Once Upon a time in Paradise
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A Period to Remember Again
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!
Above is a Painting by a patient, Mr Verghese presented to Mr T Perumal, Works Manager, UMTS.
Talking over a cup of evening tea, our conversation centered around our beloved Sanatorium and my wife said, that when she was in Class 2, she remembered soldiers in uniform being fed in the school premises!
That got me thinking.
There is no history available of those wonderful days of that era. Our elders have all gone and I am not aware of anyone having penned down any memories.
We are the only ones left and when we also go, Sanatorium will be wiped out of memory and only Arogyavaram Medical Centre (AMC) will be available for future historians.
Before this terrible pandemic or our own old age overtakes us, let us put together all our memories of those glorious days that we knew as children.
For example, I remember the daily market outside Colony Stores that my mom used to send me to. There were fresh vegetable vendors and even a butcher shop selling mutton for just over ₹1/-!! Or can I forget Muniswamy, the ‘jutaka’ man who would take my mother and me to Bangalore bus stand at 5 in the morning. Or the tea party at the Frimodt-Moller residence on New Year’s Day. Incidents, etched into memory.
So rack your memories and recollect fond memories and help me compile a ‘Down Memory Lane’ of our dear Sanatorium. Just put down on paper, memories, anecdotes, anything and let’s create a history book of our own making that will make someone, years from now exclaim, “Wow! What a paradise it must have been!”
Wing Commander Raju Asirvadam (Veteran)
P.S.: This is a novice's attempt at creating a website. I am no expert. In COVID times keeping myself active and have attempted this, Please pardon the glitches.
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Each one's contribution is priceless in information
Mr Ramachandra
Recollections of the Past
I remember, Government used to provide one Health Inspector solely for Sanatorium to look after the things like, to check every milk vendor who supplied the milk to the patients. If he found any adulteration he would immediately seal the milk send it to the authorities for inspection. I remember many people were sent to jail in those days. Every day, Health Inspector had to visit the slaughterhouse, which was behind the car shed, inspect the animal and put his seal on the animal thigh after he was satisfied with its fitness for consumption. Then only the butcher was allowed to sell the meat. Health inspector had to visit every village and disinfect the streets, small ponds and ditches to prevent diseases like malaria and other things. The Sanatorium was also taking care of the inoculation of the poultry once in a while.
Sanatorium had allowed only licenced local servants to work in the hospital with the patients.
Newspapers like Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India, papers in Tamil, Gujarati. Malayalam, Oriya, Telugu and many kinds of magazines, like Illustrated weekly were available for reading. Oriya. Gujarati, Malayalam magazines were distributed to the patients as well as to the staff.
Every day, only in the evening times, the patients were allowed to go for walk for about 1 hour.
The thoracic patients, who got operated on, were allowed to walk only limited distances as per their health conditions after surgery. They were given identification marks in colours that specified up to what distance they were supposed to walk.
Every day all the staff had to attend to their duties at 5.30 am. Those who had to come from nearby villages used to make big noise by playing ‘duckies’ (tambourines) and playing other musical instruments to chase away snakes from their paths. After the morning prayer, they would go to their duties.
Nursing stall would be provided milk and some snacks every day around 9. 00. Everyday evening snacks would be provided to the patients and only after that would they will be allowed to go for their walks.
There were 7 badminton courts, 1 tennis court, 2 volleyball courts and one football ground. Almost everyone played some game and the fields would be full. Almost every staff had to participate in any one of the games and also it provided entertainment for the patients to watch the games. In the evenings after 6.30, there will be indoor games in the cinema theatre. Shuttle, carroms, table tennis. Many magazines would be provided for reading.
For patients’ entertainment, they would play movies once in a while. One day was for only patients and the other day was for the staff and children.
After dinner, patients were allowed to sit and talk but they had to go to sleep at 7 pm without fail. In every ward, no lights should be seen after 7 pm.
School children were provided free medical facilities. Even a small incident, we use to go to ‘KothaHospathri’. There used to be a ward boy whose name was ‘KothaHospathri’ Venkatappa, who was residing in Shanthinagar. Whoever went to him was treated with Tincture Iodine, Betadine or Mercurochrome depending on the wound. As children we used to get an excuse from the teachers, to escape classes and go to that place which was near to our school.
School children would be provided milk and cheese around 10 o'clock. In the afternoons, Bulgar upma would be provided which was very tasty.
In the school there many activities like Scouts guides. Children will be divided into groups and go treasure hunting. Clues be provided by the Staff.
The Works Department alone was having nearly 50 people to look after the works like ward disinfection, hedge cutting, litter picking. They also looked after the street lights, electrical works, pumping water, providing coffin boxes(bamboo) for the dead persons. They also were responsible for taking care of the playfields. The only person managing all these things was the Works Manager Mr. Perumal sir. He was a terror to the Works Department. He used to keep his bicycle in one place and he will be in some other place to observing whether the workers were doing their duties properly. So workers were afraid.
Some of the recollections that come to mind.
Mrs Meena Walser nee Perumal
Happy Memories
I am grateful for being born and raised up by our loving parents and family in Sanatorium in late 40s& 50s as a little girl. The background and surroundings in the place was kept very clean and beautiful. I remember flower gardens beautifying the place in every corner we turned around. Houses, wards and offices were maintained very well. My father was the Works Manager of the place and maintained it so beautifully.
We the staff children played near our homes happily. The school was fun to go to. Every summer we had dramas to entertain the public In Sanatorium. We sisters actively participated in the dances. To raise funds for the hospital we used to celebrate the harvest festival once a year. I participated by being a flower girl and was given a gift for doing so. My parents helped me to make rose flower broaches to sell in the event.Those beautiful roses were from our garden in our house.
We participated in playing badminton along with doctors wives and nursing staff. We kids went to madras schools after 5th class. We used to come home for holidays by mail bus which
dropped us off near our house. It was fun that way.
The doctors really took care of us when needed. The staff were very friendly to All OF US. My father worked near to our house. The place had a beautiful chapel built by my dad.
Mr P Jayakumar
My Memories of Sanatorium
The sanatorium was also known as Arogyavaram or UMTS (United Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium).
I spent my childhood in Sanatorium and studied in UMTS School from Class 1 to Class VIII. I completed both elementary and middle school in UMTS, under the leadership of Head Master Elisha Simeon in Elementary School and Head Master Elisha Paul of the Middle School. I was trained under teachers like Lilly Teacher, Samadanam Teacher, Levi Master, Dayamanthi Teacher etc). I still remember how we used to go to school one hour before morning prayer and were given assignments to fill up the tanks in the school washrooms and also water the class gardens. We used to grow different kinds of vegetables class-wise. It was really fun working in the gardens. As soon as the bell rang, we assembled for prayer and then dispersed to our respective classrooms. The last period of the day was usually assigned for games and PT drills. We had recess at 10 AM and a noon lunch break and returned back home after 4 PM when the school closed for the day. The ground next to Pedda Tanki was our playground. I am really proud to have been a student of this school, where we were taught discipline, working in the garden, and games besides our regular studies. I remember participating in athletics and even competing in Inter-District Athletics in 100 meters dash, long jump, and high jump, etc. I also represented the UMTS School in Inter-District Football matches.
My childhood days spent in Sanatorium were heavenly!! In the evening most of the staff at Sanatorium were engaged in some kind of sports or recreation. There were a number of Ball Badminton grounds, one Basketball court, one Tennis Court and of course the famous Football ground where we played Football almost every day under the supervision of Dr. Jesudian, who himself was a good player. He organized tournaments every year and teams came from different parts of Southern India like Kolar, Chinthamani, Chittor, Cuddapa, Madanapalle, Pakala, and once also from Chennai. The toughest match was always between Arogyavaram and Madanapalle! So many of our good Arogyavaram players played in West Bengal clubs like East Bengal or Mohun Bagan etc. We used to eagerly wait for these tournaments.
Sanatorium had many entertainment programs in the evenings or nights in the Recreation Hall, where we used to play indoor games like Table Tennis, Carom Board, Shuttle Badminton, etc. There were good documentary films shown at night for patients and also for the staff and their families. The Christmas season in Sanatorium was wonderful and bright with carol singing and parties. Rev. Barton was the Pastor of the English Chapel and Miss Lund, Dr. Muller and his family, and Dr. Jesudian encouraged the spiritual life of the campus. Dr. Muthaiah and his wife lived in the bungalow next to the School and Dr. P.V. Benjamin lived in the bungalow next to the OT and Lab.
We as staff children loved exploring the huge campus of Sanatorium. I remember the small Post Office where I used to go frequently to post letters for my brothers and sisters who were studying in boarding schools in Chennai. Next to the Post Office was the residence of Dr. Papan Benjamin and Molly Aunty. Their sons Thomas and Maniji were my best friends. Dr. Pappan was my family Doctor. I remember the Mail Bus that came on time every day. It used to bring all my siblings on school vacation from Katpadi station. I eagerly waited for its arrival.
I remember going to the weekly Santha to get vegetables for home and of course to Sanatorium stores to get groceries on a daily basis. Cycling was a daily routine for me!
One thing that impresses me even today is the feeling of oneness among all staff, especially the staff children that grew up together irrespective of our background and status. We had a lot of entertainment in the fields of sports, dramas and films. Our parents encouraged us to attend all Church programs and grow spiritually. I remember walking to St. Luke’s Church, carrying my Dad’s Violin and sitting next to him and singing Telugu hymns. Pastor Azariah encouraged me in singing. I still remember the construction of St. Luke’s Church from its foundation! My father had supervised the whole construction of the Church.
My father, Mr. T. Perumal worked as the Works Manager and his office was next to our house. He was a hard-working person and was busy both day and night. He supervised the whole campus and was mostly on his cycle. He was responsible for many things like building construction, electricity, water supply, wells, pumps, grounds, gardens, security etc. He had many workers under him to supervise. The workshop next to our house was a busy one. Iron smith (Raheem), Carpenters (Venkata Anna and Chinna Thimmarayudu) were always busy, not to forget Painter Sundaram Anna, Electrician Raju Anna, Wood Cutter Usiwadu (he was deaf and dumb but worked very hard). I still remember Papudu Anna, Bandi Venkatappa and many others who worked hard to keep the campus clean and gardens blooming with flowers. I still remember the huge Python which Papudu Anna caught behind our house which was attacking our Rabbits!! A Peacock visited our house every evening to get his grains from my mother.
Our neighbor was James Aunty. She was in charge of the main kitchen and also linen for the Hospital. I was always amazed at how efficiently she managed all the work.
I used to frequently visit the Garage where all the vehicles were stationed. Mondol Uncle was in charge and his son Lallu was a good friend of mine. I remember Chinna Dorai Uncle driving the big Mobile X-Ray van that went to villages for taking X-Rays. I also remember Munnuswamy Uncle, who besides driving was also a good Tabala player in the Church.
