Day 1: Commencement

Entry into the haven of dust, heat and smoke was achieved through the written consent of the affable security guard. I was directed to go to Mr Sarkar first, a bespectacled man with large eyes and a thick bushy moustache. The menial task of filling up an essentials form followed, after which an attendance register was prepared for me by the secretary. I went in search of Mr Sanjay Bharadwaj then, the man who was to be my boss for the next four weeks. I was to report to him at 10 everyday, and leave by whatever time his highness deemed suitable.

Bharadwaj, a portly man in his 40s, came across as a very friendly person of an eternally cheerful disposition. He seemed unduly pleased at having been made overseer of an engineering student, and wasted no time in filling me in on all the details of working at the steel plant, and all that was expected of me (which wasn't much, to tell the truth). He introduced me to his co-workers, again a very amiable lot, people who accepted me with open arms into their little office. Prominent among them were Mr Rajbeer and Sharmaji, the two people under whose supervision I was to operate mostly.

Friendship with Rajbeerji happened very swiftly. We were soon exchanging our family details and he was telling me about the history and functioning of the steel plant. He was my main guide, the person I stuck around with the most. He took me on an educational tour around the plant and explained most of the bizarre processes that were taking place in front of my eyes. The glimmer on his face and the gladness in his voice as he talked to me lifted my spirits amid the searing heat coming from the furnaces which hit my face in a brutal blast and made my eyes water. It was a relief to be back in the air-conditioned office after that, where I stood witness to the operation of the electronic spectrometer, a machine that was used to study the composition of the iron specimens. The modern equipment made all the right noises, and was quite simple in its functioning. I was given the output data from some particular samples along with a sheet regarding the various grades of iron and their compositions, for study purposes. Needless to say, the machine brought back fond memories from my dear department back in R-land, as also of the inimitable Mr Sharmaji the third.

The adjoining room was where various chemicals were kept and analysed, treated and prepared for further use. Weighing machines and muffle furnaces gave them good company. This was also the place where we sat around a long table and had lunch. Speaking of which, it was a truly remarkable experience, sometimes embarrassing yet pleasant, sharing the supper table with Rajbeerji and co. The day went quite well, and I was permitted to leave around 3. With a thankful smile, I bid everyone goodbye and promised to return next morning for another day of endearing metallurgical education.