So this year also I had my tryst with destiny on 5th November. I made the 8 km walk from Secunderabad church to the Hyderabad church where the relic of Parumala Thirumeni is interned.
As in the last year I had the company of 83-year-old Mammen Abraham uncle and 73-year-old Itoop. Some more of our known people also joined us. May be we motivated them.
The confidence level of completing the walk like last year was there; but for safety we had my car and driver following us.
There were over 1000 people in the group, some carrying their small chidren and many of them having started the walk from Ramachandrapuram church,almost 25 km away. This I should say is an ultimate expression of faith.
A walk like this through the busy and congested streets of Hyderabad with several busy road crossings during the peak evening traffic time is a test of patience for the others with blocked traffic etc; for the walkers it is test of their faith. It also means a test of stamina and the ability to ignore the stares and sometimes angry reactions of the other road users. It is only the tactical intervention of some of the seniors, which prevented some ugly confrontations. In a democracy everybody has the right to practice his or her religion; but I do not know how long this public expression of faith will be tolerated by the unfaithful. But I am sure if our faith is strong, it will continue to be accepted.
Most of the people walk to express their faith for the favours received. I had asked for nothing before I made the walk. But I had in my heart wanted my walk to bring a doctor for the Balagram Eye Hospital. We had been looking for a doctor for the last one year and the hospital was without a doctor for the past 6 months. After my walk it seems that our search will be over soon and we will have a doctor. A miracle or a coincidence?? I do not know. I leave it you to decide. For me it looks like a miracle after knowing the efforts we had put in and the heartbreaks we had.
So will I make the walk next year? My heart tells me that I will do it. But my body is not so sure. Let us see. I take things as they come. I am sure I will not have to walk for a doctor next year. May be for the Old People’s Home at Yacharam; who knows????????
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
MEMOIRS OF A SISTER - IN - LAW
Dr. C. I. Thomas
His Life & Mission in our Family & Community
By Mary John
In a humorous tone, my husband Johnny made an interesting comment! My father Mr. M. K. Varghese B. A. L. T. , in his simple Indian juba and dhoti and his son-in-law C. I. Thomas M. B. B. S., in his western suit and bow-tie created images of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Jesus preached the gospeland healed the sick. My father preached the gospel “Thy kingdom come”. That was his life motto. Dr. C. I. Thomas healed the sick. They both were hot-tempered, and wereequally compassionate. They loved,respected, and appreciated each other as a father and son.
Two great women in our family played significant roles. The sacrificial lives of my mother, Mrs. Mary Varghese and our oldest sister, Mrs. Ponnamma Thomas enriched our family. My mother was the manager of the Rural Reconstruction Institute at Ullannur, Kerala, India, and my sister served as a teacher in theschool.
My father was the founding father of the RRI . In the mid 1930s,he started the RRI which was an innovative project to uplift the lives of the peoplein the neighboring villages. It had a middle school for children, a night school for adults, a rural dispensary, apost office and a rural YMCA. The RRI offered classes in bee-keeping,poultry-farming, spinning , weaving, modern methods in agriculture, bore-holelatrines, hygiene and so on. The Center attracted visitors from all over the world. Dr. Spencer Hatch, YMCA,Geneva and Dr. Somervelle, a renowned surgeon from England were close friends of my father. They volunteered to offer services to the people of Ullannur village. Dr. Somervelle had a great impact on the professional life of Dr. C. I.Thomas.
Dr. C. I. T was the youngest of nine children inhis family at Cheeramittathu, Punnaveli, Mallapally, Kerala. They belonged to Church Missionary Society (Anglican). Ponnamma was the oldest ofseven children in our family at Moosarieth, Pandalam, Kerala. We belonged to the Malankara Orthodox Church tradition. This was the beginning of ecumenism in our family life.
I met Dr. Thomas for the first time when I was ten years old, studying in the gradeschool. He was a smart looking, wellgroomed young doctor in charge of the RRI dispensary in Ullannur. He had a medical assistant to help him. The dispensary was a two-room -building with easy access to the public.
In no time he earned a good name as an excellent skilled physician. He was like a medical missionary to the local community. Patients trusted him in his diagnosis and treatment. In gratitude, they brought him gifts like chickens, eggs, vegetables etc.
One night, I remember, one of the school teachers who lived on the campus was bitten by a viper, a poisonous snake. The young doctor,very courageously, tied tight the bitten area with a long piece of cloth and made a cut on that part of his leg and squeezed out the poison. The whole operation took about an hour or so. Usually such cases, in those days, end up in the death of the victim eventhough there were special, ayurvedic
local “ vaidyans ”. This incident was something miraculous and incredible in the community.
I remember the courtship and the wedding of the young doctor and Ponnamma Kochamma, our sister. Ponnamma Kochamma was a beautiful girl of16 – 17 years old very fair, with brown eyes, long black hair and a cheerful round face like a full moon. She graduated from high school and had one year completed in Women’s College inTrivandrum. Then she discontinued herhigher studies and she became a teacher in the Ullannur School.
It was a pleasant surprise that Dr. Thomas and my sister fell in love with each other in an year or so. So it was a “love marriage” and not “arranged marriage”. It was very unusual, in those days in our state, Kerala. I remember their wedding day. It was a bright and sunny Monday. I do not know the exact date. But I think it was in the harvest season.
The wedding ceremony was in our church, the Syrian orthodox church at Ullannur. The groom’s party arrived in the church early morning at 8:00. The bride’s party was expected to be in the church soon after. But they did not leave the house as planned earlier. Just before the bride was supposed to leave, Mr. Govinda Pillay, a good friend of my father, urged him not to leave, saying that it was not “subha- muhurtham”, as astrologically appropriate time for a bride to leave her home. Accordingly, the bride and her party were one hour late to arrive in the church. Even though the groom’s party was impatient, the ceremony went well. It was a rejoicing event.
After the wedding ceremony,all the guests assembled in the big, decorated hall of our RR Institute. Then, surprisingly, the groom made a little fuss and would not sit down to eat because the bride and her guests were late to come to the church. Then, Mr. M. C. Chacko, our uncle, comfortedand consoled him. Being the firstmarriage in our family, it was very festive and grand. There were three courses in the menu,served in washed, green, wide banana leaves.
