KVBEML - The Beginning

By Sindhu Manoj

After the great and risky adventures, I had in my Kindergarten and Convent, my parents probably thought that I should be going to a school which isn’t very far from home. Moreover, my sister was going to begin school very soon too and my mom was now much busier as a teacher too. To our luck, my dad’s company brought a central school with the much sought after CBSE syllabus. It was the Kendriya Vidyalaya. The school was especially meant for the children of employees of BEML. The only challenge was that I had to know a bit of Hindi to get an admission. Since I had never been exposed to the language in my previous schools, a tutor was arranged for my Hindi tuitions in order to be equipped to face the admission tests to the KV, which I did get through eventually and here I was in a totally new environment with boys and girls in the same class room in a new school with new building and infrastructure and within our own little BEML Nagar. We were now much closer to home and a 15-to-20-minute walk away. 

New school had new uniforms, rules and regulations, subjects and new teachers as well. I was excited as well as slightly taken aback with the sudden cultural variations. But everything settled down soon and life was beginning to feel adventurous once again. 

Class 3 went off well. We used to walk to school with our bags and lunch bags. This was beginning to be a new challenge for little kids. Parents hired local village boys with bicycles to drop kids at school and bring them back after school. Some cycle men (as they were addressed) carried lunch boxes too from homes to school bringing warm food for kids prepared fresh by their moms. 

I however had to carry lunch myself as mom went to her school as well. So did my sister who was now in kindergarten. Her school had a school bus provided by BEML Omni bus services. There were buses to the convent school as well. Only KV did not have a school bus service. So, my parents, like many others arranged a carrier man for my pick up and drop to school. Nagraju was from the nearby Dasara Halli nearby and promptly arrived every morning by 8-15 am on his big black Hercules bicycle. It was not a new one and had attached carrier seats in the back and in the front on the bar as well. He used to help me on to the back seat and hang the school bag on the handle bar. For a few months this went on. After a few days another little girl too began joining our morning and evening rides to school. She was put up in the front seat and her bags were on the handle bar as well. The cycle was now fully loaded and Nagraj used to pant and struggle much riding up and down the not so even terrain as we rode to school. Sometimes he used to simply push the bicycle with the two of us on it. We didn’t mind as long as we didn’t have to walk carrying our heavy school bags. 

Nagraju had other jobs like being a paper boy and providing milk as well as fresh vegetables from the village to the families in the officer’s colony. As days went be he sometimes got late to pick us up. Although my parents had alerted him on this, Nagraj used to end up late at least once a week and then drive us in a haste to school. There were days when we used to shout at him to slow down. His bicycle was pretty old too with tyres partially worn out and the whole two-wheeler shook as it sped due to probably wheel alignment issues. 

All was well until one morning. Nagraj was late and hurriedly put me on the back seat. I always kept my legs tied cross on the bar beneath the driver’s seat which was the safe way to be seated. My co passenger was already aboard and placed safe on the seat on the front bar. My mom was busy getting ready to school. Her school was just next to our school called the BEML High school. She taught Math & science there. Our care taker Mary was the one who got us ready and made sure we’re off on time. So, as I started off, I saw Mary wave at me as we started off like usual.

My co passenger and junior at school who sat in front seat requested Nagaraju to speed up as it was almost time for us. We had to join the school assembly on time. Nagaraj began to ride faster. There were many ups and downs in the stretch ahead and the bicycle rattled making weird noises. Although I was seated comfortably behind, the ride was getting faster and more uncomfortable. At one stretch of the roads somewhere near the trainee’s hostel, there was a slope. As we reached there, Nagraj was almost flying. I was tensed and still held on tight to the two rings below the driver seat to stop myself from shaking. All of a sudden, Nagraj applied the brakes and within no time the bicycle skidded and we had a great fall after skidding for a few feet. By the time we realised what happened, I found myself lying on the road on my left side with the cycle wheel over my left leg. I was extremely frightened to see my co passenger with her school shirt torn and muddy, stand up and wipe away the mud off her bloody elbow crying out aloud. Nagaraj was extremely scared as well. He quickly gathered his wits and tried to help me up simultaneously calming the other little one. I was trying to get up myself, however I could not do so until Nagraj somehow picked up the bicycle off my left leg. Then he tried to help me up. But as I tried to stand, I realised the terrible truth the I could not keep my left leg on the ground!! 

