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A thousand moons – Chapter-I

My early days :

The scene of my father waiting to see me off by Howrah Mail
on that mystical evening on a warm day in June,1959 at Central
Station will remain ever etched in my memory. For here was an
old man past 60 years and superannuation from government
service willing to bet his last pie on his son’s higher education;
for that train which was bound for Calcutta had me as a
passenger whose journey was up to Kharagpur.My father
wanted me to study for M,Tech in Geophysics in IIT
Kharagpur. I protested saying he was already retired after 30
years of service in the AG’s office and it was time I his eldest
son should take over the family burden and give him the well
earned rest. But luckily for me though admission was granted
there was a rider that the question of offering me scholarship to
pay the term’s fees would be decided after the first term. So,
much to my father’s regret I had to look around for job. But this
gesture of my father and motivation to spur me to greater
heights in academic career fixed my sights high.

I was born on 22 May,1939, in my maternal grandfather’s
house in Kanchipuram. For reasons best known to him my
th
father gave the date as 18 June for entering my date of birth
in School records. Already my elder sister senior by 8 years
was studying in higher secondary school when I was admitted
in what was called Elementary School. Some eight years after
my birth two brothers were added to the family, the two
separated by 2 years from one another. Last to be born was a
younger sister .My father used to say often “we are seven”
perhaps to foster a more secure bonding amongst us.

My father had education up to what is now known as pre-
university level .One of the English text books presumably,
prescribed for my father had “F.A” written in ink on the
coverage indicating the course as “Faculty of Arts “ another
name for the pre degree class. Though initially employed as a
clerk in the Collector’s Office in Chingleput he hoping that

service under Central Government would be more paying

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