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
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
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
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