Unfortunately many Christians do not read the bible

 We are essentially and comprehensively a family group who believe in God and who have journeyed this far affirming and deepening  our faith.

This morning as I was about to leave for KUTSeminary, our 6 year old granddaughter posed a question. She pointed at the picture - it's a pencil drawing of crucified Christ, Anoop had bidden at a Harvest Festival - on the wall and asked what was written on top of Jesus. I replied it was INRI. Then came the question. What was meant by it?

I was dumbstruck. I said it's King of Jews. I entrusted Ann to verify  and  give her the correct answer and came off.

I overheard Ann giving the correct answer and explaining to her it's Latin. Immediately the next question came. What's Latin. Ann explained it's a language like Hindi, English or Malayalam.

Yesterday an insurance agent - a non Christian  - visited us to collect an insurance premium. He was in a talking mood like all insurance agents. All of a sudden he popped a question. Sir, do you know how many books are their in the bible? He said he had put this to many Christians and had failed to obtain the correct answer from a large number. I gave the answer. He said you have given the correct answer because you read the bible. But unfortunately, many Christians do not read the bible and they couldn't give the right answer. 

The two incidents made me introspect.

Sharing the experience and leaving the rest to the reader

BABYKUTTY AMMAMMA

 Babykutty Ammamma, my cousin's wife wrote after reading my post on Professor.G.D.Gabriel, U C Collage, Aluva.

"I have fond memories of Gabriel sir. I worked as a junior lecturer for a year in the English Department in U C. College after I graduated. He joined the department that year, in 1964. He advised me on what books to read. He introduced me to A.J. Cronin. I got hooked after reading ‘The Judas Tree’. I remember his wife and baby girl. He was very well respected by everybody".

And I replied.

"That was wonderful. That you were an English teacher. That I never knew. That too at the UCCollege. That we both think highly of Gabriel Sir.  

Teachers like him inspire you. They nudge you unassumingly. You are transformed even without you ever knowing the transition.

What was unfortunate was, except for him and EN  - E Narayanan Nambiar the English Department at UCCollege was  devoid of merit in teaching. The rest had degrees and qualifications. But they never knew they were not really conveying. Even the pronunciation was rank bad for some of them. I don't blame anyone. They taught as they knew. But in the process they succeeded in ruining the prospects of a generation who reached out to them to garner knowledge.

It was the bane of Kerala. It still is. Everyone thinks he is the supremo, whereas he is nowhere when he competes with non Keralites.

I had stumbled upon AJ Cronin somehow as I ambled along without a care, without direction, without purpose. Just as you were hooked, I too had been. I think I have been through almost everything he created. May be I had a horror of Judas, I held off Judas Tree till the last. It was good. But enamoured by what I had read earlier, it did not arouse the feeling I had when I read titles like 'Keys of the Kingdom'. 

Ammachi here was an avid reader. Once I gave Keys of the Kingdom to her. Afterwards she told me she had read it several times and each time it had evoked tears

Happy we vibe"

LEANDER PAES

 I grew  up in a middle class family whose passion was sports. And it just shows that with hard work and belief, any body can become a champion"

Leander Paes

He won the Tennis singles bronze at 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It was India's first individual Olympic medal since wrestler Khashaba Jadhav's medal at 1952 Helsinki 

Leander says, " Every Sunday after Church, I used to polish my father's Olympic Medal. My parents had hundreds  of trophies, but this one(the Olympic medal) attracted me. I wanted one of my own."

LIFE MOMENTUM CONFIDENCE

 LIFE MOMENTUM CONFIDENCE

As we go up from childhood through various stages in life, a certain momentum carries us forth. We reach nowhere without the inbuilt mechanism of momentum within us.

We need to execute the tasks we are on to with confidence. No doubt, the momentum referred to, is directly proportional to the confidence we have. 

When we succeed in our quests, the confidence level increases. We see that the confidence and the momentum are feeding off each other. 

We start our days setting goals. We yearn for attaining them. We make it when we do everything right with confidence, momentum in tow.

 We conclude the day achieving the goals we set for ourselves.

ESCALATION OF COST CLAUSE

 ESCALATION OF COST CLAUSE

You know why contracts awarded by Government or Government organisations are never completed in the time prescribed for completion. 

The contracts would have a built in clause, 'Escalation of Cost'.

According to this clause the contract  agreement would affirm  that in case the work could not be completed in time due to causes or reasons beyond the control of the contractor, he would be paid 10% or 20% or more as agreed upon taking into consideration the escalation in costs that may arise with the passage of time

Obviously no work would meet the deadline. 

The excess amount thus released would meet other expenses of the contractor that could not be a part of the contract

VARISU

 Varisu, is a recently released Tamil movie.

We watched it on the OTT. 

It seems its world-wide gross collection in 21 days is Rs.297 Crores

Two things struck me towards the end. 

1. Interaction between the father on his final hours with his son.

Father:

When I should have held your hand as a toddler, I haven't done any thing for you. 

But as soon as I asked, you came forsaking your plans and dreams to hold my hands. 

You gave me more than I asked.

Son:

I may not have walked the path you walked. 

But you were the one who taught me to walk. 

Whatever be the problem between a father and son

To a son, his father is the first hero.

DAISY

 Muhammad Ali or Cassius Clay was the greatest boxer of all times. The whole world liked him. Admired him. He won laurels after laurels. He danced like a bee in the ring.

But the everlasting image he left was the scene where he lighted the Olympic flame with the Olympic torch that had traversed the whole world. One could sense he was ill as he lifted the torch with great effort. But he very slowly did that with the will power that led to him to his stupendous achievements.

There was a lady who had attended the Cholakathu Family  meet on 26 January 2023. She was not well like Muhammed Ali. But she traversed approximately 150 kms with great effort to participate in the meet. Her people helped her accomplish her desire.

She had always been like a bee as I remember. Pleasant. The smile and laughter was making her out. Love and affection were explicit all the time. She was very happy to be among her people. She spoke at the meet with clarity. One could sense the distress she was experiencing. But she made us all sit back and ponder. Yes, the family holds us tight through an invisible bond.

The lady is no one else but our own Daisy. God bless her and carry on gamely, fighting the odds heavily loaded against her.

NURUNGU KATHA

 Let me quote a nurungu katha or a story bit I read a long long while back . It was in a prominent Malayalam magazine.

Sujith was an LD Clerk in the Govt. Secretariat. He detested the file culture in the office where nothing ever moved or nothing ever happened.

He created a file himself, and scribbled, 'the Secretary is an idiot'. He initialed it and submitted it for orders. The file went up through several rungs higher and higher. 

