Something to ponder upon!

I cried after reading this.

* One day your parents will become your children. Not in age, but in need.

* There will come a time when they forget things you just told them.

* When they move slower, ask the same question twice and need help

   with what used to be easy.

* Don't see it as a burden, see it as debt of love being paid back.

* Call them more, visit them more.

* Speak softer while you still can.

* Because one day the phone will stop ringing.

Love them today, tomorrow might be late.

The real luxuries.

 (a) A good night's sleep.

 (b) Slow mornings.

 (c) Freedom to choose.

 (d) Time for fun and play.

 (e) Listening to birds singing.

 (f) Long walks.

 (g) A good book.

 (h) Favourite home-cooked food.

 (j) Colourful sunsets.

 (k) Ability to freely express yourself.

 (l) A good nap.

 (m) A good conversation.

My take 

Life only gets to be very interesting with experience of any or a combination of the luxuries, cited above.   

Nepal's disaster.

160 killed in deadly Nepal deluge; at least 133 Indians among 844 missing

Water rose 30 feet and at least 160 people were killed, while hundreds of others, including scores of Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims from India, remained missing after a flash flood and mudslide of unprecedented scale in Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers tore through a part of Nepal-Tibet border yesterday morning. It was a glacier break up!

It swept away settlements, hydropower units and the pilgrim route.

My take

A tragedy of unimaginable magnitude! My prayers for Nepal and its people!!

A quiet Thiruvonam.

Got up at 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

It was pitter patter rain right from early morning!

Walked within the house, recited my prayers, carried out my exercise routine followed by bath.

Wore the onakkodi got from the Kuthaampulli received as complimentary from the weavers' village when we'd gone there shopping a few months back! Lekha had also done that!!

A great Thiruvonam sadya - a wonderful effort on the part of Lekha and the maid.

Had a siesta while Lekha watched the Malayalam flick, "Mohiniyaattam".

The evening chores.

We saw Drishyam 3. Good movie; the suspense was maintained till the end.

We, also, saw the grand finale of the children's reality show, "Top Singer Season 6" on the Flowers channel.

  

Wise Zen Monk Once Said....

1. When you walk, walk fully - rushing makes you miss the journey.

2. Eat with gratitude, every grain of rice carries unseen hands.

3. Own little, for possessions quickly begin to own you.

4. Speak only when your words are better than silence.

5. Anger is like hot coal - you burn yourself first before anyone else.

6. The mind becomes calm when the body learns stillness.

Tailpiece.

A great lesson!

The energies.

Positive energy

* Giving

* Forgiving

* Honesty

* Love

* Trust

* Calm

* Motivated

* Gratitude

* Passionate

* Efficient

* Happy

* Bravery

* Joy

* Inspired

* Loyal

* Selfless

* Proactive

* Diligent

* Kindness

* Creative

* Responsible

* Confidence

* Supportive

* Peaceful

Negative Energy

* Dishonest

* Complain

* Sadness

* Selfish

* Lazy

* Jealousy

* Confused

* Hate

* Procrastinate

* Fake

* Regret

* Hopeless

* Stress

* Worried

* Superficial

* Worried

* Self-center

* Ego

* Arrogant

* Greed

* Ignorant

* Violent

* Anger

* Fear

* Impatient

* Inferiority

* Indecisive

* Loneliness

* Indifferent

* Uncertainty

My take

Don't have to emphasise on being positive! Your energy shapes your life!!

Something big is moving under Kashmir.

That was my first instinct when 

Sergio Gor entered the Valley and

met CM Omar Abdullah.

Because history has a bad habit.

It whispers first.

Then it screams.

So forget today's sweet words.

Below is the American trail.

Ambassadors.

Envoys.

Meetings.

And then....

Look at the aftermath.

1950-52

Loy Henderson.

Chester Bowles.

Met Sheikh Abdullah.

1953

Sheikh resisted full integration with 

India.

Sheikh was later arrested.

1961

JK Galbraith

Srinagar.

1962

Sino-Indian conflict.

Ladakh burned.

1963

Hazratbal relic crisis.

Mass unrest erupted.

1964

Chester Bowles.

1965

Pakistan launched Operation

Gibraltar.

Infiltration began.

Full war followed.

1987

John Gunther Dean.

Met Farooq Abdullah.

1988-'89

Armed insurgency exploded.

Jun 1995

Frank Wisner.

Met officials and separatists.

Days later

Tourists kidnapped.

India was embarrassed.

1996.

Wisner returned.

Hostage crisis continued.

Militancy remained brutal.

1996

Wisner again.

Weeks later.

Candidates attacked.

Rallies bombed.

Polling challenged by militants.

Feb 1997

Wisner again.

Met Hurriyat separatists.

Mar 1997

Sangrampora massacre.

Jan 1998

Wandhama massacre.

Oct 1998

Richard Celeste.

Met Farooq Abdullah.

Separatist Shabir Shah.

May 1999

Kargil war.

Dec 1999

IC-814 hijacked.

India released Masood Azhar.

Oct-Dec 2001

American strategic activity surges.

Powell.

Rumsfeld.

Blackwill.

Blair.

Feith.

Haass.

13 Dec

Parliament was attacked.

Jan 2002

Robert Blackwill.

May 2002

Kaluchak massacre.

Dec 2002

Blackwill again.

Mar 2003

Nandimarg massacre.

24 Pandits killed.

2006

David Mulford.

US activity inside Kashmir

intensified.

Jul 2006

Bombay local train blasts.

189 people killed.

2008

David Mulford again.

Washington watched Kashmir 

closely.

Separatist politics.

Then...

Nov 2008

Bombay terror attack.

166 people killed.

2013

Tim Roemer.

Met Omar Abdullah.

Afzal Guru executed.

Valley unrest returned.

2015-'17

Richard Verma.

Visited Valley reportedly.

2016

Burhan Wani killed.

Mass unrest followed.

Then Uri.

19 soldiers killed.

Aug 2018

Kenneth Juster.

Met Omar.

Feb 2019

Pulwama.

40 CRPF personnel killed.

Jan 20

Juster returned.

May 2020

Handwara operation.

Senior officers were killed.

Apr 2025

US VP JD Vance arrives in India.

Next day.

Pahalgam.

26 people killed.

And now...

Aug 2026.

Sergio Gor.

Srinagar.

Met Omar Abdullah.

He calls J&K an "important part of India".

Good words.

But he did not say "integral part of

India".

History leaves an uncomfortable 

shadow.

Tailpiece.

(a) Watch the room after the

handshake.

Watch the border after the

photograph.

Watch who starts moving after the

cameras leave.

Correlation is not causation.

But intelligence agencies do not

survive on coincidence.

They survive on patterns.

And Kashmir has punished 

complacency before.

Don't look at his words.

Watch the actions that follow. 

(b) The BRICS summit is slated 

during mid-Sep in India. Xi Jin 

Ping and Putin are going to be

with Modi. A new economic 

order is in the pipeline which

the US dreads.

Is the US trying to torpedo it?

