Fr Jose Kuriedath CMI - Standing tall - Thinker, Religious, Sociologist

Fr Jose Kuriedath CMI, a scholar and academic among us CMIs, has completed his sojourn on this planet and has entered the next phase of his existence.  It doesn't come as a shock to me or to most of us, his brothers in the order of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, and definitely not to him. It was a well-prepared, expected exit, rather, release to the painless world of eternal peace!

I came to know Fr Jose as the director of Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi, way back in 1979. I was a learner of public speaking under his tutelage there. (No claims of having been a success on that front.)  He had also made some rare appearances at the KCSL camps, which used to be held at Rajagiri, Kalamassery, or Sacred Heart, Kochi.

My next encounter with him was as a young scholastic.  I took the freedom to ask him to borrow the scooter (vespa or bajaj) under his custody, to go for my two-wheeler driving test (this was in 1989). He did not show any reservation in this regard, though such freedom with a senior priest was not so easy to conceive.  It was perhaps the next year or so, I happened to pass by SH college, and we had an unplanned and casual encounter. I remember him taking me to the auditorium and proudly sharing his experiment in participatory management – the parent council members were seated and were persuading the new parents to support the college by voluntary donations.

Though we never kept in touch with each other, during my first visit abroad, in 2001, I managed to fit a short visit to Canada, and he had been the CMI coordinator there. I managed to secure a visa in those days and perhaps announced my arrival by email. I was received warmly – met the two former Principals of SH – Fr George Palamattam and Fr Jose Kuriedath. Fr Jose took me around Toronto; we went to an IMAX show, and on my departure, he gifted me 200 Canadian dollars, a happy surprise for me.

I was privileged to be at the electoral body which elected him to be the general councillor for education for the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. While he made efforts to rearticulate the CMI educational vision and its core values, he also went around all the CMI educational institutions, animating the ministry across the globe.  I also felt honoured to be invited to felicitate him on his golden jubilee of religious profession held at his parish.

Immediately thereafter, I was fortunate to have him as my Prior and as the Manager of Sacred Heart College, where he had served as a well-respected Principal long before my time. He always commanded the respect of the faculty, many of whose senior members had once been his colleagues. At least once, he did caution me to go slow and give ear to the colleagues on the team, even when you feel that you have grasped what they are about to say. I am afraid that I have not put that valuable piece of caution into practice. He spoke with clarity and conviction, whether preaching in church or addressing an audience. His erudition was beyond question.

Despite his formation in the traditional grant-in-aid system, both as a student and as an academic, he had the courage to defend a model in which those who benefited from the management quota in admissions also contributed to the development of the college infrastructure, while insisting on transparency in the process.

His tenure as Prior of SH seemed to confirm, for the members of the Province, their trust in his leadership, eventually leading to his election as Provincial. He guided the Province with wisdom and balance. After completing his term as Provincial, he transitioned with ease to leading a self-financing institution, Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, thereby dispelling the notion that he was a “kattar socialist.” Rather, he proved himself to be a rational thinker who could discern and justify the need for CMIs to venture into such fields of education.

Already a two-time survivor of cancer, a third and entirely different onset was wholly unexpected. Yet, even at the age of over eighty, he displayed remarkable courage, becoming a personification of fortitude. Until April 2026, he continued to attend to his responsibilities in the Director’s office with unwavering commitment. Amidst his suffering, and without complaint, he brought out a book on CMI ministry from a sociological perspective. The Province acknowledged his intellectual and spiritual contributions by electing him to the supreme body of the Congregation, which he attended despite immense physical suffering.

Perhaps the congregation's decision to have him come to Keralam from an otherwise fertile thinking environment of Delhi and be part of its typical higher education culture, has deprived the world from have an Indian Sociologist who could have contributed to Sociological concepts and theories from an Indian-Asian perspective. Perhaps nobody remembers that, or regrets that!

As he now bids farewell after a valiant innings of scholarship, leadership, and endurance, dear Jose Acha, we salute you. May your example inspire emulation among your younger brothers. Adieu. May your grace-filled presence rest in peace!

