Easter - brings to our mind thoughts of New Life!
On Easter eve, I have sets of news items - good and bad - relating to life.  There is the news of Sr. Merin Paul CHF, a nun retiring from the post of headmistress, donating a kidney to one Mr. Shaju, belonging to some Hindu community. Re-affirming the claim of Christians as resurrection people. Shaju is getting new life, thanks to the bold decision of Sr. Merin Paul.

One practical step of being a resurrection people is to be a conscious and willing donor.  A parish where everyone has pledged one's organs to promote life.  Not necessarily now, but at least after our death, which has to happen some time or other.

On the other hand, we have before us various communities facing threat of life - Syria, various pockets of middle-east, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Egypt... there is Fr. Tom who is still under the custody of terrorists.

We repeatedly pray during the holy week about Jesus redeeming the world through his suffering and cross - വിശുദ്ധ കുരിശാലെ വീണ്ടു കൊണ്ടു . Are we willing to be co-redeemers with Christ in offering our very many sufferings, some of which cannot be wished away? Some of which still remain in spite of our prayers and efforts and pray with our Lord, 'not my will, but thy will be done'?  Can we take a cue from the lives of Sts. Teresa of Lisuex and Alphonsa of Bharanaganam, who rose to sainthood by means of their suffering which they dedicated to the redemption and conversion of many?

It is a feast of Joy.  Hence with St. Paul in Phil 4:4, we echo, Rejoice in the Lord.  I say again, rejoice. Jesus speaks of a joy that no body will take away.  Jesus says in Jn 16:27 When I meet you again, you will rejoice.
When you meet Jesus again - we meet Jesus typically in the Holy Qurbana, in our community sacramental celebration.  But are we able to meet him again? Especially when we step out? In the sacrament of our fellow beings, in the sacrament of other beings of the planet. If and when we are able to 'see him again', 'meet him again' in such presences, as did John, at the sea shore, saying that 'It is the Lord!', then we will rejoice, and our happiness cannot be taken away.  For that we require such a vision.
Our community celebration, our christian fellowship, our communion should help us to see Christ in the most unexpected contexts.

Thirdly, Easter brings us 'peace' as the risen Lord's gift.  In the letter to Philippians, it is said, 'offer your needs through supplications, prayers and praise' and then the Lord's peace which transcends all y our imaginations shall be yours.
In the holy mass, this experience is given to us in 3 stages - as the abiding presence in the word of God; just after we have offered ourselves together with the Lord in the symbols of bread and wine and finally after the rites of reconciliation - with God, humans and planet - we are made ready to call God our Father.

Fourthly, this Easter experience is a challenge and a call for each of us to 'rise up' and to 'rise above'. Rising up, everyday and everytime, from our falls and failures; rising above our petty thinking, petty minds to the realm where the Lord reigns, and the Lord lives.   Hence the call during the mass, 'Let your minds be on high' or 'Lift up your hearts'.  This going beyond is symbolised in the mass, by the initial 'removal of the veil' and the singing of resurrection hymn which reminds us of Jesus' victory on the cross, where at his death, the veil preventing our entry to the Lord's place, was torn, and Jesus went beyond the earthly boundaries to the realms of the Hades and is said to have liberated the souls imprisoned there.

Lastly, Easter reminds us again of 'life and life in abundance' (Jn 10:10).  It is Christian call to maintain life, the gift of God, and all that supports and sustains life.  While we laud people who donate blood and organs, and perhaps, start feeling bad that we are going about with two kidneys, we ignore the more basic duty of ours to maintain life and prevent those situations that lead to the destruction of life - that is a call to preserve, protect air, water and soil, greenery.

When we learn that 9% of Kerala population is under stress and is likely to be victims of depression, we have to rethink about the life-styles we live and ensure that we are there to change our lives for the better; we are there for others and for life.  We are there to listen to one another and support them

May Easter be truly a feast celebrating life, promoting its abundance by being ready to spare or at our end, donate one's organs, by raising our minds and hearts to God's own realm, by rising above our narrow limits daily, by rejoicing in the Lord, and meeting Lord again and again, everywhere and in everything and by finding and realising God, our peace!
Happy Easter!

April 25, 2017 Tuesday St. Mark

I was invited to offer Novena Mass in preparation for the feast of St. Joseph, the worker at Kadavanthra.  The liturgy was dedicated for environment workers (activists?).  Do I belong there? 

In the gospel, Mark chapter 16, it was about proclaiming the good news. Are our salutations genuine, and bear the good news that I am there for you? 

Is our coming, our being a good news for others? 

Is our human/christian presence a good news for the planet and life, in general, and for other humans in particular? 

Our commitment to environment appears like our 'good morning' greetings! It is just the training.  It is merely good manners and means, in fact, nothing - though theoretically I wish you a  good morning when summarised as 'good morning',  is a pledge and commitment to do whatever possible to make his/her morning really good.  

That is why, while we are discussing environment, and dedicating the prayers for environmentalists, we are merrily using flex banners and those plastic decorations which will all add to unmanageable waste for the planet. It is something like being George Bush when he says  'American way of life cannot be compromised'.  We speak many things, but our way of life cannot be compromised. 

In today's reading, St. Paul's exclamation  'that I have run my race well' (1 Tim 6) appears timely.  We are all in a race, but a race to GROW MORE!! grow more money - greater GDP? Is this possible? Then, there is a counter poser: Is it possible for the generations to come to be? ഇനി വരുന്നൊരു തലമുറയ്ക്ക് ഇവിടെ വാസം സാധ്യമോ?

Now there are more people running - within one's  house, in far away open areas - they drive till there by car, and then 'work out' to keep fit. It's more like 'run for your life'.  But is our quality of life improving? Yes the QoL indices indicate that - but they are replete with contradictions - hospital beds available per thousand population is one indicator, we seem to be improving upon that; but is that an indicator of 'good life', or a life style that is more prone to illness, requiring more support of medicines and all the paraphernalia that accompanies modern medicine? 9% of Kerala population is said to be prone to depression? There is greater morbidity among Keralites, life style diseases are becoming increasingly common among them. 

