On my toes!

The day had begun at a half past 4. There were plenty of things to do, right from receiving the guests from New Delhi at the airport to checking on the arrangements on the side table that was going to be on the dais at tomorrow's ceremony at the Kanakakkunnu Palace commencing at 1100h. The minute-to-minute was played a couple of times to be satisfied with how the things would go by as we did not want the famous Murphy's law to kick in!

A quick rush to our favourite memento shop in Chalai Market was the highlight of the day. The entry and exit to the market was really tricky, as ever, and it took all the driving skills of the new lad to get us out of the madness in fairly quick time! The six pieces, that we'd picked up, were to be awarded to the social workers who're being honoured during the occasion - no difference between pieces was acceptable, in fact, zero tolerance for errors, I was told,

The guests were briefed on arrival at their designated staying places regarding their itinerary with special reference to tomorrow's programme where the Governor of Kerala was the chief guest. And in the evening, they were brought in to attend our weekly discussions - 'Aazhchakkoottam' - on topics of current relevance. The lecture followed by the question and answer session that followed was lively and Sadiya Ahmed's poem towards the end of the programme was the perfect icing on the cake!

An evening trip to the venue was made by my Maman and me. A few course corrections were given by the end of which we seemed to be ready for the finals. The efforts put in by one and all, on a shoestring budget, is noteworthy. There were frayed tempers, fiery arguments, teary responses, pats on the backs but the overall atmosphere was marked by a robust teamwork with a tendency among many to deny personal laxity with regard to rest or food.

My Muthachan must be proud of each one.


Tailpiece.

I was able to scribble the first draft of my 'Vote of thanks' an hour before pipe down. Not at all satisfied with my efforts but the refinement will be brought about by the time it's gonna be delivered!  

An unusual yet alluring sight!

I was on my way to Thiruvananthapuram to be in time for the 'yatra' and had to take an early train from Guruvayur to be at Thrissur, in time for the Jana Shatabdi super fast train. Since I didn't want to disturb any of my friends at Thrissur, I'd decided to spend the over two hours spare time at the waiting room on the platform, which I must say was spic and span with the conservancy staff making their rounds periodically! And thank god, that I'd decided so, because, for me it was an education on life!!

As I was browsing my mail, I couldn't help but notice an elderly gentleman, with his three grandchildren - they addressed him as 'thaatha', which brought me to this conclusion! - passing terse instructions, never having to raise his voice even once. They're well behaved children, I should say.

He'd come with food packets, took his time to divide it equally before handing over the food to the children. The names of the children, depending upon their seniority age wise, were Shankar, Rahul and Nithya. Rahul seemed to be a bit disinterested in having his food when the old man, in no uncertain terms, told him that he'd to have it and the child never had any further doubts. After meals he'd ensured that they washed themselves, offering a towel for drying before they went playing.

It was only then that he'd sat down to have his lunch adding on to the left overs of the young girl. And as he savoured every morsel of his lunch, the kids used to complain about the other who was harassing or tormenting which used to get a patient hearing from the old man who used to summon the 'culprit', roll his eyes threateningly and give a scolding as appropriate which the child accepted without doubt and without rancour! In between, he'd combed the hair of the little girl with his hands - and mind you, it was a neat job!!

He was loved, respected and feared by the children. And the reason was quite easy to find. He led from the front, all the way. His child or children are fortunate to have his/their father being an ideal grandfather to their children. As I left the hall to catch my train, I gave him a farewell smile which he returned. But where was the grandmother?


Tailpiece.

Reached Thiruvananthapuram by 2100h and I got an opportunity to interact with the DGP, who happened to be the co-passenger to my left.

There was a pall of gloom at my Maman's house in the aftermath of Blackie's qruesome end yesterday. 

Adieu, Blackie!

It's fruit time and the three of us were at the table having our share for the day. The time was about a half past 7 in the evening and I'd finished my exercises after returning from my walk. My cellphone began ringing with an ever insistent tone and it's my nephew from Thiruvananthapuram.

He sounded tearful and could barely manage to say that their black mongrel, Blackie was no more and had handed over the phone to his mother who then filled me on the details. The end of the canine was pathetic from the story etched out. A few minutes before sunset, she'd ventured out of the house, went past the feeder road on to the main road only to be fatally hit by a speeding motor cycle, who sped away from the scene of the accident, obviously fearing serious repercussions!

My aunt says that when she'd reached the scene of the accident, Blackie's tail was quivering while the body was comparatively still. She was on the throes of her final moments. She was buried in their courtyard by the mother and son, after informing the father whose Kochi bound flight from Delhi was within minutes of take off!

