Importance of being Baby at Rajagiri

രാജഗിരിയുടെ ബേബി(ചേട്ടൻ)മാർ  

ബേബി ചേട്ടനെ കൊച്ചിക്കാർ CMIക്കാർ  ആരാണ് അറിയാത്തത് ? എല്ലാരും തന്നെ അറിയും. വിശാലമായ 26 ഏക്കറിൽ ഒരു നിഴലായി നീങ്ങുന്ന - ഏറെ ജീവികൾക്ക് താങ്ങും, മറ്റേതാനും ജീവികൾക്ക് തേങ്ങലും ഏകി - വലിയ ബഹളമില്ലാതെ നിറഞ്ഞാടുന്ന നിഴൽ.  

രണ്ടു നൂറ്റാണ്ടുകളിലെ അനേക ദശാബ്ദങ്ങൾ നീണ്ട നിശ്ശബ്ദ സേവനത്തിന്റെ കണ്ണികളിൽ അവസാനത്തതായിരിക്കും ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ -  അപ്രകാരമുള്ള മറ്റു രാജഗിരി മനുഷ്യർ (Rajagiri Men) എൻറെ പരിമിതമായ ഗണനയിൽ, വടക്കു ഭാഗത്തായി driver ജോസ് ചേട്ടനും,  മർമ്മാണി മൂത്ത്  സർവാണിയായ മരക്കാറും, തെക്കു വശത്ത് സ്വല്പം കൂടെ ഒച്ചയോടു കൂടി സേവിയർ സാറും, പൗലോസ് ചേട്ടനും.  ജോസ് ചേട്ടനും, മരക്കാറും കാലയവനികക്കുള്ളിൽ മറഞ്ഞു കഴിഞ്ഞു. 

അപൂർവ്വമായിത്തീർന്ന കളമശ്ശേരി സന്ദര്ശനങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്ന് കയറി ഇറങ്ങുന്ന വീടായിരുന്നു ജോസ് ചേട്ടൻറ്റേത് - അവിടെ നിന്ന് തന്നെ അന്വേഷിക്കാമായിരുന്ന ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ  വീടും. ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ കാമ്പസിൽ തുടർന്നിരുന്നതു കൊണ്ട് അവിടെ അന്വേഷിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യം ഇല്ലായിരുന്നു.  ഈ 75 വയസ്സിലെ 65 വർഷവും ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ കളമശ്ശേരി രാജഗിരി ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ സേവനത്തിൽ ആയിരുന്നു. ഒരു അത്യപൂർവ്വമായ സേവനചരിത്രം.  ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ ആശ്രിതൻ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനോ, അതോ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ ആശ്രിതർ ആശ്രമവും അതിനോട് ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട എല്ലാവരുമോ എന്ന് സംശയം.  നിഴലത്തുള്ള മറ്റൊരു മുഖമായിരുന്നു മരക്കാർ. ആശ്രമം തന്നെ തുടങ്ങുന്നതിന് മുൻപ് ആ വളപ്പിൽ വന്നു ചേർന്നവരാണവർ ഇരുവരും. 

ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ  വിരുത് ഇത്ര പ്രായമായിട്ടും ബേബിയായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു എന്നത് തന്നെ.  ഒരു ബേബിയായി ഇവിടെയെത്തി - 57 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷവും പേരിൽ മാത്രമല്ല, പെരുമാറ്റത്തിലും -  ഒരു ശിശുസഹജമായ നിഷ്കപടമായ - പടം ആവശ്യമില്ലാത്ത ഇടപെടലുകൾ. 

ഈ 57ൻറെ കണക്ക് എങ്ങിനെയാണ് എന്നറിയില്ല. ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ ഭാഷ്യം അനുസരിച്ച് 10 വയസ്സിൽ അപ്പൻറെ കൂടെ എത്തിയതാണ്.  അപ്പൻ ഉതുപ്പ് ചേട്ടൻ ചുണങ്ങുവേലിയിലെ തേവര ആശ്രമം വക റബ്ബർ തോട്ടത്തിൻറെ നടത്തിപ്പുകാരൻ ആയിരുന്നു. അരീക്കുഴ പാലക്കീഴിൽ വീട്ടിൽ നിന്ന്  അപ്പൻറെ കൂടെ ഇറങ്ങുമ്പോൾ അക്ഷരജ്ഞാനം പോലുമില്ല.  സ്‌കൂളിൽ പോയിട്ടില്ല.  അക്ഷര കാര്യം അവ്വിധം തന്നെയെങ്കിലും, മറ്റ് നിരവധി കാര്യങ്ങൾ കണ്ടും കേട്ടും നേടിയിരിക്കുന്നു. 4 മാസക്കാലം തേവരയിൽ സഹായിയായിക്കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ, സാലസ് അച്ചൻ പറഞ്ഞു: കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ സ്ഥലം വാങ്ങിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.  നീ അങ്ങോട്ട് വാ. അച്ചൻറെ പ്രസിദ്ധമായ അമേരിക്കൻ (?) ഫിയറ്റ് കാറിൽ തന്നെ കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ എത്തി.  ഇന്നത്തെ രാജഗിരിക്കാർക്ക് ചിന്തിക്കാൻ ആവാത്ത സ്ഥലം. കാട് തന്നെ.  S.P. ലൂയിസിൻറെ (ലൂയിസ് സായ്‌വ്) കയ്യിൽനിന്നും ഏകദേശം 60 ക. ഒരു സെന്റിന് കൊടുത്താണ് ഈ ഭൂമി കൈവശമാക്കിയത് അത്രേ!   ഈ ഇരുപതോളം ഏക്കറിൽ 22 കുടികിടപ്പുകാർ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു.  പറമ്പു തരാം -  കുടി ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ അച്ചന്മാരുടെ കാര്യം എന്നായിരുന്നത്രെ സായ്‌വിൻറെ വയ്പ്പ്. പല മാർഗ്ഗങ്ങൾ അവലംബിച്ച്, വിവിധ ജാതി മതസ്ഥരായ എല്ലാവരെയും പറമ്പിൽ നിന്നും ഒഴിപ്പിച്ചു. ഏകദേശം അഞ്ച് ഏക്കർ കൈവശം വച്ചിരുന്ന ഒരു ക്രൈസ്‌തവ കുടുംബത്തെ ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ ആയിരുന്നു ഏറ്റം ശ്രമകരം. പലവിധ സഹായങ്ങൾ ചെയ്തും മറ്റുമാണ് അവരെയൊക്കെ ഒഴിപ്പിച്ചത്. 

പിന്നെ തെളിക്കലായിരുന്നു അടുത്ത ഘട്ടം - കയറിച്ചെല്ലാൻ ഒരു വഴിപോലും  ഇല്ല. കാട്ടിനുള്ളിലെ ഒരു ഒറ്റയടി പാത മാത്രം. കുറുക്കൻ, പാമ്പുകൾ - യഥേഷ്ടം. ഒറ്റപ്പെട്ട ചില പ്രതിഷ്ഠകളും ഉണ്ട്.  വന്മരങ്ങളും, പ്ലാവും ഒക്കെയുണ്ട്.  അവയൊക്കെ തെളിക്കണം. 

വന്ന് അധിക നാൾ കഴിയുന്നതിനു മുൻപേ തന്നെ തുടങ്ങിയതാണ് പന്നി വളർത്തൽ - തേവര നിന്നും അഞ്ചെട്ട് കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളെ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന് തുടങ്ങിയ ഭക്ഷ്യോത്പാദന യജ്ഞം ഇടക്കൊരു ഘട്ടം ഒഴിച്ച് ഇന്ന് വരെ തുടരുന്നു.  ആശ്രമം വളപ്പിലെ മൃഗങ്ങൾ, മരങ്ങൾ - അവയായിരുന്നു ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ മുഖ്യ പ്രവർത്തന മേഖല. നടാനും, നന്നാക്കാനും, പോറ്റാനും, പൊതിക്കാനും, അറക്കാനും, മുറിക്കാനും, കയറാനും, ഇറങ്ങാനും, വെട്ടാനും, കെട്ടാനും എല്ലാം ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ - കയ്യും, കാലും ആയുധമാക്കിയും, ആധുനികവും പാരമ്പരാഗതവുമായ ആയുധങ്ങൾ - യന്ത്രങ്ങൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ചും തന്ത്രങ്ങൾ പയറ്റിയും  - 6 ദശകങ്ങളുടെ സേവനം. 

ഞാൻ തേവര ആശ്രമവാസിയായതിൽ പിന്നെ, മാവേലിയുടെ വരവു പോലെ വർഷത്തിൽ ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ പ്രാവശ്യം ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ തേവരയിൽ വരുന്നത് ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു - മാനുഷർക്ക് മനോദരാദി രഞ്ജനവും, മൃഗവൃന്ദങ്ങൾക്ക് മരണഭയവും നൽകികൊണ്ടാവും ആ വരവ്. പക്ഷെ, അവിടെയും വലിയ ഒച്ചപ്പാടില്ല. 

