VISIT TO THE LIGHT HOUSE AT FALSE POINT

The site of the Fishery Harbour of Paradip had been finalised on the right bank of the Mahanadi, close to the mouth of the River. It was a project of great relevance to the Port. In the absence of a regular Harbour for the fishing crafts, hundreds of trawlers were using the main harbour affecting port operations. Before construction commenced, I wanted to see the site of the proposed Harbour through the River.. Capt Umesh Chandra Patnaik, the Deputy Conservator of the Port organised the visit. We planned to visit the ancient Lighthouse at False Point as well. 

Kailash Chandra Sarangi, the Financial Advisor, and Amarananda Patnaik, Commandant of the CISF, also joined us. A fishing mechanized Boat carried all of us, Children too joined along with their mothers. The trip was indeed memorable. 

After the Boat crossed the width of the River and entered the creeks we entered a different world. The mangrove forests on either side was a feast to the eyes. At some stretches the waterway was just as wide as the boat. After a long but exciting boat journey we reached the Light House complex where a grand reception was waiting. 

The Light House is indeed a marvel. Its construction commenced on the 6th December,1836 and got completed on the 16th October,1837. First light was exhibited on the 1st March 1838. The plaque also mentions about 2nd Lieut H Righy as the Executive Engineer. We went round the adjoining cemetery, not so well kept. There was the tombstone of the 37 year old Conservator of Orissa Ports drowned in May 1877. The tomb stone had been erected by his Assistant. There was another tomb where lay buried a child years ago. 

Capt Patnaik played a perfect host to a sumptuous well laid out lunch in the campus with the finest crockery and cutlery. That such an elaborate lunch could be organised with style at an out of the way place with poor communication only showed his passion for perfection. 

The return journey was no less memorable. It was tide time and the huge Mahanadi River was swelling. Our Boat was headed toward the mouth of the mighty River to the site of the proposed Fishery Harbour.. As we proceeded, higher waves were approaching. The younger son of Kailash would run for shelter behind his mother at the sight of an approaching wall of water. The Boat was tossing badly. Cool Capt Patnaik would go quietly towards the roof of the Boat and check up if Capt Paul was fine with his VHF set and his communication with a watch-staff on roof-top of the multi-storied Trade Centre remained uninterrupted.

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6th July, 2015