Had got up at a 10' to 5, sleep seemed hard to come by and I recited my prayers. Drifted back to sleep after the recital. Subsequently, got up at a half past 6 and went about my chores with gusto. Was ready well in time. It was the first of three days in Ernakulam district. Celine Jacob, our co-ordinator, had done sufficient spadework as all the four reception ceremonies were well conducted and well attended.
The panchayats with which we'd a tryst with, today, were:-
(a) Maaraadi.
(b) Paayippra.
(c) Nellikkuzhi and
(d) Okkal.
The interesting aspects of today's functions were the following:-
(a) The audiences were enthusiastic and interactive.
(b) Everywhere, the 'chendamelam' by youngsters was in attendance.
Celine Jacob had done her homework and it was clear that she'd interacted with each and every panchayat to bring about a well orchestrated function at each of the venues! Kudos to her!!
At Okkal, a shopkeeper was irritated that our Science Exploratory was parked in front of his shop. This evening, we'd carried out a stump-speech-sort-of-interaction atop the rear platform of the vehicle. It looked out of the way, savvy and aroused interest among the onlookers and within minutes a large crowd had formed around to take part in the proceedings.
Our night halt was at the YMCA, on the bank of the river Periyar and I was transported in time by 48 years.
"I was a student of class X in Sainik School, Kazhakootam in '70. Our class was on an educational tour in April and ten of us were supposed to scale the Anamudi, the highest peak in the region on the completion of the tour. After three days of visits to the various industrial complexes/units of Aluva and Ernakulam, the 10 of us were poised to leave for Anamudi while the rest were going back to their homes on vacation.
That particular morning, I and TD Gopinath(Roll No.397) had walked down the steps of the bathing ghat to have our bath in the river. When I'd finished with my bath, I'd called out to Gopinath who said that he'd take some more time as a few others had also joined.
That was my last sight of him. His body was retrieved from the river, 24 hours later".
Tailpiece.
1. The old buildings have long since been demolished and new ones have come in their place. The river continues to flow as robust as ever as though nothing had happened! For me, it was an evening of reflection and a poignant moment. Gopinath, I did think of you as the images came in clear and fast.
2. Today's rain fell around a half past 6 and by half an hour, it had ceased unlike what it was yesterday when it rained all through the afternoon and early evening.
3. Two of the sick vehicles viz. Kudumbashree and Book Mark had rejoined us in the evening. The police vehicle should join us by 10 'o clock tomorrow. Our car has been admitted and we've a rent-a-car instead.
The panchayats with which we'd a tryst with, today, were:-
(a) Maaraadi.
(b) Paayippra.
(c) Nellikkuzhi and
(d) Okkal.
The interesting aspects of today's functions were the following:-
(a) The audiences were enthusiastic and interactive.
(b) Everywhere, the 'chendamelam' by youngsters was in attendance.
Celine Jacob had done her homework and it was clear that she'd interacted with each and every panchayat to bring about a well orchestrated function at each of the venues! Kudos to her!!
At Okkal, a shopkeeper was irritated that our Science Exploratory was parked in front of his shop. This evening, we'd carried out a stump-speech-sort-of-interaction atop the rear platform of the vehicle. It looked out of the way, savvy and aroused interest among the onlookers and within minutes a large crowd had formed around to take part in the proceedings.
Our night halt was at the YMCA, on the bank of the river Periyar and I was transported in time by 48 years.
"I was a student of class X in Sainik School, Kazhakootam in '70. Our class was on an educational tour in April and ten of us were supposed to scale the Anamudi, the highest peak in the region on the completion of the tour. After three days of visits to the various industrial complexes/units of Aluva and Ernakulam, the 10 of us were poised to leave for Anamudi while the rest were going back to their homes on vacation.
That particular morning, I and TD Gopinath(Roll No.397) had walked down the steps of the bathing ghat to have our bath in the river. When I'd finished with my bath, I'd called out to Gopinath who said that he'd take some more time as a few others had also joined.
That was my last sight of him. His body was retrieved from the river, 24 hours later".
Tailpiece.
1. The old buildings have long since been demolished and new ones have come in their place. The river continues to flow as robust as ever as though nothing had happened! For me, it was an evening of reflection and a poignant moment. Gopinath, I did think of you as the images came in clear and fast.
2. Today's rain fell around a half past 6 and by half an hour, it had ceased unlike what it was yesterday when it rained all through the afternoon and early evening.
3. Two of the sick vehicles viz. Kudumbashree and Book Mark had rejoined us in the evening. The police vehicle should join us by 10 'o clock tomorrow. Our car has been admitted and we've a rent-a-car instead.
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