from our maintenance department, has made a indirect reference of our New Foundry [NF] which was established in the year 1967, and the running year, is a Golden Jubilee year, of our New foundry.

                    I understand, the so called New foundry was established, to cater the heavy castings meant for our Machine-tools division at Pune.  Before then, the Machine-tool castings, were being made in Old foundry [OF] established in 1926, and the said foundry was Re-christened as Light-foundry [LF] in 1985, and New foundry as Heavy foundry [HF] at the same time. A circular was issued by Mr.Raman, the General Manager then. 

 

                    I recall, the cranes in LF, were of M/s.Brady & Morris make, imported from UK, and the crane drivers, used to be served the tea, by vendors, by merely raising the hands, up to their cabin, whereas in HF, the crane drivers has to climb down, to seep the tea, since the drivers cabin itself, was around 35 to 40 feet's, from the ground-level.
 

                    Our smallest, cabin operated crane was of M/s.Jessops Calcutta make, of 5MT capacity, earmarked for the shakeout operations, whereas the heaviest one, was 45 MT capacity, M/s.WMI make.  It was installed in 1977/78, by Mr.Ravi Taleganokar, the erection engineer then, and that was his 1st independent assignment. Mr.Taleganokar is now, the CEO of TCR Engineering Pune. The subject crane was installed, for our Paper Dryer Cylinder [PDC] project, and two of our front-line managers, from the foundry, were trained for the manufacturing technology, in UK.
 

                    To supply the hot liquid metal, of desired Chemistry, to be poured by a single ladle, we have also installed M/s.GEC India make, 15/20 MT capacity, Channel type Holding Furnace, in Heavy foundry. Unfortunately, the said furnace never performed as per the laid down specifications, and in 1979, there was an accident, when the metal leaked out, through the inductor joint. With the failure of Channel furnace, our PDC project, came to the grinding halt, and the entire economics of HF, came in to the trouble, making its survival difficult. M/s.GEC has supplied, virtually a identical furnace to M/s.Jessops at Calcutta, before bidding to us, and the said furnace was also a failure, at M/s.Jessops. 

 

                    M/s.L&T Ltd, were the marketing agents, for M/s.Asea Brown Bowri, the competitor's for M/s.GEC make, for Channel-type furnaces, and they also brought to our notice, the failure of M/s.GEC furnace at M/s.Jessops, but we were convinced that, M/s.Jessops was the Government organization, with no accountability, down the line staff, was not interested in the operations of furnace, since the operations of the said furnace, were very tricky & challenging, as well. Our branch office from Calcutta, also came with the similar report. This was a logical explanation, and accepted by the management, while placing the order.
 

                    After the accident, we lodged a civil suit, in Satara Court, claiming damages to the tune of Rs.3.00 Crores in 1981, with the stamp paper valuation of Rs.25,000, the highest limit then. The stamp paper itself, of subject denomination, was available only with the supreme court then. Ultimately, 5 Stamp papers of Rs.5,000 denominator each, were brought from Bombay High-court, and our plaint was submitted. The plaint itself, was drafted by the team of legal luminaries, with their names, and the brief credentials, as under,
 

                    01] Mr.Rajeev Koppikar : Our Company Secretary, who was in notice period, and was to join M/s.Reliance India, as Joint [Fevicol] Secretary. His younger brother, used to teach us the Maths, after college hours [Elphinstone college Mumbai] on no charge basis, as a social service.

                    02] Mr.P.M.Dandekar : Director of M/s.Camlin India, and also the partner of M/s.Daftary & Dandekar, who pleaded the Mahatma Gandhi murder case.

                    03] Mr.A.K.Sanghavi. : Practicing advocate from Bombay High-court, and the father of Mr.Manu Sanghavi, the prevailing spokes-person of Congress. Mr.Manu Sanghavi, a poor fellow, made a loss of Rs.58 Crores off late, since his important documents, were eaten by the termites, and income tax authorities, denied him rebate, of the like amount.

