Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Mr. Organiser is 75 today


Did you ever wonder how all our Kandathil family gatherings, weddings and other events went off without a hitch.

Working tirelessly behind the scenes for anything to happen, you may have seen a very busy man carrying a briefcase, shuffling notes and giving instructions.

And assisting him would have been another great lady, who is no more, who would have been organising all the food for an event and after for many to take hjome all those delicious goodies she especially prepared for all of us.

It is by no mean coincidence that they share a birthday. Organising appears to be the trait of those born on 22nd March. For those who do not know, the little beautiful and most relevant saying that you get on your birthday is sent to you by none other than our Mr. Organiser!!

The lady was our dear Annammakochamma, Mrs. K. M. Mathew, who is no more. We remember her today on what would have been her 83rd birthday.

The other, the Mr. Organiser, was none other than His Royal Highness The Prince of Nenmeni, Thambachayan, Mammen Varghese, son of K. M. Varghese Mappillai, celebrates his 75th birthday today.

For those not in the know, Nenmeni is a beautiful rubber estate near the Gudalore Ghat where Thambachayan learnt the ropes of managing, not only an estate, but life in general. Many enjoyed his hospitality when he was at Nenmeni, which besides rubber, produces some of the best honey. For his devotion to service to the family, the family members dubbed Thambachayan with the title : Prince of Nenmeni!!

I have a picture of him in my archives with his sister, Somakochamma, Mrs. Soma Philips.

Thambachayan and Somakochamma, 1999

Thambachayan and Somakochamma, 1999


I hope all of you will join Annikki and me in wishing our dear cousin a very happy birthday and many many more in the years ahead. And to all in the K. M. Mathew family we say, today, we also fondly remember our dear Annammakochamma.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Passing away of another great Matthan lady


News has just reached us that our very dearest Thangammakochamma (83), Mrs. John Matthan, wife of my late father's younger brother, who made a name for himself in the Indian Railways, passed away yesterday in Bangalore after heart failure. Omenakochamma (wife of my cousin Ajit Matthan) and my godmother, Chinchaya (Mrs. M. M. Thomas) had given me news that Thangammakochamma had been in hospital and had been ailing for the last few months.

Born on 14th December 1921, she was a member of the well-known Dr. Peter family of Trichur. Two of her sisters are extremely well known, Chinnammakochamma, Mrs. K. M. Philip, of Bombay, wife of my mother's surviving elder brother, and Mollykochamma, wife of Jollychayan (Dr. V. Kurian), known internationally as Amul Kurian of Anand.

Thangammakochamma was known in her own right as well as the wife of Johnnyappapen who was an outstanding sportsman, including in his later years as a golfer of some repute. Johnyappapen was a Pope Medal winner from Bishop Cotton's Boys' School. He joined the Railway Engineering College at Jamshedpur. Together they built a glorious career travelling all over India as well as the world as they modernised the Indian Railway industry. We used to love to visit their Railway salon when they arrived in Bombay Victoria Terminus Station.

Mr. J. N. Iyer, retired from Indian Railways as Additional Chief Electrical Engineer, wrote on the Internet in an article entitled A Saga of Achievement - An Untold Story from Indian Railways


"With active support from the new General Manager, Mr. John Matthan, one of the finest persons with whom this writer has worked, the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of ICF set about designing the two-tier AC Sleeper coaches and AC Chair Cars, with yet-to-be-developed indigenous equipment. The Power equipment consisted of axle-driven 18 Kilowatt brushless alternators with V-belt drive, 800 Ah lead-acid battery and controls. The concept of brushless alternators and V-belt drive was new to Indian Railways. Such high capacity battery sets also had not been used in the past or manufactured in India."

Johnnyappapen was a man of few words, while Thangammakochamma could keep an audience rapt in their seats with her non-stop chatter. Together, they made a wonderful couple, full of life and vibrant. We all loved Thangammakochamma and looked forward to her visits to our home as we could get all the news in an interrupted and delightfully explicit manner. When they lived in Railway Baug in Colaba in Bombay, I used to rush over to their house at any opportunity, as it was always an interesting couple of hours in Thangammakochamma's company. And Johnnyappapen used to treat us youngsters as one of his own friends. Neither of them ever talked down to us youngsters.

When Johnnyappapen was tragically struck down by a speeding lorry on 22nd January 1989, far away here in Finland, Annikki and I felt the tremendous loss. Thangammakochamma was obviously affected most of all as her life-long companion was snatched from her in the prime of his retirement.

