Electric Wire Stolen

Electric wire (aluminum) of nearly 200 metres has been stolen from a pole located on the main road here.
The picture shows the other end pole. The wire has been cut and left hanging. This had been done yesterday.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Dennis's fields4

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Dennis's fields3

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Dennis's fields2

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Anglo Indian M.L.A. of Jharkhand

Mr. Glen Galstaun, the present Anglo Indian M.L.A. of Jharkhand has done a lot for the AI's here. For an example, he has provided deep bores-wells and submergable pumps with accessories to people who are now able to run their businesses/livelihood.
Mr. Dennis Meredith says " He (M.L.A.) has put me back on my feet".
Mr. Meredith who belongs to McCluskiegunj is now into business in the field of agriculture. He is growing veggies on a large scale on his property at Konka, McCluskiegunj.
These pictures were taken last month.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

No! Its Muckelucyganj

As the number of Anglo Indian's are changing, so is the name of this place.
This is a plastic carrybag from a local cloth shop here. The owners belong to this place, still the spelling...

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Muckelucyganj

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Merry Christmas!

I wish all visitors and dear followers of this blog a very Happy Christmas.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Wines and Jams

McCluskiegunj was once famous for it's fruits such as mangos and guavas. The old folks would make jams, jellies and wines from the fruit they grew or bought from the markets.
Mrs. Thipthorpe, an old settler who expired in the early 90's was famous for her wines. People would come down here from distant places like Delhi and other cities just to order for wine. Mrs. Thipthorpe earned a living by selling her jams and wines after her husband passed away. She is still remembered by many people for the delicious stuff she made.
Now there isn't anybody to take her place in the field of cooking or wine making here.
Though people still try their hand at making wine but not at a commercial basis. I have tried my hand at jams and wines too. I encourage people that make the local drink called Mahua, to make wines instead.
I hope that one day McCluskiegunj will regain its customers for wines.
I attempted making wine from the stinky flowers called "Mahua" two years ago. It turned out good. No odor.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

McCluskiegunj Roman Catholic Church, Then and Now.

The Roman Catholic Church here is not the same like it used to be in the earlier times. Earlier there used to be benches for kneeling which have now been replaced by mats and carpets. What happened to the benches? The few Anglo Indians that now go to the Roman Catholic church here are facing problems because of this change. Apart from this problem, there are other problems too. A friend of mine, Christopher D'Costa mentioned to me a few days ago that his daughter needed a N.O.C. from the said church to get m

Siberian Cranes in McCluskiegunj?

Yes, Siberian Cranes are here since the last fourteen years or so. They migrated here and didn't wish to leave the place because of the wonderful climate, maybe.
They have multiplied over the years. They have nested near the railway station area and can be seen in the evenings usually on their way back to their nests after feeding themselves on fish from local ponds and the two rivers, The Damodar and The Chatti.
Really, McCluskiegunj is a place that not only humans but any living being or thing can fall in love with.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Monkey Chilli

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

My Bird's Eye Chillie Plant

There was a time when McCluskieganj was full of these plants. Not growing wild though. They were termed as "Monkey Chilies" because they are so hot that they would make one jump.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Wonderful Climate of McCluskiegunj

McCluskiegunj is not just a unique and good place for mankind but also for vegetation, birds, animals and varied creatures.
There are many plants that grow here without any extra effort to keep them alive. Coffee, curry leaves, passionfruit, black pepper and other hot spices and many more are on the list not to mention the common fruit plants/ trees.
The Bird's eye chilies from Africa and chilies from Nepal along with the Akbar-e-Mirch from Assam all grow here naturally.
The climate is perfect here. Eagles and Ravens that are becoming extinct are also found here.
Come and see to believe...

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Mobile Poison

McCluskiegunj is getting populated by shops that repair mobile phones. Almost everybody has a mobile phone. The younger generation use phones more as an entertaining device. They load songs and videos that can be anything including Blue Films.
The shops that sell and repair mobile phones also copy audios, videos and images at Rs. 50 - 100 depending on the data to a customer's mobile. KIDS are being visually educated about sex in a very vulgar manner.
The question that arises here is "Does this happen only in McCluskiegunj?
The answer is certainly NO. But the place being my hometown, matters the most to me. The children that are being ruined are our children. BOYS AND GIRLS both use mobile phones even in the extreme outskirts where there are no networks.
The Administration should take serious action against such businesses and businessmen that are polluting and weakening our children's minds. POLICE should randomly check and cease the computers from such shops that contain xxx stuff..

