Actually, it was my Maman who'd called up around 12 to give me the sad news that CG Vasudevan Nair, the Library activist and Gandhian, had passed into the mist of time. He was all of 84 yrs. CG chettan - as I called him - notwithstanding all his official titles, was an ardent admirer and follower of the legendary PN Panicker. He used to follow him like a shadow to ensure his well being while he was actively guiding the Kerala Library Movement.
He was hesitant to leave him on getting a government job at the statistics department but it was his mentor who helped him come out of this dilemma. He recalled his words, "Vasukutta, it's very difficult to get a government job these days. Since you've got one on your own merit, you must take up the job and you've the option of joining me and the library activities as and when you find time". It was this advice that guided his actions subsequently and on retirement, he became a full time library activist, once again, to be with his beloved PN Panicker sir.
I'd met him last on 07 Jan, this year, at the Kottayam Public Library during a public meeting and on completion, we'd gone to PN Panicker's ancestral 'Puthuvayil Veedu' for assessing the quantum of work for its refurbishing while handing over the task to Ranjit, a civil engineer with a 'vaastu' background. He spoke about his medical condition wherein his haemoglobin count was hovering around 7 and the consequent weakness that he was suffering from but that did not deter him from travelling all the way from Kottayam to Neelamperoor and back, with us, travelling by foot at certain places. He was very voluble about his association with my grandfather and gave me most of the details during that ride. Was he, then, aware that we'd never meet again, I wonder?
I'd always been amazed by his tremendous zeal, enthusiasm and stamina when he embarked on any activity that had the PN Panicker legacy. He seemed to acquire super human powers to undertake the task, such was his loyalty to the great man. That day, he'd ensured that lunch was served to each one of us in his cabin at the Kottayam Public Library and seemed to take tremendous satisfaction in taking care of Maman, Aniyan and me.
Kottayam will never be the same for me, CG chetta because every time I'd visited the town, I looked forward to being with you and bask in your kindness. That's a luxury that I will be denied from now on!
He was the first recipient of the PN Panicker award given by the state library council.
RIP, CG chetta. My tears, prayers and a salute to your simplicity. May god give Chinmayidevi chechi and her children the strength to tide over these stressful times.
Tailpiece.
Aniyan and family left by the early morning train, back to Kottayam. Anto was the 'saarthi'.
He was hesitant to leave him on getting a government job at the statistics department but it was his mentor who helped him come out of this dilemma. He recalled his words, "Vasukutta, it's very difficult to get a government job these days. Since you've got one on your own merit, you must take up the job and you've the option of joining me and the library activities as and when you find time". It was this advice that guided his actions subsequently and on retirement, he became a full time library activist, once again, to be with his beloved PN Panicker sir.
I'd met him last on 07 Jan, this year, at the Kottayam Public Library during a public meeting and on completion, we'd gone to PN Panicker's ancestral 'Puthuvayil Veedu' for assessing the quantum of work for its refurbishing while handing over the task to Ranjit, a civil engineer with a 'vaastu' background. He spoke about his medical condition wherein his haemoglobin count was hovering around 7 and the consequent weakness that he was suffering from but that did not deter him from travelling all the way from Kottayam to Neelamperoor and back, with us, travelling by foot at certain places. He was very voluble about his association with my grandfather and gave me most of the details during that ride. Was he, then, aware that we'd never meet again, I wonder?
I'd always been amazed by his tremendous zeal, enthusiasm and stamina when he embarked on any activity that had the PN Panicker legacy. He seemed to acquire super human powers to undertake the task, such was his loyalty to the great man. That day, he'd ensured that lunch was served to each one of us in his cabin at the Kottayam Public Library and seemed to take tremendous satisfaction in taking care of Maman, Aniyan and me.
Kottayam will never be the same for me, CG chetta because every time I'd visited the town, I looked forward to being with you and bask in your kindness. That's a luxury that I will be denied from now on!
He was the first recipient of the PN Panicker award given by the state library council.
RIP, CG chetta. My tears, prayers and a salute to your simplicity. May god give Chinmayidevi chechi and her children the strength to tide over these stressful times.
Tailpiece.
Aniyan and family left by the early morning train, back to Kottayam. Anto was the 'saarthi'.
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