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.   

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!

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.