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 were 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!

At Thiruvananthapuram.

Dateline 28 Feb

We'd got up at 5, went through the chores and were ready well in time. Subi had come with his vehicle by a quarter past 8, was given breakfast of idlis and both Lekha and I set off - Lekha to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapati kshetram in Kunjumon's autorickshaw to meet up with Mini and I, toward Thiruvananthapuram in Subi's SUV. 

The time was about a quarter to 9.

Reached the PN Panicker Foundation by a 10' to 11. Met all our staff and spoke to each; Maman was away at a meeting.

Sent my February mail by 1241 hrs.

Lunch of Malabar parathas.

Attended the evening's 'Aazhchakkoottam'; the strength was too less but the matter and the interactions were interesting!

Massive thundershowers!

Met Gopu, Suma kunjamma of the family.

We were at Maman's place by a half past 7. A quiet evening.

Aniyan isn't well; down with a viral fever!

Preparations for tomorrow is complete.

At Raj Nivas.

The day began at 4 for us, went through our chores and were ready by 6. We kicked off from The Quarterdeck at a quarter past 6. Kannan took the NH 544 route and thankfully, we didn't come across any traffic snarls and steered a steady course.

Breakfast was at a Saravana Bhavan at Muvattupuzha. From there, barring the wiper motor's problem, we had a peaceful journey. Changed the wipers at Koothaattukulam and we resumed our journey. There were showers at various places but it was nothing to worry about.

Lunch was the Padma Cafe at Pandalam and it was nice.

Reached Kottarakkara around a half past 2, sent Kannan back on his return and drove the remaining 10 km to Raj Nivas. Got our staying arrangements streamlined, had the television energised and went for siesta.

Evening tea by Lekha, spoke to mom and dad about our program and we went to Suresh's house to offer our condolences on Rajamma chechi's passing away. Prayed at her cremation spot as well as Manian Pillai's! Interacted with all of them!!

Returned after about an hour and a half; were happy after having spent time with the family for the sake of Rajamma chechi!

A quiet evening. Had Malabar parathas and an egg omelette for dinner which was nice!

Slept at our usual time.

When a President lies....

Trump's false and misleading claims at his State of the Union address, seeking to reverse dismal polls and see off mounting challenges at home and abroad ahead of crucial midterm elections.

The Economy

Claim. "When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis, with a stagnant economy".

The fact. The US gross domestic  product rose 2.8% in 2024 after adjusting for inflation. That's a stronger pace of growth than the 2.2% achieved last year during the start of Trump's second term.

Investment

Claim. "I secured commitments for more than $18 trillion pouring in from all over the globe".

The fact. The White House website offers a far lower number, $9.6 trillion.

Jobs

Claim. "More Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country". 

The fact. The unemployment rate is a low 4.3% but was lower when Biden left office  in Jan 2025, at 4%.

Foreign wars

Claim. "My first 10 months I ended eight wars".

The fact. Although he has helped mediate relations among many nations, his impact isn't as clear-cut as he makes it seem.

Tariffs

Claim. "Tariff revenues are saving our country, the kind of money we're taking in".

The fact. The Congressional Budget Office estimated his new taxes would raise $3 trillion over 10 years. That's not enough to cover the cost of his $4.7 trillion in tax cuts.

Immigration

Claim. "We'll always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard".

The fact. Trump has actually taken steps to restrict who can emigrate to the US, often in the name of protecting national security.

My take

How can a President, who's supposed to be the icon for his countrymen, get off with such outright lies? Shame on you, President Trump!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Walked within the house; recited my prayers. Got the house ready for the interior painting of the top inner roof. Ranjith did it in the afternoon while Suresh did the frontage.

Bath, followed by breakfast of bread and egg roast.

Lekha had gone to the gas agency to find out as to why the new gas cylinder was taking time to come by ; the delivery boy was sick for the past week.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch, watched "Snehakkoottu" followed by siesta.

Lekha goes to the temple to have a darshan of the good Lord as it's gonna be the annual festival commencing on the 28th.

Ribi's boys secured by a half past 5. The maid washed down our car.

Packing covered after everyone had left.