In this connection, we remember St. Joseph the worker and we are reminded of the biblical dictum, 'with the sweat of your brow, you shall earn your bread'.  Is this a curse, or just a way of understanding the inevitable human predicament? We are in a culture where the human effort is to avoid toil to the extend possible.  The effort is to avoid the 'sweat' at any cost - by means of technology, by introducing amenities that will avoid toil and sweat.

Coming back to an earlier theme, we are in an economy termed 'money economy', where money is expected to grow - grow on a continuous basis, endlessly.  However, as the ancient Cree Indian saying goes:  “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.” 
It is very interesting to note some of the malayalam sayings in this regard: 
കൈ നനയാതെ മീൻ പിടിക്കുക 

പത്താഴം പെറും  ചക്കി കുത്തും 
അമ്മ വയ്ക്കും ഞാൻ ഉണ്ണും  This indeed is a statement of the present generation of Malayalees.  

In this context, I am inspired to share a two fold action plan to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the worker.
1. That a Christian family will devote the amount of time it collectively spends to consume food, shall be spent also to produce food. It is proved that even with a minimum of two cents of land, such a life style can ensure green vegetables for the family all through the year.  Our experiments with organic kerala have proven that.

2. That all parish celebrations will ensure that there would be NO DAMAGE to the planet, that there would be no activity that would pollute the earth, water or air.  That it would be free of disposable plastics etc

Then the dedication of the day, for environment workers, would be meaningful.

Lastly, a special dedication - the true environment worker (actor) today is the food producer - the farmer who produces food. They are the most neglected and the most afflicted section of our money economy.  With my experiments in food production, paddy cultivation in 3.5 acres of land, I can vouch for that.  As we were reminded by the Indian saying, we need to remember that 'money cannot be eaten', and we cannot take for granted the co-creator work of the food producing farmer.  They are our sustainers, they need to be sustained, they need our prayers.

MAUNDY THURSDAY - FEAST OF BREAD

Maundy Thursday celebrations bring me to Bread Vicharam.  (It's now the era of vicharam. चिंतन बैठक, വിചാര വേദി, hence some bread vicharam).

In Jesus' life, it appears that 'bread' had a very central role - not like anybody else - invariably in whose life, bread, read food, has a central role.  Here it is more in the realm of thought, and action besides eating!

Coincidentally, he was born in Bethlehem, which meant 'house of bread'.
One of the first instances narrated about his adult life is regarding his intense days of preparation in the wilderness, where he felt hungry, and he was enticed by the tempter to convert stones into bread! Use spiritual powers for satisfying one's physical needs.   Jesus' response is very interesting : It is not by bread alone that humans live, but also by the Word of God.  That does imply that humans have the need for 'bread' - food, though a full human life requires more than food.  We have Maslow's hierarchy of needs in modern psychology.

So the questions 'who will give bread' or 'how will one get bread' are very fundamental in nature.  The Malayalam saying in this regard is worth reflecting: പത്തായം പെറും, ചക്കി കുത്തും, 'അമ്മ വയ്ക്കും ഞാൻ ഉണ്ണും.  It shows a culture and experience where things are taken for granted and one thrives on the many givens and lives an unconcerned life, as things are there - available.  A related saying could be അപ്പം തിന്നാൽ പോരേ കുഴി എണ്ണുന്നത് എന്തിനാ? That is usually a reprieve - who are you to look into hows and whys of things; or just plainly, 'that's none of your business'! It can also be looked at the other way, happy to get things done without having to bother about the hows-and-whys.

While he thwarted the tempter with a very word-of-god based answer, he never undermined the significance of bread.  That's why the prayer he taught prioritises the human need of bread.  Of the list of things one asks regarding one's apparent direct well being the first one is that of 'the daily bread'.  He was a realist to the core to recognise the disposition Gandhi would later refer to thus: It is futile to preach religion before a hungry stomach.  Elsewhere he has commented: God appears before the poor as food.  Yes, Jesus is also articulate in that he refers to a 'need based economy' - it is not for storage, not for a tomorrow yet to arrive, it is for the need of the day.

There are two miracles narrated in the gospels - where bread is being multiplied feeding 6000 plus and 4000 plus.  He had sympathy for those who were hungry and didn't have the security of food, even though it was of a temporary nature.   He insisted that food be given to them.  And the food multiplied?? Was it multiplication or sharing of resources which everyone had, leading to abundance? To me, it is happier to believe that the miracle happened in the minds of people, leading to a conversion - from self-centred use to generous sharing of limited resources.  Private possessions turning common property resources! lending the experience of abundance.

Jesus is a conscientious consumer - the present SDGs lists among the 17 goals 'responsible consumption and production' as the 12th goal. He ensures that abundance does not lead to wastefulness. Every crumb is picked and collected and stored for next use. In this era, a basic Christian challenge is to create a counter culture for the extremely casual and wasteful culture,  The latter is also one of the  causes of visible environment degradation and at times, ecological disasters.

Jesus' experience of natural hunger has provoked him to respond in a manner that may be shocking.  He apparently pronounced a judgement against the fig tree, which showed appearances of productivity, but was not really so.  It is sometimes interpreted as insightfulness of Jesus who could see through the contradiction of the tree, which was indicative of its imminent decay? Only Jesus knows. However, when we pray the Lord's prayer for God's will to be done, and God's reign to come, it definitely implies 'responsible production'.  His parable of the sower is also a parable regarding productivity as natural, as God's will.

This is a consumer's world.  But as I come back this week after the annual Vishu round of our Organic Fair (12th in a row - this year termed 'Jaiva Karshikotsavam'), I am thrilled by the relatively newer insight we are trying to propagate in terms of 'food security' and 'food safety' (safe food);  That if each consumer is willing to spend the time s/he usually spends in eating, for food production, at least one's requirements of vegetables and tubers can be taken care of.  More so, if it is done in the family mode - insight from UN International Year of Family Farming celebrated in the year 2014.

He had a very bready thinking when he compared the Kingdom of God to the leaven in the flour which permeates the entire lump and makes it bread-ready.  The father of our nation, was very close to his thinking, perhaps more articulate in this regard.  He spoke about 'bread labour' and labour to produce bread as an essential human duty, and to be made part of basic education.

In his bread-dialogues, Jesus shows how God the father is the provider of 'true bread' (Jn 6:32) and those who eat that will not hunger.  That was really fascinating that the disciples asked without hesitation 'give us this bread always' (Jn 6:34), then Jesus makes a revelation as himself being that bread and those who come to him shall not hunger, and those who believe in him shall not thirst (Jn 6: 35).  The latter part is a water-thought, and that calls for another discussion.

