Child Hood and School days – (coming to adulthood)

I wish to combine both these aspects of my early life as student and a house hold child. I learned a lot of house holds activities out of interest and at times out of compulsions.

For some reason, I was interested in music and songs. So, I managed to sit near our radio, for listening to songs. I always believed that someone is taking or singing from within the radio. It took several years to find out the truth and when I learned the facts it was a laughing matter for me and my young sisters and brothers. My mother taught me basic cooking and preparation techniques. Till to-day, I’m able to practice them and survive, besides passing the same to interested persons.

We came to Dharmapuri in the year 1962. Here, I had more friends and more options to learn thru’ better books. When I say better, I mean more advanced titles to suite my vocabulary and knowledge gained earlier.

As an average sports person, I played foot-ball, participated in All India sports competition and won 2 STAR and 3 STAR appreciation / Recognition. I was encouraged to play cricket, and I played there too.

The going was tough in the family. Financial level was always like the water level in the local well- always drained except for one or two buckets of water. I was observing, watching and learning quietly about my tasks in the years to come.

My maternal uncles, who also had been thru’ life’s hurdles and hardships, stood by us and helped us financially to their best especially during the re-opening of schools / colleges.

Lack of money, compounded by the same problems faced by my paternal grandfather often created rift and unpleasant situations between my parents – very often.
The observation of these scenarios, made me to determine and wow to work for the betterment of my younger ones in the family.

Struggling thru the conditions, I passed SSLC and joined for Pre-University course, in the college opened next door.


It was the Government arts college that opened in July 1965 without full team of teaching faculty.
But still, many students joined for PUC, like me with the hope of pursuing higher studies.

I could not clear the course, as I could not afford private tuitions for the subjects I was lacking due to insufficient teaching staff.

Those with better financial status opted for tuitions from even far off places like Salem and passed the course.

I was under dire need to complete any professional course at the shortest possible time and expected to start earning to strengthen the financial base in the family.

Many of my class mates, who passed the PUC course, also were in the same condition and joined Polytechnics for THREE year courses in engineering.

In the meantime, before the result of my PUC exams were out, my father was transferred to Pollachi. I was with my grandfather when results were out.

When he learned that I did not get thru’ the exams, he said DO NOT WORRY, MAKE THE BEST OF THE BAD SITUATION.

In my absence, my mother made enquiries about any polytechnic in Pollachi thru’ one Mr.Das who was staying behind our house in Pollachi.

This Mr.Das was the NCC commander for the Region and hailed from Kerala. I met him upon returning from vacation, along with my sad result.

But, he advised me not to loose heart and pursues studies as my family needed my earliest earning to supplement that of my father.

He arranged for a interview on 21-6-1966, with one Mr.Muthukrishnan- Maths professor at Nachimuthu Polytechnic in Pollachi .




Later, I attended interview with the Board of members responsible for admissions in the institution.

I was only asked to commit for a minimum of First Class in all my exams failing which I will be sent off. I took this as challenge as I knew my condition to adhere to it.

Hence started a journey of challenges, commitments and hurdles which is yet to find conclusion, as it has taken different forms at different times.( The present tune is of trying to manage time at 61 years of existence)

FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS,
I did not go near the radio, did not know what film was screened in the theatres I was passing thru’ and never knew anything other than my studies. I had the privilege of taking maximum no. of books from college library for study purpose. The Principal, (Mr.Arumugam) supported my honest requirement and encouraged me to study very well.

I was encouraged to impart my notes to other fellow students and I was happy to do so. I also took classes for my juniors.

My maternal uncles helped me as usual, besides my uncle from my father’s side.

Still, my mother’s gold ornaments were pledged for my studies, as the funds from uncles were spent for other needs as well. My father was even more worried as his father was sick and hospitalized. So, when I came out with Distinction, there were more problems in the family and there was A GREAT EXPECTATION of fastest income from me.

During the three years of my study, I learned more about many Gods and Goddesses, as my mother always prayed for my early release with high first class and job in hand – soon I passed out. So much was the financial need in the family I could not think of anything else.

