@ New Delhi! (3).

Got up late at a half past 7, went through the chores and was ready by 9. Walked within the premises and had recited my prayers.

Had breakfast of toasts and omelette at the wayside dhabha and washed it down with a piping-hot cup of tea. Returned to catch up on our work on the laptop with Shabd.

Went to Logani Printers at Khan market to get the invitation cards printed. Had lunch of “sambar rice” at the Mysore Cafe which was nice. Returned to base and continued with our work. Emergencies and queries came and went with each and everyone sorted out with appropriate decisions.

Ran an errand to Loganis’ to collect our cards. Rajasree had come by to help us like she did yesterday. Off to the media offices to invite them over for the Book Release function.

Had gone across to Mathrubhoomi, Malayala Manorama, Asianet and the Vishwa Yuva Kendra. Invited them for the function. Returned by a half past 7.

Dinner was at Vandana ji’s house at a half past 9. A quiet evening thereafter.

@ New Delhi (2).

Got up around a quarter past 3, sleep refused to come by subsequently and I recited the first half of my prayers. Maman, citing lack of sleep, came and switched on the light in our room and disturbed our sleep. Recited the second half of my prayers then.

Got up at 7, had tea, went through my chores - washed my undergarments - and was ready by a half past 9. Went for breakfast of masala dosa followed by a piping hot cup of tea! Returned to our pad and went about doing the day’s work.

Went to the Vice Presidential enclave to express our misgivings on their approved Minute-to-minute programme and dais plan. We were sad that Shaddy and Geeta Malhotra haven’t been approved to sit on the dais! 

Lunch of Curd Rice at the Mysore Cafe, returned to our pad to continue with our work of compiling the details of the attendees with the accompaniment of Rajasree, Anil and Sasi. Yakkittiyak all the way.

Went out at about a half past 8 for dinner. Had a rumaali roti and chicken curry!

Returned to our pad and hit the sack at my usual time.

@ New Delhi!

Got up at 12, went through the chores and we (Maman, Aniyan and self) set off for the airport. Our flight took off at a 10’ past 3. Were served a meal around 3 AM. Reached New Delhi by a half past 6, half an hour before ETA!

Kishori drove us to Jor Bath, where we had a wash and change and had breakfast of toasts and omelette, washed it down with a cuppa tea.

Maman and I sent quite a few messages regarding the Book Release function on What’sApp. Lunch of idlis, chutney and sambar fetched by Kishori.

Off to the Vice President’s office to discuss the nuts and bolts of the forthcoming Book Release program.

Returned to have a meeting with our co-ordinaries at the guest house. An outline plan has been drawn out.

At Thiruvananthapuram.

Our day began at 4 AM, we went about our chores and were ready well in time. Monish, our chauffeur, came at a quarter to 5 and I sent him to sleep in the car.  We were ready by a half past 6 and we kicked off at. quarter to 7.

Breakfast was at Korattur by about a half past 8.

Reached Lekha’s sister’s place, by 2, for lunch. Met Iñdu’s parents and dropped her mom at the private bus stand.

Resumed our journey and reached Maman’s place by a half past 5. Ran an errand of going to the Foundation as Maman had to collect a few papers. Aniyan and Chambu accompanied us.

We’ve to leave for the airport at 0100 hrs tomorrow!

Lekha and I complete 35 years together!

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

Handed over the gift to Lekha while she, too, handed over another.

Washing machinex of the soiled clothes.

We were ready by 9 when Nimyl reached us. After an early breakfast, we were off to the Saroja Multi Speciality Hospital to collect Lekha's tongue's biopsy report. O boy, it was a solid block enroute!

Lekha's report shows that there's nothing to worry but it recommends another 'wedge surgery' to rule out the foggiest of doubts.

Reached Dr Kripal, the gastro enterologist, who'd carried out my review. The next is after three months!

Collected medicines.

Returned home. Shebir brought us the anniversary cake and a few sweets on Lekha's directives.

Lunch (ordered from Pazhayidathu and it was nice!) watched television followed by siesta.

Shut down 'The Quarterdeck' in stages.

A great day when we received messages and calls, wishing us a great day! Damn sweet of them!! 

A breakthrough for Alzheimer's treatment in India.

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has launched donanemab in the Indian market under the brand name Lormalzi. The once-a-month 350 mg infusion has been shown to slow the progression of the disease  by dissolving the amyloid beta protein plaques in the brain, proven to be a classical sign of the neurodegenerative disease.

The innovative drug - third to be approved for the disease by the US  Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the first one to be launched in India - will be prohibitively expensive. A single dose of the drug might cost Rs.91,688. However, Eli Lilly will soon begin an access programme to ensure that patients can get the drug at lower prices.

Tailpiece.

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

Blood drawal for finding out my Blood Sugars - Fasting and Post Prandial, Hb and LFT. Got the results at 12. My readings are under control, phew!

Walked on the courtyard; recited my prayers and carried out my exercise regimen. The AM dropped by to see our new car.

Lekha's aarathi by the silver coin, today being the 1st of the Malayalam month of Edavam.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch, Lekha had made a lovely fish curry. Saw the last and final episode of "Snehakkoottu" but didn't see the end as I'd gone out to meet Shebir, the bakery owner followed by siesta.

Aniyan also is coming to New Delhi for the book release.

Went to town to buy a gift for us for our 35th wedding anniversary.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Dateline 14 May

Our day had started at 4 today. Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Sent all the messages, opened up the house in a limited fashion, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the television.

Monish had fetched up late, went to the Thrikkonnamarkotu temple to do puja on the new car. After that the usual halt at the Randalummoodu Nagaraja kshetram, exchanged pleasantries with the priest.

At Pidavoor to pick up Rema and Padmakumar. Hello to Aji.

Breakfast at the Padma Cafe, Adoor.

Lunch at Thrippoonithura and had our dinner packed.

Reached Guruvayur by a trifle past 5. To the car spa for the vehicle's wash before offering her for puja. It was pouring. The priest, Gireesh did the puja well; befriended him!

Reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 8. Sent Monish back immediately.

The house was opened up partially.

A power interruption at 2200 hrs. So, we slept at a half past 10 as we were dog tired!