Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocole to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecidented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most poweful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed unchallenged. There was a strict traditional protocol to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
been miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerful deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuasion or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
Nurungukal
It was unexpected
and unprecedented, a grinding halt. Everything came to a standstill. Just
because of a minute virus after all. Even the most powerful nation is in
shambles, unable to stop it in its stride devastating economy and human loss.
To all of us it is a unique and strange experience. Even my parents who might
have gone through the 1920 pandemic had never told us about a lock down of this
intensity. My mother who was known for
her unique and vociferous narration of events never uttered a word about their
resilience 100 years ago. May be that it would have been a self imposed restraint
without any stricture from the law enforcers.
I have a faint
memory of the way my family with stood alone to fight a chicken pox infection.
I was studying in 6th or 7th standard and became the
first victim of the attack. One day I returned from school with a slight fever.
As usual my mother instructed me to take rest and be on a frugal diet of
porridge with burned pappad and salted mangoes which I always disliked. But in such instances the wisdom of my mother
prevailed un challenged. There was a strcit traditional protocol to be
observed in such eventuality and every mother of those days knew about it. The
fever did not subside. Instead it was shooting up. That prompted my mother to
examine me and as suspected she could locate one or two boils on my thighs and
groin. I was isolated. The next victim
was my younger brother. Next it was my mother’s turn. It really mattered a lot
to us . The entire rhythm of the family was upset when she was bed ridden. But
for the timely help from a local health care worker ( in those days such
persons were popularly called as midwife or compounder ), our life would have
ben miserable. Even now I do not know why she was called a midwife. To all of
us actually she was a mid mother. So loving and pleasing. We thronged for her
soothing presence. She was very fat and dressed in pure white. She was very
much wanted for her dexterity in handling delivery cases. In fact her help was
a must in those days as all the deliveries took place in respective homes. Even my sister delivered
her first son in our house with her help.
When my mother
was fully recovered, I well remember about a ritual in my house in order to
ensure the blessings of a nearby Goddess and to spare others members from the
wrath. The oracle from the temple did
some rituals and gave sermon, as usual, that every thing is clear and left with
a heavy bag of paddy, coconuts, bananas etc. But unfortunately my father became
the next victim and my mother took
solace by a submission of guilt to the all powerfull deity.
As I look
back now relaxing under a bird cherry tree, enjoying a covid 19 enforced lock
down, I have all the appreciation to our elders who fought against such
calamities alone, taking precautions in not spreading them in the community, without
any persuation or pressure from the authorities……
Foot
note……..lets hope that soon this virus also
will
vanish allowing the humans
another chance to co-exist on
this
earth……….
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