The incident of the SubhaMuhurtham had been a laughable story for a long time in our family.
After the holy matrimony, my sister Grace Kochamma and I started calling Dr. Thomas as “chettan”, means older brother. For my brothers, he was“aliyan”, brother-in-law.
Before too long, the couple had to leave Ullannur as chettan accepted appointments from other hospitals. He worked in places like Thakkalay, and Nilgiris tea estates. In Nilgiris tea estates, he worked among the poor laborers, families who picked tea leaves. By that time the couple was blessed with their three children. He served military for a few years as a medical officer during the second world war. We visited them at different times, andthey visited us on their vacations. Whenever they came, they brought gifts for all of us. Their visits were very festive. We enjoyed their company.
I can say endless storiesabout chettan and Ponnamma Kochamma. But let me conclude with a few words, I know, about chettan’s spiritual life. When we were all little kids, on many Sundays, he came with us to our church. He presented the church with a big, bronze church-bell. In fact, there was no Anglican church at Ullannur. His favorite hymn, in thosedays, was “ O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come …”
He joined the rest of us in our evening family prayers.
The most tragic event in his life was the death of his only grandson,14 years old. Ponnamma kochamma was bed-ridden for a few years before she passed away.
He had been blessed with three grown-up children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Chettan had a full life passing through the the four stages in life according to the Indian tradition:1 Brahmacharya (student life), 2 Garhasthya ( married life),
3 Vanaprastha(retired life, and 4 Sanyasa ( renunciation ).
“ Therefore, my beloved, besteadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain”. 1 Corinthians 15 : 58
His Life & Mission in our Family & Community
By Mary John
In a humorous tone, my husband Johnny made an interesting comment! My father Mr. M. K. Varghese B. A. L. T. , in his simple Indian juba and dhoti and his son-in-law C. I. Thomas M. B. B. S., in his western suit and bow-tie created images of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Jesus preached the gospeland healed the sick. My father preached the gospel “Thy kingdom come”. That was his life motto. Dr. C. I. Thomas healed the sick. They both were hot-tempered, and wereequally compassionate. They loved,respected, and appreciated each other as a father and son.
Two great women in our family played significant roles. The sacrificial lives of my mother, Mrs. Mary Varghese and our oldest sister, Mrs. Ponnamma Thomas enriched our family. My mother was the manager of the Rural Reconstruction Institute at Ullannur, Kerala, India, and my sister served as a teacher in theschool.
My father was the founding father of the RRI . In the mid 1930s,he started the RRI which was an innovative project to uplift the lives of the peoplein the neighboring villages. It had a middle school for children, a night school for adults, a rural dispensary, apost office and a rural YMCA. The RRI offered classes in bee-keeping,poultry-farming, spinning , weaving, modern methods in agriculture, bore-holelatrines, hygiene and so on. The Center attracted visitors from all over the world. Dr. Spencer Hatch, YMCA,Geneva and Dr. Somervelle, a renowned surgeon from England were close friends of my father. They volunteered to offer services to the people of Ullannur village. Dr. Somervelle had a great impact on the professional life of Dr. C. I.Thomas.
Dr. C. I. T was the youngest of nine children inhis family at Cheeramittathu, Punnaveli, Mallapally, Kerala. They belonged to Church Missionary Society (Anglican). Ponnamma was the oldest ofseven children in our family at Moosarieth, Pandalam, Kerala. We belonged to the Malankara Orthodox Church tradition. This was the beginning of ecumenism in our family life.
I met Dr. Thomas for the first time when I was ten years old, studying in the gradeschool. He was a smart looking, wellgroomed young doctor in charge of the RRI dispensary in Ullannur. He had a medical assistant to help him. The dispensary was a two-room -building with easy access to the public.
In no time he earned a good name as an excellent skilled physician. He was like a medical missionary to the local community. Patients trusted him in his diagnosis and treatment. In gratitude, they brought him gifts like chickens, eggs, vegetables etc.
One night, I remember, one of the school teachers who lived on the campus was bitten by a viper, a poisonous snake. The young doctor,very courageously, tied tight the bitten area with a long piece of cloth and made a cut on that part of his leg and squeezed out the poison. The whole operation took about an hour or so. Usually such cases, in those days, end up in the death of the victim eventhough there were special, ayurvedic
local “ vaidyans ”. This incident was something miraculous and incredible in the community.
I remember the courtship and the wedding of the young doctor and Ponnamma Kochamma, our sister. Ponnamma Kochamma was a beautiful girl of16 – 17 years old very fair, with brown eyes, long black hair and a cheerful round face like a full moon. She graduated from high school and had one year completed in Women’s College inTrivandrum. Then she discontinued herhigher studies and she became a teacher in the Ullannur School.
It was a pleasant surprise that Dr. Thomas and my sister fell in love with each other in an year or so. So it was a “love marriage” and not “arranged marriage”. It was very unusual, in those days in our state, Kerala. I remember their wedding day. It was a bright and sunny Monday. I do not know the exact date. But I think it was in the harvest season.
The wedding ceremony was in our church, the Syrian orthodox church at Ullannur. The groom’s party arrived in the church early morning at 8:00. The bride’s party was expected to be in the church soon after. But they did not leave the house as planned earlier. Just before the bride was supposed to leave, Mr. Govinda Pillay, a good friend of my father, urged him not to leave, saying that it was not “subha- muhurtham”, as astrologically appropriate time for a bride to leave her home. Accordingly, the bride and her party were one hour late to arrive in the church. Even though the groom’s party was impatient, the ceremony went well. It was a rejoicing event.
After the wedding ceremony,all the guests assembled in the big, decorated hall of our RR Institute. Then, surprisingly, the groom made a little fuss and would not sit down to eat because the bride and her guests were late to come to the church. Then, Mr. M. C. Chacko, our uncle, comfortedand consoled him. Being the firstmarriage in our family, it was very festive and grand. There were three courses in the menu,served in washed, green, wide banana leaves.