Somewhere down my ankle or knee I had severe pain. Nagaraj tried motivating me to try and walk. But all I remember was screaming out aloud at every instant I tried putting my left foot down. After a while of trying, I told Nagraj that I can’t walk at all, which really scared him and he decided to take me home. Since we lived within a protected area, very few vehicles passed by. Most employees reach office by 7 am and leave at 4 pm. The next shift began at 3pm and later a night shift. So the possibilities of finding anyone to help us back was remote at this hour. My co passenger seemed okay and said she would walk ahead to school as Nagraj decided to take me home. Nagraj had to literally carry me on to the cycle, pick up my scattered books and belongings that fell off tearing my school bag that was hung on the front. I saw all my things covered in damp soil. But my pain was so bad that none of it mattered presently. I was so terrified on the thought of riding back pillion to my home that I told Nagaraj to simply push the bicycle. 

As we reached home, Nagaraj rang the bell only to be received by a very surprised Mary to whom he quickly explained that we had a fall. My mother was getting ready for school and the conversation with the word’s accident and my loud cries as I tried to struggle getting of the bicycle and limping into my house until I sat on the sofa was enough to scare my mom. Mary quickly asked me where the pain was and as I showed her my left leg, I was so much more terrified to see how it had swollen up. I was still wearing socks and shoes. The entire portion around my left ankle was highly swollen. There was no injury or blood fortunately. When Mary updated Amma about swelling, she instructed Mary to apply warm Karpooradi Ayurvedic Oil on my leg. I was still in severe pain. I saw a worried Nagraj. My mom was still getting ready inside and she had informed Mary to ask Nagraj to stay. After a minute Mary came with warm oil and sat on the floor. As she tried to remove my already tight shoes and socks, I couldn’t help but screem with pain. It was unbearable. Mary was generally a brave person. She managed to pull of my socks somehow exposing my ankle which was now badly swollen and reddish in colour. Slowly she tried applying the oil. But each touch was so painful that I was crying terribly. 

My mom, ready by now, quickly took a look at my foot and realised that I was in deep pain and no matter what they tried, they failed to motivate me to stand or walk. The swelling was too much and looked abnormal to Amma. 

She was confused about what to do. The fact that my dad was travelling added to her woes. We had a phone which was an intercom that we used to call my dad if required or any others who lived within our colony. For any other outside call, we had to book a trunk call. 

My mom soon informed her school about the incident and that I needed medical attention right away. Now the question was how to take me to the only hospital, the BEML Medical Centre which was about 10-15 minutes away from our house. Since every one of our neighbours worked in the same company, there were no men around although Mary enquired in and around our lane. My mom was tensed too seeing me cry and the terrible lump on my foot. She looked out of the door desperately for someone to pass by who could take me to the hospital. She didn’t want Nagraj to take his rattling bicycle again. She sent him off saying that she would talk to him later on this. The next few minutes went in making calls to all known families to check if there was anyone who could take me to the medical centre. Those were days when only few people had cars. But a two-wheeler was common in most officers’ homes which was either a scooter or a motor bike. My little sister had already left to school and mom had to request Mary to find help from neighbours. Since it was a protected area, autorickshaws were also not allowed unless someone came in after checking at the permission counters at certain gates. As I was still wailing with pain, my mom heard a motorbike and stepped out to see who that was. She was soon directing Mary to check upon one of our distant neighbours who lived in the opposite block who had just reached home on his bike after his night shift. This Uncle had a bullet and one wouldn’t miss its noise especially in the silent surroundings. After sometime, I was surprised to see this uncle at my home, still in his uniform. He came immediately with his bike on seeing my foot. I could not stand on my feet by then. As my parents always said, God appears in some form when we need help. I soon found myself being carried in strong arms, placed comfortably on the motorbike, being told to hold on tight and not to be scared until we reached the hospital only a few mins away. My mom told the uncle who was helping us that she will be there quickly as she had to walk. 

