ACTION PACKED DAYS OF A SENIOR CITIZEN May 2025

Trip to Doha My title as the Academic Director of Rajagiri Public School implies that I ensure that Rajagiri standards are maintained at Rajagiri Doha.  This necessitates that I am there on the campus during the course of the year to assess the quality of functioning of the Rajagiri institution there.  After almost 10 days of intensive review exercises with all the committees and the departments of the college, I set off on the 9th of May to Doha. We have almost a 3-hour drive to the airport, almost 100 kilometres away. Usually, I ride a bike to Lucknow Cathedral at Hazrat Ganj (would mean respectful or divine or holy market - it is a prime area of Lucknow city) and then go to the airport by Metro. Metro station is exactly on the entrance of the Cathedral. It reaches directly to the airport and is very convenient. 

Religions for Peace - Lucknow This day, we had some tasks to accomplish at the university, and then we had to meet our Lucknow bishop regarding a celebration to be held later on the campus. And by coincidence, there was an interreligious gathering for peace (in the wake of the warlike situation between India and Pakistan). After meeting the bishop, I decided to attend that as I consider this a very important aspect of being a Christian today. Could meet with some of the guests, outstanding among them was Dr Ammar Rizvi who is leading politician of this region, but who takes keen interest on such platforms (that he has switched his loyalties from Congress to some other centrist parties and then to BJP is perhaps on account of his being part of today's politics of convenience). The meeting with Bishop as the chief guest and supported by the Cathedral choir, made a pledge for peace.  The representatives of all religions, especially of the Shia and Sunni factions of Islam, condemned violence in the name of religion and made it very clear that the Holy Quran does not support violence and killing in the name of religion. That definitely implies the religious texts handed over from the past need interpretation for today. The Shia scholar or Maulavi (?) was a very elegant young man clad in a very Arabic sort of dress. And our bishop was clad in his typical Roman clergy dress with the purple sash. 

This is a good platform, and such platforms ought to be there in every town now. I thought we should take some such initiative in Sitapur. 

Adani Fame - Just in Name I pushed off to airport towards the end of the program and boarded the plane to Doha. It is indigo operated in collaboration with Qatar Airways. If you book with Qatar Airways, you may get the same flight for a higher price, and perhaps, meals are served free for that. If you book with indigo, it may be slightly less expensive, and no food would be served unless you paid extra for that.  

The new Lucknow airport is good. There is only one launch, and our Adani Baba has grabbed it. For almost a year, none of my cards had access privileges to that. However, now one of them has gained that status. For all the name of Adani, it is a poor show - a very poor show. For over a month, the Air Conditioner is not functional. Food is generally vegetarian, with the exception of one or 2 dishes. It is an over-crowded 2 star facility, and people are repeatedly told it is full, you will have to wait - but no arrangement for the waiting passengers to be informed when it becomes free. 

Doha - the best airport for a resident to arrive or depart - totally hassle-free. Doha is warm, but during the 10 days, except for the last day, it was not all that oppressively hot. The typical summer day, by 6 am, the water in the taps would be really hot water, and unless you have stored water for your bath, you would find it difficult to have a bath thereafter. On the last day of my stay, I was fortunate to have the foretaste of the real summer - the atmosphere really blazing, and you get the feel of being near a furnace as you walk in the sun. 

My main engagements were observing the classes while in session and making an assessment as per the prescribed format for the school. The teachers later on interact and get feedback. There was also mother's day celebrations by the senior, junior and KG sections, all of which I attended and during which I briefly addressed the students/parents.  A happy coincidence was the possibility to take part in the IBE Qatar educational summit, which is a very useful platform where educational experts, edupreneurs and edtech people gather and exchange notes.  We get to know many relevant things and trends in the domain of education and can forge tie-ups and get to know some experts whom we could invite to the school as resource persons. 

My student and once an arch-ambassador for SH Alumni group (AASH), Mr Alan Jerson, hosted two celebrations to which I was also invited - his wedding anniversary (with me having the privilege of blessing the wedding) and his doted daughter's 6th birthday. The latter was held at Caravan, a good place for seafood in Qatar. We also had a governing body meeting, where we discussed quality assurance issues regarding the school.  For the wedding anniversary, we substituted the traditional cake with a Nahdi Mandi fish, which they cut wishing each other a namak-mirchi (salt & spicy) year ahead.

Srilankan Hospitality I opted for a Srilankan flight - as it was considerably less expensive to the substitutes of Indigo/Qatar flights, though it had to be a longer flight with a transfer at Colombo. But, as expected, the Srilankan hospitality appeared to compensate well for the extra trouble.  Besides, the INDIGO/Qatar arrival would have been at the unearthly hour of 2.30 am, whereas Srilankan would arrive at 9 am.  I thought that suited me well.  

Bangalore again: Surprisingly for a Thursday morning, No. 14 Vayuvajra bus from the airport, for which I had to wait for almost 25 minutes, took only about 1 hour and 15 minutes to negotiate the infamous Bangalore traffic. I could step down right in front of the newly opened West gate (close to the centre for the multiply challenged people - Aswaas) of my alma mater, Dharmaram College (the CMI Major seminary).  Since I had come to meet the VC (my confrere Rev. Dr. Jose Chennattussery), he had already made arrangements with Mr Tony the hospitality section in-charge of DC.  He, as usual, was very welcoming and obliging, going out of his way to help the guests. I had a room all set. Got ready. Offered mass, and then I went to Christ University to join the VC and the secretary general of IFCU, Prof. Francois Mabille for lunch at the Central Block, where usually such luncheons are hosted. The purpose of Bangalore visit was to meet him, as I plan this year to attend its annual general assembly to be held in Mexico. This happens every three year, and it is an interesting gathering of catholic institutional leaders across the globe, but dominated by Western Europe. I had been a member of its executive committee for a term of 3 years and have attended its assemblies earlier in Rome, Ireland and Melbourne. Last one, in Boston, though part of the organising body, I missed as I had not yet received the renewal of my US visa post-COVID. My purpose of meeting him was to seek some waiver on the exorbitant fee for participation in the 5-day conference (almost 1000 Euro without residence). My argument that this sort of organisation tends to be exclusive rather than inclusive, and hence non-catholic (!), usually puts them off. So this time, in all humility, I tried to seek his goodwill to consider some waiver of that fee. Having known me for many years, he was happy to meet me, and said in the nice bureaucratic fashion that he would put it to the council and see if something could be done about it. 

Fr Jose, whom we generally call CC, showed me some of the publications from Christ University, a filial institution of Dharmaram College, which has now become one among the top 100 universities of the country. I was really impressed, especially with the edited work with him as the first editor - Encyclopaedia of New Populism and Responses in the 21st Century. A voluminous scholarly work! Wow - that is really something to be proud of!! I regret that there is any such contribution on my side, though I always think, I am capable of doing that - but scholarship has never been a serious business for me!

