Adieu sir!

Shri Oommen Chandy, our former chief minister passed into the mist of time this morning around a 23' past 4, in a hospital at Bangalore. It was very sad news. He was very respectful and extremely fond of my Muthachchan as he'd encouraged and invited the young politician - during his stint in the KSU - to a few of his meetings. The thought behind Muthachchan's action was that when the youngster spoke to the people, they would accept his ideas and suggestions! 

Must tell you about this incident. Sometime in the late '70s or early '80s, he'd just been made the Home Minister. He was to arrive at the Government Guest House in Kottayam sometime after midnight.

Meanwhile, my grandfather had fetched up there and had requested for a room. He was running fever too. The manager knew him well and had offered the VVIP room with a caution that he'd be woken up when the Home Minister came. However, when the HM did come, my grandfather was fast asleep and a very sorry manager told the entire story to Oommen Chandy.

To which he'd replied, this room is meant for people like PN Panicker and saying that, he used a side room to spruce up and then, continued on his journey!

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When Muthachchan's body was lying in state at the VJT Hall, Oommen Chandy sat beside the body and remained in that position for a long time.

When asked, his reply was he was sharing the grief with the family!

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And what did we, depraved and wretched Malayalees, give him back? The entire state waited with bated breath for the CD, which supposedly had the lurid contents of the ex-CM with solar-Saritha, to arrive from Coimbatore.

It was a fraud perpetuated by the the present CM and his party. They were rattled by the tremendous popularity and coverage, even in the international media, about his mass contact meetings with the common man!

Adieu sir! My tears, salute and prayers. We shall miss you always.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle earlier than usual because I didn't want Aniyan to get delayed because of me. Gave him his morning cuppa tea. The chores and we were ready well in time.

Had breakfast at the Animation Centre - Sister Merlin, Jessy and Sofia had done the needful.

Left for Guruvayur after 12 on a low-floor a/c bus and reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter to10.