Ablaze in a Blizzard

In 1961 getting a job for engineering qualifications is not difficult at all. The Govt based on results of professional courses appoints qualified students and the appointment order automatically reaches home. No.14, Sivankoil street, Sannanallur has become very familiar address as the post man walked many times delivering appointment orders for Ganesan.Superviser in Highways and Rural works, PWD, Electricity dept, Union engineer Panchayat union, Public sector Projects etc started pouring in. Obviously Ganesan was confused to select the best. As usual his elder brother came for rescue. He was Upper division clerk in Highways and seen engineering supervisors making hey left and right. Corruption was not unknown in govt depts. So he advised Ganesan to opt for PWD and on 15th August 1961 Ganesan joined Special Minor Irrigation Programme Dept of PWD at Pattukkottai. It was investigation preparing renovation works for irrigation tanks in dry areas which depends on rain for agriculture. With in two months Ganesan was transfered to Avadayarkoil near Aranthangi of Thanjavur dist. By early 1962 he was transfered to Peralam close to his native place.By mid 62 he was transfered to Koradachery. Perhaps all these moves are his elder brother's work to keep his brother close by. By october 1962, a project acroos Vettar near Melattur "Conversion of an anicut into a Regulator" came up in Vennar division of Thanjavur. It was about 7-8Lakhs project literally pouring into the river. The dept was looking for resonably honest, bachelor to execute it. Ganesan was selected and moved to the site immediately as the work is to be executed during off season Dec–May. In oct-Nov 1962 Indian political scene seriously changed due to Chineese attack on India and the country was under Emmergency. The project at Melattur started in full swing as river water was closed at upper level Regulator. By April–May1963 the project was completed. Ganesan got about 2-3000 bags of cement saved for the dept and closed the accounts. But the contractor broke open the cement shed claiming that it was his profit. The dept supported the contractor as it was contract work, the loss or gain should go to the contractor only. Ganesan resigned PWD job.