Professional camaraderie of Indian and Polish coal miners in Bihar in the period 1970 – 1990 " to tytuł roboczy ,
W dniu 6.03.25 r.w Siedzibie Bractwa Gwarków odbyło się spotkanie nt.fraternizacji górników polskich i hinduskich w latach 1970 – 1990.W spotkaniu udział wzieli były długoletni konsul RP w Bombaju M.Moron, Córka R.Bieska i Jerzy L.Mańka prezes Bractwa Gwarków.Omówiono wstępnie zarysy publikacji na ww temat dla Uniwersytetu w Kalkucie.
Interview with Mr Jerzy Manka – retired director of mining projects in Poland and in India 06.03 2025
Q.
We are preparing a publication “Professional Camaraderie of Indian and Polish Miners in the 60.and 70. Of XX century during their work in Bihar
”Do you think that it is justified to use such term “ professional camaraderie” when talking about Indian and Polish miners working together at that time?
A.
Yes. I think it is the right term to describe the relations and atmosphere of joint work of our miners. This special professional fraternity which miners have in Poland has definitely been planted and developed into Indo Polish camaraderie of miners working in Bihar.
Q.
What events relating to of those times and Indo Polish miners relations, you still remember ?
A.
I remember when at the beginning of October 1976 the was a religious festival and the group of Polish managers was in Kolkata ( at that time Calcutta) for few free days we got the massage about gas explosion at Sudamdih.
We were all as designers and managers on work contract and there was no obligation really for us to cut short the our free time because of the events at the mine. But it was not even the subject of any talks among us . Mr. Biesek , myself and some other Polish colleagues immediately rushed from Calcutta to the mine to join the rescue activities. It had no meaning at all that this was our of our lines of duty.
We felt the same way as we would have felt about such situation in Poland.
Q.
Do you think that nowadays in the 3rd decade of XXI century such close and emotional professional relations still exist in the coal miners community?
A.
I can only speak about Polish miners. The answer is yea . Even though coal mining is considered as declining industry in Poland but the miners community cultivates all the traditions which in the past were important events for the whole region.
There were big functions on the 4th of December ( a Miners Day in Poland) called “The Beer Tavern” during which there was a ceremony of initiating into the miners brotherhood , giving and bestowing the “mining ranks’. All these in the atmosphere of singing , entertainment events ,joy .
In fact we have submitted the proposal to UNESCO to declare this tradition as “nonmaterial heritage”.
May be this one thing which Polish miners forgot to leave in India and that is the Polish tradition “The Beer Tavern” celebrations ?
Q.
Is there a purpose or sense in bringing back now the memories of that camaraderie of half a century ago ,to Indian and Polish readers?
A.
We should always remember our past our history.
And that period of 60. And 70. Of XX century in Bihar was a period close relations not only in mining business but in relations , exactly this camaraderie among miners of our both countries .
This must be remembered by new generations
Thank you very
Questions were posed by Mr. Marek Moroń
The meeting with Mr. Jerzy Manka was kindly arranged by Ms. Ewa Biesek ; daughter of Mr. Ryszrad Biesek