The incident of the SubhaMuhurtham had been a laughable story for a long time in our family.
After the holy matrimony, my sister Grace Kochamma and I started calling Dr. Thomas as “chettan”, means older brother. For my brothers, he was“aliyan”, brother-in-law.
Before too long, the couple had to leave Ullannur as chettan accepted appointments from other hospitals. He worked in places like Thakkalay, and Nilgiris tea estates. In Nilgiris tea estates, he worked among the poor laborers, families who picked tea leaves. By that time the couple was blessed with their three children. He served military for a few years as a medical officer during the second world war. We visited them at different times, andthey visited us on their vacations. Whenever they came, they brought gifts for all of us. Their visits were very festive. We enjoyed their company.
I can say endless storiesabout chettan and Ponnamma Kochamma. But let me conclude with a few words, I know, about chettan’s spiritual life. When we were all little kids, on many Sundays, he came with us to our church. He presented the church with a big, bronze church-bell. In fact, there was no Anglican church at Ullannur. His favorite hymn, in thosedays, was “ O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come …”
He joined the rest of us in our evening family prayers.
The most tragic event in his life was the death of his only grandson,14 years old. Ponnamma kochamma was bed-ridden for a few years before she passed away.
He had been blessed with three grown-up children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Chettan had a full life passing through the the four stages in life according to the Indian tradition:1 Brahmacharya (student life), 2 Garhasthya ( married life),
3 Vanaprastha(retired life, and 4 Sanyasa ( renunciation ).
“ Therefore, my beloved, besteadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain”. 1 Corinthians 15 : 58
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLDER GENERATION
With the demise of our dear of our dear Alian, after almost a hundred years of his life in this world, I recollect many memories.
I remember well when he first began his work as a young doctor in the Rural Reconstruction Inst. at Ullannur in the mid-1930s. At that time I was about six years old. Dr Somerville, the famous Doctor and Surgeon at Neyoor Hospital (who was Appachen's good friend from his days as an Education officer at Neyoor), offered to visit Ullannur 2 or 3 times a year to provide medical consultations and surgical remedies for people around the area. Hundreds of people flocked to seek assistance from the legendary doctor for their medical problems, as otherwise they had to travel to South Travancore to see him! On those occasions the doctor spent 2-3 days at Ullannur using our school as a temporary consultation centre and hospital.
During these visits young doctors (from nearby locations) like Dr Kochubaby from Tiruvella, Dr. T.N. Chacko from Chengannur and other younger doctors came to Ullannur voluntarily to assist Dr Somerville and to learn from him. Only minor surgeries were done there, the major ones were carried out at his main hospital in Neyoor.
At one of his early visits, Dr S. in his post-clinical work meeting suggested the need for starting a medical dispensary at Ullannur. This was to meet the needs of the village people to between his periodical visits to the RRInst. Alian, as a young doctor, volunteered to serve as the medical officer in the then new proposed Dispensary. Dr S. consigned medicines, drugs and essential equipments from Neyoor hospital. The expenses for these were settled after they were prescribed to the patients.
At that time, a medical officer at Ullannur was paid a salary of around Rs.15-20 a month!! It was the time of the Great Depression in the whole world. Money was so scarce and jobs were rare. Appachen started the Rural Reconstruction Inst (RRI) to provide jobs for the many young people.
Our uncle, Kunjuchayan (M.C.Chacko - B.Sc.Agri) was appointed as the Head Master of RRI and the School, (with a salary of Rs. 15-20 per month). Mr. Kurien who was an unemployed Maths.graduate became the assistant HM. This was the time when many qualified young men left the shores of India for Malaya, Singapore Burma, etc..where they obtained jobs as clerks, teachers, technical assistants and estate conductors. They were able to send precious money home to their dear ones in Kerala! Middle-East was a nonentity then as they had not struck oil yet!
I remember this very clearly....once Achayan, Rajan and I visited Trivandrum with KunjuPappychayan (he was then working as a young graduate cadet officer in the Imperial Bank of India, TVM) during our school holidays. TVM was a favourite place for us as we lived there when Appachen was an education officer with Travancore State and teaching at the famous Maharaja's Vanchiyoor English School. I got my (favourite)Uncle to agree to get me a pair of lace-up leather shoes. Such leather shoes were not common in those days. Then I also wanted him to take me to a "Talking Movie"....in the city where movie houses were tent-like structures, made of zinc sheets and light iron beams. Seats were wooden benches and movies were very exciting for us!
I wore my new shoes for special occasions. Returning from a short course in Madras Alian remembered to bring me a pair of knee-length cream coloured stockings as a present. Shod in the shining shoes and knee-high stockings, I presented myself on the Maharaja's Birthday celebration day at the primary school in Chengannur. The H. M . and teachers made me the leader of the birthday procession around the town, because I was the best dressed student. I remember those occasions with nostalgia.
Later when Alian was working in Thuckalay with the Salvation Army Hospital, Achayan, Rajan and I visit and stay with him and PonnammaKochamma. He made sure that we had a good time during these holiday breaks. His care and love and regard for us continued throughout, even long after we had completed our higher studies and were employed in distant places.
We experienced that special attachment during our last visit with him in April-05 at his home. Although he was quite weak and frail and with poor appetite, he managed to sit up on his bed. He recognized and tried to talk with each of us present. Later in the night we prayed, together with Aniyankunju/Ammini and Eraviperore Aliyan.
Cecile enjoyed a special relationship and affection for Alian. She called him Achayan. She took pride in saying that Aliyan was the only doctor who successfully diagnosed her hypothyroid condition (in 1990). No other doctors were able to do that for her.
The next morning we had family prayers lead by the young Achen who stays at Rajan's house. Although Aliyan had only a light/liquid breakfast he fully participated in the activities. He embraced each one of us. We thank God for giving us that special blessing and time to say our final farewell then.
As a man, Alian may not have amassed money or wealth but he lacked nothing. All his children had the privilege to be near him. He gave freely of his compassion and expertise as a good doctor to all, even in his old age. He lived well. Always dressed smart in the latest trends dandy, in style and quite 'dandy' really!
