JOIN USThis photograph was taken in 1974 at MES College, Malleswaram when we came out with our class magazine for the valedictory function. All those in the picture were winners in various literary and sports competitions held in the college.
Our batch was the ‘chemistry botany zoology’ (CZB) batch from 1971 to 1974. We were a class of about 100 students. Nalini P A was the sports representative of our class. In those days, life was very uncomplicated in terms of transportation, with cycle being the most common mode of transport to college, especially for boys. Most students walked to and from college, chatting all the way, and it used to be a pleasant untiring walk which gave some good exercise.
The college had two staircases, one each for boys and girls. It was an ‘iron rule’ that girls had to use the staircase on the right while boys had to use the one on the left. Our principal Prof M P L Sastry was very strict about students adhering to this rule. If by chance, anyone broke the rule, he would immediately reprimand us.
I remember once when we were in second year, me and eight of my friends were returning to class a little late after the lunch break. We missed out the change in the classroom and were running from one end to another in the corridor frantically searching for it, when we were spotted by the principal. He immediately stopped us, questioning us in a booming voice, “Which class?” One of my friends nervously answered, “Botany, sir” (when he was actually referring to which year students we were). The principal repeated the question, thinking we had not understood what he said and again got the same answer. So now he changed the question and asked, “What class?” The same friend answered, “Second year, sir.” By this time, another friend had spotted our classroom and joyfully shouted, “Hey! that’s our classroom.” We were about to leave when the principal warned us to not be late to class again and let us go. After entering the class, we thought of the answers we gave him, realised our mistake and had a hearty laugh. Even now, whenever some of us meet, remembering this incident makes us laugh.
Attendance was generally 100% on most of the days as we thoroughly enjoyed going to college.
The nearest hangout for most of the boys was Sree Stores which was located at the corner of 8th Main Road. Other than that, Venkateshwara Hotel was another favourite, which was at the corner of 10th Main Road. Apart from these, there was (and still is) a small park on 10th A Main Road at 16th Cross, where students would spend time during a free period.
We were also taken on an educational trip to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary as part of the college curriculum. It was the first time that all the classmates were meeting socially outside college. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We went boating and saw a lot of crocodiles in the water. The variety of birds was a visual treat as well.
One of our favourite pastimes in those days was listening to ‘Vividh Bharathi’ on radio which would play Hindi songs, especially between 1.30 pm and 2.15 pm, that coincided with our lunch break. We also enjoyed going for Hindi movies at Sangam Theatre, Triveni and Santosh, all located in the Majestic area. The nearest theatre in Malleswaram was Geetanjali which also screened Hindi films sometimes. We would go for a special treat on the last day of our exams — an English movie at Plaza or Rex on M G Road followed by a bowl of fruit salad with ice cream at ‘Lakeview’ that it was famous for.
Thinking about those days gives me immense pleasure and happiness. Today, many of my classmates are holding eminent positions in various fields and have done well in life. To name a few, Suresh Kumar is an active politician and MLA. Balakrishna Gowda is presently the dean of the Biofuel College in Hassan. K S Sridhar is a successful TV star. A few of them are settled abroad. Some of my classmates also went on to do their Phd.
We are all still in touch with each other through social media. Even now, quite a few of us meet for tea or lunch, just to continue the old association. We recollect our college days and the pranks played and have a hearty laugh, a kind of stress buster for us, which is very essential in our advanced years.
In 2004, we had our first reunion after 30 years of graduation, attended by some of our lecturers too. It was a grand affair, which also included participation by families of our classmates, followed by another reunion in 2014.
I hope that through such events, we are able to contact some more of our classmates who are scattered across the globe and reminisce about those lovely days of yore.
(The author can be contacted at sudha.parashu@gmail.com)