Goli Nageswara rao friend in high school

బాల్య స్నేహమాధుర్యం గోలి నాగేశ్వరరావు నేను సూర్యదేవర నర్సయ్య హైస్కూల్ (చేబ్రోలు) లో ఆరవ తరగతి నుండి చదివినప్పుడు నాకు ప్రియ మిత్రుడుగా గోలి నాగేశ్వరరావు వుండేవాడు. మా వూరుకు నాలుగు మైళ్ళ దూరంలో ఉన్న ముట్లూరు గ్రామం నుండి రోజూ సైకిలు మీద కొందరు విద్యార్థులు వచ్చేవారు. వారిలో గోలి నాగేశ్వరరావు ఒకరు. అతను మా ఇంటి దగ్గర ఆగి నన్ను సైకిలు మీద ముందు కూర్చోపెట్టుకుని స్కూలుకి తీసుకెళ్ళేవారు. ఇది ఆరవ తరగతి నుండి ఎస్.ఎస్.ఎల్.సి. పూర్తయ్యేవరకు కొనసాగింది. ముట్లూరు గ్రామం మా వూరు పాతరెడ్డి పాలెం - చేబ్రోలుకు సమీపంలో ఉండేది. దగ్గరలో మరే హైస్కూలు లేనందువల్ల అక్కడి విద్యార్థులంతా చదువు నిమిత్తం వచ్చేవారు. ఆ విధంగా ప్రారంభమయిన మా స్నేహం నాగేశ్వరరావు చనిపోయేవరకు కొనసాగింది. ముట్లూరు గ్రామం నుండి అనేకమంది విద్యార్థులు సైకిళ్ళమీద రోజూ వచ్చినా నాగేశ్వరరావు మాత్రం తప్పనిసరిగా ఆ ఇంటి ముందు ఆగి బెల్ కొట్టి నన్ను సైకిలు మీద కూర్చోబెట్టుకుని వెళ్ళేవారు. క్లాసులో ఒకేచోట కూర్చునే వాళ్ళం. కలిసి చదివేవాళ్ళం. హోం వర్క్ నోట్సులు ఎక్స్ ఛేంజ్ చేసుకునేవాళ్ళం. టీచర్లపై మా అభిప్రాయాలు కూడా ఒకే రకంగా వుండేవి. నాగేశ్వరరావు చాలా చక్కగా వుండేవాడు. శుభ్రమైన దుస్తులు ధరించి క్రమశిక్షణతో వుండేవాడు. నేను రానురాను వారి కుటుంబంలో ఒకడిగా అయిపోయాను. తరచు ముట్లూరు గ్రామం వెళ్ళి వారి ఇంట్లో కాలక్షేపం చేసి వచ్చేవాడిని. నాగేశ్వరరావు తండ్రి మగ్గం నేసేవాడు. వారి కుటుంబం అంతా ఆ మగ్గం పనుల్లోనే నిమగ్నమయ్యేవారు. స్కూలులో బ్యాట్మింటన్, వాలీబాల్ ఆటలలో కలిసి పాల్గొనే వాళ్ళం. చేబ్రోలుకు ఎనిమిది మైళ్ళ దూరాన వున్న గుంటూరు నగరం వెళ్ళి ఒకసారి హోటలులో దోసె తిని రావటం ఆ రోజులలో అదే మాకు వింతగా వుండేది. స్కూలులో ఉపాధ్యాయులపై మా అభిప్రాయాలు కూడా బాగా కలిసేవి. హైస్కూలు చదువు ముగిసిన తర్వాత నేను గుంటూరులో కాలేజీలో చేరటం, నాగేశ్వరరావు విజయవాడ పర్యటనతో మేము కొంచెం దూరమయ్యాం. స్నేహం మాత్రం అలాగే కొనసాగింది. నాగేశ్వరరావు విజయవాడలో శోభనాచల స్టూడియో కంపెనీ ఉద్యోగంలో సినిమా ప్రతినిధిగా చేరాడు. అయితే విడుదలయిన వారి సినిమాలకు కలెక్షన్ ఎలా వస్తున్నదో చూడటం సరిగా జమకడుతున్నారో లేదో గమనించటం, యాజమాన్యానికి ఎప్పటికప్పుడు తెలియచేయడం అతని విధి. నేను విజయవాడ వెళ్ళినప్పుడు గాంధీనగర్ లోని ఆఫీసుకు వెళ్ళి నాగేశ్వరరావుతో కాలక్షేపం చేసేవాడిని. వారి సినిమాలకు తీసుకెళ్ళేవారు. అలా జరుగుతుండగా నేను ఎమ్.ఎ. చదువు నిమిత్తం విశాఖపట్టణం పోవటంతో నాగేశ్వరరావు తాత్కాలికంగా దూరమయ్యాడు. మళ్ళీ నేను సంగారెడ్డిలో నాలుగు సంవత్సరాలపాటు టీచరుగా పనిచేసినప్పుడు నాగేశ్వరరావు కూడా అక్కడికి వచ్చి నేను పనిచేసే స్కూలులోనే సెకండరీ గ్రేడ్ టీచర్ గా వృత్తి కొనసాగించాడు. మళ్ళీ పాత రోజులవలె సన్నిహితులమయ్యాము. అప్పట్లో మా అక్క మెదక్ జిల్లా స్త్రీ సంక్షేమ శాఖాధికారిగా సంగారెడ్డిలో వుండేది. మేము ఇరువురం అక్కడ మళ్ళీ కలిసి వుండే అవకాశం వచ్చింది. అదే సాన్నిత్యంతో ఉన్నాము. ఇద్దరం కలిసి స్థానిక జిల్లా గ్రంథాలయానికి వెళ్ళి విపరీతంగా గ్రంథ పఠనం చేసేవాళ్ళం. వీరేశలింగం, మునిమాణిక్యం మొదలైన వారి రచనలు కలిసి చదివేవాళ్ళం. జిల్లా గ్రంథాలయ సంస్థ కార్యదర్శిగా జనార్దన రెడ్డి మాకు బాగా సహకరించేవాడు. రోజూ సాయంకాలం కొద్దిమంది టీచర్లు కలిసి వూరి వెలుపలికి వెళ్ళి పొలాల్లో తిరిగి కబుర్లు చెప్పుకుంటూ కాలక్షేపం చేయటం ఆనవాయితీగా వుండేది. 1964లో నా వివాహం తెనాలిలో అయినప్పుడు నాగేశ్వరరావు చీరాలకు చేరుకున్నారు. అతడు సుబ్బరావమ్మ అనే చక్కని అమ్మాయిని పెళ్ళి చేసుకున్నారు. నేను ఆ వివాహానికి హాజరై చాలా సంతోషించాను. నా పెళ్ళికి వద్దన్నా వినకుండా నాగేశ్వరరావు దంపతులు తాళి చేయించి ఇచ్చారు. అది నేను వాడలేదనుకోండి. అది వేరే విషయం. పెళ్ళికి నాగేశ్వరరావు వచ్చి చాలా సంతోషించాడు. క్రమంగా చీరాలలో ఉబ్బస వ్యాధితో బాధపడ్డాడు. అది రానురాను అతన్ని బాగా క్షీణింపచేసింది. ఆ సమయంలో నేను చీరాల వెళ్ళి చూసివస్తుండేవాడిని. అతనికి ఒక కుమారుడు ఉన్నాడు. కానీ నాగేశ్వరరావు త్వరలోనే ఉబ్బస వ్యాధితో చనిపోయాడు. కుమారుడు మాత్రం చదువుకుని ఆస్ట్రేలియా వెళ్ళి కుదురుకున్నాడు. ఏమైనా నాగేశ్వరరావుతో నా స్నేహం చాలా మధురమైనదిగా మిగిలిపోయింది. అతనితో ఒక ఫొటో వుండటం నాకెంతో ఆనందదాయకమైన విషయం. నరిసెట్టి ఇన్నయ్య

పరిచయం కీ.శే. పువ్వాడ నాగేశ్వరరావుగారు మానవవాదిగా గుంటూరులో ప్రజావాణి పత్రికకు రాసిన వ్యాసాలు గ్రంథస్థం చేశారు. ఆ రచనకు ఆవుల గోపాలకృష్ణమూర్తి పీఠిక రాశారు. అది తొలిసారి పత్రికలోప్రచురణ ఈ వ్యాస సంపుటి రచయిత, రమారమి గత పాతికయేండ్లుగా ఒక ప్రత్యేక, విశిష్ట సాంఘిక దృక్పధంతో విషయ పరిశీలన చేస్తూ యిటీవల చరిత్రపట్ల మనసునిల్పి, కొన్ని రంగాలు కూలంకషంగా తరచి చూచి, సాంఘిక ఉద్యమాల రూపురేఖలను పరామర్శించి, ఒక బృహద్గ్రంథాన్ని తయారు చేయుటకై విషయ సేకరణ చేశారు. ఆ కృషి జరిగే సమయాల్లో ఆంధ్రలో కరణీకములను గూర్చి దేశంలో సంస్కృతమును గురించి దృష్టి సారించి ఆ యా విషయాలను తడవి చూపారు. నాగేశ్వరరావుగారి స్వభావ, తత్త్వములను యెరిగిన వారికి యీ పుస్తకం చదువుతుంటే వారితో మాట్లాడినట్లే ఉంటుంది. 