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ASWAMEDHAM Chief Editor: Biju Thoompil Editors Messrs: Steny Kalapurakkel, Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil, Jacob Kallupurakal, Prof. Santhosh Mathew & Dr. Seena Joseph Publisher Kerala Association of New England (KANE) Cover Page & Infographics Design Jollson Varghese Designing & Printing: Graphic Systems & Co., Mallappally, India [email protected] The authors are solely responsible for the views expressed in their articles.

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Title

Page No.

From the Editors Desk

Biju Thoompil

FUntämdnbð

_nPp Xq¼nð

Foreword Felicitation by Governor of MA Felicitation by Chief Minister of Kerala Felicitation by Governor of Mizoram

Jollson Varghese Charles D. Baker Pinarayi Vijayan P. S. Sreedharan Pillai

7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

\òbpsS Zn\§Ä ]nd¡s«

tUm. tPmÀÖv HmW¡qÀ

Felicitation Felicitation

K. P. Ramanunni Rafeeq Ahamed

Felicitation Board of Directors Executive Committee KANE Arts Committee KANE Juniors, Auditor, Public Relations KANE Sponsorship Team KANE Ex- Presidents The KANE Community: A Retrospect The Saga Continues

Dr. Rajendra Panicker N.G... 17 18 19 20

dh.tUm. G{_mlw tXmakvþA`napJw

tP¡_v Iñp]pcbv¡ð

A Mathematician With A Vision Passion and Drive: A Short Life,Well Lived.

Prof. Thomas Koshy Ph.D. George Varughese, Sushil Chacko, Sunitha Cheriyan Rafeeq Ahamed Priya A S

Thomas Koshy Ph. D. Steny Kalapurakkel

ssk¡nÄ XIgn hnfn¡epIÄ

Fw.BÀ. tcWpIpamÀ

Oh Mizoram

P. S. Sreedharan Pillai

hplm³ N´bnð Nn´ hnð¡póhÀ {]Wbw, Fsâ i{Xp, ac¡mepIÄ \m«phgnIfnse XpemXp¼nIÄ CâensP³kv ¹mâpw C³Uy³ hbmt{Kw. I®oÀs]m¡w shbnð ]q¡pónS§Ä

G{_lmw amXyp D®n BÀ

Youth the ray of Epiphany

Hcp HmWw IqSn 2020 Pandemic and Lyme Disease

Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikkad Priya Joseph Dr. Rajendra Panickerr Sindhu Nair Varghese T. Pothan Lilly Fernandez Dr. Aju Daniel

21 22 25 30 34 37 39 41 42 44 44 45 47 48 50 57 58 59 61 63 5

Thushara John Thushara John Alexander Beji Joseph Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil Sofi Isaac Kanam Fr. Pinto Paul Matthew George Femy Jose

67 67 68 70 70 71 74 79 83

Finding Gratitude Painting - Shades of Blue

Jacob Kallupura Shanty Mathew Joan Daniel Dr. Rekha Nair

My Life CARES Act and Families Cartoon Sunflower Painting-Swan Lake

Smita Chirayath Shaju Jacob, CPA Thomas Kodenkandath Shibi K. Shibi K.

k¡dnb kmdnsâ ]q¨

A\nP G{_lmw

50 Years of KANE

Christa Jacob Preetha Rajeev Seena Joseph Jollson Varghese

\ngð kz]v\§Ä Painting - Fortitude Ninteen

Alw ad¡nñ Rm³ Raising virtuous children for the 21st Century Personal Financial Planning

shfn]mSv Clouds in the Valley

Fsâ hdotk«³

84 86 87 87 88 90 91 91 92

Little Tree Wacky Shoes Star Spangled Painting - Mount Fuji Wayne’s Way in Nature

94 95 97 97 AizXn adnbw amXyp 98 A Malayali - American Penne 101 sÌ\n If¸pcbv¡ð 102 Veda Menon 104 Jacob Chacko 105 Meera Nair 106 Madhav Nair 106 Ethan Ebbin 107 Avani Nair 108

Birthday Special

Agnes Chacko

108

A Heart Made

Athena Paul

109

Painting-Peacock

Sandra Vishnu

109

I Am Poem Afterword Golden Memories

Diya Sebastian Prof. Santhosh Mathew

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t]mSm....]ptñ..... hosSmgnbpt¼mÄ amdpI \n§Ä A Thank You Letter to KANE

{]hmk¯nsâ Ac\qämïv

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Biju Thoompil Chief Editor

Seena Joseph

Steny Kalapurakkel

Prof. Santhosh Mathew

Jacob Kallupura

Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil.

