For a cause.

This teacher takes entire class to homes. 

In Jhansi, a government school teacher has demonstrated the "art of teaching". To inspire two absentee students who missed classes for several weeks under various pretexts, Amit Verma, a primary school teacher posted at Lakara Primary School in Jhansi, took the entire class to their homesand started teaching there.

This unusual gesture has not only won him accolades from the authorities but also the hearts of the two students' parents, as they sent their children to school along with the teacher.

The school has a student population of 241, with a principal, half a dozen assistant teachers and a Shiksha Mitra appointed to serve them. 

On Wednesday, while Verma was teaching 4th grade students, he noticed that two students, Meena and Gajraj, were absent. Initially, he sent a few students to their homes but the parents objected. Verma, himself, had visited the absent students' homes three times, but to no avail.

And then he did the never-before-tried-method of setting up his class in front of their home. It attracted a huge crowd and the parents finally apologised to Verma.

In fact, a video of the teacher conducting the class in front of the students' home is going viral on social media.

My take

Hats off to the dedication and perseverance of Sri Amit Verma!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, the chores and cast off for Kochi.

Reached Floria's by a half past 9, dropped Lekha and gave a surprise call on Chellakkili.

Returned by a half past 5.   

The life and times of MS Swaminathan.

1925          Born on 07 Aug in Kumbakonam

1944          Completes BSc in Agricultural Science at Madras University

1947-'49    Joins IARI in New Delhi, focuses on plant genetics

1949-'54    Receives UNESCO fellowship, studies potato crop improvement in Cambridge and 

                  Wisconsin

1965-'70    Leads Green Revolution, boosts wheat yields in India

1979-'82    Heads ICAR, establishes weather and crop centres across India

1982          Becomes IRRI DG, promotes women in rice cultivation

1987          Wins inaugural World Food Prize for food security work

1988          Establishes MS Swaminathan Research Foundation

2002          Elected President of Pugwash Conferences, addresses global peace and hunger

2004          Chairs National Commission on Farmers, advocates for reforms

2007-'13    Rajya Sabha member, introduces Women Farmers' Entitlements Bill, chairs HLPE for CFS, 

                   leads MEA task force

2013-'23    Focuses on nutrition, rural internet, international institutes, advisory roles, sustainable 

                  agriculture, awards, farmers' rights, public engagement.

Adieu sir! My tears and prayers. Om Shanti! Sadgati.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

To Preethi's Internet Cafe where Savitha helped with the formatting of my monthly mail.

A quiet evening.

Travel for LiFe.

Five villages - Dawar (Jammu & Kashmir), Samoli (Uttarakhand), Relek (Mizoram), Kanthalloor (Kerala) and Madla (Madhya Pradesh) have bagged golden awards in the Best Rural Tourism village competition organised by the Ministry of Tourism.

The 'Travel for LiFe' program was launched to encourage people to adopt practices that are environmentally sustainable. 10 villages were were bestowed silver and 20 others received bronze category awards.

The illustrative lists for tourists prepared by the ministry under its ambitious 'Travel for LiFe' (TFL) include the following like :-

     * Travel in public transport

     * Prefer electric or CNG run vehicles

     * Car pooling

     * Avoid single-use plastic products

     * Avoid products or souvenirs made of the skins, fur of wild animals

     * Avoid ivory products

The program is a part of Mission LiFE, sets out the path for a sustainable planet Earth. It would encourage tourists to take simple actions that result in conservation of the environment, biodiversity, improvement in the local economy and preservation of the socio-cultural integrity of the local communities.

It aims to create mindful and deliberate utilisation of resources by the stakeholders in the tourism value chain. Sustainable rural tourism empowers rural communities.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

To Jimmy's studio to collect our passport-size photographs and a copy of our collective ticket and then to Rani Menon's clinic to collect my glasses.

Mallan was spoken to regarding Lekha's final dentures and the exercise has been planned in mid-Oct.