'భాషను బట్టి మనిషిని పోల్చ' వచ్చు నన్న నానుడికి వీరి రచన బలీయమైన తార్కాణం. ఆంధ్ర సాంఘిక జీవితంలో 'కరణీకాలకు' మొన్న మొన్నటిదాకా కొన్ని ప్రాంతాల్లో యిప్పుడు గూడా చాలా ప్రముఖ స్థానం వుంది. గ్రామీణ జీవితాల్లో కరణాలు ఒక కీలక స్థానాన్ని ఆక్రమించారు. చారిత్రక సన్నివేశాలెట్లా ఉన్నా సాంఘిక జీవితాన్ని కొన్ని యెడల రాజకీయ జీవితాన్ని, నియతం చేయగల శక్తి, యీ కీలక స్థానాలకు దక్కింది. అది దృష్టిలో నుంచుకొనే నాగేశ్వరరావుగారు చారిత్రక విషయ సముపార్జన చేశారు. వ్యావహారిక రంగంలోని మర్మలేగాక, భాషా విషయక రంగంలో కూడా కరణీక కుటుంబాలవారి ప్రశస్తి గమనించిననే గాని తెలుగుదనం పాదుకొన్నచోట్లు పరిగణనకు రావు. వైదికమత జైత్రయాత్రా సాఫల్యతను చేకూర్చిన వారిలో ఈ వర్గానికున్న స్థానం మత గురువులకుగాని, పూజారులకు గాని, పురోహితులకుగాని లేదు. జీతం బత్తెంలేని తీవ్రకృషి వైదికానికి వీరు ప్రోది చేశారు. నేటి గ్రామీణ వ్యవస్థలో కరణాల పాత్ర పంచాయతీల ఆగమన, ఉద్ధృతంలో తగ్గినట్లు ఉన్నా కీలక పరిస్థితి కీలకంగానే ఉంది. ప్రభుత్వానికీ, వైదికానికీ, కరణాలు కీలకాలు, పునాదులు. ఒకరిచ్చిన వరుమానంతో తమకు నచ్చిన రెండవ కృషి గూడా చేస్తారు. ఇది మనసులో ఉంచుకొని వ్యాసం చూడండి. ఇతర ఆనుపానులు మీకే దృగ్గోచర మౌతై. ఈ పుస్తకానికి జీవం, మూడోవ్యాసం, సంస్కృత కధా కథనం. స్వరాజ్య పాలనారంభం కాగానే చిన్న పెద్దలందరూ ఆగుబ్బుగా రేగి, సంస్కృతాన్ని పునరుద్ధరించాలని సమావేశాల మీద సమావేశాలు చేసి, విశ్వ సంస్కృత పరిషత్తులను గూడాస్థాపించి, ప్రణాళికా బద్ధ కృషి సాగించారు. సంస్కృతం తెలియనివాడు భారతీయాత్మ నెరుగనివారన్నారు. 'సంస్కృత' మంటే 'సంస్కృతి' అని కూడా నవ్య నిర్వచనం చేశారు. సంస్కృతి, కేవలం ఒక భాషకాదన్న నగ్న సత్యాన్ని గూడా తిరస్కరించి, తికమకపెట్టనారంభించారు. క్రమస్థితిని ఆ నైజం బయటపడుతుంది. దాని బండారాన్ని మన రచయిత, చరిత్ర సమ్మతంగా, నిరాడంబరంగా, నిజంగా బయటకు లాగారు. దానికి తిరుగు లేదు, రచయిత వాదం అప్రతిహతం. సంస్కృతం నిజానికి ఒక మూలభాష కాదు. ఈ విషయం కొందరకు కష్టంగా వున్నా, చరిత్ర చెప్పే సత్యాన్ని గ్రహిస్తే, సత్యాన్ని సత్యంగా గ్రహించవచ్చు. రచయిత, యింకా వివరంగా, సోదాహరణాలన్నింటిని చూపితే, గ్రంథం విస్తరించినా, సత్యాన్ని కచ్చడాలు యెక్కువగా దొరికేవి, మంచి కవచాలు అందేవి. ఆ పని, విషయం కల్గిన మన రచయిత భవిష్యత్తులోనైనా చేసి తీరాలి, దానికై ఒక ప్రత్యేక పుస్తకం కావాలి. సంస్కృతం మూలభాష కాదు. ప్రాకృతం మూల భాష, ప్రాకృతాన్ని సంస్కరించి, దానికి సంస్కృతమని పేరు పెట్టి, పుత్రికకు మాతృస్థానాన్ని చేకూర్చి, పౌరాణిక నైతికత్వాన్ని రుజువుచేశారు. ఈ మూల సిద్ధాంతాన్ని చర్చా వేదికలోకి తెచ్చిన నాగేశ్వరరావుగారి కృషి నిజంగా సాహసోపేతం, ప్రశంసార్హం. కాని, సంస్కృతాన్నే సంస్కృతికి పర్యాయపదంగా వాడే ప్రాకృతలోకం నాగేశ్వరరావుగారిని ఆడిపోస్తుంది, పోయనిండు, పోయెడిదేమి? రెండవ వ్యాసాన్ని యీ వ్యాసపత్రయంలో వేయకుండా వుంటే బాగుండేది. దానిలోని విషయానికి, తతిమ్మా రెంటిలోని విషయానికి సామీప్యం లేదు. వైదికానికి భావం కూర్చింది సంస్కృతం, దానికి పాదులు చేర్చింది కరణీకాలు. రచయిత హేతువాది, హేతువాదానికి, చారిత్రక దృష్టి, శాస్త్రీయగీతి, నైతిక గమనం అవసరం. ఆ మూటిని రచయిత తనలో ఆకళింత చేసుకుని, తన భావ పరంపరను సూటిగా తను మాట్లాడే రీతిలో, హృదయానికి హత్తుకొనేటట్లు చెప్పారు. పాఠకలోకం, యీ గ్రంథాన్ని యీ దృష్టితో చూచి, యీ విధానానికి వూతాన్ని చేకూర్చి, యింకా ముందుకు విశాలవంతంగా పోయే, పోగలిగిన అలవాటు చేసుకోగలుగుతుందని ఆశిస్తాను, దానికి పుంతలు వేసిన నాగేశ్వరరావుగారిని అభినందిస్తాను. తెనాలి ఆవుల గోపాలకృష్ణమూర్తి 28-2-1958 ఎమ్‌.ఎ., ఎల్‌.ఎల్‌.బి. కీ.శే. పువ్వాడ నాగేశ్వరరావుగారు మానవవాదిగా గుంటూరులో ప్రజావాణి పత్రికకు రాసిన వ్యాసాలు గ్రంథస్థం చేశారు. ఆ రచనకు ఆవుల గోపాలకృష్ణమూర్తి పీఠిక రాశారు. అది తొలిసారి పత్రికలోప్రచురణ

Telugu story in English translated by Komala Venigalla from Sri Ramana`s Dhanalakshmi

Original Story in Telugu: Dhanalakshmi by Sri Ramana English translation by Komala Venigalla Telugu Story Dhanalakshmi Sriramana Translation Venigalla Komala I was studying in eighth class. Seetharamanjanelu was my class as well as bench mate. He was a hefty boy with dark shiny complexion. With his well-pressed silk clothes, a watch, two gold rings, always money in his pocket, the perfume he used and the green Hambar cycle he rode, he looked a hero to us and we all were a bit jealous of him. Apart from all his luxury he had another plus point. A childless business man – Eswarayya adopted him – a distant relative. Eswarayya fell ill and thought he was dying and his last wish was to witness the marriage of his adopted son. Hence Seetharamanjanelu got married to Dhanalakshmi. She was in third class in our school. He was the only married student in our school. Surprisingly Eswarayya recovered from death-bed and started looking after his business again. He was happy and thought that Seetharamanjanelu brought him luck. But hasty marriage was irksome to Ramanjanelu though it gave him adult look. He suspected that other students were making fun of him behind his back. He rarely spoke to anyone. I was free with him, though others maintained distance from him. Sometimes I did home work for him. In return he allowed me to ride his shining cycle – a few rounds in the play ground. I considered it a previlege to ride that grand cycle. One day in our science class the teacher asked Ramanjanelu to describe parts of an egg. He answered ‘shell outside, and