 

"Periyar Kullan" gets national recognition.

Bringing joy to around 200 farmers in Ernakulam and Thrissur who have been working for its conservation, Periyar cow, also known as Periyar Kullan, has been recognised as a cattle breed indigenous to Keralam.

Through the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources' registration,  Periyar cow is the second breed to get the tag in the state after Vechur Cow. 

It's mainly seen in Koovappady, Angamaly, Kothamangalam and Chalakudy regions. With minimal human interaction, it thrives under semi-feral and graze in a single managed unit in vegetation comprising trees, shrubs and grass rather than open pastures.

They are small to medium in size and weigh between 150 and 200 kg. It has a dark brown colour which makes it stand out from other native varieties.

Know-cow

* Periyar cow population : Around 1,000 in central Keralam farms.

* Average milk yield : 2.5 to 4 litres.

* Milk is classified as A2 Beta casein, the healthiest variety.

* It contains 4.5% fat and 9.1% SNF (Solids Not Fat).

* First breeding usually occurs at 26 months and first calving at 35 months. Gestation period is 279

   days.          

Courtesy : Excerpted from Gopika Varrier's article in the NIE, 22 Aug.

Brazil emerges.

Brazil emerges as alternative to China as US, Australia race to secure rare earths.

In the global race to secure rare earths that are key for everything from mobile phones to green technologies, Brazil is emerging as an alternative to China's dominance, particularly for the US and Australia.  

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Was up and awake most of the night to monitor a drip that was being administered on Lekha. Sleep was constantly interrupted and in between, I'd recited my prayers. However, what made me comfortable was that Lekha never complained of pain, post-surgery!

Got up at 5, sent the messages, went partially through my chores and was out of the room by a trifle before 6. Walked those 60 metres to the Thiruvambady kshetram, had a great darshan of the good Lord. There was hardly any crowd and my visit this morning was for thanksgiving on Lekha's behalf for easing out things thus far and for the procedure having gone off fine.

Returned, had my cuppa tea and carried Lekha's cuppa to the room, along with the sweet buns. The forenoon was spent in collecting the discharge summary, bills for payment and having a short nap, in between. Manoj was our chauffeur and had arrived at the hospital's parking, on the dot at 2!

We, finally, left the hospital by a half past 2. Did the following things :-

    

    * bought vegetables

    * bought fruits and

    * all the three of us had tea and snacks before reaching home.

Was at home by a half past 4, opened up the house soon after and arranged things that were to be done tomorrow.

A good scrub and bath; lit up the puja room lamp and settled down to watch our favourite television programs. Frequent power cuts made our viewing difficult.

Lekha had made a beautiful dinner and we'd non-vegetarian food after more than a month thanks to the Ramayanam month!

Tailpiece.

Another mission accomplished; shall wait for the biopsy results.

    

 

Lekha’s surgery.

Was up and awake around a half past 1, past midnight. Had, then, got up at 5, sent the messages, the morning chores and was out of the room a trifle before 6. Walked all the way to the Thiruvampaadi temple for my tryst with the good Lord.

Prayed for Lekha’s surgery to go well, with minimal or no pain at all and to steady Dr Sreekumar Pillai’s hands during the surgery! Returned, collected Lekha’s morning tea and buns from the canteen.

Both of us were ready before 8 so that Lekha could be readied for the procedure by the staff who’d come by for the forenoon watch. Rema and Padmakumar had dropped in by then from Thrippunithura. Lekha was wheeled into the pre-operative ward by a half past 10 and the surgery of removing the plaque from her tongue was over by a quarter past 12. She was in the ICU-post surgery till 8 in the evening.

Rema and Padmakumar had returned by 10’ past 5.

A quiet evening after the hectic activities and tense moments of the day!

Karnataka is finishing its SIR

Over 1.08 crore voters will be removed from the electoral rolls of Karnataka at the end of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Another 25 lakh voters could find their names missing if they don’t provide relevant documents to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) in the next phase of the exercise.

Till date, the state has 5,54,32,314 total electors. As of 17 Aug, 1,08,31,945 electors (19.54% of the total electorate) were listed under the Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others (ASDDO)category after the house-to-house enumeration process.

15 lakhs ‘untraceable/absent’ category; 65,61,607 (11.84%) under permanently shifted; 16,38,839 (2.96%) dead, 7,07,792 (1.28%) duplicate or already enrolled and 3,94,722 (0.71%) as others or not wanting to sign the forms.

Of those removed, 43.53% were from Bangalore’s four districts - Bangalore Urban (17,26,634 or 42.94%), BBMP North (10,58,104 or 45.36%), BBMP South (10,64,044 or 49.61%, the highest in the state) and BBMP Central (8,66,406 or 45.84%).

Lowest deletions are in Udupi (63,364 or 5.96%) followed by Haveri (1,15,068 or 8.62%).

My take

The Election Commission of India is doing a thorough job and I sincerely hope that wrongdoers and frauds are put in their place.

Tailpiece.

Left home by a quarter past 8 to reach the Saroja Hospital by a quarter past 9. Lekha was put through the pre-surgery checks like :-

      * X-ray chest PA view

      * Blood and urine tests

      * ECG

      * Lekha had also met the ENT specialist for the discomfort in her ears.

Our room was 208. Padmakumar and Rema had come to be with us, all the way from Thrippunithura and it was wonderful! They returned by the 1710 Paalaruvi train.

Mission Samudra.

Vizhinjam port is set to script a historic milestone in India's maritime sector as it prepares for the official inauguration of its export-import (EXIM) operations slated tomorrow.

Mission Samudra - state government's flagship port-led industrial and logistics development - is built around the vision of a 'Port City' that positions Vizhinjam as the anchor of a wider Vizhinjam Maritime Economic Region. The scheme is backed by a Rs.400-crore catalytic fund. Officials expect 'Mission Samudra' to draw over ten times the public investment in private capital by 2031.

Located just 10 nautical miles from the major east-west international maritime route. Vizhinjam possesses

a geographical edge that no other port in the country can match, requiring minimal diversion for ultra-large container ships traversing the Indian Ocean.

This strategic-positioning allows European-bound cargo to reach its destination in just 24 days - a full 10 days faster than existing routes - prompting global shipping giant Mediteranean Shipping Company (MSC) to integrate Vizhinjam into its prestigious direct Jade Service connecting Europe and Asia. Exporters who have thus far shipped cargo to western markets via Colombo, Singapore and Dubai will now be able to send consignments directly from Vizhinjam.

Excerpted from : The NIE 17 Aug

My take.

Vizhinjam is gonna take off from here to unimaginable heights and levels!

A quiet Sunday.

Today's the last day of Karkkidakom and it's Atham. Mom's remembrance day comes toward the end of Chingam!

Got up at 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

Walked within the house, recited my prayers, carried out my exercise regimen followed by bath.

Breakfast of appams and stew.

Worked on my laptop. 

Lekha's beautician had dropped by on her beckoning and got all her jewellery removed as preparation for the surgery.