Prof. Raju Varghese - the bridge builder for Rajagiri

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Prof. Raju Varghese was a person of good heart, after the Sacred Heart, where, I believe, he began his career as an academic. He was spotted and brought to the Sacred Heart campus, by its visionary founder Rev Fr Francis Sales, who had the knack of identifying individuals of academic excellence and bringing them into the Sacred Heart fold.  When the MSW programme began in the department of Social Work in 1962, he was inducted, and not long after the the programme was shifted to the campus at Rajagiri (1966?), Kalamassery, he had left the campus and had gone to the US - sometime around 1966. 

Prof. Raju had his MSW from Madras School of Social Work and another MSW from the University of Pennisylvania. He got his Ph D in Education (EdD) from the Temple University and MPH from John Hopkins University. 

Though he had a very short stint with the Department of Social Work, Sacred Heart College, he felt that he owed it to Rajagiri, which had assumed the Social Work heritage of Sacred Heart, and the Rajagiri leaders adopted him as their foster father in building a Social Work bridge across the cultures. When Rajagiri was struggling to establish some such tie-ups in management under the initiative of Prof. Athappally of Western Michigan University, embraced gladly by the Principal Rev. Fr Alex, it was Prof. Raju Varghese, who said that why we didn't have a tie up with Maryland University where he was a Professor, and he guided both the sides through the formalities in a matter of a couple of months, and what had been lagging over almost 2 years, happened in the span of a year, with students and faculty starting to move in both the directions - opening a very novel dimension in higher education in India, very specially in Kerala. 

He counselled, guided and brought several batches of faculty and students, and even interested individuals, under that banner. And thanks to the hint from Fr. Alex, perhaps, I was given an opportunity to be a visiting faculty member at the School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, in 2001.  The rest of the vibrant partnerships Rajagiri possesses now were more or less a repetition of the model, with some improvisations here and there, except that with Rev. Fr. Saju bringing in a vital dimension of research into it. 

He had been a shelter to the students and teachers visiting from Rajagiri and SH, and his home was a home for them all in the United States.  

I could see the grip slipping away from him, and hence I made it a point that in spite of my lack of time, I would visit him this time I was in the US. I am glad that I did, that in spite of the late hour, we did spend some happy time, reminiscing about the good things of the old. 

He was a conventional believer - a church follower, and tried to support his church to the best of his ability - perhaps, building more than one church in Maryland under his patronage and leadership.  Aunt Molly  (Dr Sarah Korah), took care of him so that he was put to the least trouble; and in the easy passing out of Prof. Raju, at least she is blessed to see that he did not have the pain of languishing in bed in prolonged suffering.  At 88, Raju sir seems to have lived his life full, with a very long academic career in professional social work, having been a support and mentor to many, with his three children (Sanjeev, Suja and Saji) doing well in their own fields and being around when needed, and his beloved wife and all the children being around in prayer to pass him over to the life beyond the curtain!! 

If I read him well, he was all set to establish endowments for academic programmes both at Rajagiri and, thanks to my prompting, at Sacred Heart as well. I hope these will happen and perpetuate his memory for posterity. 

Fr Mathew Vattathara (1950-2025)

I am not spontaneously led to writing this blog, though I did think I would jot down my memories and reflections on Fr Mathew Vattathara CMI. I can't explain this dwand, in spite of his being rather close to me. We lived under the same roof in a peaceful fellowship. My first appointment after completing post-graduation in 1997 was to Yesu Bhavan, where he was a member, as head master of the school, with Mr Vadakkel assisting him. Most of us in the house got along very well - Fr Kariyil, the principal of Rajagiri College, Fr John Pynadath, the Rector and house superior, Fr Vattathara and myself. Fr John was soon gone - transferred to Angamaly.  I observed that the teachers and the students loved Fr Mathew; however, it appeared that he was not happy to continue with that job.  His doctoral studies had been, to my understanding, to his taste - it was on something related to liberation Theology, with justice as its foundation. "