But here Jesus goes on to make some very drastic statements : that he is bread of life (6:48), the real food (6:55)  those who eat this bread from heaven will not die (6: 50) and that in order to have life, human being ought to eat his body/flesh (and drink his blood) and those who do so, shall have eternal life and will be brought back to life on the last day (6:54) and those who eat his body and drink his blood shall live in Jesus and Jesus in them (6: 56) and as Jesus has life from the father, those who thus 'eat' shall live because of him (6:57).

This inspiration and teaching is further reinforced during the last supper in Mathew's narration.  Where he took bread, blessed and broke it and said, 'this is my body given up for you. Do this in memory of me'. (Mtt 26;26; Lk 22:19).

That we have to consume Jesus in order that we assimilate him and assume him (his nature) is a fundamental call.  When we consume Jesus we are in Jesus and Jesus in us.  Is consumption basically limited to the sacramental bread, or is it symbolic of consuming Jesus' person - life - teaching, that we turn to Christ?  Is Jesus ever in our day to to day consumer list or is he merely a ritual appendage?  I consume Jesus and in turn, get consumed by Jesus - fire - en-theos - enthusiastic?

After his death and disappearance, Jesus reappears with bread in the foreground or background- when the bread is broken, the disciples en route Emmaus recognised him (Lk 24:30); when the disciples recognises him at the sea-shore, he had prepared for them bread and fish (Jn 21: 9-13).

The triple challenge the pass over celebration offers us are:
1. To recognise the presence of God, of Jesus beyond the sacramental bread to the bread presence of human beings, all having the potential to be blessed, broken and shared.  That is a greater sacrament of God, created in God's image and likeness as insisted by the venerable martyr bishop Helder Camera.
2. To produce food and be part of God's reign where everyone is to have one's daily bread.  This is equally a call to be responsible in consumption and avoid all wastefulness.
3. A call to consume Jesus beyond the bread presence - his person, his teachings, his values - that we in turn are consumed by him.


In addition, not to forget the significance of table fellowship beyond the divine table - that has to invariably happen at home; and even in the friendship, neighbourhood, parish communities - where we gather to celebrate our oneness our shared Christness through meals, with Jesus as the permanent invitee and invisible head.  Hence the Hebrew instruction: 'You shouldn't feel lethargic in coming together' (10/25).

P.S. I stop with two bready experiences.
1. After 123 days of anxiety, involvement, organising, coordinating, facing resistance and lack of cooperation, fear of lack and abundance of rain/water, pestilence etc. we could reap our crop of paddy, sabari, from Thottara Puncha, near Arayankavu.  Our joint venture (Rajagiri and SH college, practically managed by SH college) in about a hectare has yielded about 2 tonnes of paddy and about a full truck of hay.  At a very optimistic calculation the loss would be around Rs. 50000.00. But perhaps if we convert intangibles like education of students, inspiration for organic farming, maintaining soil fertility etc. then in might be of profit.  It is hoped that some rice and some rice flour will be made available for sale.
2. On Good Friday, I was struck by a small cardboard box in front of the Principal's office - could it be some bomb? Maybe, may not be! I didn't open it or remove it.  When the office staff came and found it they took the risk of opening it and found to our relish and surprise ripened mangoes and an egg, with Easter & Vishu greetings written using a green sketch pen.
No clue as to whose gift.  That's again, food!

22nd Anniversary - Dec. 28, 2016 11.40 pm.

Anniversary? I don't know how it is for the rest of the world - married couple? Are they very sentimental and particular about it? I remember only my parents' wedding anniversary - Jan 21st, it coincided with my brother's birthday.  Then it coincided with my good colleague and friend Dr. Injodey's anniversary, and my good friend and colleague Benny's birthday.   Then there is May 19th, my eldest sister's wedding day (the first one in the family), the second one is also remembered - second eldest sister's - it was Dec. 26th, the day after Christmas of 1982, and I was not present - away in Meerut in the final year of  the three year long secluded training in religious life which had severed my family ties for good.  Anyhow, some of my family were very keen to call up and greet! OK - fine!

Now it was the 22nd year completion as a priest - and though I began my day with unusual zeal - waking up early and snoozing till 5.40. Then some asanas, private celebration of qurbana, remembering all possible people in prayer - esp the ordinandi.  Then being rather well in time for the morning meditation, and sparing myself for hearing confession of a few people!

My initial plan was to reach camp either previous night or early morning and join the campers in trekking the famous Elaveezha poonchira.  However, as the Principal Ms Arunima of Rajagiri Manappuram reminded, I had dropped that plan.

I was all set and ready - stopped over at Thevara (Kundanoor) Junction to chat with NSS volunteers of GHS and to give them some direction regarding their work in the plot we have chosen to clear up and make a model area.  Then to Manappuram via Thycattussery.  Reaching almost 7 minutes ahead of schedule for the proposed programme - MELANGE! I changed into cassock (green) in no time, and was ready for the programme.   Only then did I realise there were other (perhaps, more prominent) guests, and the organisers would rather wait, in spite of my promptings.  There arrived the local hero, Saiju Kurup from Panavally.   He is rather well recognized now.  We started off with the reception procession. As we were on the stage, the MLA Arif also arrived.  Then there was the usual bouquet (plastic wrapped) and the memento - both of which, I had strictly warned not to have. And plenty of plastic bottles and flex.  Sufficient cause for me to be irritated.  However, in my inaugural speech - I deliberately switched over to Malayalam, though Fr. Joshy wanted that to be in  English - the majority of the listeners were Malayalees, and would rather follow Malayalam, than English. I would have continued in English, had it been a student audience. Without much prolonging and touching upon some bit of laudatory aspects of the growth of the institutions, some bit of Carmelite tradition and some bit of melange, I cut my speech short (I hope so)!

I started off to Kalamassery and reached before 11.30 am just to pose a photo with my old time chela  of FYRE brand Lijo.  Said hello to the young parish priest Francis. And left for Neeleswaram - Kalambattupuram, where Dn Jithin Njalian was being ordained.  Reached there as he was intoning the final blessings.  Met the priests gathered, said hello to many and then jumped the queue to embrace and greet the new priest.