Dear Friends, In her 1891 poem, “Hope is the Thing with Feathers,” one of America's most distinctive and prolific poets, Emily Dickinson portrays hope as a bird that is permanently perched in the soul of every human. This metaphorical view reveals the power of hope to bring unlimited changes in our world. Hope enables us to dream big and helps our dreams transform into aspirations and goals. The history of Kerala Association of New England (KANE) truly represents one of the profound aspirations of the immigrants from Kerala who settled in and around the Boston area. This diaspora community, although few in numbers back in 1970, laid the foundation for one of the earliest Malayalee organizations in the USA, then named Kerala Samajam. Today, on the 50th anniversary of this organization, we gratefully acknowledge and proudly remember the efforts of these early pioneers. This memento narrates the past accomplishments of our organization and provides a vison for its future. It also serves as a launching pad for our members including juniors to express their creative urges in words and images. Many well-known writers from Kerala enthusiastically contributed their literary works to support this project. Moreover, government officials and leaders from India and the USA have greeted our community with wishes and messages on this joyous occasion. In a time of pandemic and social unrest, we are more likely to feel helpless and stressed. But what stands between us and the enveloping emptiness is our hopes and dreams laced with community spirit. Since its inception, KANE has been a source of sup7

77

port and hope for all its members and it created a close-knit Malayali community in the New England region of the USA. On this landmark occasion of KANE’s journey, we are more confident than ever before to assert that we will soon overcome the present trials and tribulations afflicting our society. The hope and promise of a just and civilized society couldn’t have been better expressed as in the song, "We shall overcome someday. Deep in my heart, I do believe." It was not a defiant slogan or a marching song for the civil right leaders, but it was a universal promise that resonated across the globe and embraced by many even today. At this juncture, we admit that KANE, as an immigrant community organization in the USA, has drawn its strength and courage from various social movements that sought social changes in the USA. We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and stand for racial, class, gender, and sexual equality. Incidentally, KANE was founded in the immediate years following the successful culmination of the civil right movement. Five decades later, we stand in solidarity with the social movements across the globe for a better future for us, our children and all other people in the world. We espouse our cultural heritage and language, yet we flourish in a multicultural environment. Our souvenir is testament to the efforts of the editorial board to reach out to the various segments of our community. We are committed to the needs of our members and our souvenir reflects the diversity of languages (both English and Malayalam), thoughts and expressions. In all these efforts, we attempted to weave a common thread that connects us all Keralites together. As we commemorate the golden jubilee year of KANE, we are pleased to present this souvenir that reflects the collective actions, thoughts and ambitions of our community at large spanning five decades. This souvenir is a collective effort of our editorial board members that include Messrs. Steny Kalapurakkel, Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil, Jacob Kallupurakal, Prof. Santhosh Mathew and Dr. Seena Joseph. We also gratefully recognize the efforts and leadership of Jollson Varghese who presides KANE on its 50th year. We thank all the contributors and share this souvenir with our readers. We are delighted to be part of this endeavor and express our deep gratitude and a renewed sense of community spirit on this jubilant occasion. On behalf of the Souvenir Committee, Chief Editor Biju Thoompil

(The thoughts and opinions expressed in this souvenir represent the view of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the KANE editorial board)

