Au revoir Mr Somanatha Sarma!

 Am reproducing my ode to Mr Somanatha Sarma, the HM of UPS Thalavoor. He's a great gentleman!

• Good Evening folks,

  
  

  1. Would not have finished my task for the day and the month of May if I did not

      narrate to you this story of Mr Somanatha Sarma, the HM of the Thalavoor 

      UPS where my dad, his sisters and brothers, my sisters and many of my 

      cousins had spent their childhood.

  
  

  2. It houses classes from KG to class VII and has a strength of 196 students. I

      am invited by the school during the 'Vaayana Maasaacharanam' every year.

  
  

  3. The illustrious and hardworking Mr Sarma has brought his school to great 

      levels by his innovative thinking, insisting on the best for his students while

      ensuring discipline and going through the minutest details to deliver the best.

      Despite constraints in resources, he has been able get funds that have been

      meticulously managed toward the betterment of the school.

  
  

  4. I would like to put his efforts in one sentence, "He used to breathe and live

      for the school and I don't think that they make 'em teachers like him any

      more!"

  
  

  5. He retired earlier in the day after putting in 28 years of his life at 56 years of age.

      His wife, Vrinda works for the KSFE and they have two children, Gayathri who 

      has just completed her degree course and son, Gautham who has performed

      well in the recent 10+2 examination.

  
  

  6. Spoke to him on the last day of his professional life and have requested him to

      join me in the PN Panicker Foundation's activities.

  
  

  7. Wishing him a long, happy and healthy life and here's praying that he and his

      family get all that they wish for!  

  
  

  8. R.

  
  

  ---

• , 
•  or 

Finished our medical reviews.

It was pouring the whole night yesterday and it continued all through the morning. Though we'd set the alarm for 4, both of us had got up an hour late and went about our chores.

We were ready before 6, our chauffeur, Sajish, came in at 6 and we'd kicked off by a quarter past 6. Continuous heavy rains, potholed roads were the things that decelerated our advance to Kochi. In addition to it, our Chevy had developed a problem in its a/c mechanism with the effect that Sajish drove the entire stretch - both up and down - by keeping the forward windows rolled down!

Had breakfast at Elayathu by a quarter to 8. Came across three traffic blocks and reached Satish Bhat's clinic by 20' past 10. Sent the car to Shenoy's Care and Lekha was at the clinic much before 11. 

The doctor had seen me soon after, we'd our usual conversation, collected medicines and he was happy with my readings and overall medical condition. 

Similarly, Padmanabha Shenoy was satisfied with Lekha's test results, the USGs of the left heel and the shoulder muscles. He was quite happy to see and interact with me after almost 6 months. He encouraged me about the forthcoming Vaayana Maasaacharanam activities and I'd asked him to take care of himself.

We commenced our return by a half past 2, after lunch at the Care Canteen.

Reached The Quarterdeck by a half past 6. I'd got off at Ayyappan Nair's shop to buy a miniature Ganesh for Lekha as it's her birthday tomorrow. The order for a Red Velvet cake was placed on Shameer's bakery yesterday itself!

Tailpiece.

Felt tired but watched all our usual serials. It was a quiet evening thereafter!

Made it through inclement weather - easily, without problems - thanks to Sajish's choice of the inner roads, less cluttered with traffic and repair work.

Was able to clear all my apprehensions regarding our health. Lekha's and my next medical reviews are on the 28th and 29th Aug, respectively.

The government raises MSP for kharif crops.

The union cabinet approved a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the 2025 - 26 kharif season and extended the interest subvention scheme for farmers. It also approved two multi-tracking railway projects in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, as well as a four-lane highway project in Andhra Pradesh.

Let's see the entire range of decisions in a min-format.

