India, July 20 -- Fleeting Thoughts

By Prof. K.C. Belliappa

It was April 1965. After my SSLC examination, I went to my uncle's place for my vacation. He was M.M. Devaiah, working as Manager at Gangegiri Estate, part of Sangameswar Group of Estates in Chikamagalur District. It is here that I heard of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the first time. My uncle had a quaint old HMV Radio set. He soon put me onto BBC World Service Radio and I gladly subscribed to London Calling, the monthly free programme guide of the Radio Station.

Therein began a nearly quarter century relationship with the Radio Station that contributed greatly to my knowledge of English and brought about a sea change in my personality. My awareness about th...