I recall him asking me earlier as a freshly ordained priest or as a student of Social Work, whether it was enough to study thus - though he did not specifically mention anything, I sensed that it was a call to a life of integral liberation, beyond the confines of the institutions - however, I sensed in him, also a kind of helplessness as to what could be done about it, or how to go about it. This is only my guess - which I had sensed those 30 odd years ago; and have tried to articulate right now at his passing. Had he been around now, I could have vetted the hunch by clarifying with himself. That great dream of being an apostolate of liberation could not be given any concrete shape by either of us.  Nor did we ever have a serious discussion thereafter. I had borrowed from his collection couple of books of Paulo Freire to use for my sessions on Social Action. They are still with me as part of the very small collection of books I possess. 

Soon, that is in about a year, he left that community of teachers, students and the Rajagiri campus priests, where he was appreciated and where he belonged. He went to the major seminary of Dharmaram, perhaps teaching Theology of justice, if there was any such thing.  We decided to drive him to Bangalore. In the Maruti Zen of Vishwajyothi, Varghese Puthussery, Joy Kilikunnel and I accompanied him. Joy and me taking turns at the wheel of that cute little car, carrying the luggage of Fr Mathew.  We placed him at his new home, the faculty residence of Chavara Bhavan in a matter-of-fact manner - devoid of the kind of solemn send offs and farewell of the present times.  Having a Maruti Zen itself was deemed a great privilege in those times.   The completion of that term saw him being elected as Provincial and I being elected as a member of his council, in charge of social apostolate.  With my professional training, and with the inspiration received from the initiatives of my predecessor Rev. Kariyil (who had then been elected the General), I went about with some passion - planning, animating, trying to raise corpus for our trusts through pooling resources from the houses, adding an environmental dimension to the social apostolate, and in all the efforts I had his blessings, never any clash. Even my ambitious proposal for a rural coastal campus at the land pruhcased at Vypin was easily okayed by him (as he was looking after that piece of land). However, neither me nor the college could initiate foundational activities that would take the campus off in that direction - though I did initiate some rural outreach programmes and mangrove conservation efforts, with the next ministry, it was all cleared and before long another school project was initiated there. 

The next Ordinary Provincial Synaxis elected Fr Augustine Thottakkara as the provincial, and he would have been happy to have me as his councillor for social apostolate. However, I said I would rather focus on the Ph D, and suggested the previous Provincial himself be in-charge of that so that what was being built up, could be consolidated.  And Fr Vattathara had no issue being a councillor after stepping down as the Provincial.  He was made Vicar Provincial. 

When I learnt about his death soon after the note from Fr Provincial that he was critically ill, it didn't come as a shock, as he had been combating a deadly illness for the past several years.  I checked with the Provincial regarding the funeral plans.  Had it been the usual way, it would have been on October 1st (the very next day), and there was no question of my participation in that.  However, by 7 pm, I got the news that it was to be on Oct. 2nd. Then came a call from Qatar if I was intending to take part, and if yes, to offer a floral tribute on behalf of Doha school. That almost made up my mind, and I looked for a ticket. I got a late night arriving flight for Oct. 1st.  Soon after that I got a call from Fr Provincial (almost in the presence of his council) that it was proposed that I do the memorial reflections during the funeral service.  I had a sort of inkling that this might happen, though I did feel that the provincial himslef, or the batchmate and vicar provincial Fr Mathew Koikara, or the regular preacher Fr Poulose, or his constant companion and assistant Fr Ajeesh, or his long time coworker Fr Varghese Puthussery could do a better job than me.  However, the provincial was almost insistent, and I gave my fiat! 

I did spend time collecting data, reflecting and jotting down the points - almost 3 times; almost 8 pages of notes of the 'Gospel of Fr Mathew Vattathara' integrating the theme of Season of Creation, and making passing references to the three readings and focussing on how Fr Mathew's life was a gospel for all. I did struggle with the language for finding apt words in Malayalam for several terms - e.g., empathy, usage like boldness bordering recklessness, rancour etc.  However, on the whole, I felt rather prepared for a delivery, though as usual with this time too, I think I skipped certain linkages making some of points remaining suspended in the air. But overall, people appeared glad to have listened to good things about Fr Mathew presented without much ornamentation. 

