Chapter-1: Engr. Abul KM Shamsuddin Graduated in Mining Engineering from the then West Pakistan University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan in 1969.
- I was selected by the Govt. of East Pakistan to study Graduate Study in Mining Engineering in West Pakistan University of Engineering & Technology [WPUET] in Lahore against the seats kept reserved for East Pakistani Students in October 1965. Simultaneously some seats were also kept reserved for West Pakistani Students to study Graduate Engineering in East Pakistan University of Engineering & Technology [EPUET] in Dhaka.
- I left Dhaka in the 1st week of October 1965 by Pakistan International Airlines [PIA] for Lahore. During that time Pakistan & India were at war. Our flights were not allowed to fly over India due to war. Subsequently, we flew to Colombo (Sri-Lanka), over Bay of Bengal, then to Karachi (West Pakistan), over Indian Ocean, by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing flight and then from Karachi to Lahore by PIA domestic flight. It was a long flight – all through over Bay of Bengal & Indian ocean. Anyway, I enjoyed my first flight over the seas.
- On reaching Lahore International Airport in October 1965, I moved to the Engineering University Hostel [C-hall] in the Bagowanpura area close to Shalimar Garden.
- I was placed in a 4-seated room in the hostel. My other roommates were from Sind Province (Hyderabad), Punjab Province [Lahore] & North West Frontier Province [Peshawar]. They welcomed me & I was delighted to have new friends from different regions of Pakistan with different languages like Sindhi, Punjabi/Urdu, & Postu.
- The first year engineering classes are common to all disciplines. From the second year – the classes are different for different disciplines.
- After completion of 1st year classes/course in October, 1966 – I was sent to Sharigh Coal Mines-West Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation [WPIDC] controlled mines in the Sibi District, under Quetta Division in Baluchistan Province to undertake 3-months coal mining training. It was a compulsory training in mines as a partial requirement of completion of 4-years mining engineering courses.
- I showed keen interest in going inside the underground mines to see the coal extraction process & the mine environment. Longwall mining was practiced in the mine at a depth of 250-300m. Mode of entry was through inclined-shafts. The Mine Manager, who was a graduate mining engineer from Lahore, gave me his all out supports to train me. The Mine Sardars & Laborers also helped me to acquaint myself with mine workings.
- At the end of 3-months training in the mine – I was given a fee for the successful completion of the training. The Mine authority also provided me with the transportation cost from Lahore to Sharigh & Back to Lahore. I was also provided first class accommodation in Mine-Authorities Guest House.
- After completion of 2nd year engineering courses at Lahore in October 1967 – I was sent to Limestone Quarries at Wah Cement Works, Wah, Rawalpindi, Pakistan for a period of 3-months.
- I successfully completed the Lime Stone Quarries Training at Wah, Rawalpindi in October, 1967.
- Here, I stayed with my elder sister, Umme Aymon Fakhrunnessa, at Rawalpindi Satellite Town. My brother-in-Law, Dr. A. K. A. Chowdhury (dula-bhai) was working in the Rawalpindi Central Medical Hospital as a Medical Officer and was staying in the Govt. Quarters in the Satellite Town with my sister and two kids.
- In 1968 – I worked in Khewra Rock-Salt Underground Mines (2nd biggest rock-salt mine in the world) at Khewra, Jhelum, Pakistan for a period of 3-months. Room and Pillar mining was practiced. Mode of entry was through Adit.
- In 1970 – I worked in the Limestone Quarries under Pakistan Progressive Cement Industries Limited at Dandot, Jhelum, Pakistan for a period of 1- year (twelve months) during 1969-1970.
- In 1975 – I worked in Takerghat Limestone Quarry in Sunamganj District of Bangladesh. Lake of Takerghat is located near the Tanguar Haor, so close to Indian border. During 1965-1975, there was a limestone quarry, but now-a-days that one is not functioning. The Takerghat Limestone Lake is minimum 18 kilometers north from the Tahirpur town. Besides this nature attraction, there are three more nature attractions listed in Sunamganj.
