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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.
