Vijaya and I went to Hyderabad recently. We started on the evening of 17 Mar 2008 from Egmore, Chennai. The train went via Park, Fort, Beach, Washermenpet stations before joining the main line at Vyasarpadi. I am seeing the Fort and Beach etc stations for the first time.
We reached Kacheguda the next morning by 7-30. We were told that the local train (MMTS -Multi Mode Transport System) would arrive on PF 3. So we lugged our suitcases climbing the overbridge. Later, at the last moment, the announcement said the train is coming on PF 1 !! We had to lug once again via the overbridge. In fact, we had to climb overbridges in all the stations during our visit to Hyderabad. It was the norm.
The MMTS trains are clean and nice. Even allowing for the unusually long stoppages at Kacheguda and Secunderabad Stations, the travel was faster. After bath and breakfast at Rama's place in Ashoknagar, we boarded another MMTS for KCG to go to the Pension Office there. This office is located at Barkatpura Chaman, close to KCG station, but we did not know. A helpful auto chap offered us a free lift, saying it is very near and, anyway, he was going for lunch that way only !! Having experienced Chennai autos, we couldn't believe our ears ...
At the pension office, everyone was helpful; in fact they went out of their way to help us. It was an experience we can never forget. After our work there, we walked back to KCG. Barkatpura and Kacheguda have changed a lot.
Next day (19 March) we took the 1045 MMTS and went to Malakpet and then to Kanchanbagh School by auto. We had lunch at the Officers' Mess - delicious, unlimited food at just 20 rupees. The principal of the school Mr Naidu was very helpful and he gave us complete instructions on hiw to fill in the form and its enclosures.
We needed a copy of the first page of the bank pass book. Arvind arranged this by scanning the passbook and emailing the jpg file. We had the "single" photo of Vijaya but the pricipal told that we need a "joint" photo (Vijaya and I). We had to search for a photo studio who would give us copies in 10 - 15 minutes. We filled in the form and tagged the enclosures and we were ready.
3rd day - 20 March - It was Mild un Nabi and all the offices were closed. But the school principal was waiting for us. We took the 0940 MMTS for Malakpet. We had lunch at the Officers' Mess today also. The principal checked the forms and accepted. He has to get details from DLS RCI, then attest the forms and send it to the Pension office. He assured us he would do it.
We visited our old friends at the Labs Qrs - Ganesan, Malathy, Balasubramanian. Venugopal. Finally, we took the 7 PM MMTS back to Lingampally.
Unseasonal rains battered Hyderabad on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd March and we stayed indoors for most part of the day. Shopping at BHEL crossroads and Kukatpally for dresses for Aditi and Sowmya; saris for Vijaya; chudidar material for Gayathri, Neeraja, and Krithika.
Monday 24 dawned with a bright sun and we were relieved. Packed and we left Rama's house and Lingampally by 1245 MMTS. Waited at KCG station itself for two hours before boarding the Chennai train at 3-15 PM. Luckily we didn't have to take any overbridges this time at KCG. The train left KCG by 4 PM and reached Chennai the next morning at 6-40. Haggling with auto chaps !!
All in all, our visit to Hyderabad was enjoyable. Rama, Satyamurthy, Santosh, and Satish were most hospitable. S & S went for over six kilometers to buy me mirchi bajjis!
rajappa
11:45 on 29 March 2008
We reached Kacheguda the next morning by 7-30. We were told that the local train (MMTS -Multi Mode Transport System) would arrive on PF 3. So we lugged our suitcases climbing the overbridge. Later, at the last moment, the announcement said the train is coming on PF 1 !! We had to lug once again via the overbridge. In fact, we had to climb overbridges in all the stations during our visit to Hyderabad. It was the norm.
The MMTS trains are clean and nice. Even allowing for the unusually long stoppages at Kacheguda and Secunderabad Stations, the travel was faster. After bath and breakfast at Rama's place in Ashoknagar, we boarded another MMTS for KCG to go to the Pension Office there. This office is located at Barkatpura Chaman, close to KCG station, but we did not know. A helpful auto chap offered us a free lift, saying it is very near and, anyway, he was going for lunch that way only !! Having experienced Chennai autos, we couldn't believe our ears ...
At the pension office, everyone was helpful; in fact they went out of their way to help us. It was an experience we can never forget. After our work there, we walked back to KCG. Barkatpura and Kacheguda have changed a lot.
Next day (19 March) we took the 1045 MMTS and went to Malakpet and then to Kanchanbagh School by auto. We had lunch at the Officers' Mess - delicious, unlimited food at just 20 rupees. The principal of the school Mr Naidu was very helpful and he gave us complete instructions on hiw to fill in the form and its enclosures.
We needed a copy of the first page of the bank pass book. Arvind arranged this by scanning the passbook and emailing the jpg file. We had the "single" photo of Vijaya but the pricipal told that we need a "joint" photo (Vijaya and I). We had to search for a photo studio who would give us copies in 10 - 15 minutes. We filled in the form and tagged the enclosures and we were ready.
3rd day - 20 March - It was Mild un Nabi and all the offices were closed. But the school principal was waiting for us. We took the 0940 MMTS for Malakpet. We had lunch at the Officers' Mess today also. The principal checked the forms and accepted. He has to get details from DLS RCI, then attest the forms and send it to the Pension office. He assured us he would do it.
We visited our old friends at the Labs Qrs - Ganesan, Malathy, Balasubramanian. Venugopal. Finally, we took the 7 PM MMTS back to Lingampally.
Unseasonal rains battered Hyderabad on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd March and we stayed indoors for most part of the day. Shopping at BHEL crossroads and Kukatpally for dresses for Aditi and Sowmya; saris for Vijaya; chudidar material for Gayathri, Neeraja, and Krithika.
Monday 24 dawned with a bright sun and we were relieved. Packed and we left Rama's house and Lingampally by 1245 MMTS. Waited at KCG station itself for two hours before boarding the Chennai train at 3-15 PM. Luckily we didn't have to take any overbridges this time at KCG. The train left KCG by 4 PM and reached Chennai the next morning at 6-40. Haggling with auto chaps !!
All in all, our visit to Hyderabad was enjoyable. Rama, Satyamurthy, Santosh, and Satish were most hospitable. S & S went for over six kilometers to buy me mirchi bajjis!
rajappa
11:45 on 29 March 2008
Hello Sir,
ReplyDeleteEnna aachu? Romba busy with Grand children? I am sure... We miss your writings... Please come back soon and share with us your experiences/thoughts.
Regards,
Aravind.