chick inside’. The teacher got irritated and ordered him to stand upon the bench. His face was flesh with anger. Adding insult to injury Dhanalakshmi came running to our class and asked Ramanjaneyulu for a pencil. The whole class laughed loudly which scared her and she ran back with her anklet bells jingling. She was prettily dressed in silk Lehanga and blouse. She wore a ruby necklace. She looked a decked doll. The teacher was about to continue the lesson on egg. Ramanjanelu jumped furiously off the bench and went to cycle stand, sat on his Hambar there itself. While riding out, he rang the bell three times in front of our class room. The teacher was shocked and asked the class leader to ‘collect that rascal’s books and leave them in the staff room.’ Ramanjanelu behaved rashly because he felt humiliated. Otherwise he was a quiet student. After that incident Ramanjanelu was never seen in the school. Even Dhanalakshmi left the school permanently. Eswarayya didn’t object Ramanjanelu’s decision. Moreover he thought that the boy would learn trade secrets – loss and profit by sitting in the shop. With Ramanjanelu’s discontinuation of studies I lost the chance of riding his Hambar Cycle. I was hoping to get a cycle to go to junior college after my tenth pass. But by then our high school was upgraded to a junior college. By the time I came to degree college. Our junior college became a degree College – with my minimum marks pass I joined the college. My dream of getting a cycle of my own was never fulfilled. In fact I wished to discontinue my studies inspired by Ramanjanelu. But my father was not as understanding as Eswarayya. He gave me a strict warning saying – ‘they have business we have nothing if you don’t study you have to beg on streets.’ Eswarayya breathed his last. After his death the bitter reality dawned on Ramanjanelu that the four workers in the shop had been stealing money from the business leaving it in debts. After clearing the debts the shop had to be closed – Twenty year old Ramanjanelu and Seventeen year Dhanalakshmi were left with nothing except Eswarayya’s family name. One day I met Ramanjanelu in the main Bazaar. He requested me to go to his house along with him. I followed him. His house consisted of a single room with an attached tin shed in front. He informed Dhanalakshmi about my presence there. She offered me a seat and said that she wanted to talk to me about some issue. Her behavior and talk showed maturity. She said “Annayya (elder brother) you must be knowing our situation. We are left on the street suddenly. Don’t know what to do. You know your friend better. He holds me responsible for discontinuation of his studies. I tell him God who provides food for ants will surely show us some way. He thinks that I am a burden to him. He offers to work as a sales boy in somebody’s shop. After all he is the adopted son of Eswarayya. Ramanjanelu asked her to come to the point instead of beating around the brush. She continued ‘Here in this Varandah we planned to start a flour (pulverizing) mill. It is first of its kind here hence I hope the business will surely pickup. I heard – machine costs ten thousand rupees. I can manage that much amount by selling my jewellery. We need three more thousand for electric fittings. We will fall short of those three thousand. I request you to go to Mill Company in Vijayawada along with your friend. As he doesn’t speak more than a word or two, you please convince Mill Company owners to accept those three thousand in installments. I assured her that Mill Company would accept installment payment. Within a week flour machine was fixed. Our village is slowly turning into a town. The flour machine became popular in a short while. Dhanalakshmi had learnt its operation along with small repairs needed time and again. The machine ran twelve hours a day. Customers brought rice, broken rice, wheat, black gram, green gram etc. – for pulverizing. In a month Dhanamma stocked all those items in her house. Customers bought them there and also paid for grinding. She paid instalments to the company in full. The Company fixed a separate machine for turmeric powder. By every evening a container was filled with coins – day’s income of the machine. She used to feel happy calling the money Sree Mahalakshmi. She used to count the change into ten rupee packets and sold that money to hotels and other shop people. She charged 10 rupees out of each hundred. Early morning while cleaning the shed she used to collect all sorts of flour from the floor along with