Around twenty-five years ago, after the death of a Swedish friend, I received a surprise package containing two notebooks from the executors of his estate. On deciphering the pages, painstakingly written in longhand, the books turned out to be the manuscript of the novel that he had mentioned to me and his friends, but which, in the absence of any evidence, we had assumed to be merely wishful thinking on his part.
History repeated itself inversely this past week. I received word that a former colleague and hometown-friend, Raymond C. Thomas had passed away in distant South Africa. Shocked and saddened by this unexpected and unwelcome news, I scanned his Facebook page for some indication of the cause of his sudden demise. After being incommunicado for over a decade, we had connected on Facebook a few years ago and, though he was not much active on social media, had exchanged pleasantries a few times and wistful recollections of our hometown of Shillong, Khasi Hills, in the state of Meghalaya in the less well-known North-East India, from where circumstances had taken us both away to other continents.
Imagine my surprise when, reading the comments at the foot of one of the posts, I discovered that Raymond had written a book. Not only written, but also published—and available worldwide. Nowhere on his Facebook wall was there a post about the book. Nor had he created a web page like most writers—and, in these days, they are legion. But using the capabilities of the Internet, I was able to purchase a copy of the book—Mission Incredible—download it and actually begin reading it, all in under five minutes.
I could not but compare how times have changed. The first friend, with a literary bent of mind, had written a novel which his circle of friends knew about but could not read, as access to print publishing was not easy in those days. And here was an unlikely writer who did not advertise his book, even for free on social media, but whose work was published and accessible to anyone on this planet. How much the coming of the Internet and e-Books has changed our world!
I read Raymond’s book voraciously. It turned out to be a thinly veiled autobiography of sorts. I was 
amused to find our former bosses in the book under their very own names! And many colleagues, friends, and acquaintances of our small town, were easily identified as their names in the book, in most cases, were alliterative variations. Being near contemporaries, old memories came flooding back as the book took me down memory lane.
The book clearly demonstrates Raymond’s deep love for his family, his people, and his homeland. The book, though well-written, does not have any literary pretensions but is straight from the heart. And to all who are familiar with the North-East of India, especially the Khasi Hills, or who worked in the same gigantic bank, it will make interesting reading. To others, local references and terms might prove confusing. As with many self-published books, the book could have used professional formatting and designing, as well as a more apt title. It is somewhat overpriced but hopefully his successors will review the pricing and also spread the word about this book. I will always be deeply grateful to Raymond for writing this book and, in doing so, recording for posterity the shared events of an age gone by.
Another close friend of mine, Harry Kipgen, and a former colleague of both of us, passed away a few years ago. Harry was the suave and cosmopolitan city guy, who, being the Anglophile that he was, always kept a butler. When he retired, he shunned the Internet and mobile phone and went back to his rural roots. But it was the social media that had the last word. After Harry’s passing, a friend of his posted a picture on Facebook of Harry, post-retirement, pitching hay in his village, his face joyful and radiant in the afternoon sun. The city slicker had come full circle.
In closing, allow me to use the honorific and affectionate prefixes of their respective tribes in bidding them both a fond farewell.
So long, Bah Raymond! So long, Pu Harry!
That was a tribute to and recollections of a past that still lie entrenched in the deeper recesses of our heart , of friends and of shared joys and sorrows. Well written
Thank you, GS, for reading and for your appreciation.
Very beautiful description of sad events!
Both Raymond and Harry were very close to me.
Raymond was my FB friend although he was rarely visible.I remember the good old days as young officers when we worked together at the then Regional office of SBI at Laitumukrah, Shillong,when Mr. Bidhan Mazumdar was the RM and GS Srivastava the CRM. Both of them passed away a few years ago.Raymond was a suave,well dressed gentleman and although a man of few words, didn’t refrain from cracking a joke or two about my Standard 10 car( I was the only young officer owning a car then) which would need to be pushed now and then to enable it to start during winter.
Harry a 1969 batch PO was very close to me.Known for his style of living with Chippendale furniture and butler and perfect English, I had the rare privilege to have a lot of parties in his house where he entertained us gorgeously.
When I was posted at Lagos and met another Kipgen, a cousin of Harry who was Deputy High Commissioner of India, I was told Harry didn’t marry because he couldn’t find a girl in the community who could speak English with Oxford accent.
I deeply mourn their demise.
Ajoy, I just now realized something else that we have, or rather had, in common. We both owned a Standard 10 in the good old days! I recall yours now, though, for some reason, I did not remember it when I bought mine, much after you did. I loved that car then as much as I love my Subaru Crosstrek now.
Raymond and Harry were both wonderful human beings. It was my good fortune to have met them and be considered their friend.
As far as Harry’s reason for remaining a bachelor goes, I can completely sympathize with him.
I was googling my uncle Harry Kipgen and came across this post.
The cousin that was mentioned, the Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, was my father who passed away a year or two before Uncle Harry.
It was refreshing to come across this piece and comment. Uncle Harry was our father’s best man at his wedding and he was a lovely soul.
Kimsen, I’m glad you found this post about your uncle and a comment about your father by one of my friends. This is indeed a small world! I will send you a private message via email.
Everyone in the north east circle prove their greatness. Sincerely grateful to you for timely FB post on Raymond’s and Harry. I worked in Shillong and Kohima. Often we met local officers visiting us POs.
Thank you, Hariharakrishnan, for reading the post and commenting. Appreciated.
Very well written Abie!
Bah Raymond Thomas was a gentle soul and an excellent teacher. He was one of the instructors at the training centre at Gauhati where I was a rookie probationary officer, many moons ago.
Pu Harry lived life large! I have fond memories of his style of doing things!
I was privileged to have known them.
Thank you, Veena, for the comment. I was sure you’d agree. Both Bah Raymond and Pu Harry were wonderful human beings.
Am shocked to learn that Bah Thomas and Pu Kipgen are no more! Though my inter.action.with Pu Kipgen was brief I clearly recall that he.was an impressive personality . However, Bah Thomas was a mentor and guide to many of us young Officers of SBI who had Shillong postings . He used to.call us.after.office hours to his chamber to discuss a.lot of things and we benefitted a lot from his vast experience. His departure from the bank was a big loss.for us and after that no.one else could fill the.void he.left behind. May his Spirit rest in peace in the beloved arms of the Lord whom he loved so much . Thankyou Bah Abie for sharing this news with us.
Thank you, Bah Edward, for your comment. Yes, there were many who looked up to Bah Raymond and Pu Harry.
Thanks so much Abie. Both were wonderful persons and I had the rare privilege of working with closely. Pu Harry would call me as soon as he set foot in Nagaland and we would go all over the place in my jeep. His brother Major Kipgen was also a close friend.. Raymond was very active in the church. Before I joined the bank we would listen to his sermons in church. I guess his calling was not with the bank and he joined the ministry full time. Their memories still endure
Thank you, David, for reading the post and for your comments. All of us were connected in different ways to Pu Harry and Bah Raymond. They were both wonderful persons.