Each official concurred and passed it on after initaliing it for final orders. Finally it reached the top official, the Secretary himself. 

He approved the submission and wrote, 

" Issue orders and file"

The file came back the way it went up.

Sujith was sad. 

He told himself, "No one reads anything  and no one applies their mind anywhere" and put the file away to rust in a black hole never to see light again

Georgekuttychayan from USA

 In 1996, I was at SBI Trivandrum Main Branch. It was a heavy seat like almost all seats I had in SBI were. No grudges. I enjoyed heavily loaded postings.

Lila was at the Kerala University Office. She too was busy. She had the onerous task of managing the house and looking after the children who were growing up. But she enjoyed hosting guests, especially relatives. She still does.

She had known of GK much earlier as her cousin was his classmate. And Susammamma was her elder sister's classmate. 

One night. There was a phone call on the landline. Mobiles had not entered the scenario at that time. To my surprise it was Georgekuttychayan from USA. It was the first call from him in my life. 

While young he had been my role model. Somehow,  medical degree, marriage and USA had frozen the relationship for good. There were no contacts after 1967. His marriage had taken place in that year. Not a unique phase. This is inevitable in the life of any one and everyone. 

In the struggle for life, relationships have no place.

Returning to the phone call.

Georgekuttychayan said he was coming to Trivandrum for a programme at SAT Hospital. He wanted me to receive him at the Airport which was 10kms from our place. He wanted to stay with us till he moved on to SAT and return to our home and stay with us till he left for USA. I replied, fine. 

When I told Lila of the phone call, she was only happy. As usual she started planning. 

Georgekuttychayan came. I took him home. For Lila, though it was hectic, she enjoyed prepaing and serving dishes. We too had a good time in the sense special food marked it's entry only when we had guests. 

I took Georgekuttychayan to all the places he wished to proceed to. In between he said he had never attended a Kerala marriage for quite a long time. He had a longing for that. He could not even attend our marriage though he was in Kerala at that time  on account of various pressing preoccupations.  His mother had explained to us he had a prior appointment with the Principal of the Lovedale School on  the date of the marriage and that it had been arranged four years ago.      

 We said we were proceeding to Mavelikara to attend the marriage of the son of Lila's cousin and he could join us.  He said how he could do that uninvited. We replied they'd be happy to have him. We attended the marriage. He could meet his classmate there as well.

 He took us to Kovalam Ashok, five star,for lunch one day. We were grateful, for five star hotels were beyond us at that time and even now. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent sometime at the beach. The waves drenched us. 

Finally Georgekuttychayan took the flight home. I left him at the Airport.

We presumed he must have reached home safe for there were no calls after he departed.

Typical of our people who have emigrated.

DOCTOR SPEAKS

 I have quit: I have saved a lot of babies, comforted a lot of adults, helped a lot of old people, did acupuncture and relieved pain and practiced Homeopathy.

Glad I am retired . No more suffering, a noble profession brought to nothing!!!

When I was involved with the health care of my mother from 2008-2011, I knew the doctors taking care of her were not like me. 

I was helpless but had to go along with the plan.

On the other hand my own practice was wonderful. I learned from my father who used to pray for his potential patients before he commenced each day at his dispensary. 

I was sued for 28.7 million dollars ( settled for 6) for ordering a blood transfusion for a newborn to save his life ( March 15, 1985), and was judged by a jury who knew nothing about medicine but who knew the law very well.

This forced me to abandon what I loved best. But I had retrained as a GP and beyond and ended as an Administrator. It was a good trip.  And I more than anyone else can understand people in similar predicaments

The blood I ordered had AIDS virus but there was no test to determine that. The lawyer got 2.5 million and the family 3.5 million dollars. However it  destroyed a committed  career and years of sleepless hard work 

I was nailed for not getting a written consent in 1985 when blood transfusion was treatment and not a procedure. No country had required written consent but my case changed it. HIV, Hepatitis C and B testing are now routine in US and that helps lives. But when a test is not available, to punish a doctor for not ordering the test, is quite unfortunate.

Glad I am retired . No more suffering, a noble profession brought to nothing!!!

A dear one writes on 56 years of married life

We celebrated 56 years of married life on May 23, 2024. I do not wish to visit the  past,only the future. The funny thing was  both of us had forgotten the anniversary. 

There is levity, after all

 I had to fight  the family establishments on both  sides of my parents to marry her. No more comments. I was happy to take my parents to Munnar without my wife and watch my father sit in his office in every estate he worked. He was the kindest person. 

 I was confident that I would not have to depend on anyone to achieve my goals other than my girl. We are blessed in that way. I still am my own man with a loving wife and wonderful children and grandchildren.

Kerala of today is not the Kerala when we were children

My relative in the US had emigrated in the early 1970s. He still retains the image of Kerala he took along. 

I wrote to him. 

"Kerala of today is not the Kerala when we were children, as we grew up or what it was or had been when you chose to emigrate. 

People just did not have enough to go by. It was a Herculean struggle. There were no jobs. Food was scarce. Infrastructure was non-existent. Educational facilities were for the rich and the city dwellers. It was socialism all the way. Poverty extended across all segments. 

It has all changed. No one is poor any longer though it is fashionable to proclaim the travails of the have nots.

Kerala is 100% literate. People have income, though agriculture and industrial outputs lag.

From a position of non avalability, the remotest corners are now flush with availability. 

When you drink a coffee with one or two dollars there, please understand that the needs of a family for a whole day is taken care of with the equivalent in Rupees - eighty or one hundred  and sixty - here.

But with all the explosive progress, the average malayali remains as inscrutable as ever, like in the past. They feel it is a sin to smile. Laughter is unthinkable. Handing out appreciation is taboo. The facial muscles remain stiff. Humour is a point of contention

We have imbibed whatever is there in the society. We'd never change. We'd be true malayalees for ever.

 It is what Kerala is today. No one respects anyone. Love and affection have been relegated to the past. Money, power and postion alone matter now."

LIFE WITH A DEFINED AIM KEEPS YOU HEALTHY

 Mr Thomas T K is a former Inspector in the KSRTC. He had retired a couple of years ago. He survives on the Pension that is erratically disbursed.

I was sitting in the office at KUT Seminary, Kannammoola. 

Mr. Thomas dropped in. He said he had come to donate Rs. 5000.00 to the Seminary Development Fund. He added he was inspired by the message by Rev. Dr. David Joy,  Principal of the KUT Seminary at his Church. Of course, the contribution was gratefully  accepted and receipted. While he sat in front of me, he said  a few sentences that struck me like lightning.

