McCluskiegunj Forests, Being Ruined

McCluskiegunj is a beautiful place because of its forests. The
atmosphere is good and scenic because of the forests. Many varieties
of birds have made home in these forests.
But now this is being ruined as you can see in the pics, by illegal
activities such as cutting of trees and mud, making the forest loose
its charm. Just look how mud has been cut by machines leaving just a
little soil to keep the tree standing, roots cut.
Private Road Contractors use heavy machines for cutting mud to lay
beside newly constructed roads. While tractor owners supply mud in and
around town.
The authorities are aware of these illegal activities but don't bother
or are paid not to bother.

Political Party Flags on McCluskiegunj Main Road.

These pictures are to show flags of the B.J.P. and AJSU that have been
lying on the Main road at McCluskiegunj since yesterday afternoon.
It seems these parties are not supported or respected by each
individual that saw it while passing by or waiting for the railway
crossing gate to open up since they were dropped.
public mentality here....

Wild Elephants At McCluskiegunj!

Day before yesterday a herd of elephants, sixteen in no. were seen passing through a village, Basaria that is on the outskirts of McCluskiegunj. Some people were here at the Gunj for treatment. They were so afraid that they ran in such a scurry that they were injured in their legs. The elephants didn't chase them though.
It was in the papers a few days ago that these animals were seen at Bachra. The residents were beating drums and burning torches to scare the animals off that were destroying crops and huts that were coming in the direction the moved. The forest department is driving them towards the Betla National Park. Most likely they belong there.

These photos are of the destruction caused by these wild elephants.

McCluskieganj Hostel Association

It looks like the Association is a group of people that want to control all the schools and hostels in McCluskiegunj.
After the case of a class nine student being found dead in a well on the 25th morning, an emergency meeting was called for by the Association.
The reason for the meeting was to discuss problems and solutions of such incidents taking place.
The unfortunate student had left the hostel campus on pretence of going for tuition. So the Association has decided that NO hostel will allow tuition for boarders. Though school authorities have permitted teachers to visit hostels and have tuition classes privately but the Association thinks that teachers may escort a student out by hiding him/her in a handbag or in one's pocket while leaving the hostel after teaching, so no private tuition will be allowed.
The Association in not even registered, has no bylaws and only a handful of people who want to be dictators. And all hostel owners have to obey.
This is the height of nonsense.

A huge Banyan tree

This is a very old Banyan tree. You can see some people and bikes under it. This was clicked a month ago.

The Thorpe Family of McCluskiegunj

This is the Thorpe family of McCluskiegunj. They own property here which is being claimed by the Malhaar tribe.
The old caretaker expired and her kin took charge and care of the bungalow and property measuring nearly 7 acres since then.
Now, it is necessary for the current caretaker to get in contact with the owners in order to save the property from being snatched away, but the info about Robert Thorpe is that he is in Australia and that's all. No phone no. or email or surface address is available with anybody here in the Gunj.

Train at the Crossing

Many students and teachers were delayed due to wagons being halted at the level crossing this morning. It is said that there is a problem with the tracks.
The wagons stood between the crossing for nearly half an hour and was later moved just enough to allow traffic.
An over head bridge is needed here soon because once the bridge over the Damodar river opens officially, there will be huge traffic and traffic jams.

Annual Visitor

This creature has been visiting the place in the month of July every year. People offer it food when it sits on their roofs. It is very friendly.
This pic was taken at Dennis Meredith's place.

McCluskiegunj Coal Siding Closed!

Hi folks! Its great to know that finally the siding here has been stopped. Mr. Glen Galstaun, Anglo Indian M.L.A. Jharkhand raised the issue in the Jharkhand vidhaan sabhaa. Mr. Galstaun said that even after ten days of the notices issued by the Tourism Department and the Pollution Department, the coal business is on. Mr. Hemant Soren, Chief Minister Jharkhand replied saying that McCluskiegunj will be saved from getting ruined.
Finally, yesterday all activity in relation with the coal siding stopped.
That's the end of the siding by our M.L.A.

Court Order not being carried out by Cops

It has been nearly a week now since the notice by the pollution department to stop the coal siding here has been issued but the coal business is still running, defying all orders.
McCluskiegunj railway station master has also received a copy of the same but hasn't taken necessary steps to stop it.
McCluskiegunj! Here everything is possible and its also easy to commit crime and escape scotch free :)
THE COPS PROVE IT THEMSELVES.