 

Today's India.

Not very long ago, India had a way of remaining in the background among other nations, generally contended with its 'developing nation' tag. I used to feel that many a time, we felt shy about displaying our culture to the world except for the few who swirled their branded clothes and silk sarees in the lecture-circuit circles.

There we talked about having a ridiculous "Aman ki Asha" with Pakistan who had to be kept in good humour while they pushed terrorists into the Jammu & Kashmir region very frequently, killing security personnel and civilians. We were even scared to say that China was our enemy no.1 for reasons not known and in the meantime, the Chinese troops frequently carried out border transgressions with a gay abandon.

Things, then, started to change. Pakistan suddenly disappeared from the headlines of the news media. The government began talking about China being our enemy and our armed forces gave befitting replies to the PLA Army, in particular, on the LAC, with spirited enthusiasm.

The country began to aim for achieving a trillion dollar economy and progressed on all fronts, is continuing to progress. There is a new found confidence and it's evident in every sphere of action. Our brethren abroad, say that the respect for India has increased manifold. The world leadership has accepted the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and the flawless execution of the recently concluded G20 Summit bears ample testimony to this fact.

India's performances on the fields of Sports and Games, show a surge in confidence, where winning matches, medals and tournaments have become a way of life.

And seeing the robust manner in which we have put Trudeau and Canada, on the backfoot, in the currently ongoing diplomatic war!

India is great! We have overcome!! 

EAM S Jaishankar's speech at the UN General Assembly, a few days back, showed what today's India is all about. 

And the transformation has been brought about by PM Modi's dynamic leadership without doubt! 

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

Heavy rain in the morning hours. Ramesh and his understudy, Sooryadevan, had cleared the area around the house of weeds, the wet and dry waste. Aswathy was at work.

Lekha collected her goggles from the clinic and Seena drops by for Lekha's work.

A quiet evening! 

    

Apologies!

 Shall continue my blogging after next Tuesday as I've undergone a cataract surgery.

A disturbing trend.

In seven years, 20 women lost lives in attacks by stalkers, jilted lovers.

Incidents of stalkers or jilted lovers taking revenge on young women have been increasing in the state over the past few years. As per the statistics with the state home department, 20 women have lost their lives and 16 others sustained injuries in such attacks since 2016.

The latest victim of revenge attack was a 19-year-old girl at Koottumadom in Perumbavoor, who was hacked by a youngster on 05 Sep.

The accused, Basil, 21, of Iringole, died by suicide hours after the attack. The police say that Alka and Basil were close friends, but she rejected Basil’s proposal which enraged him. 

The increasing incidents of such attacks on women is a cause for concern.

Many perpetrators suffer from personality disorders.

Tailpiece.

Got off after Edappaal after the erring conductor put me on a reciprocal bus and got off at Kunnamkulam, phew! Reached home by 4.

A quiet day. Prepared for my cataract surgery tomorrow and spoke to the doctor too.

An unsuccessful try for Maman’s awardspedia.

78th Library Day.

 78 years back on this day, PN Panicker had organised a mammoth meeting of 47 rural libraries to form the Travancore Library Movement. The meeting was blessed by none other than Sir CP Ramaswamy Iyer, the then Diwan of Travancore. He, further, suggested that PN Panicker shift his activities to Thiruvananthapuram forthwith.

PN Panicker followed his advice and soon shifted his family - in two stages - and the rest, they say, is history. When the princely states of Travancore and Kochi were combined to form the Thiru-Kochi state, it became the Thiru-Kochi Grandhasala Sangham in 1949 and when Kerala was formed in 1956, it became the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham!

In 1970, when the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham was celebrating its silver jubilee, PN Panicker had set up a network of 5,867 libraries all over the state through his own efforts. He had gone to the remotest corners of the state, often subsisting on bananas and tap water, sleeping on shop verandahs, to fulfil his dream of setting up one library each in every village of his state. 