After my graduation in Bangalore, I came back to Madanapalle where my parents settled after my father’s retirement. I had the privilege of working for a short period in the statistical department with the IBM punch machines entering all research details for Dr. Muller. I helped for few months and then moved to North India to pursue higher studies.
I have many more memories of the beautiful Sanatorium and so many friends from Siddhama gari palle, Gudisavari palle, Lilly puram, and many other neighboring vilages, but I have lost contact with most of them. I cannot forget those days traveling to Madanapalee in Munnusamy Uncle’s Jatka!! I climbed almost all the hills around Sanatorium with my pet dog, not to forget hills like Biscut konda, Sami hill etc.
Well, let me close here and if I remember anything interesting from my days in Sanatorium, I will write again.
P. Jaya Kumar, S/O. Mr. T. Perumal.
Mr Ramahandra continues.....
The Colony Stores
Some patients who came to the Sanatorium recovered and got healed and they decided to stay in Arogyavaram itself and settled down here. The management provided them with an opportunity to earn a livelihood. They were given work in Colony Store or in the Colony Press so that they could work and earn some money. So it can be said that the colony store was opened to provide some lively hood for the recovered patients.
In the store, there was everything available for the patients and staff. All were at very affordable prices.
Mr. M.A. Asirvadam was the store manager. He may also have come here as a patient. He was also well educated according to the standards of those days. He was made Manager of the Store. He also worked as a sanitorium school correspondent for some time.
Let us come to store.
Right from a safety pin to earthen posts, like plates, dishes, ‘kujas’ (earthen pota), blankets, dhoties, shirts, pants, undergarments and every basic thing required by a patient was available there. Patients did not have to go to outside sanitorium even for a safety pin.
There was a separate section for Provisions. Mr. Varghese was the cashier and Mr Kurien was assisting him. Mr. Papaayya was the helper (Mr. Varghese used to call him “Papudu Vadiki padipaisalu batani evvu”). There was another helper Buddanna from Gandlapalle. He used to be called as Buddodu by Mr. Varghese.
There were so many varieties of chocolates, biscuits etc. We school children every day used to visit the store during interval time to buy chocolates, groundnuts, badati, jagary and stuff like that. If we gave 10 paise we would get pocketful of groundnuts or batani. Even if we have 5 paise we used to go to the store and we would get something.
Even Madanapalle people used to come to colony store to buy some unavailable thing over there.
Specially they use to come to buy woollen blankets, sweaters, shawls and things like that.
Sanitorium looked like heaven. All around sanitorium was full of neatly cut hedges, different types of crotons and different varieties of flowers gardens. There was a special attraction called Round Thora which was a circular garden which was in front of the main admin office. B.T. college science students use to come to sanitorium for herbarium collection (varieties of crotons were available). In addition, in every house, there were many varieties of fruits like papaya, guava, pomegranate that used to be homegrown. They used to give us children freely.
Also, all over the sanitorium, there were so many varieties of berries available.
We use to enjoy eating those berries.
Every day some hundreds of people use to come from Madanapalle to simply spend some time and roam around the sanitorium. Some of my old friends said that they used to come by bicycles to Sanatorium because it was like heaven.
Mrs Annie Matthew
Madanapalle Days
I wish to start my Blog with a write-up of mine published in the daily newspaper ‘ THE HINDU ‘ (Trivandrum Edition) on 14th August 2014.
Even though I was then just a six-year-old child when India won freedom in 1947, that day remains crystal clear in my mind. I lived in a place where National and International events were looked upon with great interest and excitement.
My father, Alexander Chandy, was a doctor in the famous, U.M.T Sanatorium, Arogyavaram, Madanapalle. The Institution run by Danish Missionaries was the best place in South Asia for the treatment of Tuberculosis. The doctors came from Denmark and all over India, and the patients were mainly Indian, along with some foreigners belonging to countries such as Burma ( Myanamar), Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) , China, Japan, Singapore and so on.
If you happened to walk along the roads of the Sanatorium in the evenings, you would hear a mélange of languages being broadcast on the radios in the wards. Because of the presence of people from different backgrounds, International affairs such as the outcome of the Second World War, and the struggle for Independence in India, were matters of serious discussion whenever people got together. As a little girl, I used to listen to all this and could understand a lot of what they were talking about, and found the information very exciting and, sometimes, tragic and frightening.
My parents used to listen to the news on the radio, especially the BBC and All India Radio, sitting glued to the small black Murphy radio, we possessed. My father used to tell me about important happenings and show me pictures in the newspapers. Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, King George and Lord Mountbatten, Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru, Gokhale and Tilak , Rajagopalachari and Subhash Chandra Bose were few of the names, I kept hearing often.
One day my Papa reached home to share with us news of India’s independence. I was happy as all others were excited.
Soon the great day arrived and by about 10 pm, on the night of August 14 th, 1947, all the doctors gathered with their families in the house of the Medical Superintendent Dr Benjamin, (whom I called Appachan ). He lived in a massive bungalow overlooking a huge maidan. The staff and inmates of the Sanatorium had gathered there. The latest radio news was broadcast through loudspeakers.
I was the only child among the gathering in Appachan’s house because the children of all the other doctors were in boarding schools. Being too young to go to the boarding school, I studied in the Telugu Medium school run by the Sanatorium for the children of the villagers and the staff of the hospital.
Everyone waited with bated breath, listening to the broadcast on the radio. At midnight the great news was announced that India had achieved freedom.
It was a moment that I would forever cherish.
In an instant, the sky over our maidan exploded with the most fabulous fireworks. The crowd joined in the celebration, waving flags and shouting ‘ Bharat Mata Ki Jai !’. After the midnight celebrations were over we all went home, happy, but tired, to take rest, before the celebration began in the morning.
On the morning of August 15, there was a procession at 7 am. The plan, I was told later, was to unfurl the Tricolour in the middle of the huge maidan.
As the staff and all the healthy inmates of the Sanatorium, gathered in front of the office to begin the procession carrying the National Flag. Another procession arrived with the foreign inmates of the hospital carrying their national flags. They wanted their flags also to be hoisted along with the Indian flag. The natives protested. They felt that as it was their Independence Day, no other flag should be hoisted with the Tricolour.
There was confusion as the newcomers refused to give in. In no time, a group of Indians walked to the front of the procession and lay down across the road, shouting slogans saying that they would allow only the Indian flag to be carried in procession.
It was a tense situation with everyone wondering what was going to happen. Finally, the foreigners relented and moved away and our flag was carried in honour to the maidan where it was hoisted.
This was again followed by the bursting of crackers. This is a scene that still remains fresh in my memory, and fills me with pride. The flag we hoisted that day at home, and a small one I waved with great excitement and joy, are my prized possessions even to this day.
______XXXX________
(Adapted from an article Mrs Mathew contributed to a Private Club Magazine)
I started my life at U.M.T Sanatorium as a 5-year-old. It was a well-known place at that time for the treatment of Tuberculosis(T.B). TB was considered to be a contagious and incurable disease and anyone who suffered from it, or his close family, was shunned by Society. The good work done at the Sanatorium proved that, with proper treatment and care, the disease could be cured.
Patients from all over South Asia came there for treatment and being a secluded place, it had privacy from the outside world.
It was into this atmosphere that I landed as a happy five-year-old child. As there were no proper schools, anywhere in the locality, my sister who was 11 years old was sent to boarding in Bangalore. Myself being just a little girl, my parents did not have the heart to send me away and I studied in the Telugu medium school run by the Sanatorium.
The school consisted of several sheds which resembled army barracks of that period, with curved corrugated iron sheets resting on stone parapets. The tap nearby was the only source of drinking water in that school.
We sat on the ground, which was covered with mud and clay. Only the teacher had a chair. As it was the end of the Second World War, the material used for building the school must have come from the discarded army structures.
All the subjects were taught in Telugu. The children of some of the staff, who were Tamilian and myself were taught Tamil in a special class taken by Vasantha Teacher. All the other classes were common with the other kids.
I learned Mathematical Tables in Telugu and even now when I am in a hurry, I multiply in Telugu.
Oka rendu, rendu ( 1 X 2 = 2 ) , Rendu rendu, naalugu ( 2 X 2 = 4) , Moodu rendu aaru ( 3 X 2 = 6) and so on
The kids of the villagers, who were my classmates, were the poorest of the poor. Their parents were laborers in the sugar cane, groundnut or ragi fields.
Their clothes were old and shabby, most of them were hand-me-downs, from the landlords' children. I felt embarrassed to go to school, wearing good clothes, and I was adamant that I would wear only my old clothes. Even these dresses were better than the best clothes of the village classmates. I refused to wear chappals as my friends came to school barefooted.
On my way to and from school, which was at the other end of the Sanatorium, I used to meet patients or staff members of the hospital , and being the only child in the Sanatorium and that too, the daughter of their doctor, they used to talk to me, and I used to be friendly with all of them. Amma ( my mother) used to be ashamed of the ordinary clothes I wore to school, as all these people would be seeing me, and blame her for a dressing me so shabbily.
My friends at school were Lali, Jaya and Thampi, who were the children of the staff, and some village kids, the leader of all of us being Thimmayya, a tall, dark, lanky boy who was older than the rest of us. He had a clean shaven head, with a patch of hair on top, tied in a knot, which we called ‘ pilli juttu ‘ or ‘ cats tail ‘ . He was the leader and hero of the class.
Every day , we used to go for Lunch, and the children of the labourers, after having their food, would take lunch to their parents in the fields. It usually consisted of ragi flour, cooked in salt water. The cooked mass was rolled into a ball, with a depression on top, to hold pickles. This used to be wrapped in big leaves and taken to the fields. It was called ‘ sangatti ‘.
I also would have loved to take food for my father , but what to do? He was a doctor and not farm labourer and came home on his cycle every noon for lunch. The common form of transport in that place was the cycle.
The chakkara mittai made from sugar cane juice was very tasty. It was the size of a lime, very hard and brown in colour. Thimmayya, with the little money he got from his father, would buy one or two of these mittais and bring them to school. He would wrap the mittai in a leaf of paper, and keeping the packet on a stone, would hit it hard with another stone. The small pieces were distributed among all of us.
The children also used to bring ground nuts in their shells . After the ground nuts were harvested, some of them would be left behind unnoticed, under the mud. After the produce was taken away, the children used to go to the fields and search in the mud, and pull out the remaining nuts.
These were brought to school without even removing the mud sticking to them. They also used to bring molasses, which they got free from the sugar factories, where their parents worked.
We would knock off the mud, break the shell and eat the raw nuts with the molasses, which was a yummy treat, and the taste of it still remains fresh in my memory.
My happy days in Madanapalle continued until I was 9 years old when my parents decided that it was high time, that I saw the world around me. So they sent me to the boarding in Bangalore, along with my sister.