Moving around Bangalore on TVS - iQUID 

I had the day for me - met some of the confreres familiar to me, played basketball (not with full vigour, as I am careful about my repaired right shoulder) with the lone batch of scholastics on the campus. At 60, still able to match my wits with them on the basketball floor - happy! Joined the common prayers, which are recited with great unction and melody. The liturgy of the hours at Dharmaram is now celebrated in English.  

My good friend and confrere, Rev Dr Sebastian, a senior professor of Canon Law, was quite willing to spare his e-scooter (TVS iQube) for me to move around. That was great. 

Next day, after the morning worship, I had the regular Dharmaram breakfast. The old BTS bread (Bangalore Transport Service on account of its shape similar to BTS buses of the '60s) of Kochukutty chettan fame is now replaced with the new BTS, more or less the same in structure, but not as good in texture. I enjoyed one sandwich with jam and butter, just to relish the old days. I went to Kristu Jayanti College at Narayanpura on the iQube, taking help from google map and Waze.  I didn't miss the way - Richmond Circle, Kamaraj Street, Hennoor Main Rd and Narayanpura. It took a little over an hour, with fits and starts on account of the need to look up the google map. The earphone connection was not working properly. 

As I negotiated my way through the packed street with vehicles bumper to bumper, I recalled my Saturdays as a student in Bangalore - I used to go out on a bicycle make a round of the prominent parts of the city, and get back in about 2 hours, after a stop over at the GPO to check on the new postal stamps released.  That Bangalore is unimaginable - it has become cruelly crowded. 

Kristu Jayanti - SHDC collaboration - In most of our institutions, if we announce that we are 'fathers', then usually no other question is asked. Very often some are immediately accepted by their appearance, whereas, many a time, my appearance or dress made people to hesitate a bit, though they do let us in. Kristu Jayanti, though just 25 years old, has grown into a gigantic and effective institution with good discipline and good repute, and I believe, a lot of goodwill. The student strength of the 10 acre campus is a staggering 15000. It has become an autonomous institution almost at the same time as Sacred Heart College, but has advanced much more thanks to the minimal interference policy of the state as well as of the booming economy of a populous metropolitan city. But beyond all that has been the excellent teamwork of the fathers of Kottayam province. Presently, it is headed by Rev. Dr Augustine CMI, a junior confrere and friend of mine. He had given me an appointment at 11 am. I arrived well in time, waited aaraam se. Then I was figured out by Dr. Richards of Social Work department, who expressed pleasure in seeing me, and insisted on tea/coffee, which I resolutely resisted. We shared some past good experiences, and looked at the possibilities of some sort of collaboration - I invited his students to do short-term internship with me at Sitapur so as to plan our community outreach programmes. 

Fr Augustine became free from governing body meeting around 11.15 and we had some discussions as to how to take our collaboration further.  He assigned a younger colleague, Rev. Dr Joshy CMI, the HR head with the task. We held a WhatsApp meeting immediately involving our team at Sitapur and Dr Joshy and decided on a timeline. That was fabulous. 

SHHS school-mate By then, I had done parallel work to connect with my school friend Santhosh Sridhar, who rode to the campus. Though we are almost of the same age, he looks deceptively young. My regret is that in spite of looking old, no body cares for an old man while travelling, or even vacates the seat reserved for varishth nagarik. We had a good time together, and in the end, both of us joined the fathers (a big number of them, including some guests from Keralam with another batchmate among them) for a sumptuous lunch and continued

to share our memories of the school time, and also some pet personal projects which Santhosh was working on - a comparative timeline of the world history. That appears terrific, and I hope before long Santhosh will come out with something uniquely useful for history and geography lovers.  As my classmate, I remember his great love for languages - English and Malayalam, and his ability to write very impressively in English.  I also took him around, and then we parted. 

I felt happy accomplishing a mission and that too on a non-polluting and very less expensive mode. The scootter showed 89% power and displayed 64 kms.  The calculation appeared correct. I didn't use the power mode - the maximum speed was 48. And I covered almost 38 kilometres. It indicated battery storage to go another  20 kms. But CMIs are yet to get tuned the concept of energy transition when it comes to choosing their mode of transport. 

Got sufficient time to pack up. Attended evening prayers. And after that, to my surprise I found two of my Kochi province confreres ready with a car to see me off to the bus stop. I was all set to walk the distance as usual. They not only dropped me, but remained with me till I boarded the Kallada Non-AC bus, which arrived about 20 minutes past the scheduled time of 8.50. 

But what I observed with surprise was it a little over 1 hour for the initial pick-up, a circling of Madiwala, and then to get out of that Madiwala section. That was the traffic density of Bangalore on a Friday night, perhaps, every night. But it picked up speed. Had just one halt for refreshing, and by around 6.30 was at Thrissur. Then again it was bad traffic and bad roads, and I saw the skill of the driver to reroute at apt times to save time, and finally reach me at Kalamassery around 9 am. I appreciated him for his skills.  He said that he had timely support from google!

By 9.15 am, I am at the Provincial House, Rajagiri, Kalamassery, and fortunately, I still get access to a room, which is kind of assigned to me, but is open to the guests, when I am absent. As this was an unannounced visit, it was likely to have been occupied. But no. It was available. I freshened up. Got the common bike - a 125 cc Glamour with some braking issues and managed to reach Perumanur Lourde Church well in time for the 10.30 mass. In between I also managed to get an appointment with the dentist. 

Golden Jubilee of Wedding It was the jubilee of the parents of Dr June Cyriac, my sister-in-law.  Dr. Cyriac and Pushpa, her parents have lived together, I assume happily, for 50 years!! It is indeed a great feat! An admirable one - and according to me, worth conferring an honorary doctorate, in academic terms! Having overcome some health crisis in between, they are now living happily with their only daughter and family, and compensating for having had a lone daughter, by caring for their three grandchildren.  It was also the celebration of the first holy communion of Paul-June's son, Alphons Ignatius.  I got to know Aunt Pushpa's name, and Ignatius' name for the first time fully.  Perhaps, it was I who baptised him. Dr Cyriac has served the society as a doctor for more than 50 years, and as a family man for 50 years supported by his wife. Great blessing! 

Unexpectedly, Fr Vicar insisted that I be the main celebrant and Fr Payyappilly to give the message. Paul was not expecting me, and I had asked him to go ahead with his arrangement and in case, if it were possible, I would join. But now here I was! I reluctantly agreed. There was also Fr Tomy, perhaps, arranged by June. The mass was fine. Fr Payyappilly gave a good message. There was renewal of the marital vows. And finally 'te deum' (lak alaha). I remained for the start of the short felicitation meeting. Then rushed to meet the dentist. It was in time. Got my teeth examined. There was a small cavity, which was filled and the teeth cleaned. 

