Memory down the lane...24 & counting.... Star 1

Kannan B

He is a smart, good looking, ever smiling, soft guy. I became friend even before training. I remember on 20 Sep 1987, when we all assembled for filling in forms during a break we happened to chat and it turned out to be that he was from 1986 batch (me - 1985 batch) from the same PSG Tech. Forget about service and these 24 years, we became very close the same day…. and it continues…

The training days, were very fond memories. We were not separated for a moment. We travelled together back to Coimbatore after 6 months of training, returned together for technical training and made it sure that we returned together during conversion as well. In fact we (B Kannan, Sriram & me) were the last set of people to arrive by Kovai Express. During first posting though we were separated we did ensure that we completed Sec A (AMIE) during conversion.

Luckily, we were posted together post conversion… We were put up in same room and stayed together and it was he who ensured this. How many mornings and evenings we might have studied together. There was a healthy competition among us and definitely no jealous attitude. One was always supportive to the other. He attended my marriage as well.

One particular incident which I would like to recall here is before Kannan’s marriage, which is etched permanently in my memory. Though I might have narrated to a few people, I would like to put it on record now. This will be there as long as I live.. We (Vaishali, me & Kannan) were travelling together from Kanpur to Coimbatore by Cochin – Gorakhpur Express. I was not keeping well though I was prepared to travel. I was suffering from Asthmatic attack during travel. Though I had taken tablets twice or thrice (I do not remember), the breathlessness associated with it did not subside. Seeing my condition, Vaishali was perplexed and she lent all moral support that she could, as she was also new to me (Yes.. this incident was within 3, 4 months of marriage). My Friend, My real hero swung into action as soon as the train reached Vijayawada.. Though the train did have a stop of 10, 15 minutes, he ran almost 10 platforms, went outside to a medical shop to fetch an inhaler. Imagine the rush during the time. (it was probably night and peak hour time).

The train was about to start and we were obviously worried that he has not reached. More than my suffering, I started worrying for him. The train was just chugging off slowly from the station and he hops into the train and gave my SOS (Save our Soul). After having two puffs of medicine, I became totally normal. GOD, Kannan was my savior who saved me literally from the crutches of pain and agony. He even did not think of the consequence if he would have missed the train. He proved the idiom to its worth that “A Friend in need is Friend indeed”.

Even our marriages were not widely dispersed. He married within 6 months of my marriage in Jan 1995, which we attended. He has ensured a couple room in a hotel for us in Pollachi. We invited Kannan and Hema in a traditional way at Kanpur. I had my maximum dinner almost every day at his place when Vaishali had gone to Kumbakonam for delivery. Hema and Kannan was my moral support during this longest separation… How am I going to repay them??

Even today, when I write this, those sweet memories are overwhelming. The moment he was posted out from Kanpur, I felt sky shattered on my head. I could not take this, though I know for sure that it was unavoidable. The tracks of life have changed and it was something like a derailment. We were in touch, but it was few and far in the later stages, obviously due to the distance, time, commitments. But then, we rejoined through technology post retirement and the bonding is up and running again all over…..

To be continued....