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{]XymibmWv a\pjyIpe¯nsâ Ømbo`mhw. AXpsImïmWv temIw tImhnUv Fó almhym[nbpsS Idp¯ \ngenembncn¡pt¼mgpw ip`m]vXn hnizmkt¯msS \msfsb¡pdn¨v kz]v\w ImWphm\pw ]²XnIÄ BhnjvIcn¡phm\pw ITn\]cn{iaw \S¯póXv. Cu cïmbnc¯n Ccp]Xnepw \½psS kaql¯nð cqVaqeambncn¡pó hÀ®hnthN\¯ns\Xnscbpw \nba]meIcpsS [mÀãy¯ns\Xnscbpw Pohn¡phm\pÅ AhImi¯n\pthïn am\hnIX apdhnfnIq«pó kabw IqSnbmWnXv. \mw AXnPohn¡pI Xsó sN¿pw. Ibv]p ]pcï A\p`h§fnð \nóv ]pXnb ]mT§Ä DÄs¡mïpsImïv a\pjyIpew kzbw \hoIcn¨psImtïbncn¡pw. a\pjy³ Hcp kmaqlyPohnbmWv. Häbv¡ñ. Hcpan¨p\nómWv \mw hfÀón«pÅXv. Cu t_m[y¯nð thcqónbmWv 1970 ImeL«¯nð ""tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv '' Fó Iq«mbva cq]s¸SpóXv. Atacn¡bnse Xsó BZyIme aebmfn kwLS\Ifnð Hóv! BZy ImeL«§fnð ""tIcf kamPw'' Fódnbs¸«ncpó ""sIbn³'' cïmbnc¯n Ccp]Xnð, A³]Xp hÀjw ]qÀ¯nbm¡pt¼mÄ Cu kwcw`¯n\v Np¡m³ ]nSn¨ almcYòmsc lrZbw \ndª \µntbmsS am{Xta A\pkvacn¡m³ IgnbpIbpÅp. AhcpsS ZoÀLho£W¯nð \nóv DuÀÖw kzoIcn¨ Cu alm {]Øm\s¯ hcpw XeapdIÄ¡pthïn hfÀ¯nsbSp¡pI FóXv \½psS kmaqlnI D¯chmZnXzamWv. ""t]mIphm³ \apt¡sd ZqcapïtXmÀ¡phn³ hgn ]ng¨p t]mbnSmsX angn sXfn¨p t\m¡phn³ t\cv t\cnSm³ Icp¯v t\SWw, \ncmibnð hoWnSmsX t\cn\mbv s]mcpXphm³ sImXn¡Ww.'' (A\nð ]\¨qcm³) t\cn\mbv s]mcpXphm\pÅ BÀÖht¯msS C\nbpw hnPtbXnlmk§Ä cNn¡phm³, ""tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv ' Fó IpS¡ognð \aps¡móptNcmw. kphÀ® Pq_nenbnð F¯n \nð¡pó \½psS Atkmkntbjsâ ssP{Xbm{XbpsS Hcp Ncn{Xkw{Klw Cu kvacWnIbnð BteJ\w sN¿phm³ R§Ä {ian¨n«pïv. Cu XmfpIfnð HmÀ½¨n´pIfpïv, `mh\bpsS hÀ®abqc§fpïv, Nn´mkv^penwK§fpïv, `mhnsb¡pdn¨pÅ ip`{]Xo£Ifpïv. CóseIfnse sFIy¯nsâbpw A\p`h§fpsSbpw ka`mh\IfpsSbpw t\À¡mgvNIfpapïv. kphÀ® Pq_nen kph\odnte¡v DZmcambn kw`mh\ sNbvX kÀ¤[\cmb Fñmhscbpw Cu Ahkc¯nð IrXÚXtbmsS HmÀ½n¡póp. AhXcW¯nepw, Bhnjv¡mc¯nepw, X\nabpw ]pXpabpw \ne\nÀ¯m³ R§Ä ]camh[n {ian¨n«pïv. Ipä§fpw ]nghpIfpw Itï¡mw. kZbw £an¨p kzoIcn¡psaóv hnizkn¡póp. Cu kwcw`w Hcp bmYmÀ°yam¡phm³ FtómsSm¸w kph\oÀ I½nän AwK§fmb kÀÆ{io sÌ\n If¸pcbv¡ð, Ipcymt¡mkv aWnbm«pIpSnbnð, tP¡_v Iñp]pc, s{]m^kÀ kt´mjv amXyp, tUmÎÀ ko\ tPmk^v FónhÀ A{im´w ]cn{ian¨n«pïv. Pq_nen hÀj¯nse ""sIbn³'' {]knUâv {io. tPmÄk¬ hÀ¤oknsâ DuÀÖkzeamb t\XrXz]mShhpw klmbklIcW§fpw ]cmaÀin¡mXncn¡phm³ IgnbpIbnñ. IqSmsX, Pq_nen hÀj I½nän AwK§sfbpw t_mÀUv Hm^v UbdtÎgvknt\bpw \µntbmsS kvacn¡póp. tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïnsâ DuÀÖhpw \òbpw DÄs¡mïpsImïv, {]uVntbmsS, khn\bw R§Ä kaÀ¸n¡póp....! kphÀ® Pq_nen kph\oÀ 2020, ""Aizta[w'' kph\oÀ I½nänbv¡p thïn. No^v FUnäÀ, _nPp Xq¼nð (_m²yXm \ncmIcWw: Cu kvacWnIbnð {]Xn]mZn¨ncn¡pó Nn´Ifpw A`n{]mb§fpw, AXmXv Fgp¯pImcpsS krãn am{XamWv. CXnð {]Xn]mZn¨ncn¡pó GsX¦nepw hnjbhpambn tIcf Atkmkntbjt\m, FUntämdnbð t_mÀUnt\m bmsXmcp hn[¯nepapÅ D¯chmZnXzhpw Dïmbncn¡póXñ.)

