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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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 6^th or 7^th 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……….

                                            

ചമയം

ഒരു രാത്രി നിന്നു പെയ്ത മഴ തോർന്നില്ല.

To

Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Hnble Member of Parliament,

Sir,

      At the out set let me thank you for the efforts you have taken in your recent visit to Wayanad, to understand the magnitude of the devastation inflicted due the 2019 deluge and land slides. We are confident that you may be able to address most of the problems.

1)The disaster management from last year onwards has been initiated without hearing the versions of the stake holders. So far there is only an official interpretation, which lacks the correct perspective. So please advise the State Govt. to hold special Gram Sabhas and give an opportunity to the villagers to narrate their hardship.

2) Many have lost their source of livelihood, especially that of small and medium farmers and farm labourers.

3)The fertility of the topsoil has been depleted due to soil erosion which was caused because of incessant rain and cloud bursts.

4)So far no scientists has attempted to evaluate the loss of production due to unusual stress on milking animals and fruit sets in plants e.g. coffee and pepper. This is evident from the huge reduction of milk production in the deluge affected districts and the heavy droppings of fruit berries of coffee and pepper.

5) All the natural drainage systems ,such as rivers, rivulets brooks etc. are chocked by debris and silts. This was caused mainly due to the blocks created by intermittent bunds in rivers and other small drainage. Earlier locals used to find a living by collecting the sand deposits. But now this process has been banned in the pretext saving water bodies. A wrong idea initiated by the M sand lobbies. Controlled removal of sand can help to cleanse drainage.

6)The excessive use of weedicides, though banned cause to destroy the root system of grass which helped to hold the soil from slipping. Secondly the soil has become inert losing its natural binding force.

7)As there are no tree coverage in vast areas of tea estates,especially in Meppadi, Vythiri and Pozhuthana Panchayayts rain water falls directly on earth,which causes speedy erosion.

8)There was no measure to quantify the excess water collection during cloud bursts. Without knowing how much mass of water has to be evacuated before inundation the solution to face the next deluge is far from sight.

9)Above all we have to think of how best we can utilise a bad situation. For example the land slides has brought down huge mass of mud and slurry which can be utilised to make bricks etc.

10)                      Even planting of bamboo, fodder grass etc would be a positive venture not only to prevent further slides but also to find use full ends.

11)                      Lastly the recommendations ushered by Prof. Madav Gadgil would help us from stalling future calamities.

Thanking you,

With regards,

DIVAKARAN

A resident of Pozhuthana

And a victim  

Nurungukal….

   The deluge has struck again on the exact date and time of that of last year, although with less intensity. But in some parts Mother Nature was very furious. May be due to our lethargy in taking cognisance of her last year’s warnings. More or less it was an emphatic reminder. But to some extent all of us were better equipped to meet the threat. And it reduced the over all damage. Yet to our dismay several other new areas had to face saviour calamities and human loss. Perhaps this may be her last warning to us about an impending furry and wrath.  

     What all of us experienced this year was that the official machinery was well organised and prepared to meet the event in its strides  in the light of a quality forecast and alerts. I would like to  quote an incident to substantiate this statement.

      The incessant rains and disturbances in nature such as high velocity wind, thundering sound of the land slides etc. caused saviour stress not only on humans but also on the cattle. This was evident from the sudden drop of milk production and physical disabilities. The Vice Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary University anticipating such problems in the affected area with the assistance of MILMA deputed a team of expert vet. Doctors to alleviate the sufferings of the dairy farmers. The first case they had to attend was a complicated delivery of a cross breed cow. When we reached the site the animal was struggling to eject the calf. The doctors were easily able to diagnose the case from the symptoms and immediately plunged into action. After a strenuous effort running into nearly one and hours they managed to extricate the calf with help of some benevolent volunteers. The dairy farmer,an aged widow virtually burst into tears and was at her wits end to express her gratitude for the timely help for ensuring her only source of livelihood… The team moved on to their next mission smiling all the way………such gestures will surely help to accelerate resilience process.........

NURUGUKAL……..

