P.K. John Vakil, believed in the power of education, he identified, in his nephew, my grandmother’s first cousin, T. M Varghese, the courage to serve mankind.
He took charge of his education, got him to become a lawyer and brought him to Kollam to practice as his junior.
Most of the politician’s in Kerala chose law as a profession. Something I always wondered why?
P. K. John Vakil, made sure, his nephew’s home was built across the pond where he lived, in Thevally, Kollam, if he catapults a stone it would knock on his nephew’s wooden window and wake him any time of the night.
T. M. Varghese was a brave, wise and skilled leader, a freedom fighter whose name is written in golden letters in the history of Kerala and Kollam. A fearless human who believed in people power. Kerala’s political history had great stalwarts and I take great pride in remembering his defiance against injustice and his will power to lose anything he possessed for the sake of the people.
I am quoting his words as told by my elders, how he addressed a gathering after the great Mr. C. Kesavan was released from jail “In the name of and on behalf of the 5.1 lakhs of people of Travancore, I accord with pleasure, a hearty welcome to the most-self-sacrificing individual C. Kesavan.
He was indeed a people person.
T. M. Varghese Appachen lost the positions he held, in the organization, he started and built, but that didn’t make him budge. He moved on, became Home Minister, He was the first speaker of Travancore- Cochin Legislature Assembly, and he quit politics few years before he passed away in 1961.
Amma being one of his favorite nieces visited Appachen frequently with Appa and me as a baby, there was a lot of guidance and support he gave to people around and Amma and Appa were very fortunate to be one of them.
Appachen’s eldest Son Kunjukuttychayan was a lovable man, very witty, I remember him very well, he was tall, big built with a dark complexion and a fair mind.
He was very fond of my Amma and Appa and continuing the legacy of his great father, he took earnest interest in my parent’s wellbeing. He was in charge of National Medical Stores and National Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of Allopathy medicine. The outlet for retail was smack opposite District Hospital, Quilon, which was just a stone’s throw from St. Josephs Convent. He was always willing to support, and gave my Amma’s youngest sister, whom I fondly call Molas, her first work experience.
I am not sure of others of my age, but many of us, were admitted to school by a relative or a neighbor who had spare time. My parents didn’t have time to come all the way to get me admitted and it was not a die-hard situation like current times. There weren’t any unhealthy competitions and apprehensions.
It was just a matter of progression, every tiny tot from Missy’s kindergarten walked through the gates of St. Josephs Convent, without a glitch. All you needed was someone to hold your hand and take you through the gate and drop you in front of the office room. There would be a simple questionnaire to fill in fathers, mothers, child’s name, address, date of birth. I am proud to say it was my aunt Molas who deposited me in my school on her way to work next door as
Beena Abraham, and I remain so, till date.
Believe me I have noticed so many of my friends having 2 birthdays, names spelt weird, and sir names messed up to such an extend, by the time, they reach the master stroke of SSLC, many corrections had to be made.
It is absolutely thrilling to remember my elders, family of both my parents, neighbors, friends with whom I had the opportunity to live with, grow with and learn from.
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