Today, they are together in spirit till the day of resurrection will once again join all these souls together.

From Finland I would like to convey our sorrow to all Thangammakochamma's surviving family members as we mourn someone we loved very deeply.

Arctic Dosais by JM Taxi Service!!


Yesterday was Arctic Dosai time.

Annikki was in the mood as it was a wonderful sunny day and she thought she would go outside to do some designing in the snow. Just as she was about to go outside, there was an interesting radio programme about old poetry, Finnish.

So she decided instead of waiting till dinner time she would produce some masala dosais.

I rang Samuel, and there was an order from there for dosais for dinner (19:00 hours!!

Master Arctic chef making a dosai

Master Arctic chef making a dosai


Dosai, potato filling and tomato curry (delicious) ready for next step

Dosai, potato filling and tomato curry (delicious) ready for next step


Dosais ready to be sent by Arctic Taxi!!

Dosais ready to be sent by Arctic Taxi!!


Taxi driver had his fill before delivery. Delivery was delayed by an hour (20:00 hours)

Sunday, March 20, 2005

India Win; Kimi 9th; Narain 11th


India won the Second Cricket Test against Pakistan at Kolkota by 195 runs. Kumble was in deadly form, taking 3 wickets in the first innings and picking up 7 second innings wickets for just 51 runs

It was a good day for both Finnish and Indian Formula 1 enthusiasts. Although neither drivers made the victory stand or even finished in the first 8, Kimi, who lost a tyre in the 25th lap of the race fought back from rejoining the race in 13th position and almost caught Christian Klein after making up almost a second every lap on his reentry. Kimi's team-mate Montoya finished 4th, making it a good day for the Maclaren team.

Malaysian Grand Prix - Standings
Final positions:

1 F Alonso (Renault)
2 J Trulli (Toyota)
3 N Heidfeld (Williams)
4 J Montoya (McLaren)
5 R Schumacher (Toyota)
6 D Coulthard (Red Bull)
7 M Schumacher (Ferrari)
8 C Klien (Red Bull)
9 K. Raikkonen (Finland) (McLaren)
10 Felipe Massa (Sauber)
11 N. Karthikeyan (India) Jordan
12 Tiago Monteiro (Jordan)
13 Christijan Albers (Minardi)

Fastest Lap: Fernando Alonso 1:25.683

It was heartening that both the Jordan cars finished the race establishing that, although not the fastest cars, they do have an engine that can last through two consecutive races.

Given some more driving experience, my prediction is that Narain Karthikeyan will certainly be reaching the podium at least once this year!!

These were the starting grid positions for today's race after the morning time trials.

Grid positions and qualifying times for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang:

1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault one minute 32.582 seconds 3:07.672
2 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 3:07.925
3 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 3:08.448
4 Mark Webber (Aus) Williams-BMW 3:08.904
5 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 3:09.007
6 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 3:09.483
7 Christian Klien (Aut) Red Bull 3:09.589
8 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 3:09.700
9 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Williams-BMW 3:09.917
10 Jenson Button (GB) BAR-Honda 3:09.832
11 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren-Mercedes 3:10.090
12 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Ferrari 3:11.502
13 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 3:11.633
14 Felipe Massa (Brz) Sauber 3:11.884
15 Anthony Davidson (GB) BAR-Honda 3:11.890
16 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) Sauber 3:12.995
17 Narain Karthikeyan (Ind) Jordan 3:17.656
18 Tiego Monteiro (Por) Jordan 3.17.962
19 Patrick Friesacher (Aut) Minardi 3:21.186
20 Christijan Albers (Net) Minardi 3:23.001

Well done Kimi and Narain.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Formula 1 fans: Time trial positions


I am busy editing a doctoral thesis about the next generation of mobile phones (you won't be buying a phone to do your phone calls - maybe you will buy a new pair of eye glasses to make them!!) and also spending time watching (not on TV) the progress of the second cricket test between India and Pakistan.

For so many of you following our Indian and Finn hopes on the Formula 1 circuit, here are the time trial positions as of Saturday. Just over a 0.250 seconds between Spaniard Alonso and Finn Raikkonen, while Indian Karthikeyan is finding his legs on the circuit with about 5 seconds between him and the leader.

Let us hope both of them do well in the morning trials tomorrow and get good pole positions. The times of both the Ferraris are not so good with Michael Schumacher coming in at 12th. Since they cannot change engines from the last race, this one will test all the cars to see which engine is presently most sturdy under race conditions.