road dust. She called it bath powder (Sunnipindi) and made packets of it. Five fistfuls in each packet and sold a packet a rupee. They called it Dhanasree Sunnipindi. She got pouches made with actress Vanisree’s picture and an ad- Dhana Sree Sunnipindi is made with various medicinal herbs to enhance skin glow. Dhanalakshmi got her jewellery made again. She gave birth to a boy. She named him Eswar. People Started calling her Dhanamma (rich lady). She advised her husband to start a regular grocery store as they earned money which could be, invested to further their business. She said – “because of the flour machine our house has become the centre. You can have full time work and earn money at the same time.” He filled the shop with all sorts of food items and once again he became a shop owner. She further suggested that he should sell all sorts of spices along with other condiments not available in other shops. Then they could compete with bigger shop owners. As usual Ramanjanelu didn’t favour her suggestion at first but implemented it ultimately. They set the shop right late in the night and slept there only. The neighbourhood woke up every morning with flour mill sound. People realized that along with money Ramanjanelu was getting bold. I completed B.Ed. and joined as a teacher in my old school with a consolidated pay of thousand a month. My elders fixed my marriage. Shakuntala – the bride to be was in her final year B.A.. Though I wanted to wait till she completed her degree, Our people didn’t listen to me. In our wedding invitations along with Shakuntala’s name B.A. was printed in brackets. All our relatives attended my marriage. Shankuntala’s B.A. never crossed the brackets as she failed in the examination. She happily settled down as the mother of two kids, reading borrowed novels, weekly magazines and watching T.V. serials were her hobbies. Neither my job nor my salary pleased her. But life went on without much hitch. I used to buy all my groceries from Ramanjanelu’s shop. Dhanamma used to tell me freely what was happening in the shop and around. One day when I went there some heated argument was going on between the couple. He was shouting at her “Do you think you are Indira Gandhi. If you don’t control your mouth you will see the consequences. You are not the only intelligent person.” When she saw me she said “Annayya you be the judge and decide whether I did anything wrong. Because of the sound of the machine I speak loudly, is that a crime?” I was hesitating to talk, he hissed ‘Don’t Change the topic. If you have any respect to your husband you would not have behaved like that in the night. She “What was wrong? Being in business must be prepared to take risks. In the midnight Mr.Naidu came to the shop to buy Sonthi (Dry, hard ginger) for some medicinal purpose. This man blatantly said ‘we don’t have it’. I got up, looked for Sonthi and gave it to Mr. Naidu. This man verbally abused me the rest of the night saying that I belittled him in front of a gentleman. He feels being generous and I am money minded.” She started crying. She “He called me a burden. Now he blames me.” He asked her to shut her mouth. I didn’t know how to respond to them in that situation. But from that time Mr. Naidu began to buy his groceries from Dhanamma’s shop. Ramanjanelu had to swallow his defeat. Ramanjanelu very politely requested me whether I could help with business correspondence and accounts in the shop spending an hour daily after the school was closed. He offered to pay Rs.300 a month or groceries worth that amount every month. Dhanamma asked me to opt for groceries – that I needed every month. Before I could think or say anything they fixed my part – time job in their shop. Each evening after school I spent an hour in their shop doing business related writing correspondence. On every 1st of the month they used to send full grocery stuff minus sunnipindi to my house. My wife didn’t like my clerical job in the shop. But I felt ease in my money matters. One evening I had to spend more time in the shop with extra work. When I was leaving, Dhanamma gave me one packet of jasmines for my wife and a few Jilebis (sweet) for my kids saying that I did not know how to enjoy even simple pleasures. My wife commented – “This is over-time compensation. Your sister is very intelligent. Ask her to write a book on trade secrets. It can be prescribed as a text book to the Business Management Students.” Whenever I told her that I would return home late that particular evening she used to joke that she would get