Mission accomplished despite hiccups galore!

Today's events were preceded with a great amount of hiccups and how I could overcome them to achieve the main task forms the story. Now, consider these:-

   - Missing the alarm. Had set the alarm for 4 so that I'd a comfortable time of about an hour and a
     half to go through the morning chores. However, much to my horror, had got up at 8' to 5. Again,
     my Academy training stood me in good stead and I could be ready on time but had to miss my
     morning cuppa in the process!
   
   - Anto's woes. Had tied up with Anto to drop me at the railway station at a half past 5, yesterday.
     He rang me up at 0525h as to whether it was okay if he could get his bike to drop me at the
     railway station as the battery of his auto rickshaw was misbehaving. I said why not and because 
     I was dhoti clad, sat ladylike as pillion and clung on to him for life! I'd to put the fare forcefully
     into his pocket as he refused to take it and I'd to tell him that it was for the trouble he took to spoil
     his Sunday morning for me!
   
   - The journey that was uncomfortable. I was on the dot for the Guruvayur - Punalur passenger but
     had got into a carriage where the passengers were predominantly ladies. While I sat on a seat on
     which a lady was sound asleep, she didn't seem to like it a wee bit that I'd the audacity to occupy
     the same seat. It was a Rs.30/- ride to Kottayam but I found myself disembarking at Thrissur for
     boarding a faster train going southward.
   
   - A change of transport. To my surprise, I found that even the earliest south bound train, via 
     Kottayam, wasn't suitable for me. So, I got out of the station to the pre-paid auto stand where the
     youngster, at the counter, told me that it was just walking distance to the bus stand. He must have
     thought me to be a thrifty old fool but how could I tell him that the short walk in the hot morning
     would see me sweat through all my pores and I detested that?
  
  - A comfortable trip, met a do gooder. I was in time for the low floor a/c coach headed for Vyttila,
    Kochi that was ready to move. After settling down, I tried to charge my cellphone from one of the 
    plug points on the bulkhead of the bus but couldn't get it going. Shinoob, a young IT professional
    working at Bangalore and on his weekend visit to his sister, offered to have it charged on his
    mobile charger, damn sweet of him. After graduating in Commerce, he was doing this job in a
    private firm to acquire an experience certificate as he was poised for going to Muscat in May,
    to take up a job out there and his parents were also there. As he disembarked at his destination,
    I wished him the best in his endeavour and he's promised to keep in touch...he's noted my number.
  
 - The change over at Vyttila. Upon disembarking, I'd rushed to the rest room to ease myself and 
    boarded a private bus headed for Kottayam. The bus did take a circuitous route and dropped me         at the auto stand from where I reached Viji chechi's ancestral home, the venue of the ceremony.
    Sat with Babu chettan, who narrated the story from the start to the finish for my benefit. Viji 
    chechi's 3rd and 4th vertebrae had disappeared completely, about 41/2 years ago, rendering her 
    spinal cord vulnerable and she was bedridden from then on. A surgery was conducted which the
    doctors said was 90% successful (This was news because to a layman like me, a surgery can be
    either successful or not successful. Yet another classic case where the doctors didn't want to
    accept their failure!). The last six months were bad, in that, the medicines being administered
    didn't have any effect and there was fungal growth everywhere, within. Despite this, she wore a           brave, cheerful front hoping that she'd be up and about one day. In fact, she'd promised almost
    a year ago that Guruvayur would be her first stop over when it happened!
    Babu chettan and Viji chechi have two daughters, the eldest is married, has two children and is an 
    accomplished actress on the small screen while the latter is working in Madras and whose 
    wedding is slated for the 5th of May.....at Guruvayur!

RIP, Viji chechi. My prayers and tears!

After being with Babu Chettan for an hour, he'd me dropped at the railway station so that I could board the Bombay Jayanti express at a half past 12 and reached Thrissur by a half past 3. And an hour later, I was at 'The Quarterdeck'.

It was well after my evening walk, that Lekha'd fetched up from Kottarakkara after attending the betrothal ceremony in her family.


Tailpiece.

A hectic day but the mission was accomplished notwithstanding the numerous hiccups!      
    

All by myself.

Lekha's sister had come by early morning at 6 and they're off to Kottarakkara to be in time for the engagement function tomorrow. Preetha had come home by a half past 9 and was off by 1 after having prepared my lunch and supper.

A quick bite of lunch, a short siesta and by 3, I was off to the service station to pick up my Chevy. Much to my surprise I found that I'd no small rupee denominations in my wallet. The owner of the bakery that we frequent gave me Rs.200/- against a Rs.500/- as he'd given all the smaller denominations to someone else just a while before! Thus, for me, liquid cash was in short supply and every penny(Or should I say paisa?) mattered!! The bus that I got on was on a zipping spree and I was happy that I'd be reaching my destination early.

It was nice to interact with the guys out at the service station and I was shown the parts of my car that were removed. I must admit that I'd a pang of regret looking at the colossal havoc that I'd created. Driving back, it was an exhilarating experience to be back at the wheel. I find that I've acquired some patience but to confirm it all too soon would be a mistake and hence, I desist.