Via Manjapra - Angamaly to Thoombakkode.  Stopped over at Lisue's place hoping to refresh myself.  Fortunately, there was no one to answer the door, and I had to seek asylum at our Centre for Spiritual Renewal - sakshatkara  (again, another instance of the anti-Malayalam Malayalee consciousness - the anuswaram is missing! Why was not it made 'malayalam' - as saakshaatkaaram - even, that is bit too sanskritized and sanitized.  Perhaps, it is difficult to find pachcha for such concepts!). I reached the house of Paulson (spelt Palson) sir.  Greeted him.  Made some introductory remarks and prayed the office for the dead for his departed mother.

On my return, got delayed by traffic jam between Edappally and Ernakulam.  However, reached (in my own time!) As I guessed, it was the Cardinal celebrating and also preaching a rather lengthy, but meaningful homily - on I Cor 13 on 'love' as the basis of marriage. Hence I could attend the core part of the sacrament.  It was the son of the Vice President of PTA marrying the daughter of the famous-notorious Dr. Jacob Thomas IPS! And Rishi Raj Singh was prominently there! After the wedding, the Arch bishop beckoned me to join him for tea at the priest's house and I willingly obeyed.

Then arrived at monastery - met bunch of younger priests visiting including our former student Tony. Joined the young boys of school to play basketball for about 30 minutes, in rather good nick!  Then got ready in no time to greet the young boys of SH football academy selected to travel to Mumbai (by flight) to take part in the under 16 version of ISL!  Then after some chit-chat, unusually early for the rosary and the evening prayers!

There was still time and the speedometer showed 198 kilometers. And there was still time after dinner - so left to Ernakulam - Savita.  Watched the entertaining movie - Kattappanayile Hrtik Roshan.  What a fulfilling day - it was 'children's day according to Church calendar.  I had gone with the idea of speaking to the children of Rajagiri - Manappuram.  However, forgot all about it. But in effect, I celebrated children's day with children.  Then a wedding, an ordination, a funeral and a 'bon voyage' cum felicitation ceremony and 200+ kilometers! Vow! what variety indeed! What was missing was, perhaps, a baptism.  However, that was taken care of the previous day - when I attended the baptism of the son of another of my chelas, the former state basket ball team member, Manoj.  (It was at the Mar Thoma Church, Kalamassery and I joined the function, with the celebrant, already known to me, was trying to accommodate me too at the altar and asking me to offer some of the ritual prayers.)

But as I was about wind up the long day on a 'high', there was a shock - the packets of carrot cake, bought for Christmas and thought to be utilised in the forthcoming days were all found to have been affected by mould. In spite of that, I have consumed them, ad experimentum, after removing the fungal patches.  God knows what awaits me tomorrow! The old confidence is ebbing away! All said and done, almost 6 packets are doomed for destruction!

My vacation agenda of retreat and desk clearance remain distant dreams as yet.

CHAKUNNY SIR - Tribute to a HEARTY HEARTIAN! -J. Prasant CMI, Principal

CHAKUNNY SIR  - Tribute to a HEARTY HEARTIAN! -J. Prasant CMI, Principal

Now - it is the third departure from the Heartian Faculty Fraternity this academic  year.  Prof. Chakkunny. (Must be Jacob!) Pynadath from Karukutty. 

The heartian community looked up to him as an elder, as a father figure! 

From 1956 to 1986 - three decades.  Before that a stint as lab instructor. After his B. Sc from Trichy, he had gone to Ernakulam, to seek the result.  No mobile - no phone... It was getting dark and everyone began to be worried.  Mother and sisters began to pray... Had he failed and decided to 'run away'?  Committing suicide was not all that fashionable those days! As the prayers began to rise, he appeared back... at night... all proud and happy... that he had got employed as instructor at S.H. After a year, it was Nainital that made him a Master of Physics! Then back again to Thevara and S.H. for good!

He had become part of Thevara... Like Father Abraham who had left Ur and come to Palestine and had become a 'Father of Blessings'... this was his new Palestine.  Where he flourished together with the institution and became a blessing to many. 

Dr. Georgekutty reminisces a conversation when he found him for the morning mass at the Chapel - 'Yes, man! (adedo) I come here everyday.  Not alone, but with my family.  Isn't this that we can give to our children - faith in God?'. 

He was serious as a teacher, enterprising as an educationalist - his text book had been a popular resource for students, strict from a discipline point of view, friendly as a mentor to students and his colleagues.  

A man of contented mind - happy with what he had... happy to be daily in the Lord's presence. he went about doing good, like his master, being an active member of Vincent De Paul society. 

Ever desirous to be self reliant, he walked his way of one kilometer and a half almost daily till about last year... Even past 80, he enjoyed driving and had not left that skill to lay rusted. 

Conscious and critical to the end, he realised the limits of individuals and laid his trust in God beyond the human limitations.  Two generations from Prof. Chakkunny's family have enriched SH after him.   They, in turn, have inherited his qualities of committment and involvement. 

In the last seven years, not once did I hear a word of dissatisfaction or complaint from him - he had accepted the fact of our passage not as a grim reality, but as a matter-of-course, with serenity.  That was why he was glad to receive the annointment of the sick, perhaps, twice, and apparently had derived physical and spiritual benefit from the same as a believer!

On March 1st, he left us to his eternal abode, assured of his destination.  The peace and serenity on his face showed his confidence and the assurance of having reached his destination  - truly a statement of the age-old phrase 'slept in the Lord'.  

We are proud of you, Sir! We are also proud to have been associated with you! The heartians bow before your memory! May we be part-takers of the peace that  you enjoy!

Our heartfelt congrats to Jogi, Jude, Jigi and Jenny (all of them our alumni) for having had such a great father, and to Aunt Lilly for having had such a great husband! 

RIDE 2016

After taking charge as Principal of SH college, there was not much opportunity to get out and explore skills - of endurance, of bike riding etc.
This was kind of planned-unplanned thing. I enjoy long bus or train trips, as they give you (me!) leisure, sleep, sight-seeing opportunities, some reading time etc.  So as we planned the Bangalore alumni chapter launch of AASH (Alumni Association of Sacred Heart's), and then added Kannur chapter launch of our professional association (KAPS - Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers), I had a tentative plan to go on bike.  Visit my mom at Perinthalmanna, then to go to Mysore and Bengaluru and return via Kannur.