jasmines and children Jilebis. I used to take it easy as jokes would not feed anybody. With Dhanamma’s suggestion a tour to Bhadrachalam was arranged. Forty tourists paid hundred each for travel, food etc., The bus was loaded with groceries and two cooks were engaged. For me and my wife the trip was free. Dhanamma got 200 coconuts and other veneration (puja) items – turmeric, Kumkum and incense sticks to be sold at the temple to other tourists. With holy dip in rivers Krishna and Godavari, visiting Kanaka Durgamma and Sree Rama temples, three days trip was satisfactorily concluded and we all returned well home safely. In return journey Dhanamma and Ramanjanelu bought soap nuts, brooms etc., as they were cheap there. They could be sold in the shop to a higher price. They benefitted in two ways. Visited holy place and brought back business to their shop. My bracket B.A. wife remarked “They made a lot of profit in this tour. They spent groceries from their own shop. Sold coconuts and brought back things cheaply available there. Ask them to arrange next trip to Tirupati and Sree Kalahasti. They can buy there tamarind which is very cheap there, can gain on it by selling it to a better price here in their shop.” What my wife did not know was that the trip to Tirupati was already planned. They earned money through the grocery shop and flour mill. They bought a big shop in the main bazaar. But continued business in the old shop only as it proved lucky for them. The sound of flour mill was like music to their ears. They built two rooms. One upon the other original single room. The house looked like a chimney from outside. A fertilizer company offered agency to Ramanjanelu as their big room was still empty. He did not want it saying that they would have to invest a lot of money on it. Dhanamma encouraged him to accept the agency saying – “We have money. We get commission on fertilizer sales. That is like getting interest on our investment. We can sell fertilizers to the farmers on loan and buy grains in whole sale during the harvest season and sell it in retail. We don’t have to pay rent to the shop. We get decent return on our money.” He said that he understood her point. Hence Eswar agency started in main Bazaar. To look after agency business he appointed our retired science master (one who punished him in eighth class) as he was in need of some earning. Fertilizer business was on its peak. I was the overall adviser in their business matters. Suddenly there came a national calamity when Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed. The nation plunged in darkness. Life in every aspect came to a standstill. Transportation suffered. Two Urea wagons meant for Eswar Agency was misdirected to Bandra instead of to Andhra in Vijayawada junction. With repeated phone calls to station master the wagons could be traced after a month. Two lorry loads of urea came to the shop. It was peak season for fertilizers. Urea rate went up unimaginably. It was sold before it went to shop. They made a profit of one lakh rupees on urea sale. I was happy for their though I was worried, before when urea wagons were misplaced. I remarked “good, Urea rate went up. If it went low we would have met with terrible loss.” They coolly said “we were assured that we can claim damages from the railways.” It took some time for me to understand their strategy. People with higher education could not match these two people – I thought. Dhanamma said that they were lucky. She took out a heavy gold chain and requested me to go to Vijayawada and deliver it to the station master for his help regarding urea. “If Ramanjanelu goes there people question him in many ways”. She said she gave me station master's address, he lived not far from the station. A half acre land at the entrance of our village was put up for sale. The land owner needed cash for his daughter’s wedding and he quoted one lakh sale price. Dhanamma put forth the proposal of buying it. Ramanjaneyulu lost his temper and shouted at her “Have you lost your mind? The land has a big pit in the centre. What can we do with it?” She insisted on buying the land and asked him to listen to her carefully. He said he would not listen. Moreover he said the low land could be used only to bury her. But Dhanamma managed to convince him. He said that he would offer seventy thousand and not a paisa more than that. The final settlement was done for seventy two thousand and the land was registered on Dhanamma’s name. The village people praised Ramanjanelu for buying good land cheaply. Dhanamma