Another link has snapped.

I was woken up at a quarter to 4, this morning, by the insistent ringing of the telephone and my antenna was up almost as a matter of instinct. Calls at unearthly hours usually bring in unwelcome news and today's call was just that. My affable and mild mannered uncle had passed away.

Santhan kochachan, all of 74 years and the husband of my second maasi - Vilasini kunjamma, had got up with a complaint of breathlessness around 3 AM and within an hour, had left this earthly life. Lekha and me had made a dash to Thiruvananthapuram to be in time to say our prayers, by his mortal remains before it was consigned to the flames.

I was taken back in time, when we'd - my dad, mom, me and my sisters - fetched up from Bombay, some time in end Nov '63 and my maman(who was there to receive us) pointed towards two gentlemen standing by one of the pillars at the entrance of the Thiruvananthapuram railway station, saying that one of them was Santhakumar, who was slated to marry my maasi, Vilasini kunjamma. They'd gone through a whirlwind courtship over six months and had decided to get married - a unique happening those days, amongst orthodox Hindu families. He'd come to the station, then, to get the endorsement of his fiancee's eldest sister, my mother! He used to tell me subsequently, that he'd never sweated ever like he did then during that evening - before or after!!

I've completed 18 visits to the shrine of Sabarimala, as part of my annual ritual and Santhan kochachan was the mainstay for the conduct of the connected 'puja' and the entire procedure of the 'yatra'. During my first visit he'd undertaken the exercise twice - and that too, back to back. During the first trek, that year, he'd accompanied my grandmother, mom and dad - did  it the second time just for my sake, as I'd reached a trifle late on leave. He'd accompanied me 13 times after which, he'd do the 'puja' and see me off as the doctor had advised him against such exertions due to the condition of his heart.

We're also a formidable team in the family, in the game of cards and our strong point was the 'mallu' favourite of 28.

He and my maasi were eternally in love till this morning, I and every other member of the family can vouch for it. And he'd that fantastic quality to get along with anyone of any age or of any background. He and maasi used to stand in for my parents, as my guests and guardians at my school's annual day and its annual sports day. I'd spoken to him at length just last week, at Leela kunjamma's funeral and I can't believe that I shall never see his smiling, handsome visage ever again. And another link in the family tree has snapped forever.

Santhan kochachan, I shall miss you till my very end. My tearful tribute in your memory.


Tailpiece.

1. The electric cum normal crematorium at 'Santhi kavaadom' looks like a five star complex and I'd joked that I didn't mind dying with such facilities being available after life. Jokes apart, the mallus seem to have given a serious thought to look after the dead with dignity! People can organise a condolence meeting soon after the funeral, within the premises! And the place is maintained clean by the conservancy staff appointed by the municipal corporation, for the purpose, at all times - absolutely free of filth and foul smells.

2. My uncle seems to have passed away on an inauspicious day - 'karinaal' which falls within the last five days of any month in the Malayalam calendar. The saying has it that such a happening triggers off a series of deaths in the same family, within a calendar year. I don't believe this but statistics and past happenings were cited to prove the point! So, the 'pundit' will carry out some remedial 'puja' for the family. Earlier, a fowl used to be sacrificed for salvation, things have now been further simplified - thank god - and an egg(symbolises life) was placed along with the body before it was placed on the furnace.
   

Why am I angry?

It was drizzling this evening as I got out of the house for my customary walk. To shield my head I'd my favourite cap on and didn't mind getting wet otherwise because as I perceive, an umbrella hinders the walking speed and a raincape gets me suffocated! The roads had huge puddles of water, at many places, thanks to the incessant rains that had begun just before sunset.

I must have walked a bare 50 metres, when an autorickshaw drove past with its driver saying something that was directed at me. Therefore, I'd beckoned him to stop and repeat what he'd to say. He then told me that I was walking on the road and since my clothes had a dark hue, I was hardly visible to him till the last moment and if I were to continue in the same manner, I'd have serious trouble from a speeding motorist now that I've been saved by his deft driving!