  The infra projects

   * 4-lane Badvel-Nellore highway in Andhra Pradesh

      Total cost Rs.3,653 crores

      Connects economic centres : Hubbali, Hospete, Ballari, Gooty, Kadapa, Nellore

   * 4-lining Ratlam-Nagda railway line

      Total cost Rs.1,018 crores

      Connectivity with west coast ports for MP, UP, Delhi

   * $-lining of Wardha-Ballarshah railway line

      Total cost Rs.2,381 crores

      Provides North-South connectivity

   MSP for kharif season (2025-26) 

   Total outgo : Rs.2,07,000 crores

   * MSP for cereals

      Paddy      Rs.2,369 cr per quintal against cost of production Rs.1,579

      Jowar (Hybrid) Rs.3,699 per quintal against cost of production Rs.2,466

      Bajra        Rs. 2,775 per quintal against cost of production Rs.1,703

   * MSP for pulses

      Tur (Arhar) Rs.8,000 per quintal against cost of production Rs.5,038

      Moong        Rs.8,768 per quintal against cost of production Rs.5,845

      

   * MSP for oilseeds

      Groundnut   Rs.7,263 per quintal against cost of production Rs.4,842

      Sunflower    Rs.7,721 per quintal against cost of production Rs.5,147

      Soyabean     Rs.5,328 per quintal against cost of production Rs.3,552

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid was at work and it rained very heavily.

APS Lab sent its medical team to draw my blood samples for Liver Function tests.

A quiet evening.

FDI inflows surge.

FDI inflows surge 14% to $81 billion in financial year 2025. 

Of the total FDI in FY25, around $50 billion came through automatic or government approved routes, $23.5 billion was reinvested earnings and another $6.5 billion came in as other capital.

The services sector emerged as the top recipient of FDI equity, attracting 19% of total inflows, followed by computer software and hardware (16%) and trading (8%). FDI into manufacturing increased 18% to $19.04 billion.

Among states, Maharashtra attracted the largest share of FDI equity inflows at 39%, followed by Karnataka (13%) and Delhi (12%).

On the source country front, Singapore led with a 19% share, followed by Mauritius (10%) and the US (7%). Inflow from UAE showed the highest growth of almost 50% to $4.3 billion.

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time of a half past 5, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Sun did shine more often today and I carried out my morning walk outside the house.

The Rajah Medical team had come by at 7 and later at 9, to draw my blood samples for Fasting Blood Sugar and Post Prandial Blood sugar, respectively. 

Raju and Bindu dropped by to know about my recent surgery.

Bangladesh needs to be watched.

Over the last few days, especially, there has been a lot of interesting activities taking place in Bangladesh. Its army chief, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman has said that the lawlessness that has spilled out on the streets have to cease forthwith, failing which, the army is gonna get on to the streets to bring the law and order situation under control!

Strong words these especially when the CEO, the inexperienced and bungling Mohammad Yunus is floundering doing nothing without being able to provide a clear and firm governance!

The general is the ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's appointee and her relative, too. her rule was brought down by miscreants and anti-nationals who were egging on for an Islamic nation.

People have realised that there has been no action toward the conduct a free and fair elections by December, this year. The entire range of political parties are in a disarray.

So, with the General reading out the riot act to the concerned quarters, rumours are rife that Mohammad Yunus will leave the country this week.

It's my fond hope that democratic rule is restored and Sheikh Hasina returns as the PM of Bangladesh at the earliest.

Tailpiece.

I'm sure that this is what the average nationalist, Bangladeshi really wants!

The Siliguri corridor.

The Army had carried out Operation Teesta Prahar recently giving a clear hint to Bangladesh to keep off from doing anything funny.

Background

Why Chicken's neck is a perennial security challenge?

The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land of West Bengal that connects India's mainland to its north eastern states viz. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, collectively known as the Seven Sisters. This land bridge, just about 22 km wide at its narrowest point, lies between Nepal to the north and Bangladesh to the south. 

The recent tension emerged after Mohammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim chief advisor, made pointed references to India's "land locked" north east in Beijing. Two recent developments heightened Indian anxieties :-

    * Dhaka's plan to move the $ 1 billion Teesta River project from India to China and

    * Reviving Lalmonirhat airbase in northern Bangladesh with Chinese assistance.

Factoids

* 4,096 km Of the total boundary between India and Bangladesh, 2,217 km is with West Bengal.

* 3,149 sq km The district of Darjeeling within the Siliguri Corridor measures and it accounts for

   3.55% of the total area of West Bengal.

* The Siliguri Corridor has about 80 small towns and villages within the areas of Kishanganj district 

   of Bihar, Darjeeling district, northern parts of Uttar Dinajpur district as well as the districts of

   Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar in West Bengal.

