Random Reflections of a Rambling Mind

10^th DEC 2010, 4.30pm

 Preamble: 

Approximately 12 hours ago (around 4.00 AM) I changed my earlier decision/s of not writing any more – whatever in Kannada or English – (not to write my autobiography was the other decision taken many years ago) and suppose what “caused “ this change of decision is the visit on the 13^th of this month, of  Keremane Shivananda Hegde (wellknown Yakshagana artist, Director, Idgunji Yakshagana Academy), who spent about 45–50 minutes talking (listening really) to me and urged me to write my autobiography. I reiterated my decision not to write. He took several photographs of me by his digital camera – on the Verandah talking to him, standing on the steps, and a few in the garden (this was my suggestion) Additionally, my being engrossed with the reading of M. S. Gore autobiography –“Memories That Linger” along with some writing on DSSW – based on his account of it, may also have been responsible for this decision to write. I made the decision, lying in bed awake around 4 AM (4-15 AM) and thought of the title around 4-40AM.  So here I am beginning my last piece of writing.

It should be made very clear that I am not writing my autobiography. I stick to the original decision. If I were to write that (autobiography) it would have been in Kannada. What I am writing is my memories of mainly my academic – professional life – selecting some experiences and events – then writing on those – not following any strict chronological order.

Background :

My childhood briefly and early education – primary and secondary. I was born on 09-06-1930 at village Banavasi, Taluk – Sirsi (now called Tehsil) of North Kanara (N. K.) district of the then Bombay province of British India. My district is a costal dist. South of Goa and north of the then South Kanara district of Madras province. The capital of Bombay province was Bombay – hence the name, carried out as an administrative territory of colonial India by Elphinstone – the first Governor.

The Bombay province was a multilingual province - Gujarat  in the North - beginning from Godhra (in news in recent years after the Godhra Massacre) including – Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroch as major towns – cities the Marathi speaking districts in the middle - biggest of the three linguistic groups, including Nashik, Bombay, Pune, Thane Sangli, Satara cities – towards then the South – four districts of Karnataka – Kannada speaking Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad and my district, as the last district in the South. Very backward district. 75 – 80p.c. forest – poor roads) no railway line, heavy rainfall, malaria and othert causes leading to de-population, due to malaria mainly and other diseases. Educationally backwards in many ways – including inadequate primary schools in many villages – only one Municipal City school – Sri Marikamba High School at Sirsi (my taluk) covering approximately half of the district above the Western Ghats  - the other half  - Coastal taluks. Heavy rainfall – mainly agricultural – paddy, sugarcane, coconut plantations on the coastal areas and Arecanut (supari), black pepper, cardamom and banana plantations in the above ghat areas – my village part of this in the middle part of adjoining thick forests – vast area of paddy fields.

The village around six centuries ago was the new capital of a new dynasty established by King Mayura Varma, with a temple of Madhukeshwara and a small river - Varada flowing on three sides – surrounding it in a “U” shape, a tributary of Tunga (Bhadra), ultimately joining the major river Krishna. The village is on an elevation, so not affected by floods – common during the rainy season, though the paddy fields get submerged – causing much suffering to the agriculture – dependent population.

The village Banavasi has (for a long time) a Primary Govt. Boys School upto 7^th standard leading to (then prevalent system) a public examination – Primary School Leaving Certificate Exam, PSLC – “Moolki” in Kannada (original in Urdu – meaning regional). There were two more schools one for girl’s upto 4^th standard and one for Muslims – Urdu – a single teacher school, Girls school had two lady teachers. An Agricultural Co-Op Credit Society – which had a small library including books in Kannada, a Kannada daily from Hubli – Samyukta Karnataka (United Karnataka) which arrived from sirsi at night and to read the next day. Also twice weekly “Kesari” in Marathi – founded by Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak, and small district news weekly – called Kanada Vrartta (Kannada).

My own interest in reading began at the age of 7 or 8, reading Kannada detective novels – brought home by the visiting uncle “ Shyanubhog” (village revenue official) during his visits and stay of a week, 2 or 3 times a year. Picked up reading news papers – both Kannada and Marathi, when my father could not read them due to poor eye sight after his retirement – i. e. when I was studying at Sirsi High School, was familiar with Devanagari script because I had to study Sanskrit as a subject from 4^th standard to 7^th standard - end of high school with the terminating – Matriculation Examination of Bombay University. The village also had a Police Station with three constables and bus trip once at 7:00 am to Sirsi and return at night by 8:00 pm - private bus service.