A TRIBUTE TO A 'GOOD MAN' where A Good Man is Hard to Find (Flannery O'Coonnor)

Introduction

The gospel according to St. Mathew 25:21 says: O good and faithful servant... enter into the happiness of your Master.  Amen!! May the word be true for Fr Mathew - let us hope, let us pray. 

Dear members of Vattathara family, CMI family, students of Fr Mathew, friends and people of good will, we listened to Gospel according to St Matthew, now I would like read with you, the gospel written by Fr Mathew through his life. For it teaches us that Straightforwardness and Goodness are synonyms of Sanctity; and that  to be transformed or transfigured into that status is a possibility for anyone, any time; and we can be Pilgrims of that Hope (especially in this jubilee year 2025). 

As Catholic church and other churches celebrate the season of creation (September 1 to October 4), let us celebrate the uniquely stupendous creature (srushti) of Mathew of Vattathara family as the gospel for the day. He is called 'Mattachan' by his freinds and near ones. 

For those happened to be in his company or approach him, he went about doing the good (Acts 10:39) he could (Chavara: Kannu Kattappetta Nanma), as an empathic presence. 

AN OUTSPOKEN REBEL 

During his formative years for priesthood in places like Vazhakulam, Kalamassery, Karukutty, Dharmaram, Christ college - Bangalore, Chethipuzha novitiate, Rajagiri School and Prior General's house - the CMI circles saw him as a gifted candidate - intellectually strong, though not really applying that in his studies, strong communication skills, a natural in the field of sports - football, volleyball and basket ball (later on, badminton, table tennis and cricket as well), a leader for the team and a mentor for juniors - at times the leadership taking the form of a bully as well. 

To the authorities he came out to be daring, outspoken, questioning with a boldness bordering recklessness, finally landing him on an extraordinary training platform termed 'compulsory regency' (CR), with an exceptional second time.  In the later years, when he rose to esteemed offices of the congregation, perhaps, being punished with a CR came to be looked upon as the recognition of a genius!! (At least, having experienced that once, I consider that to be the case😁. 

Some of the senior students found him a 'dashing young priest' when he was at Rajagiri school as a regent, with his flare for games. 

However, CMI training process, with all its limitations, deserves some praise, as it appears that the 3 years of experiential learning including the two years of CR, did do him good, perhaps tempered him.  There were a few god-fathers for him during that time - perhaps, Fr Alex Oruthayappilly, Fr Thomas More, but above all, Fr Theobald, the then general, who is said to have told him: I have brought you here, not to punish you, but to save you (shikshikkaanalla, rakshikkaan).  Perhaps, he found that spark in the rebel, and sent him to Pune for the last phase of priestly formation. 

A TRANSFORMED ANNOINTED

And in 1980, we find Fr Mathew duly ordained and presenting a submissive and transformed frame - willing to go to work among the unorganised headload workers.  But it was not to be. He was appointed at Rajagiri, and with Fr John Pynadath, well known for his fierce tempers, it was expected that there would soon be calamitous clashes - but there was none. The change was for good. It was this mild-mannered Mathew whom the members of our generation have experienced - a transformed person. 

He was there with Rajagiri school during a critical phase it had to face.  

He took his colleagues along, as I could witness being on the campus. 

He used the conventional saama-daama-danda-bheda (more of danda - corporal punishment) niti to make them walk a straight path. Helped his students to think critically on issues, and also Math. As the famous Tata Steel ad goes: He also taught Mathematics (and very well).  He was well known for his caning methods which over the years got transformed into a shoulder punch with his fist - and I found his students narrating that without any rancour. 

