While the country is celebrating the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 14th November as Children’s Day, my memory goes about 70 years back.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime minister was on tour to Kerala and was excepted to address a meeting at Tellicherry. I was working as Teacher in Peravoor, eastern part of Cannanore District. I was about 20 years. I came to Tellicherry and waited along with thousands of people to see and hear him. Collecting autographs was a craze at that time. I wanted to get an autograph from the Prime Minister. What to do ?

I had a small box camera with me which was gifted by a pen friend from Germany. I went to the security police and told them that I wanted to take photo of Nehruji. They allowed me to stand nearby. When Nehruji came, I went and took a photo and asked for autograph, which he gave smilingly.

I used to show both the photo and the autograph to friends as a great accomplishment. Over the years , shifting from place to place, I lost both. But the small box camera is safe and decorates the show case .