RK Saranya

Cycling Wasn't So Easy.. My Dad was a Mining Engineer. I completed my schooling till 10th standard in 2 mines colonies near Udaipur, Rajasthan, India - Zawar  Mines and Dariba Mines. Both the places were surrounded by Aravali Mountain  range. In Dariba, I started to learn cycling in 5 th grade and Dad was the coach – the driver of cycle. It was my brother’s old cycle with which Dad tried to teach me cycling. I used to sit and Dad pushed it. I never pressed the paddle. I just kept my legs on it. Everyday Dad made 2-3 rounds in our lane. Finally, he gave up. Instead of making me to learn, he lost some weight. Maybe I was stealing some time from his busy schedule or I just enjoyed when he pushed the cycle across the lanes. The next round of learning cycling started in Zawar when I was in 8 th grade with my brother’s bigger cycle. This time, I did put some (my own) effort and learnt. But two incidents/accidents occurred. # 1 : Our home (colony) was on top of a small hill. So

As soon as it rained, the earthworm sprawled in our garden.We collected them in a jar as bait for fishing. Dad helped in making the fishing rod (A neem stick with a plastic rope tied to it having a hook for bait). The other things that we carried with us were towels and buckets. The fishing day used to be Monday (the holiday). We waited for the Monday morning with clear sun for fishing. There was a small river on our way to school - our fishing spot. It flooded in rainy season and we had to use a iron bridge to cross it only during that time. Usually, for first few catches, we would  be patient with the fishing rod. Then, as the sun scorched, we kids picked up towels. It is to be held in the opposite direction of currant so that the fish could be caught. The other way that Dad opted was to throw bucket full of water on the shore. With this water the fishes also fell on the shore and our job was to collect these fishes in a bucket. These fishes were divided among 3 Tamil families

I was brought up in Zawar, a small mines colony in Rajasthan near Udaipur... There the monkeys( the langur) ruled especially in summer season. The Monkey attacks - -  - The monkeys captured all the mango trees (we had 1 in the backyard and 2 in the garden) as soon as the summer begins (in the midst of February). Whenever I had holidays, I played with them after having breakfast. I used to throw some mangoes on them and hid behind the mesh gate. then, they attacked back with plenty in return. Later on I would collect them and save near my bed and have whenever I want to. In summers we were not allowed/able to play in morning/afternoon so it was a good thing to do. I played the other game as well. This I played sometimes in the afternoon when Dad used to go back to office after having lunch and my elder brother dozes off. I stood in front of the door. Teased the monkey badly or threw something near the monkeys...ran back and hid behind the mesh door. the monkeys used to run behin