                    04] Mr.Gowarikar. : M/s.Walchand-group solicitor, with previous experience from a well known UK based solicitors firm, and a younger brother of Mr.Vasant Gowarikar, the Scientific adviser to government of India, with his spouse, M/s.Deepa Gowarikar,  a well known singer, and the son Mr.Ashutosh Gowarikar, the Hindi film director.

                    05] Ms.Kiran Ghosaliya. : A young Legal Asst. for Mr.Gowarikar, who is now heading the legal team of Bombay Metropolitan Infrasturer projects.

                06] Mr.M.G.Bhagwat. : Leading Advocate from Satara, holding the briefs for Bhosle dynasty. His other brothers, where Editors, Journalists & also the Charted Accountants. His son Bharat [studying law] was my Badminton partner, and was assisting his father.
 

                    Since a foundry, is the backbone of Diesel engines & Machine-tool industry, in 1975, a project with the investment of Rs.5.00 crors was launched, and Asst.Gen.Mgr. level person, was holding the project portfolio, but he took the moral responsibility for the failure of furnace, and put-up his papers. Thereafter, Mr.Sundaram & Babar, Dy.Gen.Mgr. & Dy.Mgr. respectively, with myself holding the duel charge of Marketing & Project, were looking after the Project portfolio, 

 

                    When the team of legal luminaries, was to land in Satara, for the site visit, and deliberations for drafting of plaint, Mr.Babar, developed the cold feet, and went on medical leave. A team was send to his home at Satara & village Kikli near Satara, but he was not traceable. Thereafter, i  was asked to take the charge of all the documents, including the Furnace log-books, in additions, deliberate with production & maintenance, to generate the technical in-puts, for the plaint.
 

                    The discussions used to start at the hotel in Satara, at around 10.00 AM, and continue for the next 12hours at a stretch Minm, with a brief working lunch, in between. Thereafter, our drinks session used to commence, and end at times at 2.00 AM next day. There used to be very friendly deliberations, and my role was to oversee the food & drinks supplies, and maintain the flow of Chakhanas, as per the individual likings. 

 

                    In addition, i have to see to it that, the Pan-pattiwala, will not pull down his shutters, without personally taking the orders, and supplying the same, to the individuals of his own. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, although i used to be on tows, all the times, hence could not enjoy my drinks, or even crack the jokes, my DNA. But i recall with a pride that, those Outsiders, treated me much better than the insiders. [Mr.P.S.N.Sundaram, our Dy.Gen.Mgr, with whom, i always used to be at the loggerheads, for one or the other reasons.] Mr.Sundaram, retired as Sr.Vice-President of M/s.Premier Auto Mumbai, and then was a consultant to a Satara based Engineering organization, for the design of 6 Cylinder Diseal engine successfuly. He was a workaholic, and died at Delhi Airport, while on duty, at the age of 84 years, should speak for his personality trait.
 

                    Our suit was launched in 1981/2, but by then, i was transferred to HF production, and lost the track of court proceedings.  I never made any attempt to keep the track either, since i was enjoying my assignment at HF. In 1984, i was again asked to take the charge of documents, and attend the conference at Mumbai, since we were on the verge of loosing the case, although we were on Strong footing. It was said that, the person heading M/s.GEC, has managed the show, and then he was promoted as Ex.Director, for his accomplishments. 

 

                    Our legal cell has selected, Mr.Tulzapurkar Bombay High-court leading Advocate, to plead our case. Mr.Tulzapurkar was very sharp, and was asking very searching questions, in the preliminary meetings itself, which lasted for around 3 hours. But while concluding, he cautioned that, if the case is coming for the hearing, in front of certain judges, then he will back out. It took me more than 20 years, to understand the reasons, for the same.

                    The failure of Channel furnace, was a big blow to our ambitious Paper Dryer Cylinder project, which not only would have made HF financially self-sufficient, but would have also generated the proceeds, for rest of the organization to survive.  Incidentally, since M/s.Mahindra & Mahindra, has started their own Diesel Engine plant at Igatpuri near Nashik, our Diesel engine order book position, was very precarious.  The Management, always used to say, " If you make 150 MT / month, then we will not cross the bridge." HF was separated from rest of the plant, by a bridge, over a Nallha, and we used to call that bridge as the Bridge on the river Quai.  A well known, 2nd WW based movie, on Burma front, but was picturized in Ceylon then.