      I never had  such a boring rail journey than the one which I had a few days ago in an a/c chair car to Thiruvanathapuram. A pin drop silence prevailed through out from start to end , except the occasional call of the caterers. All the heads irrespective of age were bend and meddling the heavy mobile phones incessantly, completely unaware of what is happening around. Occasionally one by one got up to attend to their nature’s call which they had to at regular intervals as each one was emptying the mineral water they had procured from a hawker as soon as they got in. I was the only one trying to engage in conversation with a like minded co passenger but in vain, more so with a passion to rewind my fade memories of similar travels, during those days when reaching social media was not an essential feature of our daily routine.

       Most of my travels during the pre mobile days were much more enjoying and engrossing.  Interactions between strangers provided valuable informations on current affairs.  

      There were regular entertainers singing popular songs with improvised instruments. Among them I remember one was an expert in tapping a pair of wooden pieces holding between his fingers, another a north Indian on a coconut shell violin, or bamboo flute. A blind man using his belly as a drum and his daughter singing Hindusthani melodies yet another on a harmonium hung on his neck on a sling. I  wonder many of them if properly trained fine- tuned as in the case of present day Star Singers might have earned much more supporters and laurels. But alas they have all vanished into obscurity fighting for a livelihood. Hawkers selling eucalyptus or lemon grass oil and safety pins etc. appeared to meet your needs at regular stations. They were the best sales men, using impeccable style of marketing, creating a crave for their goods.

      Usually the journey was culminated by a ride in a horse ridden Governor’s cart relieving the fatigue unlike the one now in a ---- or  --- taxi . 

NURUGUKAL……..

      I never had  such a boring rail journey than the one which I had a few days ago in an a/c chair car to Thiruvanathapuram. A pin drop silence prevailed through out from start to end , except the occasional call of the caterers. All the heads irrespective of age were bend and and straining their eyes on the the heavy mobile phones incessantly, completely unaware of what is happening around. Occasionally one by one got up to attend to their nature’s call which they had to at regular intervals as each one was emptying the mineral water they had procured from a hawker as soon as they got in. I was the only one trying to engage in conversation with a like minded co passenger but in vain, more so with a passion to rewind my fade memories of similar travels, during those days when reaching social media was not an essential feature of our daily routine.

       Most of my travels during the pre mobile days were much more enjoying and engrossing.  Interactions between strangers provided valuable informations on current affairs.  

      There were regular entertainers singing popular songs with improvised instruments. Among them I remember one was an expert in tapping a pair of wooden pieces holding between his fingers, another a north Indian on a coconut shell violin, or bamboo flute. A blind man using his belly as a drum and his daughter singing Hindusthani melodies yet another on a harmonium hung on his neck on a sling. I  wonder many of them if properly trained fine- tuned as in the case of present day Star Singers might have earned much more supporters and laurels. But alas they have all vanished into obscurity fighting for a livelihood. Hawkers selling eucalyptus or lemon grass oil and safety pins etc. appeared to meet your needs at regular stations. They were the best sales men, using impeccable style of marketing, creating a crave for their goods.

      Usually the journey  came to an end by a ride in a horse ridden Governor’s cart relieving the fatigue unlike the one now in a ---- or  --- taxi .....dum dum pee pee  

NURUNGUKAL….

    Great calamities fall on you once in a lifetime. The deluge in August 2018 was one such. It occurred suddenly, unexpectedly without any warning. A rare phenomenon, but this time it was the ultimate result of tampering our Mother nature for the pleasure of human beings. It is more or less an alarm to stop the plunder. If the victims ignore the warning more disaster is in store.

     Any way, it is nearly two and half month since all of us experienced the disaster. Even now we are struggling to tide over the aftermath. May be that we might have managed to develop a frame work for ameliorating the loss. But it is in the administrative or official domain, the process is still shy to reach the grass root.

    But amidst this dark clouds there seems to be a beacon imparting a ray of warmth to the dairy farmers. It is emanating from a solo performer. She is none other than our energetic dairy extension officer Madam Harsha. She has given soucur to many a farmer, by gifting cows free of cost. “Donate a cow” is a benevolent gesture  developed in her young mind, prompting many from different walks of life, which by now has become our hope. This young officer has shown her merit in conceiving and implementing a project by cost consciousness and constant awareness of her social responsibilities. I hope that this may be another golden feather in her meritorious service and many more to add in future. Madam, proceed undeterred in your path, with more vigour and vision, because you are a winner always …………