There are many doctors in our family, but the two Mammen's, their wives, and Ammnikochamma (Dr. Mrs. Lukose) have played great roles in the well being of the entire family. Our long lives today are the testament to their care of all of us.
We celebrate today the 75th birthday of Dr. K. C. Mammen (Bapukuttychayan), pediatrician of international standing, who still practices in Kerala.
Vellore was his base for many years till he moved to head a hospital near Cochin, and then on to final retirement from outside work to his own clinic in Kottayam.
Son of my eldest uncle on the Kandathil side, the late K. M. Cherian, Bapukuttychayan was present when Valliappachen passed away.
My own mother was calling for him when she went into a coma in March 2000 when I was at her side. In the last stages of her life in Chennai, she would not change her medicine intake until she had spoken to Bapukuttychayan, whichever part of the world he was in.
Bapukuttychayan has been doctor to our entire family, and when he was not there, we had his dear wife, Kunjukochamma to depend on. Annikki and I remember him when he calmed us with his cool and no panic approach at several family gatherings when our children developed all sorts of illnesses!!
I could write volumes on my dear cousin, but at this stage it suffices to wish him a wonderful 75th bithday and hope he has many many more.
A special toast to you, my dear cousin, from Annikki and myself.
Friday, March 04, 2005
75 today, Happy Birthday Dr. Mammen
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Jaakko's photography from Norway
As I mentioned that our elder son, Jaakko, is a great photographer, a number of you had asked for examples of his work. Over the next few weeks I will blog a few of his best shots.
Like Rahul, who appears to work especially with still life, Jaakko's love was nature, landscapes and humour. He tried his hand at some digital compositions on the computer, but did not like to get stuck in front of the dumb station. He did create a few masterpieces, but was not satisfied with his output, so he gave up.
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Wednesday, March 02, 2005
A correction from Georgie
Georgie, the former Technical Director of MRF, and a regular correspondent, had a small correction to make about my story about Kochappachen.
"Thank you for the wonderful descrption of what has
happened at MRF, some years back. But one correction.
800 and 3000 tyres mean nothing in tyre industry. It is
the tonnage that differentiates one tyre factory from another.
For example, 3000 scooter tyres may be equivilanet to 50
or 60 truck tyre or 2 off the road tyre. It is the tonnage
that brings in money. You pay for raw materials in tonnage
and price is roughly related to tyre weight. To explain it
more simply, when T.Thomas left, the turnover/ year was
around Rs. 50 crores. When I took over it was 100 crores.
This was taken up to 2400 crores when I left. You can see
the difference, when you count things in numbers and
tonnage. regards georgy"
Truly an outstanding performance to jump from Rs. 1000 million (Euro 20 million) to Rs. 24000 million (Euro 480 million). That was only one factor that made Georgie, in my mind, one of the greats in the history of MRF. There were other contributions made by Georgie, such as the establishment and organisation of Devon Machines to produce tyre moulds, and an exceptional story about the levels of imports to set up the Goa factory.
I was in Delhi when Kochappachen arrived to meet the Directorate General of Technical Development (DGTD), to discuss the imports required to set up the Goa factory. Dunlop was also setting up a similar size facility. They had had a meeting the day before with the DGTD. They presented plans and the level of imports of machinery was some astronomical figure - Rs 100 million (Euro 2 million), if I remember correctly.
So when Kochappachen went to meet DGTD and presented an import request which was less than a tenth of what Dunlop had demanded, DGTD was extremely suspicious of the MRF plan.
I was quite close with some of the DGTD technical people at that time. In the evening, when we were together at the Guest House, Kochappachen was looking troubled, and explained his worries.
I rang one of my friends. I explained to him that MRF had no interest in importing machinery at high prices as they had no interest in making money on machinery brought from outside India. Dunlop had its own machinery suppliers (sister companies) in the UK which required profitability levels of theirs to be met.
Although sceptical about my explanation, it was accepted.
The real reason for the low import request from MRF was that Georgie had started an indigenisation programme which was extremely successful.
But returning to the discussion about production figures, my comment was when there was just one factory (MRF now has at least 5 production centres that I know of) and the company was struggling to keep that going to just break even on costs. There were no scooter tyres being produced that I can remember. There were only a marginal number of car tyres being produced, as there were severe quality problems. The bulk of the production was truck tyres. Whatever production planning tried, they could not get the output up to levels to reach what was understood as break even production.
Again, if my memory serves me right, the break even was then calculated at around Rs 400 million (Euro 8 million) for the one factory, not counting the financial contribution from the extremely profitable retread compound production, which was actually what was then keeping the tyre factory afloat. MRF held over 50% share of the market for retread compound at that time.
I replied Georgie thus:
"Dear Georgie,
Thanks for the correction. I will add a note later today.
I do remember making a calculation based on the product
mix for different years. That was in 1969 December - was
it Mr Ramana who was in the factory then?
I traced the production figures for each month over the
years and that was why those figures stuck in my mind.
I was looking at the packaging and other materials
requirements at that time. I also remember doing some
calculations based on the tube production.
However that was so long ago and I moved away from
tyres to plastics, that I just forgot that part of my work at
MRF!!
I stand corrected.
Regards
Sushil"
Two years ago we lost an outstanding human being
He changed the lives of many thousands of people by his open and humouristic, yet thoughtful and understanding of life in general.
K. M. Mammen Mappillai (Kochappachen), youngest son of K. C. Mammen Mappillai, the man who founded MRF with seven of his brothers, his sister and one sister-in-law who lost her husband at an early age, ran the company in a most humane manner. Despite every possible hurdle, he drove it to the top of all Indian tyre companies.
Besides being the leader of a corporate giant, he was also an accomplished artist. It was this tenderness that dominated his handling of people. This photograph of a painting by Kochappachen of the family home on the island of Kuppaparam, in the backwaters near Alleppy / Kottayam in Kerala, raises nostalgic memories of my childhood days swimming in those "crocodile" infested waters. We used to swim only in the area near the far left of the picture where was the washing room on the waterfront. (Those were indeed dreamy days.)
He was ably assisted by his wife's brother, Kurian George (Georgie, to me), who retired recently from his post as Technical Director. His other brother-in-law, my father, Kuriyan Matthan, assisted him by giving him non-family oriented professional advice, whenever asked, and getting him the services of some of the best engineers (for example, Mr. S. K. Rao and Mr. C. P. J. Diaz) to help in setting up the company in its early years.
When the company was struggling for financing, it was the father of my Bombay Cathedral School classmate, Elijah Elias (Ooky), who had just taken charge of Corporate Financing of State Bank of India in Bombay, that came forward and trusted MRF and the family and provided the crucial funding necessary to set the company on its course. Kochappachen never forgot that help and always made it a point to remember Mr. Elias and his closeness to the family as was seen in the friendship I have had with Ooky for almost 50 years. Ooky probably never even probably knew this till much later in life. I remember his father quizzing me on all the aspects of the tyre company and our family when he was discussing the funding of MRF. In this process, the late Mr. K. C. Mathulla, who had a way of dealing diplomatically with all people, played a very critical role.
It was Kochappachen's elder brother, Mr. K. M. Philip (Peelukuttychayan), who was instrumental in setting up the collaboration with a small US tyre company, Mansfield Tire & Rubber Company of USA, in Akron, Ohio, owned by James Hoffman, so as to start the tyre divsion of MRF, which till then was dominating the Indian field in rubber compound for tyre retreading. The story has it that Peelukuttychayan met Mr. Hoffman in a YMCA and from there on the friendship blossomed into the formation of the Joint Venture.
After the starting of the company, when production problems were being faced, the family brought in Mr. T. Thomas, son-in-law of another brother, the late Mr. K. M. Eapen (Eapachayan), who with his organisational management skill helped streamline the company. A tyre company consists of 7 indepndent operational streams and it is necessary to co-ordinate them perfectly to get the overall production to grow. At the time Thomas came in, the company was stuck at a level of 800 tyres per day. He helped to organise it so as to take the production to 3000 tyres per day - the breakthrough which brought MRF on par with the other tyre companies which were then operating in India - the multinationals Dunlop, Firestone and Goodyear, whose only interest at that stage was to see the collapse of this Indian owned and managed company. This reduced production cost and brought the company on the road to profitability.