Lunch followed by siesta.

The evening chores.

Lekha finished her Ramayanam recital 2026 this evening! Put the copy of our Ramayanam into its bag and into the wooden vault of the puja room.

Completed a month of vegetarianism and felt nice about it!

A quiet evening.

The 80th Independence Day.

Got up at 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre. The chores and hoisted the tricolour at our balcony on the dot, at 8 AM. It always gives me a great sense of satisfaction and pride while hoisting the national flag!

The Independence day function at New Delhi was being played at the background. 

Walked within the house as it was raining outside, recited my prayers, carried out my exercise regimen and had breakfast before bath.

Sporting a red turban with a yellow, green and white Bandhani pattern, PM Narendra Modi outlined the 'saptadhara' vision to achieve holistic national development and self-reliance viz. :-

    * Manufacturing excellence (cost, quality and scale)

    * Farming/food processing

    * Technological innovation

    * Gati Shakti connectivity

    * Self reliance in defence

    * Push toward green and blue economies and

    * Global soft power (yoga, healthcare, tourism and creative arts).

He said youth will play a crucial part in these reforms. Moreover, he exuded confidence that India will have achieved the target of being a 'Vikasit Bharat' when the nation celebrates Independence Day in 1947. 

My take

While for the first time, the national song "Vande Mataram" was played at the Red Fort. Keralam became the only Congress-ruled state to avoid singing of the national song! At the Congress party headquarters at New Delhi, the group sang the entire national song with Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi desperately trying to stop the rendition of the national song but to no avail! Made a spectacle of themselves in the bargain!! Serves them right. Have still not got as to what their anti-national-song-stance is for!!!

  

Women hold very few top management roles.

Latest data submitted in Parliament shows that women held only 17.2% of senior management positions in corporate India in 2025-'26.

9 Women CEOs in India's 500 listed firms

Of the 2,52,103 senior management roles recorded that financial year, women held 43,331 positions (17.2%), while men accounted for the remaining 2,08,772, government data presented in Parliament showed. There were only nine women chief executive officers (CEOs) leading the country's top 500 listed firms, as per the Ministry of Corporate Affairs data.

Women hold only 29% of Director posts

* On company boards, the disparity was similarly stark. Women held 10, 36, 694 director posts against 

   25, 09, 619 director positions held by men, which is about 29% of the total as of 30 Jun 2026.

* However, women in senior management rose from 34, 879 in 2022-'23 to 43,331 in 2025-'26, a jump of

   24%, outpacing the 12% rise in men.

Last 3 financial years were taken into account to compile the data.

 

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.

Much against many agencies and the opposition parties, the FCRA Bill, 2026, has been referred to a 31-member joint committee of Parliament. The opposition came up with its standard argument that the bill is against minorities and NGOs.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.

My take

A few important bills that should have been legislated in Parliament have to now wait till the Winter Session 2026 of Parliament.  

NASA invites India to be part of its Moon Base Mission.

The ambitious Moon base mission is a program to build humanity's first lunar outpost near the Moon's South Pole.

Invite follows US-India Space Group Meet

According to the US space agency, the project aims to unlock scientific discoveries and prepare for future deep space exploration. India and US explored expanding space co-operation at a meeting of their Civil Space Joint Working Group held in Bangalore last week. The two sides agreed to advance discussions for co-operation on open scientific data sharing.

Step-by-step approach to build base

* The Moon base will be built in phases, says NASA. It will begin with robotic missions to test new

   technology, then build systems and infrastructure needed to establish humanity's first long-term

   presence on the Moon.

* The first phase will focus on gaining reliable access to lunar surface and building a deeper under-

   standing of the environment.

This is the 9th meet of the India-US Space Joint Working Group held last week.    

Muziris project set for a global push.

Revived water-taxi services by Onam

* To feature in upcoming Travel Mart.

   The plan is to revive and relaunch the Muziris project by featuring it as a major global attraction

   in the upcoming edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM). Around 1,200 tour operators are exp-

   ected to participate in KTM, providing a platform to promote Muziris as a heritage tourism dest-

   ination.

* Earlier, the project had a total of 11 vessels, including five water taxis and six open-top boats.

   Three outdated boats had been scrapped, while the remaining boats have been taken up for

   repair and maintenance.

* Plans on

   * Tourism department expects the repaired vessels to resume services during the Onam holiday

      season.

   * Water tourism circuits connecting various heritage locations are also being planned as part of

      the revival. 

Kerala's fishermen rescue system.

The key concerns 

1. Rescue infra exists but operational readiness a concern.

    Rescue vessels face issues due to lack of maintenance. They become ineffective if they can't be

    deployed immediately during emergencies.

2. Lack of trained personnel to operate rescue boats.

    Proposals to appoint dedicated trained personnel for operating rescue boats remain unimplemented.

3. Delayed emergency response during critical hours.

    Rescue mechanism needs to become operational within the golden hour after an accident, as survival

    chances reduce rapidly when fishermen go missing at sea.

4. Fragmented rescue system with multiple agencies.

    Coastal police, Marine enforcement, Coast Guard, Navy and other agencies share responsibilities.

    However, absence of a single, co-ordinated command mechanism often leads to delays in decision-

    making and mobilisation.

5. Delayed access to aircraft and advanced rescue assets.

    Requests for aircraft support through the Joint Operations Centre at Kochi Naval Base reportedly

    pass through multiple administrative levels. Delays in approvals can hamper aerial and search

    operations during crucial initial hours.

6. Fishermen's rescue capacity remains under utilised.

    Fishing communities have repeatedly played a key role in rescue missions, including deploying

    dozens of boats during major operations. However, their roles have not been formally integrated

    into the state's disaster response framework through training, equipment and recognition.

7. Livelihood pressures weaken compliance with warnings.

    Fishermen often venture into the sea despite warnings because staying ashore directly affects

    their daily income. Safety advisories need to be linked with timely livelihood compensation.

8. Inadequate preparedness for extreme weather events.

    Despite lessons repeated extreme weather events, fishermen argue that Kerala's marine disaster

    preparedness remains inadequate for increasingly unpredictable sea conditions.

9. Warning systems not sufficiently localised.

    Broad coastal warnings may not reflect variations in sea conditions between different districts

    and fishing zones. Fishermen demand zonal or panchayat-level weather advisories for more

    accurate decision making.

Courtesy. TNIE 10 Aug

My take.

Along with what have been cited above come the personal egos and intense departmental rivalry

that have this typical Indian problem of looking at the other side as being 'not up to the mark!' A

sure recipe for disaster!

Bringing "Green Boots" home!

India plans high-risk mission to bring "green Boots" home

India is seeking a specialist recovery team to retrieve the remains of Dorjee Morup, a 48-year-old lance naik of ITBP, from Mt Everest's summit.

Part of historic Everest expedition

For nearly 30 years, a body known as "Green Boots" has been frozen under a rock near Mount Everest's summit, Morup was part of a historic 1996 ITBP expedition aiming to become the first Indian team to summit Everest from the Chinese side. Three climbers reached the top; but a blizzard claimed all three. Two bodies remain missing. The third was Morup's.

