The problem needs to be tackled....

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day. Ascertained from Salini that Chittamma and gang had reached back at Kunninpuram by a half past 1, last night.

The nurse, followed by the maid, had dropped by, in succession, to do their respective work. 

Called up Roy, the plumber, to have the defect on our water motor's inlet pipe rectified.

Bath, followed by fruits and lassi for stand easy.

Sat down and finished up my mail for the month of March, by lunchtime.

Lunch and siesta.

Followed up by rectifying the mistakes I'd made in forwarding the mail.

A quiet evening.

Roy gave me the ditch and the defect on the motor continues to remain!

My relatives drop by.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day. The nurse came by earlier than normal to administer the insulin.

The maid was given a day off by Lekha as the temple, near her house, was celebrating its annual festivities.

Fruits and lassi at stand easy time.

A scrumptious lunch by Lekha. We also saw Rajnikant's 'Jailer' on television. It was watchable! Followed it up with Tovino's 'Anveshippin kandethum'.

Siesta. 

A boisterous evening. Omanakkuttan, Aniyan and Ambili had dropped by. The former two had come by to attend a wedding out here.

Leela chittamma, Salini, Vivek and Lakshmi had dropped by. They were late!

Tailpiece.

Met all of them with masks on.

A sizzling Saturday!

Lekha and I had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and had opened up the house for the day. The nurse had come by at her usual time and administered the first dose of insulin.

A scrumptious breakfast, followed by bath and grooming. The maid was at work.

Went through my mail for the month and added up the essentials and worked on my laptop.

A short nap before lunch.

Rajish has gone back, reports Aniyan.

Tailpiece.

Depressing news about the devastation brought in by the quake in Myanmar and Bangkok. India's relief work, codenamed 'Operation Brahma', has commenced. IAF aircraft land in Mayanmar with food, medicines and relief material. The Disaster Relief team has also been positioned. 

To Kochi and back.

Our day had begun, this morning, at 4. Lekha had quickly gone about her chores and we were ready by much before 6. Sajish, our chauffeur for the day, came at 6 and we kicked off at 10' past 6.

We'd our breakfast at Elayathu near Mathilakam. Both of us had idlis and sambar.

We reached Padmanabha Shenoy's Care at a half past 9. Lekha was dropped there for her review while Sajish took me to Satish Bhat's clinic at Panampilli Nagar by a quarter to 10. Went about my review and after the present pens of insulin - both Fiasp and Tresiba - get over, I shall be on oral medicines as advised by him.

He has also asked me to consult a Gastroenterologist to check my liver.

Captain Murali Nair had come by to meet me, we talked for a while and he handed over to me our new canteen smart cards. After my medical was over, we returned to Shenoy Care to pick up Lekha after her review. we'd lunch at the Aryaa's at the end of that service road.

We, then, went across to the Titan showroom on the broad way to hand over Lekha's watch. Hope to get a suitable action from them.

We commenced our return to Guruvayur and were back at Guruvayur by 1700 hrs.

The nurse came by to administer the 7 o'clock insulin.

Tailpiece.

It was a nice, short trip.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Limbering up for tomorrow.

Got up at our usual time and Lekha and I opened up the house for the day.

The Rajah medical team came in - first time - by a quarter to 7, to draw my blood for the 'fasting blood sugar'. Ajitha came in soon after to administer the first dose of insulin for the day. Went thro' the chores and was ready for the second visit of the team (around a quarter to 10) to draw my blood for the 'post prandial blood sugar'.

The results were 90/176. Bina and Nithya, Gifty and Renu did their jobs well!

Renjoo, the PCI rep, had dropped by to carry out the quarterly servicing of the house.

Lunch after the afternoon dose of insulin. Sajish - he's gonna be our chauffeur for tomorrow - came by around 2, took our Chevy to the Rajah petrol pump to top it up with fuel and check tyre pressure. He'd washed it down thoroughly and the Chevy has attained its original gleam!

After siesta, we'd got all the relevant papers ready for tomorrow's visit to the doctors - Lekha, to Padmanabha Shenoy for her quarterly medical review and me to Satish Bhat - to see as to whether I could be taken off insulin and put on oral medicines instead.

