Chokkalingam effect
Mr.Chokkalingam was a Field Conductor in the Aruvikkad Estate of the KDHPCoLtd. Aruvikkad was among the twenty and odd tea estates of the Company in the high ranges. Each estate was managed by a Manager assisted by an Assistant Manager operating from the estate office situated adjacent to the Tea Factory. The Office was headed by a head clerk supported by clerks. The Tea Factory was headed by a Tea Maker supported by factory assistants in the staff cadre. Together they managed the production where the labour force did the manual work. The vast Tea estate was divided into divisions that were managed by the Field Conductors ably assisted by Field Assistants. Here, the manual work in the tea garden was carried out by the labour force.
The company had been organising a football tournament every year during the months, January to the beginnig of April at the football ground at Munnar for the Finlay Trophy. The participants were the teams from all the estates of the KDHP and the Malayalam Plantations in the High Ranges. Matches would begin at 4 or 5 pm on the scheduled dates. Sundays were off days.
For the people of Munnar and the estates, the Winter Season of the three months were festival months. It was the sole recreation for the people of High Ranges where heavy rains drenched the region for the rest of the year.
I could see people running on the roads to reach the football ground to watch the hotly contested matches. As the school closed at 4 pm, I used to run 3 miles either way to put my books at home and return at once after gulping down quick whatever Mummy had kept for me at home.
Chokkalingam was a hefty figure. He was handsome. He was sturdy. He possessed a physique that was the envy of everyone else. He was the key player in the Aruvikkad football team
There he stood on the football ground majestically. He was the fullback. His tackles were strong. The attacking forwards of the opposing teams were hesitant to approach him when he held the ball. He was a wonderful stopper. It was very difficult to bypass him or go past him and strike at the goal.
Chokkalingam knew very well how to relieve the mounting pressure exerted by his opponents in his domain, that was the entire one half of the ground. He knew if the ball remained in his half, his own goal would be in danger.
He would dispossess the attacker with the ball and get hold of it. Once he did that he would kick the ball high and away, even dispatching it out of the ground. We could observe that there was never any planning in his wild swings. Perhaps he had no basic training in the game. But he was very good in delaying the inevitable.
Aruvikkad had never won the trophy, though they had reached the semi finals a few times. They were always a strong contender.
Chokkalingam effect is an excellent example on how we should not put away challenges aimlessly. It tells us we need to plan comprehensively without divesrsions or deflections. It teaches us brain is more important than brawn in our journey of life.
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