PN Panicker's 117th birth anniversary (7).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Maman came and woke us up by a quarter past 6 and I delayed our departure by 15'!

Anish had taken leave as Akhila's grandfather's - an ex-Armyman passed into the mist of time - funeral was to take place by 1100 hrs. With Rajannan and Chambu, the driving duties were well divided. 

Lunch with Monica (Commonwealth of Learning), her daughter, Viraalika, Dr Pankaj ji and Khushwinder Singh along with Aniyan, Chambu and our sa'arathi, Rekha. Father Mulamoottil and Tanya, too, had joined.

Reached Kanakakkunnu Palace by a quarter past 2.

The ezhuthukoottam with Satija was good.

The session on Community Radio Stations was well accepted.

Finally, Revenue Minister, GR Anil, gave away the prizes. Sister Sebin Fernandez, Ms. Greeshma and Ms. Anjana received their prizes.

Settled out of the group by paying Rs.1,000/- from my pocket.

It brought the curtains down on the weeklong PN Panicker 117th birth anniversary 

Left the venue by a half past 5. Earlier, Lekha and Subi had arrived by a trifle after 4.

Dinner at a trifle short of Vaalakom!

Reached Raj Nivas by 9 and went about our usual chores for the night and for taking off early morning at 6. The caretaker had bought all the stuff what Lekha had asked for.

PN Panicker's 117th birth anniversary (6).

After seeing that Pankaj Srivastava had his dinner, Chambu and I'd dropped him at his hotel and returned home by around a half past 12. 

Got up at 5, recited my prayers and went through my chores. Was ready well before 7 but two things delayed us viz. Maman wanted to be dropped at the office and Anish, the driver came late. We, finally, left by a 10' past 8 and reached KIMS by a half past 8. 

Collected my blood results for the doctor's perusal who had then directed me to the cardiologist for approval to stop the blood thinner, for three days, before the forthcoming endoscopy/colonoscopy that's gonna be done on me. 

Dr Bijulal gave us the okay and we, then, returned to the Foundation via Padma Cafe, behind the Secretariat, after quickly finishing our breakfast.

The endoscopy/colonoscopy has been tentatively fixed for the 26th. Three days prior, the blood thinner will be stopped.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch at La Bella, a small eatery nearby, was our destination where the food was nice.

Met our Chairman, discussed the new situation as Justice Devan Ramachandran has intimated his inability to grace the occasion as his mother has undergone a brain hemorrhage. Sad; we'll have to find a suitable replacement! 

A quiet evening thereafter.

PN Panicker's 117th birth anniversary (Day 5).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and turned back to sleep yet again to get up at a quarter past 7. Went through the chores, walked within the house and recited my prayers. Left for the Foundation by a quarter past 10.

Worked on the laptop; no response from the principal sahiba.

Lunch at the PWD Rest House canteen. It was nice.

To the KIMS Hospital to show myself to the gastro enterologist, Ajith Nair regarding my discomfort. The appointment was fixed up by Maman through the PRO for 1550 hrs.

Blood test was carried out to identify 'tumour fundamentals' (if any) and I'm to meet him at 8 AM tomorrow morning with the results. Am sure that things will fall in place, then.

Consequently, missed Anwar Sadaat's lecture on AI.

Reached home by a 10' past 7.

A quiet evening as I wound up for the day.

To the airport to pick up Dr Pankaj Srivastava, who's an invitee for our program at 2130 hrs. Since he hadn't had dinner, bought him dinner from Zam Zam and left him at the hotel. Took on an additional commitment.

By the time we hit the sack, it was past midnight. Phew! 

PN Panicker's 117th birthday celebrations (Day 4).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and went through the chores. Walked within the house and recited my prayers.

Went to the Foundation by a quarter to 10.

Did my work on the laptop.

Went to the Holy Angels' Convent Higher Secondary School, Cotton Hill Girls' Higher Secondary School and the Carmel Convent Higher Secondary School to invite their Principals for the award ceremony on the 7th. Sister Sebi Fernandez, Mrs Greeshma and Mrs Anjana are the Principals.

Had lunch at the Gandhi Bhavan with Chambu.

The evening talk was on AI by Achut Shankar, the late Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr VK Sukumaran Nair's son. Nicely articulated and well explained!

Secured at 1930 hrs.

At Ernakulam!

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and lazed on bed.

Got through the chores and was ready by 10 when Sunil from Sudhakaran's taxis came by. Off to the nearby Saravana Bhavan for breakfast. And to the reservation counter at Ernakulam junction to get bookings done for our evening journey.

To the Maharaja's College to tie up all the loose ends and it was good that we did it.

Met Justice Devan Ramachandran to give him the formal invitation for our program on the 7th at the Kanakakkunnu Palace.

Back at the Maharaja's College ground; positioned the Science Exploratory and commenced our program on the dot at 3 PM. It was nice with Jolly sir of the Chemistry department the Principal-in-charge for the day.  It was great interacting with the students of the Maharajah's College on "Saying no to drugs". 

Return by the Jana Shatabdi that was 25' late but reached by a half past 9. Sunil helped us with our luggage to the entrance where Ammayi and Chambu were waiting with the car.

A quiet evening!

At Aluva,

Dateline 02 Mar

Got up at 4, the chores and was ready well in time. We were off to the railway station by 6 and cast off from Thiruvananthapuram at a 25' past 6. We'd about six chirpy girls for company!

Aljaziya, Ashna and Ashwath - all girls pursuing nursing and headed for Coimbatore, where Aljaziya was writing a public examination. Arunima and Neelima were going to Palakkad, to write the psc examinations. They clicked photos with us.

Got off at Aluva, changed our clothes at the a/c waiting hall on the platform and had lunch at the vegetarian refreshment room. 

Hired a cab, went across to the Federal Bank Headquarters to meet up with Mr C Damodaran, its Executive Vice President. Had a long and friendly chat!

Antony, then, took us to the UC College. It was a great interaction with the Principal, staff and the others on our campaign "Say no to drugs" with the students of the UC College, Aluva though the strength was drastically reduced thanks to the ongoing students' strike!

Dr Mini Alice, The Principal, Dr Anmol Jos, NSS Program Officer, and Saiji Jolly Moothedan, Chairperson, Aluva Municipality were there along with Mr C Damodaran.

The program covered "Taking science to the masses" and saying "No to drugs" against the backdrop of our Science exploratory with Bijumon sir and Rajan in attendance.

Took up a room at Hotel Green Land.

Dinner at the Ceylon bake House. Relived memories!

PN Panicker's 117th birthday celebrations begin.

• Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by 7. Chambu drove us to Poojappura. About 70 people had conglomerated. Our family was minus Aniyan and Manikkutty, Aaromal. It was nice to see the entire family!

The Education Minister and the Mayor didn't fetch up! PJ Kurien, Pannian Ravindran, Palode Ravi, M Vijayakumar were in attendance. The customary lighting of the lamp and the floral tribute were carried; on completion, packed breakfast and bottled water were served.

Returned to Maman's house to relieve Rajannan.

Took Maman, Ammayi and Chambu to the City Palace for Fish curry meals. Giri, from Guruvayur, was the lone server and there was quite a bit of delay!

Returned and ducked off for siesta.

Meanwhile, the net was re-energised. Phew!

A quiet evening!