"Ranganna" - From Surg Vice Admiral Vasant Dixit.

The below post is written by his friend , family friend from Savanur who has known him since childhood.

Vasant Dixit has retired from Navy as a very senior officer and currently resides in Bangalore. It is very warm and humbling for someone to share his feelings and write.  He also happens to be my mothers classmate in Savanur.Thanks a lot Vasant uncle ..


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Ranganna

Ranganna was my elder brother Vikram’s classmate. I remember Ranganna since I was 8 or 9 years old. His sister Bakula was my classmate in Primary as well as Higher Secondary schools. I used to visit his house occasionally as he was the neighbor of Prahlad Sawkar, a classmate of mine.

My brother and Ranganna were great friends. They left for college studies in mid 1959 after passing SSC. They would be in Savanur during summer vacations. The group used to go for long walks every evening and a couple of us youngsters used to accompany them. That was the time we interacted a little.

Vikram completed studies and was employed in BHEL, Bhopal. Ranganna had completed B Sc and was working as a teacher in Higher Secondary School at Kundgol.

I left for college studies in Jun – Jul 1963. I was 15 years old. My father took me to Hubli. My aunt, Sushakka, was in Hubli and staying at 7, Municipal Quarters at Hosur. Her husband, Late Shri BN Kulkarni was Post Master at Deshpande Nagar PO. I was admitted to Pre University Course in PC Jabin Science College, which is another story due to which my life took a turn. Due to financial constraints, my father requested Shri Kulkarni, my uncle, to accommodate and keep me with them for studies. As I can remember, my father was to send money for books, college fees and minor expenses like bus pass etc. I don’t think he was asked by my uncle to send money for boarding expenses. It was the first time I was away from home.

I was trying to cope up with college studies. There were many bright students. I was an average student and managed to float.

I am not too sure of the month but I had to pay the college fees for the II term. My father could not send money in time. I was anxious because I thought I will not be allowed to attend classes. I came home and told uncle about payment of term fees. I thought that his financial position is good enough to spare money for fees which would be returned when my father sent the amount. May be he was finding it difficult to accommodate me and this request infuriated him. He was abrupt and that weekend I went to Savanur. I narrated to my parents what had happened. They were at a loss as they did not know what to do. My father would not have been able to support me if I had to shift out from my uncle’s place and stay in a hostel or take private room and eat in a hotel.

I knew Ranganna was in Kundgol. A couple of my classmates used to travel daily from Kundgol to Hubli to attend college. So I told my father that if it comes to my shifting from uncle’s place, then I can think of going to Kundgol, stay with Ranganna and travel daily to Hubli to attend the college. It would have been stressful but there was no option.  I took it for granted that Ranganna will say “yes”. My father asked me to see whether Ranganna is in town for the weekend. It was a Sunday morning at about 10 am. I went to Ranganna’s house and he was there. I mentioned the background and requested him to come home as father would like to talk to him. He came home. My father narrated the incident, the requirement and asked him whether I can shift to Kundgol, stay with him and travel to Hubli to attend college. I don’t think Ranganna thought twice in saying yes. He was so spontaneous that he did not even feel the necessity to inform his mother or elder brother Kittanna and seek their permission.

Next morning, a Monday, self and father left for Hubli by early morning Bus. We reached uncle’s house at about 10 am and I left for the college. Father would have discussed with my uncle the issue of my stay with them for my college studies.

After the college hours, must be around 5.30 pm, I returned to Hosur by city bus. I was walking home from the bus stop and heard father calling me. He was sitting in Hosur café at the corner. He told me to pack my items as we are going to Ranganna at Kundgol. We reached home and there was silence. Aunt, who was my father’s favourite sister, did not and could not say anything. Within about 30 min I had packed and went to fetch a tonga (horse drawn cart) to go to the bus stand. Self and father reached the bus stand and enquired about the bus to Kundgol. Though the town was at a distance of less than 20 kms, the bus took over an hour to reach. It was about 9.30 or 10 at night that we reached Ranganna’s place. Ranganna received us and tried to make my father comfortable. Obviously there was no dinner. Father narrated the incident to Ranganna and told him that I will stay with him from now on and travel by train to attend college. There were convenient trains to and fro. Ranganna told my father that I will eat dinner with them in a hotel. Shri SL Katkar, whom I knew from Savanur days, was sharing the room with Ranganna. He was from Hubli and working in National Malaria Eradication Scheme. Father left for Savanur the next day.

Every morning, Ranganna and Katkar would see that I drink a glass of milk before leaving for the station. I don’t recall how I used to have breakfast and lunch. But dinner was wholesome with Ranganna and Katkar, in a hotel which was near the Railway station. Ranganna took care of me like my elder brother would. Despite his own financial constraints, he would see to it that my monthly railway pass for travel was purchased in time and bill for the meals was paid.

I shifted back to Hubli after a couple of months. That is another significant story.

Ranganna too shifted to Hubli in course of time. He joined New English School which was on the way to old Hubli. He took a room near Mohan & Mallikarjun Theatres. I used to visit him frequently and on several occasions stay for the nights. He used to take me to Krishna Hotel for dinner.

My father passed away in Jan 1965. Thereafter Vikram was the breadwinner. But Ranganna was the pillar of strength in Hubli. My mother, whom we called Vainy, managed the family with very limited resources. On many occasions, Vainy and Ushakka, my elder sister, would pass through Hubli and Ranganna would help me in taking care of them. We were looking at Matrimonial alliance for Ushakka. Mother sought help of Prof VK Gokak, her elder brother and my maternal uncle, which was forthcoming. Shri Prahlad Naregal, Deputy Headmaster of New English School and well wisher of the family, too stepped in. Vikram was in Bhopal but Ranganna deputed for him in all matters of finance. Ushakka’s marriage took place in Jun 1966.

We shifted out of Savanur soon afterwards. I had joined Medical College in Jun 1965. Younger brother Rama joined me in Hubli for his college studies in Jun 1966. Vainy moved to Hubli after a year or so. We took a small house on rent in Hosur. My visits to Ranganna became infrequent but I kept in touch. He later moved to Central School. He married Pushpa, classmate of mine and Bakula. I attended the wedding in Savanur. Even after I joined the Navy, I used to visit them when I came on leave.

I can’t remember when I lost touch. We moved to Bangalore in Feb 2011 after my retirement from Indian Navy. Then Vikram told me that Ranganna too is in Bangalore. I spoke to him. He along with Pushpa visited us in Apr 2011. We visited him a couple of times. Pushpa, my classmate, met Pushpa, my wife. I met Vadiraj and was proud of his achievements.

All in all, I cannot forget the unwavering support I received from Ranganna when I was a student. In the absence of Vikram who was away in Bhopal, I could rely on him for any requirement. He was a part of our family.

Today when I look back, Ranganna’s willingness to accommodate me in Kundgol was the turning point in my life. But for him, I may have had to quit college studies. I am indebted to him.

Ranganna passed away in 2014. We were saddened by his premature demise. Ranganna was a kind man with a large heart. I never saw him angry. He wished well for everyone. He was there when someone needed him.

May his soul rest in peace and Almighty give strength to family members to bear the loss.

Vasant S Dixit

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