T. Thomas was over-ambitious, wanting to become the Technical Director and eventually, Managing Director, of the company. So, it was necessary to part company after he set the company on its course. At this stage a major family crisis developed as Thomas was the son-in-law of a respected brother. It was my mother, who was loved to the skies by all her brothers, who firmly held the brothers together and ensured that this problem did not result in the collapse of the family which would have led to the ultimate demise of MRF.
Thomas did not do so badly, however. He was the first person who was ever re-employed by Hindustan Lever, going on to become the Chairman of that company and then a Board Member of Unilever Headquarters in London. He knew how to play the rat race game!!
There were many who contributed to the growth of MRF. Among them I would count my very dear friend, the late Prem Sadanand, who came in from Borosil Glass Ltd. as the Staff Assistant to the Managing Director, and the late Mr. N. P. Abraham, who came in from the Marketing Division of the drug giant, Sandoz Ltd. These two people earned the trust of Kochappachen to a degree that I saw in none other. They disagreed with him on many issues, but he knew that they always had the interest of the company at heart when they gave him advice. That, he respected above all.
At a most crucial stage of the company much later, Kochappachen's late son, Ravi Mammen, a product of the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in Bombay, with a very socialistic vision of management, turned around the company from its major problems, especially labour and corporate image. He helped break the stranglehold of the destabilising unions, interested only in their power and least interested in what the workers welfare, with his very direct and honest approach.
The company is now being ably captained by Kochappachen's eldest son, Vinoo Mammen, and his youngest son, Arun Mammen.
In his lifetime, Kochappachen set up the company so that it was professional management combined with love and affection, which is only possible in a family managed company, that was the basic principle of running this great company.
Above all, he insisted on quality.
Kochappachen had the patience to listen to advice from everyone, small and big, and used that information to ensure that the company benefited from it.
Let it not be thought that the other brothers, whom I have not named, the late Mr. K. M. Cherian, the late Mr. K. M. Oommen, the late Mr. K. M. Varghese Mappillai and Mr. K. M. Mathew, were sleeping partners in the process of creation and running of MRF. They were crucial pins in the development of MRF. One day, maybe in the future, I will reveal some of the intricate past and the roles of each of these in building this corporate giant, as only I know it from an objective viewpoint.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Launch of the Electric Scooter in Bangalore
My dear friend and super international inventor and developer Anil Anathakrishna has just informed me of the successful commercial launch of the EkoVehicles Electric Scooter in Bangalore. This petrol-less vehicle is similar to the one that I used and tested last year in Oulu. You will find a picture of my scooter, the yellow one, in the gallery. It is light weight, handled beautifully and gave great performance in terms of battery life.
During testing my youthful helper, Jussi Roberts, who drove it rough in the forests near Oulu, Finland, was able to isolate several minor problems related to the hardware. These have been ironed out in the model now launched in India. The vehicle has beautiful control from the lowest of speeds right through to top speed. A novice can master driving this scooter in 1 minute!!
The launch was attended by many political big wigs as Shri M. MALLIKARJUNA KHARGE, Honourable Minister for Water Resources & Transport, Shri P. G. R. SINDHIA, Honourable Minister for Industries and Infrastructure, Government of Karnataka, Shri Om Prakash, Commissioner of Transport, Shri Bhooma Manay, Chairman of Pollution Control Board and Shri Mulka Govinda Reddy, Former Member of Parliament.
Anil can be seen in the far right of the photograph, while another old and good friend, Bhooma Manay, is seen standing next to him.
It is especially important to mention that the launch of this pollution free electric scooter has been greatly assisted by the Bridgittine Order of Roman Catholic Missionary in Bangalore, with The Mother Superior and the sisters supporting Anil's endeavour to promote pollution consciousness.
Anil has reported that the response was phenomenal and they have appointed 8 dealer outlets for Bangalore alone.
My prediction, based on my own personal experience with my scooter, is that production will be unable to keep pace with demand!! I am eagerly looking forward to driving my revamped scooter around Oulu later this year.
"Shoes" by Rahul Matthan
I had unprecented compliments regarding the photograph by Rahul called "Oranges". Rahul has permitted me to blog some of his best photographs. Here is another extraordinary photograph by Rahul. The composition is just superb.
I asked Rahul what equipment he uses. He says that the present photos he has uploaded have been taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5700. This is a compact, lightweight digital still camera with 5.0 effective megapixels. It has been accepted by advanced amateurs, digital enthusiasts as well as semi-professional photographers who demand high performance in every aspect of photography, as well as an air of sophistication. The body is made of magnesium (Mg) alloy. The camera's ergonomic, easy-grip design ensures secure handling and comfortable operation. The Vari-angle LCD monitor and the EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) with its good frame coverage combine to offer total convenience in every shooting position. Features such as 5-area Multi Autofocus and various exposure metering settings satisfy conventional camera users. The Coolpix 5700 has an auto pop-up Speedlight. It also features an accessory shoe for attachment of an external Speedlight when more lighting is necessary. Multiple capture modes can be selected, including the RAW image (NEF format) recording mode for untouched image quality, and movies with audio for up to 60 seconds. It has a built-in speaker, making instant confirmation playback of movies possible. Features like the Noise Reduction Mode, Saturation Control and White Balance Bracketing help to improve image quality.
Cash Sense in the Matthan family?
Grandma and Grandpa are very proud of their absolutely gorgeous granddaughter, Asha.
Asha is extremely talented, being, at the age of 7, an accomplished violist, progressing well with her ballet (see her clutching her Swan Lake video) and doing extremely well in developing her piano skills.
With a professional, her father Chris, as her mentor, she has to work harder than most others!! :-)
Chef Chris is in the background.
I just received an update from daughter, Susanna, that their family is being featured this month on BBC Radio Lincolnshire as part of a campaign just launched called Cash for a Month. Susanna was on radio this morning.
It is reckoned people spend a third more when they use credit cards. So the idea is simple - sign up to use cash only for your everyday shopping during the month of March.
The organisers will follow them from time to time to see how they are getting on. They are planning to use only cash all month for all their shopping (leaving all utility payments as normal on direct debits etc), petrol, etc.
Susanna says that it is quite a challenge, but they really looking forward to it.
The campaign was launched yesterday outside the Bank of England.
Annikki and I do not use credit cards for anything and have not done so for over 10 years. We can vouch for the fact that money goes a long long way more when one follows this rule. No impulsive purchases, number one.
My 80,000 friends!!
One of my corresponents (who shall remain unnamed) wrote to me
"Dear Jacob,
Even I would have 80,000 friends if I forwarded all the e-mails I got to every one I know !!
Just kidding.
Somehow, I prefer a more personal approach, more one-on-one-- too shy to have my mails all over the place."
Actually, I rarely forward emails unless there is a specific purpose
to be served.
I replied thus to my correspondent:
Hi,
What you say is absolutely true that the number of contacts
could grow by forwarding emails, but in my case there is a slight
difference (and my fault) in that I get personally involved with all
the people I deal with.
For instance this is an email I got yesterday from my a Finnish and
a Hungarian friend whom I introduced day-before-yesterday to a
Mumbai couple:
"Hi!
Had dinner last night with Ashok and Malathi, and they
invited us to stay with them already on the phone
before they had met us. .......
Today, we will call Fazila at 4 pm and we should meet
her tonight unless something came up. Malathi asked us
to invite her for dinner at their's tonight as well,
so we will call and ask to see if that is ok.
They are really great people and thank you for linking
us up (ildi's words)."
You see how it works.
All my worldwide friends are great and wonderful people and I
always try to link the right types, knowing each person's
background and character.
That cannot be done by only forwarding emails!!!
When I started "Findians Briefings" as a free hard copy in-house
journal, it was just for a few hundred Finnish and Indian
businessmen interested in trade between the two countries.
Within three months it had snow-balled into 7000 copies
which I could no longer afford to produce it as hard copy.
That was why I started putting it on internet.
Within a year the readership was in 90 countries and covered
over 50,000 people!! And it grew and grew. I was producing it
from my attic with an obsolete Mac PowerBook.
When I launched Seventh Heaven and Kooler Talk, it again
blew up out of all proportions.