 

                    The same bridge, was also called as " The bridge too far." since we were not able to cross 150 MT/month. The BTF, was a another 2WW movie, when the Allied forces, launched a massive attack, on re-treating Germans, near the Arnhem bridge, with my favourite actor Hardy Kruger, as a German Army officer, defending the bridge. Hardy Kruger is a actor, with expression less stony face, but he delivers a stern message, with that face. 

 

                    Well, when the Telco Press-tool Dies [Castings for the Press-tools] for 407 LCV orders, were in full flow, we were consistently crossing 150 MT, and ones we even cross 168 MT. It was around 7.30 PM, and I phoned Mr.Sundaram, to convey the news, at his residence. I was informed that, he is in Directors Bungalow, and little later, there was a message for me, to reach DB. I was tired standing in front of Cupola for 6.00 Hrs at a stretch, but to get a invitation to DB, was a big honour by itself.

 

                    When i reached DB, i found Mr.Arvind Deshpande [Husband of Marathi actress Mrs.Sulbha Deshpande] our Export manager, and Mrs.Sai Paranjape, the Director of Hindi movie " Chasme Baddhur. " were relaxing in the lawns, with drinks. Before my arrival, DGM has briefed them about me, and immediately on my arrival, i was asked to take a seat, and was offered a bottle of Beer. 

 

                    Both the dignitaries, were knowing my uncle Mr.Dattatray Kapdi [Abakaka] very well, since he was a founder Secretary, of Marathi drama producers association, with Mr.Bhalchandra Pendharkar, as the Founder Chairman. Both were happy to know that, i am doing well in my job, and said, they will convey my achievement's, to my uncle, who is my role model, even after his demise, 30 years back.

                    Btw, Chashme Baddhur was partly shot in our Delhi office, with Farook Shaikh, as a employee of our organization. Readers may recall, he was asked a question by our MD Mr.Vinod Doshi as "  Kagera ka kya hua.? " i.e. what happened to Kagera project. Kagera was the highest capacity  sugar plant, manufactured and exported by India, beating Germans, in a bidding war. Germans told Ugandian government that, Indians will not be able to make, 17MT single piece Sugar mill roller casting, and you should not take the risk with Indians. Well, we made these Sugar mil roller castings in Heavy foundry, without any problems,  and the Kagera laid the foundation, for many more bigger size indigenous Sugar plant orders, and for export also.
 

                    On the above background, few years back, i got a message that, LF has been demolished, and in place, heavy machine shop has been setup, to machine the castings from HF. Off late, i also got another message that, HF is making around 500/600 MT / month, but still in loss, and Company was searching for the buyers. From 150 MT, HF reached the production of 600 MT, but still under the loss. ? 
 

                   To increase the productivity, Continuous Flow sand mixers were installed, and such sand mixtures, are always associated with sand reclamation plants, in tandem, to reclaim the expensive resins, used during sand mixing operation. Subsequently, the Cupolas, the lowest cost melting units, were also replaced with 15 MT capacity electric melting furnace. Such high end Capital equipments, jack up the project cost, and also the break even. Apart from that, you need to have Skilled workers, to operate them, which are in scarcity. So it adds to the Hardware & Software costs, thereby jacking the break even point. Such set-up, is not conducive for Indian conditions.
 

                    I recall, Cont nuous flow sand mixture viability study, was undertaken, when Channel-type Induction furnace was being installed, and it was concluded that, it is advisable only in case of high value castings, and not for the conventional Machine-tool castings. Similar was the mistake done by us, while selecting the M/s.Pioneer-Junker make, induction melting furnace package, for LF, in 1976, when we were having another example of Italian make, Tagliaferrie Channel furnace purchased in 1960s, for the LF operations.

 

                    Italian make Channel-type furnace, was primarily purchased, for the manufacturing of, low Sulphar, Cylinder-head castings [Due to its leak proof properties] for our Agriculture Diesel engines, but the said furnace, never gave its rated Out-put, it used to give in Italy. The reason was, it was a Air-cooled Furnace, and that was OK for the cold country like Italy, but not for the tropical country like India. The net result was the poor Out-put, of Furnace, and we lost many orders, to our competitor's. 