The Medical Centre was a familiar place as we used to visit the place when we had cough or cold. We knew all doctors too as they all lived in our colony. It was run only for the employees of BEML and their family members. There were only one or two specialists. So, if there was a patient who needed special care, the hospital with the consent of the company and employee, referred the cases to speciality hospitals mostly in the city of Bangalore which was the nearest city, about 100 km away. 

As we reached, I found myself carried to the causality ward. Uncle had carried me in his arms not waiting for a wheelchair to avoid wasting time. Soon I was being examined by the Orthopaedic. He suggested an X-ray right away. I was soon finding myself on the X-ray table in a cold room. The process took a while with me trying hard not to cry in front of all the nurses and staff. They were kind and tried their best to help me to a minor operation theatre. I was giving a pain relief injection and left there for quite some time on a stretcher. Not sure how long that was, I woke up when the Ortho doctor woke me up. I saw my mom. The orthopaedic told me that I had fractured my ankle bones in the fall that I had. So I would have to really rest my leg while it would be plastered for a few weeks before I’m fully healed. I really didn’t know what it all meant. All I was thinking of was the oncoming annual day celebration at school for which I was to perform in a group dance. I had my dress and ornaments ready and it was on that fateful day that I was carrying all of that to show my teacher in charge for the event. I will be okay after a week’s rest and medication, I thought, consoling myself. However, that was far from the reality. 

By this time, the doctor and nurses arrived to bandage my leg. The process was painful and took some time. At the end of it, I found my left leg plastered from below my knee till my toes, exposing only my toes. It felt tight and heavy as well. There was no way I could walk. I was a worried kid. The uncle who brought me here was ready to take me back home for the doctor had suggested that there was no need to admit me as of now. That was a true relief.

Being a very light hearted and frivolous girl who never faced any setback in life so far, the fact that I could not walk or attend school, meet my friends or play was the most terrible nightmare I was going through. How would o be able to join the dance on the annual day that was a week away, and what about my classes and exams...!! It was too much for an 8-year-old. 

Soon, I found myself back home in my room on my bed. Mary had rearranged my room to accommodate me in my present situation. I was seated on my bed, now next to my window with my back on to the wall now supported with many pillows. There was one beneath my injured leg as well. As my dad was travelling, I could hear my mom trying to connect with him on a trunk call. Her loud conversation made my worst nightmare seem true!! All that was done in the medical centre was temporary; I had a rather severe fracture in my left ankle which had broken it at multiple points and a quick surgery would be much better to heal faster, I heard mom explain, with fear and despair. Mom also was telling him that such a surgery was not possible in our medical centre and that I had to meet an orthopaedic surgeon in Bangalore for further treatment, referred by the orthopaedic here. Dad on the other end felt miserable that he was not present at the time of crisis. He was away on some work and a return would take a minimum of 2 days. 

In the next couple of days, to my shock, I realised that I needed help for every single thing, to eat, sleep and to visit the rest room.

It was already frustrating. 

While Mary and Mom looked at me and spoke to me bravely, my sister who came from her kindergarten was very scared seeing me. She had many questions which mom was answering with much patience.

Dad arrived at the earliest possible, which was a day later. He too spoke to me and applauded me for being so brave. I was now feeling better and more positive. My pains were under control as well, probably due to pain killers.

I was getting used to the tedious visits to the Indian style rest room and had to use a stool. It wasn’t the era of European style toilets. 

