Dr Ap Ranga Rao 643v29

HOPPING MEMORIES

Dr A P RANGA RAO

HOPPING MEMORIES By Dr A P Ranga Rao

Copyright@2018 Dr AP Ranga Rao

Published by Prema Malini Vanam National Information Services Hyderabad 99482 54587 Designed by Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao 8008137012 (M)

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Acknowledgments My grandson Ved Aitharaju sent me a mail when he was 8 years old from USA asking me if I could recommend any book to read in English about the life in India during our childhood. He could not read or write in Telugu but could speak it fluently. I wrote to him that I would try and send few pages of typed material about my memories of past every week which may be more relevant to him as to how his ancestors lived. In addition, I sent him some books in English which were coming closer to his expectations. It was solely intended to be a family and friends book sharing our past. I did that over a period of a year when I had free time and completed covering the period of life from 1942 to 1996. I shared it with few other relatives and friends. Bhandaru Srinivas Rao translated couple of chapters into Telugu. Few gave suggestions, and many encouraged to write. Professor Maramraj Satyanarayana Rao Garu, and Jandhyala Kameswari gave some useful advice. Jwala Narasimha Rao has brought out this in few copies printed for circulation amongst friends and relatives. Some others helped him in this. I thank all the above for the time and effort and above all for their love and warmth. My profuse thanks to Aditya Krishna Roy for writing the “Introduction”; to V Jwala Narasimha Rao and VJM Divakar for writing “Unfolding Memories or Yours Truly Dr AP Ranga Rao”; to Anil K Jampala for writing “Dr Aitharaju Pandu Ranga Rao I know”; to Venkat Changavalli for writing “Dr Ranga Rao I Know” and to Bhandaru Ramachandra Rao for writing “About the book and author”. My thanks to Prema Malini Vanam for the cover design and to National Information Services for publishing the book. Dr AP Ranga Rao Author

Introduction It is my absolute privilege to introduce “Hopping Memories”. Penned by a great scholar, unparalleled humanist and realist of our times, whose mere existence and an unexpected chance crossing of paths with has transformed innumerable lives, this book is a window to the simple way in which he has lived a very complex and multidimensional life, never losing sight of the immediate for the unknown, yet never missing out on the unknown for the safe. The nature and style of narrative that the author has adopted, speaks to the very foundations of his personality and is a window into his brilliant life. Read this book to experience the simple building blocks that went into creating a person who has transformed the understanding and practice of the field of public health, definitely in his state of birth and arguably across India. Read this book to understand how simple traditional family values, ordinary family connections and upbringing, helped create a doctor whose life has taken him across multiple continents, and whose pursuit of knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge has seen no limits. As you turn the pages, I hope you will recognize, as I did, that a book is defined by the author, the author by his words, and the words by his thoughts. Hold this book in your hands, knowing that the author’s unflinching pursuit of life has converted itself into simple, yet innately meaningful words and thoughts. That combined with a fierce ability to see and say things as they are has helped leave indelible marks on every person or domain he has ever interacted with. Any book can potentially deliver the author in his entirety to the audience, but as anyone who has met the man in person will know, you will never have enough of him. This book does a great job of merging the written with the real.

And I am sure Kipling would agree that here was a man who talked with crowds, yet did not lose his virtue, walked with kings, yet did not lose the common touch. Read on, it’s a journey worth taking. Aditya Krishna Roy

Unfading Memories Or Yours Truly, Dr AP Ranga Rao Daivam Manushya Rupena (Lord will not manifest Himself in the kind of form that we see in pictures of deities, but His manifestation can be felt through acts of people who try to help us). This is what essentially and in essence Dr AP Ranga Rao is. He is truly like an elder brother in a huge t family who takes care of everyone under his fold often ignoring his own personal needs and desires. He is a Good Samaritan for everyone who came to him. People gained wisdom from his words, humility from his deeds, comion from his services. For many of his irers and followers, Dr AP Ranga Rao is like cool shade on a harsh summer and warm shelter during bitter winter. During his 75-odd years of life experiences, Dr AP Ranga Rao had weathered many a storm, wade through the floods and always with his sheer grit, dedication and commitment, gave back to the society more than what society gave him. From Khambhampadu in the erstwhile Madras Presidency to Hyderabad, from 1948 till date, Dr Ranga Rao has a vivid and photographic memory of every incident in his long journey. While recalling his early childhood, Dr Ranga Rao writes, “The smell of the roasted coffee beans, the whizzing sound of the manual grinder the swirling smoke of Beedi and red ambers of the fire wood are the associated memories. There are many such frames of minor detail of day today life. Another was lying in the cloth cradle tied to the roof beam and someone would go on swinging it. The other is the monthly istration of castor oil to the children. The child was wrapped and held on the outstretched lower limbs of elder and mouth forcibly opened, and an ounce of castor oil istered. This was supposed to cleanse the bowel of the child”.

“Another frame that comes to my mind is the morning breakfast. In the house we were nearly 10 children and another 15 adults. It was a great strain on my grandfather to bring up such a big family. All the children were fed with the leftover cooked rice from the previous evening mixed with “Aavakaya” (a pickle unique to Telugu people) and curds for breakfast. The children used to assemble after their morning rituals and the mixed rice was distributed by an elder a morsel each till our bellies for full. No plates were used. The adults had coffee or milk.” In his long and very successful profession as a Government but non-practicing doctor, activist, trade unionist, consultant to many national and international health projects Dr Ranga Rao also involved himself deeply in active politics though not connected with political parties. So much so that at one point of time, Dr Ranga Rao is tipped to be the president of the then Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, by none other than the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi himself. Dr Ranga Rao is also responsible for making and training many political leaders who attained some very important positions later. His proximity to Rajiv Gandhi and other top political leadership like PV Narasimha Rao did not deter him to plan many innovative schemes, programmes for the benefit of the people in general and the poor in particular especially in medical and health sector. Beginning his government service in 1966, Dr Ranga Rao has successfully combined his professional life with his ion for social service. Be it associating himself with Dr Sethi, the inventor of Jaipur foot, or working for the leprosy patients, getting new innovations done in the field of medical care. His long association with the Red Cross Organisation, Chethana, a NGO started by the then Governor of AP Smt Sharda Mukherjee, National Institute Social Action and host of other organisations, helped these organisations flourish in their field of work. Dr Ranga Rao’s narration of his experience as a doctor from Red Cross in the strife torn Jaffna in Sri Lanka during the

bloody battle between the IPKF and the dreaded LTTE is both scary and nail biting. His narrative is like a gripping screenplay of a war film. What impresses the readers, in the entire course of his narration is, Dr Ranga Rao’s ability to stay cool even in the dangerous situations in life. Even among those deadliest and most scary situations, one is sure that Dr Ranga Rao must be smiling as his wont, always. Of the many achievements and innovative schemes that Dr Ranga Rao designed and successfully implemented for the better of the people, one programmes stands tall and shiny, though it does not find place in this book. The way he conceptualized 108 services is alone sufficing to show the innovative mind of Dr Ranga Rao, which helped lakhs of people to survive. His ion, his dedication and his commitment to whatever he undertook is worth emulating. Taking cue from B Ramalinga Raju, Dr Ranga Rao and his close team have designed and implemented 108 services, which became a torchbearer for many states in the country. 108 services are the single game changer in the annals of the country’s medical services history and the first of its kind most successful Public Private Partnership. It is this service helped political leaders like Dr YS Rajasekar Reddy get back into the power for a second term. After reading through his Memoirs, one would get a feeling that Dr Ranga Rao should have at length dwelled upon one of the greatest and most innovative programme in the country, the 108 services. For reasons best known to him, Dr Ranga Rao did not mention in detail about these emergency medical services, which have become a milestone in the annals of medical services history in the country. We are sure Dr Ranga Rao would find time to reminisce his contribution and memories as well as the great work done there in yet another Hopping Memories which part two in the series could be. Dr Ranga Rao is equally credited with 104 services and Fixed Day Health Services as well as the popular Tele-Medicine projects. Yet another feather in his cap is the way he conceptualized and implemented another innovative project called Essential

Medical Services, popularly known as the EMS. Through EMS, Dr Ranga Rao made essential and emergency medical services within the reach of common man especially the middle class among the bureaucrats. At the EMS, Dr Ranga Rao himself supervised and overseen the day to day services, much to the relief of a large chunk of middle class then who could ill afford the costly medical services and treatment. Dr Ranga Rao’s Hopping Memoirs, gives us not only a peep into the life of him but also gives us a wide landscape of our society in all its splendour through various stages of happiness, sorrow, setbacks, victories, small mercies, wonderful human relationships within the family as well as outside of it. It also gives the reader a bird’ eye view of the political, social, economic landscape of the country vis-a -vis the world. Dr Ranga Rao also garnishes the narrative with certain milestones of the past such as Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Khammam, assassination of US President Kennedy etc., The entire auto biography also touches upon his own family tree and important events like marriages, births and deaths within his clan. Dr Ranga Rao never minced the words not ever tried to push matters under the carpet. He walked the talk and he continues to do so. This is not a mere auto biography, but a compilation of rich experiences, incidents, anecdotes, comion, love, humility, service to people and above all a guide to good, meaningful, contended living. We are sure and confident that Dr Ranga Rao’s hopping memories will be immense use for the researchers, academicians, historians, journalists, social scientists and above all for those who still believe in basic human values and ethics. The following poem by Robert Frost’s almost summarises Dr Ranga Rao and his wonder life experiences.

The Road Not Taken

By Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both, And be one traveller, long I stood, And looked down one as far as I could, To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the ing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. V Jwala Narasimha Rao And VJM Divakar

Dr Aitharaju Pandu Ranga Rao I knew I was reading a book “The Road to Character” by David Brooks. I thought would it not be great to document my impressions of Dr Ranga Rao, whom I greatly ire for his vast medical experience abroad and in urban, rural and tribal areas of India, public service, leadership, innovation, creativity, frankness and clarity of thought. Note that this is predominantly covers EMRI-108 related work I am very familiar with. I wish we had similar success with Geriatric Management and Research Institute (GMRI) in which he was also interested later. Our initial meeting After I agreed to the “Emergency Services” project Ramalinga Raju contemplated (in 2004), I started working with Dr Balaji Utla, head of Satyam Foundation. Dr Balaji took me to Dr Ranga Rao’s home one evening; it was around 7 or 8 PM and we had good discussion about emergency services concept. Pre-EMRI days It was Dr Ranga Rao who promoted the idea of Research and Training as a must, in addition to Emergency Services. The result is a very unique institution (EMRI) in the world. Even the definition of Emergency used by EMRI had been drafted mostly with inputs from Dr Ranga Rao. Dr Ranga Rao, Dr Balaji, Srikanth, my friend Hiranya and B. Srinivasa Rao (another Advisor, retired Andhra Bank official) would have daily discussions. I a 2-day brainstorming session at Satyam Technology Center, mind mapping various types of emergencies and how to handle them. EMRI days Dr Ranga Rao played a key role in Ambulance design (and what goes into the ambulance) and Patient Care Record (PCR) helping YNS Kishore. Dr Ranga Rao helped Ashok Kondapi in finalizing the EMRI’s Care Manual.

I would pick up Dr Ranga Rao and on our long drive to EMRI campus from his house in Somaji Guda, we would converse. Once, he shared an insight given to him in his early days in UK after he recommended discharging a patient, an old lady. He was told he was medically right but on comionate grounds, the patient could have stayed in the hospital for some more time. I am sure it had an impact on him; I always felt he was very ionate and comionate. I was sharing with Dr Ranga Rao a story I heard at Mysore Palace tour. According to local legend, a priest had a curse on a Mysore Maharaja and said the Maharajas will NOT have male heirs in the future. True to that, they did not have heirs and had to adopt. Dr Rao has an easy, rational explanation: He said Priests usually bless the rulers in the evenings daily. If they introduce any herbs in the “Teertha” (holy water) that would prevent conception, then, Maharaja will not have any kids, and this could happen for several generations! Entirely logical and feasible explanation! Dr Mohan Kanda, then Chief Secretary to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, suggested we meet district and local officials ahead of 108 launches. So, Dr Ranga Rao, Venkat Changavalli (who became CEO of EMRI in April 2005) and I travelled to Vijayawada, Warangal, Vishakhapatnam and Tirupati, the first four cities outside of Hyderabad where 108 was to be launched. Where ever we went, Dr. Ranga Rao had plenty of s in medical fraternity. In Tirupati, Dr. Ranga Rao took me to a government office established years ago to help handicapped people, during NTR’s regime; some of the staff did recognize him. (Dr Ranga Rao brought the Jaipur foot to Andhra Pradesh) His leadership was instrumental in EMRI establishing good rapport and with medical professionals. Vizag visit: Venkat, Dr Ranga Rao and I were in Vizag to meet hospitals and officials. Next day morning, we were supposed to be in Hyderabad for a meeting with Raju. Due to heavy rains, Vizag airport was closed (runway was inundated with water). Swaroop, our regional manager, was hopeful he

would get us berths on the night train in Emergency Quota. Unfortunately, it did not work. So, he managed to get one upper berth for three people! The person who was the occupant of lower berth had a tail bone problem. Dr. Ranga Rao gave him a “chitka” (advice) for his condition. Either for that reason or whatever, the gentleman took the upper berth. That allowed three of us to sit on the lower berth for several hours, till the train reached Vijayawada and we were happily discussing even at that late hour. Finally, we got two more berths and got few winks of sleep. Dr Ranga Rao was also keen on accreditation of hospitals and regional trauma centre so that quality of emergency care provided can be standardized. Unfortunately, we did not have great success in these areas. Dr Ranga Rao was in favour of Red Cross type, district based EMRI centres with greater autonomy and local control. Instead, we had a strong, centrally controlled organization. (Each had its own merits and de-merits.) Dr Ranga Rao advocated for paid inter-hospital transfers or hospital to home transfer as a means of raising revenue for the service, mortuary vans and boat ambulances (where navigable water is the main transportation). I showed him the picture of golf cart ambulance Toronto EMS had and he immediately said three-wheeler (Auto) ambulances would be a great idea to reach patients in slums or where streets are very narrow for regular ambulance. Dr Rao was very keen to develop indigenous tools, techniques, and training methods that suit Indian conditions much better. Our visits were not limited to AP alone. Whenever I needed another view, I would request him to accompany me. I will mention few such visits: Bihar visit: Early on (2004 or 2005), Bihar Government Health officials were keen to know what we are doing at EMRI and invited us. Dr Ranga Rao, I and one more visited Patna and had fruitful discussions. We visited the Patna General Hospital in the morning hours and I was taken aback by the stretchers

bringing out dead-bodies covered with cloth. Dr Ranga Rao calmly explained that they must have died in the night. Too bad, Bihar till now does not have 108 services. Delhi visits: Two visits were memorable. Dr Ranga Rao, Srinivasa Rao, Venkat, Kishore and I were working late till 2 AM drafting and revising some documents for discussions with Dept. of Telecom officials later that day. I was the youngest in the group, yet everyone was fully active and engaged. Such was the ion. When Dr Ranga Rao worked in Bhadrachalam area (known for the famous Rama temple and part of tribal area), he became good friends with IAS officers and they later occupied senior positions in AP and Delhi. He also knew Sanjay Baru, who was working with PM Dr Manmohan Singh, very well. Dr Ranga Rao was gracious enough to invite them to a dinner with Venkat and me. It was a very fruitful evening. Few weeks later, one of the IAS officers, J. Hari Narayan, became Chief Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh. Perhaps in 2009, I took Dr Ranga Rao’s help to visit Reliance Foundation officials, in their sparkling new offices in Navi Bombay. After few hours of wait, finally, the VicePresident met us and shared his experience A 9-1-1. Dr. Ranga Rao, with a poker face, said, our visit was a big waste. The Vice-President was taken aback (and so was I). Dr. Rao said to him “you exactly understood why we are here in no time and we need help of Reliance to take 108 to other states”. Unfortunately, not much came of this visit, due to many reasons. Karachi Visit: Dr Ranga Rao and I spent 48 hours in Karachi, Pakistan from early hours of 9-November-2006 to early hours of 11-November-2006 since Ramalinga Raju asked us to visit Edhi Foundation which was running the largest fleet of volunteer ambulances in the world and see what we could learn from them. We received a warm reception from one and all we interacted (at Edhi foundation, Civil Hospital, Aga Khan University, Pakistan Red Crescent-Red Cross, Saint John’s

ambulance service). As D Ranga Rao said, we did not find even a single difference! When we met Abdul Sattar Edhi, Dr. Ranga Rao bent down and touched Edhi’s feet (a typical Indian custom to show reverence, particularly to elders). I was surprised, and I asked him later why he did that. Dr Ranga Rao replied “Edhi is doing a great humanitarian service.” Dr Ranga Rao, the magician: while we were waiting at Aga Khan university, we were chatting with our Pakistani colleagues. Dr Ranga Rao said, “I can make a person levitate without touching him”. No one believed and challenged him to prove. A chair was brought, and a Pakistani colleague sat in it and we were watching with our fingers crossed, holding our breath. Several seconds later, the person did levitate few inches. I still cannot believe this feat! Tail piece Whenever I read something interesting or innovative, I will email him a link with a note and he would respond with his insights. He always appreciated my internet-based research work at EMRI. He also used to tease my colleague SS Sriram saying Sriram would have a mobile phone chip implanted in his ear soon. On August 15, 2015, Dr Ranga Rao organized an impromptu 10-year anniversary meet of 108 launches at a short notice. Most of the people who played a key role were able to attend and reminisce about “good old days”. Ranganatham Veluru might have audio recording of some of the conversations. It was a great evening. I am sure the book written by Dr Ranga Rao-his autobiography like, the Hopping Memories will be of immense use for the future and present generations. Anil K. Jampala

Dr Ranga Rao I Know

I met Dr Ranga Rao first time on 16th April 2005 at Hyderabad, Second day of my ing as CEO of EMRI. It was the 1st review meeting with Ramalinga Raju, Chairman of EMRI. He was part of many review meetings and would speak only when necessary. I have been meeting Dr Ranga Rao since then for the last 13 Years. He is extremely positive person. He is ever willing to do good for others. He is vey Tech Savvy, innovative and helpful. Before launching 108 services in August 2005, I travelled with him to Vijayawada, Vizag, Chittoor and Warangal to meet district officials like Collectors and Superintendents of Police. He advised me how to respect district officials. I recall one incident where he advised me that I should get up and leave the collector’s room before he gives you signal to leave. I spent almost a week with him at Delhi preparing IENA document (Indian Emergency Number Authority) in July 2005 for setting up National Emergency Services and submitted the same to Secretary, Telecom Dr J Sreedhar Sharma and Minister Dayanidhi Maran. I also travelled with him to various cities and towns in AP to meet private hospitals and doctors who have their own private ambulances to get their views about our 108 project. One person who must be credited for EMRI for ideation and preparatory work is Dr Ranga Rao (ably assisted by Anil Jampala, YNS Kishore, Sudhakar Varanasi and Dr Balaji). He gave extensive inputs later, on the processes, technology and training. We used to meet twice a week for deg ambulance. With his inputs, the design is integrated from functional, clinical, patient/relative friendly and aesthetic perspectives. He invited his anaesthetist friends to get their views on ambulance designs.

He guided us on conducting successful doctors meet before launching the scheme and made sure that hospitals/doctors perceived it be helpful to them. I am happy that we launched 108 ambulances in Khammam (Dr Ranga Rao’s native District) on 27th February 2006. He spoke extremely well during the launch. I got the opportunity to speak about Dr Ranga Rao and felicitated him for his contributions. Last, I worked with him was on the Highway road safety project for insurance companies. I am not today what I am, but for his inputs, guidance, and wishes. I consulted him number of occasions personally for my family/health issues. I am fortunate that I attended many of his family functions and it was my privilege to have known such a great person. I am confident that his book Hopping Memories will be highly useful to all those who would like to adhere to lofty principles and ideals the way Dr Ranga Rao observed always and all the time. Venkat Changavalli

About the book and author My strong desire to write a few words about the book and about the author got stumbled to some extent due to some equally strong inhibition. Reason is the author Dr A P Ranga Rao happens to be my closest nephew and friend, who is just ten days elder to me and who was born in the same village and same house along with me. Because of this intimate family and extremely intimate personal relationship, I am forced to ration out some of my most genuine expressions of love, iration and appreciation about the book and its author. The book, very aptly titled HOPPING MEMORIES makes a comfortable and interesting reading about his childhood remotest memories, in ordinary and backward villages belonging to maternal and paternal grandfathers. The life in two contrasting villages-one in the then Madras presidency and the other in the then Nizam state about 70 years ago has been beautifully scripted. There is very interesting narration about the village festivals, rituals, beliefs, deliveries of women with the help of illiterate village Dai, mantras for scorpion, snake bites etc. There are some interesting incidents about his chance meetings with Andhra Kesri Prakasam Pantulu and Bhogaraju Pattabhi. My brother-in-law and his father being a staunch freedom fighter, Dr Ranga Rao’s memories reveal a thread of nationalism and patriotism. The most notable and interesting part of this book and in fact the life and essence of this book is about his long stay in Bhadrachalam as Government Medical officer. In my view, Bhadrachalam reinvented Dr Ranga Rao. It was in Bhadrachalam, a new RANGA RAO was born, a reformist, a people's doctor, a relentless fighter against malpractices in his own medical department, a one man army who changed the face of Government hospital and a fearless warrior against corruption. He used Bhadrachalam as his laboratory for all his daring experiments in social and medical fields.

The fighter Ranga Rao, then landed in Hyderabad and many more experiments followed. There are interesting and truthful narrations in this book about various pathbreaking reforms and projects in AP Handicapped cooperative finance corporation, Indian Red Cross etc. Though he did not try to take much credit, he really proved to be a great institution builder by starting EMS, NIS etc. He also mentioned in the book his intimate association with some of the outstanding, highly people-oriented IAS officers, with unquestioned integrity like Chandra Mowli, Harinarayan, Jainder Singh, PVRK Prasad etc. The narration about his meeting with late Rajiv Gandhi is also interesting. This book, in a way, is incomplete. Dr Ranga Rao along with his visionary friend Dr Balaji is the architect of two most popular schemes 108 and 104 in combined Andhra Pradesh. His contribution will be written in golden letters as long as these two schemes are there. I hope someday Dr Ranga Rao will write on this also as it will become an inspiring story for younger generation. In this book, Dr Ranga Rao mentioned that his father always had a soft corner to weaker persons in his family, community, village and society in general. Dr Ranga Rao inherited this noble quality in most abundant manner. Hundreds of our relatives received his help and without asking. Perhaps no one in our family did so much for his native place-JANMABHOOMI. Dr Ranga Rao has unmasked, unhidden, open and brazen contempt against injustice, hypocrisy, artificial display of humility and corruption-both financial and intellectual. There is always a fire in him-a burning fire and fighting spirit. Surprisingly, we don't see that fire in this book. Possibly, he wanted to be modest. The book has got all elements-except self-praise and hatred against others. That is why, I commend this book to all our relatives and his vast circle of friends. Bhandaru Ramachandra Rao

INDEX S No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

CONTENT 1942-Infancy 1943-1947- Childhood 1947-1949- Middle childhood…. Political history Memory Lane- my remotest memories Village life at that time Festivals Earliest experiences with illness Breast-feeding Rituals Delivery by a Blind Dai Exposure to Vaccination Adoptions in Family Early Education Clothing and Footwear Lighting and Making Fire Cooking on the Firewood Daily routine in the middle-class families in the village Early Marriages Transport …. Commuting usually by walk Communications mostly by Courier 1949-1952- Late Childhood 1953-1958- Adolescence Studies in Kama Reddy SR&BGNR Collage, Khammam:1957-58 Becoming a Doctor: Hyderabad-Summer 1958 Arts and Science college, Warangal:1958-59 Gandhi Medical College:1959-1964 April -1961 to June -1962: 2nd Year and 3rd Year (Jr) in Medical college Stay at Narayan Guda…June-62 to May 63: (3rd year (Senior) and 4th year (Junior) My Marriage

31.

Houseman ship: January 64 to December64 at Gandhi Hospital 32. The Rural Medical camp 33. As Civil Assistant Surgeon Khammam: January 1966 34. Medical Officer- Burgumpad: 1966-68 35. Tommy 36. Family Planning Programme 37. Vasanthostavalu and Godavari Floods 38. Flood Baby 39. That day I decided to learn more of Obstetrics Floods-No water to clean 40. Misplaced Charity 41. Tribal-Sustainable nutrition 42. Epidemics – Disobedience 43. Sivaratri 44. Assembly elections 45. Going to be a Father… Opportunity to go to UK 46. Preparation to go to UK Obtaining NOC from Government of AP 47. Obtaining port and “P” Form 48. My first Air Travel 49. Arrival in UK 50. Stay in United Kingdom…Dumfries 51. In Pontefract 52. My first case - Electric shock 53. Driving License 54. Pay and other details 55. Social needs and Health care 56. Health care and System failures 57. Misuse and Health Care 58. Birth of Bharath 59. Park Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester 60. Buying my first Car 61. Drums and Emergencies 62. Marriage of Harinath and Kalpana 63. Karuna and Bharath in UK

64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98.

Locum Jobs Tredegar Mother-in-law died: Karuna’s departure for India Hope Hospital… Dr Pulliah Chetty Loss of port-Stranded in UK Illness Bangladesh Born Ladywel Hospital - Reg a job Chinese Doctor As a Student of Tropical School Friendship with Tom Manohar arrives…. Bye to UK Life in UK Return to India Government Civil and ID Hospitals- Bhadrachalam 7th October 1972 to 14th October 1978 My experience with private practice Misuse and Disuse of medicines X-Ray Plant restoration Fixed day Pediatric Services Repairs and renovation Guest House for Hospital Anesthesia Equipment Establishing Hospital Kitchen Dr NRV Swamy and Temple honors Additional Residential Accommodation I too bribed! Two tros torn for learning Scooter driving Andhra agitation Harinarayan as Sub Collector Tom and the riddle Most ired Fake Doctor Law of torts Gupta Sahayam The Case of Missing Medicines The Slap

99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134.

A fostered case Bidam- Pamnoor Hills Chatty Chandrasekhar Chakradhar Rao the RDO Jainder Singh as Sub Collector PVRK Prasad: Collector Khammam ITC Group Failures and Challenges Usha illness Maya (Jainder Daughter) Born The Three Krishnas Family planning programme-Emergency Breeding Bulls Van- Fixed day and fixed route services Snake Bites Ruptured Uteruses Branded as Extremist! Allegation Cultural Divide Meeting G. Krishna the Journalist Accident-Paraplegia-Suicide Post Jainder CM Jalagam Visits Vallabhi Jubbi (Vani) Marriage Divi Cyclone APPSC Selection-CMs intervention Demise of Father in law My stay in Bhadrachalam Family planning operation Visits to Bhadrachalam Exams- Postponement House Surgeon Stipend TACASA- District Branch Government Doctor's Guest House Activating Civil Assistant Surgeons Association APCASA Association Office

135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. 155. 156. 157. 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168.

Guest House at Anantapur A Madan Mohan- Minister for Health APCASA Newsletter First Strike Notice Second Notice-Strike Curfew-Communal Riots Hotel Haridwar: Strike Office Who is Dr Ranga Rao? Resign and me Medical Services declared as Emergency Services Court Cases and Suspensions Calling off strike unconditionally Welfare activities for Doctors Posted in Hyderabad Meeting Kaloji Narayan Rao Leprosy training Visit to Konark, Puri, and Bhubaneswar Gandhi Hospital- Anesthesia Department Treasure Hunt with KS Bhargava 1000 lights festival-Ramappa Temple Visit to Vellur Brahmotsavam Moving to Punjagutta Quarters Nela-Nela Vennela Working with differently abled AP Handicapped Coop Finance corporation UNICEF: Childhood disability BDL: Blind and Fuse Wires IPM: Rehydration powder Handicapped Survey in Medak-Gayathri help Anwar-Recruitment Sound Library Braille Press Hearing Aids Jaipur Foot

169. Release of Jaipur foot Indira Gandhi's participation in ZP meeting 170. Tricycles: Mobility Aids 171. Teacher Training programme for mentally retarded 172. Foot Care by Foot Wear 173. Raju - The attender 174. Elections in the State 175. National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) 176. Operation Blue Star 177. Birth of EMS (Essential Medical services) 178. ESMEDS Medical Shops 179. Stint in State TB Centre (STC) 180. National Information Services 181. Kala Bhairava Kennel Foundation 182. AP State Red Cross Society 183. National institute of Social Action (NISA) 184. Verni Residential school for the children of Jogins 185. HKNS (Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh) 186. Panchavati 187. Bharath Higher Studies 188. Sustaining a Fracture 189. Advisor IRCS- IPKF- Northern Sri Lanka 190. Meeting Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi 191. Trip to Kaulalampur 192. Freedom fighter Assignment of land – Toopran 193. Divining Water 194. Comfrey Plant 195. Homeopathy: Ten tissue salts

1942-Infancy I was born on 20th September 1942 in a small village in Khambhampadu, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh (at that time in Madras presidency under British rule), in a tiled house at 9.30 am on a Sunday. The house belonged to my maternal grandfather who was the head man/ revenue official of the village (Karanam)-I was the second child to my parents. I was delivered by a born blind birth attendant (Dai) who also delivered my mother. She delivered many more in my family without any deaths of either mother or the child at birth. All most all births happened at home in those days. The day I was born the situation in Great Britain was as under20th September 1942: As part of British war effort to conserve fuel every household is asked to bathe in no more than 5 inches of water, the royal family is leading the way with black lines painted on all baths in the royal household at a depth of 5 inches with posters all over the palace reminding all the need to conserve energy. My mother had no modern antenatal care. Neither she nor I were immunized against tetanus. My mother didn’t receive any iron supplementation. She was taken to her parent’s house few months before expected delivery and was made more comfortable with lot of rest and comfort and affection. After delivery the cord was cut with a sickle and I was put in a basket. The placenta was buried. I was given a wash and breastfed. No one was allowed into the room for 12 days and no one was allowed to touch us. The birth attendant collected the soiled clothes and it was her right to keep them. She was paid some grain. A horoscope was drawn, and all relatives were informed. My mother received a hot bath with water boiled with herbal leaves (Vavilaku) on third day. She received her daily baths in such fashion for 9 more days and on 12 th day had the big bath with turmeric paste etc. and a pooza was performed and a special rice dish (Pulagam- Rice and Jaggery)

was cooked and eaten. Then she was free to move in the house and mix with people. I too was given daily baths by elders or the birth attendant. They used to spread a cloth under my bottom and remove once it was soiled and wash and dry and reuse it. On 21st day after birth I was a given a name and I was also put in a cradle. During infancy I was not given any vaccination. I was breast fed till my younger sister was born after two years. However, at nine months on an auspicious day my first semi solid weaning supplementary feed was given to me in a hill temple 20 Kilometers away at a ceremony (Annaprasan). It was rice boiled with Jaggery (Payassam). Similarly, I had my first hair cut in a ceremony at the age of one year. I was taken care during this period by three of my maternal aunts who were not married then who were older to me by 13 to 9 years supervised by my maternal grandfather’s mother and her mother who were both widows. I was mostly nursed in a cloth swing tied to the beam of the roof or in a wooden cradle. Being the eldest born in my generation of the family I was most affectionately attended. All 24 hours someone attended on me and I was never left alone out of sight. There was no electricity in the house and kerosene lamps or castor lamps were used in the night. Almost every month my growth was marked by ceremonies and the miles stones of development were monitored. On the ninth day after my birth my grandmother delivered a male baby in the adjacent room and same birth attendant delivered him. We grew together and shared many joys of infancy together.

1943-1947- Childhood My recall memory for this period is very inadequate. I very little of this period. I don’t any of my elders telling me any time about my growth and activity during this period. I don’t know where I spent my childhood days. It could only be in my village Vallabhi in Khammam district at that time in Hyderabad state (Nizam state) or in my

maternal grandparent’s house where I was born which was in Madras presidency in Krishna District under British rule. My village was the border village between two states. The distance to my maternal grandparents’ village is only 15 Kilometers and the only mode of transport was bullock cart. There was no laid road. We had to cross a river to reach that village. This was the period of Second World War and the Indian independence movement. My father at that time being citizen of Hyderabad state was actively involved in uprising against Nizam rule. He ed his matriculation and was articulate and influential in the community. He was the first matriculate from the village. He was the only one who could read, write and speak English, Telugu, and Urdu in the village. My grandfather could speak and write Telugu and Urdu. The official and court language in Nizam state was Urdu. It was compulsory in the schools. My father was given in adoption to his uncle who had no children and inherited 200 acres of land in the village. His adopted father died in his thirties and my father from adolescence was the head of the family. The crops grown at that time were mostly (90%) rain fed dry crops like Jowar, ground nut, sesame, and pulses and tobacco. The lands were cultivated with the assistance of servants. He used to employ about 20 servants and had herd of bullocks, cows and goats and sheep. We had irrigated land under the village tank. Probably at that time he was the biggest land owner in the village. The leaders of the uprising demanding democracy from autocratic rule of Nizam in the district of Warangal to which our village belonged to were Mr. Jamalapuram Keshav Rao, who was a very popular mass leader and Madapati Hanumanth Rao, Madapati Ramchandra Rao, and Bommakanti Satyanarayana Rao. My father was a follower of Jamalapuram Keshav Rao who inducted him into politics. They have become state leaders in course of time. Incidentally all these leaders were related to each other.

There was rationing of kerosene, sugar, food grains in those days because of war. The world war was over with Hitler’s suicide on 30 th April 45 and dropping of atomic bomb on Hiroshima on 6th Aug 1945. India got its independence on 15th August 1947 from British rule but not Hyderabad state from Nizam rule. So, the struggle continued and was intensified. I stepped into my adolescence and my recall memory has commenced.

1947-1949- Middle childhood Political history My younger brother was born on 21 June 1947. My father was imprisoned in early 1948 as a political prisoner for offering Satyagraha by hoisting the Indian national flag and singing the Indian national anthem in my village in front of my house along with his cousin brother. They were imprisoned in Warangal Central Jail for nearly one and half years. Even though India got independence in 1947 the then ruler of Nizam state didn’t accept to merge his state either with India or Pakistan. He wanted it to be an independent nation. Kashmir was another such state. The population in the state of Hyderabad was mostly Hindu and the ruler was Muslim. In Kashmir the population was mostly Muslim, and ruler was Hindu. There were up risings against the rulers. Many great leaders of the movement like Jamalapuram Keshav Rao, Kolipaka Kishan Rao, Kolipaka Ramchandra Rao, Kaloji, Dasaradhi (poets), Hiralal Moria etc. were the jail mates of my father. In addition to this there were other leaders like Bommakanti, Vengal Rao, Channa Reddy etc. who were active outside organizing. Swamy Ramanand Thirtha, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Konda Venkat Ranga Reddy, Ramanuja Rao, Melkote, Vinayak Rao Vidyalankar, VB Raju, etc. were some of the other state leaders. There was also a parallel movement of communists started at that time headed by Ravi Narayan Reddy, Devulapalli Venkateshwara Rao, Narasimha Reddy,

Makhdoom, and Swarajya Laxmi. The communist movement got inspiration from leaders like Pucchalapalli Sundariah, Nagi Reddy, etc. from Madras presidency. To counter this popular demand Nizam instigated and promoted a Muslim by name Kasim Razvi who in turn organized a private army to suppress the movement. They were called Razakars. They used to indulge in loot arson and rape. To protect themselves from these atrocities many families fled to neighboring Madras state, Bombay state and Karnataka State. Many students left their studies and ed in other states. Two of my uncles went to Machilipatnam in Madras presidency to continue their studies. Our family i.e. my mother, my elder sister, and my younger sister Vidyavathi, left to my grandfather’s village in madras presidency. My father continued to be in jail. For some days we were also in an adjacent village “Gandrai” at 2 Kilometers distance along with my paternal grandparents. This village was in Madras Presidency. Gandhi was assassinated on 30th Jan 1948. Nehru was the prime minister of India; Sardar Patel was the deputy prime minister and Babu Rajendra Prasad was the president. After prolonged agitation in Hyderabad state for merger with Indian union, Sardar Patel decided to move and find a solution. He ordered the Indian army to march into Hyderabad from all the directions and secure it and merge with India. It was in the second-third week of September. It was called Police action. There was no great resistance and in 5 days Hyderabad state was secured and merged with India (Sep 17th, 1949). Nizam surrendered and Kasim Razvi, head of Razakars fled to Pakistan where he died. Nizam was made the Raj Pramukh i.e. Governor of Hyderabad state. KM Munshi was appointed as the . After few months Kutti Vellodi was made the first chief minister and till elections were held. Elections were held in April 1951 and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao was elected as the chief minister.

Memory Lane- my remotest memories The first memory I could recall from my remotest past was of the year of 1948. The first photographic memory was me sitting in the lap of my maternal grandfather and looking at the fire on which he was making his early morning coffee. He had the habit of roasting the coffee beans and grinding them and brewing the coffee at 5 am every morning. He would pick me up from bed after grinding the coffee beans and would lit the fire and squat in front of it cuddling me, and would smoke a “Beedi”- This was the first photograph memory that is imprinted and stored in memory lane. The smell of the roasted coffee beans, the whizzing sound of the manual grinder the swirling smoke of Beedi and red ambers of the fire wood are the associated memories. There are many such frames of minor detail of day today life. Another was lying in the cloth cradle tied to the roof beam and someone would go on swinging it. The other is the monthly istration of castor oil to the children. The child was wrapped and held on the outstretched lower limbs of elder and mouth forcibly opened, and an ounce of castor oil istered. This was supposed to cleanse the bowel of the child. Another frame that comes to my mind is the morning breakfast. In the house we were nearly 10 children and another 15 adults. It was a great strain on my grandfather to bring up such a big family. All the children were fed with the leftover cooked rice from the previous evening mixed with “Aavakaya” and curds for breakfast. The children used to assemble after their morning rituals and the mixed rice was distributed by an elder a morsel each till our bellies for full. No plates were used. The adults had coffee or milk. Behind our house was the Shiva temple. We used to offer our prayers there and play in the compound. They used to light the “kartheeka deepam” on the “dwaja sthambham” on all nights of Kartheeka maasam. This was the most delightful sight. This too remained as a photographic memory.

Another memory was seeing my father. My father was released in the last week of September 1949 after Hyderabad state was merged with Indian Union after police action ordered by Sardar Patel. He came to see us in my maternal grandfather’s house in Khambhampadu. He came by walk from Penuganchiprolu a village 5 Kilometers nearby. There was a bus up to that village. He came by bus to that village and walked to my maternal grandparents’ village. Few of us, the male children ran in his direction waving the national flag and shouting “Jai Hind”. For few minutes he was in doubt about the identity of his son since he has not seen him for a year and half. Slowly he recollected and picked me up and hugged me.

Village life at that time The house in which we were living was a big house with lot of open space. Most of the time we used to spend in the open space playing, or underneath the trees conversing- There were three of us of the same age group in the family who were the youngest and we were always pampered by other elder children or adults. They used to tell us many stories and teach us many games. Mostly we used to play hide & seek. All used to have two daily baths. Mostly it was with cold water drawn from the well. The bath water used to irrigate banana trees and other vegetable garden. All used to go to the nearby fields for defecation. For emergency or for night needs there used to be a place in the court yard for this purpose which was enclosed. There used to be three kerosene lamps in the night. Mostly we used to sleep in the open court yard, open to sky which was the most pleasant experience. We used to sing and play in the moon light. In each cot two of us used to sleep. The cots were of bamboo frame woven with jute thread. They used to pull the ends every evening to tighten so that they don’t sag. We were put in the village school where the mother tongue was Telugu. The school was a thatched shed and there used to be one teacher. He taught us Telugu alphabet. Mostly

it was memorizing. There were no benches or chairs for us to sit. We used to squat on the floor and in the sand. None had shoes with exception of my grandfather. We had no books or slates. We used to practice the writing alphabet in the sand with our fingers. Total strength of the school was not more than 15 out of which 8 were from my house. There was no electricity or piped water supply or road to this village. We were given oral rewards by the teacher like Sri, Chukka etc. We used to come home for lunch. Lunch used to be rice, soft lentil dal, vegetable like Brinjal, beans, Cucumber, ladies finger, Papad, Lentil soup (Pappucharu), Aavakaya and lentil powder, ghee and curds. We were served the food in aluminum plates, or in the leaves like “Vistari” or banana leaf. For the dinner we used to have similar menu. There were three widows at that time in the house. They were not taking the usual dinner. They would be served “Uppudi pindi”- My grandmother and her sister in law, and my grandfather’s mother used to cook for all the people. They used to observe “Madi”. We were not allowed to touch them. If we had to touch we had to remove all our clothes and go naked. My grandmother and her sister in law used to bring the drinking water from a well about 300 meters from the house. The water in the well in the house was of hard quality and was not fit for drinking. The vegetables were mostly grown in the yard or in the fields. We used to have cows and she buffaloes for milk, curds and ghee. We never used to buy them- They were all home grown are home made. They were in plenty. We were self-sufficient for food grains like rice, lentils, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables etc. The oil was obtained from the “Ganuga” by crushing the ground nut or sesame seed. All the daily used clothes like ladies’ sarees, and dhotis for men were woven and supplied by the weavers in the village. Only for some functions they used to buy vegetables like potatoes or tomatoes from market in town. Fruits were mostly the ones grown in the orchards or grown wild. They were seasonal. They were mostly Banana, Guava, Apple custard, Mangoes, Seema chintha, wild Regi kayalu. They were never bought.

In those days many festivals were observed and celebrated. The most interesting and important were Vinayakachaviti, Gowri vratam, Kartheeka maasam, Bathakammalu, Dasara, Deepawali, Sankranti, Ugadi, and Vanabhojanalu, etc. In addition, there were some other locally observed festivals. There were also ceremonies. Many “Vrathams” performed which were optional.

Festivals Vinayakachaviti: It is an important festival that all used to observe in the village. The delightful thing about this was collecting the needed leaves (Patri) and flowers (Pushpalu) to decorate and use for worship (Pooza) of the God. The list is prescribed and is there in the Stotram. All the children used to go the fields and collect them. It was a challenge to find them. Children by the age of 9 yrs. could identify most of them and also knew their location. We could go anywhere and collect them. There were no restrictions. For collecting lotuses, we used to take the help of elders. Usually all these were collected the previous day or early in the morning of the pooza day. Usually children were brought new clothes and after head bath we used to wear them and perform pooza. The idol was made up of mud. It used to be prepared by Potter (“Kummari) and given every year. The Brahmin used to come and perform pooza and all the children used to place their books and slates etc. at the feet of the Idol. The Brahmin would narrate the story, and everyone was to listen to that to ward off evil curses. Lunch was served afterwards with special dishes like “Undrallu” and “Bakshalu”- In the evening we used to throw “Undrallu” on the house tops. We were prohibited to see the moon that night. Next day we used to collect the idol along with all the flowers, and leaves and leave it at the base of any plant or throw it in the river, pond, lake or well. Gowri vratam: It was performed by the females for the wellness and prosperity of the family. It was performed on Tuesdays and Fridays in sravana maasam. The newly married

used to perform on all days for the first three years and others on any Friday. They would make an idol with turmeric paste and put it on a beetle leaf and on a copper vessel (Marachembu) and new blouse piece wound round it and anointed with turmeric and Kumkum. The lunch used to have a sweet, and vegetables of the season. Ladies would invite other ladies and relations to each other’s houses to see the idol and take “Vainam”- They would apply turmeric paste to the feet of married elder ladies (“sumanagalis”) and seek their blessings. Rich would give a blouse piece and others would give sprouted whole lentils. The children and adults were served the fried sprouted in the evening which is very delicious. Entire month used to be a festive season. Kartheeka maasam: During this month, the light the moon and the sky have the most beautiful special glow. Small oil lights were lit in small earthen dishes (Pramidalu) and kept around the house and in the temple. It was a most delightful sight. A lamp used to be placed on the top of the Dwaja sthambham of the temple which could be seen from far away. Some such lights were left on the top of leaves in the streams and lakes which would float. During this month (“Kartheeka Vana Bhojanalu”) community feasts (Mostly of the same caste) were organized in the Orchards. All the ladies would tly cook and serve. They used to tie ropes to the branches of trees and swing. There would be community singing and dancing. Children would play “Kothikommacchi”, hide and seek and kabaddi. Adult males would play card games. Dasara: It was another festival which children used to enjoy a lot in those days. It used to be a ten-day long affair culminating on “Vijayadashami”. All the children in groups would go to each house and seek Jaggery and lentil for themselves and Coins for their teacher. They would wear fancy dresses during such outings. They would carry bow and arrows. The collected lentils and Jaggery were eaten by them and coins given to the teacher. Street actors would come from other villages and towns wearing the masks of gods and in the fancy dresses of “Dashavataras”. The transport vehicles like

carts etc. would be decorated and pooza performed for them and agriculture implements. Ladies of all castes would play “Bathakammalu” for 10 days during this period. Plates would be decorated with combination of various flowers of the season in the center of which they would place the Gowri made of turmeric paste in each house and carry the same either to the temple or to the water tank “Cheruvu” and all households would place them in a circle and go around it dancing and singing. At the end of each days playing and singing they would immerse the in the water of the Cheruvu. Usually the flowers that are used are local wild flowers like Tangedu, Gummadi etc. On plates they would decorate On Vijaya Dashami day all would go to “Jammi” vriksham and collect the leaves and share with all with a hug and greeting. They would try and sight the bird “Pala Pitta”. Then they would go to the temple. Deepawali: It is a festival of lights, sound and smoke. Festivities would start few days before the festival which would fall on the darkest night “Amavasya”. On the day of Amavasya all would wake up early in the morning and have a head bath. The head bath was a great ritual. All would assemble at one place and the eldest lady would anoint every one’s scalp with oil and a “Harathi” is given. Mangala Harathi is sung. All the males would gift some coins for the ladies in the plate. Then all would apply oil to their bodies. A past made of Rice powder and lentil powder is applied and after drying it is rubbed off and a hot bath is taken. Children would burst crackers. In those days a local instrument made of iron was most popular “Rolu-Rokali”. One would fill that with some gun powder like powder and hit against the wall or stone and would make big sound. The other popular were “Tapakayalu” “Kakarapu Vattulu”, “Tara Juvvalu”, “Mathabulu”, “Chicchu Budlu”, “Seema Tapakayalu”, etc. Mostly the village rich could only afford. Sankranti: This is a festival of grain coming home and celebrated for three days- Bhogi, Sankranti and KanumuUsually all the family including those married and

settled would come and receive gifts specially the son in laws. The festival would come on every year on 14th Jan. The sun would move to “Makara rasi”. It is in winter months. Ladies and girl children would get up early and decorate the streets and porticos with various designs of “Muggulu” and in the center of which they would keep the “Gobbi” made of cow dung and go around it singing. Children and others would gather around a fire and warm themselves. “Gangireddu” a bull decorated would be taken around the village by “Gangirodu”. It would dance by shaking its head or moving its legs to the command of the Gangirodu. An exhibition of all toys would be held in each house and children would spend lot of time collecting and arranging them. All would go to each other’s houses to see them. Young children would be showered with “Regi pandlu”. The special dishes during these festivities were “Chakkilalu”, Minapa, pesara vundalu, Pulagam etc. Ugadi: This is the commencement of New Year of Telugu speaking people. Usually people would buy new clothes for this festival. They would all have head bath in the morning. After that they would all have “Ugadi Pacchadi “made of Jaggery, Vepa pootha, Tamarind- After the festive meal in the evening they would all go to the temple to listen to “Panchanga sravanam” Krishnansthami: Birth day lord Krishna is celebrated on this day. The main event of the day was “Vutlu kottatam”. An earthen pot is filled with some red colored concoction and is tied to a rope and hung on a pulley is drawn by a person. All the people would assemble underneath it with sticks and attempt to break the pot by hitting it while the person operating it would try and would pull it up from the reach. People would climb one over the other to reach it and break it. Sivaratri: This is dedicated to lord Shiva. Mostly people would observe fast on this day and also observe “Jagarana” wakefulness by not sleeping and perform Abhisheka.

In addition, there were many minor festivities like “Kappala Panduga” “Kukkala Panduga”, Atla Thaddi”, etc. Festivals for village goddesses were also performed like Katta Mysamma, Pochamma, etc. Mostly they were performed whenever there was any epidemic of disease or floods or fire. “Thirunala” was another event on which day people from all villages would congregate at a village where it is held. There were many Thirunala sites of which one was close by to Khambhampadu- “Penuganchiprolu”. Villagers would decorate their carts and hoist a “Prabha” (An assembly of decorated poles) and carry it to Thirunala site. In the summer there would be lot of community events when people were at most leisure. They were “Burrakdha”, Harikatha, “Veedhi Bhagavatham”, “Purana Sravanam” dramas etc. organized at the crossings of four roads in the village or in temples or some other public places. Snacks and Tiffin: Varieties of snacks were made for children for their evening bites. They were both cooked and uncooked. The uncooked were mostly rice flakes (atukulu, Pelalu, Bongu Pelalu Or Maramaralu). They were mostly the flakes of rice or jowar. Children used to eat whenever they felt hungry. They would satiate the hunger and fill the belly. Sweets with good shelf life like Sunniundalu, Pesarundalu, Kobbari louvsu, Karjikayalu, Pappuundalu, senagundalu, Ariselu etc. were made with respective lentils and jaggery. The hot in taste snacks were Karappusa, Manuguburelu, Chakkilalu, etc. The cooked snacks were mostly fried flakes, Upma, Uppudi pindi, Attu, Gare, and Vada and chapati or rotte. Idly and poori were rarely made. Seasonally there used to be some dishes like Makka Garelu, Makka Burelu, Pela pindi etc. Biscuits and cakes were not known. I tasted biscuits when I entered high school and cake when I was in medical college. None of the children used to drink coffee or tea till they were in the high school or college.

Earliest experiences with illness My earliest experience with illness, which I can recall now, was the affliction with Scabies a skin disease, probably when I was 4 years old. I was staying in my maternal grandfather’s house in a small village along with my mother and elder sister (two years older to me). There were six other children of our age group staying in the house. They were my mother’s younger sisters and brothers, along with my maternal aunt’s children. We all had to stay in the same house, as my father and uncle were prisoners at that time. We, the children, used to sleep huddled together at nights. All of us had the same problem of itching, sores, and white blebs. We used to scratch so much that we used to bleed from the sores and they used to become painful. The treatment that was istered was application of cow dung over the blisters and sores and sometimes “Cybol”, a commercially available ointment, packed in a cute little flat tin box. The application of ointment, used to soothe the pain and we used to get relief after some days, from the affliction. In summer all of us including the elders used to develop boils. Elders used to say that they are because of excessive sweat. A paste of lime and water used to be applied over the boils thickly after hot fomentation. In few days the boil used to soften and subside or burst expelling pus. Elders used to press over it to expel the pus. They also used to apply hot rice powder paste, which used to stick on to the surface for few days and the fate of the boil used to end in same fashion. Sometimes pinkish eruptions used to erupt all over the body and they used to itch a lot. We children used to scratch ourselves and each other with a comb, obtained secretly, when the itch was severe. Elders called the eruptions in our local language as “Chamatakayalu – Prickly heat)”. The treatment for Chamatakayalu used to be pleasant. They used to fan us when it was itching and when we were sweating. They also used to paste our body with freshly prepared sandalwood paste. We children used to compete with each

other in preparation of the pastes. We used to smell each other’s body after the application of paste and giggle. When one developed fever he had to fast till it subsided. It was not really fasting. We were deprived of routine feeds like rice, Dal etc. We were given mostly fluids like milk, gruel, and if fever persisted for long we were given Bun, obtained from nearby town along with albukara dry fruit, grapes and juices of Battaya fruit. Sometimes the other children who were not sick used to mimic illness to have the pleasure of being served the same as a change from the routine. If one had diarrhea again one had to avoid the routine foodstuffs, till it subsided. They were only allowed buttermilk, java, and gruel. The day diarrhea subsided we were given little rice with “Shonti Charu”, “Karappodi”, and “amla chutney”, and milk with sugar. The most dreaded and hated monthly ritual was the istration of castor oil. The elder, usually the mother or grandmother would sit, stretch her legs and make the child lie on her extended legs, the hands and feet of the child tightly held by someone, an ounce of Luke warm castor oil was poured into the mouth and the mouth kept open till one swallows. This was followed by denial of food till the process of purging was complete. Afterwards “patyam” food i.e. rice with Charu and Karappodi was given to eat. We used to enjoy the spiteful act of holding the hands and legs of others when they were istered the monthly dose of castor oil.

Breast-feeding All the children were breast fed till the birth of next child, which often used to be 18 to 24 months. Most children could not be weaned off easily. Some had to be breast fed till they were 5 to 6 years old. Mothers used to try all sorts of tricks. Often a wet nurse used to be found to breastfeed and she was usually rewarded with Jowar grain. Some mothers used to smear neem paste around the nipples, which would taste

bitter when the child attempts to suckle. It used to be Herculean effort in some cases to wean.

Rituals In addition to these, often reliance was placed on other rituals to ward off evil spirits, which were supposed to cause ailments, more of chronic type. One ritual used to be very simple, where the elder usually a grandmother used to take a fistful of salt in the palm and wind it round the head of the child clock wise thrice and anti-clock wise thrice. Afterwards the salt used to be thrown in well or fire or deposited in the village square where four paths meet. Another method was burning an old rag of cloth in a vessel and then the vessel with the burning cloth was taken around the child’s head thrice in clock wise and thrice in anti-clock wise fashion. Afterwards the vessel was immersed top down in a high edged plate with water in it. The amount of gurgling sounds it used to make was the measure of the severity of influence, the evil spirits had on the child. There used to be many variations of such practices. If none of these simple techniques succeeded then offerings were made to the village goddesses like Pochamma, Mutyalamma etc. The offerings used to be simple like sending the offering of buttermilk and rarely a cock, a goat, or sheep Another variant of these rituals was what I have come to know when I was little older and had younger sisters and brothers born, and living in a town. I must have been ten years old, and I was given the regular duty of visiting an elderly respected person of modest living, to report the illness and seek the Tayattu, a black thread that was blessed by the person I was going to. It was to be tied on the wrist of child that was ill or worn round the neck. Usually it used to be a simple black thread, and some time the black thread with a copper disk attached. The later was given for small fees. A fakir dressed in black, carrying a bunch of peacock feathers and earthen pot emanating the incense smoke, used

to visit homes, and elders used to seek cures from him for chronic illnesses of the children. He used to mutter something and used to blow softly on the body of the child for few minutes and brush softly with peacock feathers, and then he used to yawn for a long time. The number of yawns was indicative of the severity of illness. For whooping cough, the prescription used to be herbal twig coated with turmeric paste to be worn round the neck. If illness appeared to be serious the mother or some of the loving elders used to take vows. Often, they used to be offerings of coconuts or scalp hair or likes to gods or visits to temple. Rarely did they use to be very serious vows like offering the gold, silver, wealth, or difficult rituals like crawling to the top of the hill where the Gods abode is located (Temple). It depended on one’s capacity, belief, and seriousness of illness. The earaches were treated with instilling castor oil mixed with Kumkum in the ears. Conjunctivitis was treated with instilling breast milk in the eyes. The scorpion and snakebites were treated with “Mantra”. My great grandmother knew the Mantra for scorpion bites. My mother practiced it for some time. Now I also know it and had the occasion to practice it with success for scorpion bites. None of us the children were treated during that period for any illness by a modern Doctor. None of us to have swallowed a pill or tablet or medicine or received injection.

Delivery by a Blind Dai I was told that I was delivered by a blind Dai a local traditional midwife. She was credited of delivering my mother, six of my aunts, three uncles and my sister and younger brother. She was supposed to have been born blind, and learnt the art from her mother. She is credited with a record of not having lost a baby or mother in all the deliveries she conducted.

Most of these treatments and cures were attempts by elders to give solace and comfort to the sick, as there were no doctors of any type of medical discipline available in reach.

Exposure to Vaccination The first exposure we had to any modern medicine man was when a person-carrying icebox with live vaccine of small pox wearing a black coat and hat was summoned to ister the vaccine to all children in the family. He used to put few drops of vaccine on the lateral side of the left upper arm, and twist over that with a lancet. They used to call it Royalvari vaccine. It was a private vaccine. It used to take fifteen days for the scab to form and fall. We still have the scars of the same. It has given us the lifelong immunity. It took another 35 years after my birth for the world to eradicate smallpox the most killing, scarring and blinding disease from the world. It was mainly possible by development of dried and frozen vaccine, concerted effort of Vaccination of all, and surveillance. In those days whenever there was epidemic the villagers used to practice offerings of cocks and Kallu (local liquor from sap of toddy or Eeeta chettu) to the local village Goddesses (Mutyalamma or Ganganamma) to ward off the evil. If someone was afflicted with small pox they were put on a bed made of neem leaves. So was also the practice, with persons afflicted with chicken pox or measles. They were mostly given the diet of Buttermilk.

Adoptions in Family In fact, my father was richer than my two grandfathers (maternal and paternal) as he has inherited more property since he was given in adoption to his father’s brother who had no children. In fact, my paternal grandfather has given three of his sons in adoption to two of his blood brothers who had no children (in his own village) and to his own father- in- law who had no male child. My paternal grandfather had six brothers (two own and four first cousins) in the village. Except

himself and another brother, none of the others had children. The other brothers who had no children died young below the age of 30 years. Their spouses survived till sixties. All of them have adopted the sons of my paternal grandfather and his brother and thus in the process protected their ancestral property for the clan. The causes of deaths of so many adult males below the age of 30 years were never established. So were the causes for infertility. The period in which so many adult deaths occurred in males in the family was between the years 1915 to 1930. It is said that all of them died of some chronic illness. Those dead were not known to have temperate habits. There were many young widows in the family during my childhood. They survived till late in life. They were of immense help to the family. But for them, most of the male children (Sons of my paternal grandfather), in the family, would not have been educated. They used to take care of the home and children, in the town where the children were kept for studies.

Early Education I was born on 20th September 1942 at my grandfather’s house in a village. I am the eldest male of my generation. My horoscope was immediately drawn by the local purohit. My birth date was recorded in Government school at the time of my first ission as eleventh November Nineteen forty-one. It was a deliberate act and was based on the calculation that I would be Sixteen years when I would be appearing for my matriculation examination. In those days it was essential that one was sixteen years to appear for the examination. If not, one is detained till one reaches that age. My mother gave birth to ten live children and had two abortions. She was married at the age of ten. A dowry of Rs 116 was given. My father was 16 at the time of his marriage. He has ed his matriculation examination by then. My mother comes from a family of 11 children and she was the eldest.

Three of her younger brothers are junior to me in age. My father comes from a family of 8 children and he is third in the family and was born in the year 1917. My paternal grandfather was the village revenue official “Karanam” and he was literate in Telugu. My maternal grandmother could not write but could read. She could recite the great epics “Mahabharata and Ramayana”, without referring to the book. My maternal and paternal grandfathers had school education up to 7 th standard and could read and write Telugu. My paternal grandfather could also read and write Urdu, which was the official language of the state of Nizam to which state our village belonged. My maternal grandfather’s village was in British presidency. The border was only separating these two villages. My father was proficient in Telugu, English, and Urdu. He also learnt Hindi during the period when he was imprisoned for political agitation and freedom struggle. My mother could read and write Telugu and also used to use few English words in her conversation. On both sides, the families were dependent on agricultural income only and income derived on the salary of Karanam was extra for my maternal grandfather. Still my paternal grandfather was financially sounder. My early childhood (till I was 7 years old) was spent in my maternal grandfather’s house with occasional stay for few months in my paternal village. I was put in school in the village along with my elder sister, cousins, aunts and uncles of my age. It was a Government single teacher school in a thatched hut. The teacher was from the same village. There was no furniture. We used to carry mats woven with the leaves of Eeeta chettu to squat. We were the lucky ones in this respect. Most of the children did not even attend this school. There were very few children in the school and regular were too few. Initially there were no slates. We used to write with our fingers in the sand. Entire alphabet was learnt like that. We were mostly memorizing what was told and had to repeat often. On return to home we had to practice it in the evenings before going to bed. This activity

would be rewarded by bedtime story told by my Great grandmother or her mother. They were most respected elders even though they were widows (they were widowed at younger age). They were most affectionate and knew how to handle children. They could recite the two great Hindu epics without referring to a book. In addition, they knew lot of literature of Telugu and would also invent new stories every day. They had a pool of rewards to train and discipline us. We were lucky that these two great souls survived till we reached our adult hood. We always used to go back to them for counseling. Similarly, the teacher in the school was also using the reward technique, mostly rewards of recognition for punctuality, regularity, observance of personal hygiene, academic improvement and good behavior. We hardly used to carry any books to the school. It was almost so till I graduated. After scribbling in the sand with the finger and learning the alphabet we were provided with slates to write on. The official prayer in the school in my maternal grandfather’s village was “God save the king”. It was a prayer like that in Urdu seeking blessings of Allah for the ruler of our state of Hyderabad, “The Nizam”, in my paternal grandfather’s village. By rule it was necessary that we had to offer such prayers daily before start of the school. This rule was not observed in practice daily and was only observed on the day of inspection or visit by higher authorities. Rest of the days we used to recite either “Vandemataram” or some religious prayer.

Clothing and Footwear Whenever we visited our paternal grandfather’s village and were attending the school we had to wear “Sherwani” and the Turkish topi. I also learnt Urdu alphabet during such periods of stay. Normally the dress we used to wear was a slightly longish shirt with which you could conveniently dispense with the need for a short. It used to be so for the boys till we were 7 or 8 years. After that we used to wear an under

wear till we were 11 or twelve years after which we were provided with half shorts till 14 or 15 years of age. We never wore shoes or “chappals” till we were in high school. If it was very hot and we had to walk back from school the servants or the elders used to carry us so that we did not burn our feet. We never had more than two or three pairs of clothes. They were woven with cotton thread. Every day they were washed and reused. New clothes were purchased on the eve of festivals, or marriages. Most of the males in the villages had only a loin cloth (Gochi) to wear. Most had only an upper garment. Women used to wear thick sarees mostly woven in the village by local weavers and most often aged and children were without any upper garments. Male children below the age of ten used a cloth to cover their genitals like a safety napkin. In our family we were provided with cots to sleep. They were of lightweight and could easily be carried inside out. The cots were woven with jute threads. The cots were provided for the fear of snakes and scorpions. No mattresses were provided for the children. The mattresses were a luxury mostly provided to the newly wedded. For others there used to be two sheets one to cover and another to spread on the cot. Pillows were only for the elders. Others used the folded clothes or a stone as pillow. The entire family used to have one or two trunk boxes mostly to keep the costly sarees given at the time of wedding. The clothes used daily, were hung on a bamboo staff. Washerwoman used to come daily and collect the clothes and take them to the village tank for washing. Beating on a stone washed them. They were not ironed. Clothes ironed were used only in marriages and festivities. However, my father always used to wear ironed clothes, since he could afford. It was compulsory that everyone has at least one bath a day. There were no bathrooms. All children used to have the bath at the wells. The water was drawn from the well (Sometimes by the servants) and was poured on us. Soap was not used for children. Adults gave small children bath. The

children were laid on the extended legs of elders who were in sitting posture, and a bath was given with Luke warm water. First the child was anointed with oil and subsequently rubbed with a paste made from rice and lentil powder. After it dried it was slowly rubbed off by pouring water. Once in fifteen days or on the eve of a festival, which usually occurred almost every month, a head bath is taken. Older children and adults used Soap nut for washing purpose. Hand washing was only with water. Some used either ash or earth as rubbing agent. The utensils were washed and cleaned by washerwoman. She used to use ash or tamarind to scrub and clean the utensils. She was paid in kind once a year in grain. Payments to servants were only in kind including those who were providing services like washerwoman. Persons belonging to different castes were providing different services. Even some of the other transactions were in kind. The teacher, the priest, washerwoman, the person supplying footwear, person weaving bed sheets, person supplying pottery, person making agricultural implements, person supplying baskets, etc. were all paid in kind. Families belonging to different castes providing these services were rotated annually to provide services to different families who could afford them. The caste structure was very powerful. No one else was permitted to do the job of a particular caste. No inroads by others were allowed. None, however powerful one may be, could tamper with rotation system.

Lighting and Making Fire To make fire, one used the embers of cow dung cake that were not put off. They were added with new cow dung cake and fanned to make fire. Usually they were stored in earthen plates (Matti Chippalu). When I was seven years old, I happened to squat on one of them accidentally resulting in burns of my bottom. I was treated with application of paste made of fried, cooled and grounded paste of the flowers and leaves of a shrub in local language called “Tangedu”.

In those days matchsticks were not always available in the villages. They used to rub two white stones called Chekumiki rallu to make fire with piece of cotton kept in between. Few smokers (especially Chutta (Cigar) smokers) used to carry these in a pouch. It was thrilling, watching these people make fire with such contraption. Such was the poverty in the villages. Once by chance I observed a city dweller making fire with a magnifying glass, holding it on some paper against the sun. For lighting in the nights the rich villagers used Kerosene lanterns. The poor used to finish their chores by dusk and go without a light. Sometimes they used castor oil to provide light. Mostly the light that guided them was moonlight only.

Cooking on the Firewood The cooking was done on the fire wood. Three stones would be placed on the ground and in the middle the firewood pieces are placed, and fire was made with simmering charcoal or dung pieces. The vessel would be placed on the top of the stones and slow cooking was done. They would fan it occasionally. There would always a fire place at a corner in the kitchen where a hole is dug in the ground and cow dung cakes were burnt. This was called “Dali Gunta”. There would be simmering char coal dung pieces burning all the time. Milk would be heated on this. Kerosene stoves came only after few years. “Kumasi” either made of Iron or baked and fired mud was also available for cooking small quantities. Gas stoves came only after 40 yrs. There used to be lot of smoke. The vessels used for cooking were mostly earthen in different shapes and sizes. The same were used for storing grain, pulses, tamarind, jaggery and powders, chilies etc. Sometimes stone ware “Raachippa” was used specially for brewing “Rasam” or “Charu”. Eating was from leaf or Aluminum plates or banana leaves and for drinking water earthen pots or aluminum tumblers were used. Stainless steel came much after. For serving food they would use iron or

wood spoons and spatulas. Water was stored in earthen pots or “Koozas” or brass or copper vessels “Bindelu”- In travel water was carried in “Marachembu” or dried “Sorakaya” or leather bag. The milk, cream, ghee, butter, etc. was stored in earthen pots and hung on to the roof. The pickles were stored in china ware “Pingani Jaadeelu” No tables or chairs were used to dine. All used to eat squatting on the floor on mats or wooden “Peeta” in a line. There were no wash basins, and all used to wash hands on the floor with a tumbler. Eating was with hands. All used to wash their hands and feet before eating and after. Cooking and cutting vegetables etc. were all done squatting on the floor. Breakfast was not cooked. Elders only drank milk or coffee. Tea or coffee was consumed only twice a day. Children were fed with “Chaddi annam” (left over rice mixed with pickle (Aavakaya) and curd. Children would gather around an elder and a morsel of food was placed in each one’s hand and they would eat. Lunch used to be at midday. Routine servings were rice, dal, a vegetable fry, pickle, ghee, Rasam and curd or butter milk. For dinner also, it used to be the same. The widows would skip their dinners and only eat “Uppudi pindi”. The snacks were varied.

Daily routine in the middle-class Families in the Village The daily routine in all most all the houses used to be the same. It would only vary by seasons or wealth. All would get up by 5 AM. Servants would sweep the porticos and the cow sheds and sprinkle cow dung water and place “Muggu”. They would clear the cow sheds and lift the dung and left over on the waste pile “Chettha Dibba”. They would milk cows and she buffaloes in big vessels. They would draw water from the well or carry water from other sources and store for the humans and animals. Some servants or the women folk would light and start the fire and the start boiling the milk. They would make butter milk, churn the curds and

draw the cream and boil it to make ghee. The villagers would bring and pour the leftover of their kitchens in the water storage vessels for animals to make “kudithi” for them. Then they would collect butter milk from the house lady and leave. All would complete their ablutions and take bath and have their tea or coffee and children their milk or Chaddi Annam. The washer woman would collect the soiled linen and take them for washing them to the village pond or tank. Children would leave for school. Servants would finish their ablutions and consume Chaddi Annam. Male servants would have left to the fields for agriculture work. The cow herds would collect the animals and take them for grazing. The women folk would fetch drinking water and start the process of cooking. By midday all would have had their lunch. After wards they used to lie down for an hour or so. Male would attend to their s or reading. Women folk would gather and make leaf plates, or churn charka and make thread. They would press “Appadams” or make “vadiyalu”.” The servants would pound rice or grind powders. They would spin and make ropes. Elders would make snacks. They would cut excess vegetables of the season and sundry them to “Vorugulu” to use in lean seasons. Daily routine used to be picking out small rubble and stones from rice before it was cooked. Adolescents would groom the children and pick up lice from their heads. They would grind “gorintaku” and apply designs (Mehindi”) to the palms and feet which after some time would become red. They would practice “Muggulu” and also spend time learning stitching and lace work. Children and adolescents would play indoor games like “Pacchis”, cards, “Astha, Chemma”, “Puli joodam” etc. Some would listen to Ramayana or Bharatam or Puranam or Bhagavatam. In the evening the males would go to the fields to supervise agriculture operations, children to the play grounds to play, kabaddi, ball bton, Jilla godu etc. The girls used to play skipping, “Billa godu” or practice knitting or practice other hobbies. Servants would spin and weave jute

and coir ropes. Animals would have returned home and tied in the sheds after watering. Milking of animals would take place and the women folk would cook evening meals. Another daily event was cleaning the lanterns and filling them with kerosene and lighting them. The Dhobi would have brought the washed and dried clothes. All would have their bath and eat their dinner by 8 pm. The story telling by the eldest would start and all would doze off to sleep.

Early Marriages The age at marriage was early. Mostly the girls were married off by 10 or 11 years and boys by the age of 16 to 18 yrs. However, their married life would start much later. My maternal grandmother was married much earlier at the age of 6yrs. There was no contraception practiced or known. Abortions were common. Infant mortality in the population was also high so also was maternal mortality. Dowry was common. My father has been paid a dowry of Rs.116. Consanguious marriages were common. Horoscopes of bride and bride groom were to match. The priest (purohit) was usually the one who would fix the matches. Auspicious day would be selected for the marriage by the Purohit. Someone from the family would go and invite the closest relations. Other relations would be sent letters of invitation through a courier usually the washer man. The same was the model for most of the family functions and ceremonies. Letters were sent through the postal services to very far off places. Printed invitations were not there. The marriage would be celebrated at the bride’s place. Relations would come couple of days in advance. They would arrive by bullock carts. The marriage ceremonies would last for 3 to 5 days. Cooks would be employed. “Pandals” would be erected in the open spaces of the house with Palmira leaves. Temporary bath rooms would be erected. Pandals would be decorated with mango leaves and banana leaves. Petromax lights would be hired. This was a kerosene lamp with

a wick which was burnt with kerosene under pressure. It used to give a bigger glow of higher candle capacity. The marriage ceremony used to be full of rituals, festivities, feasting, singing, fun and frolic. There would be an orchestra mostly with local instruments like “Shehnai”, drums (Dolu} and sometimes western instrumentalists were hired. They would play many traditional songs. All would wear new clothes. The rituals were spread over 3 to 5 days and they used to be “making bride and bridegroom, Gowri pooza, Reception (Edurkolu), Sthalipakam, Vara pooza, application of Jeelakarra bellam, Mangala sutra dhrana, talambralu, Alaka and Appaginthalu”. After the marriage the newly married would be taken around the village in a “palanquin” (“Pallaki). This was carried by few people called “Bois” traditionally the washer men. After that the newly wedded along with relations would go to the Bride groom’s village and spend three days and return to the bride’s house to stay for another 3 days. The travel used to be either by bullock carts or “Mena” or on horses.

Transport …. Commuting usually by walk Commuting was usually by walk. Usually one would walk 8 to 10 miles a day and rest and would proceed next day. Aged and children used to commute to other villages by bullock carts. There were two types of bullock carts. One was what was used to transport goods like grain, fodder, and fertilizers and construction and other material. Four to five persons could easily travel in such carts. The other was “Kacchdam” a enger cart with a roof and a cot for sitting or lying in. It could carry 3 to 4 persons. It was smaller in height and could easily be climbed in or out. It had a shade from sun and rain. Pregnant women, children and rich used to travel in “Mena” which was carried by about 8 persons or in a Pallaki again carried by 6 to 8 persons. There were no roads to any of the villages we were living in or usually travel to. There used to be only cart tracks.

My maternal grandfather had a Mena. My father used to own a Kacchdam. My father also used to travel on horseback. He used to own one. My father also knew cycling and used to commute on it in town and in summer in between villages. In towns there used to be bullock carts (drawn by single bullock) called “Vonteddu Bandi” and “Tanga” and “Jataka” both drawn by horse. They were available for hire local transport. Rikshaws (drawn by man) were yet to be introduced and also cycle Rickshaws. Trains were mostly in between major towns. Buses were yet to be introduced. Cars were very rare and were only in towns and owned by very rich. The nearest railway station to my village was 35 kilometers away and to my grandfather’s house was 15 kilometers. The time taken to travel by non-mechanized transport was very slow and long and maximum one could travel in a day was limited to of 30 kilometers. Because of these constraints travel by people was limited and there were many in the villages that have not gone and seen beyond 30 kilometers from their village. Nizam Government had its own Railway authority and Road transport authority. The buses were small. Initially they were run on Steam. I have seen buses and Lorries run on steam. Whenever they had to negotiate a height someone would put more coal in and rotate a crank to boost the power. The trains too were run on steam. They had watering points at various stations and water was drawn manually from open wells near the station and poured into the boiler of the train. Later (when I was studying in Khammam) we used to watch the trains going up and down and listen to its musical rhythm of sound it made and the whistle. Many people used to collect hot water from the engines of the trains at the stations. We used to place small denomination coins on the track and collect them after the train ed on it. It used to be totally flat. Whenever a enger train used to through a station they would sound bells twice. The first bell used to be when the train left the previous station and the second bell when it reached the outer signal near the station.

My house in Khammam was in between the outer and inner signals towards Hyderabad and about 100 meters from the train track. We could easily hear the bell. My father used to start from the house at the sound of first bell and walk to the station on the side of railway track and reach in time to catch the train. Every evening a person would walk to the signals and place the kerosene lamps behind the glass windows of the signal posts (Red and Green) for visibility of the signal to the approaching train. Signals were operated manually by someone walking to the signal post and draw the lever to change to the safe and empty track for the train to travel. Another sight to watch was transferring the key to the next station. It used to be a big ring with a rod arm attached and the key embedded in the frame. Whenever a train arrived at the station it was handed over so that no train on would be allowed to on the same track till the train with the key has arrived at the next station. They would unlock and allow a train to . Whenever an express train was ing and there was no halt at the station a person would stand close to the track on the platform and raise the ring holding the rod and driver of the train would put his hand through the ring and pick it up. All this was for safety as there was only a single track. It took another 10 years for completing the double track on which the Canadian diesel engines were introduced and another twenty years for electrification of the track for electrical locomotion to commence. There were ticket inspectors on the trains who would from one compartment to the other walking on the steps outside the running train. It was a great balancing act. There were no vestibules at that time to through compartments.

Communications mostly by Courier Mostly the communications were by courier. Sometimes they would use the postal service to send letters. But one would need to go to nearby bigger village to post them.

Telephones were available only in cities. Towns and other villages connected by rail network had the facility of telegrams. One could send a message on payment to someone who used to reside in a place connected by rail. A courier would deliver such written message to the concerned. It was used mostly in emergency events like deaths etc. There was no access to newspapers in the villages and the circulation was limited to towns and big villages where postal services were available. Newspapers would reach 4 to 5 days late. Radio was only available in cities. Transmissions were for a limited period. So was the “Cinema”. 99% of villagers were illiterate. They could not read or write. Few mythology books were available in my grandfather’s house. As a he was the Karanam (Revenue official) he had access to white paper. He used to keep an ink bottle and a writing instrument pen (“Kalam”). He would dip the pen in the ink bottle and would write on paper. Fountain pens were getting introduced. Pencils were available. Some adolescents in the house would make local ink and pens with sticks and use Palmira leaves to write. Abacus an instrument to learn mathematics was available in the school. Children were taught to memorize and repeatedly recite what they have learnt; be it poems, the multiplications or texts. Most of the children would recite the poems from “Vemana”, “Sumathi”, “Dasaradhi” Shathakams. They were taught podupu Kathalu. Children used to go and observe with fascination the work of village artisans like carpenter making agriculture implements, the potter making pots on the wheel, the weavers spinning thread on the “Charka” and weaving cloth on the “Maggam” and dying them, and the gold smith making jewelry and the oil man crushing the ground nut and making oil. Children were never bored as there was so much to observe and learn. With the release of my father from political imprisonment on 21st September my middle childhood has ended, and we moved to my native village Vallabhi.

