Tezpur

Editor’s Note: There are 24 photos from the Indian side at http://world.time.com/2012/10/23/the-sino-indian-conflict-1962-when-china-and-india-fought-a-war/

Bill Charlier worked in Assam’s tea gardens for many years. He eventually retired to live in Spain. He passed away in 2012.

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Editor's note: This is a slightly reformulated version of material that originally appeared at http://www.koi-hai.com/Default.aspx?id=570017.

A Journey into the Unknown

When the war ended in 1945, everybody was trying to find a job as most of us were going to be demobbed. Fortunately, through family connections, I heard of some jobs, which might be available. Whilst still in the RAF, I went to London to meet the Chairman of the Assam Company. He said that there was the possibility of a job in Tea in India. Other choices included openings in Africa and in America. I chose Tea.

He asked whether I could get immediate release from the Air force, but I preferred to wait a few months until my proper group number came up. He then told me that I would have to go before the Board of the Assam Company in London.

Vijay completed his ISCE in 1966 from St Xavier's, Jaipur. He was actively involved in editing the school paper 'X-Rays', was Troop Leader of the Boy Scouts group, participated in social service activities, etc. He also played a key role in staging of the school play "Dial M for Murder". Then, he moved back to his home town Tinsukia, Assam to join his family business of tea machinery manufacturing. He completed his B. Com (Hons in Business Management) in evening classes. He has been an active Rotarian since 1972, has tried to keep pace with computers, and enjoys photography, (though he does not possess a proper camera).
Vijay and his wife Shashi have two sons Ashish &amp\; Gauravh, and 4 grand-children.

The roots in Rajasthan

This story is primarily of my grandfather Kedarmalji Agarwal and his family down the generations. (Agarwal was the popular community title that changed to Bagaria as I have explained later.)

His ancestors belonged to Lacchmangarh in Sikar district of Rajasthan. Kedarmalji's father, my great-grandfather Lakshmi Narayanji, had purchased a small plot of land for farming about six km away from Lacchmangarh. Several people moved to the same location, which eventually came to be known as Bagri village.

Map showing Bagri. 2018