Back to Provincial House - the solemn vows of the brothers of the province was happening at 2.30 pm. Out of the four, 3 happened to be my students.  Greeted them in advance, and around 3.20 left for Vechoor to take part in the family unit mass at Shiby's place. This was an addition on account of Shiby's insistence. Again here, I had asked them to not to count on me, and that I would join the prayers, if and when possible. I thought I would make it in time, but then near Vaikom, the bike developed trouble and wouldn't move. There was a spluttering noise when the start button was pressed. Fortunately, in about 100 mts, I could find a mechanic.  He had no time. I suggested that he had a look at the spark-plug, which he did, and with some rubbing and cleaning, the bike started. Nearing the spot missed the way twice, and finally I reached the house drenched in rain. The mass had just begun and the gloria was going on. At the time of the Evangelion Fr Abraham Palakkattuchira, Shiby's relative and a parishioner, and a good confrere friend of mine, invited me to give the message. Perhaps I did ok, though the few English phrases should have been avoided, as I observed the crowd and gathered their background later.  After the mass over, met the parish priest Fr Athappally and said hello to him. The family unit meeting began. I slipped out, had the great meal of prawns and pearspot (fish Moilee) prepared by Shyllamma and then took off to Kalamassery. 

Fallen for a Sixth Time: It was drizzling. I was riding cautiously. However, near Vaikom, at Kavarappadam, I saw an older person in front, and applied brake lest I hit, and I lost balance and fell, hurting all over, especially the left arm. I was not able to use it at all. And couldn't lift up the bike. One young man riding a scooter in the opposite direction came and assisted in lifting me up and the bike. I tried to start the bike, it started. Though it was hurting, I could keep the hand on the handle. I thought I would somehow ride and reach Kalamassery. Then, I observed a rattling noise around the chain cover and the bike not moving forward in the gear. It needed some mechanic's help.  It would not be possible then. I called my batch mate Puncha (Fr Jose Punchaputhussery) and sought his help. I was struggling, and the left arm was under severe stress. All this happened in front of a house 'Shivapriya'. The front door was open. No one seemed to pay any attention. I was standing all drenched, bleeding and hurting. I sensed the danger of tetanus. By then someone entered the yard of the house on a bike. I beckoned to him and requested the favour of water to wash my wounds. He sensed the predicament I was in, and offered help. His sister in law came from the house. Turned the water faucet on. Gave me water to drink, and on my suggestion, brought a near-empty bottle of Dettol, which might have been used at some point of time in a distant past. I discovered various points where my outer polish had gone and blood was oozing out - left wrist & knuckles, right knuckles, right toes. That is all. Fortunately, the head was not hurt, thanks to the helmet.  I thought I fell on the right side, but the left shoulder was injured. In the meanwhile, my good friend Puncha, with my junior confrere Fr Shiju came by a car, and entrusting the bike to Mr Priyaraj, they took me to the nearby INDO-AMERICAN Hospital centre. 

There,  at the casualty, the doctor prescribed X-ray, TT injection, dressing of the wounds etc. This was all accomplished without much delay and I think in less than Rs. 1000.00. I had no money or card with me. Shiju was very generous to foot the bill, I asked him to give the bill to the Provincial House, which he brushed aside. That is the new generation - I would feel rather to submit them to the provincial house. 

After the assurance from the doctor that there was neither a slipped shoulder or broken bone, as per my wish, they put me in a local taxi and I reached Kalamassery by 10.30 pm. Now it is very difficult for me to tell someone that I have great pain, I need some help etc. And seeing my gate and my energy level, no one would take me seriously. There was no hot water in my room, though I had thought of having a hot water bath or application at my shoulder. I had to put up with it, and I lay down and slept, though I could not lie down on the left side.  But before that I did manage to get the soiled cassock and my clothes washed in the washing machine. 

Morning, it was only with great difficulty, I could slip into the cassock, but I did manage. Hence, I did not feel like being at the community mass.  Joined Fr Koikara, the house superior, for a private celebration, and reported to him about the accident, and he responded with a disbelieving smile. It confirmed that my general macho appearance would never be gone, and in times of real distress, I am less likely to get any assistance unless I demand it in clear terms.  What to do!! 

Later on, I tried massaging, using a spray, etc., to make the shoulder better. Booked a ticket to Delhi, and made arrangements with my house prior, Fr. Johny, to get a rail ticket from Delhi to Sitapur in his company.  I was dropped at Aluva, and I could manage to lift the heavy shoulder bag on my shoulders - the difficulty was in loading the same onto the shoulder.  I sent the shoulder bag as check-in luggage. My injured shoes in Qatar in a carry bag for repair. The Vistara service, now turned into Air India, served a lacklustre vegetarian meal - but at least they are doing that. They gave a general excuse that their non-veg stock got exhausted - a clumsy excuse! However, I guessed the majority Malayalee guests would have raised a demand for a non-veg meal. 

Another encounter with the Great Indian Railway  On reaching the airport, I was comfortably guided to the Metro by the sign boards, shifting at New Delhi, Rajiv Chowk and then finally arriving at Anand Vihar. My personal comfort is to get into a bus available and reach Sitapur. For once, this change, thanks to the reservation done by Fr Johny. He arrived after a while, bringing along with him a fabulous dinner which I had to manage sitting on a platform bench.  Excellent fish curry (Cutla, I believe), Sardine fried, Shrimp roasted, Mango curry - Angamaly style, and cabbage toran to accompany 2 solid rotis!! Wow!! And a slice of Navya plum cake to crown it all! aananda labdhikkiniyenthu venam! On arrival at Sitapur, I thanked Johny's sister-in-law for this great treat. 

Anand Vihar station is new to me. We can reach the station from Anand Vihar metro. There is a winding walkway down from the Metro up - It was very crowded with people moving up and down. There are two separate lanes for the same. 

The Indian Railway is an amazing network. I observed the whole families moving from one place to another - perhaps shifting homes, with all their belongings in the train.  They don't depend on trucks or other transportation, but on Indian railways! I marvelled at the luggage most of them were carrying. 

We waited and waited for the train, which was seen about 200 mts away, and announced almost regularly from 11.00 pm. Finally, it halted at the station at 11.30. Sharp 11.45. Nothing happened. I kept looking at the digital clock on the platform. 11.52 - it moved. slept peacefully. Woke up at 6.30 am. Still time to go. Amazing, it reached Sitapur at 8 am, almost 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time!! It was a 2nd AC coach - comfortable. I am still happy with a sleeper tier accommodation. However, this time, the cost was almost equivalent to a travel by UPSRTC bus to Sitapur. One of the very few rail trips since 2005 - but this one, a positive experience. 

Fr Johny would not let me carry my luggage, and I had to use force to take that. Now I felt much better though it is far from the ability to use with ease. And now I am into another day of a busy office, which I have managed to keep busy with something or other. 