The secret was personal "nostalgic involvement" (and it still is).
Plus it is a close one-to-one relationship with my audience which
involves a 24 hour reply and action cycle. Some contact me once a
year, some as often as two or three times a week. Their husbands /
wives, children, grandchildren, are all important to them (and me).
Again to give an instance, Shallu, mother of Rohit and Rahul read the
blog, got her 90 year old mother involved, generating a huge
audience from Madras and Bangalore. Now Rahul's photography
is on the blog. Within a few hours I had readers clamouring for more.
I posted the short note about Rohit's wife's (Kavita's) book "Brahmins
and Bungalows : Travels Through South Indian History by
Kavita Watsa" . That has generated an enormous response
from people I had never heard of before yesterday!!
To give you a couple of examples that you would be more familiar
with: How else would I have stepped in and taken care of Sadhana's
daughter, and her relationship leading to marriage with a Finn, even
though I have never met Sadhana in my life? Or why would I search
and locate Barbara Rossi for Gracie as I have never personally met
Gracie in my life (knowingly)? Both Sadhana and Gracie are part of
my absolutely lovely personally unmet friends, but we know each
other intimately through our correspondence!!!
In the old days it used to be called "pen-pals" whom I have termed
as "e-pals".
When I wrote the article "Greed : Missile of Black Gold", I had
literally hundreds of people all over the world (professors to
housewives) who were saved from losing large amounts of money
and life in the Nigerian Scam. All of these people have become
dear friends even though I do not "know them from
Adam"!!!
When my domain name in Canada collapsed, there was utter
chaos, but now it is slowly getting back to normal as I restore
normal communications with this circle of "friends". (JM:
This has proven to be the most difficult of the tasks that I have
ever undertaken.)
There are hundreds of journalists and writers that I know who send
out automated replies when people write to them about their
articles. I have never done that, so that is why my circle of friends
and readers is so large and growing. Of course I get criticism,
but I answer them with a principled answer which may conflict
with the opinions of the correspondent. But we soon agree to
disagree and remain friends. (Unless of course it is so blatant
as in the bizarre exchange of e-correspondence with the
"educated" American!!)
What is the secret behind Malayala Manorama and its immense
readership? My grandfather's personal involvement with his
audience, something I learnt from him in the 50s!!
It is a philosophy which is built into the organisation and does
not depend on who is in charge today. Rajen, Thambi and Chacko
are really introverts, but Malayala Manorama continues to grow
because of a philosophy laid down in its early years which has
remained unchanged.
Regards
Jacob
Monday, February 28, 2005
Oranges by Rahul Matthan
I have to say that I have found another Matthan with a great talent for photography. Not only is Rahul (son of Anand and Shallu Matthan) an outstanding lawyer, but I am greatly honoured that he asked me to view his photo collection on flickr.com.
I was astounded at the quality, the blending of composition and colour.
Our son, Jaakko, is one who has this quality and talent that he inherited from his mother, Annikki.
I chose just one of Rahul's photographs to show with such a simple subject as a collection of oranges he has brought out depth and feeling!!
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Doubt! Now I am reconsidering a decision..
My daughter, Joanna does not believe that I have over 80,000 personal friends around the globe. She says that it is impossible to remember 80,000 individual names and intricate details of their lives.
Although I have never met most of these 80,000 and more people, each one is closely entwined in my daily life in numerous ways. And many of their lives are entwined in ways that even they do not know - till they discover it on my blog!!!
I was seriously considering splitting my blog based on the interest groups. Joanna also told me yesterday that I was long-winded on my blog. That is a matter of debate as Omenakochamma from Bangalore wrote:
"Thanks for the update. It sure feels good seeing all the details recorded not only for the information of today's generation but also for posterity. We sure need to thank you for this - THANK YOU!"
Then she added:
"Stories of yours are very interesting. I do hope many more will write in!"
Joanna, on the other hand, wants me to write my thousands of stories as children's stories, and little Samuel wants to illustrate them for me - he is a great computer artist at the age of 8!! He certainly would do them justice.
Then, when I received Cathedrlaite 69er Shyla Bogla's email late this evening, I have had to seriously reconsider this line of thought. She wrote:
Hi Jacob,
It's such a small world...
I have a friend in Poona, Jehangir, (also class of 69) who knows
Gopa who is in Finland now. I remember you writing about
her on your site.
Earlier this month we returned from Kerala, after attending Riyad
and Keya's wedding.
The Tharakans are dear friends...
this too I read about via you, reference the Mathews!
Regards,
Shyla
I have sent this reply to her and to several others:
Hi Shyla,
Small world indeed - I think we are all living in the same 50 foot
square compound called EARTH!!! :-)
Riyad's dad, Thambi, is my cousin and a Stephanian.
Abe is also my yearmate from St. Stephen's!! (I don't have Abe's
email address, so do send him a copy if you can or send him my blog address!)
I do not know Abe's kids as yet, unfortunately, although they are
now my nieces!
You may have seen a picture of Thambi and Bina (from my archives)
on my blog, as also his elder brother, Rajen, with Clinton, when I
blogged about him getting the Padma Bushan. I am waiting for a
picture of him receiving the Padma Bushan from the Indian
President earlier this year!
On the blog there is a youthful picture of Thambi's dad (my
mother's younger brother Padma Bushan K. M. Mathew) at the
wedding of another Cathedralite, Sen Philip, 53er, which also
shows 58er Dr. Peter Philip (also a Stephanian) in the corner.
Gopa Haikkonen (daughter of 54er Cathedralite Sadhana (née Shah)
Madhusadan) is my foster daughter in Finland - speak to her often
as she adjusts to life in this torrid (wonder whether I can really use
that word) climate!!
In fact, Gopa rang me yesterday morning to discuss some
aspects of life and other common friends (Malathi and
Ashok (Dr.) Khembhavi) in Mumbai whom I had introduced
to her mother, 54er Sadhana. I spoke to Malathi and Ashok
yesterday as my dear friends Ilari Sohlo, from Finland, and
girlfriend Ildiko Hämos, from Hungary, are going to meet
today as they land in Mumbai after travelling overland from
Hungary, through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan!
Ilari used to write a great column for my now being revamped
online web fortnightly Findians Briefings. Ilari was a classmate
of my daughter, Joanna, when they did their Masters in English
Philology from Oulu University.
Ashok has been a doctor who has been selflessly working in
the Dharavi slums for years and years, still charging Rs. 10 to
Rs. 20 to treat a patient!!! Malathi loves Finland as she spent
a year here looking after a physically handicapped young man.
All of us in Finland love her immensely.
She and her sister, Lalitha, originate from my hometown,
Bangalore, are close friends of the Indian supermind, Anil
Ananthakrishna, also from Bangalore, who for almost 40 years
has been developing the electric vehicle, and is the brains
behind the petrolless Electric Scooter, which is being
launched all over the world by many different groups!!
In Finland this is being done by a former Motor Cross
Champion driver, Jussi Kynsilehto, right here
from my present home town, Oulu, using the "Solifer"
brand name, which is like using the "Bullet" brand
name in India. Jussi has a great sense of humour as he has threatened
to call a forthcoming model as "(Harley) Jacobson"
Just invited Gopa to get the gmail email address as yahoo
and hotmail are no match to what google is offering. Also
I am persuading Gopa to install Skype so we can talk more
frequently at no cost.
54er Sadhana (Gopa's mom in Pune) has become a dear dear
friend and was instrumental in getting the 54er reunion
together in cooperation with Suhas Phadke and Gracie Hayeem.
I was so happy that they mentioned me on their reunion video!!
(I do understand that especially you helped them
considerably.) And through Gracie (in California, USA), the
circle got completed when I organised her reunion with
your classmate, Barbara Rossi, in Italy who was
in her kindergarten class!!!
And for all this I must say it was my "Seventh Heaven" web
page started way back in 1996 and that later reported the
tragic and early passing away of 54er Head Girl Pamela
Ballantine, which brought so many of different years of
Cathedralites together on my web page. That was because,
Aubrey, Pamela's younger brother, in Canada has been
online with me for several years.
Now, after your email, I am seriously wondering whether
I should split the blogs into my interest groups?
Maybe it is just my torrid (and here I use the word correctly)
political musings that should be split off?
