Palakkad district(2).

Had got up around a quarter past 6, went about my chores and was ready well in time. Though Ramanand sir had said that he'd arrive by a half past 7 he came late and that eased out the pressure on us to get ready! The Collector - who was the chief guest - was delayed and that had a cascading effect on the commencement of the morning's programme.

The breakfast of dosas, chutney, sambar, chilly chutney and coffee within the small homely environment was nice. The programme hit off well with the students and a good crowd that formed the audience, despite the hot sun. And immediately, after the function, disaster struck when - to my utter horror - I found that I'd misplaced maman's wallet which he'd given me for safekeeping. Frantic searches were carried out within the vehicle that we'd travelled in, within the panchayat office and even in the hotel, where we'd gone in the morning!

It was when our car was being driven on to the road that a police woman had pointed out to the wallet on the car's roof. And then the moment, that I'd placed it atop, came back to my mind all too vividly!

The panchayats that we'd our trysts with today, were:-  

    (a) Kannadi.

    (b) Puthuppariyaaram.

    (c) Karimba.

    (d) Thachampaara and 

    (e) Kumaramputhur.

Today's outing saw fairly good crowds in all the panchayats and the interactions were productive. Ramanand sir - our district co-ordinator - had done his homework well. The team was put up in the PWD Rest house, while we finally ended up staying at Hotel Hill View on sir's insistence. 

The irritation in my throat had subsided, on its own, without medication. Hope the improvement persists and I'm glad that I didn't have to take medicines.

Tailpiece.

1. The children's - all girls - band had given a scintillating performance at Puthuppariyaaram. They're honoured for their performance.

2. Mr. Jimmy Mathews - the chairman of one of the standing committees - a functional literacy volunteer of the '80s, gave us an anecdote from his association with PN Panicker. Muthachhan, during one of his visits to Karimba realised that the electric supply was usually erratic in the area owing to a number of reasons. He'd sorted out the vexed problem by giving the panchayat Rs.80/- to buy a petromax flood light! It was a priceless possession for them, those days!!