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Jollson Varghese President

{]nbapÅhtc, temIw hfscb[nIw {]XnkÔnIsf A`napJoIcn¨ Hcp ImeL«amWv 2020þ2021. Fñm a\pjycpsSbpw PohnXw GsX¦nepw hn[¯nepÅ ZpÀLSmhØbneqsS ISópt]mbn«pïv. tNÀóp\nópw tNÀ¯p]nSn¨pamWv \mw Cu {]XntemakmlNcy§sf XcWw sNbvXp sImïncn¡póXv. AXnPoh\¯nsâ apJap{Zbpambn am\htemIw imkv{X¯nsâ kmcYy¯nð tImhnUv Fó almtcmKs¯ IogS¡ns¡mïncn¡pIbmWnt¸mÄ. Cu almhn]¯nð kvt\lnXsctbm _Ôp¡sftbm \ãs¸« Fñmhscbpw Rm³ lrZb¯nð tNÀ¡póp. sasñsb¦nepw Imew \n§fpsS apdnhpIfpsS Bgw Ipdbv¡pw Fóp {]Xymin¡póp. {]Xo£Ifpw Bßhnizmkhpw am{Xw aqe[\ambn Ggp ISepIÄ¡¡sc Hcp ]¨¯pcp¯nð \nóv\½psS ap³ Xeapd Bcw`n¨ ssP{Xbm{X Ct¸mÄ al¯mb 50 hÀj§Ä ]nón«ncn¡póp. CóseIfpsS Ncn{Xw Dd§pó a®neqsS IpXn¨p ]mªv ]gasb Xmtemen¨pw ]pXpasb kzoIcn¨pw, Cu Ignª A¼Xp hÀj§Ä shdpsX {]bmWw XpScpI am{Xambncpónñ. hnizkwkvImcthZnbpsS aptóä§Äs¡m¸w ]p¯\izta[w \S¯n, Hmtcm ImeL«¯nepw aebmf a®nsâ kv]µ\§sf, Bßmhnð Bhmln¨v B Ipf¼Sn i_vZw \s½ aptóm«v \bn¨psImïncpóp. almIhn hbemÀ ]dªXpt]mse, ""Fs´mcptòjamWnXn³ I¬Ifnð Fs´mcpÕmlamWnXn³ ImðIfnð ZnKznPb¯ns\³ kÀ¤iànbmþ an¡pXncsb hn«bbv¡póp Rm³.''

Cu A³]Xp hÀj§fpsS HmÀ½Isf BteJ\w sN¿phm³ tKmÄU³Pq_nen kph\oÀ Fó e£y¯n\pthïn AÀ¸Wat\m`mht¯msSbpw ZoÀLho£Wt¯msSbpw A£oWw {]bXv\n¨ {]nbs¸« FUntämdnbð AwK§tfmSpÅ Fsâ lrZbw \ndª IrXÚX Rm³ tcJs¸Sp¯póp. Cu kph\oÀ Hcp bmYmÀ°yam¡póXn\pw tKmÄU³ Pq_nen hÀj¯nse {][m\ Imcy]cn]mSnIfpsS \S¯n¸n\pw Bhiyamb Fñm klIcW§fpw km¼¯nIklmbhpw \ðInb {]nbs¸« kvt]m¬kÀamsc Rm³ lrZb]qÀÆw A\pkvacn¡póp. AhÀ¡v F{X \µn ]dªmepw AXv A[nIamhpIbnñ. F´n\pw Ft¸mgpw k¼qÀ® klIcWhpambn FtómsSm¸w Dïmbncpó t_mÀUv Hm^v UbdtÎgvkv, FIvknIyq«nhv I½än, BÀ«vkv I½än, sIbn³ Pq\ntbgvkv, sawt_gvknt\mSpÅ AIagnª \µnbpw kvt\lhpw Cu Ahkc¯nð Adnbn¡póp. Cu Aizta[w kÀ¤tijnbpsS {InbmßIXbpsS \h taJeIfneqsS C\nbpw XpSÀóp sImïpt]mIphm³ \ap¡pw \½psS Cfw Xeapdbv¡pw Ignbs« Fó BiwktbmsS, kvt\l]qÀÆw,

tPmÄk¬ hÀKokv {]knUâv 10

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BiwkIÄ tUm.tPmÀÖv HmW¡qÀ

" \òbpsS Zn\§Ä ]nd¡s«''