There’s a saying that “there was no piece of land, in Kerala, that had not felt the footsteps of PN Panicker!”

And during his padayatra from the northern part of Kerala to the south, he gave the Malayalees the powerful slogan, “Vaayichu Valaruka, Chinthichu Vivekam Naeduka”(Read and grow, think and be wise).

Today, a national symposium was steered by the Foundation on, “Transformation of Libraries into Knowledge Hubs”. Dr Shadrach and Dr Geeta Malhotra steered the day long session.

In the evening, at 4, there was a public meeting in which the Chief Minister, the Education Minister and Pannian Ravindran, our Chairman participated with the specialists.

Tailpiece.

Had got up at a 5’ to 5, washed up, recited my prayers and sent my wishes. 

We were out of the house by 8, saw the Quiz Competition Finals of the Vaayana Maasam begin at the Foundation and reached Mascot Hotel, the venue of the day long activity.

After the function was over, left for Guruvayur on a bypass rider. Aniyan was with me till Kottayam, around 2330 hrs.

Turning tables.

Buyer of oil for decades, India to now export energy to Saudi Arabia.

As per India's green Hydrogen, the country aims to be an export hub for the fuel. The mission envisages a total assistance of Rs.17,400 crores for green hydrogen and electrolyser manufacturing.

India, Saudi Arabia to speed up kingdom's $100-billion investment plan:-

   * India's green hydrogen will be the "least cost" hydrogen in the world.

   * Saudi Arabia plans sovereign wealth fund office in Gujarat's GIFT City.

   * Gift City is India's tax-neutral financial services centre conceptualised by PM Narendra Modi. It is a          global financial hub and India's first operational city.

   * It is home to a multi-service special economic zone (SEZ) and houses the country's first International 

      Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

India and Saudi Arabia can look at doubling bilateral trade to $100 billion in the coming years from about $52 billion at present while making it more balanced.

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding which is a step in the right direction and of massive benefits to both the signatories.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, the chores and was ready well within time. Sukesan was at the gate by 7 and soon, was at the KSRTC bus stand; both larded the super fast bus bound for Kattakkada Dam.

Reached Vyttila hub by a half past 10. Had fruits and biscuits at the hub itself. Got the low floor a/c bus to Tvpm by a quarter past 11. The one sight that I’ll never forget during this journey retching it into a polythene bag after littering the bus with empty toffee covers. Held myself back!

Had lunch at Kayamkulam. Reached Tvpm and then, the Foundation around 5. Got into arranging chairs for tomorrow’s event, reacted to the guests’ requirements and off to the airport to pick up Shaddu, who landed in by a midnight flight.

Good news from the Vizhinjam port.

Vizhinjam International Port will receive its first cargo ship - a vessel from China - on the evening of  04 Oct. The ship has set sail from Shanghai in China with one quay crane and two yard cranes required for the Vizhinjam wharf.

The chief minister will inaugurate the function to mark the ship's arrival while the union minister of ports, Sarbanand Sonowal will receive the vessel.

Three more ships, one each on 28 Oct, 11 and 14 Nov will dock at the port. The Rs.7,700 crore port project is expected to be commissioned by May 2024.

The sub components of the project have been finished in a time-bound manner.

    * 79% of the work on the breakwater is over.

    * Work on the 400 m berth (for phase 1) is in the final stages.

All work will be completed by December, the Adani Ports Pvt Ltd has said.

Vizhinjam is the first container port in India and second in the world, located very close to the international shipping channel, with a natural depth of more than 20 m without the need for dredging.

It's a PPP venture of Kerala government and Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready before a quarter to 10.

A quiet Tuesday.

Rajasekharan and Indira - Lekha's relations from her mother's side - dropped by for the first time.

The evening chores.    

Morocco in dire straits.

An aftershock rattled Morocco yesterday.