 

                    Subsequently, Mr.Late from LF, converted the Air-cooled furnace, to water cooled, and raised the output, but by then, the management decided to stay away from the Agriculture engine market, due to the Government's policy, to encourage only the small-scale manufacturers. It was a Dare-devil act, to convert the Air-cooled Furnace to Water-cooled [with the water jacket, embedded / immersed in the molten pool] and i will always remember Mr.Late, for his bravado.

 

                    Foundry is complex subject, and its equipment selections, should be left to the operating Foundrymen, and not the Mechanical engineers, heading the Machine-shops, who merely shave [Machine] the castings, made by we Foundrymen. But whenever the Mechanical engineers, becomes the decision taking authority, then the foundry lands in to the trouble, and the finger is invariably pointed towards the foundrymen, for no fault of theirs. I have observed that, in my carrier spanning 13 years in foundry, hence left the foundry industry itself, and took up a job, as a buyer of castings, for a well-known Valve manufacturing unit in Mumbai.

                    Many times, the buyer gets mesmerized by the lectures of Hardware-Sales-team, which is normally followed by the Cock-tail with dinner. Participants, never ask the searching questions, to the sales team, during their QA sessions, to clear their doubts, and then lands in to trouble. Many times, the decision taking authorities, are heavily bribed also, but when they are exposed, they simply leave the job, and search for the opportunity elsewhere.
 

                    My formative years, were with M/s.Cooper Engineering Ltd [CEL] at Satara-road, and in the span of 13 years, i have worked in 5 different departments, and the experience with every department, has been a enthralling one. Normally, the frequent transfers, are also called as punishment transfers, but that was not the case with me, since i was always looking for the new challenges. My last assignment in HF,  was a crack trouble shooting assignment, and it was sad to hear that, the foundry is not doing well. 

 

                    Mr.Vijay Pandit, in my relations, was a Metallurgist from COEP 1963 batch, and he started his carrier, from M/s.CEL Heavy foundry at Satara, and it is he who ones told me, not to miss an opportunity, if i happen to land-up, with a job at Satara, and i fully enjoyed my stay at Satara.

                    The sand casting foundry [In particular hand moulding] is more of a art, and less of a Technology. When the casting gets rejected, it is the workers, who has a role in making that casting, is in better position, than the one sitting in office, to pin-point the cause of rejection. It is like a mother, who only knows, as to why the baby is crying. It is said, Rejected casting, is like a crying baby, but when we Reduce / Eliminate the human touch, from the production process, then we land in to the trouble. Introduction of High-tech Hardware, has removed the human touch, akin to the mother, being kept away from the baby.
 

                    As said earlier, the Heavy foundry, was inaugurated in 1967, and the running year, is a Golden Jubilee year, and on such a auspicious occasion, to hear the news that, we are not doing well, is a bad news, akin to the loss of a dear one. 
 

                    On the above background, i wish and pray that, the better days will come back to our Heavy-foundry soon, and it will achieve its lost glory, in the near future, for which it was known across the country. I will be mailing separately, few episodes, i have come across, evidencing the standing of our foundry, across the country, and i wish that, the readers then, will be able to Re-fresh & Re-cherish the memories, of their association, with the Work-horse of Walchand Group, both Old & New, i.e. Light & Heavy foundries.


 

                    M.Y.Kapdi.

 

                    Sub.: The Historians, and their dilemmas.

                    While under-taking the cleaning campaign, prior to Deepawali, i happened to lay my hands on 1982 issue of Wal-mitra, where-in, an article [Article enclosed.] appeared about the exhibition of my photographs, held a Maratha Art gallery Satara.

                    Some information, about the Wal-mitra.
 

                    Wal-mitra was a magazine, being published by the cultural wing of 3 Divisions [Foundry & Engine, Machine-tools & Turn-key Project division.] of Walchand-group, headed by Mr.Vinod Doshi then. Mr.Jaywant Gujar, from our maintenance department, visited the exhibition, and drafted the article, after a brief interview of mine.
 

