Memories - Part 1

Glimpses to the past memories:

After leaving from Indian Air force in the year 1986, I joined as Secretary, Milk Society at my native in 1987. During this period I appeared many competitive exams like Staff Selection Commission, Banking Service Recruitment Board, and Indian Railways (RRB). RRB exam appeared first, later SSC and finally BSRB. SSC result came and they ask me to appear typing examination at Mumbai. I started to go for Typing coaching. Meantime RRB result came and they called for Interview at Hotel Hyson, Kozhikkode. And without further delay I was appointed as Clerk in South Malabar Gramin Bank, Vettathur, Malappuram District of Kerala in 1988. Mean time I went for Junior Diploma in Cooperation (JDC) course at Kozhikkode simultaneously working in society and passed examination, qualified for employment in Cooperative sector. 

I got married on 24 December 1989. During this period RRB result came and I passed and selected as Diesel Assistant in Bengaluru division. (1989 batch) But I was happy in Bank. Hence two time call letter ignored. Again 3rd time call letter came. Relatives started putting pressure on me. My basic in SMGB was 840-950 and in railways 950-1500. That time Gramin Banks are getting less salary than other Nationalised Banks. Our union was fighting tooth to nail with the management. I was an active member in Union. Union filled a case in Supreme Court for Getting “Equal Pay for Equal Job”. Case was prolonging. (Finally a fovourable judgment received from the Hon’ble suprime court, but by that time I resigned and join to Railways. Some arrears came) I got a transfer to Vallikkunnu Branch during this time which is near to my house (one hour journey). While working at Vettathur I was staying near bank in bachelor accommodation. Vettathur was a small village and as a Bank employee we got good respect from everybody. But after two- three days food at Hotel (small hut type tea shop) we will try our preparation skill. We were struggling to prepare Sambar and poriyal, only preparing rice (Kanji) was simple. I am staying with Swarnakumar who is my co worker. Our neighbors extended their support by contributing some food varieties. Many of my mother’s relatives are near to Perinthalmanna. So whenever getting time I used to visit their houses. Finally I decided to jump to Railways as it is a new job (Challenging) and during my school days (GGHS) we use to visit Feroke railway station which is adjacent to school and watching the steam engine with great passion. 

I reported Bengaluru Division office and completed medical on 01.03.1990. Then I went back to native for bringing other documents and finally joined Railway in 20.03.1990. Since no batch available they sent Com. Paul Antony Moriera and me to KJM Shed. We enjoyed around two months there. The basic training of How to travel in train without ticket, how to escape from Supervisors and officers, how to go to native without leave etc we learned from there. That time Sri EV Eldo, Sri. Suresh, Sri Prakasan, Sri Subhash, Sri Vilson, Sri Sasidharan( no more) etc were giving guidance for us. 

Our senior friends were telling about Arul Mani, Instructor GOC, but we never had an opportunity to sit in his class. 

After Training we 7 members reported to work as ALP. C. Sunish, Jayaram, Malay Mithra, Paul Antony Moriera, Faguram Marandi , Ramteckar Gopal Jivaji and Dwijen Chandra Roy.( Malay Mithra nad DC Roy is no more ) The where about of Jayaram not known, Ramtecker is working at Nagpur. 

During that time only two DDI( Diesel Driver Instructor) were there in Bengaluru division. Durrent and Basha. I was lucky enough to get all my handling under DDI Durent only. And enjoyed maximum. 

I was posted in YPR Metre Gauge depot under Sri Chandra Sekhar Rao FOD. 

Total around 72 members joined in 89 batch. Starting from P Sivakumar and Nagaiah. 

From the very beginning I was associated with AILRSA. That time leaders were MF Ansari, Abdul Wajid, MD Nayeemulla, PN Mathulla; next generation G Kuppuswamy, PSK Mohammed, Sebastian Kuriakose, V Mohan Kumar, Geomy George, AT Fernandes, Rajani Kanth etc. From our batch MV Vinod ( Tiger), R Surendran, N Mallikarjuna, FD Antony, PV Rao, KVVK Kumar, Eric Rodriguez, V Ramakrishna,etc 

Later important leaders left the organisation to form another organisation; we decided to continue in AILRSA and started building the association from beginning. 

Because of the sincere effort by our comrades, AILRSA able to build up not only in Bengaluru division but neighboring Mysuru and Hubli also. For weakening AILRSA our counter organisation done much undue publicity, like AILRSA is a Malayalee organisation, AILRSA is a Communist organisation etc. But successfully we overcome these publicities by sincere and hardworking. But some of our Kannada friends joined the other side (due to pro malayalee propaganda) and except P Anil Srinivasa Rao all others continue there. Com PAS Rao was the Division Secretary of that organisation and after realizing he came back to AILRSA. 

From 1993 (immediately after LM 16) onwards we were utilised to work as Goods Drivers in officiating basis. Later we demanded to fix higher pay but management denied. We file a case in CAT with Adv TC Govinda swamy( ex AISMA leader from Mysuru and started practicing at Ernakulam after VRS). Sri Kalaimani( present CLI) and myself took initiation. But some friends not joined the case thinking that if we are winning they will also benefited, then why to spent money and can continue in good books of administration. We won the case, but management told that the fixation will be given to persons who file the case. Later another two group went for case and judgment taken. 

That period goods working were not having any system. Without valid BPC trains are regularly worked, Vacuum brake formation working with inoperative cylinders beyond the permissible limit, working hours was unlimited. Booking was pick and chose. Corruption was everywhere, getting leave, for good trains, for training programs etc etc. 

One jamaruddin CCRC is famous for taking money. We able to trap him by CBI. 

In many days our batch mates will occupy all loop lines in BYPL- JTJ section. No rest cleared crew available at HQ and some body after signing off and clearing rest has to come pilot to relieve us. Once I waited for 24 hrs to relief. We are maintaining a close friendship with Station Masters, Section Controllers etc. I used to visit Sri Raghuraman, Sri Prekash kumar, (Later they become officers) at their residence. Before the Train Order is given Controllers will ask CRC about the name of drivers available. 

I was an average student in every Refresher Course. This period is utilised for sightseeing. At TPJ we visited all the important locations. One RC with Com Imayavaramban, every day evening one temple visit. Even though I am not a believer visiting a new place is always welcomed by me. Finally somehow managed to pass the examination. Still one more RC( Diesel and Electric) will be there for me. 

Note : I wrote a few lines from my memory. I fear many important points and names may be left over and my system is old and hard disc is full. I am sorry if it hurts anybodies feelings.