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.

DO YOU FEEL A SENSE OF FEAR

 Something that struck me when I read an article on Amir Khan, Actor in today's Trivandrum Times of  Times of India.

1. He felt a sense of fear every time he embarked on something new.

This has happened to me umpteen times all my life. There are palpitations and apprehensions. It is the fear to face the unknown. I shiver from my innards. I felt that even the day before yesterday, when Evana came back from the school with a bad cough. 

I phoned the Doctor. The appointment was at 6.30pm. I knew the traffic would be pretty heavy onward and homeward.

I wondered how I'd go through that. I was dithering. But the child needed the doctor much more than my apprehensions that were weighing me down.

I went ahead. It was mayhem on the road to and fro - more than 10km one way. But once I was on the road I found the apprehensions withering . I knew I could do it. I did it.

I thought of you. I could see the forces ranged against you and backing you. Add to that your own doubts on how you could tackle the avaricious and the selfish

2. I am going back to Amir Khan. He recalls the premiere show of QSQT - Qayamat Se Qayamat Tk - in 1988. He says, 

"I remember walking into the film with no one recognising me, and when the film got over and I walked out, I was mobbed."

That day is not far off.

YOU

 When matters do not go well as you perceive or go the  wrong  way, it is time you take a break. You must take rest, sift through what went wrong and assess what changes you have to initiate.

Please be open to feedbacks.

When your peers excel in performance,  introspect whether their success  adversely impacts  you. If it does and if it depresses and pressurises you, address it at once. It is not the end of the world as everyone goes through such phases in life.

As you never would like to be left behind, visit your failures positively and force them to inspire and motivate you. 

It'll always be a healthy race.

You have to be crystal clear how you should chart your course forward. 

You need to be self reliant.  You need to brave the storm of doubts and rivalry. You have to be independent. You have to make your own decisions. You have to  overcome  alone the  hardships on your path.  

It helps you  garner strength  to deal with the travails life throws across. 

 You  grow and evolve.

REVOLUTION FOR PURIFICATION /CSI/CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA

 The  justification for starting a revolution is evinced only if it turns out successful.

People  respect you only if the revolution works out. 

But we don't know up front what's going to happen. 

To gain strength to persevere, you need to believe that what you are doing is a noble cause.

The nicest part is that you dramatically increase the likelihood of the next revolution to succeed if you try this one.

URI LEVINE

SKD/ CSI SOUTH KERALA DIOCESE /CSI

This is an appeal to all in CSI who stand for Christ

Now think of SKD. Think of CSI as a whole.

What we need is a revolution for purification.

Please initiate it. 

Chances are you could fail as well 

But fail and fail only to succeed.

If you fail after the bid for the revolution and the total transformation, it doesn't matter. 

You are setting off the next revolution.

After all, Jesus was crucified for purging  evil from the temple at Jerusalem.

We follow Jesus. Not Satan. Nor mammon.

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM AT KUTS

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

It is a short novel by the Russian writer and Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

It's on stalinist repression in the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Abraham had  read his Cancer Ward. He couldn't get his hands on to the book referred to.

Today it popped up in Abraham's mind. Inspired, he said to himself, " Why not write on one day of Abraham at KUTS"

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM AT KUTS

Abraham is Honorary  Treasurer, KUTS

Abraham reached the office at 9.35 sharp.  It was 25 minutes late by his standards. The library archivist followed him at the steps. He went up slowly to enable the library archivist mark the attendance. He left the office at 1.30 pm for lunch. He has it at home. These days the workload had been heavy as his assistant was convalescing after Open Heart Surgery. In the general run it had kept him glued to his seat till 2 pm or 2.30pm. He was happy there was a lighter day after three weeks of hectic activity.

As he was settling down on his seat in the morning, the Principal brought Rs.1500 collected by Jaya the previous day. It was promptly accounted. Thinking it was a light day Abraham started reading Uri Levine. One folio and the peace was broken. Mohanan brought a cup of tea. One after the other work kept on arriving. There was an advance to settle. It was done. Mohanan wanted another advance. Abraham called for data on loans outstanding against Mohanan. The acquittance was verified. There were more to be collated. Someone wanted assistance from charity. He fended them off. Not that he was heartless, he couldn't attempt that without proper assistance. The remittances kept on coming in. There were meetings with the Principal. There were cheques to be issued. There was a cheque to be deposited at Indian Bank. Mohanan was sent for that. Manoj was asked to stand in.

Pradeep did a few cash collections. Those had to be accounted. These days Pradeep had been doubling or tribling up. Nothing would have worked if he hadn't done that.