Alian had strong faith in God but it was never a public display.... his faith was personal to him, and it showed in his relationship with others and for others.
Occasionally, Alian had spates of quarrels and strife but it never lasted too long and all would be back to normal. These were mainly with his elders and not with the younger ones. He had great affection for his dear ones and deep concern about their welfare. Future visits to Ullannur will be a lot less joyful without his presence.
May our Heavenly Father give him eternal rest and the peace that he deserves.
THAMPACHYAN
I remember well when he first began his work as a young doctor in the Rural Reconstruction Inst. at Ullannur in the mid-1930s. At that time I was about six years old. Dr Somerville, the famous Doctor and Surgeon at Neyoor Hospital (who was Appachen's good friend from his days as an Education officer at Neyoor), offered to visit Ullannur 2 or 3 times a year to provide medical consultations and surgical remedies for people around the area. Hundreds of people flocked to seek assistance from the legendary doctor for their medical problems, as otherwise they had to travel to South Travancore to see him! On those occasions the doctor spent 2-3 days at Ullannur using our school as a temporary consultation centre and hospital.
During these visits young doctors (from nearby locations) like Dr Kochubaby from Tiruvella, Dr. T.N. Chacko from Chengannur and other younger doctors came to Ullannur voluntarily to assist Dr Somerville and to learn from him. Only minor surgeries were done there, the major ones were carried out at his main hospital in Neyoor.
At one of his early visits, Dr S. in his post-clinical work meeting suggested the need for starting a medical dispensary at Ullannur. This was to meet the needs of the village people to between his periodical visits to the RRInst. Alian, as a young doctor, volunteered to serve as the medical officer in the then new proposed Dispensary. Dr S. consigned medicines, drugs and essential equipments from Neyoor hospital. The expenses for these were settled after they were prescribed to the patients.
At that time, a medical officer at Ullannur was paid a salary of around Rs.15-20 a month!! It was the time of the Great Depression in the whole world. Money was so scarce and jobs were rare. Appachen started the Rural Reconstruction Inst (RRI) to provide jobs for the many young people.
Our uncle, Kunjuchayan (M.C.Chacko - B.Sc.Agri) was appointed as the Head Master of RRI and the School, (with a salary of Rs. 15-20 per month). Mr. Kurien who was an unemployed Maths.graduate became the assistant HM. This was the time when many qualified young men left the shores of India for Malaya, Singapore Burma, etc..where they obtained jobs as clerks, teachers, technical assistants and estate conductors. They were able to send precious money home to their dear ones in Kerala! Middle-East was a nonentity then as they had not struck oil yet!
I remember this very clearly....once Achayan, Rajan and I visited Trivandrum with KunjuPappychayan (he was then working as a young graduate cadet officer in the Imperial Bank of India, TVM) during our school holidays. TVM was a favourite place for us as we lived there when Appachen was an education officer with Travancore State and teaching at the famous Maharaja's Vanchiyoor English School. I got my (favourite)Uncle to agree to get me a pair of lace-up leather shoes. Such leather shoes were not common in those days. Then I also wanted him to take me to a "Talking Movie"....in the city where movie houses were tent-like structures, made of zinc sheets and light iron beams. Seats were wooden benches and movies were very exciting for us!
I wore my new shoes for special occasions. Returning from a short course in Madras Alian remembered to bring me a pair of knee-length cream coloured stockings as a present. Shod in the shining shoes and knee-high stockings, I presented myself on the Maharaja's Birthday celebration day at the primary school in Chengannur. The H. M . and teachers made me the leader of the birthday procession around the town, because I was the best dressed student. I remember those occasions with nostalgia.
Later when Alian was working in Thuckalay with the Salvation Army Hospital, Achayan, Rajan and I visit and stay with him and PonnammaKochamma. He made sure that we had a good time during these holiday breaks. His care and love and regard for us continued throughout, even long after we had completed our higher studies and were employed in distant places.
We experienced that special attachment during our last visit with him in April-05 at his home. Although he was quite weak and frail and with poor appetite, he managed to sit up on his bed. He recognized and tried to talk with each of us present. Later in the night we prayed, together with Aniyankunju/Ammini and Eraviperore Aliyan.
Cecile enjoyed a special relationship and affection for Alian. She called him Achayan. She took pride in saying that Aliyan was the only doctor who successfully diagnosed her hypothyroid condition (in 1990). No other doctors were able to do that for her.
The next morning we had family prayers lead by the young Achen who stays at Rajan's house. Although Aliyan had only a light/liquid breakfast he fully participated in the activities. He embraced each one of us. We thank God for giving us that special blessing and time to say our final farewell then.
As a man, Alian may not have amassed money or wealth but he lacked nothing. All his children had the privilege to be near him. He gave freely of his compassion and expertise as a good doctor to all, even in his old age. He lived well. Always dressed smart in the latest trends dandy, in style and quite 'dandy' really!
Alian had strong faith in God but it was never a public display.... his faith was personal to him, and it showed in his relationship with others and for others.
Occasionally, Alian had spates of quarrels and strife but it never lasted too long and all would be back to normal. These were mainly with his elders and not with the younger ones. He had great affection for his dear ones and deep concern about their welfare. Future visits to Ullannur will be a lot less joyful without his presence.
May our Heavenly Father give him eternal rest and the peace that he deserves.
THAMPACHYAN
Friday, August 05, 2005
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A BEAUTIFUL POEM
I got this poem from a friend of mine who sent me this after he knew about chachen's passing away. I hope I am not violating any copyright by putting this up.
Death is Nothing at all
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
whatever we were to each other
that we still are
call me by my old familiar name
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used
put no difference in your tone
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together
pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was
there is unbroken continuity
why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well
Henry Scott Holland
(1847-1918) Canon of St Paul's Cathedral
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
whatever we were to each other
that we still are
call me by my old familiar name
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used
put no difference in your tone
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together
pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was
there is unbroken continuity
why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well
Henry Scott Holland
(1847-1918) Canon of St Paul's Cathedral
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
SOME MORE ON CHACHEN
I can understand your feeling when you got back
to your work. We have a void within us which
cannot be replaced for a long time. We do feel
like orphans. I had a very good quality time
with Chachen during my visit to Ullannur. It
was our mutual love at the peak and I never
dreamt that it would end like this.He helped
me makeup my void for Chacha and I was very
close to him for that. I hoped to see him
pass 100 and I told him that. He rarely
wets his eyes. But this time we both did it
together when I gave him a parting hug.