I shall add some specific incidents during these three years of study (1966-1969) separately, for those alone need better narration.





I donated all my notes and drawings to Nachimuthu Polytechnic for the use of junior / new students.

These notes were prepared after studying (I spent not less than 16 hours in all for my studies alone per day) several books on the subjects related and hence I did not want to dispose them differently.

During the month of July 1969, I had a call from Madras Refineries- a new company being set up near Madras - for an interview.

I went for the interview in Manali near Madras.I was shocked to learn that I was called only to complete formalities as most candidates were already chosen.

That day, I decided not to seek job in South India (Particularly in Tamil Nadu) as there is more bias towards a Brahmin than elsewhere.

During this visit, I personally met Mr. Muthian, - the then Director of Technical education. He also advised me to seek job in the North as there is back log of Graduate / Diploma Engineers seeking job since few years backwards. I learnt from many that Mr.Muthian was an anti-Brahmin character and never helped Brahmin boys.

I prepared to leave for North before 1-9-1969. I took a loan of Rs. 100.00 from a family friend Mr.S.L.D.Vaidhyanathan – Logic Professor at the local college – NGM College.

I did not want to remain in Pollachi on the dawn of 1-9-1969, hence made up my mind against all odds. My mother desperately called a family friend (Father of my NCC teacher at Dharmapuri-Mr.Venkatakrishnan) who happened to be a palmist and astrologer.

This gentleman, (I do not know his name), studied my horoscope, and my right hand palm, and assured my mother that I will be gainfully employed within 6 months. I will have tough time for six months ( It is winter from Oct-Mar in Delhi)

Some how my mother was convinced and was happy to let me leave for Ghaziabad(-near Delhi and is in Utter Pradesh)

I had no Railway reservation nor did I have any luggage, but sheer courage and determination to come up to support my family.

With a metal brief case, I left Pollachi on the last day of August 1969. The case contained my provisional Certificates, a pair of pants, shirts, dhoti, bath towel, soap, eatables for my bachelor uncle, besides a lousy shaving set.

I had sleepless nights, for three days. I managed to get a sitting reservation in the G.T Express and was very happy that I will reach Ghaziabad as scheduled on the 3rd of Sept.1969

I reached my Uncle’s work place un-announced. He was shocked than surprised to see me standing in his office on the afternoon of 3-9-1969.My express letter did not reach him on time and hence the shock.

My uncle ( Mr.Subramanian – affectionately known as Mani Uncle) arranged for my travel to his flat – using one of his reliable office assistant. My blue shirt had become dark (soot from the railway journey) and brown pants have become black.

The next day (4-9-1969) was Janmashtami and was holiday in Delhi areas. So, we had enough time to discuss about my conditions. In fact, he had already arranged for an interview at the HQ of IBM on 6-9-1969.

Those days telephone services were luxury and accessing it was equally a venture. I met Mr.Rajan on 5-9-69 and the interview was confirmed at the HQ.IBM HQ was on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg then.

I went there despite pouring rain and was early by 30 minutes- Interview was scheduled for 9AM on 6-9-69

I was treated so well, I forgot I was in India. I was given a questionnaire called APTITUDE TEST- all related to my studies and relevant knowledge required for the position of TRAINEE CUSTOMER ENGINEER.

Later I was interviewed by Department Manager Mr.Gupta. I was asked to meet another Manager at their Regional Office situated in the Parliament Street where the LIC office was also housed. I think it was JEEVAN VIHAR BUILDING



I was interviewed by one Mr.Pinto. He told me that I have scored 100% in the aptitude test and will soon be inducted as Trainee. - Mr.Pinto told me that he is disclosing the results as a special case as he was impressed by my performance)

Within few days, Indira Gandhi announced the closure of IBM operations in India. So, my chance to start working for IBM was quashed by the Prime Minister’s order.


I Will let you know, how everything was re-started again – hunt for suitable job etc; in the coming weeks.

V.Sivasubramaniam

08-06-2009