There was disruptive grinding noise. It was deafening. Looked up at what was happening on the terrace.

Another advance had to be disbursed. Done. There were a few cash payments. There were three drafts typed by Pradeep. One needed a few more insertions. Finished drafts went up for approval. 

The fogging man stepped in for his wages. Paid. He spoke of occasional chest pain. Abraham listened patiently and advised him to visit the Cardiology OP at the Medical College Hospital.

There was not a dull moment. At 1pm Manoj wanted to go back to the Library to have lunch along with the librarians. Abraham told him to wait and help out in closing the cash. Once it was over he let Manoj go.

Made a few phone calls for KUTS and finally left for home at 1.30 pm. 

At home, as soon as the lunch was over, he went up to verify the balance in the KUTS a/c and it was conveyed to the Principal.

It was a light day. But at times work balloons. 

The key word is never lose calm. Go on with the  work  one after the other and get off.

SHINING BRIGHT

SHINING BRIGHT

 

 

WRITER WRITES HOW TO WRITE

I can write on what I do

When I have an idea, I build on that in mind first.

Then I start to pen.

Once I conclude, I leave it there for a day or two. 

Then I work on it. At times it is even overhauled in its entirety.

I visualise the reader. To me what I create is always excellent. But I think of the one who peruses it. If it doesn't appeal to him the creation is below par. If I get that inkling, I work on it. 

No one likes repetition. I strive to avoid that as much as possible. 

At times I let Lila have a look at it. I watch for her facial expressions as she goes through it - critique by the finest critic. Then I listen to her.

Based on her reaction I work on it again. 

At last it sees the light of the day.

It doesn't matter if it is long or short.  It has to convey. It must challenge the intellect of the reader.

I keep in mind what I am presenting is not to glorify myself but is for the reader to grasp. The reader creates the writer in me.

There shouldn't be any disconnect in what I present. My sentences should be crisp, short and simple.  I can interject high calibre words, but I should align with the central theme.

I try to ensure I revolve around the theme. Digressions are essential at times. But I shouldn't flood my presentation with them.

Unless I am on my own autobiography I should never launch myself in what I offer.

I think this is too long. But I was conveying my own philosophy.

Johnson's Kitchen Cabinets

                                                     
                                                                 Johnson's Kitchen Cabinets

Johnson is the Proprietor of Excellent Fab, Trivandrum

Phone  9846058122

ALL OUR STAMPS CANCELLED

Once a woman forgets her favourite handkerchief at the cash counter of a bank

The cashier keeps the handkerchief with himself thinking that whoever it belongs to will come and take it, but by mistake, as per his habit, the cashier puts 2-4 stamps on that handkerchief.

After some time, the woman comes and asks for her handkerchief, then the cashier gives her back her handkerchief.

As soon as the woman sees the bank stamps on her handkerchief, she angrily tells the cashier, "What stupidity have you done? You have ruined my precious handkerchief. Do you even have a brain or not?"

The cashier also got angry after hearing the woman's words and then he replied..."Who told you to leave the handkerchief here, we are not your servants... the government pays us to do bank work and not to guard your handkerchief, get out of here quickly.

The woman, fuming with anger, goes to the chief branch manager's cabin and tells him everything.

After listening to the woman very carefully, the branch manager asks her for a handkerchief and then puts a stamp on it which says "All our stamps are cancelled" and signs it with date. He gives the handkerchief back to the woman and says, "Take it madam, now the old stamp is not valid anymore."

NEVER ALLOW NEGATIVE THOUGHTS TO CONTROL YOU

 Positive people also 

have negative thoughts. 

they just don't allow

 those thoughts 

to control them. 

great value of having 

good people around us 

is not what we get 

from them

but the better person

 we become is 

because of them

SMILE

 A smile can open a heart 

faster than a key can 

open a door.. 

Smiles are free 

so don't save them.. 

Brighten the world 

with your smile..

WHEN YOU EDIT

 Please take care when we publish 

Abundant caution is the key word

Words can settle

Words can unsettle

Words can crumble edifices

Editing is an art

It is a thankless job

Editing has to be from 'A' to 'Z'

Editor has to be extremely alert

It's not a casual job

It's not a cavalier approach 

That is called for 

Nor it should be done with  a perfunctory 

Or casual approach 

EVANA

EVANA

29TH JULY 2025

 

 

ELVIN ABRAHAM

ELVIN ABRAHAM

 

MK SANOO // SANOO MASH

MK Sanoo, affectionately  known as Sanoo Mash, 96,  passed away on 2nd August 2025. 