Regards
Jacob
Fascinating letter from Shallu
When I wrote about Shallu's father, Dr. Nainan Varghese, I did not expect such a fascinating reply from her. She had sat her mother down in front of the computer and they had read through the blog. Her mother was in wonderment that we could communicate our thoughts and feelings and our treasured possessions of photographs so well through this medium.
As to the story about her father, Shallu said - what her father had told me was so typical of him.
I learnt that Shallu's mother and my mother had been classmates for a year at Women's Christian College, Madras. Shallu's mother then went to Madras Medical College. My mother had many a time mentioned Shallu's mother to me, but I never knew this part of the relationship.
Also, they were also fascinated to read my story about Basu John, who had been a close family friend of theirs.
Shallu's elder son, Rahul (a brilliant lawyer), Geeta's son Lalit (Geeta being the daughter of Babyappapen, younger brother of my father) and our daughter, and our younger daughter, Joanna, were born the same year in the same month - January 1971!!
I also learnt that Shallu's younger son's wife, Kavita, is a writer, having written the book
Brahmins and Bungalows : Travels Through South Indian History/Kavita Watsa. New Delhi, Penguin, 2004, vi, 290 p., (pbk). ISBN 0-14-303146-5.
Contents: Prologue: over the bungalow wall. I. The heart of Anglo-India: 1. Srirangapattana: the Isle of lost dreams. 2. Mysore: a large and handsome town. 3. Bangalore: the vanishing cantonment. II. Along the Arabian: 4. Padmanabhapuram: a palace made of wood. 5. Devbagh: beyond the realm of prose. 6. Goa: five hundred monsoons now. III. Coromandel colonies: 7. Madras: the forgotten fort. 8. Pondicherry: the empire that never was. 9. Tranquebar: day of the danes. IV. The temple trail: 10. Hampi: city of victory. 11. Mamallapuram: masons and Moonrakers. 12. Thanjavur: in the womb of the south. V. Kodaikanal: Epilogue: woodsmoke and roses.
"Kavita Watsa has been seeking new horizons ever since a mischievous great-uncle put her in a horse cart and took her to a Mysore arrack shop at an impressionable age. In this sparkling mosaic of South Indian travels, she treads roads ancient and modern, opens antique travelogues to see what others saw, and reminds us of the myriad peoples and forces that have shaped life south of the Vindhyas. With an almost Victorian sensibility for bends in the road and turns of phrase, Watsa presents a rich blend of landscapes and architecture--from monsoon-lashed Goa to a coast that inspired Tagore, from desolate Hampi to burgeoning Bangalore, from charming Pondicherry to sun-baked Tranquebar and beyond. Crowned by exquisitely rendered memories of the cool woods of Kodaikanal, Brahmins and Bungalows is a witty, elegant, loving portrait of a deeply cosmopolitan land."
The power of blogging is taking root. I promise I will split the blog into the various components within the next couple of weeks, so you do not have to wade through all the rubbish, as my rantings on politics, which is meant for another audience!!
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Samuel and Daniel with me
We, Anneli (Anniki's sister), Annikki and myself, just returned from a fabulous meal cooked by Joanna. We literally licked the platter clean. Even our very conservative grandson, Samuel (Samu), ventured to taste the Thai green curry, which was especially good. The tandoori chicken in gravy was delicious. There was a delicious fried vegetable dish and fresh salad. Sweet was chocolate eclairs, with nougat ice cream and hot toffee sauce.
I took several great photos and short videos, but the one alongside was not one which I just took. I will blog the ones I took later as my upload limit for Flickr.com for this month has been reached. I also have to learn how to blog a short video.
When Geordy George (from Deepika International, Kottayam) and Dr. Balakrishna Janardhana (Bala), Assistant Professor from the Department of Kannada Studies, University of Agricultural Sciences, in Hebbal, Bangalore, visited us earlier this month, Bala took a few pictures.
Here is one of Samuel, Daniel and me that I particularly liked.
It was kindly uploaded on Flickr.com by Geordy.
Thank you Bala.
Thanks to Shalu
One small story about Shallu's late father, who was one of the most famous haemotologist that India has ever known. He met me at a party one evening in Madras where my parents were also present. We were all standing together and my dear mother was ranting about how much dessert I was consuming and that I would soon become a diabetic like my dad.
Dr. Nainan Varghese chipped in and told my mom that I would never become a diabetic!!
Coming from such a renowned expert, I was taken aback, as were both my mom and dad. He went on to explain that as both my mom and dad were considerably shorter than me, I am 6 foot 2 and half inches (191 cm) while both of them were below 5 foot 6 inches, the level of inherent growth hormone in my system would always keep me from becoming a diabetic as I had the natural anti-dote.
We all laughed, but he was deadly serious, as he had made this a serious study and was convinced that the immense volume of data he had collected had no exceptions till that date!!
And, in truth, I have been a borderline diabetic for many many years. I have never reduced my sugar intake, usually in the form of chocolates, biscuts, ice creams, barfi, sweet curd, and every other delicious form of sweetmeat that I can lay my hands on (my mouth just waters when I think of carrot halwa, jelebi, gulab jamuns or a tin of condensed milk), and I remain as such, a borderline diabetic. The moment I do some gym work, within two days my blood sugar will fall well below the borderline!!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Bit late blogging today
Annikki's younger sister, Anneli, who lives near Helsinki, in a small town called Masala, has come for a long weekend. I had to go and pick her up at the station.
These two sisters are very close.
Anneli has two sons, both very accomplished musicians. The elder, Matias, completed his schooling from the Sibelius School For Music, has finished his compulsory army service, and is now going to train for a part in an Opera while waiting to join the next stage of his higher education after summer. Tuomas is also a very very talented musician, but has still a year and a half left to finish his High School. He specialises in the playing the Cello and also has an excellent voice.
Anneli, a trained Childrens' Teacher, heads a Government day-care centre in Masala and is also in charge of all the day-care centres, including those being run in private homes with the permisssion of the Government. She is glad to get a couple of days off to see her mother and sister, a long journey, as it is about 700 km from Masala to Oulu.
To give Annikki a chance to enjoy the time, we will have Joanna and family over for dinner this evening, which I will get from Michelle's Chinese Restaurant "The Royal Garden". Michelle is a family friend, a Chinese girl from Calcutta, whose food cooked for us, some of it super-spiced, is just great!!
This was the birthday cake that Annikki made for Michelle's son, Kachun for his 3rd birthday, a turtle just about to enter the sea from the seashore. Everything is edible, the rocks are toffee, and the water is clear jelly. The toffee forming the turtle's back was of special interest to all the kids, along with all the other sweets used as decoration. The head and feet of the turtle are the especially sought after licquorice sweets that children love.
One strange and unique factor about Annikki's fishes, which is a feature of her series called "Pond Cakes", is that they grow in size. They absorb the water from the jelly and literally grow!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Cross-written Postcards?
Ever since I picked up this postcard in Helsinki about 20 years ago, cross-written postcards which were older than 100 years became my obsession. I searched everywhere, but only found a couple more.
The writer was obviously trying to get more onto a postcard and hence save postage costs. In the process, a beautiful effect was created.
I asked antique dealer houses, Sotheby's and Philips, for valuations about 10 years ago. They said they had no price for these, as examples were rare.
Since this first piece, I have picked up a couple of Finnish ones, but not been able to locate any others from other countries. Antique postcard collectors in Canada have indicated that they have seen some across the Atlantic, and some Italian and French monks are said to have used this method.
However, no further examples have come to light.
The reason for collecting something is the challenge of finding what one is looking for. I found these very ordinary postcards had been turned into something quite beautiful. It was not the value that attracted me, as when I started collecting these, they were less than a Euro each. Now they are worth a few hundred Euro each.
So, although it does not give me any sleepless nights, I do look in antique shops wherever I go to try and find some of these rare postcards. And that is the fun of a hobby!!!
Thanks to Geordy
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Shall I talk about "great" cakes, like Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was Queen of France. She married the Crown Prince of France in 1770. In 1774 she became Queen of France when her husband was crowned as King Louis XVI.