ഇതിനിടെ 25 വയസ്സിൽ ആരക്കുഴ നിന്ന് ഒരു മിടുക്കിയെ ജീവിത പങ്കാളിയാക്കി - അന്നംക്കുട്ടി. അന്നംക്കുട്ടി ചേച്ചിക്ക് SSLC പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയതിന്റെ അഭിമാനം ഇന്നും ഉണ്ട്. മക്കൾ മഞ്ജുവും സഞ്ജുവും - നന്നേ ചെറുപ്പത്തിൽ തന്നെ അവർക്ക് ആശ്രമം, രാജഗിരി സ്‌കൂളിൽ അവരുടെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ യോഗ്യതക്ക് ഉതകിയ ജോലി നൽകി.  മൂത്ത ആൾ, ഇന്നും തുടരുന്നു. ഇളയ ആൾ, ഭർതൃഗ്രഹമായ കരിമണ്ണൂരിൽ സ്ഥിരതാമസമാക്കിയതോടെ, രാജഗിരി വിട്ടു. അവരെല്ലാം നന്നായിക്കഴിയുന്നു.  50 വർഷം ഒരുമിച്ച് ജീവിച്ചത് പൂർത്തിയാക്കുന്ന ചാരിതാർത്ഥ്യം ചേച്ചിയുടെ മുഖത്ത് വായിക്കാം - ജനവരി 6, 1975.  ആ വിവാഹം ബേബി ചേട്ടനെ ക്നാനായ സമുദായത്തിൽനിന്ന് പുറത്തക്കി. Good luck or bad luck?  പ്രഭാതം മുതൽ പ്രദോഷം വരെ, തിങ്കൾ മുതൽ ഞായർ വരെ നീളുന്ന ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ ശതം കാര്യ വ്യഗ്രതയിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടന്  അതൊന്നും അളക്കാൻ നേരം കിട്ടിയിട്ടില്ല. 

എൻറെ അപൂർവ്വ സന്ദർശനങ്ങളിലെ ചവിട്ടു സൈക്കിൾ ചുറ്റലിൽ ആണ്  ഞാൻ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ വീടിന് മുൻപിൽ നിർത്തിയത്.  വഴിയോട് ചേർന്ന് നിൽക്കുന്ന വീട്.  ഏകദേശം 10 വർഷം മുൻപ് (2014?) ഒന്ന് മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തി.  ആശ്രമം സഹായിച്ചു എന്ന് വേണം നിനക്കാൻ.  പക്ഷെ, പണ്ട് കൊവേന്ത കൊടുത്ത ഈ സ്ഥലം ഇന്ന് PWD റോഡ് പുറമ്പോക്ക് ആയി തിട്ടപ്പെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നത് ഒരു ആകുലത തന്നെ. കലക്ടറേറ്റ് വരെയൊക്കെ പിടിച്ച് നോക്കിയെങ്കിലും വഴങ്ങുന്നില്ല - ഒരു ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ ഭീഷണി നിലനിൽക്കുന്നു. 

ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ എത്തിയിട്ടില്ല. അഞ്ച് മണിയായി. ഒരു 15 മിനിറ്റിൽ എത്തും എന്ന് ചേച്ചി. കയറി ഇരിക്കാൻ എന്നെ നിർബന്ധിക്കുന്നു. ഒട്ടൊന്നാലോചിച്ചിട്ട്, ഞാൻ കയറി ഇരുന്നു. ചേച്ചി അകത്തുപോയി gas അണച്ചു.  പയർ വേകിക്കയാണ്. നോട്ടം വേണം. പിന്നെയാകാം. ചെറിയ പരാതി - അച്ചൻ  ഒരിക്കലും അകത്ത് കയറിയിട്ടില്ല - 2003ൽ ഇത് പോലോരിക്കൽ വന്നു.  ഞാൻ ജനലക്കൽ നിന്ന് കയറി വന്നിരിക്കാൻ പറഞ്ഞു. അച്ചൻ  ഇരുന്നില്ല. അന്ന് ആലുവയിൽ വച്ച് വണ്ടി മുട്ടി വലതുകാൽ മൊത്തവും, വലതു കയ്യും ഒടിഞ്ഞ് ഇരിപ്പാണ്. ബേബി ചേട്ടനും അപകടം പറ്റി - മുഖം ഇടിച്ച് - എന്നാൽ കാര്യമായ പരിക്കുകൾ ഒന്നും ഉണ്ടായില്ല.  എനിക്ക് ജാള്യത - നമ്മുടെ കൂടെ നമുക്ക് വേണ്ടി, പണിയെടുക്കുന്ന ഒരാൾക്ക് ഇത്ര വലിയ ആപത്ത് പറ്റിയിട്ട് പരിസരത്ത് താമസിച്ചിട്ടും നമ്മൾ അറിയുന്നു പോലുമില്ല.  ഇത്രയും ഭീകരമായ അപകടത്തിൻറെ  കാര്യമായ വാങ്ങൽ സംസാരത്തിലോ  ചലനത്തിലോ കാണുന്നില്ല. ദൈവത്തിന് സ്തുതി! 

സഹോദരങ്ങൾ: ബേബിച്ചേട്ടന്റെ നേരെ ഇളയ സഹോദരിയുണ്ട്.  വിവാഹിതയായി കുടുംബ ജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്നു. ഒരു മകൾ സന്യാസിനിയാണ്. നേരെ ഇളയ സഹോദരൻ മാത്യു കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ ഏതാനും വര്ഷം ബോർഡിങ്ങിൽ സേവനം ചെയ്തിട്ട്, തേവര സേക്രഡ് ഹാർട്ട് കോളേജിൽ ജോലി ലഭിച്ച്, അവിടെ നിന്നും വിരമിച്ച് സ്വസ്ഥജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്നു.  ഞങ്ങൾ സഹപ്രവർത്തകരായിരുന്നു ഏകദേശം ഒരു ദശാബ്ദക്കാലം. മാത്യുവിന്റെ മകൻ മികച്ച നർത്തകൻ കൂടെയായ ബോണി തന്റെ പൂർവ്വകലാലയത്തിൽ  കൊമേഴ്‌സ് അദ്ധ്യാപകനാണ്.  ഏറ്റവും ഇളയ മറ്റൊരു അനുജൻ അരിക്കുഴയിൽ തന്നെ. അയാളുടെ ഒരു മകൻ വൈദിക വിദ്യാർത്ഥിയാണ്. മറ്റൊരു മകൾ സന്ന്യാ സിനിയും. 

1989 മുതൽ മുറിഞ്ഞും കൂടിയും
കഴിഞ്ഞ എൻറെ കളമശ്ശേരി ജീവിതത്തിൽ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ മിക്കവാറും ഒരു കുശലം, ഒരു ചിരിയിൽ ഒതുങ്ങിയ സമ്പർക്കമാണെങ്കിലും - അതിലും വലിയൊരു ആത്മ ബന്ധം ഉള്ളതായി തോന്നുന്നു.  പരാതികൾ   കേട്ടിട്ടില്ല - ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനിൽനിന്നും, ബേബി ചേട്ടനെക്കുറിച്ചും.  കളമശ്ശേരിയുടെ ഈ കുന്നിനെ രാജഗിരിയാക്കി മാറ്റുന്നതിൽ നിശ്ശബ്ദ സേവനം കാഴ്ചവച്ച ബേബി ചേട്ടനെയും, അത്ര തന്നെ വർഷങ്ങളുടെ റെക്കോർഡ് ഒഴിച്ച് മറ്റെല്ലാ രീതിയിലും സേവനം ചെയ്ത് കടന്നു പോയ മരക്കാറിനെയും സ്നേഹത്തോടെ ഓർക്കുന്നു.  75 വയസ്സിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ പഴയതിലും മിടുക്കനായി കാണപ്പെടുന്നു. പ്രായാധിക്യമൊന്നും മനസ്സിലോ, മുഖത്തോ, എടുപ്പിലോ ഇല്ല. ഔദ്യോഗികമായി സേവന നിവൃത്തിയായി - പക്ഷെ സേവന കഥ തുടരുകയാണ്  - ad multos annos! പശ്യേമ ശരദശതം!!

*Picture of Baby chettan climbing the Bell Tower to install the Christmas star (Dec. 6, 2024)

P.S. ഞാൻ ഈ കുറിപ്പ് രാജഗിരിയുടെ ബേബി ചേട്ടന്മാരെക്കുറിച്ച്  

പറയാമെന്നോർത്താണ്‌  .തുടങ്ങിയത്. അതിൽ, ഇന്നുള്ളവർക്ക് സുപരിചിതനായ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനെക്കുറിച്ച് ഞാൻ  പരാമർശിച്ചു. മറ്റൊരു ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനെ നമ്മിൽ വളരെക്കുറിച്ചു പേർക്കേ അറിയൂ.  പടിക്കപ്പറമ്പിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ (P.D. ISAAC), സെപ്റ്റംബർ 11ന് നിര്യാതനായി.  89 വയസ്സായിരുന്നു.  ബേബി ചേട്ടൻെറ അപ്പൻ കുട്ടൻ ചേട്ടൻ, തേവര  കൊവേന്തയുടെ നോട്ടക്കാരനായിരുന്നു എന്നാണ് ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. ചെറുപ്പം മുതൽ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും  വെള്ള മുണ്ടും ഷർട്ടും രണ്ടാം മുണ്ടും ധരിച്ചു കണ്ടിരുന്ന ആ സൗമ്യനായ മനുഷ്യനുമായി ഒരിക്കലും സംസാരിക്കാൻ എനിക്ക് ഇട വന്നിട്ടില്ല. 