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sI. ]n. cma\p®n

A`nam\ aplqÀ¯¯nð hnPbmiwkIÄ... Atacn¡bnð t_m̬ BØm\ambn {]hÀ¯n¡pó aebmfnIfpsS kmwkvImcnI kwLS\bmb tIcf AtÊmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv ]pd¯nd¡pó tkmh\odnte¡v Biwkmktµiw Bhiys¸«psImïv {io. sÌ\n If¸pcbv¡ð hnfn¨t¸mÄ kXy¯nð F\n¡v Bßm`nam\w tXmón. Fs´ómð tImhnUvþ19 kwlmcXmÞhamSpt¼mgpw aebmfnIÄ HcnS¯pw kÀ¤mßIhocyw ssIshSnbpónñ FóXnsâ Zrãm´amWnXv. Cu almamcnsb a\pjycmin AXnPohn¡pI Xsó sN¿pw. At¸mÄ temIw apgph³ sImïmSphm³ t]mIpó tIcf¯nsâ {]Xntcm[ amXrI kÀÆ aebmfnIÄ¡pw XebpbÀ ¯n¸nSn¡phm³ Ahkcw \ðIpw. \mw ]et¸mgpw \½psS amlmßy§sf¡pdn¨v HmÀ¡mdnñ. B[p\nIImew A`napJoIcn¡pó ]e hym[nIÄ¡papÅ Huj[n \½psS ]mc¼cy¯nepïv. AXp \½Ä temIka£w AhXcn¸n¡pI Xsó thWw. kz´w `mjbpw kwkvImchpw DbÀ¯n¸nSn¡p t¼mÄ am{Xta aebmfn aäpÅhcmð BZcn¡s¸SpIbpÅp. AXpsImïv Hcn¡epw thcpIÄ \ãs¸SmsX kq£n¡pI. thcpIÄ \ãs¸«h\v A`bmÀ°nbpsS klXm]w t]mepw e`n¡pIbnñ. temtIm¯c _lpaXn t\Snb tIcftamUensâ ]Ým¯e¯nð Gdnb A`nam\t¯mSpw A´tÊmSpw IqSnbmIs« sIbn³ tkmh\oÀ ]pd¯nd¡póXv. aebmfn amlmßy¯nsâ sImSn bSbmfambn amtdï tkmh\oÀ AS¡apÅ \n§fpsS Fñm {]hÀ¯\]²XnIÄ¡pw Fsâ hnPbmiwkIÄ!

sI. ]n. cma\p®n ]n. H. s]cpa®, tImgnt¡mSv þ 19 15 15

d^o¡v Al½Zv

t_mÌWnse tIcf AtÊmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv A¼Xp hÀjw ]qÀ¯nbm¡póXnsâ `mKambn Hcp kph\oÀ {]kn²oIcn¡póXmbn AdnbpóXnð henb kt´mjapïv. temI¯nsâ GXv ap¡nepw aqebnepw aebmfn Dïv. aebmfn sNñpónSs¯ñmw kz´amb hyànap{Z ]Xn¸n¡mdpïv. tIcf¯nsâ \m«p \òIÄ DÅnð kq£n¡pt¼mgpw hniz]ucXz¯nsâ N{Ihmf§sf hmcn¸pWcpóhcmWv aebmfnIÄ. temIw apgph³ Hcp henbshñphnfnsb A`napJoIcn¡pó kµÀ`¯nemWv Rm\o Ipdns¸gpXpóXv. CXv {]kn²oIcn¡pt¼mgpw \mw Cu {]XnkÔnsb XcWw sNbvXncn¡pw Fóp Xsó hnizkn¡póp. Zpc´§Ä \s½ IqSpXð Icp¯cpw AtXmsSm¸w hn\bm\znXcpw Al´bnñm¯hcpw B¡n¯oÀ¡s«. PohnXw Fó Aaqeyamb A\p{Kl¯nsâ kuµcyw Xncn¨dnbpamdmIs«. Cu kÀ¤ k¼pS¯n\v Fñm hnPb§fpw Biwkn¡póp. kvt\lt¯msS \n§fpsS d^o¡v Al½Zv.