It was in Malayalam.

I am posting it here

OLD IS GOLD

 OLD IS GOLD

As the years go by we grow in age. If you let your mind to grow old you would vegetate. You become good for nothing.

An active mind makes people achieve quite a lot , much beyond your own imagination,  to the surprise of everyone including yourself. People learn from experiences. The old (as others state) have a wealth of knowledge. If you don't share that it goes waste, into the dustbin of history. 

When you pass on what you have learned to others you are doing a great service to humanity. If you don't do that it's a great disservice. You are not fulfilling the purpose for which you have been created. The creator is supreme, whether you like it or not, and fulfilling the mission and vision of the creator is paramount.

THE TRUE STORY OF ONE WHO EMIGRATED FROM KERALA IN HIS OWN WORDS

 About my migration to US was a chance I took. I was harassed by the top authority at that time for a 2000 Rupees ( 1969) for a transfer from Ullanadu, in Pala Thodupuzha area to a location somewhere near Trivandrum that was a 4 mile walk from the last bus stop.

Then I was kicked around many PHCs and finally was  told I was fired from Andoorkonam 

I got to US and trained hard and spent 4 years in Kuwait to get my green card and joined the group which trained me in Neonatology as a partner. I never experienced the Kerala officialdom culture in US or Kuwait

What bugs me is the medical care in our Kerala where you think you belong to.

Your father had Surgery and the Surgeon and Anesthesiologist left before he had fully recovered. I found him blue and called the attender and slipped him money to get him to Ward 7 of TVM MC. As an alumnus, I knew there was Catholic Nurse in charge and between all of us we got him stable.   He survived after a cardiac arrest, ventilator support and four weeks in the hospital

When my mother fell and had brain bleeding, I travelled 24 hours to reach Vaikom Spine and Brain Hospital. I had to wait 4 hours to see my mother 

I went to SBT Vaikom with 2000 US Dollars American Express Travellers Check and the lady happily told me that I could cash only 1000. I had to meet the hospital expenses.

When I tried to get my father’s death certificate in Kanam it took 2  days to get it.  I was told the certificate was typed in the wrong institute, meaning the Village Officer will not get his cut. I had to get done in the right institute.

When I went to pay land tax for my mother’s property, I was told I had to get a coy of our neighbor’s tax receipt. The next day, I put 200 Rupees into the book and I got it done. It took  exactly 2 day.

This is why I emigrated and live happily in USA

My varied experiences in real life.

Professor G D GABRIEL U C COLLEGE ALUVA ALWAYE

 He was the Shashi Tharoor of those days.

A no nonsense man. If only the College had utilised his talents to the full, those who had passed out of UCCOLLEGE would have easily been the Kerala equivalents of  Loyola and MCC products. Unfortunately it was not to be.

The malayali sense of false pride did its best and most to belittle his capabilities. They relished  the conversion of the  sublime to the ridiculous all the time. But nothing affected the great  Gabriel Sir. He definitely had a real sense of humour. When I had introduced myself after a gap of four and a half decades he couldn't recognise me as his former student. I responded it was obvious because I never had been a troublemaker or an exceptional achiever who would always have been in the limelight.He commented at  once, " Oh! You were a gentleman." I really liked that. 

 He never flinched from the path he had set out and remained forever what he was.  

I write from almost half a century old perspective.

.......................

Babykutty Ammamma, my cousin's wife wrote after reading this.

I have fond memories of Gabriel sir. I worked as a junior lecturer for a year in the English Department in U C. College after I graduated. He joined the department that year, in 1964. He advised me on what books to read. He introduced me to A.J. Cronin. I got hooked after reading ‘The Judas Tree’. I remember his wife and baby girl. He was very well respected by everybody.

RETAIL MARKETING

 It is plain economics. Not banking. 

Having seen Ashwin run his shop Travancore Fresh Supermarket, (you can see it if you google) Vandithadam, Tiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram the past five years, he completes five years on 11February2024, we can see the discounts are all marketing techniques.

It may be profits to our perception, but it may not be real either.

You get one bottle soft drink free with one bottle. Two at the price of one. Big profit. But please watch the expiry date. 

MRP is where the producers mark prices high much above the cost. The sellers have the liberty to sell low, raise the volume and make profit.

When there is intense competition your prices cannot be more than that of your competitor. 

When the stock remains with you for long, unsold, your money is blocked. It is economics to sell them at discounts. It creates precious shelf space and the funds to acquire fresh stock.

Why do Keralites migrate or emigrate?

 Why do Keralites migrate or emigrate? What makes them do that? Why don't they return?

Keralites had been migrating from the first quarter of the 20th century. They still do that.

They do that in search of greener pastures. They do that for employment. They do that for higher education. They do that because of the abject poverty at home. They do that because their children won't come back. Options were limited or non existent. Development is stiil a mirage here.

They don't return because they feel what they have abroad or outside the state within India is not simply available here.

This is a wrong perception. With  time moving forward and surviving on an inward remittance economy and  with scanty  industrial development and an apology of development of infrastructure Kerala has definitely progressed. 

People who have migrated away from  Kerala unfortunately think  Kerala is still the Kerala they had left eons ago.

I did at one point think of migration. I did stay out of Kerala for three years - for studies and employment. I have travelled to destinatons in India and on a very limited scale destinations abroad. I came back because I liked everything here most.

I find Kerala is the best place to settle down for a Keralite. We can move around speaking our own language. We are aliens everywhere else. We are unwelcome  prospectors of riches to the natives wherever we settle down abroad. We are kala madrasis to the north Indians. We are malayalathans to the Tamils. We are gudu gudu language speaking people to kannadigas and telugus. Even if we speak English we are belittled for our mallu accent in India and found fault with for our  heavily accented English where people converse freely in English.

We antagonise the people  of the land wherever we stay outside Kerala through confining  ourselves to closed societies  excluding them deliberately and purposefully. We identify with ourselves alone

I have a firm conviction, this is where I belong to despite the ignominal insufficiencies prevalent here

Marnus Labuschane Cricket World Cup 2023

 Cricket 

World Cup 2023

Marnus Labuschane

The heart warming story in his own words

"You guys know I am a man of faith and I believe in God. The way everything that's happened, it's unbelievable to me. I'm lost for words. The amount of times I thought. 'I'm done.' Even last night, I didn't get named until about 10.10pm. I thought it might be dewy, I might be  out.

It's hard for me not to believe in miracles, and that there's someone above putting the pieces together."

He wanted to add value to the team. And look how he did it. He played an equally pivotal role in Austalia's ride to victory, though he had been sidelined earlier in several games for poor performance.