However, on Friday, all plans went chaupat, as there was an inaugural meeting of KOCHI BOOK FESTIVAL where I (??) too was invited to be one among the twenty (rest of them) dignitaries including Prof. M.K. Sanu, Prof. Leelavathi, Prof. K.S. Radhakrishnan, K.L. Mohanavarma, GPC Nair.... so on. to light one of the twenty lamps as a symbol of the twentieth year of the festival.  Dr. V.P. Joy IAS was the chief guest, and I recognized him, and introduced myself and reminded him that he was the government nominee in the interview panel that selected me as a faculty member at Rajagiri. The function started off around 4.45 pm and I could escape after lighting my lamp only around 5.20 pm.  I had to come back to college to sign salary papers, some other signatures for the students.

And then, my bike given for repair was not brought back as promised by Antappan (our local biker mechanic).  Finally he brought it around 6.30 pm. OK. Not yet long ride ready?  I planned to keep the bike either at Angamaly or Chalakkudy and then move on by bus(es).  However, reaching Angamaly, I found no sign of any Coimbatore buses, nor till Chalakkudy.  At Chalakudy, as a last resort tried to check in with Lischechi's place, and request Newton to drop me at bus stand.  But (fortunately) no one was found there!

Then called up Saju and said that I was coming to Perinthalmanna and started off,  accompanied by slight drizzle all through.  Without much trouble, though missing the route in between and thus adding some additional 3 kms, reached Perinthalmanna at 10.45 or 10.50 pm. Saju was waiting with 2 eggs and some such anadaaris ready for the omelette I had indicated, that I might have.  He promptly prepared a rather well-done omelette and then we retired for the night. Met ammachi.  She was not very sleepy, but as is the case, it didn't appear to make much difference to her.
I had planned to get up early and leave latest by 6 am.  However, when I finally woke up and got ready, it was 6.30. Got off from there after a mug of coffee at 6.40 am.

It was cool, as I travelled further towards Nilambur and Gudalore, it became cold.  There was mist in some areas.  At several points there was confusion regarding the route, and I had to stop and clarify. Nilambur - Chungathara - Vazhikadavu - Nadukani - Gudalore.  At Gudalore, stopped over at Morning Star CMI School (I had forgotten all about it. Then I found St. Thomas School, and presumed it might be the CMI school.  However, on reaching its precincts, I sensed it is less likely to the be the CMI school! and soon, I was proven right, as I found out Morning Star School, with a marked difference in appearance).  I was welcomed by Fr. Thakidiyel Sibi and he promptly gave me a room and also treated me to a breakfast by Thomas Chettan - excellent appam and Kadala curry, and black tea - most likely of the local brew.  I had reached there by 8.45 am, just about 2 hours from Perinthalmanna.

I left around 9.15 am. and was soon through the Muthumalai National Park.  The forest path was excellent, well maintained, but interspersed  at every 300 or 500 mts, with real rogue humps - the usual biker that I am, humps are generally jumped over non-stop, but these were such that if I were to do the same, I would and the vehicle would definitely have had trouble.  So they were effective! The speed had to be restricted.  No vehicle could go before me, especially on account of these speed breakers.  I counted exactly 50 in that section, and soon we entered Bandipur section where I counted another 23, but with lesser frequency.  The only animals of the wild I saw were monkeys and spotted deer.  Once I got out of the forest section close to Gundalpet, I had relief as it had become less cold and comfortably cool.

Then Nanjangode, Mysore - I took the by pass along the newly made Ring Road and set straight to Bengaluru.  Reached Kengeri around 1.30 and the rest of 20 odd kilometers was terrible and that made me realise the ruin the rapid urbanisation and its concomitant increase in vehicles, have done to the once beautiful garden city.  It has become a concrete garden or jungle! In spite of the better roads and many fly overs, it was a hell, moving forward inch by inch.  I was not able to find the link to Lalbagh or Dairy circle. Got the help of a fellow biker, whose question was 'Don't you use GPS?'.  Yes, I felt I could have done that with GPS giving direction.  However, Jio seemed to have developed some trouble - wonder whether 'Reliance' was becoming as unreliable as it had proven in earlier instances.

Somehow, managed to reach Dharmaram at around 2.30 pm. Managed to get a room thanks to Fr. Gregory being there at the entrance and Fr. Rector also being right there. (Unlike olden times, access to Dharmaram requires some planning and formal arrangement.  That cannot be avoided given the complexity of matters and the increasing demand for Dharmaram facilities).  Got ready in no time, and rushed to Christ, where there were just Saleem the chief organiser, Cyril - a smart volunteer and Fr. Jose.  We had to wait and wait, met Fr. Thomas the VC.  It was glad day as the news of new accreditation status of A from the contested B+ allegedly by a highly partisan team.

We had a simple inaugural with VC making very positive statements regarding his experience as a Heartian. We greeted him with a ponnada.  He invited us to the Christmas band being played in the auditorium which he was to inaugurate.  The gathering was about 30 in strength including the contingent from the college. Each had a brief allocation of time for self-intro and sharing suggestions. It was a mix of old time PDC to B. Com - B.A. and M. Sc batches.  I had to take leave to make sure that I was in Kannur the next day in time for the KAPS meeting.  I feared if I started next morning, that would be difficult.

Hence soon after a private mass at Dharmaram, without meeting anyone, I started off around 7.15 pm. Problems home (college) were besieging me over phone.  Some 'rioting' in the approved hostels.. I tried to have a look at the Kengeri campus - stopped over, but failed to locate even the CMI residence there. Hence after about 15 minutes of exploration continued on my trip to Mysore.  It was a long ride and a tiring one.  Ramanagara - Channapattana (Town of Toys?) - Srirangapatana - Mysore.  But thanks to instructions by Fr. Roy I could arrive at Carmel Provincial House without any hitch. Only that I had to wait for about 10 mts to get the house opened by the young superior Fr. Tito, who was at mass.  I had a light supper which was already available.

