♦ Apropos the article “His body, his temple” published on June 17, I had the opportunity of being in close contact with Manohar Aich. 

This was between the years 1949 and 1953 at Paul Gym in the oil mill compound of Nalini Sircar Street behind Khanna Cinema, owned by Jogeswar Paul. During this period, three people - Keshav Dutt, Dr Arun Sil and I. Paul - were instrumental in developing Paul Gym. They brought in Aich in 1949 and financially supported his family as well as helped cover his expenses to proceed to the UK for body-building competitions.

Khitish Chatterjee joined the club in 1953. Satyen Das became Mr. India after training at Paul Gym. There were about 350 students at the gym then. Aich returned from the UK, having won the Mr Universe Pro-Short division in 1952 but due to some misunderstanding, the club was closed in 1953 at its peak. 

All instruments were handed over to Aich to start afresh elsewere. Dutt started a business in Asansol town and never came back to Calcutta. So did Dr. Arun Sil who dissociated himself from Aich.

Ram Rabindra Ghosh,
BA Block 

Special student

♦ As a resident of Salt Lake, I feel proud to learn about brilliant Board exam results of students in and around the township. But I take this opportunity to convey special congratulations to Akash Chakraborty, who scored 91.6 per cent in his Class XII CBSE exams despite suffering from cerebral palsy (“Braveheart fights palsy, crosses 90% on crutches” published on June 3). 

Akash has proved that if one is determined, physical disability cannot stand in the way of success. I salute the boy for his willpower and salute his parents, especially his mother, for their endless support that has culminated in his outstanding performance. 

Parthasarathi Roy,
Purbachal Cluster XI

Young achievers

♦ Congratulations to Moumita Roy for winning a National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Audiography for the Kurukh language short film Edpa Kana (“National Award for HA girl”, published on May 20). Similarly it was good to read about Josh Prakash Majumdar, an international relations student, who would be receiving the best speaker trophy for his debating skills at the Parliament (“Parliament call-up for Tharoor fan”, published on May 20). Josh admires Shashi Tharoor and hopes to join politics.

Salt Lake is proud of both the young achievers. 

B.N. Bose,
Dum Dum Park

Food park failure

♦ Apropos the article “Food park push to free pavements of hawkers,” published on June 17, it was surprising to learn that New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), that is in charge of pavements in the township, has been “requesting” illegal occupants to clear out.  

A food park has been lying ready next to the old police station for the past three years but the hawkers refuse to leave the stretch near DLF building and move into it. They reason that customers would not come to them anymore but I don’t buy it. The food park is just minutes away from DLF. 

Ayan Choudhury,
Greenwood Park, New Town

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