Thus ended the most wonderful period of my life, which gave me the opportunity to like, understand and appreciate even the lowest strata of people in society.
Sketch of the School Buildings
Early School Days were here
Dr PV Benjamin
Medical Superintendent
Dr Jesudian & Dr Alexander Chandy
On their cycles ready for Ward visits
A Little Respite
Mrs Alexander Chandy, Mrs Kirsten Frimodt Moller, Mrs Benjamin, Miss Lund and Dr Frimodt Moller
Editor's Interlude
Thinking out loud
Coincidence
I had written in my introduction to this website :
"Talking over a cup of evening tea, our conversation centered around our beloved Sanatorium and my wife said, that when she was in Class 2, she remembered soldiers in uniform being fed in the school premises!
That got me thinking."
And now we have Mrs Annie Mathew's sketch of the school buildings.
There had to be a connection.
I googled!
Nissen Huts
The Wikipedia definition :
A Nissen hut is a prefabricated steel structure for military use, especially as barracks, made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated iron.
Therefore these huts could not have been erected by Missionaries but by some military personnel. Therefore, a military detachment must have stayed in the hospital premises for some time.
The Rt Rev BD Prasada Rao, Bishop Emeritus in Rayalseema Diocese
When I was just a Child
(The Bishop was just a toddler in the period we are talking about. However, priceless observations have been made.)
Sanatorium was my birthplace. I remember our home that I loved so much. It was the Parsonage. My father Rev Prabhakar Rao was the local Pastor there at that time. It was a lonely house with agricultural fields all around, a wide butcher's “banda” towards Shanthinagar. There were also deep foundation trenches of the present St.Luke’s Church in front of our house in which we used to play hide and seek with friends. Then there was Lilypuram (what happened to it now !). We had lots of friends to play under a big ‘Yalakkaya’ tree and an abandoned water tank. All that I know was Babywelcome and its Peddamma. In a round shed there was the elementary school. I faintly remember Elisha Simon and Pedda Teacher ( Miss Dayanidhi Paul) who were terrors if we did not do home work.
I remember Perumalayya (Mr T Perumal) chasing us from the ‘Kattakinda thota’ and that was an everyday feature. Yet he was such a graceful leader in the church. Every Sunday he would sit on the floor amongst us children and play the violin. He would have another great figure Dr.Jesudian beside him accompanying him with the cymbals. On Sunday evenings we used to have evangelism visits to villages. a walk which was much awaited amongst us young members.
Before very surgery in the operation theater, my father, as Pastor, had to pray for the patient. Success of every surgery was a religious achievement in those days.
The whole sanatorium was just one big family and celebrations were so common to all.
Many more memories of Sanatorium will spark out once contemporaries meet even in their old age.
My Story
Wing Commander Raju Asirvadam
I was not a staff child. We did not even belong to the Sanatorium. And yet I grew up with the sanatorium kids. I was riding on my father’s shoulders. We belong to a village, Yenumulavaripalle, around 3Kms from the San. My father was an Indian Army Officer which was a big, big thing in those days: it was a huge thing. He was the only one of his kind in this area, the very first. He built a house just outside the Sanatorium and named that area Shanthinagar – the first masonry house amongst a whole lot of huts. There were a lot of other firsts to his name but this write up is not about him. Suffice it to say he had a personality very few could match - charm, elan, bearing, stature and a nature that befriended everyone, high or low. Little surprise then that he became the unspoken honorary member of the Sanatorium fraternity. And therefore, my sister and I were considered staff children!
We also had an inside connection. The terror, Pedda Teacher, Mrs Dayanidhi Paul, my very own aunt, my mom’s elder sister. A story within a story would be how she was instrumental in my parents meeting and how our history began. She was a terror for the old and the young. My wife relates that her mother, just to make her and her siblings eat the bitter neem leaves, had to just say, ‘Daya Teacher is coming!” and the stuff just got swallowed instantly. The terror just loved me because whatever sums she gave me was turned in fast and correctly. The others just got the stick mercilessly. The grounding that she gave her students is still spoken of to this day.
Movie times is etched into my mind so clearly even today. There were days earmarked for patients and there were days exclusively for staff and staff children. Pretty looking but super stern, James Aunty used to be standing at the entrance door of the Recreation Hall, all other doors being locked. She would let only staff and staff children inside and the rest were turned away. We kids used to sit in the front row chairs, impatiently waiting for the screening to begin. The 16 mm cinema reels had probably traveled to different theaters and, probably, as a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ by some generous person had been received by this Sanatorium. The point is that those rolls were in bad shape. Either that or the projector itself was in a bad shape. Because now you have to visualize this. Lights go off. We kids stop our chattering. The whirring of the projector begins and the movie begins. 5 minutes into the movie and there is a sharp crack heard because the film reel has been cut. Mr Perumal (my future father-in-law), in charge of the projection, flips a switch and the auditorium lights come on and all our little heads are turned back looking at him as he, patiently and laboriously, splices the snapped ends and routes the reel through the projector again. Lights are switched off and the movie comes on. Matters not that a couple of vital connecting scenes have gone by due to splicing, as long as it was movie time again. Another 10 minutes are so and “Brrrrrrrr” – snapped reel and we hear the noise of the freely rotating rear wheel of the projector. A loud groan goes up from us children. Lights go on. Splicing done. Lights off. Movie continues. In a two hour movie at least 10 interruptions was the norm or so, I think. But it was good fun.
The walk back after the movie was something. It used to be pitch dark and some older people held the torches. Just opposite the 3rd Gate was the ‘Satharam’ a place where serious poor patients awaiting admission were kept and we knew that most of them died and were removed from there itself. And so there was this mortal fear of spirits and ghosts especially lurking under the ‘Pedda Mori’ (Big Bridge). When one is small, everything looks huge and so did the Pedda Mori. All talking in the group(older persons included!) ceased as we approached the Mori and we must have held our breaths as we fast-walked across it. Only then the conversations resumed. Today, when I cross that place I cannot believe that the Pedda Mori is nothing but a small culvert!
Movie evenings had its own share of excitements, inside and outside the Cinema hall.
Plenty of games were played on the campus. The stellar event was the Annual Football Championship organised by the UMTS. It was spread over a week of festivities and drew huge crowds of spectators. As staff children, we got ring side seats in front of the Club House. Teams used to come from Kadapa, Chintamani, Renigunta, Chikballapur, Tirupathi, Pakala and many more towns not forgetting our very own neighbours, Madanapalle. Arogyavaram, being hosts, fielded three teams, Arogyavaram A, B & C. Names in our teams that come to mind are, Eddy, the Goal Keeper with RV and Pedda Yesu the formidable defenders. Rajaratnam was the centre half. The strikers were Sunny Kurien, Mathew Kurien with Chinna Yesu being the centre forward. The B Team had Dr Jesudian (Medical Superintendent) as the centre half and Dr Francis in the forward line. The standard of the game was very high. Also, many a time we witnessed fist fights when Arogyavaram and Madanapalle teams clashed in the finals.
After the football tournament, the Asirvadam Tournament would be played! I had the football and so I made the teams and set the rules. We played in the field behind our house. The neighborhood children would participate. We played 4 a side. Goal posts were identified by small pile of stones. Before the evening match, during the day we would make cups out of the silver paper stripped from my father’s cigarette packets. Of course, my team was always declared the winners!! I cannot remember who gave away the trophies!
Another memory is of the traditional ‘Kollattam’ dance. My dad was a good dancer having learnt it as a village urchin. So, in the open area in front of our house, many an evening I have witnessed kollatam being performed. There was Kanamayya who was the central figure giving the beat with the small, shining, crash-cymbals. God forbid if a person missed a step or made a mistake. Those metal things used to be flung at the defaulter who would just duck in time. I grew up listening to village songs being sung for the dance. In later years, Dr KT Jesudian organised church groups into kollatam teams with himself giving the beat from the centre. Religious songs replaced village folklore and this was used as an evangelism tool in many a village.
We children had the run of the campus. We could walk around and play around wherever we wanted. Our loud and happy chattering used to come to a complete silence as we approached the Operation Theater. If we saw the big huge grey curtains drawn then we knew that a surgery was in progress. As we walked by, all chatter would stop as if our noise may disturb the operating surgeon inside. It was only after we crossed the building would our loud chit-chat start again.
Before the St Luke’s building was constructed we had our Sunday evening worship in Telugu in the School building. My future father-in-law, Mr Perumal playing the violin for the congregation to sing along with Dr KTJ giving the beat with the crash-cymbals. I remember pastors like Rev Prabhakar Rao and Rev LV Azariah (later Bishop) who tutored us children. Dedicated Pastors. Sunday morning services were in English. In those days there was no television or any such distractions and our families congregated at Church services which was the main social gathering event.
Those were the days. Wonderful times, memorable childhood. Events and happenings one just cannot forget. So much of writing for now. As and when something strikes, it will be added.
My Memories of UMTS
Mrs Saramma Benjamin, d/o C. Devamani, Pudokota
My father and his brothers moved from Gudsivaripalle to Arogyavaram and settled down there. Our house was close to the hospital on the way to Sidhamagaripalle. Most of them got jobs in the hospital as ward ayahs, office boys and ward boys. All our brothers and sisters were born in the same place. We didn’t have electricity so we used to use kerosene lamps. Our childhood was spent in and around the hospital. Our lives centred around the School, the Sunday School and the Church. As there were no sufficient classrooms, classes for younger children used to be conducted under the trees. The teachers were very dedicated and they taught us good values. Our Pastor, Reverend Padman Purshottam was very respected. And he knew all the families by name.
The sanatorium was full of trees. And clean gardens. The hospital had well-constructed missionary buildings, doctors bungalows, independent staff quarters, nurses quarters a linen room and a Recreation Hall. There was a provision store called the Colony Store. There used to be the weekly mutton market and vegetable market. Fresh greens and vegetables used to come from the surrounding villages. In front of each bungalow and ward, there were many gardens that were full of flowers and crotons.
There was a badminton court in front of the office and football grounds on the other side of the road. Dr. K.T.Jesudian, the Medical Superintendent, was much interested in football and used to conduct tournaments. He encouraged local youth to participate and advised and help them for their future education. Most of them settled well and became professionals.
There were seven general wards. And also, independent cottages. There are four general wards for men and three for women. Patients from different parts of the Indian States and even from different countries used to come for treatment. Patients used to be transported by wheelchair for X-ray and lab tests by the Ward Boys. At Christmas time, all the wards would be decorated and awards would be given for the best-decorated ward. Locals were allowed to watch the decorations process on Christmas Eve.
There was a small hospital building to treat locals with the daily outpatient consultations and some inpatient beds were available.
Many people got jobs from surrounding villages. I worked as a Nurse before and after marriage. My services were in the Operation Block. It was the post-Thoracic Surgery Ward. Most post-operative patients got physiotherapy from the ward boys.