                    Satara is a thorne of Shri.Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale, who established the Swarajya in Maharashtra, and the local politics, was also dominated by the members of Bhosle dynasty then.  My close friend, Mr.Parag Potdar, was a curator of a local museum, being managed by the state government, and he himself, was a artist [Fre-hand drawings & paintings] as well, and active member of a district Arts club. Photography was my hobby, and i had an opportunity, to travel across the country, since i was working in Marketing Department, during my formative days.
 

                    My roles, were being developed by M/s.Bhurke Arts studio, and its owner, Shri.Dada-Saheb Bhurke, himself was a nail painter, and the founder president of Satara District Arts club, and his son, popularly known as Bhaiyya, was a District President of Lions club, and active supporter of Dada-saheb, in his activities. It is the Trio of Dada, Bhaiyya & Parag, jointly decided to organize my exhibition, and i was tasked to provide the photographs, duly framed.
 

                    The preliminary preparations, for exhibition.

 

                    The inauguration, was planned with the Auspicious hands of Smt.Sumitra Raje Bhosle [Grand-mother of Udayan-Raje Bhosle, prevailing MP from Satara]  Myself & Parag, approached Smt.Sumitra Raje, but due to knee pain, she was not able to accept our invitation.
 

                    The lady members of dynasty, rarely interact with commoners, but because of Parag, i had an opportunity to meet, the Senior most member of Bhosle dynasty, who's forefathers, established the Swarajya, and blocked the entry of Moguls, to Southern India. But i was not fortunate enough, to see the entire palace, but it is understood that, it is constructed on the slopes [Called Machi] of Ajinkya-Tara Fort.  Even to reach the De-facto lobby, and then the hall, we have to climb around 15 steps, should speak for the undulating profile of the palace.
 

                    After the Non-availability of Smt.Sumitra Raje Bhosle, we decided to approach  Smt.Kalpana-Raje Bhosle, herself a Ceramic Artist, and a mother of Udayan-Raje Bhosle. On enquiry, she invited us for the Break-fast meeting, very next day. Next day, when Parag phoned, the attendant called us at palace. At around 11.30 AM, she appeared in the balcony, and apologized saying " I am yet to start my day." and had a general talk for 15 mnts, and gave some excuse, to avoid. Thereafter, the inauguration, was performed by Mr.Arun Godbole, the Chairman of United Western bank, at the instant of Bhaiyya.
 

                    The very 1st photo-graph of exhibition, was a plaque from the Pratapgad Fort, with the remarks of Portuguese Governor, praising Chatrapati Shivaji-Raje Bhosle, and the last one, was a Majestic towers [Minars] of Darbar hall, at Fort Raigad, the capital of Maratha dynasty. Our plan of Inauguration & closing [Sangta] ceremony, by the person associated with Maratha dynasty, could not be materialized, but we were quiet happy with the closing [Sangata] ceremony, performed by Shri. Purushottan Ingle.
 

                    Dr.Shri.Purushottam Ingle, the historian, from Walchand-Group.

 

                    The reference of Shri.Purushottan Ingle, has appeared in the article published, was very respected person from our organization, since he was maintaing RG23 registry [Excise related document] and was very perfect in his documentation. He was a avid a history reader, and also the writer, with a Primary interest in Chatrapati Shivaji Raje era. He has done extensive study, on Maratha history, and was in extremely good books of, entire Bhosle dynasty. Even Shahu Maharaj from Kolhapur, used to consult him, to decipher the old records, written in Modi language. [Lipi]
 

                    When he came for the closing ceremony, he brought his own Ink bottle & Boru, and affixed his remarks, in the Abhipray book, in Modi language.  The language he used for Abhipray, was of Maratha vintage. Due to his intense liking for the history, he was sponsored by our Walchand-group, for Doctorate, and he has selected the subject titled, " Portuguese influence, on Maratha empire. "
 

                    Ones during our friendly chat, i told him about the Saffa masjid, close to our ancestors home, at Ponda Goa, and the said masjid, was on the Goa tourism circuit also. Perhaps he selected the thesis subject, deriving the inspirations, from our friendly banter, is also not ruled out.