I hope the shoulder gets healed without lasting injuries and am able to resume my regular practice of Yoga asanas and the minimal stretch on the basketball court. 

But I feel happy, (as did Cine Actor Innocent about having his mediclaim put to good use, because of cancer), that my sling pouch is put to use again!! 😁😁

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Lychee season and Battling the Bats Out here - the Lychee season has begun. The entire tree on our vegetable field was fully harvested by the army of bats in one night. Our administrator finally managed to secure a huge net to cover the one tree that remains closer to the house, and apparently, the fruits are protected. Already, some 25 kilos have been harvested and shared among our friends and staff. I had my fill for the day.  Rambutan, Pulasan, Longan, or hairy Lychee stand no chance near this King of the family of soapberry (Sapindaceae). 

Meerut Days of Amazing Grace - St Joseph's Study House (1980-83)

Meerut - By Chance

I came to Meerut by chance.  During the vacation after the school final exams (SSLC) in 1980, I came to learn about the presence of Bp Gratian in the town. Bp Gratian had been a figure of inspiration for us residents of Thevara - especially for the Catholics. Among the young adults he was popular as the Mathematics professor of Sacred Heart College, who wore the traditional three piece habit of the Carmelites (not the brown one, but the white), who was the director of the popular school youth animation programme called KCSL (Kerala Catholic Students League), who visited our homes (I remember one such visit, and I don't remember any other priest of the monastery doing that) and who was suddenly elevated to be the Exarch of Bijnor in 1972 and later was consecrated its bishop in 1977.  But he maintained the contacts with the youth he had met on the KCSL platform, and thus all my elder sisters and my elder brother were inspired by him. And we tried to meet him, when we got to know that he was in the town from UP. 

In those days, even when the regular phone was very rare, I don't how we got such messages, and how we managed to have such meetings. I came to know that he was travelling back to Bijnor, and would be leaving from Ernakulam Junction. I figured out the time, and reached the station, taking a platform ticket. And I did see him, and along with him, Rev Fr Gregory who had been the headmaster of Rajagiri school, when my elder brother was a student there. He was there to see the bishop off, as the Provincial of Sacred Heart Province. When I mentioned that I am keen to join the CMIs, the bishop responded with a question: 'Bijnorilekkalle'? (Aren't you opting for Bijnor) as if it was presumed. Now, this had never occurred to me earlier. But when Bishop asked thus, I responded without any  hesitation, 'yes'.  My! what miraculous ways of getting into a track! I don't even know what prompted me to go and meet Bishop Gratian, even before ever consulting or revealing the matter to my parents or brothers or sisters. 

Overhearing the conversation, the provincial intervened, saying, then you join the 'vocation camp' at Kalamassery which will be held soon. Come for that. And that was that. 

I decided and reported home that I was going for a camp - and they had not many questions as I was used to attending several camps.  I went for the camp at Kalamassery, and it was shifted to Vazhakulam monastery, as there was water shortage at Kalamassery. And we had a 2 week long mega camp led by Rev. Fr. Varghese Pudussery CMI.  It had a combination of group building and some very dull spirituality sessions. However, all put together, we were kind of formed to seek a place among the CMIs.  Our SSLC results came during the camp, on the penultimate day. Though I had not done well, I still hoped for the miracle that the newspaper people would come to interview me for being the rank holder!!😁 By the end of the camp, the decision was made. I was to join (or I was selected). 

The camp foiled an adventure we had planned as friends. We had decided to ride our bicycles up to Kanyakumari - I don't remember exactly who all - But my friend Paul and me for sure. However, the vocation camp came in between, and what would have been a great adventure for those days and that age, had to be dropped. 

I joined the minor seminary, St Joseph's Postulants' Home, at Rajagiri, Kalamassery on 22nd of June. After a week or so, 6 of us who had opted for Bijnor Mission, were taken to Meerut by the rector of St. Joseph's Study House, Meerut, Rev. Fr Mathew Kaiparampil CMI (who was lost to all of us in the fatal accident on 18th May 1981),  501 Begum Bagh, Meerut 250001 was our address for the next three years. 

Tryst with Indian Railways 1980 We travelled by the Jayanti Janta Express. A major section of the trip, the train was pulled by a steam engine propelled by coal; perhaps the last phase it was exchanged for a diesel engine. For the first time on such a long train journey, looking out through the windows, and remaining at the door (Fr Mathew didn't bother to restrict us to be seated in the coupe, and I enjoyed sitting on the doorstep, calculating the speed of the train and also drinking in the varied visages presented by the fast moving train.) Our faces became smeared with coal dust.  We had some food to eat, and the remarkable memory is about 'kulhad' in which tea was served as we entered the northern part of the country. 

We arrived in the afternoon, the third day, at Nizzamuddin. We boarded another local train to reach Old Delhi Station, a station close to ISBT. And carrying our small 'trunk boxes' and bags, we were led across the platforms to the melee of cycle rickshaws and vendors of all sorts outside the station. We were transported to the ISBT by 2 cycle rickshaws, I think. There, we managed to get a bus to Meerut, and I noticed it was 64 km from Delhi. We reached there in about 2 hours, passing by Ghaziabad, Modi Nagar, etc.  And at the bus stand, again, we got into 2 cycle rickshaws to reach our study house, which was to be my home for the next 3 years. 

St. Joseph's Study House, 1980   The twilight made me think that it was around 5 pm. But soon realised that it was around 8 pm. I saw the peculiar kind of door, and the chain-like bolting system.  And a young man from the top of the building, engaged in some masonry work, shouted hello, and rushed down. I thought he was a helping hand or so, but soon we realized that he was Joseph Kurisunkal, our senior (most) who was posted on vacation duty to manage the house while all others were on vacation.  He was engaged in a masonry art work of embossing a St Thomas Cross on the top of the building which had a projected pillar like structure.  He had used squares drawn to a scale on a paper on which the cross was drawn, and was copying the same on the wall with a cement mix.   The task was getting completed and his aim was to have it ready before all the residents arrived back from the vacation. 

I marvel that a youngster (he was the senior most among the aspirants, having joined the seminary some 2 or years later after having a similar stint elsewhere) without being prompted by anyone took such initiatives. The flowering cross was a distinguishing feature of the building. I am pained to find that it was removed so casually and easily when the expansion of the small structure took place, perhaps, leaving not even a picture of the same for posterity. 

For that matter, that culture of taking pictures was totally alien to Meerut training, it appears to me now. Perhaps, neither of our rectors of those times - Frs Mathew and Johny (both of them - of happy memory indeed) - had any such interest. There was never a photo taken of any occasion or of any batch in the three years we lived there. 

Indeed, it was a very frugal existence, with a rigorous training.  However, I/we did not feel that we lacked anything.  I hardly ever felt or heard anyone complaining about the lack of facilities. In a place of about 2500 sq feet comprising 2 floors, in the three years I spent there, in the first year we were 25 aspirants*, in the second year, 27 and in the third year, with just 2 batches,   19; plus Fr Rector and a cook. I remember Mr Tharsius, who was with us in the first year, and Mr Vincent, who was there for the rest of the period. 

