Had got up a trifle late, around 7 and could get to use an adjacent room so that I could get to do my chores uninterrupted. We're ready by a half past 8 and had a sumptuous breakfast of 'puttum kadalayum!' Earlier, the night was on the same track as the previous ones with me coughing away without let up! The morning turned out to be okay!! Get a feeling that Muthachhan's taking care of us.
We set off for the Ezhamkulam panchayat by a quarter to 9. After a bit of a leather hunt, we fetched up at the Enaathu bridge where the panchayat had organised a rousing reception with a students' band and over a 100 strong audience, predominantly, ladies. It, indeed, was a rousing reception. The next function was at the High School in Kodumon panchayat, after which a scrumptious lunch was provided.
The five panchayats of the day were:-
(a) Ezhamkulam.
(b) Kodumon.
(c) Vallikkodu.
(d) Omallur and
(e) Elanthur.
Came across Kochu Kunjamma Kochu, a 75 year old social worker, who had worked with my grandfather during the literacy movement. She told us a rousing story when PN Panicker, along with a few of them, had gone to a tribal belt and was appalled by the sight of 27 unfinished houses due to lack of funds. He'd, soon after, called up the then chief minister, Karunakaran and within a month, had personally ensured that the project was completed, much to the satisfaction of the concerned people.
The second anecdote was when my Muthachhan had stopped by the roadside, one day, to felicitate about ten ladies working in the paddy fields in the hot sun. That was his concern for the poor and the downtrodden. Truly, a great insight into his personality! She broke down as she narrated these stories!! She'd hugged me after coming to know that I was his grandson.
Today's proceedings went beyond sunset and by the time we'd settled down for the night at the Pathanamthitta rest house, it was past 8. A quick foray outside to have dinner and we're back to winding up for the day.
Tailpiece.
The cough is subsiding slowly because I can feel the throat unwinding after the last few days! Lekha seems to be better but she has been put through another round of medicines for the next four days.
We set off for the Ezhamkulam panchayat by a quarter to 9. After a bit of a leather hunt, we fetched up at the Enaathu bridge where the panchayat had organised a rousing reception with a students' band and over a 100 strong audience, predominantly, ladies. It, indeed, was a rousing reception. The next function was at the High School in Kodumon panchayat, after which a scrumptious lunch was provided.
The five panchayats of the day were:-
(a) Ezhamkulam.
(b) Kodumon.
(c) Vallikkodu.
(d) Omallur and
(e) Elanthur.
Came across Kochu Kunjamma Kochu, a 75 year old social worker, who had worked with my grandfather during the literacy movement. She told us a rousing story when PN Panicker, along with a few of them, had gone to a tribal belt and was appalled by the sight of 27 unfinished houses due to lack of funds. He'd, soon after, called up the then chief minister, Karunakaran and within a month, had personally ensured that the project was completed, much to the satisfaction of the concerned people.
The second anecdote was when my Muthachhan had stopped by the roadside, one day, to felicitate about ten ladies working in the paddy fields in the hot sun. That was his concern for the poor and the downtrodden. Truly, a great insight into his personality! She broke down as she narrated these stories!! She'd hugged me after coming to know that I was his grandson.
Today's proceedings went beyond sunset and by the time we'd settled down for the night at the Pathanamthitta rest house, it was past 8. A quick foray outside to have dinner and we're back to winding up for the day.
Tailpiece.
The cough is subsiding slowly because I can feel the throat unwinding after the last few days! Lekha seems to be better but she has been put through another round of medicines for the next four days.
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