JOIN USThis photograph was taken in 1972 at the farewell function of the final year students of the BA (Hons) course in Central College.
I completed my primary school education in a government school in Yediyur and my higher secondary education in Bangalore High School, Jayanagar. Later, I joined National College, Jayanagar for PU and then Central College for my degree course in Economics.
There were nearly 70 students in the class and the BA (Hons) course. I remember R Sudarshan, a brilliant student with many talents. He was an eloquent debater in English and won many prizes in debating competitions.
Having completed his post-graduate studies, he worked for the UNw in some of its departments. Another classmate of mine, Sadananda Holla, was a philatelist and organised stamp exhibitions.
The Department of Economics was headed by Dr K Venkatagiri Gowda. He was a short tempered person.
Occasionally, he used to smile and talk to the students. He used to teach monetary theory to post-graduate students. As under-graduate students, we never came in contact with him and the opportunities to interact with him were rare. Dr G Thimmaiah taught us Public Finance. He was keen that we understood the concepts of the subject clearly. He later became the Director of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).
After my graduation, I did MA in Economics in the same college. When the department administration delayed the commencement of classes for more than a month, I picked up some courage and wrote a letter to one of the leading English dailies reporting the predicament of the students. But I had to discontinue my studies, as I was offered a clerical post by Canara Bank in 1972. As I was determined to complete my post-graduation in Economics, I registered myself as an external candidate and secured my Masters degree. I worked as a bank employee for 28 years and opted out of the service under SVRS in the year 2001.
I cherish the memories of student days in Central College and also the long years of my association with the bank and recall them, often, with nostalgic feelings.
Shankaranarayan
(The author can be reached on 9341122299)