The Recreation Hall was used for dramas, movies and marriage functions.
The only form of transport for us, those days, was the ‘Jhatka’ a horse-drawn carriage. It would cost us 8 annas per head to go to Madanapalle 4 miles away. (In those days, cash was in Rupees, Annas and Pice and distances were in Miles). Mr. Rasool was the only Porter to carry our luggage. The sanatorium was well maintained with clean and green grass, flowers and gardens. We lived like one family with harmony and affection.
As God Jehova felt sad to see the fallen walls of Jerusalem, we do feel sad to see the lost glory of our Sanatorium.
Sanatorium : The way I knew it
Mr D Sunder Raj
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The Last Page
(Translated by Mrs Swapna: Thank You!) I thank God for the nine glorious decades of life at the Lord's table. I would like to thank Wing Commander Raju Asirvadam, for giving me this opportunity to share some memories, and the bond my life had with UMTS.
Over a century, the Sanatorium has been privileged to have been connected to the history of India in its fight against Tuberculosis. MLL Hospital was established in 1911 in Madanapalle. Dr Louis Hart was in charge of that hospital. .In those days Madam along with 16 Missionary Societies built a TB hospital near the place where flag hoisting used to take place. Dr C Frimodt Moller was asked to take care of the hospital and he took the burden on his shoulders, and by the grace of God, hospital became second best in the world for TB treatment whereas Switzerland took first place. Hospital Management was declared Local Authority by Madras government which covered an area of 2 miles radius from the Hospital.
In 1946, there were seven general, and almost a hundred special, semi special and deluxe wards. In addition to Dr C Frimodt Moller and Dr PV Benjamin, there were other doctors who served the hospital.
In 1946, Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow, Governor-General and Viceroy of India visited Sanitorium and and inaugurated the Panipuram Colony Press. At that time Sister Ellen Lund was the Nursing Superintendent and Rev. R.M.Barton was in charge of the Lab and, both, provided substantial services to the Hospital.
In 1947, on the occasion of Independence Day there was a great procession, Indian flag was hoisted and the British Union Jack was lowered. The hospital had many prominent patients. At that time UP governor, Smt. Saroini Naidu’s daughter Padmaja Naidu was treated and was completely cured which was a proud moment of the hospital and many more influential dignitaries approached for the treatment.
July 19th is celebrated s the anniversary of the hospital, every year.
After we got independence in 1948, the Union Health Minister, Smt. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur started a childcare hospital in India. During the same time, this great movement was recognized as ICMR hospital. By using mass X-ray screening, TB was diagnosed. And UMTS was declared a TB research hospital at Arogyavram for the treatment of TB. TB was also researched and treated at RAKT, the newly constructed hospital in Madanapalle, and the honorable Prime Minister Sri. Jawaharlal Nehru visited this hospital.
At that time, Sri. Rajagopalachari raised many queries regarding TB, and Dr. Benjamin had answered all of them which was published in Indian Express newspaper and the news spread all over the world.
Every year in the month of November a general body meeting was conducted.
In CMC Hospital, Vellore all the regulatory issues were discussed and solved if there were any issues. Sanitorium hospital was built in 3OO acres of land. It was built in a pleasant atmosphere as if it were touching the heavens. I pray to God that the hospital thrives. Every morning starts by glorifying God in the chapel built inside the hospital compound. But, in 1952-53 because of a thunderstorm it collapsed, due to which people started worshipping in the recreation hall and in the classrooms. The Chapel was later rebuilt where it stands even today. Pastors used to come from Madanaplle to lead the service. Then, it became of a part of Church of South India with the help of Rev.Bushan Samuel.
Church:
Arogyavaram has produced pastors who later on became Bishops. Rev. Henry Lazarus as Vellore Bishop, Rev. L. V. Lazarus as Rayalaseema Bishop, Rev.B.S.Prabhakar Rao’s son Rev. Prasad Rao as Rayalaseema Bishop served the divisions with God’s grace. Arogyavaram church as well as Madanapalle division came under Rayalsema Diocese. Sunday schools for children and church services were conducted in the church.
School:
Keeping children of working staff in mind, a school was started. Dayanithi Teacher (Daya Amma) , aunt of Wing Commander Raju Asirvadam used to supervise the school where classes were held in two languages i.e. Telugu and Tamil. Every day there was a significant development and soon the primary school became a High school. English and Telugu were taught in High School. Dayayanthi teacher, Sri.D.Sundher Raj, Sri. Daniel felt privileged to work with the school.
Sports:
As part of recreational activities, a Tennis court was built for the health staff who worked in the hospital. Additionally, empty space beside the hospital was allocated for football ground with the help of Dr.K.T.Jesudian.Subsequently, an athletic association was established in Aarogyavaram. People who were considered castaways and rejects by society were encouraged to play football here. It was an awakening experience for everyone when they participated in Zonal level tournaments and won trophies. Carrying the same winning spirit, a team was formed with players from Enumulavaripalle and Gudisepalle.
This was the best memory I held in my heart thus far. I wish this information helps.
D.SUNDHAR RAJ,
Retired teacher,
Madanapalle.
Wing Commander Mani Benjamin
(Former General Manager, HAL Overhaul Division)
MY AROGYAVARAM DAYS
My favorite Hymn for the last several years continues to be “ COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.......NAME THEM ONE BY ONE.....FOR WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE “.
For many reasons as listed below as memoirs of my days at Arogyavaram from a 3-month baby till I was about 6 years 9 months(that’s when I moved to a Hostel in Bangalore), I would rate as the second greatest Blessing in my life. The first would be “ Born to Parents who were a second generation at the Sanatorium which had my Grandfather Dr PV Benjamin as one of the first Indian TB doctors who joined Dr Frimodt Moller (Sr) in this TB Mission work”.
But from what has already been written by many in this Blog, so thoughtfully initiated by Raju Asirvadam ( ‘Sir’ to me – because he was my Senior and briefly my Instructor in the Air Force), I can notice that the same feeling has been expressed including by one ( Mrs Annie) who lived there for a shorter duration than me. No doubt, Raju sir has titled this Blog with the word Paradise (on earth literally).
I was born to Dr P Benjamin(Pappen) and Mrs Mary (Molly) in 1955. My elder brother Thomas and younger brother Philip were also born while my parents lived there. But the latter was only about 3 years when my parents moved to another Mission Hospital in Ambur (TN). Elder brother Thomas moved to a Hostel in Bangalore two years before me as my parents wanted to have us in English Medium Schools.
I am covering my reminiscences under 2 headings – 1) Fond Memories 2) Two Childhood Events with me as Innocent Villain & Innocent Victim.
Fond Memories
Seeing the Missionary Zeal of the Doctors & Staff. This was evident from the top management down to the last Staff. Top Management- Dr Mollers, Dr Jesudian, Dr Muthaiah. Also Rev Barton( Lab), Mr Perumal(Works Manager), and down to the support staff of Nurses, Lab Technicians, Ward Boys, Hospital Cooks, Gardeners, etc.
Trips to Horsley hills though rare were the ultimate picnics of those days. Also, remember visiting Rishi Valley Campus once but never realized at my young age that it had many unique features in their methods of teaching and student life in the Campus.
Trips to Kerala( my parents' native land) at least once every year. This involved a long Road trip to Katpadi or Jolarpet station to catch a train from there. Return was similarly a long affair but the thought of coming back to Arogyavaram made it enjoyable.
Living in the small little House close to the Post Office. This house also had a small Vegetable Garden, a fairly big open Verandah with two Indian-style Latrines at two ends. I remember the occasions when two of us elder brothers decide to use one each at the same time. So what used to follow was a conversation loud enough to hear each other while easing out the pressures experienced at Bogs.
Among my prized possession of Toys was a medium-sized Wooden Horse which when rocked hard could almost topple. Our neighbor's son (Viji) who was a few years my senior enjoyed making me scream ( out of scare) by making the Horse rock to its extremities with me seated in front of him.
The numerous Birthday parties we had at our House and in neighboring Campus children's houses. My mother had a penchant for organizing Party games and make them lively.
Watching the Campus Staff play in the few Courts nearer our house. Games which I remember watching are – Ball Badminton & Tennis ( mostly men) and Tennikoit( Women, including my Mother).
Watching the many Football matches in the Football Maidan a little farther away.
Watching professional Tree Climbers plucking the Tamarinds from the Trees just outside Campus. The seasonal yield used to run into Baskets and so pocketing a few was no big deal.
Attending the Sunday morning English Service at the beautiful Chapel with the affable Rev Barton as the Priest. For us kids, the greater attraction was the many varieties of rich homemade Pastries & Biscuits which Mrs Barton used to distribute after the Service. An Artist at Arogyavaram had gifted my grandfather or father a picture he drew of this Chapel. It was framed and is a prized wall hanging even to this day at our ancestral Bangalore home. Photo of it is reproduced here. ( By Wapp)
The Telugu Services and Sunday School classes we used to attend in the CSI Church a little farther away. One of the Priests Rev Azaria who served there in those days, later on, went to become a Bishop we heard. Mr Perumal who was the Works Manager at Arogyavaram was the Violinist at Church. How much more lively he made the Telugu hymns we sang was to be heard to be believed. Most of his children were much older than me and during our visits to their house, I fondly remember Kumar who was just a year Senior to my elder brother and his elder sister Leelakka. I never realized she was married to a Shantinagar resident who had been commissioned as a Pilot in the Indian Air Force many years before I joined that Force as an Engineering Officer. It was one of those rare and thrilling moments when by chance I caught up with them in one of the Air Force Bases in Assam. Later on, we had the chance to meet at Sulur Air Force Base when I went there for an 8-week training course. Some years later I could meet them when Raju Asirvadam sir was posted in Bangalore. This also led to their coming over to meet my parents and another family of the older generation ( KC George family) who lived close by. Mr Jeyakumar( whom we called Kumar) briefly did part of his higher education in Bangalore and so my elder brother & I could meet him a few times while we were also studying in the same city. He even visited us once or twice at our Hostel.
Hill climbing - One of the hills frequented was one closer to the CSI Church. If my memory is right- one of them was called Yerra Konda (Red Hill). Remember having Sunday School & Class Outings on this Hill or its whereabouts.
Accompanying my mother for the Vegetable & Grocery shopping near and in the Stores was a regular routine which I enjoyed.
It was a pleasure to visit Daisy auntie s house(next door to Perumals ). When her nieces Mano & Vini were living with her to study at our Arogyavaram Telugu school for a year or two, it was even more fun going there as they were closer to my age group.