സാലസ് അച്ചന്റെ ശിക്ഷണത്തിൽ അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻറെ വിശ്വസ്തനായ പേർസണൽ അസിസ്റ്റൻറ് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ സെക്രെട്ടറിയായി തേവര കോളേജിൻറെ പ്രാരംഭകാലത്തും പിന്നീട് രാജഗിരിയിൽ ആശ്രമം തുടങ്ങിയ ഘട്ടത്തിലും കൂടെ നടന്ന, സാലസച്ചന്റെ ഒരു മനസാക്ഷി സൂക്ഷിപ്പുകാരനായി മാറിയ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ - പിന്നീട് ഒരു അവസരം വന്നപ്പോൾ ഒരു കമ്പനി ഉദ്യോഗം തരപ്പെട്ടത് നിരസിക്കാതെ അത് കൈവശമാക്കാൻ അച്ചൻ അനുവദിച്ചു. കമ്പനിയിൽനിന്നും വിരമിച്ചശേഷം, ഒരു ദശാബ്ദത്തിലേറെ തേവര അച്ചടി ശാലയുടെ കണക്കുകൾ ക്രമീകരിക്കുന്ന ജോലി നിർവ്വഹിച്ചു. കോളേജിൻറെ വളർച്ച വളരെ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച ഒരു വ്യക്തിയായിരുന്നു. ആരംഭകാലത്തെ സാലസ് സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങൾ എല്ലാം അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്ന ഒരാൾ. അദ്ദേഹത്തിൽനിന്നും അറിയാൻ ഒരുപിടി ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ ഞാൻ തയ്യാറാക്കി വച്ചിരുന്നു. ജൂണിൽ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ, അടുത്ത കാഴ്ചയിൽ കുറെ സംസാരിക്കാനുണ്ട് എന്നൊക്കെ ഉറപ്പിച്ചാണ് പോയത്. ആഗസ്റ്റ് മാസം വീണ്ടും കടന്നു പോയപ്പോൾ, വിശ്വസിക്കാനാവാത്തവിധം അവശനായി മാറിയിരുന്നു ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ. ഏതാനും ആഴ്ചകൾ കൂടി കഴിഞ്ഞ് ആ അറിവുകൾ എല്ലാം കൂടെ കൊണ്ട് കൂട് വിട്ട്  പോയി.  Man proposes, God disposes! 

ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ പ്രതിഭ ഹോസ്റ്റലിന് നേരെ മുൻപിലുള്ള വീടാണ് ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെത്. ഭാര്യ അതിനും ഒരു മാസം മുൻപ്  വിട പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ഇപ്പോൾ മകൻ ഡേവിസും കുടുംബവും അവിടെ താമസിക്കുന്നു. 

ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ മകൾ നിർമ്മല രാജഗിരി അയൽവാസിയാണ്. രണ്ട് മക്കളും രാജഗിരിയിൽ പഠിച്ച് എൻജിനീയറും ഡോക്റ്ററും ആയി സേവനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. ഭർത്താവ് തോമസ്, എന്നും ആശ്രമദേവാലയത്തോട് ഒട്ടി നിന്ന വ്യക്തി - അർബുദത്തെ വിശ്വാസ സ്ഥൈര്യത്തോടെ നേരിട്ട് അതിന് കീഴടങ്ങി.  നിർമ്മല public sector കമ്പനിയിലെ എൻജിനീയർ ഉദ്യോഗത്തിൽ നിന്നും വിരമിച്ച് മക്കളോടൊത്ത് താമസിക്കുന്നു. 

Fr Archangel - Remembering him on the feast of the Archangels

Sep.  29, 2024 Sunday - The Feast of the Archangels

When it comes to the Latin rite, all other people are set aside on Sunday - it is the Lord's day - whether they be humans or angels! 

However, in our fraternity, there is the young confrere, Angelo.  This is not a common name among us. I don't know what prompted his parents to name him thus.  Angelo says his father named his children a bit atypically. That's all that he knows. 

I would have loved to write some notes on the Archangels, the beings having some fascination for me. However, greeting him on this day, brought to my memory a dearly beloved CMI who had been given the Angel's name on his rebirth as a CMI - He was Fr Mathai reborn (dwijan) as Archangel. I grew up seeing him around Thevara. In my primary school days, he would come to our school, at least once a year, with his projector and we would all be huddled together in the classrooms converted into a hall - all sitting on the floor (not very comfortable with that even in those times), and watching the black and white movies on the 'big' screen - a white cloth tied down on the raised platform. We were to pay 25 ps for that. He used to hold such shows sometimes at the Sacred Heart High School front yard as well. One of the movies he had shown was 'Njaan Oli' (Tamil), perhaps, Nadi was another.   I don't remember them. Most of them had tragic ending - nololi padangal, and in fact, they didn't inspire. I always preferred movies with fight (idi) where the hero would win - like Themmadi Velappan etc. This was the time, when going to a movie was a big deal for kids and family members, and our theatre in Thevara Sreekala (later named  Kaseeba) had not yet begun operating. 

I think he did it as a communication ministry.  Sometimes, there were also free movies which were kind of documentaries. He used to travel by a scooter - I think a white and blue lamby; Now, I don't recall, how he used to bring the projector and stuff like that to the school - perhaps, by an autorickshaw.  Or perhaps, the tempo van which was there with the LF press of the monastery. 

When I entered the high school at Thevara, he was the Principal of Sacred Heart College. Prior to that he served the Department of Physics. And it was a tumultuous time - with high-pitched politics.  There used to be strikes every now and then, and college elections were a time of intense political activity - as it is even now in many places, including Thevara. Only that in those days, politics was not banned, it was plainly on the basis of student wings of political parties all this was being carried out. 

Generally, he was considered an amiable person - and was nick-named 'punchiri mathai' (the smiling Mathai) by the students. My elder sister and brother were students at the college in those times. He used to encourage activities like AICUF and SH College was well known for its basketball culture.  Bartholomew Trophy was a great festival for the locality in those days.  I recall my sister commending on his effort to introduce some voluntariness among the students: "See in spite of being the Principal, I am taking up these menial tasks, why not you people do likewise?" I find the argument perfect, and perhaps, later on, as the principal of the college did (definitely) or said (?) the same thing. 

There was a very serious student agitation in those days, when the college chairman Rajan went on a hunger strike in front of the college. I remember him sitting there in a kind of tent.  I am not clear of the cause.  I have heard that once during an agitation, when the students forcibly entered the principal's cabin and pressed their arguments (perhaps in the typical uncivil manner in which the student agitators do), he responded quite angrily, and hit one of the students. The other version is that when he tried to show some action with his hands, somehow someone was touched, and it was interpreted as hitting.  And that led to the furore followed by hunger strike etc.  I don't know how it was sorted out.  However, after a few days, I found students taking up a procession with very many typical slogans, and one of them that caught my imagination was this: 

മത്തായി അച്ചനോട് 'അമ്മ പറഞ്ഞു മോനെ മോനെ മത്തായി 

Mamma said to Mathai acha, Son, Oh son, Mathai

പിള്ളേരോട് കളിക്കണ്ട, പിള്ളേരോട് കളിച്ചാൽ പിന്നെ 

Don't play (meddle) with the kids (students), If you play with them

നട്ടെല്ലൂരി കോട്ടേലാക്കീട്ട് ഐ ആർ എട്ടിന് വളമാക്കും 

They will pull your vertebral column out, dump in a (bamboo) basket, and add it as manure of IR8. 

ഇടി  നാദം മുഴങ്ങട്ടെ കടല് രണ്ടായി പിളരട്ടെ 

Let the thunder sound; let the ocean divide into two

മത്തായി അച്ചൻ ഞടുങ്ങട്ടെ. - Let Mathai achan be shaken (shocked)!

It was thrilling!! I learnt it immediately by heart. After almost 50 years, still same slogans are being repeated by today's (party) politically driven (instigated) students. 

Anyhow, the agitation came to an end.  But Archangel achan continued to be the Principal - I think till 1982.  That would have been about 5 years in all I think. He had taken over the office from Fr Victorian and he handed over the office to a milder man, Fr Aquinas.  In the late 70s and early 80s, he had played a vital role in promoting the Charismatic movement in Keralam, opening up the campus facilities for the same. 

I have heard from my senior colleagues that Fr Archangel and Fr George were very keen to promote faculty fellowship through outings and picnics, for which they used to make all arrangements at the monastery.  Though I tried to follow their footsteps in this regard, I don't think I could succeed much in that regard.  However, when we managed to convert our Zoology block roof to a spacious covered area to hold exams, I named it after him as Archangel Hall. I hope that it still remains so. I did that perhaps, I felt he had contributed well for the college, and some space in his name would be befitting token of appreciation. 

Later on, he retired from the service, and went to Rajkot mission of SH province and worked there in a school in Bhuj for several years.  By that time, he began to be called Fr Mathai (his original baptismal name), rather than archangel.  (My batchmates who did their graduate studies at SH college, used to refer to him as Mukhyadootan - the Malayalam of Archangel). In 1990, after undergoing a penitentiary year of service learning (!) at SH Provincial house, Kalamassery, I managed to squeeze out a few days to visit Rajkot mission. And I did reach Bhuj, to be received by him.  I think I spent one night at his place, but there was nothing memorable about it.  Perhaps, the exception of Fr Joy Payyappilly, my senior and good friend, being there as his assistant (After a few years, he quit the track, and a few years ago died while still being a young, but leaving behind a family of his own). 

I came to know, that he had to face stiff resistance from the local people, for having initiated some disciplinary measure, and it was all manipulated politically, and finally he had to leave the place.  Perhaps, he had a fiery temper as his adversary - I am not sure.  I have seen him only as a mild and smiling Archangel. 

