Holding on to memories

This picture was taken in 1984 at Motor Industries Company Ltd (MICO) now Bosch, located at Adugodi, near Forum Mall. It was taken, just after I received the ‘Think and Win - Suggestion Award’ by MICO.  It was an award instituted by MICO and was given to those who suggested cost-saving ideas to the company. 

Seen in the picture is myself along with L N Das, who was then the head of the Planning Department, P Somkumar, Dr H Kubeth, (Technical Director), Vivekanandan and Dr Robus, the then General Manager (Works).

I completed my schooling at Municipal High School and later went to First Grade College, both in Hassan. I took up my first job in Harihar in Davanagere district, before I joined MICO in 1969. I worked there for 33 years till I took  voluntary retirement in 2002.

I was a bachelor when I joined MICO and lived in Basavanagudi with a few friends. I used to regularly cycle 15km to office till I bought my first Vijay scooter in 1977. I bought a Lambretta in 1982.
    
MICO had an excellent canteen. Our lunch was free and Rs 15 was deducted from our salary for the evening snack which comprised tea and coffee with the accompaniment of ‘Murukku’ and mixture.

Those days, I looked forward to cycling around the city not only because cycling was a good for health but also because there were just a handful of vehicles on the road at any given time of the day or night. Back then, the city was quiet, calm and had a lot of green spaces.
   
There were a couple of parks around Basavanagudi such as M N Krishna Rao Park, Madhavan Park near Jayanagar and Lalbagh. We would visit these parks, whenever we had time. I am glad that these three parks are still maintained well.

There were also a few places that my friends and I would regularly visit over the weekend. While M G Road and Brigade Road were our favourite hangouts, we used to regularly go to MTR and Vidyarthi Bhavan for coffee and ‘masala dosa’. These two places continue to attract a regular flow of people.

My friends and I were big movie buffs and were fans of Dr Rajkumar. We would never miss any of his films and watched the first day, first show at the theatres in Majestic. Those days, a balcony seat would cost Rs 5.   

I would enjoy shopping in Gandhi Bazaar. There were not many stores selling ready-made clothes and I would always end up buying materials for shirts and pants from selected stores in Gandhi Bazaar and give it for stitching, Tailors were in great demand those days.  

I cherish memories of Old Bangalore where the pace of life was slow and even strangers would exchange a smile. Today, the warmth and serenity of those good old days is clearly missing. 

(As told to Nina C George)

(S Raja Rathna can be reached on 26432289)

To our readers
We invite you to share your memories through our column ‘From the Albums’ by sending in your photograph, with family or friends, in old Bangalore. You can mail us on  [e-mail]