Tyres will also make a big difference in this race. Hope MRF will start to wake up and get into this game.

Times for Saturday's first qualifying for Sunday's Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix:
1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault one minute 32.582 seconds
2 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:32.672 seconds
3 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:32.765
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren 1:32.839
5 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:33.106
6 Mark Webber (Aus) Williams 1:33.204
7 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren 1:33.333
8 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Williams 1:33.464
9 Jenson Button (GB) BAR 1:33.616
10 Christian Klien (Aut) Red Bull 1:33.724
11 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:33.809
12 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:34.072
13 Felipe Massa (Brz) Sauber 1:34.151
14 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Ferrari 1:34.162
15 Anthony Davidson (GB) BAR 1:34.866
16 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) Sauber 1:34.887
17 Narain Karthikeyan (Ind) Jordan 1:37.806
18 Tiago Monteiro (Por) Jordan 1:37.856
19 Patrick Friesacher (Aut) Minardi 1:39.268
20 Christijan Albers (Ned) Minardi 1:40.432

Should be a great Sunday with Formula 1 and cricket, plus very interesting reading to do. Some wonderful blog entries coming in the next week, so stay tuned.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Happy birthday Sarasukochamma


Sarasukohamma, Mrs. P. V. Jacob, wife of Annikunjuchayan, daughter of my late eldest maternal uncle, Mr. K. M. Cherian (Chetpetleappachen) celebrates her 73rd birthday today.

I hope all of you wll wish her a very very happy birthday and many more to come.

Sarasukochamma lived far away in Hirakud for most of her married life. So she was only seen at some holidays and weddings.

Her claim to fame in the family are many, but most of all I would like to say that it is her brilliant eldest son, Apu, the Technical Director of Malayala Manorama, who has worked side by side with Rajen and crowd which has ensured that the entire newspaper is at its technical height today.

Sarasukochamma is the mother of the only twins in the family. One of her sons, Kunj, is married to my Madras regular correspondents daughter, Prassana, who may be the only lady engineer in the family. (Please correct me if I am wrong!!)

Sarasukochamma is the younger sister of Bapukuttychayan. Annikunjuchayan was the Chief Engineer in Indian Aluminium till he retired. They now live in Alwaye and I believe Annikunjuchayan is still active in helping with the business of ink manufacture.

Happy birthday Sarasukochamma.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

First day at school


What do Dr. Raja Ramanna and I have had in common?




Visit my alma mater blog for this story.

Jacob in his Kindergarten Class Photo

I am that neat looking fellow sitting on the ground, third from the left.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Happy birthday to two of you


Two of the third generation of our Kandathil family celebrate their birthday today.

We would lke you to join us in wishing Harsha Mathew, son of Chacko and Amu Matthew, and grandson of Mathukuttychayan, (K. M. Mathew) and the late Annammakochamma, is 25 today. He is also a fellow Stephanian.

Recently, I wrote about the melodic voice of (Dr.) Shantakochamma, wife of Mohanchayan (Dr. K. O. Mammen). Our family is not short of vocal talent. I think one of the very best voices in our family is our second birthday girl - Susan, eldest daughter of Accakuttykochamma (Mrs. K. G. Kuruvilla) and the late Kurullechayan. Accakuttykochamma is the eldest daughter of the late Mambaltheappappachen and ammachi (K. M. Oommen's).

Susan has regaled us on many an occasion and I have sat and listened to her sing pop songs of my era and later. I wish Susan would make some sound bytes for me use on the internet when I include some sound on these web pages!! Would not that make this blog more interesting and vibrant. (This dinosaur ignoramus has finally figured out how to add sound to the blog pages.)

Susan is married to Moni Abraham, and they have three children, Priya, Anjali and Anand. Priya was married to Raj in December 2003, a wedding attended by our two daughters just before the family reunion in Kottayam. Susan and Moni live in Ontario, Canada.

Sadly no pictures of these birthday kids.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Samuel has his Ice Hockey Cake


I am glad I was able to upload my blog yesterday early as I was tied up all day and only got home around 19:30, very very tired.

Annikki had an interesting day as among the visitors to see Hilja on her 85th birthday was her son from Tampere and her daughter, Aino, and her husband who live here in Oulu. The daughter, Anneli, who lives in Masala, near Helsinki, could not come but sent a card and also money for us to buy flowers. There were plenty of flowers. One daughter and one son did not make any form of appearance to greet their mother on this historic occasion!!