Meerut Days We had to get up at 5 am and rush for the morning prayer, which broke into a big jhankar, waking the neighbourhood with our loud chanting of 'shree yeshu bhagvan ki kariye jai jai kaar'. Then we sang the beautiful Tagore hymn: I have come to Thee after the morning dedication and recital of the Angelus. Then we had to report for morning meditation at 5.30 followed by Morning Hours (Sapra) in Hindi, followed by the Holy Mass.  The 15 mts morning meditation  was usually an extension of the sleep hours. There was hardly any initiation as to how one was to make those 15 mts effective.  (The same thing continued even into the Novitiate, and I still feel uninitiated as to how one could pray well in silence and recollection.) And the one who served at the mass had to give a brief explanation of the first reading (epistle) either in Hindi or English. Fr Rector would also give a short homily. There would be spontaneous prayers too. 

In the evenings, we had a time for spiritual reading followed by rosary.  And after night recreation with enthusiastic card or carrom games, we would all listen to the AIR English news and then go for the night prayers.  All had to be in bed by 10 pm or so, unless you were given exemption to sit up late and study, which was very rare. 

Friday mass was to be celebrated by Bp Patrick, who would usually bicycle his way from Bishop's house in the morning. Thursday night there would be 1 hour practice session of songs to be sung, and the Bishop would be there for introducing us to the songs. He would leave after breakfast with us. 

Our breakfast almost consistently consisted of a sookhi roti, with a piece of Amul butter (1"x.5"x.5") and cup of tea.  It is followed by a very quick session of cleaning - toilets, bathrooms, verandas, halls, front yard, etc. This routine hardly ever changed. That introduced me to the readiness to do such tasks willingly and also to keep up one's space neat and clean. 

By 7.30, formal study would begin for all and would continue till 9.30 am, whereas the I year students would be taught Hindi text of intermediate  (XI) class after a brief introduction to some basics of Hindi.  It was done by Mr Gerald Seetharam, the Vice Principal of St. Joseph's Inter-college. (I wonder whether he was paid anything for the same).  He used to come punctually at 8 am and leave at 9 am sharp.  I think we had some break or so for reading newspapers. The seniors would have a break for getting ready to go to school (inter-college).  And all will have the main meal of the day at 10 am. It could be roti or upma or bulgar upma or on very rare occasions, poori, accompanied by lobiya or channa or moong, or aalu, and hot sweet tea (with CRS American milk-powder serving as milk substitute). Aalu bhaji & Poori became more frequent with the arrival of Fr Johny as the rector. Then the seniors rush to the college, about 2 kms away on foot, wearing the sky-blue shirt and navy blue pants.  

Come Sundays, after the morning Church celebrations, we had the invariable literary association, where by turn all got to do something, individually or as groups. I remember learning group songs or preparing speeches for the occasion. 

We had three bicycles, and there was a department to see to their maintenance. I regret that in spite of all that, I never learnt to do any repair work of a bicycle. The bicycles were not all that good, never giving the pleasure of a ride; however, functional. Fr Rector had a separate bicycle, which was in a much better condition. I don't remember what happened to Fr Rector's bicycle thereafter.  Fr  Johny hardly ever used it.  In those days, bicycles also had to get some kind of permit. An aluminium badge indicating the permit was fixed on the handle, perhaps attached to the brake lever.  This would have been a collector's item now! I never had the occasion to directly involve in the process as during my 3 years there, we never purchased a new bicycle. 

There was no phone, no heater, no warm water for a bath, no mosquito nets, no cots.  Our dormitory was a room where we kept our rolled-up mattresses every morning. Otherwise, you found a convenient place in the verandah or study hall to sleep.  I marvel that for three years we slept without mosquito nets, and still hardly any one of us contracted Malaria. 

Of the first-year students, those who have proven skill to ride a bicycle are assigned to fetch beef-buffalo meat, 5 kilos every day, if I recall correctly, even on Friday.  It was just Rs. 2 per kilogram, and the meat shop was about 3 kilometres away. I was surprised to find that meat was so cheap (in Keralam it used to be Rs. 15 or 18 per kilo), and the man would chop the meat of our choice for us.  If one wanted kaleji (liver) or on very rare occasions, kheema (minced meat), he would do that readily with no additional cost. Two other routine shopping ventures were: 1) daily purchase of vegetables from the sabzi mandi. I was really surprised to find cabbage or carrot being sold for one rupee per kilo (Rs 5 per dhadi), or radish for Re. 1.00 for 5 kilos. 2) weekly purchase of sawdust (baruda).  We would go by 2 bicycles or walk up to the mill about a kilometre or 2 away.  Fill the boris (jute sacks) we had brought to its maximum. And carry them back on a rickshaw. 

A daily duty was 'angithi bharna' - getting the sawdust stoves ready for next day.  This was usually done after dinner. Two people on task would fill them with one hollow pipe inserted in the centre, and another perpendicular to it at the bottom - the latter for firewood, and the former, for the fire to escape and heat the vessel. This was a tough task.  Till we completed our 3 years at Meerut, there was neither a gas stove nor an electric stove.

However, the cooking used to be horrible - I sensed something was amiss, though I had hardly any experience of cooking or the kitchen. However, I noticed that for almost all subzis (curries that went with rice or roti), the preparation used to be same. After boiling meat or legumes, you sautee it - boil oil, then add mustard with them bursting in the boiled oil, you add pyaaz (sliced onion) till they turn reddish brown, and then almost in equal measures haldi, dhaniya and mirch (turmeric, corriander and chilly powder), and keep the mix for some time adding the meat or legumes as the case may be.  When I took charge of the kitchen after 6 months, I experimented with stopping mustard for meat, and also the amount of dhaniya and haldi used. I think that was successful, and it went unnoticed, assuming the taste was palatable.  Fr Johny was fond of cooking experiments and would occasionally or even oftentimes, call me for kitchen tasks, and I became quite skilful in 'bal-ing' well-shaped chappattis, and do that very fast. I had no complaint regarding this. 

Social Exposure: In the first year of our stay at Meerut we were introduced to rather tough social service ministries, usually accompanying Mother Teresa sisters.  A daily routine (by turns) was that of helping the bedridden male inmates of 'Prem Niwas' run by Mother Teresa sisters.  The two or three assigned for the day had to depart quickly after the Mass and breadkfast, and give bath to them, after cleaning them up and the bed. This was indeed a tough task.  You are usually accompanied by a senior who does the work and makes you familiar to it.  The winter days would make it tougher. Other occasional services were outreach programmes to the villages for distributing CRS nutritional stuff as a relief.  It would involve weighing the child, recording the same, and supplying the provisions like Bulgar, CSM powder, Soyabeen Oil, a special Soya powder (Corn Soya Milk).  These supplies, meant for the poor, were also part of our diet as we also lived the life of the poor; and perhaps, the CMIs in that region, at that time, were indeed poor. (In my 10 years of association with the CMIs of that region, I observed that they all led a life marked with austerity and frugality.) Once in a while, perhaps, two times or so in a year, we had a visit to the leprosy colony as well. 

