The second phase of our field work in Kottayam covered three panchayats today, viz. Kaduthuruthy, Paambaadi and Puthuppalli.
The experiences were the same as that of yesterday's. Let me recapitulate:-
(a) tremendous enthusiasm among the people.
(b) the participants in the three panchayats were predominantly women.
(c) the people are pretty sure of wanting to be e-literate.
As we finished the day's proceedings, I'd be failing in my duty if I did not mention the three individuals whom I'd the privilege of interacting with, during the beat. They were:-
(a) Kaanaayi Kunhiraman.
The sculptor, par excellence, who was at his current assignment in the premises of the Kottayam
Public Library. The theme revolves around the importance of the mother being the real and the
right guiding force in moulding the children's education. The second exhibit depicts a bird, with
her egg, looking up to the heavens for celestial intervention to help her find the right place to
build her nest! And the third depicts the evolution of the Malayalam alphabets over the ages.
To meet us, he'd to get down from the top most platform of the scaffolding from where he was
giving instructions to his worker, providing the final touches to the face of the mother. His wife,
Nalini chechi, ensures and supervises the correct mix of the mortar and the connected
ingredients! Just shows the couple's dedication. They consider their work of art as their children!!
He's all of 76 years and would be undertaking the making of a statue of PN Panicker, shortly. He
remembered his association with my grandfather very fondly.
(b) CG Vasudevan Nair.
The Secretary of the Kottayam Public Library is an enigma and his energy at 80 years, despite
his medical problems, is worthy of emulation. His enthusiasm is infectious. He has been
a faithful Lieutenant to my grandfather and had joined us on our two day fieldwork as "he
owed it to PN Panicker's memory and it gives him tremendous energy", to quote him!His
simplicity is disarming.
Hats off to you, sir! My prayers and wishes shall always be with you.
(c) Somanathan.
The young journalist at the news bureau desk of the Malayalam daily, Kerala Kaumudi,
surprised Vasudevan Nair sir and me when he showed us a spate of letters written to him by my
grandfather. We'd gone there to hand over the press release on the two day proceedings of the
Foundation in the six panchayats of Kottayam. To ensure that the letters did not get worn out
due to age, he'd scanned each of them and put them into a neat folder on his desk top!
The final public meeting that my grandfather had taken part in Apr '95 was described with all
the intricate details that brought a lump in my throat. His is a story of undiluted admiration of
his hero and mentor!
Tailpiece.
A day when PN Panicker was very much alive all through!
The experiences were the same as that of yesterday's. Let me recapitulate:-
(a) tremendous enthusiasm among the people.
(b) the participants in the three panchayats were predominantly women.
(c) the people are pretty sure of wanting to be e-literate.
As we finished the day's proceedings, I'd be failing in my duty if I did not mention the three individuals whom I'd the privilege of interacting with, during the beat. They were:-
(a) Kaanaayi Kunhiraman.
The sculptor, par excellence, who was at his current assignment in the premises of the Kottayam
Public Library. The theme revolves around the importance of the mother being the real and the
right guiding force in moulding the children's education. The second exhibit depicts a bird, with
her egg, looking up to the heavens for celestial intervention to help her find the right place to
build her nest! And the third depicts the evolution of the Malayalam alphabets over the ages.
To meet us, he'd to get down from the top most platform of the scaffolding from where he was
giving instructions to his worker, providing the final touches to the face of the mother. His wife,
Nalini chechi, ensures and supervises the correct mix of the mortar and the connected
ingredients! Just shows the couple's dedication. They consider their work of art as their children!!
He's all of 76 years and would be undertaking the making of a statue of PN Panicker, shortly. He
remembered his association with my grandfather very fondly.
(b) CG Vasudevan Nair.
The Secretary of the Kottayam Public Library is an enigma and his energy at 80 years, despite
his medical problems, is worthy of emulation. His enthusiasm is infectious. He has been
a faithful Lieutenant to my grandfather and had joined us on our two day fieldwork as "he
owed it to PN Panicker's memory and it gives him tremendous energy", to quote him!His
simplicity is disarming.
Hats off to you, sir! My prayers and wishes shall always be with you.
(c) Somanathan.
The young journalist at the news bureau desk of the Malayalam daily, Kerala Kaumudi,
surprised Vasudevan Nair sir and me when he showed us a spate of letters written to him by my
grandfather. We'd gone there to hand over the press release on the two day proceedings of the
Foundation in the six panchayats of Kottayam. To ensure that the letters did not get worn out
due to age, he'd scanned each of them and put them into a neat folder on his desk top!
The final public meeting that my grandfather had taken part in Apr '95 was described with all
the intricate details that brought a lump in my throat. His is a story of undiluted admiration of
his hero and mentor!
Tailpiece.
A day when PN Panicker was very much alive all through!
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