..................................................................................................................................................................

 It's in three parts. 

One, where faith and belief in God takes you to.

Two, the player was a discard earlier. 

Three, he played so well despite the branding as a poor performer.

..........................................................................................

Miracle, he says

..............................................................................................

For those who are interestedIn fact, it was *Indian Talent* pitted against the typical *Aussie* grit and professionalism . As all of us know, the *Aussies* have a reputation for putting up sterling performances under pressure situations. It's something which is ingrained in the Aussie psyche. I feel, eventually, it was *this trait* which was the huge difference between both Teams !!! That *never say die spirit*  is simply awesome.

 *Big Salute Marnus Labuschane*.  While Travis Head was blazing away at the other end, Marnus played the role of *sheet anchor* to perfection . And quite understandably, it was the *need of the hour*. More importantly, we are touched by his unwavering faith in GOD. So nice to hear this moving Testimony from a Professional, particularly, at a time when he and his Team, are at the *pinnacle of sporting glory. Despite tasting ultimate success, he remains so humble and *grounded*. In today's fast paced World, it's *seldom,* that we hear a Professional acknowledging Divine presence and attributing success to *HIS Benevolence*.

THE ROCKS FIRST STORY

 I read this sometime ago. It was a motivational book. Unfortunately I am unable to recollect the name of the author or the title of the book.

But what was conveyed was a great lesson.

The ROCKS FIRST story

Take a glass jar and place it on a table along with some sand and rocks.

In the first instance pour all the sand into the jar

 It becomes nearly full. Then put the rocks into the jar. You'll find it can accommodate only a couple of rocks.

In the second instance, put all the rocks in the jar. Follow it up by pouring the sand on top of that. The sand flows into the spaces between the rocks. You'll find a fair quantity of sand in the jar and only some is left.

It means, in the first instance, all the sand is consumed, but very few rocks. In the second instance, all the rocks and a good quantity of sand are consumed.

The moral is, the rocks are the most important things in your life - your health, your relationships, your learnings etc. The sand is the less important or trivial things in life.

If you come to the rocks after dealing with the sand, you will only deal with a few important things. The bulk of the important things will not be dealt with. 

However, if you turn it around and first deal with the rocks, the important things, then you will get a lot done and will have time to deal with as much sand as you have space for.

The lesson is, prioritise and don't waste your time over minor things.

Investments

 Big money  is in waiting,

not buying and selling

BRIDGE AT THAKAZHY

Two anecdotes.

No politics at all.

This was composed in 1989.

IT had not made it mark in Kerala.

While I was at Edathua, I had a friend, a vocal leftist, in the office. 

The left were ruling Kerala at that time.

One day as he was stepping on to the country boat ferry at Thakazhy - he was commuting from Kayamkulam - he had fallen off into the river. 

No damage was done as he was rescued by  fellow travellers.

I told him it would  have been good if there had been a bridge there. In fact the people of Kuttanad had been clamouring for it for decades. The river was quite wide at that point. Commuters crossed the river in country boats. The ferry took the vehicles across. Buses were not transported on the ferry.  Tiruvalla - Thakazhy buses brought people up to one end. Buses from Alapuzha brought people upto the other end. Travel was tedious. The road was part of the Tiruvalla - Ambalapuzha State Highway that linked the MC Road with the NH 47

He replied his party would consider Kerala as a whole, and prepare a list of projects to be implemented. The bridge at Thakazhy would be built only after the priorities beyond that were attended to.

Further, when the power project at Kayamkulam was being built, he said it would be an environmental hazard at Kayamkulam and so the project must be shifted to some Tamil Nadu location and the power generated could be transmitted to Kerala.

No wonder we  end up selling lotteries and liqour

WE ALL NEED AN ACERBIC MUNGER

Like Warren Buffett we all need an acerbic Munger

to curb us from flying off the tangent. 

In a family at times the wife gels into the role effortlessly

and comes out the saviour

No doubt, it's indeed a dystopic world.

 Malayala Manorama reports  on 30November2023              

 At last, the top official  in Trivandrum reveals why parts of Trivandrum including residential areas gets flooded year after year  necessitating inevitable rescue operations. 

According to the official, incessant  rains and neglect of the state by the Central Government  are the real culprits.                                           

         

    No doubt, it's indeed a dystopic world.

SINGAPORE MADRAS MUNNAR

 Papa was in Singapore during the Second World War. His remittances from Singapore had steadied the family. During the war he had really suffered. After the ship he was supposed to board had sunk,  people here had the information he had succumbed to a watery end. 

Later he took another ship and reached Thalavady. However Appachan and Ammachi told him not to go back as they did not wish to lose him.

Well, they had no job to offer him either. He had no personal savings . Whatever he had earned at Singapore had been sent home to ensure the family did not suffer. He had told us his only possession left was a gold ring. Appachan then  told him he had no money for  marrying off one of his daughters. Papa's response was typical of him. He took off the ring from his finger, handed it over to Appachan.

He went to Madras and managed to get a job there. 

He had told me, if he had stayed on in Madras he might have boarded a ship to Singapore as he could not tolerate the hot climate of Madras. However Kattanam Appachan, his brother in law, who was at Munnar had invited him to go across for an interview. The British  impressed with his track record, chose to employ him. The moment he was in Munnar, he said he did not wish to leave the air conditioned climate. And he stayed.

I have often wondered, if Appachan and Ammachi had permitted him to go back to Singapore, he would have, knowing his nature, taken the majority of the family to Singapore and to a better future. 

But that's wishful thinking. Not that life in Munnar was bad. It was good.

I can understand  my cousin's wish to work in Munnar. Fact is no one wishes to leave the place once you are there. He had grown up there.

But those were the days when class barriers had segregated people into water tight compartments. No osmosis was permitted or possible. 

Today it's different.

 

WHEN WORDS FAIL, SILENCE PREVAILS

When words fail, silence prevails.

Rex is vivid in our memories. 

When he was attending school at Kattanam we saw him back home in the school uniform. We had dropped in at Rajan and Molly's place  on our way back to Trivandrum from Thalavady. A young boy.

Then we met him twice at Aby's house at Dubai. Knowing we were there he had called on us. 

He had grown up.

In between the two visits, we met him at Thalavady when Papa passed away in April 2008.  He was one of the pall bearers. 

A responsible young man . We liked him very much.

We were happy to be in touch with him when the Cholakathu family meets were on, online.

To hear, he is no more, is shocking, to put it mildly.