* Siliguri town isthe transit point for road, air and rail traffic to Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal along

   with the north eastern states of India. Its location on the foothills of the Himalayas makes it

   strategically important. Its role as the main trading and commercial centre of north Bengal adds to

   its economic significance.

* At its narrowest, the strip is just 21-22 km wide linking the mainland to the north eastern states.

* It's flanked by three countries - Nepal to its west, Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south.

* Major road and rail infrastructure towards the north east passes through it.

Indian steps to secure it

* The Army on 08, 09 May conducted the Teesta Prahar integrated field exercise at the Teesta Field 

   Firing Range in North Bengal, near Siliguri Corridor.

* In Jan 2023, battle preparedness practice of the security forces using latest weapons and equipment

   in a networked, integrated environment involving all arms and services of the Army, the IAF and

   CAPFs was done.

* In 2023, a decision was taken to deploy border guarding forces - BSF, ITBP, SSB - at the corridor 

   during peacetime.

* There is increase in deployment on the Chinese side since May 2020 leading to the precautionary

   deployment by the Indian forces in the region.

Tailpiece.

Heavy rain for the last two days - it's Red Alert in Thrissur from today! And a long power interruption to boot!!

   

Many ancient secrets revealed......

Just a four-day war, then many ancient secrets were revealed.

What was uncovered after "Operation Sindoor" was not Pakistan's defeat - it also exposed America's hidden strategy and China's involvement.

In reality, it has now become clear that Pakistan never had its own nuclear weapons. The nuclear power Pakistan has been flaunting for decades was actually America's secret stockpile, hidden in Pakistan since 1998. America chose this location because, in case of an attack, the damage would be to Asia, not to the US.

I 1998, when India was conducting nuclear tests and America was issuing threats, the US forced Pakistan to conduct tests and fooled the world into believing that Pakistan was now a nuclear power. Not only that, but this fake nuclear image of Pakistan was used to intimidate India, with American sympathizers within the country constantly fuelling fear of Pakistan's strength.

But times have changed and power rests in the hands of a leader who does not fear, who responds. The Modi-government first made India self-reliant, strengthened ties with America and observed Pakistan with restraint.

But when Hindu blood was spilled in Pahalgam, the Modi government did something no one expected - direct strike. The Indian military shook Pakistan's foundations with missile attacks and when our offensive capability reached what were considered "invisible" nuclear installations, America woke up.

It feared that if India continued its assault, its own weapons would be destroyed and it would never be able to face the world again. Now America could neither speak nor stop the attack. It could only silently plead with India.

Modi understood the delicacy of the situation, defeated the enemy in four days and announced a ceasefire with conditions. Pakistan was left exposed before the entire world and America had to quietly withdraw its nuclear arsenal.

Today, America is busy removing its nuclear weapons from Pakistan. Modi himself reminded Trump of his commitments. Now, America is humbled, China is silent and Pakistan is shaken.

In fact....Sources say America will withdraw its nuclear weapons from Pakistan. And to save face, it will label it as Pakistan's nuclear surrender.

Hey Americans....! Now everyone knows Pakistan never had nukes, so why call it a surrender? Take back what's yours....

This four-day war has given India a new status. Today, India is not just a country - it's global power that delivers.

Tailpiece.

It was a very, very wet day today - the second day of Orange Alert in Thrissur district. 

  

A thoroughly wet day (Orange Alert - 1)

Got up at our usual time, to a thoroughly wet day. The chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Our previous maid, Latha had come by for work as Aswathi had some pressing work at her home.

Couldn't go for the morning walk as it was raining; so walked within the house and recited my prayers.

Worked on my lap top as usual.

Power interruptions galore, all through the day.

Lunch followed  by siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Rema calls up to say that Kochi was free of rains today!

The rains continue.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid comes for work and she'd come earlier than usual.

Walked about 5 km on the road in front of The Quarterdeck when I recited my prayers. This has been for the first time since my surgery! This shall be done everyday, from now on!! 

Ramesan and his assistant, Ashwin, came by for work and together, they cleared the courtyard off weeds and small overgrowth within the sides of the interlocking tiles. 

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Another wet day, all through the day, with massive power interruptions!

Lunch, followed by siesta.

Mini left Siddhi Kedar, by teatime, along with Mithun after he'd secured from the bank for the day. They'd dinner at Konni and were passing through the compound of Padmakumar's house at a quarter to 9.