We had a Betel chewing elderly lady Rajamma as a live-in helper at home. She was Avva(granny) to us. Learned later that she had taken care of my Father as a young kid while working for my grandparents. My mother says that my grandparents' pet named my father as Pappen , since she(Avva) used to call him Papa(Baby), being the second born just around the time she started working for them.[ She went on to help my parents at Ambur and left us only when her age-related issues made it difficult for her to work even simple jobs she otherwise enjoyed doing. She was taken away by her relative to spend her retirement days at her native town Punganur or Palamaner].
The Telugu Medium school I attended from KG to three fourths academic year of Class 2 was in Igloo shaped sheds. A packed class room & squatting cross legged on the Floor is what I remember. One junior teacher( Jeyamma?) was engaged to take Tuitions for us at home to build up our Telugu base perhaps.
The New Year treats we used to have at Dr Moller(Jr) house was an annual affair we enjoyed. It was always a grand Snacking affair with a large spread of Pastries, Cookies, etc.
One of our Class Picnics from School involved a visit to the nearest Railway Station. (Rayalpad?). The best part of it was the packed Lunch we carried from home and together ate squatting on the Platform of a sleepy Railway Station. Hardly any Passenger train plied on that route in those days. This day - picnic was perhaps the longest stretch of walk we had from School. Both ways were by Foot on the Highway and we had to walk in a Line or Column of 2, with one or two teachers accompanying us to keep us safe by not straying away from the side of the road.
When I was barely a year old, my mother grabbed an opportunity to be with my Father in Britain where he had gone to study 2 PG Diploma courses – one in Child Health and the other on TB. My elder brother & I were left behind to stay with Mr & Mrs KC George, a childless couple much senior by age to my parents. Mr KC George was an experienced Lab Technician and a man who was highly systematic and self-disciplined. Mrs KC George looked after me so affectionately for those 3 to 4 months that she remained like a Foster mother to me for life. I visited them often after their Retirement and settling initially in Kerala. They then moved to stay with her widowed & childless Sister who lived within 500 meters from our parental house at Bangalore. I was lucky to get a posting to Bangalore while they lived there. Also I used to visit them when I came down on vacation from my postings in the North of India. The amusing part was receiving & returning her very affectionate hugs & kisses as she was barely 4ft 10 inches to my 6 foot stature.
My mother was working under Rev Barton in the Lab. An occasional visit there I remember because I could get peaks into her microscope and a visit to the Guinea Pig cages nearby.
My father was fond of Shikaar. He used to go for Night shoots with some Campus colleagues. His success rate was not so high. But we do remember getting to taste Rabbit Meat and perhaps a Wild Boar once or twice.
One incident which amused me a lot was Mrs Mammen who lived not far from our house and her daughter dressing me up in a Saree and parading me in front of my mother when I was perhaps barely 3 years old. They seemed to suggest to my mother that with the elder son being a Boy, I should have been born a girl to complete the family. Anyhow, the next after me was also a Boy. By the time my only Sister the fourth & last was born, my parents had left Arogyavaram.
A year or two before my father left Arogyavaram for a new job at a far away Mission Hospital, he had shifted to the bigger Bungalow which got vacant after Bartons left. In my trips from the School hostel, I remember enjoying the luxurious living there compared to the tiny house where I grew up mostly. It was in one of those holidays that I first learned to ride a big bicycle taken on Rent from the Cycle shop outside our Campus. On one of those vacation trips, my brother and I were given home tuitions by one Mr Patrick who had by then got into College in Bangalore and was also on vacation with his parents at Arogyavaram. It was my good luck that I got to meet him in around the year 2010 at Bangalore, thanks to Leelakka & Raju Asirvadam sir informing me. It was then I realized that he had become a Doctor. [They used to live mostly in UK but had a house of their own in Bangalore].
The ever loyal Reddiappa and his family. I am still in touch with his children, two of them in Bangalore, one in USA and the other in Kolar. When I was posted at Pune, one daughter Shakuntala who had become a Military Nurse was posted in a nearby Army Hospital. I got a chance to meet her and she visited me & wife at our Air Force Quarters. But was saddened to hear a few years later that she died fairly young due to a medical condition.
In conclusion of this first part, I have no doubt in my mind that the atmosphere created by the Community living in the Arogyavaram Campus, the Telugu School with a rustic village touch, the calmness and freshness of the air we breathed in the campus filled with trees have left an indelible mark in my life journey. This also put me in good stead to be in later life positive thinking, down to earth, do-gooder, balanced and mature individual able to adjust to hardships faced in life. It ensured we children did not get carried away in the name of an illustrious & famous grandfather or bask in the glory of many an achievement as an all rounder at School, Pre Degree & Engineering Colleges, and also fairly successful careers in IAF(22 years at locations all over India) and HAL.(16 years at Bangalore). Living with my parents in our ancestral house at Bangalore helped me not only get regular inputs about Arogyavaram but also helped meeting many old-timers who would drop in to look up my aged parents who both lived beyond 90 years. Some of them who visited on one or more occasions( excluding some already mentioned in the above paras) were:
# Dr Mathew Philip & family
# Mr Jacob ( Unni of Statistics Dept) & family
# Dr Chandrasekhar
# Mrs Jesudian
# Mr Reddiappa and separately some of his married children
# Rev Bartons children
# Dr Moller (Jr)s son Dr Niels with his grown up daughter as recently as in 2016( my mother was still alive)
# Daughter of Mammens who settled down at Madanapalli Town after retirement.
The extreme joy my parents displayed when these old timers dropped in was I believe extra ordinarily soothing for them in their old age. My mother who had become a little recluse due to Dementia/ Alzheimer's would rarely enjoy conversations’ But when she met old timers from Madanapalli/Arogyavaram, her eyes would lit up and even try to speak a little of the old times.
The Arogyavaram spirit being so strong in me, I have a special urge even to this day , to visit people who have lived in the campus , not necessarily when I was there. I also am thankful to God for having given me a chance to take my parents to Arogyavaram when they were in their late 80s , for one last trip before they were unable to travel long distances. Among the people I could visit outside Arogyavaram were : Mrs Jesudian when she was living with her son Niranjan at Hyderabad around the year 2010, Mrs Hannah( Reddiappas daughter) at Bangalore, Mr Mano & Mrs Vini( Mrs Daisy s nieces, who studied at Arogyavaram school briefly) at Calcutta where they are settled, many times between the years 1979-81. This is apart from many others I could meet while I was in Bangalore with my parents alive. I am looking forward to visit Mrs Annie who is 80 years old and living at Trivandrum. She has contributed with her blog already and I see the same spirit in her about Arogyavaram like most others like me who happened to live there in those early times.
TWO CHILDHOOD EVENTS
Innocent Villain
(This incident around the time I was 5 years old had a very great destiny changing significance for our entire family . this is because you will see from the narrative below how it stopped my father not migrating to North India and which would have surely pulled the rest of us to grow up so far away from Arogyavaram right from our early years.)
I was supposed to have been a glutton and naturally a burly fellow those days. One of my favorite foods for Breakfast was Egg prepared as Bulls Eye. On most days of the week, my mother used to get them made and left on the Dining Table , one for each. As part of her Training to make us children help in our own small way, whoever reached the Table first was to ensure that Salt & Pepper kept on a nearby Window Sill was sprinkled on each Bulls Eye before one starts eating. True to my reputation, I used to be the first for Breakfast to start my day with my favourite food.
The fateful day was otherwise a significant day for my Father. It was supposedly his last working day at Sanatorium before he moved to Durgapur as a Medical Officer at the Steel Plant there. His luggage was packed and some of the smaller Furniture items were even dismantled and packed in the previous few days by a Carpenter. Mrs K C George ( my foster mother) dropped in that morning to wish my father well for his journey later that afternoon. She used that visit to return a bottle of borrowed Rat Poison to my mother. It was a transparent bottle and to my eyes looked like a mixture of Salt & Pepper. Anyhow, for some reason the Salt & Pepper spray bottles were not there on the Window Sill and instead this was there. (It so happened that Mrs KC George finding my mother busy left the Rat Poison bottle there and having informed my mother, left the place after perhaps wishing my father.) I did my duty of sprinkling that deceptive looking powder on everybody s egg including mine and gobbled up mine in quick time. This new acquisition of a Bottle was left on the Dining Table. Now came the beginning of Gods Hand & Mercies. My mother happened to come just a few minutes after to the Dining Room to perhaps take the Rat Poison bottle and keep it at its allotted place. Seeing the Bottle on the Dining Table and one Bulls Eye Plate already gone, her sharp sixth sense came into action. She called out to me to inquire who put the Bottle on the Dining table and i proudly said that I did and also sprinkled it for all the Bulls Eye s and ate mine already. Next I could hear only my mother Screaming and asking my father to rush me to the Hospital. I innocently went along not knowing why all this commotion. Very soon tubes were being pushed into my mouth and a stomach wash /purging was going on. After a few hour my Class teacher with a few classmates were at my bed side to wish me well. This was in addition to a lot of staff and families who were visiting me in a stream when I was resting to be under observation. I was half amused and half guilty for causing all the commotion. Anyhow to cut the story short.
The white of the Egg was supposedly an antidote which did not harm me before the actions done at the Hospital.
By the time I was declared stable and safe, my fathers plans to leave for Durgapur had to be cancelled. (We went on to live at Arogyavaram for 2 more years by which time I had moved to Bangalore
hostel for my schooling there.)
I and rest of the family lived on to tell the story of Gods Mercy and intervention in our Lives.
Innocent Victim – A case of Lost Son being Found
I must have been about 8 years old at school in Bangalore and had to go to Arogyavaram on vacation. My paternal grand parents had by then moved to Bangalore from Delhi to live their retired life there. So they as the local guardians took me to the nearest Bus Stand where the only Madanapalli bound Bus leaving around mid day picks up passengers. To our bad luck, the scheduled bus did not arrive for more than 30 minutes from usual time. Since my Grandfather had other work to do and had a grown up House helper boy in the car, he asked him to put me into the Bus when it arrives and get back home after that. A Madanapalli Bus came perhaps a further 30 minutes later with the Conductor shouting out Madanapalli, Madanapalli.. . He & I assumed this is it. I was helped into the Bus by the House help and he went back and informed my grandparents. Knowing my grandfather, he booked a Trunk Call and informed my father that I have been put into the bus which could be late by an hour or so because of its late departure from Bangalore. But to our bad luck, the Bus which picked me up was not the scheduled Bus. Since that Bus had developed some major defect and trip got cancelled, some one else decided to use a different Bus and make some quick bucks on this trip. But to everybody's bad luck, this bus was intercepted by some Excise Inspector just beyond Kolar and released nearly 2 hours later, perhaps after paying some Fines ( or Bribe ?) . I innocently sat through like many other passengers and was relieved when the bus finally reached Madanapalli Bus Stand well after sunset. Since I had some money in my pocket, I jumped into a bus just on the move from which Conductors shouts I was certain to be going in front of Arogyavaram campus on its way to a known bigger town further.