Sometimes we are made to feel, life is very unkind. The deeply religious would argue, man has no right to ask 'Why?' But my question remains. 'Why?'

The sorrow of the family and the parents has no parallels. The wound evades healing. There is no soothing either. There is the road block. One is left to ponder, where to? And, how?

We grieve with the grieving. 

The loss is ours. 

Solace is afar. 

Yet,  Rex would live in us forever.

We praise the Lord for giving him to all of us.

16th December 2023

It was a day that brought everyone together. Sadness filled the air. Bidding goodbye to Rex of 43 years was not  easy. 

But the whole family was dignified in tackling the trauma.

At the church, Rajan spoke his mind out. While we were worried how he could survive the grief, there he was with a  clarity of thought, linear, and  expressing himself extempore. He drew the portrait of 43 years so well displaying nerves of steel. 

The crowd that gathered said it all,  how they loved the family.

TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY AND THE INFIRM

At KUT Seminary, I have observed children instituting endowments and prizes in the names of their illustrious parents. Some of the donors are abroad. Some reside in India. The latter are not wealthy as those abroad. Still they wish to honour the memory of their parents who sacrificed for their children.

There, at times, I get the opportunity to interact with the students. I advise them to visit the members of their congregations and listen to the infirm whose children are all away, some, somewhere in Kerala, some within India and some abroad.

While I was at Kollam, I had  an occasion to meet an elderly widowed customer at Karunagappally. He was residing in a posh house in the middle of a very large compound. His children, some five or six of them, were all abroad either in the Gulf or in USA. There was a maid to prepare food. There was a brand new car and a driver. The driver's job was to come in the morning, spend time with the elderly person and take him for a ride in the evening to Karunagappally and back. The children were paying the expenses of the maid and the driver. 

Yes, they couldn't leave everything and come back and stay with their father. But they were visiting him at intervals. I could sense the care and love and affection there.

Leelammamma, Lila's cousin and former teacher in Calicut Medical College was recently telling her that many of her husband's contemporaries were not in the best of their health. 

Material needs of dear ones, one can always look after. But the question arises, as at an advanced age where one's real needs are far and few, are the old getting what they really require.

Materialism or not we take decisions in life. And they lead us on. But what we tend to forget is, ultimately it's God who guides us all through life, especially when we feel we have everything.

Yes, whatever we have is a gift from God and is momentary.

WHY I REMAINED IN KERALA

 About, myself, my three years - two for higher studies and one as a teacher - outside Kerala had determined it for me.

 No matter what happened, I never wanted to part with Kerala. 

I loved this place with all its deformities. 

And the journey, tough, has led me on.

Rev.Dr.David Joy

 The Principal, KUTSeminary, himself a scholar and who was teaching in England, once remarked. "I could have continued in England and made it good for me and my wife and my children. But I remembered what my father had told me when I went to England.

 He had advised, "Son, never go after money in life." 

The Principal had added, his father was just an ordinary employee of the Govt of Kerala and he concluded, "And I don't regret what I did in returning to India."  

NO SECOND TIME

 When God gives you an opportunity,  

and if you turn away 

there would be no second time.

WHAT COULD I HAVE DONE BETTER?

 Wherever we are we have to slog it out.

There is no escape from that.

We would have failed at times. 

We might have succeeded too.

To do well in life we are thus forced to redefine ourselves for our tomorrows.

 For that, as the day ends ask yourself what could I have done better?

You'd find the exercise transforms you beyond imagination.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE PROMOTED

No company gives you a higher order job, higher title and higher pay without having a higher expectation of output from you. 

You don't go higher with the ask being the same. 

As you get to senior levels, two things change. 

First, the complexity of the problems/issues you deal with and second, the number/quantity/breadth of the issues.

At senior levels, the number of people who want your time is far greater than the time you have, the number of things that need your attention is far greater than the number you have handled earlier and the number of simultaneous things you have to manage is far greater than what you have ever done.

The breadth is such that one day in the morning you could be discussing the long term strategic plan and in the afternoon same day, you might have to deal with next week's issues.

The long and short of this is as you climb high you have to drive an exponential increase in your productivity as well.

LOTTERY AND LIQUOR

 Since no one else is harping on expansion of lottery business and ensuring adequate supply of liquor to the needy, who else is in a position to do that but the enlightened state of ours.

 Yes, we fulfil the aspirations of our people.

It's God's Will

I am reminded of the story on talents in the Bible.

Yes, God has given us the choice to build 

on what we have been blessed with. 

Our own escapism often  leads us to non performance. 

And we justify our inefficiency by  powdering  it up 

with the beautiful term

 'It's  God's Will.'

Be assured God has never asked or will never ask 

you not to do what has to be done. 

Solace is not in running away from issues.

46 YEARS AFTER HUBBY'S DEATH, 91 YEAR OLD WOMAN TO GET PENSION

 

It happened in Orissa.

46 years after hubby's death, 91 year old woman to get pension.

Quite an interesting yet heart wrenching news in The Times of India of 20thNovember2023.

It proves and reiterates bureaucracy in India has no eyes, no hearts and is devoid of basic human qualities

An assistant teacher died  on August26, 1977. His widow had filed several representations for grant of family pension before the state govt. authorities. The representations were rejected. Their stand was the woman was not eligible for family pension as it was introduced after the death of her husband.

The High Court judge hearing her plea granted her relief considering that though the teacher had died in 1977, in normal course he would have retired in 1983

 Now 46 years after her hubby's death, the 91  year old  woman  would get the family pension that was  due to her soon after the death of her husband through the intervention of the High Court of Orissa in 2023.

RAILWAY STRIKE // PRECURSOR TO THE INFAMOUS EMERGENCY

 

 Babychayan was my Mummy's twin brother. 

I had spent  few days with Babychayan at Hubli a couple of days before the Railway strike began. He was in the Railways. Signals. He was strongly articulating the Railway men's cause with everyone he met.  By that time he had been elected as a top union official. I did wonder if he was that vociferous the Govt. would be acting against him.

As soon as the Railway strike began there was a knock at his door at 9 pm one night. It was the Police. "Where's Paul?," they shouted. It was his official name. He came out. "You come with us", they had ordered. He was taken away. Though they frantically searched, his people came to know where he was kept only  after three weeks. Finally he was released, once the Railway strike was over.

 Lila's Achayan was Station Master at Kappil station. Not many trains stopped there. There were two Station Masters. They were supposed to share duty hours everyday. But  what they had been doing was, one would do 24 or 48 hours' duty at a stretch and go home for the next 24/48 hours after handing over charge to the other. When the strike began, Achayan was not there. Assuming he was on strike, the Police were searching for him. They had even called at his house in Trivandrum.     