I return, however, to last Sunday, when Samuel had his birthday party for his friends, one week late, as last week was skiing holdilay week and most kids go off to the ski resorts around Finland.

Samuel had asked grandma Anniki for a cake which was an ice hockey field. He had told Annikki that maybe she could use cream on top of the cake as the ice hockey field. But grandma had other ideas!!

She poured some fizzy clear drink, (Sprite) into a tray and stuck it out of the window. It was well well below zero. Within 15 minutes she had a beautiful sheet of solid frozen sprity ice!!

She placed this on top of the cake which had a filling of delicious orange curd (similar to lemon curd - but Annikki's own creation), surrounded the whole cake with cream. Between the cake and the ice she placed the field outlines, circles, and other things you normally find on the ice hockey field. I had to educate her on this as Annikki is not much clued up about any sports field!! On top of the ice she used various types of delicious sweets to create the men, the hockey sticks, the goal posts and the referee. She seated a whole array of spectators (manĂ­nly girls) around the field in the cream.

I was delegated to take the cake to Samuel's house. I was scheduled to arrive at 16:15. I did, and it was my task to actually create the top layer from all the things chosen by Annikki. Of course, butterfingers broke the ice on the way, but I managed to keep most of it intact and patched up most of the damage.

Samuel's 8th birthday party, twins Elias and Konsta, twins Casper and Caius, Veli-Matti and Samuel

Samuel's 8th birthday party, twins Elias and Konsta (7 mins),
twins Kasper and Kaius (4 mins), Veli-Matti and Samuel


It was a couple of hours laters that the kids decided they wanted to partake of the goodies that Joanna had laid out for them. the ice was still very much there (broken ice was self-healed!!).

The kids were fascinated by the ice hockey field. After the singing of happy birthday in both English (led be me) and Finnish, the kids attacked the ice hockey cake, except they did not touch the cake as they demolished the sweets and the ice hockey field - kids like nothing better than stuffing ice cubes into their mouth, and it is great when it is a fizzy drink that they like.

Annikki, Samu and myself ate a bit of the cake, but I brought back most of it.

I told Annikki that if she ever gets another demand for an ice hockey cake there is no need to create the cake - she would only need to create the ice and the field!!

Monday, March 14, 2005

Two more great ladies celebrate their birthday today


Two more wonderful and great ladies celebrate their birthday today.

Kunjukochamma, Mrs. K. M. Mammen Mappillai, wife of my late uncle, Kochappachen, youngest brother of my late mother, is 80 today. Annikki and I would like to wish this wonderful aunt all the very best on this auspicious day.

I have quite many photographs of this wonderful and most colourful personality in my archives, but I choose the one I like best and one which reminds me most of her vibrant character. It was taken soon after her wedding and has me sitting with my late elder sister, Nalini, along with Kunjukochamma and her new husband. In the front, sitting on the grass, is another wonderful aunt of mine, the late Mrs. K. M. Mathew, known to all of us as Annammakochamma. Also in this picture is my late cousin, Kunjumonchayan, another absolutely wonderful personality. The only scoundrel in the picture is Dursheelan (mischievous one), which is what my uncle, Kochappachen, used to playfully call me.


Kunjukochamma, 1948

Kunjumonchayan, Kochappachen, birthday girl Kunjukochamma,
Nalini and me, and with Annammakochamma sitting on the grass.
Madras, circa 1948.


The second person who celebrates her 85th birthday today is my second mother, the lady who took me into her home 21 years ago, and treated me as her own son.

Annikki's mother, Hilja, now suffers from dementia, aggravated by tunnel vision of just 20% and the general effects of age. I present here a montage of photographs of this wonderful person whom Annikki and I have the pleasure to look after in the final years of her life, which we hope will be long and in the good health she is enjoying today. We have many flowers for her and I shall try to blog a picture of her later today with her cakes and flowers

























Hilja Class Photo 1930

School Photo showing
Hilja taken maybe in
1930. Hilja is third
from right in the
middle row


