Tuesday, March 31, 2026

The first fully-digital census.

India's first fully-digital census to kick off on 01 Apr.

The process starts with self-enumeration in Delhi, Goa. Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Orissa, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Second phase from Feb '27

The census 2027 will be done in two phases - house listing or house census and population enumeration. After a 15-day self enumeration period, the 30-day house-listing phase will begin on 16 Apr. Across the country, the first phase will be wrapped up by October. The population enumeration phase will then be conducted in Feb 2027.

No decision taken on NPR updation

* The self-enumeration will begin on 16 Apr in Andhra Pradesh, 26 Apr in Telangana, 16 Jun in Kerala     and 17 Jul in Tamilnadu. The date for West Bngal is yet to be decided.
* The Registrar General has said that no decision has been taken on National Population Register's 
   updation.

31 lakh enumerators to participate in the world's largest census


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 on the road in front of the house; recited my prayers.

Lekha goes to the temple for the darshan of the good Lord and to buy sundries.

Bath and breakfast of dosas and chana.

Worked on my laptop. Sent my March mail by a trifle after 12. The formatting went awry.

Lunch, watched "Snehakkoottu" followed by siesta.

The evening chores.


   

Monday, March 30, 2026

Whither West Asia war?

The war between US-Israel vs Iran is entering its 5th week and there isn't any let up. I would like to classify this war into three stages as of now :-

    (a) US and Israel carry out deadly missile strikes, decapitating the top Iranian leadership
          including the Supreme leader.
    (b) The Houthis, Hezbollah and the Hamas join Iran making it a wide front concentrating
         on the destruction of Israel.
    (c) 3,500 marines poised to be deployed in Iran.

What's gonna happen after that?

Either of the two possibilities.

     * The US deploys "boots on ground", a fierce battle ensues with heavy casualties on both sides.
        The American public mood will change seeing the sickening arrival of American soldiers, in
        body bags, at regular intervals! Mind you, the fallout would be that the public support would
        diminish raising a backlash on Trump.

     * The US puts pressure on the Iranians and by mid-Apr, Trump's gonna pull out from the                            engagement, citing victory.


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.

Sajish comes in, gives me a good haircut and massage.

Lekha goes to Mammiyur temple to carry out Mini's vow.

Walked on the road in front of the house; recited my prayers.

Bath followed by breakfast of idlis and sambar.

Worked on my laptop.

Spoke to Anup, BM of the SBI and put in the requisite action for taking a loan.

Lunch, saw "Snehakkoottu" followed by siesta.

A quiet evening.

Bath followed by breakfast of idlis and sambar.

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Back @ The Quarterdeck.

Our day began at 4, this morning. Went about our chores and we were ready by 6 but our sa'arthi, Monish came about around a quarter to 7. Between the caretaker and me, we'd loaded the Chevy with our luggage and set off soon after.

Our first stop was at the Nagaraja temple at Randalummoodu. After meeting the priest, resumed our journey and had our next halt at the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi temple. Had a nice darshan and we pressed on to Letha's place at Mylam from where we collected our breakfast and lunch packs!

We'd breakfast of idlis and chutney in the car with a cuppa tea to wash it down at a wayside tea stall.

The journey was smooth with Monish clipping at an average of 90 kmph and we reached Thrissur by a 20' past 1. The PM electioneering visit was on and therefore, we did face traffic restrictions and diversions. Reached Guruvayur by a quarter to 2.

Unloaded the Chevy, sent Monish back and had our lunch.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Watched Lekha watering the plants and sat down to watch the television.

A quiet evening!

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A quiet day!

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 television.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Walked within the house; recited my prayers.

Breakfast was colonial with toasts and eggs.

Frequent power outages were the order of the day.

Washed all the clothes, along with the bed linen.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch of rice, fish curry and assorted vegetable dishes.

Siesta; got up just in time to collect all the dried clothes from the clothing line outside, from the flash thundershowers that fell.

Saw our serials in bits and pieces thanks to the frequent power outages.

A quiet evening! 

Friday, March 27, 2026

Nearly two months of fuel available.

Next two months also secured : India has 60 days of crude oil and fuel reserves!

* Government assures no supply gap; situation fully secure
* Advance imports in place; refineries operating at full capacity

* Government says no fuel shortage despite global tensions
* India is well prepared for disruptions


Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, sent all the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the television.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Walked within the house; recited my prayers.

Breakfast of idlis and chhole, followed by bath.

Lunch, watched "Snehakkoottu" followed by siesta.

The evening chores.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

The tests.

By midnight, my stomach was washed down by the Colonprep. Had slept well thereafter. Got up at 5, had washed myself and resumed the second round of washing down my stomach and was ready by a half past 8. Kuttu had come by with breakfast for Rema and Padmakumar.

Kuttu, then, dropped us at KIMS and I was taken into the minor OT for the proceedures. By 11, I was brought out of the minor OT on completion of endoscopy and colonoscopy. I've a problem of thickening blood vessels within the alimentary canal! Was referred to the Haematologist, blood tests were carried out out and the ultra sound scan of my abdomen done. 

Had lunch late, by a half past 3.Soon after, we left Thiruvananthapuram for Thalavoor and reached Raj Nivas by 6.  The care - chauffeured by Sachin - then dropped Padmakumar-Rema at Vetteelazhikam and returned.

Had fruits and watched television serials with Lekha. 

Was dog tired!

Slept at our usual time!

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

At KIMS and onward.

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 television.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Bath followed by breakfast; recited my prayers.

Ajub comes in by 9 and set off for Thiruvananthapuram: picked up Padmakumar and Rema from Pidavoor; resumed our journey.

Reached KIMS by 11, met Lynda and commenced pre-anaesthesia checks. Met the anaesthetist, took her advice, samples of my blood were drawn, bought the purgatives and settled down at 205, Ivy Residency. Had the lovely lunch prepared by Rema followed by siesta.

Suma kunjamma and Kuttu had come by to take us to their house. Instead we'd dinner at Imperial Kitchen, nearby. 

A quiet evening thereafter.