Had got up at 6, said my prayers and went through the chores. We're ready in time but the hot water system had failed and Maman had to, finally, wait for the bucket of hot water brought in by the steward. It had got delayed as they're trying their level best to get the system back in shape but unfortunately, it just wouldn't relent.
We're at the Thamarasserry panchayat office by 9 and were privy to a scrumptious breakfast. The function started soon after and it was attended by a reasonable crowd despite the twin reasons of the Panchayat Day celebrations and the ongoing private bus strike. The interaction was nice, the crowd was vibrant and the policemen were thrilled to put up their street play, lapped up by the audience.
The panchayats with which we'd our trysts today, were:-
(a) Thamarasserry.
(b) Balusserry and
(c) Chengottukavu.
Thamarasserry panchayat is the border post of Kozhikode district before entering the district of Wayanad. We're impressed by the manner in which they'd looked after us and how the leadership had taken pains to organise the function. We left by a half past 11 to the next panchayat viz. Balusserry but were disappointed with the preparations on the ground. The excuse that they gave was that they'd seen the orders, regarding the yatra, very late. This was an oft repeated alibi given by the panchayats who've been unable to rustle up reasonable crowds and we'd to, patiently, explain to them about their inhouse digitised system, the gist of which, I reproduce below:-
(a) All panchayats are now linked by computers and also to the concerned ministry's portal.
(b) All mail is sent to this portal which is supposed to be downloaded by a 'technical assistant'
appointed in each and every panchayat, for the purpose.
(c) It's the technical assistant's job to show the mail to the panchayat leadership well in time to
initiate necessary action.
It's this link that has invariably let down the system because the orders regarding the yatra were
disseminated by the ministry, the directorate of panchayats and the PN Panicker Foundation, followed with telephone calls to confirm receipt sometime in the middle of January. We just need to get into the habit of browsing our mail everyday, perhaps twice, once in the morning and the second in the evening!
We've the right to tell this to everyone because it's digital literacy that we're batting for, through the yatra. The panchayat gave us an excellent lunch and we'd a very satisfying interaction with an active audience within the meeting hall of the panchayat(Earlier, they'd planned the function at the bus stand and it was we who wanted a change of venue because of the scorching afternoon heat and the interaction was to explain to the members of the panchayat as to how they're to go about achieving digital literacy as per the new scheme).
The third and the last panchayat was 'Chengottukavu' and boy, the function was a great hit with a large and interactive audience, keen leadership and the colourful reception that was given to us with ladies holding colourful, ceremonial umbrellas. The street play was also enacted and the vibrancy of the panchayat was evident, all through!
We reached the PWD Rest House at Vadakara, our night halt by a half past 8. Dinner was brought in, packed, from the Chengottukavu panchayat. We went through our evening chores, as usual.
Tailpiece.
1. None of the plug points were working in the VIP Room that was given to us. Consequently, I'm sitting near Mary's - an elderly lady who has recovered from paralysis and is in charge of the Rest House - room, right now, punching away my thoughts on my keyboard!
2. At Chengottukavu, I'd a Malabari delicacy, 'Elanchi' and simply loved it.
We're at the Thamarasserry panchayat office by 9 and were privy to a scrumptious breakfast. The function started soon after and it was attended by a reasonable crowd despite the twin reasons of the Panchayat Day celebrations and the ongoing private bus strike. The interaction was nice, the crowd was vibrant and the policemen were thrilled to put up their street play, lapped up by the audience.
The panchayats with which we'd our trysts today, were:-
(a) Thamarasserry.
(b) Balusserry and
(c) Chengottukavu.
Thamarasserry panchayat is the border post of Kozhikode district before entering the district of Wayanad. We're impressed by the manner in which they'd looked after us and how the leadership had taken pains to organise the function. We left by a half past 11 to the next panchayat viz. Balusserry but were disappointed with the preparations on the ground. The excuse that they gave was that they'd seen the orders, regarding the yatra, very late. This was an oft repeated alibi given by the panchayats who've been unable to rustle up reasonable crowds and we'd to, patiently, explain to them about their inhouse digitised system, the gist of which, I reproduce below:-
(a) All panchayats are now linked by computers and also to the concerned ministry's portal.
(b) All mail is sent to this portal which is supposed to be downloaded by a 'technical assistant'
appointed in each and every panchayat, for the purpose.
(c) It's the technical assistant's job to show the mail to the panchayat leadership well in time to
initiate necessary action.
It's this link that has invariably let down the system because the orders regarding the yatra were
disseminated by the ministry, the directorate of panchayats and the PN Panicker Foundation, followed with telephone calls to confirm receipt sometime in the middle of January. We just need to get into the habit of browsing our mail everyday, perhaps twice, once in the morning and the second in the evening!
We've the right to tell this to everyone because it's digital literacy that we're batting for, through the yatra. The panchayat gave us an excellent lunch and we'd a very satisfying interaction with an active audience within the meeting hall of the panchayat(Earlier, they'd planned the function at the bus stand and it was we who wanted a change of venue because of the scorching afternoon heat and the interaction was to explain to the members of the panchayat as to how they're to go about achieving digital literacy as per the new scheme).
The third and the last panchayat was 'Chengottukavu' and boy, the function was a great hit with a large and interactive audience, keen leadership and the colourful reception that was given to us with ladies holding colourful, ceremonial umbrellas. The street play was also enacted and the vibrancy of the panchayat was evident, all through!
We reached the PWD Rest House at Vadakara, our night halt by a half past 8. Dinner was brought in, packed, from the Chengottukavu panchayat. We went through our evening chores, as usual.
Tailpiece.
1. None of the plug points were working in the VIP Room that was given to us. Consequently, I'm sitting near Mary's - an elderly lady who has recovered from paralysis and is in charge of the Rest House - room, right now, punching away my thoughts on my keyboard!
2. At Chengottukavu, I'd a Malabari delicacy, 'Elanchi' and simply loved it.
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