Reflections on days art Toli Chowki Early 50s

Chicago Nrupatunga 66ers Meet

Chicago Nrupatunga 66ers Meet

A wonderful event happened between 22nd to 24th of May 2015, that was the CHICAGO NRUPATUNGA 66ers meet. This was our 49th year after schooling. Unexpectedly I participated in the same, due to single minded persuasion by NARASIMHA MURTHY and whole hearted invitation by NAND KUMAR as host, backed by Padmini and instant booking by Sriram. The agenda was well prepared by Murthy after due mail exchanges among the 9 of us who met, including 7 NRIs and two from India.

GURU RAJ REDDY (London) Spinal cord surgeon

HANUMATH RAO (New Jersey)  Doctor-pathologist 

KAMALAKAR RAMBHATLA (El Monte, California) Doctor - Pulmonologist 

NAND KUMAR (Chicago) CEO UCA group of companies 

NARASIMHA MURTHY  (Louisiana) Professor

VIJAYALAKSHMI MELKOTE (Indiana) Doctor

VITTAL SRIMUSHNAM (California) CEO Zoniac

RAVI LAJMI (Bangalore) Retd CEO Switz Group

DWARAKNATH (Hyderabad) Professor Retd.

The  NRIs, themselves met for the first time except two of them. I met Vijayalaksmi Melkote after 49 years, who was accompanied with her husband. Special guest was our drill teacher Augustine who migrated in 1974. I had met others at some point of time after 2012 at Hyderabad. Besides this 5 spouses attended.

Nandu hosted the three day event which included, receiving each from airport, lodging us at either his or Amar's house. NAND, Amar, Darshan (Nandu's son) were involved receiving and dropping 15 participants inclusive of spouses. Augustine, our physical education teacher and spouse Savitri, resident of Chicago, spent over 10 hours and he was treated as guest of honour. I was the only one whom he recognised after a gap of 49 years, besides host Nand.

The introduction program about themselves, what each had traversed in 49 years, their school days, how the came up to the present, took almost over 10 hours with a lunch and tea break. Most of them were more philosophical and spiritual in approach. The best part is a down to earth approach and interacting with the same warmth as in the class in 1966. Achievements, positions, status were far away from every ones mind. The host being CEO of a group of companies was involved from washing to cooking to hosting everyone without an iota of disparity. The Ram, Lakshmana & Sita analogy was invariably focused by many referring to host family, of course including Mrs. Prema Amar, and Nand's son. 

Murthy had chalked out a good entertainment program by way of songs, jokes etc. duets in kannada by sixtysixer couples, solo songs of Mukesh, Kishor, Rafi, Shainder were heard." Doni sagali" duet was the best.

We had 3 to 4 hr discussion over school affairs, functioning of trust. Lot of diverse views were accompanied  with in-depth discussion, difference also prevailed. NAAH activity was critically discussed. Consensus was to do something to School and keep the spirit of our mentor. 

The surprise gift was a postal greetings by Madam Sonu with a covering letter addressed jointly mentioning each of us at the Chicago meet. This was followed by a telephonic conversation in turns, with all of us, at 6.30 pm US time on 23rd. It was almost a class for most of us, picking us up for lack of proper responses.  Coming  to self she complemented for then and now collage which she said has kept as photo, questioned me of my presence having expressed inability. She put her mettle on all of us in a way. Hats off to our 81 year old Math teacher.

Murthy came well prepared with tea shirts embossed with emblem of the meet, names 9 couples for all of us. The last item was to discuss our 50th year, fixing of date, coming with logo, with venue at Hyderabad etc. in 2016. We expect for a good beginning. Our data base now includes 37 with 20, 9 and 8 at Hyderabad, Karnataka and NRIs respectively, hope to search for more and we get the needed the cooperation from all. All of us being 65+ we can't expect them to respond with the same spirit. Biological, mental and chronological ageing do not always tally.

Me and Bhusawal - random thoughts

         

                 

                     MATERNAL GRAND PARENTS      

           Four maternal uncles at Bhusawal home

   

Me and Bhusawal (EK) - RANDOM THOUGHTS

Dwarkanath K Murthy

It was 1957 to 1959 I was away at Bhusawal under the care of maternal grand parents, where my grandfather was the town chief electrical engineer. Here is an account of my vivid recollections of the stay. I was admitted to  St. Aloysius High School (Estt.1874) Bhusawal  in class II. My maternal aunt also taught in the same school. It was a wonderful period to initiate my studies, my grandfather, a London returnee of 30s was a Hitler like but with compassion, under whose guidance I started learning English, which was beyond the class room teaching. Being a  disciplinarian schedules were well - playing between 4.30 to 6, then study, dinner by 8, preparing bed by 8.30 go to bed by 9. I remember he had provided me a separate diary like book wherein I was supposed learn and write at least 5 words a day.

