Had got up late around 7 despite the fact that sleep, last night, was quite okay compared to what it was over the past few days because of the persistent cough. Went through the chores and was ready much before 8. Breakfast was at the Indian Coffee House and we'd to wait for a while for the rest of the team to fetch up from the Mallappally guest house.
Our first reception point was at Cherianadu but enroute, disaster struck. The Science Exploratory's high roof had got stuck under a railway over bridge because of the sudden dip in the road. Taking over the trouble shooting bit, I'd asked the rest of the team to press on, to be in time for the reception. We'd the bus backed off from the cleft with some deft handling of traffic without causing a pile up and took a circuitous route and reached the Government High School without much loss of time!
Chunakkara Janardanan Nair sir showed his happiness, as always, on seeing me. The proceedings were well organised and soon, we're on our way to the second point. The panchayats that we'd our trysts with today, were:-
(a) Cherianadu.
(b) Karuvaatta.
(c) Purakkad.
(d) Ambalappuzha south and
(d) Punnappra north.
It was while at Ambalappuzha that I came to know of the passing away of Devadattan sir(All of 67 yrs), about two years back. I was reminded of the sentimental speech while welcoming Maman and me during the yatra of '15. He'd thundered that evening that Ambalappuzha was happy to have Chempakakutty Amma chechi's(Mrs. PN Panicker) son and grandson on the stage. A loving and caring gentleman! Rest in peace, sir!! My tears and prayers. Will miss you always.
Prathapan, the Foundation's co-ordinator in Alappuzha, has done his homework well, as usual.
We'd settled down at the government guest house for the evening....after a quick trip to a nearby ATM to pull out some money, dinner at the Motel Araam.
Tailpiece.
My musings about rural Kerala after the first week of travel:-
(a) The road connectivity is good and the quality has also been maintained.
(b) The panchayats have taken their task seriously and the visible effects of their governance
are there for everyone to see on the ground.
(c) The waste management is good; one doesn't see waste by the roadside as it is in the towns.
(d) The ladies are active in their spheres of activities like Anganwadi teachers, Asha workers,
Kudumbasree workers etc.
Our first reception point was at Cherianadu but enroute, disaster struck. The Science Exploratory's high roof had got stuck under a railway over bridge because of the sudden dip in the road. Taking over the trouble shooting bit, I'd asked the rest of the team to press on, to be in time for the reception. We'd the bus backed off from the cleft with some deft handling of traffic without causing a pile up and took a circuitous route and reached the Government High School without much loss of time!
Chunakkara Janardanan Nair sir showed his happiness, as always, on seeing me. The proceedings were well organised and soon, we're on our way to the second point. The panchayats that we'd our trysts with today, were:-
(a) Cherianadu.
(b) Karuvaatta.
(c) Purakkad.
(d) Ambalappuzha south and
(d) Punnappra north.
It was while at Ambalappuzha that I came to know of the passing away of Devadattan sir(All of 67 yrs), about two years back. I was reminded of the sentimental speech while welcoming Maman and me during the yatra of '15. He'd thundered that evening that Ambalappuzha was happy to have Chempakakutty Amma chechi's(Mrs. PN Panicker) son and grandson on the stage. A loving and caring gentleman! Rest in peace, sir!! My tears and prayers. Will miss you always.
Prathapan, the Foundation's co-ordinator in Alappuzha, has done his homework well, as usual.
We'd settled down at the government guest house for the evening....after a quick trip to a nearby ATM to pull out some money, dinner at the Motel Araam.
Tailpiece.
My musings about rural Kerala after the first week of travel:-
(a) The road connectivity is good and the quality has also been maintained.
(b) The panchayats have taken their task seriously and the visible effects of their governance
are there for everyone to see on the ground.
(c) The waste management is good; one doesn't see waste by the roadside as it is in the towns.
(d) The ladies are active in their spheres of activities like Anganwadi teachers, Asha workers,
Kudumbasree workers etc.
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