A long delayed call on!

Lekha and Mini had got up at 4 and I'd followed them at a quarter past 4. Went through the chores and was ready by a half past 6. Monish had come in on the dot and we hit straight for the DDRC laboratory at Randalummoodu. Kaavya was the sister-in-attendance and the sample for my FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) along with Hb was collected.

Lekha had given me a roll of purie-bhaaji for breakfast washed down with a cup of tea from a tea stall. And we set off for Kottayam. Lekha, Mini and Monish had breakfast at the Padma Cafe in Changanasserry. And sample was drawn for my PPBS (Post Prandial Blood Sugar), by the sister-in-attendance, Preetha, at a nearby laboratory.

We, then, set off to the Thiruvaarppu Sri Krishna kshetram. We'd a good darshan of the good Lord and Mini had offered butter on the occasion! Picked up fruits enroute and reached Sarala kunjamma's house at Puthuppally.

She's 86, looks frail has very little food and is given a measured amount of water to drink everyday! Badly diabetic, her survival is courtesy the efforts put in by her two daughters Sini and Vidya who observe her movements every moment! Her grandchildren, Nandu (He's a CA), Achu (looks after the folks in the house and is waiting to give an exam in September) and the li'l girl who's doing her internship, after completing her course in nursing! 

Am always impressed with the genuine love and affection that I find in the house - all thanks to the great upbringing! They, now, have a cute golden retriever called Sophie who stood against me with her paws on my chest!!!

It was great being with Sarala kunjamma for those three and a half hours. The three of us viz. Lekha, Mini and I enjoyed every minute with her and of course, the rest of the family!!

On our return, we dropped Mini at Ayoor and reached Raj Nivas by a half past 5. Tomorrow's programs in the two schools have been cancelled because the government has declared a holiday in view of the World Cup Football final between Spain and Argentina, tonight at a half past 12.

A quiet evening!   

Reading Day (30).

Got up at a quarter to 5, washed up, recited my prayers and commenced my chores. Also did my packing and we'd kicked off for the Foundation by a quarter to 9.

Reached there, picked up the requisite systems and headed for the quiz competition at the Chinmaya Mission School, Kunnumpuram. The competition began at a quarter past 10 after passing on the necessary instructions to the participants. 

Wayanad was 1st followed by Malappuram, in the 2nd place!

As I wound up, had told the parents to send in their valuable suggestions, if any, by mail for improving the quiz competition system. Came off from there early as I found that the staff was taking time to pay up the travelling allowances to the participants and their chaperones.

Lunch was vegetarian as it's the Ramayana maasam.

To Poojappura, for the finale, which began with the prize distribution for the winners of all the competitions conducted during the Reading Month and it was very nice to see a lot many children come and collect the prizes. There was an air of festivities!

The prizes were given away by the Foundation's chairman, Pannian Ravindran. This was followed by the "gaana sandhya" by the Fine Arts Society. The singing efforts were okay.

Then we'd film star, Prem Kumar, talk about Muthachchan and his closeness with Maman.

Dinner was laid out by the team!

Anyways, I'd left Poojappura earlier by the KSRTC superfast passenger headed for Kumily. Reached Kottarakkara by 9; Lekha, Mini and Monish were there to welcome me, with packed dinner!

Hit the sack at 11!

  

  

Reading Day (29).

Dateline 17 Jul

Got up at 3, washed up and recited my prayers; turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Anish had arrived by that time and off to the Foundation. The arterial road was choked and therefore, we took all the side roads and reached our destination at a quarter past 10.

Worked on the computer and cleared my tummy as has become my habit since yesterday.

Lunch was kanji and puzhukku from the Sasthaan kovil; simply delicious!

A bit of siesta.

Off to the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram to fix up our site for tomorrow's state-level quiz competition. Vijayakumar sir, the quiz master was also present to watch the set up.

Returned in time for the evening cuppa tea.

Booked Anitha George's birthday bouquet for the 27th.