Will be meeting Captain Murali Nair, to collect our new 'Canteen smart cards'.

Should be back by late afternoon. Also hope to h/o Lekha's watch to the Titan showroom.

An active day.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we'd opened up the house for the day by a quarter past 6. The nurse had come by soon after and administered the morning round of insulin. A sumptuous breakfast from Lekha after the mandatory half an hour break!

Helped Lekha through her grooming and had my bath, subsequently. Fruits and lassi at 10, followed by light reading and working on my laptop.

A very short nap before my second insulin, followed by lunch.

Watched Crime Patrol and a light siesta.

The evening was quiet.

The tapping of our rubber trees is gonna start from tomorrow: Rajan, the tapper, has initiated the work today. Manure has been put and the trees have been readied with the rubber-milk-collection put in place. Sent him his dues in advance.

A quiet evening thereafter!

Remembering Sanil.

Today's Sanil's first Remembrance Day by the Malayalam calendar. One year has passed away so quickly since his passing away due to a liver ailment.

His only daughter, Ammu, is away in San Francisco on work. The day's ceremony was carried out in a temple nearby where Mini, Rema and Padmakumar had attended. Lekha and I were the only close family that had stayed back because of my medical condition, post surgery.

Lekha and I'd got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and carried out our day's affairs.

The maid was at work and the nurse made her visits, as were required.

Lekha went over to Kent Clinic, at Kunnamkulam, to get her ear checked up at a half past 3. Sukesan had come by with his autorickshaw. She had returned satisfied and after doing sundry purchases.

A quiet evening thereafter.

  

My sisters at Ayur.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and we went about our morning work accordingly. The nurse came at her appointed hour, administered the medical nailing and returned.

A good breakfast and after a break, worked on my laptop. A session of fruits and lassi, consequently.

Fixed up with the Rubber co-operative and the proposed tapper and plans were put in place to commence the sale of the rubber milk to the co-operative from Thursday.

Rema and Padmakumar are spending the night at Mini’s house to be part of the puja in connection with Sanil’s 1st Remembrance Day, tomorrow as per the Malayalam calendar. 

Time has really flown!

A quiet Sunday.

Got up at our usual time and we had the house, thrumming with action as usual.

Mini had gone, along with Mithun, to Thiruvananthapuram for her medical review. The doctor is satisfied with her progress.

The nurse came by and administered the insulins at the times laid down.

The maid was at work.

A quiet Sunday otherwise. 

Actions taken.

Got up at our usual time, the chores, the lamp was lit in the puja room and the devotional music was switched on.

The sister came by a trifle after 7, administered the insulin and went away. Breakfast and bath followed; had my stand easy of fruits and lassi.

Ramesan, the gardener and his assistant carried out the remainder of the monthly work. The maid did her job and Lekha’s friend, Seena came by, post-lunch, for grooming.

Spoke to Dr Mallan regarding Lekha’s dental treatment. He’ll give me a call after fixing up the necessary things.

She will also meet Dr Rani Menon on Tuesday.

Her medical review with Dr Padmanabha Shenoy is scheduled for the 28th.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Going ahead!

Got up at our usual time, went through the chores and were ready on time.

The biggest news was the way the Supreme Court Collegium transferred a Delhi High Court judge to the Allahabad High Court on supposedly different reasons. It was in this judge's house that unaccounted money (to the tune of 15 crores) was found by the fire service people when they'd gone in to douse a fire! And the top court says that the transfer has nothing to do with the sordid findings!

The insulins were taken for the day and the jobs of the day were carried out.

The maid was at work.

The morning had begun with us wishing Rema, my sister, many happy returns. Came to know that my aunt, Indira kunjamma, also shares the same date of birth with my sister. Wished her many happy returns too!

The day was quite hot!

   

A normal day.

Got up at our usual time, with Lekha lighting the lamp as I switched on the devotional music on the television. The sister had come around a trifle after 7 to administer the insulin.

Sajish had come in by a half past 7 to give me a haircut. Phew, my head felt lighter at the end of it. He’s off on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala early Apr. Lekha gave him a ‘dakshina’.