1949-1952- Late Childhood India which won independence from British rule is just 2years young and me 8 years in 1949. I have learnt my Telugu alphabet and could read and write Telugu. I have learnt additions, subtractions, multiplications, and divisions. I have memorized Sumathi and Vemana Shathakams. The Razakars movement was over and Hyderabad state was merged into India through police action. It was an independent state in Indian union. It comprised of three regions Telangana to which we belonged, Maratha, and Kannadiga regions. For some time, it was under an s rule. The was Mr. Vellodi. Communist movement started in Telangana region and spread to all districts of Telangana. Communists went underground and started armed struggle. Their slogan was ownership of land to the tiller. Their struggle was against the big land lords, Deshmukhs, and Zamindars, who owned vast stretches of thousands of acres of land. It became a popular movement and the then ’s Government tried to suppress it through deployment of Malabar police brought from Kerala under the stewardship of “Nanjappa”. The communists would conduct Guerilla raids and conduct people’s court and beat and kill the land lords and their ers and the congress leaders too were targets. With all this there was unrest in the villages and many land lords and congress leaders have migrated to the towns to the protection of police. We too moved to a neighboring village “Chervumadharam” 5 Kilometers away where there was a school and also police camp. We were four children myself, my elder sister, my younger sister and younger brother. My father was in the town Khammam and sent word through a relation and my father’s jail mate Kondapalli Seetharamrao to move to Chervumadharam and informed us that Seetharamrao would accompany us to the new village to which Seetharamrao belongs. We started in a bullock cart “Kacchdam” and

Seetharamrao was in the front and all of us were seated in the rear. The male servant was leading the bulls with a rope in front. Seetharamrao had another three brothers two of them in the Government service and another younger brother by name Subbarao. Seetharamrao that day was wearing the wrist watch of his brother Subbarao. While the cart was negotiating a curve at the border of my village two armed persons with guns came in front and signaled to stop. We had to stop. My mother started crying. My younger brother was sleeping. I vividly the scene. The armed persons signaled Seetharamrao to alight and took him to the side in front. They were enquiring with him who we were and where we were going? He immediately answered that he was Subbarao and was taking his relations from the village to his village for some ceremony in his house. The cries of my mother were increasing, and she was shouting pleas to them not to harm us and release us. One of the armed person came to my mother and told her not to cry and also told her that they would not harm us and were only interested in Seetharam Rao. As my mother was listening to the conversation and pleas of Seetharamrao that he was Subbarao immediately confirmed to them he was Subbarao and not Seetharamrao in whom they were interested. Meanwhile Seetharamrao regained his composure and suddenly ed that he was wearing the wrist watch of Subbarao on the backside of which Subbarao name was etched. He immediately took it out and showed the etched name on it to his plea that he was Subbarao and not Seetharamrao. After repeated pleas they let us proceed. From a distance few of the ladies from my village working in the fields were observing all this. However, they could not intervene. Once the cart started rolling and the armed men moved into the bushes they approached us and learnt what happened. We travelled from my village a short distance only and the way forward was longer. Seetharamrao was apprehensive that if we go forward on way to Chervumadharam the armed persons may enquire and find

out the truth that he was not Subbarao and come back again and kill him. More and more people gathered. A plot was hatched that we would return back from my village where we started on the requests and pleas of the villagers saying that an epidemic of small pox broke out in Chervumadharam and it is not safe to go there. The villagers in bigger tones were saying the same to us. The cart moved back. Again, the armed men appeared and enquired what was happening. The villagers started telling them how severe the epidemic was and how unsafe it was to go there with children etc. At last the armed men relented and let us return to the village. The moment we returned home entire village was in my house. Seetharamrao was whisked away for safety and a messenger with a letter from to the Malabar police camp narrating the whole episode and requesting for an armed escort was sent. By midnight a company of armed police arrived and in the night escorted us to Chervumadharam. The armed men belonged to a Dallam headed by Karnati Kistiah who was underground at that time and later won the elections and became MLA from communist party. We had very cordial relations with him and whenever he used to visit us it used to be a topic for conversation. We lived in the house of one of the brothers of Seetharamrao which was vacant. It was a tiled house with big campus and on the main street near Venugopal Swamy temple. It had the scented creeper of “Jajimalli” and “Sampangi”- Both used to emit a pleasant smell. It was close to the police camp. I and my elder sister were put to school. This village had a very big water tank. When it was full it used to overflow, and the surplus used to fill our village tank. Most of the irrigation tanks were interconnected. The tank was on the road to my village. In fact, the bund of the tank was the elevated road. I was fascinated by this tank and often I would go there and sit on the bund and watch the vast expanse of water. There used to be lilies in this tank. Our stay in the village even though was otherwise very pleasant was marred by two tragedies. My mother had an abortion and my younger sister

died. She must have been 4-5 yrs. old when she died. Only local Ayurveda and herbal treatment was given. She apparently died of “Jaundice”. This was the first death I witnessed. Saddened with the tragedies we moved to “Khammam” at that time a Taluk headquarters in Warangal district. At that time, it had a population of 25 thousand and had a railway station and a bus stand. In the beginning we stayed in the house of Arkal Jagannadharao, advocate. It was a newly built house with Madras terrace etc. and had a toilet serviced by scavenger. The toilet was an open type and the scavenger would come daily and collect human waste and carry it in buckets as head load. We stayed there for few months and moved to another house adjacent to the railway line which belonged to Hiralal Moria a poet and a fiery speaker and congress leader. My grandmother who adopted my father was living with us. I was named after her husband. Her mother also used to stay with us. Both were widows. My grandmother was the most beautiful woman I could recall. There was a great glow of her skin. Her younger sister was also staying in Khammam. We had few relations from my mother’s side too. My mother’s paternal aunt and her family too were living in Khammam. He too was an advocate. He was Parcha Srinivas Rao. We used to go their houses in the single bull drawn hired cart “Vonteddu Bandi”. Very rarely we used to go by Tanga or Jataka horse drawn carriages. My grandmother, her mother and sister were very orthodox devotees of Lord Panduranga of Pandaripuram. Since my name too was Pandu Ranga Rao, and their deity was Pandu Ranga and my late grand father’s name was Pandu Ranga, I was accorded great respect by these women folks. They would never sit in front of me and would rise whenever I enter their presence and I was always addressed respectfully and never in singular form. My grandmother was suffering with some chronic ailment and was taken to Vijayawada for naturopathy treatment in “patamati Lanka”. I don’t the mode of transport to

Vijayawada (probably by train at night) but I do traveling in a boat at Vijayawada. We stayed for few days and returned to Khammam leaving her there. She ailed for few months and died there. Soon after her mother too died. My father was planning to build a house in Khammam and bought a plot of 640 yards in Mamillagudem. It costed him Rs 640 @ one “Bandi” Rupee for Square Yard. In Hyderabad state we had two types of currency. One was the Nizam Government currency “Halee Rupee” and British India or subsequently Indian Union currency “Bandi or circar Rupee”. Each had a sub division of 16 annas per rupee and 6 Kanis per Anna or 6 Dammidis per Kani. A bag of Paddy used to cost a rupee. There used to be a minor value difference between the two Rupees. The circar or Bandi rupee used to be of higher value. In front of the Railway station there used to be Exchange counters for exchanging the currency. Even though both were accepted in Hyderabad state it was not so in the areas of Indian union. They used to charge a commission for exchange. Distances were measured in Miles with division of furlongs, and furlongs with division of Yards and yards in divisions of feet and feet in divisions of inches. The metric system was not known. Similarly, the volumes were measured in Manika, Seru and Gidde. The weights were measured in Manugu, pound, Veesa, Phalam, and thulam. The time was measured mostly in the villages by Jhamulu and Poddulu, Ghadiyalu based on degrees sun and star movement. In towns many used the modern time in hours, minutes and seconds since clocks were available. My father used to have a watch “West end”. He had it till his end of life. We used to calculate very quickly the currency exchange. We again moved to a new house in Khammam nearer to the plot my father bought so that it would be easy to oversee the construction of the house. My father was active in the politics and he was Taluk congress secretary. He used to commute a lot between my village and Khammam. We first

moved to a tiled house belonging to a driver belonging to the caste of Lambadi. I ed a school at a walking distance and it was known as “Tahathania”. It too was a tiled house with some thatched sheds. It had benches. I was put in second class. The medium of instruction was “Telugu”. We used to have a Muslim teacher by name Rasool who would never utter a single Urdu or English word in his teaching. He was such a stickler to rules. He was very good in teaching maths. The common games we used to play in those days were “Kabaddi” and Becchalu and Goleelu. Becchalu was a local invention. Children used to collect thrown empty cigarette packets and peel them off and make each packet into two cards. The value of each card would depend on the sale price of that particular brand of cigarette. Various brands of cigarettes were available in the market. They were Capstan, Scissors, Pashing Show, Navy cut, Marco polo, Charminar, Camel, star etc. Each one would place equal number of cards in the middle of a circle on the top of which a stone would be placed. In turns they would throw a flat stone from a fixed distance trying to dislodge the pack from the circle. He would collect the cards he would dislodge, and the next person would follow suit. The winner was the one who has collected the maximum number of cards which he could keep. Wealth of a person depends on the value of the cards he would possess. Similar was the game with Pebbles “Goleelu” which too was very popular. The plot my father bought at that time was at the outskirts of the town and earlier it was a mango groove. Still there were some mango trees. There was no laid road and only foot paths and cart tracks were there. A stream used to flow on the way. My mother’s sister bought the adjacent plot and few other relations nearby. The plots were adjacent to Railway track. My father and my neighboring uncle and his brother all started building their houses. Mr. Rajanna was the head mason. Carts arrived from my native village to transport sand, lime, and brick and so were some labor. They erected a “Dangu” a

circular grove to crush and prepare lime paste. There was this big stone wheel which would rotate in the groove and a pair of bullocks used to pull the stone. Lime powder and water were put in the groove. This was used to cement the bricks. My father acquired good knowledge of Construction work and he was very good in maths. He would innovate and venture into new areas. The plan and design of my house was different from that of my uncles. The house was built with brick and lime and with lime plastering and the roof was part RCC and part Madras terrace. Closed ducts were provided for drainage of water from the roof. A bath room was provided outside with tin roof and an open toilet in the campus detached from main house. Scavengers used to lift the human waste. There was an open well and the water table was high and in rainy seasons we could pick up water from well by hand. It never used to dry even in summer. We used to draw water from the well with a bucket attached to a rope. There used to be a wheel to draw the bucket over the well on a horizontal bar. The flooring was of non-polished “Shahabad” stone. The walls were white washed. There was a verandah, one master bed room one children bed room and an office room and a small study room. There was a hall and a dining room and a small kitchen and store room. We had a front open yard and a back yard. There was no electricity or running piped water. Even the town didn’t have them. The total cost of constructing the house at that time was Rs 16000/. My father sold some 16 acres of land in the village to build this house which fetched him an equivalent amount. The cost of daily labor was four Annas equivalent to ¼ rupee. The wages for woman were much cheaper. Cement and steel were available but were very costly and not easily available. There were very few workers trained who knew their usage. My family basically moved to the town to educate the children. My father was a great champion of need for education. He would make many personal sacrifices to get us adequately educated. New furniture like cots, table, benches, and stools were made. The

door and window frames, and shutters were of “Teak” the costliest wood. The beams of the roof for Madras terrace were of country wood. When I demolished this house after 50 years I took all the windows and doors and re fixed them in a small house I built in my village. When our family visit village home and look at them they are all reminded of their child hood in Khammam house. Our plot was at cross roads and on two sides there was road and on the back side was the scavenger lane. It was facing east. Municipality erected a lamp post at the cross roads at a corner of my house. Initially it was a kerosene lamp and after few years was changed to Petromax light. Much after it was an electric lamp. On southern side separated by a road another sister of my mother built their house few years later. On the northern side another sister of my mother built their house same time we built ours. His younger brother too built his house next to his. I again go back to few photographic memories. I think during one of the times we stayed in Khammam before independence Gandhi was ing through Khammam on way to Vijayawada. A public meeting was held at the outer signal of the rail track and Gandhi alighted from the train and addressed the gathering. Womenfolk donated their jewelry. I too went and saw him. I still have a photo of the same meeting. Another distinct memory was seeing a “Jeep” a fourwheeler for the first time when we were staying in Chervumadharam. I think there were some elections and Seetharamrao came in a jeep and it accidentally went over the foot of someone and all gathered to see the injured and also the jeep. The smell of the fumes of petrol still linger in my nostrils. While we were staying in the house of Hiralal Moria, Vallabh Bhai Patel the deputy prime minister and home minister of India was visiting Hyderabad. My father took all of us to Hyderabad in the car of Mr. Kolipaka Kishan Rao a great well-wisher of my father along with his wife. I think it took

whole day for us to reach Hyderabad. I vaguely that we stayed in first floor of the house of Sardar Jamalapuram Keshav Rao an eminent state congress leader. I saw for the first time a “water tap” and water flowing out of it when turned. In our return journey from Hyderabad the car broke on the way back and smoke was emitting from the front end. We were all worried and got down and threw sand at it trying to extinguish the fire. I don’t how we reached Khammam. During that period, the marriage of my cousin sister was celebrated at “Errupalem”. We went by train to the village and stayed in the house of Madapati Ramachandra Rao. I saw and heard for the first time “Radio” when we were living in “Gandrai” along with my paternal grandparents during the time of my father’s imprisonment if freedom struggle. I thought a tiny little man was hiding inside the radio and talking. I was worried about his feeding etc. The other memories were of marriages. First one was I travelling with my aunt “Annapurna” in the “Mena” to Penuganchiprolu after her marriage to Sri. Komaragiri Apparao. The other is the marriage of my uncle Radhakishan Rao at Sirikonda near Suryapet which was nearly 50 Kilometers. We all travelled in carts for nearly two days halting at two to three places in mango grooves and cooking and eating and sleeping. There was Grihapravesham of the new house in 1950. Elaborate ritual was there. I it happening in the night. We went in procession from rented house along with musicians playing band along with a cow. Cow was taken inside all the rooms and kept till it laid dung. “Boodida Gummadikaya” was tied to the main door. There was pooza and feast. We slowly settled in the new house. I completed my 4th standard at “Tahathania” and moved to Government High School. I was itted to 5 th standard 1n 1950. However, our class was in the branch campus away from main high school. During those days only, high school was located at Taluk headquarters and ours was at

Khammam. The rest were middle schools. My school was nearly a kilometer and half from my house. There were about 10 children from my locality “Mamillagudem” who used to go high school. My elder sister was put in “Andhra Girls High School” a private school again of same distance. We used to go to the school at 9 AM by walk and return at 1 afternoon and after lunch go back again to school and return home at 5 PM. Since our house was at the outskirts of the town we had to walk a kilometer to purchase anything even a match box. Since I was eldest male kid such chores were assigned to me. My house was the first to be built in Khammam amongst our close relations. Public bus services were provided from villages to Khammam by the new Government. Rail connection was already available. More and more villages would be connected by road and public transport provided in next few years. There was a single doctor public hospital and there were another two qualified doctors and another 5 trained ed doctors. Relations and friends from villages would travel to Hyderabad for marketing, legal and health reasons and purposes. Since our house had enough accommodation they would stay in our house for the number of days of their work. In addition, my father was active in politics and many associates, followers and leaders would come and stay. On an average there would be another 5 to 10 outsiders staying and dining with us on any given day. I had to attend to their needs like handing over drinking water, fetching the cigarettes, getting their clothes ironed, and arranging their beds etc. During the period another sister was born in the year 1949 to my parents. She survived for few years and died in 1954 in my maternal grandparents’ village Khambhampadu where to, my mother along with other children except me went to see her ailing father. She developed high fever and went into coma and died next day (Could be Cerebral Malaria?). My father was at Hyderabad and I was at Khammam. She died at night. A telegram was sent from the railway station nearby Khambhampadu to our address. I was

alone at house next morning when the telegram was delivered. The telegram was in English which read “Lalitha expired-Start immediately”. I didn’t know the meaning of expired and enquired with some elders who explained to me the meaning. I packed few clothes and started walking on the rail tracks to reach the station to catch a train and go to the village. I was in shock. I didn’t notice or hear the sound of approaching train and some erby pulled me from the tracks and slapped me. I went to the station only to know that the train has departed. I returned back home. My father came in the evening from Hyderabad and we caught the evening train to “Bonakallu”. It was night fall when we reached Bonakallu. Bommakanti Satyanarayana Rao a relation and a prominent state congress leader came to the station to see us and he consoled my father and arranged a private bus to drop us at “Vatsavai” 10 Kilometers away. He also brought some food, umbrellas, torch light and a servant to accompany us. After the dinner we left for Vatsavai where we got off the bus and walked in a drizzle to Khambhampadu which was an hour’s walk and reached the village at midnight. Next day I visited the place my sister was buried. She was supposed to be the most active lively intelligent female child born to our parents. There were two persons whose visits to our house I used to welcome. One was elder cousin brother of my father and was our neighbor in my village. He was the police Patel (Village official in the village) and used to visit Khammam on official work. He was not only affectionate but was friendly. So too was another uncle who was the husband of my father’s younger sister. He too was a village official of Jeellachervu. Whenever they came I used to attend to them and I used to be rewarded. They would take me to cinema. In those days there were nearly 7 or 8 cinema halls where mostly Telugu pictures and occasionally Hindi pictures were screened. Mostly they were housed in temporary structures. There were only three which had permanent

structures-They were “Sunder Talkies, Nawab Talkies, and Prabhat talkies. In one big hail storm a tree fell on a temporary cinema structure which was later demolished. There were few hotels near railway station “Anandarao hotel, Sivaji hotel, and Mysore café in Gandhi chowk. During the years 1949-50 to 1952-53 I have completed my middle school. During that period my school friends were Amariah, Komariah, and Malliah who hailed from Wyra. They used to live near the school in rented room and they used to cook for themselves and attend to school. They were very fond of me. In those days “detective literature” was very popular and characters in the novels and serials like Detective Yugandhar, Rambabu, Vali, etc. were household names amongst town children. Cinema magazines were also popular like “Cine Rangam”. The daily newspapers were “Andhra Patrika”, Golkonda Patrika, Andhra Prabha, Hindu and Indian express. Literary magazines were “Bharathi” and “Triveni” (in English) and some other. Prajamatha, Swathanthra etc. were weeklies. The Wyra brothers used to buy these magazines or take on rent and used to share with me. The popular Cine stars were NT Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageshwar Rao, S Varalxmi, G Varalxmi, Anjali, Bhanumathi, SV Ranga Rao, Mukkamala, Relangi etc. The friends in my locality were Mohan Reddy, and Niranjan Reddy who used to live opposite my house, Upender Reddy, Mahender Reddy (Later became professor in Osmania university), Vidyasagar and Suryanarayana, who were related to brook bond agent were the others. There were also Harishchandra Reddy son of Panabha Reddy, Raghuram Rao our neighbor, Ramchander Vootukuri whose father Subbarao garu had a book shop “Prabhat Book stores” near Railway station. There were Mohan Reddy and Damodar Reddy too of Mannegudem whose brother Venkat Reddy had a jeep and daily we used to watch it going in and out.

We started playing ball bton. Few of us would together and lay courts in some open land nearby and play. There were combination of singles, doubles, and fives. It was the most popular game in those days. There used to be many competitions. We used to play for small bets too. My mother’s sister’s family was our neighbor on the northern side. It was a big family. They with their parents and unmarried sisters used to live together. Their brothers and cousins who were studying in Hyderabad used to frequently visit them. They would all pay caroms, Playing cards etc. whole day. There were two sisters who were older to me and were of the age of my elder sister living in that house and going to school with my sister. Once there was a big theft in their house and much of jewelry and cash were stolen. In those days it was one of the biggest thefts. Since our houses were cast off from the town police beat was organized. A police party would visit twice in the night and sign in a kept in my house. It used to be a nuisance to wake up and provide the book for them to sign. Then they switched over to private security, the community engaging a “Gurkha”. He used to wear Khakis, a hat and carried torch light. He would go around all houses at night blowing whistles. Our neighbor’s house used to be the center of activity during the Diwali season. They used to buy lots of crackers and used to compete with other bursting them. New crackers like Atom bombs, Vishnu and Bhoo chakras, missiles, entered the market. Still age-old Seema Tapakayalu, Mathabulu, and Kakarapu Vattulu, Chicchu Budlu dominated the festive nights. Women used to light castor oil lamps and decorate their porticos and internal paths and heights.

1953-1958- Adolescence I moved to the new school premises. It was a Pukka building with new sections added. It was opposite newly built Prabhat Talkies and two town police station. Our Head Master was Samson Ramakrishniah when I ed. His wife Kamala

Devi was the head mistress of “Andhra girls school” a privately run high school for girls. Jayakar Johnson was the RDO. All of them were keen sports persons. Our teachers were Gopal Rao (English), Venkata Narasiah (English), Siddiah (Maths), Sharma (Sports), Narayan Rao (Geography), Laxmi Narasimha Rao (Telugu), Kalvala Seetha ram Rao and at later stages Murthy (English), Dikshitulu (Head master) and Surya Narayan Rao (Head master) ed the faculty. They were highly respected and were strict disciplinarians and were very friendly teachers. Most of them were distantly related to us and I happened to meet and interact with them in later years. Few of their children were also with us in the school. Most of them were not only interested in academics but few of them were also sports persons, literary figures or artists. There were 4 sections in 8 th standard when I ed. I was in “D” section. The school was only for boys. My class mates were Dr. Nagubandi Narasimha Rao, Dr. Madiraju Harikishen, Dr. Pabbaraju Ramarao, Pulliah (Engineer), Madhava Swamy (Engineer), Upender Rao (Agriculture), N. Satyanarayana (Railways), G. Raghava Rao (teacher), Akbar Pasha (Engineer), Dr. Surya Prakash Rao, Mahender Reddy (Professor OU), Harishchandra Reddy (Army), Karumoori Subbarao (Business), Kalla Babu (Business), Dr. Raja Rao, Raghu Ram Rao (Revenue Department), Alasingari (Singer, Teacher), Kona Reddy (Injured in students faction fights), Ramamurthy (Sports Person), Ankuliah (Bton player), Mishak (Business), Satyam (chevula Pilli-Engineer), Krishna Murthy (Businessman), Madhusudan (TalladaAgriculture), Laxminarasiah (RTC), Pedda Seshagiri (Revenue) Balaji (Electricity) etc. Next to our school was a library and another one was across the railway tracks “Vignan Niketan”. Vootukuri Ranga Rao a poet was the librarian of Vignan Niketan and Kolipaka Madhusudan Rao was the librarian of “Raja Rajendra Basha Nilayam?” next to our school. Both had literary taste. On the school days I used to spend lot of time in these two libraries other literary figures of the time in Khammam were

Kaviraja Murthy, Vootukuri Ranga Rao, Hiralal Moria, and Madiraju Ranga Rao, ML Narasimha Rao, Itikala Neelakantha Rao, Pullabhotla etc. I read most of the Telugu literature available by the time I completed matriculation. There used to be some literary events. “Varthaka Sangham” (Merchants’ Association Building) was very active. They built a building of their own which was also used as a meeting place and function hall. Akshaya Lingam Gupta and few others were responsible for its creation. They would conduct annual meets and invite poets to recite their works. I saw and heard most of the giants of literature at that time like Kaloji, Sri Sri, Dasharathi, Vanamamalai, Arudra, Atreya, C. Narayan Reddy, Diwakarla, Makhdoom, etc. I used to love their renderings. There were few temples at that time. The much-visited temples were at Ravichettu bazaar (Venkateshwara temple), Brahmin Bazaar (Ramalayam), Anjaneya Swamy temple at Kalavagattu, One next to high school (Ramalayam), and Narasimha Swamy temple on the hill (Gutta meeda Narasimha Swamy). I was not a frequent visitor of the temples. The temple I visited most at that time was Narasimha Swamy temple on the hill. They say there is a link between the temple and name of the town “Khambham mettu” which was subsequently corrupted by Muslims as Khammam met and British as Khammam. Few us would and climb the hill and play there and see the panoramic view of Khammam. It used to be a deserted temple. The temples and Railway staff used to organize Devi Navaratrulu, Sree Ram Navami etc. They used to conduct Harikathas, Purana vachanam, and speeches on Hindu religion. They also used to organize dramas like “Pandava Udyoga Vijayalu, Bhakta Prahlada, etc. I happened to see great artists of the time at these functions. Sports were given great importance. Our head master and Sharma garu would come to the play grounds (Which was nearer to my house) every day and insist that all students mark their attendance. They were people of high integrity and

discipline. Mr. Ramakrishniah would always come in suit. There were few other keen sport persons who were nonofficials like Babu Rao a contractor and Itikala Venkat Ramaiah a land lord, Ramchander Rao (Who subsequently was a teacher and later ed police) and few others. They were responsible for construction and development of Pavilion grounds and establishing the Jubilee club. They used to organize national sports meets at Khammam every year. Ball bton, Football, and volley ball were the main events. Hyderabad city police, Burma shell, Assam Riffles, Railways and Mohan Bhagan used to participate in football. The famous players of bton were “Picchiah, Babu Rao, and Ankuliah etc. A bton bat is named after “Picchiah” and manufactured and sold. Mr. Ankuliah was my class mate. Picchiah past nineties is hale and healthy and still cycles to the club and the shop and plays tennis. Ankuliah died at young age. There was a small hotel in front of our school. My Wyra friends used to have more pocket money. They used to take me to this hotel and we used to eat “poori”. There used to be many street vendors selling “Jeellu” (sweet made of sesame and Jaggery), “Bombay peechu mithai” Louse vundalu, Mysore pack, Bogundalu etc. There were no chocolates or ice creams. Sometimes “ice fruits” were available. Soda and Nimmakaya soda were available. So also, was orange soda. Crushed crane sugar juice was available. Near cinema halls “Munthakindi pappu” and “Mirchi” and pakodi were available. Idly, Attu (Dosa), upma, Vada was available in other hotels. “Bun” used to be very popular. It was mostly consumed when someone fell ill. Many of my class mates were very senior in age. There used to be factions in the school. Mostly they would arise out of competition in sports and games. There would be occasional fights and sometimes very serious in nature. Once Kona Reddy our classmate suffered a serious head injury and lost his memory for some time in one of these clashes.

The subjects we had in the three standards of 8th, 9th, and 10 were Telugu, English, English (non- detail), Hindi, Maths, Science, History, and Geography. We had to choose optional. There were two- One was maths and second was History. Common were some maths and optional were Geometry, Algebra etc. In history Indian history was common and British history was optional. The optional were for all the three years. At end of 10th we had to appear for Public common exam which was conducted by state board. The mathematics was very tough. I was not a very bright student. I used to sit in the back rows and often used to skip classes to go to Library or play bton. My father was very keen that I should study hard and even he engaged tuition for both me and my sister in maths. The first one was Mr. Rehman an unemployed youth. For some time Siddiah our Maths teacher was engaged. He used to come in the evenings. After that we used to sit and read under the kerosene lamps sitting on a mat. I used to look for some excuse to avoid studying. Any distraction like my mother summoning me for some errand or some relative sending me to fetch something or one of the youngster siblings crying was welcome. I had a problem which still persists i.e. I doze off to sleep within minutes after having a meal. I could not resist it. Even now the same problem persists. I have been a good sleeper and I used to sleep from 8 PM to 7 AM. It would be very sound and deep sleep. My father used to go out in the evenings and return home around 9 PM. I used to con him many ways to show that I was still awake. During this period my parents were living in the village and I and my elder sister used to live in Khammam. We were put up for some time in my uncle’s house. His wife was my mother’s younger sister. Earlier to her marriage she and another sister younger to her used to stay with my mother to help her take care of us the kids. Both of them were very affectionate and attached to me. They used to live in Brahmin bazaar near to our school. Later we shifted to our house and used to dine in Mandava Rukkinamma garu a relation of ours th

from my neighboring village Mandava. For few months we used to obtain meals from a newly opened hotel. During such period the whole house was given on rent to a session judge who was a Muslim and later to a Government lady doctor who was a Christian. Later the house was divided into two portions and a smaller portion was rented to one Sharma garu who was a “Brook Bond” (Tea Company) agent and later to an excise inspector and later to Dr. Seetharamrao who was a Kannadiga Brahmin working in Government hospital. He used to stay with his widowed mother, wife and an unmarried sister Kalavathi. During such period my father used to commute every two to three days from Khammam to Vallabhi our village. He used to go by bus up to Nela Kondapalli (20 Kilometers) and from there by walk of 10 Kilometers to my village. This he did all his life till road was laid to my village in 1979 -80 and RTC buses (Government Public transport) started. He used to work very hard. He sustained losses in the business as a commission agent where he partnered with Parcha Srinivasa Rao. Subsequently he took up to mining of iron ore and barites. He had few of his brothers and family as partners and that too sustained losses. He took up excise contracts and building and irrigation contracts which all ended in some losses or other. However there used to be cash flow. Electricity supply was given to our locality in the year 19555. My father too got a connection to the house. Wiring took few months. It was external wiring and the wires were embedded in wooden cases. They dug holes in the walls to the wires across the whole house. Electricity was only for lighting that too it was available in the nights. My father bought a battery radio in the same year. After some time, electrical supply was available during day time. During the time of mining operations, he bought an Iron table, Godrej steel almirah, and a steel chair and a table fan. Stairs were built to the roof top. Till then we used a bamboo ladder to climb to the roof top. From then on we used to spend most of our evenings on the open terrace and in summer we used to sleep there. Terrace could accommodate any number of people.

Elections were held to Hyderabad state assembly. In Khammam area most of the congress stalwarts like Madapati Ramchander Rao, Bommakanti Satyanarayana Rao, Jamalapuram Keshav Rao, and Vengal Rao were defeated. Burgula Ramkishen Rao became the chief minister. Konda Venkat Ranga Reddy, Channa Reddy, VB Raju, Gopal Rao Ekbote, Vinayak Rao Vidyalankar, Melkote, Sangam Laxmibai became ministers. Communist party was the opposition party and stalwarts like Ravi Narayan Reddy, Devulapalli Venkateshwara Rao were in it. Khammam district was formed in the year 1952. Madhira, Kothagudam, Ellendu, Khammam, Paloncha were the taluks. GV Bhat was the new collector. Bommakanti though defeated wielded considerable influence. He was the right-hand man of Burgula who was the chief minister. Caste politics crept in. There were Rao and Reddy factions. The district party also split in to two one led by Bommakanti (Rao group) and the other by Vengal Rao and Siddha Reddy (Reddy group). During the time when my mother was staying in Khammam a cook was engaged. She was an elderly widow affectionately called as “Ammamma Garu”. She was also coking in the house of Kolipaka Kishan Rao, and Jupudi Narsimha Rao. The servant maid was “Manga” a Lambadi lady. Her daughter “Savitri” too used to work. During that time two important dignitaries visited my house. One was Burgula Ramkishen Rao the chief minister. He came for breakfast. Cooks were employed to cook breakfast and 30 people participated. All of them were his group representatives. He came in one car and one police jeep piloting. Puree and upma were served. They all squatted on the mats and ate. The other person was Swamy Ramanand Thirtha who was the state congress president. That too was a simple affair. The most enjoyable days were summer holidays. In other short holidays my uncle from Jeellachervu used to take us to his village. Few others of our age group also used to come. In summer holidays we invariably used to go to

Khambhampadu my grandfather’s village. My grandfather died in the year 1954 after prolonged illness. Recollecting his symptoms now I think he died of brain tumor even though at that time it was thought to be mental illness. One of his sons too died of the same in early 2000. All the grand children (Aged above 10 years) used to come for summer holidays to this village. Me, and my mother’s younger brother studying in Penuganchiprolu) Bommakanti Shankar from Bonakallu, used to descend on the village to other relations in the village. We used to travel to this village by train to Bonakallu and by bus to Vatsavai and from there by walk. In the later period there was another Railway station which came up by name “Allinagaram” (Motamarri) between Bonakallu and Madhira from where Khambhampadu was 45 minutes’ walk. My maternal uncle would come home for holidays from Vijayawada where he did his FA and BA from SRR College staying for some time in Tummalapalli Vari hostel and for some time with his sister Sarasvati then living in Governor Pet. For all of us he was the Guru and idol. He was very knowledgeable, upright an honest man. He was very kind and affectionate. I personally learnt so many things from him. He was one of the few who influenced me in my life. He organized us into “Bapuji Bala Samaj” (His creation) as and inculcated interest in reading, writing, literature, painting, games etc. He used to tell us history and very interesting stories. He was a student of Telugu literature and was the student of Visvanatha Satyanarayana a giant in Telugu literature. We used to write essays, and poems which he used to edit. We used to publish a written magazine to which all of us used to write. I learnt the first strokes of sketching under him. Centenary celebrations of first Independence war “1857” uprising was celebrated by us. I drew the picture of Jhansi Laxmi Bai on the horse with her son. Konda Reddy and Sambai who was a lame person were two servants who served in that house for a long time. They were almost like family . Hanmi Reddy was another

who used to live opposite to our house who too had a long and cherished association with our house. My grandfather had two uncles. He had three sisters and one brother. His brother was adopted by one of his uncle. The brother had two daughters and one son. My grandparents gave birth to seven daughters. My grandfather’s uncle Subbiah tatiah bought a gram phone. We used to play many Telugu records of Balasarswathi, Ghantsala etc. His wife was ailing for a long time and soon after she died. To take care of the house he brought a widow and her family consisting 4 from Palghat. Her daughters and son Gopalam used to live in the village and mix and play with us. We enacted a drama me in a heroin’s role. Now and then we used to go to nearby “Penuganchiprolu” and spend couple of days with my aunt and her family. There was a high school, touring cinema talkies in that village. A relation of ours used to be a ed medical practitioner. My aunt’s house was very big and families of my aunt, her brother in law and sister in law used to live with a t kitchen. Many relatives’ children used to be sheltered in the house for their high school studies. My uncle was the Village revenue official (Karanam) and a land lord. He ed Navy and deserted it during an uprising and was hiding in one of our relation’s house till India became free. There is a temple of “Thirupathamma” which has local sacrificial tale to her existence. It is a very well known in the local area and yearly jathara (Thirunala) was held when many people would congregate. I saw many films in the local cinema hall like Balaraju, Keelu Gurram, Laxmamma Katha, Sree Laxmamma etc. In the beginning someone used to play music on harmonium and give running commentary (Silent pictures). A big rivulet (Yeru) “Munneru” was on the way to this village from Khambhampadu. Though the water flowing portion was narrow during summer there was a wide expanse of sand on either side stretching almost to half kilometer. We

used to go by walk on the canal bund. It used to take one hour. Once I was caught while crossing the river in a powerful gale. I was wearing shorts and sand was hitting my bare legs with a force and incising my legs. I was very much afraid and laid myself prostrated and covered myself with clothes which I was carrying in my bag. Now and then I and my relation Ramappa would catch a bus and go to “Vijayawada” (Bezwada). Ramappa used to be given some pocket money by his adopted father for such travels. It used to take 6 to 8 hours. We used to stay with my aunt in Governor Peta. Their house was located in between two cinema halls (Laxmi and Jaihind”). Opposite was Kameswara book depot. Diagonally across the street was Chakravarthy an advocate who had a palatial building. Again, this aunt’s house too was a shelter for students who came for studies. There was a water tap and we used to enjoy having a bath under running water. My uncle had a library of many law books. He did his MA and law from Kashi and Allahabad and it was said that his answer sheet in one of the university exams was included as a lesson in one of the subjects. He was brilliant, witty and affectionate. My aunt was a perfectionist in making a coffee. Any time in their house you would get coffee. We used to wander around the town and go to Krishna river bank, Railway station, Kanaka Durga temple etc. We saw many films there like Missamma, Pathala Bhairavi, Pellichesi chudu etc. We used to eat snacks in the nearby hotel (“Welcome”). We enjoyed the cool drinks in nearby Ajanta cool drinks. The shop used to be full of mirrors and Tube lights. I used to go to my village Vallabhi for few days during holidays. My elder cousin brothers were the main companions. Eluru Janardhan Rao, Krishnamurthy, Kopuru Seshagiri, Ainala Venkaiah, Kodaru Raghava Rao, Apparao, Keshavulu, etc. were contemporaries in Khammam high school. My sister’s friends were Mangamma, Tulisemma, and Drowpadi etc. Kodaru Venkaiah, Ainala Bucchiah, Pedda Veerasami, China veera Swamy, Eluru Kistiah, Lingaraju,

Madaru Sahib, were my father’s close associates. There were two groups in the village in the congress. One was led by my father and another by Gopiah and Kopuru Ramandham. My father’s group was aligned with Bommakanti and the other group with Vengal Rao. In those days the major crops were groundnut, pesalu, kandulu (grams) etc. In summer the workers would collect and take home the whole ground nut in the morning and return the pods collected after breaking them in the evening. For this the workers would be paid jowar in kind. I used to maintain these s. The rest of the time we used to sit on “arugulu” (Village style seating arrangement) built elevated place adjacent to the wall in front and gossip for hours. My father used to conduct “Panchayath” sitting on these platforms in the morning and evening in the morning along with some other elders and settle local quarrels. I used to help my father’s elder cousin in writing village s and reports. Another uncle of mine was the village post master. Postal services opened a village post office and he was assigned the task. The process was very interesting. The red post box was tied to a pole in front of his house. People would buy the post card (Open) and request us to write the letter while they narrated the content and post it in the post box. There was also the inland letter which was the closed version. It would cost more. In the morning the “Postal Runner” would come and open the box and collect all letters and hand it over to us and we would put the stamp with date on them and put them all in a bag and close it and seal it with wax and stamp the wax and hand over to the runner to go by walk to Naila Kondapalli (12Kms away) and hand over in the branch post office. At branch post office such bags were collected from many such villages and they would all be sent by public transport bus to head office at Khammam where they would be sorted depending on the address and sent to their destinations. The village postal runner would collect all the

letters destined to the village and return back in the evening. We used to tell him to whom the letters were to be delivered and he would promptly deliver them at their homes. Money orders were also sent like this. My uncle used to supervise and guide us in this operation. He was the first graduate from my village and also ed his law. However, he was keeping indifferent health and didn’t take up any job or practice, instead settled in the village. He was a very cautious man and would think over things deeply and then only commit himself. He brought up all of his children well and gave them good education. My cousin brother was a good singer and drama artist. He organized a drama “Devadas” a very popular drama based on a novel by Sharath a Bengali novelist. A motion picture in Telugu and Hindi were made on this theme. The Telugu version released at that time with Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri as lead roles was an instant success and hit. The songs were very catchy and most used to hum them. He was the lead role and a hired actress from outside was the female lead. He tried to enter cine field without success. He stayed back in the village and married from neighboring village. I went to his marriage in a cart and the marriage was performed in a hill temple at “Ammapeta”. My Uncle died in Vallabhi during this period. He was ailing for a long time. At that time, I was in Khammam and my parents were in Vallabhi. I heard this news through Eluru Janardhan Rao who was with me in the school and was from my village. Both of us decided to go to Vallabhi. We had little money not sufficient for bus journey and decided to travel by train to “Chintakani” and from there by walk to Vallabhi since the train fare was far less. We got into the train around 8am and reached Chintakani at 9 am and started walking after having some breakfast. On the way I felt thirsty and found an open agriculture well and decided to drink from it. We took the permission of owner who was working nearby and got into the well. While doing so I slipped and fell in the well. Janardhan Rao started shouting for help and the owner nearby

dashed to the well and pulled me out. I was dazed for some time and slowly recovered, and we reached our village at 4pm. I had good scolding from my father for the stupidity of our travel plan. My father was very authoritative. Only once he slapped me for hitting my elder sister. All his life he tried for betterment of the family . All his stern actions were only aimed at it. All the family realized this and never would question his orders. They were simply obeyed. We feared him and respected him. He would work hard and was always ready to help anyone who sought it. He was the most respected, feared, and loved person in our families. All of us were aware of our financial position. So we never made any unrealistic demands. We too tried to adjust in the available finances. He never discussed any issues with us nor sought our opinion. He would decide, and we would follow. He never conversed with us. The girl children would have more access to him. I never had more than a minute’s talk with him till his death except once when I championed the cause of my youngest brother late in his life which must have hurt him a lot. However, he forgot it and was the same again. He had great influence on me. I too tried to conduct my affairs like him. I am greatly influenced specially his love for the weaker in the community, village. He had great love for the country, community, village and lastly the family. While his love was in that order he was very practical too. My mother was very loving and kind person. All our needs were presented to my father through my mother. She would negotiate and get them. If she could not she would come back and convince us about the financial position. We never directly asked him. We never even sat with my father and ate. We never sat in a chair in his presence. I had a great weakness for “Kottha Chintakaya Pacchadi”. I liked it very much. In the season if it is not available I would go hungry and fast till it was made available. For couple of days I would go hungry and would survive only

on water. My mother would somehow manage and make it available. Even now I have that weakness. We never celebrated our birth days. We celebrated only festivals. All the small children would have combined festival celebrations on “Sankranti” with Bommala Koluvu and Regipandla blessings. My mother used to buy big measure of cloth and get clothes stitched to all of us. The older ones who would grow and the clothes were not fitting any more would give the same to the youngsters. When we were in Khammam My mother used to save some money, and buy some readymade clothes for festivals. I used to buy them in “Fashion hall” the only shop at that time selling readymade clothes and footwear. During this period my elder sister got married on 1st Aug 1954. The spouse was from Kallur. He was studying intermediate in Hyderabad. He had one elder sister, and one younger sister and one younger brother. They lost their parents in younger age and were brought up by their maternal grandparents. The marriage was celebrated for 5 days. It was celebrated in Khammam in my house. Many relations came. After five days 20 of us went to Kallur along with my sister and spent three nights and returned to Khammam along with bride and bridegroom for another 3 days. Their house was recently built. They had lot of relations in the village. They possessed many acres of lands. My brother in law’s brother was my class mate and he was studying at Kallur. While we were returning to Khammam we were all given new clothes and I was given a tro and a full shirt. They were the first (Full length Tro and full sleeved shirt) that I had. Till then I was wearing only shorts and half shirts. My mother got Bush coat stitched for me for my sister’s marriage. My brother in law would visit us for festivals and on way to Hyderabad. He was very close to me. During such visits he often would get upset at failure of observation of protocols and in anger would leave and go and stay with a relation of his. I would be sent to resolve it and bring him back. He used to oblige me. He was very traditional and a believer in sanathana

dharma and would tell me many things hoping that I would them on to my sister. He used to read a lot of such literature and his favorites were writings of Vavilikolanu Subbarao. After few months after the marriage his grandfather died in Khammam. I went to Kallur and stayed for all the ceremonies. Earlier to it two of my paternal uncles got married. One was working as a teacher and another as Forest range officer. Younger uncle the ranger did his training at Coimbatore and used to Khammam now and then. He took photographs of ours which I lost over time. We went to Jaggiahpet in a cart to witness the marriage of elder uncle and from there we went to “Vedadari” a temple on the banks of river. I made my second visit to Hyderabad to witness ranger uncle marriage. My aunt had finished her intermediate. She was the first in our family who studied up to intermediate amongst women. We went sightseeing to Osmania University, Osmania hospital, Charminar, High court which were the land marks of the time in autos. That was the first time I saw an auto. Now and then I used to visit “Jeellachervu” my paternal aunt’s house. They had no children at that time. They had a big mango orchard. There was a hill temple of lord Venkateshwara. My uncle’s bother was very friendly, and we used to play and stroll across. My uncle had a small photo film viewer to view frames of films. Subsequently my aunt conceived, and they were blessed with the only child on 9th Dec 1955. He was delivered through a caesarean section in the Government hospital. This was the first operative delivery in our family and second in the hospital. My maternal uncle got married to his maternal uncle daughter on 31st May 1956. There was no dowry and he paid for the marriage expenses too. After the marriage we all accompanied them to Mahaboobabad to the house of relation of my aunt which was 35 Kilometers away from Khammam on

way to Hyderabad. He was a land lord from Pusapalli and had many children. My maternal uncle Ramappa who was younger to me by 10 days married on 10th June 1956. Both were celebrated at Khambhampadu. The marriage at the youngest age in our generation was of Ramappa who married in the year 1956 when he was 14 years and his wife 10 years in Khambhampadu. The son of landlord from Pusapalli, Mahaboobabad fell in love with my aunt my mother’s sister and both got married at Khambhampadu on 15th August 1956. His parents didn’t attend the marriage but have accepted the marriage. My other younger aunt too got married the same year on 24th December 56. The bridegroom was doing his automobile engineering diploma course. My father was the Vice President of AP land mortgage bank. In that capacity he often used to go to Hyderabad and also visited Delhi once to participate in some workshop there. He also visited Agra and bought a small replica of Taj Mahal. Bezavada Gopal Reddy who was the then Minister for finance was also the president of land mortgage bank. In that capacity he visited Khammam and came for dinner to my house. It was arranged on the roof top. I appeared for my matriculation examinations in March 1955. I developed fever, cold, and cough two days before the exams. My father took me to the examination hall on his cycle and I wrote two examinations and on third day developed rashes and eruptions which was diagnosed as “chicken pox” and was not allowed to go for the remaining exams. I lost one year and many of my class mates became my seniors.

Studies in Kama Reddy One of my paternal uncle was working as English Teacher in Government High School Kama Reddy. My father sent me to stay with him to complete my matriculation. He took me to Kamareddy by train and left me with my uncle. My

uncle had no children at that time. The house was rented, and it was a portion in a big house located in an acres campus owned by a Maharashtrian leading advocate Narsing Rao and was in the center of the town. He had a daughter and one son. The daughter was a Mongol and mentally retarded. Son was junior to me in school. The family was very affectionate and kind to me. I was almost a family member. They would invite me many times for lunch along with their son. They would feed me with all delicious Maharashtrian dishes. Narsing Rao garu was also very affectionate and whenever he would see me he would spend some time talking to me. I was the youngest in my class. Some of my classmates were very senior to me in age and were married and had children and would jocularly say that I must marry their daughters. My classmates were Ganga Gowd, Narayan Gowd, Hanama Gowd, Gopal Rao, Baliah, Krishnamurthy, Venugopala chary, Ram and Laxman (Twins), Narasimha Reddy etc. Our heaster was Venkata Narasiah and the teachers were, my uncle, Anjaneyulu, Sharma garu, etc. There used to be assembly before start of school and prayer would be played on the “Band” musical instruments by students. Very talented youngsters were there. School was adorned with a wellmaintained garden. Students used to be great craftsman too. There was a hostel for the students on way to school. We used to play volley ball and ball bton and cricket in the hostel grounds. The students were very friendly and affectionate. Town was a rich town. Houses and buildings were very modern. There used to be a shandy “Santha” once a week. Villagers would sell their produce like vegetables etc. and buy other consumables. There was a Udupi hotel where Dosa was the favorite and an Iranian restaurant near railway station where tea and bread were favorite. Baliah, Krishnamurthy, and Venugopal were the bright students and used to top in the monthly exams. Baliah was also a very good painter.

A relation of ours was the Tahsildar then. He was the uncle of my aunt from Penuganchiprolu. His nephew and brother of my aunt was staying with them to complete his SSLC. He was very senior to me in age. We used to meet now and then. I used to participate in English and Telugu debates and used to top. I was favorite of many class mates and friends. I learnt cycling. My aunt was very affectionate and was a very good cook. She would call me very affectionately “Rangaiah” which no one used to call me. All elders used to call me Rangadu. Some friends would call me Ranganna and some Ranga. I fell ill once with fever and my aunt really took care of me and used to attend to all my needs. It must have been a viral fever. My uncle took me to the Government hospital where Doctor istrated me an Injection which was the first I received. I was very depressed and felt home sick and wrote a funny letter to my mother and she was very worried and sent my father to bring me back home for few days. He took me back and after few days of convalescence and care I returned back to Kama Reddy. Vinayak Chavithi festival was well celebrated in Kamareddy. The idols of Vinayak would be erected everywhere and festivities would start. Students used to go to villages and collect funds for such celebrations. The vans of Beedi factories were lent to students who would travel in them for fund collection. I too travelled in one such journey and I was specially selected to make announcements on the microphone fitted in the van inviting donations. We went to Domakonda area and I saw Janata College managed by Vanamamalai Varada Charyulu “Abhinav Pothana” the poet. Formation of Andhra Pradesh was announced, and elections were held. Sadalaxmi wife of TV Narayana DEO of Nizamabad, Veeraswamy and Madhusudan Reddy, Vittal Rao were contesting. One day I too was roped in by some of friends into the campaign and I addressed a small gathering ing Madhusudan Reddy.

State of Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November 1956. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was the chief minister and Bezavada Gopal Reddy was the Deputy CM. My relation Bommakanti became a MLA. Laxmikanthamma was elected as MP from Khammam constituency. Burgula Ramkishen Rao became Governor of Kerala. Elections were held for parliament and Assembly. Bommakanti got elected as MLA from Madhira. Vengal Rao was the President of District congress. Laxmikanthamma got elected as MP from Khammam constituency. It was hoped that Bommakanti would be made a minister, but it didn’t happen. I appeared for my Matriculation exams held in March at Nizamabad. The District head quarter used to be the exam centre. Narsing Rao garu our house owner arranged for our stay in Nizamabad in one of his relations house. I, Baliah, Krishnamurthy, decided to stay together in a room allotted to us and study together and appear for the exams. We stayed there for 20 days and completed our exams. We used to dine in a hotel nearby Railway Station. My friends were a great to me. After exams we returned to Kamareddy and as summer holidays came by I returned to Khammam along with my uncle and aunt and from there they proceeded to our village. In those days the matriculation results were published in the newspapers. A special bulletin would come and we all rushed to Railway station in Khammam to obtain a copy of the news bulletin of paper containing our results. I ed the exams in second class and my friends Baliah and Krishnamurthy in First class. One day one of my sisters was ill with fever and my mother asked me to go to “Bangariah” and fetch the “Tayattu” to ward off the fever. I took a cycle on rent (Two annas for one hour) and went to fetch it. On the way suddenly, a buffalo came running across the road and hit the cycle and I fell unconscious. I opening my eyes and regaining my consciousness in the lap of my mother in a Rickshaw. My mother was crying, and I was taken to the Govt hospital. I was

told later that a Rickshaw driver who knew me saw the incident and picked me up and took me to my house. The tenant in my house at that time was Dr. Seetharamrao Rao, who was working in Govt hospital. He accompanied my mother and took me to the hospital. There was a laceration on the left angle of my mouth and a tooth was broken. He put 4 stitches and closed the wound. My father too rushed to the hospital. While the wound was being attended to by the doctor the current went off and there was no fall back. My father was shouting at the hospital authorities. Meanwhile the Rickshaw fellow went and brought a lantern from the adjacent fruit shop and they proceeded with the stitching. The Rickshaw fellow was “Aaliyah” who used to work in my house earlier and we were friendly. I was given injections for five days and the stitches were removed, and the wound healed.

SR&BGNR Collage, Khammam:1957-58 After ing Matriculation My father wanted me to study at Hyderabad in Nizam College. Since I could not secure a seat there I ed at SR & BGNR College at Khammam. The college was one year old and ours was the second batch of PUC. Previously college education in Telangana was available only in Hyderabad and Warangal. In 56-57 all the districts of Telangana were sanctioned Colleges. However, there were no funds available for starting the college and it was decided to sell the jewelry of Lord Rama of Bhadrachalam to fund the college. There was a big debate raging over the proposal and Sri Gentala Narayana Rao, a mining baron in the district came forward to donate his personal money to fund the collage. He was a great devotee of lord Rama and he had no children. The college thus came into existence with his donation and was named as “Sri Rama Bhakta Gentala Narayan Rao Arts and Science college” (SR&BGNR Arts and Science college). It was temporarily located in Grain Storage Tinned sheds which were empty at that time. It was located at the

other end of the town from my house at a distance of 2 Kilometers. We had option of taking Sciences, Maths or Arts as optional subjects. I opted for (Rather my father asked) Sciences. There was a RTC bus which used to make two trips to the college from various localities of the town. But mostly we used to walk. There was a cart vendor “Anjappa” who used to wheel a cart to the college during working hours and make “Idly” and “poori”. In the school attendance was marked only once in the first period. I found it strange that attendance was taken in every period in the college. Satyanarayana was our principal. The lecturers were Seshavataram for chemistry, Acharya and the principal for Physics, Subbarao for botany, KYL Narasimha Rao and Manikya Rao for English, Adi Narayana for Telugu, Sharma for Hindi, YV Reddy for economics, Rammohan Rao for History, Atma Ram Rao and Ramanuja Rao and some others were our demonstrators. Most of them were young and caring and affectionate. Most of them were known to my father. Conducting experiments in physics, chemistry, dissections of frogs and earthworms in zoology and cutting sections in botany were very fascinating. Pre-University course (PUC), and 1st year of graduation in arts (B.A), and science (B.Sc.) were the courses offered in the college. My earlier class mates in matriculation at Khammam high school who became my seniors as I lost one academic year due to chickenpox in the exams were prosecuting the 1st year graduation. My juniors in the school became my classmates in PUC. Ramappa and Papai were my seniors and they were in first year B.Sc. Chanchal Rao, Umamaheswara Rao, KR Narasimha Reddy, Venkat Reddy, Dattatrya, Shyam Sunder, Venkat Rao, Karnati Rammohan, Hymavathi, Bhageswari, Rajakumari, Shakuntala, Vasikarla Satyanarayana, Akbar Pasha, Pulla Reddy, Janaki Ramaiah, Venkat Rama Rao, Letitia, Seetha

Kumari, Mamunoori Narasimha Rao, Raja Rao, Hanumanth Rao, were my classmates. Venkateshwara Rao was the president of the college students’ union, and G. Satyanarayana the secretary. They were sympathizers of the communist party. Most of the students were either sympathizers of communist party or congress. For some days me, Ramchander Rao, Papai and Vasantha used to go to KYL Narasimha Rao for English tuition. The days rolled by merrily and happily. There used to be competitions in debating, song and drama, painting etc. The only prize which I won in my life was in painting for which I was given a Nirmal flower vase which I preserved and was misplaced only recently. I acted in a Telugu drama. I acted as a woman in one of the Fancy dress events in a picnic. College authorities held a mock parliament. Students got divided into two groups and were to elect the Government and the other would be opposition. Me and Ramappa were in two different groups and Ramappa group could muster enough and formed the Government. I was in the opposition. Ramappa played the role of VK Krishna Menon the then foreign minister and me the role of Acharya Kripalani. It was a great fun. We were taken on a picnic cum Botany tour to Nagarjuna Sagar dam. It was under construction. It was a great experience to see the world’s largest Masonry dam under construction. Bhimsen Sachar was the Governor and he visited our college. He came by a saloon attached to a regular train which was parked at the station during his stay. Locally he travelled by a car escorted by a police jeep. Subsequently Ramappa wrote him a letter expressing his desire to see Rajbhavan and he was invited to do so and was served with tea by a butler in uniform. Panchayath elections were held during this period. There were two groups in congress in the district one led by Bommakanti and another by Vengal Rao. My father belonged

to Bommakanti group. Villages were divided into wards depending on population and elections were held for ward . The ward would elect the “Sarpanch”. All the villages in the development block (Approximately 30 villages) would constitute a Panchayath Samithi. The Sarpanches of the villages in the Samithi would co-opt few more and then elect Samithi president. The elections were fought on party tickets. Since Vengal Rao’s group was in control of district congress my father’s group in the village was denied congress party tickets. They contested as independents on cycle symbol. Out of the 8 ward they won 7 seats. My father was elected as the Sarpanch and Kodaru Venkaiah as the Upa Sarpanch. My father was one of the contenders for Samithi president. Bommakanti group had a slender majority of two or three in Samithi. Three of our relations were also elected as the Sarpanches of three villages Bhuddaram (Bhuddaram Venkateshwara Rao from congress), Mandava (Pattabhi Rama Rao from congress), and Tallampadu (Gopal Rao from communist party). There were feelers from Vengal Rao group to them and was promised to be made Samithi president. However, there was Ravulapati Satyanarayana Rao from Mudigonda whom Bommakanti wanted to be co-opted as a member of Samithi. First co-options were conducted, and R. Satyanarayana Rao got co-opted. Bommakanti kept it as a secret his option for Samithi president. It was agreed that he would name his option minutes before election through a sealed envelope containing the name to prevent defections. Ravulapati Satyanarayana Rao was preferred by him and he became Samithi president. My uncle Parvatal Rao was doing his law at Hyderabad. Earlier to that he worked as a Telugu teacher in Nagulavancha a village nearby Khammam. My father’s elder brother was working in Khammam Municipality and was staying in our house. My father was busy with his mining works near Khammam and Garla and Bayyaram. He formed A. Ramarao & Co, a private ltd company

and has taken on lease land to mine Barites and Iron ore from Government. He put up a shed in the front yard of the house as the office. All of our uncles and one Venkataramachary Pujari of Venugopala Swamy temple in Cheruvu Madhavaram were partners. My father was the chairman and Managing partner. Often, he used to commute to Hyderabad on this work. He would stay in the old MLA quarters of Bommakanti on his visits to Hyderabad. Mohammadali and Madhavaram Ayyagaru used to stay in Khammam to assist him. Vengal Rao held Annual State congress event at Khammam. Indira Gandhi who was president AICC attended the meet. There was a procession and I saw her from close range standing on the road side pavement. My youngest brother at that time suddenly took ill with loose motions and went into dehydration. Our tenant Dr. Seetharamrao Rao initially treated him. Later Dr. Mazzid who was a very famous private practitioner visited our house for second consultation. His charges at that time for a house visit were Rs 5 and cost of transport by Rickshaw. My brother went into dehydration and was istrated sub cutaneous saline. However, he died after 3 days. As the PUC exams drew nearer few of us classmates Chanchal Rao, Uma Maheswer Rao, and few others occupied an empty newly built unoccupied municipal quarter in Mamillagudem for combined studies. We used to study under kerosene lamp lighting. We would go to Naaz café for tea at 11 o’clock. I think we used to gossip more than studying. We wrote our examinations in that summer and I ed in second class. My other roommates too ed the exams. Sputnik was launched by Russia on October 4, 1957 and we used to look at the sky to see it.

Becoming a Doctor Hyderabad-Summer 1958 I was one of the top ten students who secured the highest marks in PUC from SR & BGNR college Khammam in

1957. Hence my father decided that I should apply for Medical college seat. That year Government decided to divide medical college seats into district wise quotas and allot seats to the meritorious in the district. There would be interviews for the top candidates. In addition, there were other courses also like veterinary sciences, Agriculture, BDS, Pharmacy, Biochemistry etc. to which we decided to apply. To do all this my father took me to Hyderabad and lodged me with Sri Bommakanti Satyanarayana Rao MLA from Madhira (Old MLA quarters16B). Close to this was Mysore Café branch hotel. He stayed with me for few days and we started applying in various colleges. We had to apply attaching various certificates like Mulki, Study certificate, Conduct certificate etc. All the original certificates were true copied on type writers and were attested by a Gazetted officer. The only one we knew at Hyderabad in those days was an Assistant Director Employment and training. His office was at Khairtabad and he was building a house in chikkadpally. Bommakanti quarter was spacious and had 3 rooms, a kitchen, verandah and a hall and two toilets. His son and nephew used to reside there. Rest were people like me visiting for their works. There was a personal assistant to Bommakanti. There was a telephone, and all the rooms had fans. We used to go around the city during day time and stay the night there. Few other classmates of mine Venkat Reddy, P. Ramarao, Harikishen, Satyanarayana, Janikiramiah, and Venkatarama Rao too descended on the city for similar purpose and were staying in different places. Veera Raghavaiah, son in law of Kodaru Venkaiah of our village and his brother Veeriah too were there in the city. My father bought meals tickets in Mysore café for Rs 28 which would last for a month. We would have our breakfast there and lunch daily. My father’s cousin brother came and stayed with me and he would take me to one or two cinemas a day. Mostly we used to see Hindi movies in Zamrud Mahal (Which Nizam used to visit to watch films) in Abids, Royal Talkies, Picture house,

Light house, Liberty, Paradise, and Tivoli, in Secunderabad. He would take me to Taj Mahal hotel in Abids for lunch. The food used to be very palatable. They would serve unlimited chapattis for lunch and unlimited hot pooris for dinner. We used to travel in the city mostly by walk or by Rickshaw. The charges were low and most of the Rickshaw drivers would speak in Urdu and would easily identify those who have come from Andhra area if they don’t answer in Urdu and charge them exorbitantly. There used to be constant friction and conflict on this score. There were city buses which used to ply on 2 routes mostly. Series starting with “7” were on the route from Kothi to Secunderabad station and “8” from Charminar to Secunderabad station via Abids. There were double decker buses on route 8. University used to run their own buses from few localities to university. Almost every evening we used to walk down to public gardens in the evening and chit chat and listen to songs and news on radio. Mostly the discussion would be on our chances of getting a seat. All newspapers in English and Telugu were daily delivered at Bommakanti quarters. I regularly used to read the English newspaper a habit my father inculcated in me. He used to say that if we read the English newspapers daily our English would improve. One day I came to know that Andhra Kesri Tanguturi Prakasham was staying in of the quarters close to Bommakanti, behind Mysore café branch and went to see him around 11 o’clock. He was sitting in a chair in Verandah and having a nap. No one was around. I stood there for few minutes transfixed. He was really like a lion, with a broad and big face and plenty of hair falling on to his shoulders. He slowly opened his eyes and gazed at me and enquired “evarura”? emi kaavali? (from which village and what do you want?) I told that I just came to see him and pay my respects. He said “Chooshavuga? (you saw it?) And went back to sleep. Soon after few days he died. After about a month we were called for interviews. It was in the principal room of Osmania Medical College. The

clinical classes of Osmania medical college were located adjacent to the hospital and preclinical classes in Osmania University. The of the selection committee were Dr. Bankatchandra (eminent physician of the day/ Principal of Osmania medical college), Major KN Rao (Director of Medical & Health Services- Son in law of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice president of India)), KB. Lal (Secretary Health), and N. Narottham Reddy (MLC and owner of Deccan Chronicle). I was of 4’ 8” in height and 28 Lbs. Looking at me after I walked in Dr. Bankatchandra jocularly said “If we select u we may have to find a nurse of your height and an operation table of your height” at which everyone laughed. They asked me 4, 5 questions and I could not answer one of them which was “which is the District headquarters of Medak district? “After returning home Bommakanti listened to my interview experience and dialed Narottham Reddy to find out my chances of selection. They were joking to each other on the phone. After few days results were put up on the notice board at Osmania University and my friend went to see them and telephoned me to say that he could not find my name in the selection list. Bommakanti was in town and in the room when I received the call and immediately rang up someone to find out what happened. He was informed that I was selected. He gave his PA and asked me to go to university and see the list. My name was there. Venkat Reddy must have searched my name under “Ranga Rao” and could not find it. My full name was “Pandu Ranga Rao” and my selection was listed as such. I returned to Khammam that night by train and reached home midnight. My parents were awaiting me and they were very happy. My selection was the talk of the day in my circles for quite few days. Everyone would come and congratulate me. There was jubilation. My father was very keen that there should be a Doctor from our family. He hoped and tried his best with his younger brothers to enter the medical field. It didn’t materialize.

I came to know much later that I was not the first Medical student in our clan (“Aitharaju” family). In one of my visits to my aunt at Penuganchiprolu I was informed about it by her mother-in-law. She told me that one Jagannadharao Rao brother of Mr. Aitharaju Jaggiah, elder cousin of my father ed LM&S course at Madras but died while studying. She was related to them. However, there was another hurdle. I had to undergo medical checkup to become medical student. It was conducted in Osmania hospital by Dr. BK Naik an eminent physician of the day. I was suspicious that they may disqualify me for under weight and height. However, I was cleared. Thus, I started on the path of becoming a doctor. There was almost a month’s time in between the PUC examinations, and the results and my departure to Hyderabad to apply for Medicine seat. I was not very curious of the results. I thought I may and would continue my studies in Khammam. In the summer myself and Ramappa (my mother's brother and of my age) started planning our future course of action. He would be entering BA second year and I first year BA or B.Sc. We thought of taking active interest in college politics and started working for it. I decided to contest for Secretary and him for the president ship. Initially we were in separate groups. We decided to together and form an independent block nonaligned to other and contest. We worked out the permutations and combinations. Suddenly all of it became a standstill with exam results and marching orders to Hyderabad by my father and subsequently ission at Warangal. When I recall I don’t think I have ever aspired to be a doctor. It was more a decision of my father and aspirations of many elders and it so happened that I got the required marks to secure a seat. I never really worked for it. I know many who were much more studious and ambitious and worked to secure a seat but fate willed it otherwise. I don’t even any one asking me what I wanted to do. I just

obeyed their guidance, wisdom and decision. Confidence in elder’s decisions and obedience was the dictum of the day. If left to my free will probably I would have gone and ed “Shanthi Niketan” a school started by Tagore. Anyhow fate willed it otherwise. For quite some time my parents were not sure if I would continue and complete my medical studies. There were one or two people whom they knew who deserted medical studies as they didn’t like dissecting dead bodies. They were also not sure if I could take such burden. I wanted to go to Bhadrachalam and see temple of Rama and ornaments gifted by Ramdas which they wanted to sell to start our college. My parents were not in favor of my trip and I was not allowed and in resentment I fasted for two days.

Arts and Science college, Warangal:1958-59 The day of my ing in the premedical course approached and accompanied by Parvatal Rao my maternal uncle I went to Warangal by train. We stayed in the house of uncle Kolipaka Prakash Rao, an advocate and cousin brother of my uncle Kolipaka Ramchander Rao. The house was located on the road to Hyderabad next to head post office, in Nakkalagutta, Hanamkonda. It was a big house. Sugunakar Rao, brother of Prakash Rao too was residing in that house. He was not married then and was working as a junior lawyer with Parcha Ranga Rao garu. Another brother of Kolipaka Ramchander Rao, Kolipaka Manohar Rao too was residing few blocks away. I knew all of them as they were our neighbor’s close relations at Khammam and often used to visit us. I went and ed Arts and Science College next day. The course was common to the students selected for Medicine, Veterinary sciences, Agriculture. Pabbaraju Rama Rao a classmate in matriculation at Khammam was with me in medicine. M. Krishnamurthy a senior in school at Khammam who left B.Sc and ed agriculture was our classmate now. Bhageswari Reddy a classmate in Khammam College was in medicine with us. Rama Satyam from Tallada in Khammam

district too was with us. These were the students whom I met on the first day. I went by bus to the college. The bus stop was very close to the house. It took some time for the classes to start in earnest. Few more have become friends. But most of the time either I used to spend in the house or in the central library of Hanamkonda. I started reading modern Telugu literature. My uncle’s children were very fond of me. At that time my uncle had two boys and 3 girl children. My aunt mostly used to live and nurse the youngest in the interiors of the house. They had a very big Kitchen and a dining hall. A lady used to help aunt in cooking. Her son was studying in our college and was doing his BA. All were served meals at the same time and we used to eat squatting on the floor. Even my uncles used to us. In the evenings uncle Sugunakar Rao and I would go in a Riksha to Hanamkonda Chow Rasta and have some tiffin (often Poori & Sambar- A rare combination) in one of the hotels and he would go to his senior to work and I would go to the central library. Again, we would re at Chow Rasta and head back home. During most of the time of my stay in Warangal this used to be the practice. Even when I ed hostel he would come to the hostel and pick me up. On Sundays and holidays, we would go to his agriculture fields to supervise the operations. He was very friendly in spite of our difference in the age and would tell me many experiences, events and views. He was very incisive, jovial, and warm. He was my guardian during my stay in Warangal and a well-wisher and guide later. I moved after few days to another uncle’s house. Uncle Kolipaka Manohar Rao was staying with aunt Yashoda. He would address me Rangadu and aunt would address as Ranga Rao. He was working as a manager of the Coop or land mortgage bank. My aunt was a great cook. The potatoes curry was the best. Once the meals are ready she would call both of us and would make three parts in everything and insist that everyone should eat their share. She was always smiling and pleasant. I never saw her exhibiting anger and I used to think there was lot of sadness behind her bright

eyes. I had a very pleasant stay with them and I would often return to them on holidays or Sundays or festivals for lunch and dinner. This aunt was another mother who took care of me like my earlier aunts like Sarasvati, Savitri, Annapurna, Shakuntala and Paja and later on Dr. Leslie in England. They continued the same affection to me all these days and in their lives. I moved to the college hostel after some time. The hostel was in Nayeem Nagar in Hanamkonda. It was a rented accommodation belonging to someone who at that time was a NRI. It had two floors and had few rooms in RCC house and some accommodation and kitchen and dining in sheds. There was accommodation for 30n persons. It was a hostel for Arts College. Students of other faculties were also itted. It was mostly occupied by Professional course students. Notable hostel mate was Vara Vara Rao the present revolutionary poet. He was doing his BA literature. The others were Janardhan Reddy who was secretary of the college students’ union, Dr. J. J. Reddy, Krishna Murthy, Pabbaraju Rama Rao, Krupasagar Kunde, etc. Laxma Reddy was my roommate. He was a studious student and used to study most of the time. He used to counsel me and goad me to study. There used to be an Acharya cook for the hostel. He was from Khammam and distantly related to Achary who used to cook at our house in Khammam. However, this Achary used to use lot of Hing in cooking. Ramarao had a cycle. Sometimes I used to do pillion riding on his cycle and we used to take a longer route to go the college. I used to regularly go in the evening to the central library and read most of Visvanatha, Chalam, Latha, Adavi Bapiraju, Sharath, and Sri Sri, Dasharathi, Kaloji. Whenever I was not accompanying my uncle Sugunakar Rao in the evenings and used to feel hungry and go to temples nearby by for Prasadam to satiate my hunger. There used be to two hotels in Nayeem Nagar. One was named Janaki hotel and

another Jaggiah hotel which used to remind us about the popular actors in Telugu cinema. I started to watch more and more Hindi movies. Most of us the hostel mates would go on every wed day at 8 pm to listen to Binaka Geeth Mala on Radio from Sri Lanka Radio. That was the only channel in those days which used to transmit Cine songs. All India radio was mostly transmitting news, Classical vocal and classical instruments, Balanandam (Children’s programme), Dramas, and speeches and Stories. The news readers in Telugu were Panyala Ranganatha Rao, Kotthapalli Subramanyam, and Rajya Laxmi etc. Warangal was a Suba under Nizam. It was the regional headquarters. First high School and Degree College were established here under Nizam. Most of the students from Karimnagar, Khammam, and Nalgonda used to study here. The town was mostly stretched in between Kazipet and Warangal. The town grew mostly on the sides of the KazipetWarangal road. Hayagriva chary was the MLA and he was a friend of my father. My father when he visited Warangal also came to me and took me to him. He used to have his house in Hanamkonda Chow Rasta. Warangal used to have only a district hospital and it was in Hanamkonda. There were few doctors and one of them was Chandra Mowleswer Rao who was the brother of Murali Dhar Rao H/O of Chittamai (Ratnavathi) our neighbor in Khammam. Once there was a Kavi Sammelanam (Poetic Meet) in the college and all these poets rendered their poetry. My class mates in the medical faculty were Chakrapani, JJ Reddy, Balachander, Raghupathi Rao, Bhageswari, Saroj Murthy, Ramarao etc. I used to take part in dramas and debating competitions. Vara Vara Rao used to write poetry. I, Rama Satyam, Pingali Prasad, Babu Rao, enacted a drama in exhibition grounds in a competition. Tayagaraju who became a cine actor subsequently was our junior in college and he too competed in dramas.

Ravada Satyanarayana was our principal. He was a very highly respected Physicist and a very honest man and a good teacher. He used to live opposite to our hostel. Subramanyam and Krishnamurthy were Telugu lecturers and a Muslim gentleman was our English lecturer. I cannot recall the names of the other lecturers since I stayed there for a short period of one year. My father used to send me Rs 50 per month. I used to pay Rs 30 for hostel fees and mess and in the rest twenty I had to manage my other expenses. I got Political sufferers children scholarship which paid my college fees. The train fare from Khammam to Kazipet used to be Rs.1.50. We used to go in holidays to Khammam. There were few trains in those days to Khammam. We would meet all old friends and exchange gossip. Papai, my uncle’s younger sister was very appreciative of my success in securing a seat in the medical faculty and became a great irer and friend. She was doing her B.Sc. then. We used to talk and gossip for hours. In the holidays in summer most of the people in the locality would sleep in open or the roof terrace. It used to be very pleasant and most of the adolescents would spend late in the night chit chatting or playing some games. There used to be hardly 10 feet separating our terraces. We would stand at the parapet wall on our respective terraces and chit chats till late in the night. The other favorite chit chat place was the culvert in front of Kolipaka Anandarao (another uncle). We would sit on the parapet of the culvert and chit chat. Occasionally we would walk to the station and sit on the platform and chit chat watching the trains. We would often go to “Mohan Sweets Home” a favorite t for tiffin for all. The dishes were made with pure ghee and were very delicious. There were few adults who never missed going there even for a day during its existence. Literary figures of the day would have their tiffin in Mohan sweet home and then sit in Karamshetti China Narasiah book shop and indulge in discussions.

To go to Warangal or Hyderabad the convenient trains were in the night. They were Puri enger and Howrah express. They used to be at midnight. We would leave our respective houses after early dinner and leave our luggage in some shop near the station and go and see Second show cinema and return to the station. Still the train would not have arrived and there used to be notice of delay by few hours. We used to open our “hold all’s” and stretch on the platform. Many a times we used to wake up in the early morning hours and would find that the trains are further delayed. We would welcome the same for giving another opportunity to visit Mohan Sweet Home and enjoy the delicious dishes again. Leisurely the train would arrive, and we would depart. We would unpack our holdalls and spread on floor and sleep for another 4 hours. In those days I never travelled in a train which came on time. We took our Pre-professional course exams in the summer and packed and left for Khammam. During that summer my elder sister delivered her first female child in Khammam. I and my grandfather’s mother were sent in a hired Jeep to Kallur to bring my sister who was in labor. After reaching Khammam she was taken to the Govt Hospital for delivery. Soon after, our results were announced, and I left to Gandhi medical college at Hyderabad.

Gandhi Medical College:1959-1964 I stayed in the house of Parcha Mohan Rao garu for few days on my arrival at Hyderabad. However, few of us friends from Khammam met and rented a first-floor portion of house in Himayathnagar. We were 7 or 8 of us who stayed there. It belonged to a retired chief Engineer Ananth Raman. I was the lone medical college student. The rest were in their graduations in Arts & science subjects in different colleges and another studying ITI in automobile engineering in Allawuddin technical college. The rent per month was Rs. 110. The owner

and his wife and a daughter were living in ground floor portion. We used to dine in Indra Bhavan and later in Devendra Bhavan on the main road in Himayathnagar. The monthly meals (Lunch and Dinner) were costing us Rs.25. They would give us a coupon book with 64 coupons. They used to stamp the last four tickets as “Guest tickets”. We could entertain guests for 4 meals in a month. We bought bamboo cots and entire house the cots occupied. We used to give our clothes for washing and ironing in a laundry. The hotels were close by. My father gave me money to buy a watch (Rs120), a cycle (Rs150), and two pairs of new clothes (Terrilyn cloth-Rs 150) and shoes (Rs 20). It was a big expense. I bought a Faverleuba watch in Rashid and company and clothes and cloth for an apron in FD Khan in Abids and Atlas cycle in Bank Street and a pen in Pen corner in Kothi. These were the standard purchases every medical student would make in entering medical college except the cycle which was an option. I went to the medical college on the opening day and as I entered few seniors caught hold of me and started ragging. I didn’t know what to do or say. Meanwhile an old friend of mine N Narasimha Rao (Class mate till matriculation and studying second year at that time) saw it from a distance and approached us along with his other friends and rescued me. However, the ragging was mostly fun and teasing by the seniors and afterwards they would take them to the hotel and offer them tea or snacks. Narasimha rao introduced me to his “dead body dissection batch mates” Venkat Ram Reddy, Nagabhushanam and Satyanarayana. A batch of four students from 1st year would be allotted the limbs of the dead body for dissection and another four from second year would be allotted the thorax and head & neck and abdomen and brain on each body. The bodies used to be immersed in formalin which used to have a very strong pungent smell and used to burn our eyes. My hands used to smell horrible even after a very thorough scrub and so were my clothes and I could not eat well for few days. Probably it

was more psychological too. My batch mates were Chakrapani, Manikyachary and Yelliah. We used to change our combinations. My youngest brother was born on 9th June 1959 at Khammam. It was the day of Vinayak Chavithi. That is why Ganesh was added to his name and Venkat was from my great grandfather Venkata Kistiah. I was in Hyderabad and was informed by a letter. I saw him when I went to Khammam in holidays. I was making new friends at the college and after lapse of few months I have met almost all of my classmates and seniors in 2nd year. In the physiology lab we were to practice testing of each other’s blood by pricking our fingers and making slides and for sucking blood in a pipette for Hemoglobin estimates. I bought the required books in “Kothari” medical book shop which again was a great expense. Our college was located in Bashherbagh on route no 7 & 8. The bus stop (in front of college) used to be called “Ladies corner”. Kothari medical book shop and a small restaurant used to be on the opposite side. Later “Have more” ice cream shop came up. At the end of the road on the left and at the junction was “Embassy café” and on the right side at the junction of the road were Liberty talkies and Embassy talkies. Sometimes we would avoid going to classes and see matinee shows in those talkies. The embassy theatre was a small theatre with about 60 or 70 seats. Only English films were projected there. In between our college and liberty junction was “Ladies Hydari club”. Ladies Hydari club used to have an auditorium and play grounds which were used by college by an agreement. I attended the marriage of one of our teachers who at that time was our anatomy tutor. He became a professor of ENT later on. His wife too was a doctor and she became professor of Anesthesia. It was a grand function and all the preclinical students were invited and we were entertained to

a great feast and an entertaining and enthralling classical dance by Yamini Krishna Murthy. Andrews was the Physical director and he became a great friend and was an artist of merit in dramatics and literature. My friends and associates in that year were mostly nonmedical students. The medical students I was close in first year were Balakrishna Nair and Subhash Reddy. Harikishen introduced me to Adiraju who was senior to me in the school. He was working as a journalist and had very wide s. He used to live with his brother in a rented accommodation near YMCA. He used to conduct monthly meetings of people interested in literature. PV Ranga Rao and few others used to attend such meetings. For some time, we tried playing Tennis in the Lady Hydari club grounds near New MLA quarters but gave it up soon as we could not afford the cost. The shared accommodation in Himayathnagar was becoming more and more a t for college politics. Chaturvedi who was doing his MA in Nizam College was contesting for the post of student’s union president. KL Narasimha Rao was a student of Nizam College. Chaturvedi was residing in a close by house whose tenants were the family of Kondapalli Rama Manohar Rao who hailed from Kallur. He was married to the daughter of Mundumula Ramchander Rao a known political personality then. He was a relation of ours. His unmarried younger brothers and sisters were staying with him. They were all prosecuting their studies in different colleges. Rama Manohar Rao acted in a film “Vara Vikrayam” a Telugu movie. His hearty and loud laughter still rings in my ear. Chaturvedi along with these persons used to frequent our accommodation and all the planning for elections and subsequently NSS elections were conducted from this house. Subbarao a student of Nizam College from Allinagaram too used to frequent our house. Chitranjan, a singer and some other friends were our regular visitors.