The manager of the station is on to organic farming in a big way and he keeps me informed of the strides his team has taken on that front. I've given him some tips that I was handed over by the agriculture experts with whom I interact with at the Foundation. He has invited me for a day long workshop on the subject on the 7th. Should make it a point to attend as there would be plenty of new information to imbibe.

The 'pollution under control' certificate was obtained as the previous one had elapsed last week. It's a must as we're undertaking a few long journeys from Monday.

I was back home before sunset and could go for my customary walk doing the purchases of small items that I'd put away earlier as I was woefully short of cash! On return, it was a quiet evening thereafter.


Tailpiece.

Spoke to Babu chettan, who has promised to have me picked up from the Kottayam railway station tomorrow, on arrival. Damn sweet of him! It's gonna be an early day!!

A short, quick trip.

The day had begun as usual with each of us going about our normal chores. I'd gone for a haircut to the nearby saloon, Amigos, around 9 but I must tell you about the prelude. I'd called up the saloon and asked for an appointment, to which he queried as to whether I was insistent on the guy who'd styled my hair last time and if I were, then I'd have to wait till 11 as he wasn't free. I told him that I wasn't particular and could offer my head to any of the others that was free. It was a surprise, then, that the very same guy was available and went on to cut my hair, the funniest thing being that I was the first customer of the day! Imagine guys being pricey at such early stages of their career but I kept all my doubts to myself as it wasn't much of a consequence, anyway.

Happened to read an article, by Pirappancode Murali, in the February issue of the Grandhalokam about PN Panicker and his efforts at building up the Kerala Library movement. It was a clear case of misrepresentation of facts. Sad! I believe Muthachan had given a point by point rebuttal to this article years ago, when it had first come by!!

Mom was a trifle unhappy that she was leaving us, albeit, just for four days. Our regular sa'arthi, George had a problem with his car and therefore, recruited Ravi instead, who was at our gate on the dot at 2, after lunch.

We left for Palakkad, soon after. The traffic was sparse because of two factors:-

    (a) It's Friday and the majority of the population were at prayers and
    (b) The weekend had begun for quite a few.

Half an hour into the journey, the meowing of a cat was discernible from beneath the bonnet of Ravi's car. We'd stopped at a wayside stall to have a cup of tea and with the help of a few locals, a kitten was retrieved from the forward, left bumper. We're thankful that it had not fallen off and injured itself. As we set off from the stall, we saw the kitten slurping from a bowl of milk that I'd bought for it from the vendor.

We reached my sister's house by a half past 4 and soon after, she did fetch up. After a quick cup of tea, we're on our return leg after leaving mom. This was to facilitate us to attend a betrothal, an after death ceremony and to be in time for Lekha's medical review on the 8th, at Kochi. Mom will be brought back with us on the 9th.

We reached 'The Quarterdeck' around 1930h. A short change in our programme was effected after I'd taken permission from my brother-in-law's dad to skip his son's betrothal to attend the after death ceremony of Viji chechi, at Kottayam on Sunday. Accordingly, Lekha goes to Kottarakkara tomorrow morning along with her sister from Tirur while I stay on and go to Kottayam on Sunday morning.


Tailpiece.

I should be getting my Chevy tomorrow, finally. Phew!

A case for divine intervention?

My Chevy is yet to come back from the workshop. It needs intricate work that needs effort and time; my Customer Adviser has asked me for another two days. Though my patience is wearing thin, I've agreed to the delay because even if I didn't, the guys would have taken that much of time! It's been thirty days since I'd handed over my Chevy to them!

My mom keeps asking me as to how long would it take for the car to return and I give her a blank look, indicating my ignorance.

Preetha, Lekha's understudy, has come up with a brilliant plan. She's convinced that there's an evil eye on sir's car which is the reason for a string of accidents that has necessitated frequent repairs and consequent expenditure. There's an offering in some of the temples, around here, where such aspects that are harbingers of ill luck are removed and the process is known as the 'muttu arakku'(The breaking of the bad omen). I find that she has been able to convince both Lekha and mom.

Accordingly, Lekha is accompanying her to the temple once the car is back in the porch from the repairs!

Perhaps, that's the badly needed balm for the 'grief stricken' vehicle of mine!!


Tailpiece.

Will the divine intervention cure my bad driving and impatience, I wonder?

  

Back at 'The Quarterdeck'.

Maman broke the sad news of Viji chechi's passing away early in the morning. After being bedridden for 41/2 years, her condition had worsened last week with her doctor saying that it would be better for her to pass on. And the end came about five days after her admission into a hospital at Kottayam. I was reminded of my last visit to her, in between the 'yatra' of last year, when she'd promised me that she'd visit Guruvayur once she begins to walk and that remains a dream. Her younger daughter's wedding is scheduled to take place on 05 May!

Maman and I'd kicked off from home by a half past 9. There was some work to be done enroute before we fetched up at the Foundation. The Chathannoor organisation was reviewed, certain finer directives were, consequently, issued and the pay cheques signed - my director's signatures are required for their operationalisation and I'd signed them before he'd affixed his - to avoid delay due to my non-availability!