Pulled out 3 grand from my a/c to return Sudha ma'am's money that I'd borrowed. Sarga saayaahnam began at a 20' past 6. It was Raviyettan's "Ramayanathinte prasakthi". A good crowd of over 40 and a nice interaction post talk. We secured at a 40' past 7.

Dropped Raviyettan in front of the Music Academy.

Picked up Maman, from the railway station, returning from Malappuram.

A comparatively late night; my "Vaayana maasaacharanam" sojourn at Maman's house and at Tvpm comes to an end by tomorrow evening. Lekha will come to pick me up from Poojappura.

 

Reading Day (28).

Got up at 5, went through the chores and was ready by 8. Off to the Foundation and from there to the Jyoti Nilayam School at Chirayinkeezhu for the Vaayana sadassu. 

The PN Panicker Foundation's district secretary, Joseph Lawrence was in accompaniment.

We were received by Sister Litty Mathew, the Principal and Sister Jincy Jacob, the Manager. The school is managed by the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a congregation started in Italy in the 17th century with the aim of educating young boys and girls. 

Was impressed with Sister Litty Mathew for her dynamism and class. have promised her to get her school, the "tinker lab" from the central government using our good offices.

Remya Haridas, the MP of Chirayankeezhu, was the chief guest. Her talk on football and allied FIFA Cup talk enthused the students who became active!

Returned by 12. Lunch of chicken biriyani followed by a short siesta upstairs.

To Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam. Today's talk was on "Vayodhikarum avarude prasnangalum athinte nivaaranavum".

Dropped Maman at Thiruvananthapuram North by a half past 8 to board the Raja Rani Express for Angaadippuram reaching at 0450 hrs, tomorrow morning.

Returned to a quiet evening.

Reading Day (27).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at a 5' to 7. Went through the chores and was ready by 9. Off to the Foundation soon after.

Worked on my laptop and wrote up my diary.

Met Anup Jacob, the minister for civil supplies. He was very friendly. Gave our letter seeking the order for supplyco bags.

Lunch and a short stint at siesta.

Off to the YMCA hall (the old British Council Library) for the session on "Vaayana and Artificial Intelligence" which was inaugurated by Ms Bindu Krishna, the minister for women and child development. The session began on the dot at 3 PM and lasted an hour. 

Off to Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam. Today's was by the "ezhuthukoottam" which was nice. 'Vaayana ezhuthu anubhavangal' was the topic. Went off well with a good crowd of over 40.

Secured by a quarter past 7 and hit the sack comparatively early. 

Reading Day (26).

Got up at a half past 4 and knowing that if I'd turn off to sleep again, I'd get up late and upset my schedule. So, I'd washed up and recited my prayers, sent the messages on completion and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at 7. Went through the chores and was ready by 9; a quick breakfast and we were off to the Foundation.

Worked on my laptop till about 12 and had a short nap at the top.

Lunch at a quarter past 2.

Today,  Lekha was off to Kochi to meet Dr Padmanabha Shenoy.

Off to the Kerala Armed Women's Police Battalion for the Vaayana Sadassu. DCP Anjali Bhavana was its commandant who made us wait for a while because of a con call from the top. The program was good and she has promised to spread reading awareness, among the poor, in the coastal belt as part of their outreach program! I'm impressed with her positive attitude!

Left the battalion by 5 and I reached the "Sarga saayaahnam" venue by 6; Mr MR Karthikeyan had already delivered the lecture and I'd asked Ashokan Nadalayil to oversee the conclusion. I concluded the session after that!

Reached home by a 5' to 8, had my dinner and had hit the sack earlier than usual.    

Reading Day (25).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again only to get up at about a 35' past 6. Went about my chores, recited my prayers, washed my clothes and was ready by 9.

Off to the Foundation. Worked on my laptop till about lunch time.

Lunch at a quarter past 2. Rice made by Vasantha along with the dishes sent by Ammayi.

Siesta at the top.

Went off to Poojappura at a half past 4, today's talk was by Dr Vijin Raj and Vishakh RJ on "Vidyayum vaidyavum". Interesting lectures and there was a wide participation from the audience, post talk!

Secured by a half past 7!

Dinner comparatively early.