The atmosphere was not conducive for studies. I my friend Bandi Janardhan decided to move out and we found a room in the first floor of Palvai Govardhan Reddy’s relations in the lane behind Gowda hostel. It was a room built on the Garage and had an attached toilet. It could accommodate two cots and a table etc. We were very comfortable, and I used to go on cycle to our college. We were paying Rs 25 as rent for the room. Harikishen used to come to our room and would stay with us during week end. My roommate Bandi Janardhan was from a village “Arempala” near Khammam. They had a house in Khammam. His father Bandi Venkaiah garu was a known person in Khammam and he had four sons. The eldest was Bandi Ramaiah, next was Laxmiah, and then Mangapathi and then Janardhan. Eldest two were seniors in the school and Mangapathi was my classmate and Janardhan my junior. Janardhan was a silent, affectionate person. He was strong in his physique. Everyone was afraid of him. He would go onish any one if he was rude to me. Everyone would call him as my body guard. Such was his affection. He was a great . There was no water scarcity in those days. It was 24 hours supply. The weather used to be pleasant. It used to be quite chilly in the winter. There was a fan in the room. My father in one of his visits to Hyderabad took me along with him and introduced me to Dattatrya who was head of State land mortgage bank. My father was the vice president of the same and Bezwada Gopal Reddy who was the finance minister was the president. My father on behalf of this bank participated in a conference at Vignan Bhavan, New Delhi and visited Taj Mahal in Agra. He bought a small replica of Taj in mosaic stone. He had a cup of tea which costed him a fortune in hotel Asoka. He stayed in Delhi at the quarters of MP Madhusudhana Rao from Warangal. He also took me and introduced me to another friend of his Seetharamrao owner of Mysore café chain of hotels. My father on his trips to Hyderabad mostly used to stay in Mysore café in Abids. He also

introduced me another friend of him, an inspector of Excise who used to live in old city. He was an earlier a Muslim nabob. He had orchards in Nuzveedu and he used to send us mangoes. While searching for accommodation I happened to visit a house in the vicinity and approached an elderly man who was reclining in an easy chair and reading a book in the verandah. I could see a stethoscope hanging in a room behind. When I spoke to enquire about accommodation saying, “I am a medical student and in search of rented accommodation” he slowly closed his book and looked at me and replied gently “Sorry” and opened the book again and immersed himself in reading. For a fraction of second I thought I saw him before. When I came out I realized he was “Bhogaraju Pattabhi Seetharamiah, the great legendary who defeated Subash Chandra Bose in election as a national president of Congress. He was ed by Gandhi. He wrote the history of congress and was the founder of “Andhra Bank”. One morning after few months I read in papers that he died, and the cremation would be held that day. I avoided going to the college and went to his house to pay respects. By that time the funeral procession started, and I followed the body to the cremation grounds. Sanjeeva Reddy the CM and few of the MLAs, ministers and dignitaries accompanied the body on foot. There were about hundred in the funeral procession. Few more ed at the cremation grounds. There were speeches by few and his body was cremated. This was the first funeral I attended. The life style and living of those great leaders was very simple. One night I was returning to the room after a meal in hotel alone on my cycle. It had no light. A police man caught me and confiscated the cycle and issued a challan. I was told to go to small cause’s court near Salarjang museum next day and attend the hearing and pay fine and collect my cycle from Troop Bazar police station next day. I and Janardhan went next day to the court and waited. I was told that if I contest there would be a hearing and if found guilty the fine would increase and be higher. Otherwise i.e. if I didn’t contest and

agree the fine would be less and lighter. My name was called, and I was made to stand in a corner with folded hands. There was a lady magistrate (Later I came to know she was related to TVP Ranga Rao my uncle). Someone asked me “Bagair Kandil rath me cycle chalaye?” I itted in affirmative saying (as tutored earlier) “Ha Huzur”. The Magistrate pronounced the verdict “Panch rupia fine”. I was led out and I paid the fine and collected my cycle from police station. I had to search for long to locate my cycle from a crowd of such seized cycles. This incident made me to think about the process of justice. I thought the best way of preventing such minor crime would be that the police man who detects such crime and apprehends the individuals should counsel him and sell them the “Light” instead of collecting fine in the court. Incident made me to think for the first time and probably was the beginning of my quest for the other best alternatives to problems. Dr. Jaya who was the professor of Anatomy was a great teacher. She used to take lot of pains to teach us. She was the one who would use visual aids for teaching. Dr. Shankar Rao was the professor of Physiology. He was simple and business like. Dr. Baig was the professor of Biochemistry. The tutors were Dr. Mahazir and Dr. Kondal Rao, in Anatomy and Dr. Ebenezer in Physiology and Chalapathi Rao and Dr. Nalini in biochemistry. As it was a new college the faculty was not full, and Osmania used to dominate the scene. Few people stared a private medical college by name People’s medical college which the Government took over and converted it into Gandhi medical college which was just two years then. The professors in Osmania were Dr. Seetharamiah for Physiology and Dr. Hanumanth Rao for Anatomy and Sahadevudu for Biochemistry. Dr. Seetharamiah was very knowledgeable, authoritative and a great teacher. He was a great disciplinarian. Everyone was afraid of him. He used to dominate the preclinical teaching and he was the examiner too. He used to conduct combined classes for both colleges.

I applied for scholarship that was given for the children of “Political Sufferers” and the same was sanctioned. There were three others (Police Nagabhushanam, Amara Venkateshwara Rao, and Uma Ramaswamy) from my batch who used to get that scholarship. Probably at that time we were only the four in the college. Medical college annual day celebrations were a great hit. Students of other colleges used to canvas for es to attend to these celebrations. Osmania medical college hostel day celebrations too were very popular. The chief guest to the first college day I attended was Mehdi Nawaz Jung the minister for municipal, housing and health. The president of the students’ union was HP Sunder a very talented person. He ed medical college after doing his B.Sc. and LLM. It was rumored at that time his wife who was teaching in University was financing his education. He was a talented artist. The minister seems to have known him personally well as he referred to his name many times in his address. Sunder’s wife was a professor in the university and I happened to know his daughter Dr. Shailaza and her husband later in life. The dinner was fabulous. The cultural shows were very entertaining and hilarious specially the Urdu mushaira and Urdu drama. I have realized that Urdu language was a very powerful language and it can be stretched to any lengths in expressing various emotions. I decided to learn Urdu language. However, the effort was not serious, and I tried again in UK where I went to later in my life. Still it is a dream. There were 10, 15 items in the cultural programmes. To our dismay there was only one item in Telugu a song by D. Satyanarayana a senior who later became an anesthetist. We felt sad at it. Slowly the first year was coming to an end. Ramappa came to Hyderabad during the end to appear for some practical exams. He stayed with me and we returned to Khammam by bus. We caught the bus at 7am in the morning and reached Khammam at 4 pm. It was a long journey. There were no express buses or night services.

The routine of Holidaying in Khammam commenced with walks to the station, tiffin in Mohan Sweets home, chats sitting on the culvert and talking to Papai standing at the parapet wall etc. I also visited Khambhampadu during the holidays. In one such visits Ramachandram son of Annapurna Akkayya fell and broke his arm. He too came to Khambhampadu for holidays when I was there. I Cutting some bamboo sticks and ing his forearm with them and putting his arm in a sling and transporting him to Jaggiahpet to a doctor. That was my first “First aid”. All watched me with great awe. That was my first improvisation. Reading some first aid book earlier helped me in that. General knowledge that one gains from reading magazines, books, and newspapers would come handy in such situations. I had great experiences with such things in my life. In Indian situation one may not be able to provide or receive the best always and at the same time it should not be forgotten that still one can still be helped based on local knowledge, resources and innovation and improvisation. These experiences shaped my thinking and to keep an open mind. Bandi Janardhan my roommate finished his studies and returned home. After the holidays I returned to Hyderabad to commence my 2nd year. Again, I was in search for accommodation. There was no hostel for male students. Few seniors used to stay in Osmania hostel in old city in the accommodation above Salarjang museum. There was a combined hostel for lady students in Bharkatpura. In those days many hostels ed by various castes have sprung up, like Reddy hostel, Vysya hostel, Gowd hostel, etc. There was no separate hostel for students of Brahmin caste. However, these hostels used to it other caste students too in vacant seats. Hostels for students in the university were available but issions were restricted to the respective university campus colleges. Nizam College and Women’s college and RVRR women’s college had their own hostels.

I ed “Reddy Hostel”. It was located near Abids. It was a very big hostel and the most popular hostel. The buildings were new and located in a very big campus. It had a huge dining room. The cost was only Rs 25 per month. The medical students and Engineering students were allotted single or double room accommodation. We used to have Poori with dal or upma for breakfast. Vegetarian lunch was served for lunch and dinner and on Sundays and festivals Nonvegetarian dish was extra. Since there were many students the vessels with food items were brought from kitchen in big hand drawn carts with wheels. Long dining tables and chairs were in rows. Dining tables were covered with plastic sheets. Because of long usage, plastic sheets used to curl at the edges and water used to drip on our clothes. On Sundays the hall used to be full as non-vegetarian dish was served. All used to a get a piece of bone. Everyone would try and suck the marrow. To make it easier they used to hit the bone on the table either to break it or for the marrow to dribble out. It was a great sound as simultaneously hundred would be hitting at the same time. I have not seen this practice anywhere again. Most of the students used to have their lunch at respective colleges. They were staying in the hostel more for accommodation than food. The accommodation was very central and well connected by bus and had good new facilities. Since I was a vegetarian I could not relish the food and I used to eat out side mostly. There were few good hotels nearby like Das café, Irani restaurant, Taj Mahal (Abids and Kothi), and one above Sagar talkies. However, the cost was high, and I decided to shift from Reddy hostel. Someone suggested trying Vysya hostel and I stayed for few days as a guest with one of my friends (Amara Venkateshwara Rao, or Shivaramiah or Balawamy). I didn’t like it either. One day I met Nagubandi Narasimha Rao my senior who too was searching for accommodation. Earlier he used to stay with his elder brother “Pundari” who was working at that time. They used to stay in rented house near liberty. Pundari left for US and Narasimha Rao was left to fend for self and to take care of his younger

brother Madhusudan who came to Hyderabad for further studies. They all hailed from Dornakal and were in business and the family was headed by their eldest brother who was into politics too. Venkat Ram Reddy too was looking for accommodation. He was Narsimha Rao’s classmate and hailed from Jogi pet in Medak District. He was the only son to his parents and he had a widowed mother. We all decided to stay together and cook food and eat and study. While we were in search for suitable but cheap accommodation Narasimha Rao got us into a chowltry cum hostel meant for Vysyas near Gandhi hospital. It was free, but I and Venkat Ram Reddy had to lie and inform the management that we were from Vysya community. The name of Venkat Ram Reddy was changed to something else and we stayed there for few days. It was “Dandu Pentiah” hostel. Dandu Pentiah was a leading businessman and Philanthropist. His grandson Raghunandan was our senior in the College. He was one of the few who used to own and come to college in a car. Damodaram Sanjeevaiah became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy the earlier Chief Minister got elected as president of National congress. Damodaram Sanjeevaiah hailed from a scheduled caste family and was an educated person and was interested in singing and literature. He was a very simple and soft spoken person. Raghunandan Raj and I often used to discuss about the plight of scheduled castes and the insults meted to them. Again, the congress got split into two groups one led by Sanjeeva Reddy and the other by Sanjeevaiah. Bommakanti was in Sanjeevaiah group. We found a place in Adiah Nagar behind Secunderabad Railway station. In the adjacent portion to ours was a family with two widows. Since I didn’t know cooking I volunteered to do the unskilled work of washing and cleaning. We decided that we should concentrate on our physical fitness and decided to jog and exercise in the morning in nearby grounds. Madhusudan was of heavy built and used to be breathless

sooner. We used to come back from exercise and start cooking and eat and repeat the same in the evening. We had to do the shopping and maintain s etc and soon we found out that we had no time for study and many times missed the college too. We decided to employ a cook and share the cost. Venkat Ram Reddy brought a boy from his village whom he introduced as Baliah. We came to know much later that he was not Baliah but Sk. Mohammad. Venkat Ram Reddy thought that either we or our elders may not approve to employ a Muslim cook he decided to change his name. Baliah served us well and become a contractor subsequently and did well. How an urgent need would make us to lie when the fear was totally unfounded? My father led a movement against untouchability and we always had scheduled caste helpers who would even cook for us. After few months we shifted to another accommodation which was more central in Kingsway. The house was at the junction connecting Gandhi hospital road to Rashtrapathi Road. Our accommodation was n the first floor. Nearer to that Madiraju Ram Mohan Rao Advocate used to stay. He was a leading lawyer and brother in law of my uncle Kavuturi Krishnamurthy. Next to our house was the family of Chandrasekhar Rao brother of my erstwhile head master in Khammam Suryanarayana Rao Garu. They were distantly related. His nephew Prasad was studying in school and later became a journalist and much later migrated to US. Chandrasekhar rao had two sons Murthy and Chakrapani and two daughters Sujatha and Chandralekha. Murthy was in final years of Engineering and Sujatha was in college and the rest were in school. Through Prasad we all became friendly and used to meet often. Chandralekha was a good singer. She used to sing the songs of Bhanumathi very well. Chakrapani in later life became a chartered ant and bought “Andhra Patrika”. Murthy migrated to UK and was teaching in Leeds University where I met him when I went to UK.

My friends in 2nd year were mostly from medical college. Venkat Reddy, Rama Rao etc. have ed Osmania medical college. We used to meet very often. Through them we met more new friends from Osmania. Harinath ed our college in 1styear and was introduced to us by Venkat Reddy. Venkat Reddy, Nagabhushanam and Harinath were class mates in Pre-medicine at Saifabad College. So slowly many have become friends. We used to often visit Osmania university D hostel and were entertained by these friends there. When they used to come to city they would stay with us in our rooms and we used to entertain. Slowly those of us who came from districts and were suffering the financial problem huddled together and became a very cohesive group. Later this group which started with 7 (Magnificent seven) further expanded. The first cohesive Magnificent 7 group including me were Police Nagabhushanam, J Venugopal, T Janardhan, Busa Malliah, Puli Gopal Reddy, and Manohar Mahajan. We used to call ourselves “Asthadiggajalu” when Ananthlal would . Janardhan was senior most in age in our group. We all used to sit in the back row and would often not go to classes but chit chat in the hotel or in our rooms. But this was a very cohesive group and shared the difficulties together. Our funds were pooled, and expenditure shared. New MLA quarters used to have a canteen of Mysore café. For some time when we were out of money and could not afford buying the meals coupons we used to get a tiffin carrier from Mysore café and 8 or more of us used to share. If we could not even afford that few of us would go to embassy café nearby and satiate our hunger with Tea and bread. My involvement in college student’s politics started accidentally. One day I was travelling in the bus from Secunderabad to college with some friends and we were conversing in regard to something about Khammam. G. Radhakrishna Murthy (From Khammam) was apparently travelling in the same bus after alighting the bus came to me and introduced himself as our senior in the college and as the

native of Khammam. After exchanging few pleasantries, he introduced AVSS Ramchander Rao who was his classmate and friend and sought my to get him elected as cultural secretary. I introduced most of my friends and canvassed actively for him. I saw an opportunity to promote Telugu cultural activities through him if he got elected. Soon the news spread and more and more candidates sought my . The earliest candidate contesting for the post of President was Raja ram who hailed from Warangal and was the elder brother of Tayagaraju who was with us in Warangal College who later became a film actor. We found that there were two s one led by Raja ram group and another led by P. Sudhakar Reddy who later established Medicity hospital. Raja Ram group won the elections, but Ramchander Rao was defeated. There were banners, posters, pamphlets and interpersonal canvassing. The election expenses for a candidate would be from a minimum of Rs 25 to 200. A success celebration party was thrown at Taj Mahal hotel, Kothi and all ers were treated to sweet, samosa and coffee. Soon I was a recognized as one of the heavy weights in college politics. Chakrapani for the post of Secretary Preclinical, and Harinath as t secretary contested the elections. They were in our . While Harinath won Chakrapani lost. The students from various colleges used to celebrate annually “Andhra Abhudaya Utsavalu” a forum to celebrate Telugu culture, literature, drama and song. Prabhakar Reddy who was our senior in the college entered filmdom through this forum. Various colleges would nominate representatives and in turn they would elect the body which would conduct the events. I contested as Publicity Secretary and lost. However, for some reason the events were not conducted that year and were discontinued later. I and Chakrapani were nominated from our college for inter collegiate debating and essay writing competitions in Telugu, and someone else for English. We all won some prizes. We used to have regular visitors at Kingsway home. With my involvement in active College politics many used to

visit. It used to be a disturbance for my roommates. Venkat Ram Reddy would often counsel me to concentrate on my studies. We became very close friends. No one else amongst friends would call him “Are” except me. He never called any one “Are” except me. I used to keep company with various categories of friends; friends who were studious, intelligent, hardworking, and some easy-going type, etc. Nagabhushanam and Madhusudan Reddy were staying in Balamrai in a room. Gopal Reddy was staying with Ananthlal in Begum Bazaar in Ananthlal relations house. Venkat Reddy, Ramarao, Harikishen, Kantha Rao were in Osmania university hostel. SL Kantha Rao was junior to us in Khammam College and hails from a town near to my village Jaggiahpet and was very good student. He was very much liked by Prof. Seetharamiah and used to top in quarterly tests. The other top students in Osmania in pre-clinical were Shyamsunder P, Shyam Sunder M, and Jaipal Reddy etc. Koteswer a keen photographer became a friend through Nagabhushanam and Madhusudan Reddy. He owned a press “Sivaji Press” in Secunderabad. Poornachandra Rao who used to work in telephones became a good friend through Narasimha Rao and so was Nagulu a local businessman. Our home in Kingsway was close to Mahadevsingh’s house (a trade union leader at that time). His nephew Ramdev Singh was our classmate. Our College day celebrations were a great hit. We could introduce few Telugu events like few songs etc. that year. It paved way for and more events in subsequent years. In this process Dr. Obuleswer, Sunder, Dhruva Kumar, Murali Krishna, Annie Ramachandran, Vani, Geetha Reddy, Qursheed Ramaiah, Meera ben, Ramesh etc. became friends over the next few years. Dr NRV Swamy was a keen promoter of fine arts. He was the cultural advisor. He directed a Ballet in English on the life of “Siddhartha”. He was the commentator for that. Chitra Pandey our junior, Hari Gopal etc. acted in that. Qursheed Ramaiah left her studies and ed Hindi filmdom. She acted as a heroin in one film.

Ramappa came to appear for some exams and stayed with us. We gave a warm send off to Dr. Obuleswer who was posted to Khammam. He stayed in our house for few days in Khammam. Few of us moved to Osmania hostel to prepare for our exams. The exam center was in Osmania University. We stayed with friends and wrote the exams. I didn’t do well my physiology paper specially Biochemistry. A question was asked about ascorbic acid. I knew everything about Vit C except the fact that Ascorbic acid and Vit C were same. I knew that I would fail and didn’t prepare well for orals. The questions that were not answered in my theory were repeated in orals by Seetharamiah which I could not answer and he made a cryptic comment “U fool, U should have studied the questions u spoiled in your theory paper and could have answered now and you would have ed”. We were told by our internals about our results before they were officially announced. I left for Khammam for my summer vacations. I gave hints to my family and friends of likely results of my exams.

April -1961 to June -1962: 2nd Year and 3rd Year (Jr) in Medical college While we awaited the results, I attended the marriages of Gopal Reddy and Venkat Reddy in the summer vacations. Venugopal was married on 6th May 61 which I have not attended but attended the marriage of Gopal Reddy with Prameela on 7th May 61 at Ramaram near Garla. Most of the friends came from Hyderabad and I went from Khammam by train and got down at Garla and walked to Ramaram few kilometers away. The marriage was performed at the bride’s house and Gopal Reddy’s brother officiated from Bridegroom’s side. We were bridegroom’s party and the usual accusations (In lighter vein) about arrangements were made. The marriage went on well and we returned to our respective places.

We returned early to Hyderabad after the results were announced and from there all friends went to Venkat Reddy marriage at Akupamula. Akupamula is a village on the high way between Suryapet and Kodad. We all travelled by an express bus and had to buy ticket to Kodad which was beyond Akupamula. However we requested the conductor to stop at Akupamula and he was reluctant. Twelve of us were to get down at Akupamula. Nearing Akupamula at a sharp bend we threw our cloth bags through the windows and started shouting and opened the door and started descending. Driver sensing trouble stopped the bus and we all got down and walked to bride’s house. The house was double story building and we were accommodated in the first floor. I don’t us giving any gifts. Even now whenever I travel on that road I recall the incident. The house still stands. Again, our search for accommodation started. We used to vacate the accommodation before going on vacations to avoid rent for two months. Except 14 in our batch rests of us all failed mostly in physiology and few in both anatomy and Physiology. I failed in Physiology. As majority failed we never felt that we failed, instead we felt failing was the norm and felt the course duration was extended. Ananthlal invited me to stay in his room along with Gopal Reddy. Gopal Reddy and Ananthlal hailed from Mahaboobabad and were classmates since childhood. Ananthlal relations owned a place in Begum Bazaar which was at that time a wholesale business hub. It used to have narrow lanes littered with dung and dust. Ananthlal was allotted a room in the third floor where we all three stayed. Its roof was of asbestos sheet. It had a table fan and open space in front. Ananthlal ed 2nd year and started his clinical. Begum bazaar was nearly 20 Kilometers from Gandhi hospital in Secunderabad where he used to go in the morning for clinical and come to Gandhi Medical College for theory classes in the afternoon. Since we were referred students we used to stay at home and study and sometimes go and attend lectures and practical in the College. We used to eat at Vasantha vihar a

hotel in Abids. We used to cycle. Ananthlal bought a motor bike. He was the first to own a motor bike amongst our class mates. The relations of Ananthlal were very nice to us and would serve us sweets and pooris on many occasions. One day I lost my cycle, someone stole cycle while it was parked in the house. The ground floor had few shops, bath rooms and latrines and washing place. The house had road on two sides. They used to keep ash in tin box in the latrines as a rubbing agent for washing hands after ablutions. They used ash for cleaning the utensils without water. Sometimes in the evening Gopal Reddy used to borrow Ananthlal motorbike if he was in good mood and we used to go for our meals on that. Ananthlal was very fond of cinemas, and music. He bought a transistor and we used to listen to music on that. Ananthlal had a childhood marriage. He and Subash Reddy used to see many cinemas of Kantha Rao. In the student un ion elections Murali Dhar Krishna won as Secretary and Raghu Ramulu as the president and Ananthlal as the cultural secretary. During one of those days we went on picnic to Gandipet, a lake which used to supply drinking water to Hyderabad. Once after watching a second show (Cinema) in Tivoli talkies we went by walk to Begum Bazaar. As the supplementary exams neared we again shifted to Osmania hostels to write our exams. We did well in the exams and declared ed. We left for few days to our villages and returned to Hyderabad. Then we entered our clinics in third year medical college. We were given postings in the wards in batches of two or three to one ward. I and Amara were under NRV Swamy and later with Dr. Subbarao. Now we had Stethoscope and Apron in our hands. While we were travelling in city buses etc. we were looked at by other engers and ired. We started enjoying that envy and iration which the profession gave us.

Initially I stayed along with Nagabhushanam and Madhusudan Reddy in a room built in open space in big grounds in Balamrai in Secunderabad. There were two rooms one adjacent to other and attached bath and toilet combined for both. It was a very small room with space for two single cots and a chair in between them. We used to walk to paradise talkies and catch the bus to Gandhi hospital and walk to Hospital. We used to have breakfast in one of the hotels nearby and attend clinic and again catch a bus to Gandhi medical college in Basheer Bagh. We used to get a tiffin carrier and share the lunch and return to the room in the evening by bus to paradise and walk to the room. Again, we used to walk to Taj Mahal hotel in Secunderabad for dinner cutting across the length of parade grounds walk back to room after dinner. We used to feel very hungry all the time. We used to eat heavily in the night. Whenever someone would get money order we would go to Pannys or Chinese bar in Secunderabad and have one beer, Biryani and a Berkley cigarette which would cost us Rs.2.50 all put together. The walks became very tiresome and left little time for studies and the room was getting very congested. Nagabhushanam and I rented a room in the lane next to Paradise on Prendergast road. Nearer to that Malliah and Janardhan took another room. We stayed there for few months. Many friends used to visit these rooms. Again, we vacated the rooms and went back to our respective towns and villages after May 1962. The routine of spending the holidays again commenced. My parents were in Vallabhi and I was at Khammam for few days. On one-day Ramarao came and we were discussing the prices and cost of living. He said “Karivepaku” the curry leaves have become very expensive and he said they come from Vijayawada for sale here. At that I suddenly ed that there was plenty of curry leaf in the backyard of our house and as no one was using them we decided to cut and sell it at the market. Both of us have cut the same and took it to the market to sell in a gunny bag and to

our dismay we were offered very little at which we got very upset and instead of selling at that price we decided to distribute it free to known persons. Whole day we spent travelling on cycle distributing the same. I could never understand the market forces. My uncle Parvatal Rao was working as Publicity officer and was staying in a rented house nearby our house in Khammam. Ramappa, Seenappa were staying with him. He had in his office a Tape recorder (Spool type). He had an official vehicle a van. While I was in 2 year he came to Hyderabad on official work in his vehicle and stayed in Mysore café in Abids along with his wife Sarojini. The traffic in Abids was very heavy in those days and Cycle Rickshaws would ply very fast as there was a slope. When they went for shopping they waited for half an hour to cross the road at the end of which they decided to cross in a Rickshaw. He ed that I wanted to go to Bhadrachalam to have darshan of lord Rama when I secured a medical seat. I along with my mother’s grandmother Rukkinamma (80 Years) travelled with him on his official visit to Bhadrachalam in the van. There was no bridge on Godavari River at Bhadrachalam at that time. We got down at Sarapaka and crossed the river by boat. However, we had to walk long distance in the sand to get into the boat and some more distance to reach the shore after alighting. Our grandmother could make easily. We went and had darshan of the deity and saw the famous ornaments got made by Ramdas (Which were proposed to be sold to fund the college in Khammam). My uncle attended to his official work and we had our lunch in some restaurant. My grandmother was on fast. We started walking back at three o’clock in the afternoon in summer sun. Suddenly I realized my grandmother had no footwear and sand was very hot. I lifted her and carried her in my arms to the boat in spite of her protests. I must have been a very lucky person to have had such an opportunity to serve her in small fashion. On another occasion much later in my life when I was working in Hyderabad my grandmother’s daughter Ranganayakamma

(Papai mother) was ill and was brought to me in a Rickshaw. She could not alight and take the few steps. I again lifted and carried her in to the house. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy again became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 12th March 1962 and was the chief minister till 29 Feb 64. Sanjeevaiah moved to central Government.

Stay at Narayan Guda…June-62 to May 63: (3rd year (Senior) and 4th year (Junior) We returned to Hyderabad after the holidays and this time along with my younger brother Manohar. My father decided that he should study his PUC in Hyderabad. He got ission in new science college and we hired a room in Narayan Guda in the opposite lane to Deepak Mahal cinema talkies. Harinath has ed as a roommate. We rented it for Rs. 30. It was big enough for three of use and had an attached bathroom and toilet. The house owner was Mangamma garu and she was staying with her son Murali Dhar Reddy in the adjacent main portion of the house. Another room attached to ours was also let out and so were two rooms in the outhouse. The location of the house was very central and had good bus transport. Manohar College was at a walking distance. Our relations houses were nearby. Jagan Mohan my cousin brother ed Engineering College and was staying in University hostel. Malliah, Janardhan, were staying in a nearby room so were Devender Reddy, Eknatham and Subhash Reddy and Satyanarayana. Venkat Reddy, Harikishen and Rama Rao, SL kantha rao and many other friends lived in Osmania Medical college hostel in Koti. A new college building sprang up in Kothi with hostel facilities. The preclinical classes were also shifted to the new campus. Andhra Bank building was also built during this period at Kothi. It was the tallest building with 5 floors in Hyderabad. Taj Mahal hotel at Himayath Nagar was under construction. We used to get a meals carrier from the hotel and share the food.

Ramesh, a junior in the college and son of Thripuraneni Gopichand a famous novelist and thinker was staying at the corner house of the main road in rented accommodation. He and his brother seem to have inherited many qualities of their father and were interested in literature and fine arts and leftism. Ramesh was an avid reader. We used to share lot of time discussing current issues, the contemporary literature and the personalities of the day. On some subjects we used to differ. He introduced me to Murali Krishna another junior in the college who used to write poetry and was a staunch leftist. Prabhakar a lecturer in New Science College was introduced to me by my brother. He used to live close by in the quarters along his mother and sisters. He became a family friend of ours. We used to meet often. Mangamma Garu the house owner used to keep few poultry birds to get eggs and they were allowed free roaming. Harinath lured them to a corner near bath room where they used to lay eggs and Harinath would quietly collect them and break and take them raw. Mangamma garu didn’t have a clue of it and probably thought that the hens were not laying eggs. In the outhouse a doctor who was doing his MS general surgery was staying with his wife who was a teacher. He would often come and borrow blades for shaving. Often we used to find he cooking food and his wife reading some book resting in easy chair a sighting which used to invite hilarious comments from Harinath and others. Students union elections came up and I contested as the general Secretary. Mohan Chander and Ramdev Singh were the other two contestants against me. Both were from city and were more sophisticated and could converse in Hindi & English well. They were sober and articulate. They in between them split majority of ladies’ votes. Ramdev Singh had a good voice and his pronunciation and control of voice in the pre-election debate I think swung the results in his favor. However, we continued to be good friends. The differences were limited to the election battle. Venkat Reddy contested elections in Osmania and he too lost. I was the script writer for

many candidates both in Osmania and Gandhi. I was very impressed with Kennedy speeches and used to include similar sentiments in the speeches I wrote. One evening, while ing through the side of Ravindra Bharathi, I saw an announcement about a Sanskrit drama “Mricchakatikam” being enacted in Ravindra Bharathi that evening at 7 pm. As the time was 6.30 I entered the hall to see the drama. There were few viewers in the hall. Most of them were organizers. I sat in the third row. It was an aisle seat. Soon the hall filled. Around 6-55 suddenly I found all viewers standing up. It was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the president of India. He came and sat in the first row on the aisle seat. Soon after that again people rose and this time they were clapping. Radhakrishnan however didn’t rise from his seat. Nehru who was then the prime minister of India entered and went and greeted the president and sat on the other side of the aisle in the first row. I was stunned. I never expected in my life that I would have an opportunity to see those great men so close and also share a seat so close. In that euphoria I have not noticed any other dignitaries who came. Drama commenced but my eyes were on the leaders. After about an half hour suddenly the curtains came down and when they rose again all the actors assembled on the stage and Nehru rose and went on to the stage and photographs of Nehru with actors were taken and they were introduced to him and soon after Nehru left the hall. Again, all rose and clapped. At the interval Radhakrishnan was invited on to the stage and he distributed the mementos. He too left. As I was not following the drama I too left. We went on an excursion to Nagarjuna Sagar dam. We went in our college bus. Dr. Swamy and Dr. L. Bhaskar Reddy accompanied us. While returning the bus broke down at Mallepalli a village and we all spent the night in big cattle shed playing cards under a kerosene lamp. The Chinese war broke. The reversals on the battle field were very painful. There was a sudden upsurge of national feeling and unity. All rallied behind the Government. I went to

various colleges to talk about “Blood donation”. I wrote poems on the theme of betrayal to which Ramanujam (A professional Artist) composed the music and Narasimha Murthy (A professional artist) sang in our college day celebrations. Narasimhamurthy became a very good friend. Later he composed music and sang few other songs of mine. There was no Telugu section in the college magazine. We decided to bring in a special issue on the theme of Chinese war in Telugu. However, college authorities didn’t show much interest. Few of us friends decided to bring it anyhow. Printing of 500 copies estimated to cost us Rs.250. I was closely associated with cultural programmes of the college day. We decided to introduce new persons to the stage. In that process we went and requested a junior student Ms. Renuka Raju who got transferred from Warangal College for a dance performance. She indicated that we should approach her father permission. He was the boss of Biological Evans a company manufacturing vaccine. We took appointment and went and met him. He was very courteous and kind. He patiently listened to our brief on our college cultural activities and our efforts to promote Telugu etc. and sought his permission for his daughter’s dance. He appreciated our efforts and said he is prepared to help us in any way except permitting his daughter to dance. He narrated his bitter experience of similar performance in Warangal the previous year. As we rose to take leave he went in and came back with cash of Rs 200 and gave it to me as a donation to get the Telugu magazine to be printed. The remaining expenses of Rs 50 were shared by us and the magazine was printed. There were not many writers. I ghost wrote most of the items in the magazine “Jathi-Nadi” (Pulse of the nation) and distributed them free on the college day. Once in two or three months when some friend would have some money to spare we used to have a party i.e. a beer, Biryani and Berkeley cigarette. Biryani could be vegetable or egg or mutton or chicken depending on the individual. However, the drink was limited to one beer or sometimes a

glass. However most used to feel euphoric with that small quantity or pretend to be euphoric. One evening we had such party in Raj Kamal a bar on the main street of Narayan Guda. It used to be in the first floor. A tiffin hotel was in the ground floor. While we were coming down few of the friends from Osmania were laughing and shouting and pretending as if they were drunk. My brother Manohar and his friend Lecturer Prabhakar were standing at the entrance of hotel downstairs, discussing something. Manohar saw us and must have been shocked. He soon left, and we saw off our Osmania friends and Harinath and I returned to the room. On returning to the room I found Manohar crying silently covering himself totally with a blanket. I quietly went to sleep and Harinath was trying to talk to Manohar and allay his apprehensions. Next morning Parvatal Rao uncle came to our room and Manohar must have narrated to him about previous night’s incident in our absence. When I and Harinath returned he opened the topic to counsel us. Harinath started an argument. Parvatal Rao was saying that it was not a great thing to drink to which Harinath challenged him to a drink. Harinath said he would pay the total bill of the quantity that Parvatal Rao would drink in any hotel of his choice. The challenge was accepted and three of us went to Vicarish the costliest hotel at that time. We were confident that Parvatal Rao would not drink knowing his nature. As Harinath ordered for beer Parvatal Rao asked for some non-vegetarian snacks at which I became very suspicious and thought that he was trying to pull our legs and fool us. When the order was served he finished them off without batting an eye lid or showing any emotion. Harinath ended up paying a huge bill and we returned to the room. Parvatal Rao called Manohar and exhaled his breath for him to smell and took him out and counseled him. My father fell ill and was itted to Govt hospital at Khammam. It was diagnosed as Typhoid. I rushed to Khammam and attended on him. In patient wards of Government Hospital were in front of the Police station near

Railway station. He was in the general ward. There were 6 cots in that ward. At night I used to sleep underneath his cot. There used to be a nurse and a ward boy and a watchman in the night. Doctor was on call. One night a patient from a village was brought with an overdose of local variation of morphine. After the usual stomach wash etc., the attendees of the patient were instructed not to allow him to sleep and had asked him to make him walk whole night. He was carried by attendees in shifts and they made him to walk whole night. It was very crude but in the end, was effective. He slowly recovered and went home. Emergencies in the night were mostly cases of Asthma, Alcoholic over dose, poisonings with Datura or Ganneru pappu. My father slowly recovered and was discharged. I think with that incident of illness in mind my father decided to perform my Upanayana. He chose Tirupati as the venue and I returned to Khammam to accompany them to Tirupati. There was no advance reservation and I went to Dornakal to block some accommodation in the train. To my amazement I could not even get into the train and had to travel on the foot board up to Khammam. At Khammam somehow, we squeezed in and travelled to Tirupati. We had to change at Gudur. We checked into a room in a chowltry at Tirupati and my father went to organize for the Brahmin etc. On his way he met a person who introduced himself as brother in law of Akkiah Chowdary a wealthy man of Khammam. He informed my father that his purse was stolen and requested him to lend him some money. My father not only believed him and gave him the money but also invited him to my Upanayana. He was in a neat dress and he came to our room with my father and Brahmin. Upanayana was conducted and as was the tradition I sought alms from the parents and the stranger and bowed to them in respect. We ate the food brought from the hotel and the stranger departed. We had the darshan of the lord and travelled back to Khammam. However, I have not shaved my hair as was the custom.

After return I practiced Gayathri for few days. I used to feel powerful and felt that whatever I was saying bad or good was coming true. I was afraid of that and gave up. I, Nagabhushanam, Venugopal, Gopal Reddy, Malliah and Manohar and Harinath ed NCC. Mohan Chander was the junior under officer. Prithvipathi too was there. Motilal was the under officer. Andrews the physical director of college was in charge of the programme. We were given the uniform and the shoes and cap etc. We used to go for drill in the uniform. It was a great feeling. We attended a “B” certificate training camp in Bolarum. We all used to start from our room and get into a lorry provided by NCC authorities and reach there by 6 am and go through tough physical training. We were made to go for long walks carrying the Riffle and other stores. We were given training in riffle shooting for few days and were also tested. I stood first in one of those events. We all ed our “B” certificate. We gave a salute in a parade at our College to Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy chief minister at that time in 1964. I still have those photographs. We had to return our uniforms, shoes etc. after our training. For some reason I delayed it. The authorities wrote a letter to my father about it. He promptly wrote a letter to me advising me to return them immediately or pay the fine if I have lost them. It was one of the few letters (countable on fingers) my father wrote to me in his lifetime. Manohar ed his PUC exams and my father decided to it him in Warangal medical college. I didn’t show much interest in it. However, my father’s wisdom proved right in itting him or else we would have missed a fine doctor in our community. Again, we vacated our room and left for holidays to Khammam. During the holidays I went to my village. My cousin sister delivered. After delivery she was behaving weird and (Was it Postpartum Psychosis or Hysteria) and local sorcery man was summoned, and he brought some neem twigs and uttered some mantras and beaten her with those twigs and

she went into a trance and slept. Slowly she recovered. There was a strong belief at that time that one of the wives of my uncle who died was haunting the house and was to be satisfied. So, whenever there was a function or ceremony, or some bad thing happens they would offer a saree first and then only to the god or other elders. Ammamma garu who used to help my mother in cooking was also working in another house. She was very affectionate to our family. One of the other houses she was working was that of Jupudi Narasimha Rao a businessman of repute in Khammam. He was owner of the only petrol bunk in Khammam and a partner in Warangal and in Suryapet. He was a kerosene dealer. His only son was Prasad who at that time was studying in school. Ammamma Garu was supposed to have hinted to Narasimha Rao garu that my younger sister Jyothi the prettiest in her age group would be the most suitable bride for his son. On his favorable inclination she prodded my parents to approach them with a proposal. There were formal visits to each other’s houses and the match was fixed. There was exhilaration in our relations saying it was one of the best matches. The marriage was performed in traditional manner in our house premises in Khammam 7th April 1963. We really got tired making the arrangements. There was a special dinner to my father’s friends on the terrace. There was a marriage procession with Petromax lights the newly married sitting on a poola radham. A dowry of Rs 6116 was given. Nagabhushanam got married to Vanitha on 10 th may 63 at Hyderabad. I attended the same and few of us friends ed together and pooled money and gave a group gift. I returned to Hyderabad after holidays. Manohar ed at Warangal. My father borrowed back the money given as dowry from Narasimha Rao garu to pay for Manohar tuition fees. Harinath Uncle Dr. Ramakrishna Rao has set up his family in Hyderabad and Harinath moved to stay with them. Again, I was left alone in Hyderabad looking for accommodation.

My uncle Satyanarayana Rao built a house in Lingampalli behind Basant Talkies in Kacheguda. My uncle was working in the districts as forest range officer and he used to commute once in 15 days to Hyderabad to spend with family. He had 4 children then. He was very fond of me and invited me to stay in his house. My father was under financial burden with marriage and education. He too welcomed the idea and I shifted to my Uncle’s house. My uncle was very generous and took care of my expenses that year. It was a great relief to my father. Such was the financial distress that they could not send Rs 80 per month for me. That was one of the reasons why I never tried to make any monetary demands on my parents. When my friends used to go expensive and long excursions to north India I never went and used to give some excuse. I was given the front room for my use. It was a newly built house. My aunt’s aunt was staying with us. She brought up my aunt and her brother when my aunt’s parents died very early. She had two sons and one son died when he was doing his MBBS and another son was an engineer by name Murthy. She was a widow and was paralyzed. I used to spend some time daily conversing with her. Her daily question was why she was surviving being not useful anymore to any one? My aunt’s relations used to come to see the old lady. Slowly I came to know most of them. Kusuma and Prameela Rani (sisters) were the frequent visitors. They were the daughters of KV Bhoopal Rao, at that time working as an officer in archeology department. They had their house near RBVR women’s college. They became very close to me and we would often go and see cinemas. My aunt was very fond of films. She was a painter and was a great believer of Homeopathy. The numbers of films I have seen in those days were more than the ones I have seen in rest of my life. Grandfather of Kusuma and Rani who was staying in their house at that time used to seek medical consultation from me even though I was not a doctor. He used to work in Sagar talkies. His daughter in law was the famous writer

“Yeddanapudi Sulochana Rani” who became very famous with her novel “Secretary”. My uncle used to come over the weekends and many of his friends would visit him and they would all play cards. Now and then I too would , and my uncle used to pay if I lost or I could keep if I won. I met his friends (from forest department) like Jayanthi Sharma, Devadas, Ramakrishna Rao, etc. and other fiends like Komaragiri Sunder Ram Rao advocate at Khammam during that time. Jupudi Narasimha Rao garu fell ill and was itted under the care of Dr. GP Ramaiah a famous surgeon of the day. He was in the special room for almost two months. He had a bad reaction with penicillin after some procedure done on him for urethral stricture. I visited him few times in the hospital. On one such visit I found lot of women wailing loudly in the corridors of paying rooms. Alluri Satyanarayana Raju died. Uncle Kolipaka Ramchander Rao was itted in Gandhi hospital and he underwent operation for a massive hernia. Dr. Subbarao operated on him. I used to attend on him. Venugopal got elected as General Secretary one of the important office bearers of the students’ union. We organized a stall of Medical exhibition in the annual Industrial exhibition. It was a great effort and drew large crowds. We enacted a Telugu drama in which Geetha Reddy was the heroin. In another drama vani acted and in another Murali Krishna and Annie Ramachandran acted. Meeraben a junior in the college and I participated in a Radio drama “Balachandrudu”. Meeraben was the daughter of Madapati Ramchander Rao a literary and political giant in the freedom struggle. She was the sister of Madapati Satyavathi a programme officer of AIR. I visited their house few times. During the college celebrations I was awarded the “color of the college’ for my literary and social activities. Two days before our college day celebrations I and Venugopal borrowed Ananthlal scooter and went on small errand. Venugopal was driving that evening since I had no experience of driving and we started from the college and

attended to the work and were returning to the college. Venugopal was driving very fast and it was drizzling. Venugopal would not heed to my pleas and suddenly something came on our way and he applied sudden breaks and we skidded and fell down. It was at Basheer Bagh Chow Rasta close to the college. Both of us had no serious injuries but received multiple abrasions. We slowly walked back to the college and we were taken to Gandhi Hospital where the wound were cleaned and tincture benzene seal applied and were istered prophylactic tetanus serum. Venugopal was to act in the drama on the third day as hero. One day I was chitchatting with friends in the verandah of the house. My aunt and children went to a marriage function. At that time a car with a flag drew near our house and a person in uniform stepped out and came in and enquired for me. He said he was instructed to take me to the marriage of the son of Madapati Hanumanth Rao who at that time was the chairman of legislative council. When I feigned ignorance of the event he started pleading and I had no other way than to accompany him. I never knew the family of either the bridegroom or bride. The function was at Bharkatpura. When I went there I was cordially invited and taken inside and was treated to a sumptuous dinner. There were no many guests. I met my aunt, Kusuma, Rani and Meeraben in the dining hall. Kusuma & Rani too were brought in like me. Next day was the marriage and I thought I should attend the same and reciprocate for the royal treatment given the previous night. I bought a book as a present and went there. There were big crowds and I could not even enter the marriage hall and witness the marriage. I returned home “Begana Shaadi me Abdulla Diwana”. Kennedy was assassinated on 22 Nov 1963. He was a very popular leader and was also very much loved in India. He was an icon. Dr. Hrishikesh was our professor in Social and Preventive medicine. He was a very great teacher. Somehow, he kindled interest in me in community medicine which

became a ion for me. I used to enjoy his classes and never missed one. My mother was told by some visiting homeopathy practitioner that she had cancer. Her symptom was white discharge and immediately she was rushed to Hyderabad. I have shown her to Dr. Ratnavathi at Gandhi hospital and to Dr. T Seetha at Nilofer. She had a biopsy done and cervical cauterization done as OP procedure and was assured that it was not cancer. She was really frightened of her affliction and started insisting that I should get married soon. Probably she suspected that I had some one in mind and imposed a condition that I marry any one of my choice in a year’s time or marry someone they choose after that. I agreed to the same. I wrote my fourth-year exams in October that year. I cleared Pharmacology, Forensic medicine and preventive medicine. I failed in Pathology. However, I was allowed to continue my final year on the condition that I would clear pathology before appearing for final exams. On 27th May 64 Nehru died. I was returning home from hospital and in the bus, they were discussing his death. I returned home and started listening to radio. Probably everyone in India must have felt it as a personal loss. There was genuine grief. I appeared pathology exam in summer of that year. Dr. D. Bhaskar Reddy was our external examiner. He was a great friend of students. He would cut jokes and make everyone at ease in the viva and help student to overcome the tension and question him. I ed my exam. I went back to Khammam for summer holidays. I returned to Hyderabad after holidays for my last six months of study and for my final exam. I and Nagabhushanam decided to hire a room in Secunderabad and study. We got a room in the 1st floor of a house near Percys in Secunderabad. It was a small room. For the first time I concentrated on my studies. I was a very fast reader. I tried to practice the fast reading technique

of Kennedy. Usually people would read important chapters. Instead my first few readings would be complete reading from page one to the end. I used to finish hundreds of pages a day. I would not memorize. I could at the end of the first reading locate the subject on a particular page. In the second reading I would quickly scan and note the important points. I think I gave at least 4 to 5 readings of each text book of medicine, surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. This habit helped me in my exams. One day we were informed that our exams are likely to be advanced. It was told that the dean has recommended to the Vice chancellor to that effect. We have not completed our syllabus and the time left was too short. We the exam appearing students of Gandhi medical college decided to represent to the Vice chancellor of Osmania University. The medical colleges in Hyderabad and Warangal were d to Osmania University. We took an appointment and met the vice chancellor Dr. DS Reddy. I was nominated by all students to be the single spokesperson. I made a ionate argument and we were assured by Dr. DS Reddy that he would consider the matter and do the needful. Soon orders were issued cancelling the advancement.

My Marriage As I failed to find a bride for myself my parents started looking for a match. I told them that they should find out, screen and select a match and I seeing the girl would only be a formality. One day I was summoned to Khammam by my parents. A formal meet for me to see the girl and vice versa was arranged in the house of Jupudi Narasimha Rao Garu. Karuna along with her father Dr. Gudlavalleti Venkat Ratnam came to the house. Karuna appeared for her final MA exams and was awaiting her results. She was frail and fair. After few minutes the interview ended without many questions and we returned

home. I gave my assent and told my parents to go ahead with finalizing the match and returned to Hyderabad. Once Dr. Venkat Ratnam garu came to Hyderabad and requested me to accompany him to some of his relations. We went to Sripathi Rao garu house and Gudlavalleti Chalapathi Rao house. Our exams neared. After coming down from our room on way to the examination we would wish and await the appearance of the lady house wife living in the bottom portion of our room. We would proceed after seeing her. It was a sentiment mainly nurtured by Nagabhushanam. We would go to the sweet shop at the corner and eat our breakfast and go to the exams. We completed our exams and as usual we went to Dr. Subbarao’s house who informed us about our success. I and Nagabhushanam completed and ed MBBS that year. I returned to Khammam and marriage preparations were in full swing. The marriage was to be performed in Kothagudam 50 Kilometers from Khammam which was a coal town. In population it was bigger than Khammam at that time. Dr. Venkata Ratnam garu was a medical practitioner from that town. He had his house near Railway station. He had a nursing home next to his house with 6 beds. He was in his early sixties then. He hailed from Gudlavalleru a town in Krishna district. He prosecuted his medical studies at Madras and completed his LM&S. At that time MBBS was not there. He ed Nizam Government as Civil Assistant surgeon and worked at various places like Gulbarga, Pharbani, Burgumpad, and Osmania General Hospital. His contemporaries were Dr. Bankat Chandra, Dr. Ramchander etc. When he was practicing in Maharashtra area of Nizam state his only son fell ill at his native village and his request to proceed on leave was denied. His only son died, and he was dejected and left the job and started roaming in search of peace and he happened to meet a business man from Kothagudam whose wife was not well and on great persuasion he came to Kothagudam and successfully treated her. After that he reed the service at

Burgumpad and worked for some time and left. He entered into business of Bamboo sales and sustained losses. He was affectionately called as Bamboo doctor by people from Burgumpad. The businessman from Kothagudam persuaded him to settle in private practice at Kothagudem and he ed him to settle down. He was one of the few private practitioners at that time in Kothagudem. His only daughter was Karuna. He had two widowed elder sisters living with him. His wife Durgamba fell off the cot by accident when she was recouping from an operation and broke her hip and was bed ridden. She had cataracts and her vision was poor. I went to Hyderabad and printed invitation cards and invited all my friends. Manohar was sent to relations houses to invite them. In Hyderabad Manoj youngest son of my uncle was afflicted with small pox and I was advised to have the preventive booster vaccine which I took at IPM. On the morning of 26th December 1964, we left for Kothagudem by a special bus. Most of my friends went to Bhadrachalam and came to Kothagudem in the evening. They were all accommodated in a hotel. The marriage pandal was erected in the street in front of their house. The marriage was solemnized at 9.30 in the night followed by dinner and various rituals. Most of my relations attended the marriage so too my friends. Next day we left for Khammam and stayed there for three nights and performed Satyanarayana Vratham and returned to Kothagudem. After spending two nights there I and Karuna left for Hyderabad on 31st December night and travelled by first class coupe in the train and reached Hyderabad in time to commence my house surgeon training.

Houseman ship: January 64 to December64 at Gandhi Hospital I reported to duty at Gandhi Hospital and was posted to Casualty for six weeks. I was posted to night duty that evening. I went home and returned to hospital in the evening. The night

duty was to commence at 8 pm. As there was another hour still left few of us friends went to the Irani restaurant near railway station for a chat over a cup of tea. After some time, there was commotion outside and we found that a motorcyclist was hit by bus and was lying in a pool of blood. Some Rickshaw puller picked him and drove the Rickshaw towards the hospital. Suddenly when I looked at the watch it was 10 minutes to 8. I too ran to the hospital and the patient was brought into the casualty I tried to palpate the pulse. It was very feeble and suddenly stopped. I looked at his pupils and they were fixed and dilated. Meanwhile the Casualty Medical officer too came and declared him dead. I was numbed. Suddenly there was another commotion in casualty and a girl of 12 years was brought in on a stretcher accompanied by Dr. Ramseshiah, professor surgery. I rushed to the stretcher seeing it and tried to assist him. He indicated for a cardiac massage and he was trying to give artificial respiration. It went on for few minutes. RMO again came and declared her dead. The first two lives that I have attended after becoming a Doctor ended fatally. Soon some friends came and after seeing I very depressed enquired the reason and on knowing it one of them offered to continue with the night duty and I went and slept in the house surgeon quarters. Next morning, I thought about it and decided that I should not give into sentiment and should go ahead with my work as usual. Slowly I got immersed in the routine work and forgot about it. A girl of 16 yrs. was itted in the medical ward from a village nearby to my village. She was suffering with acute leukemia. She was a very brave girl and used to suffer all the invasive procedures and treatment protocols very patiently. She was always smiling and whenever she would see me she would come to me and affectionately greet me. She was from a very poor family and often there was no attendant. She died after couple of months. Janardhanam a rich businessman from Bhadrachalam was itted under Dr. Subbarao in the surgical ward. He was

operated for an inguinal hernia and developed a sinus and it was not healing. Dr. Subbarao personally used to conduct the dressing etc and used to take special interest in the case. After few days Dr. Subbarao entrusted that work to one of his assistants who in turn entrusted it to the house surgeons. I or Dr. Amara Venkateshwara Rao was attending to it. Janardhanam became very friendly. He owned a petrol bunk in Bhadrachalam and also was operating few private launches and private buses on river Godavari and on the roads of agency area respectively. He was known to my father-in-law and also to Jupudi Narasimha Rao. He was very respectful to me. Dr. Subbarao did his FRCS from UK and worked in the army in the Second World War and later returned to India and ed state services. He was one of the most popular surgeons at that time and the others were Dr. GP Ramaiah and Chalapathi Naidu. He was a very strict . He would arrive at the hospital at 7.30 am and change into theatre dress and stand in the verandah smoking a cigar and watch staff coming in. At 8-15 am the attendance would be removed, and action initiated against those who were absent or late. He was terror to all the of staff. His wards were the cleanest. He personally designed the operating theatres and they were the most modern at that time. There used to be three paying rooms and few cubicles. There were two Anglo-Indian senior nurses “Coopers”. They used to ably assist him one in the theatre and another in his ward. He was very punctual, and his time was well organized. He would spend his morning hours in the operating theatre or in the outpatient and after lunch would have a nap and would attend to the hospital istration in the afternoon or would spend in teaching. At 4 pm he would return home and see private patients and go to the club in the evening. He was affectionately called “Kala Angrezi”. Once a class 4 employee complained against me of rude behavior and I was summoned to his room and he onished and counseled me. He was a keen learner. He would post doctors

returning from US or UK in his ward and learn new techniques. He learnt Trans Urethral Prostatectomy from his assistant. His assistants during that period were Dr. AK chary, Dr. KL Reddy, DR B. Bhaskar Reddy, Dr. Askari, and a doctor who returned from US from whom he learnt few new techniques. He commanded great respect. He had great love for Gandhi hospital and his end came in the same hospital much later. One night when I was on night duty the grandson of Governor was itted for overdose. He was itted under Dr. Subbarao. Dr. Subbarao came personally and saw the case and referred him to Medical department and after ensuring that the patient was safe left the hospital. He was kept in his ward which was the cleanest at that time as there were no Paying rooms vacant. The wife of the Governor stayed with her grandson at the bedside relaxing in a chair. The only additional comfort provided was placing of curtains all round. My Uncle Aitharaju Radha Kishan Rao underwent Vasectomy as an outpatient procedure at our hospital and I assisted the surgeon in that procedure. The procedure took around 20 minutes. Later much easier and quicker techniques were adopted in the field with equal success. I realized that there was much scope and need for innovation and improvisation in the field in treatment procedures. Young Muslim girl of 14 years was posted for excision of a superficial lump on her leg. Dr. Bhaskar Reddy asked me to go ahead with the procedure as he was otherwise busy. I conducted it independently and in the process excised more skin than required and she required later skin grafting. As I felt responsible I used to take special care and Bhaskar Reddy gave the needed . Even if one commits a mistake one should own it and try to rectify it. One-day Dr. Bhaskar Reddy received a telegram reading “Father died–Start immediately”. He along with his family left for Anantapur. On reaching home he found his father hail and healthy and on a relook at the telegram and enquiry it came out that the telegram was meant for his servant boy who too

hailed from Anantapur and was staying at Dr. Bhaskar Reddy’s house. It was a Comedy of errors. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy was the chief minister at that time. His wife Raghavamma expressed a desire to watch an operation while it was conducted. Chief Minister and his wife arrived one morning to watch Dr. Subbarao perform an operation under General anesthesia. I was posted to the department of anesthesia at that time. Few photographs of the same event were taken. I and Karuna were staying in Satyam Babai house. After few days my mother-in-law was itted in a special room in Osmania General Hospital. She was there for about two months. Karuna would attend to her mother during day time. She would go visiting her friend Deena or her cousin sister Lalitha. Lalitha husband Sripathi Rao met with an accident on his way to Yadagirigutta previous year and had a head injury and was recuperating. He had four daughters and two sons, and they were all in school. They were living in Nallakunta in a rented accommodation. Sripathi Rao was working in defense department and was on long leave. After discharge from hospital my mother in law was taken back to Kothagudem. Karuna used to go there for few days and would come back to Hyderabad. Both of us attended the convocation at Osmania University and received or respective degrees “MBBS and MA”. My uncle Satyanarayana Rao planned a trip to Tirupati. He included us both in the group. He hired an ambassador car and all of us i.e. 6 adults and five children including driver and servant maid travelled in that car from Hyderabad to Tirupati and back. Ambassador was really the best car for large families in those days. We went to Guntur and stayed in a hotel and went to Amravati next day and from there went to Tirupati. On way the children Laxmi, Beena, Sameer, Ravindra and Manoj would sing and tell stories and everyone enjoyed the travel. We had darshan and on way back went to Kallur and visited my sister. She accompanied us to Bhadrachalam and had darshan of lord Rama and dropped her at Kallur and went

to Khammam and returned to Hyderabad. It took us six days to complete the trip. Dr. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Amara Venkateshwara Rao got married at Yadagiri Gutta on the same day and time. Amara married Narasimha Rao brother’s daughter. Another daughter of his brother too got married same day. We all friends went to the marriage. I went along with Dr. Raghunandan in his car. On way it was drizzling, and car skidded at a place for no apparent reason and we got down and checked and found an oil spill on the road. We cautioned the other vehicles and drove safely. However, after some time a friend and classmate of ours Pendyala Vidyasagar from Nela Kondapalli who finished his B. Tech travelling on scooter skidded and sustained fracture hip and was taken to Nizam orthopedic hospital at Hyderabad. Dr. Ranga Reddy a famous orthopedic surgeon and founder superintendent of the institute operated on him. Dr. Ranga Reddy was affectionately called as “Bokkala Ranga Reddy”. His diagnosis was very good, and his operative skills had no match. He was a costly surgeon. But he would never conduct any unnecessary procedure and cannot be lured anything. He would not cheat. He was frank, and fearless. He took personal interest and designed Nizam institute and he was a visionary. Dr. P. Thirumal Rao was the professor of Pediatrics. He was a freedom fighter and was the cell mate of Brahmananda Reddy the CM. He was a writer and actor and was interested in cultural activities. He was trained in USA. He was a great patriot and nationalist. He always wore Khadi. Any emergency he would advise us to take care of few things in children. Lumbar puncture, IV drip, was routine. Banana was the safest food. A smiling child is never seriously ill. His assistants were Dr. Venkatesh and Dr. Pandit. We used to play cards during our leisure time in house surgeon quarters. One day we were playing cards and were to go for a Public service commission interview. I, Amara,

Devender Reddy stayed back playing cards. We became juniors to many and in the process, I retired only as t director and if not would have become Director. Any how I have no great regrets. Dr. Surti was the principal of Gandhi medical college and professor of Obstetrics. He was a highly honest, upright man of highest integrity. Very rarely one would come across a gentleman like him. He was an icon. Many stories would be told of him. He would always carry an umbrella and a water vessel (Chembu) with him even to the hospital. He would address everyone with respect. He always had a curtain placed at the middle of examination couch so that the examiner conducting per vaginal examination the examinee would not be able to see each other. Joke was that he would tell the past history and his earlier examination findings of the repeat patient without looking at the patient but would base it on per vaginal examination. He used to show such respect for the women and would take all steps to prevent embarrassment. He would cut many jokes in his lectures but he himself would never laugh and would tell them in a very serious way. I had personal experiences of his integrity and honesty. He had a notice board indicating his consultation charges. The charges were based on the time when the patient would come. Charges from 5 to 7 were less and 7-9 were little extra and from nine to ten pm were double the original. Once I referred a patient who was charged at the rate applicable after nine pm. One day he called for me and gave me some money asking me to return it to the patient I referred saying he charged her extra by mistake as his watch malfunctioned that evening. He was professor of Obstetrics and was also the principal of college. He would initiate a file requesting and recommending on something and as professor and forward it to principal for a decision. He would sometimes reject as principal the proposal he sent as professor. He had a correct

view of the functions of different functionaries at various levels.

The Rural Medical camp There was a request from a political family from Mahaboobabad area to conduct a rural health screening camp in their villages. They assured their responsibility for providing free transport, accommodation, food and local arrangements. We approached Dr. Surti, principal with the request. He readily agreed and asked us to go ahead with the arrangements and said he would volunteer to participate. His assistant DR. Alladi Laxmi too volunteered. He asked us to pick up some volunteers from House surgeons and few from students. While we were going ahead with our arrangements one day we were summoned by Dr. Surti and he informed us that there was a call from a minister asking us to cancel the programme. The political family from Mahaboobabad was against the minister’s group even though both belonged to same political party. He asked for our opinion and we said it may not be fair and correct to cancel it on political grounds. He said that the Government may not give permission and may treat the absence as not on duty and may not give fee medicines and the college bus. Our reply was that we would overcome any obstacles as and when created and were willing for any small sacrifices required. As he was discussing a telephone call from health minister came and he started enquiring about our proposed camp. We could overhear the conversation. He apparently advised cancellation and Dr. Surti’s reply was a firm NO. He said it was a voluntary effort of the students and would go on even without the permission of the Government. He said he was sanctioning leave to all those who were participating and permitting the students to use the college bus as they financed the purchase of the same through their fees. Such was the character of those elders at that time. We went ahead and conducted the camp for 5 days in 4 villages. It truly exposed us to the morbidity and conditions

in rural areas. The hosts made excellent arrangements. They took us to “Shikars” into the forest in the nights. Dr. Surti too came on leave for three days and participated in the camp. It was a great learning. Dr. Surti entertained all the participants to a dinner at his house and he and his wife personally served us and Mrs. Surti played on the piano. Our stipend during houseman ship was Rs 50 which we considered as very meager and we decided to represent. Alapati Venkat Ramaiah was the health minister and Kasu Brahmananda Reddy was the chief minister. When we met the chief minister he sarcastically said “why should they raise when patients were only receiving colored water “and I replied in the same sarcastic way that what was supplied by the Government was what was dispensed to the patients by the doctors. However, the stipend was raised to Rs 80 per month. In the college day celebrations, we the house surgeons presented a Telugu mushaira which was a great hit. Even now many that. I composed all the shairis and directed the same. As our houseman ship was coming to an end we received our posting orders as civil assistant surgeon in Khammam district. When I was doing my houseman ship TVP Ranga Rao garu H/O of Bharathi was posted at Hyderabad in State Health Transport Office (SHTO). They hired a house in Ashok Nagar. Bharathi was pregnant and was suffering with Malaria. She could not be given radical treatment as she was pregnant too. Pandu Ranga Rao garu took lot of care of her. I used to often visit their house. The pregnancy and delivery were otherwise non-eventful. We used to go on picnics and on one such trip Pandu Ranga Rao garu taught me driving me a jeep in one day.

As Civil Assistant Surgeon Khammam: January 1966 I ed as civil assistant surgeon in AP medical services on 5th Jan 1965. I was the first Gazetted officer in Aitharaju family. My pay at that time was Rs 225 basic and Rs one as DA per month. My long carrier in Government service commenced. Four of us I, Dr Amara Venkateshwara Rao, Dr Jwala Narasimha Rao, Dr Vasikarla Satyanarayana, ed service together. The inpatient wards of the district hospital were in the campus in front of the police station. The outpatient block and the TB wards were in the campus next to Railway station. There was only one consultation room with one examination couch, a table and four chairs. We reported to duty and met Dr Arja Janak Mohan Rao who was the DMO. He introduced us to Deputy DMO Dr Govind Rao Goje. Dr Goje directed us to work in outpatient. When four of us entered the OP, we found that all the four chairs were already occupied by another four senior doctors. There was only one entrance to the OP room which was partially closed, and an Attender was allowing one patient at a time that would go to one of the doctors and doctor would his name and listening to the complaints would prescribe some drugs on a paper which was 1’’ wide and 2’’ in length. There was a big “Q” stretching to the railway station in the open. We stood for some time in the room and suddenly there was the sound of the second bell at the railway station and entire waiting crowd of patients ran back to the railway station to catch the train. One minute there was a big waiting crowd and the next minute none. What a paradox. In those days there were two enger trains up and down in the morning hours. Since the trains always ran late the engers would decide to usefully spend their time caring for their health and the “Q” at the OP counter. As there were no waiting patients we all went into the veranda to have coffee. We introduced ourselves to the

seniors. The seniors were Dr Swamy, Dr Yella Reddy, Dr Jhansi and Dr Ahmad Ali. Since the doctors were more we decided to work in shifts since there were few chairs and accommodation in the room. We all juniors decided to do the next shift and as we were about to leave then one senior have asked us about our newspapers. We could not comprehend his question and when he finds us empty handed called for the Attender and asked him to buy a newspaper of our choice and to collect the money from us. We didn’t want to offend the senior and told the Attender our preference and paid. Within minutes the newspapers arrived, and the senior collected them and carefully and neatly tore the empty white edges of the newspapers and asked us to use them as the OP tickets. What an innovation and improvisation. From the next day we would all buy newspapers of our choice and go to the OP. When we were free we would also read the newspaper. Multipurpose! The purpose of our posting at the district headquarters was to train us in istration before we were sent to periphery postings after six weeks. In leisure times I would go to office block and collect the financial code, Madras Medical Manual, etc. I read them quickly and understood the sense behind the rules. They were the rules drafted by erstwhile colonial Governments to serve their purpose. No attempt was really made by the subsequent Governments to change them suiting to the needs, and based on contemporary changes taken place. The Governments gave priority to create new institutions and programmes. They would provide for capital expenditure but not for running expenses. Financial code prohibited the local purchase of white papers. All the stationary was to be supplied annually by the Stationary department on an indent and medicines from MSD. There would be a small provision for local purchase in the budget. However, we were permitted to buy waste paper to wrap the medicines dispensed. Few doctors would put up bill for waste paper but in fact would buy equal amount of white paper. Dr Arja Janak Mohan Rao the DMO served in the army

and was a good surgeon. He was a very honest and up right officer and would not allow any other consideration to influence his istration. He was to retire in few months. He was to give us the peripheral postings. There were some vacancies in the district. One was Pedda Gopathi, a PHC few kilometres from Khammam, and Subbilaid a dispensary 25 kilometres from Khammam, Mobile Medical Unit at Bhadrachalam and MM Unit at Kukunoor (Interior to Burgumpad) and a PHC at Pinapaka (Very interior to Burgumpad) , and Taluk Civil Hospital at Burgumpad. My father in law visited us at Khammam few times during that period. He would visit us and would take his meals in Jupudi Narasimha Rao house. It was custom in those days not to eat in son-in-law’s house till a grandson was born. Very few people observed that custom, but he was one of those who observed. On one such trip he met our DMO without my knowledge and requested for my posting to Burgumpad which was 20 kilometres from Kothagudem. Vasikarla tried for his posting through Vengal Rao at Pedda Gopathi, Amara through Siddha Reddy to MM unit Bhadrachalam, and Dr Jwala to Subbilaid through Dr KA Sharma DHO at that time. Vengal Rao was the ZP Chairman and Siddha Reddy was a MLC, at that time. On the day our orders of transfer from Khammam were issued, DMO called me separately and told me that Kailasam who was working as a cook with him was being posted to Burgumpad and asked me to take care of him. He also mentioned that he was posting me to Burgumpad. Govind Rao Goje subsequently told me that despite heavy political pressures DMO obliged my father-in-law and posted me to Burgumpad. Dr Arja Janak Mohan Rao retired the next month and settled in Vijayanagaram. Dr Janardhan Reddy took over as DMO. We were relieved and we all ed at respective places on st 1 Feb 1966.

Medical Officer- Burgumpad : 1966-68 Burgumpad was a taluk headquarters and had a population of 10000 at that time. There was a high school, a police station, a fire station and Tehsil office. There was a small NGO’s club. The town was diagonally opposite Bhadrachalam town separated by River Godavari. It was connected to Paloncha, Kothagudem and Khammam by bus. Hospital was located at the entrance of the town diagonally opposite to Tehsil office. It had no compound wall at that time. It was a single building housing OP in a room, Dispensary in one room, and operation theatre in one room where deliveries were also conducted. It had one room for female inpatients, and one room for male inpatients. The OP room had an ante room attached with a bath room. An open scavenger type toilet was outside the main building. There was a post mortem/mortuary room away from main building. It was staffed by a Doctor, a nurse, a compounder (Pharmacist), a male nursing orderly (MNO) and a female nursing orderly (FNO), a cook, two thotis, and a pat time Dhobi. There was a medical and health unit attached to it with a Health visitor at headquarters and ANMs at Amararam, Vinjaram, and Manuguru. istrative control of the staff of M& H unit was with the Panchayath Samithi. The of staff of hospital were RamchanderPharmacist, a staff nurse, Maternity assistant, Kareem and Narasimlu Attenders, and a thoti. The medical officer’s post was vacant for a long time and the MO of Paloncha (DR. Ram Mohan) was in additional charge. He used to visit once a while mainly to disburse salaries and to take care of other istrative matters. The pharmacist used to run the OP. The hospital OP timings were 8 am to 12 an, and 4-6 pm. I found taking charge was a very tedious affair. Everything in the hospital (Furniture, equipment, linen, consumables, medicines etc.) was all in personal custody of the medical officer. It took us two days to count everything and prepare charge lists. Subsequently wherever I worked I decentralized the system and made

respective functionaries responsible and they were to and handover charge when they were transferred. We signed the CTCs and sent them to DMO and AG office to issue our pay slips. They service and payments to Gazetted officer were all controlled by AG at that time. It used to cause lot of delays and the system was subsequently abandoned and delegated to the controlling officers. For few days I stayed in the ante room of our outpatient. On the third morning of taking charge I attended the OP sitting in medical officer’s chair. No patient came to consult me. Few were peeping in and were turning back. After some time I observed that they were all going to the compounder. I also overheard a lady telling someone that the Doctor (Old) was sitting in the dispensing room and a new compounder who has ed was sitting in the earlier doctor’s room. Such was the ignorance. While I was waiting for the patients a tall fair person in white starched clothes and shoes wearing a wrist watch entered the room and greeted me. I wished him back and asked him to take seat hoping to create a good impression. He was reluctant to sit and after one or two more repetitions of my request he informed me that he was the serving Attender Narasimlu (Peon) and was on leave and returned to report to duty. I was taken aback. It took few days for people to realize that I was the Doctor and the one whom they were thinking as the doctor was indeed the compounder. To strengthen this, I had to ask the peon to direct all those who were attending to see me first. As was the tradition I called on the Tahsildar and BDO who were the other two Gazetted officers and another Special Tahsildar and called on the Sub Treasury Officer who was the pay master. I called on the Samithi president Thota Kura Venkatappiah. They all returned the courtesy call except the Samithi president at the hospital and few others like Sub inspector of Police, Head Master, and Post Master, too called on me. Few local political leaders like Sarpanch and others too called on me.

There used to be one medical shop in the town. The owner was known to my father in law. My father in law was known to many in the town as he was the MO in earlier years. One day he came and fixed a rented house at Rs 30 per month. Karuna and I started our independent living. Sarvadevabhatla Seetharamiah was the deputy Tahsildar and was my neighbour. Mr. Subbarao was the Tahsildar and Zaheer Uddin Khan was the BDO. Edwin Bhaskar was the Special Tahsildar. Charles was the sub inspector of police, and Singh was the forest range officer. Adiraju Koteswer Rao was the Junior Engineer. My cousin sister’s husband (Sugunakkayya) Sharma garu was the RI. Soon KV Bhoopal Rao was posted as the Deputy collector at Kothagudem and had jurisdiction of Burgumpad taluk. Janaki Ramaiah was the Samithi manager. Since the posts of Medical Officers of Pinapaka PHC and MM Unit Kukunoor were vacant I was kept in additional charge of the same. PHC Pinapaka was 40 kilometres upstream of Godavari and Kukunoor was 25 kilometres downstream of Godavari. They were approachable by road only for three months in a year i.e. in summer months. Rest of the time we had to travel by launch, by foot etc. Pinapaka was the most difficult journey. I had to cross river Godavari at Sarapaka and go to Bhadrachalam and catch a private bus to Cherla and cross Godavari again and reach Kondaigudem and from there go by foot to Pinapaka. Reverse journey used to be the same. I would make night halt at Kondaigudem at Raju’s house. He was a very willing host and an affectionate person. At Pinapaka I used to stay in the hospital and Sri. Krishna Murthy Sarpanch would host my lunch and dinner. His family donated the land for PHC. One progressive gentleman by name Chowdary used to live in nearby village and was irrigating his fields with water from a Bugga bavi. One attender “Kareem” would accompany me in all these trips. Each trip would take minimum 4 to 5 days. Kukunoor was easier. We would catch a launch at 7am at Sarapaka and reach Kukunoor by 12 an. In return it used to take whole day as the launch had to travel upstream. I had to make at least one trip to each of

these stations for paying salaries. I addition I had the additional charge of M&H unit and its sub centres. I had to visit Vinjaram, Amararam and Manuguru. Vinjaram and Amararam were enroot to Kukunoor. Manuguru was upstream. Amararam was the village of our Samithi president Thota Kura Venkatappiah, and Gangaraju. Rattaiah was the Sarpanch of Vinjaram and Raju (Manuguru Raju) was the head of Manuguru. They were very affectionate people and were good hosts. At Kukunoor I used to stay with Palivela Seetharam Rao garu. There were many other relations of mine in that village like Kotari Apparao garu, Laxman Rao garu etc. On my way back sometimes, I used to cross Godavari and enter Gowridevipeta which was the native village of Sri. Palivela Madhav Rao a congress leader, and Palivela Narayan Rao and advocate in Bhadrachalam. The MM unit Kukunoor was immobile and had no vehicle. There were only two staff a compounder and his wife a FNO. Suddenly one day the compounder died which I came to know after a week. After few months in summer Dr Raja Rao was posted to Kukunoor and Dr Potharaju posted to Pinapaka. After Potharaju, Dr Venkateshwara Rao was posted to Pinapaka. They subsequently left service and settled in private practice. Dr Raja Rao was a bachelor and stayed in Kukunoor. On the day of ing I took him in the jeep to Kukunoor and handed over the charge to him. After handing over charge I was leaving for Burgumpad in the evening and suddenly I saw tears in Dr. Rajarao’s eyes. He suddenly felt lonely and stuck in god forsaken place. I consoled him and assured him that all would be well and requested him to come and stay with me in all his trips to Burgumpad. All these Doctors on their trip to Burgumpad would stay in the hospital and dine with me at my house.

Tommy My wife brought along with her a pet dog “Tommy"-a Pomeranian. Whenever she used to go to Kothagudem to see her parents I had to take care of the dog. This dog was presented to my father in law by Circus Company on their visit to Kothagudem. In return to his medical services to their staff they presented the dog. Unlike me it was a non-vegetarian. Kareem the attender would take care of it. He would carry it in his arms to the hospital along with me and bring back home. Sometimes I had to take the dog along with me on my tours. The local officers were very helpful. We would often meet in the evenings. Prasad the post master, Charles the SI of police, the head master, Singh the Forest ranger, Edwin Bhaskar were very pleasant persons. Zaheer Uddin khan the BDO was very good host. Often, he would invite me for dinners. He used to stay alone in Burgumpad. Since M&H unit was under their istrative control he would often ask me for any supplies I require for the hospital and would supply very quickly. For emergencies and for the articles not supplied by Department it was a very easy route of help I used to use. He would also lend his official vehicle for my official tours. Dr Anjaneya Sharma was the Health officer of the district and after merger of health and medical departments he was the Additional l DM&HO. Earlier the health department was separate and Medical department was separate. There used to be one Civil Surgeon (DMO) in the district looking after the hospitals, PHCs, MM units, etc. Another Health officer used to look after the health activities and all Para health staff was under his control like school health programme, MCH, Family planning etc. In that year new Civil Surgeon Superintendent post was created to head the district hospital. Dr Jagannadharao an ophthalmologist was posted. Dr Janardhan Reddy was the DM&HO. Dr. Mohan Rao was posted as MO of Mobile family planning unit. Dr. Raman Rao was posted as the School health officer.

Family Planning Programme That was the year when a massive thrust of family planning programme was initiated. The main component was “Vasectomy”- Dr Mohan Rao started conducting camps in villages and Dr Raman Rao used to help him. At that time the other Doctors who used to conduct these operations in the district were Dr Maqdum, Dr Swamy, Dr. Yella Reddy. All most all the Doctors posted were staying in the headquarters and they had a very good from the Samithi presidents and Sarpanches. Most of the Doctors who conduct these operations were in the plain areas of Khammam and Madhira Taluks and there were none in Tribal belts like Ellendu, Bhadrachalam, Burgumpad areas. As a strategy Dr. Mohan Rao used to concentrate in these areas. That is the time I came in with Dr. Anjaneya Sharma. He was a very good and a good man manager. He would help anyone at the first asking and later they would be obliged to help in the programmes. He had excellent relations with higher authorities. Dr Mohan Rao and Dr Raman Rao were his great assistants. I was too willing to assist and soon took interest and organized many camps. I used to assist Mohan Rao in the camps and soon he taught me the technique and encouraged me to perform independently. Soon I was conducting independent camps and Dr Sharma used to depute me to other areas. I became popular in the agency area. The other who soon mastered the technique was Amara Venkateshwara Rao working as MO MM unit Bhadrachalam. At that time, I came in with Mallu Ananta Ramulu at that time a VDO in Bhadrachalam area. Subsequently he ed politics and became PCC president. He suffered a premature death. Ananta Ramulu organized many camps where in I operated. During that period, I came in with many Doctors like Thirunadha Rao, Krishnamurthy, and BDOs in Bhadrachalam area like Krishna Murthy, Surya Rao, etc.