Tricky recovery has September deadline

* Authorities hope to return Morup's remains to his family in Ladakh for DNA confirmation and final

   closure.

* Recovery from the death zone at 8,500 metres is hazardous. Temperatures can fall to -40 degrees                 Celsius and the Chinese side lacks helicopter evacuation. ITBP aims to complete the operation by               September.

300

At least 300 people have died in the region since records began. 

Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye pact.

It's a NATO-style pact under which an attack against one will be treated as an attack against all three. Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan signed the trilateral agreement in the holy city of Mecca yesterday. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have a bilateral defence pact.

The trilateral defence agreement was signed a day after Iran said it was in the final stages of an agreement with Oman on a framework for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian lawmaker had said the trilateral "paper agreement" will not bring security.

India is watching the fall out and further developments.

Indian astronaut Anil Menon conducts spacewalk.

NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir began a spacewalk yesterday to carry out modifications for a future power upgrade at the ISS.

Duo performs ISS power system upgrades

The spacewalkers spent hours in the vacuum of space, carrying out necessary modifications for future installation of Roll-Out Solar Arrays on the International Space Station. The arrays are expected to provide additional power to support critical station operations, NASA said. This was the 281st spacewalk in support of ISS maintenance and upgrades.

Menon's first spacewalk, Meir's sixth

* Menon was born in Minnesota in 1976 to Indian and Ukrainian immigrants. This was Menon's first         and Meir's sixth spacewalk.

* Menon was SpaceX's first flight surgeon, helping it to launch its first humans to space during the             Demo - 2 mission. He joined NASA in 2014 as a space surgeon and began a tw0-year astronaut               training in 2022.

6 PM IST, 06 Jul

When the astronauts stepped outside the ISS to carry out tasks.

 

The 7th anniversary of the repeal of Articles 370 and 35A in J&K.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, seven years ago, ushered in a "decisive new chapter" for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, asserting that the constitutional changes have driven progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and social empowerment across the two Union Territories.

The move had transformed the lives of people in the region by ensuring the full application of the Constitution and extending constitutional rights to communities that had remained deprived for decades.

The region has since witnessed changes in key sectors. Women and marginalised communities, who had long been denied full constitutional rights, have been empowered.

Tailpiece.

As Pakistan had rightfully said, then, "Modi hai toh mumkin ho!"

The aftermath!

After three days of heavy rain, it has subsided here at Guruvayur and hopefully the trend should continue. At least there's no weather warning!

Flood waters are yet to recede in places like Kuttanad, many places in Kottayam and in many other places. Feel bad for the plight of the people whose houses have shipped in muck and water! The cleanship is gonna take time and the stench doesn't go away that easily.

The Alappuzha-Changanacherry road looks pathetic with flood waters! Remember the times that we'd driven past and enjoyed the rides!

One needs to see as to what all post-rain illnesses are waiting to befall on the people!

Hope things get back to normal soon.

Ernakulam drives state's UPI economy.

From roadside tea stalls and fish markets, hospitals and educational institutions, QR codes have become as common as cash counters across Kerala. And true to its billing as Kerala's commercial capital, Ernakulam district is leading the state's shift to digital payments.

Kerala recorded 454.91 million Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions - 2% of the country's total volume - valued at Rs.63,489.63 crores, or 2.2% of the national total in June. Ernakulam logged 91.4 million transactions worth Rs.11,938.18 crores during the period.

Thiruvananthapuram ranked second with 54.74 million transactions worth Rs.7,460.96 crores. Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur closely follow.

Banking experts say the numbers reflect more than just population. Ernakulam's emergence as the leading as the leading district for UPI transactions reflects its strong digital ecosystem, high smartphone penetration and vibrant economic activity.

As Kerala's commercial hub, it has a diverse mix of retail consumers, businesses, professionals, educational institutions and merchants who have made digital payments part of daily life.

Elappully to get 1st 'groundnut village' tag.

As the country looks to reduce its dependence on imported edible oils, a village in Palakkad is betting on a one small oilseed that can make a big difference. Elappully panchayat has launched an ambitious effort to revive groundnut cultivation, hoping to transform itself into Kerala's first organised 'groundnut village' while creating a new source of income for local farmers.

Barely a decade ago, groundnut fields had become a familiar sight across parts of Elappully. Though the crop was cultivated only for a brief period, it attracted scores of farmers, with traders and small processing units emerging to procure the harvest but as cultivation dwindled, the crop once again vanished from the village.

The panchayat authorities, with the help of the department of agriculture and the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), are hoping to script a second comeback story with groundnut cultivation planned across 112 acres in the first phase. More than 65 farmers have already enrolled, raising hopes that the crop could once again become a viable source of income.

Unlike the previous revival, this one is backed by scientific planning. Farmers will receive high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties such as Kadiri, Lepakshi, VR-10, TMV-14 and TGS-1694. Soil samples from every participating field will be analysed, soil health crisis cards issued and extensive training programs conducted to promote scientific cultivation practices.

The project has identified areas such as Menonpara, Kottilpara and Eduppukulam as being particularly suited for cultivation. Groundnut with shell fetches around Rs.80/- per kg while cultivation costs are low. The crop offers farmers a profitable alternative and also supports crop diversification in the region.

Groundnut also has a deeper history in Elappully. Before sugarcane became the dominant crop following the establishment of the Menonpara Sugar factory, groundnut was widely cultivated in the area. As farmers shifted to sugarcane, groundnut cultivation declined. The current initiative seeks not only to restore groundnut cultivation but to establish a complete value chain - from production and procurement to oil extraction and marketing.

The first sowing of the new varieties is scheduled at Kottilpara on the 10th.

Border trade via Nathu La pass resumes.

Border trade via Nathu La Pass, which had remained suspended for six years amid the Covid-19 pandemic and Sino-India border tensions resumed yesterday.

The reopening is expected to inject fresh economy by generating business for registered traders, transport operators and other stake holders dependent on border trade. Border trade through Nathu La will operate from Monday to Thursday and continue till November. Under the Nathu La border trade arrangement, the approved categories of goods, including handicrafts, handloom products, traditional religious items and ready-made garments, can now be imported and exported. 

This year, 38 traders have been issued passes to participate in the cross-border trade. Currently, there are around 35 tradable items.

Tailpiece.

Heavy rains since evening. 

Taslima Nasrin returns to Calcutta.

Bangladesh-born writer Taslima Nasrin returned to Calcutta yesterday, after she was accorded a civic reception at Rabindra Sadan, sharing the dais with the West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari during a literary program against fundamentalism.

She'd left in 2007 during the tenure of the CPM-led Left Front government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in Bengal after violent protests over her novel "Dwikhandito" led to a deterioration of the law and order situation in Calcutta. 

She is now a Swedish national.

Tailpiece.

It rained heavily in the whole of Kerala, today.

The FIFA shenanigans.