One good thing I find outside our narrow Kerala boundaries (geographical and of minds) is that access to wine and spirits is much easier and less of a problem.  In our pharisaical community, this is such a taboo. So, when I found  plenty of wine shops (around 9.30 pm) and many people still flocking around, I was tempted to try out.  I got down.  Got a bottle of chilled beer for Rs. 135.00 (I compare it with our good old Dharamaram days when it was just Rs. 18.00 when we tried our bits on One Day outing days) - Knock Out.  The place was very busy with locals consuming spirit in disposable plastic cups, getting some snacks to go with it.  As a stranger with baggage walked in, people were very cooperative as to how to help him have his need addressed to, somewhere directing that there could be a seat inside, others instructing on parcel, then on my instruction of no plastic, repeating the same instruction, thus being very helpful! I carried the weight in my computer bag.  (I had very limited baggage - but even that computer bag was unnecessary, for all through the trip, I didn't get time even to open the laptop.  However, both my bags served a great purpose. Having had very limited protection against cold, the backpack protected me from behind, and the lap top bag, kept standing on the petrol tank served to prevent the cold wind from directly hitting me!).  The guy didn't have Rs. 5.00 change.  He coolly handed over a packet of fryums. Not that I am so keen for a beer or drink, but on that occasion just felt a thrill to have a beer.  In fact, now a days, I don't even like the taste of beer.  But it was fun to have a beer in those odd circumstances!
I had travelled 599 kilometres from morning till then. Not bad!

MYSORE TO KANNUR
It was way back in 2002 or so that we had travelled on bike along this route. We were a company of three and we went around and explored Talai Kavery and Kushal Nagar Tibetan settlement. So I was thrilled to re-explore the route - especially the Coorg region and Veerajpet track.  After initial confusion and I got into the right track. It was about 6.45 am already.  Hit the Hunsur road and Hunsur was not reaching.  It was about 50 kms away.  The road was good, but even strewn with humps - much more humane than the Muthumali stretch - all the same impeding free progress, serving the name of 'speed breakers' meaningfully. I lost count.

The Coorg region was beautiful.  I passed Gonikoppal, and took a slight detour to find out our CMI institution - St. Thomas School.  It was quite visible from the main road.  On reaching there, I surprised my confreres - Puthiadath my senior and Chirakkal my junior.  They appeared glad to receive me.  The parish Sunday mass was on.  Puthiadath shared his experiences of being accosted by the police and being in custody on account of some untoward incidents in the previous school.  He had also survived some major accidents.  Chirakkal was all praise for him, for having improved the infrastructure of the school. I had some breakfast with them, and then pushed off via Veerajpet (by passing it), Makkutta, the winding and beautiful pass.  After the stretch deciduous forests of Karnataka region, as we enter the boarder and then into Kerala, it was tropical evergreen stretch. However, I was not going in the leisure and comfort of sight seeing.

I had altogether forgotten this stretch.  Perhaps, last time, we had travelled at night. We did stay at Veerajpet and travelled to Thalassery - however, the stretch was altogether forgotten.
I passed through Makkutta, then the boarder river of Koottupuzha, then the beautiful Iritti puzha.

I stopped over at our house at Iritty. I never knew we had a house there! On the way I passed by a familiar building and I realised it was the fabulous provincial house of the adoration sisters, built by our former colleague Sr. Rosily. On reaching, I was met by Fr. .... who didn't seem to know me. I had a vague remembrance of having seen him.  Then from inside Fr. Augustine came out, recognising my voice.  He was my student at Rajagiri. Happy to meet him, I shared their bounty of bananas njalipoovan,  and the good coffee grown there.  The school is doing well.  Taking some inspiration from Rajagiri, Fr. Augustine has built up the new structure with a good ground (in the bargain, converting a piece of wetland into a land-fill!). However, being at the base of a green hill, they should have no problem with water. There is a rivulet flowing by the boundary! It was a good chance meeting.

I proceeded to Kannur, via Mattannur and reached there by 1200. Found out the social service cetnre CAIROS.  Met my colleague Dr. Ipe Varghese and making good use of the time remained, we decided to have a brief visit to Payyambalam beach which was just one km away.  It is a beautiful and clean beach, much attractive when compared to our Koch beach, which is more than often a litter land.
We were rather hungry..  However, Fr. Shiju who happened to be an MSW, offered us lunch.  We had lunch and then proceeded to the bus stand where the meeting was to be held. There was a fairly good gathering of around 30 people. I chaired the meeting, and gave the orientation and we launched the Kannur chapter of KAPS.

It was around 4.45 pm finally, when I could push off. At Mahe, I stopped over, filled the belly of my bike with abundant fuel without tax, procured a bottle of spirit for our future celebrations, and visited Mahe Church and prayed specially for those of us who were afflicted with various ailments. I also managed to have my confession in preparation for the advent season.

Then it was straight to Kozhikode, found the way to Mankavu via Pushpa theatre (wonder if the theatre is still there!). Vellyechi's place was all locked and packed under top security.  If we didn't have the phone, would have had to return without having met them.  Glad to have seen Daya who is doing well. Chettan was having his weekly quota, but having had to continue the ride, I regretfully refused him company.  Daya, to my surprise, asked what was my quota - as if I were dependent or indulgent in the 'matter of spirit'.   I had the omelette, egg cultlet and tea, and then I was all set to go.
8.50 pm.

The stretch seemed unending - though the terrain was familiar. at some point before Kuttipuram, a right turn had to be taken.   I was not clear, but followed the car which was speeding in front of me.  As I took the turn, a truck was there, and I had hardly any shoulder space.  Fortunately, the driver did a clever maneuver to leave me unhurt.  A slight shock.  I should have been more cautious.  It was a narrow escape! Thank God!  Further ahead, a bike came from behind and passed by quickly.  Felt it was bit too close a shave!  Again, I thought, it was I who should have been careful, paying attention to the rear view as well.

At Kuttippuram, I had a stop over to stretch.  The place was flocked by sabarimala pilgrims.  The policeman, covered with muffler and sweater, was very cordial and directed me that it was better to take the new route of NH 17 from there. This was the first time, I had seen that stretch open.  The initial phase was really wonderful.  But after some time, there was a detour, with a patch ridden with potholes, but it lasted just about 2 to 4 kilometers, then it rejoined the highway.  It was tedious, especially the sitting part.  However, I went on - Kodungalloor, Paravoor, Edappally, Kadavanhra, Pallimukku and Thevara! it was just 12.50!! Just four hours.