One evening when I was sitting in the OP room in the Hospital a handsome, tall, fair gentleman brushing aside the few waiting patients entered my room greeting me and introduced himself as BK Rao. He took his chair opposite and in fluent and beautiful English started the conversation praising my work and my honesty. Excusing myself for few minutes I disposed the remaining patients and started conversing with him. He was working as Inspector of central Excise at Kothagudem and on additional charge came to Burgumpad. He had a magnetic personality and would win any one’s friendship in minutes. With that small conversation he became a lifelong family friend. Manohar and Mohan visited me in summer vacations. They had wonderful time- We went along with Zaheer Uddin Khan to some villages in the forest area and while returning in the night in the forest saw many wild animals like boar, deer, Manubothu, Wild pigs and a tiger. We had a picnic on the launch and went to Perentalapalli and Papi Hills. Ramappa was working as exhibition officer of the central Government and organized an exhibition in Kothagudem and came and stayed for a day at Burgumpad. Later also he made a visit when he was going to attend an interview for probationary officer of SBI. I used to go to Kothagudem Magistrate court to give evidence on Medico legal cases. During such visits I used to meet few advocate friends like Suresh Babu, Dr Anand Raj, MO of Kothagudem, BK Rao, Dr Seetharamiah a private practitioner and Bhoopal Rao the RDO. I used to mostly dine with BK Rao. His children too used to come to Burgumpad during vacations.

Vasanthostavalu and Godavari Floods Bhoopal Rao garu organized “Vasanthostavalu” (musical and Dance festival) at Kothagudem- They were weeklong programmes. Many renowned musicians like Chittibabu, Bala Murali Krishna etc. participated. I attended quite few

programmes. His children Rani and Kusuma came from Hyderabad to witness them. There were major floods in Godavari that year. Kinnersani is a tributary of Godavari and s it downstream of Burgumpad. The flood of Godavari water literally stops the flow of Kinnersani into it. As its flow stops it inundates vast stretches of town and surrounding areas. The road link between Burgumpad/Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem is cut off near Paloncha on Kinnersani river (In those days there was only a culvert) and again at the entrance and entry (in those days culverts only) points of Kothagudem by Murredu Vagu because of back waters thus cutting off the link between Kothagudem and Khammam the district headquarters. There were only few telephone lines which were only land lines and were cut off early. The electricity supply was cut off. However, there was excellent relay of news and forecasts on All India Radio which was the only channel of information. As heavy floods were forecast the District officers headed by the District Collector reached Burgumpad by evening before the road links were cut off. People started evacuating their houses in the evening. The Hospital and Tehsil office were at the highest points in the town. My wife was away at Kothagudem. I too evacuated my house and shifted my vulnerable perishable belongings to Hospital leaving the rest tied to the roof of tiled house where I was staying. PS Krishnan was the district Collector. A meeting was held in Tehsil office which I attended. Collector desired me to accompany him on his launch to provide rescue and relief operations. In those days the discipline was such that once collector says something it should be obeyed. However, I felt that I would be more useful staying back at Burgumpad than indulging myself in rescue and relief operations in which I was not trained. Further there were few thousands of people staying in the campus of hospital braving the rain and sun and may require treatment and there was a need to prevent any outbreak of epidemic. There was also a need to form teams to send on the launches to the flooded villages to prevent

epidemics. I picked up the courage and told the collector same with my reasoning. For a minute the Collector was in deep thought. There was stunned silence. He broke his silence and said OK to the relief and dismay of everyone. However, I volunteered to send a paramedic with supplies along with him which was accepted with thanks. Collector left boarding a launch at the periphery of my hospital compound to Bhadrachalam. This experience taught me that I should express my opinions with correct reasons even if higher ups order me to do something which may not be the correct thing to do. With such conviction I never had to have a feeling in my life that I was not heard, or I have not expressed what is right professionally.

Flood Baby Soon after all road links were cut off. Teams were formed to evacuate people from their houses in the town. The women and children would leave but not the able-bodied males. They stay back to protect their belongings in the house. They have a lot of experience with the floods than us the outsiders working there. They stay back for shifting the belongings to higher heights tying them to the roof of their thatched or tiled houses. There were very few RCC houses then. It was a blessing in disguise. I rested in the ante room of OP in the dark thinking of floods and the actions I have to initiate. I thought a lot and planned. I realized that there would be lots of scorpion bites and reptile bites since they too try and settle in dry places pushed by floods. There would be lots of injuries, Scratches as people would wade through waters mixed with thorns and fallen trees. I could not sleep till late in the night due to crying of children and shouts of people to identify their family . Suddenly I was woken up by the call of my staff nurse.

A pregnant evacuee sheltered in hospital premises went into labor and the staff nurse who examined her found that there was a mal presentation a “Hand Prolapse”. As it was beyond her capacity she woke me up to deal with the case. I never even conducted a normal delivery till then. In that hospital it was customary at that time all delivery cases were attended by the nurses. All difficult deliveries would be referred to Collieries hospital at Kothagudem where an Obstetrician was available. We were stuck with the case as there was no way that she could be sent since there were no road links. I had to do something. Suddenly I ed that I had the Obstetric text book in the trunk box since I shifted all perishable luggage to hospital. I opened the book and referred to the relevant chapter. What I was looking for was an option to deliver without operation. The option was to do a pudalic version i.e. to push the prolapsed hand into the womb and catch hold of a leg and convert the presentation into a breech and deliver. It also said that to get better dilatation of cervix Amyl Nitrate fumes can be smelt by the patient. The catch was; even if I could convert the presentation into breech I did not know how to conduct a breech delivery. I asked the nurse if she could do a breech delivery and her reply luckily was positive. I called the relatives of the patient and explained the situation. The husband fell on my feet crying and begging to save the life. That was the first of many times a patient prostrated at my feet. I stepped into the labor room along with the book, washed and started the procedure referring to the book all the time at every step. All the fears, excitement, trepidations ended with a healthy cry of a new born. Alas- In the process I broke the upper arm of the baby. Again, I went back and opened this time the orthopedic book and read again the relevant chapter. Thank God it was not very complicated and was assured that it would heal in couple of weeks with a . The family came and profusely thanked me.

When I woke up in the morning and returned to the outpatient people would peep into the room, look at me and go back. I was a hero. How the events unfolded?

That day I decided to learn more of Obstetrics Floods-No water to clean The submergence lasted few days and flood water receded. I went back to my house and found that the water touched almost the roof of the house. Luckily all the vessels and furniture tied to the ceiling was safe. The problem was how to wash the house. Water was the big problem. It took couple of days to clean the house. What an irony? Few days earlier there was so much of water. Soon after the floods receded I went to Kukunoor MM Unit. The hospital located in the rented building was totally submerged. All the medicines, records etc. were damaged and were beyond repair. It was beyond the capacity of the lonely staff member “the poor widowed FNO” to shift the luggage to a safer higher ground which was 2 Kilometers away. She had to take care of young children and her belongings. I conducted a panchanama in the presence of Sarpanch and village elders and condemned the damaged articles and sent the report to DM&HO seeking ratification. It was a jocularly called act “Flood disposal”- It is said in those days that if an officer asked for an irksome file the standard reply would be “Sir- It is flood disposed”.

Misplaced Charity After couple of months after the floods a huge consignment of Tinned food arrived with a short expiry date for distribution to the flood affected victims. By the time they reached us from the foreign donors the expiry date was over. Further there were no tools supplied to open the cans. Even we did not have- Forget about the tribal. I started correspondence for its disposal without distribution. It took months with no action from higher ups. Lot of space in the

hospital was occupied with these useless supplies. I got fed up and one day I picked up courage and buried them as they are in the grounds of the hospital and sent a report to higher ups. There was not even a whimper from any one. No one wanted to own responsibility. But everyone was prepared to ignore. The issue was buried. It was another lesson learnt.

Tribal-Sustainable nutrition One day a lean thin elderly gentleman accompanied by Sri. Jaipal Rao came to meet me. He was working in tribal welfare department as a senior officer (Kareem Khan). Jaipal Rao is the brother of Sri Bhoopal Rao and was working as Inspector in ACB department. He was a very honest and simple officer. I heard about this Tribal welfare officer many times from many people. He was adored as God by the tribal. He was a very sincere and honest officer and was a very committed officer. The conversation shifted to the nutrition of tribal and I casually said no outside supplementary food would help them and I expressed my opinion that they should grow around their houses vegetables like Beans and green leaves. I said this habit should be inculcated. This idea was born out of my observation at that time the tribal never grew in those days anything around their house. After few months in the next rainy season he came with the seeds and told me that he was going to distribute them to the tribal. I forgot about this almost for 5 yrs. Only when I returned after 5 Yrs. and visited some tribal habitations after being posted to Bhadrachalam did I realize the excellent work he has done when I saw every hut with a Bean creeper and other creepers.

Epidemics - Disobedience Small pox, Chicken Pox, Measles, Gastro enteritis were endemic in those days. Often, they would explode into epidemics. Malaria was mostly under control. One day a villager came and informed me with a letter from Sarpanch that there were many cases of small pox in their village and

requested for remedial action. I called the health visitor and ordered her to proceed to that village and with the help of local ANM to carry out vaccination and to send daily situation reports. I followed it with a written order. Her name was Mary Suvarna and she ed as a health visitor in M&H unit few months earlier. She was good in her work and was fluent both in English and Telugu. She was unmarried. She heard me and collected the orders and left. After few days I happened to see her in the town. I thought she has completed her work and returned. I sent for her and on arrival I enquired about the situation in the village. To my utter surprise she replied saying that she has not gone to the village as the BDO promised to take her in his Jeep in a day or two. I lost my cool and asked her to put it in writing and she complied with it. I immediately asked the Health inspector who returned from another such duty to proceed immediately to the village and take necessary remedial measures. I issued a memo to her and made a report and sent to the DM&HO requesting him to transfer her immediately to any other place. On the insistence of Dr Sharma, a case was made out and was referred to Director Health for her immediate transfer from the district. Director Health immediately ordered her transfer to Adilabad district. On receipt of the orders I relieved her from duties and sent the papers to the BDO for counter signature as M&H unit was under the istrative control of the Samithi. No action was taken by their office. After few days I was told by Dr Anjaneya Sharma that Samithi president along with BDO approached Director Health for cancellation of her orders and retention. In the process they seem to have alleged that I had some personal points to score. The Director called for the file immediately and made an endorsement saying that she should never be posted back to Khammam District. He further endorsed saying that negligence in obeying orders in an epidemic is a crime and should not be tolerated. Samithi authorities continued to dodge the relief. A resolution was ed in Zilla Parishath meeting that the Technical control of the M&H unit to be immediately

transferred to the MO PHC, Pinapaka which again was under the control of Samithi of Burgumpad. The MO of PHC, Pinapaka approached me with those orders and I refused to accept them since my controlling officer was The Director Health and unless orders are issued by him I will not obey any other orders. I wrote a DO letter to the District collector seeking his intervention to advise BDO appropriately. After few days the Health visitor was relieved which was a surprise to everyone. I had not handed over the charge of M&H unit. It was another lesson learnt.

Sivaratri There is a Shiva temple on a hill in an island in Godavari between Bhadrachalam and Burgumpad. We have to cross small portion of river by boat from either side to reach it. A jathara is conducted on Sivaratri night at the temple and many people congregate from both banks to celebrate. MO Burgumpad was responsible for Health and sanitation at the festival area. People get drunk and indulge in many anti-social activities and the SI was responsible for maintenance of law and order. I and Charles who was the SI then went to the temple to supervise the arrangements in the evening. There were lot of make shift shops in the sand around the hill locating the temple. There were lots of crowds. We climbed the hill through steps and reached the temple. There was very little space on the hill and around the temple for crowds to gather and witness. Hence a tradition was created to take the "Utsava Vigrahalu" down the hill before marriage and give a bath in Godavari and bring back the idols and perform the marriage in the temple and again in the early hours of morning take them down again for darshan of people. Few important officials and temple staff would be in the temple. To safeguard the age of the god in procession and to protect the Jewelry of the God few constables were available. It was 8 pm and Preparations were underway to start the procession. Suddenly there were shouts and cries and few

constables on duty in the sands rushed upwards to the temple bringing with them a person with bleeding scalp injuries. Behind them an angry crowd was trying to rush upwards to the temple. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, SI posted few constables with weapons shouting that anyone daring upwards would be shot. Though the angry crowd didn't retreat they have not made further progress indulging in loud shouts and threats. I started attending to the patient. I controlled the bleeding with pressure and dressed up the injuries under the illumination of Petromax light. It is alleged that there was an altercation at one of the gambling makeshift den and the proprietor of it has beaten up the person. There was a stalemate. The crowds could not come, and the God could not go down. The Archakas made some arrangements to bring up Godavari water in vessels from another route and performed the rituals and conducted the marriage. All night we were awake and on vigil. SI sent someone to get extra armed reserves who arrived by early morning. Few leaders from the crowd were allowed to come up to negotiate and make peace. Ultimately peace was restored the God taken down and brought back. We returned to Burgumpad safe. Meera ben and KML Prasad got married in the summer. I telephoned them and congratulated them from Bhadrachalam. Harinath left for UK. I went to Hyderabad to see him off. At the airport he took a signature of mine on a blank paper saying that he would apply for my P form to go to UK. My father-in-law closed his practice and moved to Tamarakollu near Kaikalur along his wife and two of his old widowed sisters. Dr Gunda Venkat Reddy completed his houseman ship and decided to set up private practice at Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district. I lent him some equipment and instruments of my father in law. I attended the inauguration of the nursing home.

Assembly elections The elections for state assembly were held. The congress party was split into two major groups at National level one headed by Indira Gandhi and another by Kamaraj Nadar. At state level Indira group was led by Brahmananda Reddy and Kamaraj group by Sanjeeva Reddy. At district level Sanjeeva Reddy group was led by Vengal Rao and Brahmananda Reddy group By Siddha Reddy. Both groups fielded independent candidates wherever they could not get tickets. Brahmananda Reddy group was in power since he was the chief minister then. Siddha Reddy group had an understanding with M and Vengal Rao group with I. Madiraju Ramkishen Rao garu was the election supervisor for Siddha Reddy group. We used to meet almost every evening and he would narrate the developments. Siddha Reddy group handsomely and communists and Vengal Rao group were routed in the elections. Brahmananda Reddy became CM again. Siddha Reddy and PV Narasimha Rao were inducted into his cabinet. I attended the marriage of Santha daughter of Kolipaka Ramchander Rao and Sharada (my aunt) on 2nd June 1966 at Khammam.

Missing the Bus Public service commission of Andhra Pradesh has called for applications for recruitment as civil assistant surgeons. We were then working on temporary basis. Actually, I had an opportunity when I was Houseman. On the day of interviews few of us were playing cards and making merry and ignored going for interview not knowing the importance of APPSC selection. However, this time I attended the interviews and was selected. It was only a routine affair, and by missing the 1965 interviews I became junior to some three hundred candidates. If I would have attended in 1965 probably I would have retired as the Director of Health services.

Going to be a Father… Opportunity to go to UK Karuna was pregnant and I got her checked up at Hyderabad by Dr Surti who was my professor earlier. He was Superintendent of Maternity hospital then. I received a letter from UK that I could go to UK to seek employment after obtaining P form from their high commission at Madras (Present Chennai). I had to reach UK before end of Feb 1968. I had discussions with my parents and in laws and all felt that I should avail the opportunity. My father said he would pay for the ticket and my father in law for other expenses. I applied for earned leave to obtain necessary sanction of study leave, port and P form. The same was sanctioned and I handed over the charge of my hospital to Dr Raja Rao MO Kukunoor and proceeded on leave from 1st Nov 1967. There were farewell parties and one even on the launch at Perentalapalli. All friends from Bhadrachalam and Burgumpad ed.

Preparation to go to UK Obtaining NOC from Government of AP I had to obtain sanction of study leave for 5 years and a no objection certificate from Government of Andhra Pradesh who was my employer then, permitting me to seek employment to sustain myself during that period abroad. Only then a port could be issued to me. Only after the port is issued would I get the P form from UK high commission. That was the link. I had a short time of two months to obtain the same. I had to take earned leave from November as I realized that the application I made in October was still lying in the DM&HO office at Khammam even in the middle of November. If I would not have taken the earned leave and not chased the papers I would not have gone to UK as the dead line was Feb 1968. I sat in the DM&HO office one day and by evening I arranged for my papers forwarded to Director of Medical

services at Hyderabad. I went to Director's office after 4 days giving time for postal service to deliver it. I took names of few officials from Dr Sharma to hasten the process at Directorate. I also knew one head clerk by name Sadashiv Rao who was the brother of Dr Mangrulkar my classmate and nephew of Arkal Jagannadharao of Khammam. I had to start chasing the paper from the Tappal section. Soon I mastered the art. I would go to Sadashiv Rao every morning and he would tell the name of the clerk with which my file is and I would use his name and request him to put it up. Generally, all of them obliged. Then I would catch hold of the attender/peon who would carry it and request him to carry it and put it on the top of the files. Then I would go and seek an appointment with the concerned officer who has to sign and forward the file to the next level. They too obliged as it was a routine file. I would then come out and request the peon to collect it place it at the next level. This routine file had to go through and get initialed at least 400 times before it could be sent to Secretariat. It took till end of first week of December 1967. I didn't have to spend any money on bribes for this except using my time and tipping the peons. The file was ultimately sent to the Secretary Medical department. I encountered a new problem in chasing my file. My uncle Satyanarayana Rao introduced me to Satyanarayana garu of Marripada. He was working in secretariat. He helped me in locating the file and initiated the process. I could not enter secretariat without a . would only be issued if I was going to meet an officer and not otherwise. Even then they would ring up from reception the concerned officer and only after the clearance the would be issued. I didn't know any officer. I now and then go to the house of Sri Satyanarayana Garu and accompany him. On one such day I happened to meet Dr Sudhir who was working as MO in secretariat dispensary. When I mentioned the problem to him he took me to the Dispensary and issued a OP ticket on my name which would entitle me to enter into secretariat. It solved my

problem. My file had to be seen and agreed by Medical, law and public service commission and by health minister and finally the chief minister. The file ultimately reached the Health minister who at that time was Sri PV Narasimha rao. His secretary at that time was Sri Krishna Murthy garu who was a relation of another uncle of mine Sri Rao. He got it cleared and the file ultimately reached the chief minister Sri Brahmananda Reddy. It was the first week of January. All India congress committee meetings were held in Hyderabad at that time. The sessions were over, and all the leaders were invited by Nijalingappa, the then chief minister of Karnataka. Brahmananda Reddy was also leaving that evening to Bangalore. My file was sent to his residence. I went to his house and met his adopted son Dr Gangadhar Reddy who was a contemporary of mine in Osmania Medical College and explained to him the urgency. He called one attender and asked him to go and obtain his signature. The attender traced the file and told me that CM was having lunch and he would obtain his signature after that. CM after his lunch went for a short nap and got up and left for airport. I was non- pulsed. Meanwhile the attender appeared and pitied my situation and asked me to accompany him on his scooter and drove to the airport. On the way he enquired about the urgency of the situation and my background. CM was about to board the flight and the attender rushed to him and obtained the signature on the file. After g he called the health minister and said something to him and he too signed the file. I was observing all this from a distance. They boarded the flight and the attender returned and took me straight to the health Secretary in Secretariat on his scooter and told him that CM wished the orders to be issued the same day. He also mentioned to the secretary that CM also got the date of signature of health secretary corrected. Inadvertently PV Narasimha Rao while g put the date and month correctly but put the gone year 1967 instead of 1968. Hashmi Ali was the secretary at that time. He was collector of Khammam earlier. My uncle Parvatal Rao worked with him. I mentioned

the same to him and he was very kind and got the orders issued with instructions to the Director to relieve me. He telephoned the Director for immediate action and handed over the papers to me and wished me good luck. I went to the Director and the orders were issued at 6 pm. The first hurdle was over. I offered a tip the attender of CM’s office who accompanied me which he politely refused. The attender was Lokiah.

Obtaining port and “P” Form In those days port office for southern India was only at Madras. The British high commission too was located there. There was only one travel agency at Hyderabad at that time. It was "Trade wings" managed by a very efficient young man by name Kantha rao. I approached him and he assured me that he would hurry up the matter and see that I would reach UK before the dead line. I completed all the documentation and handed over the papers to him. It was middle of January. I went back to Khammam and from there I went to the villages of all my relations and bade them good bye. Around 10th of Feb 68 I along with Koteswer went to Chennai. Koteswer was a friend of Madhusudhana Reddy a classmate and roommate of mine. He was the owner of "Sivaji press" which was founded by his father. His father died young and they were brought up a Muslim gentleman who was working in the press. He was a keen photographer and a helpful friend. Both of us checked into a hotel opposite the railway station. We stayed there for almost 5 days. Kusuma daughter of Bhoopal Rao was doing some course in Chennai and was staying with "Dasharathi" the great poet of Telangana. Her sister Rani also came there for a vacation. On third day I collected my port and the third day I had to go for my P form. One day I and Koteswer went to Mahabalipuram and another day to Burma Bazar and China bazar. We also saw

Bathikina College "Zoo" and Chacchina College the museum. We went to world trade fair along with Kusuma and Rani. On the last day I collected my P form and we left for Tirupati. There was a very big Q at the temple. Since Koteswer had to catch a flight from Chennai to he returned back to Chennai and after darshan left for Khammam by train. On 26th February 1968 all our family travelled to Hyderabad. Gowriah another friend ours since college days helped me in the shopping. Gowriah was from Mahaboobabad and was classmate of Ananthlal and Gopal Reddy. There was a standard list of items to be purchased by everyone going to UK. Gowriah had that experience as he saw couple of friends leaving earlier. A big leather suit case, a brief case, a travel bag, Bata shoes with two pairs of sox, Two woolen three-piece suits and few shirts and tros, a night dress, vests and pants. 20 kilograms of weight was the ceiling for air travel. My mother packed some pickles and sweets and snacks. I purchased a carton of Berkeley cigarettes. 27th evening I was to fly from Hyderabad to Mumbai by national airlines and from Mumbai fly to London Heathrow airport by Air India departing at 1am. I would reach Heathrow at 10 am and leave for Glasgow by British air lines from Gatwick airport. It was my first air travel. I sent a cable to Harinath of my travel plans who was living in Dumfries in Scotland near Glasgow. I took Karuna to Dr. Surti and he assured me that he would take care of the delivery and gave his telephone numbers to her. He blessed me and wished me all the best. What a perfect Gentleman.

My first Air Travel On 28th all of us met with families at Viccazis for lunch. We hired a minibus to airport and all came to the airport. Charles who was SI at Burgumpad was in charge of Airport area. With his courtesy my brother and Gowriah could come upto the aircraft. On way to the aircraft I picked up some soil from the ground and put it in a cover. That remained with me

throughout my stay in UK. I chose a window seat and bade farewell to everyone. I reached Mumbai by 6.30 pm and went to the international section. I bought 4 pounds of British currency which was the limited amount permitted for any international travel. I was left with Rs 110 which I sent by money order to Karuna. I got into Air India at 1am and left for London. I telephoned my uncle's house and informed them of my safe landing at Mumbai. The international flight had plenty of stops- Kabul, Teheran, Cairo, Rome, Frankfurt, and London. I got out of the plane at Cairo and went into the lounge. I saw VK Krishna Menon the foreign minister waiting in the lounge to catch a flight to India. I went and introduced myself. He made a polite conversation. I could see lot of Rome while the flight was landing. For the first time I have used a western toilet and toilet paper for ablutions on the aircraft. Arrival in UK At last I arrived in London. I checked out with no problem and travelled to Gatwick airport by an airport bus. I was very hungry as I didn't like the food served at Viccazis and on the flight. I telephoned Harinath on a reverse call from a public booth in the airport. Luckily the switch board at the hospital accepted the call and informed that Harinath left for Glasgow airport. After few minutes there was an announcement calling me to the enquiry counter. On reaching the counter they gave me my port which I have forgotten in the telephone booth. I left for Glasgow at 4 pm and reached at 5 pm.

Stay in United Kingdom…Dumfries At the exit gate at the airport of Glasgow Harinath was waiting along with his Scottish girlfriend. He introduced me to her and both of them helped me in loading my baggage in the car and we drove to Dumfries which was 80 Kilometers away. Even though it was only 5.30 pm it was dark outside. I could

see snow on the hill tops. Harinath was enquiring about our family and friends and happenings in India. While conversing now and then by default I would switch over to Telugu and I would be reprimanded by Harinath. In a group It is not a correct etiquette to speak in language not known to all. We reached Dumfries by 7 pm and Harinath has organized a guest room for me in the hospital. It was very cold outside and also in the verandahs. Even the room was cold. Harinath switched on the heater in the room and both of us retired to the common lounge. He switched on a box at the far end of the room and after couple of minutes it glowed and suddenly there was a person reading the news on the screen. It was Television. It was a first again. I was very hungry and went to my room and opened my suitcase and pulled out few snacks and sweets and we enjoyed them. The topic switched on to the food and I narrated my experience on the flights. Since I was a vegetarian I had no clue of what was what and I was only consuming chocolates, Biscuits and coffee served on the flight. Harinath took pity on me and decided to cook an Indian meal. He went to his room and brought some rice and lentil and other condiments etc. and cooked rice and dal. He managed to procure some curd (yogurt). I had a hearty and bellyful meal with pickles etc. I took. There were telecasts on 3 channels on television in those days in UK. They were not round the clock. One was BBC 1 and another BBC 2 both of Government and another was Granada a private channel. The transmission would be over by 10 pm and would recommence at 7 am. I went to bed at 11 pm. I had a comfortable sleep with a full belly. Next day Harinath woke me up at 7 am and he was ready to start his work. I got ready in few minutes and went to the dining room with him. Many people were having their breakfast. Harinath showed me how to handle the fork and knife and the etiquette of the table. He advised me to have corn flakes and bread with omelet and coffee. Harinath I was looking for drinking water. There was none. Everyone was drinking fruit juice instead of water. I

never drank water during my stay there. Harinath took me back to the room and showed me how to operate the TV in the lounge and heaters. He took me to the bath room and showed me how to use the shower and how to obtain hot water and how to use the bath tub for bathing. He also told me that I should always clean up after the bath the bath room and see that it is dry. He also showed me how to lock and unlock the rooms. One has to say, "Thank you" for even small obligations and services. If you don't require a particular thing you have to say, "No thanks" and if you want it one has to say "Yes Please". These are the commonest words uttered every day by everyone hundreds of times: even by children to their parents and husband to the wife. Dear and Darling are another two words commonly used by anyone to anyone. Politeness is a virtue of the Britisher. One has to wear a tie and shoes compulsorily in the hospital. It was a common practice to greet even strangers with a good morning or good evening with a smile if your eyes meet. sent a cable to my family of my safe arrival. That morning I mostly watched the TV. The lunch was a repeat of breakfast except that there was mashed potato. I sprinkled some salt and pepper and ate. The desert was Rice pudding with ice-cream. I felt hungry in the afternoon and drank cold milk from the refrigerator. The doctor’s rooms had a small kitchen where all the vessels were available. One could cook but they had to clean up the mess too. Harinath again cooked some dishes in the evening and he preserved the remains in deep freezer. In the evening he showed me how to type on his type writer the applications for jobs. Next morning, he took me to the Library and showed me how to search for Jobs in the BMA journal. In Every Sunday edition ments of vacancies would appear. I sat down and took the addresses and typed on the type writer and posted them. That evening Gopal Reddy called from Pontefract and told me that a job is available in his hospital in casualty and emergency as SHO and he would fix it if I am willing. Harinath

advised me to take it up as a stop gap. We informed Gopal Reddy that we would reach Pontefract on Saturday evening. Harinath took me for shopping and we bought some essentials. On Saturday morning we drove to Pontefract near Leeds and reached by evening.

In Pontefract Pontefract was a small industrial town. Gopal Reddy was working as Ho in surgery department. Earlier he worked as SHO in accident and emergency department. A post has fallen vacant in accident and emergency. Since Reddy worked in that department earlier he ed the consultant and requested him to consider my name for that post. Consultant not only agreed but also indicated that I could come and . Harinath stayed Saturday and left on Sunday afternoon. Unlike Dumfries there were many Indian Doctors in Royal infirmary of Pontefract. The hospital in Dumfries was purely a Psychiatry hospital where as Royal infirmary had all the basic specialties like surgery, medicine, orthopedics etc. In the evening the Kitchen attached to Doctors quarters was very busy. In groups doctors were cooking. Gopal Reddy too cooked and three of us had Indian food. I realized that to survive in England two things are essentials. One is to know cooking and second is to drive a car. I was interviewed on Monday. The secretary of the hospital and the consultant interviewed me. Secretary is a lay person who is the istrative head and he asked if I required a married accommodation for which my answer was a no. The consultant had asked me which specialty I was interested to peruse in future. They offered me the job and asked when I could the job. I told them that I could the same day. I ed the job that afternoon. Our residential rooms were on the first floor and the casualty department was on the ground floor. This block was next to the main road. There was no compound wall separating the road and the hospital. The hospital extended

behind this block. There was a pub on the other side of the road. My room was located towards the road side. The dining room for the doctors was separate and was located on the first floor. In the evening a road accident case came, and I was bleeped. Bleep was an instrument every doctor was given and whenever anyone required the doctor they would inform the telephone switch board to bleep the concerned doctor. The bleep would make a sound and one is expected to go the nearest switch board and call the exchange. The exchange would give the message.

My first case - Electric shock I went down to the casualty and sister led me to the cubicle where a young lady was lying on the couch. By that time the lady was undressed and was lying covered with a sheet. After taking the history of the accident, I enquired her where it was hurting to which she replied and pointed to her chest. The sister slowly uncovered the sheet and when I touched her chest to elicit the reflex of pain, I had an electric shock. I withdrew my hand and again when I touched I had another shock. I didn't know what to say. Suddenly the patient told me that she had a shock when I touched her. Nurse smiled and allayed her fears saying not to worry and explained to her that it was due to static current. I ordered for X-rays without further examination. That was my experience with my first patient in UK. The name of the staff nurse was Sue Marshall. Next day she got the necessary repairs to the flooring to remove the static current. She became a good friend. The staffs at Pontefract were very friendly. The telephone operator, the radiographer Jenny, Nurse Jane, cadet Judith etc. became good friends. We used to work as a team. We were invited few times to their houses.

Driving License I ed Tate motor driving school for learning driving. Even though I used to drive in India it was not enough to get a

license there. The instruction was meticulous. It was generally said that the number of hours one has to have are equivalent to one's age. I have taken 22 lessons and appeared for the exam. I cleared it in the first chance. I have known few of my friends who have appeared 18 times to the test. Each lesson costed me one pound.

Pay and other details My pay was fixed at 80 pounds a month and my contract were for 6 months. We had a 5-day alternate working week. The alternate week we had to do all 7 days. We had one day off in a week. The alternate days we were on call round the clock. The work load was very heavy. There were many nights when I didn't sleep. I had to myself with British medical council and with the Medical protection society. I had to pay 10 shillings per meal. There was a cloth washing machine. We would wash our clothes in that and iron them ourselves. I bought a type writer. I bought a pair of shoes as the Bata shoes were very heavy. My medical council registration number was British Medical Council Reg. No.1302978 dated 2-4-1968. My other details in UK were: National Insurance Number Y5/55/ 62/93 A 0111; Superannuation Scheme - SD 41/37345 dated 30-5-68; Income Tax Number 5741 1179 and Driving license -6482-Dated 2410-71-Salford county Borough Council. Dr Bhat from Karnataka, Dr Kaka and Dr Arundhath from Assam were our colleagues. I ed with Dr Ravindran as my GP. Everyone there would be issued a national social security card and one must oneself with a family physician under NHS scheme. Dr Martin Luther King who championed the cause of the blacks was assassinated on 4th April 68. It was telecast on the TV. He was follower of Gandhi and adopted nonviolent techniques to fight the injustice.

Enoch Powel a Tory MP raises the issue of immigration of Asians and warns of “Rivers of Blood “in his historic speech made on 20th April 68. Harold Wilson was the prime minister and the labour party was in power. Dr Murthy an engineer and brother of Chandrakala our neighbour in Kingsway in Secunderabad was working in Leeds University. I went to his house couple of times catching a bus. He also took me to Sai brother of Rao and Prabhakar another engineer from Hyderabad. One day as I was returning in the evening I met George husband of our telephone operator who was the conductor of the bus I was travelling. After exchange of greetings I paid the fare, but he has not issued me the ticket. As I was getting off the bus he asked me to stay back saying he would hand over the duty sheet and drop me at hospital. We drove to the hospital. He invited me for a drink and took me to the pub opposite the hospital and we had beer. I tried to pay but he insisted on payment and paid the bill. Three incidents that happened during course of my stay at Pontefract have influenced my thinking on patient care.

Social needs and Health care One evening I was on duty and an elderly lady with fracture of both wrists was brought in. I took the X-rays and corrected the fracture and put the plaster and treated her as an outpatient. At midnight I had a call from casualty and went down to see. It was the same lady whom I have seen that evening. Dr Ravindran my GP was there with her as he was the GP for her too. The story was while I attended to her ailment medically I ignored the social aspect. The elderly lady was living alone in her house. Since both her hands were in plaster there was no way that she could take care of herself. A neighbour called the GP and Dr Ravindran made a house visit and brought her to hospital for ission. I felt ashamed. I apologized and itted her.

Health care and System failures One night when I was on duty at about 9 pm 5 persons injured in a road accident were brought in. I quickly triaged them and ordered for X-Rays. I itted one of them and treated rest as outpatients. The elderly lady I itted was complaining of vague pains all over the body. I ordered for a total body X-ray in which I could not find any fracture. Next day she was seen by the consultant and discharged. After few days I received a letter alleging negligence on my part in diagnosing a slipped disc. I went back and checked for the XRays and I could not find them. I met the consultant and he told me not to worry as he too saw the case and thee responsibility was his than mine. He told me that I have taken the reasonable care in ordering for X-Rays and itting the case. He said he too missed it. However, when he saw the patient he didn't have the opinion of Radiologist. There were many checks to protect the interest of patient. If I missed it the consultant was there to correct it and if he too missed the Radiologist was there to correct it. Unfortunately, in that case the X-Rays were not sent to the Radiologist. It was a system failure and hospital owned it.

Misuse and Health Care One evening after attending to quite few cases in the casualty I returned to my room and went for a bath and then had my dinner and went to bed. A call from the casualty came in the night which I have attended and returned to my room. There were no more cases that night. After couple of days there was a complaint received from a person saying that no one attended to him at the hospital 3 days earlier in the evening. The staff nurse told me that indeed a person came on that evening and wanted to see a doctor. She asked him to wait and bleeped me. She didn't get an immediate reply from me. Since there was no emergency and the person in question often visits the hospital in the evenings with vague minor complaints and is a known malinger she didn't bother to try

again and was waiting for my reply. When she checked after few minutes the patient was not there. Since he left she didn't bother to call me. I apparently was in the bath room at that time having a bath. I put all these facts to the hospital authorities to convince that there was no negligence on the part of the nurse. I also enclosed history of earlier visits. The case was closed against the nurse.

Birth of Bharath On 27th May I received a letter informing me that I became a father. Karuna delivered on 23rd 1968 at maternity hospital Hyderabad. Dr Surti on getting a call from my father in law advised to it Karuna immediately and he too proceeded to hospital and conducted delivery himself. I sent a musical greeting card to Karuna. Dr Surti wrote me informing about the welfare of mother and child. After few months he became the additional Director of Family planning and visited Khammam. After completing his work he asked if anyone knew where my family was staying and went and visited them and wrote to me informing their welfare. I was blessed to have been taught by such teachers who were great human beings. Ananthlal came in May 1968. He came to Pontefract. Malliah received him and helped him to board the train to Pontefract. Dr. Shyam Sunder and his wife were working in Minehead. Soon Ananthlal too ed at Minehead. Robert Kennedy was assassinated in public on 6th June 68. He was the candidate for presidency of America. Rod Laver won the Wimbledon singles final of 1968. I have given up smoking for two months. There was a dance hall of hospital close by. I learnt some basics of dancing. One day we went to a dance party in a local friend's house. While going we went by bus. We walked back to hospital after the dance in the early hours. It was freezing cold and it was a dreadful night. During my stay in UK i never ventured again without an overcoat.

I have learnt a lot of procedures in emergency care. I was confident. I could reduce (closed reduction) of most common fracture and could resuscitate a patient. I could not have gained similar experience even in 5 years in India at that time. I bought some books and started preparing for primary for fellowship. There were many stories circulating around. Many people pursued but more failed. They would pursue for many years but would not succeed. Local doctors would make maximum of two attempts and change the course of their life if not successful. I gave a lot of thought. I decided to learn what would be useful in rural areas in India. From the beginning I was determined to return back to India. I started looking for a job as my tenure was nearing an end and started applying. I was called for an interview as SHO in anaesthesia at Park Hospital Davyhulme, Manchester. I was selected. I completed my assignment on 19 th August 1968.

Park Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester I have ed Park Hospital on 26th August 1968 in anaesthesia department in the second week of September 68. The department consisted of Dr Robert Shaw, an Englishman as HOD, Dr Rees Jones (welsh), and Dr Leslie (South Indian) as consultants and a registrar who was a Greek and another registrar an Arab from Jordan and Dr Trask (a House officer) from England and me as SHO. I worked with Dr Rees Jones for 3 days and with Dr Robert Shaw for a day and with Dr Leslie for a day. The first day was with Dr Rees Jones. He was a very pleasant and an excellent human being. He was a practical Teacher and would create immense confidence in juniors. On the very first day itself he asked me to start a case. When I told him that I had no experience he told me what to do and asked me to go ahead. He would keep an eye and intervene whenever we went wrong. He would gently correct us. One would relax totally when one worked with him. Dr. Robert Shaw was a very knowledgeable and was famous as inventor

of "Double Lumen tube" used in Lung surgery. The tube was named after him. One had to be very careful working with him as he was very meticulous. Dr Agnes Leslie, from Madras, a divorcee then with two young children was a very kind person and soon became my well-wisher and my conscious keeper. Within few days I could master the techniques practiced there and was independently conducting the sessions and attending emergencies independently. Dr. Haddad an Egyptian was an easy-going person yet was very concerned about the plight of his people. Dr Trask was an introvert and was often sick with his sinus and allergy problems.

Buying my first Car The Greek Doctor was returning to his country. I bought his car which was "Beatles" a Volkswagen. The engine was in the rear of the car and the boot in the front. Dr Leslie helped me buying it. I bought it for 175 pounds. Dr Sawhney from Gujarat ed in his place. There were two other Indian Doctors, and both were from Hyderabad. They were Dr Alikhan and Dr Baig. Dr Alikhan was House officer in paediatrics and Dr Baig was in another wing. Both were Osmania graduates and Baig in fact was my predecessor in Burgumpad. Dr Alikhan was engaged to a doctor from his community in Hyderabad who was yet to complete her medicine to him. He was very fond of her and every day would write her a letter, there was Dr Agarwal from Chandigarh and he was the registrar in Medicine. Other colleagues in that hospital were Mr. John Clegg, Dr Burslem, Dr Ann Parr, Dr Feloma, Dr Sheila Heaton (Brarr), Dr Brarr, Dr Jenny Bradburn, Dr Mary etc. The consultants were Heslop, surgeon, Mrs. Heslop his wife who was an obstetrician, Cowie, a Gynaecologist, Dark cardio thoracic surgeon etc. Heslop's brother who too was a surgeon is said to have died in Second World War in India. They were all very efficient and gentle persons.

Drums and Emergencies However, there was a registrar of surgery who was otherwise nice but lacked many surgical skills' He is to play in a local band. He would accumulate all emergencies and would start the theatre after returning from playing somewhere at 11 pm which used to go on till 4 am and we soon got tired of his practice. One day I mentioned it to Dr Rees Jones and he took it up with the concerned and a stop was put to such practice. One morning at the breakfast table I met a pretty young lady who greeted me and introduced herself as Dr Ailene Jennings the new House officer in Surgery. She was from Ireland and her boyfriend Michael who was an Englishman also studied from same college in Ireland. Both were catholic. Her accent then was typically Irish. It took some time for me to follow her English. She came from a big family. Soon she became a good friend. We would eat our breakfast and lunch together and watch TV together in the evenings. She would tell me about life in Ireland and various other interesting things. She was keen to know about India. She was religious and was a staunch catholic. She too was a smoker and would stock cigarettes and lend them to me when mine were exhausted. She was a good dancer and we used to dance in the evenings in the dance hall. Doctors were paid two pounds extra for certifying a death in the hospital. A pound from each certificate was pooled and spent in buying Beer and organizing parties. The liquor was free for Doctors. Manchester Guardian was the newspaper I used to read. We used to get the news mostly from TV. There used to be a Hindi programme on Sunday morning for one hour on TV. I bought a “Grundig” tape recorder and copied lot of old Telugu songs and Hindi songs and used to listen to them in the evenings. We had use tape spools to run it. I also bought a camera. Of course, I have not used it much. I learnt cooking and could survive as a vegetarian. Mostly I used to make

Kichadi. My food for survival was milk, eggs and deserts. There were some Indian shops which used to sell Indian vegetables, and condiments and Basmati rice. Only rice we ate in UK was Basmati rice. Alikhan was a good cook. Once I had cough and cold and have taken ampicillin and developed allergic reaction. I and Aileen went and watched a musical film by name “Sound of Music”. That was the only film I watched in a theatre in UK. Christmas season came and with it the Ice. Christmas is well celebrated in UK. Aileen being a devout Christian used to go to the church and offer prayers. I used to go along with her whenever I was free. I attended a midnight mass too. All would exchange presents. Liquor just flows. Feasting and dancing would go on. Hospital would give us a traditional grand dinner with wine etc. It was just a merry making. It had its bad effects too. There would be many accidents. Breathalyzer test was just introduced. The registration of unwed pregnancies seeking termination would shoot up in Jan and Feb. During the weekends I would drive to friends and spend the weekend with them. Most frequent visitors were Gopal Reddy and Murthy in Leeds. I went to Leeds one-week end and Murthy took me to a relation of ours Mr. Sai (Younger brother of Rao and son in law of Neelam Raju Venkata Sheshiah). After visiting them I was retuning alone in the car from Leeds. The road was full of fog. I could not even see my own fingers. It took me 4 hours to through such heavy patch of fog covering few kilometres. That was the most dreadful night of driving and I cursed myself many times for having undertaken. My other pastime was writing letters. I used to write letters regularly. Prompt were also the responses from those whom I have written. I used to write to Karuna, my elder sister, my parents, BK Rao, Parvatal Rao mamiah, Ramappa, Manohar, Papai, etc. It used to take 5 days for the letter to be delivered and another week to receive from them. For those in India it used to be costly. I and Alikhan were the two who used to wait for the delivery of post in the morning. There was Table tennis in the Doctors lounge. I could beat almost every doctor in it

except Alikhan. Most of others used to beat him. Once in the tournament I have beaten him but lost to another in the final and stood as runner up. Football was the national game. George best was the most popular footballer from Manchester United and had a big fan club. English team was then the holders of world cup. Cricket too was popular. Illingworth was the captain. We used to play Croquet in summer. Rod Laver won the Wimbledon singles of 1969. David Frost was the most popular TV personality. He would interview the top leaders of the world. “Frost on Saturday”, “Frost on Sunday” was the most popular. Eurovision song contest was the most popular show. Many new singers were introduced in that programme. All the latest singers would emerge from that contest. There were two chains of Cinema halls. All cinema houses in the country were owned by these two major houses. There were three major political parties then. The labour party headed by Wilson was in power. Wilson was the prime minister. Edward Heath headed conservative party and was the opposition leader. Liberal party was the third. Northern Ireland was in turmoil. The Catholics of the area wanted to the main land Ireland. The Protestants wanted to be with British. Bernadette Levin was the young leader emerging then. Enoch Powel started a hate campaign against the Asian migrants. Buzzi my younger sister suffered with renal colic. My younger brother Manohar who was a medico at that time at Warangal took her to Warangal. Dr Prasad Rao who was my professor of surgery in the college was the surgeon and superintendent at Warangal then. He diagnosed renal obstruction and found that a kidney was not functioning and advised nephrectomy (removal of damaged kidney). He performed the operation successfully. Buzzi got married to Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam on 30 th April 1969. I sent a letter to the newly married couple. At that

time Jwala was staying in his native village after graduation. I sent money for all the ladies in my family to buy HMT wrist watches. I sent Rs 3000 to my parents towards marriage expenses. Edward Kennedy youngest brother of Jack and Robert Kennedy was involved in a car accident with alleged girlfriend on 18th July 69. He left the place of incident without informing the police. The news was sensational as he was the choice winner of presidency. Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on 20th July 69. It was a live telecast from US. I think that was the first live telecast. Television studios made very interesting programmes. That evening as I ran out of cigarettes and I went out by walk to buy a pack from wending machine which was outside the hospital. On return I looked at the sky and I saw for the first time the moon in UK. Moon looked that night very pale. Probably it didn’t like to be landed on. Dr Agarwal registrar medicine was going home to get married and incidentally he belonged to Chandigarh. Papai and Prabhu were in Chandigarh at that time. I sent woollen clothing to their children through him. In 1969 two of my close relations died. One was Jeellachervu mamiah (Sanagapati Ramkishen Rao) husband of my aunt Rupamma and father of Dr SP Ranga Rao who subsequently became a doctor and professor of pathology. He used to be very jovial and whenever he visited Khammam he used to take me to cinema. He used to take me to his village in holidays. Another was Aitharaju Gopal Rao (Gopalam pedananna) who shared my ancestral house in my village and was our neighbour. He was very gentle and would mix with even children and had a big family. In holidays I used to eat in his house and spend the vacations.

Marriage of Harinath and Kalpana Dr Harinath decided to marry a dental student Kalpana from Hyderabad who was known to him since college days and

invited her to come to UK to get married. It was an inter caste love marriage. He made all her travel arrangements etc. and informed me all the details. He wanted me to procure Mangala sutra and also the important marriage vows. I wrote to my parents and got them. On the day of her arrival (4 th August 1968) he was to go to Glasgow and receive her. They were to get married few days after. Kalpana on arrival at Glasgow found two strangers an Arabic doctor and his girlfriend instead of Harinath to receive her. They introduced themselves as colleagues of Harinath and told her that Harinath got stuck at hospital on some urgent work and they were deputed to receive her. She had no options except to accompany them. On arrival at the hospital she was led to a room and found Harinath semi comatosed. Harinath suddenly fell ill with viral encephalitis and went into semi coma one day before her arrival. Since those friends knew about her arrival they were nice enough to go to airport. Kalpana telephoned me and next day I went to Dumfries and gave her courage and confidence. Harinath was on his way to recovery. After his full recovery they got married on 4 th Oct 1968. I and Dr Malliah attended the marriage which was a ed marriage. I and Malliah went on a tour of lake district. Biafra and Nigerian conflict was its peak. There were stories of horror and photos and film clippings shown on TV. I was completing my tenure in anaesthesia. I planned to do Obstetrics after that. I applied for the same in the same hospital. I was selected. There were some stories published in local papers about Telangana agitation. Once there was also a clipping on TV. More information I could get from letters from India. I was feeling bad about the happenings. There were some problems in my village too. Some differences arose, and the village was split into two camps. All the Kammas were on one side and the Harizans ed by my father were on other side. There were some killings. Even

it is said that our house too was attacked, and stones pelted. It is said that Kodaru Venkaiah a trusted lifelong friend of my father too ed the opposite camp. The situation was going out of hand and was becoming violent. On the advice of some journalists my father approached Acharya Bansali a disciple of Vinobha Bhave for help. He visited and stayed in my village and undertook fast to bring in semblance and peace. Slowly the life became normal. Dr Sudhir my junior in Gandhi Medical College was appointed in my place. He and his wife soon came and ed. Sudha his wife was the daughter of Justice Kondiah. With their arrival my hunger for Indian food was satisfied. Sudha was a good host. They were looking for a married accommodation. I was expecting Karuna to me soon. I sent all the papers needed. I and Sudhir decided to hire a house to accommodate both our families. Soon we could find one nearby. We shifted there. I was making all arrangements for arrival of Karuna and Bharath. Dr Leslie and Aileen helped me a lot. They bought toys and other household articles as gave as gifts. Dr Leslie didn’t want me to drive alone in my old car to bring them from London Heathrow airport. She volunteered to take me in her ford car to fetch them. Wherever you are you would always find kind souls! Harinath and Kalpana were blessed with a son (Anil) on 24th August 69.

Karuna and Bharath in UK Karuna and Bharath arrived on 26th Sep 1969 in UK. On my first glance I found them very frail and emaciated. We received them and drove back to Manchester. Bharath was sixteen months and was still breastfed. He would not leave his mother even for a second and would cry the moment she is not in sight. It almost took a month for him to me as father. It must have been the jet lag, the cold climate, new surroundings etc. Most of the time of Karuna was occupied caring Bharath.

We would now and then go in my car for shopping. The famous shopping malls in those days were “Mother’s care, Boots for medicines, and spencer’s”. We also used to go the Indian shops. Soon Bharath started speaking. He had very attractive eyes in his childhood. We always conversed with him in Telugu. We also decided to give him as much as possible Indian food. Slowly Bharath started mixing with people. He would stand in the back seat of the car ed by his mother and look through. My tenure at park hospital was coming to an end. I started applying for jobs. I got a job as SHO in Obstetrics in a small town in south Wales by name Tredegar, a mining town. The appointment was from 18 th March 1970. It was another two months. I decided to do locums.

Locum Jobs I left Karuna and Bharath with Ananthlal and Gopal Reddy at Minehead and ed as SHO Obstetrics at city hospital Nottingham for 15 days and then as registrar Anaesthesia at Chelmsford and Essex hospital, Chelmsford for 20 days. During that period a young British doctor by name Dr Judith Allerston was house officer in anaesthesia at Chelmsford and Essex Hospital, Chelmsford. I was given a ground floor furnished flat with a kitchen and two rooms. It was located couple of miles away from hospital. She ed few days earlier to me. As she was fresh I used to teach her in the style of Rees Jones. She was living in the quarters in hospital. One night at about 8 pm she called me and asked me if she could come to my place to discuss some important issue if I was free. I replied in affirmative. After few minutes she came, and I found her very agitated. I was cooking a meal for myself at that time. She was silent for a long time. I offered her a drink “Sherry” which she started sipping. I asked her what was troubling her. Suddenly she started crying. I was taken aback. Slowly she controlled herself and started narrating her tale. She had a boyfriend since her

college days. He was her classmate. She has come to know that he was a psychopath and was trying to avoid him. He didn’t take that easily and was threatening her. That evening she received many calls from him threatening her that he would kill her that night. Since she was off that night she was frightened and didn’t know what to do or where to go. Since she was new to the place she didn’t know whom to she sought my help and assistance. After a prolonged discussion and carefully evaluating various options she decided to spend the night at my place as she felt it was most secure. We had dinner and slept. Next morning, she ed some of her earlier common friends and requested them to counsel him and to get Psychiatric help for him. That was organized by her friends. I used to go to Minehead in weekends to spend time with my family. On one such occasion Bharath ran through a glass door and cut his brow. Gopal Reddy applied sutures in the casualty. After few days I left for Minehead and from there to Tredegar with my family to as registrar Obstetrics. I ed at Tredegar on 18th March 1970.

Tredegar Tredegar was a small mining town in south wales and the hospital was located on a hill top. It had two units of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and two units of Medicine. Dr Ogilvy was the chief of Obstetrics. He became the head by virtue of seniority. He was very short tempered but was very dedicated and he knew everyone in the town. He was very choosy in selecting people. His accent was Scottish. He was almost a terror. Because of him no head for the second unit would last long. There was a lady British Gynaecologist heading the second unit when I ed. She was a quite person and mostly she was working overseas and would come back to UK to do some locum jobs and again go overseas. She was succeeded by a male Gynaecologist of similar nature and temperament during

the period of my stay there. There was an African House officer who was totally scared of Dr Ogilvie. Dr CB Srinivas Rao from Osmania Medical College was working there in the Medical department. He was staying with his wife and young daughter Geetha. Nearby in Ebb wale was Dr Ganapathi Gowd who was my senior in the college working as GP. Dr Capoor and his wife were working in Abergavenny. Dr Raju a relation of Dr CB Srinivas Rao and Dr Narasimhan from Tamil Nadu were working nearby. Dr Narasimhan in addition to be a doctor learnt electronic engineering. His father was chief engineer of Tamil Nadu state. He taught me fundamentals of electronics. He would not only repair but would also build new TV set, tape recorders etc. Once he repaired the wipers of my car which would have costed my lot of money. Capoor owned the Liberty building in Hyderabad. His brother was collector Mumbai. He had a cousin who was a pilot in Air India. Raju was brother of Sri Murthy garu an IAS officer in AP. CB Srinivasa Rao was the brother in law of Damodaram Sanjeevaiah former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Dr CB Srinivas Rao suffered with knee t pain which was diagnoses TB knee and was on treatment. On the first day of my ing I was assisting Dr. Ogilvie in some operation and he was shouting and rude to everyone. I was holding the retractor and mopping the bleeding. He dropped the needle holder on my hand accidentally which pricked my fingers and punctured the glove. I quietly excused myself and withdrew my hands and took of my gloves and asked the nurse to fetch me a new pair of gloves. Not knowing what happened he shouted to retract the tissues. The assisting main nurse watched the incident. I didn’t reply and only after I put on new pair of gloves I resumed the work. There was pin drop silence. I was prepared for the worst. After the operation was over the main nurse narrated the incident to him in my absence and he came and said sorry. After that we both maintained a safe distance from one another respecting one another’s integrity. Often the staff of the hospital would say I was one of the few whom he never ill-treated or humiliated.

As it was a small place and the distances were not far all the doctors in the area became very friendly and we used to meet and dine in one house or other. Bharath and Geetha became friends and used to play together. Geetha was elder to Bharath by few years. Bharath started to be mischievous. He would insist on going out for drives. He would ask anything he sees to be bought. I would drop Karuna, Bharath and Srinivas Rao family at the shopping centre and go back and collect them after they would finish the shopping. We all used to go to Cardiff or Bristol for buying Indian goods. One day he took a cooking vessel and hit the wash basin which broke, and he opened the tap. One day we were driving and as usual he was sitting in the back seat. He suddenly switched on the Radio lying in the back seat. The sound distracted me, and I tried to snatch it from him and in the process the car left the road and entered the fields adjacent. We were very lucky. We performed the birth day of Bharath. I invited all the neighbouring friends and the hospital staff. Srinivas Rao and I wanted to learn swimming and took few classes. We didn’t continue. I regret at it. Gopal Reddy too took some locum job and he left his wife Prameela, and his three kids with us during that period. He would visit us during weekends. Harinath and Kalpana visited us. Dr Aileen Jennings too visited us. She was going to get married to her boyfriend after few months. There were general elections in UK that year. I was allowed voting. Tredegar was the constituency of the famous leader Michel Foot. Edward heath became the prime minister. A worst cyclone by name Bhola cyclone hit East Pakistan. It devastated East Pakistan. Nearly 5000000 people died. The pictures on the TV screen were very moving. The world cup foot ball matches were played in Mexico. That was the first world cup I have seen on TV. They were transmitted live. It used to be late night in UK. I saw most of the matches. I was lucky to watch Pele play. I became a fan of Pele. Brazil won the cup.

In November 1970 I wrote my DRCOG exam in London. A day before Judith Allerston telephoned me and told me that she was proposing to migrate from UK either to Canada or USA and expressed the desire to meet me before that. I told her I was going to London that weekend to write my exam. She told me that she would meet me at London after the exam. I drove to Bristol and parked my car there and went by train to London. I checked into Indian YMCA. It was centrally located and was cheap. They would serve Indian Food. Next day I went for the exam and Judith met me after the exam. I was to return that evening by train. She came by car and she said she would drop me in the night at Bristol. We had an early dinner and started for Bristol. The traffic was heavy, and it was raining. There were few accidents and traffic jams. By the time we reached Bristol it was early hours. We were totally tired and exhausted. She wanted to go back after dropping me, but I persuaded to go in the morning. We checked into a bed & Breakfast motel. Next morning, we drove in different directions. I ed the exam and was awarded DRCOG on 28th November 1970.

Mother-in-law died: Karuna’s departure for India One day I received a letter from India informing us that Koruna’s mother ed away. It reached us after a week. My father-in-law was staying with two of his elder sisters. All of them were sufficiently old. I thought it was duty of Karuna to take care of them. We planned her trip back. Karuna had a stay of 16 months in UK and Bharath was 3 Years 8 months. Meanwhile my tenure at Tredegar came to an end. I started doing some locum jobs in Merthyr Tydfil and Nevil Hall hospital in and around Abergavenny. We stayed with Dr Capoor during that period. The day for Karuna departure for India was approaching. A big postal and telephone strike was called on. The previous day to her departure we drove to London and stayed in a Bed and breakfast lodge. We went around London. Karuna made

little shopping. She wanted to see underground Metro in London, but I could not take her as we were too tired. We got up in the morning and packed and left for Heathrow airport. We left couple of hours early as I was really frightened of traffic and jams. On reaching the airport Karuna told me that she forgot all her ornaments in the bedside table locker. I tried to persuade her to forget them. She was very sentimental. In those days the customs rules were very strict. All the ornaments carried by the ladies were entered in their ports. There was no way that I could take them subsequently. I had no confidence on reaching back in time to her departure if I ventured to drive back to retrieve them. I engaged a Taxi and drove to the lodge. On enquiry and search we could not find them. The owner told me that the person who cleaned the room after we vacated has gone to work in some other place nearby. I took the address and drove to that place. Luckily, he was there and on questioning he quietly handed over the ornaments which were broken into pieces. I didn’t raise any further questions and tipped Five pounds and thanked him. He too was a foreigner from orient. I could reach in time to handover the ornaments and see my family off. The taxi fare and the tip costed me equivalent to the cost of ornaments in the market. On 20th Jan 71 Karuna left for India. The postal strike started in UK. I had no news of safe arrival of my family in India as there was a general postal strike. After few days on 8 th Feb 71, I ed in Paediatrics department in Hope hospital. Dr Mann and Dr Mackay were our consultants.

Hope Hospital… Dr Pulliah Chetty On 8th Feb 71, I ed in Paediatrics department in Hope hospital. Dr Mann and Dr Mackay were our consultants. Dr Khazi was my registrar who was from Karnataka. His girlfriend was Mary a nurse then whom he married subsequently. Hope hospital was a busy hospital with many departments. There were many doctors from India working there. Dr Pulliah

Chetty was the registrar of medicine who worked in that hospital for many years. He was a Telugu person belonging to merchant community from Chennai. They were involved in export and import business. Even though he was staying there for more than 15 years, he adopted very little of the western life style. Shanthi and Naren are their children. They were very loving and intelligent kids. They were strict vegetarians. Dr Chetty was a very knowledgeable and hardworking doctor. He was a very loving and caring person. So was his wife. Dr YV Reddy who was the superintendent of Nilofer hospital was his classmate. Dr Chetty was not worldly wise and had difficulty in adapting to western culture. In spite of his long stay he didn’t learn car driving. He could not clear his part two MR exams. He remained then as a medical assistant. He was an encyclopaedia of medicine. He used to drive a moped. Dr S Surendar Reddy a contemporary of mine who studied in Osmania Medical College was working as registrar in ENT. He was suffering with backache. It was diagnosed as a slipped disc and was subjected to surgery. It didn’t give relief. His condition deteriorated, and medical consultation was called in. Dr Chetty examined him and on further investigation diagnosed as cold abscess of tuberculosis origin. He was put on anti TB treatment which pushed him into more complications. He reacted badly to Rifampicin, and Streptomycin. However, he slowly recovered and re-ed the duties. He went through a bad phase. His wife stood bravely and given him needed . During the period he was in hospital his parked car was damaged by a truck which was reversing. Troubles come in crops. Dr Chetty used to drive a moped. One day it was stolen. After few days it was recovered, and we went to collect it. Dr Chetty gave a hefty tip to the policeman who accepted it with thanks. Dr Aslam was a dentist from Bangladesh. There was another Bengali doctor from Bangladesh. Dr Chettur from Kerala was in anaesthesia department and was very sweet person, knowledgeable and caring. There were few doctors

from Pakistan and few more from Bangladesh. We all lived in the quarters.

Loss of port-Stranded in UK Tammara Seshagiri Rao who settled in USA went to India for a vacation. He informed me earlier of his intention to visit UK and I invited him to stay few days with me. One day I received a call from him from Railway station in Manchester informing me of his distressed condition. He caught a train from London to Manchester and on the way he lost his valet containing the money, port and visa permits etc. Immediately I rushed to the station and brought him to my room. He was in real distress. However, he informed me that my family reached home safe. There was a postal strike. No communication facilities existed except those telephones which were automated. After prolonged discussion we decided that he should go to London and try for his port at Indian Embassy and at the same time try and get his Visa. I ed a friend in London and put him in the train and gave him some cash for his expenses in London. He stayed with my friend and applied for his fresh port and would daily go to the airport and send the papers through some one going to USA asking them to post it there. Similarly, some friend of his would hand over the papers to someone travelling to UK and he would collect the same at airport. It was a miracle that he could obtain all his papers in time and could fly to USA. My mother had a gynaecology problem and underwent Hysterectomy. Subsequently she underwent another surgery for repair of incisional hernia. Dr Pa performed the first and Dr Prasad Rao the second. Our family owes a lot to Dr Prasad Rao for his kindness to us. Manohar was very close to these two personalities. My father fell ill with jaundice. He was itted in MGM hospital in Warangal and later on was shifted to Vellore. Manohar was taking care of all these illnesses in my absence,

all of them have slowly recovered and were back into the routine. Mohammad Ali lost to Frazier in boxing match on 8 th March 1971. Manohar got married to Usha on 13th March 1971 at Khammam. It was the second marriage in my family I missed. Manohar was doing his houseman ship. There were no jobs. He started applying to UK. At last John Newcomb won the singles title of Wimbledon of 1971.

Illness In the last week of March, I developed pains in my elbow t. As there was no relief I consulted an orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dey who diagnosed it as Tennis Elbow and gave intra-articular cortisone. The pain didn’t abate and spread to new ts. I consulted Dr Chetty and he recommended me to see Dr Bernstein. On examination he found an enlarged lymph gland in my right neck and subjected it to biopsy. While waiting for the report he itted me in Ladywel hospital as the pain was severe. I was put on soluble aspirin. Many other tests to rule out other t conditions were done with negative results. The biopsy report indicated a tuberculosis lymph node. It was only a histology report. They could not do a culture as the total biopsy piece was put in alcohol solution and not in normal saline. There was a multi-disciplinary discussion and they searched for another enlarged nodule and to my misfortune could not find one. They recommended empirical treatment with Anti Tuberculosis drugs. I was on sick leave for two months. Dr Chetty’s family took care of me. They would send me Indian food almost daily. I wrote to my family and also spoke to them on phone to give them confidence. I was paid the sickness benefit from social security. It was a wonderful system. I re-ed duties after two months. I was normal and continued the treatment for next one year with no ill effects.

Bangladesh Born A crisis was developing on the Eastern borders of India. There were general elections in Pakistan and Sheik Muzibar Rehman’s party had the majority to form the Govt. They were denied the opportunity and the west Pakistanis maneuvered to install a military Government. This angered the Bengalis in East Pakistan and slowly a movement developed for separation. At the time of Independence to the Indian subcontinent from British rule the Muslims ed together and demanded a separate country combining the areas where the Muslims were in majority like West Punjab, Sindh, Paktunistsan, and east Bengal. East Bengal was separated geographically by thousands of miles from other parts of Pakistan and the language spoken and loved by the inhabitants in east Bengal was Bengali. It was only a mirage that religion would bind them forever. Further Bengalis felt that thy were treated as second class citizens since Urdu was the official language of the country and majority of army personnel were from Punjab of Pakistan. Army always dominated the politics of Pakistan. The simmering discontent slowly erupted into a mass movement demanding a separate country. One led to the other- There were agitations, arrests and protests and suppression. The top leaders went underground and started to organize an armed struggle under the banner of Mukti Bahini. There were desertions from the army and civil services. We used to watch all these news on the TV in the lounge. It was a strange situation for us the doctors of whom some were from West Pakistan, some from East Bengal of Pakistan and some Hindu doctors from East Bengal of Pakistan and many from India. It was embarrassing to watch together the news of their countries in mutual conflict. However, there were no heated exchanges on the content. Everyone would silently watch and go back to their respective rooms. At the maximum there would be silent glances of sharing or approval

between Indians and East Bengalis. There was a lady Doctor by name Dr Khan who was engaged to a local British doctor. She has done her FRCS and was working as a registrar of Surgery. She came from a ruling political family of Pakistan and often I could see the hurt in her face at the news of rebellion in her country. After some time, she stopped coming to the lounge to watch the news. There was a Hindu Bengali Doctor working with us from East Pakistan. They were quite rich. With the increasing military oppression in East Pakistan his family fled to India. He had no news of them for a long time. There was a great influx of refugees from East Pakistan into India then who were sheltered in refugee camps. It was becoming a great burden. At last his family made a and he wanted to send some money to the in Indian rupees. He requested me for help. He paid me in local currency and I requested my family in India to send the equivalent money to them. As they had no address he gave me some local person’s name. My family sent that amount. The middleman has not paid them immediately and took his own sweet time to pay in parts. There are always people who would fish in a sea of misery and grief. My tenure in paediatrics was coming to a close. I felt I learnt the basics of accident and emergency, anaesthesia, and Obstetrics required for practice in rural India. I wanted to move to a different specialty. The jobs I did so far were very busy and there were too many emergencies. I used to have very little sleep at night. I opted for Geriatrics. I got a job in Ladywel hospital which was in the same group and was almost an extension of Hope hospital. I ed there. It was a hospital for infectious diseases. There was an Infectious ward for paediatrics in addition to regular Geriatrics and infectious ward for adults. Karuna’s both aunties ed away. She along with her father moved from Tamarakollu to Hyderabad and was staying with Sripathi Rao family. She itted Bharath in school nearby. Bharath one day got out of the school and got into a Rickshaw and asked him to go. Rickshaw fellow must have

thought that he knew the way. Luckily a neighbour going on a cycle saw Bharath alone in the Rickshaw and accosted him and took him home.

Ladywel Hospital - Reg a job The work in the hospital was not very heavy. I had more rest. One night around 12 am I was called to it an old lady of ninety years. It was one of the issions for social reasons. She was a regular visitor to the hospital and I asked for her earlier notes. While it was awaited I examined her and written the prescription. At that time, I had a call from Dr Kazi who was my registrar in paediatrics earlier, requesting me to help a junior who ed recently in some emergency paediatrics case since he was otherwise busy. I went to the paediatric ward to help the junior colleague in resuscitating an infant who was moribund. I spent considerable time and went back to my room to get some sleep. The next day was my off day and I totally forgot about writing notes of the case I itted the previous night. The consultant who went on rounds found the case sheet without notes and immediately complained to the hospital authorities. The general practice at that time was that the senior if he found the junior falling short of expectations would first counsel him. I was summoned by the Secretary of hospital. I decided to quit. I wrote my resignation and with that I went to see them. I gave my explanation saying that I have not neglected the patient and examined her and wrote my instructions. There was no complaint from any one on that score. It was also true that instead of waiting for the notes and filling the case sheet I went to help to save a child which was verifiable. Immediately I got up and gave my resignation letter. They were shocked. The secretary tried to pacify me. The consultant said I may not a good reference to get a new job. I replied saying that I don’t require his reference to get a job in that country and if I cannot get a job I would go back to my country. I left it at that and walked away.

I planned to do a course in Tropical Medicine (DTM&H.) which I thought was useful back in India. I ed Liverpool school of tropical medicine. They informed me that a course for three months was coming up in January and I could apply for the same. I needed a job for two months to fill in the gap. I ed Dr Rees Jones and narrated all that has happened, and he told me that if I was willing I could go and work as a locum registrar in anaesthesia in Aston under Lynne. I said “Yes” and he fixed it up. I left Ladywel that evening. Before my departure I met the secretary to bid good bye. He was very sorry for the turn of events.

Chinese Doctor I ed at Aston under Lynne next day. There were very few local doctors working in that hospital. There was a Chinese origin doctor from Malaysia by name Dr Tan Eng Siew, working then. Her younger sister used to visit her frequently. Both of them used to make some Chinese dishes in the kitchen. That is where we met. Soon they became good friends and we used to cook together. Dr Tan was educated in Australia. She was planning to settle in USA. We used to do shopping together and go to the Christmas season parties together. She was a good dancer. Karuna got selected as a junior lecturer and got posted to Sadashiv pet in Medak District. She was staying with her father and Bharath. I got the selection in Tropical medicine course. Karuna got transferred to Nela Kondapalli a village nearby my village. She was staying there along with her father and Bharath. India could not keep quiet at the unrest in East Pakistan. There were skirmishes on the borders which soon escalated into a liberation war. East Bengal formed its own Government and invited India to help them. Indian army marched into East

Bengal and helped its liberation. “Bangladesh” a new nation was born on 3rd Dec 1971. A huge Pakistan army surrendered. Nixon won the presidential election of USA.

As a Student of Tropical School I left for Liverpool and ed DTM&H course. I was staying with a German family who provided Bed and Breakfast and also dinner on request as a paying guest. After few days, one day while I was looking at the notice board and one local Gentleman introduced him as Dr Tom Stag– He was handsome around fifties, and very well dressed. He enquired if I was doing the same course. On my affirmation he started a conversation and told me that he too came to the course and he was working as a doctor with an Oil company in West Africa. He also enquired where I was staying and when I informed him of my stay he requested me to ask the German lady if she could provide accommodation for him too. I telephoned her and she agreed. After the lectures were over both of us went to the lodge in my car after picking up his baggage from station. Both of us used to travel to the school in the morning and return in the evening in my car. Few months earlier I sold my Volkswagen and bought a standard station van for 75 pounds. In the afternoons we used to have our lunch in the pub opposite to the School. I used to have soup and vegetable sandwiches and he would take a beer and sandwiches. The first day I paid for both and next day he paid. One day while returning from school I went into the petrol station to fill petrol and he asked me if he could share the expenses I laughed and told him that it was not required since I would be traveling in the car even otherwise alone and as such there was no need. In the evenings invariably, he would go out and have couple of drinks and have dinner and return. I used to eat at the lodge. The “Bloody Sunday events” on 30th Jan 72 in ulster in Ireland shook Tom. Bernadette Devlin a young Irish MP shot

into fame. Tom would sit in silence for long spells of time. He was very worried at the turn of events. I went to London and appeared for my DA exam. Again, I stayed in Indian YMCA. I was awarded DA on 10th Feb 1972.

Friendship with Tom There was a coal miners’ strike and there were cuts in electricity supply. Since our rooms were gas heated we had no big problem. Since the power used to go off in the evenings for two hours one day I too went out along with Tom. Slowly he opened up and we became good friends. He told me that he was in Secunderabad during Second World War as a cadet in the army in short service commission. He knew well the Indian currency and what could be bought for a rupee. He used to go to his wife and children during weekends. His wife too was a doctor and was practicing about 100 Kms. away in some small town. Both of them were Catholics. They had two sons. I used to drop him in the railway station on such journeys. He was a smoker too. The course was very interesting. There was a very good in house and guest faculty. We could get any specimen or blood film of tropical interest. Practical were very tough. We had to do everything right from collection and preparation of slide to examination. They gave us excellent tips. I enjoyed the stay and also learnt a lot. I think after about fifteen days one day the wipers of my car broke. We went to get them repaired. As I was talking to the mechanic Tom strolled inside and was looking at some new cars. He waved at me from the glass door and indicated that he would take ten minutes. After that he came out driving a new car and asked me to step in. I thought he hired the car since we had to leave my car for repairs. He told me he bought the car. After that day he never allowed me to take out my car and we were riding in his car. On a week day his wife telephoned, and he handed over me the receiver saying his wife wanted to have a word with

me. She invited me to her town to spend a weekend with them. The following weekend we drove to his place. Dr Tan Eng Siew ed us travelling by train from Manchester. It was a mansion in a five-acre plot. I have never seen such an aristocratic life style earlier. It had beautiful garden and lawns. It had 8 bed rooms. They had three expensive cars. My friend engaged an Indian cook specially to cook my vegetarian dishes. His wife was full of courtesy and genuine affection. We were treated royally. We relaxed totally. We spent all our time in the open in the woods chit chatting. As the course was nearing completion I started preparing for the exams. Tom was not making any serious effort. Often, he would miss classes. I found him often in conversation with the staff of the school. He would take them out for dinners and drinks. We finished our exams successfully and parted on our ways. I left for Manchester to do my last locum job in park hospital. Tom visited me couple of times later but would telephone often. He was keen to visit India again. I re-ed Park hospital as locum Registrar in anaesthesia for two months. Most of my earlier friends who were my colleagues in my earlier stint left. My younger sister Jyothi gave birth to the first male child on 21st June 1972. He was named as Vamshi Krishna.

Manohar arrives…. Bye to UK Manohar informed me that he was permitted to come to Britain and was actually attached to Paediatric department in Park hospital for assessment for 3 weeks. It was a surprising coincidence. Manohar arrived in UK on 27th July 1972. I went to London to receive him. CB Srinivasa Rao too was in London at that time for some reason. He invited us for lunch at his brother in law’s place. His brother in law KSR Murthy was a senior IAS officer in Andhra Pradesh Government and was posted on deputation

as an attaché in Indian high commission. After lunch we returned to Manchester. Manohar soon made friends with all and he impressed with his hard work and they have fixed him up in Paediatric department in Salford Royal. I introduced all my local friends to him. Dr Tan Eng Siew visited me few times. She was planning to migrate to USA. I started preparations for my departure. Dr Leslie helped me a lot in my preparations. I bought some surgical equipment for use in India. I bought some clothes especially sarees for all ladies, some small gifts. I bought two suit cases and three big trunks. I packed all the things in three trunks and booked them for sea travel. I applied for withdrawals I was due. I authorized Dr Leslie for necessary correspondence on my behalf. I met most of my friends and bade goodbye. I left for London to catch the flight. I have not informed anyone in India about my return to India. I requested Manohar to do the same. I didn’t want a wasteful expenditure on my reception on my return. Dr Tan Eng Siew was in London at that time and she was with us for those two days. I met other friends in London and we all went to the airport. I bade them good bye and checked in. After checking in we were informed that our flight requires repairs and is delayed. They arranged for temporary stay in the hotel rooms in the airport. Manohar left and caught a train to Manchester. I could Dr Tan and informed her of delay of 8 hours. Dr Tan came back to the airport and we went around the airport doing some small shopping and had lunch. After the announcement I again checked in. While I was walking to board the flight I overheard an elderly couple conversing in Telugu behind me. I turned back and looked at them. The man’s face was familiar. I stepped aside and introduced myself in Telugu and enquired who they were. He merely said Subbarao from Delhi and walked ahead.

I suddenly recollected that he was Koka Subbarao former chief Justice of India and was a candidate for recent presidential poll. I boarded the flight and started ruminating on my experiences in Britain.

Life in UK I never thought in my life that I would come to Britain to work and study. That way what all happened in my life was purely accidental and never was intentional. I never wanted to be a Doctor but became one. Because I secured enough marks in the crucial exam I got a seat in medical college. Similarly Coming to Britain was accidental as it was all done by Harinath. Most of our batch mates migrated to either UK or USA. Only 20% remained in India. Out of those 80% who left only 20% returned back to India. I was one of those. If I were to choose another country to live in I would choose UK. Return to India had three reasons. Karuna had a responsibility to care of her surviving aged father being the only child to them. It would only be possible if she was in India. My parents too were aging. There was lot of sickness in the family and it was a big family. With Manohar arrival in UK there were no grown up sons in India to take care of them. I would have been in a better position to send them money but would not have shared their physical day to day tribulations. Thirdly I could contribute only as a doctor to the society in UK and not as an individual. As a Doctor I was respected and not as an individual. I felt my country needed me more than UK both as Doctor and as an individual. Once I asked one of the local British consultants why was it that there was scarcity of Doctors in UK and their dependence on overseas doctors? His reply was very simple. He said it was political and economic. Even those few who return would take back with them the habits and customs. After their return they would only use those they have been using in UK and prescribe the same drugs and medicines of the same companies they

have been using. He further said it would be cheaper to import cheap labor than train their own. Some of the British doctors too expressed the same. Their view was that NHS would not improve their working conditions as long they can obtain the services of doctors from poor countries. It was true. I was getting 10 times the amount I was getting in India. Even after correction with Unit cost I could save money in UK. Most of the doctors for that reason from UK in those days would migrate to USA, South Africa, and Australia etc. National Health Services (NHS) was a very good model. It provided equity for all for health care. All those who were earning would pay tax to provide the care. Everyone had a Family doctor to attend to minor ailments and refer him to the specialist when required. The medicines of the prescriptions of Doctors and hospitals were given free in the chemist’s shops who would claim the refund from Government. Boots chains of Chemists shops were all pervading. Many say NHS came into existence after the great drama “Doctor’s Dilemma” written by Bernard Shaw. Emergencies were attended on top priority; Cold case like Hydrocele etc. had to wait for long periods for surgery. However, one could jump the Q of cold cases if one was willing to pay. I assisted few times in the private cases and I too was paid. Antagonists of the system would say that in Britain one would be more comfortable if one was ill. All the hospitals were managed by local bodies. Two things in public services were very apparent and prominent. One was punctuality, and another was sticking to the seat. One would not find a seat of service unattended any time. The attitude was to help than raise questions why a service cannot be delivered. All was a group activity. Everyone in the group was allotted a task and one had to perform it. There were no weaklings. Everyone was trained to perform. This virtue must have been ingrained in them as Britain was a naval and war faring nation. In such a nation everyone’s survival depended on one another’s activity.

