PASSPORT SEVA KENDRA (PASSPORT SERVICE CENTER)

The Passport Seva Kendra, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum, Kerala, India on 21.02.2012 at 2.15 PM presented a very pleasant experience. When the passport was due for renewal I had been bracing myself up to undergo yet again the rigors I went through a decade earlier. However  I was surprised to learn that the procedure had been thoroughly revamped. The application could be submitted online. Surprises galore.  I had been offered the choice to select the time I preferred on the available date.   I was advised to report at the office on 21.02.2012 at 2.15 PM.

The security officials gathered all who had appointments for the slot to queue up for the security check. It was over  fast.  We were led to a line for scrutiny of the documents. The swiftness surprised us. The officials  brimmed with courtesy.  There was another line for issue of the token. We relaxed in an air conditioned lounge awaiting the display of the number on the screen. When it came up I was directed to a counter where the online application was scrutinized by a  well-mannered official.  Amendments could be proposed on the  data . The official modified it. I was requested to go through the application again to ensure that it had my approval. It was time to remit the required fee. Fingerprints and photo were captured. The official inquired whether the photo was alright. Upon issue of a receipt,   I was advised to wait for inspection of data by officials of the Government.  The official  scrutinized the data with a smile and returned the passport on its cancellation. The finale  was the meeting  with the Passport Officer .  It was over within minutes.  At 2.55 PM the official indicated the processing was over and that I would have the new Passport in twenty days.   It took  five more minutes to complete the feedback. I just could not believe it when I had stepped out of the office at 3.00 PM. It was outrageous to expect such quick disposals in the good old days.  I was very happy to be a part of the changing facet of our country.

We do not relish the prospect of walking into a Government Office in India for services that are essential. We know that those who work there consider us unwelcome intruders. They interpret laws in such a way that our needs are never satisfied. They are subjective to the core. They derive pleasure in driving us around in circles. Serpentine queues and indifferent officials make us sweat it out for days together even for the submission of an application. Endemic is the delay in processing.

Passport Seva Kendra is a mark of resolute Indians who are out to make a difference in the lives of fellow citizens.   It is an authentic statement on the benefits of PPP (Public Private Participation - (MOE) Ministry of External Affairs and (TCS) Tata Consultancy Services). Together they made the impossible possible.

CHILD IS PRECIOUS

We have been blessed with a grandson at 9.05 PM on 4^th February 2012. We are grateful to the Lord for enabling our daughter in law deliver a healthy baby. It happened after a long wait of seven years and one month. Both the mother and the child are fine. We are happy our prayers have been heard. God has made us understand that He looks after us and acts in His own moment.  

Ever since I went online as ‘childisprecious’ I had been quizzed by friends the reason for adoption of the name. The response had been, “It comes from the heart.”

Yes, the child certainly is precious. It is devastating when you long for a child and discover that the child eludes you no matter what you do. For most the arrival of a child is natural.  Some feel that they can have a child at their own sweet will and pleasure. It is a flawed notion.  Conception is the most beautiful yet mysterious process in the world. Though human intervention is an absolute necessity, the partakers are powerless to determine the conclusion. The creator is supreme. 

King David in Psalm 139 aptly describes it. “Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. For You formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother’s womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.”

Dr. Santhamma Mathew and Dr. Santha Devi of Credence Hospital, Ullor, Trivandrum had been the instruments in the hands of the Lord to work a miracle in the lives of our children. They toiled tirelessly. They encouraged our children when they were hit by failure after failure.  They maintained all along that miracles do happen if they had faith and believed in the Lord. The sisters at the Hospital were a great support.

Our son and daughter in law had to undergo an arduous phase the past three years. There were frequent visits to the hospital often at odd hours.  They had their highly demanding jobs.  When the Doctors mandated total rest it was very difficult to strike a balance and retain a semblance of normalcy. Desperation saw her quit  the well paid job. The good Lord facilitated them undergo the ordeal with fortitude.

God commanded the Israelites “Know that I am your God.”   The birth of our grandson is indeed a miracle and is a gift from our merciful Lord. 

AKATHUMURI MESMERIZES THE WEARY

Akathumuri is at once remote geographically and historically. Nothing significant has ever taken place there. It is well connected by roads. It has a Railway Station where leisurely passenger trains halt for a minute or two. Travellers in the Express trains never even know that their train has roared past Akathumuri as they journey from or to Thiruvanathapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Akathumuri had remained forsaken for quite a long time.

The astounding progress Kerala has made over the years has had its impact on Akathumuri as well. Panayil Kadavu bridge ended its isolation from civilization. The momentous decision by Mr. A K Antony to open up professional education to private sector through self financing institutions brought a Dental College to Akathumuri. Progress finally began to extend to remote places in Kerala, a welcome shift from the concentration in urban locales.

Akathumuri derives its name from Akathumuri Kayal. The Kayal (lake) nestles the village of Akathumuri. As we stood on the shores of Akathumuri Kayal we were mesmerized by the scenic beauty. The placid water was unpolluted, something that was unheard of in other places in Kerala. The location reminded me of Corral Island, close to  Pattaya in Thailand. The difference was that tourists abounded at Corral Island whereas we were the lone tourists at Akathumuri.

There are two resorts on the shores of the Kayal. One is adjacent to the Dental College. It has a number of cottages that provide world class facilities. One can relax in the cottages enjoying the natural scenery and the sumptuous food served by the Chef. The view from the cottages is magnificent. Coconut palms extend over the whole tract around the Kayal. There is an island in the Kayal one can access through boats. A temple beckons the worshippers.  Cruise in the Kayal refreshes and rejuvenates the weary traveller. Next resort has a good restaurant, but offers no cottages. It provides a house boat that  takes us around the Kayal for fixed hours. It is like strolling on water savouring the best nature offers.  Food is served on board. The delicacies have a taste of Kerala. It is Kappa (Tapioca) and fish curry for starters. Lunch is a surprise. It is rice with traditional curries like sambar, avial, thoran, rasam along with fried Karimeen (Starfish) fresh from the Kayal and prawn and lobster preparations. The cruise winds up with an offering of fried banana fruit and tea.

The villagers are ordinary folk who carry on their lives like villagers in the rest of the state. Some are fishermen, some are traders, some engage themselves in varied trades and some are labourers. The rich have large houses, but the majority live in ordinary houses. The place is clean and people are friendly. The economy is agrarian.

Akathumuri has unexplored territories. The background is rural. Natural beauty welcomes the weary. It is unpolluted. It is undeveloped. It is not in the tourism map. The sprawling greenery is a treat. One can go for angling, swimming and boating in the Kayal. Akathumuri is relaxation exemplary.

Anjengo or Anju Thengu of historical significance is a close neighbour. The establishment of facilities at Anjengo by the Europeans was the harbinger of colonialism that had subjugated our forefathers to abject slavery. Remnants of occupation are still visible.

Akathumuri is in  Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala State in India. It can be accessed from Thiruvananthapuram by road via Attingal through Vakkom or from Korani in the NH 47 through Chirayinkeezhu. The distance from Thirvananthapuram is approximately 51 KM.

Standing on the shores of Akathumuri Kayal we asked ourselves, “Why did we go to Corral Island when we had magnificence right at our door steps?”