Blackie had arrived at their house one fine morning, about 9 years ago and my aunt had taken an immediate liking to the shiny black coated animal who was very, very docile and looked a twad underfed! The father-son duo initially didn't quite take to the pet positively but accepted her as a new member of the family, eventually. They'd seen as to how we'd tended Bruno, our Dobermann and used to ask me about the dos and the don'ts, towards tips for its grooming, from time to time.

In fact, when she's suffering from a difficult skin ailment, it's my classmate and vet, Mohanachandran who'd treated her! Over a period of time she was able to acquire the love of everybody at home and when I'd met her last, about three months back, she looked healthy and I remember the manner in which she'd stood beside me with both her paws on my tummy.

She used to like me as I'd always made it a point to spend some time with her!

Will miss you Blackie when I reach your home tomorrow evening. I'd be able to absorb the pain of your loss as I take off for the 'yatra' on Sunday morning but shall have you in my thoughts, definitely.

RIP, dear. You'll be missed and here's my tearful prayer for being the wonderful pet that you were!


Tailpiece.

A quiet day after dropping my friends at their home in Thrissur, this morning!   

Does it pay to be good?

We were returning from a short drive to Thrissur. The road was fairly comfortable insofar as the traffic was concerned and I was cruising at a comfortable 70 kmph.

A comfortable slope was looming large and while I was almost uphill, a private bus swerved right soon after taking off from a stop where it had picked up a few passengers. I slowed down because my Chevy's bumper would have come in its wake, had I pressed on at the same speed. However, a black Santro that was immediately behind me couldn't quite control its speed and touched me hard behind. A sickening feeling overtook me.

The Chevy was just back from the service station and a handsome amount had been spent on rectifying the previous dents after the hard tryst with a lorry and so, I'd pulled to the side to assess the extent of damage. I saw the Santro, too, pulling by ahead. I'd gingerly walked towards the rear to inspect and much to my pleasant surprise, saw that my car was unscratched.

And then, I'd gone to inspect the black Santro whose front bumper was broken and hanging. The owner, a young Muslim lady, along with her brother and the maid servant were the other occupants. The car was being driven by a driver on hire! I'd advised them to take the vehicle to its servicing station to apprise them of the situation when he blurted out the following:-

  (a) the owner's husband was abroad, working in West Asia.
  (b) the car had a mere third party insurance that covered only the metallic parts.
  (c) the driver was scared at the prospect of having to foot the bill for his mistake, which it was
       actually.

And yes, I did give him my cell number for necessary help/possible advice. He seems to have been trilled at the prospect of seeing me eager to 'help', though I was quite clear that I'd do nothing of the sort as the blame was completely his.

I'd received a couple of calls more when I'd to tell him that he needed to sort out the mess himself and that, I'd look into the matter after my period of absence, during the 'yatra'.


Tailpiece.

A wonderful evening with my classmates and their wives - Anil and Radha, Ramanujan and Prema. The singing session went along fine with everybody chipping in, including my mom, with the lullaby that she used to lull me to sleep with!

All about loudmouths and kingsized egos!

A small digression to the recent past.

Modi wins a landslide victory for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections on 16 May '14. And the factors that contributed to the spectacular win were:-

   (a) Modi looked like a decisive leader based on his performance as the chief minister of Gujarat.

   (b) The whole of India was fed up with the indecisive ten year rule of the UPA.

   (c) Revelations of all important files being perused and decisions thrust on the PM by 10, Janpath.

   (d) No coherent policy both internally and externally.

   (e) Large scale incursions on both the Chinese and Pakistani borders with no worthwhile checks or

         retaliatory measures from the Indian side.

   (f) Large scale corruption like the coal block allocations and the 2G spectrum auctions.

   (g) Regional parties were pressurising the Congress with their atrocious requirements!

   (h) Modi's interviews and interactions with the media that conveyed a hope that 'good days' were to

         come if he were elected.

   (j) He was, therefore, backed by all the Indians cutting across caste, creed and religion.

The RSS and the Hindu fringe groups rejoiced that their party had come to power and that they'd the licence now, to carry out their Hindutva agenda. All sorts of crazy statements were made that must have shamed Modi and his government, who'd harped on good governance!

Followed by attacks on churches and hate speeches. Still the party managed to win a few of the state assemblies on the strength of the 'Modi wave. But finally, got checkmated in Delhi where it had to be satisfied with a mere three seats conceding the remaining 67 seats to the Aam Admi Party!