There were excellent ambulance services. They would not only carry patients to hospitals but would also carry them back home after discharge. The services were free. If one was sick and was employed, he would get sick leave pay. Even there were free facilities at holiday resorts to recoup rest and convulse. Physical needs in Old age were well taken care. 40% of beds in hospitals were occupied by senior citizens. There were many convalescent homes for old age. There were lots of programmes like meals on wheels etc. for old people. All the services were free. However, it was mostly a mechanical care lacking the love and warmth of the home and kith and kin. Once when I was moon lighting (substituting for the call duty of a GP) I was called to certify a death in the night. When I knocked at the house a young woman opened the door and on learning purpose of my visit gestured me to go to a room adjacent and she went back to the room where they were all watching a football match. I entered the other room alone and examined and the dead person and having completed the certificate went into the room where TV was playing. There 5 persons all in the age group of 30s and one person introduced himself as the son of the dead man and took the certificate. The lady offered me a beer which I politely refused and returned. How mechanical the modern society has become! There were many believers in alternate medicine. Homeopathy was popular. Lots of people were interested in Yoga. Some doctors from India practicing in areas with high density of Asian population were indulging in malpractice. They were still continuing with the myth of injection and cure. They would prescribe medicines for impotency. Communicable vaccine preventable diseases in UK were under control. Most of these diseases were controlled not by vaccines but by hygienic practices of people. Open defecation, urination, spitting in public places were strictly prohibited and to a large extent observed. Everyone would cover their mouths while sneezing or coughing. Safe drinking water was

supplied through tap water. Food preservation hygiene was maintained either by freezing or by heating. Disposable paper napkins, towels, and safety napkins were used by all. However, disposal of plastic was becoming an issue. Daily bathing was not practiced by all. People would use perfumes. People were well clothed. Absence of dust and absence of sweating used to keep the clothes fresh for longer periods. Generally, people had enough exercise. Most of the exercise they would obtain from walking and heating their homes and gardening and clipping and mowing their lawns. One could obtain a small plot in public gardens on payment of small lease amount where all facilities were available for them to grow their own vegetables. The staple food was potato. The meat was mostly from pork and beef and lamb. Chicken was not a great delicacy in UK unlike in India. The food was mostly boiled and eaten without spices. Potato, Peas, Cabbage, cauliflower was eaten boiled. Carrots, cucumber, and green leaves were eaten raw. The meal would end with a desert. Mostly they were tinned fruit or rice pudding or some other pudding. Fruits like Banana, Peaches, Apple, grapes, too were consumed. Fish and chips, Egg and chips were the common food of many workers. Fish and chips were an identity of British. In hospitals some days they would make Indian curry without Indian taste. There were few locals who were vegetarians. They were pure vegetarians. They would not even consume milk products. Indian restaurants were present in many cities and few towns. In facts they were all owned and run by East Bengalis. Mostly north Indian food was available in those restaurants. At that time there was one restaurant in London which catered south Indian food. There were Chinese’s restaurants too. Food was very cheap. All could afford it. In domestic life costly item was House heating. In those days coal heating was the cheapest, Next cheapest was Gas heating and costliest was electric air conditioning. Coal heating required lot of one’s time and labour. Gas was a central piped supply and there was no need for cylinders.

Transport too was cheap and various options were available. Bus and Train services were easily accessible. Most people preferred Train services for long distances instead of air. Air services were not that commonly used internally as they were uncertain because of fast changing climate. In London people would use combination of Underground and bus/car. The goods were mostly transported by ships, rail and road. The habitations were well connected by road. The major towns were connected by dual carriage ways and cities were being connected by Motorways. The motor ways like M1, M4, etc. were under completion. All the motor ways were very well lit. Even some of them were heated during winter to melt the snow. Winter used to have lot of snow and many blockages and traffic jams. Motorists generally followed traffic rules. Pedestrians were not allowed on Motorways. On all other roads pedestrians had a right of way. Automatic and pedestrian operable traffic signals were available. Children were taught road safety and would wear clothes that were visible. Motorists were courteous. Every vehicle was to have minimum third party insurance and individual drivers also could obtain insurance to drive hired vehicles. Excellent telephone facilities were available on roads to telephone emergency services. I was caught once for speeding and police officer had let me off with an oral warning once he came to know that I was a doctor. Another time I was caught entering a one-way road and again I was let off with a warning. I never had an accident or even a scratch or dent to the car during my stay. Houses in UK were not plastered outside. They all retain their brown brick colour. Interiors of the houses like wall ling, flooring and roofing was mostly wood. If you have seen one house you can take that have seen all houses in UK. All were similar unlike India where one house does not resemble the other. All houses would have the basic facilities like toilets, kitchen, electricity, gas, and water. Fire safety certificate was a must. Most of the houses were furnished with

basic items like carpets, dining table, and cots & beds. Services like plumbing, babysitting, gardening, driving were costly. Very few could afford. The weather was the one I didn’t like much in UK. It was cold most of the year except in August for some time. You have to be fully clothed. It would also rain often. People at large were friendly. I could make friends and learnt a lot both professionally and in general. I liked the scientific search and analysis they subject every aspect.

Return to India I landed at Bombay airport one day before Vinayak Chavithi in September 1972. Initially I was to embark at Delhi and stay there for a day and go to Hyderabad. I was booked in Asoka hotel Delhi. Since the flight got delayed I decided to alight at Bombay and go to Hyderabad by next available flight. While I was walking from the plane I bent and touched mother earth and mother Bharath. I cleared my customs and came out and booked an air ticket on the next morning flight and caught a taxi and drove to a nearby hotel. I was terrified at the way in which the taxi was driven. I was anticipating an accident every second. It took me some time to get used to the Indian traffic. I checked into the hotel which was clean, neat and new. I had a bath and went down to the bar where a lady was singing Hindi songs. Listening to it I had a beer and dinner and returned to the room and slept. Next morning, I caught a flight to Hyderabad and reached Hyderabad after 90 minutes. I took a taxi and drove to my Uncle Satyanarayana Rao house. There was no great change in Hyderabad. Old land marks were still intact. I found the house locked. I enquired with the neighbour Krishna Rao garu about their whereabouts and on knowing that they were away on some pilgrimage I could obtain the address of my cousin brother Mohan living in Gandhi Nagar. On reaching his house I found that he was not there, and his newly married wife was surprised to see a

stranger descending on them on a festival day. They were married during my stay in UK. I introduced myself and she welcomed me and gave a cup of coffee. Soon Mohan returned, and he too was surprised to find me and we spent some time tracing who was where. Dr Nagabhushanam was staying close to his house. We went to him and I went along with Nagabhushanam to book a ticket to Khammam by train that afternoon. A new express train Golkonda was commenced between Secunderabad and Vijayawada which would leave at 2.30 afternoon and reach Khammam by 6 PM. I returned to Mohan and we had the festival lunch. I gifted a saree to his wife and left for Khammam. After getting off the train at Khammam I walked to Jupudi Narasimha Rao Gari house followed by two coolies with head loads of my baggage. All were surprised to see me. I saw beaming Jyothi and her daughter Sridevi who was two years old and Vamshi few months old. They were born during my stay in UK and that was the first time I saw them. After the initial enquiries I had a wash and I along with Prasad went to Jwala my new brother in law. Then he was working as Librarian in Khammam. He was alone in the house and was asleep. He woke up and Prasad asked him if he has recognized me to which he made a gesture of a non-committal yes. He didn’t recognize me. We pretended for some time and then after he coming to know who I was entered into conversation about the welfare of all those we commonly knew. Buzzi his wife and daughter Prema Malini who was one year old were away at his native village. Next morning, I left in a car arranged by Prasad to Nela Kondapalli where Karuna and Bharath were. I reached in an hour their rented house on the main road. Bharath was sitting on the platform (Arugu) in front of the house alone and watching people. I picked him up and entered the house. He was looking at me in surprise. Dr Jwala Narsimha Rao was going on tour towards my village. I went along with him to my village. My parents were very happy to see me. I missed Gopalam Pedananna. I met my

other uncles and aunts and cousins. I called on my grandmother and paid my respects. She was not in good health. I spent a day in the village and returned to Kondapalli on a cycle. Even in 1972 there was no bus conveyance to my village. After few days I went to Kallur and saw my elder sister and children and to Khambhampadu and paid my respects to my maternal grandmother and grandfather’s mother. I went to Hyderabad for my posting. Dr Raghavendra Rao was the Director of Health then. Dr Raghavendra Rao was a cardiothoracic surgeon and was a superintendent of TB hospital earlier. He was a very jovial man and a very honest person. When we were students he used to smoke a pipe in the class room while lecturing. He was a chain smoker. I went to Director’s office to seek an interview. As I was waiting I saw Dr Anjaneya Sharma approaching the Director’s room. I went and met him and after exchanging pleasantries knowing the purpose of my visit he took me inside and introduced me to the Director. After knowing what I have done in UK he jocularly said: “So, you have been chasing the white lady doctors and nurses instead of pursuing either FRCS or MR”. Everyone in the room laughed. He offered to post me in Fever hospital at Hyderabad since I had DTM&H. He thought I would immediately seize the opportunity of a city posting. Instead I requested for a peripheral posting in a tribal area. He was surprised and again joked: “Yes, my suspicion is confirmed”. He further asked me if I had any place in mind and on hearing that I had none in mind he asked me to choose a place and tell him on his ensuing visit to Warangal. We came out and Dr Sharma asked what I was looking for I told him that I was looking to work in a hospital like Bhadrachalam where there were beds and staff and operating theatre. He advised me to go to Bhadrachalam and see if the doctor there was willing to go and meet him at Warangal on the day of visit of Director. I and Dr P Rama Rao went to Bhadrachalam on his motor bike and met some old friends and I spoke to Dr Krishna

Murthy who was the Medical officer then. He was there for a long time and was willing to go to his native district East Godavari. The line was clear. I met Dr G Radhakrishna Murthy who too was working there. He was my senior in the college and service. On the appointed day I went to Warangal to meet the Director. On my arrival at the guest house straight from Railway station I was told that the Director suffered a heart attack and was moved to Hyderabad in a special ambulance and in a convoy. Dr Sharma accompanied him. I met my uncles Sugunakar Rao and Prakash Rao and my friends Narasimha Rao, Venkat Ram Reddy and Chakrapani, all working there as assistant professors. Dr Raghavendra Rao was itted under the care of Dr Sudhir Naik and Dr Dayasagar at Osmania General Hospital. He was slowly recovering. In his absence Dr Ramandham was officiating as in charge Director. I went to Hyderabad and from there to Kurnool where BK Rao was working. I spent a day with him. During the course of conversation, he mentioned that he knew a person who was close to the health secretary BRK Sastry and probably could help in my posting. His friend was additional commissioner of State Excise department and was staying near Secretariat. He telephoned him and mentioned to him that I would call on him with a small request. I met this gentleman who was from Burgumpad area and he obliged and spoke to the secretary. I stayed in my uncle’s house and met all my friends. Dr Amara Venkateshwara Rao was doing his MS and stayed close by in Sultan Bazar. I visited Sripathi Rao family. I opened a bank in SBH, Gun foundry for foreign money remittances and informed the same to Dr Leslie in UK. After few days I had a telephone call from BK Rao’s friend asking me to go and collect my orders next day. I collected the orders from Directorate and proceeded to Khammam and met Dr Krishna Rao DM&HO for further orders.

Government Civil and ID Hospitals-Bhadrachalam 7th October 1972 to 14th October 1978 I ed as Medical officer Bhadrachalam on 7th October 1972. I stayed in Panchavati guest house of information department near the hospital for 20 days till my predecessor vacated the quarters. I used to dine there only. Next day I went to the hospital at 8am. I met Dr Radha Parameswari DGO working as lady medical officer and Dr G Radha Krishna Murthy. We were conducting the outpatient and as I was also the istrative head of the hospital I went to another room to attend to some urgent correspondence. At 11 am when I returned to the OP the doctors were not there. I thought they might have gone for rounds of inpatient wards. Instead I found on enquiry that they have gone home as the outpatient is closed at 10.30 am and there were no inpatients to attend to. Another session of OP would only commence in the evening between 4-6 pm. One out of the three doctors would attend outpatients in rotation. I was in charge of two hospitals at Bhadrachalam. They were civil hospital and Infectious diseases hospital. Civil hospital existed from British days as a taluk hospital. Civil hospital was a tiled building having 25 beds- It housed an outpatient block with X-Ray facility, a small rudimentary lab, and two wards one for male and another for female a small delivery room and a operation theatre. At a distance were toilets. The civil hospital had a compound wall and also housed doctors quarter, and 6 staff quarters. All of them were tiled houses. There were few well grown Neem and silk cotton trees providing shelter and shade and the patient’s attendants used cook and sleep under them. There was a big well and an overhead tank. The Infectious diseases hospital was decade old. It came into existence after a cholera epidemic break out a decade earlier. ID hospital had a new modern building next to civil hospital. It had no compound wall. It had 6 big wards to house another 25 patients. There was a kitchen block. It also housed

an istrative block and behind it a mortuary at a distance which again was tiled houses. The walls of the ID hospital whenever damp was giving electrical shocks whenever one touched them. Both the hospitals had electric supply. The hospitals were located at the far end of the town then. They were located at the junction of road to Kunavaram and Reddypalem. There was no street lighting on the roads leading to the hospital and there was no lighting on the vast open spaces connecting the various wards in hospital premises. There was a telephone connection which was disconnected for default of payment. Next morning, I went around the hospital noting down the improvements each room and activity center required. When I was about to enter the operation theatre an ass literally ran out of the theatre. There was wild growth of weeds and plants in the campus. After couple of days I itted a case with loose motions and dehydration in the ID ward. I went and set up the drip with the rubber tubing drip sets which were sterilized and reused. The needle to puncture the vein and to keep in the vein was also an ordinary 22G injection needle. There was no adhesive tape and I had to secure it with bandages. Any how I stayed for some time and after a bottle of saline went in I went to the guest house. In the evening when I returned the patient was better but was not willing to stay. He was afraid of the snakes and wild animals. I thought over and shifted the patient to civil hospital ward where electricity was available. I found to my surprise that no staff nurse was on the night shift and was only on a call from the house. One class 1V employee was only present at night. Next day I gave a duty roster posting nursing and other staff on all shifts and made it mandatory that they stay during their shift in the hospital only. I also gave orders that till repairs are completed all patients must be itted in civil wards only. This caused some unpleasantness, and all wanted to wait and see. Slowly I started itting cases.

There were no medicines. On earlier complaints a month earlier to my ing the Collector made a surprise visit to the hospital and conducted a check and sealed the Store room and ordered an enquiry by ACB which was still awaited. No one followed, and no one took a decision. Dr Krishna Rao was the DM&HO. On his visit to Bhadrachalam I requested him to supply some medicine to hospital from some other source. He replied that he was helpless. I requested him to lend some medicines from hospital where there was no doctor. He agreed and asked me to try my luck with Kukunoor MM unit. I was planning to go and collect the medicines. I was looking for transport. One morning the Sub collector sent a request to the lady doctor to visit his child who had fever. Dr Radha Parameswari asked me permission and she narrated that she was not able to communicate effectively with the mother of the baby and requested me if I could go. I agreed and visited Samal, SubCollector at his residence. He had camp office in the ground floor and residence in the first floor. After examining the child, I sat down with the sub collector over a cup of Tea and briefed him on the hospital and the need for improvement. At that time VL kantha Rao, Malaria officer came in and we all discussed about malaria etc. I told the sub-collector to bring the child for a blood test if fever does not subside. After few days he visited the hospital with his other child and again we discussed the issue of improvements. He informed that some funds were available with local Red Cross branch which we could use for improvements. He asked me to get estimates prepared and identify some person to get the works done without profit. DV Janardhan Reddy a contemporary of mine in the university became a civil engineer and was working as Assistant Engineer in Kothagudem. He visited me one day and on knowing my problem deputed two persons from his area to undertake the repairs. I itted them as inpatients and provided accommodation and food from hospital. Potharaju a

contractor came to our rescue and provided invaluable help. The repairs and renovation work commenced. Many people donated fans, bulbs, furniture, small equipment etc. We used to write the donors names on the articles. Red Cross would provide necessary financial assistance. After few days NRK Rao the District Forest officer was not well and after examining him I diagnosed it to be Typhoid and advised ission. With great reluctance he got itted and suffered all the inconveniences and was discharged after full recovery. During the period of his ission many local officers wanted to me to know his wellbeing. They could not do as there was no telephone to hospital. After knowing that it was disconnected for nonpayment of bills they all subscribed and got the connection restored. After NRK Rao’s recovery all the local officers organized a dinner on the launch and I was invited. I met Alluri Murthy Raju, the chairman of temple, Nagi Reddy EO of the temple, Mutyam Reddy deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Satyanarayana Assistant engineer (AE) Irrigation, Prasad Rao, Manager SBH, NRK Rao and couple of other contractors. After that we all became good friends and used to meet very often. NRK Rao requested some forest contractor to lend his vehicle to me to go to Kukunoor to get some medicines for hospital. One obliged and I went to Kukunoor. I collected good amount of medicines. On way back in the evening the jeep failed, and I had to walk in the forest with the help of a tribal and reach the Godavari bank and cross to other side and caught a timber lorry and reached Bhadrachalam in the early hours. Walking in the forest during mid-night with the help of a “Kagada” and crossing river Godavari in the early hours on a small fishing boat and travelling on the roof of the timber lorry was an unforgettable experience.

My experience with private practice I used to see some patients in the evening at the guest house. They were paying consultancy fees of Rs 10. At the end of the month I could count Rs 1200 which was the double the monthly salary of a doctor in those days. However, one day the pharmacist Satyanarayana brought a relation of his for a hydrocele operation. I told him I would operate on him once the Operating Theatre is improved which may take some time. They agreed, and his relation offered me Rs 200. I said my consultation was only Rs 10. He said the rest was for operation. I was taken aback. I gently declined. That is how one would be lured. I stopped next day my consultancy practice. It did cause some problems. Rich, higher caste people and Government employees expressed their inconvenience to access me for advice. They felt embarrassed to stand and wait to see me in Q in the hospital. In those days Doctors working in curative care were allowed private consultancy practice and those working in PHCs and health programmes, istrative jobs, and preclinical and Para clinical teaching were banned from private practice and were paid some paltry sum as compensation. However, those who were allowed practice were not to charge for services rendered in hospital and were not expected to deliver services in private hospitals. They were expected to render consultancy and advice only in their private clinics. Dr Subbaraju, son in law of Seetharam Raju of Satyanarayanapuram has set up his practice in Bhadrachalam near Tatagudi center. Soon we became friends. He used to consult me in some cases. A relation of mine delivered and they wanted to undergo Sterilization operation. They were not willing to undergo the same in Government hospital. Dr Subbaraju requested me to operate in his hospital which I did. I used to it and operate such cases but have not charged my fees.

Dr Subbaraju was blessed with a son. The newborn infant developed convulsions few hours after birth. Subbaraju sought my opinion. After examining, finding no clue I asked for a blood test for malaria of the neonate. Shockingly it was positive. The mother too was positive. Immediately I started the treatment and the infant had no further convulsions and grew to be a “Surgeon”. That was the case I diagnosed as “Trans placental transmission of Malaria”. Dr Subbaraju mother in law had a gynecology problem and on my recommendation, underwent Hysterectomy by Dr Nagnath Mangrulkar who was a Gynecologist classmate of mine. Dr Subbaraju used to help us out in Government hospital, mostly in operating theatre taking care of maintenance of anesthesia. Most of the surgeries I used to do were under local, spinal or under GA with Ether. Since I was an anesthetist I used to induce anesthesia and move on to operate while someone would maintain the anesthesia. With all this bubbling activity our outpatient attendance and inpatient issions soared. The doctors were too busy. They were spending long hours in hospital. Earlier one would take care of the case one its. We decided that case belongs to all. We used to take a combined round and discuss and decide the course of treatment. There was no dissent. Everyone felt they were learning daily. It was a team work. We decided to concentrate on “Diagnosis” and continuity of treatment. In the process we decided to use more and more lab tests to confirm diagnosis. I requested Mr Kantha Rao Malaria officer to depute one person to collect blood smears for all out patients visiting the hospital. He was too willing and posted one young lady exclusively to the hospital. All patients were screened for malaria. With this there were many cases detected which would have gone unnoticed and untreated spreading the disease. Was it “Silent malaria” without symptoms? I started spending some time in the lab looking at the specimens. Kodanda Ramaiah was the lab technician. Even

though he had some reservations he too appreciated our concerns and soon started taking lot of interest. He became an asset to hospital. He too started spending long hours and expanded the capacity tenfold. After some time, we could acquire the equipment he required. Soon we found that there were many cases showing high Eosinophilia counts investigated for cough and respiratory infections. We doctors sat and developed protocols. We listed out protocols for investigation, and treatment based on symptoms, age and gender. Everyone was informed of the same. Such a list was available on each doctor table. Outpatients used to crowd at the entrance and enter the OP room and go to any doctor who was free. The doctor would ask his name and age and enter the same in and ask for complaints and write the treatment in and on the OP ticket and write on small chits for injections. Almost there was no examination and sometimes a pretense of examination of pulse and chest with the stethoscope over the clothes was made. Less than a minute was spent on each case that too recording his name and age. Patient would then go to the pharmacy to collect his medicines, to injection room for injections, to the dressing room for dressing. At the end of outpatient, the pharmacist would compute all the expenditure and sisters would compute the various injections given unfolding the small chits. It used to take a long time and there was no way they could be evaluated. The clerk was expected to take the OP and compute the category of provisional diagnosis made that day and cumulative figures for the month would be sent to higher ups as medical intelligence data. This was never practiced as the clerk could not understand the illegible hand writing of the doctors and would add and subtract few cases of last month and send as the report for current month. We decided to change. The X-Ray machine was not working for last few years. It worked for few days after installation and stopped working since then. Rajeshwar Rao was the radiographer. His wife

Pakshi was working as a health visitor and was under the District health officer directly. There were two other ANMS. Sarweswar Rao was the dark room assistant, and another person too was there. Rajeshwar Rao informed me that a big procedure was involved in getting the x-Ray plant repaired. We had to inform the director with a request to depute an Engineer from the suppliers and on depositing the money for the air travel of that person he would arrive and would give an estimate and after sanction of that he would repair. He told me that they have addressed the Director with no reply so far. He could not show me the same correspondence. The staff of X-Ray department was unwilling to do any other work other than X- Ray work. Incidentally after few days while going through earlier audit reports I found that audit party raised a question of usefulness of three staff in X-Ray department when the plant was not working and advised surrendering of the same for posting somewhere else. I confronted the X-Ray staff with the same and told them that I was planning to surrender them. All the three relented and I posted them at the new registration counter in shifts, They had to all new and old cases and enter their name, gender and age and where they came from and assign unique code number and write the same on OP ticket and direct them for malaria screening. It eased off the unnecessary burden on the doctors to . We got more information on the catchment area. The doctor would then enter the unique code and against it the unique code of provisional symptomatic diagnosis. It was much easier for the clerk to compute the numbers than the text.

Misuse and Disuse of medicines Soon we found that there was lot of wastage of medicines dispensed. We analyzed it and found the loopholes. The medicines were supplied from the directorate to each district based on a standard list developed for each category of

hospital. The category of medicines supplied depended up on their availability, their inclusion in rate contract etc. Often there would be litigations and delays and supplies would be irregular and erratic. The quantities supplied would be the same for each category hospital and it often resulted in imbalances. Hospitals differed in turnover of work depending on local access and reputation of doctors and availability of doctors in private sector etc. Each outpatient department would earmark certain quantity of a particular drug each day for outpatient use to make the drug available throughout the year. Always the quota was insufficient. When it came to dispense the medicines in the hospital outpatient “First comeFirst served” basis was adopted. A patient requiring penicillin injection for 5 days may not get for all the five days contiguously if he is not the first to arrive. So, everyone was getting insufficient dosage. This was the first flaw. A patient a may require a lower grade antibiotic and if it was not available a higher-grade antibiotic was given. Soon both would not be available for any case. That was the second flaw. We decided to address these issues. I got “Rummy coins” of different colors and earmarked each color with an injectable drug. The quota for each drug was decided and equal number of coins was made available divided equally at each doctor table. The doctor would issue the number of coins equal to number of days the patient need to take a particular injection. The patient can go straight every day to the injection room and take injection for the prescribed days. For Tablets and capsules small card board colored tokens were prepared with each shape and color identified with a particular tablet/capsule. It made our work easier especially at the pharmacy and at the injection room. Colors and shapes were easily identifiable for computing daily expenditure than written chits. There was no wastage of paper. All tablets and capsules were dispensed in paper envelopes. Doctors would borrow and exchange their coins. If no coins were available, the patient was given a prescription to buy that day and come early next day. Initially doctors felt that there would be

complaints if we ask the latecomers to buy. I over ruled and said we would review after few days. There was some murmuring in the beginning but it soon subsided. We didn’t have to review. We decided to cut down on unnecessary prescription specially injections. There is a myth with injections. When penicillin was invented it did wonders. It could cure most of the infections with which people were dying. But it was only available then in injection form. The layman associated cure with injection and not with penicillin. Doctors perpetuated the myth for their own ulterior gains. Since injection involved equipment and a ritual of sterilization and a technique of istration which was at that time available with doctors only. They could charge more for the service than mere prescription of non-injectable. Later he would prescribe more potent oral antibiotics but would add a B complex injection to charge for the service even though it was not needed. Patient still thought injection (B complex) cured him of the infection than the antibiotic. We put a stop to such practice. Each reform would adversely affect our attendance and reputation but for a short period. We would bounce back. Once our DM&HO sent us a consignment of medicines which we felt were not required and I made out a case and showed my data of types of morbidity we were treating and pressed him to supply the medicines we wanted. He relented and ordered the main stores in his office to supply what I wanted.

X-Ray Plant restoration One-day Rajeshwar Rao of X-Ray department approached me and told me that if I permitted he would explore the possibility of repairing the X-Ray plant. I permitted him to explore and he came back after a day saying one coil in the circuit was burnt and if we get it rewound it may work. He also told me that an electrical engineer would be able to do it.

It was a coincidence that the next day an electrical lineman has slipped and fallen down while climbing the pole in the early morning hours and was rushed to the hospital. I examined him, and he had a fracture of the ankle and had a mild concussion. I itted him and got a X-ray done in private hospital. I was conducting the OP and after the OP I wanted to put his leg in plaster. He was recovering from his concussion. While I was conducting the OP, I saw a well-dressed person standing underneath a tree smoking. He was still there even after an hour. I got curious and sent someone to fetch him. He came and introduced himself as Assistant Engineer (Electrical) from Kothagudem and came to meet me to enquire about the welfare of subordinate who fell down. Since I was busy he was waiting outside. I informed him and assured him that he would be Ok much to his relief. I offered a cup of coffee and slowly broached the subject of X-Ray plant. I called Rajeshwar Rao and asked him to brief him. He handed over the coil to him and explained. He said he didn’t know much about the X-Ray plant but would get the coil rewound. He called someone and gave instructions to go to Kothagudem to some person and return back by evening. He said he would be staying till evening. I also brought to his notice about the street lighting on the road to hospital. He said he would find out and come back to me in the evening. Prompt he came in the evening and told me that suitable lighting tube bulbs were available on the bridge on Godavari River and they were disconnected since payment was due for a long period. There was a dispute between R&B department and Gram Panchayath about who should pay. As it was unlikely to be resolved soon he informed he could shift and erect them on our street if Gram Panchayath agrees. I spoke to Sarpanch Sri Raja Babu and he said he would turn a blind eye. By night all the poles leading to hospital were lit. The rewound coil also came, and Rajeshwar Rao fitted it and the X-Ray plant started working.

What a coincidence- All of us broke rules- We could operationalize X-Ray plant which was not working almost for 3 years without spending even a rupee.

Fixed day Pediatric Services Dr Satyabhama Sundaram a pediatrician at headquarters hospital Khammam used to visit our hospital once a month and conduct an immunization programme. After her transfer Dr Chandravathi wife of Dr Satyanarayana Murthy used to visit. Dr Chandravathi was a good family friend of my younger sister Jyothi and classmate of Dr Radha Parameswari our Lady Medical officer. After the programme she would have lunch with one of us and rest for a while and then return back to Khammam. Dr Chandravathi was a very pleasant person with a very soft voice and was sincere to her job. Through her I could make lots of friends at Headquarters hospital. One day on my visit to Khammam she showed me a child with a big lump in the abdomen. I diagnosed it as a Hydatid cyst which was confirmed later.

Repairs and renovation The renovation and repair works were getting over. All entries into hospital wards were secured against stray animals. All the verandahs were secured with mesh and entry of birds was prevented. We built three attendant sheds for attendants to stay and cook and sleep. They were provided with a separate toilet. We have put separate bathing and cloth washing areas for them. Rewiring has been done in the wards. We converted a ward in ID hospital into main stores. We got racks made for storing medicines. Proper ing system was developed. We established a record room. We converted a ward in ID hospital into operating theatre block with Operating room, scrubbing area, Post-operative observation area, sterilization area and a room for surgeons and doctors. We got the flooring done up. I converted the ID hospital wards for normal issions of civil hospital and civil hospital wards

into infectious diseases wards. We got the bath rooms and toilets done up. We got a white wash done. The hospital looked livable. All these works were done up by donations. All the promoted donations were credited to Red Cross and payments were made from there. Dayananda Sarasvati was the secretary of the branch and Sub collector Samal was the president.

Guest House for Hospital Bhadrachalam being a temple town many VIPs used to visit, and officials would always visit with their families and friends. There was very little accommodation available for VIPs. Always there was a pressure for accommodation. Most of the officials were content being accommodated in the hospital wards. At festival times most of the wards were occupied by staff deputed and VIPs. I was not happy with the happenings. I decided to convert the istrative block of ID hospital into a guest house of the hospital. This time I raised some donations from Doctors and converted the block into a medical department guest house. It had three bed rooms with attached bath room and lavatory and a dining room and a sitting room. We purchased necessary furniture like cots tables, and chairs, linen and crockery. With the establishment of the guest house a major headache has gone. Doctor’s in the area would stay there on their visits and subscribe a paltry amount for its upkeep. Dr Bhat the then DM&HO too contributed liberally. We appointed an orphan in the beginning to take care of the needs of the guests. Later on, one by name Koteswer Rao worked there and in due course learnt driving and became a Government driver and rose to become the president of District Driver’s association.

Anesthesia Equipment Dr Bhat an ENT surgeon was the DM&HO. One day he asked me if he could operate some of his cases in our hospital

with me as an anesthetist. I agreed but told him that there were some deficiencies and they need to be addressed. We had a Boyle’s apparatus, but It was not used. The gas cylinders were empty. We didn’t have endotracheal tubes. The apparatus needed servicing and calibration. He agreed and provided all those. I anesthetized his cases.

Establishing Hospital Kitchen The hardest thing for me was establishing the kitchen and diet for patients. There were two cooks- a kitchen and a small budget for diet. There was a contractor for diet by name Pasam Venkanna from Khammam. He has sublet it out to a lady in Bhadrachalam who used to supply only diluted milk. The rate for the diet was inadequate. No one could really supply meal at that rate. I made out a case saying that the rate shall not be fixed in of amount in currency per patient but as amount of supplies based on calorie and other requirements. It was only raised in monitory after some time. There were no utensils to cook food. All those available were rusted. I started acquiring the needed article through donations. I cajoled the diet contractor to supply me rations. After great persuasion he agreed to supply even though he was incurring loss at our hospital. He didn’t want to lose the district . He was making his profits in all other hospitals. After a prolonged struggle I could establish supply of diet to patients. Each patient was supplied diet in separate carrier along with a bottle of water. To the kitchen, I planned a small kitchen garden in the campus of hospital. Chandrasekhar descended on the scene. He was a graduate from Hyderabad interested in social service with lofty ideals. He chose to work for Tribals. He helped me to set up a kitchen garden. While all this was going on the roof of the civil wards started leaking. The roof was laid with country tiles. It needed urgent repairs.

Dr NRV Swamy and Temple honors Dr NRV Swamy became Director of Medical and Health services. He was my professor of medicine in the college. He was a good teacher. He was very much interested in music, dance and dramatics. He wrote a dance drama by name “Siddhartha” and directed it. He spent lot of his time with us in cultural activities. I knew him intimately. He came to Khammam to inaugurate Annual IMA meeting. He told the DM&HO that he would make some surprise visits next day. All doctors came to IMA meeting. The meeting would only end in the night with a dinner. They would not be able to return to their respective places in time to DMS proposed surprise visits. None knew the Director. Some said he would be very aggressive with his inspections and would initiate disciplinary action for any deficiencies. There were whispers and doctors & DM&HO huddled together and sought my opinion. I volunteered to invite him to Bhadrachalam. Dr Swamy was happy to see me and conceded to my request. I left that night in a vehicle provided by DM&HO and reached Bhadrachalam in the early hours. I telephoned Nagi Reddy the EO of the temple and informed him of the likely visit of the Director and to arrange a special darshan of the deity. Prompt came at 8 am the director accompanied by his wife and DM&HO and his retinue. After breakfast I took him round the hospital. The hospital was bubbling with activity. The OP started. I explained to him all the measures we have taken and showed him all the works completed with donations. I took him to the wards and told him that I would not accompany him inside as the patients may not feel free to express their problems in my presence. He went in and made enquiries with the patients and their attendants. He came out beaming. He was very impressed and told everyone around that I was his student and his training helped to shape me. After the hospital visit I took him to the temple along with his wife. As we entered the temple premises I saw Nagi Reddy walking down the steps

accompanied by musicians playing on their instruments, and priests chanting. For a minute I was disappointed that Nagi Reddy had some other VIP to attend. However, the procession came to us. Elephant garlanded the Director. After that the Director was led into the sanctum sanctorum with temple honors. Even Director was bewildered at this sudden honor. Special pooza was performed and the couple was presented with new clothes. He was very happy. At lunch time I raised the topic of repairs to the hospital. He asked me to go to Hyderabad after couple of days and meet him there with necessary proposals. He assured an immediate action. He kept his word and gave the sanctions, and released funds in three days. My stay in Hyderabad was treated as official. The civil hospital wards were upgraded with a proper roof etc. On dismantling of tiled roof, we could recover lot of wood which was used to make lot of furniture like benches for patients waiting, Racks to store in medical stores, Record room etc. The staff quarters were upgraded.

Additional Residential Accommodation In front of the hospital there was a chowltry of the temple. One journalist by name Sunder Rao was living in one of the rooms for a very long time. All officials were afraid of him. However, Nagi Reddy EO of temple took measures to vacate him and handed over the chowltry to the hospital to accommodate patient’s attendants. I allotted couple of rooms to some of our staff and rest was used as chowltry. There was a quarter nearby belonging to R&B department meant for junior Engineer. However, it was unoccupied for a long time. I requested EE R&B to allot it to us and he not only readily agreed but got it repaired. For some time, Dentist used to live in that and later lady doctor. With this arrangement the R&B department was getting rent. R&B department also allotted a person exclusively to take care of the maintenance of well and the pump and water needs of hospital. Drinking water was from the Panchayath pipe line.

Prakash Rao was the superintendent Engineer and Krishniah was the AE then. Dharma Reddy was there as AE for some time. They were very helpful. I shifted to my official quarters in the campus after a month. I engaged the grandson of the cook “Ammamma” garu, Ganesh who used to help my mother in cooking in my school days in Khammam. He was there for almost six months. Karuna, Bharath and her father were still at Kondapalli. I tried for her transfer. I could have succeeded but for the request made by the then Telugu lecturer whose wife Anasuya and daughter Durga were working in our hospital. He came and requested me not to disturb him. I used to make trips to N. Kondapalli to visit my family.

I too bribed! My baggage sent by ship arrived in Bombay. I and Jwala went to Bombay to get it cleared. We stayed with BVSS Sharma who was working in Shipping Corporation as an ant. Sharma was known to our family through BK Rao. Sharma was the son in law of BK Rao’s boss Anjaneyulu garu. He introduced him to Manohar. Sharma was living in his own apartment with his wife, a son and daughter. All of them were great hosts. Sharma was fond of playing cards. It was a daily ritual for them to play cards in the local trains when commuting to their work places. It took us couple of days to trace our baggage from the Docks. After identification we were told that next day it would be checked and cleared. We booked our return tickets next evening by train. Next morning Sharma also came to the docks. Probably the person who was clearing our bags knew Sharma and started checking all the three big trunks. He could not find any taxable item except some wool which my wife bought to knit sweaters. I dumped the same in the trunks. The customs person was amazed that a person would return from UK under transfer of residence with no taxable items and must have taken pity on me and was trying a way out to avoid

levying tax on the wool. I thanked him for his kindness and told him that I was prepared to pay the tax than missing my train that evening. He levied a tax of Rs 70 and asked me to pay at the counter and bring the receipt for the baggage to be cleared. There were two counters. People only queued up in front of one counter. At the other counter there was a person but not accepting the payments. It was not moving. Some persons who were not in the Q were attaching an extra rupee note with the amount they had to pay, and a person was collecting all such forms and was presenting at the second counter and after stamping would deliver the back. I attached a Five rupee note to hundred rupees note and gave it to him. Prompt came back my form stamped and with Rs 30. I had to pay only Rs 70+5. I too bribed.

Two tros torn for learning Scooter driving I ed for purchase of a scooter “Vespa”. In those days there was a big Q to buy a scooter. Those who could pay in foreign exchange were put on priority list and would be allotted in 3 months. I was informed to collect the scooter from Hyderabad. Dr. Amara Venkateshwara Rao was doing his MS in Hyderabad. Since I never drove a scooter earlier Amara came with me to take delivery of scooter. While returning home Amara suddenly applied the brake as a dog suddenly crossed the road in front of him. We both fell off the scooter. I escaped totally unscratched. Amara’s tro was torn and he had some abrasions. We got up and went to Amara’s house and after first aid went to University grounds for me to learn scooter driving. Amara told me that usually it is the driver who gets hurt in such accidents. He showed me how to drive and after some practice we were returning back to his house. On way back there was a big hump on the road which I didn’t observe and both of us fell down again. Again, I went unscratched and another tro of Amara was torn and again he had multiple abrasions on the other leg. This time I told him that usually it is the pillion driver who gets hurt in such

accidents. I learnt my scooter driving with two accidents on the same day and with two torn tros of the instructor. I got a driving license from Khammam. I rarely used the scooter in Bhadrachalam. One day I was informed that Bharath was suffering with high fever. I rushed to Kondapalli and found that he was suffering from measles. Turlapati Sambashivarao (Sai Babu) got married at Khammam on 25th October 72. Usha gave birth to Laxmi in Warangal. We went and saw them. Nagabhushanam left for UK in December 72. Karuna applied for leave and ed me at Bhadrachalam. We put Bharath in a preparatory school near Tatagudi center. PV Narasimha Rao CM introduced Land ceiling act.

Andhra agitation Mulki rules were upheld by Supreme Court and Andhra agitation started. Bhadrachalam, Kunavaram and Nugur Taluks were in East Godavari district of Andhra earlier before formation of Andhra Pradesh. An agitation started in Bhadrachalam for separate Andhra state. Agitators came and asked me to close the hospital. I told them that of staff can take their decision to work or not, but hospital would function since it was an emergency service. After some argument they left. I and Dr Radha Krishnamurthy were the only two in hospital hailing from Telangana region. The rest all were from erstwhile Andhra area. Amongst local officers Mutyam Reddy, DSP and NRK Rao of forest department were from Telangana. Soon agitation gathered momentum and there were strikes, hartals, stoppage of services etc. in many parts of Andhra & Rayalaseema areas. Ministers resigned and ed agitation. There were incidents of violence and police firing. There were deaths. An Andhra activist commenced a fast on to death hunger strike in Bhadrachalam on the banks of Godavari. It was the

hot topic of the day. People thronged to site for his darshan. He became the rallying point for the agitation. After a week Police arrested him and brought him to hospital. I examined him and found him fit and normal in spite of his week’s fast. Police pressurized me orally to force feed him. I refused saying he was in a sane condition to take his own decisions and I cannot force feed him unless there was written direction from the magistrate to do so. With that objection I postponed any intervention. However, I kept him under constant observation and posted special staff. I used to monitor his condition four times daily. Lots of crowds used to wait at the hospital for news. Days went by and crowds slowly vanished. After few days even the police posted was withdrawn. One day on my rounds I found that there were ants next to his bed and they were crawling in and out of the bed side locker. I left silently his bedside. I asked the staff nurse Bharathi to investigate the presence and crawling of ants into the locker. After checking she informed me that there was sugar, Madiphal Rasayanam bottle and few lemons. I left it at that without further discussion. There was one Tahsildar by name Sastry who was also a sub-Magistrate. In tribal areas the judiciary was not there. The revenue officials were also having judicial powers and were trying various criminal cases. They were also responsible for law and order. He was very agitated on my adamancy to force feed the one fasting and was afraid of the consequences if something went wrong. He was a god fearing, honest officer. It was rare to see very upright and honest officers at lower levels in revenue department. I could understand his concern and we discussed many alternatives including the feasibility of shifting him to Khammam district hospital. He felt it was fraught with dangers. I assured him that I would do something in 24 hours. That night I discussed with Dr Radha Parameswari and hatched a plan. Dr Radha Parameswari hailed from Andhra area. The plan was: Lady Doctor accompanied by two ward boys would enter the room where he was alone after switching off

the lights in the hospital. She would examine him with a torch light and tell him that since his condition deteriorated, she was left with no other option except to force feed him. She would then show him big rubber tubes and tell him that she would on the same into his stomach through his nose and frighten him. The plan was meticulously implemented and the “faster” agreed to drink milk instead of being force fed. We kept the entire thing a secret. Staff concerned was told not to reveal it anyone. The “Faster” also requested for the secrecy since he was afraid of the truth coming out. We continued to pretend that he was fasting. However, this led to some problems for Sastry. Since we were pretending that the agitator was fasting I could not him for hospital diet. Hence, I requested Sastry to supply milk and fruits secretly to the agitator. Poor man he used to bring milk and fruits in early hours covering his face to keep intact his disguise. Soon everyone forgot the fasting man. I asked for a chest X-Ray of his. He was taken to the X-Ray department which was in OP Block. On the way they had to my residential quarters. While they were returning my father in law saw him and called him inside the house. My father in law knew him for a long time and he was his patient. When I went to my quarter I saw him sitting on the floor conversing with my father in law and eating some snacks offered by my wife. Later I was told he was habitual faster and on least provocation would go on fast. I discharged him quietly one day and he left. PV Narasimha Rao resigned as Chief Minister and president rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh on 10th January 1973. I went to Hyderabad sometime in May 1973. I met Venugopal who was planning to go to UK. He asked me if I could spare some amount for his travel. Both of us decided to leave for Bhadrachalam that night to arrange for his request. We met at the bus station at 8 pm. We had no reservation. A lot of crowd was waiting to get into the bus. Venugopal slipped out for few minutes and got us not only two seats but got them in the first row. It seems he told the driver and conductor that

Medical officer Bhadrachalam wanted to travel that evening urgently and he was directed to arrange for it. They obliged. One should not underestimate one’s capabilities and status too. Venugopal left for UK in June 73. Usha and Laxmi left to Manohar in UK in July 1973. We went to see them off. Laxmi eldest daughter of Satyam Babai married Dr Sharath in Hyderabad on 23rd August 1973. I was still continuing on the old basic of Rs 325 even though the pay scales were revised during my stay in UK. I had to apply for revision of my scales. I had to obtain a certificate from the DM&HO saying that I could not exercise my option as I was not communicated the said GO as I was on long study leave in another country. It involved a lengthy process and d Directorate, Government and AG office. It took many months. In those days the salaries were very low for the staff. They used to indulge in petty thefts and small bribes. I soon realized it was very difficult to contain them. With increased work in hospital Doctors gave up their private practice voluntarily. I had no problems with them. Nursing staff also slowly fell in line and stopped accepting bribes. It continued with class IV employees. They would steal bulbs, locks, and cotton etc. I introduced system of g on the bulbs and one had to produce the signed bulb if it had to be replaced. Earlier they would put fused bulbs and steal the good ones. They would make a lock unusable saying they lost the key. I purchased new locks with duplicate keys and kept all duplicate keys in a sealed bag under the custody of doctor. If anyone lost the key, he had to buy a new lock and in return he would be given the old lock and duplicate key. While I prevent, they would devise new methods. Satti Raju and his brother in law were the two thotis who used to assist in postmortems. Earlier they used to do most of the dissection and doctors would note the findings. I improved the infrastructure in the mortuary too. I got a cement table made for the body to be kept for dissection which could be washed. I got a sink with water supply to be put in. I got the

windows and doors covered with mosquito mesh. With these improvements I insisted that the doctors shall perform the dissection. Usually I too assisted and helped them in their cases. Earlier the thotis would collect some amount from the relations and some amount from the police and some from doctors too. They used to get drunk and attend the postmortem dissection. They were ruling everyone. We had put a stop to it by conducting the dissection ourselves. In the first week of every month there used to be heavy absenteeism of staff. It was mostly for two reasons. Few of them would indulge in heavy drinking since they receive their salaries. Few would absent themselves to evade the persons from whom they have taken loans earlier at very high interests. Both used to cause problems and effect adversely smooth functioning of hospital. On enquiry I found that there were two individuals in the staff who used to lend money to the other staff and collect heavy interests. I called both and counseled them. We came to an agreement that I would arrange for recovery of their loan if they waive off major portion of the interest and promise not to lend at such high interest rates in future. On agreement the same was implemented. This provoked me to look for alternate sources of easy and low interest loaning. I promoted and formed a ed Staff cooperative society and entrusted management to an elected body headed by Kodanda Ramaiah. It was very effective and functioned very well. While some staff stayed in the official quarters many were staying in outside rented houses. Since most of them came from the same areas they requested me to help them acquire some house sites in some Government land nearby. They formed into a cooperative housing society. I requested the Sub-Collector to allot them some Government land. He identified some land and issued orders. It was a plot next to hospital. Almost all staff were allotted a house site at a nominal price. All of them were very happy. Within few days they started building thatched huts in their sites. While

the activity of construction was going on, some people descended on the land on a Sunday morning and started demolishing the structures. There was resistance by staff and their families. Few people rushed to me and to the subcollector. Both of us tried to talk to the police on telephone but no one was available and after some time the phones went dead. Even on lodging of a complaint by the staff the police have not reacted. A local resident claimed the land to be his and obtained a stay from the high court with orders preventing staff from occupying the land. Failing to receive help from police we turned to legal recourse. Local legal person interpreted the “stay order as “Stay as you are”- He said since the staff were already in occupation the stay becomes “Infructuous”- We had to prevent the demolishing. We ed resident leaders of Purushottam Patnam a hamlet nearby. Nearly 100 persons from that village immediately rushed to the spot and prevented further demolition. They took photos of demolished structures to prove that they were already in occupation. After few days I expressed my serious resentment to the officials of the police department and they were neutralized. I requested my uncle Kavuturi Krishna Murthy garu at Khammam to help the staff in their legal recourse. He not only pleaded their case free at Khammam but also requested his brother in law Madiraju Ram Mohan Rao a leading legal luminary to deal with the case at high court. The legal battle dragged on. A compromise was reached between the contending parties and staff built their houses. Each one of them owned a house in a very important, developing, costly, locality. David Raju was a patient of Juvenile diabetes, and was insulin dependent. He could not afford the cost of Insulin. As long as I was in Bhadrachalam I used to buy insulin locally and control his diabetes. After I left Bhadrachalam he died. My younger sister Vijayalakshmi (Buzzi) was due for delivery. Since she had a kidney operation I felt it necessary to keep her under observation and brought her to

Bhadrachalam. She had a normal delivery and gave birth to a female child “Kinnera” on 2nd November 1973. After many years when she had to obtain her US citizenship they could obtain the original birth record of her including the case sheet in the hospital. That was a real mark of the usefulness of record keeping we introduced. We could do most of the repairs, renovations, in the hospital and the welfare measures for the staff with the help of Samal Sub- Collector at that time. But for him it would not have been possible. Samal hailed from a middle-class family from Orissa. He would not get excited easily. He would measure and estimate the things calmly and act. Once he would make up his mind he would not budge. He faced many adversities in life. He was not an extrovert. He was not great socializer either. He had few friends mostly from middle class background. In conversations he is mostly silent listener. His low voice and accent of English are his limitations for becoming a good conversationalist. We have become good friends and continue to be so. We worked together subsequently in many areas.

Harinarayan as Sub Collector Samal was transferred to Srikakulam as t collector. On the day of his departure we had lunch together at my residence and proceeded in a jeep to Khammam. We drove to Agnihotri’s residence. Agnihotri was the t collector. I met Harinarayan there. Harinarayan was working as a sub collector at Khammam and was posted in place of Samal. I saw him in a cinema hall earlier. After bidding farewell to Samal at Railway station I went to Harinarayan and we both travelled to Bhadrachalam. 1st of January 1974, was few days away. On the morning of 1st January 1974 Harinarayan telephoned me and asked me if he could visit the hospital and distribute fruits to the patients since many people presented him fruits when they came to greet him. He came after our OP

hours and we all went around the hospital and distributed the fruits.

Tom and the riddle After that we sat down chit chatting. While we were talking a new year greeting airmail envelope was delivered to me by the postman. I opened it and read and burst out loud: How a New Year greeting card can bring me bad news? It was a New Year greeting from my friend Tom Stag on which Tom Stag wrote a riddle and ended with a wish to come to India soon. On the back of the card was another scribbling from his wife that read: Dear Ranga, Tom held this card in his hand when he died. He got into the car to post it and collapsed. Sorry- It was so thoughtful of her to send it to me. I and Harinarayan tried many times to solve the riddle without success. Tom Stag and I stayed together with a German Land lady in Liverpool when we did a course in School of Tropical medicine. His memory still haunts me. I wrote back to his wife condoling and thanking. Harinarayan was a bachelor then. His father Jandhyala Bala Sunder Rao (JB Rao) retired as OSD Traffic Commercial, of Railway board. Hari had three brothers named Narayan, who was working in ITC, Subbarao who was teaching in JNTU Delhi, and Parthasarathy who was studying in Delhi and a sister married to Kamesh, son of Malladi Subbamma and Ramamurthy garu. They hailed from Duggirala. Harinarayan did his school and college education in various urban cities of India. As he was staying alone we used to meet often. On Sundays other officers would us and we would play cards. He was a good Bridge player, and was very good in chess. He won the first prize in Chess in the Officers club of Bhadrachalam that year. I, Kantha Rao, and Harinarayan became good friends. Harinarayan continued to us in the development of Hospital.

His parents ed him for some time. His mother Kamalabai garu too was a good singer. There was an “Ashtavadhanam” by a renowned poet which I presided. All of us attended. Neelam Raju Venkata Sheshiah a renowned journalist settled in Bhadrachalam after his retirement. He was earlier the editor of “Andhra Prabha” and helped in collecting donations through Andhra Prabha for renovation of the temple and also constructing the Kalyana Mandapam. He was distantly related to us. He was main person who initiated the “Vaggeyakar Utsavalu” in Bhadrachalam. His Viyyankudu Palivela Narayan Rao an advocate was the chairman of “Amba Satram”. I, Harinarayaan and Neelam Raju Venkata Sheshiah were the frequent guests of most of public functions during that period. Shankar Sastry a teacher of mine in the school gave a vocal Carnatic recital which I presided. I was really moved by the performance and touched his feet as salutation. Bhandaru Srinivas Rao who was working in Andhra Jyothi came as a chief guest to one of the functions which I presided. There were some active youngsters who used to organize such functions. They were Sharma working in Andhra Bank, Murali of Friend’s fancy shop, and Sambashivarao (at that time unemployed). Sambashivarao subsequently ed excise department. One evening I and Harinarayan went to a function in Cherla which was 30 Kilometers. away. While the proceedings of function were going on I observed an elderly person sitting next to me on the Dias who was a local elder slipping away from his chair. I caught hold of him in time and found that he was pulseless. I did a cardio pulmonary resuscitation and he could recover and was shifted home. His close relation was a cardiologist in Hyderabad. After few days I had an urgent call from Dr Jagannadham who was MO at Dummugudem to visit a patient who was unconscious and advice. I went on my scooter and after examining found that the patient was in Diabetic coma and

treated her that night. She recovered, and I advised her to be shifted to Bhadrachalam for follow up. After successfully treating few cases of fractures, the hospital was getting good number of fracture cases. At least there would be one or two fractures to be set right daily.

Most ired Fake Doctor One-day Palivela Narayan Rao told me an interesting story of a doctor who worked in our hospital earlier. He also gave me some papers related to it. I read about the same earlier in newspapers earlier but was not aware of full details. One doctor by name Krishnamurthy was posted at Bhadrachalam a decade earlier. He soon became popular and became a friend to senior officials and public men. One night a special team DSP arrested him and whisked him away. He was charged for not possessing required qualification to practice medicine and alleged to have misled both the government and the public on that count. He is supposed to have produced the certificates of one diseased doctor of the same name to secure the employment. He was in fact a dresser in the army and on discharge got the employment in state Government medical services as a doctor under the false pretext. He must have become very adept in treating wounds and fractures and must have gathered the needed skills in the army. He contested the case and even produced photographs of the class photos of original Krishna Murthy who died soon after obtaining the degree. He cleverly manipulated his face in the photographs in place of original Krishnamurthy. Even he obtained certificates from others in the photograph that the face shown in the manipulated photograph was of Krishnamurthy. He obtained certificates of proficiency from Director of Medical services for the period he worked as Medical Officer. Muddu Krishna who was supposed to have investigated the case has taken lots of pains and systematically demolished his case. Krishnamurthy’s brother too was in army and he too was an imposter and imposed himself as an Engineer in

Government services subsequent to his discharge from army. It was while investigating that case Muddu Krishna got doubt and investigated Krishnamurthy. Krishnamurthy was convicted and sent to jail and after release settled in Pithapuram. My paternal grandmother Seetharamamma died in Vallabhi on magha bahula Amavasya (March 74). She brought in some reforms in Aitharaju family. Everyone feared her. She was a very loving person. I went and saw her few months before her death. She was fearless and would not tolerate any nonsense and was very straight forward in her expressions. I observed many cases of cough and low grade evening fevers coming to the hospital. Simultaneously the lab was reporting more and more cases with high eosinophilia counts. After few days I started suspecting “Tropical Eosinophilia” and started checking for microfilaria in the night blood smears. Many did not cooperate. Few showed positivity and treated and were relieved. I discussed the matter with Mr Kantha Rao and after that requested the Director to send us a special team to do a study on general population. The team was sent and when they conducted night smear collections the population had a positivity of 70% of those screened. It was after thirty years there was a national campaign on this issue. I suspected in few cases sickle cell trait and anemia. I sent them for further evaluation and they came back positive. In all these cases the parents had mixed marriages between Tribals and Scheduled castes. I didn’t know if it was significant. I made a request to the director health services to conduct some study. There was a nutritional study conducted by NIN. One Dr Pandu Ranga Rao along with two staff nurses came to study and stayed in our guest house.

Law of torts One day a private bus met with an accident and few people were injured and were brought to hospital. There was a big

commotion and many curious people gathered at the hospital. The uncontrolled crowds were everywhere, and the skeletal staff was unable to control them and discharge their duties effectively. I immediately called the police and made necessary bandobast. I opened an information center. I requested local private doctors to come and help us who readily agreed and came. We were triaging the cases and deciding on treatment. I have referred few cases to Khammam and requested Sub Collector and forest department officials and ITC to help transport the cases. We had very little supplies of suturing material, Bandages, Plasters and infusions. I requested the bus owner to procure and supply the same. That day I have set right 13 cases of fractures and sutured many bleeding wounds and resuscitated few from shock and blood loss. The lady doctor was on leave that day. I and Dr Radha Krishna Murthy and Dr Subbaraju attended to all these cases. I conducted postmortem on two persons who died on the spot. This experience was very revealing and was useful for me later in life in managing disasters. However, one person whom I referred incurred lot of expenses beyond his capacity in a private facility as such facility didn’t exist in Government hospital at Khammam. In those days treatment in private hospitals was not reimbursed by the Government. He was a clerk in Sub collector’s office. One evening Harinarayan broached the subject of reimbursement and after a prolonged discussion I advised to file a case under law of torts for compensation. All the vehicles were supposed to have at least third party insurance and the insurance company is expected to pay. Harinarayan did more research on the subject and got his subordinate to file the case with sub judge at Khammam. After few months the case was decided in favor of the injured person and was paid compensation. That was almost was the first case filed in Khammam district. Many budding advocates later survived with income generated by such cases.

Gupta Sahayam One evening I and Hari were walking back from his office to my house. On the way a young man greeted and requested for my help. He told me that he applied for a temporary job in sub collector office and was attending the interview next day and sought my good will to recommend his case to Sub Collector. He narrated his pathetic tale. Apparently, he didn’t know who the sub collector was. He told me his father and sister was under my treatment for Tuberculosis. I didn’t say anything and nodded at him and sent him away. After few days he returned and thanked me. He didn’t know that after I left I have not spoken even one word about it to Harinarayan as he himself overheard the entire conversation. Similar incident happened on another day while I and Harinarayan were returning in his jeep from Khammam after attending to some official work. We stopped near a wayside tea stall at Tallada midway between Khammam and Bhadrachalam. While we were sipping tea sitting in the jeep a young boy approached him and sought help for his education. He narrated his tale of poverty, helplessness etc. Harinarayan asked me if I could note down the boys address etc. After a day he sent him the amount required through money order and ed his education. He used to spend most of his money on such silent donations and was found broke too often.

The Case of Missing Medicines One-day hospital pharmacist reported missing of medicines from main stores. He went on leave for few days earlier and on return verified the stocks and found some medicines missing. During his absence the keys were with me and I gave them to the staff nurses who were on duty to fetch any emergency supply required. The medicines missing were few pethidine injections, 500 G jars of Furacin ointment and some costly injectable antibiotic. While we were discussing the issue Harinarayan came and after prolonged discussion we

hatched a plan to find out if they were sold in the market in Bhadrachalam. He called one of his clerks to assist us in the plan. He was given a prescription of Furacin ointment and was told to go to all the eight medical shops in the town and find out availability of that particular jar and quantity. He was not to buy it if available but enquire about its cost and leave saying that he would fetch the required amount. If enquired, he was to say that it was meant for some serious Burns patient in Burgumpad. He returned at about 7 pm with the information that the big jar was available in one medical shop. I gave him the needed money and he fetched the jar. We verified its batch number and expiry date etcetera and sealed it in a separate container and three of us signed it. Harinarayan summoned the police and instructed them to close all the medical shops for the night and seal them and seize the records and also if they could find missing medicines in the respective shops. The same was carried out and they found the missing medicines only in one shop. However, Pethidine injections were not found even in that shop. Slowly by midnight the picture emerged. One of our staff must have stolen them from main stores and sold them in the medical shop. However, we could not establish the real motive. The amount earned could not have been much. However, at day break even that mystery was revealed. One male staff nurse who was posted few months earlier to our hospital was at my door early in the morning. My wife woke me up thinking some patient required my help. After opening the door, it was that male staff nurse who suddenly prostrated at my feet crying. He confessed stealing the medicines and selling them. On further enquiry about the motive and missing pethidine injections he revealed that he was a pethidine addict and used them for his personal use and bartered the other medicines for supply of more pethidine injections. I was nonplused. He was a very obedient person and whenever required did extra work and was nice to patients. He was staying alone and was an introvert. I didn’t reveal this to anyone for few days and was thinking the future

course of action. FIR was ed against the medical shop owner and police and drug inspector took up the investigation. A charge sheet was filed in Khammam Munsiff court. Incidentally the shop owner was the brother-in-law of my close doctor friend, classmate and roommate. The shop was closed for a long time. I immediately took off the male staff nurse from ward duties and confined him to outpatient block. I took a request transfer application from the male nurse and on my next trip to Hyderabad got his transfer. After few months the case was closed with some minor punishment. Was I too guilty not punishing the male nurse? The case created lot of commotion in druggists and chemists circle and prevented recurrence of such incident for a long time to come. The maintenance of stock s with batch numbers etc. and frequent stock verification helped early detection of theft.

The Slap The family welfare programme usually picks up from October onwards after the rainy season. We were busy organizing camps and conducting vasectomy operations. I used to go to villages and other hospitals to conduct operations and return to headquarters in the evening. On one such evening I was told by Dr Susheela that there was a difficult delivery case and she was unable to do anything. She referred the case, but the patient relatives refused to shift her as they lacked the means. I examined the case and found that it was an obstructed labor and the fetus was already dead and the patient was in moribund and shocked state. I explained to the relations that the baby was already dead, and the mother too had the least chance of survival. They begged me to do whatever could be done to save the mother and were resigned to the fate. I advised Dr Susheela to do destructive operation and take out the dead fetus. Dr Susheela replied that she was not aware of the procedure and never even saw such a procedure. I went into the labor room and perforated the skull of fetus and cut the dead fetus into bits and emptied the

uterus of all the contents. We started the necessary resuscitative treatment for the mother to recover. I and Dr Susheela returned to the room nearby where we sat down discussing the case and writing down the notes. Suddenly we heard some argument going on between the staff nurse and the lady sweeper. The argument was about the cleaning of the labor room and shifting and burying the fetal parts. I summoned both and heard them. Apparently, the sweeper demanded some money from the relations of the patient to bury the fetal parts. Since they were unable to pay she asked them to clean up the mess. I tried to convince the sweeper saying that there was another delivery case waiting and the room has to be cleaned immediately. She was repeating her denial saying that she was afraid. Staff nurse was prepared to stand by her and help her. My repeated requests, orders fell on deaf ears. The sweeper was behaving hysterically. I got up from my chair and slapped her twice and firmly ordered her to proceed and clean up. She complied and the room was cleaned up and the next case was wheeled in. After few days a complaint was made to the DM&HO about the incident by few disgruntled staff . He ordered for an enquiry and Dy. DM&HO conducted a preliminary enquiry. As no action was forthcoming against me they went to Khammam and complained to the District Collector R Parthasarathy. He must have enquired from the Sub Collector and no action was forthcoming. They caught hold of the local press and an item appeared in the press. They took out a procession in the town. Only three hospital staff participated in it. The rest were local of a political party and a trade union. For few days they also conducted lunch time demonstrations where they were shouting slogans. I was slightly disturbed with the happenings. It was disturbing the peace and tranquility of hospital. One day I called few agitators and gave my undated unconditional resignation letter and told them that they can use that letter if they were so convinced that justice was not done to them. I also told

them that I shall not deny my slapping and also was willing to face any enquiry. The agitation subsided with that. However, the trade union leaders and the party leaders perused it further and made representation to the Director with no definite answer from him. Then they made a representation to the then Health minister Rajamallu and requested to get an enquiry conducted by officials of some other department other than Medical and Health. He conceded their request and an enquiry by Labor department officials was ordered. All this took a long time. One day an assistant director from labor welfare department came and conducted the enquiry. He examined Dr Susheela and the staff nurse Victoria. Both gave evidence saying that they have not seen me slapping. He also examined the lady sweeper, the complainant. Lastly, he examined me. Union representatives insisted the presence of one of them to be present to cross examine me if necessary. Assistant Director tried to convince them it was not necessary. However, I said I had no objection. Their representative was allowed. I narrated the entire event and itted slapping. Everyone including the enquiry officer was surprised. The witnesses denied my slapping, but I as accused itted it. I told the enquiry officer that I had to resort to slapping for two reasons. One was to prevent spread of infection in a crucial area and the second was to bring the hysterical and bullying person to bring to her senses and perform her legitimate duty. I told him that was only my motive. I was surprised when he mentioned that complainant too itted to demand of money from relations for cleaning the room. One good thing was that I was not accused under prevention of atrocities against scheduled castes by either complainant or unions. It was a level ground and fair play from both parties not indulging in lies and unrelated accusations. After few days the enquiry officer submitted his report and recommendation to the Director. I was absolved with a routine caution to be more careful in future and recommended the transfer of complainant to far of place in

the interest of istration. The evening we received the report the adolescent daughter of complainant had convulsions and I itted and treated her. She had tuberculous meningitis and required a prolonged treatment. Even though she was transferred I have not relieved her on the pretext of not having a substitute posted in her place and continued the treatment and relieved her when a substitute was posted. Harinarayan fully ed the stand I took and told me to continue to be what I was and not to change. One day a senior judicial official came on a visit to Bhadrachalam. His daughter who was still a school student thought she was in love with a bachelor officer working in Bhadrachalam. Parents came to officer their daughter in marriage. On a negative reply the daughter was alleged to have swallowed an over dose of some unknown pills of unknown quantity. Immediately they rushed her to the hospital. The parents and the officer were very worried as she was not responding to their commands. I found her to be conscious and was only feigning unconsciousness. I lifted her arm and suddenly dropped it. The arm came down slowly and has not suddenly fallen. However, I itted her and gave them confidence. The officer narrated the story in private. After few hours the parents too realized that she was only threatening. I counseled the girl in privacy and told her to forget him saying she would be lucky if she does not marry her as he was likely to go blind soon (A total lie).

A fostered case Jayanthi Sharma and Upender Rao were the forest officers. Jayanthi Sharma was a close friend of my uncle Satyanarayana Rao and Upender a close friend from Burgumpad days. They seemed to have caught some carts allegedly hired by some police officials to smuggle some timber. The relations between the two departments were strained after that. One-day police booked a case of attempt to rape a tribal against the two

officials. The whole town was agog with the news. No one believed it. I spoke to Harinarayan to intervene to find out the truth. He immediately ed the District Police officials and advised to send a senior officer of the department to enquire. Within few hours the Additional SP Venkat Rao came and went to the village and enquired and found that there was no substance in the allegation. A crisis was averted.

Bidam- Pamnoor Hills VL Kantha Rao, the malaria officer told us a story one evening. He told us that there was a very big cave in a very remote tribal area where a big structure of lord Shiva was there and Tribals offer their prayers there climbing the hills on a bamboo ladder. He also told us no civilized person has ever visited that place and many interesting other items were told to him by their staff that in turn got it from locals inhabiting those areas. He gave the location as Pamnoor hill area in Nugur taluk bordering Madhya Pradesh. We all got excited and the news was shared with Harinarayan. He did some research and found that no mention of the area was there in the earlier held surveys and records. However he found out that an area was missing in their survey which the survey team too indicated. He discussed the matter with District Collector who authorized an exploratory team to visit the area to conduct a preliminary survey and assessment. A curiosity visit turned into an exploration. A team of 22 headed by the Sub Collector was constituted which included me, Kantha Rao and representative staff from medical, irrigation, revenue, forest, engineering, agriculture, departments. It also included a NGO, cooks, and attendants. One fine morning in March 74 we all left for the area. It was an expedition for a week. In that week we were expected to walk 40 miles and climb a height of 1100 foot. We were to reach 6 villages, trek 4 days to reach the last place that was Bidam (The cave) and climb down home for 3 days. We carried food rations, bedding and some gifts for Tribals like small

mirrors, combs etc. The total population to be covered in the 6 habitations was 1200. One village actually had 21 persons. We outnumbered that particular village population. We reached the first village by afternoon after walking 8 miles on a pedestrian path and climbing a hill. It was the Revenue and Panchayath village. “Pamnoor”- All the other habitations we were to visit fell in its jurisdiction. The patwari was from the plains area and was not a tribal and didn’t stay in that village and never practically visited the village. The village had the only primary school of the area. As expected the teacher from plains never visited. The Sarpanch was a tribal who was actually the hean of the village. The village had a Government Radio. After lunch we started conducting the survey. We examined all most the total village population. We could not find anyone obese. All were anemic. No child had a mark of any immunization. No child was born outside the village. There were no maternal deaths in the last 5 years. Child and infant mortality was high. Most of the deaths were due to fevers. The splenic index was 70%. The parasite index was high. Most of those with positive spleen didn’t have a history of fever or any other symptoms. Even though the staple food was rice and jowar it was not available throughout the year. They lived mostly on forest produce, fruit and tubers and tamarind seed paste. They were not big game hunters. Occasionally they would trap some rabbits and eat. There was no poultry or dairy. There were no milk animals. There were no big wild animals except Bears. They didn’t know archery. Only cow of the area was with the Sarpanch. His child had enlarged glands in the neck. He was consuming raw milk. It was a recent acquisition. The drinking water was from a local stream. There were no wells. There was no electricity. There was no organized agriculture and it was mostly “podu” cultivation. People had very little clothing. Men mostly had a loin cloth. Women went without any tops. Their chests were bare. They brew and consumed local liquor. Fertility rate was high. Very few people

visited the plains. Occasionally some would go to the shandy and fetch salt and some clothes bartering forest produce. Surprisingly no one died of gastroenteritis, cholera etc. No one bore the pits of small pox. Few adults bore the marks of vaccination. No child bore the marks of small pox vaccine. Their isolation might have been their protection. The local “Vizzodu” would treat any ailments. They had lot of faith in him. The forest, revenue and the police departments were collecting a mamool of one rupee per year from each habitation. No one was literate. They were jovial and playful. They presented us with a dance in the evening in which we too participated. By night fall everyone would retire as there was no lighting. Crime rate was very low. Occasionally they suffered raids from neighboring violent Gutthi Koya tribes from Madhya Pradesh All heard of Indira Gandhi and family planning even though none underwent the operation. Local Sub Collector was their collector. We slept that night in the open on the floor on mats. It was very peaceful and silent. The village community would pay to the police one rupee a year and to the forest department few baskets as yearly mamool which was meticulously collected. It was supposed to make the Tribals realize who was the boss? We got up early in the morning next day and after breakfast (Without coffee or Tea) proceeded to the next village. The same routine was followed for next three days covering rest five villages. The situation and findings were similar. In one village we found a lady aged around 30 years with typical physical features resembling a Britisher. She was tall fair and had blue eyes. Was the birth of a lady with such features the result of an inter-racial sexual union occurring during an armed march of British soldiers in the area during the rebellion of Alluri Satyanarayana Raju? On the fourth day I, Harinarayan, Kantha Rao, accompanied by a cook and a local tribal to guide left for Bidam in the morning at 6 am. It was a 16 mile stretch up and down. There was no clear-cut path, not even a defined pedestrian path. The tribal guided us looking at some land

marks. His previous journey to that place was few years earlier. We would walk and walk, climb up and down the hills drinking water at the streams. We were very hungry and exhausted. At one stream Kantha Rao forgot his spectacles. Ultimately around 12 o’clock we reached the top of a hill and climbed down from its edge and after a turn suddenly found a gaping hole in the hill. That was our destination “the Bidam”. As we stepped into it, it was very cool. We felt as if we were in a refrigerator. There was a small stream flowing inside. When we focused the torch light onto the roof we could not identify the roof. Water was trickling from the roof top and from the sides of wall. At one place there was a white, few feet high Lingam shaped formation. It might be the deposit of trickling water containing calcium or some other mineral over the years. The cook prepared our lunch consisting of Kichadi and Pacchi pulusu. It was most delicious lunch I ever had in life. We rested for a while and started back. We reached the village where other of our team were camping by night fall. We were very tired after walking those 16 miles, and fell asleep early that evening. Next morning, we started our journey back home. All of us in the team walked few miles together and reached a cross road. At that we split. I, Harinarayan and Kantha Rao took a different path along with a tribal guide and all the other team would take a different path. The path the team took would be long in distance. But it would be plain climbing down. The path we took would be shorter by few miles, but we had to climb down a bamboo ladder from one hill to the other which was a steep climb down. We three opted to go the adventurous way. As we reached the spot we realized it might not be the correct decision. Any how we had no option. There was a steep vertical fall of a hill by about 100 feet. Few bamboos were tied with rope with the side branches cut to size to rest one’s foot to climb down. The ends of clustered bamboos were anchored at the top and bottom to the ground. The tribal informed us that they usually change the bamboos once a year and changing them that year was

delayed. There was a small platform at the top of the hill where Bamboos were anchored, and the climb down commences. Standing on the platform one could view miles and miles of vast stretches of plain lands below. At a distance to the platform was a water fall. A large foot print was there on the plat form. The legend was Hanuman leaped from that hill to another hill in Eturunagaram across Godavari and landing foot print could be found on the other hill. I decided to climb down first. I closed my eyes as I had a phobia for heights and took a long time to climb down. On my climb down I broke few twigs. Next was Kantha Rao who broke more twigs but landed safely. Last was Harinarayan. I was really afraid of his climb down as plenty of twigs were broken by both of us. To our great relief he too landed safely. We waved to our tribal guide our thanks and walked to the nearby R&B road where a jeep was waiting to pick us up. We were back in the so called civilized world. We three decided that we would go back to the same villages after a lapse of ten years to witness the change, which unfortunately never materialized. Each department was asked to submit their observations and recommendations of the expedition. After few days three of us over a week end went to Chatty guest house on the banks of Sabari River to relax and compile the report. Our recommendations were:  Erect an iron ladder in place of Bamboo ladder. It should have facility to draw the supplies from the bottom on pulleys after reaching the top. The departmental recommendation was to lay a metal road to the first village. We felt it would only be useful immediately to the officials and not to the Tribals as they have no transport system except their legs.  The revenue department recommended resettlement of Tribals from hill areas to the plains. We felt it may not be immediately possible but over a period of time would be an option.  We recommended for an ashram school.

 We recommended training of Vizzodu in basic preventive and curative care. As the social mixing was happening with plains population we felt there was a threat of new infections settling in population and recommended immunization programme. We recommended regular screening of population for splenic index and parasitic index to control malaria.  Some irrigation tank was also proposed. The recommendations were forwarded to the District collector and departmental heads for necessary action. Suryanarayana a close friend of my father has ed as Special Tahsildar at Bhadrachalam. His wife was a Maharashtrian and was teaching in Hyderabad. She used to come in holidays to Bhadrachalam and both of them used to meet us often. Suryanarayana was related to Dr Radha Krishna Murthy. Lateef Mehdi and an Anglo-Indian Webster were working in ITC. Mehdi was the son of Mehdi Nawab Jung who was minister of health when I ed medical college. He was a great and Philanthropist. Mehdipatnam is named after him. Lateef Mehdi’s wife was a scholar in Arabic and Persian languages. We often used to meet in their guest house. Both were very good conversationalists. Ramesh Reddy from Mahbubnagar too ed ITC. I operated on Ramesh Reddy. He was married while he was in Bhadrachalam and after some time left ITC and ed SBI.

Chatty Chandrasekhar Harinarayan introduced Chandrasekhar a bachelor graduate from Hyderabad who was interested in doing some social work. He was an asthmatic. He got the premises of hospital cleared and helped us to set up vegetable gardening in the campus. He would find out the problems of Tribals and try to solve them. He was quite helpful. After some time, he shifted his operations to Chatty and married a tribal lady. I operated on his wife for a gynic problem and also took care of

her pregnancy. Chandrasekhar is still known affectionately as Chatty Chandrasekhar. My parents moved from Vallabhi to Khammam to take care of education of my elder sister daughters Rukmini and Satyavathi. They ed them in the college. Harinarayan was transferred to Nizamabad as t collector. On the day of relief he came home for dinner and I gifted him some shirts and went to see him off at the bus stand. A new deluxe bus service was introduced from Bhadrachalam to Nizamabad via Hyderabad. As he was getting into the bus someone came running to me and handed over a small paper. It was a cigarette packet cover; on the back of it was a cryptic message from Jwala my brother in law. Harinarayan asked me what it was, and I handed it over to him. It read “I am called for an interview for the post of librarian in BHEL School–Do you know anyone who can help me”. Harinarayan folded it and pocketed it. I bade him good bye and went home. After two days Jwala informed me that he got the job. He was asked in the interview how he knew Harinarayan. Jwala ed the job and was staying with his family at Hyderabad.

Chakradhar Rao the RDO Chakradhar Rao was posted in place of Harinarayan. He was a RDO. Chakradhar Rao was a neighbor of my uncle TVP Ranga Rao in Machilipatnam. He was a gentle person and was affectionate to me. Later in life he succeeded me as State Secretary of Indian Red Cross Society after his retirement. He worked in Bhadrachalam for a very short period of four months. My eldest sister Hyma was itted for abdominal pain in Durgabai Deshmukh Nursing home under the care of Dr PM Naidu. They suspected an ectopic pregnancy. My sister and brother in law were hoping to have a male child after three girl children. They vehemently opposed the treatment and went to a Homeopath doctor “Jagannadharao”. He treated her, and

she became pregnant again after few months. She came and stayed with us in Bhadrachalam and later moved to Kallur.

Jainder Singh as Sub Collector An evening tea party was organized to bid farewell to the existing RDO and to welcome the new Sub Collector. The new sub collector was a young, fair and handsome person. All were introduced to the new Sub collector and after that the guests had their tea and Chakradhar Rao left. As I was leaving new Sub Collector came to me and told that Harinarayan and he were college mates and good friends. He also told me Harinarayan briefed him about me. In the conversation he also mentioned to me how he would pronounce and spell his name. He slowly led me conversing to his residence. He told me that his parents were Doctors too and retired from the army. We spent some time and I took leave. After few days Police requested me to exhume a body and conduct postmortem on Godavari river bank few Kilometers. away. Since the magistrate presence was necessary the Sub Collector too had to come. We both travelled together, and I conducted the post mortem after necessary inquest, identification and orders. Jainder waited till the post mortem was over and we both rode back. I found Jainder very methodical and would take care of minor details too. He was very courteous and kind to his staff.