Now he is free of all obstacles, visiting
all of us and in the company of our family
in rest. We will pray for him always because
we loved him always.
ROCHY
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
SOME MEMORIES OF CHACHEN BY YOUNGER GENERATION
I remember very well the holidays at Ullanur with
Anukuttan and Joshin. It was such fun and we
just had to eat and play.Ammachy used to store
up all the dabbas with so much goodies. And chachen
would alert us at nites and we used to wait for the crackers
to start as the raasa in church would start anytime.
I was amazed at his collection of his shirts and how so well
he used to circulate and wear them so that he won't repeat
anything. Also I started abank account with Rs 50 he gave
in 1986 at Ucobank Nlk.
Anukuttan and Joshin. It was such fun and we
just had to eat and play.Ammachy used to store
up all the dabbas with so much goodies. And chachen
would alert us at nites and we used to wait for the crackers
to start as the raasa in church would start anytime.
I was amazed at his collection of his shirts and how so well
he used to circulate and wear them so that he won't repeat
anything. Also I started abank account with Rs 50 he gave
in 1986 at Ucobank Nlk.
-simon(Kochumon)
I am not much of a writer and write emails very rarely.
However, this is one occasion when I have to put aside
my reservations (about my letter writing skills) and
tell you how I feel about Chachen.
He was Doctor-Appachen to me and my brother.
When we were really young, Doctor-Appachen used to
scare the daylights out of us. I always thought that
since he was a doctor, he would lovejabbing needles
into people and kept a safe distance from him when
ever we went to visit him. (of course that was
compounded by the fact that he onceprescribed Gelucil
(and I am not saying why) and mamai made me drink it
However, this is one occasion when I have to put aside
my reservations (about my letter writing skills) and
tell you how I feel about Chachen.
He was Doctor-Appachen to me and my brother.
When we were really young, Doctor-Appachen used to
scare the daylights out of us. I always thought that
since he was a doctor, he would lovejabbing needles
into people and kept a safe distance from him when
ever we went to visit him. (of course that was
compounded by the fact that he onceprescribed Gelucil
(and I am not saying why) and mamai made me drink it
for a whole week...aaargh...) !Of course that changed
when we grew up...we loved
discussing things with him and were always in awe
of what ever he had to say. By no means was he an ordinary person.
And his life was full of achievements. There are many many people
to whom I have proudly said “My grand uncle is in his
nineties and he is still practicing. And what’s more,
he even trains people." The fact that he saved lives
would be enough to class him in the hero category.
I know he was one hell of a doctor (pardon my language)
as quite a few people have told me
(including Chacha and Mamai) that he was the best one
around and if there was anything that was wrong, he'd find out.
He touched the lives of a number of people. (He once told us
how he removed the local children’s tonsils… very interesting
story…and of course very hilarious…probably not for the
when we grew up...we loved
discussing things with him and were always in awe
of what ever he had to say. By no means was he an ordinary person.
And his life was full of achievements. There are many many people
to whom I have proudly said “My grand uncle is in his
nineties and he is still practicing. And what’s more,
he even trains people." The fact that he saved lives
would be enough to class him in the hero category.
I know he was one hell of a doctor (pardon my language)
as quite a few people have told me
(including Chacha and Mamai) that he was the best one
around and if there was anything that was wrong, he'd find out.
He touched the lives of a number of people. (He once told us
how he removed the local children’s tonsils… very interesting
story…and of course very hilarious…probably not for the
patients but for us listeners!)I doubt if there was any subject
Doctor-Appachen wouldn't be able to talk to you about!!! And yes,
he had the most amazing memory. We would go to
Ullannur every holiday and when we met him, he would
knew exactly what we all were doing and what we liked
to do. He would even remind us of something we had
said the last time we were at Ullannur! We used to
attribute this excellent memory to the fact that
Doctor-Appachen was being a doctor was invincible.
This may sound naive but I never thought that
Doctor-Appachen could pass way...ever... I never
thought that my grand parents could pass way... Death…
It is something I still have to come to terms with.
he had the most amazing memory. We would go to
Ullannur every holiday and when we met him, he would
knew exactly what we all were doing and what we liked
to do. He would even remind us of something we had
said the last time we were at Ullannur! We used to
attribute this excellent memory to the fact that
Doctor-Appachen was being a doctor was invincible.
This may sound naive but I never thought that
Doctor-Appachen could pass way...ever... I never
thought that my grand parents could pass way... Death…
It is something I still have to come to terms with.
My prayers are with you at this time.
It was just a few weeks ago that I was thinking of coming to India.
Doctor-Appachen was the last person I knew very
well in Ullannur. It seems strange, but even thinking
of Ullannur and the fact that the people I knew and
loved are no longer there makes me feel so sad.
But, I am glad that every one of my holidays were spent
in Ullannur, that so may wonderful people touched my
life and of all the things I could learn from them.
Those were truly the best days of my life.
Doctor-Appachen was the last person I knew very
well in Ullannur. It seems strange, but even thinking
of Ullannur and the fact that the people I knew and
loved are no longer there makes me feel so sad.
But, I am glad that every one of my holidays were spent
in Ullannur, that so may wonderful people touched my
life and of all the things I could learn from them.
Those were truly the best days of my life.
Aneesha
I am Tanya. I consider myself to be a proud and lucky person. Yes proud… of being Chachen’s granddaughter and lucky because I was there with him in his last days.
I am the youngest of Chachen’s grandchildren. I’ve spent most of the summer vacations of my 15 yrs at Ullannur. Ammachi was bedridden since I was 2 yrs old and hence I didn’t get to see Ammachi like everyone else. So to me Ullannur meant CHACHEN.