In 1995, when I landed in Mumbai one night, travelling all the way from Kochi by 'buses', to attend the interview for admission at TISS, I went to the CMI transit house, named Sevasadan in Malad.  I just went there, no prior information (unimaginable in these days), and I was received by him without any trouble. I stayed there for the whole week or more, till the admission tests were over, the results were out, and secured a place in the campus hostel.  By that time, Fr Archangel was no longer a member of our province, but of our sister province with the headquarters at Muvattupuzha. And I think, in those days, I just stayed there, perhaps, offered masses in the intention of the superior, and relied on his hospitality without feeling anything amiss about it. 

I recall, how he used to prepare soup for dinner - there was soup every night, which was not a normal menu for CMI houses. He would save the water drained out when the rice was cooked (kanji vellam).  By evening, it would have become much thicker.  Then he would sautee it with the typical soup condiments and a good soup was ready without much effort every evening.  During my TISS days, I could call on him at any time, though I could not frequently do so.  After a year, he was transferred to Kothamangalam, where he became prior.  (I thought it was Vazhakulam, however, I learnt this from his obituary on our website).

I was sad to learn about his death in 1997, and I was there to pay respects to him at Kothamangalam during the final rites.  I feel he died young - Just 66 years! I find his picture in the list of our departed members - still smiling - punchiri Mathai. 

His young brother, another venerable CMI priest, Fr Peter, served for a long time in South Africa as one of the first CMIs to be there for ministry and died in 2020 at the age of 78. 

Namovakam before the dearly beloved memory of Fr Archangel Mathai Akkappadickal! 

A-shoka - अशोक

Ashoka’s visit to Ramagrama (Nepal) – Relief work in Sanchi

हम न करें शोक 

हम रहें नित चैन से सुख 

हर दम ढूंढें बहुजन सुख 

हम बनें सब अमर अशोक | 

अशोक रहे अन्तर्यामिन 

अशोक करे हर जीव जगत 

सबका है अधिकार अ-शोक मन 

सत्कार्य सही अशोक की राह 

अशोक बना एक जब त्याग किया 

अभिमान ने अहिंसा  रूप लिया 

ढाट-बाट सब त्याग दिया 

अमल प्रेम प्रखर प्रचार किया 

हम बनें  अशोक अमर 

हर पल इक मुस्कान धारण कर                              

हर लें दुःख हर मन से दूर 

हर में हर पल आश्रय कर!

(Dedicated to my good friend Ashoka Chatterjee Bindra)

State tree of Uttar Pradesh - Saraca Ashok

Fr Zacharias Moorkattel CMI

Sep. 22, 2024 We got along well - in spite of the difference in age, outlook, temperament etc.  Our close relationship lasted just about 3 months, but the goodwill and warmth that emerged from that short period lasted till now. When I visited Keralam for about 7 days last month, I made it a point to visit him, greet him - he strained his eyes to meet mine, but showed no great sign of recognition, no smile. I learnt to my great consolation that he was shifted to his room from the ICU, only to be alerted yesterday, that he slept in the Lord at the age of 88.  He originally hailed from Kaduthurthy parish of Pala diocese.

We were first introduced to Fr Zacharias, if I recall correctly, either in his presence or otherwise, by the late Fr Mathew Kaiparampil, our rector at St. Joseph's Study House, Meerut.  It was with that narration of his close encounter with bullet fire in the village of Nayagaon, Nawada, Bijnor Dt., UP.  I think it was during his tenure there that the new experiment with Hindi Medium school started in Bijnor diocese, and the school grew to be a success story for positive social influence in the society. 

He was a distant figure, one of the pioneering missionaries of Bijnor diocese, lived a frugal and austere life - perhaps, austere with oneself and with others as well that on some occasion, one of our senior confreres remarked, I had the opportunity to live under Fr Zacharias and to live with Fr Tom Jos. I had occasional encounters with him while I was at the ashram in Rajarampur, undergoing graduate studies.  At that time, he was the priest in charge of the Chandpur mission station. One day, perhaps impressed by my cycling skills, he asked if I could purchase two bicycles and get them to Chandpur.  I readily agreed.  Got two bicycles (I forgot the brand, most likely, Hero) and got permission from Fr. Superior to take them to Chandpur. No one bothered to ask how I would buy two bicycles and take them to Chandpur - almost 60 kilometres away. I purchased the bicycles, then took them both, riding one, while holding the other with my right hand. It was a narrow road, and when buses and big vehicles passed by, it was not easy to stick to the tarmac patch. And holding the bicycle in one hand and riding the other bike for a long distance was not easy.  However, with a great show of perseverance, I did that for 35-odd kilometres, till Bijnor. Took a short break at Tera Nur, Bijnor, and with the help of the seminarians staying there, got both bicycles on the bus top to Chandpur - around another 30 to 35 kms.  And Fr. Zacharias received me warmly and was happy for my having complied with his request. 

My prolonged encounter with him was in 1989. After completing the second year of graduation, with much wavering regarding this way of life, I confided in my then-superior about my state of mind, and requested permission to leave the order after some consultations with trusted elders like Fr Jose Koluthara and Fr Mathias Mundadan. However, with the consent of his council, he had already torn my page off the book of CMI life - perhaps, there were some faults in me, which were never revealed to me in any manner. So when after the said consultations, both of them, and several others persuaded me to persevere and make an effort again, I conceded, and the Provincial, Fr Bassus of happy memory, was receptive to the decision - but was in for a shock for the high voltage negative response from the Superior of Bijnor region when he briefed about my 'turn-around'.  He insisted that in that case he (me) was to be given a 'compulsory regency' and good old Fr Bassus related the same to me with great trepidation - but I was least bothered, and I responded that that was fine with me. And got ready for the compulsory regency in Bijnor.  Landed there one fine day, again to his great disillusionment - and he treated me like an untouchable, without saying as much, and in a couple of days, packed me off to Kalagarh, almost under military orders (theirs is to do or die and not to ask the reason why) - with no other word than till further notice - also indicating that I was not wanted there, and would have to go back to the province in Kochi. I received it with no questions asked, no eyebrow raised and feeling rather at ease and peace.  I thought, if I quit, better that I quit without completing college studies and then seek opportunities elsewhere, like civil service, to top my list. This very big interlude was to connect to the beloved Fr Zacharias. 

I guess my being sent to Kalagarh mission station under Fr Zacharias was meant to be a penitentiary or reformatory. Being already rather insightful of Fr Zacharias' nature from the 'air', I think I was never my usual ebullient self, but a subdued person, however, with no pretences I trust. I took a cue from him as to what was to be done - whether prayer, farm or parish work, and had no occasion to see him ill at ease on account of me.  There were 2 younger seminarians for the diocese of Bijnor - Jose and John - who were attending the higher secondary school at Bhikkawala - Kalagarh. It appeared to me that he was a little more strict or severe towards them.  

In the two or three months of my stay under his supervision, I feel we got along well. I co-laboured with him in fetching litchi plants from Najibabad and planting them.  I was active with pastoral work in the parish church and in the villages 10 and 14 kilometers away. I also vaguely remember having donated blood for some cause there. 

Our food used to be very frugal and simple - usually roti or rice, with some daals.  Perhaps, we had a chicken curry once during my stay there. Some mornings, when the hens would have laid sufficient number of eggs for all four of us to get one each, there would be a rare, precious egg - and I remember him instructing us that the boiled egg could be mixed with the bengal gram curry or with upma to add taste to it. I tried that and liked it. But having an egg in a week was itself a treat. As per the prevailing culture and standards of priestly living in those days, we hardly had any meat or fish, and I never felt deprived because they were not there. 

After my days of 'house arrest' were over, I think Fr Superior sent him a message that I could be sent back, as my ticket to be packed off to Kochi was ready. With my days being counted, Fr Zacharias asked me what gift I desired - he suggested a shirt or pants or anything else of my choice - I had hardly any such desire or needs, and I politely but firmly refused.  He again insisted on my having something, and then, I seized the opportunity and said to him: if you are so insistent, please teach me to ride your scooter. Now this was indeed something I had desired.  Though there were several two-wheelers at the ashram, I was never asked to learn to ride one, or get equipped thus and obtain a license. I had several occasions when I had to ride the bicycle to drop off some guest priests as pillion riders at the bus stand more than a kilometre away. Like King Herod who could not go back on his word, Fr Zacharias, now could not go back on his promise - next two or three days, he took me to the public grounds in Kalagarh, and gave some tips to ride his light blue bajaj scooter (perhaps 4-gear).  It was more about managing the gears than the balancing part.  By the end of the third day, with sessions lasting about half an hour each, I managed to get initiated into riding a two-wheeler. In those days, kickstarting a scooter was also a skill - as they usually didn't start off easily. Later on, in the next 8 or 10 months, on the basis of that initiation, I managed to get a licence proper, without having to undergo a driving school training or any bribe to anyone. 

Next year, as I served as a regent at the Bishop's house, and having had access to a new two-wheeler, Fr Zacharias shared his insight into saving fuel - by negotiating the curves (which were many) of the road by sticking to a straight line, rather than going by the curves!! He said that from Najibabad to Kotdwar you could thus save almost 2 kilometres of the 28 kilometre distance. 

I learnt that in the later years, he had a very different role to play - as a spiritual guide in the formation houses.  I trust that might have been formative for himself and beneficial for the young aspirants who responded to Christ's call to follow Him. But the last phase of his life was that of physical suffering, which I am given to understand that he bore with great fortitude. 

