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Huge ‘bundhs’ have been constructed to the north of Paneery
and on the Nonoi river itself after heavy rains caused
extensive damage in the year 1988. The flooding waters got
diverted towards the northern boundary embankment and
breached it.Though this was repaired, the same night a herd
of wild elephants damaged the embankment at the same spot
while trying to cross over to Bhooteachang. And along with
the rising water due to incessant rainfall, several other
breaches were caused, resulting in wide scale inundation of
the garden.
To quote Late S. I. Pariat, then Manager of the estate, “The
water pressure of the second breach became so dangerous and
enormous that we were at a loss as to how to tackle the
problem.”The floods caused havoc, submerging vast areas of
tea and the labour lines on the northern side, with water even
entering the Manager’s bungalow.
The supply route from the nearest town, Tangla, was cut off
with the washing away of the bridge near the factory.
Mr Anand Wats, then an Assistant here, remembers sitting
for hours with his Burra Sahab on the steps of the old Burra
Bungalow helplessly looking towards the ‘bagaan’. Every half
an hour Mr Pariat would ask him whether the water level was
rising, which would be met with an emphatic ‘NO’ from his
end, to pacify his ‘captain’. However, despite the trying
conditions, the spirits of the workers never died down and all
operations were kept running.
Once the waters receded, began the daunting task of cleaning
and de-silting the Sections. It must be mentioned here that
there is a meticulously maintained Rainfall Register dating
back to the years 1923–1967, which has been carefully
treasured in the Manager’s office.
The workforce in Paneery have their roots in Jharkhand,
Chattisgarh and Odisha. There is even a Munda Line here
dominated by people from the Munda community, who
speak Mundari.
The workers are largely of Hindu and Christian faith,
celebrating all festivals with equal fervour. A Shiv temple
depicting Hindu gods and goddesses was built in the local
market premises by Dr Ranjit Pal for the benefit of the
people.There is a Catholic and a Baptist Church as well.
Sri Lakhya Thakuria who lives with his family in Paneery is
a renowned craftsman. He sculpts in wood and sells his
artefacts at various government outlets in the country and also
exports them.
The estate has two Lower Primary schools with 250 students.
Football is very popular among the men and women, who
field teams in the local tournaments, winning many a laurel
for the estate. Volleyball and cricket are two other games
which are keenly participated in.
Paneery is fortunate to have the Mangaldai Polo &
Gymkhana Club located in the property and part of the golf
course doubles up as an airstrip. The club provides excellent
facilities for golf, tennis, squash, billiards and a good library.
July 2014 41
40 July 2014
Bundh
Rainfall Register 1923 to 1967
Senior Citizens (Retired Workers)
Bishnu, Retired Planting Sardar
Mr S. I. Pariat & Mr A. Wats Inspecting the Damage
The Nonoi in Spate
Sri Lakhya Thakuria with his Sculptures
LP School
Football Team
Mangaldai Polo & Gymkhana Club