1961- I was for a while studying in Melur Eastern School for a short time again. I learnt arithmetic and the tables here in the form of a sloka. I recall my tables that I learnt by heart even today in the same tune. The Teacher used to hit on the palm by a stick that would leave the burning impact for hours if we made mistake in the recitation. It was a strict class. The teacher Mr. Anandan was a real strict person as he punished us a lot.

My father had by then arranged a change and the family had to go to Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and I stayed home and did not go to school at all. I had the textbooks and the curriculum syllabus and had to study at home so that I could get back to Kerala and study further.. Perhaps I had a nice time at home. No beatings from teachers! End of 1962 March, we were back in Kerala for my mother's delivery.

1962 July14th-My sister was born at Dharmadam, father's house. My father was on annual leave.

1963-I had to stay in my mother's house at Melur. I attended another school near by known as Govt. Basic School, Palayad in standard 4th and 5th. I picked up my mother tongue-Malayalam and could read and write. I must have been an average student only. It was my second co-education school. I have various stories of this school to mention. (Will write later..) Passed 5th standard and got the School Transfer Certificate to go North India- Jullunder for studies. Father had got a posting in Jullunder, Punjab. I was admitted to the Central School (Now known as Kendrya Vidyala), Jullunder Cantt. I was poor in Hindi language (writing and reading) being second language. Most of the coaching was given by my mother who had Hindi in her school days. I learnt the Hindi alphabets from my mother even before I could attend the classes. I was admitted again into the 5th standard as my father insisted that I learn the same class in English medium.

My good friend who helped me to get through the admission test was Surender Pal Singh Moga. He was my first ever friend who was so close to me for the first few months of the 4th standard. He got selection into the Sainik School and left. He used to write letters to me but got lost just after few months. I am still hunting for him as he left a remarkable memory of his jovial friendship and bondage.

1964 May27th- Indian 1st Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru passed away. It was an afternoon just while we were relaxing at Dharmadam after our lunch, when suddenly the radio station broadcasting some songs ceased and some sort of a grief note of Sitar was played and followed by an announcement that Panditji is no more.. My father almost jumped from the bed and I saw him first time in my life in a melancholic mood and upset as if some one had died from our own family. He was very much shocked and did mention several times.. "Oh my God.. Oh my God...." It was later years I learnt that he had an opportunity of meeting and shaking hands with Nehru while in Indo-China trip.

1964-1965- Passed 5th standard and it was the summer vacation, when father got a transfer to the School of Signals (later known as the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow, MP.) We all moved to Mhow.(Known as Military Headquarters of War, since the British time. The Indian Army had the hub where many well known Generals were trained)

This period in Jullunder also witnessed the Indo-Pak war. We as kids used to spend our nights in the trenches when the Pakistani bombers flew above our houses. The techniques to survive when bombarding was even taught to us in schools. My father was issued with a gun for personal safety. Jullunder was not far from the border in action. Sirens that made us walk in sleep towards the trench automatically yet did not have any idea what war was for.

2TTR 1960 Jabalpur	My maternal grand pa 1960

Officers meeting-Jullunder-1964	Farewell to lady doctors-Jullunder-1964