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It was a very small village by name MULLAKKUDI where Mr. RAGHURAMAN had memorable days lasting more than 5 years. It is very difficult for Mr. RAGHU to wipe out those pleasant as well as unpleasant happenings as they happened when his age was still in single digit and hence good or bitter feelings are still fresh and deep routed in his memory cells. It was comparatively a small village of hardly 2000 in population belonging to THANJAVOOR district of TAMIL NADU enjoying the liberal helpings of the river CAUVERY. All the habitants of this village were living in perfect harmony and it appeared that higher and lower castes had accepted their birth either as Brahmins, no Brahmins, or STs and SCs as “ordered” by the ALMIGHTY and completely unaware of the injustice done by declaring a set of human beings as “UNTOUCHABLES”. One day the small boy Raghu happened to slip in to the area of the so-called untouchables and found company in playing with another boy of his age who also relished that comrade ship. But only after some time to the horror of both, the father of that innocent boy dragged him from the clutches of Raghu and gave his son a severe beating and also pleaded RAGHU to forgive his son and requested him to refrain from informing others about that incident. As a young boy Raghu was puzzled about the misdeed by them, and even then why his son was only abused and he was spared with all respect. That boy by name MUNIYANDI was stronger than him with attractive smile and sparkling teeth though darker in complexion. Both of them were cruelly and crudely separated and the tell tale story of their yearning faces was a challenge to GOD.

When he reported his experience to his grand father it was his turn to get scolding for straying in to the locality of lower castes. Even at that tender age the boy Raghu was convinced that some sort of injustice is done to innocent people of his own village which he dare not argue with elders. He made attempts to get valid reasons for this odd treatment from elderly boys who also couldn’t give him convincing answer. Slowly a rebel attitude was developing in him. That young boy was looking reason and logic in any kind of behavior or custom and at the same time lacking courage to level questions against elders and teachers. They were given separate vessels for drinking water and if by chance when they had to handle any utensil they are received back only after “sanctifying” by sprinkling of water. VAIDEHI was the next door neighbor of RAGHU whom he called her as elder sister being senior by nearly 10 years of age. She used to sing carnatic songs with ease and also sporting unusually long hair of pigtail that was touching the ground. When she was married off the whole village was in celebration for 4 days with feast for all the days for the entire village. The tragedy struck her when her newly married husband was bitten by a cobra and died with in few hours. Even now RAGHU remembers her heart rendering cries for days and nights. But the most shocking thing was when she saw her out after a month her beautiful long hair was missing and the shaved head was covered with her white sari. His grand mother told him that all widows have to do that and still more severe customs for which there was no rhyme or reason. Raghu retorted back to his grand mother by questioning why KRISHNAN uncle not only abstained from shaving his head but got a second wife after the death of the first. Instead of giving proper justification all started laughing as if he was cutting a joke.

One day RAGHU’S uncle came from CHENNAI and claimed that he had been to a meeting by congress leaders where he was fortunate to see MAHATHMA GANDHI and also RAJAJI. He was visibly excited to declare that our country will be freed from Britishers very shortly. As a young boy RAGHU was impressed by the local leaders when they visit his village and used to shout along with them VANDE MATHARAM until he was exhausted. During those times his grand mother used to restrict him and warn him that police would arrest and put him in to jail. Once during such a meeting the police raided the village and arrested RAJU uncle and along with others RAGHU was also running helter shelter. But here also RAGHU was puzzled that why one Indian is arresting another Indian when both are under the slavery of British Raj.

Raghu and few of his friends had collected a few congress flags and their hobby was to go around the village shouting MAHATHMA GANDHI KI JAI! DOWN WITH BRITISHERS! And so on.

NARAYAN uncle was rich and the radio (battery operated) in his house was the only one in the radius of 50KM. Even now RAGHU is having the nostalgic memory of waking through out the night of 14-15 AUGUST 1947 in front of his house. Mr. NARAYAN had erected a pandal in front of his house for the benefit of the whole villagers. Exactly at 12-00 midnight the famous speech of late PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU was broad cast through out the world that INDIA got freedom from slavery and we were also INDEPENDENT and free citizens of the world. Even in that small village the shouts of joy was echoing in every nook and corner. All were huddling each other, some were rolling on the ground like mad people and some were crying shamelessly out of joy and excitement. Already many generous people had arranged PAYASAM (KEER), in big vessels and it was an unusual sight that with the help of hurricanes, chimneys and burning wood sticks every body was served in coconut shells the sweet and hot drink in that dark night. One day RAGHU and his friends were aghast to witness planting of long and sturdy iron pillars in a row from the main town of THIRUKKATUPPALLI. They were thrilled to hear that at last the village of MULLAKKUDI and the neighboring villages were also in the process of electrification. Normally the whole village was in the habit of going to sleep as early as 7-00 pm as they couldn’t afford lantern. Kerosene was in scarcity to use hurricane, chimneys etc.

They were actually extracting oil from dry castor seeds and using it with earthen cups with a wick for illumination. But they used to get up from the bed by 4-00AM to attend milking, agriculture etc.

All were thrilled at the sight of good illumination by just turning the switch. Now more number of hours could be devoted for reading and other house hold work. But again there were also quite a lot of poor who couldn’t afford. But the newly installed street lights came to their rescue.

NARAYAN uncle was running on the main streets of that village, on that fateful day of 30th January 1948 shouting AYYO! THEY HAVE KILLED GANDHI! It was a Friday late evening! He was crying at the top of the voice that one HINDU by name Nathuram Godse had shot him to death in prayer meeting and GANDHI’S only reaction was HEY!

RAM! The news spread like a wild fire and the whole village started crying in chorus irrespective of age and caste! The curse against the assassination was united with out a single exception! Mr.RAGHURAMAN asserts that there are so many events worth to be included under reminiscences in his long chequered life while only a few of them as cited above are remembered vividly scene by scene.

BY J.PANCHAPAGESAN FLAT-11,130 GILL NAGAR EXTN STREET CHOOLAIMEDU CHENNAI PH-044 23744963 EMAIL id- jpanchapagesan@yahoo.co.in