Reading Month (Day 5).

It was a nice program this evening, around a half past 4, at the Sanmaarga Sandaayini Library at Nadutheri, my village in Kollam district. There were three events that were clubbed as per the notice :-

       * Unveiling of PN Panicker’s photograph

       * Presenting mementos to outstanding students 

          who’d performed well in +1, +2 exams

       *  Honouring KG Shaji, the ward member in

           contributing to the upliftment of the library 

Since Shaji’s younger brother had passed away, last night, the third event was struck off for a later day.

I’d unveiled Muthachhan’s photograph to a lot of enthusiastic applause from the audience. Went briefly through the Library and Literacy Movements, that the great man had pioneered. His slogan, “Read and grow, Think and attain wisdom” continues to inspire the people.

Had also touched upon the events leading to the setting up of the “Sanmaarga Sandaayini Library. NK Panicker (my paternal grandfather) getting to know PN Panicker and finally, got his eldest son, KK Nair to marry Chandramathykutty Amma, the eldest daughter of the latter. The couple eventually got married on 16 Jan ‘54, at Guruvayur, blessed by both the families.

Exhorted the award winners to do well through hard work. Rajashree, my niece, was one of the students who were felicitated.

Tailpiece.

We had gone to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi kshetram where Lekha had unknowingly dropped my wallet. On coming to know of the loss, we’d lodged a complaint with the temple authorities - the wallet had my credit card, ATM card and Rs.1,500/-

Lekha’s sister called up her friends at the temple and using the cctv, retrieved the wallet minus the money. Thank god for minor mercies!