I’ve been in awe of Chachen ever since I can remember. Tinku (my sister) has always been more talkative than me. I was always jealous of her because she would engage Chachen in a conversation and wouldn’t give me a chance to get Chachen’s attention! All I could do was listen, observe and giggle when I had to giggle, which I think I did very often. (Honestly, I think I actually got to speak to Chachen only when Tinku went to college & her holidays didn’t coincide with mine. Thank heavens for that!) We both loved to hear his stories. Though I couldn’t follow all the characters in his life stories, his way of explaining the situation was what was so interesting. I loved the parts when he would narrate the very same dialogues but with so much expression - it made us laugh our hearts out. Chachen’s memory was simply amazing. He would not only remember each character’s name but would also tell us a little about his family history also. Truly truly amazing ……at Chachen’s age.
When Isaacpappa and Mollyammachi told us that Chachen was not eating at all and that he was not well, I thought not much of it, infact I thought “Chachen not well, impossible!”
We reached Ullannur on 28th June this year. It was a cloudy & dull evening and there was nobody to welcome us. We went in to see Chachen. He was in bed, bearded, bare –chested and just skin and bones. It took sometime for reality to hit us. Couldn’t believe that this was the same robust, well- dressed Chachen that I always pictured in my mind. pappa and I stood horrified. Mama couldn’t control her tears and when Chachen saw her, he smiled and said “Why are you crying?”
In the first 2 days that we were there, in spite of our earnest coaxing he had only about 3 gulps of COLD water and nothing else .In the beginning we found it difficult to understand what he used to say because he didn’t have his dentures on. In the following days ,we got used to it and Chachen would converse with us often. Amazing considering that he was hardly drinking anything, leave aside eating. In case we didn’t follow what he said and looked confused , he would write the spelling of the word in the air as “T-E-A”, “S-A-L-T” etc . In the first few days, even lying in bed he would make actions and say things with a hint of his old humor and his usual smile.
As the days passed he became weaker – he had a sore throat and chest congestion. I would sit with him even when he was not talking and simply hold his hands . Sometimes, he would open his mouth & ask Pappa to use the torch to see his throat and to remove the phlegm. On the morning of 5th July, Pappa called the nurse who had long worked with him and also Dr. Damodar (a doctor staying at Pywazhi who used to check on Chachen now & then). When Dr. Damodar wanted to check his pulse, Chachen commented, “Doctor, what is the necessity now for medicines & check ups, I’m dying anyway …..
I remember that last morning, Pappa and Kunjukunju (who used to take care of Chachen) moved Chachen onto an ‘airbed’( which we had brought from Kuwait). After Chachen was finally settled in the new bed, he gave us a rare, a very fatherly smile like some kind of sign of relief.
But by late afternoon Chachen was uneasy & seemed to have severe ache in his body especially legs. So mama & I sat with him throughout taking turns in massaging his legs. In between all this he called out to me twice, “ Tanya ,Tanya”. I was surprised to hear him & stood up. He then told me to sit down and he held my hand. We sat with him all along & by dinnertime, it seemed that he was better for he was then sleeping.
That night Chachen passed away peacefully in his sleep sometime between 10 and 10:20pm. Pappa woke me up to tell me the bad news. It was difficult to believe immediately. He was lying straight in bed and really looked like he was in a deep sleep. I couldn’t help remembering his words to us on the 2nd day “I was waiting for you all”. Now it made sense to me.
I admire Chachen’s strength and personality. He had a lonely life which I feel sorry about. I miss him badly… He was always the first to wake up in the morning, loudly singing hymns, unlocking the doors and going about his morning routine every single day at the same time. I will also miss his exclamation of “YESHUVE KARUNSANA !”every now and again. I miss him…...but I still feel greatly blessed to have been with him for that, last week.
If only…. if only….. I can take on atleast a shade of his wonderful personality………then I’ll know that I’m truly blessed……
I am the youngest of Chachen’s grandchildren. I’ve spent most of the summer vacations of my 15 yrs at Ullannur. Ammachi was bedridden since I was 2 yrs old and hence I didn’t get to see Ammachi like everyone else. So to me Ullannur meant CHACHEN.
I’ve been in awe of Chachen ever since I can remember. Tinku (my sister) has always been more talkative than me. I was always jealous of her because she would engage Chachen in a conversation and wouldn’t give me a chance to get Chachen’s attention! All I could do was listen, observe and giggle when I had to giggle, which I think I did very often. (Honestly, I think I actually got to speak to Chachen only when Tinku went to college & her holidays didn’t coincide with mine. Thank heavens for that!) We both loved to hear his stories. Though I couldn’t follow all the characters in his life stories, his way of explaining the situation was what was so interesting. I loved the parts when he would narrate the very same dialogues but with so much expression - it made us laugh our hearts out. Chachen’s memory was simply amazing. He would not only remember each character’s name but would also tell us a little about his family history also. Truly truly amazing ……at Chachen’s age.
When Isaacpappa and Mollyammachi told us that Chachen was not eating at all and that he was not well, I thought not much of it, infact I thought “Chachen not well, impossible!”
We reached Ullannur on 28th June this year. It was a cloudy & dull evening and there was nobody to welcome us. We went in to see Chachen. He was in bed, bearded, bare –chested and just skin and bones. It took sometime for reality to hit us. Couldn’t believe that this was the same robust, well- dressed Chachen that I always pictured in my mind. pappa and I stood horrified. Mama couldn’t control her tears and when Chachen saw her, he smiled and said “Why are you crying?”
In the first 2 days that we were there, in spite of our earnest coaxing he had only about 3 gulps of COLD water and nothing else .In the beginning we found it difficult to understand what he used to say because he didn’t have his dentures on. In the following days ,we got used to it and Chachen would converse with us often. Amazing considering that he was hardly drinking anything, leave aside eating. In case we didn’t follow what he said and looked confused , he would write the spelling of the word in the air as “T-E-A”, “S-A-L-T” etc . In the first few days, even lying in bed he would make actions and say things with a hint of his old humor and his usual smile.
