Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Saviours of the poor

 Mom's home nurse Manju has shifted to her new compact home built with government funds, their savings and some aid from us in cash and kind. Looking at pictures of the house with marble flooring, new shiny curtains, and appliances that make life easier, one would mistake it for a rich man's house. But it is a house built painstakingly with their sweat and blood, and dignity that has been made possible by the communist movement in Kerala which gave the oppressed classes equal rights and the freedom to dream of a better life.

Kerala lost one of its revolutionary stalwarts last week - former CM Achuthanandan, better known by his initials VS. Someone who came from modest and difficult surroundings, and who fought for the rights of the backward castes and classes and that of labourers. The massive crowds at  his funeral though he died at the ripe old age of 101 was unprecedented. We might call him  the last good communist but it might be better to say the last popular good communist.

If Manju's progeny can cut a birthday cake like any other rich kid or buy new clothes for Onam, the struggles of these mass leaders have not gone in vain. 

M's husband Vish... spent 10 years of his growing up years in my family home. His father was our family help, a kind of man Friday who had some odd job around the house on a daily basis. He kept the yard and the fields tidy. Vish first came to chase away birds in the fields during sowing season. He then took up residence with us on granny's suggestion sleeping on the big table in the work area that doubled up as an ironing table on weekends. For the young lad of 10, it meant three square meals, wholesome and tasty, cooked under granny's guidance. He went to the government school  nearby but also tended to the cattle at home, fetching hay for them or stoking the fire under the huge cauldron that cooked their special meal of puliyarikanji. Vish was also our playmate, joining us for football or badminton. He taught the masters' sons cycling and tree climbing as they would lovingly vouch years later. But books and studies were not his cup of tea, and he spent 2 years in every class. He quit goodbye to books after failing in Class 10.

Today his elder daughter is doing well in school, and her teachers expect her to pass with distinction in grade 10.


Wednesday, July 09, 2025

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Eid outings

Early June brought home Mira and the Bakrid break. We also had a visitor from Saudi _ Vs sibling. It was reason enough to explore new places despite the summer heat. One evening, we went up the country's highest peak in RAK emirate, and another day we went for a picnic at Love Lake in Du-bai. Both were enjoyable.

Monday, May 12, 2025

W.A.

The 26th wedding anniversary was made sweeter by Bhima once again with a chocolate cake. A marketing tactic prompted by sales and future sales. Had exchanged some old gold for something more contemporary in design.
We celebrated the day with a homemade lunch where vinod made the fish fry and ridge gourd curry, followed by a trip to the Cinemas to watch Thudarum, and rounded off with dinner at Habib Beirut, a Lebanese restaurant that also serves Italian food.
Wishes on Facebook and whatsapp completed the day.

Sunday, May 04, 2025

The less privileged

The book fair is a wonderful place to meet people. What I miss on an average day and what I enjoy... 
This time had its memorable moments including the Ugandan security guard.
Then there was this smart young boy behind me at the students session with podcaster Varun Duggirala on Wednesday who kept raising his hand to be a volunteer or fire a question but wasnt seen most times much to his disappointment. He told me he is called Shahrukh Khan in school, and his friends vouched for him. I held him close and asked his name. He was Muhammad and his friend was a mohd too while the chap with bhasmam (holy soot) next to him had a Hindu name. Did a short SRK dance for me :) 
The next day, there was another students' interaction, this time with CG Salamander. Of the 3 schools, one was NIMS shj. And there was this boy seated with his friends on the second row wearing tattered sports shoes. He spoke in Hindi to his friends. I couldn't get chatting like the previous day. After all this was Grade 8 boys unlike the Grade 5 boys the previous day.
I got the accompanying school teacher's number after the session and messaged him later asking if I could get the boy a pair of shoes. He thanked me and said it's against school policy. Damn, I should've chatted with the boy and got his mom's number. 
But I hope the school will do something.
It pains me when we bring up privileged kids at home who don't use an umbrella beyond an year or wear a top beyond a semester! Haha, that's Mira. Of course she has changed in APU ( the social science effect plus living with kids on financial aid) and no longer hankers after brands or want too many clothes.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Books to Uganda

 It is that season when Sharjah once again celebrates the children's book festival. Parents come with their kids in tow or school buses transport kids on weekday mornings. They buy books, take part in workshops or enjoy the cultural programmes and snacks on sale.

For us in the media room, there are sumptuous food packets three times a day with sandwiches, biryanis, fruits and cakes. But there is a silent team at work - the cleaners and security people at various locations in the venue.

One such person is Alex from Uganda, who mans the lift leading to the media room and prayer room. I say a hello or smile vaguely. Yesterday, he asked about the books on sale and said he cant think of buying them for his kids back home as they are very expensive. I told him I will see about it. Today I packed some of my children's books in mint condition - Geronimo Stilton, Secret Seven, etc.  -- and gave them on my way to my work room. He was thrilled; later he told me that he had messaged his wife and sent pictures of the books he would be bringing for them. 

So I decided to get him a new book for his younger kid aged 5, and found a book of fairy tales at Big Bad Wolf which has some good discounts. He was doubly thrilled. I hope the children will be too when they receive a new book.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

A friend lost

Another untimely death has claimed the life of an old dear friend. My roommate and MCCian in Madras years ago and dad's colleague's daughter died in an accident when her husband rammed their car early morning into a stationary lorry; he is believed to have dozed off behind the wheel and their car apparently did not have air bag, an optional feature in India.

My grief has been compounded by the fact that I almost met her on my last trip to Kerala. We were to meet but since our timings clashed, she said we will meet next time. At least I had been able to chat with her; she had called when my dad passed away and we had been briefly in touch. A connection we had lost when she got married first and got busy with her life. 

God bless her soul.

 Mom's home nurse Manju has shifted to her new compact home built with government funds, their savings and some aid from us in cash and ...