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Hill Top Heaven

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Hill Top Heaven

This is Perkins's bungalow. It is a beautiful place to visit. You get a different kind of feeling there because the place is situated at the foot of a hill and the gardens and furniture and hospitality maintain the smell and looks of an old settlement known as McCluskiegunj.
The sad part to know is that there aren't any roads close to this unique bunglow which still have fruit trees planted before Indian Independece.
There used to be a narrow road once upon a time, and there are slight traces of it in small areas.
Our government is now providing roads to homes and colonies/villages. Mrs. Perkins hopes that the promise made by our M.L.A. to give a road will come to pass soon.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Veterinary Doctors Required!

We really ought to have a Veterinary doctor here because we have to take our pets to Ranchi for proper treatment. I lost my dog last year due to lack of a vet.
There are many animals here due to the place being a village and yet there are no vets from the government's side nor are they any private vets here.
Jairam Yadav, a veterinary compounder presumed to be a government chap, is the only person who is known to all as "Doctor Saab". He assisted a cow deliver and charged my neighbours Rs. 3500 for his deed today.
If you are a Veterinary Doctor, think about coming down to help our animals here and to get good business too.

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BlogMaster

Coal Stealers Pay Cop and take away stolen coal

Yes, the coal that was thrown off the still train early this morning was later collected by the same people who threw it but had to pay Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 according to the amount of coal they claimed.
The lot of coal stolen was estimated to be worth rupees 2 lakhs approx...
The cop who took the money from them was said to be a Jawaan from the Railway Police Force.

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BlogMaster

Coal Stealers

This is a group of people who unloaded a lot of coal from a train that stopped a few minutes ago.
They were chased by cops and are waiting for the cops to go so that they can pick up the coal that they threw off the train.
This is just one group. There are more groups hiding and waiting just as this one.

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BlogMaster

Photo on demand-2

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BlogMaster

Photo on demand-1

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BlogMaster

Python

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

A Python a Mayapur Village

This snake was captured by villagers about half an hour ago. Ivan Barrett clicked these photos with his phone camera while he was passing through Mayapur village on his way home from Khalari.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Attention Nation!

Within an hour after the burial ceremony of Mrs. Judy Mendonca, a group of militants were said to have been seen passing through Prem Nagar basti here. The estimated no. of heads were said to be near about 40. How daring there ar . . .

Funeral of Mrs. Judy Menonca

Aunty Judy, as known to all of us, passed away after a long ailment at Raj Hospital at Ranchi yesterday at around 5 am.
Today we will meet at the cemetery at 1 O'clock. That is the time set after arranging a priest to conduct the Burial ceremony.
The McCluskiegunj priest and the Khalari priest are in Odisha at present. We have consulted the priest from Mandar to do the needed. He said that he would be here by 12:30 pm approximately.
Our M.L.A., Mr. G. Galstaun and his secretary Mr. Surendra Nath Pandey are also expected to attend the funeral.
Aunt Judy was the president of the All India Anglo Indian Association McCluskiegunj Branch for many years. She ran a School named Tender Heart and also ran a hostel for school going kids called School View Hostel.
McCluskiegunj has not lost just an Anglo Indian resident but has lost a gem from it's crown. SHE will be remembered by every body associated with McCluskiegunj life long.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Mrs. Judy Mendonca

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Mrs. Judy Mendonca Passed away

This is sad news for McCluskiegunj. Aunty Judy passed away early this morning...

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Tourist From England

Visitors from England

We are pleased to have this English couple as visitors. They are tourist who are spending a month in Jharkhand.
I met Steve and requested him to allow me click this picture for this blog. He spent some time with me and Christopher D'Costa and shared some topics.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Black Leaves

This how the trees in McCluskiegunj will look if the coal siding comes into action here.
This is a picture of a coal siding area in Khalari about 10 Kilos by road and 7 Kilos by rail tracks distance from here.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Stay Order on Coal Siding

I was wondering what was the reason for the siding work to stop all of a sudden.
Mr. Surendra Nath Pandey, secretary to the Anglo Indian M.L.A., Mr. Glen Galstaun and a social worker put him self forward to stop the said siding.
Mr. Pandey has been serving as the Secretary to Anglo Indian M.L.A.s for many years and has always drawn their attention to the development of McCluskiegunj.
He is the man behind McCluskiegunj being declared a Tourist Centre.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Good News!

Yes, there's good news for McCluskiegunjians...
We will soon have an ITI college here. The said college is to be opened in one of the old bungalows.

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Malcolm Hourigan
McCluskiegunj, Ranchi - Jharkhand
India
ph: +91 8969290128

Corruption free McCluskiegunj?

