Memories

During 1970 my father was in working HAL which was in the eastern part of Bengaluru. The area was known as Byappanahalli. So we all shifted from Frazer town to Byappanahalli. I and my first younger brother were put to school in that area. My second younger brother was too small to go to school so, he stayed back at home with my mother giving company to her. After a few months, we never got adjusted to that place, so we shifted back to frazer town and joined our joint family. Since it was the middle of the year, we could not join any school. My brother was stopped going to school due to the non-availability of seats in the school. But, my mother was bent upon me going to school, she feared about my disinterest in studies. Somehow she wanted me to go to school. She thought I should go to the same school as there was no other choice. In case I continue in the same school, somebody must escort me to the school and to the house. As I was only six years of age. Which was inconvenient for anyone member to take this exclusive task. But my mother went to the school and found a way to my school going problem, A teacher who was residing in the immediate vicinity of cox town. Ending and beginning of either side of the town. My mother was relieved of her tension. So every day I used to travel by train to school. My mother used to hold my finger towards the roadside where we used to meet our madam and handed over me to her and in the evening at the same spot the same act in vice versa. Sometimes if the train was late my mother or anyone from the house used to come to the railway east station and pick me up from there. The railway station was at a walkable distance from my house.

Once in our morning travel, the ticket collector started checking the tickets. To my bad luck that I never had a ticket nor money in my hand. The ticket charges were five or ten paise might have been. As the Byappanahalli junction was only next junction to the east railway junction. I don’t remember why I did not buy the ticket. My madam was really tensed, sensing tense I was frightened.When at the time of exist also there was also ticket checking. Madam made me stand in between three to four people who were going out together and told me after going out without turning any side straight away go to the school I will follow you later and thus I came out of the railway station and speeded towards the school crying. When I reached the school everyone surrounded me and started questioning about madam. Because I became more frightened but at last she came. She was dull and narrated the incident that took place, from what she said I had learned that she had to pay five rupees fine. Otherwise, the case would have been booked for which she was supposed to go to the police station. As she was a young lady of 16 to 18 years of age, which would have become a big issue in those days, more over she was a primary school teacher. Now days frequently many go to the police station or paying fine is a common issue when they break traffic rules or so. There is no gender nor age discrimination in these matters. Besides this, the distance between Frazer town to Byappanahalli is now a walk able distance for those who go for walk. My heart felt touched when I learned that because of me she had faced such a situation. It became a memorable event. Her name might have been Anusuya. In case if I get a chance to meet her I will be happy. But, where do I search for her? Whether she is alive or not? Let her be anywhere, I’m always thankful to her. Let our immortal souls feel it.

There was one more teacher by name Navamani or Thavmani in the same school. She was residing nearby the school. On Saturdays whenever we miss the train, she used to invite us to her house and give us lunch and rest there until we could evening train to return home.  So I remember them even today and I thank them for their concern.