In Moulay Brahim, a village of fewer than 3,000 people , the ground shook with a force few had ever felt,

thundering through the remote Moroccan village in the dark of night.

When the earthquake was over late Friday, the town carved into the Atlas Mountains lay in devastation, with probably dozens dead, scores of homes crumbled and walls reduced to rubble. Moulay Brahim attracted tourists and outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning vistas and proximity to Marrakesh.

The latest toll of the dead pegs it at 2,000 and it's expected to rise further. Meanwhile, the state is on a three-day mourning. India and many other countries have offered help.

My take

I think the government must take immediate stock of the situation, assess the damages to the extent feasible and ascertain the type, quantum of help required. Rescue work needs to begin forthwith, without any further delay so that people trapped within the rubble can be retrieved, saved.

PS.

Not to forget, today is also the anniversary of the 9/11 disaster!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to10.

The maid was at work.

Had gone across to the nearby cyber cafe to send the filled Google form regarding our attendance at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the NDA, during 16 - 17 Jan 2024.

The usual evening chores.

The G20 mega event was India's shining hour!

It was the result of the hard work put in by PM Narendra Modi and his team. The world has come to realise as to what all needs to be done when a country assumes the presidency of the grouping. By making the African union the 21st member, our PM has redeemed his promise! 

Vasudeiva Kudumbakam at its best. Am listing out the various thrust areas listed out, to make this world a better place to live in.   

The Delhi Declaration

 1. Ukraine war. Use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. Reiterated national positions         and resolutions adopted at the UNSC and the UNGA and underscored that all states must act in a           manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety.

 2. Terrorism. Condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of

     xenophobia, racism or in the name of religion or belief.

 3. Religion. Deplored all acts of religious hatred among persons without prejudice to domestic legal

     framework, including religious symbols and holy books.

 4. Global economy. Called for a strong, sustainable and inclusive growth as an answer for uneven 

     recovery the world has seen from the pandemic infused plunder.

 5. Cross border payments. Resolved to promote faster, cheaper, more transparent and inclusive cross

     border payments as envisaged in the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross Border Payments.

 6. Climate. Agreed to accelerate clean, sustainable, just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions

     for sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

 7. Climate finance. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,developing countries will require 

     approximately $4 trillion annually by 2030.

 8. Agriculture. Committed to facilitate "open, fair, predictable and rules based" trade in agriculture,

     food and fertilisers and not impose curbs in line with WTO rules.

 9. Gender. Committed to closing gender gaps, promoting full, equal, effective women's participation

     in the economy as decision-makers.

10. Corruption. Reaffirmed commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, reaffirmed support to 

      enhance efforts to seize, confiscate and return criminal proceeds to victims and states.

11. Skills. Committed to addressing skill gaps, promoting decent work and ensuring inclusive social

      protection policies for all to effectively addressing global skills for sustainable and inclusive

      economic development.

12. Crypto assets. Endorsed the Financial Stability Board's  recommendations on regulation,

      supervision and oversight of crypto assets to mitigate risks associated with such an ecosystem.

13. Education. Recognised importance of investment in supporting human capital and foundational

      learning - literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills as the primary building block for  

      education and employment.

My take

What a huge canvas?!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by 10.

A quiet Sunday.

To the town in the evening to fetch our fruit basket and fish for the cats.    

 

The highlights of India's G20 Presidency.

A focus on healing, harmony and hope for the world.

Under India's G20 Presidency, more than 200 meetings at 60 locations were held, bringing development back to the forefront of the global agenda.  

Now, leaders and heads of delegation from 20 member countries, 9 guest countries and 14 International Organisations have come together at the G20 summit, New Delhi to work towards a brighter future for the world by

     * By galvanising green initiatives as One Earth

     * Promoting inclusive growth as One Family

     * Synergising technology for One Future

The essence of Vasudeiva Kudumbakam!

"Let us work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation".