A quiet evening out here.

Tailpiece.

Rains continue. Thrissur is on Orange Alert for the next 24 hrs.

Another wet day.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day. Another wet day!

Washing machinex, followed by the work for the day. The maid had come a trifle late for work!

Worked on my laptop and finished quite a few pending stuff.

Lunch.

Watched Crime Patrol, on the Sony television channel, for a while. 

Siesta for half an hour.

Lekha goes to the ration stand to buy our dues for the month and of course, fish for the cats.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Tailpiece.

Ramesh and his assistant will clear up the courtyard tomorrow!

 

Celebration time!

It was a wet day to begin with. Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Wished Padmakumar and Rema on their 36th wedding anniversary and conveyed our wishes to Mithun and Ammu too because it was their wedding anniversary too!.

A boisterous breakfast! Rema and Mini, then, made a beeline to the temple to collect the prasadam of 'paalpaayasam'. They had returned by a half past 10.

We had the anniversary cake-cutting ceremony at a half past 11, followed by a boisterous high lunch.

By a 20' past 2, Padmakumar, Rema and Mini left for the bus stop for their onward journey to Thrippunithura. Rema reported that they got a bus bound for Karunagappalli soon after.

After watching Mammootty's "Masterpiece" for the nth time, we turned off to bed for our siesta.

Tea and the evening chores.

Padmakumar and gang reached 'Siddhi Kedar' around 7. They'd ordered for two varieties of fried rice for their supper.

Tailpiece.

It was a quiet dinner after the noisy dinners of the last three days! The Quarterdeck is so quiet!!

A wet day!

It rained all through the night and continued through the morning.

Got up at our usual time, went through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

A boisterous breakfast!

Lekha, Padmakumar, Rema and Mini left for Tirur to visit Lekha's sister, Preetha and hand over their gifts for her house warming. Kannan was the chauffeur for the day! 

Had a quiet lunch, served by my maid.

Watched television for a while followed by siesta.

The folks had returned by 4, half an hour after the maid had left after finishing her work.

Padmakumar, Rema and Mini, after a wash and change, went across to have a 'darshan' of the good Lord soon after. They returned by a half past 8!

Tailpiece.

Yakkittiyakking! Hit the sack late.

 

The house is full!

Dateline 19 May 2025

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day. 

It's great to have Mini with us and she seems to be at peace. Probably, staying by herself, there must be strain on her. Have told her that she could always come over for the release of her safety valve.

Sajish had come by at a half past 7 to give me a good hair cut and massage.

Washing machinex and sorting out the clothes, putting them back into the places that they were took a bit of time!

Lunch followed by siesta.

Rema and Padmakumar fetched up after sunset and the quorum was almost complete for the evening.

A boisterous dinner!

Yakkittiyak, all through and hit the sack close to midnight!

Return to The Quarterdeck.

The day started off at 4 AM for Lekha and me, this morning. Went about our chores and were ready by a quarter to 7. Mithun had dropped Mini around that time; he was to go to Kochi later on in the day and will be there all through Mini's stay at Guruvayur!

We left Raj Nivas by a 20' past 7 and the caretaker saw us off, as usual. Picked up Padmakumar and Rema from Pidavoor and resumed our journey. Had breakfast at the Padma Cafe at Adoor and proceeded to Santhosh's house at Pandalam and paid our last respects to Mr Ramachandra Kurup, father of Preetha, who had passed into the mist of time yesterday evening due to age-related ailments.

After spending half an hour there and resumed our journey, yet again. Lunch was at the Saravana Bhavan at Angamaly.

Reached Guruvayur by a quarter past 4, a quick purchase of sundries from the National Supermarket by Lekha and we were back in The Quarterdeck exactly after a fortnight.

Settled down for the evening, opened up the house and we went about our chores.

Tailpiece.

Sent Monish back soon after. He was a great help. 

  

Limbering up, yet again.

Got up at a half past 5, the chores and got ready leisurely. Lekha, in the meanwhile, got ready to go to the church at Kottarakkara to attend her friend, Noreen's son's wedding.

Breakfast of idiyappams and curry. Lekha left at 11 and I went about doing my usual chores.

The caretaker brought me my lunch on Lekha's earlier directives!