We seem to be living in similar times. Marie Antoinette was executed on October 16th, 1793. There was no proof of any crimes by her. Something like the Bush regime these days when innocents are tortured and put to death with no proof of any crime being committed by them. Bush calls this "colateral damage"!!!
The famous phrase when Marie Antoinette supposedly told that the peasants who did not have any bread was "Let them eat cake." There is no proof that Marie Antoinette ever said this. It was used to build a case against her to ensure she was put to death in the Revolution. Something like Bush and Blair WMD claims?
I digress, as what I want to blog today is the birthday cake that Annikki made for our son-in-law, Christopher Rogers (Chris) who celebrated his 40th birthday just after Christmas in 2004.
Annkki called the cake "Symphony of Fire and Ice" as our son-in-law is a professional musician who has played with several British Orchestras (Bournemouth, Birmigham, etc.) when he has had the time. Presently, he is in charge of Strings Education for schools all over the County of Lincolnshire in UK.
The cake depicts ice atop a pine log and this melts into a V-shaped burning cut pine log. This burnng log is the traditional way that Finnish foresters keep warm in the forest when they burn the inside of the wooden log (a delicious swiss roll in this case). The log normally burns for a long long time, giving both heat and light in the icey cold winter forest.
The basic cakes under the decoration had to be made from a special mix as Chris is allergic to gluten.
The first picture shows the buring fire log. (Four candles to depict 40 years.)
Tthe second picture is a close up to show the melting ice as it drips water (actually, frozen fizzy lemonade), which wet and softened the dry cake, giving it taste and texture.
Everything was edible. The decorations are what one finds typically in a forest as pine needles (made from sweets) and berries - both the rare cloudberry (yellow) and the more common red berries, both real, in the snow, lovely thick cream. The brown pine logs were sponge cake (swiss rolls) which were thick chocolate cream coated - delicious!!!
Needless to say, the cake was not only delightful to look at, but also delicious to eat. It took a long time before anyone dared to put a knife to the creation, whereafter, it was devoured rapidly by a hungry appreciative crowd!!
Memories are made of this
With all my ranting on politics and my nostalgia for Cathedralites and Stephanian news, I still have time to rummage my old photos and live through of some of the memories that are generated. In doing so I came upon this picture:
One may claim that it just a picture of our two first born, Susanna and Jaakko, at their joint birthday party held in our home in Defence Officers Colony, Nandambakkam in November 1971.
This picture was taken by a friend (who was also related to me), the now late Dr. Basu John, who was the owner of a well-known photographic studio in Chennai called Klein and Peryl, who was photographed by Jaakko in 1999 relaxing in his home:
That's nice, one could claim - subject takes descriptive picture of photographer 28 years onward.
Jaakko also took a picture of the enlargement of 1971 photograph as it lay in the late Dr. Basu John's home in 1999. It was something that Basu John was very proud of.
Still no big deal one could say, till we look at the size of the enlargement and recall the history of the camera that took the original picure.
The original was taken a camera jointly developed by the late Dr. Basu John and myself in 1971, made out of black plastic pieces stuck together, with a lens and optics designed by the brilliant brain of the late Dr. Basu John, while the body and other plastic components were designed by me.
And our calculated market price of launching this camera as a mass produced item in 1972 had been estimated as Rs. 30 per piece, or less than Euro 0.50 (less than a dollar)!!
However, there was much beween the cup and the lip.
A little while later, as Dr. Basu John was sitting with me in my office in the house where the photograph was taken, there was a telephone call to him saying that his studio was on fire. He rushed to the studio. But it was just too late. Some parts of it had been gutted by the fire and all the development plans for this cheap camera had gone up in flames.
After this, neither Dr. Basu John nor I had any inclination to follow through this project.
However, just to be sure that our concepts had been right, Dr. Basu John enlarged the original negative to as large as was possible in his studio, just to see when the image would breakdown.
That is the image you see in Jaakko's photograph when he visited the late Dr. Basu John's home in 1999.
Even at this enormous enlargement, the photograph, even at the edges showed no sign of breaking up!!
The late Dr. Basu John was a great photographer, a wonderful brain as regards optics.
On this day, of no particular significance, I take my hat off and hang my head in remembrance of this outstanding member of the Malayali community of Madras / Chennai.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Some visitors having problems seeing all the blog entries
A few of you have emailed me that pictures and older blog entries seem to have vanished.
They have not vanished.
When you come to the blog, you are seeing what is known as the "Current Posts" page which shows just 10 or so of the most recent entries.
To see earlier entries you should click in the particular month in the Archives section which you find in the left sidebar. This will reveal all the posts of that month.
I am still trying to work out how I can show you an Index of posts. If I figure it out, and also sort of categorise each entry based on relevance, you will read about it here.
Cheers.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Nice joke and a personal twist
I had a visitor to Oulu, Geordy George, a couple of weeks ago. He is from Deepika International, part of the Rashtra Deepika Group. a publication group which is almost 117 years old. Geordy has become a family friend.
As you may know there is fierce rivalry between two Kottayam based newspaper group, Rashtra Deepika and the one owned by the Kandathil family to which I half belong, the Malayala Manorama.
Geordy sent me what I thought was a very nice joke which I reproduce below:
Hi
Who works for India ??????
The population of India is 100 crores
1,00,00,00,000; But 19 crores are retired.
-19,00,00,000: That leaves 81 crores do the work.
81,00,00,000: There are 25 crores in school,
-25,00,00,000: Which leaves 56 crores to do the work.
56,00,00,000: Of this there are 22 crores employed by the Central Govt,
-22,00,00,000: Leaving 34 crores to do the work.
34,00,00,000: 4 crores are in the Armed Forces,
-4,00,00,000: Which leaves 30 crores to do the work.
30,00,00,000: Take away from above total the 20 crores people work for
State Governments (State Government employees officially do not work!)
-20,00,00,000: And that leaves 10 crores to do the work.
10,00,00,000: Total unemployed are 8 crores
-8,00,00,000: And that leaves 2 crores to do the work.
2,00,00,000: At any given time there are 1.2 crore people in hospitals,
-1,20,00,000: Leaving 80 lakhs to do the work.
80,00,000: Now, according to Indian Statistical Institute,
there are 79,99,998 people in prisons throughout the country.
-79,99,998: That leaves just 2 people to do the work.......
2
You and me!!!
And currently YOU are sitting at your computer reading mails.
So I am the only person in our country who is working!
And that's why India is surviving!!!
Now, please go back and do your job because, for a change, I want to rest.
And I don't want India to suffer because of that.
Geordy
Geordy left his jaw wide open and I was prompted to reply:
Dear Geordy,
False logic.
I am sitting at my computer in Finland.
So who is that other second guy who is working?
Must be that guy in the Malayala Manorama!! :-)
Thanks for the laugh!!
Jacob, Oulu, Finland
Friday, February 18, 2005
Happy birthday Reenu
Join Annikki and me in wishing Reenu, wife of Rajive, who is the son of K.O. Kuriyan (Vellichayan) and Babykochamma, grandson of the late K. M. Oommens (Mambaltheappachen and Mambaltheammachi), a very very happy birthday.
Reenu and Rajive live in Kottayam near Velichayan and Babykochamma. His two brothers, Ashok Kuriyan and his wife, Meenu, and K. K. Mammen Mappillai (Prathap) and his wife, Geetha, live in Bangalore.
Sadly, no picture of Reenu on our archives, so will somebody help us fill this gap.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Happy birthday Susan
Annikki and I would like to wish Susan Kurian (née Verghese), daughter of Mammen Verghese (Thambachayan) and Annammakochamma from the Oopootil family, a very very happy birthday.
Susan is the wife of Prem Kurian. They live in Bangalore.
Susan is the granddaughter of the late Kandathil Mammen Verghese Mappilai and his wonderful and gracious wife, the late Thandammakochamma.
Sadly no picture in my archives of this one of the 5 beautiful sisters (Tara, Roshin, Mammy; Susan and Ashwathy) whom I count a great honour to be my nieces.
I am sure all of you will join me in wishing her many more such birthdays in years ahead.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Dewan Bahadur Kuriyan Matthan site updated
Thanks to all the inputs, I have updated the Dewan Bahadur Kuriyan Matthan website.
The site of his father which links to all his brothers and sisters and their Families will be updated shortly.