also praised him – “he has brains. He looked quiet but he is capable. Because he didn’t budge an inch from the price he offered. He made a profit of almost twenty five thousand.” Ramanjenulu heard her and felt that she recognized his worth. He felt extremely happy. They put up roof on pillars in that low land. It became a go-down, for the fertilizers. Lorries could straight go into the go-downs and unload. Many people appreciated Ramanjanelu’s idea. Dhanamma followed the traditional ritual with a lemon to ward off the evil eye on her husband. Oneday after Ramanjanelu left for fertilizer shop, Dhanamma said to me “Annayya, your friend is very happy these days.” I complimented him saying that he bought the land cheaply and converted the low land into a go-down. She was not happy about my remark. She opened up her mind to me and said- “He is jealous of me saying that mine is upper hand in all matters. He purposely accuses me I have everything but no peace in life. So, I adjust myself to the situation to make life peaceful.” “I did not follow what she actually tried to tell me. She continued “It is a secret Annayya. I paid to the landowner twenty five thousand without his knowledge. Otherwise he would not have sold the land to us. I raised the cash through chit fund bidding. Your friend said that the land would only be useful to bury me. The go-down idea was mine. But I gave all credit to him for his image in public. But he was happy with the credit. I entrusted him with. Then Eswar Babu came in demanding ten rupees from her. She while commenting that he always needed tens and twenty fives, started counting the coins. He said irritably “only note”. She gave it to him and sent him away. She continued “He is in 8th class. I am scared that he might follow his father’s footsteps in studies.” I said “What did we achieve by studying and what did he lose by not studying”. But she opposed my comment and said “Eswar Babu should pursue his studies. His father is selling salt and Tamarind. But Eswar should sell a, b, c, d. There is no better business than education” She further went on “His father’s pampering may leave him a spoiled brat. He says that we have business. It is enough for him. If Eswar looks after their business. Annayya please look for a good school for Eswar. If he remains here he would be good for nothing. I know your friend will surely oppose my proposal but I can manage him somehow. Please help me regarding Eswar’s studies. That morning when we were all in the shop Eswar Babu came in and wanted twenty five rupees. Dhanamma “I will give you whatever you want, but you have to study well”. She quoted Purana story – “Devikamma’s eighth child will be a threat to kamsa’s life. Like that there is dangerous tradition in our family of discontinuing studies, be careful.” Ramanjanelu looked at her angrily but gave a hundred rupee note to Eswarayya. She wanted to know why he needed money. He replied that he would by books. She joked “your father’s books are still in the school. See whether you could make use of them. Science master and myself had to control our smile and look away. Ramanjaneyulu got very furious. He looked at Dhanamma like a wounded tiger. After awhile his composer came back and he came to me saying “Eswarayya should be sent to some good residential school. Here he would be spoiled by lady’s pampering. Please enquire about a good school. Money is no problem. We can spend any amount. He stood up straight and gave a look as though his decision was final. Dhanamma gave a sigh of relief as her plan was successful. ================================ Why did I select this story for translation? Mr. Sreeramana is a great story writer in Telugu. He touches all aspects of our society – good and bad - in his stories. In this story – Dhanalakshmi, he gave importance to her intelligence, timely sense and her business acumen. Ours is a male dominated society. Her husband Ramanjaneyulu opposes her in every proposal she makes, his thoughts are negative. But his attitude does not damper her determination. She works hard to establish her place in this society. Both had no good education, But she proves upper hand in all matters but gives the credit to her husband to raise his image in public eye. The writer proves through this story that women are not weak not a second rate citizens. They can prove their mattle if given the opportunity. His dialogues are very interesting and humorous. We feel like reading his stories repeatedly and enjoying them. He permitted me to translate this story.