She'd returned by about a half past 2. Heard about her experiences and the people whom she had come across.

Siesta followed by a delayed tea.

Spoke to mom and dad. 

Preetha's dad passed into the mist of time, after sunset. He was 86.

Padmakumar and Rema will be attending his cremation which is scheduled at 3 PM. We'll also be going there to offer our prayers to the 'ole man.

A quiet evening. 

Tailpiece.

A fortnight's break is slowly reaching its logical conclusion!

Back at Raj Nivas.

Got up at 5, went through the chores and was ready earlier than usual. Mini had made hot, steaming idlis and sambar for breakfast. Washed it down with coffee!

Today, it's our 34th wedding anniversary. Remembered 16 May 1991, when Lekha and I had got married at the Brahmana Samooham Hall near the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi kshetram. It happened to be the last official function of Mrs PN Panicker before she passed into the mist of time!

Wishes came in through calls and What'sApp messages. Replied each one of them meticulously.

Meanwhile, Lekha had done most of the packing last evening.  

We cut the anniversary cake - a lovely Black Forrest from Mannappam - at 1 PM with Anil and Sheela along with the three of us.

A quick lunch followed by siesta!

Monish comes at 4 with our Chevy and we returned to Raj Nivas after nine days. The caretaker was there to be in attendance! Damn sweet of him!

Settled down quickly at Raj Nivas; saw our regular serials on television.

Tailpiece.

Into the final days of our present trip! Feel happy that we could do everything that we planned to do.

Hope Preetha's dad comes out of his medical predicament soon. Heard that Gopi has cancer of the rectum; poor man.

A religious trip.

Got up at 5, thanks to Lekha's cell phone alarm, the chores and we were ready by a quarter to 7. Mathai fetched up by a trifle past 7 and the three of us viz. Mini, Lekha and I began our journey soon after. Earlier to that, had carried out Lekha's aarathi with a silver coin as today happens to be the 1st of the Malayalam month of Edavam.

We commenced our day's journey when Mini and I had a darshan of the Pullunni Maha Vishnu kshetram, near Mini's house. Lekha remained in the car as the stones on the approach path to the temple would have been difficult for her.

Picked up Rema from Pulamon junction, Kottarakkara from opposite Swayamvara Silks.

Had breakfast from Hotel Dyana's on the Adoor bypass by around 8 AM. 

Our next darshan was at the 'Adimoolam Vettikkodu Nagaraja kshetram' enroute to Mannaarassaala. It was a nice darshan and both, Rema and I were visiting the temple for the first time! After carrying out the necessary pujas, we headed for Mannaarassaala Nagaraja kshetram.

Reached the premises by a half past 10. Went about the 'darshan' and offered the 'aarathi coins' to the Nagaraajaavu. Also heard the Pulluvan paattu.

On our return, we had lunch at the Padma Cafe at Adoor. Dropped Rema at the bus stand and she got a bus to Pidavoor immediately. Resuming our journey, I could pick up Ultracet from the Peniyel Medical Shop at Kottarakkara.

Reached Mini's house 'Anjanam' by 3. Settled things with Mathai, paying him Rs.4,250/- for the day's journey!  

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Fixed up things for tomorrow. The Anjanam well will be washed, followed by the cutting of our wedding anniversary cake which has been ordered for, by Mithun on Lekha's directions. 

Lekha and I would be returning to Raj Nivas by teatime tomorrow.

A comparatively quiet day!

Got up around a quarter past 2, washed up and recited my prayers. Turned off to sleep once again.

Was again up at 6, the chores and had a leisurely grooming as it was a rest day, today.

Breakfast at 9 and it was yakkittiyak, all the way.

Resmi, my cousin, has got her leave and set off for New York to be in time for Kripa-shankar's convocation. She's going by the Air India flight.

Lunch.

Watched television for a while, followed by siesta.

Earlier, all of us had decided to go to Mannaarassaala, the Nagaraja temple, tomorrow. Mathai will chauffeur us, again! Rema is also accompanying us but not Padmakumar as there would be people working in his farm.

Ansuiya had rung up from Goa, which was a pleasant surprise. Must help out Meera, her sister who's going through a rough patch in her marriage.

A quiet evening.

Tailpiece.