 Fortunately he was not arrested as he had returned to Kappil, when the Police looked for him at home. But it scared him.  He had immediately filed for VRS and got out of the Railways.

Emergency followed.

The autocrat had learned how people could be subjugated mercilessly by crushing the Railway strike.

 

ALWAYS BE CURIOUS

 6/6/2024

Another academic year has just begun.

Let me quote some tips from Vishnu Sasikumar, AIR31 in the Civil Service exam

1.Despite initial setbacks, determination, resilience and unyielding resolve saw him through.

2.His advice." Always be curious and eager to learn new things." He stresses, curiosity fuels the passion to delve deep into and understand subjects.

3.The pracice of solving question papers regularly and writing mock answers helps in developing skills to succeed in the exams

4.You stay motivated when you enjoy the process of studying.

5.You need to have the ability to manage stress.

6.Find ways to relax and rejuvenate to maintain focus and productivity.

7.Dreams are transformed into reality with passion, perseverance and the right guidance.

Yes, parents have a role, whether the child is in the play school or at higher levels.

 Provide them the right guidance

6th June 2024

Raise your knowledge level and find your dream job

6/6/2024 

 While I was young the avenues open to children and youth today were just not there.

All the same, as I completed my studies and started looking around for a job, I had to write tests and attend interviews. Though my knowledge level was not excellent , I managed to land a job through the knowledge I gained from my studies and the extra reading I had committed myself to.

There is an article in the Hindu today that tells us how to prepare ourselves for competitive exams. 

Once we are equipped, it is like throwing 100 big pebbles at a mango tree. At least one would reach a mango and bring it down for us to savour. 

Yes, the widening of our knowledge base would help us  secure a job or a position.

It happened to me.

 It can happen to everyone.

Reflections on the great soul on his 107th Birthday

1st February 2023

It's 15 years, this April 5th since Papa left us stranded, orphaned. 91 years 2 months and 5 days is a long time. God blessed him to be in this world for so long. Not everyone does that. Still we felt sad when he departed.

Feb 1st, his birthday, we used to celebrate with gay abandon. There would be the cake that would be shared after the knife is put to it by Papa.

The candle would be lit and extinguished. We would sing Happy Birthday...... The Payasam would be there to be savoured after the sumptous lunch or dinner or the ubiquitous biriyani.

Those days are gone forever. But the memories remain fresh as ever. He lives in our minds.

As the years years go by, people tend to forget the great man. Not even the children may remember him. 

We are grateful for the posts by Biju, Aby, Kochumon and Babuchayan. We know he lives on in the minds of each and everyone because he was an unforgettable personality who had been helpful to all he came across.

God led him. His faith in God was absolute. When he prayed, he would kneel, close his eyes and speak to the creator who stood in front of him. He never prayed for himself. He prayed for everyone he knew.

God did answer his prayers. God blessed us all abundantly.

And we are where we are now.

Though Mummy's premature departure had hurt him badly - she was 50 when she was called back, Jan 15 was her birthday - he had compartmentalised his personal loss and had carried on gamely.

He was our friend, guide and counsellor just as he had been to everyone he met.

--Reflections on the great soul on his 107th Birthday

1st February 2023

Jog Falls

 View of the Niagra Falls is mesmerising for those who have been there. But for those  who could not make it over there its pictures make them wonderstruck.

But in India we have the Jog Falls. It's a great experience. When we went there, the experienced driver took us to the ridge across. The wind was scary. The driver asked us to lie down flat on the rock and enjoy the scenery. He said the wind  would be very strong and it could take us off from where we stood and push us down.

We did as he said. The view of the falls was fantastic with the stream falling down from the high altitude.

The pun was, if we couldn't have Niagra we could do with the Jog.

At Jog there is generation of electricity.

Jog Falls is created by the Sharavati River dropping in a waterfall, and is located on the Sharavati River in the Shimoga District of Karnataka, India. The Sharavati River flows through Jog Falls before it eventually merges with the Arabian Sea at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada District. The river is a magnificent spectacle as it links with the Arabian Sea. The width is more than a Kilometer at this point. Two road bridges and a Railway Bridge connect Honnavar with Kasaragod.  The National Highway 66 (NH 66) is the highway that connects Kasaragod to Honnavar, as it runs along the western coast of India, passing through both locations. 

Clubs at Munnar// The past

 Munnar of old days. It had three clubs. 

1. High Range Club

Membership was reserved for British Managers and Assistant Managers. No entry for natives or poor Indians. Later, Indians were recruited as Assistant Managers who after a couple of years were promoted as Managers. They too were enrolled as members of the club. The gripewine was that the members with their wives would assemble every evening and they would dance, drink and dine and return to their estate bungalows. Once, two young Britishers as they drove back late in the night - drunk - landed and drowned in the catchment area of the reservoir of the dam, Headworks. Both were interred in the Cemetery of Christ Church Munnar.

The Club had a Golf Course and cricket cum football ground. It had tennis courts too. As we were prohibited from entering the holiest of holy place we had no means to know what else was inside.The Britishers were angling  with their fishing rods to catch trouts from the river cum reservoir and were sun bathing in the process. The club had facilities to accommodate guests. It graciously permitted natives to enter the sacred premises, and watch cricket or football games when they were on. But nowhere else.

It's etched in my memory. Once there was a Football match on the sacred ground. It was between the High Range Football team and an Indian team led by the legendary Indian goal keeper Thangaraj.

I don't remember who won. But we were thrilled when the centre forward of the High Range team, Sekhar, hoodwinked the great Thankaraj and placed the ball past him into the Indian Teams's net. Poor Thankaraj dived but it was beyond him. 'Goal,' the overjoyed spectators and the entire High Range team shouted and danced with glee. 

2. Indian Club

This was for the natives - the staff. It had a good library. There was a canteen. It had tennis, table tennis, billiards, snooker and card games.

There was no dancing. But liquour flowed freely. There were rooms to stay as well.

3. Workshop Club.

Munnar had a Work Shop. The workers there were considered a grade above the labourers - who were called coolies by the Britishers and the term had stuck -but a step below the staff. They were denied entry to both High Range and Indian Clubs. But they were allowed to have their own club - the Workshop Club.

Here, there were table tennis and card games.  Though it didn't have a canteen, it had a free flow of liqour. There was no accommodation.

4.The poor labourers or coolies  didnot have their own club. But they had the Mukkadan where they had Arack or Charayam that was cheap. They used to expend whatever they earned happily at Mukkadan and were content to  remain poor.

