Nurungukal  contd.....

                                In 1950s it was a male dominant society. Very few women ventured to make a livelihood of their own. But Ennassery Ammu Amma, affectionately addressed as AMMOMA  stood apart. She found her living by selling milk and milk products.She was above 70 at that time. Slim and beautiful, although her fair skin was wrinkled. Dressed in crisp white with a slight bend, moved around elegantly. She always maintained half a dozen good cows. Without any male assistance she managed the venture proudly. One or two women workers helped to bring green fodder. In other words it was an all women show. Her day starts early in the morning  { vella keerumbol  By noon she would complete the distribution of milk to some exclusive customers. She chose the customer assessing their credibility. Very much professional in that respect. Then it is time to take care of the animals which  she did with meticulous care and love. Each cow was called by a pet name  such as chinnu, ponnu, karumbi, pulli , etc and they responded to her calls. After noon session is for selling milk products. She had an inborn capacity to prepare them  and they were in great demand. It was during such  time she paid a visit to my mother to exchange pleasantries and to carry news. The role of a mobile news channel !!. Usually at that time mother will be enjoying her siesta on the back side THINNA. Both were good conversationalists, hence the session went  on and on, intermittently with loud laughter. I used to enjoy their performance . Ammoma’s presence can be felt from the aroma of pure ghee .

                                Now being a dairy farmer I understands the amount of effort she might have put in to make a living. Women like her were the fore runners carrying the message of women empowerment . Now I can only  offer   this tiny paragraph to pay  homage to such bygone heroins.