Arnab Goswami, through his television news channel, The Republic, has initiated a "Ban Turkey" movement because its President Erdogan had helped Pakistan in the recent flare up with India. The call is gathering momentum.........just how many days are left for Erdogan to tumble? Worth a wait and watch! 

 

At the Foundation.

Got up around a trifle past 1, recited my prayers and turned off to sleep yet again. We were up at 6, the chores and were ready soon after.

All the three of us were ready by a quarter to 8. Mathai was in by a trifle past 9 and we left for Thiruvananthapuram soon after. The traffic was a bit heavy at Venjaarammoodu and the rest was okay. Explained to Mathai the library and literacy movements undertaken by PN Panicker.

Reached the Foundation by a quarter to 11. It was nice to meet each and everyone after a gap of time. The following family members were in attendance in response to my call:-

  * Indira kunjamma                                                 * Gopu

  * Maman                                                                * Sathi

  * Ammayi                                                               * Kannan 

  * Chambu                                                               * Mini

  * Suma kunjamma                                                  * Ramu

  * Kuttu                                                                    * Sindhu

  * Vani                                                                     * Hareesh

  * Sidharth                                                               * Padmakumar

  * Lekha                                                                   * Rema                                                             

  * Mini                                                                    

  

The entire staff of the Foundation had also been invited to join the family for lunch and they had interacted with us. Boy, weren't they glad to see me back?!

Returned from there soon after. Dropped Indira kunjamma at her residence.

Reached Ayur by 4; dropped Rema and Padmakumar there for their onward trip to Pidavoor.

A quiet evening thereafter. 

  

A long power outage!

Got up at my usual time but missed out on seeing off Mithun, who was going to Kollam and then to, Ernakulam. Yakkittiyak with Mini and Lekha chips in a bit later!

After our morning chores, recited my prayers. Calls from the caretaker regarding trimming the tall mango tree over the market stall. Indira kunjamma gives a call to inquire as to whether we could go by her house tomorrow on our onward trip. Have given her an 'aye' but it will depend on the time that we reach Thiruvananthapuram!

A massive power outage that began at 8!

Generally went about doing things, light though. Had my bath around 12.

A lovely lunch @ 1. The power was restored, phew!

Siesta.

A quiet evening. Waited for Mini's evening evening visit to the temple that she visits regularly.

Mithun returns by 9 after his day's work.

 

A quiet, though hectic Sunday!

Got up a trifle late, the chores and was ready ahead of time. Rema and Padmakumar were returning to Pidavoor as there were workers in their compound.

Washing machinex of soiled clothes and after Lekha had completed her rinsing, put them on the clothesline for drying.

Recited my prayers and had my bath by around a quarter past 12.

A cute lunch, followed by siesta.

The four of us went for the Mohanlal starrer, "Thudarum" at a cinema in Oyur, not far from Mini's house. The movie was about 'honour killings' but it could have been edited better. Mohanlal was his usual self - a la 'Drishyam style' - but the two actors, the late Jagannatha Varma's nephew and the late Kuthiravattom Pappu's son - both as police CI and SI, respectively were impressive and good!

Returned by a half past 7.

Watched television.

A quiet evening thereafter! 

The wedding reception.

Got up a trifle late, the chores and was ready as usual. 

Went about the daily activities and was ready after my bath at a half past 12.

A scrumptious lunch from Mini.

Watched television for a while followed by siesta.

Evening tea followed by sprucing up to go for the wedding reception of Ammu and Anuraj. Left for the Sana Auditorium at Kallumthaazham, near Kollam at a half past 5.

A nice evening with a peppy crowd; befriended quite a few people.

Had biriyani, which was nice!

On the return, got caught in the Mukhathala temple traffic. Lost about three quarters of an hour.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Mithun comes in.

Tailpiece.

Ceasefire, brokered by the US, kicks in wef 1700 hrs, today! 

The wedding.

Got up at my usual time. Lekha was on her way to carrying out her morning chores. Padmakumar, Rema and Mini were also in the process of getting ready.

We were ready by 9, Mathai was at our gate and we left for the venue of the wedding, soon after. Reached there half an hour later.

The wedding of Ammu and Anuraj, at the Landmark Convention Centre at Valakam, was a grand affair though the crowd was lesser than they'd expected!