The population of the village was approximately 1000 to 1500. at present it is 7000. No medical facilities – no dispensary – Public/private – not a single MBBS doctor until the 1950’s. When a Primary Health Centre was started - with one MBBS doctor. Around the same time a High School – Jayanti High School started.

End 5:30 PM

 My Education

 Primary school education at Banavasi upto 6^th standard, left towards the end (3 months before) as part of my father’s plan to admit me at Sirsi - Marikamba High School, to study at Siddapur – Taluk HQ( a small town? Big village?) to study and complete 6^th standard and 7^th standard, along with one hour a day (one period) to study English at the Anglo – Vernacular (A.V) School  - single teacher- teaching English . I passed the 6^th standard with Hindi as a subject (special tuition to pass this subject as I had not to study Hindi at Banavasi) and 3^rd standard. English at the A. V. school – with these certificates I was eligible to be admitted to the 4^th standard of Sirsi High School, which I joined in June 1942 continued upto 1946.

 Later I had to go Hubli to study (formally) briefly at the City High School and passed my Matriculation Exam of Bombay University in 2^nd class – probably 53 p.c. at Sirsi – no hostel facilities – so stayed in a room, bathing, toilet + meals at a restaurant, popular called – Hotel, near the Bus stand – cheap and “filthy”. Later for three  years a cash based hostel was started in a rented house – part of a “Chawl”- row of houses in one long structure – with common toilet, bathing (for the house) and one well – for water supply.

The main thing to remember is I developed serious interest in Kannada literature, due to the influence of the  Kannada teacher “GK Master” popularly called G. K. Hegde, formed a literary club – “Kiriyara Koota” (“youngsters club”) became the Executive president and Editor, of the handwritten Quarterly magazine  - “Hoovina Sara” (Garland of Flowers). Started a small library – bought books – (without pocket money – long story how this was done) – others also contributed. Presided over dialogues (discussions on literary issues - e.g. Progressive literature Vs Traditional Literature etc. The president was Ramakrishna Hegde (R. K. Hegde) who later became Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1983 Jan to Aug 1988, Dy, Chairman Planning Commission, under V. P. Sing as Prime Minister and Commerce Minister under Atal Bihari Vaajapeyi N.D.A Government One of the founder members was T. Sheegehalli, N. T. Hegde Sheegehalli (V; T; Sheegehalli V., Tie whose major novel “Talegali” “End of a Generation” 440 pp I published posthumously April end this year (2010). His novel - the first he wrote and was the last, became a best seller list – No. 1 and No. 2 reviewed favorably by three Famous Kannada Literary Critics.

 I am sad, very sad he is not alive to enjoy the popularity and fame the novel generated! To note – I read most of then Kannada Books published – all varieties – poetry, drama, novel, biography, essays etc. Kannada (Navodaya) Rerhaissance literature, developed fluently to speak and write in Kannada. I am proud to say, I have to this day retained the proficiency? Command? Of spoken and written Kannada. I could not have done all that I did for the posthumous publication of “Talegali” novel – including a Glossary, an Appendix – Havyakas – Their language and literature, but for this foundation, while at SIRSI.

 There was a price to pay – not inevitable – but it happened. I failed in the High School - ending Public Examination (again a long story) - in 1946 – but briefly, decided to discontinue (any reapperancy) my further education. I changed my mind – thanks to the timely guidance and advice + help of my senior friend and well wisher from the village – late C. C. Mulgund. I went to Hubli, took tuition in mathematics (because the Sirsi High School teacher had to leave and he had joined the City High School at Hubli. He, Mr. Talegaonkar, alone could have helped me to pass the Matriculation Exam of Bombay University in 1947 and I did that – with just three months tuition in Maths and English – rest self study (6.30PM)

I shall now write briefly about my college education at Dharwad which was then a well known educational centre – the famous Karnatak College – later became the nucleus of Karnataka University in 1951 – the year I was to appear for my final B.A. Honors. Exam, until then it was part of Bombay University – one of the oldest three or four universities of India since Pre Independence time.

