lives and problems 121
Rajendran: At that time, I couldn’t inquire about it in the university. I was busy.
After that, I have been without a “degree.” I did not write the exam in March
[many years ago]. In March, some friends wrote it for me. After that, I wrote,
but did not “pass” the exam. I completed “degree” studies. I did “maths main” for
my “degree.”People’s educational histories are major topics of discussion in Kerala, and
this is a relatively modest and concise answer to a question about educational
achievements. Some younger male informants we met spoke for fi fteen min-
utes or more explaining how they did on each exam on each attempt and
where they ranked in their class at diff erent stages. Th e educational pressure
in Kerala begins in elementary school when students are expected to study
three languages and several disciplinary subjects, and pass exams in these areas.
Although most people do not study beyond secondary school, high school and
university enrollment have increased dramatically in the last few decades.^15
We then changed the topic of conversation to Rajendran’s reason for admis-
sion to this psychiatric facility, and he explained that he was unaware of any
problem that might be affl icting him:
On March 31, we had to do some “overtime” work on “government treasury
bills.” So I was preparing for that, but in the end no one asked me to work
“overtime.” So I thought that was good and went home and took rest. Working
overtime will be a “strain” on our body and mind. After that, I had to go back
to the bank on the second, but I was tired so I couldn’t. My wife thought that I
was doing it intentionally. I hadn’t gone to work for overtime, and on the third
they took me here. I don’t know what complaint they have about me. I don’t
know what there is to “complain” about. I did not go to work on the second.
Th at’s all.When we asked whether Rajendran had had any problems in the past,
he explained that he saw a doctor in 1983 for blurry vision, but provided an
unusual explanation of the situation:
One day in ‘83, I slept late. Th e next morning... Not only that, I slept very late.
I heard a commotion. I live next to Engineering College. I heard some girls yell-
ing from the Engineering College compound. I thought of going there with my
wife. I wanted to go there with weapons and try to help them. When I thought
of this, everyone got up and asked me not to leave the house. So both of us
went to sleep, but I couldn’t sleep. Th at day, at 10 o’clock when I counted cash, I
couldn’t see the notes clearly. So I gave the charge to another person. I was the
only person doing cash so I gave the charge to another clerk and left.