Author Spotlight: Kamal Krishna Laha

This book is an autobiography written by Kamal Krishna Laha, who was born in India in 1942, during WWII (1939–1945). He survived from typhoid thrice and was unable to walk for years. The family (mother, father, grandma, one widow, three unmarried aunties, and two uncles) was poor. His father, who was a goldsmith, was the only earning member. The dwelling has two rooms, a hall, a thatched kitchen, a cowshed, and a privy. The hindrance was poverty. His mother’s bravery helped him to succeed. Three million people died during the Bengal famine in 1943 to 1944. Ten thousand, the majority of which are Hindus, were killed at the Calcutta Riots (1946). India got independence from the British on August 15, 1947. The general economic condition deteriorated. His father’s loan increased due to the arrangement of dowry for his aunties’ marriages and raising two uncles. He was educated at Chatra Free Upper Primary School (first division), run by Srirampur Municipality, Chatra Nandalal Institution, as a poor and meritorious half scholar for higher secondary (science) 1960 (Class XI). Poverty prevented him from attending university. He received a scholarship from Ramakrishna Mission Shilpamandira, Belur Math, for a diploma in electrical engineering in 1963 (first division). He completed his degree in electrical engineering (AMIE) from the Institution of Engineers (India) and was elected to LifeFIE(I) and FIEAust. He has worked in eight countries and has migrated to Australia and living with his wife; twin sons, who are also engineers; daughters-in-law, who are an engineer and a chartered accountant; and three grandsons.