Major James

A One-Man Army in IT Corridor

Major James, a thoroughbred Bangalorean since 1957, needs no introduction in his pocket borough, Chinnappanahalli. Chinnappanahalli today is the gateway to the city's IT corridor, and the Outer Ring Road runs through this extension. Yes, it's still as messy as ever, but you cannot imagine how it was when Major James set foot on this village infested with cobras, foxes, monkeys, dacoits, robbers, anti-social elements. In a word, it was a jungle where Jungle Raj prevailed. But not for long, as the long-time residents of Chinnappanahalli will tell you.

The residence of Major James was the unofficial police station in the area, such was the fervour with which the Major maintained a semblance of peace in the area. To the locals, long suffering from myriad problems - bad roads, no lighting, drainage, no law and order, chain snatching, house-breakins, pollutants from nearby factories, etc - James was the Boy Scout. Who, incidentally, was armed with a fully licensed double barrel gun. Licensed to protect the ordinary citizen from the hooligans or whoever.

Major James first floated the idea of a village vigilance squad and as confidence grew in people to set their houses there, James' self-anointed role also grew. His house was police station cum public utility centre. He single handedly petitioned the authorities for providing amenities like electricity, water, ration shop, post office, and telephone connectivity. It was during the mid eighties that amenities came into being one by one.
The Police which was thinly staffed during those days used his services to maintain order in Chinnapanahalli and surrounding areas. Amidst all this there were several instances of rivalry and James had to face the blunt of the attacks instigated by money and muscle power. The Major was unfazed and warded off all attacks against him and his property. Today Chinnappanahalli boasts of all major basic amenities though the roads remain in bad shape.

Literally armed with his gun, he used to give protection to the local women who could not dare to venture alone outside. The then IGP endorsed his idea of a local vigilance squad. With the help of former MLA Krishnappa, the area got bus facility (333D, 335) and a school. The buses have since mysteriously vanished! It was because of his efforts that the railway gate is now manned. He lent a portion of his house to set up an LPG gas agency (HP Murali Enterprises, which has since shifted to Marathahalli. He fought for the human rights of the large numbers of bonded labour engaged in quarries. For his services to the public, his house was attacked by hooligans. But the veteran army major remains undeterred and undaunted like a strong ship.

Now at 74, the Major is advancing in years, but his spirit continues to be unbending and unyielding. "It's what you do to Chinnappanahalli and not the other way round that matters," he says paraphrasing John F Kennedy's famous saying. The land prices in the area have skyrocketed and the future seems bright, but all this happened because one man willed it. Gentlemen, take a bow for Major James.