PVRK Prasad: Collector Khammam PVRK Prasad was posted as Collector Khammam. He made his visit to Bhadrachalam. He was to accompany Bhattam Sriram Murthy minister next day. PVRK worked as secretary to PV Narasimha Rao earlier when PV was CM. Suddenly he fell ill and was having difficulty in breathing. Jainder took me to see him. After examination I prescribed some medicines and advised him to take rest and not to proceed on his proposed tour. I got a complete blood picture done and found a high eosinophilia count. I advised him to get an absolute Eosinophil

count done at Khammam. However, he felt better next morning and accompanied the minister and went back to Khammam. On one of the visits to Bhadrachalam a minister was feeling low and my visit was requested. Minister wanted a B. Complex injection to be given. I looked at the prescription given by a famous Physician at Hyderabad. There were three B complex combinations a capsule, a tonic and a biweekly injection. All were prescribed for low BP? I told the minister that I have not brought the needed syringes and needles and returned back and sent a staff nurse to ister the injection. Minister brought his own vial of B. Complex. Jainder’s wife Amritha ed him. Amritha was Jainder’s class mate and she was the daughter of Air Marshal Arjun Singh. It was a love marriage. Amritha was pregnant and she used to come for regular antenatal checkups to the hospital. Few months later Jainder mother ed them. She was a very soft spoken, affectionate lady and treated me as another son. Mutyam Reddy DSP was transferred and in his place Venkat Reddy a promote officer was posted. Venkat Reddy was an elderly and affectionate person, fond of good food, drinks and cards. He used to entertain us at his bungalow quite often. A good coordination developed between various departments and the officers used to meet often at some one’s place in rotation for playing cards and for drinks and dinner. Differences were thrashed out at such meetings. Rameswar, Bhoom Rajam from forest department, Venkat Reddy from police, Nagi Reddy EO, I from Medical and Sub collector were the frequent participants. I used to mix with various groups. Another group was our Doctors group. We used to meet in our guest house in the night and play cards. I used to return home by 9 but others used to continue till late in the night.

ITC Group There was the other ITC group with Webster, Mehdi, Ramesh Reddy, and Colonel Sapru. Colonel Sapru served army and ed ITC. ITC was opening a Paper mill at Sarapaka on the other side of River Godavari. He was posted to liaison and coordinates the work. Colonel Sapru took a great liking to me and would spend hours and hours with me. He gave up his drinks on the advice of doctors. He and his wife along with a son were staying at Bhadrachalam nearer to my residence. His son who was sixteen years old lost his exams and was staying with them preparing for the next exam. He had a daughter who was in Delhi. While I was away in Hyderabad his son met with an accident travelling in a jeep and lost his life. He was the only son to the parents. I spent many evenings with the couple sharing their grief. He got himself transferred to Hyderabad and after some time left ITC and settled in Dehradun. On a visit to Dehradun much later I went to their house and to Webster. As Col Sapru was away I could not see him. I sent an invitation to him for my son’s marriage. He wrote back saying he was suffering with cancer and was not in a position to travel.

Failures and Challenges Daughter of Venkat Reddy with her small child came to visit her parents. The boy child was two years. One day the child started ing pure blood by rectum. I felt the child might be suffering with intussusceptions or a bowel polyp and requested them to immediately shift the child to Nilofer hospital in Hyderabad. He was operated at Nilofer but died after few days. Hanumanth Prasad was working as APPO. He itted his wife for delivery. We kept monitoring the progress of delivery. All was going on well. There was fetal distress at the last stage and I applied forceps and delivered a 10 KG hefty baby. The baby was born dead. I could not really explain the death.

Upender Rao’s brother brought in his child with severe dehydration. In spite of all efforts the child died. Dr Subbaraju asked me to see his youngest son who was few months old. The child had difficulty in breathing and had hyperpyrexia. Few days earlier the child was istered DPT vaccine and an abscess developed at the site. I got X Rays done and put in a needle to aspirate and drained pus from pleural cavity. The child died after few days. We knew he had no chance. The lady Doctor itted the wife of a local officer for termination of unwanted pregnancy and a tubectomy. While she was doing the D&C she felt she perforated the wall of uterus. She was panicky. I helped her open up the abdomen and repair and conduct the tubectomy. The recovery was uneventful. Once a lady Doctor was doing an emergency caesarian operation and in the process cut the bladder, However when she saw the urinary catheter protruding she shouted for help and I went in and repaired and patient was discharged after few days without further complications. Much later a lady doctor who was learning conducting Tubectomy itted a friend of hers and posted her for tubectomy; she ignored the procedure of the hospital to get the list approved by me and went ahead with the operation independently. She accidentally ruptured the bowel which the vigilant staff nurse detected and sent for me. I repaired the same and patient was discharged safely after few days. She never tried again to ignore the procedure. One-day a tribal lady from far off place was brought on a cot stretcher for retained placenta. She delivered 5 days earlier and the placenta was not expelled. Patient was toxic and under antibiotic cover we tried to evacuate the uterus. The placenta was in bits and pieces with awfully smelling discharge. She recovered with ordinary antibiotics. Thanks to their healing capacity. A young lady with 70% burns was brought in by a contractor from Sileru in his car. The lady was “oriya” speaking

and was accompanied by her elder mother. They were illiterate labor. We tried our best knowing that she had no chance for survival. The contractor was kind enough to provide the required antibiotics, dressings, infusions, mosquito net and food for mother. The contractor was Ankineedu. He became a very good friend in the process. The lady succumbed to death after 19 days. We tried to Ankineedu without success. In those days any unclaimed body or without relations being present we used to contribute the funeral expenses and our staff would conduct the last rites on the bank of Godavari. I went to the mortuary where body was kept conducting the post mortem and on seeing me the mother ran away. I enquired my staff of the strange behavior. They told me that mother was expecting me to take care of the funeral rites and I may not agree if mother was still around as it would not fit into the definition of unclaimed and no relations present case. I simply wept. In India people are not only poor to take care of themselves while alive but were also poorer to dispose the body when dead. An upper caste lady who was a widow was living with a lower caste mechanic who was a drunkard. She had a small child with rectal prolapse. I sent her to Nilofer hospital for repair and they successfully did it. The widow was an actress and would go on to various places to enact in some dramas and get paid. After one such a trip she approached our lady doctor for termination of pregnancy. The mechanic with whom she was living suspected the father of the unborn was someone else. The lady doctor knowing that she was a widow was not willing to terminate. The lady approached me, and I convinced the lady doctor and the same was performed. However, she continued to be harassed by the mechanic and was thrown out of his house. Even though she had all are kith and kin and parents in the village all disowned her and she committed suicide. Again, I had to arrange for the last rites. The child was an orphan. I called the parents of the widow and convinced them to take care of the child.

A lady in abject poverty and disowned in helplessness threw down two of her children from the bridge on Godavari into the waters and they were swept away. Onlookers chased her and she ran a distance and jumped down from the bridge. She fell into the sand and broke her two ankles and was arrested and brought to the hospital. She narrated to me her story of life and I was deeply saddened. I pitied her. I applied plaster to her broken bones. She went into a deep depression and instead of sending her to the care of police I referred her to Mental hospital at Hyderabad for counseling and care. A lady used to get itted after a bout of respiratory difficulty very often during a particular period of the year. One evening as I returned from Jainder’s house I found this lady waiting in Casualty for the duty Doctor. There were two three other cases too. On triaging I attended to the others and disposed them off and took up this lady. She was in no distress. I enquired the staff nurse and she told me she was in distress when she came. I could not believe it. I have not given her any medicine and sent her back. In the morning on rounds I found her in the ward. The doctor who attended told me that she returned back with distress after couple of hours after I sent her home. She was normal then. After few days there were heavy rains and an old building collapsed on the River bank. I and Jainder went there to supervise the rescue and relief. On our way back I found this lady in distress in front of her house. I stepped into the house and looked around. The house was full of fungal growth. Later I told her to shift her residence to high land and a pucca house. After she shifted the house she never had the problem during the period of my stay. Dr B Kamala Prasad working as veterinary doctor at Kunavaram was transferred to Bhadrachalam. Their family was introduced to us by Upender Rao. They had two children both boys. Bharath could find company of his age group.

Usha illness A cable came from Manohar in December 1974 informing our family that Usha was not well and was itted in hospital. With great difficulty I could Dr Chetty on phone and came to know that Usha was diagnosed suffering with Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus with some complications. Laxmi was being cared by the family of Dr Gopal Reddy. The news shocked everyone. We decided that someone from the family should go to assist them. Usha’s mother volunteered, and we too thought that it to be the best choice. I started preparations for her travel. We obtained the sponsoring papers along with medical record and recommendation from hospital for grant of Visa from UK. We applied for the port. We were told that process of obtaining port could be accelerated if the district collector recommends. On coming to know I telephoned PVRK Prasad collector. He came on the line and when told about the requirement he readily obliged. Next was organizing money to buy the tickets and for other travel needs. Jainder volunteered to lend and gave me the required amount. A date was given for collection of port and Visa at Chennai. We decided to couple the trip with a visit to Tirupati. Dr Kamala Prasad said if we were going they too would us. Keshavulu RTO a good friend arranged a taxi for us. I, Bharath, Karuna, Usha’s mother, Dr BK Prasad, his wife Vijaya and their two sons totaling 8 persons travelled in the ambassador. Ambassador was really the car for Indians. We went to Madras and stayed in a hotel, and collected the papers next day and drove to Tirupati, had Darshan of the lord and on way back to Khammam went to Kaluvapamula the native village of Vijaya and reached Khammam. It was a very comfortable journey and the children and we the adults too enjoyed it thoroughly. Usha’s mother left in March 75 for UK by air. It was her first travel alone even in India. She was not well versed with spoken or written English. We wrote down all what she may require on the flight in Telugu and against that in English on sheets of

paper and she would look at the need in Telugu and show the English matter on the sheet to the helper. She could converse with the others, but others could not. However, she managed with that and her native commonsense and overcome the little inconveniences. Family planning campaign was in full swing. All the beds in the hospital were full of Tubectomy cases.

Maya (Jainder Daughter) Born Jainder’s mother took care of the mother and child for the next few months in Bhadrachalam. One-day Maya fell ill. It was a case of Malaria. I got the slides examined at various levels and the diagnosis was confirmed. She was on suppressive treatment for next one year. She was given the routine immunization. Thus, I became the “God Father “of Maya. Bharath too suffered with Malaria. Once he had a very severe abdominal pain. Later I found out that he had eaten too many guava fruits. Political unrest was brewing in the country. Jayaprakash Narayan a Gandhian socialist was agitating in Bihar for change and wanted party less democracy. Janata Party A coalition party captured power in Gujarat. In this backdrop came the historic judgment of Allahabad high court on 12th June 1975, setting aside the election of Indira Gandhi to Lok Sabha in 1971 and disqualifying her for six years on the basis of misuse of Government power to win the elections. Rajnarain defeated by her in 1971 elections petitioned the court. There were protests and counter protests. Indira Gandhi on the advice of Siddhartha Shankar Ray recommends to president internal emergency. President promulgates the same on 26th June 75. The government brought in censorship of the press, arrested many political and opposition leaders like JP, JB Kripalani, Vajpayee, Advani, SN Sinha, Many communist leaders and Akali dal leaders, banned few organizations like RSS and crushed the uprising with iron

foot. Two elected state governments of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat were brought under president rule. She brought in many ordinances and legislative changes like taking out the election of prime minister from the purview of courts, brought in 42nd amendment to constitution to continue in power. To sustain in power, she brought in the 20-point economic programme and streamlined istration of Railways etc. The agriculture production increased. Outwardly the agitation was under control but was simmering specially in many northern pockets and Punjab. She postponed the elections. Sanjay Gandhi her younger son took reins of istration and initiated demolition of slums, forcible sterilizations, etc. In Andhra Pradesh and in south the alleged atrocities of emergency were minimal. In AP compulsory retirement of Government officials took place. Kura Ram Mohan Rao a senior efficient and honest engineer was a victim of the same. The Family planning programme was taken on a targeted approach. The incentives were increased. The officials when asked to bend literally prostrated. Everyone in Government has shown unusual enthusiasm. The emergency continued for six months. Jalagam Vengal Rao invited Sanjay Gandhi to visit Andhra Pradesh. Even though it was unofficial arrangements were made on huge scale. He visited Kothagudem and he was led to the Public meeting arena in a big procession. Few lakhs of people were mobilized. Krishna the youngest son of Sripathi Rao garu came to Bhadrachalam to study. He was of great help to Karuna in taking care of her father. My father in law got his cataract operated in Hyderabad. There was a memo to Karuna from College education department calling for her explanation for her long absence without sanction. They also said: to explain why action cannot be taken for her continued absence? I wrote back on her behalf to take action as they deemed fit. Was it a sound decision? We have not heard from them again. I believed that it was not morally correct in those days for Government to

provide jobs for both husband and wife when there was so much of unemployment of educated youth. Was it correct? My uncle Aitharaju Jagannadharao visited me. He was a cousin of my father. He was the Karanam of my village. He had lot of agricultural lands. His first wife had no children. He married again and said to have children in second marriage. None in our Aitharaju family had good relations with him. He sold all his property over a period of time and wasted the same. He migrated from my village and was living in Vijayawada. He was in dire poverty. He stayed with me for few days. While he was leaving I bought him some new clothes and gave him some money. Later he died. We lost touch with the remaining of his family. Everything lost in one generation. Kodari Venkaiah my father’s friend and associate visited us. His son Dr Gopal Rao was working in Chintur. Eluri Narasiah Son of another friend and associate of my father Eluri Kistiah was working in Sileru as AE in electricity department.

The Three Krishnas My younger sister Jyothi gave birth to a second male child on 13th July 75. He was named as Shamanth Krishna. My sister Hyma delivered a male child on 30th September 75 at Kallur. We all went there for the naming ceremony. The boy child was named Prashanth Krishna. My younger sister Vijaya Laxmi (Buzzi) gave birth to a son on 24th December 75. He was named as Aditya Krishna Roy. After couple of months Jwala came to Bhadrachalam and I conducted Vasectomy operation on him. He had unexplained fever after that and after treatment with Diethyl carbamazine he recovered. Ankineedu developed chest pain at Sileru and was brought to Bhadrachalam accompanied by Dr Venkat Rao. We stabilized him at Bhadrachalam and referred him to Cardiologist at Vijayawada. He recovered slowly that episode but died few months after. He was one of the partners of

Natraj hotel at Vijayawada. He would personally entertain me whenever I went to Vijayawada. During that period, I came in with Jalagam Prasad the son of Vengal Rao the then Chief Minister. We used to meet whenever he came to Bhadrachalam. He was planning to build a hospital in his native village Penuballi. Vani Sree the then popular cine actress gave a donation of one lakh rupees. Prasad raised the remaining donations. I travelled to the site with him and also went to Vijayawada with him and participated in the planning process. He was dynamic and meticulous in planning and had a natural wit. We became mutual irers. Dr Anjaneya Sharma got posted to Khammam as Additional DM&HO. Dr Krishnaji Rao was the DM&HO. Danam IAS, Venkata Shiviah IAS, Murali Krishna IAS, Ramchandra IAS, were occupying various posts of project Directors in the district. Danam was introduced to me by YSN Sharma. YSN Sharma was Assistant commandant and was a good friend of Bommakanti Shankar Rao and Ravulapati Seetha Ram Rao. Sharma would mix up with anyone very quickly and become a friend. He later married the sister of Duvvuri Subbarao IAS. Subbarao later became the Governor of Reserve Bank. Dr Ramani a Gynecologist became the additional Director of family planning. She was a great devotee of Sri Krishnamacharya a guru from Vishakhapatnam. She visited our hospital and made lot of recommendations to strengthen our work. Dr SN Mathur became the Director of Health services. Dr Lingam Surya Narayan a well-known surgeon became the additional Director of health services. Dr Lingam Suryanarayana visited Khammam District and went round very far flung hospitals. He spent 4 days in the district. He visited our hospital and was very impressed with our work. He wanted me to accompany him to other hospitals in the district. In one PHC the doctor was not posted and the ANM was conducting the OP. He went through the OP carefully and found that the ANM was liberally istering

injectable antibiotics liberally for all cases without any indication and also everyone was being given B complex injection. He was very upset and was talking about it throughout our return journey. He ordered DM&HO to suspend her and he complied. DM&HO said he would conduct enquiry and take necessary action’ However the additional Director ordered me to conduct enquiry. DM&HO was taken aback. After DM&HO left Additional Director told me that if he allowed DM&HO to conduct enquiry he would only be helping him to make money. Such was the impression about DM&HO’s those days. In the evening he summoned the doctor and the staff of MM Unit and MCH center. On finding out that they had no work he brought them under my control to use their services as deemed fit by me and issued necessary orders. Dr Lingam Suryanarayana was very cordial and kind to me and told me to meet him for any help I required. Dr D Bhaskar Reddy additional Director Health too visited Bhadrachalam. He was my examiner for pathology in medical college. He was a great promoter of sports amongst students. He was liked and loved by every student of his. He was the most popular teacher. He would overcome even his enemy with his wit and goodness. He visited our hospital. He spent hours looking at each aspect of the hospital. He was very impressed and took photographs of all developments and our experiments and the formats and prepared a slide presentation which he would present in many meetings and speaks well . He was portraying our hospital as the model. Even he wrote a page about me in his memoirs. We became mutual irers. Such was his love that, he sent a senior friend of him, an elderly gentleman Malakonda Reddy at 11 pm to my house to deliver the invitation for release of his book by Venugopal Reddy (Retired Governor RBI). He ensured my presence at the function. Even though I was much junior he would telephone and seek my opinion on many policy issues of the department. After the visit of our hospital I accompanied Dr Bhaskar Reddy on his visit to other hospitals and finally reached Kothagudem. He stayed in Singareni

collieries guest house as a guest of Dr Raja Ram Mohan Rao, Superintendent of Collieries hospital. We all went to the club in the evening where Dr Raja Ram Mohan Rao was waiting. After dropping him there I and Dr Sharma planned to return to Bhadrachalam. But Dr Bhaskar Reddy and Dr Ram Mohan Rao would not let us go. Dr Bhaskar Reddy was a teetotaler. However, he insisted that we should give company to Dr Ram Mohan Rao and ordered for drinks. I enjoyed the hospitality of Dr Ram Mohan Rao on many other occasions. Dr Shanthi Narayan Mathur became Director of health services. He was professor of Medicine. He was a dermatologist too and has taken lot of interest in Leprosy patients and their welfare and was the founder Secretary of Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh. He was a very affectionate person. He visited along with his mother and few other family Bhadrachalam on Sree Ram Navami. It was Dr Mathur’s birth day too. They witnessed the Kalyanam of lord Rama and came to the guest house. Dr Mathur went around the hospital and was greeted by all of staff on his birth day. We organized a small party on his birth day and his mother too ed us in a toast. He released funds for renovation of Doctors and other staff quarters. Dr Chittisheshu was the Additional Director of TB. She visited our hospital and stayed in the guest house. She was a great animal lover. She would collect street dogs and sterilize them and take care of them. I was told that she was very angry with the doctors in other institutions who were using the national programme Anti TB drugs for in patients. On that score I too was a culprit. I was using the programme drugs for our inpatients extensively. There was high incidence of Tuberculosis in Tribals then. I used to it most of them as they could not afford to travel and also could not feed themselves I used to it and use the programme drugs and give extra diet to them. I accompanied her to the wards but didn’t enter the wards. I wanted her to know the truth and facts about our patients and their conditions and I felt my presence may inhibit her to know. She apparently was very

pleased but any how raised the issue at dinner time. I made out a case and told her for me the patient was more important than the rules. She laughed and said that as an exception she would condone my action which she recorded in her visit notes. We discussed further, and I requested her to recommend our hospital as an exception for locating a TB ward and center. She not only recommended but also proposed that if it was not feasible a part of District TB center budget could be diverted to us. I had the occasion to meet her many times later and also came to know that she was distantly related to us. I shifted to the guest house and stayed till the repairs were completed to my quarters. Bhadrachalam used to be very hot in summer. We used to get many cases of sun stroke in summer. I made out a case for an airconditioned ward to treat such cases. On the recommendation of Jainder Singh, the district collector sanctioned an air conditioner and thus our hospital became the first in the state to have an airconditioned ward. Jainder Singh followed up the recommendations we made in regard to Pamnoor area. He spoke to MR BN Raman who was then the chairman of collieries about our recommendations. He was excited and not only sanctioned the budget for the Iron ladder but dispatched his Engineers to erect the same. I accompanied the Engineers and shown them the site and they soon erected the ladder which was a great relief to the Tribals travelling to the shandy. New reforms were brought in by Gangopadhya the then Secretary of Medical and Health department. Cadre strengths, new service norms, release of budgets based on the performance were introduced. With that Bhadrachalam hospital got more posts of staff nurses, and another doctor and more ive staff. There was temporary departmental recruitment of doctors. All the posts in the state were filled in. New cadre of Dy. DM&HO was created. A newly graduated pathologist was posted to our hospital. A new lady doctor was posted in place of Dr Susheela who left to post-

graduation. Dr Koora Narasimham was posted as Dentist. Many other doctors ed in the neighboring PHCs and dispensaries. Dr Shankariah was transferred to MM unit from Burgumpad and Dr Babu Rao was posted to Burgumpad. Usha improved, and Manohar decided to return to India and the Government service. From UK he applied and was selected. Anjaneya Sharma was the additional DM&HO. Ramappa was posted to Hyderabad. He took a house in Himayath Nagar and settled with his family. Manohar with his family returned to India in Sep 75. He was posted to some interior place in Bhadrachalam. In view of Usha’s health, we thought a posting in Hyderabad would be much better. I met Dr Lingam Surya Narayana and explained to him the background with all the health documents and he readily obliged and posted him to Osmania General Hospital as Casualty Medical Officer. Manohar took a house in Chikkadpally and later shifted to a flat in Ashok Nagar. I got elected unanimously as the Secretary of Telangana Civil Assistant Surgeons association (TACASA) of the district branch of Khammam. In the first meeting itself we decided to build a guest house for Government doctors in Khammam. Many Doctors in the district had to commute to Khammam for various meetings, and court duties. They could not afford the cost of hotel accommodation as the DA paid was very low. We decided to collect Rs 116 from all doctors in the district and Rs 116 from all the medical shops in the district. Dr Prabhakar and Dr Vasanthamma working in Madhira voluntarily declared a donation of Rs 1116 and paid immediately. Next day I met the district collector and requested for allotment of site in the premises of Governmental and he promised the same. On way to Bhadrachalam I stopped sat Kothagudem and entrusted the responsibility of design and its construction to DV Janardhan Reddy engineer friend. The work soon started and we were determined to complete the construction by the end of the year. It was to house a hall, two bed rooms with attached bathrooms and a kitchen and dining. Few of us went round the district and raised the donations from the doctors and medical

shops. Probably we would not have thought of this but for the enormous, unexplained delay that was taking place in building the IMA building. The IMA building came up only after a decade even though the funds were raised even before us.

Family planning programme-Emergency The family planning programme was in full swing again. Targets were given. The incentive and compensation for loss of wages for undergoing the operation was almost doubled for those who would get operated with two children and tripled for those who undergo operation with one child. This was to be certified by the health worker. The revenue department and other departments were issued orders to promote cases. Lot of pressure was being brought on the health staff to certify that s had only one or two children to get more compensation. There was dissension amongst the health staff. All the doctors started mobilizing cases. Dr Baburao was the surgeon in Burgumpad area and I was operating in Bhadrachalam area. We were conducting camps in the villages. We would convert any room with a concrete roof or tinned roof into a makeshift operating theatre and conduct vasectomies. As the programme picked up I faced a very challenging situation one day. Around thirty Tribals were mobilized and brought to our hospital for vasectomy. All of them were in their mid-forties. Almost except two, all had more than three children. When the health staff informed them of the likely compensation they would get they were totally disappointed and said they would undergo operation only if all of them were paid the increased incentive irrespective of number of children. They had a sound argument too. They said it was compensation for loss of wages and one would suffer the same loss of wages irrespective of the number of children they have. No argument to convince them had any effect. They were preparing to leave.

Tribal community had their own peculiar beliefs and customs. He would address any one in singular form. If there is a chair vacant even without offering, he would sit in the chair. He would like to be addressed as Dora. If we say the hospital time is over he would not try to plead, beg or bribe. Either he would wait for the next session to begin or go home. If you it someone and tell them that the attendants cannot stay in the ward he would obey your instructions scrupulously. If he suspected any foul play or felt that one was not getting adequate treatment he would simply carry the patient on his shoulder even in a serious condition and walk away silently. Nothing could stop him. I told them that we would talk to the sub collector and they calmed down. Jainder Singh came and understood and assessed the situation. We didn’t want the issue of payment a bone of contention and a cause for failure of programme. Luckily Collector was camping in the town. Jainder spoke to him on the phone. Collector too came to the hospital and after failing to convince them advised the newly created Integrated Tribal Development agency to pay the balance from their funds and actual amounts from the Health department in case of Tribals. He issued written orders to that effect. All underwent operations and left. Such was the authority and capacity of a collector to settle issues on the spot. We drew up plans for conducting camps throughout the tribal belt. One day when we reached a habitation we could not find anyone in the village. All were under the “Vippa Trees” savoring the Vippa Kallu a local alcohol tapped from the tree. No amount of cajoling would change them. Their static answer was they would not miss their season as the Kallu was only available for few days in a year whereas the operations could be conducted round the year. We had to change our calendar.

Breeding Bulls One-day I and Jainder went to a village where the inhabitants were not coming forward for operations. There

were many old people with young wives and young children. They were not willing to undergo operations. On lot of persuasion they agreed but raised a condition. They named few young lads of the village to be operated first. After them all were willing to undergo the operation. We could not understand the logic behind their argument in the beginning. Slowly it dawned on us. The old people were suspecting these few young lads to be the fathers of their young children. If they underwent the operation and still continue to have children, the community would laugh at them. We sent the old people away and sent for the young lads. After cajoling and sharing our drink with the young married lads they came around and I operated on them immediately. Soon all the others followed suit. Some Habitations on the banks of Sabari were not approachable by road. There were no rooms in those villages where we could operate. We surveyed the through launch and boat. While returning it struck me that we could dock the launch on the shore and convert the launch into a theatre and operate. We implemented the plan with great success. Again, Jainder made all the arrangements. It was a national news and broadcast over All India Radio in its national news bulletins. Soon some more doctors started learning the skill of operation and they too started operating independently. Dr Anjaneya Sharma would come every evening to Bhadrachalam and spend the night reviewing the programme, supplies, transport, incentive amounts etc. Early in the morning he would go back to Khammam and all of us would leave for our camps. I would go to the farthest and after completion would touch all other camps on the way and collect all the complicated cases or those who developed complications and reach our hospital and operate on those with complications like haematocoele etc. and Sharma. It went on for few months. In the midst of such massive campaign One day an unidentified dead body was found on the other side of Godavari bridge in a ditch. There were fresh marks of

Vasectomy operation on the scrotum. The body was unidentified and fresh. A rumor was floating saying that he died of operation and the dead body was dumped by doctors after the death. Meanwhile the Doctor from Burgumpad telephoned me and told me that police were trying to implicate him. I advised him to apply for leave for two days but stay in the headquarters. The police brought the body to Bhadrachalam as MO of Burgumpad was on leave for postmortem. I went through their panchanama. In it there was an expression of doubt about the death being caused by operation. I had a preliminary glance at the dead body and satisfied myself that there was no bleeding and no haematocoele. Further I was confident that none in the area operated him as the incision indicated. There was only one incision instead of two. All the doctors in the area would give two incisions. I telephoned the District collector and gave him the details and requested him to issue orders to the police to shift the body to MGM Hospital where a forensic expert was available to conduct the post mortem. Anyone of us conducting the postmortem may be construed by others as a cover up. The collector was kind enough to get the orders issued by the competent authority. I sent a written report to the Collector narrating what I have already told him. Later I came to know that the death was due to crush by vehicle which ran over him. Again, there was the invisible help of Jainder.

Van- Fixed day and fixed route services There was a van belonging to MCH unit which was kept on stones for last few years as the amount was not released for purchase of new tires. Otherwise local health staff said the engine etc. were in excellent condition. Since MCH unit was brought under our control I was eager to operationalize the vehicle for outreach programmes. I discussed the matter with Jainder and he after few days arranged a loan from Girijan coop society and we bought the tires and needed oils and got

some minor repairs done and the vehicle was on the road. We developed a plan where in the vehicle would run on specific routes every day and any official having work at any village on that route could travel free in the vehicle and return back to his headquarters in the evening. Most of our doctors who were staying in Bhadrachalam would use it and go to their PHCs and return in the evening. It could carry 16 persons. We also used it as an ambulance and also to pick up and drop family planning cases. Once I took it to Hyderabad with all equipment that required to be repaired and got both the vehicle repaired, painted seats changed and got my equipment repaired from “Benco” agencies. Benco agency was a local surgical agency in Hyderabad owned by Mr. Suri’s family. Dr Raghavendra Rao always used to get his cardio thoracic equipment repaired there and also got manufactured some instruments he designed. Sriram Navami was celebrated on a huge scale at Bhadrachalam. Thousands of pilgrims would throng the town on that day for Seetha Rama Kalyanam. In earlier years when transport facilities were bleak the pilgrims would arrive few days earlier and stay for few days. Arrangements for their food, shelter, water, bathing had to be made. Decade earlier there was a tragic boat accident where few hundreds of pilgrims lost their lives crossing the river. The boat was overloaded and capsized in the middle of the stream. Subsequently a bridge was built on Godavari 1n 1966 and it eased the travel. One year there was an epidemic cholera broke out few persons lost their lives. Subsequently ID hospital was built attached to our hospital. Unlike earlier years the pattern changed. Many special buses were run for two days to fetch the pilgrims who would leave soon after the festival. But arrangements were still made as earlier. Further it was compulsory for all pilgrims irrespective of to have Cholera inoculations. Cholera inoculations were not known to give lifelong immunity and were painful and most often those taken would have reactionary fever and a painful injection site.

That year a massive campaign was launched to to inform people visiting the festival about the compulsory inoculation. Temple authorities feared many pilgrims may not come. It was a “catch 22 situation”. After a detailed discussion I & Jainder came to the conclusion that we would concentrate on three things. 1. Provide safe drinking water to all, 2. Ensure hygiene of food, 3. Provide adequate facilities for sanitation. We concentrated on those three principles that year minimizing our focus on inoculation. Slowly Cholera inoculations were withdrawn in subsequent years. Thanks to Jainder for the excellent arrangements. Nilofer hospital a specialty children’s hospital proposed to conduct a health camp in Bhadrachalam for children. I and Jainder had a detailed discussion. I always thought that such erratic, occasional, general health camps do not benefit the population without follow up. However we both concurred that it could be a children’s mela where children could enjoy their first visit to a new place. Most of the children of tribal community might not have had a ride in an automobile, seen a cinema or a temple or even had a sweet dish to eat. We discussed with private bus operators to carry the children and parents free, Cinema hall owners to screen continuously films for the children to have a free view, and temple authorities to give special free darshan and provide free adequate Prasadam. It was a grand success. Few thousand Tribal children visited Bhadrachalam and had a great picnic. Thanks to Jainder it was made possible. I took a break and went to Nizamabad to spend few days with Harinarayan. He was t collector then. He was surrounded by many friends who were very protective of him. I met Nagraj youth welfare officer and Kishore form Oil Company. Hari was very popular with youth and was trying to organize them into a cohesive group. We went around the district and stayed for a day at Pochampad. On the way I stopped at Nagabhushanam house in Mupkal and met his parents and brothers. As I was returning Harinarayan gave me a Jet injection to vaccinate thousands in one hour without the

traditional needle and sterilization etc. It is a useful gadget but not much used in our country. I and Jainder and Amritha made few trips to Hyderabad. Hari would us from Nizamabad. On one such trip we were staying in Dilkusha guest house and walked to a site next to Rajbhavan. Some plots were for sale. The going price was Rs 30 per yard. We discussed the same and for some reason did not take. What a costly mistake? Chandra Mowli IAS, Yugandhar bought and built their houses there. While I was in UK my father applied to the housing society for allotment of some flats in Vengal Rao Nagar and Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar colonies on my name with few thousand rupees I sent. Two flats were allotted but all were of the view that they were far away, and I took back the deposit canceling them. Was it another costly mistake? VL Kantha Rao found out that a new English medium school opened in Paloncha. He decided to it his children Srinivas and Sirisha in that school. He encouraged me to it Bharath too in the same school. Upender Rao too was ready to it his children if I did. Ultimately, we itted all our children in Paloncha. They used to commute in RTC bus and someone from Kantha Rao office would collect them and put them in school. In rainy season we would encounter some problems and the children would get stranded if the there was a heavy down pour and there was overflow on the culverts on Kinnersani etc. However, Kantha Rao used to tackle the problems. After his transfer we withdrew our children. I itted Bharath in Government school (Guttakinda School). My parents were staying in Khammam. My father in law sold his lands in Tamarakollu to Venkatappiah who was a paid servant on the forms. He paid only half the amount and was given possession of the land. I found it very difficult subsequently to chase him and obtain the remaining amount as he started evading. The sale is still not ed on the name of Venkatappiah. I read an article in Indian express a popular newspaper on new treatment of poisonous snake bites. It was said to have

been developed in Indonesian islands. I was very impressed. I could appreciate the logic immediately as an anesthetist. Within few days I had an opportunity to test the new treatment.

Snake Bites A girl of ten years was brought to our hospital at around 7 pm. It was summer, and the child was sitting in open in front of her house and studying under a lantern and she observed some shadow on her side and threw her arm and a snake hit her and bitten on the back of her hand. With her shouts elders came out and killed the snake and brought the child to the hospital. Luckily, they also brought the snake. It was a cobra a deadly poisonous snake. I could see the child going into paralysis. As per the article I read Cobra poison was a neuro toxic poison and it acts like “Curare” a long-term muscle relaxant anesthetists use to relax the muscles to intubate and control respiration and to provide muscle relaxation during operation. Once the operation is over they reverse the action of curare by istering Neostigmine an injection. To counter some unwanted side effects of Neostigmine they would also ister Atropine. We had only two ampoules of Neostigmine. The lay press didn’t speak of the doses and frequency etc. I intubated the child and connected her to an Ambu bag and asked the sister to ventilate the child. I started a drip. I knew that Neostigmine would not be available in the shops and was also not sure if it was available in Kothagudem. However, I thought Singareni Collieries may have it. I wrote a small request to Dr Raja Ram Mohan Rao of Singareni collieries hospital to send me as many ampoules as possible with the bearer. I told the relations to rush someone to Kothagudem to obtain the same. I told them to try for Dr Raja Ram Mohan Rao at the club which he usually frequents in the evening. They left on a motor bike and met Dr Rajaram Mohan Rao and gave him my letter. He is supposed to have asked them what sort of

Operation I was doing that night and why I needed so many ampoules (Each operation would only require one ampoule). When they said it was not for an operation but to treat a snake bite he had a surprised shock and said to have commented “I hope he is not drunk”- However he was kind enough to dispatch 10 ampoules of Neostigmine and also a polyvalent anti snake venom indirectly hinting me that the treatment for snake venom is anti-snake venom and not Neostigmine. The relations returned with the supplies by 11pm. I and sister in turns went on ventilating the child with the Ambu bag. There was recovery of movements in the limbs and the child was breathing through Ambu bag on her own. As the morning broke I was happy and satisfied and removed the endo tracheal tube and sucked out the secretions and observed for some time and left. I felt too exhausted and hit the bed and slept peacefully. I woke at 11 am and went to see the child. She was sitting in the bed and on seeing me said she was very hungry. After few days I went to see Dr Raja Ram Mohan Rao to thank him and met him in the club. I narrated my experience and told him that I was not drunk that night of the event and told him that I intended to get drunk that evening in his presence at his cost. He had a hearty laugh and told me I deserved it and entertained me. He asked me to make a presentation of the same to his staff. Snake bites were common in those days. When I ed at Bhadrachalam there were many snakes in the campus. We must have killed at least 30 snakes during my tenure there. I used to preserve them in the long glass jars in formalin and had an exhibition of them in hospital. I myself killed 6. They were both poisonous and nonpoisonous. They were everywhere like in toilet, kitchen, bath room, roof, in the chairs etc. As days when by and there was more activity and lighting they disappeared. I have treated around 25 cases (both the neuro toxic and haemato toxic) during my tenure there with almost 100% survival. I had to resort to amputation of foot in one case. The

staff got trained well and I am told after I left they used to educate the doctors in the new treatment. After few months I narrated the same to Dr Venkat Rao who was the chief anesthetist and Superintendent of Osmania General Hospital. He too was convinced and instituted the same line of treatment and trained his anesthetists.

Ruptured Uteruses We used to get cases of ruptured uteruses from various villages close by. The RMPS when called to attend to a prolonged labor would inject Pitocin and the uterus would rupture and the patient would die. To avoid death at home in their hands they rush the case to Government hospital and blame the Government hospital for death. If delivery happens they would take the credit and collect fat fees. I did operate and repair around 14 such cases during my tenure without blood and save the mother.

Branded as Extremist! Murali Krishna was junior to me in the Medical College. He was an intelligent student and was a good debater. He also penned down some poems in the Telugu journal I edited in the college “Jaathi Naadi” (Pulse of the nation). He slowly started leaning to the left politics and mysteriously left college. On my return from UK I enquired of him and was told he went underground and ed Naxalites. I lost touch of him. One day he appeared in front of me in the outpatient. When I looked up I recognized him and took him to my house and enquired his whereabouts. He told me he was underground and recently surfaced and met the Chief Minister and took pardon and ed main stream. He also told me that he was trying to the college and complete the medical course. He had lunch and enquired about other friends. He also asked me about my close Doctor friends in Khammam and I gave him few names. He left in the evening. After two days I and Venkat Reddy DSP went to Khammam to attend some court duty in

Reddy's jeep. I dropped Venkat Reddy at Police guest house and went home to see my parents. I returned back to the guest house to pick up Venkat Reddy. An orderly led my way to Reddy’s room. While he was getting ready the orderly returned to tell me that someone two rooms away wanted to meet me. I went out and to his room. It was Murali Krishna. On seeing me he asked if I too was brought for interrogation. I was surprised. He told me that he was brought there for interrogation. After few minutes I took leave and went to the court. On the way I told Venkat Reddy what happened and asked him if he could find out the truth. After attending the court I went to see few Doctor Friends. They told me that my friend Murali Krishna met them and took some pethidine injections from them for some friend who was in labor. I read a news item that day in the newspapers of an encounter of Naxalites where few of them were supposed to have been injured and escaped. While returning in the evening to Bhadrachalam Venkat Reddy told me that Murali Krishna was brought after being caught in a dazed condition and with extremist posters in his hand at 4am. One-day Jainder told me that a police officer of the rank of OSD whom he met in Kothagudem in a party was discretely enquiring about my political leanings. Subsequently I too met him in a party. On introduction he said sarcastically: So you are Dr Ranga Rao. After some time and little more jovial conversation eased us both I asked him straight: Why was he enquiring me? He said he had strong reasons to suspect and frankly narrated them. 1. Why did I return to India from UK/ (Which usually is not done)? 2. Why did I choose to work in Bhadrachalam a tribal area when I was offered a posting in Hyderabad? 3. Why do I frequently visit villages in the evenings and render medical care which was not in my job chart? 4. Did I conduct delivery of a top Naxalite leader’s wife in our hospital? 5. Did I conduct a difficult delivery in a forest?

6. There were few calls from my phone to some phone in Khammam which they were tapping? I said I could explain the first three questions which were mostly based on my attitude to life and my concerns. The next two questions were basically about my professional ethics. I said it was a fact that I conducted a delivery in the forest on the request of some health staff in some tribal hut. I could not care less whose wife she was. In regards the treatment rendered by me in the hospital I said we don’t ask the patients about their political affiliations. To last question: I said I cannot answer as I do call some numbers in Khammam. I jocularly said that he should also Interpol as I stayed for 5 years in UK. In those days all the calls made to any number outside the exchange from any phone was a trunk call and they were ed and charged. There was no direct dialing. We had to go through the exchange. I requested the telephone exchange not to accept any trunk calls without my permission. One day they told me that the cook “Ganesh” in my house requested for a particular person connection on a number. When verified it was the number of medical shop near Dr Y Radhakrishna Murthy and Ganesh wanted to talk to his brother who resided next to the shop. PVRK Prasad performed the marriage of his sister at Khammam. It was a simple marriage with 5 outside guests and the rest were relations.

Allegation One-day I went to Khammam in Jainder’s vehicle along with him to oversee the construction work of the guest house for doctors we were building. I dropped Jainder at the office of Banerjee the then t collector. Banerjee invited me to them for lunch. After finishing the work at construction work I went to DM&HO office. I saw a staff nurse of my hospital entering the DM&HO room. I went to Dr Sharma’s room and was awaiting his return as he went for some

meeting with DM&HO. Soon he returned. He told me that he was returning after conducting an enquiry against me in DM&HO’s room. He told me that DM&HO received a petition the previous day through post from a staff nurse in my hospital complaining sexual harassment by me. DM&HO sent his vehicle in the night to fetch the staff nurse by morning with instructions that I should not be told of the same. After office opened he called for Dr Sharma and Dr Subramanyam Dy. DM&HO and summoned the staff nurse in their presence. Then he read from the petition. He asked the staff nurse if she has anything more to say to which staff nurse is said to have replied that she had nothing to do with the petition. DM&HO was taken aback. Dr Sharma gave her a blank paper and asked her to write few sentences from the petition in her own handwriting. He compared the hand writing on both papers. They didn’t tally. DM&HO had to cut a sad face. After narrating this Sharma left saying he & DM&HO had to go to meet the additional Director at collector’s office. I too left for Banerjee’s office. I and Banerjee went to the collector’s room to collect Jainder. I met Dr Lingam Suryanarayana in collector’s room. On seeing us he got up to leave. I greeted the collector and accompanied Dr Surya Narayana. After coming out of the room I was conversing with the additional director for few minutes and DM&HO and Dr Sharma ed us. On seeing me DM&HO invited me to them for lunch. I politely refused saying I had another engagement. Meanwhile Jainder and Banerjee too came out and three of us left for lunch. At lunch Jainder told me that about the conversation Collector had with our additional Director. In the course of conversation Collector is supposed to have told the additional director showing him a big bunch of papers saying they were all the complaints he received in the last few days against DM&HO. After lunch I went to see the additional Director in the guest house. On seeing me he dismissed the DM&HO. I made my request for transfer of Manohar from casualty and he asked me to meet him at Hyderabad on my next visit. Afterwards he made some discrete enquiries about DM&HO.

Cultural Divide On one evening a Tribal woman aged around 25 years was brought to our hospital with a slit throat. She was conscious but could not speak. She slit her throat with a knife when police from Madhya Pradesh descended on her village to nab her brother who was suspected to have stolen in a shandy in Kunta a town bordering Andhra Pradesh. As the brother was not traceable they were interrogating her to reveal his whereabouts. In a fit of desperation she slit her throat and was rushed to our hospital. This was narrated by her mother who accompanied her. Both were illiterate and could not even speak Telugu properly. As she was conscious I decided to get her dying declaration recorded. I sent a requisition to magistrate who was the Sub collector to record the same. Prompt came Jainder. He asked me how he could record her declaration when she cannot speak. I said we will try sign language. We used Yes and No method. He would ask her a question and she would show one finger if it was yes and two fingers if it was no. Patiently he recorded the declaration. He arranged for transport to shift her to Hyderabad ENT hospital in Kothi along with her mother. After few days I and Jainder went to Hyderabad on some work. We both decided to go to ENT hospital to find out the progress of the Tribal Lady. While we were entering I saw the mother and went to speak to her. She was in a semi shocked state and didn’t answer most of my questions. I went into the ward and was happy that she was making a good progress but could not speak still. I enquired with the staff about the mother and they told me that she was urinating and defecating in the corners of the wards and hence was not allowed into the wards. I narrated the entire sequence of events, and the background of the ladies. I told them that the mother and sister come from a remote village where they have never even seen a bath room or latrine. They were not aware of most of the modern things. I convinced them to be more understanding and slowly help her understand the

things. They called her back into the ward. Again after few days I visited the hospital and found that the mother was missing for few days. It is said that the even though the day staff relented with my request and allowed her, the night shift staff threw her out and she was missing since then. It was a tragedy resulting out of cultural differences.

Meeting G. Krishna the Journalist That day I happened to meet Dr Madiraju Radhakrishna and along with him G Krishna. G Krishna was a senior journalist. He was a true Gandhian and always wore Khadi, and was very lean and thin. He was highly respected by journalist community. During the conversation I narrated the story of missing mother. Next morning there was a box item in one of the popular newspaper giving the full story. I left for Bhadrachalam and again returned to Hyderabad after few days. Again, I visited ENT hospital. To my shock I was told that the tracheotomy wound healed well and the lady improved and was discharged as nothing more could be done. The lady however could not speak. What a continuation of tragedy of errors? Here was a lady who hailed a from remote village and was never out of her house in her life standing in the midst of a bubbling city traffic hungry and unable to speak. Both mother and daughter were missing. We conducted a health checkup in an ashram school. The hemoglobin levels of all the children except three were low. Those three children with normal levels were those who would frequently go to their families. When questioned we were told by the children that they visit their families to enjoy a homely meal. The menu in the hostel was rice, potato and tomato. Day in and day out that was the menu. It was much easier for them to obtain them once in fortnight from Bhadrachalam and it was easier to cook. There were no greens or any other vegetable. The urge of children to go home and eat different food once a week helped them to get their iron requirements.

Accident-Paraplegia-Suicide A motor bike with wealthy youngster aged 27 years old, as a pillion rider hit a parked lorry on an evening few kilometers away from Bhadrachalam on a village outskirt. A person known to me and the relation of the pillion rider called me on phone and informed me of the accident and requested for my help. The person driving was dead on the spot and this youngster pillion rider was lying on the road paralyzed below neck. I slowly put him on a stretcher and put the stretcher in a jeep and took him to Bhadrachalam. By that time all his relations gathered. I told them that he has a chance to recover if he is operated within 24 hours and such facility was only available in Pune military hospital. They were ready to go and were looking for a taxi. I told them that it was not safe and put the stretcher with the patient on the top of front three rows of seats and tied to the railings of the front three rows. The patient was taken out at Hyderabad and was itted in Osmania General Hospital. They could not do much in Osmania in those days and patient returned to his village after few weeks. The family imported all necessary gadgets to make his life comfortable. He had paraplegia and few boys were engaged to exercise his limbs. He had a urinary catheter inserted. He was mentally alert and could speak and swallow food. I visited him few times. He would always ask me to end his life. He was married and had a child of two years. He was very fond of the child. I used to change the catheters and treat incidental infections. He survived for few more months after I left Bhadrachalam. Later when someone told me that he died I said aloud: How did he commit suicide? Kolipaka Rajendra Prasad my cousin working in Nagarjuna Grameen bank got married on 5th February 1976 to his first cousin at Miryalaguda. I attended the marriage. I borrowed lots of books from Jainder and read. He had a very good collection of books. Jainder was transferred to Nellore as t collector in May 76. With his transfer I felt orphaned. He was a great

to me in all the activities I took up. Raja a promote RDO was posted in his place.

Post Jainder Raja was a very pleasant person and would always be smiling. However, his stay in Bhadrachalam was very short. Much later his son Raja & I worked in a different assignment in the same office. After few months Raja was transferred to Vishakhapatnam and Shirohi IAS was posted. Komaragiri Apparao Babai of Penuganchiprolu died in June 76. Towards the end of his life he took to religion and almost became a recluse. My aunt Annapurna took good care of the children. Manohar was finding the work in casualty tiresome and heavy with night duties. He was finding it difficult to take care of his ill wife and the young child and official duties. He was not able to effectively meet the expenses with his salary. Again we approached the authorities and they were kind enough to transfer him to ESI dispensary in August 76. He could get some extra non-private practice and ESI allowance. Dr Radhakrishna Murthy was transferred to Khammam to the TB clinic. Dr Premnath was posted in his place. Dr Premnath was senior to me in the college and he had long experience in Anesthesia. My father with some money saved from the income at Tamarakollu bought a house site on Ellendu road on the name of Karuna and ed it. Radhakrishna an employee of Coop department promoted a Government and local body employees housing society. I and Manohar ed as . We were allotted two plots for which I paid the money and they were ed. Dr C Shiva Ramakrishna constantly goaded me to acquire these properties. The building of TACASA guest house was completed. We had an inaugural function of the same at the end of 1976. Gangopadhya the health secretary inaugurated it. PVRK

Prasad collector presided. Dr Bhaskar Reddy and Dr Lingam Suryanarayana were special guests. Prasad collector said it was very rare to lay a foundation stone and also attend the inauguration of the building in the same year. All were praising me. After listening to the good words said about me both in public and in private by the senior officials he asked the additional directors if they recorded the same in my confidential reports and made any recommendations how I should be rewarded. The post at Government Hospital Bhadrachalam which I was occupying was upgraded to that of Deputy Civil Surgeon. I was only a civil assistant surgeon. There was no chance for my promotion for another few years. I would be facing a transfer soon. All my senior officials recommended that I should be continued at Bhadrachalam as long as I wished and requested to upgrade some other post in the district and continue my present post as civil assistant surgeon. Government issued necessary orders to that effect and my imminent transfer was averted. A doctor working in a PHC nearby would go on telling me what mistake I committed by returning to India. He would tell me what great life he would lead if he had a similar chance. He was applying to most of the countries for an opportunity. He got a permission to go to UK. He needed some money and I lent him. He went and promptly returned in few months. He told me that best country was India. I exactly don’t know what happened. But he has taken almost a year to repay the money I lent. Later he became professor of Forensic medicine. A newly posted Doctor to a dispensary in Bhadrachalam area came to meet me when I was in outpatient. I asked him to wait till I finished my patients. I called for him afterwards. He came and introduced himself and started narrating his life. He suddenly brought out a photograph, and asked me to look at the photograph and offer my comments. Curiously I looked at the photograph. It was a photograph of a young and pretty lady. He asked me if she was not very beautiful? to which I said yes. He immediately asked me if I would like to spend a night

with her. I was shocked and nonplused with that question from a stranger. I asked him who that lady was, and he told me it was his wife. I didn’t know what to say or do? I got up from my chair and walked out. He followed me. He continued his story. He worked in army for a short while after his graduation. On discharge from army he was planning to get married and settle. One day a close friend showed him the same photograph and asked if he was interested to marry. He agreed and married her. He further told me that he found out after the marriage that she was a prostitute and felt he was trapped by his friend into it for monetary gains. He left her after that and applied for divorce. He told me that he decided to marry a virgin and asked me if I could recommend one. Not knowing what to say I shook him off by saying I had some urgent cases to see in the ward and took leave of him. Many doctors brought to my notice about his erratic behavior especially with ladies. We decided that it was in the interests of everyone including himself that he should leave the area. I went to Hyderabad and impressed on the Director to shift him to some institution where effective supervision was possible. He relented and transferred him. One day a young unmarried ANM came to the lady doctor requesting for MTP. She was working in a dispensary in the area. She alleged that the doctor in that hospital made her pregnant and she further stated that he was not only refusing to marry her but was also demanding money for termination. I advised the lady doctor to go ahead with MTP to prevent mental torture to the lady. One day the same doctor packed all the medical supplies of the hospital and sent them through the launch to Rajahmundry to sell them. Some local person coming to know of it informed the police in Rajahmundry who seized the same and filed a case. The doctor was suspended. He managed and got reinstated and was posted as jail medical officer of Rajahmundry jail. What an irony? One to be sent jail gets posted to Jail. A new dispensary was sanctioned in a tribal village with a very small population. The doctor’s post was filled.

Dispensary was located in a small makeshift hut. Only a watchman post was filled in addition to the doctor. The watchman was a young local tribal with a wife. There were few toddy trees in the open campus. The hospital was away from the village. The doctor was staying in the hut along with the watchman and his wife. Three used to tap the toddy and make merry. Another doctor working in the area decided to get posted to the same place. He took a tribal to Hyderabad along with him. The tribal posing as a MLA requested the Director to post that particular doctor to the dispensary. They managed with the lower level staff to hide the fact that a doctor was already working there. He obtained orders and straight went to the dispensary without any movement orders and occupied the only chair available in the dispensary. The Doctor who was already working went to the high court and obtained a stay on the sworn affidavit and plea that he was transferred in the middle of academic year and the education of his children was getting affected. The doctor who signed the affidavit was not married and had no children and there was not even a primary school in the village. Both the doctors were running the hospital with no patients. Both of them became a laughing stock. Collector made enquiries with me and wrote to the Director and both were transferred. I and Dr PV Ramakrishna then working in Chintur went to Hyderabad on some work and were returning in the night by bus. Nearing Khammam he complained of chest pain and both of us got down and I itted him in Government hospital. He had an ischemic attack. I stayed at Khammam till his family ed him from Rajahmundry. Luckily few days after the attack Dr Dayasagar cardiologist came to Khammam to attend continued education programme. On my request he visited him and confirmed the diagnosis and advised on the treatment. Soon after discharge he got himself transferred to Rajahmundry. However after few months his wife died on 3rd July 1978. Few of us friends went to Rajahmundry to console him. Dr Ramesh who graduated from Kakinada and son of

Charugundla Narasimha Murthy too came with us. His maternal grandparents were from Rajahmundry. They had a big mango orchid and he took us there for lunch. Bapu the famous cine Director and artist and his team were shooting “Manavoori Pandavulu” in the orchid and we had an opportunity to witness it. Fakhruddin Ali president of India died in office on 11th February 77. BD Jatti vice president was sworn in as president. Indira Gandhi lifted the emergency and announced parliament elections. Papers were full of stories of atrocities. Few congress leaders like Morarji Desai, Jagajivan Ram etc. left congress and ed opposition. There was hectic campaigning and the elections held in March 1977 were keenly fought. Congress lost the elections and even Indira Gandhi was defeated in her constituency. Morarji Desai was elected as the prime minister and was sworn in on 24th March 1977. PVRK Prasad was transferred and Banerjee the then t collector became the collector. Jupudi Narsimha Rao garu opened a petrol bunk in Cherla which was inaugurated by Banerjee. I accompanied Banerjee to the function. After the function the firm tried to gift the silver scissors used in cutting the ribbon to the chief guest which he gently declined.

CM Jalagam Visits Vallabhi Jalagam Vengal Rao as Chief Minister made a visit to my village. There was no road to my village in those days. He travelled in a jeep. A public meeting was organized in the grounds of High school and my father presided over the meeting. I went to Vallabhi at my father’s command. Banerjee collector accompanied the Chief Minister. Since it was a party meeting I and Banerjee stood at a distance and watched the proceedings. Vengal Rao sanctioned road to our village from project command area funds. The road was laid soon. Surya Prakash Rao, superintendent of R&B was in charge of the

project. He would always negotiate with the local people in regards the alignment and finalize.

Jubbi (Vani) Marriage My father was looking for a match for my youngest sister Jubbi to get her married. He fixed up the match of Vijaya Shankar. Vijaya Shankar completed his graduation and was working in postal and telephone department. He hailed from Nandigama. He was the brother in law of Komaragiri Krishna Mohan Rao garu, an ardent social worker and an educationist. He was running a school in Nandigama. He was an active leader in Andhra agitation and was an active leader in BJP. We decided to outsource the catering for the marriage. It was the first time. We decided to perform the marriage in Jupudi Vara Laxmamma chowltry, which belonged to my younger sister Jyothi family. The marriage was performed on 20th August 1977 at Khammam. Banerjee and his wife Shobha attended the marriage. On the same day marriage of my Uncle Satyanarayana Rao’s daughter Beena was performed at Hyderabad with my aunt’s son SP Ranga Rao who was studying medicine in Warangal. My paternal relations had to split to attend these two marriages at different places. Nagarjuna Grameen bank announced filling up some posts. Karuna and Vijaya Shankar applied for the same. Karuna wrote her exams in Vijayawada. Both of us went to Vijayawada and were the guests of Sri Ankineedu at his hotel Natraj. Vijaya Shankar got selected and ed the bank in November 1977. The hospital sponsored by Jalagam Prasad neared completion. The building came up very well. We decided to felicitate few people on the day of inauguration on behalf TACASA of Khammam district. We got mementoes of “Poorna Khumham” made with rosewood and with inscription on silver plates inserted. The chief minister presented the same to Jalagam Prasad his son and the promoter, Vani Sri Cine actress and principle donor, Ramarao the or, and Sri Ramulu the engineer. It was inaugurated on 14th November 1977.

Divi Cyclone A devastating cyclone struck coastal Andhra, especially Divi Seema of Krishna district on 19th November 1977. It inundated vast areas, properties were damaged, and Communications were disrupted, Roads washed away, bridges collapsed, electricity and water supply discontinued. Many people lost their lives, and animals drowned dead. Whole families were washed away. There were many tragic stories. Government response was quick and effective. Teams were mobilized and rushed for rescue, relief and reconstruction. Central kitchens were established to supply hygienic food for the population. Safe drinking water was supplied from central points. Medical teams were pressed in to provide necessary treatment. A team led by Dr Anjaneya Sharma was drafted for the same. Even though I was not in the team I went to see to myself the devastation and study the impact of the measures undertaken. Ankineedu made the needed arrangements. I spent two days and returned. I sent a small report to the Additional Director. My understanding of the situation was all the drinking water sources were inundated with salt water, all the breeding sites of flies, and mosquitoes were washed off. Even though many animal carcasses were lying there was no imminent danger of epidemics since transmitting agencies were not there. It would be few days for epidemics to happen. Supply of safe drinking water from a central point, and food were the best measures. I recommended for a study of mass grief and its effects on surviving population. I also felt that there could be need for re canalization operations for those who lost their spouses and children. Dr Lingam Surya Narayana acted on the same and deputed Dr Venugopal to study the mass grief. Dr Venugopal returned from UK few days earlier and was working in institute of mental health, Yerragadda. Doctors were trained in re canalization techniques. I visited Jainder and his family at Nellore and was their guest for 3 days. Arjun Rao was his collector.

The congress party was in great turmoil. There were dissensions. It split into two camps. One was led by Brahmananda Reddy and the other by Indira Gandhi. Vengal Rao was leaning towards Reddy Congress. He didn’t accompany Indira Gandhi during her tour of cyclone affected areas as president of Indian National congress, and even denied accommodation to her in Government guest house.

APPSC Selection-CMs intervention Andhra Pradesh Public service commission announced recruitment of Doctors. It wanted to conduct written examination for Doctors. Earlier there were no written examinations. Since there was no recruitment from 1970 onwards the existing vacancies were filled by temporary recruitment by department. There were many who were working for 5 to 6 six years and were suddenly asked to appear for the written examination along with the fresher who would have an edge. The serving doctors were agitated. There were many in such in Khammam District. I took up the matter with central association without much success. I met Jalagam Prasad and requested him to get an interview with the Chief Minister to few representatives to present their problem. He could arrange an interview just two days earlier to the proposed examination. He cautioned us that the interview would be very brief and also told us only one person should explain. I along with two more met the CM. Prasad introduced me as son of Aitharaju Ramarao. I narrated in few sentences the problem. He said aloud: Why should doctors working for few years should write the exam for the same post? He picked up the phone and told his secretary to talk to the concerned and cancel the exams. We came out. Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao and few other friends from press were waiting outside. We told them what happened. There was a press conference soon after that and when journalists raised the question of doctors and the exam Chief Minister said there would be no exam and all those working would be absorbed

through a special qualifying test. That was great relief. I thanked Prasad for the great help. Srinivas Rao who was the correspondent for All India Radio broadcasted the same news in the evening bulletin.

Demise of Father in law My father in law Dr Venkat Ratnam garu went to Tamarakollu to collect the sale dues. He went by bus. He returned after few days. He developed cold and cough and slowly developed pneumonia. After a day I thought it safer to shift him to Khammam. We all left for Khammam and I itted him in Government hospital under physician. Sripathi Rao garu with his wife Lalitha and Nageshwar Rao garu with his wife Sudha came and stayed with him in Khammam. Slowly the condition deteriorated, and he expired on the early hours of 6th Feb 78. We took the body to Bhadrachalam and Sripathi Rao garu performed the last rites. Sri Palivela Madhav Rao garu and few other local Brahmins carried the body. Body was to flames the same evening. Dr Anjaneya Sharma was transferred as Assistant Director Family Welfare and posted to Hyderabad. A fitting farewell was organized by many associations coming together. The district collector presided. Laxmi Kumari ANM was selected to undergo HV training and left to Nilofer health school at Hyderabad. Her sister has undergone Hysterectomy at Khammam. Soon Dr Krishnaji Rao DM&HO was also transferred. Dr Inniah was kept in additional charge as DM&HO. Prema my aunt and Madhusudhana Rao her husband were living in Mahaboobabad. They were blessed with a son and three daughters. Sravan the son was the eldest and was in the school. Angered at chiding by parents he left the house and went to Chennai. No one knew where he was. They gave police complaint and d in the papers as missing with his photograph. Vijaya Nirmala a cine actress and wife of famous cine actor Krishna saw this boy loitering in front her house and

took pity and sheltered him. After few days another person working there identified this boy through the photograph in the papers and wrote to the parents. They went and collected him, and the tension was eased. This all happened while I was in UK. Now parents were confronted with another problem. The elder daughter was happily married. The second daughter who was just sixteen fell in love with a relation of ours. The boy was still studying. Naturally parents had the anxiety. Once when I went there they mentioned it to me. All of us thought separation for few months may help everyone to take a correct decision. I brought the girl to Bhadrachalam with me. After few months everyone realized separation has not helped since both were in communication and continued to be in love. After few months on 19th April 78 they got married and lived happily since. I got a Mangala sutra made for their marriage. Elections for Andhra Pradesh assembly were held in February 78. Dr Marri Channa Reddy led Indira congress and Vengal Rao, the Reddy congress. Indira congress trounced the elections. Channa Reddy became the chief minister in March 78. Ram Laxman IAS replaced Shirohi as the Sub Collector. Shirohi had a cadre change and was posted to Madhya Pradesh. He ed his wife Alka Shirohi IAS in Madhya Pradesh. I continued to enjoy the of Shirohi during his tenure and later of Ram Laxman. Ram Laxman and N Narsimha Rao brother of NRK Rao Forest officer were good friends and studied for IAS together. Narasimha Rao got selected as direct recruit RDO and was conferred IAS later. My father and mother decided to go on pilgrimage to north India. A local of Khammam used to run a pilgrimage special during summer months. He would hire a sleeper coach which would be connected to the local train and disconnected at a predetermined station for pilgrims to visit the sites and again the coach would be connected and taken to another site. Food and local travel was organized by the contractor. It was the best way to travel and see India. They left from Khammam

station on 14th April 1978. We all went to the station to bid them farewell for a safe journey. They visited many places and safely returned on 18th June early morning. I and my sister Jyothi and few other relations went to station and gave them a traditional welcome. Ramappa was posted as Chairman of Vishakha Grameen Bank with headquarters at Srikakulam in June 78. Harinarayan got married to Kameswari in Delhi on 12 th August 78. Kameswari was studying in US and returned to India. I was deputed to undergo family planning training at Hyderabad RTC for few weeks. Dr Hassan was the principal. Earlier he was health officer in Khammam and was very upright person. He worked earlier in World Health Organization and was knowledgeable. One day he counseled me of my irregular attendance in the programme. He even threatened to cancel my programme. There was a threat of floods and collector ordered me to return. Even though the threat of floods receded I stayed back to write and update the flood manual. A staff nurse by name Ramanamma who ed few months earlier was selected as a nurse in army and wanted to . She just had few days to get relieved from State Government services and army. She was related to Dr Parvatheesam who became director later. She sought my help and accompanied me to Hyderabad and Dr Anjaneya Sharma helped her to get the orders in a day.

My stay in Bhadrachalam My stay and my work in Bhadrachalam were most interesting, satisfying and rewarding. I could do most of the things I wanted to do except one task. I tried to establish small coop poultry to supply free eggs daily to the patients and to the children of hospital staff. We all ed together and contributed and placed orders for chicks. We built a makeshift shed for housing them. It was summer. Many chicks died

within a day of their arrival. Dr Subbaraju had a poultry form in his wife’s village. I immediately sold the remaining chicks to him and closed my adventure. I made many friends, spent many nights in the wilderness, seen beautiful places, innovated new programmes, experienced trials and tribulations, searched for solutions, assisted employees to grow financially, took care of father in law and my family . All of it was possible only with the willing cooperation of my colleague doctors, staff who worked with me and my bosses in the hierarchy especially Dr KA Sharma, Dr Lingam Suryanarayana, Dr D Bhaskar Reddy, DR SN Mathur, and Dr NRV Swamy: the understanding and I received from Divisional and District s specially Samal, Harinarayan, Jainder Singh, Shirohi, PVRK Prasad, Banerjee: and active collaboration of individuals like Jalagam Prasad, Potharaju, DV Janardhan Reddy, and Dr Subbaraju: and lastly was my willingness to give up my private practice, and quest for new solutions. I learnt many lessons. My work in Bhadrachalam remained a bench mark for me. The experiences shaped my thoughts, and paved way for many ideas and programme to evolve in my life. The life of tribal community fascinated me. They were very independent. They had their own customs and rituals. They were not feudal in nature. They were content. They had a higher index of happiness. I think it was mostly because they had no options. They had a peculiar gait. They could walk long distances with ease. Mixing with plain population was slowly eroding their way of life. They were mostly half clothed. Projects in the tribal area corrupted their women. They were lured by the workers from plain areas. After some time, the tribal girls were not willing to marry the tribal boys. They were trying to learn Telugu and in the process, were ignoring their own dialect. Their reasoning was very native. Jainder told me about a conversation he heard between a social scientist and a tribal. The social scientist was

trying to impress on them the need to work to earn money. He was telling them that they could buy a radio, a transistor if they worked and earned money. The tribal questioned him what he should do after earning money and buying transistor radio. Scientist said he could buy another. Tribal man laughed and said there is no end. Instead he could enjoy his life in his own way. Another time another IAS officer was trying to impress them about the need to stop Podu cultivation and their frequent migration and to settle at one place. The tribal started questioning the IAS officer where from she has come? Where did she study? And where did she work few years earlier and presently working where? After obtaining the answers about her life he said why didn’t she settle at one place? I often was confused? Is it correct to impose our way of life, our Governance, our values on them? The doctor colleagues during my tenure at Bhadrachalam were Dr Radha Krishnamurthy (ID Hospital), Dr Radha Parameswari (LMO), Dr Susheela (LMO), Dr Jamuna Devi (Dentist), Dr. Koora Narasimham (Dentist), Dr Prasad Rao (Pathologist), Dr Premi (LMO), Dr Shankariah, Dr Parijatham (LMO), Dr Babu Rao (MM Unit), Dr Satyanarayana (MM Unit), Dr. Premnath. The staff were David Raju (Thoti), Satti Raju (Thoti), Subbiah (Watchman), Husain (Thoti), Malliah (MNO), Susheela (FNO), Kannamma (FNO), Krishna Murthy (Cook), Muttiah (Waterman), Dhobi, Suryanarayana (Water works), Bharathi (Staff Nurse), Victoria (Staff Nurse), Suri Bhashyam (Male Nurse), Anasuya (Staff Nurse), Pavathy (Staff Nurse), Bharathi Jr (Staff nurse), Suprabha Devi (Staff Nurse),Ramanamma(Staff Nurse), (Laxmi Kumari (ANM), (MNO), Nasiruddin (MNO), Sailu (MNO), Satyanarayana (Pharmacist), Palliah (Cook), Kodanda Ramaiah (Lab Technician), Rajeshwar Rao (Radiographer), Suryachander Rao (Dark Room Assistant), (Veerabhadra Rao (Jr. assistant), Rehman (Jr. Assistant), Sarweswar Rao (Dark room assistant), Yellamma (sweeper), Subbamma (maternity assistant), One of the cooks was Krishna Murthy who was a union leader. He

was suspended earlier at his behavior with an earlier lady medical officer. As there was no work in the kitchen he used to indulge in petty politics in the hospital. The other medical Staff who were associated during my tenure were Reddy (Driver), Simon (Driver), Yaqoob Ali (Pharmacist), Durga (ANM), Pakshi (HV), Jyothi (ANM), Kotiah (HI), Suryanarayana (HI), Suryanarayana (Malaria officer), VL kantha Rao (Malaria officer). The doctors who worked in the area were Dr. Babu Rao (MM Unit), Dr Appaiah Pantulu (Dy. DM&HO), Dr Patnaik (Dy. DM&HO), Dr Singh & Dr Hari Narayana Murthy (Nellipaka), Dr. Tirupati Reddy (Leprosy), Dr Ranga Prasad, Dr Hari Ram Singh, Dr Raja Rao, Dr Parthasarathy, Dr R Ramarao (Kallur), Dr. Venkat Rao (Sileru), Dr Ramachary (Sattupalli), Dr Prasad Rao (Kothagudem/Paloncha), Dr Chalapathi Rao (TB), Dr PV Ramakrishna (Rekapalli, Chintur), Dr Shantharao, Dr Subbiah (Edugurallapalli), Dr Sripathi Rao (Nellipaka), Dr Jagannadham (Dummugudem), Dr. Jagannayakulu &Dr Laxmaji (Penuballi), Dr R Gopal Krishna, Dr Rukmini, Dr Rami Reddy (Kallur), Dr Ganapathi (Kukunoor), Dr U Prasad Rao (Satyanarayanapuram), Dr Sesha Rao (Kunavaram), Dr K Gandhi Mohan (Nela Kondapalli), Dr Ch. Sudhakar, Dr Prasad Rao (Burgumpad), and Dr Shivaram Mohan Das. At the headquarters and at Khammam District hospital were Dr Sundaram (Superintendent) & Dr Satyabhama Sundaram (Pediatrician), Dr, Balbir Singh Yadav (Surgeon/Superintendent), Dr Chandravathi & Dr Satyanarayana Murthy, Dr Itigi (Physician), Dr JR Prasad (Physician), Dr Viswanadham, Dr Rama Rao (Physician), Dr Prabhakar (Surgeon), Dr Mutiulla, Dr Chalapathi Rao & Dr Venkat Rao (TB Programme), Dr C Shiva Ramakrishna (Leprosy), Dr David Paul (Mobile surgical Unit), Dr Nagabhushanam (Anesthesia), Dr Bhaskar Rao (RMO) etc. The active private practitioners at Khammam were Dr Y Radha Krishna Murthy, Dr Jayachandra Reddy, Dr Venkat Reddy, Dr N Apparao, Dr Gorky, and Dr Prameela. Dr. Asha

Kumari, Dr Ahmad Ali, Dr Harish, Dr. Ramchander Rao, Dr Itigi, Dr Prasad, Dr YV Rama Rao, Dr Andhra Jyothi, etc. The noted politicians in the area were Palivela Madhav Rao, Srimanthula Gopal Rao, Ram Mohan Rao, Shabuddin, Puvvada Nageshwar Rao, Chandram, and Seetharam Raju of Satyanarayanapuram, Zamindar of Venkatapuram etc. The local press correspondents were Sunder Rao, Subbarao, and Krishnamurthy. The local private practitioners were Dr P Suryanarayana, Dr Veer Raghavaiah and his wife, Dr Ramakrishna, Dr Subbaraju, and Dr Rajendra Prasad. The police officers were Mutyam Reddy, Ramchandra Reddy, Venkat Reddy, and Ramchandra Reddy as Deputy Superintendents of police and Yugandhar and others as Circle Inspectors of Police. The prosecuting officers were Hanumanth Rao and Madiraju Ramakrishna Rao. The forest officials were NRK Rao, Rameswar, Bhoom Rajam, as DFOs and J Sharma as ACFO and Upender Rao as Ranger.

Family planning operation Visits to Bhadrachalam I had to visit Bhadrachalam to appear in the court to give evidence in medico legal cases. Every time I visited one of the doctor’s working in the area would ask me to conduct vasectomy operation. I would operate and in the evening, we would have a party hosted by one operated. On one visit I operated on a doctor who used to assist me in the operations. Whenever I operated I would always converse with the patient during the operation since the operation was under local Anesthesia. I would explain to him each step I was performing like” I am giving an injection, it would prick you but don’t move your legs” or “I am catching and pulling on your Vas tube which may cause little nausea” etc. I would also explain and give instructions like “Use condom for next twenty times when you indulge in sex” etc.

On my next visit I was informed by the Doctor (Who was operated) that his wife was pregnant. I got his sperm tested. It was negative. I questioned the couple in detail. I came to know that they have not used the condom when they indulged in sex. Thank goodness! My reputation and the Doctor’s spouse faithfulness were intact.

Exams- Postponement When I was a final year student suddenly the final exams were prefixed. We were informed that our exams are likely to be advanced. It was told that the dean Dr BK Naik Professor of medicine Osmania Medical College has recommended to the Vice chancellor to that effect. We have not completed our syllabus and the time left was too short. We the exam appearing students of Gandhi medical college decided to represent to the Vice chancellor of Osmania University. The medical colleges in Hyderabad and Warangal were d to Osmania University. We took an appointment and met the vice chancellor Dr. DS Reddy. I was nominated by all students to be the single spokesperson. I made a ionate argument and in reply Dr. DS Reddy assured to look into the matter and do the needful. Soon orders were issued cancelling the advancement.

House Surgeon Stipend When I was a house Surgeon in 1965 our stipend was Rs 50 which we considered as very meager and we decided to represent. We formed an association. Alapati Venkat Ramaiah was the health minister and Kasu Brahmananda Reddy was the chief minister. When we met the chief minister he sarcastically said “why should they raise when patients were only receiving colored water “to which I replied in the same sarcastic way that what was supplied by the Government was what was dispensed to the patients by the doctors.

TACASA- District Branch While I was working as civil assistant Surgeon at Bhadrachalam I got elected unanimously as the Secretary of Telangana Civil Assistant Surgeons association (TACASA) of the district branch of Khammam. In the first meeting itself we decided to build a guest house for Government doctors in Khammam. Many Doctors in the district had to commute to Khammam for various meetings, and court duties. They could not afford the cost of hotel accommodation as the DA paid was very low. We decided to collect Rs 116 from all doctors in the district and Rs 116 from all the medical shops in the district. Dr Prabhakar and Dr Vasanthamma working in Madhira voluntarily declared a donation of Rs 1116 and paid immediately. Next day I met PVRK Prasad, district collector and requested for allotment of site in the premises of Governmental and he promised the same. On way to Bhadrachalam I stopped at Kothagudem and entrusted the responsibility of design and its construction to DV Janardhan Reddy an engineer friend. The work soon started, and we were determined to complete the construction by the end of the year. It was to house a hall, two bed rooms with attached bathrooms and a kitchen and dining. Few of us went round the district and raised the donations from the doctors and medical shops. Probably we would not have thought of this but for the enormous, unexplained delay that was taking place in building the IMA building. The IMA building came up only after a decade even though the funds were raised even before us.

Government Doctor's Guest House The building of TACASA guest house was completed. We had an inaugural function of the same at the end of 1976. Gangopadhya the health secretary inaugurated it. PVRK Prasad collector presided. Dr Bhaskar Reddy and Dr Lingam Suryanarayana were special guests. Prasad collector said it was very rare to lay a foundation stone and also attend the

inauguration of the building in the same year. All were praising me. After listening to the good words said about me both in public and in private by the senior officials the health Secretary Mr. Gangopadhya asked the additional directors if they recorded the same in my confidential reports and made any recommendations how I should be rewarded. The hospital sponsored by Jalagam Prasad neared completion. The building came up very well. We decided to felicitate few people on the day of inauguration on behalf TACASA of Khammam district. We got mementoes of “Poorna Khumham” made with rosewood and with inscription on silver plates inserted. The chief minister presented the same to Jalagam Prasad his son and the promoter, Vani Sri Cine actress and principle donor, Ramarao the or, and Sri Ramulu the engineer. It was inaugurated on 14th November 1977.

Activating Civil Assistant Surgeons Association Few of us friends met at Hyderabad and decided to activate the Civil Assistant Surgeons Association. As a first step we decided to conduct an interactive workshop in Hyderabad to discuss and bring forward issues ailing the medical and health services. There would be a of invitee representatives of Doctors, Medical s, experts on the dais. I would be the anchor and would raise questions for them to answer. It was a well-attended programme. There were few hundred doctors in the audience and Dr Bhaskar Reddy, Dr Lingam Suryanarayana, additional Directors, Dr Venkat Rao Superintendent of Osmania hospital, Dr Gopal Kishan, Dr SL Kantha Rao, and Dr CB Srinivasa Rao etc. We held it for 3 hours. We discussed many issues of concern thread bare. It was a tremendous success. I stayed for few days at Hyderabad to organize it.

