Back at The Quarterdeck.

Hit the sack by a half past 1 and was up at a half past 4. Went about my chores and we were ready by 6. Monish was outside the house at about a quarter to 6 and we kicked off by a quarter past 6.

There were rains all through our route and we reached Lekha @ her sister's place by a quarter past 8. It was a lovely breakfast and we'd a taste of Lekha's birthday cake. We left by about a quarter to 9 and I'd decided to drop Aniyan at his house.

We reached Kidangoor by a quarter past 11 and received the happy news that Paru has has become a woman! Gave her a small gift on the occasion. And we left soon after.

Reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 4. Sent Lekha to catch her 40 winks while I unpacked.

Rema and Sathyabhama came by around a half past 6. And we talked about a lot of things.

A quiet evening thereafter!  

@ New Delhi (6).

Dateline 23 May

Our tryst with the chief minister.

Met Mr VD Satheesan, the chief minister, at the Kerala House this afternoon. He has assured us that he’d attend the Vaayana Dinam program on 19 Jun at the Tagore Theatre. 

We presented him with Muthachhan’s English biography and draped a shawl around his shoulders.

Returned to Thiruvananthapuram from New Delhi by the Indigo flight at 2030 hrs. Landed up short of midnight!

@ New Delhi (5).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and was ready by a half past 9. Walked within the room and recited my prayers. Maman and Aniyan went for breakfast and brought me my breakfast.

Off to the Kerala House for briefing Prof PJ Kurien, then to the Kerala Emporium at Connaught Place to buy mementoes for the VVIPs. Returned via Logani’s at Khan Market after placing orders for the 30 new invitation cards.

A quick change to formals and were off to the Vice President’s Enclave by a half past 2. There was no question of lunch! Had picked up the new cards in between.

The Book Release of Sathyan’s “The Library Man of India - The Story of PN Panicker” went off like clockwork. Great speeches made by the Vice President, MoS Suresh Gopi and Prof PJ Kurien. Maman was good in his introduction.

Went to the Kerala House to fix up our appointment with the CM of Kerala tomorrow through PJ Kurien. 

Returned to our guest house. A quiet evening!

@ New Delhi (4).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, tea and rusks came a trifle late at about a half past 7. Went about my chores, washed my undergarments and finished bath by about a half past 8. 

Walked within the premises and recited my prayers.

Went and had our toasts and omelette from the vendor who has become friendly now.

Got our tasks done and ticked each serial away with glee.

Lunch at a wayside eatery in Sector 5, RK Puram. Achari took us there!

Returned and worked on the speeches of Maman and Suresh Gopi. Fought with Maman over the script.

Went for an evening cuppa. Returned and completed the remaining work. Sent Shabd back home.

A comparatively early dinner; didn’t have any appetite so just had curd.

An early hitting of the sack!

@ 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.