Though these were meant to be very rich exposures in themselves, with hardly any orientation regarding them, or any discussion or analysis after them, their impact was much less than what it could have been. 

Two regular services we, as a Bijnor mission unit, used to do for the mission stations were: 1. purchase of band equipment from Meerut for sending to the various schools.  Even these were taken to Keralam when someone was travelling in that direction. 2. preparing dried buffalo meat for the hill stations where it was not easily available, or if at all available, it was much more expensive than at the rate at which we used to get in Meerut. 

Our involvement with the cathedral parish was regular.  We attended the novena to Our Lady of Graces and benediction on all Saturday evenings. That was also our confession opportunity - our confessors were Fr Mathew Edattel, a very holy Malayali priest, and Fr Anthony Das, the gentleman procurator of the diocese. I think both of them have completed their trip on the planet earth. On Sundays, we led the choir of the Hindi mass at 9 am.  Sometimes, our beloved principal, Mr Terrance Doyle, would lead the us in the choir, or would even come for a practice.  Another choir leader was Mr Christopher, s/o our tutor and Vice Principal Mr Gerald. For Christmas and Easter, Fr Montero or some Sophia sister would come and train us to sing new songs for the feast. 

Basketball - Learning it the hard way In the year 1980, we used to go to St. Mary's school run by the Patrician brothers.  The calm and shady campus was a soothing place.  But we had to walk the odd 2.5 kilometres from the study house to get there.  Out of the 7 of us, one had some basic basketball skills, I was familiar with the game, but had hardly ever played, so it was a struggle picking it up, which we did almost unawares.  Bp Patrick used to join us, which was considered a great privilege. But I had observed that then in his late 40s, he could not stop himself firmly in order to avoid a typical violation, though he was passably good at scoring from the restricted area range. Now at 60, I feel some of us are doing much better even while holding responsible offices and being extremely busy to find time to keep fit, even play basketball, and that too, avoiding such basic violations. Only difference is that with no cap on our caput, this is not seen as a great feat! However, his being present there to play was indeed an inspiration for the youngsters in maintaining a fitness culture, even with age. Our rector, Fr Mathew at times arrived on his bicycle and joined us. Fr Johny, our rector in the years 1981 and '82, at times did come to the court, but hardly ever played after some initial attempts. 

In 1981, the court in front of St. Joseph's intercollege was made available, with an uneven clay floor, not levelled.  However, we started using that to avoid the 1 km extra walk to St. Mary's.  The first-year aspirants would carry the ball and reach when the seniors would have done with their classes, around 5 pm.  Then we would play, the seniors would usually play with their uniforms, perhaps, removing their uniform shirt, and rolling up the legs of the pants.  But there would be an earnest game. There was hardly any coaching for the newcomers. They gradually got included and picked up without really being instructed in the basic skills. 

Then all would rush back, then there would be some tea and snacks (usually some sort of bonda or chiuda) and then all had to rush to have their bath and washing of the soiled clothes. We had, in all, 5 toilets and 4 bathrooms.  Perhaps, Fr Rector had a toilet cum  bathroom - I am not sure.  Usually, one had just one set of uniform, and that would mean washing that in the evening and getting that dried overnight and putting the same thing on the next morning. Some did carry an outfit for playing. We used to drink merrily from the hand-pump at the college soon after the games. And at the study house, the municipal water was drunk directly from the tap. No one carried a water bottle to the school, nor bothered to drink or eat anything, even water, until after one had finished with the games. 

Fr Varethaya was another influential figure around - as the assistant parish priest, he was running around and speaking out to the youth and people. He would make his appearance at the basketball court, and shout at us, and attempt a 3-pointer.  Though his enthusiasm for the game was evident, that didn't translate into his being there on the court to play regularly.  However, he was behind in taking our team for some matches, and I recall him inviting our team for the inaugural match at Modipuram school, when he was transferred there in 1982. He is no more!

Our next door neighbour was Mr Chaudhary with whom we hardly had any interaction, so with most of the neighbours.  We lived a kind of insular life. Mr. Gaur, our Hindi professor, lived about 100 metres away.  However, even with him, we didn't have much interaction.  

For our medical or health needs, we used to depend on St. Luke's hospital, about 3 kilometres away, in those days, in the outskirts of the town. Fr Lukas, a Malayali priest was its founder director. I trust he continued to be so till the end of his life. His elderly mother was also with him. With frequent stomach aches as a young aspirant, I had to seek the help of the hospital 2 or 3 times, though I got rid of that nuisance with a simple remedy prescribed by my eldest brother-in-law, when we met in 1983, on my first visit to Keralam after joining the seminary. The hospital had the services of the Sardhana sisters (Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Grace), a Meerut-based congregation. 

Some of the regular annual activities included practice for Christmas carols, the ecumenical Christmas celebration consisting of a procession from the Methodist church to the Catholic cathedral, going around on Diwali night to see the illuminated streets. 

