7.4.2010
Memories of RRF – more neighbours…
Continuing our worthless gossip of matters surrounding RRF, we will continue with Block B. Talking about RRF and its surroundings, RRF is basically situated at the foothill of the main range of hill which forms the spine of Penang island (or Pooloo Pinang as it was named in 1786 by a maverick conniving seaman by the name of Francis Light who literally hoodwinked the Sultan of Kedah by promising to protect Quedah from the Siamese attack which the knighted one did not uphold). Of course the History books do not tell this because it His (the Victor’s) story! On most days, one can catch a good glimpse of Penang Hill from RRF.
B16-3 was the home to Mr & Mrs Velu. They were formerly occupants of a room in our house in Brown Garden before the 70s. I remember Mrs Velu ( Puthu Atthei as we called her) was very fond of us, the children. We enjoyed her stories, mostly fables told in a very dramatic way in a smiling manner. She also took care of us when Amma went to hospital to ‘buy’ a baby. The couple had a son and a daughter who was hearing impaired. The son, Prakash, did well for himself. Prakash went on to study Science with Education in USM and is now a teacher. Mr Velu is now a retired bank employee.
Actually, my mother wanted to name me “Prakash” or “Thatcinamoorthy” – thank God she did not! Appa, upon hearing the temple priest that my name should start with the word A in Tamil and he decided that it should be Asokan, after the great Kalinga Emperor who later denounced war and propagated Buddhist teachings. Coincidentally, there was also a Tamil film actor at that time who always overacted and took the villain role in MGR movies. This was a butt of joke among my fellow schoolmates. Many years later, an old uncle interpreted the name ‘Asokan’ to refer to Yaso-kann (Yaso was referring to Yasodha, Lord Krishna’s mother and Kann meaning eyes) – something like of the apple of the mother's eye..
BG-15 was where we used to go for tuition. The tuition master, Mr. Balakrishnan Velusamy, was usually absent from class and his wife (Saras), a housewife taught the kids in a Hitler-like fist-and-iron manner with ruler and knuckle bashing. We all went there because somebody told our parents that they were good so they we were. I remember a FRU high ranking officer’s son Saiful whom they used to give special care. There was also Rajendran (from LaSalle School) Michael and Zarina, a very dark Indian Muslim girl. Mr Velusamy was a born again Christian who was also active in the Sunday school. He had 2 boys (Yoges and Vicki) and a girl. Needless to say, we did not stay long in the tuition centre.
B1-17, here lived a boy Elango who used to come to the same tuition as well. He used to get in to fights all the time. He must probably be in jail by now!
Memories of RRF – more neighbours…
Continuing our worthless gossip of matters surrounding RRF, we will continue with Block B. Talking about RRF and its surroundings, RRF is basically situated at the foothill of the main range of hill which forms the spine of Penang island (or Pooloo Pinang as it was named in 1786 by a maverick conniving seaman by the name of Francis Light who literally hoodwinked the Sultan of Kedah by promising to protect Quedah from the Siamese attack which the knighted one did not uphold). Of course the History books do not tell this because it His (the Victor’s) story! On most days, one can catch a good glimpse of Penang Hill from RRF.
B16-3 was the home to Mr & Mrs Velu. They were formerly occupants of a room in our house in Brown Garden before the 70s. I remember Mrs Velu ( Puthu Atthei as we called her) was very fond of us, the children. We enjoyed her stories, mostly fables told in a very dramatic way in a smiling manner. She also took care of us when Amma went to hospital to ‘buy’ a baby. The couple had a son and a daughter who was hearing impaired. The son, Prakash, did well for himself. Prakash went on to study Science with Education in USM and is now a teacher. Mr Velu is now a retired bank employee.
Actually, my mother wanted to name me “Prakash” or “Thatcinamoorthy” – thank God she did not! Appa, upon hearing the temple priest that my name should start with the word A in Tamil and he decided that it should be Asokan, after the great Kalinga Emperor who later denounced war and propagated Buddhist teachings. Coincidentally, there was also a Tamil film actor at that time who always overacted and took the villain role in MGR movies. This was a butt of joke among my fellow schoolmates. Many years later, an old uncle interpreted the name ‘Asokan’ to refer to Yaso-kann (Yaso was referring to Yasodha, Lord Krishna’s mother and Kann meaning eyes) – something like of the apple of the mother's eye..
BG-15 was where we used to go for tuition. The tuition master, Mr. Balakrishnan Velusamy, was usually absent from class and his wife (Saras), a housewife taught the kids in a Hitler-like fist-and-iron manner with ruler and knuckle bashing. We all went there because somebody told our parents that they were good so they we were. I remember a FRU high ranking officer’s son Saiful whom they used to give special care. There was also Rajendran (from LaSalle School) Michael and Zarina, a very dark Indian Muslim girl. Mr Velusamy was a born again Christian who was also active in the Sunday school. He had 2 boys (Yoges and Vicki) and a girl. Needless to say, we did not stay long in the tuition centre.
B1-17, here lived a boy Elango who used to come to the same tuition as well. He used to get in to fights all the time. He must probably be in jail by now!
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