My Memoirs (in Ship-Repairs) by R.P.Rao F.I.Mar.E. (I) VZ.0037

About my self:

I was born on 18th July, 1933 in an orthodox Andhra Brahmin family as the 2nd son with three younger brothers and two younger sisters. My father was a senior officer in the erst while M&SM Rly. (Presently S.Rly) and retired in 1944.
We settled in a small Town ‘TUNI’ in East .Godavary Dist. Bordering Vizag Dist .where acute food rationing was prevailing.
I passed my S.S.L.C.Exam (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) of Madras state in 1947.
We then shifted to Kharagpur in West Bengal where my elder brother was working in the B.N.Rly (Presently E.Rly) Workshops. In Jan.1948 I joined in “Board of Apprenticeship Training” Exam. Of West. Bengal Govt. through the Railway European School. I was the 1stIndian boy to join this school after the Independence. So I was the ‘Odd man out’.
I passed out my exam in 1949 and was selected as a ‘Charge man Apprentice’ in B.N.Rly workshops Kharagpur was sent to Black-smith shop for my apprenticeship and being hot-blooded and immature, I protested to the recruiting officer Mr. P.Venugopal the P.A. to the C.M.E.saying “ my being a Brahmin and educated boy I am not able to
reconcile to live as a Black-smith in my life and appealed to transfer me to other shop for my training. The P.A.to C.M.E then counseled me that my
Being an educated and smart Brahmin boy- I shall have a very fast career-
Growth in this shop and hence selected me for this shop and be happy to go and Join in that shop only... I was sent light Forge Section, Spring Section, and Drop Forg Section and Heavy- Forge section for three month in each section during My 1st Year training
.