In order to make McCluskiegunj a corruption free town, people are awakening and raising their voices against corruption. People in the Gunj have got more civilized and literate in comparison to the years during the British rule and even decades after Indian Independence.

I was shocked when I overheard a group of people who were discussing about BPL and APL cards last night while I was returning home from Dhurwa More. I heard someone say that they were asked to pay twelve hundred rupees for making a card (probably they were talking about the BPL cards or ration cards because these people seemed to be BPL).

People are now more aware of their rights. They also sound the alarm if they notice any illegal activity. I've seen things for my self and have wondered about them. For instance, during the distribution of rations to the BPL card holders, I've seen cars, vans and two wheelers come at the distributor's place of distribution to load up and take away monthly stock. BPL cards are issued to APL residents too it SEEMS.

APL citizens who are cheating should not cheat the government in any way. After all we are all Indian brothers and sisters and we ought to help our country get stronger financially and socially. We must see that the money spent by the government for the poor goes to the poor. We must know who is more deserving.

Indira Aawaas was sanctioned to quite a no. of people here and in this scenario each person received nearly five to ten thousand rupees less than the actual amount sanctioned. Who digested the money snatched from the poor?

McCluskiegunj Railway Station

This is the Railway Booking Counter at McCluskiegunj Railway Station in earlier times.

Anglo Indian Diwali

This is the residence of Christopher D'Costa. Every year his house is lit-up with diyaas like this.

A snapshot of the Rajdhani Express

The Rajdhani Express speeding through McCluskiegunj level crossing (Dhurva More) area.

Visit Soon!

Folks, if you intend to experience the beauty and calmness of nature at McCluskiegunj, then now is your chance. Maybe when you decide it maybe too late. The place might be ruined by then... Hurry!!!

McCluskiegunj or McCluskieganj Blog

Mr. David Roderick Cameron passed away

Mr. D.R. Cameron, an old settler of McCluskiegunj, and the founder of the McCluskiegunj Development Forum passed away yesterday at around 4 pm in Kolkata.

Mr. Cameron had worked a lot in the earlier times to bring McCluskiegunj in the limelight and had also run a school (St. Andrew's School) and a Guest House (Highland Guest House).

Mr. David Rodrick Cameron

McCluskiegunjians will not forget him for his contributions in all terms. May his soul rest in peace.

Unique Identity Card Details

Sorry, this is not a page that will show your Aadhaar Card details...

Aadhaar Cards are being processed all around. It has been noticed that people are coming in to McCluskiegunj and moving into vacant houses and are being introduced by locals as relatives. They fill up forms for their entire families in order to get Aadhaar Cards. The address in their application forms are stated McCluskieganj. These strangers to locals are assisted by their so called relatives or anybody to the Mukhia of a Panchayat where the forms are then signed and stamped at the cost of ten rupees per form (...heard rumours).

We are aware that militants enter India from terrorism supported countries and hide in remote areas. The system for issuing Aadhar Cards should be reconsidered in regrds to ingenuity . The issue of Aadhaar Cards with wrong addresses are somewhat fake in my opinion. Though the basic records in respect to vital information such as  photo, name and fingerprints etc. are useful to the government in ways.

The Administration should enquire about strangers and their lively hood in the interest of national security as well as security for citizens. If these strangers are genuine, meaning not of antisocial nature, fine! if not the Administration knows what to do.

An Article in the Telegraph

Please read the article about McCluskiegunj in the Telegraph. Click here to view directly, or visit : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130830/jsp/jharkhand/story_17290025.jsp#.UiKfUNKB-8A

Locals Oppose Coal Siding at McCluskiegunj Railway Station.

The locals got together on 29th August 2013 to demonstrate their disagreement with the decision of the DRM who has sanctioned a coal siding here.

The demonstration was lead by Mr. Surendra Nath Pandey (Social Worker) while many locals including women and children followed the leader to show their support in the stopping of the proposed coal siding.

Kitty Teixeira

In the past, they were many write-ups about the Gunj and the Anglo Indians here in newspapers and on the Internet. Even today- from not only various Indian T.V. channels but even from abroad journalist and reporters come to interview Anglo Indians. There have been teams coming down to make documentaries and have spent days here to shoot and interview. Most of the write ups say that Anglo Indians here are not doing well and project them as poor people to feel sorry for.

The AI’s that gave interviews to newspapers or T.V. reporters were shocked to find that write-ups were so different from the actual statements they gave. The statements printed contained lies and talks that didn't take place.