At two places, the bike rudely hit the earth on account of invisible potholes, and those hits seemed to have jerked the nut-bolts of my backbone joints, which seemed to have settled into a pattern for quite some time.  I am afraid whether some trouble is awaiting me!

I had no keys and all seemed asleep; so I went to college, woke up the security and got the new visitor's room open.  I completed my log entries and then when I turned around, I saw to my great perturbation, two eyes peering at me - a rat!! However, I decided to sleep having the enemy in the room! Nothing appeared to have happened overnight. Next day, I deployed my team to discover him and destroy him.  But no chance!! He seemed to have vanished into thin air!

Thus after almost 52 hours, 1247 kilometers - I still felt okay.  It was more to prove to myself that I am still a great survivor, and not really old.  I spent just Rs. 2000.00 for the fuel, and had half the tank full even after the trip.  My friend who travelled by bus to Bangalore the same day had to spend Rs. 1250.00 one way!!

P.S. The security reported to me with a sense of achievement that the rat was trapped.  He took me to the visitors' room, and found the poor chap crushed under the trap.

LOG
Dec 3 6.50 pm start reading 66761
10.50 pm Perinthalmanna.     66915
Dec 4, 6.35 am
Nilambur, vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Nadikani, Gudallore. 8.40 am. Freezing. Warming up at Morning Star school.
Kusumalayam, Bandipur via 73 humps!!
Gundalpet, Mysore, Sreeramgapatanam, Channapatana, Ramanagara, Kengeri,
Last leg of 24 kms took over  an hour!! Managed to be well in time for alumni meet.
7.15 pm started off_ 18 kms took 1 hr. 13 kms in 45 mts. Reached Mysore Provl House by 10.45 pm. Fr Tito received me.
67369 - 67372
Mysore - 67514 Hunsur, Gonikoppal, Veerajpett, Makkootta, Iritty, Kannur via Mattannoor
Kannur -  67707-67719. 4.45 pm. Stop over Mahe.
Kozhikode - Mangavu  67819 7..15
8.50-12.50 Thevara via NH 17 68008.
Total 1247
Petrol 2000.00. Still half tank!

An nyeong ha se yo! Greetings from Korea! -1

My former colleague and Rajagiri Alumnus, and currently a Professor at TISS, Dr. Shajahan took the initiative to bring a few of us in the field of Social Work to prepare a symposium on Social Work Practice - emerging trends in India, for the global audience.  This is the biennial event jointly organised by ICSW (International Council on Social Welfare of which I am the India chapter joint secretary), IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work, of which I am a member) and IFSW (International Federation of Social Work). People from all over the world - academicians, practitioners, agency reps, funding agencies, publishers, welfare ministry reps etc. were the participants. . 

The normal fees is 840 USD, for members of the bodies concerned, it is reduced to 720 or so.  However, for those from developing countries it is just about half – 420 USD. And for students, still less, 200 dollars.

However, these cover only registration, kit which includes badge which also contains perfectly planned entry pass for specific lunch/dinner sessions, field trip (if already booked and paid), conference dinner (an additional 100 USD – it is kind of fund raiser) etc. I was given a part scholarship of registration waiver.

The waiver is thanks to the efforts by the local organizer who tries to generate funds for the same. It was reported that there were a good number of people, especially from India and Africa, who had enjoyed part of full waiver.

Then, as the abstract was approved, participation almost ensured, there arrived a Korean group at the college, inviting to a mega programme in Korea – World Education Leaders’ Forum - an assembly of education leaders from the world over! They would take care of the hospitality, and the programme was to be a grand one! They also requested to make a brief presentation on ‘character education’.  It appeared good, and there was only a gap of 2 days.  They promised accommodation for the days between the two as well.  Once permissions obtained from the monastery and a nod from DD, the organizers were after me to get the talk written and submitted. 

Finally, on the first night of the trip, at Chennai, sitting late into the night at 2 am, I had the draft speech ready, which had four pages!!

The Korean visa was creating much trouble – they wanted invites, then the authentication certificates of the inviting organizations – with their register numbers etc.  All these were obtained over email, and finally, just two days before the actual proposed departure, the VISA arrived, the night before that, I came to know that it was stamped.

As this was a secular function, I had to have some dress!  And after almost one and a half decades, I treated myself to some luxuries with 3 trousers stitched! In just 24 hours, the tailor had them stitched, and I found almost an hour at night to select and purchase  or obtain 3 pant-pieces.  Some good friends are there, in spite of being in very different and secluded situations – who insist on helping, and going out of the way doing that! This part of the preparation was thanks to a friend like that! Helpful to the point of being aggressive!

Two things – we all ought to remember while travelling abroad in this era – 1) an international plug which could help us connect to power our Indian devices any where. 2) a mobile charger.  I had both these – but forgot to carry them. However, thanks to my ‘protocol’ (officer) – read, volunteer, I managed to get a connector free-of-cost!  A third item, especially, while going on such missions – visiting cards.  I did get them printed in one day, thanks to the efficiency of our press (SH School of Printing).  However, didn’t carry many, they got exhausted, and I managed to get them printed on plain paper with the help of my protocol, and got them cut into card size paper slips. A fourth desirable would be some handy mementos, which would give you access to many, at least by way of presenting a memento!  I noted that basically, none of the Asians presented such things, but the Europeans and the Africans did.  A last among this wish list would be some empty space in your bag, or a bag big enough to store things you get (and for most of the people, things you purchase)!

The venue COEX  - is COnvention Centres and EXhibition Halls is a centrally located fabulous event centre in the Southern region of Seoul. It is in the heart of the (new) Seoul, the southern part of the city which is more planned.  The Northern part, beyond the Han river, is the old city with early settlements and the state institutions.

Where COEX is situated, is the Gangnam (Ghannam) area, which is famous after the song ‘Ghannam Style’!  On the East side of COEX is a very large installation of two crossed hands in golden colour, on which it is carved ‘Gangnam Style’.  The music is played there all through.

