ECHOS OF THE PAST.

In Porbandar (famous in the name of MAHATMA GANDHI and Krushna Sakha SUDAMA)I was born on 5th December 1961.

My father was a middle-class mill worker with having small salary in Maharana Mill Porbandar.

My childhood passed in scarcity. Living without even slippers, tube lights, fans, radio, etc was a part of my childhood. I was very much fond of CHESS which was easily available at rs.8 only, but my father's daily wage was even less than that in which he was managing our livelihood so I couldn't even imagine to demand for a chess set. I painted a chess board and manage 32 small glass bottles and 32 stickers writing the respective names of king queen elephant horse camel pond and pasted on each bottle.

After three or four months my cousin gifted me a new chess set. I was so happy that at night I slept with it in my bed but couldn't sleep almost overnight with tears of happiness. Later on, I became the school champion and got runner's up in an open Porbandar tournament held by Porbandar rotary club.

Another memory is about education.

I was very much fond of CHESS, CRICKET, CARROM, and listening to Hindi film songs regularly. At the age of 15, I was In the S.S.C. Board (New s.s.c.) examination for 10thStandard. My parents were busy managing two ends of livelihood for 6 persons family within short resources and were not much hopeful about my education seeing my hobbies. I was reading for just 3

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hours daily and then playing the above games. I was used to writing questions and answers in a big slate with a slate pen because not a book, fountain pens, and ink were more costly options than that. Having tuition was nothing but an imagination.

As a result of God's Gift and blessings of my honest Father, Mother, and elder brother and sister, I got 75.29 percent of marks with distinction in English subject also. In my time in 1977, the students securing 80 percent or so becomes board first in Gujarat. I stood first in my Bhavsinhji High School and second in my Porbandar tehsil . Almost all the teachers lifted me at that time and compared me to the nose of the school. I can't describe the happiness of my parents at that time.

Another memory is about my behavior in childhood. I was very much naughty in my childhood. MY loving short name among 

my parents is RAJA. Sometimes My sister who left us 4 years ago was telling me that don't be naughty otherwise I will tell RASHMI (the NAME OF MY WIFE PREDICATED BY HER ). After graduation and joining STATE BANK OF INDIA, I got married at the age of 25 and the name of my wife is RASHMI !!!!! The notable thing is that my and my wife's birth date is the same. (05-12-1961)

Some such true memories are there. My message to the new generation is not to be afraid of scarcity as with the blessings of God and our parents, scarcity can't be an obstacle all time in our progress.