 I joined Karnatak College in June 1947, opting for Arts. B.A. and then choosing Economics Honors – as my course. You could do either pass or Honors. I chose the latter. Apart from compulsory English Paper – although (four years) the Honors course (2 years) one had to choose 6 papers as the main subject course and one subsidiary course – choice of one of then available – history or Political Science. I chose the Political Science subject. For Hons in Economics – there were six compulsory papers- including 4 theory courses + Economic History (Germany, UK, USA, Japan and India) + Indian Economic Problems. Among the recommended books – well known authors- Crowther – Story of Money, Gilchrist – on monetary and other theories J. M. Keyns had burst on the economic scene – with his classic – General Theory of Employment.

He is a big name, even to - day as one of the major contributors to the development of Economic Science /discipline. Economics had begun to be written about with mathematic formulas/models. I should mention as part of the theory courses – we had to study – Growth of Economic Thought. Prof. S Dhekne and R. G. Sahsrabudhe – both of the Bombay Educational Service – (Marathi speaking) Sahsrabudhe taught the main Econ. Papers, perhaps one of them taught Political Science. The book for this – Harold Laski – Grammer of Politics. Director of London School of Economics – big name also influenced a generation of students/politicians (especially Labour Party). Jawahar Lal Nehru was one of the person influenced by Harold Laski.

For Indian Economic Problems only books available – also recommended were Jathar and Berry, and Wadia and Merchant – co authors. While I read both of these books. I relied mainly on Wadia and Merchant, read – D. S. Sawakar – Economic History, S. G. Panandikar – Central Bank in India  (meaning RBI). Note that I always read – purchased most  of the recommended books – did read guides – very few, not more than two one was on Indian Economic Problems- one of the better type – I think one of the author was Dewett. As part of compulsory English, we had to study Shakespeare’s dramas – “As you like it” – then for second year  - known as Intermediate Exam. Public Exam of Bombay University. Some other books – I  don’t remember.

For the first two years – Kannada and Sanskrit (actually a choice I exercised at High School) were the compulsory papers. This meant I had studied, Kannada and Sanskrit as one of the subjects since my 4^th standard High School + two years in college – total six years of my education. So, also English for six years – compulsory.

I may repeat, if I wrote earlier, that I studied at a Govt. primary school. All taught in Kannada medium –at the Municipal High School – also Kannada medium, except for Maths, Science and of course – English – also Sanskrit – because the Sanskrit teacher Aras did not know Kannada – being a Goan origin, he spoke only Konkani – his mother tongue Back to College – well known teachers taught various subjects- Principal, Correa  Afonso (formally of Stxaviers College Bombay) Armando Mehezes, V. M. Inamdar, W. W. Bhaskar – taught English. Prof. S S. Malwad (he later became principal of the college) and  R. K. Malgi taught Kannada. Prof. R. V. Jagirdar and Mr. Kulkarni taught Sanskrit. I had to study Kalidasa’s classic (Meghadoota) and Mudra Rakshasa – a drama. Prof. Jagirdar had a degree from London University. (*All teachers were recruited to Bombay Educational Service.) He was also a well known Kannada dramatist – writing under the pen name “Shree Ranga”, a big name in Renaissance period Kannada literature.

I have always, for a longtime at least, felt uncomfortable when talking and writing in English.  You may call it – inferiority Complex because I had not been to English Medium big name schools. Though Karnatak College – Dharwad was on of the five colleges run directly by Bombay Govt and was very well known.  Playright, theatre personality, actor, director- Girish Karnad also studied at Sirsi and the same college where I studied. He however had no problem in speaking, writing in English. He originally wrote in Kannada, his dramas. Later translated in English and then it was translated in other Indian languages. His mother tongue is Konkani. He can speak well in Marathi. He addressed Marathi literary conference in Marathi. I am not that talented. I can now, write and speak in English reasonably well. Can speak and write in Kannada. And can read and speak Hindi, read Marathi to a great extent - follow 70-80 pc of what I read; I can understand Konakni, Gujarathi and Punjabi to a limited extent. I can’t read Urdu but can follow, when spoken if it is not highly Persianised or Arabicised.  7-45 pm

MY EXPERIENCE OF WRITING                    

12-12-10, 11-30 am

 What I am about to write may be considered a “digression” but is related to what I have written before this – i. e my academic background (more written later) and knowledge of language – limited though it might have been. As a teenager (15-17 years) at Sirsi – Hubli, I wrote a few articles in Kannada including a political pamphlet – “Quit Goa” (Goveyinda chale javo) with the help and encouragement of Mr. Kulkund Shiva Rao (later known as “Niranjana”, novelist – short story writer etc) who was then a cardholding member of the Communist Party of India. (1946-1950) which was one big party. Later split in to two CPI and CPI (M). P. C. Joshi was the General Secretary until 1948 – afterwards B. T. Ranadive – displacing him on ideological grounds.