He had been a towering figure in Kerala's political and cultural landscape. He was at once a critic, writer, teacher, thinker, social activist and a former legislator. He had remained an active and enthusiastic presence in public affairs until the very end, despite the frailties of age. He believed old age is a great pain. 

He has authored over 50 works spanning various literary genres, including criticism, commentary, children's literature, biography and literature. He was indeed a multifaceted personality. He was an eternal presence to all he came into contact with. 

His biographies stand apart for their depth and candor. 

Even at the age of 90, he was sharp, articulate and full of clarity. Hia insights hadn't faded. They had grown deeper. Once when he was queried why he was so drawn to tragic heroes in Western literature, he had been eloquent. He explained how Hamlet, Oedipus, Romeo and others belonged to that category.  He said, "They were individuals with willpower, courage and talent who scaled great heights and had fallen. The higher they rose, the greater they fell." He added that their mistakes might have shaped their tragic end.

In 'Changampuzha Krishna Pillai:Nakkshthrangalude Snehabhajanam', he explores Changampuzha not just as a literary icon, but also as an obsessive lover - delving into the emotional complexities and hidden struggles that shaped his pursuit of love and intimacy.

For Sanoo Mash, students were his pride and wealth. His Malayalam classes were a space where students from all streams had gathered. He was a deeply caring person. He was full of concern and empathy for others. 

He was a left fellow traveller who always had believed in socialism. But he was a total believer in the existence of God. He believed chanting mantras had the power to heal. He was sanguine there was indeed an  external force that guided all to greater goodness and kindness. 

Speaking about writers, he had maintained, they had a single role to play - to write well. He wanted them to show the readers the multi dimensional reality of the world and unveil an aesthetic truth that they alone could  unfold through what they deliver.  He had been of the view that a writer should be in an ivory tower to write well though the writer should never be living there. He emphasised that unless the writer wrote from an ivory tower, he would be  losing his focus whereas detachment  aroused the creativity in him. According to him, detachment helps the writer meditate on his work. He signed off referring to Samuel Beckett who had said that art was the apotheosis of solitude.

Sanoo Mash was truly our generation's voice.

Sourced from  report in Times of India of 3rd August2025 and articles in the newspaper by  Viju.B,

 P K Abhayakumar, CICC Jayachandran,& M K Sunilkumar

 

AI STAR SYSTEM HELPS THE BARREN TO CONCEIVE //ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 Times of India of 30th July 2025 in its 'Technology for Health'  series quotes Cleveland Clinic and DrZevWilliams and presents the article 'After 19 years of trying for a baby, this couple lost hope.But AI made it happen'

In a first,  AI has helped a woman to become pregnant. Azoospermia (no detectable sperm in ejaculate) had been preventing it for 19 years, though the couple had been through 15 failed IVF cycles. The Technology adopted is called Sperm Track and Recovery (STAR) system.

The Columbia University Fertility Center developed STAR to detect "really, really, really rare sperm", the kind lab technicians fail to find in azoospermia samples. Dr.Dev Williams, Director, Columbia University Fertility Center ans STAR developer told Times Magazine, "I liken it to finding a needle hidden within a thousand haystacks. But it can do that in a couple of hours - and so gently that the sperm that we recover can be utilised to fertilise an egg."

For five years, Williams and his team perfected the system using a sperm-detecting AI algorithm. The process starts with a fluidic chip flowing the semen sample through a small tube on a plastic chip. Once AI confirms sperm presence, that bit of semen is diverted to a separate tube. Whataever few sperm there are in the sample can be isolated in such a way that could either be used to fertilise an egg or frozen for later use.

That's exactly what Williams and his team did for the couple. Just two hours after collecting the husband's sperm, they got to know the wife's eggs had been successfully fertilised, ready for transfer to the uterus in a few days. The wife is four months pregnant now and the both the mother and the fetus are doing welL.

Columbia University Fertility Center says the STAR system is a groundbreaking advancement for men diagnosed with azoozspermia adding, "This system can detect and retrieve even the smallest numbers of sperm gently and without harsh chemicals or lasers, using cutting edge AI, high speed imaging and robotics.Azoospermia affects around 1% of all men and accounts for 10% of all male fertility issues. The most common cause of the condition is a blockage in the male reproductive tract.

What makes STAR ahead is tha it can successfully isolate the sperm in a semen sample where male infertility is involved. The interesting fact is when embryologists had worked hard for two days in analysing one of the semen samples and couldn't find any sperm STAR had found 44 in an hour.

The dream of the scientists is to advise people with no hope of having a child, they can go on and have healthy children.