Malda Training Diary - Administrative Training Institute

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Gour. Then he was in Behrampore and now is back in Malda. He told me the genesis of silk
in China 5000 years back and how it came here, and then the history of its troubles. Japan is
taking over through mechanisation. We are now cross-breeding with Japanese worms. These
breed twice a year but produce 4 times the silk that indigenous ones produce.
Then I went round the breeding rooms (78-80 degrees F and 80% humidity), saw worms
spinning cocoons, then how these are cut, larvae tested for disease. One worm was dissected
to show the silk glands and the silk fibre (I brought it back) and a moth was crushed to paste
for microscopic examination by me. Saw how moths breed, lay eggs. The farm is a lovely
green expanse studded with 26 tanks. Cool even in day.
In afternoon visited DIO’s office and took details of his work: Mango industry (pushing on
despite defalcations in the cooperative), Bakeries, Carpentry, Tailoring, Handloom (gamcha,
sari, pit looms chiefly)., Biri making, Bricks, Tiles, Shoes, village blacksmiths. Recently
schemes for drug manufacture and diesel repairing park workshops have come. Under the
WB State Aid to Industries Act:
DIO can give loan Rs. 2000/-
BDO 400/-
DM 10,000/-
Director 15,000/-
Secy 25,000/-
Govt 1 lakh
Capital invested (plants and machinery) is not to exceed Rs.7.5 lakhs.
Also recommends loans to UBI under Lead Bank scheme. 22 such recommended, but highly
technical forms and their length holds up time. Needs to be simplified. I decided to write to
Mr De about this and to meet DP Bagchi, Dev. Offr. UBI also.
Copied records of a committal case. At residence of Mr Raha met UBI field officers TK
Bhattacharya, whom I had been asked to meet by HB Naik, my batch-mate in W. Dinajpur.
He confirmed cold relations between DM and Naik. Naik is staying in a dilapidated dak
bungalow. He plans to visit Darjiling in June and has asked me to come.
19.5.1972
Work done
Attended meeting of ADM and mango merchants.
Attended court and took down summary of judgement.
Information
The meeting was between Eastern, North Frontier railways and mango merchants. The crop
is down to 1 lakh 20,000 qtls, one fourth of last year, but they are demanding same number of
wagons. This was scaled down. Railways promised to supply all that was needed without
delay. The merchants were urged by ADM to shift the marketing and transhipment centre
from Rajmahal to Malda. They agreed provided they get land for a market. They explained
why last year they deserted railways for trucks—because the wagons were delayed and even
a day’s delay can spoil the mangoes.
The accused were given benefit of doubt and acquitted. The judgement is massive. The judge
pointed out several lacunae in the prosecution case.
Saturday 20.5.1972
Work done
Visited reeling factory at Madhughat 10-1145 a.m., 18 miles
Got figures on agricultural damage caused by drought so far here from DAO.
Information
Suptdt of Sericulture took me to Madhughat. Here I saw how the cocoons are soaked
alternatively in tepid and hot water to loosen the gum, then in cold water, and then reeling
starts. With the Japanese cocoons reeling is at top speed, but indigenous cocoons’ thread is