                             - Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

The success of the meet is that a joint declaration has been arrived at after unanimous acceptance. 

My take

The results are because of the sustained hard work and efforts by PM Narendra Modi and his team. Bravo Zulu!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. The maid had come by for work.

A quiet Saturday.

The usual evening chores. Cleaned up the Chevy's wheel hubs and they're shining now.

A comedy of errors!

UK yoga class in meditation reported as mass killing.

Cops descended on a yoga class in central England after a member of the public spotted people lying on the floor of a cafe and reported a "mass killing". Officers rushed to the spot with car sirens blaring only to find members of the class quietly meditating. The Seaside Cafe inside the North Sea Observatory in Chapel St Leonards said a worried member of the public raised the alarm after being concerned.

"If anyone heard the mass of police sirens in Chapel St Leonards at 9.30 PM last night (Wednesday) then please be reassured", a Facebook post said.

"They were on their way to the Observatory after someone had reported a mass killing in our building, having seen several people laying on the floor......which actually turned out to be the yoga class in meditation".

Tailpiece.

Got up around a half past 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

It was another wet day.

Did quite a few pending work.   

 

Oil nears $90 per barrel.

Since Saudi Arabia and Russia have extended production, export cuts.

This has happened for the first time this year as Saudi Arabia and Russia have extended production, export cuts till the end of the year.

As India heads into a series of assembly elections, the union government will find it difficult to control prices of petrol and diesel at the pump level. India imports 85% of its crude oil needs. The centre had last cut excise duty on oil in May to shield retail rates from going up. The crude prices' flare up comes at a time when the centre was expected to cut rates ahead of polls.

Petrol, diesel prices have been on a freeze for a record 17 months in a row. PSU fuel retailers are mandated to revise pump prices daily but have not been able to do so because of inflation.

If oil prices have been at $73 - 74 a barrel range, oil companies could have restarted daily price revision based on 15-day rolling average.

10 month high of global crude as production cuts extended.

My take

The following bit of recent news need to be understood in this context :-

    * India is poised for a spate of Assembly elections followed by the general elections of 2024.  

    * Recent surveys have shown that PM Narendra Modi was poised to return to power.

    * A huge amount of money - over Rs.10,000 cr - have been pumped into this country by China to

       manipulate election results by bringing about artificial scarcities and inflations to put the

       government in bad light. And then, there's that idiot, George Soros.

    * The NIE has tom tommed the oil price-hike - with bleak scenarios - on its masthead!

    * Sonia Gandhi has put China, Manipur and economy as subjects to be discussed during the special

       session of Parliament during the third week of Sep.

Isn't there a whiff of conspiracy?

Tailpiece.

Got up earlier than 6, it was pouring and therefore, the morning hymns were not available.

The maid comes for work by an autorickshaw on Lekha's directives.

A quiet Thursday. 

  

Kerala, no.1 in rural teledensity!

With 2.23 connections per person, Kerala tops in rural teledensity in the country.

Kerala's subscriber base (wireline+wireless in million)

* Rural                19.54

* Urban               24.18

* Total                 43.72

Teledensity (in percentage)

Kerala         * Rural    227.85

                    * Urban    89.48

                    * Total     122.16

India            * Rural      57.71

                    * Urban    133.81

                    * Total        84.51

The figures given above are from a report by TRAI.

Total number of subscriptions in Kerala stands at 4.36 cr - 1.95 cr in rural areas and 2.43 cr inurban areas. Goa has the second highest rural teledensity at 293.63% followed by Sikkim at 157.40%.

Kerala has a thin rural-urban divide and the rural folks largely enjoy the same financial status of their urban counterparts. The intense rural penetration of the BSNL has a big role in the higher levels of teledensity.

People keep more than one connection for different reasons like call connectivity, internet or data back up. The trend became popular with the subscription charges becoming cheaper. However, this year marked the worst for BSNL.

