01. PRABHAVA

INTRODUCTION

It gives me a pleasure to send greetings to u all on this occasion of passing of Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha today. Though none of our family members are in Political field, I feel pride as it's my own state and belonging as I am born in Hyderabad. U will all appreciate that this greetings is not sent  to show my happiness but to share my views with u all. Many of u also feel the same way.

You are aware that I am a person to find and share something new or rare in our life to leave an imprint before I leave from this world. I have already share a few of my achievements such as Family Tree and Memoirs of Khanapurs etc. I am one of those who like to share some precious moments of life which give some happiness to others as well.

Now look forward for a similar assignment I have taken on a subject of my interest A PAGE IN MY MEMOIRS. This is sort of my own memoirs brought out on a short and brief happening not more than a page in narration, takes around a minute and half to read.

Year 1942

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Introduction(message from me)......................................................Page 1

Contents...............................................................................................Page 2

Location Shahlibanda Old City Hyderabad................................... .Page 3

Grandfather Pension..........................................................................Page 3-4

Begumpet House No-39.....................................................................Page 4-5

Charminar Area...................................................................................Page 5 

Location Shahlibanda Old  City Hyderabad

I was living  with my maternal Grand Father Arni Raja Ram Rao in a rented house. I was 7.The house rent was Rs 3 House was quite big with a garden in the front of it independent on the main road leading to Uppuguda railways station. It was an old house.

Grand Father retired from British Govt as Salt Inspector of Madras Province from a town called Naupada near Srikakulam. Now in Andhra Pradesh

He was around 62 in 1942. All his four sons left him and joined British Army three of them and  one was not traceable.

My mother Sita Bai  eldest daughter. Her  only sister SHAKUNTALA  was living with her husband nearby Shahlibanda had a daughter Sunanda may be a year and half old.

Grandfather cooked food for both of us. He was fond of me and taught much of general knowledge and Maths. Lately he joined in a nearby primary school which I attended for few hours. We had a maid servant Butchamma who did all house hold work including  washing utensils, clothes housekeeping etc give bath to me dress me and sent to school.

My grandfather read The Hindu newspaper in the mornings and after noon. He had a long easy chair with long wooden handles with canvas sheet to hold. He has a small nap in afternoon. At 4 pm maid servant Butchamma comes does her house keeping folds dried clothes keep them on shelves. sweeps all the rooms. 

Grandfather Pension

My grandfather used to get a pension of Rs 46 in British currency. The currency in Hyderabad was Osmania Sikka . The Government was that of Nizam.  Nizam Government had its own currency, postal system, road transport and its own Nizam State Railway. In other parts of India other than Nizam State British currency was in vogue. Re 1  of British Currency was equal to Osmania Sikka Re1.16 Thus on conversion my grandfather used to get 16% more income in Nizam state.

My grandfather used to draw his monthly pension of Rs 46 BG (British Currency) from treasury located at Hyderabad Residency Now Women's college Kothi sultan bazaar. Every month on an appointed day we both used to walk from Shahlibanda to sultan bazaar in the morning after having our meal by 10 am.

The treasury used to open at 10 am and the Challans for pension were collected at 10,30 am at the counter. My grandfather kept his previously filled challan ready and submits at 10.30 after reaching the Treasury. Challans were collected up to 11 am only.

we go and sit under huge Banyan and Neem trees and wait for disbursement of pension. The cashier goes to Imperial Bank of India ( now Reserve Bank of India) to collect the  pensions amount in cash. He returns by 12 noon. The pension disbursements start at 12.30 pm. Names are called and my grandfather collects the pension in cash by 1 pm. a blank challan for subsequent month is given by the cashier along with the pension book.

we proceed to Gowliguda have some snacks and tea enroute. My grandfather purchases  some fresh fruits and dry fruits and some flowers. we proceed to Nampally railway station all on foot. we catch a train to Begumpet. A passenger train comes from Secunderabad to Nampally railway station hauled by a steam locomotive and stops on Platform no 1. we board the train. The steam engine gets detached and goes on next rail line proceeds to the front and gets attached to the carriages as Nampally railway station was a dead end station. The train departs and reaches Begumpet railway station. we get down and walk to our house in Brahmanwadi house no 39

Begumpet House No 39

Here my father. mother and other brothers and sisters lived. We had a big house at Begumpet  Brahmanwadi around 750 sq.yds. with a open   well for water and a garden all around the house with beautiful trees fruit and flower bearing. Parijatha and Jasmine flowering plants, Mango, Coconut, Kala Jamun, Nellikai, Plantain, Pomegranate fruits existing. We used to draw water from the well for all purposes. There was no protected water supply from Municipality. However this was provided as late as in 1953 when we got a water connection.

We spend a day with the family enjoying the fruits, dry fruits brought by my grandfather and also rich home food prepared fresh by my  Mother. Next day we return from Begumpet house to Shahlibanda in Hyderabad. This routine went on every month.

Charminar Area

Every evening we take a walk from our house at Shahlibanda to Afzulganj through the main road passing Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Unani Hospital, Gulzar House, Patther Gatti  Medina Building.

As we walked along the  Charminar area we used to hear the thumping sounds of leather tannery shops We return from there by 7 pm and have our dinner. After few lessons by grandfather on home work we sleep. Sometimes I used to get a pair of chappals made out of car tyres for 3 paise and a cotton coat for 60 paise Osmania Sikka. It was a pride for me to wear a coat and chappals purchased for me by my Grand Father.

Walking along the road with my grandfather holding my hand is today in the year 2014 gives me a great pleasure of life bringing back my old memories.

Concept : Krishna Rao Khanapur

Graphics Support: Manu Konnur