Will CBEC do anything for Leslie Claudius?
OUR story on Friday regarding Customs Olympian Leslie Claudius evoked huge response from concerned Netizens. But will the CBEC react? Can't they provide a decent house for Claudius. Four Olympic Medals, a Padmasri, a retired Assistant Collector of Customs – what more credentials you require to sanction about fifty lakhs of rupees to this hero of the Customs Department? In fact, his picture could have been there on the Postage Stamp they released last week.
On the day of his retirement on 31 October 2011, the then Chairman of CBEC, Mr. Dutt Majumder wrote a touching letter to Leslie Claudius.
Majumder wrote,
"You joined Calcutta Customs in 1949 when I was not even born. I joined the Customs & Central Excise Department in 1974 and during my probation days in Calcutta Custom House when I met you as a young officer, I found you as a perfect officer and gentleman. As a school child, I used to preserve your photographs, particularly those in action, in my scrapbook. You will, therefore, appreciate how excited I was to meet you in flesh and blood in Calcutta Custom House.
As a hockey player you have brought glory and fame to not only the Calcutta Customs but also to the country which you represented at four Olympics out of which you brought Gold Medal for India on three occasions and Silver Medal on the fourth occasion. I cannot remember any other living legend of Hockey as you have been. Above all, you have been an excellent human being and a continuous source of inspiration for young officers and sportsmen of the Department".
CBEC Chairman Mr. Goel is to retire tomorrow. It will be a great achievement for him if he can honour Claudius with a handsome gift from the Customs Welfare Fund or will the incoming Chairperson get that honour?