'GOOD I DID NOT GET THE JOB, I BECAME THE PM,' SAYS DEVE GOWDA

Hassan, Feb. 2 (KCU)- "If I was offered a job then, on the recommendation of an influential person, I would not have become a Chief Minister and later the Prime Minister."

This was the interesting revelation made by H.D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister, reminiscing his good old college days while inaugurating the Alumni Association of L.V. Polytechnic here yesterday.

Recalling his yesteryears, Deve Gowda, an alumnus of the Polytechnic said, "After completing Diploma in Civil Engineering, I had received an interview call letter from Indian Telecom Industries, a wing of the Indian Army then, for the post of Junior Engineer. I took a recommendation letter from a senior officer of the same organisation. The interviewing officer Subba Rao got angry over my carrying such a letter. He refused to offer the post on that count. That person was responsible to transform my life for public service. If I had landed in a regular job then, I would not have stepped into politics."

Unwinding his younger days Gowda continued, "After my diploma, I had received a call from the Railways too. Coming in the way, my father was reluctant to send me for a job saying that I should not, being the eldest son in the family. However, I aspired to take up a lecturer's post at Gauribidanur Polytechnic but my attempts went in vain. Finally I decided not to aspire for a Government job and decided to stay in my hometown abiding by the wish of my father. Eventually I entered public life."

"When I was a student here at the Polytechnic in 1950, becoming the leader of the Students Union was a prestige issue and a coveted post then. I became the President and invited a lot of criticism when I invited a freedom fighter A G. Ramachandra Rao for the inaugural function. To makeup for this criticism, I decided to invite a person from the field of technology to inaugurate the function during the subsequent year. Keeping up my promise, I brought an expert from Bangalore in the said field for the inaugural address," he said.

Having arranged the function in the best manner, I received laurels from everyone. That inspired me to do more, reminisced Gowda.

"I used to go to Bangalore from Hassan in the then meter gauge train. I used to take some rest at Thotadappa Choultry there before completing my work. As I had no spare dhoti, I used to wear the same dhoti upside down or inside out repeatedly. If I once decide to achieve something in life I pursue that object and will not give up easily", asserted Gowda.

"Many feel that this Gowda was too aged and he should go. I do not care for such nasty remarks. This body has turned old but the mind is still young. Fighting spirit still looms large and that is unbeatable," asserted Gowda with considerable pride.