European nations to boycott FIFA competitions in protest

UEFA and its member nations have agreed to boycott FIFA events if the global body goes ahead with its privatisation plans. A look....

Infantino plan faces major backlash

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the WC to private equity investors was hit hard on Thursday by his former colleagues at UEFA, who agreed to boycott all the FIFA competitions in protest. "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in the FIFA competitions". The European body said after an online meeting of its 55 member nations.

Somethings are too important to sell

* Some things are simply too important to sell. "The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always           will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale".

* The meeting was called to counter Infantino's offer of $20M to each of FIFA's 211 members that has       to be accepted by mid-September.

05 Sep

Is when Women's U20 World Cup, the next FIFA event will begin.

The trawl ban to end tomorrow.

The 52-day annual trawl ban period is set to end tomorrow, with a feeling of hope and anxiety prevalent among the fisher folk, all across the state. For the 30,000 fishing crafts operated by traditional fishermen, the trawl ban period, that offers them a season of bountiful catch, has not been encouraging.

While a few motorised crafts got bounteous catch, most of them had to struggle to meet the operating costs. This uncertainty has spread anxiety among the 3,500-odd mechanised boat operators who fear they will have to undertake longer fishing trips this time.

Tailpiece.

Mini and Mithun are on their way to New Jersey. They should reach Ammu by tomorrow forenoon. 

A quiet Wednesday.

Got up at a half past 4, the chores, lit up the puja room lamp, opened up the house for the day and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

The usual Wednesday aa'arathi of the house was carried out this morning.

Walked on the courtyard and recited my prayers. Bath followed by breakfast.

Spoke to Dr(Mrs ) RS Sodhi regarding Lekha's continuing fever and cough. According to her instructions, the following were done at the Rajah Hospital :-

            * cbc

            * crp and

            * chest x-ray PA view

Lunch.

Armed with the results, we'd visited the doctor at 2, got medicines. Review on Saturday.

A quiet evening. 

 

A thoroughly wet day!

Got up at a half past 4, went about my chores, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the home theatre.

A thoroughly wet day; the maid was at work.

Ramesh, the gardener, had fetched up with his understudy to clean up the compound, clear the wet/dry waste bins and clean the kitchen washing outlet. He finished his work by a half past 12.

My first outing after I'd returned from the long break of the Reading Month Activities. To my bank to reset certain readings, etc.

Lunch followed by siesta.

Teatime.

The caretaker called up to say that the wild grass that had grown all along the skirt of the second tier of the compound have been cut and disposed.

Recited my prayers.

A quiet evening, watching television.

I'm good!

After a week's round of medicines, I'm fine with my cough having disappeared but Lekha's case hasn't been the same.

Offered 'bali tharpanam' for Ammachi on her 35th remembrance day as per the Malayalam calendar.

In the evening, therefore, we went across to Jimmy for the review and he has put her on another round of medicines for the next five days. Her cough continues to be stubborn! 

It was a rainy day today!

Getting better!

Slowly coming out of the grip of viral fever. There's a slight weakness but otherwise, am fighting fit. Lekha is also getting better.

A bout of fever and cough!

 In the process of recovering from a bout of fever and cough. Hence my no shows!

A long delayed call on!

Lekha and Mini had got up at 4 and I'd followed them at a quarter past 4. Went through the chores and was ready by a half past 6. Monish had come in on the dot and we hit straight for the DDRC laboratory at Randalummoodu. Kaavya was the sister-in-attendance and the sample for my FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) along with Hb was collected.

Lekha had given me a roll of purie-bhaaji for breakfast washed down with a cup of tea from a tea stall. And we set off for Kottayam. Lekha, Mini and Monish had breakfast at the Padma Cafe in Changanasserry. And sample was drawn for my PPBS (Post Prandial Blood Sugar), by the sister-in-attendance, Preetha, at a nearby laboratory.

We, then, set off to the Thiruvaarppu Sri Krishna kshetram. We'd a good darshan of the good Lord and Mini had offered butter on the occasion! Picked up fruits enroute and reached Sarala kunjamma's house at Puthuppally.

She's 86, looks frail has very little food and is given a measured amount of water to drink everyday! Badly diabetic, her survival is courtesy the efforts put in by her two daughters Sini and Vidya who observe her movements every moment! Her grandchildren, Nandu (He's a CA), Achu (looks after the folks in the house and is waiting to give an exam in September) and the li'l girl who's doing her internship, after completing her course in nursing! 

Am always impressed with the genuine love and affection that I find in the house - all thanks to the great upbringing! They, now, have a cute golden retriever called Sophie who stood against me with her paws on my chest!!!

It was great being with Sarala kunjamma for those three and a half hours. The three of us viz. Lekha, Mini and I enjoyed every minute with her and of course, the rest of the family!!

On our return, we dropped Mini at Ayoor and reached Raj Nivas by a half past 5. Tomorrow's programs in the two schools have been cancelled because the government has declared a holiday in view of the World Cup Football final between Spain and Argentina, tonight at a half past 12.

A quiet evening!   

Reading Day (30).

Got up at a quarter to 5, washed up, recited my prayers and commenced my chores. Also did my packing and we'd kicked off for the Foundation by a quarter to 9.

Reached there, picked up the requisite systems and headed for the quiz competition at the Chinmaya Mission School, Kunnumpuram. The competition began at a quarter past 10 after passing on the necessary instructions to the participants. 

Wayanad was 1st followed by Malappuram, in the 2nd place!

As I wound up, had told the parents to send in their valuable suggestions, if any, by mail for improving the quiz competition system. Came off from there early as I found that the staff was taking time to pay up the travelling allowances to the participants and their chaperones.

Lunch was vegetarian as it's the Ramayana maasam.

To Poojappura, for the finale, which began with the prize distribution for the winners of all the competitions conducted during the Reading Month and it was very nice to see a lot many children come and collect the prizes. There was an air of festivities!

The prizes were given away by the Foundation's chairman, Pannian Ravindran. This was followed by the "gaana sandhya" by the Fine Arts Society. The singing efforts were okay.

Then we'd film star, Prem Kumar, talk about Muthachchan and his closeness with Maman.

Dinner was laid out by the team!

Anyways, I'd left Poojappura earlier by the KSRTC superfast passenger headed for Kumily. Reached Kottarakkara by 9; Lekha, Mini and Monish were there to welcome me, with packed dinner!

Hit the sack at 11!

  

  

Reading Day (29).

Dateline 17 Jul

Got up at 3, washed up and recited my prayers; turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Anish had arrived by that time and off to the Foundation. The arterial road was choked and therefore, we took all the side roads and reached our destination at a quarter past 10.

Worked on the computer and cleared my tummy as has become my habit since yesterday.

Lunch was kanji and puzhukku from the Sasthaan kovil; simply delicious!

A bit of siesta.

Off to the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram to fix up our site for tomorrow's state-level quiz competition. Vijayakumar sir, the quiz master was also present to watch the set up.

Returned in time for the evening cuppa tea.