The RSS and the fringe Hindu groups have not learnt their lesson that this country doesn't accept their version of 'Hindutva. What the average Indian wants is a trouble free life that gives him access to the things of life that he's entitled to - in other words, a definite improvement in the standard of living!

The PM had made an unequivocal statement that his government stood for every Indian's freedom to practice the religion of his choice. The religious heads while appreciating Modi's sincerity were sceptical as to how he'd be able to implement his idea, effectively.

And it's this statement that the RSS chief wanted to trash by making his unwarranted comments on Mother Theresa. 

The organisation must have realised that their ideas do not have a pan Indian appeal. If it continues to hamper and embarrass the Modi government from delivering good governance and the much needed reforms all around, it will only rue the people's decision during the next electoral battle.

As a Hindu, it's my firm belief that every Indian wants an 'all inclusive growth'. It's the minority appeasement, for establishing vote banks, that is detested by one and all.

Tailpiece.

I'm eagerly awaiting Suresh Prabhu's railway budget and Arun Jaitley's union budget. Hope they're able to sustain the average Indian's hopes of the 'acche din' that have been promised!!   

The group that's flexible with their time!

Lekha's nephew, his wife, her brother and his had set off in the morning from their home at Kottarakkara. They'd fixed up the programme almost a week ago, saying that they'd reach 'The Quarterdeck' to be in time for breakfast.

The youngsters have been logging long hours travelling, meeting people and getting things done, in fact, trying to satisfy most of their relations within the short duration that they're gonna be here. The couple flies off to Bahrein on 01 Mar, the younger brother goes off to Dubai on 02 Mar to take up his new job and the brother-in-law is gonna go off to Badgam in J&K during the second week of Mar to rejoin his unit. Since their itinerary has been loosely formulated to accommodate as many events as possible, the hosts had to make adjustments!

After a tiring trip to Rajapalayam and Thiruvananthapuram yesterday, their waking time had gone for a toss and consequently, they'd set off from their home much after 6 AM. The traffic regulations at Alappuzha, thanks to the CPM state meeting and the morning school/office traffic at Ernakulam, enroute, made sure that they fetched up at lunchtime!

True to their promise, they'd subsisted on a light snack, during the journey, to do justice to the breakfast made by their 'maasi'. And no we did not delay our's, waiting for them, as it would not have been practical.

It was tactfully converted to a 'brunch' and while they're going through their meal, the ma'asi at Tirur, had rung up inquiring as to when they'd be arriving for lunch, there. For us it was definitely a hilarious situation but the group didn't find it worrying. Instead, they seemed to accept the inordinate delay because, by then they'd attained that 'take it as it comes' attitude!



Tailpiece.

They make their long trip back after a couple of days' stay at Tirur!  

All in the name of Land Acquisition Ordinance!

One has been hearing about the ordinance on 'land acquisition' brought about by the Modi government, when it failed to get the Rajya Sabha to clear the changes it wanted to append on the existing bill on the issue, during the last session of the Parliament. It's one of the pre-requisites of attracting businesses and industry into this country.

The original bill had stressed upon the 'owner's consent' before the acquisition of any land for whatever purposes. It's this clause that has been removed through the ordinance, as I understand. It's tricky and can be exploited by unscrupulous politicians in future!

The opposition parties have been quick to term the entire exercise as anti-people with the Congress spearheading the attack. In addition, the following factors make the government's task very, very difficult:-

 (a) Any ordinance must be converted to a bill that has the sanctity of the Parliament's consent within
      six months of its promulgation.
 (b) Anna Hazare, the crusader against corruption, has said that he'll undertake a countrywide tour,
       inciting farmers, to put their mite against the proposed bill.
 (c) The President of India had already advised the government against the ordinance route for
       bringing about reforms.
 (d) For the Modi government, time is running out in showing the country its promise of deliverance          in effective governance.
 (e) The opposition is clear that it will not allow Modi to get the accolades for the changes that he
       intends to bring for which he's gonna get political mileage!

Thus it's fairly clear that there's gonna be a tough fight over the bill and as a well wisher citizen of this country, it's my fond hope that a remedy is quickly found without wasting the valuable legislation time of the Parliament through frequent disruptions!

It's the national interest that should be uppermost in every lawmaker's mind to bring about an acceptable formula all round. By asking for it am I, as a patriotic citizen, asking for anything extraordinary?


Tailpiece.

It would be worthwhile to see as to what's achieved overall during this Budget Session of the Parliament, beginning tomorrow!