What I did not know was that my father had come to Madanapalli Bus Stand to pick me up at the expected time and when such a long delay happened, after frantic calls to Bangalore ( Trunk Call days) and my grandparents enquiry there, they only got the news that the Madanapalli Bus (Private Bus) did not operate that day. A missing complaint was lodged at Madanapalli Police Station and a mini look out notice had begun.
When I got down from the bus in front of Arogyavaram Bus Stop and crossed the road towards the Campus gate, a house help my parents had for last 2 years or so by name Sam who was waiting there more by hope ( seeing my mother cry over her lost son, he revealed to me later that he could not sit at home amidst all the grief) came and grabbed my trademark Cotswool shirt, made me remove it and with that in his hand ran towards home leaving me far behind. I was to know later that it was his rustic way of making my mother believe(by seeing my trademark shirt) that I was safe and following after him. Anyhow, when I was near home I could still hear faint cries and was foxed as to what was happening. And then the reunion hug by my mother and all the neighbors gathered there clapping are scenes vivid in my mind. But it took some more time to really understand what all this commotion was and how I was almost made to be a “ kidnap “ or “runaway” victim.
Priceless from Mr Ramachandra
The Panipuram Colony Press
The Colony Press
A few words about Panipuram colony press.
Here also Ex-Patients were employed. For all the workers working in Panipuram Colony Stores and in Panipuram Colony Press, there was a separate colony constructed for these ex-patients. It was called the Panipuram Ex-Patients Colony and later, just became Colony. There were nearly 10 houses and the area is located behind the present St. Luke's church.
In the press, there were 2 main sections.
One was the Weaving section and the other was the Printing and Binding section.
In the weaving section, they were making mainly Nawars (tapes for cots) and also made bedsheets. They would sell them to the UMTS and get money for their salaries and to buy raw materials.
In the Printing section, they were making all the stationery, like patients’ bedside books, patients’ charts, all kinds of bill books, temperature recording sheets, doctor's report writing charts, and all types of charts and sheets required for the Sanatorium. And also all stationery required for office use.
They would charge the Sanatorium for all the stationery supplied to them. Printing and binding work was very neat and tidy. They not only supplied stationery to the Sanatorium but also to MLL Hospital, Rishi Valley school, and also to the big institutions in surrounding areas.
Even the orders were coming from out of state also.
Mr. Eapen Mathews was the press manager. He had also undergone thoracic surgery. One lung was removed due to TB. He was surviving with one lung only.
In the main office, they were maintaining separate accounts for Colony Press & Colony Stores.
Many, many years later, when I was working in the main office, I was managing these separate accounts. Both accounts were self-supporting.
We, the school-going children, used to go to the Press for the collection of exam answer paper sheets and thick cardboard sheets for use as exam writing pads. (Cardboard sheets were being used for binding purposes). Sometimes we would get them free of cost. In those days money was very difficult to come by.
About BURMA STREET IN MADANAPALLE.
In those days, a lot of patients used to come from BURMA for treatment.
Those who do not get admission beds in the UMTS had to reserve their beds and wait outside the sanatorium. Needing to stay somewhere while they waited their turn to get admitted they stayed in the area now known as Burma street in Madanapalle. In those days since that area was full of Burmese that street name was called BURMA STREET.
All these things were things were told to me by Jones Uncle ( Mr.R.P.JONES, who was the main Anaesthetist for UMTS. He dedicated his sincere service to this institution for a very long time and was the main person for the success of thoracic surgeries in those critical days. He gave anesthesia nearly for 2000 Thoracic surgeries.)
My Story
Those Wonderful Days
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very glad to be a part of this project to provide the history of Sanatorium. It may not be the whole history and also may not be in any particular order. I am writing down thoughts as they come.
UNION MISSION TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM was the best hospital in India for TUBERCULOSIS treatment. There was a branch TB hospital at Madanapalle across from the Sandy place (santha) adjacent to the Govt. Hospital. It was named Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Tuberculosis Hospital which is in short called RAKT Hospital. After Dr. Benjamin, Dr. Frimodt Moller was the Medical Superintendent, Dr. K.T. Jesudian, Dr. PapenBenjamin, Dr. Muthiah, Dr. Francis, Dr. Emmanuel, etc. were treating the patients. Miss. Ellen Lund was the Nursing Superintendent. and Miss. Madson was her assistant, Rev. R.M. Barton was the Chief Pathologist of the clinical lab and they trained the clinical lab technicians. They had tiny guinea pigs for tuberculosis drug research at the lab. There was an X-ray and Screening of Tuberculosis patients. There were two manual pulling rickshaws to bring patients to the lab for tests and as well to the X-ray department. After Dr. Frimodt Moller took over the W.H.O. project as the director, which operated two mobile X-Ray units, Health Centre and Statistical Department for mass X-ray and BCG Vaccination of the school children, as well as conducting camps in many of the Rayalaseema areas. Dr.K.T.Jesudian became the Medical Superintendent.
There was UMTS Higher Elementary School, which is from 1 standard to 8th standard (Later this was separated into UMTS Middle School and Elementary Schools) for staff children as well as the surrounding village children. They also had a 'Baby Welcome' in the beginning and then it was changed to a separate Tamil medium school (run by Miss. Dayanidhi and Miss. Vasantha teachers). When Andhra Pradesh separated from Tamil Nadu, the Tamil medium school was closed. Later there was the English Medium School in its place. Students from Madanapalle also attended this school. The school used to participate in some hospital activities like Dramas in the Recreation Hall, sometimes even movies are shown. School students also participate in all sports events as well as soccer tournaments, to entertain the patients and staff. At the Hospital anniversary and major national holidays, there would be sports competitions. During the summer months, there will be soccer tournaments conducted for sub-junior, junior and senior teams, conducted by Arogyavaram Athletic Association. Dr. K.T.Jesudian was the coach and organizer. The senior tournament was the most important event for patients, staff, nearby villagers and town people, Some other towns and out of state teams also participated in the senior tournament. Many times our team won the trophy.
The hospital campus was secured with stone pillars and barbed wire to avoid trespassers, with three main entrances (gates) towards the main highway. At nights after 9 PM., these gates are locked and the only way you can enter with a vehicle is near the workshop gate. There was a call bell at the gate and when you ring the bell the night duty person from the main office will come to unlock the gate. There was a male nurse, ward-aide and a watchman on duty at night. They make rounds to check on the patients, to make sure they are sleeping well. There were two general wards for female patients and five male general wards. During Christmas time these wards are decorated to compete with each other to receive the gift. People from outside used to visit, to see the Christmas decorations. There were all kinds of private wards, semi-private wards and Deluxe Wards, with kitchens away from the wards. Patients are allowed to have their own people to cook or hire the locals. The main roads were paved with asphalt (tar) the rest are dirt roads, but very well maintained. Some of the roads had hedges on both sides trimmed to shape and maintained. there were flower beds/gardens with different kinds of plants everywhere, some with green grass (lawns) with water fountains. Oh! the garden in front of the main office was the most beautiful place with such a variety of flower beds and the hedge around the garden was manicured, looking even more beautiful. People from other places used to come just to see the hospital, the beauty of the garden and how well the buildings/roads were maintained. There was a staff assigned to walk around the hospital to pick up the litter on a daily basis. All the staff quarters are located in the perimeter of the hospital, for free and well maintained. There was the Colonie Store run mostly by the X-Patients, one section was for groceries and the section for candy/fancy store items, also fabric cloth sale. The store was open to the general public, from 7am to 12 noon and again 3pm to 6pm. Sunday was a holiday for the hospital as well as for all departments except for the morning vegetable/meat market. For Christmas there would be carol singing in the general wards. The day after Christmas there would be the tea party for all staff and children. Staff children under 12 yrs old get a gift. There was the annual picnic for staff and families.
The main office building consisting of the Medical Superintendent, Nursing, Business officer, Administration, Accounts and main Dispensary. The WorkShop was a very self-contained department with all trades (plumbing/water supply, carpentry, painting, construction, electrical, masonry, smithy, gardening/landscaping, event arrangements, property management etc. The whole Department was managed by Mr. T.Perumal as the Works Manager. Under his supervision, the old chapel was demolished and the present one was built. The St. Luke's Church also was built by him. Next to the school was the lady's park with a small pond and an open well next to it, there was the observation deck from where you have the beautiful scenery. Below the pond bund there was a vegetable garden and the veggies were supplied to the general kitchen. There was another two gardens: one was to grow papayas and the other (near Dr.Mollers bungalow)where they grew vegetables and supplied to the general kitchen. The bricklayers used to make the bricks for construction work and the lime mortar was made near the car shed, as there was not enough cement available. The hospital owned a bungalow on top of Horsley Hills which badly needed repairs, so they got a truck to transport material and the work was done. Even today the building is owned by the hospital.
The Linen room was next to the market where they had all the necessary bed linen for the patients. They washed all bed linen by men at the washerman place every day and sun dry on the lines. General Kitchen supplied food to the general wards, Lab students and for some doctors/staff. They supplied breakfast in the morning and milk in the mid-morning for general wards only. Lunch was served after 11 am. and tea with a snack at 3 pm. Dinner served after 6 pm. During 12 noon to 3pm the hospital becomes very quiet as all patients took rest and staff also went to their quarters/homes, except the mid-day duty nurses and ward aides. Again after 8 pm the hospital became quiet as the patients went to sleep. There was the bell that they rang at 6 am when all the nurses and ward aides had to attend the chapel service and the doctors; the rest of the staff attended the chapel service at 7 am. Then doctors go on the rounds checking on the patients for the treatment progress. The whole team of doctors would join and do the weekly Grand Rounds. The doctors from CMC, Vellore wouldcome here for their TDD (Tuberculosis) training. There was a separate Children's Ward to treat the TB. In the beginning, when public supply of electricity was not there, hospital had its own powerhouse, which was later converted into three living staff quarters. Water supply was limited and it was 1hr in the morning and 1hr in the evening. There was an outpatient clinic for staff/family and surrounding villagers every morning.
Hope I have covered pretty much everything but not complete.
MY FOUNDATIONAL MEMORIES OF AROGYAVARAM
BY Thomas P Benjamin
Memories of my foundational years at Arogyavaram. This write up is about 10 years of my early life from birth to when my parents left Arogyavaram. I have walked and traversed all corners of the campus. I have tried to narrate as my memory permits. It is the implicit love and affection offered in this environment that made my fond memories lasting.
The Sanatorium at Arogyavaram was in an expansive campus. Planned and developed to be a tuberculosis sanatorium. Main entrances along the Madanapalli-Palmaner road. The roads within the campus were well laid out to connect staff housing, hospital infrastructure, chapel, recreation, shopping, and playgrounds. Trees, manicured roads, lush trees, gardens around hospital and administrative buildings created a serene atmosphere. Staff housing was simple but comfortable by any Indian standards.
