In the Company of Vavachayan – Sitapur Letter
Glad to
catch up with Vavachayanm, my uncle Rev. Fr T.A. Antony CMI. Having been in the order now for more than four decades together (though never in one place), we have become more fellow to-a-great-extent-like-minded members of the order than close relatives. But being relatives, we do have many things to share when we meet. Our common interests border on a religious life with sensitivity to responsible living on the planet, with a special focus on waste minimisation and management.
He usually lives in Srinagar (Garhwal, UP) at a cultural centre - Sadharmyam, which promotes inter-cultural dialogue. Last two weeks he was in Leharpur in Sitapur district
(UP), which is about 30 kms from where I live, Naipalapur. He was substituting the two young priests
there who had gone to Keralam for vacations.
As such, there is no Christian community there. However, 2 teacher
families from Keralam and 2 staff families (husband-wife) from Jharkhand are
there, and they take part in the daily mass. Even our Nepali cook and the yard
keeper, and the accountant seem to take part in the mass though they are not
Christians.
It is
rather cold here (min. 6 and max 19 or 20) and the Sun does not make a regular
visible appearance. This morning, he appeared very tame and meek as a moon. I should
have captured his appearance. Even with 4 or 5 layers of clothing, one still feels cold.
As all
these stations fall under the one big parish (with around 40 families spread all over this
district), we get together on various occasions. Last week he came to join us for the birthday
celebration of Rev Dr George Athappilly, my colleague, who has the unique
distinction of having been the only Ph D scholar guided by our beloved former
President Abdul Kalam. (He teaches
computer science to our BCA students.
And also for our MCAs. He finds our students faring much better than the
engineering students he had taught in various engineering colleges in Keralam; at
Anna University, and at St. Charles Institute of Technology, Nagpur. Perhaps, he holds the unique distinction of
having taught in more than 10 engineering colleges in a span of 20 years or
less. He is passionate about and obsessed with teaching programming to the
youngsters).
For birthday,
we went out to eat – one of the few such
occasions with us. This was further
necessitated with our helpers with cooking – Rebeka and Manoj (husband and
wife) – having taken their well deserved vacation for the past one week.
Vavachayan and I shared some time at the dining table and taking a walk around our ground with 6 tracks of 200 metres laid. 5 rounds will make a 1 km walk. I was shivering in the cold in spite of having completed 5 rounds. And Vavachyan’s jogging amounted to a 75% brisk walk on my end. So we parted company and I ran another 5 rounds which made me warm, but still leaving no sign of perspiration. I could still manage to continue without a change of dress. But I treat myself to the luxury of a warm water bath.
Our
Superior is Rev Dr Johny Purakatt. It
is his silver jubilee year of priesthood. For those familiar with Thevara
School – he is the son of Antony Maash, who taught for almost 3.5 decades at SH
Upper Primary school. Orignally from Kumbalam, he got settled in Thevara, when their land was taken for the
rail project. He was teaching when I was a student of the high school. Later, he served as Catechism Headmaster of
the monastery chapel school for many years, before finally winding up such
ministries around 2015. At 90+ he is still fine. Fr Johny also happens to be the nephew of Fr
George Earathara of KCSL fame; and his brother Babichan was my batch-mate. His
mother has been bed-ridden for the past two years plus.
Fr Johny is
a great host and he tries to make every guest feel welcome. So he insists on
Vavachayan staying over for another day. At night, kappa with chicken curry is
prepared. And he brings a cake to be cut by Vavachayan and a bottle of
non-alcoholic Jacobb’s wine (which tasted like Vinegar) in honour of
Vavachayan, as he does not prefer alcoholic wine(s).
We have a good time at the expense of each other. He enjoys our great garden and the wonderful collection of Chrysanthemums (over 30 varieties), maintained by the efforts our the Vice Principal Rev. Dr Sajimon Philip.
This
morning, we celebrate mass together. Vavachayan is on semi-fast (and I am on
full fast – more from a health angle than any pious intention) it being Friday.
Fr Johny drives him to the bus stand. Vavachayan wanted to travel at night, but
he does not prefer AC or sleeper buses. So we suggest he travels without
reservation – either get a straight bus to Rishikesh/Dehradun/Haridwar to get
down at Najibabad (Bijnor Dt) – almost 350 kilometres from where he could get a bus
to his destination, Srinagar – another 150 plus kilometres along the Garhwal
hills. Probably, having to get connections at Kotdwar and Pauri (Garhwal). It is winter. So if one is well
protected, travel is more pleasant than travelling in the hot summer.
Most
likely, he will reach only tomorrow, with a break at Najibabad where Bijnor
Provincial house is – I spent almost three years there as an undergrad student.
We put him
on a Delhi bus, which will reach Moradabad via Bareilly in about 5 hours, from
where he will get Najibabad bus which might take another 1 or 2 hours.
At 79,
Vavachayan is calm, healthy, engaging in manual labour, lending all possible
services as a pastor wherever required. Happy for him, as he is into his 53rd
year of being a priest. Praise the Lord!
Wish you
all a Happy Jubilee Year to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in an apparently, hopeless
world.
