An umbilical knot tie us, the alma mater, that do invoke the good feelings.
I am delighted to learn that you want to raise $200K. Yes that kind of money can make a difference but before you do that it is absolutely necessary that the organization is built up to be transparent and responsive and ready to handle such load, with dignity. This is has gone on for years. The year end auditors report is not even worth the paper it is written on, considering what happened under the direct eyes of Big Six(Aurthur Anderson etc.) in US Banks. I hope you are not passing through the NITRaa system.
We have at present a system in which even after 4 months there is no account of the money spent on the "Home coming" ceremony. They can't justify the budget and then make a higher budget and levy a higher burden (Rs. 1000) on the kids, in the name of a constitution. This inspite of my written objection to it.
Thanks to Saroj, though recent improvement has been significant in networking with alumni but both democracy and accounting are at infancy. They are not ready to handle the kind of money you are talking about.
I hope after going through what you have gone through (you have your critiques among your friends to spread the word around), you should keep away from such ventures, in my opinion. But you are an adult brother and you are at full liberty to do whatever you want to do and think can do with dignity and honor.
Regarding the funds neither I can't nor I intend to keep track of the details of who paid who or what you did. Fakir did not even give me the account who he got 35 K (of which only you and he donated 5 K each), after I asked him specifically as to who the donors were. Thus, I feel is that the fund accounting is not transparent. The two treasurers are for what ever reason not functioning and/or not allowed to handle money. And General Secretary has to do everything being trusted, but that means he is overwhelmed with work. This is niether a good situation nor a good process. In my vision if we are to handle large sums of money the data need to be available in web and we should be able to take snaps at any time, to help avoid manipulation by a wrong kind of guy who may step in when huge sums of money are in. Even in USA Universities this happens once in a while.
Here I think we have been wanting and the impression of alumni going back to your years as President, is an unclean one event (Home coming) organization, with no clear accountability. I know you will have many explanations to give and were even a reluctant operator. But the impression is around - that of an unresponsive, non-transparent organization.
To give one example: HiTech, the software contractor is continuing year after year on the false pretext that they own the computer codes and being paid at thrice the market rate. I don't know who their God father is, probably you do.
But as long as the process is not clean and answers are not coming, I will suggest that you keep away from big dreams. The same is applicable for the 2011. But for that there is time if we start, NOW.
Best wishes,
Sandip
July 31, 2009My dear Sandip Bhai,
It was such a pleasure to talk to you and i am indeed thankful for that. I am immensely grateful to you for your nice words and gesture.
On return i start from where i left i.e. in respect of the alumni meet of our batch 1969 in December this year to celebrate four decades of passing out of RECR. Led by Sukhendu in a particular endeavour, our batch plans to do a project for the institute which will help the students and be a value-addition. Can you please suggest a project costing say around US $ 200K ± 10%. We shall try to raise the amount. We shall also take out the last directory.(We published one in 2005 & updated in 2007). Majority have settled. We are ageing, average age 63. Some are still on job. Therefore we wanted to have address of the friends settled in US. We shall not disturb them, since they do not want to be. Even if it is not a complete address, if the location and street be collected, it will be a great help.My request towards this is still standing
My son is bit crazy. Not satisfied with any job, he kept on job-hopping, did not apply for green card, did not agree to marry and now wants to come back. He has specialization in health care, he says ‘next generation health care technology’- where is the field in India. I can only wish him all the best. Daughter has to manage her research and baby. Son-in-law Prakash Samal (He graduated from IIT, Madras and IIM, Kolkata) has to work hard to support his wife in raising the child. We cannot do anything but cannot help remaining concerned. Life is like that.
Bhai, there is one misunderstanding, i think, concerning me and Fakir, due of course to me. I had handed over Rs. 10K cash to him, who in turn, was to handover to Saroj, Rs. 5 K for Help Fund to help Ashok and Rs. 5K for paying as advance for reservation of guest house for our December meet. Saroj has already sent me a receipt for Rs. 5K. Recently Fakira sent a mail saying Rs. 5K is for Ashok Kamila, that means entire Rs. 10K will go on ‘help fund’ without leaving anything for guest house booking. I will get the matter silently corrected. i.e. my contribution this year is Rs. 5K. Every year I will try to contribute similar amount by saving from day to day expenses. This is for your information please.
With love and best wishes to your daughter, regards to Bhauja and you
Sincerely,
Bharat
McNally Bharat Engineering Co.Ltd.
ISO 9001-2000 Company
4 Mangoe Lane, 4th,5th & 7thFloor, Kolkata - 700001
Phone: 65500725-39, Fax-22480340/5016
Visit us at: www.mcnallybharat.com
