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.