And then I'd come across the 46 year old, tough Jayasree. She'd come to my Maman in search of a job. Two years back, she was on every newspaper because her husband, along with his brother, had thrown her out of the house along with her differently abled child. The reason? She did not offer herself to her brother-in-law! She has been doing odd jobs like that of a domestic help/ a scavenger but she couldn't remain at one place and pursue the job because the society wasn't willing to accept her. I'd helped her draft out an application, seeking the job of a salesgirl in one of the khadi garment outlets that we franchise. It's our hope that she, along with her elder sister - working as a domestic help - would be able to eke out a living and look after the medical requirements of her son.

A quick bite of lunch and I was off to Guruvayur by the Jan Shatabdi at 1430h. The journey was uneventful and for a change, the train kept its tryst with time! Meanwhile, Viji chechi's funeral took place around 1630h at Kottayam and I'd mentally noted that we'll make a visit with mom, within the weekend, to offer our condolences!

The Thrissur-Guruvayur bus could be boarded without much wait soon after I'd gotten out of the railway station and I was back at 'The Quarterdeck', in time for supper. Mom and Lekha, listened attentively to my debrief.

It's yet another task achieved!


Tailpiece.

Mom's doctor is going under the surgeon's knife for Hernia and he's slated to be back at work on the 14th. Her review will, therefore take place only thereafter. Called him up to wish a speedy recovery and wasn't he thrilled?

       

PN Panicker's 107th birth anniversary.

The day had started at 0500h for and after the morning chores, we're off for the Foundation where finer things like the mic, the recorder and many other valuable and much needed gadgets were stacked into the official vehicle. Earlier, Muthachan's photograph was put into maman's car from home. We set off for the Kanakakkunnu palace by about a half past 9 from the office.

The cleanship and the arrangement of the furniture, to suit the programme's requirements, had to be gone through. The programme consisted of three parts viz.:-

      (a) A public commemoration of Mr. PN Panicker's 107th birthday where the state's education
           minister was the chief guest.
      (b) A seminar on digital libraries and their advantages, their immense possibilities towards
            social development and
      (c) The inauguration of the 240 hour/6 month course on green jobs, which was scheduled for the
            afternoon session at 1500h.

The commemoration started late by almost an hour as guests took their time to arrive. Once it got going, however, there were hardly any glitches. As usual, there were political worthies from across the spectrum on the podium, the newcomer being the state BJP president who was eloquent in his association with Panicker sir, whom he called his mentor and the prime mover for him being in politics!

The seminar on digital libraries was an educative experience, what when experts from various departments vied with each other to give out their expertise and consequently, the session cut into the lunch recess. The lunch, incidentally, was scrumptious and everyone had something nice to say about it which made us, the organisers, proud. As the last man was made to sit for food, I'd the task of bringing the next guest from his residence and therefore, became the last in the crowd to have lunch, around 1500h!

The afternoon session was equally educative with the guest speakers being the best and the students being active by their participation asking questions, clearing doubts and augmenting the discussions were real life experiences from the members of the distinguished panel. The session wound up at 1730h when we finally, made it back to the Foundation.

Our dinner for the guests was a tame affair, where the action plan for the coming three weeks was crystallised.


Tailpiece.

Out of the 30 students that we'd shortlisted for green jobs' course, only 23 fetched up. Were the absentees short of money to pay their course fees, some of them being from very poor families? A way out for them has been identified and they'll be contacted personally, tomorrow itself.
        

Limbering up.

It was a normal morning and after the usual chores we'd set off for the Foundation. The main activity was the groundwork for PN Panicker's 107th birth anniversary celebrations at the Kanakakkunnu Palace tomorrow.

The final groundwork involving personal interactions, a few visits to the government secretariat and other agencies, directly involved with the programme, for tying up minor details and ensuring that the guests were spoken to and reminded of the timings really did keep all of us on our toes, throughout the day. The activities on the ever swelling slop chits were ticked away after ensuring each activity's completion!

It was a pleasant meeting with the co-ordinator of the Melinda Gates Foundation's activities in India, during our trip from the airport. A thoroughly grounded man who carried no airs about him! Vignesh, the rep from the ministry of HRD, who's with us for the past one month was also with me at that time. In fact, he'd volunteered to be the chauffeur for the ferry!

Before winding up, we'd two visits that were a must. The first was a visit to one of the key members of the Foundation and then to the Kanakkunnu Palace to see whether the stage settings were as per our requirements. Realising that everything was under control, we headed back home.

However, after reaching home, we realised much to our horror that we'd not filled up fuel in the car. It was a long drive of over 10 km before we got a functioning petrol pump and could do the filling up. Though I've listed quite a lot of activities, frankly, there was nothing that was taxing but I was exhausted by the end of the day!


Tailpiece.

And tomorrow there are two hartals viz:-
    (a) the traders' strike regarding grievances on sales tax. All shops will be closed and
    (b) the petrol pumps are gonna be closed.