More militant and political line. The Party was banned, many leaders went underground and some were arrested and put in jails. Shiva Rao also went underground - with a secret new name - using my address for secret party correspondence. The CID police got to know this and my name entered the CID list – as a dangerous communist. The pamphlet quit gor got me lot of publicity among Sirsi friends and literary circles. I became an “author”. This association with Shiva Rao and CPI influenced me to the extent that I became an active “Political” worker – not a member, described as a “fellow traveler”.

I had come under the influence of my Hindi teacher – “Dhareswar Master” who was a Khaddar – wearing Nationalist – participant in freedom movement. I also started wearing “Khaddhar” – white Gandhi cap and participated in a small way in the “Quit India” movement in 1942 at Sirsi being “crowned” as a leader who organised a protest procession when one of our teachers – ‘ Vaman Hodke’ was arrested.

I had not organised the procession, - only participated. But the English teacher at the high school – S. V. Kamat – Anglophile, in the class announced that, “Pathak, you have been the leader, I understand” – I kept quiet.

Getting back to my writing experience, I attempted a long article in English while in second year of college – on the “Unification of Karnatak” sent it to “Bharat Jyoti” Sunday edition of the wellknown daily “Free Press Journal” ed. S. Sadanand, published from Bombay. I was surprised to find that it was published while reading the weekly at the local library. Next surprise – received an honorarium of Rs.20/- - big amount those days- equivalent of 50 pc of my monthly expenditure and I was happy, elated.

After joining D.S.S.W. in July 1955 I was asked by the Principal M. S. Gore to write a brief article on “Medical Social Work” for the monthly “Social Welfare”. The editor, Frieda Bedi had asked the principal who in turn asked me to write. My first “Professional” writing – I suppose in 1956. I had used two or three brief case illustrations in my article. The editor, mother of Kabir Bedi – Actor, edited out most part of it and retained the case illustrations – which were printed prominently. Subsequently – following a decision of staff meeting – that there should be regular seminars based on a paper written by a staff member. The “Privilege” of writing the first such paper (no one wrote subsequently) was either suggested by M.S.G. and or volunteered/accepted by me. The topic was “Applicability of Social case work Method in India”. Those were the days (period) when DSSW staff and other professionals outside like P.D.Kulkarni, were very critical of case work and had argued that it was not suitable for our country, which faced “Mass problems – Poverty; illiteracy and illhealth. Casework as an individual – oriented approach was unsuitable and “expensive”, even “wasteful”.

 I took the challenge – worked hard – read a great deal and produced a first draft of closely type (single space) 30 pages – K. L. Raizada did the typing. I gave it to MSG for comments. Based on those I was to revise the paper. His one comment – I did not accept- did not agree. I had followed the universally accepted academic practice of referring to an author – Celebrity be may be – by the last name e.g. Gandhi, without prefix or suffix. MSG’s suggestion was that I should refer to him as either Mahatma Gandhi or Gandhiji. I have been influenced by Gandhi as a teenager, to this day I hold him in high respect. But I felt I had not made any mistake – showed any disrespect. There was another comment – also not acceptable to me.

 I had quoted “Albert Schweitzer’ internationally known medical doctor – working in the field of leprosy relief. He (Albert Schweitzer) had three doctorates – one from Indian Philosophy! I had quoted him from - an article published in ‘”Atlantic Monthly”. USA which I had purchased while in USA in 1958 and read the article. MSG’s suggestions / comment was that he is not accepted as an authority on Indian philosophy.  Quote – someone like S. Radhe Krishnan. I had read book/s of S. R. as well as another famous author – Prof. M. Hriyanna of Mysore University.