Based on the monthly subscription data for May 2023 :-

     * Vodafone Idea              1.42 cr subscribers

     * Reliance Jio                  1.01 cr   

     * BSNL                          97.19 lakhs

     * Bharti Airtel                80.45 lakhs.

Tailpiece.

Today's 'Ashtamirohini'.

Lekha had got up at 5 and went for a darshan of the good Lord by a half past 7.

A quiet day.

We'd washed down our Chevy in the evening. 

Mission possible.

The happenings on the Moon.

Vikram Lander hops and lands safely on Moon. By doing so, it exceeded its mission objective after it underwent a 'hop experiment' and soft landed for the second time on the lunar surface.

Jumps 40 cm high, lands 30 - 40 cm away.

On ISRO's command, Vikram fired its engines, jumped to a height of 40 cm as expected and landed softly on the lunar surface 30 - 40 cm away from the Shiv Shakti Point. The 'kick start' holds promise for future return and human missions. All systems performed normally and are healthy, the ISRO said. Ramp and payloads were folded back after the experiment.

7th lander to lift off again from Moon

 

* The payloads performed their experiments at the new location and sent their data back to Earth after which the payloads were switched off. Vikram and Pragyan rover are in sleep mode for the next fortnight.

* With this, Chandrayan-3's lander, Vikram became only the seventh such lander, in history, to relive its thrusters to lift off.

My take

A huge success for our scientists!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 10. Calls from Lekha's cousin, Mohan and Aniyan delayed me.

Finished up my fine reading of Muthachchan's biography.

Dr Rani Menon's review of my cataract, am put through a battery of tests and between us, fix 16 Sep as the date of surgery. 

One drink for the enemy......

Two for a friend! Did you know that? Why?

Last Sunday, my first Commanding Officer (CO) after much coaxing joined me for dinner. The couple well into their 80s braved the cold on my request, with a proviso - one drink at home and then dinner at a club. After we had sipped a drink, I readied to pour the second, on the plea that you give one drink only to the enemy. My CO accepted the second drink but asked me if I knew the basis of this "one drink for the enemy and more for a friend". He, then, went on to give me the logic.

When swords and lances were the weapons of war, the battlefields were littered with the dead and wounded. At sunset when the sides retreated the medical detachment went out. They would carry a potent brew and pour one into the mouth of any one who was moaning in pain.

The pain killer was a shot of the brew. The mashaal (torch) bearing team that followed would identify the wounded to be either own or enemy. If it was own, the second shot of the brew was poured to further lessen the pain till first aid could be administered or the wounded evacuated. However, if it was an enemy wounded then that second shot was denied.

That is how this custom of 'One drink only for the enemy' seems to have taken root.

In the services, it's still followed by many.  

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores. 

Sajish, the barber, fetched up at a half past 7 to give me my monthly haircut.

The maid had come in, soon after.

A quiet evening.

   

Aditya-L1 lifts off for its date with the Sun.

India successfully launched its first observation mission to the Sun. Its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) placed the Aditya-L1 satellite in a low earth orbit from where it will commence its four-month journey to the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), an equilibrium point between the gravitational forces  of the Sun and Earth, which allows the spacecraft to hover.

The PSLV rocket with a lift off mass of 321 tons blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre yesterday at 1150 hrs IST. 

The satellite has been injected into an elliptical orbit of 235/19,500 km which is a very precise and intended orbit. It is a very unique mission as the two burn sequence of the upper stage - PS4 - was performed for the first time.

After some Earth bound maneuvers, it will begin its 125-day long journey to reach the L1 point.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 10.

Washing machinex of soiled clothes brought back from our trip to Raj Nivas.

Kittu was at home since afternoon.

Reminded of Mom's last night with us, 7 yrs back. 

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Got up at 4, the chores and was ready only by a half past 6. The caretaker, as usual, helped me load up the Chevy, without any problems. After getting on to the driver's seat and having strapped up, I'd started the car but to no avail, reminding me about "cold start"! The caretaker offered to push the car, I, too, joined him but to no avail. Without any further idea, had given yet another cranking and lo and behold, the Chevy thrummed into action.