Being an electrical engineer visit to theatre was gratis, though not able to understand I was one with the group to enjoy the movies. The movies I remember are Madumathi, Survarna Sundari, Bhabhi, Zimbo comes to town, it was also a learning experience  in a way, the song Asman Jukh Rahi Zamee Par introduced me to the term HORIZON by my grandpa. The town had four theatres Vasanth, Pandurang, Mamaji and Linda for English movies. Outings to river like Tapathi, adjoining Ajantha and Ellora caves and like were often, my grandpa being adventures. On the way with overflowing river on low lying bridges the tiny prefect ford used to get stuck, that hardly mattered for him. No way I have inherited this trait. It used to be a drop by car for me and my aunt to the school, a terrifying incident was on the way I saw myself sitting in the back seat leaning to the window which just got opened and me hanging to it, dare not tell my Hitler grandpa, it was my aunt who observed and saved the moment. Imposition for going on picnic was to submit a write up in my own words, here when I wrote "kannabd" for a sweet meat preparation, had a lesson and I learnt the word "porridge". This was after a visit to Ellora on my 10th birthday.

We are generally advised regarding food intake during eclipse, on a day when eclipse was there I bought pea nuts with  3 paise coin (brass circular one with hole in the middle) given by my mamma, just 7yrs elder. Nothing happened, but eclipse effect showed in way in 1980 for publishing a paper on solar eclipse, in my career - a move from campus to NC (in a lighter vein).

The most important jump was a double promotion from II to IV class, owing to the efforts of my aunt, training me with III class portion and making me write a special exam. I ought to remain grateful for life time, to my aunt. Today we are fascinated by Ganapathi processions, thanks to Chenna Reddy's acts which has spread over entire state subsequent to 1980. This was well established feature in Maharashtra and Bhusawal was no exception, on the immersion day it was a day out to view these. With huge Pratimas preceded by variety of dances.

Bhusawal being a railway junction, major part were occupied by railways. To mention about the phone, almost non existent there, was one at home connecting the Electrical office and Substation, hand rotate it once it is office, twice it's Substation.

One of the interesting book, I don't think it was school book, which I was made to read - a good book with moral values with lessons on Zoraster, Buddha, Thirthankara, Santh Tukaram, Jesus , Rama, Krishna, Gurunanak etc. A taste for film music was initiated there co listening along with my aunt and uncle, Ameen Sayani's Binaca geet mala between 8 to 9 on Wednesday on Radio Ceylon. It was loma time which was a standard. The last song invariably was "inaminadica daidamadica". My uncle was still a student making up and down trips to Jalgoan for his intermediate education. Being a maths student I used seem him working on slate solving problems which even our class I have left behind. The only friends I remember is Raju and Joey my neighbours.

Last but not the least had the ordeal of learning very elementary Marathi as a language in addition to Hindi. This went for a toss after repatriation, as I started learning kannada and working knowledge of Telugu.

With my grandpa retiring around 1959, my exile from Hyderabad came to a close and was repatriated to home at Narayanguda, Hyderabad, joining my five siblings and parents, of course two of them were born post 1959.

Interstate problems gave me one more double promotion jumping from IV to VI stabilising at Nrupathunga.

An ambition is to see the place which I left 57 years ago, hope I can make it.

                 Group photo at Bhusawal 1956/57

            

My days with FAPCCI - reflections 45 year old

                                 

                                                   FAPCCI was originally located in

                                                              SHAKAR BHAWAN 

My days with FAPCCI - reflections 45 year old 

It was during the peak of Telangana agitation in 1969, I had my encounter with office of FAPCCI (Estt. 1917) for almost an 8 months. The office of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry was located in the Nizam Sugar Factory Building opposite police control room, Basheerbagh. 

The idea was to while away the time fruitfully. My first attempt was clandestine, getting an offer of position a salesman at Kathiwara stores, which I had to decline following Anna's vigilance and objection. Then I started working as an office assistant, FAPCCI, thanks to Anna's motivation and fixing me there, during my BSc II year. Learnt the basics of office administration and typing,  also got qualified to the lower grade (hired a typewriter for exam from an institute). Assisted in handling over 500 files pertaining to various aspects, of the 400 odd industry members of FAPCCI. The federation was presided by eminent entrepreneurs like MG Laxminarsu (father of ML Jaisimha) CB Ayappa MD of Union carbide, RC Lahoti, film exhibitor; Royal theater owner etc. We, staff had no direct contact with them. The office was headed by Secretary, Mr.CA Rebello,70+, an eminent retired civil servant of those times, whose wife happened to be a professor at Osmania Medical College (teacher to Chenna Reddy).