He knew most (all?) of them by name. He knew their families - the problems they had, as being recalled by him in later year casual conversations. Thus, his ministry of education was extended to a family ministry, and ideal for a Christian educator (or for anyone) in turn, making it a ministry of utmost happiness to hundreds of his students.  I am not sure whether he made family visits for this - I think not.  It is really heartening to see the efforts people like Fr Poulose make to deliberately reach out to the families of the students so that all concerned are involved in the learning process, and the learning includes the whole person, not merely the intellect of the student. 

To my understanding, Fr Mathew's approach was devoid of any populism, endearments or any extra-fitting - and nor was he found to be a man of many words.  But his genuineness communicated and it was experienced as care, concern, love or empathy by the students. 

But his liberal thinking and the desire for freedom led him to leave the school ministry and seek higher learning. He obtained admission for a research programme at the prestigious Catholic University of Leuven, where, under the guidance of the famous liberation theologian, Prof. Georges De Schrjver SJ, he completed a Ph. D in (Liberation) Theology, a rare feat among the CMIs. His time at Leuven appears to have been a cherished period for him, as I surmised from the very many references he used to make regarding life there. There, he was actively involved in organising the discussions on the Leuven India Theological Forum.  He was a friend in need for the CMIs who arrived there for learning, usually penniless - cooking food for them, typing the thesis for seniors like Fr Antony Vallavanthara, even monetarily being of support for the freshers like the now well-established Fr Kurian Kachappilly.  His thesis was titled: The Methodology of Latin American Liberation Theology: Towards an Understanding and a Critical Evaluation of Its Relation to Marxism (May 1992).

But arriving back as a Theologian, he was asked to serve Rajagiri school, which required some experienced hand, and that tryst lasted a long time, from which he got release only by 1999, when he was invited to be on the faculty of Theology of Dharmaram College. I am given to understand that he employed interactive learning rather than finishing off his task with the stereotypical lectures when dealing with topics like 'Trinity'. Again, that too did not last long as he was elected Provincial in 2002, and thereafter as Vicar Provincial in 2005, making him once and for all time a Rajagiri man through and through. 

Thereafter he was part of the team with Fr Varghese Puthussery in Dubai, and later on, with Fr Isaac Tharayil in Doha, to set up, what I deem as the Gulf Mission - with many of our fraternity wincing the term 'mission'  (for most of them, it is just a contract and a means for earning some money, rather than a mission).  That stint was followed by the closure of the Dubai chapter in 2017, and he came back to take charge of the Rajagiri Colleges, one after the other, which lasted till the very last. 

A CHEQUERED CAREER: From a 'worldly point of view', he had a chequered career spanning some 45 years. 

- I would count starting with his 3 outings as a regent, providing him ample learning opportunities

- then, at Rajagiri school and boarding, as teacher, rector, headmaster and campus coordinator

- then, as a faculty of Theology at Dharmaram,

- establishing schools at Dubai and Doha 

- director of Rajagiri colleges 

- Provincial, Vicar Provincial and Provincial Councillor. 

He never sought any position, but as they came, he accepted them gracefully, trying to do justice to those offices, though in the last years, his ailments and continuous treatment might have impeded his effectiveness in those roles. However, he strove to be there, active and alive and letting not the illness and the painful treatment overpower him.  In each of these, the biblical dictum of 'the stone rejected becoming the cornerstone' was getting fulfilled. 

And that is also the miracle of the transformation of a rebel into a considerate leader in authority. Some would put it as a total paradigm shift, a 180 degree turn-around, and some would say that, from a critic, he got coopted by the system. 

I have sensed a kind of disappointment in him for not having been able to be the radical he wanted to be.  Perhaps, because of that, he was never found to be a pushy task-master, and for some of his friendly colleagues, he was a 'slowcoach'.

A RELIGIOUS WITH A DIFFERENCE: From a religious point of view, I find him

a person unattached - while he had good relations with his family members, even in that we could find a kind of detachment.  The healthy bond he had is vouched by the fact that even we who had lived with him, know most of them, though it was not that we visited his house or they made frequent visit this side - but they were all part of that healthy network of relationships. 

an empathic person - though he did not really employ any specific technology people felt understood, and accepted by him. And in his role as the provincial superior, he could intervene effectively to help some younger members in their crisis situation, that they could attain priesthood, and could grow to give effective leadership in the province in various leader roles. 

a friend - the warmth of friendship he extended was experienced by his peers - they recall that he would leave an impact on them, that once having met him, it was not easy to forget him - his warm welcome, solicitude and smile.