Ramesh and his team washed down the well at The Quarterdeck @ Rs.5,500/-

 Had lunch by a half past 11. It was a nice spread.

Returned by a half past 2. Siesta.

The evening chores.

Wished Rajasekharan many happy returns. 

Tailpiece.

The fracas with Pakistan is still simmering.

At my sister, Mini's house.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and opened up the house for the day.

Went through our usual chores and was ready by 9. Had breakfast of idlis and kadalakkari.

Had packed up our stuff to go to Mini's house.

Padmakumar and Rema came in by a half past 12. We had lunch which Rema had made and brought, which was lovely!

Monichan came at a half past 1. Loaded his car without much delay.

Reached Mini's house at Ayur an hour later.

Yakkittiyak, followed by siesta.

A boisterous evening tea. Mini went to the temple and returned an hour later.

Anil and Sheela come by to spend time with us.

Saw our usual serials.

Dinner by 9!

Tailpiece.

Pakistan hits Jammu by about 8, in the evening. Another provocation!

The Hindu faces serious action by spreading fake news. What depths of ignominy has the clown, Narasimham Ram got to? he, too, needs to be charged for treason. And that idiot, Stalin has not complimented the PM or the armed forces.  

Operation Sindoor.

Got up at my usual time, the chores and opened up the house for the day. Finally, the Kaumudy Television was on stream and we could hear the morning devotional songs.

Lekha was ready by a half past 9 and she was off to Kottarakkara for her appointment with the beautician.

Went about my chores and was ready after my bath and prayers.

The caretaker sat with me for a long while and spoke about a lot of things. Certain happenings and the behaviour of a few people really amaze me; while they give me another picture. Wonder why they do it? They must be suffering showing such duality!

Lekha returned by lunchtime. Her sister, Letha had also come by just to meet me. Damn sweet of her!

A hearty lunch followed by siesta.

Got up around a half past 5.

Babu George and Mathai of the Ex-servicemen's Group had dropped by for an interaction. It was great meeting them!

A quiet evening thereafter!

Tailpiece.

This morning, had got up with the Air Marshal giving me the news about Operation Sindoor! It was an invigorating and happy news. India struck nine terror bases in Pakistan and PoK and they are :-

     * Bahawalpur. 100 km inside Pakistan

     * Muridke. 30 km inside Pakistan

     * Gulpur. 35 km inside Pakistan

     * Sawai Camp. 30 km inside Pakistan

     * Bilal Camp. Distance not specified

     * Kotli Camp. 15 km inside PoK.

     * Barnala Camp. 10 km inside PoK

     * Sarjal camp. 8 km inside PoK

     * Mehmoona Camp. 15 km inside PoK

Suddenly, all the opposition backers in the What'sApp groups that I'm in have become parsimonious with words and a few vociferous ones have gone silent too.

The entire opposition has become unusually quiet, so much so that they have forgotten grace and manners - haven't congratulated the Armed Forces for their spectacular work nor the Prime Minister. What a shame!

PS.

Do not miss the video that showed the Congress party guys like RaGa, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sachin Pilot, KC Venugopal etc, with glum faces, saying that they love (?) the Armed Forces. But why were they looking sad? (What saddened me was that a guy like Sachin Pilot - whom I thought was a reasonable and positive guy - was sucking up to RaGa!) 

 

The CM of Punjab and the leader of the Farmers' Agitation must be tried for treason!

Got up at a half past 5, our DTH account has still not come on line. Our normal chores and the house was opened for the day.

Lekha was ready by a half past 8 and she'd left for Kottarakkara soon after.

Had a leisurely grooming and finished my bath, prayers.

The caretaker had spent time with me and spoke about a lot of things. He says that our staying here makes him happy as the house is agog with activity.

Spoke to Mom and Dad. Wonder what they felt about the long scar on my chest?

Lekha returned around a half past 12. Lunch with fish and rice.

The power interruption for the day was lifted by around 2.

Siesta.

Monish comes by about a half past 3 and takes the Chevy for checking fluid levels. The car will be at the Boss Workshop for the next three days.

All the soiled clothes of this trip were washed down by Lekha.

A quiet evening thereafter! And a light dinner.

Tailpiece.

Can you beat this? When the Government of India is taking steps to put Pakistan under pressure, the anti-nationals, within, are working overtime :-

  * Bhagwant Singh Mann, the apology-of-a-CM-of-Punjab has passed orders to block the waters

     flowing into Haryana.