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tUm.cmtP{µ¸Wn¡À F³. Pn.

Atacn¡bnse aebmfn kwLS\Ifnð {]YaØm\w \ne\nÀ¯nt¸mcpó

""sIbn³''

(KANE) AXnsâ A³]Xmw hmÀjnImtLmj§tfmS\p_Ôn¨v {]Imi\w sN¿pó ""kvacWnI'' aebmf kmlnXy tiJc¯nte¡v Fsótó¡pambn Hcp apXð¡q«mbn amdpw FóXnð XÀ¡apïmhnñ. temtIm¯c kmlnXykrãnIÄ DÄs¸Sp¯n {]IminXamIpó Cu ""kvacWnI'' bnte¡v Fsâ Hcp sNdnb IhnXIqSn DÄs¸Sp¯phm³ Ahkcsamcp¡nbXn\v kvt\lhpw \µnbpw Adnbn¨psImïv Cu BtLmjthfbnð

""sIbn³'' (KANE) \v Fsâ kÀÆhn[

BiwkIfpw t\ÀópsImÅpóp.

kkvt\lw. tUm.cmtP{µ¸Wn¡À F³. Pn. shÌv tbmÀIv sjbÀ Cw¥ïv

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Mr. Jollson Varghese President

Mr. Suresh Abraham Vice President

Mr. Roshan George Secretary

Mrs. Jancy Kuriakose Joint Secretary

Mr. Anoop Vijayan Treasurer

Mrs. Rosily Varghese Arts Secretary

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Biju Thoompil

Elsie Marangoly

Jose Mohan

Manju Bahuleyan

Matthew Chacko

Prakash Nellurvalappil

Reggie George

Valsa Vargise

Babu Punnose

Varghese Pappachan

Varghese T Pothen

Varghese Yohanan

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Aswathy M Mathew

Biya Paul

Deepa Vishnu

Depin Dalummughathu

Dr. Dolly Varghese

Don Francis

Grace Pullattu

Hena Rinson

Jaison Kachapilly

Jerril Varghese

Jesmi Saresh

Joboy Jacob

Kajal Maxelino

Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil

Lijo Varghese

Liny Sunny

Pauly Konikara

Ria Cherian

Sheela Kaithamattom 20

Sreeja Prasad

Suja Joy

Sam Chirayath

Tessy Maliakal

Sarika Paul

Shanty Mathew

Thushara John

Uma Ramesh 20

James Jacob

Alfonse Thopurathu

Auditor

Titus John

Annette Sebastian

Divya Andrews

Benito Biju

Public Relations

Sriram Vrinda

Thomas Mohan

KANE Sponsorship Team

Mr. Varghese Pappachan

Mr. Matthew Chacko

Mr. Suresh Abraham 21 21

KANE EX - PRESIDENTS

Dr. C. T. John 1970 - 1971

Mr. A J Chandy 1974 - 1975

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Rev. Dr. Abraham Thomas 1971- 1972, 1983 - 1984

