Background.
1. I'd received a call, from my friend, sometime last week informing that he and his wife were back in Thrissur because of an emergency. Radha's father, Dr. PG Nair, the Dean of the Agriculture and Veterinary University of nearby Mannoothy in the mid-'70s and all of 89 yrs, had suffered two fractures at his hip owing to a fall.
2. The old man had undergone a couple of surgeries to ease himself of the pain and had alternated between the ventilator and the ICU before being normal and was to be shifted into the ward, when complications arose in the form of a lung infection which hastened his end at 1710h, yesterday. The striking thing was that his nurse was having his lunch in the adjacent room when the old man - despite warnings about not attempting to move without anybody's support - decided to go to the rest room and had lost his step in the bargain bringing about the subsequent events, leading to his end.
3. A few years back he'd shown his close family the will that he'd prepared, wherein he'd pledged his body for medical research after his death. Though there were protests initially, Radha and her mom, had to finally reconcile to the idea as he was very firm in his resolve.
The farewell.
4. We'd left for Radha's house around a half past 10 this morning though the traffic mess at Guruvayur and at two other points enroute, enabled us to reach our destination only by about a half past 11 - the distance that we'd travelled was just over 25 kms!
5. Radha's dad was lying in state inside a glass bubble at the entrance of the multi-storeyed apartments, sans the usual chants of hymns/mantras and associated ceremonies. There was a clutch of close relatives and a few of the neighbours residing in the building, beside the body. As Anil sighted us, he seemed to be relieved that someone whom he could point out to the others as his own had come by. After spending a while beside the bubble and saying a small prayer, we're introduced to each and everyone who'd assembled there.
6. The ambulance from the Medical College Hospital had come around a quarter past 12 and headed back with Dr. PG Nair's mortal remains that would help the medical students in their studies and research.
7. It was as though the gentleman had undertaken another journey from which he'd never return and the short time that we'd spent there made all of us be part of his wait for the vehicle that would convey him to his final resting place.
8. RIP, Radha's dad! My tears and prayers. May god give your near and dear ones the strength to bear your loss.
Tailpiece.
Trust us, mallus, being inquisitive about the farewell that was different. Doubting Thomases - and there were a handful - were shown the old gentleman's will to clear their doubts!
1. I'd received a call, from my friend, sometime last week informing that he and his wife were back in Thrissur because of an emergency. Radha's father, Dr. PG Nair, the Dean of the Agriculture and Veterinary University of nearby Mannoothy in the mid-'70s and all of 89 yrs, had suffered two fractures at his hip owing to a fall.
2. The old man had undergone a couple of surgeries to ease himself of the pain and had alternated between the ventilator and the ICU before being normal and was to be shifted into the ward, when complications arose in the form of a lung infection which hastened his end at 1710h, yesterday. The striking thing was that his nurse was having his lunch in the adjacent room when the old man - despite warnings about not attempting to move without anybody's support - decided to go to the rest room and had lost his step in the bargain bringing about the subsequent events, leading to his end.
3. A few years back he'd shown his close family the will that he'd prepared, wherein he'd pledged his body for medical research after his death. Though there were protests initially, Radha and her mom, had to finally reconcile to the idea as he was very firm in his resolve.
The farewell.
4. We'd left for Radha's house around a half past 10 this morning though the traffic mess at Guruvayur and at two other points enroute, enabled us to reach our destination only by about a half past 11 - the distance that we'd travelled was just over 25 kms!
5. Radha's dad was lying in state inside a glass bubble at the entrance of the multi-storeyed apartments, sans the usual chants of hymns/mantras and associated ceremonies. There was a clutch of close relatives and a few of the neighbours residing in the building, beside the body. As Anil sighted us, he seemed to be relieved that someone whom he could point out to the others as his own had come by. After spending a while beside the bubble and saying a small prayer, we're introduced to each and everyone who'd assembled there.
6. The ambulance from the Medical College Hospital had come around a quarter past 12 and headed back with Dr. PG Nair's mortal remains that would help the medical students in their studies and research.
7. It was as though the gentleman had undertaken another journey from which he'd never return and the short time that we'd spent there made all of us be part of his wait for the vehicle that would convey him to his final resting place.
8. RIP, Radha's dad! My tears and prayers. May god give your near and dear ones the strength to bear your loss.
Tailpiece.
Trust us, mallus, being inquisitive about the farewell that was different. Doubting Thomases - and there were a handful - were shown the old gentleman's will to clear their doubts!
No comments:
Post a Comment