Bookmark the sites for your convenience. Do send me photographs that can be used on these sites.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Today will be put to rest a person I can never forget
Although I met this gentleman only a couple of times, in 1975, he is one I will never forget. He oozed with character and love for his fellow human beings. He was the sweetness equal to the product he represented as his classification in Rotary - confectionary manufacturing.
His visiting card, which I have faithfully preserved for the last 20 years, shows his character.
Rolf Klärich passed away on the 20th of January 2005.
He is the only Finn to have served as the President of Rotary International. He held his term during 1980-81.
His theme for his Presidency was "Take Time To Serve".
"1980-81 Rotary International President Rolf J. Klärich (confectionary manufacturing), Rotary Club of Helsinki- Helsingfors, Finland.
Rotary vision: That its members Take Time to Serve - any time, anywhere - and make the organisation work.
"The time we take to serve those who need us can be the turning point, not only in their lives but also in our own."
- Take Time to Serve, THE ROTARlAN, July 1980"
He was born in Oulu on 5th February 1922. A Rotarian since 1953, Klärich was a member of the Rotary Club of Helsinki-Helsingfors. He started his Rotary life as a member of the Merikoski Rotary Club in Oulu and he twice served as the Governor of the Northern Region of Finland.
He also served Rotary International as vice president, director, Foundation trustee and trustee chair, district governor, International Assembly group discussion leader, information institute counselor, group discussion leader, and committee member and chair.
Klärich, a retired confectionary manufacturer, held several civic and industrial organization offices.
For his service as British consul of Finland's Oulu Province and his work to promote international understanding, the former Rotary International President was made an Honorary Officer of the Order of British Empire. He served as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of the English Club of Oulu, the august position which my better half, Annikki, held several years later.
Klärich is survived by his wife, Katarina (Käthy), and daughters, Veronica, Yvonne, and Birgitta. A memorial service will be held for family and close friends at the Old Chapel in Helsinki today when he will be laid to rest.
Condolences may be sent to the family at Välskarinkatu 7 A 4, FIN 00260 Helsinki, Finland.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Interesting article on S. M. Krishna, Governor of Maharashtra
S. M. Krishna (SM) crossed my path about the time he was appointed as Industries Minister in the Karnataka Government.
We have a common friend, C. Raghunatha Reddy and his wife Gaythri, who were very anxious for S. M. Krishna to meet this young brash consultant who was making a name for himself in India.
On several occasions from the Cellulose Acetate factory in Mandya to many other confidential matters, I had the opportunity to meet and discuss with SM, both during his tenure in the Karnataka Government and then when he moved to the Centre in New Delhi.
When I finally made up my mind to leave India due to several parallel circumstances, I felt that I should inform SM of my decision.
He had just been appointed as Minister of State for Industry in the Central Government. While wishing him well in his new post, I explained to him the reasons for my decision to leave India for good.
I have preserved his reply:
The handwritten scrawl at the bottom reads: "PS. I hate to see you go......"
There is an interesting article Governor Krishna settles into the 'City of Dreams' about this upstanding politician who has very gradually moved up the ladder, safely and surely, and is now at his pinnacle as the Governor of the State of Maharashtra.
I would like to wish him well and hope he can now relax from those chores that he had to do during his political life. He can enjoy his tenure in my second home city.
He may remember his infamous statement when he addressed the Karnataka Assembly and said that jobs in Karnataka should be reserved for the "sons of the soil".
I threw this back at him shortly after he made that speech. I asked him at that time that as my grandparents originated from Kerala and one had become the First Member (Prime Minister) of his state, then known as Mysore, as I had been born there and had my first wonderful 11 years of my life in the State of my birth, as I had then moved to Bombay and studied there for 5 years, where I had been totally at home, as I had done my University in Delhi for 3 years, again a fabulous city, as I had moved to England to my higher studies, work and got married to a Finn, all in the space of 7 years, following which I was living in Madras, when he made his statement, which "son of the soil" was I?
SM had replied that what he said did not apply to people of my stature in society.
I had retorted that any statement made by such a powerful and educated man, such as himself, should never discriminate between people based on caste, creed, colour, religion or place of birth!!
And now, here is SM in my third home State, a State I love greatly, Maharashtra, as its Governor - "son of the soil" SM?
I am very distressed today...
so, I am not going to write about what I should write about!! (Maybe tomorrow, when I get my anger under control.)
Instead, I am going to show you some of Annikki's gingerbread creations of December 2004. The creations were totally and completely edible. And we have eaten them.
It is what Annikki calls "Biodegradable Edible Art".
The first photograph shows Annikki in the process of creating one of her masterpieces. In this, the light which lit up the straw in the barn is visible.
And here was the outcome for grandson, Samuel, but I was not able to include the lights showing in this particular photograph. Note one of the several implements on the ground. The red moon is hiding in the hills. the grass is string green sweet.
Annikki then just had to make another one for our granddaughter, Asha, who visited us over Christmas.
The red lights create the impression of the fireplace. The tent was made out of rolled marzipan. In an earlier year she had made it out of rice paper. The stream around the wigwam is made from melted sugar. The rocks are black and brown toffee sweets.
And finally, she recreated a gingerbread flowerpot, which had been a great hit many years ago, but this time she embellished it with a lighted candle!!
The flowerpot, leaves and the flower stems are made from gingerbread. The pot is filled with a cake mix, which could be watered with fruit juice from a watering can! And the tulip flowers are sweets fashioned by Annikki's artistic flair.
They were all delicious - (and anger management has succeeded)!!!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
News of a Maliyakal Wedding and another Kandathil birthday...
Our cousin, Rana, from Calgary has informed me about the engagement of his daughter, Nidhi.
If you are in the vicinity of Calgary this August, Rana and Beena would like to invite you to attend the wedding.
Rana and Beena wrote
"Sushilchayan,
Trust you and family are keeping well. Beena and me were reading today your blog and found it very informative and interesting. In fact your friend Abe's brother, Suresh Tharakan, and Jose Vellapally's cousin, Markos Abraham, and me stayed together in YMCA Bangalore in 1972-77.
I am attaching a picture of our eldest daughter, Nidhi, along with her finacé, Anoop, taken on their engagement in Calgary. The wedding is planned for Aug 27th 2005 in Calgary.
Anoop and his parents belong to Bangalore and live now here.
Nidhi is the eldest great granddaughter of Late Mr. K. Jacob and great-grandniece of Late Dewan Bahadur K. Mathan.
Regards,
Rana & Beena Jacob"
Yes, indeed, Nidhi is a Maliyakal.
You can see the details of the Maliyakal family at my web site which was created with a lot of help from many Maliyakal's around the world. Please correct any wrong facts on this site by emailing me or provide me with additional facts if you have any!! Pictures would be very welcome.
I am sure many would love to know more about Anoop and his parents.
Anoop, may I congratulate you on getting such a beautiful partner, and Nidhi, this tall and handsome young man is really a great asset to have at your side.
Annikki and I wish you all the very best - and if there is a glimmer of hope for us to get some time off, we would love to get to Calagary for your wedding.
Annikki and I would like to wish Mammy, daughter of Thambachayan (Mammen Varghese) and dearest wife of my good friend, Anian (K. P. Philip), a very very happy birthday.
Sadly, no picture of Mammy in my files!! I am sure Anian will help out by sending me some family snaps soon.
Mammy and Anian live in Singapore. There is some chance that they may move to Brussels, which should mean we may see them here in Oulu!!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Remember him fondly and with respect
Annikki and I quietly remember her father, Matti, who passed away 4 years ago, today.
A God-fearing man, a simple but truly accomplished carpenter, was much more than a father to me during all my years in Finland. He understood the true meaning of the word "love" and "neighbour".
May his soul rest in peace!!
Recognise this "Birthday Boy" en route his wedding ceremony?
I wonder how many will recognise this nervous handsome young man and his helpers on his wedding day?
Senchayan (Mammen Philip), a brilliant Cambridge economist, and part of a family of renowned economists comprising of his father, K. M. Philip (Peelukuttychayan) and Dr. Peter Philip (Suresh) finished his college from Madras Christian College, Tambaram before joining Cambridge University, UK.
Didn't he look smart? Today, he still remains cool and smart as he celebrates his 67th birthday.
