Early Years in India

This story is about a child born in 1920 in a small agricultural village in Karnataka State, India. The boy grew up in a joint family structure with very strong ties and strict religious values. There are no paved roads in the village, no cars or buses, no running water or electricity. The village is an independent community and has little connections with the outside world. The father of the boy is a primary school teacher and saves pennies for the continued education of his sons. There are hardships and hard work but also the happiness of festivals and family celebrations. The first-born son is able to receive scholarships, go to the university, and finally, go to England to graduate from Oxford and Leiden in the Netherlands. Even though he grew up in very simple surroundings, the special child worked hard and reached his goals.