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!