Hilja in 1941

Hilja in 1941


Hilja with her eldest three children, Annikki is in the centre

Hilja with eldest three
children, Annikki is
in the centre


1969, Hilja carrying Jaakko with Annikki carrying Susanna

1969, Hilja carrying
Jaakko with Annikki
carrying Susanna


Hilja with her husband, Matti, at his 80th birthday,

Hilja with husband
Matti at his 80th birthday,
1996


Hilja June 2001

Hilja June 2001


Hilja August 2002

Hilja August 2002


Hilja with daughters Anneli and Annikki, August 2002

Hilja with daughters
Anneli and Annikki,
August 2002


Hilja with Annikki at grandson, samuli's, graduation party, January 2003

Hilja with Annikki
at grandson, Samuli's,
graduation party,
January 2003


Hilja, February 2004

Hilja, February 2004


Hilja with her doll collection, May 2002

Hilja with her
doll collection,
May 2004


Hilja with daughter Anneli, February 2005

Hilja with daughter
Anneli, February 2005

We hope all of you will join Annikki and me in wishing these two wonderful ladies a very happy birthday and many many more.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Two great "Matthan" sisters-in-law


I do not have any photographs of the late Langfordammachi, as she was known to me, or more commonly referred to as Mariammakochamma, wife of the late George Matthan, my father's elder brother, in my archives. I pay my tribute to her verbally.

Today, I remember her on what would have been her 97th birthday. She passed away 19 years ago, in 1986, two years after we left India. But she remains vividly in my memory.

This heroic aunt of mine struggled as she looked after her husband, my godfather, as he battled through almost 15 years of Parkinson's which slowly turned him into an immobile human totally dependent on his wife. I respect her for the sheer determination by which she lived through those years caring for her husband.

Such courage is hard to come by. Langfordammachi saw her husband lose all his strength day by day. And yet, at any time I walked into the house, she greeted me with such love and affection and asked after each and every member of my family. It was as if all the troubles on her mind were of least importance. She focused on me, the godson of her husband, a fact she never, never forgot at every meeting.

Langfordammachi was the mother of the late Ammnikochamma, Baluchachen and Anand, three wonderful cousins with truly outstanding and talented better-halves, Babychayan, Nirmalakochamma and Shallu. She was the grandmother of Vinod, Vinita, Uday, Purnima, Rahul and Rohit, six grandchildren she would be enormously proud of were she alive today.

The person who shares this birthday is her sister-in-law, my mother.

My mother, Mrs. Kuriyan Matthan, Jr., would have been 91 today. She was a wonderful loving personality. But she was tough. The toughness grew as she aged and she was called in to solve many problems between her brothers.

Her greatest regret was that she could not solve the problems between her two sons.

The only time that I know that she broke down, in toto, was when she lost her eldest daughter, Nalini, so tragically on October 29th, 1960. As I held her hand at the moment, she wept and told me that losing any of her children was what she had feared from the moment that her very first child had been born.

The closest she had come to that, she said, was when she literally saw me ebbing away in her eyes while I was many tens of kilometres away, at the very moment I was drowning in a river at Vasind near Bombay in 1955. She remembered, at that moment, how the glass of milk she was giving me at 5:30 am before I set out to the station slipped and shattered as she handed it to me. It had come as a foreboding for her. She had warned me of the dangers ahead. She had gone to her prayer room and prayed almost non-stop till I returned.

Her joy when I was brought home alive was something that was greater than anything else she had ever felt in her life. (She compared that to the biblical feeling of the father welcoming back his prodigal son.)

But at this tragic moment of losing her daughter, she knew that her return would not be similarly possible.

She resolved to come out of this tragedy by bringing up Nalini's son.

This was probably her greatest failing. She tried to be both mother and grandmother to this little boy till he became a man. She tried, aganst all odds, to instill in him her values over his genetically inherited characteristics. She realised that the values she instilled in me as a mother could not be instilled in her eldest grandson. She reconciled herself to that a few years before her passing. She prayed night and day that this little boy would have at least some of the loving nature of his mother - something which unfortunately was not to be.

In my last hours with her in March 2000, just a few hours before she went into a coma, she exposed part of her innermost heart to me. She told me, in her most direct manner as a loving mother, her anxiety of the enormous problems that would survive her on her passing.

I reassured her that I was quite competent to take care of the problems that I would face. I told her I had seen how her eldest brother, faced with similar problems, had been able to go through his life so courageously. In my case, I was fortunate to have such a loving wife, who was constantly at my side in these troubled times, so she had nothing to worry about.

And exactly as envisaged by her, I have had to do so since her passing. The bastardization of her family was the last thing she expected when she brought us up - but she knew it was coming.

Ammachi's relationship with Annikki is something none of the immediate family ever understood. Ammachi opposed my marriage till the day we were married. Then she wrote to me, "What God had put together, let no man put asunder".

