Tuesday, April 12, 2016

An uninvited guest!

I'd got up as usual, went through my chores and we're out of the house by a quarter to 8. Small things were undertaken - like pulling out money from the ATM, 'matha thekoing' at the Kali ma temple which is having its annual festivities today - enroute to pick up one of our executive members. We'd an appointment with the Leader of the Opposition, Sri VS Achuthanandan who was the chief guest for tomorrow's function being organised by the Foundation called, "Pusthaka Vishukkaineettam".

VS will be carrying out two activities viz:-

     (a) Release Sri. KP Vijayan's book in Malayalam, "PN Panicker - Grandhappurayude
          Perunthachhan".
     (b) He'll distribute 'vishukkaineetam' that will consist of a copy of the book and Rs.10/- to
           the people attending the meeting.

Actually, the need for a shorter version of PN Panicker's biography was projected to us by various educational institutions thanks to the Vaayana Dinam and Vaayana Vaaram celebrations every year.

I was an uninvited guest to a wedding thanks to my Maman. The bride's dad is known to us and when we met I did tell him about my 'special' status but he gave me 'celebrity status', congratulating me for my well researched speech at a function in the recent past that he'd seen on the television. I was taken aback and reiterated that I hadn't taken part in any such official function but he didn't seem to be convinced! Actually, a case of a mistaken identity in that he must have seen somebody that resembled me - there are nine look alikes for each one of us! Remember? We congratulated the young couple, had lunch and returned to the Foundation to meet an extraordinary gentleman, a classic case of a riches-to-rags story!

S Pillai was a chartered accountant and the top financial man of a reputed firm in northern Kerala. He used to wear only branded clothes, wear the best of deodorants and perfumes, stayed only in five star hotels while travelling and used to hire a taxi for traversing even short distances! All of 74 years, he'd come to the Foundation to meet Maman to borrow Rs.200/- He wore clothes that were frayed at the seams, faded at places and reeking of sweat. Wondered as to what had brought about this sad transformation? He was parsimonious with his responses and displayed a disarming smile when he felt that the questions hurled at him were pointed. Ultimately, he didn't reveal much and I saw his hunched form receding down the stairs after he bade us good bye......... God, why're you playing this 'tamasha' on the poor man?


Tailpiece.

Also visited the young lady as desired by Rachayita. She'd good news to serve along with the lovely cup of tea and snacks....she'd gone through an interview, earlier in the day, at the international school where she'd worked earlier. Her mom was sure that she'd get selected! At least, we could see the smile back on the young lady's face and I'd connected her to Rachayita, at Pune and they'd a long chat.......... Yet another task accomplished!  

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