He never seemed to hold any rancour for anyone, including those who had made decisions not in his favour - nor with people who held other views than his. 

a gentle-meek person - Everyone uses the term  'gentleman' (മാന്യൻ) for him.  He was indeed a gentleman, but more than  that - He was a gentle and meek person (സൗമ്യൻ), after the heart of Jesus (Mtt 11:25). Though he wouldn't preach about that, he was that. 

a man who believed in living life full - He believed in life and loved life, fulfilling the famous saying 'to be fully human and fully alive'. He enjoyed the good things of life - games and sports, good food, good movies, good books, good company. 

an example of fortitude - The last years showed the cardinal virtue of 'fortitude' shining in him - he faced the sufferings in life, as they came, in a matter-of-fact manner - never getting dejected, nor losing hope.  Trying to make the best of the situations. 

Over 30 years he was deprived of his favourite pastime of sports and games 

Over 20 years he had to struggle with the malfunctioning of kidneys and the high creatin level. 

Over 4 years he had to undergo dialysis, twice or thrice a week, and he bore with the pain and suffering involved calmly. 

In all these, there was hardly an instance of complaint, cribbing or self-pity!

In those last four years, he reminded me of the 'man' of Kipling's 'If':

'If you can force your heart, nerve and sinews

To serve your turn, long after they are gone

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the will that says to them: hold on!'

 

a 21st century educator - Nowadays, we speak about the 4Cs of 21st century as educational outcomes - Critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration - perhaps, a fifth could be added - compassion. I would say, that as an educator, he proved himself to be a model for most of them and tried to transfer most of them to his students. 

I find him a stalwart critical thinker, perhaps, questioning many things his avocation takes for granted - especially those ritualistic adherence. He felt they were enslaving rather than liberating, and like Galileo, who was asked to recant, but still soliloquised, 'it still moves around the sun', I think he found the religiosity entrapped in ritualism as unchristian, though he no longer said so, aloud. Perhaps, with 'office for the dead' pouring in incessantly in his honour or for the repose of his soul, bona fides notwithstanding, might be making him turn in his coffin!! 

Indeed, he proved himself to be an effective communicator, with a facility to collaborate with all sorts of people and above all communicating compassion through his straightforward and artless presence, disposition and company. 

a rare fusion - As we bid him farewell on October 2nd, I feel the 3 people we celebrated in the days of Oct 1 and 2, fused in him. On Oct 1st, the church celebrated a young nun confined to the carmel cloisters and doing nothing so very extraordinary, being elevated to public veneration as an extraordinary person. I feel within the circle of CMI-Rajagiri, Fr Mathew reamined in a way, very ordinary - with hardly any new institution or initiative by him, hardly any organisation which he led (though not forgetting his active role in the formation of Leuven India Alumni Forum, his active presence on ROSA platforms, and his blessings for the local youth initiative I took - FYRE), hardly ever being a renowned preacher, hardly ever being a great author publishing books or articles, nor as a social media person... but he achieved a place in the hearts of people he came across - peers, colleagues, students, parents.  He has established his own 'little way' by his simple and straigthforward presence. When St. Paul grapples with the nature of 'afterlife' in the reading from the letter to the Corinthians (I Cor 15:), this is already begun for Fr Mathew, as his 'yassha shareeram' (the body of fame). 