And that was how she showed her love for her daughter-in-law, despite the "elitism racism" from other immediate family members. Her love and respect for Annikki grew immensely when Annikki cared for her when she broke her hip. It was Annikki who washed her and cared for her in those crucial days and weeks after she came home from the hospital.

As a tribute to her birthday, in the 5th year since her passing, I present a montage of some of her photographs from my archives.

It reveals her beauty as well as her fun-loving character. It also reveals the character of an outstandingly tough but loving human being. As a mother she was an outstanding personality.

I will be writing of some of her outstanding characteristics, as only a son knows his mother, in this blog in the coming weeks and months.

I am sorry for the quality of the old photographs. Kindly click on a photograph to see an enlarged version in your browser, which may appear slightly better than the smaller versions below.




















Ammachi Graduation 1936

Graduation of Ammachi from
Womens' Christian College, Madras


Mariam & Kuriyan Matthan Wedding Photo 1936

Appachen and Ammachi
Wedding Photo


Appachen. Ammachi and Nalini

Appachen, Ammachi and Nalini


Ammachi Graduation 1936

Ammachi, Year Unknown


Mariam & Kuriyan Matthan Wedding Photo 1936

Ammachi with her family
and her childhood teacher /
Principal, Miss Brookesmith


Ammachi 1980

Ammachi 1980


Valliappachen with his daughter and 8 daughters-in-law, Madras, 1952

Valliappachen with his daughter
and 8 daughters-in-law, Madras, 1952


At Kuppaparam with her parents and children

At Kuppaparam with her
parents and children


Ammachi with Joanna and Mika, 1983

Ammachi with grandchildren
Joanna and Mika, 1983


Holidaying with her family and<br />Chellammakochamma<br />and her children

Holidaying with her family and Chellamakochamma and
her children


Ammachi's parents

Ammachi's parents


Ammachi's family in 1936

Ammachi's family in 1936

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Samuel's telescope and Home Planetarium


Our youngest son, Mika, gave his mother, Annikki, a present, many years ago, when he was about 14. He knew his mother loved to watch the night sky. This was a love she picked up as a little girl when she one night she looked up into the autumn night sky and saw the twinkling stars.

The hunger for the sky became even more intense when we lived in a village in India, where there were no city lights to inhibit the night viewing. It became a family hobby.

One day, she came running to tell me that she could see satellites as they passed overhead. I laughed at her, thinking of how ridiculous was the very notion that it would be possible to see these tiny man-made objects with the naked eye. But she was right.

When we came to Finland, I quenched the thirst a bit by buying her a cheap hand-held telescope for one birthday. She faithfully used it with a great deal of difficulty, but used it she did, to look at the stars.

Then Mika saw the advertisement for a Home Planetarium, and he got it for her birthday as his present.

In our small home it was not possible to use it and it got stored away.

Now, when Annikki persuaded met get grandson Samuel a full-fledged telescope for his birthday, I suddenly remembered this Home Planetarium. Annikki searched for it yesterday and located it is some corner. She methodically keeps all her stuff, unlike me and my disorganised way of living. However, she failed to find the accompanying literature.

This afternoon, after my 40 winks, which all retired people like me are prone to these days, I awoke and decided to look for the manual. I went to one of our bookshelves, and believe you me, the first file folder that I picked up had the manual in it.

I scanned, enlarged and printed the night sky maps. I have just delivered them to Samuel along with the manual. Samuel was anxiously waiting to see the New Moon that should make it out sometime later tonight. The sky appears to be quite clear and he should get a good view of it when it appears.

However, while waiting, we decided to read an Asterix comic. The one I chose was their trip to India on the Magic Carpet!! What a laugh.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Shopping with Samu and family


Today, one of our leading household goods shops had an offer for furniture bought between 9 am and 11 am. 40% off their price.

Samu has outgrown his bed. Joanna, Tony, Daniel and myself went to the shop to buy the bed.

What a throng of people there were even before the shop opened!!

Samu and I quickly took our place in the queue to pay for the purchases while Joanna and Tony with Daniel wandered around to choose what they wanted.

Each household discount coupon entitled purchase of only one item.

So I could purchase one item from Annikki & my discount coupon and Joanna could purchase one from her family discount coupon.

There was a lot of complaining in the queues as some queues were virtually static. The shop was not quite prepared to handle such a rush.

The bed was bought as a joint present from both sets of grandparents. Joanna bought a beautiful wooden chest for her living room.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Friends and trouble


Grandson Samuel is my best friend along with granddaughter Asha.