Good News for McCluskiegunjians!

The dreaded coal business that had just started to function at McCluskiegunj railway station has been put on hold. The pollution department needs to get the credit for it.
We Anglo Indians have been against the siding and have been trying all sources to put a stop to it. Apart from some Non Anglo Indians, most are now in support for the Coal Siding. Yesterday, a group of the siding supporters protested against the stay order passed by the High Court by shouting slogans against the Anglo Indian M.L.A. of Jharkhand and the stay order.
We hope this status of the siding remains for good.

The Ruining of McCluskiegunj has begun

So, finally the first lot of coal was despatched yesterday...
Monsoon is here and the fresh mud roads are full of slush. Even then, the trucks are carrying coal. Many trucks get stuck in the slush and have to be helped out by heavy machinery.
The locals that are happy with the coal siding say that at least coal will be available at cheaper rates. HIGH HOPES.
Coal is used in nearly all the residences here and mostly in hostels. It is sold in sacks @ Rs. 200 per sack locally.

McCluskiegunj Coal Siding

The first train load of coal is ready for despatch. The green signal for the destruction of McCluskiegunj has been delayed a bit...

The third protest in connection with the siding showed public against and for the siding. Earlier in two demonstrations there were many well known people of the area including newspaper reporters who were against it. This time most of these people have backed the siding. MoNEy is the said reason behind it.
The few that are left on the side of the opposition party, have written joint applications signed by nearly 300 people to the concerning authorities to stop the siding as it will ruin the place in sense of survival of the local residents and also it would destroy a tourist centre that has great historical values.
All that the people who are against the siding want, is that the siding should be shifted two kilometres before or after the railway station. This will not disturb McCluskiegunj, the railways, the coal suppliers or the coal transporters.

Coal Siding News

Yesterday's protest has been mentioned here.

McCluskiegunj Coal Sidin

It seems like the proposed coal siding is to start soon. Already a couple of trucks have dumped coal.
Mr. Surendra Nath Pandey (social worker) along with many locals protested against the same. Mr. Pandey says this will destroy the charm of the place.
This time the situation is different. There are many locals that are supporting the opening of the siding. This situation indicates disaster for lovely McCluskiegunj...

Stolen Streets of McCluskiegunj

Hi folks!
Many streets/roads that existed within the colonies of McCluskiegunj in the initial time have been captured by local residents since many years and they claim the same to be part of their own land.
The captured roads remained unknown to most of the population here because of the replacements of generations. The roads and/or streets that are now being used to move within the place are also as old as the captured.
Being a vast and open place with scattered bungalows, there was plenty of vacant land to move around without any objection from the landlords, hence nobody considered it necessary to stop the roads from being walled off then. Now, the owners of the said temporary roads have started building as per their needs which is making it inconvenient for public who have to walk the extra bit.
It is import to get back the roads from them who think that nobody knows of their deeds or nobody is concerned for the same.
After all, its public property!

For sake of birds

Don't miss this...
Its not just what it looks like. It is a secret place for the birds that die of thirst. It was a wood apple (Bael) tree which was knocked off from ground level. Its new branches are surrounding it. In the centre is water that keeps cool for thirsty birds.
There are a large variety of birds here in McCluskiegunj. Early in the morning at dawn, the different types of chirping can be heard. It sounds wonderful.

Abul Ansari Killed a big snake!

This young boy Abul Absari killed this creature which was on a tree, while he was on his way back from school.
On account of rain (just enough to wash off the dust on leaves) and pleasent weather these creatures come out of hiding. They are many many kinds of snakes seen here. This is the time for scorpions also. Big black ones! Dangerous!

McCluskiegunj

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Take a closer look...

This place is famous for having a Mosque, Temple, Church and Gurudwara at one place.
Located at Dullee, a village here, this place has been highlighted as a tourist attraction. Initially the four Worship places were built smaller and years later the owner of the place Mr. Diwan started reconstruction of the same by pulling them down one by one.
The Mosque and Temple were reconstructed making them as tall as they are now. The Church was the third to be pulled down but then Mr. Diwan expired and the place was left as it was till last year. The cross that still stands between the Temple and the Gurudwara.
The place is now being made in to a total tourist spot with proper roads to it, resting and sitting areas and much more are coming up. The Church and the Gurudwara will also stand tall as the others soon.