A quiet day thereafter. Aniyan had called.

A hot Wednesday!

Got up as usual, the chores and Lekha and I were on the same page. Early morning cuppa followed by the usual happenings.

The sister administered the morning insulin and after the mandatory break had breakfast.

The maid had come by, earlier than usual as she had meet her doctor.

Today’s the last day of the Guruvayur temple’s annual festivities.

A quiet evening thereafter!

Got things done.

Got up before 6, opened up the house with Lekha lighting the lamp in the puja room while I switched on the early morning devotional songs on the television. 

It was morning tea followed by the nurse’s visit for the insulin administration. The mandatory breather and my breakfast. Lekha had her’s soon after and then went for her medical review with Dr (Mrs) Sodhi.

My bath followed by the work on the laptop. Attended to a few phone calls and had stand easy of green apple, gooseberry and buttermilk.

A quiet afternoon and siesta.

Earlier the pressman, Selvam had returned from his leave and pressed a sizeable backlog of clothes.

Tailpiece.

Yet to pinpoint the whereabouts of Sangeeta Goil. Meelu is trying to get me the information.

My laptop is back.

The day had begun as usual. Lekha and I had begun the day together.

The nurse had come by, on the dot, to administer the insulin.

Later, spoke to Satish Bhat regarding substituting insulin with medicines and have fixed 24 Mar as the date when we meet. That's when Lekha meets Dr Padmanabha Shenoy for her review.

It was a quiet day.

Pradeep brought my laptop in the afternoon.

Lekha’s sister comes by.

Dateline 15 Mar

Preetha, Lekha’s younger sister, had fetched up from Tirur this evening. This was to facilitate their darshan of Guruvayurappan during the annual temple festivities. The ‘tantric’ is known to the family.

The evening was full of activities and it was yakkitiyak covering all subjects under the sun!

Bruno’s 22nd Remembrance Day.

22 years back, at around a quarter past 6 in the morning Bruno, our pet Doberman, passed into the mist of time. We used to stay at 9/97, Arjan Vihar at Delhi Cantt.

Had taken him for his customary walk in the morning. He was I’ll for the past one week and I used to take him to the vet at the Rashtrapathy Bhavan, to administer medicines.

That morning, I’d set him on the ground, removed his collar and chain and muttered, “Bruno, you can run wherever you want and once you’ve finished, I’ll take you back”. I walked back a few paces from him and pranced around….,.however, he didn’t move an inch, continued with his fixed gaze on me.

Was he laughing at my ignorance about the terrible pain  that was going to befall us by his impending departure from us? 

Since he didn’t show any inclination to move, I’d taken him in my arms and went up the stairs and somewhere in between, there was a tug and his face that was looking at me - all the while - just went slack and rolled down lifelessly against my body.

Lekha and Maman were sad.

Epilogue.

He was buried, behind the block, with us in attendance at around a half past 10. Bunty and Babli helped us to plant floral and fruit-bearing trees at that time.

Tailpiece.

Remembered him and his delightful capers. The pain of his departure continues to dwell deep within us, even today. 

Adieu Group Captain Deepak Verma!

Dateline 14 Mar

Deepak Verma, three courses senior to me and my Squadron mate in the NDA was wheeled into the cardiac OT, of the Army Hospital - R&R, New Delhi -for an open heart bypass surgery yesterday morning. Post surgery, there were complications leading to organ failure and he passed into the mist of time, soon after.

A thorough gentleman and a genial senior, I remember him to be a helpful guy.

Adieu sir! My salute, tears and prayers. Here’s wishing your family the strength to tide over these trying times.

A welcome drizzle!

Dateline 13 Mar

It was a sizzling Lt hot day. Sometime toward noon, it drizzled rather heavily bringing about he much needed respite from the heat. Consequently, the night was quite cold.

Our Labernum has bloomed again!!

The Labernum at our courtyard has bloomed yet again. Last year it hadn’t flowered and on 25 Apr 2024, we lost Sanil due to his liver ailment. This time, therefore, we were wondering as to why it hadn’t shown signs of flowering. This morning, Lekha and the maid had seen quite a few clusters of the golden yellow flowers dotting the tree!