These last few days I have been taking Samuel skiing. I have been walking approximately two rounds of the skiing track, about 3 km, while he skis alongside.

Samuel does not want me to walk faster than he can ski, which is not going to happen as walking in snow is considerably more slower than skiing. So I take shortcuts so as to keep him in my sights.

Samuel does not want me to finish the course ahead of him (about 15 minutes for 1.5 km). So we had a bit of a disagreement today. Both of us said we would tell our "moms".

Then he told me my "mom" was dead, to which I replied that I could still tell her in my prayers.

So today's sking session did not end as well as could be expected.

Joanna had to be the arbitrator so that we left each other still as best friends.

Grandson Daniel (10 months) is oblivious to all these high level politics between friends. He was smiling and laughing through the arbitration process!!

Maybe we will have to take a couple of days off from skiing till we resolve issues.

Monday, March 07, 2005

Happy birthday to Meera and Samuel


Two very special people to wish today.

First is our niece, Meera Ninan (née Lukose) daughter of Ammnikochamma and Kunjujuchayan. Ammnikochamma is the eldest daughter of my late godfather, Mr. K. M. Eapen, one of my mother's elder brothers who was a lawyer. Meera is married to Dr. Benjamin Ninan and they live in Madras, India.

A very happy birthday to you from Annikki & Sushilchayan.

The second who celebrates his birthday today is our grandson, Samuel, who is eight today. I have created a montage of some of the pictures taken over the years, some by us and some by others. Samuel is our younger daughter's eldest son.

For his present, Annikki made the decision this time. Instead of the usual stuff I choose, she bought him a really good astronomical telescope. He was happy to get it as his normal desires as a football, ice hockey stick and other sports things as clothes, that I normally would buy, were filled by his other grandparents, Tony's Mom, Maire, and Dad, Seppo, and Tony's sister, Heidi and her boyfriend Teemu. Teemu bound the ice hockey stick exactly the way it should be.

When I told Samuel that Grandma was making the decision for his birthday prsent this time, he diplomatically said that I could choose the present to give him for Christmas!!







samuel2

1998



Samuel & Jacob, 1999, Tea Ceremony
Tea Ceremony
with me in 1999


Samu4
2000







Samuel 2001

2001



Samuel & Asha 2002
With cousin Asha
in 2002


Samuel & Annikki 2003
With Annikki, 2003






Samuel01

2004


Samuel and Jacob, 2005

With me in 2005


 Samuel, Daniel & Jacob 2005
With brother Daniel
and me in 2005

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Kimi 8th, Narain 15th, Australian Grand Prix


Kimi Raikkonen from Finland, starting from 10th and Narain Karthikeyan from India, 12th on the grid, was not to be. Kimi's car stalled on the grid just before the warm up round, meaning that he had to start last from the pit.

It was a truly exciting 57 laps, with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher not dominating the scene. This time it was Giancario Fisichella of Italy, driving his Renault, who led the way at the finish line.

Rubens Barichello of Brazil, in his Ferrari, fought hard but could not reach the leader, as 5.5 seconds separated him from the winner. Fernando Alonso from Spain, driving the second Renault, was a further 6.7 seconds behind as the race ended with a great 1-3 podium win for French car maker, Renault.

Michael Schumacher was lying 9th when he veered at Nick Heidfeld which forced Heidfeld into the grass. While trying to correct the position, Heidfeld clipped Schumacher and both cars were spun out of the race. Never-say-die Michael got himself pushed back onto the track by helpers, but the damage was too much, and he came in at the next pit stop.

Kimi was slowed when he damaged an aerodynamic aid when he went off the track when trying to gain ground. However, driving calmly thereafter, he came in from his tail position to finish a handsome 8th, giving him a point in the driver's championship table. With team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, finishing 6th, it was not such a bad day for the Williams team.

Narain, in his first Formula 1, showed lack of experience and should be satisfied that he came in 15th, two laps bhind the winner. Expect better things from this Indian youngster during the season. However, Jordan will have to get something more out of the car to allow this youngster a shot at the front.

Today's race has sort of set the scene for an exciting Formula 1 season. It will not be clean sailing for Ferrari. The new Ferrari engine is expected in a few races. However, the other drivers and the car makers are not going to give up without a fight this year.