I am sure all you 53er Cathedralites and Kandathils will join Annikki and me in wishing him a very happy birthday.
Sen now lives in Chennai. His two kids, Kavitha and Karun, both absolutely brilliant minds but truly humble human beings, take after their dad on both counts.
Senchayan's home used to be our Saturday or Sunday afternoon relaxation centre for a few of us who wanted to play a few rounds of friendly bridge in Chennai in the early seventies. We downed many a bottle of cold beer during those sessions. (That was well before I stopped imbibing!!)
Thanks for all the great times and pleasant memories, Senchayan!!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
I had to laugh to myself...
I do get a lot of email from all corners of the globe. It has not reached the enormous proportions of early last year. I had to laugh to myself when I got this one:
"Dear Jacob,
I was surprised to see my name in your newsletter. I am
Neelam Lakhani, and I have no recollection of playing
football, cricket or table tennis with you, as I read on
your Cathedral Newsletter. Incidentally I'm not from
Cathedral.
In fact, I don't even recall the names Jangoo Moos,
Percy Mistry, Amin Choksi. Care to jog my memory?
Or is this another Neelam?
Regards,
Neelam Lakhani"
It prompted me to reply with some wit:
Dear Neelam,
If you go to my blog at
http://jmatthan.blogspot.com
and look at the picture for the blog entry in the archives
for December 13th 2004, the shorty in the top row
extreme right, standing, with glasses is NEELAM LAKHANI!!
Neelam was in my House of which I was House Captain.
I am the guy with the head circled in the seated row.
Does it look like you in your younger days, or has
dementia set in?
Regards
Jacob
Actually, sometime about 3 years ago, the correct Neelam did contact me by email, but I lost his email address. If anyone knows where he is, I would love to get back in contact with him!!
Vinoo celebrates birthday, two weddings...
Annikki and I would like all of you to join us in wishing Vinoo (K. M. Mammen) in Chennai a very very happy 56th birthday.
Vinoo presently heads MRF, carrying on the tradition set by his father, Kochappachen.
It is extremely difficult to keep this company, which is the recognised top of the tyre industry in India and about the 7th or 8th largest one in the world, at the pinnacle position.
I am sure that the next generation of Mammen's that come along will have a tough task keeping this old family created multinational in its leading position, especially since the world tyre industry is undergoing a very radical change in many many respects.
It will need a visionary leader to continue to keep MRF ahead in both technology as well as market image.
I remember well how Kochappachen organised the first MRF brainstorming session in Chennai, way way back in 1970-71, so as to try and determine how to get to this top position. I wonder how many who were present remember the bundle of great ideas that were thrown up?
Vinoo's son, Rahul, a Stephanian, was married about a month ago. Annikki and I take this opportunity to wish the happy couple the very best and a long and happy married life. Rahul heads the corporate planning department in MRF, having taken over from a dear friend who retired last year, S. R. Ratnam (of The Hindu newspaper family).
Ratnam, an engineer, who used to work in procurement, was groomed, like me, by one of the greats who ever worked for MRF, the late Prem Sadanand.
Prem was Staff Assistant to the Managing Director till his early demise. This was the hot seat in MRF which took all the bad vibes and received the least praise for his historic efforts!!
But Prem had broad shoulders and he taught Ratnam and me a lot of things in our short association.
I must also wish, Thambi's (Stephanian Philip Mathew) son (Stephanian) Riyad who was married last week to Stephanian Abraham (Abe) Tharakan's daughter Keya.
Abe was one of the few Malayali's in college at my time.
(Besides Abe, the others I can remember were cousins Suresh and Rajen, second cousin Ranjit Jacob (retired in Madras), George Verghese (Kottayam industrial giant), Thomas Chandy, Ninan, Jose Vellapally (now a Supreme Court star lawyer), Rajen Narayanan (great tennis and table tennis player), outstanding artist Prakash Joseph who gave the original Kooler Talk its real look of professionalism, the late Jacob Eapen for a short while, and myself in the students, Economist Mathew and organic chemist Raphael in the staff, and undoubted the most popular of all - Sebastian in the canteen who produced us some great scrambled eggs).
Here is a picture from my files of the happy parents of the groom, Thambi glancing over his shoulder with a Hollywood movie star look!!
Thambi runs the Cochin Unit of Malayala Manorama and main centre for the publication of The WEEK. Abe has a fishing export industry, reputed to be one of the largest successful ones in India.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Kindness, friendships and more
This morning I went early to take grandson Samuel to school as his dad, Tony, had driven up to Rovaniemi (200 km north of Oulu), famous as a tourist city called the home of Santa Claus. Tony was not going to see Santa Claus!
After dropping Samuel at school, I went to my car mechanic as there were some small problems with my ancient rally jallopy. He fixed them and charged me just Euro 25 for almost an hour and a half's work. The usual rate is about Euro 50 per hour!!
I thought that I would check my car battery as a late cold winter spell is expected. I drove to friend's shop, a family business which specialises in batteries.
Mika did not ask many questions. He installed a new battery, the very best - a Varta heavy duty. I waited to pay at the cash counter as there were several customers. Mika came from the yard and told me, loudly, it would cost Euro 70, which I duly handed over. He took the money, bent over the cash machine for a couple of seconds. I thought he was preparing the bill. He then took some money out of the cash machine and handed it to me, telling me it was "my change"!!
There was Euro 70 being returned. I could not understand what this meant, but before I could protest, he insisted it was "my change" and asked me politely to leave!!
I did not know what to do, as I am used to paying for whatever I buy. Here was, for no apparent reason, my friend of long standing, no doubt, insisting that I do not pay for a brand new battery, and one of the best in the market which costs well over Euro 100!!
I got home to find a couple of emails. The first was an excited one from Gracie Hayeem. She enclosed an email she had received from another 69er:
"Dear Miss Hayeem:
Barbara shared your e-mail address with me, and your warm note.
I do remember you most fondly -- vivid images of a beautiful teacher with long shapely legs (we often sat on the floor so legs were eye-level) and gorgeous skirts who would lead us in song and reciting our alphabets. I remember our reader with you -- "Sing Mother sing, Mother shall sing..." I think I was in Miss Lely's class, but it is all one big happy blur.
I am now in New Orleans with my husband and two daughters (19 and 14). I did a Ph.D. at UCLA, finishing in 1983 and have been teaching at universities since (at Penn State, on sabbatical at UCLA and now at Tulane).
I meet Shyla (Boga) and Sheba (Eapen) on my visits back to Bombay which are often , and recently have started e-mailing Barbara. I call Zarine on the phone. I left Catherdral in 1966, and finished the last three years of school from Delhi.
It's Mardi Gras here and soon it will be Jazz Fest. New Orleans is always good for music and food. Having you and your family visit would be a joy. We live in a 130 year old house close to the beautiful Audobon Park and walking distance to the historic tram line which would take us down to to French Quarter.
Warm regards,
Mita (Chatterji) Sujan"
Now. wasn't that nice.
Sheba is the younger sister of one of us 59ers, the late Jacob Eapen. Jacob came to St. Stephen's College with me and we both got called for IIT Karagphur. He decided to join while I stayed on in St. Stephen's.
And then there was an email from New Delhi from Cathedralite 57er (as well as 61er Stephanian), Ashok (Tony) Jaitly, retired from his stint as Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir. He had just spent last evening with his old classmate, Abe Hayeem, Gracie's younger brother, who is an architect, lives in London and is touring India with the folk group (see earlier blog entry for details).
I was glad that Tony is well as I had not heard from him for a few months. He is enjoying his retirement. Tony was extremely helpful to me in the 70's when he was George Fernandes's IAS Personal Secretary when George was the Industries Minister!! I always think of Tony and the kindness he showed me.
And then the snail mail arrived. It contained a cover from my foster daughter, Gopa Haikkonen, who is 54er Sadhana (née Shah) Madhusadan's daughter who is married to a Finn and lives in South Finland. The cover contained a CD which was the 50 year reunion celebrations of the 1954 Cathedralite Group.
I was deeply touched when in the introduction Suhas Phadke mentioned how I had played a (tiny) role in getting this gig together. Thank you all for remembering me!!