                    The obstacles, being faced by historians.
 

                    Some budget was sanctioned, for his Doctorate thesis, and he landed in Goa, and met Dr.Pisurlekar, heading Archeology Survey of India [ASI] office at Panaji. Dr.Pisurlekar appreciated the choice of his subject, but since, all the records were available in either French or Portuguese, he also introduced two translators, and then the translation [Not the translators] itself, became a bottle-neck.

 

                    We Goans, have a habit of gobbling the rice for lunch, and then doze off. After a brief nap, get-up, have a Cuo of Tea, before starting the work, but call off, at 5.30 PM sharp, since the last bus departing from Central bust-stand then, was at 7.00 PM. Even now, the last private bus [Around 90% buses, are private] is at 7.30 PM for Ponda, and only a solitary Government bus, is available at 8.30 PM.
 

                    Bit of a Goan history.

 

                    That apart, all the texts available was written with Boru [Bambu stick, with ink flowing through capillaries.] and the Boru, is primarily meant for the circular letters, and the Portuguese staff then [Predominantly Christian] have taken the liberty, to corrupt the words, to improve the speed of writing. For example, our surname Kapdi, was corrupted as Capodi.
 

                    We the locals, are tuned to this style, but Mr.Ingle found it very difficult to digest. In nut shell, he was not satisfied with the speed of translation, hence dropped the Goa project, and proceeded to Mysore, and selected the subject " Tipu Sultan, and his French connection. " I understand, Tipus Army, was trained by the French gunners.
 

                    In spite of the best gunners, Tipu has to face the defeat, at Shreerangpattum in 1799, due to the treachery by Polygars [Off shoots from the Kadamba dynasty of Goa.] The late Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Y.S.Reddy, was also one of the Polygars, should give you an idea, of the personality traits, of Polygars.
 

                    Portuguese entered the Goa in 1510, and ultimately were evicted by Indian Armed forces in 1961, i.e. after around 450 years later. On the same lines, Kadamba dynasty ruled Goa for 450 years, before, the entry of Portuguese. Is the gap of 450 years, in both the cases, is Co-incidental.?

                    In my personal capacity, i requested Mr.Ingale, to probe the role of Kapdi family, during the Muslim era, but since he left for Karnataka, i was not able to have sumptuous information, however, what little he could gather, and told me, is as follows,

 

                    The Muslims reached up to the out-skirts of Ponda, but were not able to capture the trading center [Bazaar, in route to Belgam] but they looted the traders, and captured their family members, presumably Jains. They converted them to Islam, and married their womenfolks, but permitted them to practice, their religious rituals, such as eating before the Sun-set, and putting a screen before the mouth. When i narrated this to my father, he corroborated the statement, and said, he has seen those women during his youth.
 

                    The Archives records translations, is a universal problem.

 

                    One of my friend from Himachal Pradesh told me, their family property settlement, was delayed by two years, since all the records were in Urdu, and for conversion, the translators were not available. Mr.Ingle faced similar problems, hence he has to drop the Goa project. Fortunately, our Maratha records, written in Modi, are very close to our Marathi language, hence even a common man, with little efforts, can read. Even the archives at Pondicherry, are in French, since it was ruled by them. There are many Indians, in Pondicherry, who are French citizens, and vote in French elections, and similar was the practice in Goa, after the liberation.

 

                    The status documentation [Say, Face book page] is a prevailing concept, but the history is written, by connecting the dots, hence can be deceptive at times, by design also. Hence the research scholars, has to go through, heap of the study materials, for Cross-checking, and thereafter the translation. is the biggest hurdle, one has to negotiate. India was ruled by Muslims [Urdu] British [English] French [French] Dutch & Portuguese, for last 1,000 years. So the genuine history, has been a challenge, and also the subject, of controversy.

                    One should learn from the history, for course correction, but many times, the readers are in a state of confusion, since the alternate point of views, are always available elsewhere, and then he doubts the both, and this confusion, can be on account of various factors. One amongst the various, i have broached as above.

 

                    The readers, should factor this point, while evaluating the historians.


                       M.Y.Kapdi.
                    [09860081951]