Bangalore ..my memories

my memories...

My fond memory of Bangalore goes back to 1973 to a cool cozy and pollution free city, Bangalore! The present day generation cannot even imagine the atmosphere and climate that Bangalore was then. Cantonment was the central part of the city! During 1973 Bangalore was so pleasant and almost all outskirts – the three kilometer radius –was lush green vineyards. Dinnur, Sultan Palaya, Hebbal, Kormangala, Adugodi, and many other places were vacant land and agricultural fields! The majestic city bus stand was a lake, gradually converted for Congress exhibition ground.

This photograph was taken at Mission High School Museum Road, Bangalore, one of the oldest school campuses of the city. After completing three years of Full Term Apprentice course, I got job there itself in Indian Telephone Industries Ltd and thereafter joined for Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, evening class conducted by Modern Technical Institute at Mission High School. Mr. Shivashankar was the Principal of the institute. Classes were held in morning and evening. The same portions taken in the morning will be repeated in the evening. We could attend morning or evening classes, as per our convenience.

Before the morning session, we used to meet in the Kamath Hotel in the Unity Building compound.  ‘Gajamukhane…ninagevandane..’ will be the song welcoming us daily in the hotel. We used to have breakfast together and then will go to the class, whenever we attend the morning session. Chandra, T.Rajagopal, AK. Valsalan,Sasidhar, Venkatesh, Ponnuswamy,  Kunjappa etc only are the names I can remember now!

Modern Technical Training Institute was established and run by Mr. Shivashanker. This institute was affiliated to MEI Polytechnic and classes were held at Mission High School. I began my career as a Tool Room Machinist and then promoted as Technical Assistant in the Production processing department of Indian Telephone Industries Ltd, later deputed as the Care taker for in Township Administration.

I was the General Secretary for Kerala Samajam, Dooravaninagar and remained associated with it for about twelve years. With that, I had the privilege of extending my social services to the residents of Dooravaninagar and the surrounding area through Jubilee School, Vijinapura. I also worked as the General Secretary for Kerala Samajam Bangalore (Indiranagar) and worked for the Kairalee Nikethan Education Trust, Indiranagar, as a trustee for about five years.

Bangalore has seen a growth in its real estate market during 1980, with a flow of capital investors from other parts of the India, retired officials for a peaceful stay, industries etc; converted Bangalore’s plots with beautiful bungalows. Bangalore had confidently established itself as the Silicon Valley of India or pensioner’s paradise maintaining the golden era of the ‘Garden City’.

Later on, I quit ITI Ltd and joined as the Chief Administrator of an acclaimed educational establishment, Garden City College and its group of institutions. I am proud that I was successful in carrying out the vision of a great visionary Dr. Joseph VG, the Chairman of the group of institutions during my tenure there.

I remember during 2006, I had introduced a self service counter for the Children in Deva Matha Central Schools at Horamavu and Vidyaranyapura as desired by Dr.Joseph.VG the Chairman, for inculcating honesty in young minds. It is a counter inside the school premises with small items like pencil, eraser,and pencil sharpener etc including small chocolates! The children will take whatever they want and keep the money –the prescribed cost- there in a box. It was so successful and later this has been introduced in various schools in the city.

I understood (somehow) that new young blood should come to the institution for its rapid growth. I took a voluntary retirement from Garden City Group and joined as the Director at Federal Public School and then established Edutech Foundation, a Trust, carrying out various educational activities helping the School/College Managements.

Coming back to the photograph, there were about 55 students in my batch. All were working in ITI Ltd, BEL, HAL, Ashok Leyland, Graphite India, and many small and large scale industries in and around Bangalore, now in top positions. The photograph was taken on the get-together day of the outgoing batch of students in 1984. 

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