  * The agitating farmers have called for a rail-roko agitation tomorrow.

From the timing of these nasty guys, it's clear as to what their intentions are! Create anarchy when the country is facing a major external aggression.

Bhagwant Singh Mann and the leader of the farmers' agitation should be tried for treason - at the earliest, in public - and hanged for carrying out anti-national activities! 

Back @ Raj Nivas.

Got up @ 4 on Monish's phone call. Went down along with Rema, opened up the gate, h/o the keys of the car that allowed him to sleep till 7. Turned off to sleep yet again and got up at 5 though Lekha had got up half an hour earlier.

We were ready by a half past 7 and kicked off to AIMS, Kochi. Quickly got on with the registration formalities and began my tests, teed off by the CVTS department!

Had breakfast around a half past 10 after all my tests were done. 

Pravin Varma saw us at a quarter past 12. He was affable and talkative. We thanked him and his wife, Nisha for all the help rendered when I was a patient! He was very happy with my readings and had asked me to lead a normal life! The next review is gonna be on 05 Feb 2026! 

We had lunch at the Amrita canteen and we kicked off for home by a quarter past 2. The journey was peaceful and we took the Vaikom route.

Dropped Rema at Pidavoor and reached home by a quarter past 7. A flash rain followed by power failure and this pattern had continued.

The caretaker had brought us dinner which was very nice.

Tailpiece.

Was back @ Raj Nivas after a break of three months!

 

Back at Sidhi Kedar, after two months!

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid had come by at her usual time, for work.

The house was closed down systematically and I told the news paperboy, Ramakrishnan's house that my newspapers for the next fortnight should be kept safely with him.

Had lunch by 12 when Kannan had called up to say that he'd be late by a half an hour.

Between Lekha, Aswathy and me, we tucked in the luggage into the car so that there would be no delay once the sa'arthi came in.

The drive was smooth though we faced two traffic snarls - one at N Paravur and the other, close to Edappalli.

We reached Rema's flat by a half past 5.

Settled down for the evening after sending Kannan back to Guruvayur.

Saw Malayalam movies, "Ponmaan" and "Rekhaachithram". Good movies!

Tailpiece.

A quiet evening thereafter. 

To Tirur and back.

Lekha's day had begun at 4 and she'd called me up at 5. We went through our chores and kicked off for Tirur at a trifle past 7.

Reached Tirur by a quarter past 8, ensured that Sajish had his breakfast immediately after.

Interacted with Swamini Atulyaamrita Praana and it was a pleasant experience for all of us.

The ceremonial boiling of the milk and its deliberate spill over was carried out soon after 9, by Swamini.

Had lunch at a half past 12.

And we commenced our return thereafter.

Reached home by a quarter to 3. Settled down for a short siesta.

Rejith came and collected the soiled clothes for dry cleaning. His new house, in the meanwhile, is reaching its finishing touches.

Soman and Prasanna were the surprise guests for the afternoon. They'd dropped by to meet us and check on my progress. Left after about an hour and a half.

The Amazon boy had come by in between and delivered Lekha's footwear.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

A quiet evening thereafter!

   

Guests galore!

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid had come by at her usual time, for work.

Worked on my laptop for a while.

Kuttu, Vani, Naina and li'l Sidharth fetched up with Suma Kunjamma and were with us for more than an hour and a half. It was nice interacting with them.

Lunch.

Lineesh, from Titan, returns Lekha’s watch. Damn sweet of him.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Lekha washed down the Chevy after her exercises!

A flash rain with thunder and lightning!

Tailpiece.

Kuttu and family had reached Ayur by a half past 9.

Misleading inputs.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Suma kunjamma was up and about and moved to Guruvayur temple for the day.

The maid had fetched up at her usual time.

Lekha had gone upstairs to pick up items and clothes for our forthcoming trip to Raj Nivas.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch.

A solid siesta.

Sajish will drive us to Tirur for Preetha's house warming on the 3rd. Kannan had confirmed, by evening, that he would ferry us to Thrippunithura on the 4th afternoon.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

The Malayalam television channels were all agog with the inauguration of the Vizhinjam Port by Prime minister Modi tomorrow.