A blast from the past!

The last train of the day has left the platform. An old woman is sitting without having the idea that the next train will be at tomorrow morning....a coolie noticed that and asked the old lady, "Mai, where are you going?" 

I will go to Delhi to my son.

"There is no train today, Maiji".

The woman looked helpless. The coolie was kind enough to offer a shelter for the woman in the waiting room. She agreed.

The coolie asked her about her son. The mother replied that her son works in the railway.

"Tell me the name. See if contact is possible", the coolie said. 

"He is my Lal, everyone calls him Lal Bahadur Shastri', the mother replied.

The son was then the union minister for Railways.

In a moment, the whole station was in a frenzy. Soon the saloon car came. The old woman was surprised. All arrangements were made by the Indian Railways.

After meeting her son, she asked, "Beta tu rail me kya kaam karta? Yeh log poochha to maine kuch nahin bol paaya".

Son said, "Chhotisi kaam Ma!"

My take

What does one say about the man's humility?

Tailpiece.

Got up at an 11' past 5, recited my prayers partially and sent the morning messages. Was ready by 9.

Lekha returned to The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 11.

A quiet day at the Foundation; lunch opposite Congress Office near the RBI.

'Sarga Saayaahnam' was about Biographies by Adv AK Suresh. Jeevan TV covered the proceedings and and took bytes from me! 

It's the 15th day of the Vaayana Maasaacharanam.

 

The new criminal laws.

India is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its legal framework with the introduction of three new criminal laws, slated to replace outdated colonial-era statutes and has come into effect wef 01 Jul. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last December, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively.

Salient Aspects

* Innovative Legal Procedures. Features like Zero FIR allow complaints filed at any police station, 

   streamlining the initiation of legal action.

* Technological Advancements. Online police complaints and electronic summons service aim to

   reduce paperwork and enhance communication.

* Swift Judicial Processes. Strict timelines for delivering trial judgments within 45 days and framing 

   charges within 60 days emphasise timely justice delivery.

* Protection for Vulnerable Groups. Special provisions for crimes against women and children, 

   ensuring sensitive handling and expedited medical examinations.

 

* Expanded Offences. Definition updates include emerging crimes such as false promise of marriage

   and gang rape of minors, alongside a comprehensive definition of terrorism.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle late, the chores and was ready by 9.

Off to the Foundation and from there, to Neyyattinkara Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) along with Raviyettan, Maman, Chambu and Bijumon sir.

Was one of the speakers. Spoke about the 'cinema maasika' and the 'Aandithalla' episodes.

A scrumptious lunch and made friends with Faisal Khan, the MD.

The 'sarga saayaahnam' was about "Theyyam and its relevance to society" by Santha Thulasidharan.

Bought toiletries during the return.  

  

Significance of morning/evening What'sApp messages.

One of the houses I deliver newspaper had its mailbox blocked, so I knocked on the door. 

Mr David, an elderly man with unsteady steps, slowly opened the door. 

I asked, "Sir, why is your mailbox blocked?"

He replied, "I blocked on purpose".

He smiled and continued, "I want you to deliver the newspaper to me everyday...Please knock the door or ring the bell and hand it to me in person".

I was puzzled and replied, "Sure, but that seems inconvenience for both of us and a waste of time".

He said, "It's all right....I'll pay you extra each month as Knocking Fee".

With a pleading expression, he added, "If there ever comes a day when you knock on the door and find no response, please call the police!"

I was shocked and asked, "Why sir?"

He replied, "My wife passed away, my son is abroad and I live here all alone, who knows when my time will come?"

At that moment, I saw the old man's misty, moist eyes.

He further said, "I never read the newspaper.....I subscribe it to hear the sound of knocking or doorbell ringing. To see a familiar face and exchange a few pleasantries!"

He clasped his hands and said, "Young man, please do me a favour! Here's my son's overseas number. If one day you knock on the door and I don't answer, please call my son to inform him...."

After reading this, I realised there are so many solitary, lonely, elderly people among our circle of friends.

Sometimes, you might wonder why they, in their old age, still send messages on WhatsApp, just like days they were still working.

Actually, the significance of these morning and evening greetings is similar to the meaning of knocking or ringing the doorbell; it is a way of wishing each other safety and conveying care. One day, if you don't receive their morning greetings or shared articles, they might be unwell or something may have happened to them. 

Tailpiece.

Got up leisurely at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Maman, ammayi and Chambu left for the Sree Chithira Thirunal Hospital for Maman's medical review. Rajan came a trifle later and dropped me at the Foundation.

Maman and the others returned by lunchtime; they'd bought packed lunch enroute and we'd a scrumptious lunch.

This evening, at the 'Akshara Guru' sannidhi, it was Jessinda Morris - poet, novelist, actress - who kept us regaled with her expenses. I summed up the evening and found quite a few things to pass on.

Today's Vaayana Maasaacharanam (13th day).