Our later meetings - casual and short, were always marked with warm and sincere mutual affection and goodwill. I am sorry to have had no occasion to sit with him and listen to him at length before his departure.  Though I did visit him in the ICU of Rajagiri on August 21st, and he did open his eyes and look at me, I could not find the warm smile of recognition on his face, and I was a little disappointed. In the prolonged illness and hospitalisation, I think he has suffered a great deal - may his sufferings be found as his sacrifice for world green peace, and harmony among peoples. Fr Zacharias comes out as a man of few words, ready to do God's bidding as revealed through the superiors, who lived his call to discipleship artlessly, with rectitude and in a very minimalist manner.  Beloved Father, May you be in eternal bliss! 

P.S. Nov. 1, 2024.  All Saints Day. Rajagiri, Kalamassery

What an ittefaaq! His family, with young Fr Moorkattel of Pala diocese in the lead, was holding a commemoration on 41st day at the Provincial house chapel. Fortunately, I was there, and I wanted to take part. Now the contingent from Anugrahalayam (Bijnor Bhavan) asks me if I could share the gospel message during the mass. I gladly volunteered and proclaimed the gospel that was Fr Zacharias - vishuddh, vinamra and viswast. The obedient, silent, suffering servant of Yahweh! Definite to attain the promise of the Lord, 'and those who have done good shall rise again into life'... Eternal rest grant to him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. 

FR BENNY - JOSEPH ENNACKAPPILLIL CMI - Inspiring a Generation of the CMIs to a Ministry of the Word

ബെന്നിയച്ചൻ  - ജോസഫ് എണ്ണക്കാപ്പള്ളി. 

എൻറെ തൊട്ടു താഴെ (implying only age and batch) - 1983 മുതൽ 1994 വരെ നടന്നു വന്നു.  

യോഗാർത്ഥി ഭവനത്തിലെ അവസാന മാസങ്ങളിൽ തുടങ്ങിയ പരിചയം വലിയ ആഴത്തിൽ പോകാൻ ഇട വന്നിട്ടില്ലാത്ത സൗഹൃദം, സാഹോദര്യം - മീററ്റിൽ നിന്നും വന്ന ഞങ്ങൾ കേവലം 2 മാസത്തിൽ താഴെ മാത്രമേ യോഗാർത്ഥി ഭവനത്തിൽ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളു - അന്നും കാഴ്ചയിൽ സാമാന്യം പശിമയുള്ള, വെളുത്തു തുടുത്ത ബെന്നി, ഒരു സാധാരണ നല്ല അയൽക്കാരനായി നടന്നു. 

പിന്നെ ഒരു വർഷം കഴിഞ്ഞ്  കറുകുറ്റിയിൽ ഒരുമിച്ച്‌ - വീണ്ടും ഒരു വർഷത്തെ ഇടവേളക്ക് ശേഷം ബെംഗളൂരുവിൽ  (അന്നൊക്കെ വെറും ബാംഗ്ലൂർ), വീണ്ടും 1992 മുതൽ 1994 വരെ ദൈവശാസ്ത്ര വിദ്യാർഥികളായി മുന്നും പിന്നും.  

അന്നൊക്കെ വലിയ മുഴക്കത്തിൽ സംസാരിക്കയും ചിരിക്കയും ചെയ്യുമായിരുന്നു. കാലക്രമത്തിൽ അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു ഗൗരവ ശാലിയായ മനുഷ്യനായി മാറി എന്നാണെനിക്ക് തോന്നിയത് - സഹവസിക്കുവാൻ പിന്നീട് അവസരങ്ങൾ കാര്യമായി കിട്ടാഞ്ഞതിനാൽ ആയിരിക്കാം.  അന്നൊക്കെ എനിക്ക് അദ്ദേഹത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് പൊതുവിലുള്ള ഒരു പ്രൊഫൈലിങ് നഥാനിയേലിന്റേതാണ് - കളങ്കമില്ലാത്ത ഇസ്രായേൽക്കാരൻ - ഞാൻ ആരോടും അന്വേഷിച്ചിട്ടില്ല, അദ്ദേഹവുമായി അടുത്ത് ഇടപഴകിയിട്ടുമില്ല. ദൂരെ നിന്നുള്ള impression!

സാധാരണക്കാരനായി കാണപ്പെട്ട ബെന്നിച്ചൻ പെട്ടെന്ന് ഒരു അസാധാരണക്കാരനായി  എനിക്ക് മുന്നിൽ  രൂപാന്തരപെട്ടത് വൈദികശുശ്രൂഷ പദവി ലഭിച്ച ശേഷം ഇനിയെന്ത് എന്ന സാമാന്യ ചോദ്യം ആരും എന്ന പോലെ ഞാനും  ചോദിച്ചപ്പോൾ കിട്ടിയ മറുപടിയിൽ നിന്നാണ് 

വചനം പ്രസംഗിക്കണമെന്നും അതിനായി ഒരുങ്ങണമെന്നും ഒക്കെ അദ്ദേഹം പങ്കു വച്ചപ്പോൾ ഇത് വരെ കണ്ണിൽ പെടാതിരുന്ന ഒരു ബെന്നിയാണല്ലോ ഇത് എന്ന്  ഞാൻ സസന്തോഷം നിരൂപിച്ചു.  തുടക്കക്കാലത്ത് പ്രസംഗം കേട്ടിട്ടില്ലെങ്കിലും കൂടുതൽ ഒച്ചയാണ് എന്ന ഒരു impression  എന്നെ പിടി കൂടി. പക്ഷെ അദ്ദേഹം അതിൽ പിടിച്ചു നില്ക്കയും വചനാധിഷ്ഠിത ദൈവശാസ്ത്രത്തിൽ ഉപരി പഠനം നടത്തി തന്റെ ശുശ്രൂഷ പാത കൂടുതൽ ശക്തമാക്കയും ചെയ്തപ്പോൾ, മണവാളൻ കൂടെയുള്ള തോഴരെ പോലെ അധിക സന്തോഷം എനിക്കുണ്ടായി - അദ്ദേഹം നന്നായി ചെയ്യുന്നതിലും, ഇതൊക്കെ ചെയ്യാൻ സിഎംഐ സഭയിൽ  ഞങ്ങളുടെ തലമുറയിലും ആളുണ്ടല്ലോ എന്നതിലും  സന്തോഷം. 

പിന്നീട് ഓരോ തവണ കാണുമ്പോഴും ഈ ഒറ്റയാൾ പോരാട്ടം ശക്തി പ്രാപിക്കുന്നതിൻറെ  സൂചനകൾ അദ്ദേഹം സന്തോഷ സമേതം പങ്കു വച്ചിരുന്നു - ശുശ്രുഷ ശക്തമാക്കാൻ അതിന്റെ പ്രയോജനം ലഭിച്ചവർ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് ഒരു ചെറു വാഹനം സമ്മാനമായി തന്നു എന്നത് അദ്ദേഹം പങ്കു വച്ചപ്പോൾ, എത്ര ശക്തിയായി വ്യക്തികളെ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് സ്പർശിക്കാനാവുന്നു എന്നത് എനിക്ക് സന്തോഷം നൽകി. പിന്നീട് ധ്യാനഫലങ്ങൾ അനുഭവിച്ച ഏതാനും പേർ  ചേർന്ന് ബെന്നിച്ചൻ മോഡൽ ധ്യാനത്തിനായി ഒരു കേന്ദ്രത്തിനുള്ള എല്ലാ വിഭവങ്ങളും സജ്ജമാക്കാൻ തയ്യാറാണെന്നത് അദ്ദേഹം പങ്കു വച്ചതോർക്കുന്നു.  കൂനമ്മാവ് - പറവൂർ പ്രദേശത്ത് അപ്രകാരം ഒരു കേന്ദ്രം എന്നതാണ് ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കിയത്. എന്ത് കൊണ്ട് അത് നടക്കാതെ പോയി എന്ന് ഇന്ന് ഞാൻ ചിന്തിക്കുന്നു. 

പിന്നീട് അതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് ചോദിക്കാനുള്ള ഒരു സഹചര്യം  ഒത്തു വന്നില്ല. ചിലപ്പോൾ ജീവസ്സ്  ധ്യാനകേന്ദ്രം സഭാ  നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ നിന്ന് തന്നെ അദ്ദേഹത്തിനുള്ള ഒരു തട്ടകമായി തയ്യാർ ചെയ്തു വന്നപ്പോൾ അത് വഴി മാറി പോയതാകാം. 

ബെന്നിച്ചൻ was a wounded healer? സഭാംഗങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നോ മറ്റ് കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നോ അല്ല. മറിച്ച്, ശാരീരിക ആരോഗ്യവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് അദ്ദേഹം wounded  ആയിരുന്നു എന്ന് ഞാൻ അനുമാനിക്കുന്നു. അതൊന്നും വലിയ ഒച്ചപ്പാടുണ്ടാക്കാതെ അദ്ദേഹം സഹിച്ചു എന്ന് എനിക്ക് തോന്നി.  

വരണാധാരം (varicose) ആയിരുന്നു ഞാൻ അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്ന ഒരു മുഖ്യ പ്രതി. പല ചികിത്സകൾ അതിനായി നടത്തി - അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻറെ ഉപദേശ പ്രകാരം, ഒരു നാട്ടു വൈദ്യൻറെ  അടുത്ത് - cupping എന്ന പ്രയോഗത്തിനായി ഞാനും പോയി നോക്കിയിരുന്നു - അവിടവിടെ അനുഭവവേദ്യമായിരുന്ന ഞരമ്പു വേദനകൾ ശരിപ്പെടുത്താൻ  ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചായിരുന്നു.  എനിക്ക് അതിൽനിന്നും കാര്യമായ ഒരു വ്യതിയാനവും സംഭവിച്ചില്ല എന്നതായിരുന്നു സത്യം. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് അത് പ്രയോജനം ചെയ്തുവെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞു. 

