It was turmoil days during college elections, prior to independence

[HRN was a popular student in his class of Senior Intermediate at Tumkur Government College. He contests for the Students' Union when fellows around him encourage (1944). He prints small pamphlets in Kannada and English, which carries poems and speech extracts of eminent people on Mysore Unification, Freedom Struggle etc. He wins the election, but with a bitter note. The students were divided on communal lines at that juncture. All those student friends who joined him for processions in 1942, turned out to be enemies. The turmoil he underwent, HRN pens to his close friend S.K.]

Dear S.K.!

I do not know how I should congratulate and thank you for my success in the election to the managing committee of the Association. When you and my other good friends proposed me for the place, it was not without a little hesitation I accepted it. Then I did not see a ray of chance. I accepted it. I thought I would also be one of the `also ran's. I did not at the moment think that I really possessed such an abundant and indeomitable fund of affection and friendship among my class-people. How can I even forget the value of the hundreda and odd votes you and my other trusted friends:- Venkataram, Anantaraj, Madhava, Srinivasan and others, secured for me. I am deeply grateful to you for all that anda take it a pleasure and a sacred duty to serve my friends.

When I look back on the events that happened a few days back in connection with the elections, the deplorable communal turn it developed into so soon and the bitterness and drift it caused among the erstwhile united students, I simply pluddered at the risk and responsibility I would be running in mastering a successful retreat for my opponent. But I could never tolerate, that in a class of 200 which free from malice and communal bickerings and noted for its good conduct and fraternity, there should suddenly crop up disintegrating forces that are in the long run harmful for the growth and development of the student community, that too in the name of these petty elections. Can we so soon forget the hectic days of August 1942 when the students of Tumkur followed in as a body as if they were brothers of the same family and marched on with the song of freedom to the astronishment and bewilderment of the same petty communal worms, who kept out of the revolution then and are now raking up bad politics in our college. That's why I took up the challenge, being quite sure that I will not be let down by the students belonging to Tumkur High School who had stood by me all these days, and knowing full well that the undaunted efforts and ability of yours will not go in vain. I was even prepared for a defeat because even if I should go down, it was not with an easily formidable opposition that the communal stooge in my opponent could win, and even my defeat in an honourable cause would leave a welcome warning against his misguided enterprise.

It has overwhelmed me, today, with great joy and deep gratitude that I should rout out communalism in our class by 140 to 60. How I wish I could do it in the entire college.
Today I am the representative of 200 students. I don't know whether I possess the ability to voice the grievances, fulfil the hopes and aspirations and secure the demands of these two hundred people. I am sorry you have made this little 'bachchaa' a 'big' man. You have showered on me congratulations and I have unnecessarily been made a hero of a great triumph. I am sorry that I should really be undeserving of that all.

I am only a symbol of the united friendship and fraternity of our class. And that has been my only solace and courage; I have always the backing and support of you all and that has abeen a towering of strength to me.

We have yet to achieve so many things: we have to make our Association not a puppet but have to develop it into a cent percent and hand in its moulding and administration. Not only that, it should be like a parliament that should govern the affairs of our college. To achieve this the Managing Committee should be a driving and dynamic force. That in turn means that it should be composed of people who are not simple yes-men and show boys of the college who dance to the tunes of the superintendents and ex-officio members and who gather round the committee meetings simply to chat over a cup of coffee and say 'yes' to what all they say and get away with a certificate of `Good boys'!

Well, we have to work in face of all that and heavy odds. I shall be pleading and putting forth my ideas in the light of the collective aspirations of you all. I hope I shall have the general support and backing of you all and I shall be only representing your feelings and hopes when I take up that fearless stand in the committee meetings and howsoever solitary my voice may be, I shall not be deterring from that path. And if need be, and I am not able to deliver the goods, I shall have to come out of it, even then I hope I shall not be grudged your sympathies and support.

Next year we are moving to Central College. Let's not forget that as long as we are students we have a duty (in addition to our studies) that we cannot ignore. We have to achieve so much that contributes to the material, moral and mental growth of the student community at large. We have to eradicate communalism that is so rampant in our colleges, now. If we can win in our attempts in achieving what little degree we can here this yar, I can safely say that we can pursue this path even in the bigger university union, next year. Let's be notorious for this, not only in this college but also in Bangalore. Come what may, let's pursue this to the last.

I only pray God: Let's not falter in this pledge.

Once again, with thousand thanks to you all,

I am your

Nagesh

P.S.:- Another word S.K.; Shall we I mean you and your friends meet in Kailas Anand Bhavan on sunday afternoon to discuss over a cup of coffee (which has been so much due to you and my good friends), what we should do in the assoication? I have invited Mr.Gurappa (our erstwhile rival) to be present also. If he has the face, let him do it!