I never got off the bed unless it was to the restroom. My food was served on the bed and my spare time, which was in plenty, was spent in reading whatever I found. I had no clue as to what was happening at school nor that my father had informed my principal about the unfortunate incident. My friends, teachers, neighbours and other cycle men were shocked. In 2-3 days, we had to leave to Bangalore for my further consultation. My parents hired a car, an ambassador, that could seat me with my leg up on the seat in the back, and my mom beside me, Dad seated next to the driver, we travelled the 100 odd kilometres comfortably. Upon meeting the referred to surgeon, Dr Srinivas, I was suggested a resetting procedure instead of open surgery. In case the resetting failed, surgery was mandatory. 

We had to stay at a family friend’s place nearby the hospital. Till this day, I’m so indebted and thankful to all those amazing humans who helped us during this difficult phase. Some of them were unknown angels. Life was teaching me new lessons. To be strong, to never give up, to be kinder and thankful. 

My procedure went off rather smoothly for I found myself in the recovery room of the operation theatre after about 3 hours of my being put to sleep with general anaesthetic.

When I woke, Dr Srinivas was explaining to my dad and mom as to how the procedure was successfully completed. I now had a fresh plaster on my leg. There was no pain probably due to medication. This new bandage would be there on my foot for 45 days. 

Oh my God!! Forty-five days… that meant no school, no annual day, and what about my exams… my annual exams were only a couple of weeks away! How would I take up my exams… I had a train of thoughts lining up... which I decided to ignore temporarily. Dad used to say, let’s face it when it comes by and I decided to stick to that. I stuck to the present putting a halt to my queue of thoughts. 

Back home, I was again stuck to my bed. I spent most of the day watching through the window after Dad, mom and sister left to their office and school. Mary was my saviour. She checked up on me frequently. She made sure I are my breakfast and lunch properly and the medicines on time. She also helped me reach out to the wash rooms. In 2-3 days, I got used to the routine. I loved reading, thankfully. So my parents left some books for me to keep me engaged. But over a period of time, I was beginning to get bored. But not for long!! Wait to hear how I changed my shortcomings to my strength!! 

And, after that, I wasn’t suffering at all; rather I was living it up!! 

The news of my accident spread all across the colony like wild fire. By this time, summer vacation had begun in my mom’s school as well as my sisters. As a result, we had a visitor or two who peeped in every day to came to check upon me. Some of them brought goodies and fruits. Some others books and I got a few toys as well. Everyone who came sympathised with my situation, and consoled me that I will get well very soon. My parents too showered upon me many gifts that made it more interesting. I had a huge Amar Chithra Katha collection now apart from Enid Blyton from the library which my friends picked on my behalf from the Earthmover Club Library. 

I also had a new kitchen set, a couple of dolls, some puzzle mazes, a stamp collection album, a drawing book, water colours of various types, crayons, and even a tiny motor boat that moved in water due to steam action when a wick was lighted within!! I was rich... wasn’t I. I thought. Days now became more interesting as I had more people visiting me. One day, my mom’s colleagues visited me and prayed for my speedy recovery. Some of my friends from school and the neighbourhood came home every afternoon & I shared my toys with them in exchange of the long hours that they spent here. Some of their moms came searching for them as well. Amidst all this, I had forgotten school, my annual day and of course about my class four annual exams completely! 

One day my dad told me that I was promoted to class 5 with weightage scores from my earlier tests. That was cool I thought; I will have a lot to discuss with my other classmates once I’m back at school. Another thing my dad told us was that our Principal Ma’am had expressed her concern over my accident and further related events and even enquired regarding my health. I felt famous now. To add to , Ma’am had requested the BEML management to provide Omnibus services to the school for all students to which they readily agreed. So from the next academic year, we would be going to school in our own BEML bus. That was something. 

Till date many do not really know that I was the main reason behind our getting a school bus. Some things happen for good I thought. Don’t they? 

By Sindhu Manoj