Had our usual stop at the Randaalummoodu Naagaraaja kshetram, with the pujari wishing us a safe journey after I'd given him the 'dakshina'. Our next stop was at our regular petrol pump at Kottarakkara, filled up gas and checked tyre pressure. The journey was smooth from then on till the end. Had our breakfast at Diana's, on the Adoor bypass, around a quarter past 8.

Heavy and blinding rain enroute, traffic snarls at many places because of the ongoing roadwork and very large number of vehicles! Had our lunch at the Saravana Bhavan, Paaliyekkara around 2 and headed on further. 

The Thrissur - Guruvayur stretch was a nightmare thanks to a wretched traffic snarl. Had our evening tea at a wayside tea stall, short of Kunnamkulam, around a half past 3 - the daal vada and the banana fritters were good and the tea, excellent.

Reached The Quarterdeck at 4, quickly went about opening up the house and unpacking the bags. Grocery ordered by Lekha from the National Supermarket were brought in by Navneet, spoke to the newspaper agent to resume dropping of our newspapers wef tomorrow and Kittu had made a call on us without insisting on food. He sounded satisfied seeing us back.

Meanwhile, Indira kunjamma and her family were at the temple to attend their 'Krishnanaattam' scheduled for Kirtana but since they arrived late and we were travel-weary, my ma'asi told me that we'd meet next week, at Neelamperoor for Pooram! Got a message from Unni-Valsala regarding their daughter's - along with her friend - visit to the temple @ 3AM tomorrow. Had wanted me to provide them with all the assistance.

We hit the sack around a half past 11, as usual.

 Tailpiece.

The rain seems to be back. Hope the deficit in rainfall is sorted out.        

Come September.

The sound of September is Sound of Autumn!

Sixty two years have passed, yet the theme music of "Come September" continues to enthrall fans worldwide. Robert Mulligan was in a fix as to whom he should appoint as music director for his breezy, romantic saga, "Come September".

The film starring Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida, required music with a lilt and a touch of romance which gelled well with autumn. 

Music director Hans J. Salter was of too serious a nature to compose the title music. After a number of sessions, Salter came up with a solution. He recommended young singer and composer Bobby Darin's name to Mulligan. Salter had watched Darin perform on stage and noticed a rare talent in him.

Seasoned director that he was, Mulligan was not convinced at first. He doubted whether Darin would be the right composer for the title score. Salter organised a joint sitting with Mulligan and Darin. 

Darin played three different tunes on a 12-string guitar. Mulligan was not very impressed. Salter asked Darin to compose an instant tune inspired by autumn which would be romantic as well as foot-tapping and Darin obliged. A spellbound Mulligan asked him to repeat the tune twice. He was now confident about young Darin's ability and signed him to compose the theme music of "Come September".

Darin recorded "Come September" with guitars, mandolins, piano accordions and the bongo, giving stress to a loving lilt. Unconsciously, his feet started tapping to his own creation as he wielded the baton. Hearing his composition, Salter himself confessed to dancing to the tune. An emotional Mulligan hugged Darin, realising the tune would be a trendsetter. Darin recorded the track in only five takes.

My take

An evergreen!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Lekha had, meanwhile, gone to Kottarakkara in Kunjumon's autorickshaw, at a half past 9 to go to the Ganapati kshetram, retrieve the clothes she gave for stitching and to pick up fruits from the More outlet.

On her return, Kunjumon dropped me at Sasiyettan's home - Kaduvaattu - for his funeral. After spending some time at chettan's body, offered my condolences to Rajamma chechi and the immediate family. Left the place after his pyre was lit.

Sat with Unnichettan, on return for a while.

Did the packing - actually, more by Lekha - while viewing the television in the evening.