Contd from... https://mouthshut.com/diary/dfjeopuqp/My-lifeflash-back-Part-3Our-wedding-contdmissing-part-of-2
I completed my engineering BE (Mech) in 1967. When the result came and I was over-thrilled to know that I achieved 1st Class with University Topper in Workshop Practical! Being the only son I told my mom that I need a 2 wheeler of my own and also told her that I will not attend the Convocation unless they get me brand new Royal Enfield Bullet 350cc!My mom somehow convinced my dad and booked the Bullet....those days waiting time is more than 3 months. The convocation was on 18.11.1967 and I got my bullet on 16th. On road price was Rs.4250/- (Still I have the original bill), including all extra fittings! No time to complete the registration...so the dealer fixed 'For Regn' both in front and back number plates! The convocation address was by then Chief Minister Of Tamilnadu Late CN Anadurai. I still hard copy of his addressNow I am graduated started preparing my Bio-data and started applying for all suitable posts advertised in news papers. In 1967, it was very hard to find a job for Engineers ans there were not many Industries in India. Some of my friends joined shipping line, and some persuaded for higher PG courses.
Tamilnadu introduced Apprentice posts for unemployed who had registered their names in TN Govt. Employment exchanges. As I was also registered according to mu preference....'Automobile(!)'.
I was taken as apprentice in then Madras State Transport Depo, maintaining all Ashok Leyland Buses. I was so happy and I moved to Madras from my Village home town along with my 'Bullet'. I took a shared room and started working for a stipend of Rs.225/- pm.! Soon I was given Heavy duty License and was allowed to take the buses for road test. Ok let me cut short here and let you know my first salaried permanent job.The distance from my home town - Vriddhachalam to Madras is around 180 kms. Normally I touch 110 to 120 in my bullet...so I used drive home every alternate weekends.
During one of my trips to Vriddhachalam, I left late.....around 9.00pm and was throttling to 120 as there was no traffic (you will hardly find any town and the entire area will be dark without any lights), I saw one white Ambassador Car parked at the side with its bonnet open. A man with full white dress was standing next and showing sign to stop me. As I didn't expect a stop so close, I jammed the break with creach noise. He requested me whether he can take me to near-by town, so that he can find some mechanic to repair his car. I told him that let me try whether I could fix the problem and checked (he was holding his Cigarette lighter to show light)....it was a minor electrical problem and I fixed. I started the engine and he was so happy. He asked all about me and said his factory was near my hometown only and gave his business card ... A. K. Devarajan, Factory Manager, Aruna Sugars, Pennadam, South Arcot district, Tamilnadu.....which is hardly 20 kms from my home.
I told him that I will follow his car until my house so that he could drive without any problem. When we reached our house I again checked whether I had fixed the problem properly. He was very happy and asked me whether I would like to work as an Engineer in his factory....if so asked me to come and meet him on the following Monday at 10.00 am.
I agreed and told my parents about the whole thing and were very happy that I was getting a job close to our house....I could go daily in my 'Bullet' and return back after my work. My dad said that I can take his Studebaker Champion car for the interview.My dad gave only one advice for the interview 'never demand more than what they offer....let them decide and increase your salary if they are satisfied'.I attended the interview and I was offered a post as Assistant Engineer with a salary of Rs.450/- pm...more than the double what I was getting........Thats how I started my 1st job!
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