As the days passed he became weaker – he had a sore throat and chest congestion. I would sit with him even when he was not talking and simply hold his hands . Sometimes, he would open his mouth & ask Pappa to use the torch to see his throat and to remove the phlegm. On the morning of 5th July, Pappa called the nurse who had long worked with him and also Dr. Damodar (a doctor staying at Pywazhi who used to check on Chachen now & then). When Dr. Damodar wanted to check his pulse, Chachen commented, “Doctor, what is the necessity now for medicines & check ups, I’m dying anyway …..
I remember that last morning, Pappa and Kunjukunju (who used to take care of Chachen) moved Chachen onto an ‘airbed’( which we had brought from Kuwait). After Chachen was finally settled in the new bed, he gave us a rare, a very fatherly smile like some kind of sign of relief.
But by late afternoon Chachen was uneasy & seemed to have severe ache in his body especially legs. So mama & I sat with him throughout taking turns in massaging his legs. In between all this he called out to me twice, “ Tanya ,Tanya”. I was surprised to hear him & stood up. He then told me to sit down and he held my hand. We sat with him all along & by dinnertime, it seemed that he was better for he was then sleeping.
That night Chachen passed away peacefully in his sleep sometime between 10 and 10:20pm. Pappa woke me up to tell me the bad news. It was difficult to believe immediately. He was lying straight in bed and really looked like he was in a deep sleep. I couldn’t help remembering his words to us on the 2nd day “I was waiting for you all”. Now it made sense to me.
I admire Chachen’s strength and personality. He had a lonely life which I feel sorry about. I miss him badly… He was always the first to wake up in the morning, loudly singing hymns, unlocking the doors and going about his morning routine every single day at the same time. I will also miss his exclamation of “YESHUVE KARUNSANA !”every now and again. I miss him…...but I still feel greatly blessed to have been with him for that, last week.
If only…. if only….. I can take on atleast a shade of his wonderful personality………then I’ll know that I’m truly blessed……
TANYA
CHACHEN - A TRIBUTE
What can you write about a person who passed away at the ripe old age of 96 without any particular achievement to be remembered by a layperson who had no contact with him? A person whom some people love to hate and some hate not to love?
He is my father. We call him chachen.
With an LMP degree from Stanley Medical School in Madras- one of the prestigious medical schools in the country-, he started his career as a doctor in a village in Kerala in the thirties where he met my mother. It continued with the Salvation Army hospital service, as an army captain in the British Army in the Second World War and then in the end, at the time of his official retirement at the age 58 as the chief medical officer in a tea estate in the Nilgris. In between he found time to take his MBBS degree from the Lake Medical College in Calcutta in 1953. The word retirement was not in his dictionary and he continued working till the age of 93.Even after that he continued updating his knowledge with latest medical books till his eyes started failing a few months before his demise.
He was a workaholic and when there was an interesting medical case, we in the family saw a little of him. He had no interest in creating wealth; but enjoyed a good life- Good food, clothes and a life style fit for a king but with no wealth of a king. It was with him in my childhood that I had the first taste of the good red wine, which was of course meant for medicinal purposes and sausages. He enjoyed good company and could down a few drinks without any apparent ill effect.
It was impossible to win an argument with him. He thought he is always right. Even when he knew he was wrong he refused to accept it. This led to several skirmishes between us, one, a few weeks before his demise. He had a phenomenal memory and it was impossible to bluff with him.
He was not a religious person in the normal way. He read the Bible and prayed every day but he took a cynical view of the organized churches. It was therefore an irony that for his funeral two Orthodox bishops and several priests were present.
In the later years he realized that material wealth is needed for financial independence and for a life style he enjoyed .This led to his taking a cynical view of his life and of his and his wife’s relatives who he thought were the reason for his lack of material wealth. He could not grow out of this and this anger consumed him. If there was one fault, which you can pinpoint, it was this.
The loss of his only grandson and long illness of his wife left deep scars in his mind but he refused to show them outwardly. But I think these events made him more cynical.
He, in his own words “ploughed a lonely furrow”, stepped on a few toes and left this world without leaving any material wealth (the bank balance he had would not have been sufficient for his last rites). But he left a rich legacy of uprightness and decency which does not exist in great quantity in this world.
He is my father. We call him chachen.
With an LMP degree from Stanley Medical School in Madras- one of the prestigious medical schools in the country-, he started his career as a doctor in a village in Kerala in the thirties where he met my mother. It continued with the Salvation Army hospital service, as an army captain in the British Army in the Second World War and then in the end, at the time of his official retirement at the age 58 as the chief medical officer in a tea estate in the Nilgris. In between he found time to take his MBBS degree from the Lake Medical College in Calcutta in 1953. The word retirement was not in his dictionary and he continued working till the age of 93.Even after that he continued updating his knowledge with latest medical books till his eyes started failing a few months before his demise.
He was a workaholic and when there was an interesting medical case, we in the family saw a little of him. He had no interest in creating wealth; but enjoyed a good life- Good food, clothes and a life style fit for a king but with no wealth of a king. It was with him in my childhood that I had the first taste of the good red wine, which was of course meant for medicinal purposes and sausages. He enjoyed good company and could down a few drinks without any apparent ill effect.
It was impossible to win an argument with him. He thought he is always right. Even when he knew he was wrong he refused to accept it. This led to several skirmishes between us, one, a few weeks before his demise. He had a phenomenal memory and it was impossible to bluff with him.
He was not a religious person in the normal way. He read the Bible and prayed every day but he took a cynical view of the organized churches. It was therefore an irony that for his funeral two Orthodox bishops and several priests were present.
In the later years he realized that material wealth is needed for financial independence and for a life style he enjoyed .This led to his taking a cynical view of his life and of his and his wife’s relatives who he thought were the reason for his lack of material wealth. He could not grow out of this and this anger consumed him. If there was one fault, which you can pinpoint, it was this.
The loss of his only grandson and long illness of his wife left deep scars in his mind but he refused to show them outwardly. But I think these events made him more cynical.
He, in his own words “ploughed a lonely furrow”, stepped on a few toes and left this world without leaving any material wealth (the bank balance he had would not have been sufficient for his last rites). But he left a rich legacy of uprightness and decency which does not exist in great quantity in this world.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
SNORING - A BOON OR A BANE?