The main hospital infrastructure buildings were more central to the campus. Each building’ staff home, executive home or administrative building was like an oasis in a barren terrain. The ambiance of the campus of the sanatorium and the life of its dominant Christian community made an etch in my upbringing. It is said it takes a village to raise a child. I would consider my less than 10 years association with the community at Arogyavaram formed my personality for life. The laboratory in which my mother worked is one facility I visited most vacation workdays from about age six. Spent most mornings during these visits to get additional help in mathematics. My breaks were spent in the small animal pens which had guineapigs and mice raised for lab research. Watched the animals being fed, watered and cleaning of the pens. The other administrative building of interest to me was the statistics building. Only 500 feet from my early home. Mr. Jacob Thomas a bachelor then invited me to see the sorting machine using punch cards.
Memories from Home
My parents Dr. Philip Benjamin known as Pappen doctor (second son of PVB) and my mother Mary Benjamin (nee Mani) known as Molly were both working at the UMTS. My father was born in a Madanapalli hospital. Madanapalli was the nearest town and Taluka HQ. His birth and growth in the community impacted my relationship to the community. My father was a physician graduated from Madras Medical college and my mother worked in the lab having graduated from Madras Womens Christian College with home science. I was first born of three boys born at 3 year intervals-Thomas, Maniji and Philip. Parents left Arogyavaram in 1962-63 period. Our sister Ansu was born in Ambur, Tamil Nadu. I was sent to school in Bangalore when eight.
My first home was near the south main entrance, next to the post office. This was home for 8 years before going to school and boarding in Bangalore. Mother had developed a flourishing flower garden with a lawn, fruit and vegetable garden at the back. Domestic dogs, chicken, pigeon, rabbit, duck, turkey was raised. It was possible with domestic help as cook and a nanny for us when young and later a male help and my parents own hard work with our help as we grew older. My father left for work at 6am. Before work he poured water for all the plants in the front. Water for the vegetable and fruit was by irrigation using kitchen and bathing water waste. Water was scarce. Rationed for the day. Water was stored for all this and our domestic use while the water came through pipes. Food offered for us at home was nutritious, balanced and luxuriously abundant from home grown resources and local market. We were taught never to waste food. Values of dignity of labor and justice was ingrained. Though we had domestic help we were always asked to help in their tasks. Sweeping rooms, helping in the kitchen, working in the garden. Simple do-able tasks commiserate with our age. Dealing with the helpers was based on equality of humanness and not as master servant relationship. Foundations of character was instilled at home. My mother was a master in making the most of limited resources. I understand missionary professional salaries were not conducive for luxury. However, a well-endowed home and mothers’ innovations at home to make our food and life comparable to well-endowed families was remarkable. This I write that her environmental acumen was half century ahead. She practiced what the environmentalists are propagating in these times.
My early infant and toddler years was lined with pneumonia, measles and mumps. I had prominent bowlegs. With the help of Dr. Paul Brand (CMC, leprosy reconstructive surgery) I had special braces designed to keep me tied on a wooden plank while sleeping at night. In later years I was sent home with a bout of Hepatitis from boarding at about age 11/12. Treatment was with a paste made from a weed in the garden everyday morning (I can recognize the weed but do not know its name, was called Keezha Nelli in Malayalam). This was followed by three meals of rice, yogurt, sugar and banana mixed into a paste with hand. Abundant fruits as available. Significant incident of this convalescent period was my eating 40 custard apples in one sitting. Custard apples from our kitchen garden stored in large earthen pots. My younger brother Philip was at home then about 4 years while Maniji was in school in Bangalore during this recouping period. Maniji my brother had other notable incidents. One while I was in my first year of boarding school in Bangalore which I did not experience firsthand but was talk of the town for several years. The other was when I was home earlier from Bangalore while Maniji had few more weeks at school. He was in a different school. Maniji was put on a bus going to Madanapalli from Bangalore. This trip resulted in a drama. He did not reach Madanapalli in the said bus. My mother was inconsolable. My father frantically calling bus stations and police stations north south and east of Madanapalli. I was running to and from the Main entrance where buses stop on its way to Palmaner. About three hours of anxiety while Maniji walks into the house with our male helper boy waiting at the bus stop.
A particular home that my brother Maniji and I had affiliation to be the home of Mr. and Mrs. KC George (KCG). They were of special significance to my brother and me. They cared for us for three months, me at age 4 and brother at 1. My mother went to join my father who was in UK for studies on a Colombo scholarship. That bond of foster parenthood was kept long after we left Sanatorium and they moved on after retirement. Visiting them at Arogyavaram or their home in Kerala. Their home was next to Dr. Jesudian’s bungalow. Their home had less space than our home and garden area was also much less. Yet the ingenuity with which Mr. KCG nurtured his fruit and vegetable garden was remarkable. All vegetables, fruits, chicken and eggs required for the home was from their garden. Plenty to spare for all neighbors. Fruits such as mango, varieties of guava, sapota, pineapple, fig, several variants of the custard apple, several variants of banana, jack fruit and more. All this in the environment of limited water supply to each home.
Memories from Friends
I had two close friends. Kumar and Viji.
Viji was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ashirvadam. About my age. Mrs. Ashirvadam was the nursing superintendent. Mr. Ashirvadam worked in the community store. Their home was across the street opposite our home. Viji was a constant companion and we moved between houses at will during evening free time and vacations.
Kumar was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Perumal. Mr. Perumal was the works Manager. The campus I rave about must have been all because of his professional oversight and ingenuity. Their home was towards the North entrance to the UMTS campus. The engineering workshop and the motor vehicle workshop and shed was adjacent to their home. We were frequent visitors to each other’s home with a lot of freedom to be in either home when free. I got to see all his siblings. All were older and in school elsewhere. A sister was married and settled elsewhere. A brother Mohan had represented field hockey for the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Neighbors to Perumal’s was Mrs. Daisy James. She was the Dietician in charge of the kitchen. Kitchen was for patients in the general ward. They also provided food during board meetings to the delegates. She had been widowed at a young age. Her nephew (Mano) and niece (Vinie) were annual visitors for the summer vacation from Calcutta. They were about my age. Frequent visitor to their home along with the home of Perumal’s.
Memories from Senior Executive Families
A bungalow virtually outside the campus along the road to Palmaner, beyond St. Luke’s church was occupied by Mr. VM Mathew. He was single. The Business Manager. He had a talking parrot and love birds. Curiosity of the parrot and his own affable nature drew us to his home often when feasible.
A duplex type of bungalow was parallel to the recreation auditorium. Missionary nurses or health related personnel were incumbents. My mother happened to board in one part of the duplex for a period with Miss Madson (spelling?) living in the other part of the duplex. My father left Arogyavaram to join Bethesda Hospital, a Lutheran Mission to lead their TB program. My mother was in the final stages of some lab related research procedures. Was requested to stay back till its completion. I happened to visit on a short vacation from school in Bangalore. Philip was with my mother as he was about five then.
The home of Rev. and Mrs. Barton was at the North East end of the Campus. Their children were much older. I do not remember meeting them as they were settled in England. The bungalow had a commercial garden to its north and a rocky terrain on the east side adjacent to the house. Occasional visits to their home after chapel service for coffee/juice, slice of cake and cokies.This bungalow as I understand was once where my father and siblings were raised when my grandfather lived before moving to the big bungalow. My parents also lived a couple of years with us three children in this bungalow before leaving UMTS.
The home of Dr. F. Moller(Jr) was a bungalow located at the South East end of the Arogyavaram campus. Dr. Moller was the Research director and master mind of the research programs in dealing with TB. Overlooking their home is a valley, a hill, pond and borewells. The source of water to the campus must have come from this pond and wells overlooking the bungalow. His children were much older. Neils, their youngest son is one I have interacted with. This home was the other home visited occasionally after chapel service.
An important friend to our family was Major Ashirvadam and family. They had built a two storied bungalow in the village adjacent to St. Luke’s church. The Ashirvadam family was like any member of the Arogyavaram family in many ways. Their daughter Flora-akka then unmarried used to tell us stories on visit to their home. One narration I remember to this day is that of Kabuliwala (short story by Rabindranath Tagore). The narration was as good as seeing a movie.
I have visited Dr Jesudians home just to watch the practice sessions youth had in their activities such as “Kolatam”. His home was at the South end of the campus. His home was unique for his almost zoo like back yard and home. Birds, reptiles, chameleons of colorful and interesting varieties were raised. I have dropped in just to view the animal kingdom in his home. His children Niranjan and Mano were much older. Have seldom seen them. Mrs. Jesudian always invited us in for juice and cookies if she spotted us.
The big bungalow was allotted to PVB. He was in essence on loan to the Government of India. The big bungalow was first occupied by the first director Dr. F. Moller (sr). PVB was in Arogyavaram for special occasions and board meetings only during my Arogyavaram days. His trips from New Delhi for these occasions were special for us. He moved out once he retired from service and settled in Bangalore. Dr. Muthiah moved to this bungalow after he left. I have fond memories of this bungalow. My uncles, aunt and cousins from Vellore, Calcutta and Delhi had come for a Christmas vacation during one of PVB visits to Arogyavaram. A person who was vital to this bungalow was Mr. Reddiappa. He was cook and caretaker to PVB household and home. His son though much older was one of our soccer companions. Reddiappa’s two daughters were about my age as classmate and junior in school.
Memories from Staff Families
Staff families are spread across the campus, lined toward the periphery of the campus boundaries. There was a colony with a cluster of houses to the east of the campus. My father and mother were first housed in one of these houses before I was born. There was a row of houses adjacent to the children’s ward. The children’s ward and these rows of houses were relatively newer in structure compared to all other staff or executive houses and administrative buildings which may have been built in the early years.
Homes of teachers like Samadhanam, Lily, Jayamma are houses I have dropped in to drop off a cake for birthday or share fruits of garden. Damayanthi teacher was married as an outcome of a school romance. Damayanthi teaching in the primary school and the Principal of the middle school were married in St. Luke’s church. Several other houses were visited for practice for Christmas play in which I had a part. I was to play the role of Laban. Laban’s two daughters Rachel and Leah were two sisters. The sisters for this part were from one home. The elder sister was dark skinned while the younger sister was light skinned. It appears the story of Jacob from the Bible was chosen for the play with these sisters in mind! They were in the middle school while I was probably in third grade.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mammen was in a lane behind our home. My mother visited them with us. Mr. Mammen worked in the office. Mrs. Mammen often called us over for a tea or meal. Their daughter entertained us while parents socialized. Mr. Mammen was a chain smoker. He rationalized that he had cut the cigarette to half to reduce his total consumption as he could not give up the habit. My mother on returning home gave me a lesson on the impact of cigarette smoking on health.