Some significant events during my stay there were: 1) The visit of Mother Teresa. We even had a group photo taken with her, though I am afraid hardly any of us would have a copy of it. Fortunately, one chance picture with me also in the frame, has come to me courtesy, Fr Davis Varaylan.  Bp Patrick a great fan of Mother Teresa, invited her, and she addressed the gathering in the church.  The pulpit was kept at the centre of the historical cathedral, with its classic pews having holders for guns for the soldiers who attended the mass. Mother Teresa insisted that the pulpit be shifted to the side of the aisle.  I don't recall her message.  2) The terrible tragedy in which we lost 8 of our seniors* who were all set to leave for their much-awaited vacation after being away from their home state for 3 years. They were enroute to Pauri from Jaiharikhal, and 3 of us residing in Pauri (Gadoli) were awaiting them, with even some dinner prepared for them. They did not turn up. The next morning, we received the shocking news of their death in the Satpuli accident. Fr. Mathew Kaiparambil, our rector accompanying them, Rev. Fr Johny Manavalan with whom the three of us were having a thrilling time in Pauri, and the other resident of Gadoli, venerable Bro Romuald, and the sannyasi priest Fr Augustine Manjooran - all of them perished in this fatal accident.  That led to a rethinking on Meerut training, and from the next year onwards, students were sent home for a vacation after the first year training. One of my batchmates, George Mookilikkat, who always exhibited some amount of eccentricism, on learning this news, as he was there at Lansdowne when these seniors visited the place, covered the entire distance of about 30 kilometres between Lansdowne and Satpuli running, and suffered some traumatic stress for some time. 4) There were some Hindu-Muslim riots and closure of institutions and curfew, most likely in the year 1981. 5) Some of us got the opportunity to visit Sardhana, the pilgrim centre 22 kms away - especially by way of taking around the rare visitors to the study house from Kerala.  I got 2 such opportunities to serve as a guide, and also to join the on-foot pilgrimage which happens during the summer (as I was on vacation duty at the study house). I am surprised to observe now that there was no such practice by which the newcomers were taken to such an important pilgrim centre. 6) Our annual exposure to 'missions' by way of staying in a mission station during the summer.  7) There was no tradition of annual or batch tours as well. In my three years there, we were the only batch taken for a two-day tour of Delhi by Fr Rector. It was Asiad times, and we could witness the emergence of a new, planned, greener Delhi.  We also visited the Presidential palace, India gate etc.  8) ASIAD took place in 1981, and we had no TV. We were permitted to watch a few matches on the black and white TV of our next door neighbour, Mr Choudhary, the only time we had visited with him or spoken to him. We witnessed the routing of the Indian hockey team 7-1 in the finals. 9) There was also a youth meet where Fr Samuel, Br Anildev IMS and Chotte Bhai (Allen de Noronha) led the youth, including us aspirants, in a youth retreat, with some good Hindi devotional songs. Those songs and the tangible zeal of Chotte bhai are still imprinted in my mind. Fr Samuel, later on, took to an Indian Sannyasa lifestyle as Sadhu Astheya, and was reported to have been murdered by someone, most likely part of the anti-Christian actions that had been occurring intermittently in the North of India.  Fr Anil is now said to be a reputed retreat preacher in the North Indian region. And Chotte Bhai has become a bade bhai, writing columns and blogs and being a Christian social activist. 

The only movie we had watched in three years there was Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, which was indeed a class movie and very inspirational too. I am afraid, after watching that Fr Johny, our rector, took to Gandhian ways of fasting and silence to correct us, though not successfully.  It only put on a pallor of melancholy on the scenario.

Fr Johny, once a very jovial young priest with his boisterous laughter, on putting on the mantle of rectorship, became a lugubrious and sombre self with hardly any mirth, but only sincere but scrupulous concerns.  He expected me to be on the path 'sainthood', which I was not opposed to, but also discovered the rebel in me, questioning him and challenging his methods, perhaps not publicly but in person.  However, this shift in his demeanour did not really make him any less a gourmet, nor averse to his interest in experimenting with cooking, and also growing animals and birds (guinea pigs, doves, etc.) which we also used as menu items for special occasions. 

Though  I recall the solemn celebration of Rector's Day in the first year (St. Matthew), with Br Kurisunkal in the lead, and a bada khana as its centre of attraction, I don't recall similar events in the last two years. 

In 1982, Br Sebastian Kizhakekkara joined us after completing the mandatory bachelor Philosophy. He was on a stop-gap arrangement as he was supposed to join the newly introduced (prestigious?) M. Ph programme at Dharmaram. In the meantime, he involved with us as an elder brother, initiating us into some songs, joining us to play basket ball, and above all, involving in setting up the new school project at Ghaziabad which has revolutionized the Christian presence in Ghaziabad over last four decades, leading to the great Mariam Nagar institutional area, with Christ University campus as the latest arrival.  The relationship with Sebastian which began thus has continued over the years, as his assistant in the task of collecting material for the great value education project 'Becoming Disciple' and even after his leaving the congregation after completing the Theology bachelor's programme and establishing himself as a medical practitioner in the US. 

Looking back, I feel it was a great training at Meerut - a life of regularity, discipline, frugality.  It made us tough, I think.  Though I do feel the occasions could have been made much more effective with reflective analysis of the varied experiences, with introduction to the local culture a bit more purposefully, and introduction to cultural aspects of North Indian life - language, religions, rituals, etc. The well-meaning rectors were very good people, but didn't have the necessary wherewithal to guide the young bunch in an optimal manner. 

I made it a point to visit the study house in March, realising that it is to be closed down, the ownership to be handed over to the diocese of Bijnor.  I very much wanted a gathering of the old students of the study house, to come together, share our lived experiences, relive them, get some pictures, and meet the people connected who are left on the planet. I was warmly received by the last Rector of the study house Rev. Dr. Jomon CMI.  I joined the alumni day celebration at St. Joseph's, though I arrived to be an aam alumnus, having the tag of a Rev. Fr, and that of the principal of a Christian institution was treated as a special guest by the present Manager, Rev. Fr. .....

I regret that we did not make really good use of our wonderful exposure there, nor establish good relationships with our neighbourhood. 

I regret that we have never tried to explore Meerut as a centre of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 (the first war of Independence), in spite of having been there for 3 years, and having learnt 'History' as part of our curriculum. 

I regret that the training centre is being stopped and the three year integrated training is abandoned, adding to the burden on human and infrastructure resources. 

I regret that there are hardly any photographs of the memories of our life there. 

I regret that we have not celebrated the simple and straightforward lives of the early rectors - Fr Anasthasius (?), Fr Stephen, Fr Mathew, Fr Johny, etc. 

Joseph Kurisunkal, George Mullappally, Joseph Palliparambil, Aloysious Kolliyil, Joseph Ambat, Joseph Madassery. Sebastian Kadalikkad was the lone survivor who left the congregation after completing the novitiate. James Valiyakunnel who had left before the vacation for some purpose, also quit the seminary soon after the accident, and is said to have built a career as a Hindi Professor. 

Our seniors: Peter Adukuzhiyil*, Antony Punnackal*, Tomy Kapiarukudiyil*, Davis Varaylan*, Joy Parecattil, George Puthenpurayil, Vakkachan Palatty, George Peter Vallikkavunkal*, Sebastian Kaipramabil, Davis Madassery. (All starred ones now CMI priests, with Davis Varaylan being the Provincial of Bijnor province. Sebastian became a priest for the Khandwa diocese.) 

Our batch - George Mookilikkat (an advocate in his native village of Thankamany, Kamakshy, Idukki - his daughter studied at SHC while I was serving there), James Palathinadiyil (retired Hindi teacher from KE School, Mannanam; his son was a student at SH College while I was serving there), Mathew Panthalanikunnel (a private tutor with several students in Kuruppanthara), Joy Poovathussery (entered Indian army, met him once on a train trip), Mathew Parayil (English/Social Science teacher for long at St. Thomas Mandsaur), Joby Edassery (Professor of Hindi at CUSAT). 

Our junior batch - Francis (his daughter studied at SHC while I was serving there), Shaju Pulichamakkal, Shaju, Devassia, Mathew Kurissummoottil*, Geesan Ponthempally*, Dominic Kunnupuram*, Tanty Koikara, Martin Parakkal, Shijan (retired Principal of Prajoti Niketan College), Denny (whose daughter studied at SHC while I was serving there). 