What a stupid question, you may think; it is not stupid at all. Before I asked this question did you ever think of the pros and cons of snoring? I am sure you did not.
Snoring is a boon…
It reminds your loved ones in the house, including those in the other rooms (if you snore loud enough) that you are alive and kicking. That I am sure is a happy feeling.
It keeps the dog awake so that you need not worry about anybody breaking in.
I am told that the person who snores is physically healthy.
Your better half is alert and would be ready with the morning coffee in time. Any way they would like the snoring to stop.
Snoring is a bane….
No body can have a peaceful sleep. When you snore you make such noises that no one can really sleep and when you stop snoring they are worried that something has happened to you. Either way it is a sleepless night.
Those who want to break in will know that you are blissfully asleep.
May be you are healthy. But what about others with the sleeplessness and tension?
Do you know why those who snore will never accept that they snore?
Very simple…
They never hear their snoring.
PS. My interest in snoring started when I was a child. My father is a fantastic snorer. He could produce unlimited varieties of noises, which you cannot imagine. I have spent several sleepless nights in his room. Several times when he stopped snoring, I would get up and peek at his face to satisfy myself that he is alright. Most of the times, at that precise moment he will wake up and see me staring at him with disastrous consequences for me.
Snoring is a boon…
It reminds your loved ones in the house, including those in the other rooms (if you snore loud enough) that you are alive and kicking. That I am sure is a happy feeling.
It keeps the dog awake so that you need not worry about anybody breaking in.
I am told that the person who snores is physically healthy.
Your better half is alert and would be ready with the morning coffee in time. Any way they would like the snoring to stop.
Snoring is a bane….
No body can have a peaceful sleep. When you snore you make such noises that no one can really sleep and when you stop snoring they are worried that something has happened to you. Either way it is a sleepless night.
Those who want to break in will know that you are blissfully asleep.
May be you are healthy. But what about others with the sleeplessness and tension?
Do you know why those who snore will never accept that they snore?
Very simple…
They never hear their snoring.
PS. My interest in snoring started when I was a child. My father is a fantastic snorer. He could produce unlimited varieties of noises, which you cannot imagine. I have spent several sleepless nights in his room. Several times when he stopped snoring, I would get up and peek at his face to satisfy myself that he is alright. Most of the times, at that precise moment he will wake up and see me staring at him with disastrous consequences for me.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
A PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCE
I recently went to my sleepy small village in Central Travancore for a few days of peace and solitude. It is a small typical farming community with majority Hindus and a sizable Christian presence mostly orthodox Christians. A few years ago when Malankara Catholic Church came into being several orthodox families moved over; after that it is only recently that the aggressive evangelization by Pentecostal churches pulled away several orthodox families.
The Pentecostal church decided to have their convention next door to us. It was a high voltage experience with a music system blaring out high decibel music and a very aggressive preacher giving the lead. It was amazing and unbelievable; the simple meek village folks, some women in the traditional “chatta and mundu” reacting to the blaring music clapping hands and shouting hal el uah, almost hypnotised. Then the preacher takes over mesmerizing the folks with his wizardry with words, commenting on the traditional churches about their fasting and other customs, in between hal eluah rending the air. For me it was the God Channel experience in typical kerala village setting. In the end the folks went home with glowing faces leaving us, the unbelievers, bewildered.
What is it that drives such programmes? It is not cheap; the music group has to be paid for; the preacher also needs money. The simple folks cannot afford it even though they compulsorily give the tithe which they never did earlier.
The poor women of the village who come for these get-togethers must have been leading an oppressed life; the husbands come home drunk everyday; the drudgery of taking care of the children, the day to day struggle with nothing to look forward to. You go every Sunday to the church to hear the same sermon recycled. Nobody tells them that it is in order to feel relaxed at least for some time. You are told that poverty is a virtue; suffering in silence is good for your after life. Then this preacher comes along tells them that it is ok to sing aloud, clap your hands etc. while you pray. For the simple folks this is unbelievable. They go with some doubt for the first meeting; they feel relaxed after the experience; it then pulls them along. I think it is not belief alone which is helping the growth of such churches; it is the informal atmosphere of the 21st century that drives such churches. For the husbands also this is good; the wives are not grumbling; they do not have to drink to get a peaceful evening; they can get the same high by going to such get-togethers.
Do the traditional churches have an answer for this?
Friday, February 18, 2005
WHY I DECIDED TO BLOG?
It was two days ago that in a local newspaper I read about blogs and blogging. Since I had a relaxed day at office I decided to run a search and found this site. Then the dilemma was, I, TOM, as some call me ( tall old man, silly), might stick out like a sore thumb among the young crowd who blog. Then I took the brave decision… I will blog, come what may… so here I am….
Don’t expect fancy postings and colours here. I will try to give an insight to life in my future postings… you will like it…u see I have a few decades of experience with life on this earth, not counting the rebirths (even though I don’t believe in it). Otherwise how can I be TOM?
Traveling around also has helped. My mother used to say- when I became a sales person- when I was about three years I used to lug around a suitcase bigger than me saying I want to travel around. Somebody up there must have heard that and I have not stopped. Luckily wheelers are around; so lugging around a suitcase is no big deal and in India porters are plenty.
I started traveling on job over 3 decades ago. I have exhausted the pages of three passports. Have to get a new one now. Traveling around in those days was another cup of tea. That will be another story and another posting.
Don’t expect fancy postings and colours here. I will try to give an insight to life in my future postings… you will like it…u see I have a few decades of experience with life on this earth, not counting the rebirths (even though I don’t believe in it). Otherwise how can I be TOM?
Traveling around also has helped. My mother used to say- when I became a sales person- when I was about three years I used to lug around a suitcase bigger than me saying I want to travel around. Somebody up there must have heard that and I have not stopped. Luckily wheelers are around; so lugging around a suitcase is no big deal and in India porters are plenty.
I started traveling on job over 3 decades ago. I have exhausted the pages of three passports. Have to get a new one now. Traveling around in those days was another cup of tea. That will be another story and another posting.
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