As he said his piece, I could feel my anger rising because he was fully well aware of the fact that I was skirting a huge puddle of water at that instant, when he was crossing me and in the process, had got onto the road! Raising my voice, I'd asked him as to why he was cautioning me when he saw me doing what I was, as I was passing under the glare of the sodium vapour street lamp at that point. I then cautioned him that it's people like him who should be watchful and drive at very slow speeds to avoid inconveniencing pedestrians whose problems enhance, especially during rains!

Seeing my belligerance, he backed off and without another word, joined the queue of autorickshaws at the street corner. Why did I get angry with him? He must have been genuinely concerned about my safety and hence, was trying to caution me, perhaps! Or was it his mallu sarcasm to find mistakes in others?

As I finished my circuit, I'd come to the conclusion that it could have been the former and looked around for the autorickshaw at the stand to tender an apology for my brusqueness, but he'd left by then - presumably on another trip!   

Bhupen Hazarika is no more.

Padma Bhushan Bhupen Hazarika is no more amidst us. The 85 yr old music maestro was a multifaceted personality and rightfully, the 'bard of Brahmaputra'. His contributions to the country's cultural heritage will be remembered by generations to come especially for the fact that he'd woven magic out of traditional Assamese music! He left for his heavenly abode this evening.

A self proclaimed 'jajabor' meaning 'wanderer', he was a balladeer par excellence. For his all round contribution to the cultural milieu, the country had honoured him with the prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalke' award.

My initiation to his music happened late in 2001 when my friends, the Banerjees, gifted me a cassette containing his music. We'd gone on a trip that covered Agra, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehra Dun and Mussorie over a period of six days in my van and on passage, a good amount of the distance was made skirting the River Ganga. And the music was appropriate and I remember having played the number 'Ganga behati hai kyon' a number of times, perhaps, much to the boredom of the others though they'd never complained! I'd like to reproduce its first stanza for the sheer beauty of concept,
  
      "Vistaar hai apaar,
        Praja don paar
       Karein ahaakaar,
       Mast sadaa,
       Ganga tu, Ganga tu, o' Ganga behati hai kyun".

Through this number, he was expressing his anguish at 'Ganga mainya' continuing to flow without complaints despite the wrongdoings committed by the citizens inhabiting her banks! A truly patriotic thought!!

The other number was the melodious "Dil hoon, hoon karein.....ghabarayein..." I suppose I can go on and on.

My humble tribute to a legend and here's wishing him peace in eternal life.

Reciprocally..........

After work, I'd decided to go around the Indian Navy's estate of Ezhimala. The monumental institution of the Naval Academy stands against the green backdrop of the 'seven hills' of 'Ezhimala'. The colour scheme chosen for the buildings merges well with the backdrop and adds to their architectural beauty.

The drive was over the length and breadth of the estate and I tried to take in as much as I could and made a mental note as to how lucky the young cadets are gonna be when they get the opportunity to make similar cross country trips on horsebacks as part of their training! The Mount Dilli lighthouse was another imposing fixture, within the precincts of the estate, that has guided mariners to safe passage across the sea over the years. The keeper, Selvan, was eager to conduct me around and I took advantage of the offer. As we reached the summit of the lighthouse after climbing a few steep ladders, towards the end, seeing the entire system from a reciprocal view gave a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement. I was also reminded of the time, years back, when I'd anchored my ship off the lighthouse and had gone along with my boys to do reconnaissance of the pristine Etticulam beach on which I'd walked a little while before.

The over 2,500 acre vast estate is an ideal place for nurturing the naval leaders of tomorrow. I felt proud of the 'monument' in the making!


Tailpiece.

Samad, my 'saarthi' during the visit, wistfully pointed out to a patch of land with a small house - close to the lighthouse that was his family's once upon a time(young Samad was studying in class 7 then) - acquired by the government for the making of the Academy. They're, of course, compensated and with a bit of that money, his father had set up their new home much near the Academy and saw Samad off to work at Abudhabi for 22 years. He's returned finally to his familiar surroundings to run his own taxi service!  

