In the Company of Vavachayan – Sitapur Letter

 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 53^rd 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.