Official Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Result

1. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Renault 1hr 24mins 17.336secs
2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari at 5.5secs
3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault at 6.7
4. David Coulthard (Great Britain) Red Bull at 16.1
5. Mark Webber (Ausralia) Williams at 16.9
6. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colunbia) McLaren at 35.0
7. Christian Klien (Austria) Red Bull at 38.9
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren at 39.6
9. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota at 1min 03.1secs
10. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Sauber at 1:04.3
11. Jenson Button (Great Britain) BAR at one lap
12. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Toyota at one lap
13. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Sauber at one lap
14. Takuma Sato (Japan) BAR at two laps
15. Narain Karthikeyan (India) Jordan at two laps
16. Tiago Monteiro (Portugal) Jordan at two laps
17. Patrick Freisacher (Austria) Minardi at four laps

Not classified:
Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 42 laps
Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Williams 42 laps
Christijan Albers (The Netherlands) Minardi 16 Laps

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - 10th and 12th on Grid!!


In Finland, we are quite crazy about car and motorcycle racing. Several Finns have made it to the very top, in Formula 1, Rally Driving and Motor Cross racing.

In Formula 1, the top Finnish names have been K. K. Roseberg and Mika Hakkinen. Presently, the very bland Kimi Raikkonen is showing his mettle in the Maclaren camp alongside Juan Pablo Montaya.

And now, for the first time, a young Indian that we have been watching very closely, has broken into the Formula 1 circuit as the driver for Jordon. His name - Narain Karthikeyan.

Yesterday was the Time Trials for the opening session in Melbourne Australia. In rather wet weather the Finns watched excitedly to see how Kimi as well as Narain would fare.

And a few minutes ago I watched the second time trials for the race which will start in about 3 hours time.

The Italians, Giancarlo Fisichellah driving his Renault and Jarno Trulli driving for Totyota, followed by Mark Webber of Australia for Williams have claimed the first three positions on the starting grid.

Raikkonen is 10th in the starting grid, followed by Rubens Barichello (Ferrari) and followed by Narain (12th).

With the dramatic changes in the rules governing the Formula 1 race, the need to drive through the entire race on one set of tyres, the need to keep the same engine for 2 races, the whole race does not any more depend on the position in the starting grid. It is intelligent driving, fuel economy calculations and care of the tyres over the entitre race which will decide the winner. The final stages of the race will become more exciting with those drivers who drive well and preserve tyre quality taking the race to an exciting finish.

The Finns are excited, not only with their own driver, but they are watching with keen interest this young Indian.

I hope in these blogs to report to you all the interesting data of Formula 1 form from Finland - a view, I assure you that you will not pick up elsewhere.

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Trim at 71, Trim at 77


010519018Thambichayan
Originally uploaded by jmatthan.


It is with utmost pleasure and delight that I have a chance to wish my second Delhi guardian, Mr. K. M. Jacob, (husband of my dear cousin Ashwathykochamma, youngest daughter of Mr. K. M. Oommen - Mambaltheappachen) on his 77th birthday today.

I found my most recent picture of him taken at the wedding in Chennai in 1999 December - but knowing Thambichayan, and his craze for Golf, he must have retained the trimness he had then.

Ash and Thambichayan were my second guardians while I was studying in St. Stephen's College in Delhi. They lived in a small but charming little house in Nizammuddin, which was home to Rajen, Suresh and myself on many a weekend. Like her two other sisters, Ash is a superb cook and Thambichayan a great host, full of ideas of things to do.

Later, when they moved to Calcutta, on my very very infrequent trips to that city, I had a chance to stay with them and get to know all their three adorable children, Preminda, Shona and Ranjeet, much better.

Premi and her lovely family of Malayika and Rich, are the only ones of our wonderful band of nephews and nieces so far who have taken the trouble to come up to this Arctic outpost to visit us!!

I will not continue much more in this blog entry but wish Thambichayan a very very happy birthday from Annikki and myself, and I am sure all of you will all join us in this.


Friday, March 04, 2005

75 today, Happy Birthday Dr. Mammen


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.

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.


"Ominous Skies" by Jaakko









"Pines in Norway" by Jaakko (Green)



"Pines in Norway" by Jaakko (Red)

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.

Mammen Mappillai and his wife

Mr. K. M. Mammen Mappilai with his wife: Photographer: Unknown


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.)

Kuppaparam - Painting by K. M. Mammen Mappillai

Kuppaparam - Painting by K. M. Mammen Mappillai


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.


SHOES. Photographer: Rahul Matthan


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!! :-)

Asha on her seventh birthday

Granddaughter Asha on her seventh birhday. (Photo by Susanna)


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.