It suited the britishers fine. They had an assured supply of labourers for the future as well, as the children of the labourers devoid of formal education were joining the workforce when they grew up.

Fr. T J Joshua on 17022020 //wedding at the Puthupally Church

Today, it was the marriage of Adv. Biju Oommen's daughter at Puthupally. Biju is Lila's first cousin.

Biju is at present the Secretary of the Orthdox Church. Though the Catholica Bava Thirumeni and three other Bishops were there, the message was by Fr.TJ Joshua.

It was thought provoking.  

I wrote the gist there itself as the message was being delivered.

I am forwarding what I could summarise.

It may be relevant to a few and nonsense to many. 

Life is always like that.

What is marriage?

Sharing and caring

Loving and being  loved

Walking hand in hand

Talk to each other heart to heart

Seeing through each other's eyes

Laughing together

Weeping together 

Enjoying together

 Fr. TJJoshua on 17022020 at the wedding of Biju's daughter at Puthupally Church

 Bhowithakathinte athiprasaram

Aadhyatmikathude thirodhanam

Reasons for disruption of family and family life and prevalence of divorce.

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT//MUNNAR

 Talking point in Munnar for a minimum of three months. 

Biting cold, dry weather or rain people would converge from near and afar and enjoy the game, enjoy the  victories of their favourites and cry when they lose.

The most exciting time in the Hills for all

SHARING EMBEDDED MEMORIES

 Thank you for holding us in your mind and prayers amidst the busy schedule that provides no respite 

We are at Thalavady in  our house that Papa built after retirement from Kannan Devan Co. Papa had a very good and well paid job  there. The construction that  began in 1974 was partially completed in 1976. The family of five stayed here from then onwards. Life was tough with no income and not much savings. We were absolute zeroes. But this was a house of happiness , laughter, faith and prayer in that state of dejection, emptiness  and literal poverty. 

Then God gave me a good job that sort of stabilised us. But God had other ideas. Tragedy struck.

Mummy had a sudden headache on 14 August 1977 that turned to be Glioma, Glioblastoma, a very virulent and malignant brain tumour. She was 49 when she had the big C. She passed away on 30 May 1978 at age 50.

We gave her the best treatment possible. Vellore. But to no avail.

Papa lived on till 5 April 2008 guiding us, helping us navigate.

We were married on 29 December 1977. 47 years.

Reminiscing reverberating memories that are sustained for ever and enshrined in our beings and would never ever fade away and the ever fresh images that flash through the kaleidoscope of life

Happy new year to you  and all at home.

KUT SEMINARY ONAM 2025 POOKALAM FLORAL CARPET

                       KUT SEMINARY ONAM 2025 POOKALAM FLORAL CARPET

                             KUT SEMINARY ONAM 2025 POOKALAM FLORAL CARPET

                                         

ARALI POOVU - FLOWER

                                                               ARALI POOVU - FLOWER

THETTI POOVU - FLOWER

                                                      THETTI POOVU  - FLOWER                  

ASTOUNDING FLOWER

                                               ASTOUNDING FLOWER

                                               

ONAM 2025

                                        ONAM  2025

                                      

TRIVANDRUM -PETTAH - ORUVATHILKOTTA ROAD AT KALLUMMOODU

TRIVANDRUM -PETTAH - ORUVATHILKOTTA ROAD AT KALLUMMOODU 

                      IT IS A MAIN ROAD 3 KM FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY

                     ROAD UNDER WIDENING FOR THE PAST 2 - 3 YEARS

                         SPEAKS FOR ITSELF ON THE TRAVAILS OF CITIZENS

This is a two km stretch. The picture herein is the saga the entire length.  Quite a lot of work has been going on, on the road the past couple of months. Riding a two wheeler or driving a four wheeler is a tough proposition here.

Heavy vehicles including school buses are banned. You can walk. You don't know where the ditches are. The road is full of pot holes. You have no idea where they are. If it rains, it is an understatement because rains are here forever, the road is slushy and unmanageable. Pedestrians have the toughest grind. They have to walk the stretch to board the public transport. You have to be wary of the vehicles as you jump and walk. But it is very safe for them as the vehicles can move only on the first gear or the second gear.  You can safely cross the road at will, as  the vehicles have a hard time negotiating the road that is no longer a road.

By the time the work is completed it is certain you will have to pay through your nose a hefty sum to repair and recondtion your vehicles.

 The road tax we pay has to go for the maintenance of the roads. However even no nam  ke vaste maintenance is possible here.

The silver line is, as we have the assembly elections in 2026, we are sanguine the work will be completed before that. 

Then God will have to save us from the zooming, screaming, roaring vehicles.

We look to that day.

There was an exceptional caption for this photo that was a forward.

Those who successfully negotiate this road can do away with taking the '8' when they appear for  securing their driving licence.

 

 

ARYAN KHAN s/o SHAH RUKH KHAN DEBUTS

 

When Aryan Khan took the stage he disarmed the crowd with honesty and wit.

"For the past two-three days I've been trying hard to memorise this speech, in fact,I'm so nervous that I've got this (speech) on the teleprompter also and just in case if the lights  go  off, I've got the speech written on a piece of paper and I'm carrying a torch as well. Even then, if I still make a mistake, then 'Papa hain na' (laughs),"  he said as Shah Rukh Khan turned around to reveal the speech taped to his back. Closing with humility, he added, "If I make a mistake even after all this, then please forgive me as this is my first time."

Reflecting on his son's debut, Shah Rukh Khan said, "When Aryan told me that he is going to make a show on Bollywood, and it will be raw, edgy, and there will be a lot of madness in it..... I thought is he going to put the CCTV footage of Mannat (his house) on YouTube. But he is creating something fresh and unique. It took me a while to catch on, but once I did, I was completely drawn in.  I am grateful to this holy land of Mumbai and this whole country, which gave me this opportunity for 30 years to entertain you all. And today is a special day because my son is also taking his first step in this industry. The amount of love that you all have given  me, if you can give 100 or 150% of that, then just give it all to him. Give him your blessings."

Sharing the lessons he instilled in Aryan, SRK added, "Aryan is very hard working because we've taught him only two things at home - there's no guarantee of box office success and there's no guarantee that critics will give positive reviews, but when you work hard, there's a full guarantee."

Quoting from Trivandrum Times of Times of India on 23rd August 2025 as it is relevant and has humour

TEN YEARS IN THE KUT SEMINARY

 My ten years in the KUTSeminary 

 have been a journey of love, 

friendship and blessings

because of the amazing people 

who have touched my life 

in the most 

beautiful way.