Sitapur - Mishrik - Dadhichi Heritage - Salutations to the Arch-Organ Donor in Indian Mythology

My impression of Sitapur is changing. 

It is not just a bucolic sleepy place - within its sleepy appearance, there are very dynamic action centres and Mishrik, just about 30 kilometres away from Sitapur district headquarters, is a prime example. 

तीरथ बर नैमिष बिख्याता।अति पुनीत साधक सिधि दाता। This place is referred to by Goswami Tulsidas, as a tirth of top order, providing 'siddhi' to the devotee.  

Mishrik reaches the height of its active pace around Holi, with the pilgrimage involving the circumambulation of the town as said to have been first initiated by Maharshi Dadhichi. Dadhichi is reputed for his selfless service and hospitality to guests. His goodness was all-embracing; by listening to his prayerful recitations even demonic characters were transformed into divine characters. 

In those days, the godly (devas and rishis) were persecuted by the asura King Vrtasur, and they sought a way out. Brahma guided them to go to Dadhichi who was in possession of the divine weapons meant for the godly.  When they did that, he said that he had consumed those weapons by dissolving them in water and bhang and now they had become part of his bones. They requested his bones for the well-being of the world, and the Rshi agreed to that gladly. 

However, realising the uniqueness of human birth, he was determined to ensure that it accomplishes its purpose. For this, he proposed a 'snan' (bath) in all the 'tirth' (holy waters) and a circumambulation of all the saints and gods.  This was made possible by Indra.  Being the King of gods, he made all the gods to be present in Naimish, which they did in the 84 kos region. This is the present day Naimisharanya, the forest that has the presence of all the gods. And being the god of all waters, he made the waters of all 33 hundred crores of the teerth and rivers of the universe in the waters of the Naimish region, perhaps, in Dadhichi Kund, so that Dadhichi could go ahead with the bone-donation without any hitch.  Since all the waters of the universe were mixed (mishrit) in one kund, it came to be called Mishrit and later on, Mishrikavan, which is now called Mishrik. 

This having accomplished, Dadhichi smeared curd and salt over his body, which was licked over by divine cows, leading to the loss of his flesh (and life) and leaving the bones at the disposal of the gods. From his spine was created Vajra, the weapon of Indra, with which Vrtrasur was destroyed. The rest of the bones were used to create legendary weapons Pinaka (used by Shiva, and which was used by Ram in Sita swayamvar), Gandiva (considered as the weapon gifted to Arjuna by God Varuna on request by God Agni, who sought Arjuna's help to consume Khandava forest to regain his power) and Saranga or Sharanga (the weapon associated with Lord Krishna). 

However, the family was not happy.  His wife, Suvarcas, decided to be a sati, and as she was about to take her life after her husband, it was made known that she was pregnant. She resolutely removed the child in the womb with a stone and kept it safe in a Pipal tree, and accomplished sati. The child grew up as a child of Pipal tree, and was called Pippalada, a famous rishi, initiated by Sage Narada and associated with Pippalada school of philosophy, described in Praśna Upanishad. 

Thus, Naimish-Mishrik becomes a great place of pilgrimage for those who follow Hindu tradition. Remembering the great sage and his self-sacrifice for lok kalyan (common good), millions throng the region during the time of the year when he accomplished his great sacrifice - on ekadasi (11th) of the waxing phase (shukla paksh) of the month of Phalgun, i.e., just before Holi. Mishrik becomes a great crowd with people from all over UP and even other states thronging here, camping in the open, covering the 84 kosi parikrama with great devotion and also enjoying the religious fellowship, the culture and the essential market of traditional and modern goods, coupled with provisions for family entertainment by means of various rides and other attractions of a typical amusement park.  Food is cooked by the families who arrive in small vans, tempos, or tractors or by public transport. 

The Dadhichi temple is visited with great devotion, and I was surprised to see the devotion getting converted into money, seeing the amount of money being received in offerings by the devotees, on public display. It is said that around 500 bigahs of the land of the Mishrik town is owned by the trust of Dadhichi temple. It houses schools, college, hospital, temples and farms. The temple adjoining the famous Dadhichi kund is simple, frugally furnished, befitting the frugal and detached hermit.  The structure encompassess shrines for the entire family - Dadhichi's parents, wife, son and so on. The raised structure has a very beautiful and ancient-looking tree on top, which I could not identify. It has, as usual, several tokens of faith and gratitude attached on it by the devotees. 

Another, centre of attraction is the Sitakund, a smaller fresh water tank, which is famous for having had Ma Sita to have used for bathing during her vanvaas with Lord Ram. Both these tanks have water all through the year, and apparently are said to be replinshed from ground water source or rain - neither does water drain in nor drain out. 

There are several individuals, families and organisations offering free food to the pilgrims and the sannyasis who arrive from Prayagraj after the kumbh mela. The whole township converges on the single point of 84 parikrama. The school, colleges, etc, are converted into camping areas. The porch and veranda of homes and even hospitals are made into camping areas.  The lifeline of Mishrik, the Sitapur-Hardoi road - NH 330D (SH 21) is blocked 3 kilometres from the town on both sides, so that the pilgrims can do their parikrama without any trouble. This blockade will remain in force for the five days of the parikrama, perhaps, practically for a whole week. 

So the residents generally remain stay put here - attending the religious festivities, and playing hosts to their guests. But they appear resigned to it, or perhaps, they relish it or look forward to it.  I felt in all this, the party that suffers the most is the environment - with huge quantities of non-biodegradable waste generated, and dumped in the fields and ditches in a careless manner - besides creating an eyesore, also leading to the damage of the air, water and soil of the locality. The great teerth itself appeared to be littered with organic and inorganic materials by the devotees, though devotees seemed least bothered about all that while taking a dip.  That aspect of caring for the fellow beings (even, gods) of water and earth has not caught up with the religious spirituality of the teeming thousands. 

This could be one aspect the Dadhichi trust could take care of - managing the mega event without further polluting the aranya housing the thousan ds of gods, and the waters having the mix of all the holy waters of the universe! 

I also wonder if the altruism of the Sage Dadhichi ever gains the attention of the devotees - whether they are ever motivated to similarly enhance the common good by being a willing donor of blood or organs, when they are dead. Can modern Hinduism promote such forms of altruism after the great sage Dadhichi?  Or protection of tree cover, drawing inspiration from the Pippalada story - that trees are in a way protecting our lives, and in turn, they need to be protected as surrogate mothers for all other life-forms?

I feel Naimish-Mishrik 84 kosi parikrama could be an excellent case study for the students of Management or Tourism, or Economics from the angle of the economic impact of this annual event. I even assume that many eke out a living thanks to this mega annual event of Mishrik-Naimish. The festivities continue in the form of a mela that is said to last for a whole month.