కాలం  మింగేసిన  బాల్యం . 

(06)

RELIVING  CHILDHOOD.

(Exceptional Memories ).

MY FATHER'S SON

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When I was in teens, my maternal Uncle Bodapati  Ram , suggested me to read a book titled " My Son's Father " written by Dom Moraes. His Father Frank Moraes ,famous journalist, was the  Editor of many prominent news papers in post Independence era  including Indian Express ,  published those days from Madras ( now Chennai ).

I  was struck with awe at the  title of the book  "My Son's Father " .Autobiography of Dom Moraes .It took sometime for me to understand the Title.I tried hard to get  paperback  edition of the book.I read it in one go.It was  absorbing .I recommend every boy  who passed through  adolescence to read this book.

Title of  my  this story is an inspiration of this book.
I spent my schooling and college days with my maternal grandparents , Bodapati Satyanarayana and Ranganayakamma at Berhampur.Great people.Great Souls.My grandfather, native of Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram) migrated to Berhampur as Branch Manager of Andhra Insurance Company in mid thirties of twentieth century.
Berhampur , earlier in Madras Presidency during British Period, had the Madras /Andhra culture prominent in every walk of life.

I was just sixteen and half years when I passed out Intermediate in Science in 1957 with MBIPC Group.We had option those days  to take additional subject as optional along with the main Group .I availed this and read Intermediate with MBIPC (Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry) as Group subjects ,as this would give  an option either to choose Medical degree course or Engineering degree course at the Graduate level of education.The minimum age for admission to professional Institutions at that time was 17 years.(I think this is so even now) . Ananda Rangan Sundaresan(Andy) was my school and college mate. He joined Engineering college immediately after Intermediate. My ambition was to do Medicine.Being below the qualifying age I could not apply for a seat for admission in any of the Medical Colleges​ in the Country. Having no other option , I joined in the B.Sc degree course in the same college from where I passed out Intermediate on  persuasion by  my Maternal Grandfather.I had no interest in the course except  wait to attain qualifying age to apply for professional courses.On completing First year of  B.Sc Degree I got the Opportunity. Came 1958 academic year. I applied for admission into SCB Medical College, the only Medical College in  Orissa(Odisha)then. I was sure of admission because of my academic merit.It was a shock to me when I was informed that I was denied admission on the ground that I am not domacile resident . Many who were not domacile and not meritorious managed to get admission by giving their residential permanent address of a place/ town in Orissa. Smart enough.

Then I realised my mistake. My Maternal Grandfather who was source of strength to me had  severe paralytic stroke and confined to bed permanently.There was none to guide me . The mistake I did was - I honestly furnished my permanent address of my  Village , Vontimamidi in East Godavari district , Andhra Pradesh.

That was  Catastrophic. My head fell on my chest with disappointment. Seeing my plight my grandfather called me to his bed and said in a feeble voice that nothing is lost and told me to apply for admission to Engineering college.I did it with much reluctance and left to my Village Vontimamidi in Andhra Pradesh. There were tears in my Grandfather eyes when I left.He loved me so much he could not bear see me leave him.

When I reached home there was a surprise. It was Intimation from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam to attend interview for admission. I was delighted.

The Chairman of the Selection Board was one Dr. Govindarajula  Naidu, Vice chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati .

Among other members of the Selection  Board was Colonel Dr.Raju ,Minister in the Union Government.My father knew him .

Col.Raju said , after noting my academic merits, that there would be no problem in selection . My father took me to Visakhapatnam to attend interview. 

During those days apart from  merit  the interview had more edge on selection and obtaining a seat. Caste also played dormant/undercurrent  role in selection of students for admission by the Interviewing Board. I fared in  the interview reasonably well. The reason I mentioned just above prevented me in obtaining the seat.This I came to know later on.
Just then a private  Medical College was started at Kakinada , 35 kilometers away from my Village. The admission was on payment of donation.The college named  Rangaraya Medical college and it's Adminstrative office were located in the Pithapuram Maharaja Orphanage Buildings to start with.

My father deeply desired that one​ of his children should  be a Doctor and serve people in village.He sent me to Kakinada with the donation amount to purchase the medical seat.
One Dr. Subbarayan ( if I remember right) was the Administrator and Principal.
He was a close friend of my maternal grandfather.My Grandfather gave me an introductory letter to be given to him .He saw the letter and asked about my grandfather' health.After these preliminaries he asked me to pay the donation fee in office. I thanked him and went to the office.On the way my consious did not agree to buy education. I returned home and told my father that I will not buy education.He looked at me wondering and handed over  an envelope.I opened it . It contained an admission letter from University College of Engineering (UCE) Burla Hirakud sent to my grandfather address at Berhampur and a letter to me by my grandfather in his own shaking handwriting.He said Engineering too is a good profession  and asked me to join without wasting time. I thought about two days reluctant to go.

The next day I packed my baggage and left home to join in Engineering College.
Andy , my friend, having joined in the same college previous year became my senior.

Andy left the Country in 1975 and permanently settled in USA. He came all the distance from US to see me last  month. In our meeting many of childish pranks, college days, friends memories and those dear ones who left us  crossed our thoughts. Those were wonderful days.

This all happened Sixty years back .But every event is clearly etched in my mind.
My maternal grandfather died while I was in the First year of Engineering. I was present by his bed side   when he breathed his last. I held my tears and bid good bye to him who made me what I am now.
His last moments  still haunt me every day and blur my Vision. 

I salute him.
One last word.
Destiny is not in one's hand.
Someone else decides.

                          Krishnam  Vande  Jagadgurum.

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                                                                                     My previous posts on this subject have been written in Telugu . Many of my Kith and Kin of the present Generation , as is the case in every family now a days , can not read Telugu. There was horde of complaints from them. Requests followed to pen my memories in English langauage. Even though I am not very fluent in expressing in English  I made this attempt.Please forgive if you find my English narration  is not to your expectations.    

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