APCASA Andhra Pradesh Civil Assistant Surgeons’ Association was formed in late sixties. Dr Prasad plastic surgeon, Dr Gopal

Kishan, Dr Sudarshan Reddy, and few others took active interest in its formation. It got split into two during the Andhra agitation. Subsequently there used to be a coordination committee of both the groups. Dr SL kantha Rao was the main anchor for Telangana group. There was a move to merge both the groups again. An understanding was reached between both the groups. Telangana region would have the General Secretary and Andhra region would have the President. Similar understanding was there for all the other posts. First time representatives of respective regions would only vote and elect the office bearers allotted to respective regions Telangana region representatives would elect the General Secretary. Soon a general council meeting would be called for such a merger. Informally few of us discussed and decided that we would make CB Srinivasa Rao as General Secretary. I broached the same with Srinivasa Rao. It was decided that Kakinada unit would host the General council meeting at Kakinada on 1st September 78. I left for Bhadrachalam. As the date was approaching there were some second thoughts and a strong group emerged advocating that I should contest as General Secretary. That group started working for the same. I left for Rajahmundry along with my family and left them at Rajahmundry with Deena Devi a friend, relation and classmate of Karuna and proceeded to Kakinada. There were heated lobby and room discussions, parleys and consultations. Ultimately there was a contest between me and Dr CB Srinivas Rao and I won with a slender majority. Even though I won I lost in one way that I have not kept the word I have given to Dr Srinivasa Rao. Both associations got merged and APCASA (Andhra Pradesh Civil Assistant Surgeon’s association) was born. Dr Sudarshan Reddy, Dr BG Prabhakar, Manohar, and Dr Niranjan Singh Yadav, DR PV Ramakrishna were my main ers. During my stay in Hyderabad lots of friends met me and everyone urged me to get transferred to Hyderabad to activate the association. I met Dr SN Mathur and requested

him for my transfer to Hyderabad to a not so a busy post. After discussion with me he selected the post of medical officer, Leprosy in Hyderabad district replacing someone. Necessary orders were issued. It was a routine transfer and not a request transfer. The day I was returning to Bhadrachalam with my orders I saw a news item in the newspapers. It was gist of comments of Venkata Swamy the then minister labor about the conditions that existed in ESI hospital at the time of his inspection. Some press friends showed it to me. I gave my reaction to those comments. I said the existing situation was the result of system failures and not individual’s failures. When I got down at Bhadrachalam I saw that my comments were prominently published in some newspapers. The publication of the said news at least served the purpose of informing people that a new Secretary to Doctor’s association was elected. I genuinely felt that system had too many loopholes and failures which needed correction. I was determined to improve it with the combined strength of Doctors. I handed over the charge to Dr Shankariah as no substitute was posted. There was a farewell presided over by I/C DM&HO Dr Inniah. Many doctors and local citizens attended and spoke. The gist was: I have a harsh tongue and a heart made of butter. I left for Hyderabad along with my family by the night bus. I could not sleep. I reviewed my stay in Bhadrachalam.

Association Office I tried to concentrate on building the association. Initially I concentrated in building the needed infrastructure. Even though the association was few years old it had no office. The office of the association used to be in the boot of the car of Dr. S. L Kantha Rao the earlier Secretary. Dr Kantha Rao was secretary for a very long time. No clerical or typing assistance was available. I inherited the association with no bank balance and few debts to settle.

I negotiated with IMA building trust and got a room allotted for the association. I appointed a girl to assist us typing. I also requested Chary, a clerk working in health department in leprosy to help us for collecting data and for correspondence. Dr Niranjan Singh Yadav the t Secretary was made in charge of the office. The association had a general body. Every State Government Civil assistant surgeon/ Deputy Civil Surgeon or Dental assistant surgeon was eligible to become a member on payment of annual fees. The collection of annual fees was laborious and many never contributed. Each district was a unit and so was each medical college. There was one unit for ESI doctors and one unit for peripheral doctors at Hyderabad. General body of each unit would elect office bearers like president, secretary, treasurer and an executive body. Units are empowered to nominate two to the General council which was the policy making body of the association. The General council would elect the central office bearers like a President, a Secretary and a treasurer, t secretaries for each region and some executive committee . This elected body was the executive committee. It was the implementing body. Person working in Telangana region was only eligible to be the General Secretary and Person working in Andhra/Rayalaseema was only eligible to become president. Dr. Raghuram Gupta was the president from Rayalaseema, and I was the General Secretary from Telangana and Dr B Krishna Reddy was the treasurer from Andhra area. Since the other important office bearers were in peripheral areas the burden of building and istering the office was mainly on me. Dr Raghuram Gupta was a good speaker and would grasp the subject quickly. Dr Krishna Reddy was a very quiet person and would render practical advice on important matters. We invited Madan Mohan the then health minister to inaugurate the merged association. Dr Gupta in his address showered praise on Madan Mohan which paved way to build relationships.

Guest House at Anantapur A guest house for Doctors was built in Anantapur with contributions from Doctors. Dr Bhaskar Reddy DME was invited to inaugurate the same. I accompanied him in his car. I could not see any greenery on the way. It was all barren. In the meeting Dr Bhaskar Reddy narrated all the work I have done in Bhadrachalam Hospital. He was full of praise. My uncle Parvatal Rao who was Regional Director of Public relations who attended the meeting was surprised.

A Madan Mohan- Minister for Health In the first General council meeting I unfolded our strategy. I obtained sanction to dispense with annual hip. In its place we brought in a permanent hip of Rs 200 per member which would be equally divided into unit share and central share which would be deposited in a national bank and the interest alone can be utilized by respective bodies. The corpus cannot be touched. I volunteered to collect and contribute from Khammam unit in a weeks’ time. I gave my contribution, then & there and became the first permanent member. The units were requested to follow suit. The units were asked to conduct monthly meetings and discuss various issues in their meetings and forward their resolutions and recommendations to the central office which would be discussed by the general council. The General council would meet initially every month.

APCASA Newsletter The momentum was building. The permanent hip fee was flowing in. Units were discussing issues and were forwarding the resolutions which were discussed in general council. However, I felt that primary member was still not participating in the discussions. There was gap. Few of us discussed and felt that we should start a monthly newsletter (In house Magazine) and circulate the same free to all

. To build transparency we would print the names of all permanent and their unique ID numbers in the newsletter. We ed the newsletter as APCASA News, obtained necessary permissions, including for mass posting. We obtained the official addresses of all the civil assistant surgeons in the state. I was the editor of the newsletter. We wrote, composed, and got printed and posted the first issue. It was a hit. Dr Jagannadha Tupari then working in IPM, Niranjan Singh Yadav helped me in the task. I started visiting various districts and addressing meetings. I have completed visiting all the districts in the state once. Slowly a picture of the problems doctors were facing emerged. The General council gave a shape to it after few rounds of discussions and prepared a chapter of demands. The demands were three folded. Few demands were financial like pay structure, allowances etc. Few demands were those coming in way of Doctor’s morale to deliver better services like restoring downgraded parity with other cadres, and removing the istrative control of BDOs in primary health centers. Few demands were those to improve services like banning private practice to all doctors and filling up of all vacant posts. Earlier Civil assistant surgeons were equated with RDO, Executive engineer in rank, pay, and authority. The earlier pay commission reduced their rank to Tahsildar and assistant Engineers who were earlier a rank below. This caused lot of heart burn amongst doctor’s community. The special allowances doctors were drawing for attending Sub jail patients, RTC employee’s clinics and ESI allowance and nonprivate practice allowance were very meager and were fixed decades earlier. Lowering the rank and equation affected the morale of the doctor’s than the financial loss. It was aggravated further when the BDOs were reviewing their work in PHCs. Earlier it was the Samithi president. Since the elections were not held

for Panchayath the BDO’s who were of lower cadre were reviewing their work. Many posts of civil assistant surgeons (around 800) were vacant in many hospitals especially in rural areas. The Government didn’t have any valid data with them in regards the vacancies. Those who went on leave were still continued on rolls. There were MLAs who submitted their resignations to contest elections and no one cared to sanction or deny, and they still continued on rolls. Most of my batch mates who ed service in the state and went abroad on study leave were continued in service beyond 5 years. Certain cadres of doctors like those working in health services like PHCs, non-clinical teaching posts, and istrative posts were paid a small amount of Rs 75 per month and those working in Taluk, District, and General Hospital in clinical departments were allowed private practice. Allowing private practice for these doctors was affecting the services in hospitals. Originally when most of the health care and medical teaching was delivered by Government they were allowed to provide second consultation to those seeking it after they went to RMPs, LM&S, and others. They were not delivering services like operations, investigative procedures etc. since the primary doctors were not equipped with the facilities for the same. With mushrooming of Nursing homes, and other hospitals in private sector they were giving consultation and were also operating in their nursing homes. The costs of health care have gone up. Often the specialists were not found during their duty hours and were coming late and were promoting case for ission in private hospitals. With such attitude of some doctors the whole profession was getting a bad name and its image was going down. We took a bold decision in spite of heavy resistance seeking ban of private practice for all and paying compensation with increased non-private practice allowance.

First Strike Notice We submitted our demands to the Government on 30th April requesting it to consider them favorably failing which we would be forced to go on strike from 2nd June 79. We released the same to the press that evening. Local English, Telugu, Hindi and Urdu newspapers carried the same in their next day editions very prominently. Some papers wrote editorials in our favor. Department has invited us for talks, but we were reluctant. We insisted for a dialogue and discussion with the health minister in the presence of all concerned officials. After few days we were called for talks with the health minister A. Madan Mohan along with Kasipandian, t Secretary Health and the director Medical education Dr D Bhaskar Reddy and Director Health Dr Venkat Rao. Eight representatives from APCASA participated. After prolonged discussions all demands except the one revision of pay were conceded. We insisted for written minutes of our discussions and agreement. We called off the strike. There were mixed reactions from our . Some called us timid and traitors. However, majority were with our decision. The Indian Government headed by Morarji Desai fell on July 28th, 1979. Morarji resigned as Charan Singh's group withdrew its . Charan Singh became the prime minister. We waited for the Government to implement the conceded demands. There was no response. All of us felt cheated. We met the officials. They were nonresponsive and were evasive in their replies. There was cold war going on between ministers and the chief minister. Chief Minister was busy celebrating his 60th birth day. General council in its meeting on 14th October 79 insisted that we should take up agitation method to force Government to implement the conceded demands. We again toured all the districts and discussed with the primary . All the units were in favor of a strike. They all signed their consent to abide by majority decision and demanded us to organize the strike.

We made the primary member as supreme in taking such a crucial decision. The will of the majority of primary alone would decide to call on a strike and to call of the strike. There was a demand from few to discuss with Civil Surgeon’s association and also involve them. However, many of us were against it. We could not be convinced that they would sail with us till the end. We also felt that emergencies required their presence in the hospitals. However, we had discussions with junior doctors and they were willing to us with their demands. We met few other associations and addressed their meetings and apprised them of our problems. We spoke to the trade unions. We spoke to the opposition party representatives. We held a meeting of various associations where they expressed their solidarity. I met Kannabhiram an advocate and human rights activist. When I informed him about our intention to go on strike he told me that we will not be able to hold for more than a day or two. Educated and intellectuals are unlikely to be together on any issue for long. Secondly, he said in trade union agitations few strong people would picket at the gate and would not allow others to enter. He opinioned that in case of Doctors it would not be possible as a single doctor would be working in a PHC and there is no way he can be prevented if he wishes to work.

Second Notice-Strike Again, we served a notice on the Government that we would strike work from midnight of 18th November 1979 if our demands are not conceded and implemented. As a strategy we said Doctors working in medical colleges would first strike work from midnight and after three days all the other doctors from periphery would . We told the to listen to news on All India Radio on the morning of 19 th Nov 79. All India Radio broadcasted the news saying that the Doctors in Government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh successfully struck work from midnight of 18th November 79.

We hired two rooms in Hotel Haridwar opposite IMA office and established the strike office. We raised donations from our only. We used to conduct General council meetings every week to review the situation. The meetings would start at 10am and would continue after lunch and a vote is taken at the end of meeting in regards continuation of strike. The same would be released to the press and Radio. Few hours of TV telecasting were available in Hyderabad only.

Curfew-Communal Riots We were hardly into strike of five days when the communal riots broke in the old city on 23rd November 79. Curfew was imposed in the old city and was extended up to Kothi. Injured persons from both communities were rushed to Osmania General Hospital. I was in hotel Haridwar with couple of other friends when Dr Bhaskar Reddy DME called me on the phone and asked me to relax the strike in Osmania hospital and permit doctors to attend to work. He sent his vehicle to our hotel in which I went to his office across the street. We discussed and I after consultation with few other office bearers agreed to relax. I asked for a list of Doctors working in Osmania Hospital, their telephone numbers and addresses. Hospital could not give me such a list immediately. I asked for some vehicles to pick up doctors from their houses and take them to the hospital as the hospital itself was in curfew area. They could not mobilize. I requested the Director to requisition vehicles from Police department with escorts for mobilizing doctors. He spoke to the police commissioner Pavithran and handed over me the phone. I explained to the commissioner the situation and he agreed to send few vehicles to the hotel. I ed few doctors whose telephone numbers I had and asked them to talk to others and rush to Osmania hospital and organize services. There was no dissent. All moved to the hospital. . Few went to hospital in their own transport and others were picked up by dispatched police vehicles. We provided the services for

ten days and called off the services after ten days. I had some taste of riots and learnt few lessons of organizing the relief. We permitted free clinics to be opened by striking doctors in front or nearby the hospitals in tents to provide free consultation. The civil surgeons were expected to run the emergency services.

Hotel Haridwar: Strike Office I used to spend most of the time in the hotel room receiving calls from various units, releasing press notes etc. Dr Niranjan Singh Yadav used to look after the office work. I would go for lunch to Fateh Maidan Club along with Dr KR Chary and Dr Jaggannath Tupari. Dr A Ranga Rao from ENT hospital, Dr K Ranga Rao President of Osmania unit, Dr I Ranga Rao TB officer, Dr CB Srinivas Rao, Dr M Radhakrishna from ESI, Dr Sudarshan Reddy and Dr Manohar from fever hospital. Dr Poornachandra Rao from Osmania, Dr Krishna Prasad and Dr Prabhakar from Gandhi used to visit office regularly. Dr Uttara and Dr Sarasvati Raju were our active lady representatives. Both of them ed us in touring few districts. I would go back to hotel in the evening and spend till 8 pm and go home or visit some important official. I would spend my evenings mostly with press people, or Dr Venkat Rao our director or with Pavithran commissioner of police, Dr Sharma and Adiraju Venkateshwara Rao etc.

Who is Dr Ranga Rao? Dr M Channa Reddy the Chief Minister agreed to meet our delegation. All the working committee went to meet him. CM was busy looking at some files and he motioned us to take seats after our greetings. He looked up and asked, “Who is Dr Ranga Rao”? I replied saying there were four Ranga Raos in the group. I introduced Dr A Ranga Rao, Dr K Ranga Rao, Dr I Ranga Rao as and lastly me as Dr AP Ranga Rao, the General Secretary. CM looked into my eyes and said, “So you are Dr Ranga Rao organizing the strike”. I didn’t reply. He

advised me saying: Medical profession is a jealous mistress. One cannot ride both profession and politics. One has to choose in between them to be successful like him. He listened to our presentation and asked us to call off the strike first then he would consider our demands. I said we would present the same to our for decision. In my conversations with various officials I could gather that CM was reviewing the situation daily. Often, he would ask what the intent of ours in organizing the strike? Daily a new dimension would be given to him. Till my entry into the association as an office bearer the association was totally led and run by Dr A Gopal Kishan, Dr SL kantha Rao etc. Dr A Gopal Kishan was a close associate of Dr Channa Reddy during Telangana agitation. Telangana agitation and subsequent Andhra agitation split the association into two. Dr Gopal Kishan became a civil surgeon and was not directly associated with our organization. However, he still continued to influence many of our . Incidentally Gopal Kishan was the cousin brother of Madan Mohan our health minister then. Differences were creeping in between CM and ministers. He might have suspected Dr Gopal Kishan behind the agitation which was not true. He expressed his suspicion in a meeting with Civil Surgeons. Civil Surgeons association too was concerned with a prolonged strike and they were trying to convince us to seek an early solution. Naturally it must have led CM to look for motives somewhere else. On enquiry he was told that I was behind the strike. In the beginning he must have suspected the hand of Jalagam Vengal Rao the earlier chief minister since I was a friend of his son Prasad Rao. There were many in fights in the police department between commissioners of police, DGP, Intelligence agencies. Everyone was hoping to end the strike and take credit. They would try and get some information and feed to the CM. Different versions emerged. I was accused of being man of Vengal Rao, a trade union activist of I, a man of Madan Mohan, an extremist etc. CM was confused. Oneday G Krishna journalist met CM. In the course of

conversation, he mentioned about our strike. CM repeated his earlier question “Who is this Dr Ranga Rao”? G Krishna mentioned to him that I was the son of Aitharaju Ram Rao whom he knew. CM narrated to him his earlier suspicions. G Krishna tried to allay his fears. After few days CM summoned Bhide then collector Vijayanagaram. Bhide worked as deputy secretary in medical and health department. Jainder introduced him to me and we became good friends. Knowing that Bhide knew me personally CM made enquiries about me. Some of our doctors went to Kasipandian house and held unauthorized demonstration. I felt very bad about it and apologized to Kasipandian next time I met him. He took it sportively. We held a demonstration in front of secretariat which went on peacefully. In a fit of anger and frustration I told Adiraju that “one day we may just drop all demands and come up with only one demand that if Madan Mohan is sacked from the ministry we would call off the strike”. It was in a private conversation. It appeared in a newspaper next day. As usual the item named none as the source and simply said it is learnt from reliable sources. There was pressure on me to condemn it. I replied that I didn’t want it to be an issue since no one might have even read it and condemning may attract bigger attention. Since the private sector in curative services grew well in the earlier decade people were not adversely affected. There were no adverse remarks in the press. However, people bore the burden of private cost silently. There were hawks and doves in the association. Both were united for a long time in the long struggle. However nonreceipt of salaries was badly affecting the doctors who were mainly dependent on salary. We organized loans to them from banks standing guarantee. Many started being skeptical about the likely outcome. Few approached me to find an end. I was sure on the day one itself about the likely outcome. Government would not concede and loose its face. It would just ignore and wait for opportunity to divide us. Once we are

divided it would come heavily and smash it. My task from the beginning was very simple. It was to keep the flock united either in defeat or success. Luckily, I had good friends and ers in both the camps. Few of us again undertook tours to districts to sense the mood. In the meetings they would all ask us to continue but in private conversations they would question and express many doubts.

Resign and me Dr Channa Reddy in his public speech inaugurating the Industrial exhibition (Numaish) is supposed to have said that I should resign my job and him to solve the problems facing doctors. Few of our doctors decided that they would go to Dr Reddy’s house to greet him on his birth day which they hoped would pacify him and he would be more favorable to us. Few of our senior along with few junior doctors went to Dr Reddy’s residence. They waited outside awaiting his return from a funeral. They waived and greeted him from a distance. The officials advised them to wait. They waited for a long time. It was said that Dr Reddy went for his bath and from there to perform pooja. The junior doctors became restless and under the mistaken impression they were kept waiting deliberately shouted slogans against Dr Reddy and stampeded the garlands they took and forced every other doctor to leave with them. It was another unfortunate event. The divide was becoming much sharper. Indira Gandhi was sworn in as prime minister of India on 14th January 1980.

Medical Services declared as Emergency Services The Government declared medical and Health services as Emergency services and banned strike. It hoped it would create scare and doctors would . Some doctors went to the high court and obtained a stay. Dr Reddy was away in Delhi. On return from Delhi at the airport he is supposed to have

commented on coming to know about the stay from the press people that: The order was only a scrap of paper. CM’s peshi headed by my uncle Parvatal Rao who was the PRO to CM saw to that no such comment would appear in papers. After few days the stay order was lifted by the court. There was panic. Dr D Bhaskar Reddy our Director of Medical Education suffered a heart attack and was itted to NIMS. I called on him. He wished us the best. He always ed us. At the back of my mind I felt guilty. Our strike could have been a factor for his attack. In one of the tours I went to Khammam. My father must have been following the strike progress in papers. He called me aside and asked me to be careful how I travel. He advised me not to travel alone and on my scooter.

Court Cases and Suspensions Manohar my younger brother and few of his colleagues working in fever hospital were summoned by police. Police ed a case against them under emergency services ordinance. They took bail. It was building pressure on me. Pavithran knew that Manohar was my brother. No case was booked against any other doctor in the state. I telephoned Pavithran and gave my mind. I refused to see him after that. After few days Dr K Ranga Rao, Dr Raghuram Gupta and I were suspended. I refused to take the order saying I was on strike. They posted it to my house. Dr Ranga Rao consulted a lawyer and gave the reply. I did not reply immediately. I replied to the charge memo after few days. I accepted having led the strike but not instigating the strike. I replied saying that it was a unanimous decision of all the doctors and as elected representative I implemented their wish. Some of our Doctors went to Delhi and met Sanjay Gandhi. He promised to look into the matter. G Venkata Swamy minister labor then sent for us. I met him at his residence early in the morning. He enquired about our demands. He didn’t say anything.

The general council met in the last week of January 1980. The tone of the meeting was totally different. The Hawks were silent. Unknown doves came to the meeting headed by KJR Murthy. They praised all our efforts. I could sense the mood. All were tired. Still they were all united.

Calling off strike unconditionally On 31st January few of us met and discussed calling of the strike unconditionally. We decided to take the opinion of all units. We telephoned them and asked the presidents and secretaries separately to find the opinion of their general body by evening and let us know. By evening all units called and gave their verdict to call off. I released a cryptic short press note calling off the strike unconditionally. We kept the entire thing a secret till evening. We didn’t give scope to anyone to take credit. I went home at 9 pm and shut myself off and was not available to anyone. Next day all doctors reed duty except Dr. Gupta, Dr K Ranga Rao and me since we were under suspension. Our file went up and down few times. Everyone recommended lifting our suspension and reinstatement and dropping all charges. But Chief Minister insisted punishment. After few attempts CM relented. The order said that we were never suspended. Convention of civil assistant surgeons was held in Kadapa on 1st Sep 80. I also conducted the elections. Hussein Reddy was elected as President, Dr CB Srinivas Rao as Secretary and Dr Prasad as treasurer. I made my earlier commitment to Dr Srinivasa Rao true. He is a gentle soul. He never took to heart my failure to keep my promise of making him secretary earlier. He always ed me. Even though we called off the strike unconditionally almost all the demands were subsequently met and implemented.

Welfare activities for Doctors Housing coop Society I started taking interest in welfare activities. I founded with few other doctors "Doctors Housing cooperative society" and bought land from Siris Raju in Dilsukh Nagar and some more land on Nagarjuna Sagar road. Niranjan Singh Yadav, Dr Sudarshan Reddy, Dr Anjaneya Sharma, Dr Manohar, Dr Sridhar took active interest and ran it successfully. I too bought a plot with the money given by my father.

COOP Credit Society

I also founded Doctors cooperative credit society and was managed well subsequently by Niranjan Singh Yadav, Dr Venugopal, Dr Devender Reddy, Dr Nagabhushanam etc.

Post Graduate Study circle We also started a post graduate study circle to train Doctors appearing for PG entrance. It became very popular. Dr Manohar, Dr Dasradha Rami Reddy, Dr Radhakrishna, Dr Sudarshan Reddy, Dr Madan managed it.

APCASA Building- Eluru

Danam was collector west Godavari. I visited him and requested for sanction of land in premises of hospital for construction of a guest house. He was kind enough to order the same and Doctors built a guest house with their own donations.

APCASA Building -Hyderabad We decided to build a guest house and office for our association . There was vacant land in the premises of ENT hospital earlier Pratap Girji Kothi. A new public road was laid separating the vacant land in the back of the hospital. We felt it was most suitable and central place. I was made chairman of the building committee. We approached the Government for sanction of the land. Understandably it was opposed by Jain Superintendent of Hospital. Madan Mohan who was the revenue minister then helped us and sanctioned it. It was 1000 sq meters. We requested each unit to subscribe to the building fund. I requested DV Janardhan Reddy my

engineer friend to draw the designs and oversee construction. It was designed for three floors. We built the first floor. We got it inaugurated in a record time of one year. It had an office room, meeting hall and two guest rooms and a watchman quarter.

Post Graduate Study Circle I had more free time and again I started taking interest in association activities. We ed a post Graduate study circle on 21st Nov 84, to conduct teaching classes for candidates appearing for PG entrance examinations at nominal fees. It was an instant success. Manohar my brother, Dr Dasharatha Rami Reddy, a neonatologist, Dr BG Prabhakar, Dr Uttara, Dr Krishna Prasad, and Dr Madan, working in SPM were running it very efficiently. The office was in Gandhi Medical College. All senior teachers of various faculties ed the teaching programme and were taking interest at a very small remuneration.

Coop Credit Society

We also ed a Coop credit society for twin city Civil Assistant Surgeons, and again it was managed very efficiently by Dr J. Venugopal, Dr CB Srinivasa Rao, and Dr Devender Reddy etc. Initially we were borrowing from COOP bank to give loans but soon had our own corpus fund.

Posted in Hyderabad I ed Leprosy unit of Hyderabad east as Medical officer on 12th October 1980. The office was in a rented building in the first floor nearby Darulshifa in old city near new Salarjang museum building. There were three rooms and some open space. There were three office staff and an attender and a driver and two programme supervisors and a physiotherapist. In the field there were 20 non-medical assistants of leprosy. They were managing the sub centres which were in some municipal wards and also in the villages in the outskirts of city. Radius of my coverage area was thirty Kms from the centre of city. Clinics were held in the villages

and population screened for signs of leprosy, examined, diagnosed and given domiciliary treatment. My immediate boss was Dr Anand Raj, Assistant Director. Dr Anand Raj was medical officer at Kothagudem when I was Mo at Burgumpad. Dr Narayana Rao, Dr Bhaskar were the other two doctors manning other units. I rented the first floor of a residential house in Chikkadpally. My neighbours were Kankipati Satyanarayana Rao garu (working in secretariat) and his brother in law Venkatarama Rao garu (Working in AG office). They were related to Jwala my brother in law. My brother in law Jwala and my cousin brother Mohan were staying right behind our house in the lane behind. We could see them and converse with them from our house. My brother Dr Manohar was staying in Ashoknagar, at a walking distance from my house. Dr Anjaneya Sharma was living in Nallakunta. Sripathi Rao garu built a house in Vijayanagar colony and shifted there. Dr KR chary built a nursing home in the lane next to Deepak Mahal. Harinarayan was working in Delhi. KV Chalapathi Rao working in Andhra Bank was staying in Chikkadpally. Srinivasa Rao was staying in Chikkadpally near Tyagaraya Ganasabha. Ramappa was posted as chairman Vishakha Grameen Bank and was staying in Srikakulam. My uncle Parvatal Rao was staying in Kadapa. Ramappa would often visit Hyderabad on official visits and would stay in Taj Mahal Hotel, Narayan Guda. We would all meet him there in the evenings. We itted Bharath in a private school nearby. Later we shifted him and itted him in People’s high school nearby. After few months of stay in Chikkadpally we rented and shifted to the house of Kesiraju Chalapathi Rao garu in Ashoknagar. Jwala and I shared the accommodation. My father sent Aitharaju Venkateshwara Rao (son of Late Aitharaju Gopal Rao my uncle (China Venkanna)), and Bhandaru Ramakrishna (son of Bhandaru Kameswara Rao and Laxmibai) to Hyderabad to some technical course. We itted them in Allhuddin Technical School in welder’s course. China Venkanna stayed in my house and Ramakrishna

stayed with Manohar. Sharma garu working as lecturer in New Science College was our neighbour. He was staying with his parents. On Sundays his father used to conduct Brahmin Vivaha Vedika (Marriage Bureau) for free. My other neighbour was Vijayakumar and Swathanthra garu. They used to live with their children and their niece Nirmala who subsequently married my youngest brother Venkanna. Venkanna was studying graduation and was staying in Nizam college hostel. Kodari Venkaiah daughter (From his second wife) had rectal prolapse and I got her operated and they stayed with us for a month. Kolipaka Jaya and Prabhakar SI were married on 9th March 79. My youngest sister was pregnant. We brought her for delivery and she delivered a baby boy “Rajeev” on 8th May 79 in Kavitha Nursing home belonging to Kavitha and Dr KR Chary. Most of our health needs were met in that nursing home. Laxmi d/o Manohar underwent Appendectomy there. Vijaya Shankar underwent Hernia repair. Dr Sharath’s daughter underwent removal of mole there. My mother and aunt Prema underwent surgeries for Breast conditions there. My maternal uncle Venkateshwara Rao underwent surgery for fracture. My uncle Sri Kavuturi Krishna Murthy garu was itted for malignancy throat there and ed his last days in that nursing home. My sister Jubbi gave birth to a second child Kedar also there. Jainder underwent some minor surgery and Vasectomy there. I think but for help and kindness of Chary and Kavitha we would have been breaking. Manohar was finding it difficult to manage his house with his salary. He wanted to setup his practice. As he was in a nonpracticing post he could not do so. I requested the director for a change of posting. He obliged and posted him to fever hospital. After few days Manohar opened a clinic in Chikkadpally and never had to look back. He practiced paediatrics and soon became a leading practitioner in that area. His practice was not dependent on his hospital posting.

Anantapur district branch of APCASA constructed an office cum guest house and held an inaugural function in June 79. Dr Bhaskar Reddy our DME and I travelled together in his car for its inauguration. I met my uncle Parvatal Rao who too came for the function. As usual I was the topic for Dr Bhaskar Reddy’s speech. He showered lots of praise on me for my work in Bhadrachalam. Soon after Parvatal Rao garu was transferred as the PRO to Dr M Channa Reddy CM of the state. Initially he stayed in Nallakunta and later shifted to Punjagutta PJ officers’ quarters. The mother of my maternal grandfather Bhandaru Rukkinamma died in Khambhampadu. She was ailing for long time. She was the pillar of that family. My parents went for pilgrimage in south India. They started their journey from Hyderabad. All of us went to see them off at Secunderabad station. They were scheduled to visit Puttaparthi as part of their travel after few days. Manohar, Jwala and I decided to travel to Puttaparthi and meet them at Puttaparthi. We travelled by train and Dr Gangi Reddy took us to Puttaparthi and from there to Anantapur. We saw Penukonda fort. We celebrated Shastipoorthi of our parents at Hyderabad in a simple function. We had a celebration of 15yearss of our marriage too in 1979. Seenappa father in law was ailing with malignancy. He was treated at Madras. He spent his last days with his daughter in Chikkadpally. Ramakrishna a distant relation of Seenappa stayed with us for some time. He used to give tuition to Bharath. I became a member of press club. After wards he became a famous journalist. I was invited by Harinarayan to a get together with Dr Arole of Jhamkhed who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award. He did an impressive work in Jhamkhed. I met Vittal Rajan, KS Gopal and few other friends there.

Meeting Kaloji Narayan Rao G Krishna and I along with Jwala called on Kaloji Narayana Rao the famous Telugu poet, Freedom fighter and humanist and Gandhian in Chest hospital. He was itted for chest ailment. While we were talking to him a young lady came to his room. He handed over his food to her and enquired about her husband's health. After she left he told us on our enquiry that she is distantly related to PV Narasimha Rao, and her husband was itted that morning after 12 o'clock. As per the rules patient itted after 12 AM would not be served food from the hospital kitchen. Since they were very poor, and the lady would not able to go out and bring food he gave his food to them. He said he requested a friend to bring him some food. I was witness to many such acts of his subsequently. I gave up smoking in the first quarter of 1980. I would only smoke outside Hyderabad. I gave up for almost three months. One day I went to visit a friend’s wife who died of third degree burns. Her husband was abroad. She had three children. I felt bad and started smoking again. Krishna Bhoopal a forest officer had some work in Delhi. He asked me if I could go with him. We both went to Delhi and stayed with Harinarayan in his official flat. That was my first trip to Delhi. Adiraju gave us very valuable information about Delhi. We met Samal and few other friends in Delhi. Dr Surya Prakash Rao husband of my cousin Paja was ailing with some problem and required neuro surgery of the brain. They decided to have it done in Chennai. They sought my help. The surgeon was the sister of Dr Satyabhama Sundaram. She agreed to operate in Dr Ramamurthy neuro centre. I accompanied them to Chennai. I requested the father in law of Komaragiri Gopi my cousin to accommodate my sister in their house. He was working in catering in Railways. They not only accommodated her but took great care of her. Dr Surya Prakash Rao had a successful operation but died after many months.

My cousin Sudhakar son of of Aitharaju Radhakishan Rao was studying engineering in Karnataka and went on a study tour to Goa along with his classmates. He met a watery grave on 26th Sep 79 when he went for a swim in the sea. They could recover the body and after post-mortem the body was sent to his village. I was informed of it and accompanied the body to the village from Hyderabad. Two of his friends from Jaggiahpet accompanied the body from Goa. I was impressed by the arrangements the vehicle which carried the body. The owner driver had lot of imagination. The body was well preserved for 4 days. There were huge crowds in the village to see the body.

Leprosy training I was deputed to Salur for training in Leprosy. Around thirty candidates from different parts of the world attended. It was in an exclusive hospital and training institute run by a NGO headed by Dr Tyagarajan, who was a renowned figure in leprosy work then. There was a lady from Denmark, a lady Doctor from Nepal and Christian nun doctor from Bangalore and the rest were from Andhra Pradesh. The course was for six weeks. It was residential. Ramappa was working as chairman Vishakha Grameen Bank. Pradeep Bhide was collector Vijayanagaram. I visited Ramappa couple of times at Srikakulam. Pradeep Bhide invited me and Ramappa for dinner. Ramappa and I went to Bhide’s residence on one evening. Bhide was still at office. Sheila Bhide wife of Pradeep received us and we were made comfortable. That was the first time I met Sheila. Sheila too was in IAS and was PD, DRDA of Vizianagaram. Soon Bhide and another gentleman walked in. Bhide introduced us and the gentleman was Mr Chandra Mowli IAS and MD of Girijan Corporation. He was very knowledgeable and soon the topic turned to health. I expressed my opinion about expansion of NGO sector in health. After dinner we all departed. Salur 50 kilometres from Vijayanagaram was a taluk headquarters and a sleepy town. Tribal belt was closer, and it

was bordering Orissa. Mostly people were semi clad and spoke Telugu in a different accent. I saw many trees growing in the area which I have not seen before. They were called “Paachi chetlu”.

Visit to Konark, Puri, and Bhubaneswar We had long stretch of weekend holidays during the course of our training. Few of us decided to go and see Konark and Puri in Orissa which were closer to the place. Initially three of us planned to go. Except the three ladies who came from far off places rest all candidates left for their homes for the long weekend. The three ladies too ed us. We went to Bhubaneswar by train and checked into railway waiting rooms and went around the city. We went to Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves 8 Kilometres away. There were great carvings belonging to Buddhist and Jain religions of second BC. We reached Ling raj temple by 3 pm. The temple is said to have built in 11th AD. The presiding deity is Shiva. Both Hari and Hara are worshipped here. The pandas (Priests) menace is very high in Orissa temples. They demand money for everything. While we were going around a person approached us and demanded money. Since we objected he raised an objection saying that nun doctor and the Dutch doctor and the Nepali doctor cannot be allowed to visit the deity. He was persistent with his refusal saying that the entry is only for Hindus. I said that in south India if one signs a statement that they have belief in the Hindu god they would be allowed. However, he said no such practice existed there. We relented and told him that the Nun doctor and the foreign doctor would not come in but asked him to allow the Nepali doctor who was a Hindu. That too he refused. We went out and I saw a police station nearby and went there and spoke to the police officer there. He said he was helpless in temple matters. I told him that we would not leave unless he accompanied us and arranged the darshan. I insisted that the Nepali doctor who is

a Hindu should be allowed. Nepal was the only country which declared itself as a Hindu state. Her port clearly states her religion. at last the police officer agreed to accompany. On seeing us with the police officer they closed the main temple. There was a big que. Sensing that the situation was deteriorating the police officer went to higher ups in the temple and we were allowed. We left for Konark that evening by bus and stayed in tourist hotel and saw sun rise next morning. It was simply beautiful. We visited the Konark temple. What a majestic construction. Many stories are told about this magnificent structure. We left for Puri and visited Jaggannath temple. A peculiar custom was practiced in the temple premises. It is considered that if one of the "Panda" approaches you, one has to bow, and offer money and he would lightly tap on your body with a small staff. That act is supposed to absolve one's sins. It was said that records of our ancestors visiting Puri were well preserved there. I didn't have time to check. We returned to Salur. I went to Ramappa few times to spend weekends. After finishing the course, I returned to Hyderabad. After return to Hyderabad I started taking interest in my job and commenced touring my area daily and seeing the patients. I used to leave at 8am with a packed lunch and go to few villages each day and visit patients and return by evening. There was very little I could do. I could not make much impact. I was getting frustrated. The staff too were not happy with my visits as it put pressure on them to be in the field. There was unhappiness all round. I decided to change my job. I requested for a shift and was posted to Gandhi hospital as an anaesthetist.

Gandhi Hospital- Anaesthesia Department I ed department of anaesthesia as Civil assistant surgeon on 5th June 1980. Dr LN Rao was the Head of department of anaesthesia. Dr Rupendra Lal and Dr

Satyanarayana were the other two Civil Surgeon anaesthetists. I was posted to Obstetrics and Gynaecology department as anaesthetist under Dr Rupendra Lal. Dr Lokabai, Mrs. Harinath, and Rukmabai Naidu were the three obstetricians. Dr Goka Mohan, Dr Balamba, Dr K. Vijaya Laxmi, and Lokabai's daughter and few others were assistant professors in obstetrics. Dr Manimala, Dr PS Reddy were the Assistant professors in anaesthesia. Dr Dayakar Reddy, Dr Narahari and few others were PG students. Dr G. Vijaya Laxmi was a PG student of obstetrics. Dr Rupendra Lal was a close associate of Dr Venkat Rao who was the Director of health then. Dr LN Rao and Dr Venkat Rao had some differences of opinion on their seniority. However, both were nice to me. Rupendra Lal would often entertain us at Nizam's club. Dr Dayakar Reddy who was the PG student opened a nursing home by name "Gaganmahal nursing home". He wanted me to introduce him to some Specialists consultants who would it cases in his nursing home. I introduced to him Dr Venkat Ratnam, an orthopaedic surgeon (In Nizams hospital), and Dr S. Yellareddy surgeon. Dr Sharma opened a good X-Ray centre by name Satya X-Ray clinic in Himayathnagar which became very popular. Dr Venkat Ratnam’s wife Dr Pavathy was highly qualified. She was a surgeon and obstetrician. N. Laxman Rao a school classmate met me accidentally one day. I invited him for dinner to my house. He was the only son to his parents. His father died at the age of 35 Years so was his grandfather. With that background he gave up non-vegetarian food and was living mostly on boiled vegetables. He would only eat twice once after the sunrise in the morning and once before sunset. Despite all the care he took and meticulously followed the advice of doctors he too died suddenly soon after. Destiny? My uncle Parvatal Rao was staying in Punjagutta Government quarters. One day my aunt Sarojini went into "Status asthmaticus" and I took her and itted her in Osmania General hospital. That day my uncle took an

application from me for allotment of a Government quarter. In those days there were very few Doctors in Punjagutta area. Nizams hospital was only an orthopaedic hospital. Venkappa (Bhandaru Venkateshwara Rao, my mother's younger brother) met with an accident in the village and broke his two bones. We got him itted in Kavitha Nursing home under Dr Srinivas Rao an orthopaedic surgeon and after an operation he recovered and went home without any disability. Few friends who were applying for job in Iran persuaded me to apply too. We all went by train to New Delhi and stayed in AP Guest house and appeared for the interview. Later for some reason the interviews were cancelled. Mallikarjun at that time minister for Railways helped us in getting return tickets. Later many Doctors left for Iran, Iraq, Saudi etc and made some money and returned back and re-ed the service.

Treasure Hunt with KS Bhargava Bhargava a forest officer, friend and relation of Jwala told us of an incident that happened in the forests of Acchampet. He said a tribal boy was chasing a porcupine and it escaped and entered into a small hole in a hill. The tribal widened the hole to capture it and to his amazement found the hole caving in and leading to a big hall. When he lit a light, he found that there was a big marble table in the middle with many statues sitting around it. He got frightened and came out and informed the forest officer. Few of us on hearing it decided to visit the place. Jwala, Seenappa, G Krishna, Harinarayan and his wife along with Bhargava decided to go. We drove in two vehicles and went into the cave. It was a big cave leading to many more caves. It was very cool. The water dribbling from the roof mixed with many minerals got deposited on the walls and the floor and formed into various shapes. It was a natural art.

1000 lights festival-Ramappa Temple We saw a very big ment in newspapers about a dance programme in the temple of Ramappa on Sivaratri night under castor lamps. Few of us decided to witness it. Dr Prabhanjan who was the district leprosy officer at that time in Warangal said he would take us from Warangal to the temple in his official 14 seated vehicle as he was deputed for the festival. Bhargava who was working as Forest Range officer assured accommodation in his forest guest house in Pakala. Jwala, Seenappa, Ramakrishna Rao from AIR and few others left for Warangal by train and with few other friends ing from Warangal proceeded to Ramappa in the evening. There was heavy traffic. The pace was slow. When we reached Ramappa we could not see even one light or any indication of a dance. We were very disappointed. We proceeded to Pakala wild life forest sanctuary. The cottages were very nice. We had dinner there and Bhargava took us into deep forest and we saw almost every wild animal that night. Thanks to Bhargava, it was a well-maintained sanctuary. Next morning the 14seated vehicle broke down. We stayed there for another two days and enjoyed our stay.

Visit to Vellur Harinarayan was posted as MD Lid Cap. One evening he asked me about various components for rehabilitation of Leprosy afflicted patients. He told me that Government of India provide some funds for that purpose. We zeroed on "Foot care by foot wear" programme. Both of us went to Vellore to see the Foot care programme started by Dr Prichhi. We were impressed by his programme. He explained to us in detail.

Brahmotsavam On our way back, we went to Tirupati and met PVRK Prasad who was the EO of TTD. Brahmotsavam festival was being

celebrated then. Along with him we went for darshan and also saw Brahmotsavam. Sanjay Gandhi died in a small aircraft crash on 23rd June 1980.

Moving to Punjagutta Quarters Parvatal Rao mamiah got a quarter PJ 28 in Punjagutta quarters allotted to me. It was diagonally opposite his quarter. It had three bed rooms and rent was only Rs 75 per month. My right side neighbour was Raghavendra Rao, the then secretary to Chief Minister. The quarter of Ravulapati Seetharam Rao was across the road. I shifted to the quarters on 4th September 1980. My shifting to Punjagutta has caused much inconvenience to Jwala, as we were sharing the house at Ashoknagar. I used to commute to Gandhi Hospital on my scooter. I and Jwala purchased new scooters under NRI quota. The amount was given in dollars by Dr Venkat Ram Reddy living in USA. Jainder stayed for a month in the flats at Punjagutta and later shifted to Erramanjil quarters. Banerjee used to live diagonally opposite to him. Dr Pachuri, and Danam were living in Punjagutta quarters.

Nela-Nela Vennela CV Krishna Rao garu used to organize "Nela-Nela Vennela" literary programmes. I attended most of them. Kedar was born on 8th September 1980. Tanguturi Anjaiah became Chief Minister of AP on 10th October 1980. He had the Jumbo cabinet. He was a labour leader, was simple, and friendly, and was easily approachable. Bhandaru Srinivas Rao was well known to him. Parvatal Rao continued to be his PRO. Soon APCASA organized a convention at Hyderabad and invited CM to be the chief guest. Husain Reddy sitting next to him goaded him to concede to most of our strike demands and he did so.

Kolipaka Ranganayakamma (Peddathiah) died on 28th February 81. Harinarayaan was posted as collector Srikakulam. Banerjee became Director Social welfare. Dr Surya Prakash Rao, husband my cousin sister Paja died on 14th August 1981 at Veliminedu. I attended his neuro surgery at Chennai earlier. I went for his cremation. Working with differently abled

AP Handicapped Coop Finance corporation A new corporation for the welfare of Handicapped was formed by Government of AP. Banerjee IAS was in additional charge of it as MD. One evening he invited me for dinner to his house and proposed that I should go on deputation to ministry of social welfare, Government of AP as MD of newly created corporation for handicapped welfare. He persuaded me, and I agreed. He sent necessary proposals to the Government. KR Venugopal IAS was the Secretary Social welfare. He recommended, and the file was sent to Koneru Ranga Rao the then minister for his approval. It was kept pending by the minister for few days. Banerjee asked if I knew anyone who could put in a word to the minister. Bhandaru Srinivas Rao met Koneru Ranga Rao and broached the subject with the minister and it was immediately cleared and I was appointed as MD of A P Handicapped Cooperative Finance Corporation. I took charge on 10th October 1981. The creation of handicapped finance corporation had an interesting history. A Government school for the blind, Deaf and dumb existed for a long time in Malak pet. There was a hostel attached to it. Differences between Blind, Deaf and Dumb inmates arose and there were physical clashes in the hostel between them. Naturally the deaf and dumb used to have an advantage. One night the blind planned it well and attacked the deaf and dumb. The blind switched off the lights in the hostel and attacked. Since the lights were switched off the deaf and dumb were at greater disadvantage of loss of

three senses: sound, communication and sight. The blind had only one disadvantage that was lack of vision. Few students were seriously injured. There were violent protests and dhrana. Groups of handicapped formed into associations and raised demands. Their common demand was creation of an exclusive corporation like SC and BC corporations to attend to their specific needs. The money available for leprosy rehabilitation Rs 25 lakhs was used as corpus money and a public society under cooperative law was established. Laxmi Devi from Anantapur, a former minister was made chairperson. A three-room office was taken on rent near Nizams hospital on the main road and was furnished. The basic idea of the corporation was to arrange for bank loans for handicapped providing 20% seed money by the corporation. Blind, Deaf and Dumb, orthopedically handicapped, mentally retarded and Leprosy deformed or disabled were the categories eligible for assistance under the newly created corporation. A manger, a clerk and two attenders, a driver and a PA were the posts created and filled in by the time I took charge. An ambassador car was purchased for the chairperson. Swamy on deputation from coop department was the manager. Rajamalliah on deputation from secretariat was the attender. His wife Kusuma Latha was taken on daily wages as another attender. Rajaiah orthopedically handicapped was the clerk on contract. Yadagiri was the driver. Koneru Ranga Rao minister visited the office one day. By the time I took charge Daljit Arora was posted as secretary Social welfare in place of Venugopal. A meeting was organized to felicitate Anjaiah CM in Tyagaraya Ganasabha by the handicapped associations on 3rd November 1981. It was a good success. I was not very happy with the only programme of loaning by the corporation. The banks were not coming forward to lend. The handicapped didn't have the necessary skills or training to use the loans meaningfully. Only those vocal, city bred handicapped were using or misusing the programme. We

didn't even have district wise number of handicapped category wise. I felt these following programmes should precede the loaning activity 1. Identify the handicapped category wise with extent of handicap. 2. Identify the training needs 3. Identify and correct the handicaps to the extent possible 4. Supply teaching, and mobility aids 5. Create job opportunities by reservation or by subsidy 6. Promote NGO sector participation 7. Train professionals to undertake the programmes I convened the first board meeting to discuss these issues. I went to Daljit Arora to seek his advice and guidance. He heard me patiently and told me that I was free to take up these activities provided my board decides to back me up. He also provided me some tips how to go about it. Our board consisted of chairman, myself, a representative from Finance wing of Government, Sarasvati Devi from Vizag (running an institute for mentally retarded (Lebenshilfe)), Miss. Gool Plumber, (running a mentally retarded institute in Hyderabad- A.P.A.W.M.R., Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad), a parsi lady), Professor of Osmania University (Handicapped Person), and couple of others. In the meeting everyone heard my plan of action with patience. But the representative of Finance department turned down my proposals saying that we could only take up loaning programme. One beauracrat silenced everyone. However, I have not lost hope. I ed the advice of Daljit Arora. However, I pushed for sanction of some posts and for a vehicle which were agreed upon. I wanted few professionals to enter the organization. I placed an order for an Ambassador car. It was not easy in those days to get immediately the car or a telephone. Everything involved influencing. Jalagam Prasad knew some dealer and through him I took delivery of the car in a month which would have otherwise taken six months. I appointed

Nageshwar Rao as the driver. I used to pay Rs 500 per month towards my personal travel for 500 kilometers.

UNICEF: Childhood disability I went to Delhi to attend a workshop on childhood disability organized by UNICEF. I stayed in AP Guest House. At that time the new block was not constructed. Accommodation was very difficult. I met Aiyar of Hyderabad UNICEF. Dr YV Reddy, Pediatrician and Director Health and I shared a room in the guest house.

BDL: Blind and Fuse Wires I heard that BDL was using the visually handicapped to prepare fuse wires for their detonators. I approached them through Vittal Rajan to explore the possibility of employing more. They readily agreed and employed about 25 visually handicapped persons.

IPM: Rehydration powder IPM was manufacturing Orosol packets (Rehydration salt). I met Dr Rajya Laxmi the then Director to explore the possibility of using the blind in the process, and we found it was feasible. We invested some money for expansion and she too employed a hundred visually handicapped. Laxmi Devi Chairperson resigned since she was contesting the MLC elections. I found it difficult for the handicapped to climb up the stairs as our office was in the first floor. We searched for new accommodation and shifted into a house in Shanthi Nagar.

Handicapped Survey in Medak with Gayathri help Samal IAS MD of BC corporation and I went to Sanga Reddy, Medak district. After reviewing with bankers, we went to meet Gayathri Ramachandran IAS the then District collector and had lunch with her. That was my first introduction to her.

I spoke to her about the welfare of handicapped and various programmes need to be taken up for. I mentioned about a camp for identifying the handicapped to find out their needs. Immediately she volunteered to take it up in Medak district. I informed her that I would revert to her in few days with a detailed plan and after return to Hyderabad I prepared a detailed plan with the help of few specialists like Dr CV Ratnam orthopedic surgeon of NIMS, Dr Jain, Superintendent, and Nandur, audiologist from ENT hospital, and Dr Narsimha Rao and few other doctors from Sarojini Devi eye hospital, Niranjan Reddy and Jhansi from Institute of mental sciences. Gayathri made few modifications and we conducted a massive camp for a week. Thousands of Handicapped persons were mobilized from villages from all over the district free of cost and were given food, examined, investigated and certified and needs identified. Koneru Ranga Rao, minister and Jagannadha Rao deputy CM attended the camp. Thanks to Gayathri it was a great success and thrown open to us the massive problem. Thousands of persons required calipers, artificial limbs, Hearing aids, Vision correction, and training to use them. We set up a small training unit at Sadashiv pet in Medak district. A young lady who herself was handicapped by name Miss. Kapadia was kept in charge by the District collector. Dr Vyaggeswardu a famous Ortho Surgeon was conducting free camps to correct the disabilities of polio etc. with great dedication. He too required calipers, braces etc. Many other NGOs doing voluntary work required . The problem was huge. I went to Nizams ortho workshop to estimate their capacity. Shetty an engineer was in charge. He was a capable person but was working in isolation. The workshop was very well equipped, thanks to vision of Dr Ranga Reddy (Bokkala Ranga Reddy) the founder of the hospital. They were manufacturing few dozens of calipers a year and few artificial limbs a year. Only very few highly motivated or educated were using them daily in real life. We required few thousands for one district.

I flew to Lucknow from Delhi and went by Taxi to Kanpur and visited The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) to explore the possibilities of limb and caliper fitments to the identified disabled. The situation there too was similar. They were costly too. I and Samal IAS (Friend from Bhadrachalam days) used to plan t visits to districts. Soon Niranjan Rao IAS MD of SC Corporation too ed us. Our corporation didn't have any field functionaries. We had to take the help of the Executive officer of either SC or BC corporations. That was an extra work for them. However, the t tours with these two IAS officers helped me a lot and I could get the ball of our work moving. We visited most of the districts tly. UNICEF wanted our corporation to start specialist teacher training programmes for the disabled children. They said they could partly fund the programme. We decided on two courses, One for the mentally retarded and another one for Deaf and dumb children. I identified few well qualified young professionals like Latha Menon, Rama Baru, Social workers, Pushpa Srinivasan an Audiologist and Sudha Kishore a physiotherapist. While I could locate the needed personnel still I had to overcome two problems. The objection raised by t Secretary of finance department limiting our activity to loaning only and the problem of recruitment of those persons we identified. I was told by my office that I must inform the Employment exchange to sponsor the candidates and I had to select from them. Few IAS friends advised me to meet BPR Vital the then secretary Finance. I called on him and sought his guidance. He heard me patiently and said he would discuss with his colleague.

Anwar-Recruitment I met the Commissioner employment exchange Anwar IAS and sought his guidance on recruitment. He patiently

heard me and revealed the secret of recruitment. He said it is obligatory for a Government corporation to inform the employment exchange to sponsor their candidates. At the same time, we were at liberty to or notify the vacancies and invite applications and consider selecting the candidates from a combined list of sponsored and directly applied candidates. Further he also said they were not permanent posts and as they are technical posts for which they may not have ed candidates. I requested him to be chairman of selection committee and he was kind to oblige. I called for the Management committee meeting and again repeated my proposals. Fortunately, the t Secretary from finance has not raised any objections and our proposals were approved by the board. I recruited all the above candidates we have already identified. They all agreed to work for some paltry amounts. They were all young and fresh and were bubbling with enthusiasm. They were a great asset. We started the Deaf and Dumb training course. Chary of Deaf and Dumb School agreed to give space in their school for training. We made him in charge of the programme.

Sound Library We planned to start a sound library for the benefit of visually handicapped. The plan was to start recording the lessons on a tape and supply the same to Blind students along with a tape recorder. With good will of Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao the engineers of AIR helped me to design the sound proof studio, and in selecting the suitable tape recorder. I was looking for space to set up the studio. I heard of Andhra Mahila Sabha. I called on Smt Durgabai Deshmukh and CD Deshmukh. Durgabai was not keeping good health. However, she saw me. She readily agreed to spare space in literacy house to locate the studio. We established the Studio soon and commenced the programme. Geetha and few other volunteers used to come and record the lessons.

Braille Press I visited Chennai to see the programme of rehabilitation taken up by Andhra Mahila Sabha for orthopedically handicapped. They housed me in their guest house. I saw their programme and also went to see the Braille press in Chennai. I met there a couple. The lady belonged to Khammam. They gave me the necessary details of Braille printing press and various other details like cost and processes involved. They also helped in training our printers. We set up the press in Victoria Memorial home belonging to Social welfare department. We started printing our own Braille books for our students.

Hearing Aids As a part of our programme and the subsidy scheme of GOI we were distributing the hearing aids freely to those who were recommended by ENT surgeons. I thought ECIL a pioneering organization in Electronics would be the best to advise us on the topic. G. Krishna a senior journalist friend and I called on AS Rao the founder Director of ECIL in that connection. He was helpful and gave me the necessary information and also the necessary s to procure them. We set up a audiology center in Gandhi hospital and Pushpa Subramanyam who was an audiologist was recruited for necessary screening. Still I could not address the problem of supply of calipers and artificial limbs effectively. I was looking for alternatives. I heard about Jaipur Foot. I was planning to visit Jaipur and know more about it. Achanta Satyanarayana IAS was posted as Secretary Social welfare. He was a very meticulous person. Adiraju Venkateshwara Rao a journalist friend met him and in conversation mentioned about me. He was very courteous to me when I met him. He agreed with my approach, but felt urgency was lacking in my actions. He asked me to work against deadlines. He told me that I was free to walk into his

office without appointment and I could telephone him even in the middle of the night. He was very ionate. He asked me which programme I would firm up in the next 15 days and implement on the scale I planned. I said, "Jaipur foot".

Jaipur Foot Within two days I picked up an all-round artisan to go to Jaipur with me. He was a good craftsman, intelligent and sharp. He had some experience in traditional artificial limb making. He went in advance by train to Jaipur. I ed him after three days. We visited the workshop and Dr Kasliwala, a colleague of Dr Sethi spent lot of time in showing us around and explaining the concept and technical details. Next day Dr Sethi met us. He was a very soft-spoken person. He was a good observer. At the outset he complimented me saying that it was a good thing that I got an artisan to accompany me. He told me that our Indian artisans are very good but lack the skill to understand and replicate when presented in two dimensions on a paper as a design. He said they would replicate exactly any product when it is presented in three dimensions in full form as a product. How true he was? He enquired about my work the I get from beauracrat, and Specialist Doctors. He took me around and showed me how persons who were fitted with these gadgets were trained. There was a young dancer from Tamil Nadu who lost her lower limb in a car accident and was being fitted the device and was under training. She was practicing dancing with the new limb. Much later she acted in a Telugu film produced by Ramoji as heroin dancer, which won national awards. I also saw some young people playing football and some climbing trees. It was amazing. It was a new life to them. Later he arranged a meeting with other Governing of their team which included Dr Mehta an IAS officer, who later rose to become Deputy Governor of RBI and

chairman SEBI. He was a great to them. After a prolonged discussion they said they would give us the required training, technology and if we fulfilled certain conditions. 1. The service should be free 2. Key Doctors and artisans should be sent to Jaipur for training. 3. Initially they would supply a limited quantity of “Jaipur foot" pieces at actual cost. Limitation was due to their limited capacity to produce Jaipur foot. Lack of enough dyes and high manufacturing costs of Dyes was responsible. 4. We must organize facilities close to hospital for free boarding and lodging of Beneficiaries along with an attendant while they were undergoing training. The travel costs must be paid by us to the beneficiary. 5. Only after true satisfaction of these facilities they would supply us the parts. I assured them that I would organize all these in a week's time and invited them to visit us and satisfy themselves. They were skeptical. Jaipur is a beautiful city. It was full of palaces. People were friendly and helpful. However, when we were there it was very hot. We stayed together in a small room in an inexpensive hotel. Luckily there was a desert cooler in the room. We visited the SMS museum, Hawamahal, Jantar Mantar, the fort and Jalmahal. They were exquisite. I bought few toys. One evening it was very hot and we decided to have a beer. We had to go miles and stand in a Q and drink it in open. I returned to Hyderabad by flight via Mumbai. On the flight I was thinking how to go about implementing the programme. Dr Sethi was given the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his invention of Jaipur foot. Basically, the foot piece was made of galvanized Rubber which has some elasticity and is ed to a length of leg piece made of aluminum (Molded and welded into the shape of a leg piece). The stump of the amputated

limb snugly fits on to the tubular hollow leg piece with some padding. The western technology uses a shoe made of leather. The advantage of rubber foot is one could walk into a kitchen or a temple with it. It is cheaper and can be made by a local welder/artisan with little training. The looks are more natural. The foot is made in different Bata shoe sizes and is available in different skin colors. They are mass manufactured. Aluminum Dyes to make these were expensive. Second difficulty was aluminum welding technology. I got down at Mumbai to change my flight to Hyderabad. Sharma garu an old friend affectionately called as Bombay Sharma came to see me. We met and spent some time and he gifted me a big thermos flask. It was very useful to me for many years in my travels by car. On the flight to Hyderabad I got into conversation with a co traveler sitting next to me. Knowing the purpose if my visit to Jaipur he got interested and told me that he owns an industry in Hyderabad where they manufacture the aluminum wheels for the cars which were of low weight. It was a new technology which they pioneered in India and they were also into making aluminum dyes. What a coincidence. His name was Galada. He said he could help us. I was thrilled. Next day I went to his office and we firmed up our association and I put him in touch with Dr Sethi. I got the necessary orders issued by the Government for hiring space for lodging patients and costs for their food and travel etc. Nizams hospital was identified as the fitting and training center. I requested Dr Jairam Pingle and few junior artisans of the workshop to visit Jaipur. We made necessary travel and stay arrangements. The artisan returned from Jaipur with few foot pieces. A girl by name Swaroopa was referred by a doctor friend for some help. She was handicapped as she lost her lower limb in a train accident. She was 18 year old bubbling young lady. She discontinued her studies after 8th standard. I decided to get her fitted with Jaipur foot and subsequently employ her in the unit. She was very happy and agreed. Our Artisan with the help of Chetty started working on her. They

fitted her limb in three days and she started to practice walking. In a week's time she was walking. She was employed and soon was motivating others. G Krishna journalist friend wrote a beautiful human story on her which was published in Andhra Prabha. The title was "Swaroopaku Kalu Molichindi". Many amputees were ing their names for fitment. As we didn't have any more pieces of Jaipur foot we started manufacturing calipers. We employed more trained handicapped persons. The unit was bubbling with activity. Sudha Kishore was providing them with necessary physiotherapy and training. Jairam Pingle and his assistants Dr Prasad BN, and Dr Narendranath would come to workshop daily and evaluate. Mr Galada promised to deliver the first two pieces of dyes in the next few days. I invited Dr Sethi to visit us and satisfy himself with our arrangements. He came the next week and was highly impressed. Dr Jairam gave us a dinner in his house. Achanta interviewed Dr Sethi on AIR for 15 minutes in English which was broadcast nationwide on national hook up. Towards the end of interview Achanta asked Dr Sethi: How was it possible to replicate fitting of the limb in such a short time outside Jaipur? Dr Sethi replied: “Dr Ranga Rao”. Achanta concluded saying: “Yes, we have a dynamic MD”. It went on air. That year around 500 limbs were fitted, and thousands of calipers were manufactured in a unit where they were in two digits in earlier many years.

Release of Jaipur foot Indira Gandhi's participation in ZP meeting Gayathri IAS was transferred and Jainder Singh IAS (Friend from Bhadrachalam days) was posted in her place. Jainder took active interest in follow up of the cases we ed. I used to visit him often in that connection. I met KV Rao IAS, who was t collector, and JC Mohanty and Kutti all IAS officers in the district.

Indira Gandhi was elected as Member of Parliament from Medak. She was planning to visit Sangareddy to attend ZP meeting. A meeting was held to coordinate the visit and all heads of departments were invited. I too attended the meeting. It was decided that Jaipur foot would be presented to a disabled candidate on the occasion. I was invited to the ZP meeting. I was highly impressed the way in which Mrs. Gandhi addressed the meeting. She was humble. When a speaker held the mike too close she got down from dais and showed him how to use the mike. She spent lot of time discussing small issues concerning villages and was guiding the audience how to address them. At the end of the meeting the Jaipur foot was presented. I was thrilled. I had the opportunity of sitting few yards away from Jawaharlal Nehru the then prime minister in a public function in Ravindra Bharathi and again participated in a meeting in official capacity with his daughter who too was prime minister after few decades. Thanks to Jainder for the second opportunity.

Tricycles: Mobility Aids Many orthopedically handicapped suffer with the problem of locomotion. Otherwise they are capable of performing any function like a normal person. Because of paralysis, and wastage of muscles due to disuse, and contractures in their legs they are incapable of normal gait. Minor Operations to release the contractures, Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles, provision and training on mobility aids like Tricycles would improve their capacity to be mobile. We used to receive many applications for free supply of Tricycles for use by ortho handicapped. District officials were procuring them at a very high cost from the open private market. I heard that Blind Men's Association in Ahmadabad was manufacturing them at a much lower cost and with a better design. I went to Ahmadabad to see the same. Patel the founder of the organization "Blind men's association" was a

blind person himself. He was a physiotherapist and was trained in UK. He was training blind in physiotherapy and in many other skills. Tricycle unit was one such. He was ably assisted by his wife. Many handicapped were trained and employed in that Training cum production center. Two fresh graduates from Ahmadabad institute of management were working with him. They took pride in what they were doing. One was a lady by name Miss. Joshi another was from Punjab. They showed me all their activities. They were running a hostel for the handicapped. I was lodged in one of the rooms. They were using steering wheel in place of a handle in the tricycle. The motion to propel the vehicle was provided by a wheel which was rotated circularly using the wrist and elbow power. I visited Bapu ashram and seen few other places. I invited Patel and his team to visit Hyderabad to discuss and plan and train our handicapped in the state to produce them. They agreed and after few days all of the four came to Hyderabad. DV Janardhan Reddy engineer friend who helped me a lot in Bhadrachalam was on leave having picked up a quarrel with his immediate boss. I asked him if he would like to come on deputation to our corporation. He agreed. I used good offices of Bhandaru Ramchander Rao who knew the chief engineer well and got him deputed. He was made in charge of the Tricycle production center. He further improved the design and we rolled out tricycles at half of the earlier cost. We employed many handicapped in the process. The activities of corporation were picking up. Often, I and the programme officers used to meet in the evenings in someone's house and share views and used to have brain storming sessions. The spouses also used to us. Badri, Latha’s husband along with his friend Ram Prasad and his wife Shyamala, Rama and her husband Sanjay Baru were the frequent visitors to such meetings.

Teacher Training programme for mentally retarded Mental retardation can happen in an infant for genetic reasons, insufficient oxygenation during labor, or infections. There are different grades. Some need to be fully taken care, some can be trained to do repetitive physical jobs not requiring higher intelligence and some can be trained to look after themselves. The number of mentally retarded in India is huge and the institutional facilities and funds available were not sufficient. We thought we should train one teacher in every school who could train the parents and the sibling in their own environment. We were looking for a suitable person to anchor the programme. One day a lady walked into my office and met me. She did her studies in mental retardation in USA and was looking for a placement. She was more interested in spending her time usefully than earning a livelihood. I had a lingering thought that her face was familiar. She told me that her husband owned some printing business. I recruited her on the spot. Later I came to know that she (Satyavathi) was the daughter of the great Cine actor Akkineni Nageshwar Rao. She must have felt proud to get the job on her own merit. Along with her I went and met Smt Suguna Mani President of Andhra Mahila Sabha and requested to give on rent the building: “Rachana" where Deshmukh couple lived and owned. We hired it at a low rent. Same evening the sister of Waheeda Rehman a famous cine actress was recruited. She worked for few months.

Foot Care by Foot Wear Leprosy was still a major health problem in India. The best lecture I heard on Leprosy was in School of Tropical Medicine in Liverpool where I was a student. The next best was from Dr Prichhi in Vellore when Harinarayan and I visited him. It was about preventing deformities of feet with wearing specialized foot wear. In Leprosy afflicted persons the peripheral nerves supplying the feet and the hands are damaged. They lose the sensation of pain in their hands and

feet. The feet of leprosy afflicted person walking bare foot may be pierced by a thorn, a pebble or a nail and he would not realize it. He may touch a hot vessel and burn his hands and not know it as he has no pain. As they have no pain they continue to use their hands and feet which would get infected and develop gangrene and the toes or fingers would fall off and deformities develop. Pain is a protective reflex. It is lost in leprosy patients. Hence, they are advised to wear leather gloves or tongs when handling hot or cold objectives. They are advised to wear chappals or shoes made with micro cellular rubber. Micro cellular rubber of 18 gauges has the same consistency as that of sole of the foot. By providing the arch and heel s and the belt, gait is made easy and the weight of body evenly distributed. We wanted to supply custom made chappals to patients with loss of sensation in their feet. We got the measurements of individual from various district leprosy centers. We bought the Micro cellular rubber from Salur. We got workers trained from Shivananda and Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh at Salur. We were looking for some committed person to take care of the programme. One day one elderly unassuming simple person walked into my room seeking a job. He worked and retired from Government as trainer. I offered him the job and he took it up. He was Subbiah and was a great asset to the organization. He organized the production centers at Shivananda, Mowlali, HKNS-Jammi Kunta, and at Anantapur. Rani Kumudini Devi of Shivananda, Janardhan Reddy, MLA, a Gandhian, and president of HKNS Jammi Kunta, Dr Gangi Reddy Leprosy officer were kind to me and helped set up these centers.

Raju - The attender Dr Sarasvati Raju, a colleague in Medical department asked me if I could rehabilitate a person who was a convict and also a cured leprosy patient with deformities. He was a poor man from a higher caste who killed his wife in a fit of anger

and was convicted and underwent imprisonment. He was diagnosed as afflicted with leprosy at a late stage in jail and by the time the diagnosis was made he lost few fingers. He underwent treatment and was declared free of disease but left with deformities. He could not do any manual work and could not be employed. He had young children to take care. I appointed him as an attender. He used to serve water, tea etc. to me and the guests and carry the files from one section to the other. Initially there was resentment from other staff but slowly everyone relented and accepted and soon he won the affection of others. Bhavanam Venkat ram became CM in February 1982 and continued till Sep 1982. He was succeeded by Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy and continued till congress lost to TDP in September 1983. We organized a seminar in literacy house of Andhra Mahila Sabha during Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy's tenure. Chandra Mowli was posted as Secretary social welfare and Achanta was made as chairman of Vikalongula corporation

Elections in the State NT Ramarao a matinee idol formed a new regional party "Telugu Desam" and contested assembly elections. He won majority of seats and was sworn in as CM on first September 1983. Soon afterwards Chandra Mowli was transferred as Secretary Social welfare. Chandra Mowli requested Achanta to continue as the chairman. Pratibha Bharathi, MLA from Srikakulam who was the daughter of Justice Punniah became the minister of Social Welfare. Banerjee IAS became the deputy secretary in CMs peshi. NT Ramarao during his election campaign vowed that all the new corporations created would be abolished as a measure of austerity. One such corporation in the list for abolishing was our corporation. I was planning to go back to my parent department.

Handicapped persons and associations were very much peeved with the idea of abolishing their corporation, which they fought and achieved. They were sitting and protesting silently on the roadside in front of CMs residence in Abids. After few days CM noticed it and enquired with Banerjee to find out why they were sitting their daily. I think it was thirteen days after CM was sworn in. I was asked by Banerjee to come to CMs office and explain. I went to Chandra Mowli, and both of us went and met Achanta and briefed him. Three of us went to CMs office and met Banerjee. He led us to CMs presence. Three of us were introduced to the CM. I narrated how and why the corporation was created and the work it was doing and requested him to visit Nizams Hospital and bless the work they were doing. CM turned to Banerjee and told him that he would visit ortho workshop in Nizams the very next day. It was the first outside official visit of CM after his swearing in. Next day I accompanied Achanta and Chandra Mowli to CM’s office. We waited in Banerjee room for CM to finish his lunch. Mrs. Basava Tharakam, wife of NT Ramarao used to bring him lunch from home every day and serve him in the office. As the word came out that he has finished his lunch we went into the corridor. The door opens and walks out the handsome, tall, CM, his Dhoti tucked in like a king. This memory is again printed as photographic memory in my mind. As CMs convoy reached Nizam’s Hospital there were huge crowds to see him. We led CM into the workshop and showed him caliper and Jaipur foot manufacturing and fitment center and the beneficiaries. He made few enquiries with the beneficiaries. At the end he walked out as a very satisfied man. I introduced the waiting hospital authorities, Directors of health department, and secretary medical & health department to him. As he was getting into the car he looked at me and asked me to accompany him to the office for further discussions. After reaching his office he told us that there was

no question of closing the corporation and wanted us to tell what more we can do and how to expand what we were doing. I took few minutes to explain the need for few Training cum production centers in different zones in the state and later in each district. I also mentioned that one TC can be started at Tirupati by TTD which we can help set up and one can be started at Vizag if the Collector can find suitable premises funded by the corporation. He immediately asked to be connected to the EO TTD and Collector Vizag. He simply informed them on the phone that Dr. Ranga Rao would be visiting them in the next few days and asked them to do the needful and disconnected. He asked me to proceed immediately and tie up the things. I was aghast at the sudden twists and developments. Two days earlier I was planning to pack and go back to my department and suddenly two days later I was to plan expansion and implement new projects. Few days after CM’s directions and as a follow up I made a visit to Tirupati and Kumara Swamy Reddy EO of TTD received me at airport and after briefing and lunch at his residence we visited Tirumala and after darshan of the lord he showed me a building which was newly built one. I immediately agreed that it would be most suitable one for the purpose of locating TC. We drew the activity and time line after which I returned to Hyderabad happily. Gopala Sastry was appointed as the Director of the newly created Directorate for the Handicapped. Ramalinga Reddy and Raju were taken as Deputy Directors. Gopal Sastry was additional Director in information department and worked for some time on deputation and was a known writer. He was a great humorist. He unfortunately was suffering with Pseudo Muscular Dystrophy and his mobility was highly restricted and was dependent on attenders for movement. Since there were no funds available immediately I made Gopal Sastry as one of the Executive Directors and made him in charge of routine istration. I recommended that he should buy a jeep and not a car so that he could easily get in get out of the vehicle with ease. I provided him with a wheel

chair. The directorate was mainly responsible for educational institutions and hostels for handicapped. I took Sudhakar Deputy Director Information department on deputation as OSD. Government has also issued orders making all t collectors in the districts as Executive Directors of our corporation and Eos of SC Corporation as Executive officers. Hitherto we did not have district officials. All these initiatives were of Chandra Mowli. Few days later I visited Vizag and met SV Prasad the Collector, Jannat Hussein the t Collector, and KV Rao Municipal Commissioner. They received me well and showed a campus at Bakkanna Palem 15 kilometers away from Vizag on high way to Srikakulam. Earlier It was occupied by a NGO who ran some rural development center and had built structures which I found useful to establish the center. KV Rao IAS took me to Rani Chandramathi Devi rehabilitation center attached to KGH to locate the caliper and Jaipur foot center. The collector assured that they would renovate both the places and hand them over to the corporation. They were also kind to recommend an officer by name Mr. Roy who was working as a BDO to manage both the centers. I issued camp orders appointing him on deputation and highly satisfied and jubilant I returned to Hyderabad. Soon after a non-official by name Rajeshwar was appointed as chairman. He was the president of NTR fans association. He was a very simple innocent person. He itted on meeting me that he has no experience either in politics or in istration. He assured me all cooperation and non-interference in istration. He lived true to his word. Pratibha Bharathi the minister was a graduate and was fresh from college and was happily married to her mother's brother. She was very fond of her father. She was highly religious and surprisingly a pure vegetarian. She was a very kind and affectionate person. To learn more about handicapped welfare she was curious to see various programmes in other parts of the country. I discussed with the

secretary and he too recommended that I should take and show her some programmes. He was of the opinion that we should constantly show and expose the higher ups especially in political field the developmental programmes so that they would get inspired. I ed the National Institutes of visually handicapped at Dehradun and Hearing handicapped at Mysore. They soon sent the invitations with their convenient dates. I requested Chandra Mowli IAS to us as I was not sure of myself how I should handle a VIP trip. He was kind and assented. I and Chandra Mowli left in advance and flew to Dehradun via Calcutta. Dehradun was a small sleepy town those days. There were no big hotels and even transport was rudiment. We went to National Institute for the Visually Handicapped. We stayed in their guest house that night. Director took us around the campus and shown us. He was very a friendly and knowledgeable person. In those days there were no private airlines. Obtaining an air ticket at short notice was a herculean task. We spent the night in the guest house of Institute. Next morning, we drove to Mussorie a hill station. Dehradun was not very cold. The director on observing that we did not have enough warm clothing lent us some warm woolen wear. IAS training institute was in Mussorie. On way up from Dehradun we could see many small waterfalls. However, we could also see lot of forest and rock destruction. Chandra Mowli took me around the campus. We snoozed under the woods in the afternoon. From our room window we could see the Himalayas and through the telescope the peaks of Kanchan Junga. I met Mr. MG Gopal IAS from Khammam who was doing his training there. We slept the night in the institutes guest rooms. In the night we got a message that minister would be landing at Dehradun next morning at 10 am. Since we sent back the taxi we walked down some distance and reached the bus station and caught a bus to Dehradun. We reached the airport in time to receive the minister. The Government guest house in Dehradun sent a car to the airport since the minister was a state guest. We drove

to the guest house. It was the best maintained guest house I have ever seen. It was lovely. There were not many guests. The minister was accompanied by her PA. We were all accommodated in different rooms. There were huge big trees in the campus of different species. They were mostly planted by VIPs who stayed in the guest house. It is said that Pandit Nehru used to spend many of his holidays in this guest house and was very fond of the place. His recorded appreciation is well kept till day in the visitor’s book. After lunch we visited the national institute for visually handicapped. The minister appreciated the programmes. We returned back to the guest house. Minister sent for me in the evening. She told me that she was not comfortable with the north Indian food and expressed her desire to cook some south Indian vegetarian dish. I went to Mr. Chandra Mowli and informed him of minister's desire. We went to the chef and requested him to provide the needed and allow her to cook. He flatly refused saying he would lose his job if it is done since she was a state guest. After much cajoling and at the prospect of a fat tip etc. he relented. Minister with his assistance cooked Sambar and rice and some curry. Since she could not communicate in Hindi to him I acted as a translator. We were relieved. I enjoyed a hearty meal. We were to leave next day at 10 am by car to Hrishikesh and Haridwar. Next morning, I was woken up by a knock on my door by the PA of minister. He informed me that minister was waiting in the lounge. I got ready quickly and rushed. The minute I met her she asked me what time we were leaving? On coming to know that at 10 am she asked me why we cannot visit some interesting places before that. I replied there were no interesting places nearby. She got up and took me and showed me a hanging board. It was a board depicting the names and distances of some interesting places nearby. She pointed to some cave temple 4 kilometers away and said we could go there instead of wasting time in the guest house. I made the arrangement for the car and we drove to the place.

There was a small cave on the banks of a stream in the midst of forest. There was a Sanyasi living at a small temple in the cave. Few persons were bathing in the stream. The Sanyasi was offering a Harathi to the goddess. I alone went in and he offered me the Harathi and anointed my forehead with vermillion and gave me Prasad. I came out and minister went in. Soon after within seconds I found minister rushing out and on seeing me with Prasad in my hands came down and threw away the Prasad and wiped the vermillion mark from my forehead. I was taken back. She then said that the Sanyasi was a fake. I don’t know what caught her eye or what act of Sanyasi made her to come to that conclusion. We proceeded to Hrishikesh which was 40 kilometers away. It was an Ambassador car. It easily accommodated four of us and the driver. At Hrishikesh, Ganga leaves the mountains and s the plains for her long journey. It is situated at the confluence of river Chandrabhaga and Ganga. We saw Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula which were the suspension bridges on river Ganga. We saw some ashrams. The river is very calm and water very clear. We proceeded to Haridwar. We had our lunch. We went on a rope way and saw Mansa Devi temple. . The huge riverbed of Ganga, many bridges built on it and the crowded part of the city could be seen while ascending to the temple. The Mansa Devi Temple is an ancient 11th century temple situated on the hill top of Bilwa Parwat, and is considered as one of the Siddhapeethas. We went to river bank in the evening and had a holy dip and watched the religious rites of Ganga Harathi on the bank of the river when the Sun was about to go down below the horizon. This is extremely scenic and spiritual. Small candles are floated on the river. The place looks enchanting. The river looked beautiful with many such lamps floating. We returned to Dehradun and rested for the night and caught a flight to Delhi next morning.

