The day had begun at a half past 4. There were plenty of things to do, right from receiving the guests from New Delhi at the airport to checking on the arrangements on the side table that was going to be on the dais at tomorrow's ceremony at the Kanakakkunnu Palace commencing at 1100h. The minute-to-minute was played a couple of times to be satisfied with how the things would go by as we did not want the famous Murphy's law to kick in!
A quick rush to our favourite memento shop in Chalai Market was the highlight of the day. The entry and exit to the market was really tricky, as ever, and it took all the driving skills of the new lad to get us out of the madness in fairly quick time! The six pieces, that we'd picked up, were to be awarded to the social workers who're being honoured during the occasion - no difference between pieces was acceptable, in fact, zero tolerance for errors, I was told,
The guests were briefed on arrival at their designated staying places regarding their itinerary with special reference to tomorrow's programme where the Governor of Kerala was the chief guest. And in the evening, they were brought in to attend our weekly discussions - 'Aazhchakkoottam' - on topics of current relevance. The lecture followed by the question and answer session that followed was lively and Sadiya Ahmed's poem towards the end of the programme was the perfect icing on the cake!
An evening trip to the venue was made by my Maman and me. A few course corrections were given by the end of which we seemed to be ready for the finals. The efforts put in by one and all, on a shoestring budget, is noteworthy. There were frayed tempers, fiery arguments, teary responses, pats on the backs but the overall atmosphere was marked by a robust teamwork with a tendency among many to deny personal laxity with regard to rest or food.
My Muthachan must be proud of each one.
Tailpiece.
I was able to scribble the first draft of my 'Vote of thanks' an hour before pipe down. Not at all satisfied with my efforts but the refinement will be brought about by the time it's gonna be delivered!
A quick rush to our favourite memento shop in Chalai Market was the highlight of the day. The entry and exit to the market was really tricky, as ever, and it took all the driving skills of the new lad to get us out of the madness in fairly quick time! The six pieces, that we'd picked up, were to be awarded to the social workers who're being honoured during the occasion - no difference between pieces was acceptable, in fact, zero tolerance for errors, I was told,
The guests were briefed on arrival at their designated staying places regarding their itinerary with special reference to tomorrow's programme where the Governor of Kerala was the chief guest. And in the evening, they were brought in to attend our weekly discussions - 'Aazhchakkoottam' - on topics of current relevance. The lecture followed by the question and answer session that followed was lively and Sadiya Ahmed's poem towards the end of the programme was the perfect icing on the cake!
An evening trip to the venue was made by my Maman and me. A few course corrections were given by the end of which we seemed to be ready for the finals. The efforts put in by one and all, on a shoestring budget, is noteworthy. There were frayed tempers, fiery arguments, teary responses, pats on the backs but the overall atmosphere was marked by a robust teamwork with a tendency among many to deny personal laxity with regard to rest or food.
My Muthachan must be proud of each one.
Tailpiece.
I was able to scribble the first draft of my 'Vote of thanks' an hour before pipe down. Not at all satisfied with my efforts but the refinement will be brought about by the time it's gonna be delivered!
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