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Kelaa Chhaap... Sudesh Kr. Mahto

The public here are going bananas over this young and talented leader and chief of the AJSU party, Sudesh Kumar Mahto. He visited McCluskiegunj in the first quarter of the last year. He has a large number of supporters here including the Anglo Indians.
Sudesh Kumar Mahto was on a road show on the 12th of this month. Places included were Ray, Khalari, Dakar, Khalari Bazartand, McCluskiegunj and Chama etc. He disappointed a surprisingly large no. of Supporters who were waiting patiently for him to reach McCluskiegunj. But unfortunately failed to do so.
On knowing the disappoint of his supporters, he said the road show which was due would be completed today on his arrival by helicopter. Each and every party member was trying to regain the trust of supporters by giving them hope of the road show on 15th April 2014.
But today also the supporters are disappointed. I personally heard a lady say " apnaa bhot hai, kisiko bhee denge"
I wish Sudesh would take McCluskiegunj more seriously.

Mahua Flowers

This is the gift of nature. These flowers are collected and dried out then used to make the local drink also called Mahua.
It has a bad smell and taste, but it's a hit in Jharkhand. It can make one very high and is as cheap as Rs. 25/- Per bottle. It is illegal, but that doesn't make any difference to the either producer or consumer.

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BlogMaster

Guest Houses at McCluskiegunj

There are two places where one can spend as many days as intended enjoying the wonderful atmosphere and peace of this unique and friendly place.
For anybody who intends to book any of the two Guest Houses, the no. to contact for the same is : 07480078144
Book Now!

Election Season!

Though McCluskiegunj has come in to limelight after being declared a Tourist Centre a couple of years ago and also because there have been many documentaries and write ups about this Anglo Indian Heritage. But since the AJSU party leader Sudesh Kumar Mahto's visit here, the place has drawn the attention of many political parties during this election campaigning season.

SAVE WILDLIFE

These signs are something new to be seen along the McCluskiegunj - Ranchi road. It says "GO SLOW" protect the wild of the jungles that roam the roads.
These signs or holdings are banned on trees though.

Help save a life.

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Nature and it's beauty.

The sun shines and the forest glitters. New shiny leaves, pearls like flowers of Mahua and golden fruit of wild trees ready for seed disperse all decorate and make it a sight worth seeing.

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Through McCluskiegunj

Vehicles of routes such as Balumath and Chandwa (Tori) are using private roads of this place to get to Ranchi or, Chatra or Balumath.

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La Veda Academy on Cleaning Mission

The staff and students get together and clean the playground.

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Gorai Market

This is Dhananjay and Sanjay standing outside their market known as Gorai Market.
Gorai Market is open from 6 o'clock in the morning to 7 in the evening and everything imaginable is available here!

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Mrs. Gosh's Bungalow

This bungalow remains as is since the time it might have been built... It has fencing around five acres of land... It has fruit trees and many more things of the olden times, inside this lovely bungalow too.

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Cactus Growing on a Hill

This Cactus is growing In quite a few areas on the hill situated at a point connected to Hesalong, Lapra and Konka villages.
The layout of these plants seem to be that they were planted beside the road that went up the hill to the watch tower that once existed here. There's no road left... anyway!

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BlogMaster

Beware Visitors of McCluskiegunj!

For them who are thinking of coming down to or running away from the Gunj, this is to be known/remembered...
During Holi season there is this common practice of the illiterate villagers throwing cow dung, mud-slush and most dangerous of all, stones, at trains that run between the Barkakana Barwadih loopline.
This has been going on since the time passenger trains have been ruining through.
Be careful, keep windows shut and don't stand near doors to avoid having a broken head :-)

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McCluskiegunj Jungles

This is the present status of McCluskiegunj... Soon it will be the past.

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Nehru Road Under Repair

The road from the level crossing to Hesalong needed to be repaired since a long time.
There were pot holes in two places which were difficult to cross on foot during rainy days.
Its good to see that work has started.

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Clean McCluskiegunj

Who will clean this mess opposite the Wednesday market at Siyaarytola?

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Antique Oven in McCluskiegunj

This oven has seen all the great times that McCluskiegunj once had. It is an IVANHOE, Canada make, made in 1916.
This oven has been through three generations of cooking and is still in good condition. It was last used on 12th March 2014. It will be a century old in March 2016!

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