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Since it was my first field assignment my father thought it
better to keep company with me for a few days. He was happy
to spend time in the camp, strike friendship with neighbours
and generally discuss politics if they were educated. I had a
cook also named Srinivasan whose main weakness was his
allegiance to Bacchus! For keeping in touch with world affairs I
had with me a National transistor music from which was a great
source of relaxation. Around this time Superintending

Geologist, Mr.K.K.Dhar from Head quarters visited Shimoga
camp in P.W.D inspection bungalow. I took him to a rock
outcrop containing what I could identify as mineral danite, a
variety of silicate. I learned to display hospitality to the visiting
dignitary and with the help of the inspection bungalow
attendant who was also a good non-veg cook served Mr.Dhar
chicken ,etc non-veg dish even though I myself was a strict
vgetarian.

It occurred to me that my father may like to see the Jog
waterfalls some 60 miles away from Tarikere.So we two took
the Talaguppa express which halted at the Talaguppa station.
The morning was very pleasant and around 9 AM we started
descending on the side opposite the falls. In about two hours
time we reached a slope from where we can take a comfortable
view. This waterfall is the highest in India comprising four
sections –Rja,Roarer,Rocket and Rani.We enjoyed the fast
falling water throwing to long distances water spray and the
multicoloured rainbow. The problem started only on the return
journey as the climb up the hill didn’t go well with my father.
Now I was at the receiving end. My father showed his
resentment at being made to climb as he frequently went out of
breath. I was praying all the way that the ordeal would soon
end.

In the next field season 1960-61 I was allotted the tract of hills
north of Bhadravathi.It had thick forest cover and the sky was
hidden from view by the tall teak plantations and other trees.

The bus route from Shimoga to Sagara on the North
Karnataka border provided exciting view of the extensive rain

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