The 71st Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

It was a day of grandeur as the Kainakary Village Boat Club scripted a fairy tale triumph after a 38-year-long wait. Its Veeyapuram Chundan clocked 4.21.084 and had come 1st.

Earlier the state government had granted an amount of Rs.10 cr with the hope of transforming Nehru Trophy into one of Kerala's prime tourism spectacles. Out of the amount, Rs.7 cr is on account of building a new pavilion at the site.

Got up at a quarter past 5, sent my morning messages, switched on the morning hymns, lit up the puja room lamp, opened up the house for the day.

It was a quiet Sunday.

Was in a bad condition!

Two days of Dolo 650 did not alter my condition. Sent a message on Dr (Mrs) Sodhi's what'sapp for an appointment in the morning. Came to know that she was undergoing treatment and it was gonna be a long haul!

Spoke to Jyoshid for medical inputs but he wasn't keen to take action on me, long term!

Therefore, went across to the Sodhis' clinic and met Jimmy by around 6. He has now put me on a course of medicines. Had a whole lot of medicines to bring the infection down.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 5, the chores, switched on the hymns on the home theatre at 6, lit up the puja room lamp and opened up the house for the day.

Tried to bring my discomfort under control but the runny nose was posing to be a problem.

Soaring flower prices during the festivities.

With festivities having commenced with the dawn of Atham, Malayalees are on a frantic purchasing spree with flowers being at the top of their Onam shopping list. For the next few days, colleges, government and private offices and cultural organisations will be celebrating Onam.

Market prices (per kg) 

Marigold                        Rs.180/-

Jasmine                          Rs. 650/-

Rose                               Rs. 350/-

White Oleander              Rs. 500/-

Pink Oleander                 Rs. 260/-

Globe Amaranth             Rs.280/-

Chrysanthemum             Rs.200/-

My take

May the prices reduce further so that the average customer is saved and can usher in a happy Onam.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, Lekha's viral fever is on a subdued note. Switched on the hymns on the home theatre, lit up the puja room lamp and opened up the house for the day. It's another wet day.

A quiet day.

Got the news from Aniyan that a miracle has taken place and that Indirakkutty has shown a marked improvement. God, let her improve steadily from now on!

Migrant workers dominate Kerala's fisheries sector.

The marine fisheries work force of Kerala is dominated by migrant labourers and the representation  of Kerala fishermen is recording a steady decline as youngsters are sailing away from the from the traditional sector. The workforce consists of 58% migrant workers.

Some vital statistics :-

78%       Highest concentration of migrant labourers in Kerala's mechanised fishing sector at

               Munambam harbour in Ernakulam district.

Migrant workforce

Mechanised fishing boats           55 to 60%

Post harvest processing sector    50%

Marketing sector                         40%

Despite their dominance, migrant workers remain highly vulnerable, facing exploitation, health risks and lack of social security.

Tailpiece.

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

The walk and my recital of the prayers were within the house because of the rain.

Lekha seems to have caught the bug. Precautions put in place.

A quiet evening.

On the occasion of Ganesh Chathurthi.

A day that saw quite a few showers all through. Ganesh processions from various quarters and directions - often choking the roads - headed for the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple.

The roads were clogged with traffic, causing huge traffic snarls even into the late hours of the day!

We stayed indoors and sent our maid, back to her place - by lunchtime.

"Ganapati Bappa Moriya

   Mangala Murthy Moriya!"  

May Lord Ganesh look after all of us!

Amma's 9th Remembrance Day.

Got up at 6 and was surprised how I'd overslept. Earlier, had got up at a half past4, gone round the corner and had turned off to sleep yet again.

However, Rema, Mini and even Achu were up and awake. All of us got ready and assembled at the courtyard for offering the bali tharpanam. It was Amma's 9th Remembrance Day by the Malayalam calendar and today, Amma's soul must have been very happy - the people who were missing among us were Padmakumar, Karthika, Mithun and Ammu as they were where they are because of personal reasons.

The crows had assembled well in time and picked on or offerings with Rema giving us the necessary directions.

The maid came by, breakfast was  a gregarious affair. Rema and Mini were off by the private bus to Ernakulam. Achu was working from home and therefore, had work till a half past 12. He left after lunch to board the Guruvayur-Ernakulam passenger leaving at a half past 1.

He saw them off ,along with Mithun, at the Ernakulam railway station on their way to Kollam and onward to Ayoor. 

Aniyan called me to tell about Rajish's futile attempt to meet Praarthana while at school. The li'l onw was clear about the fact that she did not want to meet her dad!

A quiet evening. Washing machinex of the bed linen and other clothes to make the maid's work easy.

Today's Atham and the commencement of the 'athappookkalam'.

Kirtana weds Aromal.