In fond remembrance of Postman Rajanna
Last Updated on Sunday, 20 December 2009 17:07 Written by Our Correspondent Saturday, 19 December 2009 00:00
Some people never try to hog limelight, live a simple life but still loved by everyone and remembered long.
Post Man Rajanna, as he was familiarly known, was one such unsung hero of Kinniogli.
In this special edition of KUSWAR ISSUE, Kinnigoli.com fondly remembers the forgotten hero and as homage to him presents a brief introduction about this saint and his loving family.
In the modern age, we have email and telephones to contact our dear and near ones and therefore the importance of writing letters has lost its ground. Even the oldest form of money transfers called "Money Order" is rarely seen these days except in villages. The advent of computers and online transfer facilities/ ATM , credit/debit cards, instant money transfers through Western Union and cheques/ drafts etc have reduced the importance of money orders. But in olden days people had to wait for the postman to deliver the letters, money orders etc and therefore people were eagerly waiting for the postman everyday in the hope that they get some news from their dear and near ones abroad. So our Postman Rajanna belongs to that era where there were no computers and technology.
Child Raju was born on October 30, 1933, at a small village called Adhyapady, which lies behind Bajpe Airport. He hailed from a poor family and lost his father during his early childhood. However, young Raju paid good attention to his studies and studied till high school in Paduva High School, Mangalore. Passing high school was a great accomplishment those days and was mostly acquired only by wards of privileged families. However, Rajanna achieved the unachievable.
In school days Raju was a football player and he loved Cricket too. His trophies are a proof for this and they are well preserved by his sons and daughters.
He was the first student to pass High School in entire village of Adhyapady. After completing his SSLC he joined Postal department and appointed as Postman.
He commenced his service at Hiriyadka in 1956. In the later years he served at Panambur, Kallamundkur, Niddodi and finally Kinnigoli.
Longest period of his service was in Kinnigoli. His pleasant manners, humble talk and love towards kids made him highly loved human being among all. The entire Mennabettu Village fondly baptized Raju as RAJANNA. The name which Raju himself liked and people in general adored! Such was his attachment towards the elder and the younger and even the little children.
The very ring of his bicycle would pull the entire family out of their houses just to have his glimpse and to see if he is carrying any messages from their families living away and abroad. Besides delivering the postal mail, Rajanna would read and tell to them the message carried in those letters. It was a familiar sight those days, when Rajanna would sit with their families and on their insistence reply to the letters and even mail them in many cases at his cost. He had mastery over Konkani, Tulu, Kannada and English. That was the time when many people could not read and write. And, Mr. Raju was not only a postman to them, he was a true Rajkumar always welcomed in their hearts and homes. Mr. Raju, did not disappoint to their trust and honesty.
Rajanna knew each and every family and the family members by name, and had the familiarity of speaking to them in their own languages. This was an added advantage to this young dynamic gentleman.
Raju along with his co-associates Edward D’Souza of Belthangadi and Vyasa Achar of Ucchila had served the people of Kinnigoli, Mennabettu Village for decades of 60’s to 90’s.
These three were the Trimurthis of their time. One could see their commitment and fellowship with the society and in Kinnigoli in particular. They never compromised with any selfish moves and never allowed selfishness to come in their way. That is the reason; these TRIMURTHIS are still remembered.
Rajanna loved his job hence he rendered his services happily making others happy with him. In those times the profession of postmen could not fetch enough income to support a family. But never in his entire life, Rajanna has asked for any favors or gifts or any of those kinds from anyone.
Rajanna loved the place and wanted to build his own house at Kinnigoli. His dream was recently fulfilled by his children, unfortunately only after his death. But for sure, Rajanna must have blessed the House from heavenly abode!
In 1987 Rajanna was promoted as Mail Overseer and transferred to Mangalore and got voluntary retirement on April 1, 1989.
His main ambition is personal life was that everyone in his family should learn till Graduation. He paid no importance of any other materialistic gain. He was generous and he gave more than what he actually received!
Rajanna married K. Bhavani on february 09 1958. The couple was blessed with six children- 4 sons and 2 daughters.
Eldest is Nagesh working as a Post Master in Bajpe Post Office.
Second one is Amitha working as a Senior Staff Nurse in Udupi Ajjarakad Hospital.
Third is Somashekhar working as a Special Assistant in State Bank of India Ajjarakad Udupi Branch.
Fourth is Venugopal working as a Accounts Officer in Telecom Department Mangalore.
Fifth is Sunitha working as a Library Typist in NITK Surathkal
And the last but not the least is Yashavantha (kinnigoli.com knows him as Yashu Aikala because he is the versatile news feeder of this website.) who owns bussiness of Computer Sales and service and has own Cyber in Moorukaveri Kinnigoli and is also a Press Reporter.
Rajanna left to his eternal abode on on 23rd August in the year 2000 leaving behind a rich prophecy for Kinnigolians, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” The principle which his family carries on till today! Rajanna followed a Universal Religion; he was Hindu with Hindus, Christian with Christians, Muslim with Muslims, respecting each and everyone as Divine human being! He had a taste for Deism, and would always feel God’s hand in every sorrow and happiness! This kept him always self-actualized.
Rajanna's family
Our friend Rajanna with his friends
Comments
I am glad to read the articles about your father and aslo to see the photographs of your family. What a honest father you had. May his soul rest in peace. I was your classmate in Little Flower Girls High School,Kinnigol i. Your Roll No.used to be 1 and mine was 2 always. Please recall. Please send me your email id at haryson.alice
Regards,
Alice Haryson(Saldanh a), New Delhi