Humanists from India who visited USA and contributed

Humanists from India visited USA Research facts and information Several Humanists toured United States of America since days of first world war. It started with the adventurous steps of Manabendra Nath Roy (Narendranath Bhattacharya) in 1926 from Stanford University, San Francisco. At that Roy was militant nationalist was sought weapons from Germany to neck out Britishers from India. He met Dhan Gopal Mukerji in Stanford University who was a poet, friend of Jawaharlal Nehru . He welcomed M N Roy and for the first time suggested to use Manavendra Nath instead of Narendranath. M N Roy came into vogue from then onwards. Dhanagopal also introduced M N Roy to Evelyn Trent, the fresh graduate from the university. They liked each other which led to their marriage in the presence of Lala Lajpat Rai in New York. For few month they stayed in New york, met several revolutionaries from India, faced wrath of police. Finally M N Roy along with Evelyn escaped through train to Mexico. That was the first and last visit of M N Roy to USA. After the death of M N Roy in Dehra Dun in 1955 his second wife Ellen visited USA, met her brother and corresponded with the first wife of M N Roy. Another outstanding intellectual and follower of Radical Humanism prof Sib Narayan Roy visited USA as a part of his world tour to collect information about M N Roy and his contributions. Shib ray met professors visited libraries collected material, lectured in Stanford University. Sib Ray met the first wife of M N Roy and professors like North who knew M N Roy. Later the collected material on Roy was brought out by oxford press into four volumes. Samaren Roy from Kolkata, visited USA, contacted Bengali associations in USA and also collected rare material about M N Roy. Later he came out with writings like Restless Brahmin and life history of M N Roy A B Shah(Amritlal Bhikku Shah,from Gujarat state) from Bombay who founded secular society in India attended study camps of M N Roy in Dehradun and Kolkata , made thorough study of 22 thesis of Radical democracy. He wrote critical alternative for the thesis. A B Shah visited USA gave talks and made self experiments about the use and abuse of LSD. It was done similar to Aldous Huxley (details in Doors of perception). After taking the medicine his reactions and behaviour was recorded. All these scientific studies were conducted in USA. Then AB Shah worked in editorial board of Radical Humanist weekly. He also edited another intellectual magazine called The Humanist half yearly from Bombay on the model of Minerva of Edward Shils. Mr Tayyab Shaik( A.K.Hind) the close follower of M N Roy from Germany came to India in 1930s and published the first biography of M N Roy under the title: The man who looked ahead-M N Roy. The author`s name was published as A K Hind ( to avoid harassment from British police) M N Roy and radical humanists requested him to represent Radical democratic party in the founding conference of UNITED nations held at San Francisco in 1945. Tayyab presented the viewpoint of Radical democratic party that India needs not only independence but constituent assembly. From then on words Tayyab Shaik went into oblivion. Evelyn Trent the first wife of M N Roy not only travelled along with M N Roy in Europe, Soviet Union but founded the communist party of India in exile from Tashkent. She wrote several articles under the pen name:Shanti Devi. Many scholars from India and abroad approached her through Professor North for the role of Roy in Indian and foreign politics. Mr AGK (Avula Gopalakrishna Murthy) follower of M N Roy and radical humanism from Andhra was invited by state department of USA. Accordingly AGK visited America in 1963 and gave radio interview about humanism in Los Angeles during december 1963 (director Olinger recorded it). AGK met the brother of Allen Roy in New York and they remembered the events that led to the tragic end of Allen in Dehra Dun. AGK was invited by the editorial board of Washington post where he attended and briefed about journalistic trends in India. AGK addressed another meeting about journalism in India at Milwaukee library institute. AGK introduced the literature of children and secular writings of B V Narasimha Rao, Kondaveeti venkata kavi to school children in Ohio state. V M Tarkunde (Vimadlal Mahadev Tarkunde) visited during 1978 after the emergency in India and explained the situation to the world public and press in USA.He was judge in Bombay High court ,resigned to devote for radical humanist movement. Chandrakant Daru, the president and secretary of Indian Humanist association visited USA and educated the public about emergency in India as imposed by Indira Gandhi. Daru an outstanding lawyer in India spread the thought of M N Roy and humanism. He died in USA with lung cancer. Ms Indumati Parekh, the president of Indian Radical Humanist association visited USA and conducted study conferences in Washington about women's education, decentralization, radical democracy and thought of M N ROy. I participated in those seminars in Washington during her tour. Mr Premnath Bazaz follower of M N Roy was one of the earliest visitor to USA who toured extensively and delivered lectures about Kashmir situation. He was very popular among Kashmiris in USA. His book: The historical role of Bhagavad Gita and studies in Secularism were quite popular in USA.I met him in India in the radical humanist conference at Hyderabad during 1972, introduced him to famous journalist humanist V R Narla ( the author of The truth about Bhagavad gita). Dr Gauri Malik, (daughter of Premnath Bazaz) was frequent visitor to USA. She did great service in humanist organization. During his visit in USA I introduced her to the president of American Humanist association Mr Edd Doerr. Gouri died in USA. Jayant Patel, the