After going to Delhi, we planned a trip to "Agra" since we could get tickets only next day. Many a times I wanted to visit Taj Mahal in Agra. But somehow or other it didn't fructify. On the way we also saw the great Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar and later abandoned for lack of sufficient water for the population living in. We preceded to Taj Mahal another 25 kilometers away. As we took some turns and went down suddenly we saw Taj Mahal as if a painting was put up on the horizon. It was breath taking. We spent time going around. We marveled at the arches, Jails’, delicate pierce work, plant motifs, incised paintings, Calligraphy of Persian poems, reflective tiles, Finial flooring tiles, marble designs. It was a great art work. Next day we returned to Hyderabad. On way back, we planned our trip to Karnataka and to the National Institute of Hearing handicapped. After few days we proceeded to Karnataka. Minister asked me on the flight to find out if Satya Sai Baba was at Bangalore. After reaching Bangalore and after enquiries I informed her he was at Puttaparthi. I didn’t ask her the purpose. However later I came to know that she was his devotee. On reaching Bangalore we checked in at the State guest house and Chandra Mowli went on some other work. We were invited for lunch by the minister of Social Welfare Mrs. Chandra Prabha Urs. The minister wanted to visit the famous Nandi temple. I planned to attend the Andhra association meeting. We all agreed to directly reach minister's house by lunch time. I found on reaching the ministers house, both the ministers in deep conversation. On seeing me Pratibha Bharathi said that I missed to see a great temple where Nandi is said to be growing each year. I smiled at the remark made by the minister. Minister in an annoyed tone said that I seem to be an atheist. Then Chandra Prabha Urs narrated a popular story of her family. Chandra Prabha Urs is said to be from the lineage of Mysore royal family.

The story was about the curse of Maharani Alamelamma on the Mysore Royal family the Wodeyars 400 years back. The curse was (a) Talakad would be submerged under creeping sands, (b) a cruel whirlpool be scourge of Malangi and kings of Mysore suffer the pangs of childlessness. Mrs. Urs told us that all the three have come true till date. She further said while the first two could be explained on the diversion of course of river Kaveri etc the childlessness could not be explained so far. I jocularly said that if someone funded me I would not only unravel the mystery but also in the process solve India's growing population problem and also win a noble prize. I said the special Prasadam given to the Royal families at the Chamundi temple need to be analyzed. All had a hearty laugh and adjourned to a sumptuous lunch. After that both ministers went for silk saree shopping. Next morning, we left for Mysore and checked in the guest house which once was a palace of Maharaja. I could never even dream that I would have the experience of sleeping in the Maharaja Palace. We visited “The All India institute of Speech and Hearing" in Mysore in the morning. It was an autonomous institute established in 1965. The major objectives of the institute are to impart professional training, render clinical services, conduct research, and educate public on issues related to communication disorders. Government of India has established three national institutes one each for orthopedically handicapped at Calcutta, for visually handicapped at Dehradun and for hearing handicapped at Bombay. We also visited the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore. In the evening we visited Mysore Palace. It is a threestoried stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 feet five-storied tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. The facade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is ed by tall pillars. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Gajalaxmi, the goddess of wealth.

In the night we visited Brindavan Garden. The garden is laid out in 3 terraces which contain water fountains, Ficcus trees, foliage plants, and flowering plants. The musical fountains were a great attraction. Next morning, we checked out and visited Chamundeshwari Temple located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from city of Mysore early in the morning. The main deity at the temple is Chamundeshwari / Durga (the fierce form of Shakthi, a tutelary deity held in reverence by Mysore Maharajas. We proceeded to Halibedu, the Hoysaleswara temple. It is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of depictions from Hindu mythology, animals, birds and Shilabalikas or dancing figures. Yet no two sculptures of the temple are the same. From Halibedu we went to Belur which was 16 kilometers away. The temple is a holy house for sculptures showcasing innumerable variety of ornaments, the doorways, the ceilings, the birds, the animals, dancers and other figures are fully decorated as if they are full of life and vigor with variety of actions and movements. The doorways are guarded on either side by the gorgeously decorated dvarapalaka. From Belur we proceeded to Shravanabelagola. It housed the 57-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshvara is located on Vindyagiri Hill. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue. Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron, and gold coins. I and Chandra Mowli climbed the steps to reach the base of the statue. Minister and the PA came up on a Doli. Very tired we returned to Bangalore and caught the flight next morning to Hyderabad. Few months after, TC Tirupati was to be inaugurated by NT Ramarao, the CM on Ugadi (Telugu New Year day). I booked an air ticket to Tirupati the previous day. I was wait listed as One. On reaching the airport I could not manage to

get the seat confirmed and in panic I rushed to Railway station at Secunderabad and caught the train to Vijayawada. From there I got into a bus to Tirupati. NT Ramarao was travelling by road on the same road and there were huge traffic jams and I could only reach Tirupati by midnight. I checked into a small hotel and got up by 5 am and got ready and went to TC to be on time. TC Tirupati was inaugurated by CM who was very happy. On my many trips to Vizag I also visited Harinarayan who was working as Collector Srikakulam. He showed me many developmental projects he was pushing. He took me to Sri Kurmam, Sri Mukha Lingam, Aras villi, the famous temples in Srikakulam. In Sri Kurmam the deity is Kurmam (Tortoise) the second avatar. The head of the Kurmam is said to be the actual fossil of Kurmam and the tail a saligram presented by Adi Shankara. Interestingly there are two Dwajasthambhams. Sri Mukha Lingam is on the banks of Vamshadhara river. The deity is Sri Mukhalingeswara (Lord Shiva). The gateway is adorned with statues of Lions. The walls of prakara contain innumerable pieces of art work and carved windows. Aras villi the temple for Sun god is near to Srikakulam. The granite Sun god flanked by his consorts Pa, Chaya, and Usha on a chariot gives darshan. I also visited the famous Simhachalam temple on the hillock. Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy is the presiding deity. It is said to be the lion-man avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is usually covered with sandalwood paste. The original shape of the deity has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso. Pratibha Bharathi, minister inaugurated the caliper center at RCM hospital, Vizag. A hearing aid center was established in Gandhi hospital. Harinarayan was transferred as Collector Krishna in April 83.

Krishna district unit of Vikalongula Corporation established a Rickshaw manufacturing unit which was inaugurated by Harinarayan. My official car met with an accident and I hired a car from AP Tourism Corporation and used it for few months.

National Institute for Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) In the meetings with Ministry of Social welfare in Delhi we started canvassing for locating the National Institute for Mentally Handicapped at Hyderabad. At last they have decided to locate it at Hyderabad. We apprised the CM, NT Ramarao to allot 25 acres of Government land for the institute. He called for a meeting and allotted the land in Sikh village in few minutes. Narasimhan t Secretary Ministry of Social welfare was the chairman of the Institute. He requested me to be in Additional Charge of post of Dy. Director (istration) and to initiate the work. I consented, and he has issued orders to that effect. I took charge in Feb 84. We took some office space in the Institute of Deaf of Dumb in Maredpalli. I bought a car and necessary furniture for office and recruited a PA (Ms. Mangala) and s assistant Ramachandran, a driver and an attender. I got the land handed over to the ministry from local revenue officials. An international Leprosy congress was held for a week in Feb 1984 at New Delhi. Thangaraj from Salur organized it. I attended the same and we were lodged in "Yatrik Nivas" The congress was held in Vignan Bhavan. Many international delegated attended. We were entertained to Dinners by President of India, Health minister, Lt Governor Delhi etc during the course of the congress. After few days we again approached CM with a request to allot the land belonging to Deaf and Dumb institute to the corporation. In this case also he was very kind and quick and

allotted it. It was a great asset created for corporation. Thanks to Chandra Mowli all these were possible. I developed a feeling that I was moving away from my profession. Added to it was the feeling that I have done enough, and some new blood should come in to take forward the activities of the corporation. There was also disenchantment about the attitude of some of the handicapped. They were looking more for immediate small monitory benefits than long term programmes. I applied long leave for two months. SR Shankaran was the new Secretary of Social welfare department. He was kind enough to call me and asked me to rethink about my request for repatriation to my parent department. However, I persisted. A letter was sent to Health department for my posting. I met Dr Sunder Rao, the then Director. He suggested a posting in State TB centre. I was posted as MO STC on 6th Oct 1984 ending my tenure on deputation at Handicapped Finance Corporation.

Operation Blue Star A military operation code named “Operation Blue Star" was launched to eliminate armed separatist groups from the Golden temple. It lasted from June 3rd to June 8th, 1984. The temple was freed from the militants and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was leading the militants was killed and temple freed. I developed a feeling that I was moving away from my profession. Added to it was the feeling that I have done enough, and some new blood should come in to take forward the activities of the corporation. There was also disenchantment about the behaviour of the handicapped. They were looking more for immediate small monitory benefits than long term programmes. I applied long leave for two months. SR Shankaran was the new Secretary of Social welfare department. He was kind enough to call me and rethink about my request for repatriation to my parent department. However, I persisted. A letter was sent to Health

department for my posting. I met Dr Sunder Rao, the then Director. He suggested a posting in State TB centre. NT Ramarao went to USA for heart surgery and on his return, he was dethroned by Nadendla Bhaskar Rao with the help of Congress and was sworn in by Governor Ramlal on 16th August 1984. An all-party agitation started, and a new Governor Shankar Dayal Sharma was appointed as Governor on 29th August 1984. V. Chandra Mowli who was working as Resident Commissioner of AP Bhavan accompanied him and was subsequently posted as Secretary to Governor. Nadendla could not prove his majority in the assembly and NT Ramarao was sworn in again on 16th September 1984 by Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Birth of EMS (Essential Medical services) Punjagutta was not so crowded in those days. There were few nursing homes and hospitals in the area. Traffic used to be very little specially in the nights. Cycle Rickshaws were still the major transport vehicles. Banerjee was working as Director Civil Supplies. One evening he discussed with me about the options of providing outpatient care for his employees. I proposed that they could start a voluntary organization and fund it which would provide free diagnostics and consultations to their employees and families and provide similar services to others at an annual hip and at cost price. He said he would come back to me on that. After few days he said our proposal was liked by many and they were trying to find ways to fund it. Soon after one night around 2 am there was a knock on my door. My uncle Parvatal Rao, and Paramahamsa IAS were there. Mrs Paramahamsa suddenly took ill with pain abdomen. I went and examined her and gave some palliative treatment and spent some time talking to Paramahamsa. He was working as MD of civil supplies corporation. In the conversation he raised the proposal I discussed with Banerjee not knowing that I made that proposal. I told him that I only

gave that proposal. He told me that he would discuss with others and make available the needed funds. He requested me to prepare a detailed project report and visit them and make a presentation. Soon a date was fixed, and I went to their office to make the presentation. As I entered the meeting room the person sitting at the head of the table said: Yes, he is the person who discussed the proposal with me in Vijayanagaram in Bhide's house few months back. It was Chandra Mowli who was the commissioner of Civil Supplies and chairman of civil supplies corporation. The others in the room along with him were Banerjee IAS, Paramahamsa IAS, Murali Krishna IAS, Sharma IAS. The only person I didn't know earlier was Sharma. I made the presentation, and all agreed through their nod. Alladi Vasudevan a chartered ant from Nellore prepared the draft rules of the society and got a voluntary society ed. It was ed on 30th October 1982 with Number 2340/1982. Civil Supplies Corporation funded it and gave some space in their building to commence the activity. It was inaugurated by G. Venkata Swamy, Minister for Civil Supplies. After few days in the campus of Civil Supplies Bhavan we shifted to another rented independent house in Punjagutta. After some time, we also started a branch in Ashoknagar in Jupudi Prasad house. Vijayakumar son of Aitharaju Janaki Rama Rao started working in Ashoknagar branch. We started a lending library. My uncle Pingali Madhusudhana Rao husband of Prema too ed. They were staying in the premises. However, the employees of Civil Supplies corporation didn't use its services as we expected. But it used to serve the middle-class families. We had an annual fee of Rs 25 per year per head and no charges for general consultation and Rs 5 per specialist consultation and actual costs of investigations. Many senior officers including IAS officers were using its facilities. Its working hours were from 7 am to 10 pm. We had a lab doing

all biochemical investigations and even an x-ray plant gifted by Dr Umapathi Rao. Very senior specialists used to provide consultation services like Dr Dayasagar, Dr Seshagiri Rao Cardiologist, Dr Jairam Pingle, Dr BN Prasad, Dr Narendranath, Dr Srinivasa Rao, Dr Mukundan, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr P Nagabhushanam, Dr CB Srinivasa Rao, Physicians, Dr Gangadhar Gowd, Pulmonologist, Dr Vani ENT Surgeon, Dr Manikya Chary, Dr Murali Dhar Krishna, Dr Qadir, Ophthalmologists, Dr AV Manohar Rao, Dr Prema Menon, Paediatricians, Dr Alladi Laxmi, Dr Ratna Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Niranjan Reddy Clinical Psychology services, and Dr Venugopal Psychiatry services. We shifted EMS from Somajiguda lane into Perika hostel which was more central and was the corner building at Visveswaraya Junction. There was parking space. Dr Ranganna Sharma and other doctors continued. While the institution was known and popular it was not making enough to meet the expenses. However, we have not shifted from our objective, we persisted with the low cost. Dr Vani ENT surgeon was popular.

ESMEDS Medical Shops After a detailed study I proposed that running of medical stores may be outsourced to EMS and get a fixed income to Red Cross. It was agreed upon and EMS took over the management. Initially Dr Ranganna Sharma and later Dr Susheela took the responsibility of running it. We slowly turned it into a profitable venture. We employed nearly 25 professionals and expanded. On the request of Dr KV Naidu we also opened a shop in Osmania Hospital. With the savings we purchased accommodation in Amritha Ville and Nalanda complex to locate EMS and main stores. We bought a Maruthi van and an auto Rickshaw. I could provide employment for many. We also purchased half acre plot in the campus of Valmiki Vanaprasthsramam.

Stint in State TB Centre (STC) I was posted as MO STC on 6th Oct 1984. Thus, ended my tenure on deputation at Handicapped Finance Corporation. I think I was the only person who was only a civil assistant surgeon to be sent on deputation to another department to head a state level Government corporation. Four months after the "Operation blue star ", on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as prime minister of the country on the same day. State TB centre was the diagnostic, Training and research centre of the State of AP for Tuberculosis. In addition, it was the district TB centre for Hyderabad. It was staffed by a Civil Surgeon TB specialist as Director (Dr Gangadhar Gowd), a Civil Surgeon Microbiologist (Dr Babu Rao), an epidemiologist civil surgeon (Dr David Raj) and three other civil assistant surgeons, one civil assistant surgeon radiologist and 24 Medical officers manning TB centres located in various places in Hyderabad district. One post of civil assistant surgeon was occupied by Dr Devender Reddy, a paediatrician and my class mate in medicine. With my ing second post was filled and soon after Dr Janardhan ed the third post. Our working hours were from 8am to 2pm. we were expected to conduct the outpatient consultation, read the X-Rays and assist in issions. Dr Devender helped me to read the X-Rays. However, I was not very good in it and often I was corrected by him or Dr Gowd or Dr Babu Rao. Dr Gowd was a close associate in Doctors association and in the doctor's agitation and Dr Babu Rao was a co house surgeon who studied in Bankura.

National Information Services On the initiative of Jwala my brother in law we ed "National Information Services" a bi-lingual news and feature

services, to provide factual information, articles of interest, and publish books. The body was ed under societies act with J. Harinarayan IAS as the president, myself as Secretary, DV Janardhan Reddy, Jupudi Prasad and Dr Manohar as . G Krishna was its editor, Jwala and another journalism student of G. Krishna were its accredited correspondents. It was ed under societies act on 2nd December 1984 with Number 1951 of 1984. Many of the articles of G. Krishna and Jwala were published. Prema Malini (Bunti) was also associated with it subsequently. The first book (a travelogue) published under this banner was "Maa Uttara Bharath desa Yatralu" written by my father. It was the only other travelogue published in Telugu after the book of Enugula Veeraswamy. It was unveiled at a small function in Parvatal Rao's house by my grandmother. Subsequently a book "Kshaya" (a book on Tuberculosis) in Telugu written by me was also published and so also another book "Mana Aarogyam) written by me. Another book published was “Paramachaarya Pavana Gathalu” written by Parvatal Rao. Many more were also published later. NISCORD a collection of articles published by NIS was released by the then Governor Kumud Ben Joshi. Venkanna my youngest brother finished his law. His marriage was fixed with Nirmala daughter of Ramesh Sagar an advocate from Karimnagar. Ramesh Sagar's brother was our neighbour when we were living in Ashoknagar. His wife Swathanthra hailed from Khammam. The marriage was performed in Karimnagar in bride's fathers house on 13th June 1985. We all attended the marriage. Paramahamsa was the collector and he too attended the marriage. Soon after the marriage I left for Hyderabad to make arrangements for reception of couple and for them to spend the three nights at my house and the traditional Satyanarayana Vratham. The couple stayed in our house for few months and then shifted to Ashoknagar into their own accommodation. Jupudi Narasimha Rao garu, my sisters father in law broke his hip t but opted for conservative treatment of traction at Khammam. Even though he recovered from it, soon after he

died suddenly on 25th September 1985. We went to Khammam for cremation and ceremonies. One-day Chandra Mowli asked me to accompany him and the Governor to Tirupati. I gladly followed along with Viswanath. It was the practice of Shankar Dayal Sharma the Governor to reach Tirumala by foot from Tirupati. We started climbing the hill at 4 pm. Within no time Governor and his wife quickened the pace and marched and reached almost a hour ahead of us. I along with Chandra Mowli and Viswanath leisurely climbed and took a hour extra. I was tired. Governor and his wife were getting ready to go to temple and perform "Porludu Dandalu" (Rolling lying on ground) around the temple and later have darshan of Lord. I was woken up in the early morning to accompany the Governor for Abhisheka Darshanam. I was amazed at the physical stamina and spiritual will of the Governor and his wife who were in their seventies. My father suffered an attack of chest pain at Khammam. Luckily Dr Venkat Reddy was in Khammam and he brought my father in his car to Hyderabad. We itted him in NIMS. He had another attack of chest pain in the hospital. Dr Soma Raju attended on him. The same evening of my father's ission my mother too complained of chest pain. She too was itted in the same ICCU next to him. However, both recovered and were discharged after a week. The facility of Angiogram and Bye surgery were not available in Hyderabad then. They advised to go to Chennai. My father declined and opted for conservative treatment. Kumud Joshi was sworn in as Governor on 26th November 1985. Raghu Bhandaru son of Parvatal Rao got married to Sudha his maternal Uncle's (Venkateshwara Rao) daughter on 14th December 1985. We all went by a special bus to Thirumalagiri gattu (Venkateshwara temple) near our village . This was the temple where most of our childhood ceremonies like Annaprasan or first shaving of hair were performed. We had to climb the hill.

Siva Raju Narasimha Rao, my father's elder brother who was given in adoption to his maternal grandfather suddenly died on 17th Feb 86. I attended the ceremonies in Madipalle.

Kala Bhairava Kennel Foundation Chandra Mowli had a good friend and class mate from Madras by name CV Rao who was a commercial tax officer. His father was C Narasimhan an ICS officer, who headed istrative staff college. CV Rao's brother was head of "Trade Wings" which helped me to fly to UK and another brother was in forest department. They were students of Mahadevan who lost his wife and was lonely and was in his 80s. He was a master trainer of dogs. He was a very pleasant person and a good conservationist and knew Sanskrit and wrote some books. He is credited to have trained many dogs of Gemini studios which appeared in many films. CV Rao and Chandra Mowli decided to rehabilitate him in Hyderabad. They bought some dogs of good pedigree and even imported a dog from . They rented a flat and arranged a helper by name Jyothi to look after Mr. Mahadevan. A society was formed by name "Kala Bhairava Kennel Foundation". Dr Rao, the founder of IAS study circle, Mahadevan, I, Viswanath, Jyothi were the office bearers. The daughters of CV Rao, D. Rama Naidu, a film producer, Radha Bala wife of Balasubramaniyam IAS officer, SV Rao, Dr Marla Sharma, K. Narsinga Rao a contractor and student of Chandra Mowli, Raghava Reddy an advocate, Zaheer Uddin a sports person, Madhav Byas a photographer were the other . Madhav Byas was the official photographer for Red Cross latter.

AP State Red Cross Society Chandra Mowli asked me to look after the medical institutions of Red Cross Society. Governor is the president of state Red Cross Unit. Usually the spouse is the chairman of the executive committee and looks after the day to day affairs.

Since the present Governor was a spinster the Secretary to Governor Mr. Chandra Mowli was the chairman. The deputy Secretary to Governor Mr. Rambabu was in additional charge as Secretary of Red Cross State Unit. It was few days after I took charge that I was appointed as the State Secretary and the Government of AP has issued orders keeping me in additional charge of the post of State Secretary Red Cross on 23rd March 1986. Till then the office of Red Cross was in the ground floor of "Lady Barton Hospital" in Secunderabad on the road from Railway Station to clock tower. It was the own building of Red cross. The state unit of Red Cross was running three Maternity hospitals. They were Lady Barton, Paul Doss in Rani Gunj and another one near Paul Doss. It was a running a school near Masab Tank on the main road. It was also running an orphanage in Malak pet. However, the State Unit also had the responsibility to oversee the functioning of District and other units. The finances of the State Unit were in great distress. We were falling short of cash at the end of every month to pay the salaries of the staff. The revenue was only from donations given by patients after delivery and sale of Red Cross seals. It had no vehicle of its own. I was working without any remuneration. There was a ladies committee which used to meet the Governor regularly and was supposed to raise donations and promote the activities. The prominent were Mrs. Chandrasekhar Reddy, Mrs. Pushpa Chalani and Saraswathi Rao. Dr Saraswathi Rao was a naturopathy doctor and a good social worker and was very active Blood donation promoter. She used to organise Blood donation camps and distribute certificates. In spite of her advanced age she was untiring and persistent. She has donated lot of her savings to Red Cross Society. There were three Staff to assist in the office. Our first effort thus seemed to be to improve the finances and take up new activities. We initiated a scheme to offer Honorary Vice Presidents of State Red Cross to those selected persons who contribute Rs 10000/. We also started improving

the life hips. A trickle started, and it soon gathered momentum. We then started initiating new schemes to improve the image of the organization during non-disaster times. Geetha Reddy, and most of the of ladies’ wing ed as Vice Presidents. Ananda Gajapathi Raju's wife Uma Gajapathi Raju and many industrialists became . The scheme generated some amount to start expansion of programmes. A lady gifted many of her paintings. Dr Geetha Reddy introduced Kimji a painter and Sculptor who agreed to organise the painting exhibition. We could sell most of the paintings and make some money for Red cross. Kimji became a good friend and so also Patricia his wife. He was very talented person and he had a farm where he built a cottage with lot of innovation. I became his student to learn water colour painting and he was very patient to teach me. He gave me some books, brushes, paints and paper. We travelled together to various places and used to meet often. Our friendship and association continued for a long time till his death. I introduced him to permaculture. I found some unused accommodation in the campus of Staff quarters adjacent to Governor's building. It was a big shed. We shifted the Red Cross office to this. A new Fiat car and an Ambassador car were gifted to our State Branch. We started in cooperation with retired army personnel "Security Services" and started lending services of guards on payment. Ram Murthy father of SV Rao auditor helped me a lot to set it up. We started a Lady driver training programme. We started a lending library in the premises of the Red Cross School and employed handicapped persons to man it with the books all of us have donated. The family of Dr Melkote a renowned person of Hyderabad donated the library of Dr Melkote. We found many interesting books in his collection.

We set up donation coin boxes in many banks and it used to generate good revenue. Ramchander Rao Bhandaru helped in the effort and also helped SBI to take on rent the unused area of Lady Barton hospital to set up their branch. I and Chandra Mowli visited the National Red Cross office in Delhi and met Bowmick who was the Secretary General. He rose to the rank of Secretary General from a clerk without any formal academic qualification. He was only a matriculate. He was a self-made man. He was very efficient and judges and estimates persons correctly and has a very wide internationally in Red Cross Circles. He was highly respected in those circles. Many interesting renowned persons used to visit Raj Bhavan. Mostly they were senior citizens, freedom fighters and artists like Dr P. Tirumala Rao, (Who was my professor of Paediatrics in the medical college, a freedom fighter). KB Tilak a renowned Cine Director, Thakur Hari Prasad, Rev. Y Papaiah, educationist, etc. They organised a function to felicitate freedom fighters. Many attended including my father. They were often interacting with the Governor and proposing to her to take up socially relevant activities. Chethana an NGO organisation was started by Smt. Sharada Mukherjee after the Divi Seema Cyclone. It was mostly to rehabilitate the orphaned children in the disaster. She raised funds and bought the house of Justice Bhima Shankaram in Malak pet and housed the orphaned children. It was handed over to Red Cross to run. Two nuns from a mission organisation were taking care of children. I often used to go the orphanage and spend time with children. Governor decided to activate the organisation which was dormant. Coming to know of it Jwala who was working in BHEL Higher Secondary School applied for a job as istrative Officer and was selected. Dr Marla Sharma, NRI and settled in used to visit and participate in some programmes. A massive plantation programme was taken up in the premises of STC, TB Hospital, University campus, and Women's college. Thousands of social forestry species were

planted, To nurture and water the plants a small tanker was purchased and Madhusudhana Rao Pingle was appointed by Chethana to oversee it. Both Jwala and Madhusudhana Rao were provided accommodation in Raj Bhavan campus. There were unprecedented floods in river Godavari due to severe monsoon in August 86. The Godavari recorded a maximum level of 75.6 feet at Bhadrachalam on August 16, 1986. Flash floods encircled the temple town submerging the main streets and several structures, including the cottages, for nearly five days. Many districts were affected, and it was said that 20 lakh people were affected, 400 deaths happened, 4 lakh houses were damaged and the estimated loss due to damages were nearly 1600 crore rupees. Worst affected was Khammam District Governor made an appeal for donations to Red cross. NT Ramarao also made an appeal for donations to CM's relief fund. We kept our office open round the clock and gathered volunteers to receive and sort and pack relief material. We appointed new staff Radha & Ramakrishna. We soon shifted our office into a vacant quarter of ADC and made the present one as office for NISA, Chethana and stores of Red Cross. One evening all the office staff left and I was alone working, and the attender told me that a lady wanted to meet me. I asked him to send her in. A young thin lady walked in and introduced herself as Rama and told me that she was looking for a job. She did her MA and ed higher type and shorthand. I asked her to sit and take a dictation and type the letter. I dictated an appointment order without mentioning the name. She typed and brought it back. I filled the blank name and gave it to her. It was her appointment order. She worked for a year and got selected in SV university and left. Afterwards she got selected in Andhra Bank. She married a classmate of her (Inter caste marriage) Lincoln who is a direct recruit DSP and later worked as Security officer to Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu. I also appointed Rajamowli the

son of G. Krishna. The sons of the Rajbhavan drivers were appointed as drivers of Red Cross vehicles. Alladi Viswanath was appointed as assistant Secretary. On another evening I was called by the Governor. As I was leaving a young lady of foreign origin came to my vehicle trying to speak to me. As I was in hurry I told her to wait and went to see the Governor. The presence of this lady slipped my mind and from Governor’s office I drove home. I got a telephone call at 10 pm from Red Cross office saying that a lady was waiting. I immediately drove to the office and met her. This young lady from Sweden came to India hitch hiking and in that process, came to Hyderabad. She sought my help for accommodation. As it was too late at night to make arrangements I took her home. Next day I put her up with some friends but soon she returned saying she was not comfortable. Next, I put her up in ladies working hostel but again after few days she returned back. Then I asked her to stay with us. She stayed with me and accompanied me in all my travels for next few months. She was interested in knowing about the rural life and documenting them. She named our farm in Mudigonda as "Sumuktida". She adjusted to our food and habits and was a member of the family. After few months she flew back and used to correspond. I toured the effected villages in Bhadrachalam, the area with which I was very familiar. I assessed the immediate and long term needs and interacted with local NGOs and decided to reactivate Bhadrachalam branch, and also form a branch at Chintoor. Governor made a visit to the flood affected areas in Bhadrachalam. I and Chandra Mowli accompanied her. She inaugurated the branch of Chintoor in the hospital premises of Bhadrachalam. We stayed for the night in Bhadrachalam paper board guest house. We nominated Chandrasekhar of Girijan Seva Samithi as the Secretary of Chintur branch and Kodanda Ramaiah as the Secretary of Bhadrachalam branch which was dormant.

A National team comprising Chowdary and Colonel Venugopal came to Hyderabad to discuss the way in which the cyclone shelters which were built after Divi cyclone could be effectively used. We started from Hyderabad in a jeep at 12 in the afternoon as they wanted to interact with the officials of the districts. Our plan was to drive to Srikakulam and on the way, meet the district officials of Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and finally at Srikakulam and return to Vizag by next evening and fly back to Hyderabad. An Ex-army driver recruited in our Security services was the driver and three of us were the engers. All the concerned District Collectors who were also the presidents of the district branches of Red Cross were informed. We did not really have an estimate of the extensive damage the floods caused to the roads. Even reaching Vijayawada on not so damaged road took us 8 hours. After meeting the district officials, we proceeded to Eluru which took us four hours i.e. at 12 am. The driver was too exhausted, and I took the wheel. Our next stop was at Kakinada which we reached at 3am. Luckily the officials were waiting. We then proceeded to Vizag. We straight went to hotel, checked in and rested for few hours which was badly needed. We took a taxi from there went to Srikakulam and reached back Vizag in time to catch the flight back. The driver returned with jeep after two days. I again went to Bhadrachalam with lot of relief material we collected at our office and the supplies we received from National Red Cross and distributed in many villages. We drew up a plan to build 3 monsoon shelters, three in Bhadrachalam area and two in East Godavari area at a cost of one crore rupees. We have to raise the funds. Pakistan Cricket team was visiting India for a series in early 1987. Mansingh, Secretary of Cricket board and ML Jaisimha were ed to help organise a charity one day cricket match between India eleven and Pakistan eleven to help relief in Flood affected areas. Geetha Reddy and Mansingh flew to Delhi and Pakistan and obtained the consent of

concerned. A match was scheduled on 18th January 1987 in Fateh Maidan Stadium. I was made the convener for the match. It was tly organized by NISA and Red Cross. While the technical aspects of the match like grounds, players, timings, etc were taken care by HCC we were to take care of the travel, stay, sale of tickets, Crowd control, manning the gates, refreshments, ments, and security. Dr Ram Mohan an active member of HCC who was my class mate helped me to understand the intricacies of the match. We needed the cooperation of Police department. MV Narayana Rao former DGP helped us a lot in it. TS Rao was the police commissioner and Vyas was the concerned D. When I met Vyas he assured total cooperation if we adhered to certain norms. I could understand that crowd control was the main problem. The capacity of the stadium was about 8000. Another extra accommodation of 2000 can be provided by providing temporary shelter. Usually tickets more than the capacity are printed and sold. The gates are manned by the organizers. There is no control over them. They allow many known persons and VIPs without tickets. The tickets are sold in bulk to organizations who indulge in black marketing subsequently. Sometimes the sale of tickets is out sourced and they indulge in printing of counterfeit tickets and sell. Taking advantage of the malpractices of organizers Police too indulge in letting all their officers and their families free. The police usually organise three rings of security. One is 1/2 km away from stadium on the roads leading to stadium, one is immediately outside the stadium and another one is inside the stadium. Once the match starts all the police personnel deployed enter and occupy the areas adjacent to the playground. The spectators then start throwing various missiles. Vyas narrated to me his experience of the earlier match which created lot of heart burning amongst the genuine spectators because of above reasons. I agreed to abide by his advice and convinced the Governor.

We made arrangements for special chartered flight to pick up the teams from Delhi and drop them at Jaipur after the match. We made arrangements for their stay (Boarding and Lodging) in a hotel near Mojamjahi market (later converted into a hospital). There were no star hotels at that time. Geetha Reddy looked after this aspect. ments were collected for hoardings, runners along the side of the grounds etc. We got the tickets printed in the security press of race course. The total number of all denominations were 10000. We also got printed Duty badges which every person including police on duty of the match should wear. The badge had the facsimile signature of mine and the police officer designated by Vyas. Any person seen without a duty badge or ticket whatever status one was can be challenged. The badges had different colours for easy identification, like different colours for different perimeters. Every gate was manned by an IRCS official, a volunteer, and a police person. Outside drinks and bottles and any other type of missile were prohibited. We made arrangements for sale and collection after use. We started sale of tickets just 5 days before and a person was sold only two tickets. The sale was inaugurated by the Governor in Rajbhavan. She brought the first ticket by her own money. We followed next. Everyone was to buy tickets. We publicized that no one however high he may be will not be allowed without a ticket or a duty badge. We gave wide publicity that since it is a charity match no complimentary was allowed. I was very apprehensive. There were rumours that the teams may not come, some rowdy and vested interests may create problems etc. We all reached the grounds early, so too the Governor. The stadium was full. Governor went around the stadium greeting the spectators. Match started, and spectators fully

enjoyed. It was a grand success. There was not even a small hitch. Governor gave a reception (at home) to the players, HCC, and all volunteers, officials and the departments like police etc in the evening. Someone paid a compliment saying that the man of match award should be shared by Dr Ranga Rao and Vyas. Monsoon shelters were built in Bhadrachalam (College Grounds), Chatti and Kunavaram. I, another 12 of state Red Cross accompanied the Governor to Kadapa in a chartered flight to attend the General Body meeting of District Red Cross. We visited Gadapa temple. Sir Ronald Ross who discovered that Mosquito transmits Malaria used to live in a house in Begumpet Secunderabad which was subsequently named after his memory. Thakur Hari prasad, Chairman of St John Ambulance canvassed for acquiring the Ronald Ross Building near the Begumpet airport and develop it. It is a tiled building and was under the control of a committee headed by Vice Chancellor Osmania University. After persuasion they have agreed and handed over the campus and it was renovated and housed the offices of St John Ambulance and Security services, Ladies Driving school etc. Similarly, a building belonging to Central Social welfare board on Karimnagar road was acquired and much later housed a Urban health Post of Red Cross. A foreigner who developed an easy technology to build dome houses in three days was invited to build a small dome house for demonstration in the premises of Rajbhavan. He came and built one. First, he built a circular basement up to 3' with brick and prepared a skeleton of dome with iron rods. He inflated a balloon over it and sprayed cement mortar and kept the balloon inflated for 3 days and afterwards deflated it and cut windows and doors. It was a simple technology. Mr. Tilak and his son wanted to build such houses in rural areas without much success.

KB Tilak developed a light and sound show around the life of late Indira Gandhi and named it "Bharatha Ratna Indiramma". NISA sponsored it. It was presented for 40 evenings in the grounds of post graduate college in Secunderabad. Dr Geetha Reddy enacted as Indira Gandhi. Thousands witnessed it. It was later presented in various districts of AP. I visited Duggirajpatnam in Nellore district where a boat clinic was being run by Red Cross. It was run on Buckingham canal. It was facing many problems. The canal was highly silted, and movement of boat was very difficult. Dr Prabhavati was the Medical Officer. She was fresh from the college and was very enthusiastic. We travelled on the boat to some villages and got late but the workers rowed the boat whole night and reached us home at 4 am. Though it was very arduous for rowers it was a very pleasant night for us. In Nellore district Red Cross owned 20 acres of land and we planted cashew in the same. Red Cross branches owned many properties in the districts. I tried to document them. Nizams orthopaedic hospital was taken over by the Government to be developed as multi-speciality hospital and Kakarla Subbarao became the Director. He invited Red Cross to man the Medical shop in its premises. We agreed, and Governor inaugurated the same. We started a "Hospital on Launch" in Chintoor area to serve the population inaccessible by road. Vijaya Kumar Aitharaju was posted there as an assistant. After few months he went missing. Till day nothing is established about his whereabouts except for some unfounded rumours. A society of senior citizens was sponsored by Red Cross and got ed. It acquired some land in the outskirts of Hyderabad on Vikarabad road and built some cottages. However, it was abandoned later for lack of water. I attended a meeting of IRCS in Delhi held under the chairman ship of PV Narasimha Rao the then Union Minister for Human Resources in Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

Few days before the annual General body meeting of our State Branch I requested Chandra Mowli and Governor to relieve me as Secretary of State Red cross. With great reluctance they have agreed on the condition that I would work as Secretary of HKNS. I conducted the annual general body meeting of State Red Cross in Raj Bhavan and took leave. My maternal grandmother attended the same as a senior Red cross member. Surya Narayana Deputy Secretary to Governor was kept in additional charge of the post. I was the State Secretary from 23rd March 86 to 23rd Feb 87 just for 11 months. However, we could do many things. The finances of society have improved a lot so also the infrastructure.

National institute of Social Action (NISA) Jogins Welfare: One fine morning a story broke out in the press that a marriage of a Jogin was performed in Raj Bhavan. The real truth was that a daughter of a Jogin escaped from being converted into Jogin and eloped with a boy who was interested to marry her. Their marriage was witnessed in Raj Bhavan. In south India a Devadasi (Servant of God in Sanskrit) or Jogin in Telugu is a girl dedicated to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. Originally in addition to taking care of the temple these women learned various forms of dance and singing and enjoyed a high social status as dance and music were essential part of temple worship and rituals. This practice got corrupted and they were marrying wealthy patrons and instead of performing routine chores of a house wife they spent their time honing their skills of music and dance. Often the patrons had another wife to serve as house wife.

It got further corrupted for lack of patronage by rich and decayed into forced prostitution in the villages and became hereditary. This type of Jogin system existed in the districts of Telangana specially in Karimnagar, and Nizamabad districts. A study was conducted by Hemalatha Lavanam a social activist. She was working in Verni in Nizamabad district. The Jogin system is based on the traditional belief in Andhra Pradesh that evil over the family or the village can be avoided by dedicating a girl in the family to be a Jogin by offering her to "Potharaju". As soon as she reaches puberty, she becomes the exclusive concubine of the feudal gentry in the village. Married to God before puberty, the devadasis, or Jogins, many of whom live in the temples, become sexual servants to the villages’ upper-caste men after their first menstrual period. In some villages, the men who bought them keep Devadasis as concubines. In others, they are public chattels, who are used by men free of charge. Socially they are outcastes, but they do suffer from severe venerable or sexually transmitted diseases from the men. Ultimately the seniors decided to start an organisation to take up social issues and ed an organisation by name "National institute of Social Action (NISA)". It was ed on 13th July 1986 with ed number under societies act. NISA registration Number is 1587/1986. Governor Kumud Joshi was the president, Chandra Mowli was the Secretary and I was made the Treasurer. Mir Akbar Ali Khan, former Governor, Rani Kumudini Devi, former Mayor, Samyuktha Bullayya Social Activist, Mohan Guru Swamy an intellectual, were the other signatories. All the Vice Chancellors, and heads of Banks etc were made as ex-officio . Alladi Vasudevan was appointed as auditor. Nookala Sharma was appointed as Junior Assistant.

Verni Residential school for the children of Jogins It actively took up the cause of Jogins. Many workshops and seminars were held. A Jogin rehabilitation programme was drawn up by NISA. Few of us proposed that the best way of abolishing the system was to wean away the children of Jogin and provide them education in a residential school. We made an application to Government of India for funding. We awaited sanction.

HKNS (Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh) Kumud Ben Joshi, the Governor wanted me to take interest in HKNS activities. We made few changes in the structure. Dr Shanthi Narayan Mathur was the founder Secretary, continued to be Secretary. I suggested that he should be elevated as chairman and two Secretaries can be appointed. One secretary can be Ex officio i.e. the additional Director Leprosy and other Secretary can be nominated by the Governor. I was nominated as non-official Secretary. I continued in that post till 1993. I could not do much as Secretary because of other preoccupations. As usual we were opening a stall in the annual industrial exhibition in Hyderabad. We planned to create an awareness programme in young students and took up a programme in Medak district. I wrote a small booklet on various diseases and preventive action to be taken and also designed a self-vision testing chart and peer examination model. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Geetha Reddy who by then became a minister and Garg IAS, collector presided. Dr Shanthi Narayan Mathur was felicitated. During the period I was State Secretary of State Red Cross few events have happened in personal life. Parcha Ramam husband of Vimala Kavuturi died on 26th November 1986, in a jeep accident. Parcha Ramam was my contemporary in School at Penuganchiprolu and was related

to Annapurnakkaya my aunt. I attended the ceremonies. His son was given a job on comionate grounds subsequently. Rani got married to Dr R. Ramarao at Bhadrachalam on 14th December 1986. We attended the marriage. Rama Rao was very active in students’ politics and completed his MBBS from Gandhi Medical College.

Panchavati I attended a lecture on permaculture. I also visited the farm in Zaheerabad run by DDS and met Dr Venkat there. I was drawn to the idea. On one of my visits to Khammam while I and Dr SP Ranga Rao were travelling to his village he mentioned about land for sale near Mudigonda. We both went and saw the land. The land was surrounded by hills and was a like a valley and had well. I fell in love with the land and told Dr Ranga Rao to negotiate. Soon after wards my uncle Satyanarayana Rao also showed interest and so also Prasad Jupudi and Jwala Narasimha Rao. Dr SP Ranga Rao perused the matter further and ultimately, we all five put together bought 25 acres of land there and named it "Panchavati". We got the land ed in April 1987. We decided to practice techniques of Permaculture. I read many books on the subject and interacted with Dr Venkat. Dr Venkat was a senior Medical Practitioner and was in his 70s and took retirement and continued to practice permaculture and promote. He was of great help. He was very ionate and helpful. He was the maternal uncle of Vasantha Kannabhiram. My uncle Satyanarayana Rao took lot of interest and planned plantation of orchard. It was no mono culture. We decided to go for verities of plants like mangoes, Guava, Ber etc. On the edges we planted bamboo, Toddy and various thorn plants. We built a small cottage deeper in the land and quarters for staff near the road. Even though the land was contiguous since we bought it 3 phases we divided them into 3 plots. Entire land was fenced. We got electrical connections and organized two motors and underground pipe lines. We

employed two families (one Lingaiah and another Lambada family). Both used to live in the quarters on the land with their families and children. We appointed Laxmi Narayana as Supervisor. My uncle and Dr Ranga Rao developed the infrastructure and looked after the plantation. I used to visit the farm often and spent many hours. We used to have parties and many friends visited the farm. All of us were in love with what we were doing. We used to be at peace whenever we visited the place. We used to party there and had Vanabhojanams in Kartheeka Maasam. We never used chemical fertilizers or pesticides. It was totally organic farming. We really never had pest attack. It was mostly companion plantation of Glyricidia and Avisha. Mulching was practiced. However, disaster stuck in 2002. Many Stone crushing mills and Granite cutting workshops came all around the orchard and the dust was heavily causing damage to the workers and the fruit bearing as the accumulated dust was interfering with photosynthesis. Underground water level too was going down. We complained to pollution board without much success. We were against odds. We sold the land in March 2004 without incurring loss on our original investment.

Bharath Higher Studies Bharath ed Intermediate. After much discussion we decided to put him in Dental College. In this connection I and Viswanath went around Karnataka state to see various Dental colleges. We visited Bangalore, Manipal and Davanagere. There were many Telugu students studying in these colleges. After return from these colleges I, Viswanath and Narsing Rao went to Gulbarga in Maruthi 800. We selected Davanagere. Bharath secured ission in Davanagere. I sold the plot in Khammam and sold the plot in Mahindra Hills to Dr P. Venkata Rami Reddy and in Doctor's colony to procure needed finances for Bharath ission.

Rani Bhandaru got married to Balaram in a simple function on 2nd June 87 and Veni Bhandaru to Ramesh Kolipaka on 21st June 1987.

Sustaining a Fracture One-day, Dr SP Ranga Rao and I planned a visit to agricultural university to meet some experts and take their advice on our "Panchavati Venture" venture. Both of us left on my Scooter after lunch and I was driving. We were travelling on Rajbhavan Road and another scooter was closely following us. Suddenly a cyclist crossed our path and to avoid hitting him I applied brakes. However, the scooter behind hit us and we fell down. We got up immediately and got on to the pavement. While Ranga Rao escaped with no injury I sustained a fracture of my left forearm. We got into a shop and I telephoned Rajbhavan and a car came to pick us up and we went to NIMS. Dr Srinivasa Rao attended on me and after X-Rays etc put it in a plaster. However, advised internal fixation. I ed Dr Ratnam and he came to see me at home and advised internal fixation and advised to get itted in a nursing home in Ameer pet. My grandmother came to see me. It is said that she was having a nap at the time the accident has happened and suddenly woke up and started mumbling that something happened to someone dear. My parents came from Khammam and many visited. I was operated and discharged after two days. Kumud Ben Joshi, Governor paid a visit to my house to see me. It was very kind of her. I was put in plaster for 6 weeks. However, I used to go to STC and work. Dr Babu Rao used to pick me up in his car and drop me. Dr Babu Rao died prematurely. A small nerve fibre got caught in the suture line and I still have paraesthesia in my left thumb and index finger. I required an extra pillow to rest my arm while sleeping and it became a habit which continued till day. After the accident I never drove a two-wheeler.

Advisor IRCS- IPKF- Northern Sri Lanka While I was attending the Out Patient at STC the attender came and informed me that there was a trunk call from Delhi for me. To my surprise it was Bowmick, Secretary General Red Cross on the line. After initial exchange of pleasantries, he asked me to promise to oblige a request of his. After agreeing he informed that I should go to New Delhi by the next immediate flight and from there to Sri Lanka for three days. When asked about the purpose of such visit he told me that it was to assess the needs of civilians in the then conflict between IPKF & LTTE. I replied saying that I have no valid port and no ticket etc. He assured that all of that would be taken care. He informed me that a flight ticket would be delivered at my house in the next hour for the afternoon flight and a staff member with a vehicle would receive me at Delhi and from then onwards he would take care. I applied for five days CL and went home. My parents and all my kith & kin came to Begumpet airport which was very close to my house to see me off. It was like someone going to the battle field. I flew to Delhi on 17th October 1987 (Saturday) and Bowmick was waiting in the office and he briefed me on my assignment. I filled in the forms for a port and VISA and went to Jainder's house. Jainder gave me a very detailed briefing on the army structure and functions of various officers etc. It was very useful to me. Next day was Sunday. However, my port and VISA etc were procured and given to me. They gave a survival Kit and a camera. I flew to Chennai along with three nurses and two assistants from central Red Cross. It was a hopping flight with a break in Hyderabad. Again, my family came to see me at the airport. We reached Chennai and rested in Hotel Ashoka in Egmore. We waited in Chennai for two days to fly to Sri Lanka. After intervention from Delhi I alone was permitted to fly by army plane to Sri Lanka. A Red Cross Jeep was available to us at Chennai for our transport. A young Gurkha lad was the driver. He was very resourceful. He could speak both Hindi and

Tamil very fluently. He took me to Thambaram air force base after lunch and put me in army plane. It was transporting goats, vegetables and poultry and I was one of three engers. It took us 40 minutes to reach Palely air base in northern Sri Lanka. It was raining. I got off the chopper and looked around. Even in the rain it was buzzing with activity. It was like a scene in a war film. Everyone was in uniform except me. I took out my Red Cross badge and pinned it on my shirt. It was getting dark. I introduced myself to an officer nearby and whom I should to go to Jaffna Hospital. He told me that only way to go to Jaffna hospital was by chopper and there were no more sorties that evening. Understanding my predicament, he led me to the nearby army medical core first aid post and asked them to accommodate me for the night in their tent and send me to him for arranging my departure to Jaffna in the morning. The staff conversed with me for some time trying to know about Red Cross and what the purpose of my visit. They shared two chapattis of their ration with me and a cup of black tea. I slept on the floor spreading my hold all. I had a disturbed sleep. Next morning, I shared some biscuits from my survival kit with them along with their black tea. The officer who helped me the previous evening listed me on one of the choppers. I flew in it to Jaffna around 10 am. Few minutes after they dropped me a wide road. An army truck unloaded the supplies from the chopper and was about to leave. They gave me a lift to Jaffna General & teaching Hospital. On the way I could see devastation. There were burnt out vehicles, corpses of few days old, eagles and dogs around them all over the place. I could only see the faces of army personnel with their helmets, guns pointed behind makeshift sand bag shields. I could hear occasional gun fire. Except these, roads were deserted. After few minutes of drive the truck stopped and the army Jawan pointed to a building as hospital. I got down with the hold hall in my hand and the bag on my shoulder. I entered the hospital campus ing by the side of the army post. I saw a half-naked man in loin cloth in the open

drain few feet deep trying to get up. I proceeded towards him with an intention to pull him out and was suddenly stopped by the shout of army Jawan not to do so. I looked at the Jawan and he gestured me to proceed ahead. I entered the hospital corridor and there were sign boards pointing to Outpatient block to the left and In patient block to the right. There was an army Jawan guarding the closed door of the OP block. I wanted to go and meet doctors in the OP block, but Jawan guarding gestured me towards the other side. I turned towards the IP block and after few steps found an officer coming out of a door and introduced myself. After listening to me he introduced himself as Colonel (Dr) Puri and asked me to follow him. We moved towards the Emergency Area Operation theatre. Colonel Puri along with two other army Doctors and staff were living in a room in theatre block. They shared their lunch consisting of hard chapattis and the black tea. While we were conversing a Jawan came to inform that few civilian causalities were brought, and no one was attending on them. The army Doctors were treating the Military causalities and civilian doctors were expected to treat civilian causalities. There was no response from the Army Doctors. I could hear the wailing and crying in the corridor. I told Colonel Puri that I would go and find out from the civilian doctors and request them to which he assented and ordered a Jawan to accompany me. I was led to a ward nearby which was the emergency observation ward and pointed to three beds in a corner where the doctors were lying. There was one young lady Doctor, a doctor past his middle age and another male doctor in his thirties. They all looked very haggard. I went to them and introduced myself and after some indifferent pleasantries informed them that some causalities were waiting for their attention. They were silent. I told them that I can assist them if they required. After few minutes the senior person said that they had to leave in the next half hour after which it would be dark and dangerous for them to leave and treating the causalities may take more time than that. They were living in another portion of the hospital.

There was no electricity in the hospital and even in the town. There was curfew in the town. Movement even in the hospital after 5 pm was not allowed and army may shoot any person moving. After getting more details from them about their apprehension and fears I went back to Col. Puri and sought his permission for their movement after 5 pm. He reluctantly agreed. I went back to the civilian doctors and told them about the permission and also assured them that I would personally accompany them. With reluctance they went and attended to the cases. Meanwhile I chatted with the Doctor in his thirties and tried to find out the other problems they were facing in attending to the cases. The main problem was shortage of man power and medical supplies and electricity. We both prepared an inventory of requirements and I went back to Colonel Puri and requested him to arrange to send my indent to the Secretary General IRCS at Delhi. He promised to arrange for it as a top priority. The three Doctors returned after attending to the cases. I told Colonel Puri that I would accompany them and spend the night with them and picked my bag and accompanied them. A Jawan accompanied us. I was focussing my torch light on my Red Cross apron and at every guard station the Jawan would shout in Hindi and inform the guard to let us . After 10 such es the Jawan said he was returning as no more guard points were there ahead. I suddenly realised that from then on, my saviours were these three civilian doctors. We crossed few more corridors and they pointed out to a room for me to sleep. It was the labour room. I stretched myself on the labour table. Except few hard chapattis and two cups of black tea I did not have anything to eat whole day. I was hungry, tired and fretful. It was dark and sultry. I cursed myself for having agreed to come. It was a nightmare. I was frequently disturbed by mosquitoes and sounds of gunfire and distant explosion of bombs. I found an open well in the morning nearby and drew water with the help of a bucket and completed my morning rituals and went back to Col Puri and had my cup of black tea. Col Puri with the help of some other unit arranged to send my

request. I tried to converse with the civilian doctors, but they were still very cold to me. Their silence was demoralising me. I asked Col Puri why I was prevented by Jawan from pulling out the person from the gutter. He said everything has to be viewed with suspicion. He may be a suicide bomber? Then I asked him why I was prevented from entering the OP block he told me that it was sealed by the infantry. Both answers have not satisfied me. I was curious. At that moment I realised that death may strike one from any corner any time and it was futile to be afraid of it. Fearing death does not help- Instead one can really do what one should do. That thought cleared my mind. I decided that I should be a real Red Cross worker and maintain my neutrality. I should first win the confidence of the three Civil doctors so that we could help those in need. However, I had to wait for it for another day. The labour room was again my bed room in the night. Next morning Col Venugopal arrived along with two General Duty Doctors and the three nurses and two assistants. All of them were from Delhi. We found some accommodation for all of us in some hostel rooms in the hospital near to Emergency areas. In the afternoon at around 3 pm a truck load of medicines and supplies arrived from Delhi. I was surprised at the prompt reaction of IRCS in sending them. The truck unloaded them and left. All of us (the medical team) carried them and stored them in the stores of the hospital and handed over them to the Civilian Doctors. They too were surprised at the prompt action. Colonel Venugopal of IRCS mentioned to me that some civilian dead bodies were lying in the hospital for last few days and required mass cremation. He sought my help to convince the civilian doctors and other of staff to help. When he revealed further details I was shocked and went numb for some time. He gave the official version. On 22nd October 1987 two days earlier to my arrival there were some serious skirmishes between LTTE and IPKF forces. It is alleged that LTTE was firing from the hospital premises at the advancing IPKF. IPKF bombed the hospital

areas. I could still see the gaping holes in the roofs of the emergency ward. Since the firing from hospital has not stopped even after the bombing IPKF forces entered the hospital premises. They rushed into the OP block which was suspected to be the area from which LTTE was suspected to be firing. In the resulted firing it is said that that totally 70 persons were killed, and the number included patients, two junior doctors, three nurses, and a senior doctor and some LTTE activists and sympathisers. The bodies of the dead were still lying in the OP block which was sealed after sanitisation. I met the civilian doctors. They thanked me for the supplies. I distributed biscuits from my Survival kit to celebrate the supplies. After slight easing of tensions, I enquired about the incident in the OP block. There was numbed silence for some time after which Dr Shashi Sabha Ratnam who was the lady house surgeon opened. She said that she was one of the lucky survivors who was in the toilet when the incident happened and locked up herself in the toilet after hearing the firing and wailing. The sanitising team brought her out next day. She said that they were conducting Outpatient clinic. The other male doctor who was an assistant professor said he was taking out some records from a steel cupboard which was not in the line of firing and thus was saved and was brought out by sanitising team next day. Dr Ponnampalam the surviving professor of surgery was in the wards conducting rounds. I expressed my regrets at probable loss of life of some innocent and professional persons and told them that whatever might be the truth the fact still remains that we have to face the reality and do our best to conduct last rites of cremation of the dead however painful it may be. In addition, we also had the responsibility as Doctors to prevent spread of any infection from the dead bodies. They all agreed at the end to cooperate and mobilise few people in the hospital for the mass cremation. Colonel Venugopal arranged for some dry timber, and petrol. The civilian staff mobilised some spoiled mattresses and furniture and old waste and in a mass cremation in the corner of the premises of hospital the bodies

were consigned to flames. We, from Red Cross observed it from a distance. I felt I succeeded in breaking the cold silence of the local civilian Doctors. The conversations became easier. They started opening up. We could frankly discuss issues and share concerns. The father of Dr Shashi Sabha Ratnam was a Sinhalese who published a newspaper from Colombo, and mother was a Tamilian from Jaffna. They were separated and living apart. Her mother was in UK teaching. Dr Shashi was staying with her grandparents in Jaffna. She studied in Jaffna medical college and was doing her horsemanship. Dr Ponnampalam was a Tamilian and did his FRCS from UK and was the professor at Jaffna medical college. He married late and had two young children. He was a Hindu and very God fearing. Both the doctors were stranded in the hospital from 22nd October and have not gone to their homes since, as total curfew was imposed in the town by IPKF. They were sleeping in the hospital and eating in the hospital kitchen and bathing at the open well. They were very worried about their families. They requested me to find out the welfare of their families. Dr Shashi asked me if I could spare a soap cake for her. I gladly gave her a soap and a towel and a T- shirt. She was thrilled and profusely thanked me. Colonel Venugopal found some accommodation within the hospital for the Red Cross team to stay and we all moved into it. We all slept on floor in the same room. Col Venugopal made some arrangements for food to be cooked in a hotel nearby "Subash Hotel". Curfew was lifted for few hours after a week after its imposition. There was a chaos. The general market which was close to the hospital was looted. Even the patients left their beds and returned with whatever they could lay their hands on. There was a barter between people and they exchanged the required goods. I gave some money and requested Dr Shashi to procure me some cigarettes as I was running out of my stock.

Next morning, we decided to visit some camps where people congregated to know their requirements. I requested Dr Shashi to accompany us as she was the only person who could converse in Tamil. The camps were well stocked with food supplies and clothes etc. The demand was more for sanitary napkins, soaps, toiletries, milk powder and antihypertensive and anti-Diabetic medicines. The camps were full mostly with senior citizens and children below 16 years. We could find very few males in the age groups of 20 to 60 years. This surprised me. We found many shops and houses shutters and doors broken and the tell-tale signs of looting. Dr Shashi was very bitter about it. On the request of Dr Shashi Sabha Ratnam we visited her house to find out about her grandparents. The house was damaged with some bombing and neighbours told her that both of them died and neighbours cremated them. She broke down. We tried to establish clinics in the camps. Very few attended and those attended were asking for medicines which at that time were not available in India. There was a big communication gap. We had to find interpreters for the staff from Delhi to translate from Tamil to English and vice versa. I sent a report requesting for Tamilian Doctors and staff to be deputed. Colonel Venugopal said it may be rejected. Dr Ponnampalam's family was found in one of the camps and they were all safe. There were supplies of food materials from Red Cross for free distribution in the camps. Few more Red cross arrived to take care of the distribution. I and Colonel Venugopal made a courtesy visit to the newly appointed town commandant Brigadier Callahan. In his office we met two IAS officers from Tamil Nadu cadre who were assisting him in civilian istration. There I also met Major Narasimhan (Narsi) who was from Hyderabad and instantly we struck good relationship. One day as I was walking in the corridor a small boy around 5 years age caught hold of my hand and started walking along with me. I stopped and looked at the boy. He

had a dangling left upper arm which was amputated at elbow. I could not converse with him as I could not speak Tamil. Meanwhile an old man rushed and picked up the boy. I gestured them to accompany me and gave them some biscuits from my survival kit. I requested Dr Shashi to find out who they were and why the boy lost his arm. It was a pathetic story. The boy's parents and grandfather were labourers from a nearby village and near the hospital they were caught in cross firing and both the parents lost their lives and the boy his arm. He was amputated in the hospital attended by his grandfather who at that time was 75 yrs old. They could not return to their village and had no food and were begging those who though rich could not give them the food as they too were in similar position. An irony. I made arrangement with the hotel to provide them food and charge to my . Dikshit who was Indian Ambassador visited Jaffna and the hospital. There was a doctor patient in the hospital who was from Colombo and was injured and was in coma and required higher level Neurosurgeon intervention. I requested Colonel Venugopal to broach the same with the ambassador and see if he can make some arrangement to shift him to Colombo. Dixit agreed saying he could travel with him if a Doctor accompanies him to attend to him on the flight. I immediately ed Dr Shashi and asked her to accompany him. She jumped at the opportunity and left with him to Colombo where her father was and probably from there to her mother in UK. The Red Cross Stores in Kankasanthurai, a port near point Pedro, in Jaffna peninsula was gutted. It stored a wireless set and there was an enquiry. Days ed by and there was no let-up in the fighting. It spread to new areas. Total curfew with relaxation for few hours was imposed throughout the northern peninsula. Curfew in Jaffna lasted for 21 days. I could not my family during the period. I decided to go to Chennai since Bowmick was visiting Chennai and I wanted to brief him and also know for how long I should stay. I requested for a seat on

one of the choppers going to Chennai. After a day's wait I flew to Chennai. Even though it was a great relief I used to shrug at every loud unexpected sound like a door banging etc since I was used so much at bomb exploding noises in the last few days. I telephoned my house. All were well. Bowmick came and we exchanged and discussed the matters. He requested me to continue for some more time. I raised the subject of Tamilian staff being sent for the relief work. After persuasion he agreed, and we sent off a letter to Tamil Nadu Government and Colonel Venugopal followed it up. A team consisting of thirty-five with 8 doctors was deputed. I returned to Jaffna after few days at Chennai and the team to arrive. We divided the team into four groups the bigger group staying back at Jaffna and others were sent to Batticaloa, Vavuniya, and Trincomalle and to point Pedro. The team at Vavuniya faced some threats and could not find accommodation and food. They made desperate s with a request to be brought back to Jaffna. I relented and agreed. This action infuriated Major General Khailon the town commandant who in a fit of rage was to have said that either I should be sent back or punished as anti-national. However, Subramanyam and other IAS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre who were deputed as advisors to town commandant pacified him. The teams were conducting camps in various localities and in refugee camps. They were distributing rations and other relief materials. IRCS sent three vehicles for our movement. The three vehicles were used for relief work. I hired a vehicle for my movement. The driver was also the owner and was a local Tamilian who could also speak English. He was very friendly and tell us of his bitter experiences during the skirmishes. Two Tamil drivers from Chennai were sent for two Jeeps. However, one was locally recruited. He was a local Tamilian but could speak Hindi and little English since he worked for thirty years in middle east with a north Indian firm. He was very friendly and despite threats from LTTE he was

working with us. It was really tragic to know after my return from Sri Lanka stint, that the hired driver was killed in a road mine blow up while he was returning alone after dropping the team at a camp site. I used to visit Trincomalle, Batticaloa once in 10 days. I could not go by road and I had to use the flight to Chennai and fly next day to either Batticaloa or Trincomalle. In Trincomalle the team was housed on the sea view hotel overlooking the beach & bay. I used to enjoy the tranquillity, sea breeze, and the beach. Except our team no one else used to stay there. We were treated as special guests. I picked up a coral from that hotel and an empty grenade from Subash hotel as souvenirs. I preserved them till my retirement and lost both of them when I was vacating Government quarters. I used to keep a flower in the empty grenade. I also brought a mango plant which had three different verities of mango cuttings transplanted. I planted it in our orchard "Sumuktida"/"Panchavati" in Mudigonda. I could never enjoy its fruits since we sold the orchard latter. In Batticaloa our team was housed in a Bed and breakfast facility owned by a local Tamilian who a paper correspondent was also. It is said that earlier he used to publish a small local newspaper. Often, I used to see on my trips from Sri Lanka on the Army flights vast amounts of goods like tape recorders, video players clothing, and jewellery. Most of these were imported into Jaffna area and no import taxes were paid there since most of the area was not controlled by Government and no customs duty was collected at the exit in India since there was no excise and customs checking at Military airfield where army personnel were disembarking. Ramakrishna Mutt, and Satya Sai Baba were very popular in northern peninsula. I often wondered why? On one of the trips to Chennai Ramappa came and stayed with me. On another trip I was asked to go to Delhi for a briefing. I met officials of cabinet Secretariat and Ministry of foreign affairs. On the way back, I broke my journey at

Hyderabad spent two days with my family. I also visited Dr Shashikala and the new born daughter Indu. The Red Cross used to receive many enquiries from various countries in regards the safety and whereabouts of persons said to living in Jaffna peninsula. We used to and convey them the information we gathered. We also used to visit the prisoners caught by Indian army and enquire about their condition and also used to give them day to day personal hygienic needs in shape of gifts. Once I went to a house on Nallur Temple Road to enquire about the safety and whereabouts of some persons said to have been living in that house. The house was totally in ruins with a bombing attack. No one was found in the ruins and on enquiry the neighbours told us that two persons living in the house were dead and the neighbours cremated the bodies. Numbed with the information I approached and got into the front seat of our Van. The driver was about to get into his seat. I observed two youngsters riding on a cycle approaching us. The pillion rider was holding a folded paper in his hands. The cyclist stopped it in front of the vehicle and the pillion rider came towards my side and pulling out a gun from the folds of the paper gestured me to get down from the vehicle. Meanwhile another four boys from nowhere surrounded the vehicle. The boy with the gun pulled at my identity badge and in the process, tore my shirt. The other boys got into the vehicle and started searching throwing out the contents. I was non-pulsed. I could see lots of people witnessing us from their houses. The boys were conversing in Tamil. I could only mutter that we were from Red Cross and we had no arms. The boys were very tiny, and young being hardly 14 or 15 years. My initial thought was whether they had the maturity to decide to kill or not to. They did not seem to understand English. If the boy had no Gun probably I would have slapped him and scolded him. All the time the boy was pointing the gun at me. The driver was arguing with them in Tamil. Till today that scene remained as a still photograph memory on the back of my mind. I felt stupid and helpless at

not being able to communicate with them since they could not understand what I was saying in English l and I their Tamil. After few minutes of arguing the driver seemed to have convinced them that we intended no harm and they gestured at us to leave. Immediately the driver sped the vehicle and drove out of the area. I was reluctant to report to the army, but I was advised to report. Along with the report I also sent a request to the Cabinet Secretariat and Red Cross to see that no media in India would cover this news since I was worried about the likely agony my family would go through. After few days I went to distribute the gifts to the prisoners. Our van driver came with me carrying the gifts. There were about twenty prisoners. As I proceeded handing over the gifts one boy prisoner on seeing me approaching him suddenly turned his head. In that flash of a second I recognised him. He was the boy with the gun. I handed over the gift and walked past. Both of pretended as if we never saw each other earlier. Slowly the life was returning to normalcy. There was nothing much for me to do. After intimating IRCS I withdrew and returned to Hyderabad to re- my regular duty. The period of my stay was treated as on deputation. I often wondered what were the factors that led to civil strife in Sri Lanka. Jaffna peninsula was mostly inhabited by Tamils and Keralites, whereas southern Sri Lanka was mostly inhabited by Buddhists who migrated from north India during Ashoka time. While Tamilian in Jaffna Peninsula consisted 20% of population the Southern were 80%. The northern areas are not fit for agriculture and the people were mostly occupied in the service sector. Education was the industry in northern areas. Every alternate house was an educational institute. During the period of rule of Bandaranaike in Sri Lanka there was massive agitation against the predominant occupation and domination of Tamilian in Government jobs and professional courses. This led to legislation of reservation in Government jobs and professional courses for the majority. The country was taken as a unit for its application. Suddenly

Tamilian population found themselves in minority in Government jobs and Professional courses. Tamilian student who secured marks and stood 4th in the country could not secure a seat in Jaffna medical college and was accommodated in Colombo. Such sudden shift in their prospects led to strikes and agitations, which were effectively were suppressed by the ruling Sinhalese majority. To make a living majority of young educated Tamilian population migrated to other countries while the older of family stayed back in northern Sri Lanka. Since there were many cheaper educational opportunities in northern Sri Lanka their children stayed back with their grandparents. There was a tremendous vacuum of age groups of 20 to 60 in northern Sri Lanka for decades. The migrated population used to send money from abroad to their parents and children. The small group of uneducated Tamilian population mostly living on fishing and allied activity soon took control of the local situation. There was a big scope for them to indulge in smuggling activity to neighbouring countries like India where a sympathetic Tamil population lived. The young children living with their grandparents were soon lured to the adventurism and under the guise of culture and fight against exploitation ed the cadres of LTTE. The grandparents who lost the earlier opportunities and suffered the majority rule stayed as silent mute spectators. We can see many such similar conditions existing in India. I re-ed my job at State TB centre. Bharath was studying in Davanagere. Dr Jaya Shankarappa, who worked in NIMH at Hyderabad resigned his job and went back to his native place "Davanagere". He was initially the local guardian of Bharath. I started taking interest in Mudigonda farm. I used to catch a night Bus for Khammam on Friday night and spend Saturday and Sunday in the farm and return to Hyderabad on Sunday night. This almost was a regular routine for me.

Meeting Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi Dr Geetha Reddy became well known after her role as Indiramma in "Bharatha Ratna Indiramma" Light and sound show. She ed congress party and was taking active interest in politics. She established s with leaders at central level specially with family of Rajeev Gandhi. We often used to meet either at her house or at Kimji's place. In one of those meetings she asked me to consider ing the politics in a lighter vein I told her that at my age I cannot start as ordinary worker and I cannot be elevated by nomination to a higher cadre since I have no s with politicians and have no money and time to chase them. I told her that I basically survived on my salary and loss of the same would starve my family. I also told her that I could not even think of making a trip to Delhi to meet the leaders for lack of finances. Even if I could find the finances I cannot even meet them unless an interview is arranged by recommendation of some influential person. She enquired if I was prepared to consider if those are taken care. In a much lighter vein I said "Yes". After few days she telephoned and told me that air tickets are sent to my house and accommodation and transport organised at Delhi and an appointment fixed with Rajeev Gandhi, the then president of Congress and the prime minister. I flew to Delhi in the evening and was lodged in a hotel. Next morning, I was taken to the person who was in charge of Rajeev Gandhi constituency and we discussed various projects that were initiated in the constituency. After lunch at 3 pm I was taken to the residence of Rajeev Gandhi. After elaborate security screening I was ushered into a room to wait. Few more people were also waiting. The room was not air conditioned but was pleasant. It was simple. My meeting was at 3-40 an. At 3-40 someone entered the room and told that all the interviews were cancelled since the prime minister was busy in the parliament. We got up to leave.

Someone called my name and I was told to wait. I became anxious. My flight was at 9 pm. I vacated the hotel room and I did not have enough money for stay or for ticket back to Hyderabad. I was ushered to a person in the next room who told me that my meeting is rescheduled to 6.10 pm and was taken to another room to wait. This room was much bigger and appeared to be a waiting room for VIPs. I was alone in the room and I was served coffee. Being a smoker, I looked around to see if I could smoke. Luckily there was an ash tray. I had to wait another 2 hours. To kill the time, I attempted to solve the word puzzles in the newspaper lying around. In the process I exhausted all my cigarettes. I could not even solve one tenth of the puzzles. At 5.30 pm walked in Moopanar. He picked up a newspaper and eased himself into the sofa and lit a cigarette. He must have been bored and looked at me and introduced himself and started a conversation. On hearing that I was in Sri Lanka the conversation shifted to Sri Lanka. During the conversation while lighting a cigarette he offered me one. My tension eased off. At 6.10 pm I was called and was a taken to door and was told to go in. It was a small hall I entered which was overlooking a garden. A person was sitting at a table with his back to the door I entered. I cautiously stepped to his table. He was looking into the Garden. At the sound of my footsteps he rose and turned around and greeted me. I was non-pulsed. It was Rajeev Gandhi. I was seeing him for the first time from closed quarters. He was a very handsome man. There was sweat on his forehead. After exchanging pleasantries, we sat down. I introduced myself and gave background of my family and my education and job etc. As I was narrating Dr Geetha Reddy walked in and took her seat. Suddenly a question was posed to me. Whom should we make as the next PCC president of AP? I was taken aback. I never expected such a direct question. I said I cannot half hand mention a specific name but can suggest that someone who had not enjoyed any office in the Government, who was young, educated, belonging to backward class, and Andhra Region could be

thought of. He discussed the background for each condition. Then he asked me how to strengthen the party in A.P. I told him few things that came to my mind. My thoughts were no more in the conversation. I was looking for the conversation to end. I was eager to go out and smoke. He asked me to send a list of names to be considered for the PCC president. I mentioned that I may not be able to the party immediately since I have some personal responsibilities. He asked me to keep in touch. Slowly I rose to take leave. He got up and gave a warm shake hand. I left. I think neither of us could impress one another. I had the occasion of observing Jawaharlal Nehru in Ravindra Bharathi, Indira Gandhi in the meeting in Sanga Reddy and Rajeev Gandhi in his own residence. I was mostly impressed by Indira Gandhi. However, I carried with me Rajeev Gandhi's pleasant and innocent smile, his extremely polite and humble courteous manners. I felt sorry that I could not seize the opportunity, Dr Geetha Reddy created. I decided that I was not fit for politics. Atluri Subbarao a friend of SV Rao the auditor made a layout "Deepti Sree" in Miyapur and offered some plots. My wife and my father bought one each. Father bought the plot to be given to Buzzi after him. In March 1988 Chandra Mowli was transferred to Delhi.

Trip to Kaulalampur On 1st May 1988 Bowmick, Secretary General IRCS called me and requested me to go to Kaulalampur as representative of Indian Red Cross to participate in "South Pacific area Disaster Management Workshop" and asked me to go over to Delhi the same day. As usual he sent the tickets and organised transport etc. My port which was valid only for Sri Lanka was stamped for all countries and a VISA was obtained and I flew by Malaysian Air Lines to Kaulalampur in executive class. On landing at Kaulalampur airport representative of Malaysian Red Crescent met me at the steps

of the plane and took me in a car without any formal checks. He took my port and got all the stampings. I was accommodated in hotel "Petaling Jaya International". A guide was allotted to take care of me. Incidentally the guide studied in India in Chennai and was of Indian origin. He was very helpful I stayed in Kulalampur from 4th May to 9th May 1988. The stay was very pleasant. During the day we used to attend to the conference and in the nights, we were entertained to a dinner by a VIP. Even we had a dinner in presidential palace. The hospitality was excellent. I had the occasion to listen to activities of various countries Red Cross/Crescents and their preparedness for disasters. We saw many tourist interest places. We went to Gentling heights, Batu caves, Presidential palace, and the mosque and the aquarium. Gentling heights was 50 kilometres from the city and at was the height of 1700 ft. It was foggy. We observed the gambling. Batu caves are about 15 Kms from city and there is a Hindu Muragan temple inside it. Aquarium was the most impressive. I returned back to India via Madras on 9th May 88. I stayed in Ashoka hotel and caught the train to Khammam and visited my parents and reached Hyderabad after a day. I re-ed my duty at STC. I bought a Fiat car from BK Rao which was twenty years old. I only used it in Hyderabad. We found that the medical shops in NIMS were not doing well and I was asked by Governor to do something about it.

Freedom fighter Assignment of land in Brahmanpalli - Toopran As a freedom fighter during Nizams rule my father was entitled to grant of 10 acres of land. He explored the possibility of acquiring this land earlier. Long-time back he was offered land in Hyderabad Banjara Hills. However, he didn't like the

idea as it was all rocky and was not fit for cultivation. In those days land was only for cultivation, not for real estate. Once he asked me if I could try for some land nearer to Hyderabad. I asked Jainder and he spoke to Mohanty the then collector of Medak. After few days Mohanty identified the land and called to go and see the land and if we were interested he could assign it. The land was in Brahmanpalli near Toopran. I and my father went and saw it my father liked it. The land belonged to Krishna Reddy a local landlord and former ADC to Nizam of Nawab. He surrendered the land as excess under land ceiling. I visited Krishna Reddy. He was very cordial, and he took me to the land and shown its boundaries. Suddenly he asked what we were planning in the land and learning that my father was interested in agriculture asked me about our plan for water source. I replied saying that probably we would dig a well. He asked me where would I dig the well?

Divining Water I made a face and he showed me how to search for underground water. He asked the driver to cut and get him a wooden branch of few feet size in a Y shape. After procuring he asked me to try and divine water. I was to hold the top ends of Y in my outstretched hands parallel to the ground and walk slowly. He asked me to practice it. Afterwards he took me nearer to a ants hill and asked me to walk. After walking few steps, I found that bottom end of Y was wildly oscillating up and down. He asked me to stop at the place where it oscillated maximum and said that is where I should dig the well. Amazing. Later I read lot of literature on it and also the famous book which G. Krishna recommended. I practiced it with copper wire and also with coconut. Later I identified the spot for extra well in Panchavati, in my village in Ankammagadda land and also in EMS land in Ashram premises. I got them checked scientifically and found that I was correct. That day three others tried it but were not successful and Mr. Krishna Reddy told me that in some people the flow of water

underground creates a movement and that is how water is divined.

Comfrey Plant After reaching his house he showed me a plant in his garden and asked me if I knew the importance of the plant. He cleared my ignorance by saying that it was comfrey a wild plant which is useful in treating chronic leprosy, diabetic ulcers and also gastric ulcers. The leaves are to be dried and powdered and applied on the ulcer and bandaged and the ulcers would heal after few days. For Gastric ulcers one has to take the powder has to be boiled in water and can be taken after cooling. I tried on few leprosy ulcers with Success. Amazing person. Pratibha Bharathi was kind enough to speak to the local MLA who was a member of assignment committee to assign the land. The land was assigned and handed over. However, my father could not proceed further as my mother took ill and he himself was not well. He told me that the land would should be shared by the three daughters in laws (2 acres each) and four daughters (One acre each). They all tly sold the land after my father's demise.

Homeopathy: Ten tissue salts I used to often visit Khammam to oversee the work on orchard "Panchavati". and used to interact with Dr SP Ranga Rao who then was practicing in Khammam. One day he showed me a small book written by a lawyer / Homeo practitioner and told me that he experimented with few and they worked well. I got interested and took the book and bought the tissue salts. One evening my nephew Rajeev son of Ravulapati Seetharam Rao (Working as D then) came to me and told me that his whole body was itching, and he had to appear for a crucial examination next day. I examined him and found that he was suffering with Scabies. I told him that there was no

miracle instant cure for it in allopathic medicine and I could recommend him to try Homeopathy. He consented and gave him the powder which I mixed and asked him to mix it in lukewarm water in a cup and sip it over a period of one hour. He went back home and did the same and wrote his exam next day in comfort. All the family came to me and they were all suffering with the same and they were all treated the same way. Jainder Sigh rang me one early morning and his voice not audible. I advised him to come home. When he came I found that he could not speak as he was suffering with acute laryngitis. He was going to Delhi that morning to make a presentation in the ministry. Again, I mixed the powders and asked him to mix with lukewarm water and sip over a hour on the flight. He did that and rang me from Delhi. His voice was clear.