The venue appeared like a spacious mall – it has a HUGE mall in the basement (which I could never visit), but once you entered, you are struck by its vastness!  It took 4 minutes of brisk walk from some of the conference halls (usually on the 3^rd Floor) to reach the gate on the ground floor – using either escalator or elevator!! Big halls could seat 1500 people, with a huge stage.  There were at least 20 small halls, each of them which could accommodate 50 to 100 people. 

BEXCO where the second conference was held in Busan, too was really big.  We had to go across the road to reach there, and there were our protocol officers like guardian angels accompanying us gently, but firmly insisting on traffic rules.

Throughout the two big programmes that I attended there was only once, some foul sound in the entire sound management system.  Otherwise, the acoustics seemed to be in perfect order in all the halls, including those sessions and halls having translations in multiple languages like French, English and Spanish.

Food

Breakfast, normally, you are supposed to have it on your own – usually provided at the hotels. (However, staying as I was, with a young Keralite, who was not even cooking for himself, though still willing to provide me with cornflakes etc., I gladly skipped that, as that is not something I am unused to).  But you wait for the coffee break, with intelligent planning, you can very well manage, break-fast or brunch with the various juice choices, snacks etc. Coffee breaks are repeated – coffee break at 10.00; next 12.00.  Lunch usually at 1 pm. Next session 2 to 4; and 4 to 6.

A working lunch box is served during the conference days, on producing your lunch slip which comes with the registration with the specific pass and name on it. In between there is coffee (and tea, including green tea).  They tried to influence all of us the Korean way, black strong coffee with no sugar, no milk.  But due to some ‘social work intervention’, now sugar and milk have begun to be provided.  I tried to get trained the other way. Then there were the stalls by Korean government – tourism, health, welfare etc. who keep ready some coffee and snacks for any visitor. There would also be some informal sessions with publishers like SAGE or ROUTLEDGE when they have some chat regarding publications over a cup of wine/coffee and snacks. Interesting. I was thrilled to see the Routledge Book on Social Justice, with an article of mine!

Dinner is not usually part of the package – on the opening day, there is some grub offered – choice varieties – Korean and western, vegetarian and non-vegetarian.  Though not a full meal, sumptuous enough. All were waiting from noon through various formalities of registration and some sessions going side by side, ravenously hungry – it was amusing to observe the big and great delegates from all over, waiting eagerly to hear that the conference is open, and then wait for the welfare minister to say the toast.  It was declared open by three presidents – all women – of ICSW, IFSW and IASSW.

Korean Welfare.

The second day, there was a grand dinner, including a smattering of wine, hosted by the Mayor.  It was really stupendous. Wine could be further bought for $10.00 per glass.  So too beer.  I bought one glass of red wine, and shared it among the 10 of us sitting around, from all parts of the world, and they all accepted the same with grace.  There was some professional performance and ending with

The third day, there was grand dinner, which had to be paid – only a small amount of USD 100.00.  As we considered ourselves too rich to afford it, I gladly skipped it.  Not only that, this had to be done in advance.  That was the only free time, I got during the conference.  We 3 Rajagiri (old students) Malayalees stepped out; had some simple Korean food costing some 30000 Korean Won (equivalent to USD 30) in all.

But food at World Education Leaders Forum was a different scene all together.

We were picked up from a centre of Gospel Mission Church on 3^rd afternoon, by very good buses.  Were brought to the railway station and we boarded without delay. The rail travel which was supposed to have taken four hours, took almost six hours.  (A similar trip was done to Seoul on another day for a University visit.  It was said to be almost 500 kms one way.  And it took 5 and half hours in either  direction.  I thought it was fantastic even at that rate.  However, when I finally browsed the net and found out, it was just 330 kms.  So I wondered, in spite of the apparent good speed, most of the stretch with permitted speed of 100-110, why such delay?).  As soon as we entered we were given packed lunch of vegetables (fresh), salads, sandwiches etc.  Then we were served snacks and beverages, then coffee and snacks, and when we thought it was all over, there comes a typical Korean ice-cream or ice-fruit – with grated ice and a lot of ingredients in that.  Oh boy! We were full to the neck.

Then in heavy rain we arrived at Busan, we were solemnly escorted by a bunch of ‘volunteers’ with badge ‘PROTOCOL’ – boys and girls – college going or completed, all primly and smartly dressed in a uniform manner.  The escort was all through – whenever we turn around at our beck and hall, all ready to help, and also not letting us go around on our own. (Each of us was given a paper carry bag – which I opened only when I was packing for the return trip, in the last night of the stay only did I find that there was a picture of the ‘volunteer’ with some other valuable details, besides an attractive IYF T-shirt, in that!! The volunteer was pretty Zoey, with an English name Ann! - Many of the Korean youth, while introducing themselves, said that my name is A, but my American name is B).  Perhaps, Korea is highly Americanized that they think it safer to have an American name for their future benefit.

The protocol seemed quite fitting – these volunteers, very smart boys and girls, who have undergone some good training & international exposure by IYF – ensured that the participants followed the protocol of the programme to the letter!  They were very helpful, quickly and promptly responding to any of our needs, at the same time ensuring that we are kept in constant track lest we miss on any sessions, unless we called ourselves sick!

Back to food – once we arrived at the seashore hotel of Glory Conda, we were escorted to the 18^th floor for a grand dinner! There were ample choices for both vegans and others, though the former, especially some from North India, were very doubtful as to whether there was something they could ‘safely’ eat! I indulged rather merrily, to the extend my abdomen could stretch – though I have become very minimally dexterous in such matters, over these years!

The hotel where we were put up, Bexco Centum Hotel, opposite to the huge BEXCO convention centre in Busan, served excellent breakfast with all sorts of food to fill you! (But your protocol officer will not let you relish your breakfast in peace, as you always had busy schedule from 8.30 am itself!).  Usually, for every meal – lunch and dinner, we were taken out to some very special joints – to a Chinese, to a Korean, to the best buffet in Busan, to a bakery to snatch a pack of your choice 3 items for dinner, to a typical food court, where you could pick up your choice item from the 50 odd choices on the display! But, to be frank, there was hardly ever, time to relish such fabulous treats!  In two such centres, there was unlimited wine and beer also as part of the deal; but the organization appeared a strict ‘no, no’ – very unKorean like - regarding even such innocent inebriants like that of wine and beer (which were promoted by our avid UDF ‘ban’ners of alcohol!).  So I kept my rebel and explorer within me under check!