പക്ഷെ, മറ്റ് പല വ്യാധികളും മുള്ളുകളായി ആ വചന ശുശ്രൂഷകന് ലഭിച്ചു എന്ന് പറയേണ്ടി വരും. പ്രമേഹം അതിൽ മുൻപനായിരുന്നു എന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നു. അത് പോലെ, ഹൃദയത്തിനും ചെറിയ തോതിൽ മർദ്ദങ്ങൾ ഉണായിരുന്നു എന്ന്  പറഞ്ഞു കേൾക്കുന്നു. 

എന്ത് ചെയ്യാം - 23 ആഗസ്ത് മാസം - ചുറുചുറുക്കോടെ സ്വയം വാഹനം ഓടിച്ച് ആശുപത്രിയിൽ പോയി തിരികെ വന്ന ബെന്നിച്ചൻ പിന്നെ ഒരാളുമായും സംവദിച്ചതായി കാണുന്നില്ല. കഠിന  യാതനയുടെ ആഘാതം അനുഭവിച്ചതിൻറെ അടയാളങ്ങൾ കണ്ടവരുണ്ട്.  26ന് രാജഗിരിയിലെ തീവ്ര പരിചരണ വിഭാഗത്തിൽ ഈ വേദനയുടെയും, ആകുലതയുടെയും യാതൊരു  ലാഞ്ഛനകളുമില്ലാതെ   അദ്ദേഹം ശാന്തമായി ഉറങ്ങുകയായിരുന്നു. ഞാൻ വിളിച്ച് നോക്കി: ബെന്നി, ബെന്നി.  ഒരുപിടി പ്രാർത്ഥനകൾ!  അവസാനം, അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് ഏറ്റവും ഉത്തമമായത്‌ സംഭവിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.  നിന്റെ ഭരണം വരട്ടെ! നിന്റെ ഭരണം  നടപ്പാകട്ടെ!

കേരളത്തിൽ തങ്ങിയ ഏതാനും നാളുകൾ ബെന്നിച്ചൻ എത്രയോ വ്യക്തികൾക്ക് സാന്ത്വനവും സമാശ്വാസവും ആയിരുന്നു എന്നത് അടിവരയിടുന്നവയായിരുന്നു. 

ബെന്നിച്ചൻ - എൻറെ  അനുജൻ, കളങ്കമില്ലാത്ത ഇസ്രായേൽക്കാരൻ, മറ്റാളുകളുടെ പഴി അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞ് ഞാൻ കേട്ടിട്ടില്ല. 

കൊച്ചി പ്രൊവിൻസിലെ ആധുനിക പൗലോസ്! 

പരാതികളില്ലാതെ സ്വന്തം വഴി വെട്ടി വീട് വച്ചവൻ! 

സങ്കീർത്തകനോടും, ബെന്നിച്ചനോടും ചേർന്ന് പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കാം Psalm 116:  

7 എന്‍ മനമേ, നീ വീണ്ടും സ്വസ്ഥമായിരിക്ക; യഹോവ നിനക്കു ഉപകാരം ചെയ്തിരിക്കുന്നു.

8 നീ എന്റെ പ്രാണനെ മരണത്തില്‍നിന്നും എന്റെ കണ്ണിനെ കണ്ണുനീരില്‍നിന്നും എന്റെ കാലിനെ വീഴ്ചയില്‍നിന്നും രക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.

9 ഞാന്‍ ജീവനുള്ളവരുടെ ദേശത്തു യഹോവയുടെ മുമ്പാകെ നടക്കും.

10 ഞാന്‍ വലിയ കഷ്ടതയില്‍ ആയി എന്നു പറഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍ ഞാന്‍ വിശ്വസിച്ചു.

...

12 യഹോവ എനിക്കു ചെയ്ത സകലഉപകാരങ്ങള്‍ക്കും ഞാന്‍ അവന്നു എന്തു പകരം കൊടുക്കും?

13 ഞാന്‍ രക്ഷയുടെ പാനപാത്രം എടുത്തു യഹോവയുടെ നാമം വിളിച്ചപേക്ഷിക്കും.

14 യഹോവേക്കു ഞാന്‍ എന്റെ നേര്‍ച്ചകളെ അവന്റെ സകലജനവും കാണ്‍കെ കഴിക്കും.

15 തന്റെ ഭക്തന്മാരുടെ മരണം യഹോവേക്കു വിലയേറിയതാകുന്നു.

16 യഹോവേ, ഞാന്‍ നിന്റെ ദാസന്‍ ആകുന്നു; നിന്റെ ദാസനും നിന്റെ ദാസിയുടെ മകനും തന്നേ; നീ എന്റെ ബന്ധനങ്ങളെ അഴിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.

17 ഞാന്‍ നിനക്കു സ്തോത്രയാഗം കഴിച്ചു യഹോവയുടെ നാമം വിളിച്ചപേക്ഷിക്കും.

18 യഹോവയുടെ ആലയത്തിന്റെ പ്രാകാരങ്ങളിലും യെരൂശലേമേ, നിന്റെ നടുവിലും

19 ഞാന്‍ യഹോവേക്കു എന്റെ നേര്‍ച്ചകളെ അവന്റെ സകലജനവും കാണ്‍കെ കഴിക്കും. യഹോവയെ സ്തുതിപ്പിന്‍ .

അവൻറെ  തലമുറ അവസാനിക്കാതിരിക്കട്ടെ എന്ന് പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുന്നു. 

PS.  The unexpected disappearance of Bennichan propelled me to examine my files and my will, which I thought I had prepared and had shared with all key people concerned. I could not find it. 

So I decided to draft one afresh, so that in such eventuality, my minimal desires be found and fulfilled; and my minimum possessions - beginning with my body, be put to the optimum use - बहुजन हिताय बहुजन सुखाय! 

https://prasantamcmi.blogspot.com/2024/09/my-will-not-my-will-but-your-will-be.html

Bicycle Ride along the Hilly Kochi and Meeting People of my History

I got this blue & silver BSA bicycle somewhere around 2002. I think it had a name - i-bike. Now the name has been smudged, and I am not able to fully make out the name on the bike. Its original shape resembles the one given in the picture. Our young neighbour and friend Jeffrin at Rajagiri wanted to get rid of his bike and he approached me asking if I would take it.  I was not very keen. The one I was using was a much better version with very good shock absorber and gear suited for the undulated terrain of Kalamassery.  But somehow it got into bad repair, and our young kitchen assistant was keen to get that if I were to dispose it off. I had bought it in 1997 for about Rs. 2500.00. He agreed to give me Rs. 1000.00 in instalments and I let him have it. And then, there comes the request from Jeffrin.  With some reluctance I purchased it for Rs. 1000.00. I don't think we had any haggling on that. Apparently, he needed some money and in those days, even Rs. 1000.00 was not a small amount - especially for a student; and even for a religious like me.

Since then, this lady's cycle, with no gears (single speed), with a peculiar handlebar and braking system had been my companion bicycle. When I got transferred to Thevara, I took that along. After shifting my stuff by car, I came back another day to pick up the cycle and rode it to Thevara. In Thevara, I discovered a discarded race bicycle when we cleaned up the store - that was in 2010. I got it repaired, and my good bicycle friend Denny got a gear system fixed onto it.  It was done by Murugan and it cost about Rs. 3000.00. I learnt to ride that and I could go at a fairly good speed, and with hands off the handle.  It was fun. We had a trip to Munnar - since I had no day to spare, this bicycle was taken to Munnar by car, and I travelled during the night and reached Munnar early morning.  Then Dr Shaji, Denny, Anand and I rode the bikes to Kochi - around 140 kms.  That was fun. There was a reconnaissance vehicle - I don't know who drove that. Anyway, my good friend Thomas was there till Nellimattam on that. 

I was content to celebrate my 50th birthday solemnly (in 2014, as usual, privately) riding that bike from somewhere near Thiruvalla to Pampa altogether 90 kilometres on the hills - though I would have loved to do a para-jump like the venerable Sr George Bush.  Our trio - Dennis, Dr Shaji and me, managed to maintain a position between 40 and 50, among the 110 odd participants, most of them regular bikers, much younger and equipped with much better bikes. Later, with the same bike, I joined a brevet of 200 kms (altogether 222 kms) from Kaloor to Athirappally and back in 13 hours. (Now that bike is found discarded at SH Monastery parking lot. Apparently nobody is game for that old bike). 

It was this Denny, who had also completed 600 kms and 1200 kms randonneues, who met with an accident near his home in Kalamassery and was almost incapacitated in the past 8 years. Now he is halfway back to normalcy - can speak, understand, walk wobbly, and remember many things though some of the items of the past - people & events -  have been totally deleted.  Thank God, he is alive and is struggling back to normalcy - the support of his wife and 3 lovely kids, and of his maternal uncle, Dr Shaji a bio-chemistry scientist, industrialist and bicycle enthusiast had been commendable in all this. 

Today, they were here - at my request, Dr Shaji brought Denny and 2 of his kids (Rajagiri students) and we spent some time talking, and praying.  When I blessed Denny, he too blessed me, and made a sign of the cross on me. 