As we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti today, I find  him as someone who had absorbed the principles of non-violence, rather, non-agression in his uttaraashram, if not in the poorvashram. So too, as we celebrate the guardian angel (whatever that may mean), I find him a guardian angel for the many who were entrusted to his care, or to the many whom he engaged with in several ways. 

a befitting reason to celebrate the Season of Creation - As we are concluding the season of Creation, let us raise our hearts in praise for the unique miracle of the creation that Fr Mathew was, for his presence of forthrightness, for the package of gifts he brought with him, for the great example of fortitude and perseverance, for the assurance that transformation is possible for individuals, and the rejected stone can be the corner stone, and today, above all, for the gentle and prepared passage into eternity like Aaron who solemnly departs from this life (Numbers 21:)

A Personal Note of Gratitude - I am personally grateful to the Provincial council to have identified and entrusted me to pay tribute to him and proclaim the gospel that he was, though I am not sure if I could do justice to that. 

I feel grateful to God that I had the privilege of his company for over two years under the same roof, as his next door neighbour, the privilege to see him off on his venture into Theological pasture riding with him all the way up to Bangalore; and also for having given me the opportunity to be on his team of Provincial council, and in the last four years on my visits to the Provincial house, to share table fellowship with him, and to get to know his struggles without complaints. 

TRIBUTES 

I would stop with 3 excerpts from the several messages I received, unsolicited,  in the last two days:

1. By Dr M.P. Antoni, veteran social worker who had seen him for several decades on the Rajagiri campus:

പ്രണാമം 

കഴിഞ്ഞ പതിനാറാം തീയതി അച്ചൻ സാരഥ്യം വഹിച്ചിരുന്ന കോളേജിൽ ചെന്നു ഉച്ചസമയത്ത് നേരിൽ കണ്ടുമുട്ടിയ ഓർമ്മകൾ ഇന്നും ഹൃദയത്തിൽ തെളിഞ്ഞുനിൽക്കുന്നു.

അന്നു പങ്കുവെച്ച സംഭാഷണങ്ങൾ, ഓർമ്മകളുടെ ഒഴുക്കിൽ നിന്നും പൊങ്ങിയ ഹൃദയസ്പർശിയായ വാക്കുകൾ—എല്ലാം ഇന്നും മനസിൽ.

ഒരു ജീവിതകാലം മുഴുവൻ അച്ചൻ  ഊട്ടിയുറപ്പിച്ച സൗഹൃദങ്ങളും വിതച്ച സ്നേഹവും ചെയ്തുതീർത്ത നന്മകളും സമൂഹത്തിനായി നൽകിയ മഹത്തായ സംഭാവനകളും കാലത്തിനപ്പുറം എന്നും നിലനിൽക്കും.

നന്മയുടെ പാതയിൽ  സഞ്ചരിക്കാൻ അച്ചൻ്റെ ജീവിതം എല്ലാവർക്കും എന്നും പ്രചോദനമായിരിക്കും.

2. By Dr Renju Tharian, his student at Rajagiri school, now serving as a senior surgeon in Chicago. 

Sitting in the beautiful island of Santorini, looking over the blue waters of the Aegean sea, I feel so empty and sad to hear about Vattathara Achan’s passing. 

I have had the privilege of being taught and trained by some remarkably accomplished people, but Vattathara achan was by far the teacher who inspired and influenced me the most. I am not sure if my life’s trajectory would be what it is, if not for having a teacher like him during one of the most impressionable years of my life. It would probably be the same for most of us. 

He taught us more about life than just mathematics. His most important lessons for me were his lessons on critical thinking. I remember him often diverging from matrix and geometry and talking to us about philosophy, theology, current affairs and his views on almost all aspects of life. More importantly he always made sure he explained why he held those views, never expecting his students to blindly agree to his opinions and view points. It’s his lessons in class X, that changed my outlook on life in general. He gave me the confidence to realize that even an average student like me can do something worthwhile with perseverance, resilience and willingness to step out of the “ comfort zone”. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for having had a teacher who inspired me to be the best I can be and for that I can’t thank Vattathara achan enough. 

Rest in Peace, Vattathara Achan. Thanks for everything, so long and see you on the other side.

3. Rev. Fr. Jose Kariamadam CMI - his coworker and friend.

We lost one of my best friends in the CMI, a free thinker, humble, simple and a  down-to-earth guy. He was basically an agnostic.