president of Indian Radical Humanist association visited USA and spread the thought of humanism and M N Roy.He hails from Gujarat state Mr B D Sarma, the president of Indian renaissance association visited USA and in his own way introduced M N Roy`s renaissance ideas to the public.He was lawyer in supreme court of India. Tarka Teerth Laxman Sastri Joshi from Wai in Maharastra visited USA and addressed the Marathi literary conference in New York. His book Critique of Hinduism was translated by G D Parekh, quite popular in USA. J B H Wadia the radical film producer visited USA and through him film world knew M N Roy and humanism. Wadia introduced Nadia into films and the stunt movies were immensely popular. Wadia published his memoirs with M N Roy. During his visit to Bombay Roy used to stay with J B H Wadia. R.M Pal who was quite close to M N Roy during his last days in Dehra Dun visited USA and Canada, delivered talks on human rights, civil liberties.He was principal of college in Delhi.He died in Bombay 2016. Justice R.A.Jahagirdar, president of Indian radical Humanist association visited USA and spread the secular thought of M N Roy.He was judge in Bombay High court. Justice Avula Sambasiva Rao visited USA and spread the humanist thought in America. Mr V R Narla, (Narla Venkateswara rao) parliamentarian visited several times and toured museums, libraries, met intellectuals where he discussed about humanism and Roy in USA.His book The Truth about Gita was published by Prometheus books in USA with introduction of Innaiah Narisetti. Mr M V Sastri( Mulukutla Venkat) from Andhra was the earliest legislator who invited M N Roy to Andhra and introduced to Telugu people. He visited USA addressed meetings in Seattle, Chicago, New York addressed journalists, and students about M N Roy and Humanism. This happened during 1963.Mr Sastri was legislator in Andhra Pradesh legislative council. Mr Alapati Ravindranath from Andhra visited USA and studied outstanding journals, collected lot of material. He was pioneer of Telugu journal Jyothi,fortnightly from Tenali in which he introduced M N Roy, Ellen roy. Later he spread the thought through Misimi monthly. Bipin Shroff from Ahmedabad visited USA where he met the evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins and participated in humanist meetings, discussions. He introduced M N Roy`s humanism in some study circles in USA.He conducted several study camps and edited journal in Gujarati. Mr G R R Babu visited USA few times as executive of International Humanist union . Then he met Mr Edd Doerr, president of American Humanist association,and Mr Kenneth Marsalek, president of Washington humanist secular society. He delivered few speeches in Baltimore, Buffalo etc. Along with Mr Innaiah Narisetti he toured few places and met humanists in USA. Mr Gogineni Babu toured USA in 2016 as founder of south asian humanist society, addressed meetings, enthused few software engineers, conducted study classes for students. Dr Innaiah Narisetti and his wife Komala Venigalla started visiting USA since 1992, met innumerable humanists, established contacts with humanists in India. He also founded the center for Inquiry Indian chapter . He addressed several meetings in Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Baltimore, Maryland, Tampa, Detroit. Along with Mr Lavanam and Umesh Patri he addressed humanist conference in Detroit .Conducted talks in center for inquiry, Buffalo, Washington, New York. The American A Contributed by Innaiah Narisetti Atheist association recorded his interview conducted by the president Ms Johnson and Ron Barrier. His books were published by Prometheus books in USA. M N Roy and Radical Humanism was compiled and edited by Innaiah was brought out by Prometheus books with the encouragement of Paul Kurtz. He participated in the international conferences at Washington and Buffalo. He met and talked with Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Paul Kurtz, Margaret Downey, Richard Dawkins, Ibn Warraq, Taslima Nasrin, Michael Shermer, Tom Flynn, Toni Pelt.They participated in the meetings organised by Warren Allen Smith in New York. He worked with Toni Pelt, Norm Allen, and periyar association in USA. Associated with Humanist association, freedom from religion and center for inquiry. Narisetti Innaiah met Prof Robert North and his wife Dorothy in Stanford university. They revealed few things about M N Roy whom they may in Dehra Dun. Innaiah presented his research papers to Stanford University about Evelyn Trent, the first wife of M N Roy. Innaiah Narisetti from USA +

Innaiah`s books on line at:http://kinige.com/author/Narisetti+Innaiah

Look for my books in Telugu and English, translations on line link:http://kinige.com/author/Narisetti+Innaiah

Innaiah Narisetti`s books website

Books by Innaiah Narisetti on Humanism, rationalism, secularism website: Rationalist Movement veteran Dr. Narisetti Inniah has written many books including an auto-biography. We are glad to make them available through out site. Humanists I Met - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Journey of a Journalist - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Radical Humanist Movement in Andhra Pradesh - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Sane Living - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Spoiling the Child - Dr. Narisettin Inniah http://www.lohiatoday.com/MNRoy.html

Innaiah`s books in website :link

Innaiah`s books in website: link:Humanists I Met - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Journey of a Journalist - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Radical Humanist Movement in Andhra Pradesh - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Sane Living - Dr. Narisettin Inniah Spoiling the Child - Dr. Narisettin Inniah http://www.lohiatoday.com/MNRoy.html