A Ride on Kochi Hills 

After almost 3 months, I was using my BSA bicycle - it is kept unlocked at the Provincial House, but hardly anyone uses it. If at all someone wants to use a bicycle, there are better bicycles there. I had inflated its tyres last time I had come, had corrected its pedal riding all the way up to Aluva (8 kms) to get that done. On arrival from UP, I found the bike neglected, tyres deflated. I inflated it, and even after 3 days, they are intact. The rim of the wheels and the frame are gradually gathering rust. The humble silver-coated machine is getting almost near its silver jubilee. 

Yesterday, I took it out for a ride along the hilly terrains of Kochi - to our Prior General's house at Chavara Hills, Kakkanadu.  Just about 10 kms away.  Could visit our Fr General and get my daily workout done. I didn't attempt to scale all the steep inclines riding, as my crumbling knees could not afford it. However, in less than 30 mts I was there.  Met the general and enquired after his khushaal. He enquired if I had to 'share something' - that is very natural. Hardly anyone comes to make a courtesy call. Always having an agenda - an axe to grind - maintaining the relationship is not generally an agenda.  At times, people are surprised - 'why did you come?' 'just like that'.  'Oh come on! What is it about?'   'Nothing.  Just to say hello'.  

Our watchman at the PG house Mr Pauly was not amused that a bicycle-riding commoner had come into the glorious precincts of the CMI headquarters - parked the bicycle right in front, had entered the PG house and had gone in.  He had gone for a minute to relieve himself, and from the washroom window, he observed this uncommon entity of an old man on a bicycle riding uphill and going into the house. He somehow managed to get out of the washroom and hurried in looking for this man. How dare such a commoner come into this sanctum sanctorum thus - Perhaps, in his whole tenure, he might not have seen a CMI coming riding a bicycle, even a motorbike riding CMI would be a rare specimen for the PG house.  They expect the priests to come in a car, or in exceptional cases, perhaps come by an autorickshaw or Uber taxi, if they were dependent on public transport.  So he was not amused, but I was, Fr General put him at ease. 

Fr General wore a pleasant look and appeared in good health after his kidney transplant.  He recalled our 47-year-old association - I as a schoolboy at SH Thevara and him as a scholastic for UG programme in Chemistry at SHC Thevara. That was good. I made a tour of the campus with my batchmate and our finance secretary Rev. Paulson - the campus has grown greener, the trees have grown big.  and the building is being stretched to the boundaries to accommodate delegates for any possible meet at the general level.  The cruel ways in which the land is exploited by the users is having its impact on the campus with the eastern boundary sliced off sharply at almost 90 degrees by our neighbour to maximise profit, now crumbling down, and requiring a retention wall which could cost millions! 

To my gladness I observe a Noni tree, rather full-grown and bearing abundant fruit - I recall Prof KV Peter of Agricultural University promoting Noni products in a big way. I also see that Wisteria had grown into a great pandal with flowers and cool green shade; however, the exotic plant is said to grow very strong and widespread roots all around, likely to damage the adjacent humanly erected structures - buildings and roads. The sapling I had planted at SH has grown and started flowering, I should warn my successors of these consequences.

A Chance Meeting with Justice Cyriac Joseph

Then riding back, I notice on the way 'Justice Villa' and the name board of Justice Cyriac Joseph - once upon a time our inspiring President of KCSL.  I decide to stop over, knock and see if he was around. And I did. And the Justice came out, after an initial moment of recollection, could place me (I believe so), and received me and we had a long conversation on his experiences as a young leader and later on as Justice in different parts of the country - how the CMIs were in his life, especially Fr Austin, his tenure as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and association with our members and institutions in those areas; again as CJ of Karnataka and the occasion of inaugurating the law school at Christ university.  I learnt that it was the golden jubilee of his wedding - August 25th, and they were looking forward to an opportune time to celebrate the same. I click a picture with him and depart. 

Yes, I do recall him as an inspirational leader. I attended many KCSL camps with him, where I had some important role as a student leader. I made some caustic remarks during the evaluation of a camp, perhaps trying ot make an impression or thinking that was being fashionable. My mentor Fr Earathara was annnoyed, and he expressed the same in as many words.  However, Adv Cyriac Joseph intervened - He said that if the youngsters feel something is amiss let us relook at them, and try to improve.  However, I was embarrassed - I don't think I had really something to say, but I still fumbled something sensible I think. He recalled many students (especially Vinson Xavier, my junior in school and a good friend) and animators associated with KCSL and said that he had been the President for a record 12 years, almost always spending money from his pocket for his various travels associated with the league. 

Vijobhavan - Priesthome and Some Palakkapilly Links

I move further and seeing the Priest Home for the aged, Vijobhavan, stop over.  This is the place where many of our beloved pastors spent their last days - I remember Frs. Malamel, Kakkattuchira...I enquire with the unfriendly appearing receptionist cum support staff there (that is what people holding any responsibility in Keralam think - they ought to be rude and brusque - it's the combination - commifeudalism - though these people are neither commi nor feudal, but that is the culture built up over the years) regarding the present inmates.  As I revealed my identity as a priest he comes forth with some details, and I notice that many are known to me. I decide to say hello to them - Fr Vayalikodath immediately recognizes me and warmly enquires after, and we connect again, sharing our WhatsApp numbers. I meet Fr  on the way and he is happy to see me. But I have no great association with him. Then I search for Fr Zacharias Paranilam and we get into a prolonged conversation which unfolds some Palakkappillil story - though that takes up time beyond my budgeted time, I still listen to eagerly. 

His mother Eliswa is from Palakkappilly Koonamveedu which has almost come to nil with our generation. Her father was Scaria.  Scaria's mother was from the Vadayar Chakkunkal family. 

Ammini chechi almost as old as my eldest sister is the only daughter of that branch of Palakkappilly and she is now married to James of a Manayath family - people used to call them cross belt, as his father used to wear a traditional Kerala shawl - randam mundu - across his arms in an impressive manner) and she is having four daughters and thus there ends Koonamveedu Palakkappilly and even Kanatt branch of James. But his younger brothers - my contemporaries - Thaddeus and Simon, excellent athletes, are still there, said to be settled in Switzerland.

I have often found Fr Paranilam at some of our functions, but I did not know how exactly was his connection. His mother was the eldest of 3 daughters followed by a brother Chackochan. So the mother was bit too taxed with the care of the 3 kids in quick succession, and a way out was sought. Then came the aunt at Vyttila who was without any issues and volunteered to take care of one of them.  And she took away the eldest, and brought her up as her own daughter.  She did schooling up to IV or V grade which was too good for those times. The adoptee mother and the daughter developed a very close bond that when the father of Eliswa came to take her back when she was some 12 year old, she refused.  However, the father would have nothing to do with her refusal and took her back home by force.  Admitted her to a school at Perumanur.  On the very first day, she walked off the school to Vyttila (some 6 kilometres away - perhaps, having to cross one or two canals en route) and there was no more coercion to come back. 

After a while, the adoptee mother, who had lost her husband and having no children,  prepared a will by which her estate would belong to the adopted daughter, with a condition that she herself was taken care of by the daughter's family till her end. This was thus carried out. However, nobody bothered about the property being there at Vyttila. 

And when the normal time of marrying the daughter off came, she was married to the Paranilam family of Chalakkudy.  This was also a great family with a glorious past now towards decline - but having a lot of farming and related assets like hordes of cattle. Fr Zacharias recalls the three-storeyed ancestral home, which was later purchased by the CMIs of Sagar Province.  To cut the long story short, the new bride was not at home at this farming environment. The bridegroom, having been a meek person, decided to shift to Kochi with his bride so as to make her at home. 

At this juncture, it was recalled that the bride had a property in her name with a house and all necessary systems to support a family.  Hence it was decided that the couple to be housed at this Vyttila estate, and thus Zacharias who is originally from Chalakkudy Paranilam, came to be a native of Vyttila. 

Scaria's younger brother George was a Police Inspector, who got settled at Mala (Muttikkal Parish) from where his wife, who inherited her ancestral property hailed.  His son Thomas inherited the paternal property at Perumanur and in Vyttila and his children are George and Babu.  Thomas chettan and his wife, the then senior most members of the Palakkappillil family died recently. 

That much engaged listening, and Fr Zacharias gifted me with his jubilee book - vachana cherathukal. I received gracefully - not sure of reading it, but still aware of my bad habit of trying to do that when any book is gifted. But, lo & behold, I rushed through it in 2 days time: and I would recommend it for a reading by the faithful, and even by the clergy.

To me, it served as a useful revision of some Theology, Ecclesiology and Comparative Religion (don't know if the term is right).  Some of the articles, especially the ones on culture and implied incarnational theology are very appealing to me, and I feel the Catholic church is still a slave of the Greco-Roman world view and cannot free itself from its hegemony, and hence, I am afraid, the gospel suffers.  There could be a much deeper dialogue between Hinduism and Christianity and an understanding of Christ and his message from an Indian worldview - especially Vedantic, I feel.  (I am no authority to make any such statements; however, I had felt so).

Grateful for Life 

With the onset of osteoarthritis, I am now troubled mildly with quick movements of my feet - walking, jogging, running etc are becoming tough. The doctor advises that one should avoid activities that cause extra stress to the knees which will expedite the deterioration - squats, hiking etc. to be avoided. walking on level planes may not adversely affect the condition. And my left elbow was severely hurting on account of tennis elbow, and the right shoulder, with a recurrent, slipped shoulder (the last incidence being yesterday). So the ride made me feel happy, energised and confident  - that even at this stage, in spite of all this, I am able to do a ride of 20 kms in an undulated terrain. Deo Gracias! 