Got up at our usual time, went down to be with Lekha and in the process, had tea and took in the morning insulin injection.

Lekha had an early bath and did our Wednesday morning aa'rathi of the house. Breakfast at my usual time.

I was given my bath and the morning break's fruits and lassi.

Paid the KWA's water bill for the month.

RK Singh followed by Aniyan had called. Usha ammayi has gone to Thirupathi temple for darshan. She has shorned off her hair!

Afternoon lunch with a dash of Guruvayur temple's 'annual festivities' prasaadam' which was relished. Our gardener, Ramesan had brought it for us. Damn sweet of  him!

Tailpiece.

The evening drizzle brought the temperatures down, albeit for a short while.

A few jobs done.

Got up at our usual times, the chores and we began another new day. Lekha took a tumble in her room and thankfully there were no problems.

She met Dr (Mrs) Sodhi for her review. She has been provided with medicines for another five days.

Judiciously used the a/cs of the upper and the lower floors. Skipped the siesta to watch the Crime Patrol; Lekha had a good snooze instead.

After tea, Lekha had gone across to our ration stand to collect our dues for the month.

Wrote a post to Dr Mallan regarding our next meeting.

A quiet evening.

Ramachandrettan had called to know about my medical condition.

Tailpiece.

The caretaker has tied up with the local well-washers to wash down our well and tank at Raj Nivas. Another hot day!

The beginning of a new week.

Had got up at 6, the chores and similarly was Lekha as the house came alive with the morning sounds.

 

The nurse came at the appointed time, administered the insulin and left.

Had my breakfast at 8. Lekha had given me my bath at 9.

Ramesh, the gardener, had cleared the dried up palm and replaced it with a new plant that looks cute. The balcony looks good now. Told the maid that such callousness of not caring for the plants was unacceptable and I've slapped a fine on her to ensure that such mistakes never recur.

Roy, the electrician had come by to work on the inverter. Only hope that the error is on the change over switch!

The days continue to be warm and sizzling!

Spoke to Maman and Shekhar, who's planning to visit Guruvayur, on 07 May, to attend a friend's wedding.  

Tailpiece.

By 1930 hrs, Roy and his assistant, Vivek had installed the new inverter.

 

A quiet but warm Sunday!

Got up as usual, with Lekha opening up the ground floor while I did the first. Watched the musical program Rangoli after a long time.

Breakfast was by 8 and Lekha had given me my bath at 9. The surgical wound is healing slowly and steadily.

Gopi chittappan and gang didn't fetch up as they didn't want to 'give' us infection!

Lekha's cough has reduced in intensity but her voice has got subdued. She'll have to meet Dr (Mrs) Sodhi tomorrow, for review.

Tailpiece.

Paid the first instalment to the nurse.

Another quiet day!

The day began as usual; with me switching on the hymns at the top while Lekha started up her activities down below.

The nurse and the maid hade dropped by to do their work.

Our neighbours sent us a basket of apples.

Calls from the Banjos, Gopi chittappan-Jayanthi kunjamma and Rajasekharan-Indira.

A quiet Saturday! 

A hot day!

Today was an extremely hot day.

Got up at 6, the chores and switched on the devotional songs on television while Lekha had lit the lamp at the puja room. The nurse came a trifle late to administer the insulin. A walk on the courtyard after breakfast.

The interim maid had come to work. What I felt bad was that one of the potted plants at our balcony has dried up and withered away. Lack of proper attention and no water had caused its destruction. I hate this sort of callousness.

Had the windows closed around afternoon as hot air was coming in. And definitely, things got to be better.   

A quiet day!

Got up at my usual time but decided to turn off to sleep for some more time and that made me get up late. 

Ajitha came in earlier than usual and administered the morning dosage of insulin. Lekha met Dr (Mrs) Sodhi for her cough.

The maid was at work.

Roy, the electrician, fixed our inverter and he'd come in before lunch.

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Got up at my usual time, the chores and was ready well in time. 