California, New Orleans in the US, Oulu and Tampere in Finland, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune in India and Londn, U.K. - the world is just a very small oyster and there are lovely kind people existing everywhere. For that I thank God and hope that all of you will keep in touch with me and help share your kindness and good cheer all around the world.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Who is your neighbour? (Part 2)
I recount here the story of one of our dear family members who suffered in the tsunami but was saved by the grace of God.
I hope that it will show especially all of us, who have lived a privileged life, about who is our neighbour and who is the Good Samaritan.
I must thank Georgie for feeding me the exact details of this incident.
"Regarding Dilip, he was fishing in the Muthukad Lake in front of Kovalam Taj Hotel. He was in the water ankling. Suddenly people started running. Before Dilip could run he saw a mist, and within seconds, the wave was on him. He was drifted inland. On the way he got hold of a thorny bush, He held on to it. Although his hands and body were bleeding, he held on to the bush. After the wave retreated he got down, but badly bruised. His shirt and pants were gone. He was in his underwear. He was sitting on the road asking for water. Lots of cars went by. Finally a cyclist came to his help. He stood in the middle of the road and stopped a bus and gave him water. Then a motorcyclist came by. The cyclist asked him to take him to the Hotel. But the hotel watchman would not allow him in as he was in his underwear. Then Dilip mentioned the name of the manager of the hotel and threatened him. Then the watchman allowed him in. But when he went to the reception he again had the same problem. But Dr. Mohan Das was in the lobby. He recognised Dilip and gave him first aid. Then he telephoned Elamma and Vikram. They brought an ambulance and took him and got admitted him to Kaliappa Hospital."
When I wrote to Dilip's mother expressing my concern and expressing our prayers for her about what had happened, she wrote back to me:
Dear Sushil,
Thank you for your prayers.
It was the sheer grace of God that saved Dilip. He is back to normal now.
Praise the Lord.
So many thousands have lost their lives, Innocent little ones!!
I do not understand any of this.
Love,
Accakuttykochama
I hope every family member understands what God is telling us. Recognise His Power. Understand that all around us are our neighbours. It is our turn to be the true Good Samaritans in future.
(To be continued...)
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Some personal photographs from my collection
I have pleasure in wishing a dear cousin's equally dear husband a very happy 78th birthday today. Wing Commander (retired) A. G. Mathews lives in Defence Officer's Colony on the outskirts of Chennai. Annikki and I used to live in this Colony way way back in 1970-1972. It was a delightful place.
Mammykochamma and Kuttachayan, as they are known to us, were my guardians in Delhi in the 1960s when I was studying in St. Stephen's College. And they were great guardians!!
I was overwhelmed with email from all over the world about two great personalities I mentioned a few days ago. The first was my mother's cousin, the late K. C. Mathulla who passed away on 28th January 2005. Many recalled his fine, helpful and loving personality. Going through my photograph collection I found this picture taken by Annikki when the two of us paid our personal respects to him in 1994. Dressed in his favourite clothes, lungi and bush shirt, he narrated many stories to us about life in general after his wife had passed away.
I was amazed that how well informed he was about our lives although we had not seen him for over 10 years.
Both Stephanians and Kandathil family members were overjoyed at the news of Rajen (Mammen to many) receiving the Padma Shree. I had a message from our college Old Students Association President, Shankar Ghose, asking how he could contact Rajen to invite him to the Re-Union Lunch they have in College on the 2nd Sunday of December every year.
Here is a picture of Rajen with me in 1989 when both of us were considerably younger!! Note the resemblance - Rajen is miniature version of me!!! :-)
Friday, February 04, 2005
Who is your neighbour? (Part 1)
The recent tsunami that hit India and neighbouring countries has raised the issue as to who is one’s neighbour?
In this three part short blog article, I wish to touch on this as it has affected me, Annikki and some of our family, as well as many many loved ones.
When we moved to India in 1969, it was Annikki’s first experience in a third world country. She saw great and wonderful things around her. She enjoyed fabulous company, food and riches, as a family wedding was in progress in Bombay.
In all the hustle and bustle, she felt she should share some of this wonderland that she saw with her parents and friends in Finland. So we went and bought some small gifts to send to them.
Ammachi, my late mother, advised us to pack the gifts and send them from the Malabar Hill Post Office, as the staff there were more competent in handling such postings because of the large number of foreigners staying in that locality.
Annikki happily packed the presents. I drove her to the post office with the kids in tow - Susanna being just 2 years and Jaakko being less than a year.
I went into the Post Office to send off the parcels while Annikki and the children waited in the car.
It took me about 10 minutes. When I got back, I found Annikki was very very quiet.
I saw a tsunami of tears streaming from her eyes.
I wondered what had happened. I looked around to see if anything could have troubled her or the kids, both of whom seemed quite happy. I SAW NOTHING.
When I got in the car, I asked her what the matter was. First, she did not say anything. Then she pointed to a little girl in tattered clothes carrying a little baby, in even more tattered rags.
That was Annikki’s first encounter with a beggar.
It moved her deeply to see these little children on the broad and beautiful hill street in a rich neighbourhood in such horrible clothes and going from car to car, begging for something to eat!!
In my initial glance, I had not even noticed this ragged little girl and baby. I WAS BLIND.
Being brought up in India, I had been immune to such sights. The scene passed over my eyes without a second thought. Such poverty and tragedy as depicted in the little girl was something we, and many many Indians, had not the eyes to see, the ears to hear or the mouth to speak!!
What was I to say, now that I had noticed it? I knew it existed - but I had been conditioned to not notice it and to ignore it. How could I explain to Annikki that this sight would be repeated a million times as we lived in India?
How would one be able to sleep at night knowing how one’s fellowmen, little children like these, were lying on the streets, being exploited by their parents, and the rich would abuse them and pass them by.
Being a person of Christian upbringing, the question as to who was my neighbour as well as the parable of the Good Samaritan passed through my mind.
I seemed to know what was passing through Annikki’s mind as we both looked at that little girl, probably a couple of years older than Susanna, and the baby, probably the same age as Jaakko.
At that moment, there was nothing to be said. It was time to act in our own small way.
I made a mental resolution that I would not accumulate wealth for myself or my family at the cost of these poor. We would go out of our way to help any of these little children who came across our path, in some small way, not by encouraging their begging, but by making some contribution to their lives which would help them irreversibly.
I made a decision that when any child, rich or poor, crossed my path I would show kindness and not the hardness that some of the strong show to the weak.
In the next 15 years of our stay in India, I think both Annikki and I kept to the norms and standards we had set for ourselves in an unspoken way on that occasion. Maybe we contributed, in our small way, to the upliftment of the weak with our work at our home and in the Madras South Rotary Club, one of the finest Rotary Clubs that I have ever come across and was proud to be a member of for several years.
Later in life, when I was offered the chance to become a Rotarian in another city, I refused. None of those clubs I visited had the personal dedication to the ideals that Annikki and I had set for ourselves.
We did not do anything for credit or glory. Most of it remains unsaid and unsung, the way we had intended. To get publicity of praise was not our objective. As defined in our good book, when there is an act of charity, let not the left hand know what the right hand has done.
(To be continued...)
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Shilpa and family visit Australia
Kandathil News
Shilpa is Kunjumonchayan and Omenakochamma's younger daughter, a brilliant lawyer, who is married to Joseph Pookkatt. They have one daughter, Ily, and they live in New Delhi.
Thanks to my good KI5 (Kandathil equivalent of MI5) informant, Georgie, in Chennai, I was able to access some delightful photographs of Shilpa and her husband, Joseph, holidaying in Australia.
And here is a picture of Shilpa with her daughter, Ily, also from Australia.
If you want to see the whole collection of 49 photographs from their trip, and it is worth going through them, visit the Kodak Online Website by just clicking on View Photos at the Ofoto Web Site to get started. You can become a member and keep your own photographs there for sharing with others.
I remember Ily when I was getting my teeth attended to in Chennai at the Apollo Hospital Dental facility. While I was being gassed by the dentist, I could here some very loud screaming from just outside. I wondered whether that was the previous patient in the recovery phase!!
When I came out of my ordeal, I discovered that it had been baby Ily, with Shilpa, the new mom, getting used to the loud voice of her beautiful new daughter in her parent's home!!