Adieu Dearly Beloved Fr Joseph Pulloppilly CMI

Oh my God! Dearly beloved Fr Pulloppilly is no more! It was on  June 20th that I met him last. Offered him a Dasheri mango - daal ka pakka - from our garden in Sitapur, UP, which he refused saying that his sugar levels would not permit him to use that.  He had been my confessor for the past 28 years, and for the many hundreds, who approached him, and to whom, in spite of his ill health, he willingly ministered.  

Fr Pulloppilly was already a familiar figure for me while I was still in primary school with my elder brother, a Rajagiri student, sharing the school news at home or with me.  I knew most of the teachers through him - the headmaster Mr Manjooran, the Malayalam teacher Mr John, the Hindi teacher Mr Krishnan, the Catechism/moral science teacher Fr Jesudas, the Physical Education teacher Mr Xavier,  the biology teachers Fr Silas and Fr Pulloppilly and the headmaster(s) Fr Gregory and Fr Aaron.  

But I directly came into contact with him as a member of the Catholic organisation, KCSL - during its camps and student meets, where invariably Fr Pulloppilly accompanied the Rajagiri team. I could sense his enthusiasm and zeal. Some of my contemporaries from Rajagiri school still recall the lines of KCSL anthem - KCSL jayikka KCSL ... which he taught all of them, whether they belonged to the Catholic fold or otherwise. When we were in VIII or IX grade, he was invited to preach the annual retreat for the Catholic students of Sacred Heart High School. Perhaps, that was the first healthy introduction to human sexuality for any of us. (I am afraid, even now, this education is missing).  

Once I joined the CMIs as an aspirant and stayed on the same campus as he was for a few days, I tried to tap on my familiarity with him, and get a cross or some other charismatic pendant for pinning up on my shirt. But it was not as easy as I thought that he would be able to provide for me.  However, he did find something - perhaps, a 'PRAISE THE LORD' brooch or so, and I sensed that he had to really take some pains to get that for me.  Perhaps, that was the last time, I had a desire to have any such exhibits on me and asked for something of that sort from someone.  I did make use of it for some time.  Then, perhaps, I lost it. 

My next encounter with him was after my being assigned to the Provincial house, either for a period of one year regency, or as a deacon or a freshly ordained priest. Anyhow, I sensed that while he was his old zealous self, he was not generally very much accepted by the rest of the community members.  Perhaps, he was too zealous that the rest who could not match up to his mould of idealism could not gel with him. Or he could not be in tune with the rest of the Rajagiri campus company. At the school, he taught Biology and guided the KCSL unit. He tried to circulate the pictorial Christian education magazine by the Jesuits from Kottayam - Snehasena (later, Soldiers of Love in English) - among the students. He deployed 'slogans of Christian values' for value education and motivating the students - the students still remember his slogans. I think 'kodukku ninakku nalkappedum' (Give and it will be given to you) - a gospel song in that mould was either his creation or he helped it to gain currency. 

I think the students called him endearingly as Fr Pullo. He knew most of his students personally. Last year, while riding to Aluva to meet him, a car stopped by my bike and Anil, Rajagirian of my age, stopped by to say hello. When I said that I was going to meet Fr Pulloppilly, he asked me to convey his regards. And when I did that Fr Pulloppilly could recall him and his brother, who were his students in the 1970s.  As a good Zoology teacher, he tried to familiarise the students with life. Some of the boarders recall him giving them 'guppy' fish to grow. 

While remaining a full-time teacher at Rajagiri, he went about reaching out to the poor, trying to spread the good news in his own way - especially by printing leaflets with useful Christian doctrine and prayers, and distributing the same among those who came in touch with him.  While normally the religious men engaged themselves in some workout or manual labour, and found some half to one hour in a day in some recreational activities, games etc. for Fr Pulloppilly, it was always about reaching out to people in conventional pastoral ministry, home visits, helping the poor or spreading the good news through his leaflets.  I think, for that,  either he spent the meagre amount he received in pastoral ministry or some people of goodwill did help him with the printing charges, which he could not otherwise have managed. 

I am afraid that the CMI congregation which is usually generous with promoting individuals and their talents and qualifications, could not do justice to Fr Pulloppillil. He had joined the order after completing intermediate, and after completing philosophy training at Bangalore, he joined for B Sc Zoology at Sacred Heart College.  In spite of having scored well, and winning the gold medal (1963), he was not permitted to go for higher studies. He got himself qualified as a teacher with a B. Ed degree from St. Joseph's College, Mannanam. Despite his several years of experience as a teacher, he was not found to be a headmaster/principal material for the prestigious Rajagiri school; and by the time the CMIs of Kochi province launched other schools, he was already relieved of duties related to a typical education ministry. Perhaps he was a loner and was travelling the less-travelled path, and while all the required health support was given to him by the congregation, and while all appreciated the great ministry he was doing, I sensed that there was a general apathy prevailing against him. 

I think when he attained the age of 60  or the Kerala government-prescribed age for retirement - I am not sure, he was relieved of his service at Rajagiri School.  Though I did not understand the entire dynamics of the decision, I sensed that the provision was aptly utilised to remove an inconvenience from the scene.  I felt that he could not accept that decision happily, though apparently he did not revolt. I am afraid that decision did affect him adversely and led him, perhaps gradually, into a state of depression.  However, that did not deter him from carrying on the ministry he was at home with - that of ministering to the Catholic faithful - especially, hearing confession. 

As his depression-related status aggravated, his mobility became restricted and so too his ministry.  Yet that did not prevent him from being available at Aluva monastery for the great ministry of the sacrament of reconciliation. 

He lived a spartan life - his dress was always simple, and generally, only the prescribed religious habit - the traditional one and the modern one. I think he has never travelled abroad.  Perhaps, he has never had an occasion to fly. He is hardly found in any photograph*. I tried to find a picture of his younger days, hardly anyone has any such pictures.  Perhaps, he did have a collection. He never tried to migrate to the WhatsApp Facebook age. Yes, he did use a mobile phone.  I have never seen him using any vehicle other than public transport  - no bicycle, no motorbike, scooter or car.  Yes, when someone sent a car for his transport he would not refuse, and as he grew older and his health conditions deteriorated, he had to rely on the house vehicle for his very limited mobility.  It is my impression that  if he ever gathered anything it was meant to be for his ministry of the gospel or to support some poor person, 

I recall a year when, while still young,  he lost both his parents in quick succession - they had lived long. He took that in the right spirit.  Not long afterwards, he lost his elder brother, who was still a young person with a family to take care of. I came to know that it was a major blow for him. 

His prolonged priestly ministry of over 50 years, I think, was based in two centres - Kalamassery and Aluva. When the former undivided Sacred Heart province was divided into four provinces, and when the members were given the option to make their choices, most of them chose the province where their native place was.  Fr Pulloppilly, though from the Muvattupuzha region, chose the Kochi region, with which he had been associating for more than three decades of his ministry. I gather from my confreres that he also served as the vocation promoter for the province and there are several CMIs who chose to be CMIs thanks to his efforts. 

I thank God for his long life and untiring ministry in spite of his adverse physical and mental conditions. I am glad that Fr Pulloppilly was an illustrious student of his batch at Sacred Heart.  I admire his simplicity and unwavering faith in the face of great despair and depression.  I feel blessed to have had him as a confessor for the 3 decades of my life as an ordained minister in the Catholic church. While in faith, we submit our sins to God through an ordained minister - young or old.  However, having a senior priest for this ministry, I deem a great blessing - but while I myself grow to be a senior, and those senior to me disappear from the scene, there is emptiness! May the Lord who had compassion on the crowd form us into shepherds after his heart! 

I look forward to seeing Fr Joseph Pulloppilly with the honours of the altar - for trying to live his faith, in spite of the odds in his life - with great simplicity and fidelity - not having led or built big institutions or parishes, never having had an opportunity to exercise leadership ministry in the congregation, not having been a popular speaker, but always and consistently being available as a shepherd, and enduring dark nights of physical and mental agonies! 

May the good Shepherd lead him to his evergreen pastures, spread his feast before him, and anoint him with his oil of sanctity. May the beloved Fr Pulloppilly dwell in the Lord's house and may his cup overflow with joy that shall not be taken away! 

*Rajagiri PTA 1981. From Fr Kariamadam's collection. 

Post Script

Shared by one of his colleagues: 

Fr. Pullo was simple and naive thru and thru. A few of my memories may be interesting.

Besides selling religious articles in class rooms he used to take up collections to help the poor! 

He was not happy when the Headmaster insisted on maintaining discipline in the class: One day half in jest and half in earnest, he knelt down before the HM and said, " You treat me like a fly/ഈച്ച!"  

Looking at the beautiful lawn in front of the Provincial house he said once, "I wish I was treated like a blade of grass in Rajagiri."  Rajagiriയിലെ ഒരു പുല്ലായി ജനിച്ചിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ!  

By one of his students: 

He taught us biology from higher standards and always had a very very soft corner for me and my twin brother. Never used to cane us. All students in school knew that we both were his pets. We used to butter him and everyone knew that too.

Very sad that we lost such a cherubic person that he was, then. 

He zealously promoted and sold Soldiers of God, Sneha Sena and Kuttikaluday Deepika DAILY before EVERY class of his, and myself and my brother used to buy one of them every time he started the class to avoid being asked questions and getting caned by him with a small cane. He never used to punish me and my brother and was always partial and favourite of me and my twin... He always had a small cane and gave us only small small cuts to others.