Kannan arrived at 1200 hrs and we'd set off for Guruvayur half an hour later. The journey was smooth; all the problems about the rear tyre being distorted was dispelled without doubt.

We reached Guruvayur by about 1600 hrs; Lekha had gone around to the bank, then to the Harisree supermarket for purchases and to the fruit shop at the western entrance of the temple.

Reached The Quarterdeck and Kannan helped us to put our things into their appropriate places.

Ajitha, a nurse, had come by 1930 hrs to administer insulin at a half past 7. So, that thing has been settled!

Lekha had provided a multi-dimensional dinner and it was yummy!

Tailpiece.

Nice to be back home. For the last month, Padmakumar and Rema looked after us damn well. God bless them!

   

The review.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and the four of us set off for the Amrita Hospital, by an Uber taxi, by a half past 7. It was on reaching the ECHS extension at the Attrium that I realised my faux pas - had not collected a new 'referral' from our polyclinic at Kunnamkulam.

Without wasting time, I decided to avail of the facility as an out patient and shelled out the expenses.

 

Went through a battery of blood tests, ECG, Echo and X-Ray before going across to the Endocrinology department regarding the rationalisation of my insulin intake.

 

Rema had administered me the lunchtime insulin before lunch.

 

Met Dr Rajesh Jose, who was happy to see my progress. The binder around the chest and the crepe bandage have been given the go by.

 

Returned by teatime.

 

 

Tailpiece.

 

Fixed up for returning to Guruvayur tomorrow. Kannan would reach around lunchtime to drive our Chevy back. Hope things go well, without hassles!   

Another quiet day!

Dateline 03 Mar. 

Got up at my usual time, the chores. Rema took my sugar readings and I, then, went for my customary 

walk on the balcony. On Lekha's egging, the exercises were pursued before having my breakfast.

 

Rema has been very diligently preparing food for me with care. Padmakumar has been carefully observant about how I slept during the course of the evening. 

 

Calls from many places regarding my health. Felt nice.

 

 

Tailpiece.

 

Four weeks have elapsed since my admission followed by surgery! Phew, time really flies. Thankfully, no hassles at all, thus far.

Limbering up for the review.

Getting ready for the medical review on the 4th. Hope all restrictions are removed then.

 

Monish brought in our car by about 11.

 

Lekha had taken an online advice from Dr Hareendrababu for her left eye. Hope it's nothing serious.

 

 

Tailpiece.

 

Our maid has been given appropriate instructions by Lekha, regarding our return.

The Social Worker's Day.

Today is the Ides of March!

 

Today is also the 116th birth anniversary of Shri PN Panicker, the father of the Kerala Library Movement and the architect of Kerala attaining 100% literacy in Apr '91.

 

On 14 Sep 1945, PN Panicker had organised a mammoth meeting at Ambalappuzha with the then Diwan of Travancore, Sir CP Ramaswamy Aiyar, inaugurating the event. 47 rural libraries had joined in the mega event. From then on, PN Panicker with scarce resources but with the goodwill of the people - despite heavy odds against him - kept working on his dream, "a library in every village in his state".

 

The Travancore Library Movement became the 'Thiru-Kochi Library Movement' in 1949 when the two princely states merged together and it further became the 'Kerala Library Movement' (Kerala Grandhasala Sangham) in 1956. 

 

When the Kerala Library Movement was celebrating its silver jubilee in 1970, PN Panicker had single-handedly set up a network of about 5,280 libraries all across the state. He used to travel across every nook and cranny of the state, often subsisting on bananas and tap water, sleeping on shop verandahs through the night!

 

Such was his personal commitment to the cause that he'd chosen!

 

During the silver jubilee celebrations, the common people asked him, "Sir, you've set up so many libraries all across the state but how do we benefit from them when we neither know how to read or write?" 

 

It was then that PN Panicker focused his attention on the Literacy Movement which culminated in his state attaining 100% literacy in Apr 1991.

 

PN Panicker's birth anniversary is celebrated as the ''Social Worker's Day"!    

Tailpiece.

 

The entire family, along with well wishers and friends, had gathered at the foot of Muthachchan's statue at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram to offer floral tributes around a half past 8.