JOYCHETTAN - JOY CV, Assistant Librarian, Sacred Heart College

What can be said about Joy chettan - സുമുഖൻ, സുസ്മേരവദനൻ, ജരാനരകൾകതീതൻ - that was the impression I had about him. I asked him how he was managing to keep his hair still black in spite of having passed retirement age. He said it was natural, and he had no help from Godrej family of products! But when I see Joy chettan now in the coffin, I observe the drastic transformation that has taken place - in the process of illness, his smart appearance had turned into what was a ghost of his former self.  The section of hymn in the funeral rites goes thus: ക്ഷയമുള്ളോനക്ഷയനാകും മർത്യതയേവം സകലേശൻ നിതരാം നൂതനമാക്കുന്നു.  We have witnessed the ക്ഷയം of the physical presence of Joy chettan.  We believe and hope that we will witness God's power that makes our beings അക്ഷയം.

Joy chettan brings to me the memory of three trips: The first was when last year, he decided to go to Holy Land.  He was cheerful and matter of fact. He spoke about the trip and its organizers – Chavara Cultural Centre (of which he had been a part earlier). On his arrival, he came to the office, shared his enriching experience in the Holy Land, saying that it was worth the while going there, and in spite of some bad experience regarding arrangements, it was indeed a good experience.  He had brought some memento for me – perhaps, it was a rosary, and it remains on my desk even now!

The second trip that comes to my mind was his trip last October to Vellore.  That was when I realized that he had some problem.  He came to the office –serene, but concerned; matter of fact, but hopeful.  He said that there was a big growth and it needs to be removed.  We don’t know what is in store.  However, let us try on our part.  Please remember in prayers.  He went off hopeful and rather cheerful.  However, after reaching Vellore, it was not much of an enthusiastic voice that could be heard over phone - a voice sounding tired, but still eager to share. Perhaps the long wait for actual treatment and lack of appetite and consequent reduction in food intake, might have made him already very weak.  On his return, which I came to know much later, I visited him, and was shocked to see his healthy frame wilting into what could have been his ghost.

Though I had a few other visits with him at his residence and at Cherthala, always he sounded hopeful – even amidst excruciating pain that made his nights sleepless.  I believe he was hopeful beyond hope, for he realized that there is no return.  While describing his status he was asking, achchanu manassilakunnuntallo,?

The third of his trips, we are now witnessing – he is to go from here to Kaduthuruthy, and from there to ‘the Ever Ever Land’ a trip that would take him beyond us for now, but will enable us to meet again as  part of that great spread of love. In the last two months, he had undergone severe sufferings, and I hope that will make him all set and purified for this great pilgrimage to the realm of lasting happiness.

Joy chettan was a man who celebrated his life with contentment – never being a complaint box, never bickering about his rights and the compensations he would deserve, rather working meticulously, doing his duty, he built good and lasting relationships. It was never his way to haggle or complain regarding the pay pack.  With what was given, he tried to live – a life of contentment.  Perhaps it was his weakness, perhaps it was his merit as well. All the same, with those limited resources, Joy chettan and wife Josephine built a little neat nest for them in the presently attractive residential area of Maradu. His two boys – Jijo and Joel have fared well – the former with an M. Com from S.H. currently as faculty in Bharata Mata College, and Joel pursuing M. Tech in Kanjirappally. The entire family has been an active unit in the Church related activities. The resignation and the serenity with which the family had accepted the reality of the illness was commendable.

  

He was keen on maintaining relationships – and the various echelons of authority was not a barrier for him – he had ‘friends’ among all of them – management, faculty members, admin staff, students, former students – a host of friends nurtured on good will.  He also saw to it that when an alumnus got a recognition, it was brought to the attention of the authorities and was in turn, contacted and appreciated by the authorities. Joy chettan prided himself to have been brought up by the CMI fold – initially at Chavara, and later on at Sacred Heart’s. 

As the psalmist says, “My heart and soul rejoiced, when they told – let us go to God’s house”. (Ps 122).  This may be very true with Joy chettan, who had really been suffering in the past few months.  As St. Paul say in his letter to Thesselonians, ‘let us comfort one another’ with the hope that we shall all be with HIM – as this trip he takes would take him away from this limited world to that unlimited space of peace, where we shall all join and shall be ONE WITH HIM.

Dear Joy chettan, REST IN PEACE!

P.S. April 14, 2017.  Day before yesterday was the first anniversary.  Jijo, his son had come and invited me to come home for lunch.  I had noted it down, but had forgotten all about it.  However, around 1 pm, I was feeling hungry, but was resigned to sit aright and be in the office.  Then, office superintendent asked if I weren't going for the lunch.  After a moment, it registered with me, and I said 'oh yes'! And we went together.  
There was a pretty good crowd.  Fr. Provincial was there (as usual, in time!) and some token prayers were already done.  Also Fr. Jimmy the parish priest.  And then, I too joined for lunch. Avoided the plastic coated banana leaf, and got my lunch served in a washable plastic plate.  Joy chettan's wife was telling the guests - father had come all the way up to Cherthala to visit Joy.  We will never forget etc.
Now Jijo is trying his luck with civil service.  I hope he gets through - He had a bank job, which he left, then he had some effort at teaching at Bharthamatha College.  Now it's the PSC! I wish him the very best!