Memories of my Schooling and Youth

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Though I passed IV standard at Kolagadal School, one year(1944) was wasted as there was no nearby school.

In the year 1945 I joined the higher primary school (Kottur), which was 8 KM away from my home.  Those days V Standard final was was “center exam”. For the 4 surrounding H.E. Schools V standard exam was being held as center exam or public exam.

One fateful day the final result of the center was announced. The Headmaster H.S. Venkappay read out the names of promoted students. My name was not on the list of promotes !!

A below average batchmate of mine was promoted. He was very happy and when I was crying, ran homewards telling everybody…”Appanna had failed“.
By the time I reached home, it had become a big news in my neighborhood. My mother was crying as if someone had died. Not being able to tolerate the shock and insult, I decided to commit suicide by hanging in the cowshed. My elder sister who had come home for her first delivery noticed my antics and rescued me.

Next day my mother sent me to the school under the supervision of our tenant. When we both reached the Kottur Post Office, three teachers surrounded me and started introducing me to others. They said; ” He is the 1st Rank Holder in the exam center.”

Even today, after 80 years, I am perplexed. Why did that Headmaster failed to announce my result.

High school studies

In the year 1949 I passed my III form. I wished to go for high school studies. Nobody was there to support me except my mother, but she was helpless.

My teachers informed me about Napoklu High school. I had never seen Napoklu, which was about 15 miles away. On 18th, May 1949, I started for Napoklu from home.

As it had rained heavily, river Cauvery was in spate. Boat was there, but without a boatman. I stripped and tied my shirt and shorts to my head and Swam across. When I reached, I found the high school was shut. It had not started after summer vacation.

An old man, Kanganda Belliappa, inquired about me. After knowing my ambition and plight, he offered me shelter and food. On 22nd, May 1949 he admitted me to the High School. For one year I studied in Napoklu.

Central High school Madikeri.

In 1950, I decided to join Central High School Madikeri. Four miles away from the town at Galibeedu, one poor farmer, Kuttappa, offered to feed me – subject to the condition that I have to work with him on weekly and other holidays. He was very poor, so I agreed for his conditions and joined Central High School. One year my aunt fed me.

I was well above average in all subjects except English. In my SSLC exam though I scored high marks, in English I scored only 26  marks and failed. My School life ended there.

Not able to tolerate the humiliation, on 13th June 1952 I ran away from home and joined Finlayson Brothers. They are Scottish planters and they treated me like their son.

In 1953, I passed My SSLC as a private(external) candidate. On 26th June,1953 reported for duty as a Primary School teacher at Parane school.

31-3-1954 Termination

Most of the untrained teachers were terminated from service. Their monthly salary Rs.80/- stopped.

I wished to see Mysore, Belur, Halebeedu, Gomateshwara statue and some other famous temples and also Mangalore and Arebian sea at Manglore and Kasaragod. In order to save bus charge i preferred to travel by foot.

On the 2nd April, 1954 I started from Home. Visited all important places in Mysore City and around, walked upto Hassan, Belur, Halebidu, Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola. On reaching Sakleshpur, I walked to Mangalore and spent hours together at the sea shore. From there proceeded to Kasaragod and after 22 days returned home.

On my tour I was sleeping on the verandas of primary schools, bathing and washing clothes in rivers. In villages generous people offered me food and shelter.

I was re-appointed  as primary school teacher at Godally on 1-5-1954.

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