Booked Anitha George's birthday bouquet for the 27th.

Pulled out 3 grand from my a/c to return Sudha ma'am's money that I'd borrowed. Sarga saayaahnam began at a 20' past 6. It was Raviyettan's "Ramayanathinte prasakthi". A good crowd of over 40 and a nice interaction post talk. We secured at a 40' past 7.

Dropped Raviyettan in front of the Music Academy.

Picked up Maman, from the railway station, returning from Malappuram.

A comparatively late night; my "Vaayana maasaacharanam" sojourn at Maman's house and at Tvpm comes to an end by tomorrow evening. Lekha will come to pick me up from Poojappura.

 

Reading Day (28).

Got up at 5, went through the chores and was ready by 8. Off to the Foundation and from there to the Jyoti Nilayam School at Chirayinkeezhu for the Vaayana sadassu. 

The PN Panicker Foundation's district secretary, Joseph Lawrence was in accompaniment.

We were received by Sister Litty Mathew, the Principal and Sister Jincy Jacob, the Manager. The school is managed by the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a congregation started in Italy in the 17th century with the aim of educating young boys and girls. 

Was impressed with Sister Litty Mathew for her dynamism and class. have promised her to get her school, the "tinker lab" from the central government using our good offices.

Remya Haridas, the MP of Chirayankeezhu, was the chief guest. Her talk on football and allied FIFA Cup talk enthused the students who became active!

Returned by 12. Lunch of chicken biriyani followed by a short siesta upstairs.

To Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam. Today's talk was on "Vayodhikarum avarude prasnangalum athinte nivaaranavum".

Dropped Maman at Thiruvananthapuram North by a half past 8 to board the Raja Rani Express for Angaadippuram reaching at 0450 hrs, tomorrow morning.

Returned to a quiet evening.

Reading Day (27).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at a 5' to 7. Went through the chores and was ready by 9. Off to the Foundation soon after.

Worked on my laptop and wrote up my diary.

Met Anup Jacob, the minister for civil supplies. He was very friendly. Gave our letter seeking the order for supplyco bags.

Lunch and a short stint at siesta.

Off to the YMCA hall (the old British Council Library) for the session on "Vaayana and Artificial Intelligence" which was inaugurated by Ms Bindu Krishna, the minister for women and child development. The session began on the dot at 3 PM and lasted an hour. 

Off to Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam. Today's was by the "ezhuthukoottam" which was nice. 'Vaayana ezhuthu anubhavangal' was the topic. Went off well with a good crowd of over 40.

Secured by a quarter past 7 and hit the sack comparatively early. 

Reading Day (26).

Got up at a half past 4 and knowing that if I'd turn off to sleep again, I'd get up late and upset my schedule. So, I'd washed up and recited my prayers, sent the messages on completion and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at 7. Went through the chores and was ready by 9; a quick breakfast and we were off to the Foundation.

Worked on my laptop till about 12 and had a short nap at the top.

Lunch at a quarter past 2.

Today,  Lekha was off to Kochi to meet Dr Padmanabha Shenoy.

Off to the Kerala Armed Women's Police Battalion for the Vaayana Sadassu. DCP Anjali Bhavana was its commandant who made us wait for a while because of a con call from the top. The program was good and she has promised to spread reading awareness, among the poor, in the coastal belt as part of their outreach program! I'm impressed with her positive attitude!

Left the battalion by 5 and I reached the "Sarga saayaahnam" venue by 6; Mr MR Karthikeyan had already delivered the lecture and I'd asked Ashokan Nadalayil to oversee the conclusion. I concluded the session after that!

Reached home by a 5' to 8, had my dinner and had hit the sack earlier than usual.    

Reading Day (25).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again only to get up at about a 35' past 6. Went about my chores, recited my prayers, washed my clothes and was ready by 9.

Off to the Foundation. Worked on my laptop till about lunch time.

Lunch at a quarter past 2. Rice made by Vasantha along with the dishes sent by Ammayi.

Siesta at the top.

Went off to Poojappura at a half past 4, today's talk was by Dr Vijin Raj and Vishakh RJ on "Vidyayum vaidyavum". Interesting lectures and there was a wide participation from the audience, post talk!

Secured by a half past 7!

Dinner comparatively early.   

Reading Day (24).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again only to get up at a half past 7. The chores, washing of clothes, reciting of prayers, bath and had breakfast around a half past 9.

Worked on my lap top.

Slept for a while till lunchtime.

To Amritha Hotel for lunch. Nice ambience, nice food and good service by BenShine.

Returned home and left for Poojappura. "Krishiyum saadhyathakalum" by Mr PI Ashok was the topic, maximum interaction by the audience today.

A quiet evening thereafter.  

Reading Day (23).

Got up thrice to go to the rest room, turned back and went off to sleep yet again. Sent all the messages at 5

and then got up at a 20' to 7. Went through the chores, there's power interruption and therefore, had bath in cold water! Left for the Foundation at a half past 8.

After collecting the necessary material, went off to the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram behind Ayurveda College. The Quiz Competition had 55 students but the painting, drawing, recitation and Thesaurus-based-'padamalsaram' were over subscribed! And we'd to get additional drawing papers!!

The overall performance in the quiz comp was disheartening! The first was Akhil with 34 followed by Sunil with 27 points - they form the Thiruvananthapuram District Quiz Competition team at the state level competition next Saturday, again at the same venue! As the quiz master, I wasn't happy.

Had lunch by 3 - veg fried rice and paneer masala gravy - followed by medicines. Tried to catch up with my 40 winks but to no avail!

Off to Poojappura by a half past 4, Today's topic was "Bhaasha pathanam" by Dr SK Sreekumar. The audience added up to about 26 people but his talk was good and consequently, an interesting discussion from the gathering ensued.

Returned home by 8. An early dinner and hit the sack comparatively early!    

Reading Day (22).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, went through the chores and was ready by 9. Rajanna was our chauffeur.

Worked on my laptop.

Went to the Vanchi Poor Fund School for the Vaayana Maasaacharanam activity. About thirty children drawn from classes 1 to 5 were the audience; we told them stories, made them read out passages from a few books, gave them Frooti and presented them with books for their library. There were a few group photographs taken on the occasion.

Vasantha's lunch was nice followed by siesta at the top floor.

Off to Poojappura but not before dropping Uma at Printech to collect our banner for tomorrow's Thiruvananthapuram District Quiz Competition at the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram near Statue junction.

The Sarga saayaahnam saw Ranjith Nair speak on "Maadhyama channelukal : nallatho cheethayo?" which saw an enthusiastic participation.

Secured a trifle later than usual! 

Reading Day (21).

Got up around 2, washed up and recited the first half of my prayers; turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a quarter to 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Anish cleared up the wash basin block in the morning. I, then, gave him tasks to get me things that I wanted.

Went straight to the Cantonment House and met up with Ms Bindu Krishna, the minister. She warmly welcomed us and has agreed to be the chief guest, at our program at the YMCA, on the 15th at 1500 hrs.

