We are a small group but very close, like a family, discussing the days we spent in Woolwich. Our motto is to keep the Çï¿ûÊÓƵ and Woolwich Polytechnic flag flying high.
Memories of Greenwich
I first arrived at the university, Woolwich Polytechnic as it was then known, in 1959 and I remember that the journey was not the most straightforward. In those days travel by air was not common, so I sailed from India to Genoa in Italy. It took almost two weeks, from where I took a train to Calais and crossed the English Channel.
During my studies I enjoyed learning to play squash and was Secretary of the Indian Students Association. Even 60 years ago, the university enjoyed a diverse and cosmopolitan student body, with students from India, Pakistan, Iraq, Greece, Poland, West Indies, Norway, Nigeria, Ghana, Singapore, Hong Kong and more.
For the first few months I stayed in digs in Plumstead. Then I moved to stay with the Carson’s in Lewisham, a wonderful family with five children. I became their sixth child. They charged me the grand total of three pounds and 15 shillings rent per week. I've kept in touch with the family ever since, have invited them out to India and even returned for Mrs. Carson's 90th birthday a few years ago.
Life after Greenwich
After leaving university I became a specialist in the energy sector and supply chain management. I worked for 25 years at Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation and rose to become CEO of CESCON Ltd and later Chairman of Guascor India Pvt Ltd before opening my own consultancy. I am also a former President of The Indian Institute of Materials Management and am currently Joint Chairman of Centre for Research in Materials Management and President of Independent Power Producers Association of India. Following my career I plan to write a book on my lifelong experiences in the Indian power sector.
Outside of work I have also been actively involved for many years with committees for the likes of the Rotary Club, Round Table and 41 Clubs of India.
In 2002 I founded the university’s alumni chapter in Kolkata. Since then we have celebrated with dinners each year, bringing together a remarkable and close-knit group of former students who studied at Woolwich Polytechnic.
