THE GOLDEN MEMORY OF MY FIRST TRAINING AT PUNE
I have joined in the Govt of
During 1972 even though my qualification is higher than the post required .My basic was Re150/+allowances and the total emolument was Re.367/ and I was happy to hold a government post even though the salary was less than what I had from the previous company
During that period only telex machines were used for foreign telegrams and the main earning of OCS was only from telegrams. I was working in Telegraphic maintenance and development centre and our work was keeping the maintenance
Of telex machines,transmitters and KBP Key Board perforators and Time stamp machines .We were coming in shifts along with JTAs and TA from technical and for minor faults we used to attend it in the circuit itself and for major fault we will give good machines for replacement .Our Forum friends Mr.ramachandran ,Mr.S.Srinivasan.Mr.R.Srinivasan ,Mr.Venkatesa perumal were also coming on shift with us.
After few year I and my collegue Mr.Desiga Vinayogam were selected for training in telex machines at Pune. The order was given suddenly we could not find time to reserve ticket for the journey and we have decided to perform the journey by unreserved compartment . Self and Vinayagom went to central station and found that there was more crowd in the unreserved compartment and there was no place for even standing ,finally we jumped into a compartment and unfortunately that compartment was a reserved for Military (FOWJI COMPARTMENT) and a north Indian soldier has shouted at us to get down immediately as it was reserved only for the military people .We don’t know what to do and finally one tamil soldier came to our rescue and he pacified him in such away the north Indian soldier finally allowed us to travel in that compartment .That compartment was in a horrible conditions and there was no cushion for the seats but only small wooden blanks was there and no berth was available .We sat on the wooden seat and try to sleep but were unable to sleep due to fear of some other soldier may force us to get down .
The train has reached Pune at 4.00Hrs in the morning and bus for Dighi was only available at 5.30 Hrs. and we had decided to sleep in the railway platform itself .
At about 5.00 One policeman has waked us asked in hindi whom we were and what for we were sleeping there . We have shown our ID card and explained him the purpose of our visit.
At about 5.30 Hrs we have boarded in a bus which was bound for dighi and the conductor asked us where we wants to go and I said “Dighi” and again asked me which place in Dighi and I said VSNL dighi and it seems that he could not understand what I said and finally I told him to give 2 tickets for Dighi wireless station.
Finally we reached Dighi and we were allotted accommodation in the hostel . That hostel was fully crowded by north Indians we found difficulties in communicating with them even though I have studied hindi in my school days. In the night we were unable to sleep well due to new place and new atmosphere
Next day we got up early and went to the canteen for our break fast .We were provided with corn flake mixed with milk and we were hesitating to take it because the stuff was new to us .We were given Alu parotta with sabji .we were having the habit of eating idli, dosa we found difficulty in chewing chapattis and parottas.
After finishing the breakfast we were going for the training class suddenly some roaring noises were coming from the sky and we saw 5 caravan planes were flying at greater speed and we were told that the military people were going for the trial run.
After the class was over we simply return back to hostel for the reason our stomach was paining and we were suffering from dysentery and most of the other people were having the same problem . Finally we found that it was due to the Cotton seed oil which was used for cooking. Immediately we went toMr.Surendran who was incharge for the hostel and reported about our problem and asked him to change the oil immediately and has given warning to him that if the oil is not changed we were not going to take any thing from the canteen . Mr.surendran has instructed the head cook to change the oil immediately
Every day after the class was over we used to go Pune using our office van and have visted all the main places in pune including Budhwarpet as a spectator and not as a customer and use to return to Dighi using the last trip of the van.
In one Saturday and Sunday myself and mr.Vinayogam have decided to visit Mumbai with out informing the concerned official and went round all the main places of Mumbai. Finally we came to a pawn shop as Mr.Vinayaqam wants to taste
Baba 120 a chewing tobacco . /In spite of my warning He has taken baba 120 and swallowed the juice that caused him to swoon. I don’t know what to do ? if any thing happened to him I may be responsible for that.Finally I have dragged him to a nearby place called “
During the holidays I used to play table tennis with other colleague .One gentleman from Delhi whose name I have forgot was playing brilliantly and his back hand play was very good and he has defeated almost all the persons from other branches except me . I have observed his play keenly and found that he was weak in facing spin sevices..I have beaten him 3-2 games using my top spin services .
After 10 days our training program came to end and we felt sorry for parting with our new friends . During our training session Mr.Goerge , Mr.Surendran and many staffs were very cordial and helped us in many ways