Worked on the laptop till lunchtime.

To V Muralidharan's office around a half past 1, wasted time till about a 10' to 4 and it turned out to be a futile exercise!

Dropped at the Poojappura circle for the Sarga saayaahnam which was by the 'ezhuthukoottam'. The subject was "Saahitya rangathe copyiyadikal". Nice and interactive!

Bought me a new pair of bathroom slippers and had an extra hole drilled into my belt. 

A comparatively early evening!

Reading Day (20).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, recited a part of my prayers and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a 10' past 6, went about my chores and was ready by 8. Off to Chennithala's house but could just tell him our requirement for him to attend our function on the 11th. He would be off to Harippad on that day he said.

Went to the Navajeevan Bethany Vidyalaya, Naalaanchira for the Vaayana sadassu at a quarter past 9. It was a nice program where the manager, Rev Thomas George, Principal Shana Rejith and DCP Anjali Bhavana was the chief guest, who read out the Reading Day pledge too. Joseph had omitted me from the initial swaagatham but made amends to it later.

Had a part of chicken biriyani bought for me for lunch, which was nice.

A short siesta.

To Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam, where Anil Vengodu spoke on "chalachithra gaanangalum alankaara vruthangalum", where he concentrated on Yusuf Ali Kechery.

Secured a trifle late by a half past 8.

 

Reading Day (19).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Off to the Foundation.

Worked on the laptop all through the forenoon.

Lunch was okay but had reduced my intake considerably; so felt comfortable.

Tried to catch up on some siesta.

Off to Poojappura for the evening's session by the Ezhuthukoottam - "the autobiography of a book". It was a nice way to introduce a book penned by someone. And there were ten writers who'd come up with their experiences!

Secured from there by a quarter past 7. 

Went to the Poojappura jail cafe to have our dinner. Had parathas and chicken.

An early evening comparatively!

Reading Day (18).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, turned off to sleep yet again and got up at a half past 6, washed up and recited my prayers. Went through my chores, washed clothes and was ready by 8. Anish took us to Thiruvallam for it was Muthachchan's Remembrance Day by the Malayalam calendar.

Offered the "bali tharpanam" and was helped by Sunitha of the Municipality thanks to Suma kunjamma's prodding. Damn sweet of her!

On return, had breakfast and reached the Foundation by 10. Went off to the Fine Arts Society's program at the Museum hall. Saw a new lift superimposed on the staircase which took Maman up and down. Circle Inspector Prashanth, the SHO of the Museum Police Station got the things going.

Lunch followed by siesta.

Got 

To the Poojappura traffic circle for the talk, "Sthreekalum samoohavum" by Prof Udayakala, who didn't fetch up eventually. I'd converted it into a 'samvaad' on the same topic and everyone participated, making it very interesting. 

Suma kunjamma was there; she wanted to sing and Maman was damn cross!

A comparatively early evening. 

Reading Day (17).

Got up around 6 in the morning, recited my prayers and turned back to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 6, the chores and left for the railway station to drop Maman as he was headed to Alwaye for a function.

Worked on my laptop for a while.

Took Ammayi and Chambu to lunch at the Padma Cafe.

Returned and had an hour's siesta.

To Poojappura for the Sarga saayaahnam at 5. It was Salim Njekkanaal's talk on "Basheer anusmaranam".

Went to Saurashtra Hotel at the Overbridge for buying poories and allied stuff, for dinner.

At the Foundation waiting for Maman. His train came at a half past 9.

Back home by 10, dinner and a late hitting of the sack!

Reading Day (16).

Got up thrice at night for going round the corner and turned off to bed thereafter. Got up at a half past 6, washed myself and recited my prayers. Went through my morning chores thereafter and was ready by 9.

Off to the Foundation and did my official duties like transmitting my last night's blog, checking through my mail etc.

Lunch was prepared by Vasantha at the Foundation with dishes from home.

A short siesta.

Went to the Poojappura traffic round by a 20' to 5; had the environment set up and kick started the program by a 20' past 5. Dr Anil Kumar SD, an orthopedic surgeon dabbles in writing novels and poetry! The subject was "Manassum rogavum" and he'd covered the topic nicely and almost the entire audience asked him their queries/doubts and questions.

Secured earlier than normal as Maman had come to pick me up.

Dinner at 8, my blog writing and hit the sack at my usual time.   

Reading Day (15).

Dateline 03 Jul

Got up at 6, washed up and recited my prayers. Had to get away quickly and therefore, was ready by 8 to go for today's work. 

Reached the Foundation when Maman and party proceeded to the All Saints' College while I went by an autorickshaw to Vijin's clinic. The massage with 'murivenna' was carried out and felt that the treatment was doing good.

Reached back at the Foundation by a quarter to 11.

Our program at the All Saints' College went off fine. The transport minister was the chief guest.

Worked on my lap top.

Lunch was miserable; what amazes me is that a lunch could be so badly made in this competitive world!

A short siesta.

Went to Poojappura with Maman to hear Surya on "Saamskarika rangathe moolyachyuthi".

Secured for home from there. 

Reading Day (14).

Got up at 5, went to release myself and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 6, went through the morning chores and was ready by a quarter past 8. Dropped Maman at the Foundation, Chambu at the railway station and finally reached the doctor by a quarter past 9.

Vijin tended my bruised leg, the 'murivenna' massage was very effective and he did it well. Left the place by a quarter past 10 and reached the Foundation within 20'.

Was quite relieved by the massage so much so that I could take weight on the wounded leg. Had a cup of tea and a vaazhakkyaappam along with Anish, the driver. Took the new tablet ordered by Vijin.

Lunch was a routine affair. Anish had bought us a a meal and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

The girls in the Foundation are eager to put the drops into my right eye.

Missed this evening's sarga saayaahnam too because of my leg. Today's event was "Katha, katha, kathayamma" by the Ezhuthukoottam group. It was very nice so says everyone!

Secured earlier than usual. A nice dinner and we were quick to call it a day!  

Reading Day (13).

Got up at 5, was totally sick and missed out on sending my usual messages. Walked within the house and recited my prayers. Had breakfast of idlis and sugar for breakfast. Then I'd a disastrous fall in our bathroom and hit my right thigh bone on the floor.

The pain was awful. Went to Dr Harindrababu and got medicines for the cough and cold, the pain.

Kannan, our chauffeur, had come with our car by then. We dropped Lekha at Letha's place and shaped course to Tvpm. Reached the Foundation at a 20' past 1. Took up the errand to All Saints' College to discuss the nitty-gritties of the day after's program. Professor Udayakala and the Principal, Reshmie S were there with me.

A cup of tea and banana fritters at the canteen.

Returned to the Foundation and did not go for the Sarga saayaahnam because of the pain in my thighs.

Secured from there at a quarter to 8.

An early dinner and hit the sack.

Reading Day (12).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, opened up the house for the day, lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the television. Turned off to sleep again thereafter while waiting for the morning cuppa.

Morning cuppa with Lekha.