Reaching this milestone

is a blessing,

one that not everyone 

gets to experience.

I thank God for

the journey so far.

There had been an invitation 

 to embrace growth,

joy and fresh starts

here.

It's a celebration.

of the stories I have related

of the people I have loved

and 

of the resilience 

I have built up.

This is a partial adaptation from an article on  Manisha Koirala, actor in the Trivandrum Times of Times of India on 23rd August 2025

EVANA ABRAHAM 23rd August 2025

 

C.THOMAS IAS retd and C.I. ABRAHAM, his teacher

My name is Abraham Jacob

Some people address me Abraham

Some address me Jacob

I often request them to correct Mr.Jacob  as

Mr.Abraham 

Because I prefer to be known as Abraham who is my grandfather.

Papa, my father,  was Chacko but he had anglicized it into Jacob. 

Perhaps his exposure at Singapore during the Second World War

and his proximity with the British when he had been employed by

the KDHPCO Ltd, at Munnar must have prompted him for the anglicization

I am proud I am Chacko's son.

But at Thalavady, our native place, when I disclose my family name as Cholakathu, people at once ask me 

'Cholakathu Abraham sarinte aara' (Who are you in relation to Cholakathu Abraham Sir)

He was an LP School teacher and then the Head Master. 

He was well known and had commanded respect even a long while after he left his job.

The most interesting anecdote.

It was 1982. Mr.C.Thomas IAS retd. was a member of the Christ Church. Trivandrum. He was well known and well respected. We were new to Church. I had watched him from a respectful distance. There was the inhibition to mix with the high and the mighty.

Mr.C.Thomas was the former Chief Secretary of Kerala.  (He was part of the first batch of the Travancore Civil Service in 1946, a year before India's independence. He passed away at the age of 103 in 2018).

I was the SB passing officer. The workload was quite heavy.

One day, C.Thomas Sir walked in and approached me. He wanted some assistance. It was quickly done. Then he asked me who I was, as I was new in the seat.

I blurted out my name. He asked me where I was from. I replied, Thalavady.

 He asked for my family name. 

Cholakathu, I replied. 

The next question dumbfounded me.

'Cholakathu Abraham sarinte aarah'. (Who are you in relation to Cholakathu Abraham Sir)

I replied quietly, Grandson.

The great man at once said, 'Athente saranu'. (He was my teacher)

Then he turned around and told his friend who had accompanied him, 

"Ithente sarinte kochumon aanu."(This is the grandson of my teacher)

I had witnessed him repeating that to his friends on his subsequent visits.

I remember a story narrated by my grandfather.

C.Thomas Sir was in charge of some office. My grandfather had something to be attended to there. He had gone in to meet the officer in charge. As he stepped in, he saw C.Thomas Sir occupying the seat.

Valiappachan (Grandfather) said what C.Thomas Sir did next had surprised him.

As soon as he saw his former teacher he stood up with folded hands.

Valiappachan could never forget that gesture.

Rev.Dr.Santy.S.Paul writes on the book A Walk Through The Rain

 “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Pangs of writing get rewarded in publishing, I believe.

It was indeed a happy occasion for all of us to partake in your great achievement.

I sincerely wish and pray that you may be blessed to produce many more such beautiful literature, which I believe is incarnational.

I will attempt writing a review of the book, as I have gone through the pages.

We will be able to avail the book for sale by next week.

Good wishes.

ANN JOSHUA writes on the book A Walk Through The Rain

 Here unveils the true potential

 of an inspiring, 

loving 

and 

motivating leader, 

husband, 

father

and 

grandfather. 

Proud of you papa

WHAT HAVE I ACHIEVED IN LIFE?

 There comes a point in life  when you ask yourself, 

"What have I achieved in life?"

"When that happens you can see you are made to set a goal 

for yourself and strive to reach the target."

You would  never be able to run away either.

A WALK THROUGH THE RAIN by ABRAHAM JACOB

A WALK THROUGH THE RAIN 

by 

ABRAHAM JACOB

I am happy to announce that a collection of the posts in this blog  childisprecious.blogspot.com has been published as a book on 18th August 2025.

The book was released in an august function at the KUT Seminary, Kannammoola, Trivandrum, Kerala by  Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder,   Bishop  of the CSI Diocese of Coimbatore in the presence of  Rt.Rev. Royce Manoj Victor,  Bishop  of the CSI Diocese of Malabar,

Rt.  Rev Jose George,   Bishop  of the CSI Diocese of Kollam - Kottarakkara and                    Rev Prof Dr C.I.David Joy, the Principal of the KUT Seminary.

The book, A WALK THROUGH THE RAIN by ABRAHAM JACOB, has been published by  KUTS PUBLICATIONS, the KUT Seminary, Kannammoola, Trivandrum, Kerala.

I present here in all humility the front and back cover pages of the book along with the photo of my handwritten speech that introduced the book before the dignified audience and a few pictures of the release of the book.

As I had mentioned at the conclusion of  the speech,"I leave it to the readers to discern." 

Yes, a writer will write. It's not for him to self-evaluate.

The author Abraham Jacob introduces the book

The handwritten speech that introduced the book before the dignified audience.

KUTSeminary (KUTS) THE BRAND

 KUTSeminary (KUTS) is the brand that at once  carries with it a sense of heritage and a spirit of innovation.

KUTS effortlessly blends tradition with the shifting values of the modern day world.

Here is dynamism in the truest sense.

KUTS represents readiness for future. It's not just about imparting Theology, it's about building resilience. It's about ensuring that KUTS  responds to ever growing challenges without losing sight of its cherished values.

Growth is meaningful only if it strengthens the relationships with those connected with KUTS, the Churches and the community of believers and non believers.

From its inception, the tale of KUTS has been one of steady and constant growth driven by Theology and Technology. 

The milestones KUTS has crossed is a reminder of the cultural and emotional integration it has accomplished in its tumultuous  journey till now.

GIRLS OF YONDER TIMES

 It took decades for girls' education to be finally acceptable.

Yet, for lakhs of school leaving girls, their dreams of higher education were shackled by ultra conservative chains. 

Else you might have become a dental surgeon or stepped into any other profession where you would have done wonders. I am not joking. Your approach to life and issues loudly proclaim  that. But had you been a boy the script might have been different.

Education opens the mind, allows imagination free rein. However for people who mattered at your young age freedom was scary - beyond 'control'.

You were sent to school or College. But those who controlled you could not tolerate your assertion of your own  likes and dislikes, let alone the freedom to choose your own future.

You were not unique or solitary at that time. It was the order of the day.