What a thrill?

I happened to watch snatches of the 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' episode where Sushil Kumar had won the prize money of Rs. 5 crores. To me it was a thrilling moment and I felt happy as though I was the winner!

A computer operator, earning a measly sum of Rs. 6,000/- per month, Sushil Kumar hails from Motihari of the Champaran district of Bihar. Disarmingly simple in his outlook towards life, in general, as gleaned from his conversation with Mr. Bachchan throughout the game show, one couldn't help but back him at every stage. His answers were logical and well thought out, showing that he is widely read and aware of so many things that many of us are ignorant of. His reaction at the end of it showed the child in him when he collected the spangles - showered upon him after his winning answer - from the ground and dabbed it all over his face!

His wife and brothers were studiously and elegantly subdued in their reactions. But the most fascinating thing is that the episode is a 'game changer' of their lives and that aspect was yet to sink into them during the adulation!

Motihari, Champaran had been the place where epoch making events during our freedom struggle, under Gandhiji's leadership had taken place. The place is again in the reckoning - a simple son of its soil had the audacity to dream and make his dream come true! Sushil Kumar, may your life's story be an inspiration for future generations!!

 My hearty congratulations!   

A day on wheels.

Today has been an exceptional day on wheels as the number of unfinished tasks seems to keep mounting even after ticking the ones that had been successfully finished. I've never felt like this before and I've this sneaky feeling that I get the impression because I've been constantly on the move, this Wednesday.

It all started in the morning, when I'd to take Lekha to the AIMS for her tests as part of the monthly medical review. The drive was through blinding rains made all the more difficult by errant motorists, many of whom drove madly, as though they'd acquired the road on lease to themselves! I was at work, soon after, a trifle later than usual though and as I was trying to finish a few pending projects, a call had come for an impromptu meeting after which a dash had to be made to look up a friend of mine, admitted in the nearby hospital.

Back to work and after winding up things for the day, I was off home to do my packing to move to Payyannur to attend a meeting that's being held there, tomorrow morning. The drive is gonna be long, but my saarthi is happy that we'd be at Ezhimala till sunset tomorrow. In his words, he gets a tremendous sense of happiness seeing the lush green scenery all around and I second him wholeheartedly.

Drives are fascinating as they give an opportunity to reflect upon things and as huge trees, buildings, hamlets and vehicles whizz past, a feeling of accomplishment sets in and a renewed energy is acquired to take on new projects!

 The usp of today's drive has been its wetness thanks to the rains, almost continuous!!  


Tailpiece.

This is my 519th post and this number, as I've cited earlier, has a significance in my life. It's my roll number in school!

What ails the Indian Carrier - Air India?

One has often been hearing that the Air India is in a terrible mess - it seems to have an assorted set of problems like highly paid yet disgruntled pilots, the skewed ratio of the crew per aircraft, in flight services that could be more humane, passenger service counters on the ground that could definitely be more professional and friendly, eternally in the doldrums financially etc, etc.

If the 'customer is really the king', why can't the carrier revamp itself and bring about a change in its outlook and the way it does its business? After all, it has a headstart by its sheer vintage and the associated infrastructure, that it has accumulated over the years, compared to its fledgling competitors. Or is it that the carrier simply doesn't care as it's continuously bailed out off its woes by a sympathetic(?) and ever-ready-to-help, successive governments?

The aviation ministry and the top management - at least, that's the way it seems for an outsider - do not have a dearth of talent but somehow, have failed to deliver and thus let down the large population of enthusiastic fliers who're simply on the lookout for a comfortable and hassle free air travel. In fact, being a frequent flier I had anticipated a variety of choices and a healthy competition amidst the numerous players that had embarked into the airline industry, but that seems to be wishful thinking from the experiences thus far.

It's my fervent hope that things would change for the better and that Air India would become the most sought after airline in the not too distant future.