My father moulded my life. His good qualities, including the dignity of labour and his honesty have been a guiding light to me in life.
After college, I wanted a job. I approached Anna, as we all addressed him, and he asked me to meet his office manager. When I went to his office, I was surprised. I was asked by the manager to work on the pressing machine, which was a menial job. I returned home angry. At dinner Anna asked me what I did at the office. I protested that I was asked to do a peon’s job. He explained how he had to struggle to become what he was. Convinced, I worked in various departments in his office and as a coolie in the mills. Anna had taught me that it was not below one’s dignity to do any job, seemingly however low, as it was in keeping with dharma.
Thirty years ago, I was walking down Brigade Road and one of his friends spotted me. He was eager to tell me an interesting story about Anna. Anna was fond of walking. He used to plan all his business and social work during his walk. Once, when he was walking alongwith this friend, an old woman asked Anna to help her mount a basket on her head. Instead of putting it on her head, Anna himself carried the basket to her home near Sampangirama Nagar. When he reached the place, the woman took out 3 pice, 1/64 of a rupee, from her pan sack and gave it to him. He took the money unhesitatingly and left. After he reached his office, he sent her a substantial sum of money through this friend.

(As told to T R Sathish Kumar)