Now I wish to draw the attention to this unique personality, REBELLO, a disciplinarian to the core of the British era. He used to wear the dress (grey) on par with those of four attenders in the office, never allowed employees indiscipline, never got any personal work done at office cost, at 70 his lunch was full chicken. An experience to recollect was, the typing of his personal document on stamp paper, for which I had no option than to take Rs 3 from him, as it was not official work. Auditing was so perfect that, he  did not allow mere disposal  of even empty biscuit cartons, and were sold along with a receipt. The one which I still use at home, was bought for 50 paise, of course the receipt is not now traceable. He was efficient in cajoling and get things done in his own way. Once, at the nth hour (almost midnight) I was assigned to type out a huge statement on a wide bar typewriter with 47 cms carriage, a tough job with no spell check, cut, copy or paste in those times. Pleasantly I was rewarded with good Ice-cream as a bait. I had the ordeal of going through the proofs of the monthly FAPCCI bulletin besides, the annual ones, before printing, had to spent odd hours at the press. One of the annual meets of FAPCCI was held at the office premises, which was presided over by the then chief minister Kasu Brhamananda Reddy, followed by a dinner for the industry members besides we staff (a photo where I could spot myself, with CM in the frame, was there for long). The Annual meet and a day's preparatory work, done for a conference at Jubilee Hall at Public garden, presided over by VV Giri, President of India, were most challenging. The secretary had a high expectation and used to tell I could make it to his position fast and used to call me Chenabasappa. Something different was destined for me.

This led to getting prospect for ICWA from Delhi.

In addition to Mr. Rebello three more officers  Sarvasri Venkat Rao (Asst. secretary), Subba Rao and Radhakrishna Murthy, research officers were there. (All were of Andhrite origin), Mr. Ibrahim headed a library and Mr. Estasham Ali was the superintendent.The other ministerial staff included Sarvasri Chary, Stenographer (son of the great actor CSR Anjenyulu), Kamaal, ( a die-hard Rajesh Khanna fan and copycat) and  Nagender (typists) and myself. Well supported by 4 class IV staff Jaffar, Abdul, Sattar (brothers) and Shankar.

The complete credit of training me in office work goes exclusively to Mr. Estasham Ali, the Superintendent. A very compassionate, sherwani clad, pawn chewing person. As a daily wager the remuneration was Rs.3 per day. He used to make me stay  for a while after the scheduled time of 6 pm and record it as an hour, so that I get Rs.1 more, qualifying for an hours over time. As per norms even OT couldn't cross 10 days a month. Imagine all these were as a daily wager with Rs.3 a day. I really found this to be handful. Could get a sumptuous lunch for Rs.1.25,  (at MLAs canteen) which itself was a festival. The commutation to the place of work was a breeze ride on bicycle. With this large/small earning I started my first back account with an amount of Rs.380 (almost 4 months wages) on 17th November, Monday 1969, at SBH Nallakunta Branch, unfortunately I had to close it in 1989 as it became inoperative.

Among the research officers it was Subba Rao who used to encourage me, he guided me in writing up a proposal (SOP of today) for management trainee position at IPCL in 1969. In the course of education all these got de-linked. The office premises was also used by HMA (Hyderabad Management Association) operated by James David (David school/college fame), promoting  management  as a course of study.

Courses like MBA was unheard of in traditional universities.

Had I been an artist I could sketch all the characters in the above recollection including adumberation of the office. I really have my own doubts how many of the personnel are around.

A wonderful experience in my last month of service was typing out a draft of an advertisement for DC, inviting applications for junior clerks. Over 400 applications were received with several being post graduates (Unemployment is perennial, you can see the starting scene in Sree 420 where Raj Kapoor pledges the gold medal for survival).

With the re opening of the college, following the cease of Telangana agaitation, I resumed my studies and my activity got reduced to Sunday's/second Saturday's till my final PG program.

The significant lesson learnt. was the inculcation of discipline in administration, drafting of office letters/memos, maintenance of files, typewriting, typing on stencil sheets/cyclostyling during urgency, short hand and basic administrative procedures. 

Appointed by a revered Catholic, trained by orthodox Muslim surrounded by three Andhrite officers it was a wonderful beginning.

Today the Federation has over 3500 members, a large office contingent, has its own building at Red Hills. Post 1971, the only contact was Mr. Subba Rao, RO, sitting in the audience during Nizam College's first convocation in 1994, who spotted me on the Dias along with our VC, Registrar, Principal and chief Guest CNR (delivering the convocation address). Subsequently I have received invitations for global educational summits, most of which have been organised/held at FAPCCI premises unrelated to my stay. Unfortunately never attended any. Even today I have a strong desire to visit Federation, but I have none to recognize. It would not be surprising to see bifurcation of federation to FTCCI  & FAPCCI in due course.

Many aspects of training in office administration came in handy 23 years later in 1993, after taking  over administrative reins of Nizam College as VP. Specially with a large number daily wagers, besides 185 NGOs and 125 teachers of gazetted rank.

(A nostalgic view)

Ahobilam - Narasimhaswamy

Narasimha

Om Sri Bhargava Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Chatravat Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Yoganand Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Karanja Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimhaya Namha

Om Sri Varaha Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Malola Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Pavan Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Jwala Narasimhaya Namaha

Om Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaya Namaha