Memories of Worship
The ambiance for spiritual nurture from home and the community at Arogyavaram is a lasting memory to this day.
At home, prayer and story time in the evening with my mother every day except Sunday was standard practice. On Sunday, a Bible story and songs in the afternoon till some Sunday school sessions became available.
Morning worship service on Sundays at the campus Chapel and as I grew older an Evening worship service at St. Luke’s church outside the Arogyavaram campus along the Madanapalli-Palmaner road. Worship on Sundays at the campus chapel and later for an evening worship service at St. Luke’s was a given trip as a family. Sunday was the only day I and my siblings had our father available for the day. Other days he left home by 6am, came back for lunch and power nap at noon and returned from work after 730pm.
Rev. Barton led the worship service at the chapel in the Anglican tradition. Sermons were sometimes delivered by Doctors and invited pastors.
I do not have photos of the chapel which was unique. Must have been set up in the early years of the campus infrastructure plan for the missionaries and staff of Arogyavaram. The chapel had its alter area, tiled floor and structural beams for holding a tiled roof. The rest was thatched sides and front face and entrance. Creepers on the thatched portions and potted plants in the chapel and front of the chapel. Looking back the ambiance was divine. Later this structure was demolished and a new chapel with a concrete elegant structure was dedicated. This new chapel was completed after I had moved to school in Bangalore. I did have opportunity to worship on Sundays in this new chapel. Chapel service was in English.
Around the time I was 6 years old, my mother tried sending me and brother to a Sunday school at the Children’s hospital ward on Sunday afternoon. She asked me to go with my brother. I was a very shy kid. Just to avoid meeting unknown people in the ward I hid behind some bushes with my brother and went back home saying we attended Sunday school. Mother enquired to find we never attended. I was punished. She did not send us after that to the ward.
St. Luke’s Church was dedicated at about this time. The service was in the CSI tradition. Sunday school was started soon after making it a routine for us. Sunday school was before Church service. My brother and me attended regularly. At St. Luke’s the service was in Telugu. I had no difficulty going to St. Luke’s about 2 plus miles from home as against less than half mile to the children’s ward. I had other children accompanying us as we walked to church. My parents came for the service, and we all walked back. Sunday school had nativity plays for Christmas and programs for Palm Sunday and Easter.
An off shoot of the Christian ambiance was the annual carol rounds in the campus visiting private and general wards on Christmas eve. I joined once I could walk the rounds. Decorations in these general wards was out of my imagination. Several of these patients I met during my outing for games in the evening with other children. They greet us children as we pass them. They often came to watch us play soccer, kabbadi or gilli-dhandu.
Memories from School
I attended school organized in the campus for staff children. Children from nearby villages were also allowed to attend. School had classes from nursery to middle school. I attended from nursery. Nursery had ragi porridge and other snacks offered and was only part day. I was walked to and from nursery by home helpers. From first grade to till I left for schooling in Bangalore at age eight I walked alone till brother also joined. The walk may be about a mile from home. My father insisted I walk bare foot as most children would not have footwear at that age. At school we sat on the floor had text books but used slate for writing and practice in class. At the assembly, the principal of primary school appointed me Education Minister in my third grade. I had to come 10 minutes early, read the Telugu newspaper, pick a news topic and write on the portable board the title and summary of news. The honor was appreciable but the pain of choosing a topic was not. Another memorable incident was that in school we had plots for vegetable gardening. Tools were provided and seeds and sapling to plant and pails and mugs to pour water. I was charged with getting the supplies for us to work with and return to the tool room after the session. One day I failed to return the tools for some reason I do not remember. I was called by the principal, caned for my lapse. I was genuinely sorry as I had as eldest of the siblings’ considerable responsibilities was in grained in my upbringing.
In addition to school, my mother kept us ahead on Mathematical skills by work at home. Telugu not being our language, tuition was arranged to catch up with the language skills and keep pace with school curriculum. Jayamma and Damayanthi teacher have taught me at school and for tuition. Later during vacation from my school in Bangalore, during summer holidays, I had tuition in Mathematics with Patrick studying in college at that time. Patrick was son of Mr. Simon one of the administrative staff at Arogyavaram.
Telugu was in many ways my first language. Spoken at home with home helpers, school and at St. Luke’s church. After going to school in Bangalore for education in English medium, second language was a challenge. Moving from Telugu medium to English medium at age 8 was a challenge too. I was taken into kindergarten for one year. My English was near nil compared to children from the city while my mathematical skill was way ahead. With special assistance to fast track my English skills, after one year I was promoted to grade 4.
I remember getting smallpox vaccinations at school. All children in school were given vaccination on the designated day.
Recreation:
Facilities for recreation was available in the campus. The staff and executives did not seem to have time for regular games or sports. My father played tennis when he could find a partner to play with on Sunday afternoon. My mother also played ball badminton. This was on designated days when women who could play got together at the court near the school. Children played soccer or kabaddi. The soccer field was where flag hoisting on National days was held. We young children also ganged up to play cops and robbers or hunting and chasing birds. Our area coverage for these were the whole campus. This play time was a good 2 hours each day.
Family recreation was mostly hike to the hills. One on the south side of campus a few miles out looming over the campus. The other was a range of hills on the north side a few miles into the open scrubs and rocks leading to the hills. A few families get together for these hikes and picnics. We encounter snakes including the cobra, lizards and chameleons, eagles and variety of birds. These trips are a good four to six hours.
There was a tourist hill (mountain) called Horsley Hills. The early missionaries must have spotted the potential and developed a Sanatorium bungalow. In summer there was an annual weekend trip of those who could get off to the hills. A stay overnight. My father always had an early morning hunting walk. Fowls were a common bounty. Cooked for lunch before returning to Arogyavaram. The hill had elaborate trails with scenic views. There was a trail from the foot of the hill to the top. I looked forward to these trips.
My father had a passion for hunting. These trips were to the fields on the north side of the campus. I have gone a couple of times on these trips. These trips were from about 10pm to about 5am. Rabbits, occasional deer, fowl, wild boar have been the spoils. Most trips have no hunting spoils. My father’s passion was the hunt not the kill.
There was a full-fledged soccer field on the west side of the campus belonging to the campus. Senior youth practiced soccer and athletics depending on the season. Dr. Jesudian, Medical superintendent was an enthusiastic organizer with special attention to youth from nearby villages. An annual soccer tournament with teams from several towns in the district participated. The Arogyavaram team was mostly youth children of campus staff or from villages nearby. There was annual athletic competition day for campus staff, children and children from nearby villages. All of us had several athletic events according to age, women and men events, tug of war teams, sack race, etc. It was a full afternoon program. An incident I remember is that in the races for my age group, I was beaten by a classmate of mine. He was from the villages. The organizers were trying to say he was cutting into my lane. I knew he beat me square by his speed. He was also a person who could recite a whole lesson verbatim without looking into the text. A gifted classmate. I do not remember his name. I wish he has an opportunity to contribute to this blog effort.
Dr. Jesudian’s efforts with the youth included talent teams of “kolattam” performing in villages around the campus and on invitation from churches. They must have been good being invited to perform.
The recreation building near the general store was used for Christmas plays performed by different groups such as school children, nurses, staff etc. Special functions such as visit of dignitaries. I remember my grandfather and grandmother invited to a jubilee wedding anniversary celebration organized by the UMTS. Movies were screened regularly. I have seen a few. It is obvious that at that age I was not taken to the movies each time a movie was screened based on its rating. Mr. Perumal was the one who screened the movies. These were reels. We went to a theatre in Madanapalli occasionally for movies of repute. Quo Vadis and Robe are titles I remember. We went to Madanapalli by rented horse cart called “jutka” for movies.
Legendary Memories
I have heard several snippets at home mostly from my mother of legendary significance to the contribution of UMTS to the fight against TB and the formation of UMTS.
The United Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium (UMTS) was located at a place named Arogyavaram. The United Mission board was formed by several churches to deal with the scourge of tuberculosis (TB). The board got together a team of surveyors to look for a location to start a Sanatorium for helping patients recoup from TB in India. Missionaries of western world surveyed and found an area which they named Arogyavaram. There were no medical solutions for TB such as medicines, vaccinations and surgery at that time. Rest and recovery and keeping people from transmitting the sickness within family and community was the ideal solution. It is strange that this writing effort is at a time the world is tackling the scourge of Covid-19. Testing, isolating and keeping the bacteria from transmitting to others was the only method. Like the early phase of managing Covid-19 in communities.
Recruiting professionals from the west and all over India formed the foundational community of personnel and families. The infrastructure was designed and built for the needs of a Sanatorium for caring for patients and for personnel recruited for the business of caring for the patients. Perakath Varghese Benjamin (PVB) was one of the early recruits from India. He hailed from Kerala, graduated from Madurai Medical college at a time the Sanatorium was recruiting personnel from India and abroad. In later years he went onto be the first Indian Medical Superintendent (MS) and then the Director of the Sanatorium. The early team of professionals and staff pioneered the landmark contributions of the system of hospital, sanatorium, laboratory, field surveys, epidemiological findings, surgical break throughs, breakthrough in vaccination is legendary. PVB went on to be Medical Advisor for TB to the Government of India under Nehru Government. Institutions of national importance for tuberculosis across the country were established across the country. The lab at Sanatorium became the epicenter for surveys to identify infected patients.
BCG vaccination for TB was by then administered to children. The role of the Sanatorium in developing the BCG vaccine in a lab in Chennai (Madras then). It is said my cousin Benny Benjamin (first grandchild of PVB), son of Dr. V. Benjamin who was at CMC Vellore was given the first shot of the vaccine. This was to quell the negative publicity about its safety. PVB spearheaded the vaccine from its idea to its manufacture and roll out across the country. I understand Dr. V. Benjamin in later years was the CMC nominee on the UMTS board for several years.
Veterinary dispensary near the soccer stadium had some legendary significance to TB. Dr. John was stationed by the government to this dispensary during the period PVB was active in the hospital program. It is said, PVB with the help of Dr. John practiced lung surgery on sheep before performing his first surgery on TB patients who could be treated with surgery. This was a leap in the treatment of TB. I visited Dr. John in Conoor/Ooty in my late teens where he had retired to.
There was a leopard skin hanging in my grandfather’s bungalow (Big bungalow). The leopard was shot by PVB while sitting on the verandah of the first bungalow he lived in with family. The leopard was prowling for several previous nights around the house. An indication of the terrain and animal neighbors for residents of staff in the early years of Arogyavaram.
Closing Remarks
I have jotted my memories of the surroundings seen; people interacted with. Happy memories. As seen by me as a child. I would imagine this would give a glimpse of our life and environment at Arogyavaram in the nineteen fifties. Most people of my generation mentioned here must be in their elder years. The elder folks are not in our midst anymore. I hope it fulfils a historical view of times then as experienced by me.
Wg Cdr Raju Asirvadam
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