Irony is that later, when MSG wrote a major paper on attitudes to wealth – published in – “Economic and Cultural Change”. Ed. by Bert Hoselitz of Chicago University, he Quoted from Albert Schweitzer in the same context - Indian Philosophical tradition! A. S. I was told not an authority, but he became so, when MSG felt the need to quote him! A negative feeling developed in my mind about MSG – due to this episode, which perhaps, influenced my academic relationship with him. Outcome of this was is my first major professional paper – on social case work, remains unpublished to this day. I still have the MS with MSG’s handwritten comments in ink and Prof. Herbert H. Apteker’s comments in pencil. I made no attempt to revise, prepare another one/ two drafts as I would have done.

 Dr. Aptekar - as sought by me, gave his opinion that the M. S. was worthy of publication – without any major revision. (Some revision would have been there). I had thought of sending this M. S. for publication to the Indian Journal of Social Work – TISS (Director is Ex – officer, Editor of the Journal). Unfortunately for me MSG became Director TISS in June 1962 – succeeding Prof. A. R. Wadia. I made no attempt to send it to IJSWK; Thereafter, I took a decision - so long as MSG was Editor – I would not send anything for publication on my own initiative. But, would do so if invited. I stuck to that decision – even after he retired and other’s succeeded him. My articles published in J. S. W.  All of them are invitational articles. Two articles – one on supervision and the other – review article on G. R. Bannargies (GRB) book Papers on Social Work were published when MSG was the editor of IJSW. When the essay review was send to him he wrote a brief acknowldgement letter in which he said – “a thoughtful review”.

When TISS under A. R. Wadia, planned a book on the occasion of its silver jubilee, History and Philosophy of Social Work in India, I was chosen – a great honour at that time youngest, I was 30-31 years of age, and had been a teacher at D.S.S.W. for about five or six years. I could guess Dr. GRB had recommended my name – she was the founder – promoter of Medical – Social Work in India. She could have been the best/appropriate person to write it. She wrote on social casework. This article on medical Social Work is the first major published article on Social Work by me.

 It brought a good deal of reputation as a young academic and I began to be noticed – invited for articles. Dr. Bannarjee has always been appreciative of me both as a student and later as a professional colleges Even obliged me by agreeing to write an article to “Social Work Forum” when I took over as the Editor in 1969 – and remained in that position for about 2 years. She wrote - that she would not have accepted the invitation because she had decided not to write for S.W.F for some reason, but would do so as I had invited her. A reciprocal gesture because I have declined an invitation because of MSG., later agreed to write for the seminar on supervision – other request another major paper, liked by GRB, published in IJSW later, as part of the seminar papers!

Again, another digression – and I write about Social Work Forum (SWF). I was invited by K. D. Gangrak the newly elected president of ATSW to become the Editor and had agreed on my terms – full control as Editor and Chairman, Editorial Advisory Board. SWF was behind schedule, two issues had not come out and financially in debt. The Press Kumar Printers was not paid for – due old bills and there was a “legal” notice from Mr. M. K. Bhargava Rs. 1000/- were due, big money in 1969-70. I knew MKB socially – was a friend – told him that I would personally advance Rs. 1000/- from my fund – to be reimbursed later.

 That was what happened. I brought out SWF on schedule – making up the back log, ensured that the journal kept to the schedule, improved the quality – by way of articles, increased the number of subscribers, got (Mrs. V. Bala helped) new Advts. Introduced a new feature – “Social Welfare News” which I prepared with much hard work -  going through several English newspapers – covering different regions – Hindu for example – the South, ‘Statesman’ for the East/North (Delhi Edu.), Times of India for the West/North. Readers liked this and other changes I introduced. I got compliments from wellknown professional like V. M. Kulkarni and others.

After 18 months – infact two years because of back log) I insisted that I should be relieved of Editor. SWF Handed over systematically – with proper records – financial/accounts subscribers etc. There was no debt and there was a small balance handed over. When I was Editor – B. S. Kumedan made a suggestion – we send SWF as a professional Journal in exchange for other foreign Journals – from UK, USA, thus get these Journals to the DSSW Library without paying huge subscription, in foreign exchange.

This worked well for some years – ended when SWF, after me once again became irregular and journal not reaching foreign Journals who had agreed for the exchange. I consider this phase of my professional career – an important achievement and a contribution to the profession.

Post – Script

Slice of Life – was a continuation of this writing. Excerpts from that - computer – printed – (Courtesy Malati) draft copy was sent to a few academies and DSSW Alumni. Rest was destroyed!    Glimpses of My Life – but not autobiography. 

S Pathak 19-05-2015, 7:00 pm