Kitty Teixeira has been described as a poor woman who sells fruit in the railway station to feed her children, since maybe the last twenty years or so. Well those were her bad times and time changes all the time. When she was being highlighted by media as Kitty Memsaab, and a poor woman, she was a real Memsaab even then. She owns a lot of land now and did then too and she also has her own house left to her by her parents. The condition of her house or living standard is really not concerning her financial situation much. She adapted to the living style of the poor villagers. She speaks the lingo perfectly and dresses just as the local women that sell vegetables or work in fields. That’s what attracts the media the most.

Kitty sold a part of her property recently and could have done the same twenty years ago but she didn't need to do so maybe. Kitty’s four children are now adults. Her only son, Robert runs a hostel for school going children. 

I think it is now time that reporters should stop thinking that by writing lies about Anglo Indians of McCluskiegunj and making false stories will make them famous. In fact if they continue to write made-up stories, they will be really sorry to meet an Anglo Indian in McCluskiegunj after that.

The famous book on McCluskiegunj by Vikas Kumar Jha is a fictitious novel but It is understood to be true by people who have no connection with or knowledge of the place.

Ernest Timothy McCluskie

This is E.T. McCluskie, the founder of McCluskiegunj.

Speak of McCluskieganj

Hi everybody!

If you want to share anything such as news, photos, videos or audios then please leave your comment with your email address on this blog and I will contact you. Your email address shall not be disclosed nor will your comment appear on the blog.                                                                                                                               

If there's something you can do towards preventing McCluskiegunj from going to the dogs (as they say) then you are welcome to use this blog as a medium if it can serve the purpose.                                   

McCluskieganj Inter College

I have passed the old building that has a banner "McCluskieganj Inter College" on it's gate several times in the past year and have never noticed any activity or seen any teacher or student within the boundary less premises. 

Yesterday  (Independence Day) I was passing by and was shocked to see that the place was full with students, teachers and public. The crowd was almost as much as La Veda Academy. Both colleges had functions that began after the hoisting of the national flag.

Ye Maajaraa Kyaa Hai?

ये माजरा क्या है?

McCluskiegunj Nights!

photos taken by Nelson Gordon (Bobby)

DRM Says Coal Siding WILL Open.

Lately the DRM visited here to clarify the picture of the coal siding issue. He said that McCluskieganj being a tourist centre doesn't benefit the railways. By having the coal siding here will be great profits to the railways.

He made it clear that if the local residents cause disturbances in the progress of work, work would be continued with the help of the police. No flags or slogans are going to put a full stop to the opening of the coal siding.

But the locals still oppose and plan to take bigger steps to prevent the hometown of approximately seven thousand residents being ruined. The coal siding will effect the schools and hostels here the most and  that is the best source of income for the residents.

If the siding is opened and it continues to function, many locals (most Anglo Indians) will leave the place and look for other places with similar weather and climate conditions.

The Jharkhand State Government and the State Tourist Department should take up the matter before its too late.

Government Hospital To Resume Functionality

A government official visited the abandoned government hospital here and made inquiries regarding doctors, nurses and medicines etc..

By the comments of people that showed the gentleman around the place was that the hospital is to resume function.

It is good to know that after so many years the dead hospital will be brought back to life.  The old building lies in a dilapidated condition and so is the one and only ambulance that lies in front of the hospital. (basically the rotting body only)

A new building was constructed behind the existing one. Most likely both buildings will be connected and will serve as one large hospital. (At least at a village level)

:)

Damodar Bridge Completed

Hi... I'd been very busy the past few weeks and there's a lot to write about. I'd like to tell you that the bridge across the Damodar river has finally been completed.  Traffic is not allowed until the red ribbon has been cut but two wheelers some how make their way through.

Sky War

As dusk sets in, all the birds fly to their homes. Sometimes there's a great fight for territory. Christopher D'Costa snapped theses shots with his phone camera at 3 pm a few days ago. 

The sky here keeps changing colour and at times its so very beautiful and at times really scary. 

Catch of the Day

I think I should give Bobby the contract for my blog photos. This was his first catch of the day.

McCluskie's Mangoes

This year we have quite a good crop of mangoes but still it is nothing compared to the olden days. This year it is estimated that McCluskiegunj will grab around fifty lakhs from the market, if not more.

Mangoes are being sold by nearly all the villagers. They buy the fruit from groves locally and venture out selling the same at railway stations like Khalari and Tori. Some sell in trains.

This year the size of the fruit has shrunk compared to other times. The reason is another subject for later...

Old Bungalows of McCluskiegunj

Here are pictures of  some bungalows built during the time British ruled India.

All pictures taken by Nelson (Bobby) Gordon.

This is Bobby's place. It has the best of flowers and various other plants making the place outstanding in McCluskiegunj.