There were times we talked about the afterlife, the existence of God, heaven, hell, purgatory etc. He was a seeker of truth and died as a seeker.  He wanted social change and had a different perspective on spirituality as a whole.  There was a little of Tony DeMello in him. 

" I don't know anything about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow, and He will hold my hand!" 

My own tribute on the FB - https://www.facebook.com/1251360683/posts/pfbid0kUD7uuSsJ7xzMh49H1C1tUDCvCL3qcjXixdT4oHMdmjqYLQir9K85N64X7JHSm2pl/

PRANAMAM: Let me conclude by offering the lines of Madhusoodhanan Nair (written on Mahatma Gandhi) as  my tribute to Fr. Mathew Vattathara

തനിയേ നടന്നു നീ പോവുക 

തളർന്നാലും അരുതേ പരാശ്രയവും ഇളവും 

അനുഗാമിയില്ലാത്ത പഥികാ, 

തുടർന്നാലും ഇടറാതെ നിൻ ധീര ഗാനം (2)

James George - the rooted rebel with outstretched arms

My dear James, 

I remember the interview of your intake, and the good souls who vouched for you and said that you would be an asset to the institution. 

I also recall the confidence you had in yourself, in your subject - though I did have differences with you, that your use of Malayalam in the class was more excessive than I preferred. 

The most important 'stakeholder', namely, your students, I

guess, cherished you. You had a way with them, and you definitely appeared to be on their side. However, what I did observe was your concern for those students who seemed to be losing their hold - for them, you were a support. The efforts you made for a student from Idukki, who was struggling to cope with the city life and the academic rigour, and the desperation you had in the process, reminded me of the Biblical Good Shepherd, who was willing to go after the lone sheep gone astray.  (I hope that the student could obtain the degree!) 

And that kind of support did not confine you to your class or department - it went out to your neighbourhood in Nagapuzha/Thodupuzha, to child care homes; and to children in Idukki and Marayoor, where your initiative led to collaborative ventures with the anti-narcotic cell, in a creative fashion - including people, and initiating agriculture.  For SH, your arrival gave the right boost to the theatrical skills of the students, and your accompaniment brought laurels for the college in that domain. Indeed, your presence was a stronghold for SH in the university youth festival outings!

Your academic and social engagement did not prevent you from engaging with the earth and family

farming - a very rare trait for these times. 

In spite of my persuasion, you were determined to travel back home, almost 80 odd kilometres, to be with your parents and at home. And yet, managed to be back the next morning, in time, having found a daily commuting senior company from your neighbourhood. In my interactions with you and your family, I sensed a deep bonding, especially between you and your parents. They seemed more like your friends, and you did care. Yes, the unexpected departure of your fitness-conscious father was indeed a shock! 

You didn't forsake the revolt of the youth/student even when you were on the other side of the table. Though you did not complete your research programme, as I would have desired you to do, you did bring in inputs for sharpening research in the department and created a space for such engagements in the department. 

And you had that special art of 'mimicking' people, showing a keen sense of observation and theatre skills - though you did not always come forth with a performance of that talent - perhaps, you did, in closed circles. 

From what I learn, after my departure from the scene, your involvement was much deeper and committed, that the students and the staff sensed the void you left, and they felt pained. And you deservedly get the best tribute an individual can get - You are missed! 

Your departure - though we all count it untimely, was a grand exit befitting one of my ideal figures in history - the Tathagata, the one who went thus!! I hope I too will be able to go thus - exiting in full engagement (though, I would love that it be at the age of 100 - shataayu purusha:, isn't that our ancient adage?)

As someone professing the communion of saints, dear young friend, I hope you are there in communion with us, and hope the passionate spirit of service and involvement you showed will be shared with those of us who were blessed to be in your company! 

May the nitishatakam (20) be fulfilled in you: 

Jayanti te sukritono... naasti tesham yasha kaaye, jara maranajam bhayam! 

Those virtuous (poets) are triumphant (immortal) ... there is no fear of death and decrepitude in their bodies of fame!

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 serve as a link to my close encounter with 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 than he was to me.  

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