Walked within the house and recited my prayers.

Got ready and was ready by 9. Harikumar teacher came in by a half past 9 and we drove off to Edamon soon after. Enroute, he was keen to know about my relationship with my grandfather and he listened to my narration very attentively!

Reached Edamon High School and the proceedings got going soon after. A nice morning, a great meeting and the variety entertainment put up by the children was very nice.

On completion and after rounds of photography, they'd provided me chicken biriyani for lunch, served by Biju. Left soon after back in Harikumar teacher's car.

Reached home by a quarter past 2.

Finished my mail for the month of June and sent it off by about a half past 3.

Siesta.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Reading Day (11).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned back to sleep yet again. Got up again at a 10' past 6, opened up the house for the day lit up the puja room lamp and switched on the hymns on the television. Went through the chores and was ready by a 5' to 10.

Lekha and I reached UPS, Thalavoor on the dot at 10. The school took a bit of time to get things ready. It was a thoroughly wet day all through.

The Vaayana vaachaaranam, Vidyaarangam and distribution of 10 Mathrubhoomi newspapers to the school as an everyday affair got going. It was very interesting to interact with the children. An impromptu poem formulation (the tune and the first two lines were put across to them by Sheena miss, from the Vilakkudi education hiatus.

Went across to Raj Nivas for a short recess and returned and weren't they thrilled to see us back. They made me the judge for the drawing and short story competition and I must say that the children were too good! Was glad that Lekha thoroughly enjoyed the program. 

Had lunch and returned by a half past 2 followed by siesta.

The caretaker followed by Soman, my cousin, had dropped by for interaction.

    

Reading Day (10).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 7 when the whole house was up and agog. Went about my chores preparing for my movement to Thalavoor this evening. 

Reminded Mr. Thampan about his evening's talk with us.

Maman is okay after his tooth extraction though his food intake leaves much to be desired. He had a good night's sleep which means that the pain is under control.

Washed all my soiled clothes, pressed the washed ones and finished my packing for going off to Thalavoor. Updated my blog, browsed my mail.

A quick nap.

Lunch followed by siesta.

Left for Poojappura with Chambu on his scooter.

It started raining soon after we'd reached our destination.

Mr Thampan had come in by a half past 5. The session was nice with a lot of participation from the audience post-talk.

Dropped Mr Thampan at his residence before we set course for Thalavoor. Reached Raj Nivas by a 20' past 9. Lekha had arrived earlier by a half past 5.

A quiet dinner and evening, thereafter.

Reading Day (9).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 6, when the household was up and agog. 

Breakfast of idlis and chutney.

Set off for the Foundation at 9; dropped off at Sreenethra as my right eye seems to have caught up with an infection causing a red colouration. It ECHS empannelled and things went like clockwork. The environment was good and the staff very helpful, cordial and ever smiling.

Met Dr Shabna who has given me two drops to be administered on the infected eye every 3 hrs and the second, every 4 hrs. Lekha did the honours.

Lunch was bought from outside and after a quick bite, went to SK Hospital for Maman's tooth extraction. Returned after 2 hrs.

Tea and off to Poojappura. Kaaryavattam Sreekantan Nair spoke on "Kavitha saamoohya maattathinu". For the first time in this series, the audience was more than 35! The interaction was good and with Thomas coming in toward the end, it had reached a crescendo!

Thomas dropped me back home as Maman had left early for home and Chambu was not keen to take me on his two-wheeler without a helmet.

An early evening comparatively.  

 

Reading Day (8).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again to get up at a quarter to 7. Went through the chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

Read a bit, rested quite a while being a holiday.

Lunch was at Padma Cafe at Statue. Good sadya!

Reached the Poojappura traffic circle by a trifle past 5.

Today's talk was by Sudarsan Kaarthikapparambil on "Lahariniranja kaumaaram". Nice interaction by the crowd, though sparse, at 28! I shared my experience too.

Poories and assorted Gujju flavoured dishes from the Saurashtra shop.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Reading Day (7).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a 20' to 6, the chores, washed two sets of clothes and was ready by 9. A quick bite of breakfast and we were off to the Foundation via the clinic from where the VSSC-empaneled form for Ammayi - for going to the Chaithanya Eye Hospital tomorrow.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch was ordered from outside - a fish curry, meals for both Maman and me.

Siesta on the first floor.

Off to Poojappura by 5 via the Treasury to hand over our payment order to Bijumon sir to facilitate early encashment. The crowd took time to fetch up and we finally, kicked off Dr Usha Rani's "Bhakthiyum Vibhakthiyum" at a 25' past 6.

Meanwhile the crowd has been observing me, both behind and in front of the scene toward the conduct of the "Sarga saayaahnam". The strength was still hovering around 30, which I ain't happy about! The lecture was excellent followed by a very spirited interactive session.

Said my piece since Usha Rani had insisted upon it. 

 

Reading Day (6).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a 20' to 7, went through the chores and was ready well in time. We were off to the Foundation by a 5' past 9.

PJ Kurien had signed on the letter for supplementary allocations from the budget for Muthachchan's monument. I, somehow, feel that it's all a drama to throw us off their backs. And the story goes on!

Worked on my lap top.

Lunch and I'd asked Vasantha to go it easy on the quantity of food being given to me every afternoon.

This evening, my going to Poojappura was delayed by 45' as our tempo had come late from the two errands given to it.

Today's topic was "Anyamaakunna Malayalam" by Vilakkudi Rajendran which was great information and interestingly put across and the audience reaction was simply good. Had asked Johnson Roche to do the summing up.

Was a bit late by the last few days' standards! 

Reading Day (5).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 7, went down to have the morning cuppa and had then gone through the chores. Was ready by 9.

Off to the Foundation. Worked on my laptop.

Off to the All Saints' College, met the college principal, Smt Rasmiye and the Malayalam professor, Udayakala to fix up the district-level reading program to be presided by CP John, the transport minister at 0930 hrs on 03 Jul.

Lunch and a very short siesta.

Off to Poojappura for the Sarga saayaahnam to listen to Venpakal Ganesh sir on "Kalayiloode saahithyathinte valarcha" which was enthralling in its content. 

A trip to the Foundation to pick up Maman's cellphone which he'd forgotten!

A late evening!

Reading Day (4).

Got up at a half past 2 to reduce water levels and found that sleep was hard to come by. Recited my prayers partially and turned off to sleep yet again.

Got up at 5, sent the messages, went through my chores and was ready before 9.

At the Foundation by a half past 9. Worked on my laptop.

Lunch; Vasantha was off key compared with her previous performances. Wonder whether Anish had spoken to her about my unsuccessful attempt to make her permanent at the Foundation after my word with Maman!

A bit of rest.

Off to Poojappura for the Sarga saayaahnam. It was Mr Suresan on the topic, "Chiriyum chinthayum". He'd suggested that we increase by another session on laughter in our itinerary!

Dropped Suma kunjamma at Kawadiar. Got flak over it.

A quiet evening thereafter.