1913h............ around this time on this date, twenty years back, my grandfather had passed into the mist of time, while at the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The consequent pain continues to fester, deep within. This evening, mom, me and Lekha remembered our times with him and mom, naturally, had the largest number of anecdotes about her dad. His end was in the manner that he'd always wanted it to be - to do 'karma' till the last day of his life. I'd said this earlier but shall repeat it yet again, a part of him had gone numb on 25 Jul 1991 when Mrs. PN Panicker had passed into the mist of time.
While remembering him this time, I'd like to list out his sterling qualities:-
(a) The belief in himself. Stories abound when influential people and those that held respectable
positions in society poo poohed his idea of setting up libraries at every part of the state for
providing knowledge, free, to every man and woman. Some of the taunts/barbs that were
hurled at him show the tremendous resistance that he'd to reckon with:-
(i) "What's the use of making those people literate when they're anyways earning their daily bread and butter? What are they gonna achieve?"
(ii) "Panicker, you're corrupting the people with your ideas."
(iii) "Let the government take the initiative. It's only then that adequate funds would be
available to sustain the growth of the libraries in the manner you envisage."
(b) His perseverance. Initially, he used to visit the homes of the wealthy people of a locality
and ask them to donate books/reading material from their personal possessions for the
intended library. The wealthiest of the lot, with a philanthropic streak, was asked to donate
an adequate space to house the library. There were instances when he used to be shooed
away or to 'come another time' when they're free'.
I'd heard a retired chief secretary to the government of Kerala lamenting about how he'd
purposely kept PN Panicker waiting for almost half a day, before letting him meet the
chief minister because he found him to be 'pesky'!
(c) He never nurtured any ill will towards anybody. He went about his work and never had
the time to harbour any negative thoughts about others.
(d) His elephantine memory. He'd a way with people and their names. Once having established a relationship, he nurtured it
(e) His kindness. I've been the most fortunate recipient of his unrestricted love and affection.
(f) Spotless integrity. He was neither interested in pelf nor money and led a spartan life. He
was quite happy with his meagre pension and believed that he should not take additional
remuneration because his work was purely social service.
(h) Maintained a meticulous diary. Just proves that his life was an open book and he'd nothing
to hide. He lived his life the way he'd wanted.
(j) Disarming simplicity. He lived a simple life with minimal wants.
Remembering my Muthachan with love, affection, tears and prayers.
Tailpiece.
This was the first Reading Day function that I'd viewed and monitored from home because of the requirements of Lekha's medical management. The function at the University Senate Hall, Thiruvananthapuram was simple yet grand, presided by Sri PJ Kurien, because the chief minister could not make it due to some last minute reasons. The Malayalam movie superstar, Mammootty, delivered the message on the occasion of the 'Vayana Dinam'. He didn't hesitate to point out to the Education Minister's - an amiable and likeable gentleman otherwise, but bound by political requirements - reluctance to light the traditional lamp on the stage saying that the religion wasn't against it and joined the others in the ceremony.
Kudos to you, Mammootty, for your stand. It definitely sends the right message to the young children and the people of Kerala on the occasion, from the Foundation's platform!
The consequent pain continues to fester, deep within. This evening, mom, me and Lekha remembered our times with him and mom, naturally, had the largest number of anecdotes about her dad. His end was in the manner that he'd always wanted it to be - to do 'karma' till the last day of his life. I'd said this earlier but shall repeat it yet again, a part of him had gone numb on 25 Jul 1991 when Mrs. PN Panicker had passed into the mist of time.
While remembering him this time, I'd like to list out his sterling qualities:-
(a) The belief in himself. Stories abound when influential people and those that held respectable
positions in society poo poohed his idea of setting up libraries at every part of the state for
providing knowledge, free, to every man and woman. Some of the taunts/barbs that were
hurled at him show the tremendous resistance that he'd to reckon with:-
(i) "What's the use of making those people literate when they're anyways earning their daily bread and butter? What are they gonna achieve?"
(ii) "Panicker, you're corrupting the people with your ideas."
(iii) "Let the government take the initiative. It's only then that adequate funds would be
available to sustain the growth of the libraries in the manner you envisage."
(b) His perseverance. Initially, he used to visit the homes of the wealthy people of a locality
and ask them to donate books/reading material from their personal possessions for the
intended library. The wealthiest of the lot, with a philanthropic streak, was asked to donate
an adequate space to house the library. There were instances when he used to be shooed
away or to 'come another time' when they're free'.
I'd heard a retired chief secretary to the government of Kerala lamenting about how he'd
purposely kept PN Panicker waiting for almost half a day, before letting him meet the
chief minister because he found him to be 'pesky'!
(c) He never nurtured any ill will towards anybody. He went about his work and never had
the time to harbour any negative thoughts about others.
(d) His elephantine memory. He'd a way with people and their names. Once having established a relationship, he nurtured it
(e) His kindness. I've been the most fortunate recipient of his unrestricted love and affection.
(f) Spotless integrity. He was neither interested in pelf nor money and led a spartan life. He
was quite happy with his meagre pension and believed that he should not take additional
remuneration because his work was purely social service.
(h) Maintained a meticulous diary. Just proves that his life was an open book and he'd nothing
to hide. He lived his life the way he'd wanted.
(j) Disarming simplicity. He lived a simple life with minimal wants.
Remembering my Muthachan with love, affection, tears and prayers.
Tailpiece.
This was the first Reading Day function that I'd viewed and monitored from home because of the requirements of Lekha's medical management. The function at the University Senate Hall, Thiruvananthapuram was simple yet grand, presided by Sri PJ Kurien, because the chief minister could not make it due to some last minute reasons. The Malayalam movie superstar, Mammootty, delivered the message on the occasion of the 'Vayana Dinam'. He didn't hesitate to point out to the Education Minister's - an amiable and likeable gentleman otherwise, but bound by political requirements - reluctance to light the traditional lamp on the stage saying that the religion wasn't against it and joined the others in the ceremony.
Kudos to you, Mammootty, for your stand. It definitely sends the right message to the young children and the people of Kerala on the occasion, from the Foundation's platform!
No comments:
Post a Comment