Mr. Philip Cherian 1975 - 1976 1980 - 1981

Rev. Dr. V K Thomas 1978 - 1979

Dr. P K George 1979 - 1980

Mr. Joseph Vadakkekalam 1984 - 1985

Rev. Koshy Mathews 1985 - 1986

Mr. Sam Jacob 1972 - 1973

Mr. Michael Punchakunnel 1973 - 1974

Mr. P M John 1976 - 1977 1992 - 1993

Mr. John Abraham 1977 - 1978

Prof. Dr. Thomas Koshy 1981 - 1982

Mr. Prem Menachery 1982 - 1983

Mr. Jose Akkara 1986 - 1987

Mrs. Vimala Tharisayi 1987 - 1988 22

Mr. T M Jacob 1988 - 1989

Mr. Paul Varghese1989 - 1990

Mrs. Alpheen Menachery1990 - 1991

Mr. Kurian Koshy 1991 - 1992

Mrs. Valsa Vargise 1993 - 1994

Mr.Issac Varghese 1994 - 1995

Dr.OM Prakash Pillai 1995 - 1996

Mr. Sonny Abraham 1996 - 1997

Mr. James Kutticherry 1997 - 1998

Mr. George Tharisai 1998 - 1999

Mr. Raphael Maliakal 1999 - 2000

Mr. Iype Geevarghese 2000 - 2001

Mrs. Veena Pillai 2001 - 2002

Mr. Samuel Thomas 2002 - 2003

Mr. Vaidyanathan Iyer 2003 - 2004

Mr. Varghese Yohannan 2004 - 2005 23 23

Mr. Daniel S Kutty 2005 - 2006

Mr. Jacob Kallupura2006 - 2007

Mr. Jose Sebastian 2007 - 2008

Mr. Philip Varghese 2008 - 2009

Mr. Rajendraprasad Sivadasan 2009 - 2010

Mr. Joboy Jacob 2010 - 2011

Mr. Biju Thoompil 2011 - 2012

Mr. Matthew Chacko 2012 - 2013

Mr. Matthew George 2013 - 2014

Mr. Prakash Nellurvalappil 2014 - 2015

Mr. Babu Punnose 2015 - 2016

Mr. Jose Mohan 2016 - 2017

Mr. Joseph Kunnel 2017 - 2018

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Ms. Elsie Vithayathil 2018 - 2019

Mr. Jollson Varghese 2019 - 2020 2020 - 2021 24

(As written in the KANE Silver Jubilee Souvenir 1995)

Thomas Koshy Ph. D.

The late 1950s and the 60s witnessed the beginning of a flow of Keralites into the Boston area, most of them as graduate students. There was a good reason for this: Boston was and continues to be the educational hub of the world, and Mecca of medical care. They had left behind a homeland that had given them life, freedom, and a good education. Some had their families with them, some had left them temporarily in Kerala, and the rest were single. Those in the last two categories were eager to meet other Malayalies who were few in number or even other Asian Indians; they were craving for social interaction, emotional support, and a decent Malayali meal. Those with families were generous in welcoming others to their homes and fulfilling these needs. No one had originally thought of settling here. However, after experiencing the intellectual challenges, and enjoying the comforts and conveniences of life in The United States, they decided to establish roots here. Meanwhile, the Malayali population in the area began increasing gradually and slowly the pilgrims felt the need for an organization. In the fall of 1970, Dr. C. T. John, then a professor at Northeastern University, took the initiative in inviting all Keralites in the area to an organizational meeting at Harvard University where the late Dr. A. V. Varughese was a post-doctoral fellow. The attendees enthusiastically endorsed his idea for an association, thus laying the foundation for Kerala Samajam, an informal body constituted to meet the social and cultural needs of the people. As could be expected, Dr. John was elected president, and Kurian Tharakan and Madhavan M. Nambiar as secretary and treasurer, respectively. For the convenience of all, Dr. John compiled and distributed a one-page type-written list of addresses and telephone numbers of all male Keralites in the Boston area. Seeking social interaction and a tasty, spicy meal, they took advantages of every opportunity to meet; for example, whenever a priest would pass through the area, all Christians would gather for a worship service, irrespective of the denominations to which they belonged. Most of the services were held at Boston University and sporadically at Northeastern University also. (There was no Hindu Temple in the Boston area at that time.) Initially, the Samajam had few activities. Occasionally Malayalam movies were shown, sometimes at Northeastern and other times at MIT. The movie-screenings provided opportunities for renewing friendships, swapping old and new stories, and meeting the newly arrived. But the advent of videos in the 80s dampened the interest in them. The first non-trivial activity of the maiden year was a picnic, held on a summer evening in 1971 on the banks of the Charles River, across from WBZ-TV station on Soldiers Field Road; Well-attended and well-received, it included a pot-luck meal and a few games. Later picnics, however, have featured cookouts, and sports and games for all ages. Most of the cultural activities in the 70s and the early 80s were held at the Immanuel Methodist Church (IMC) in Waltham and the rest at Bentley College. The first Christmas function was held in 1973 at Phillips congregational church in Watertown; its highlights included the singing of carols, a Christmas pageant, a costume competition, a visit by Santa Clause, and of course an exchange of gifts. The addresses distributed then included wives’ names, bringing them a step closer to genuine equality; but children’s names were not added until three years later (12/ 76)! 25 25

A special attraction of the Samajam in those days was the Onam festivities. The first one was held in August 1974 at Northeastern University’s Burlington Campus. The feast is invariably followed by a variety of entertainment, including Bharata Natyam, plays, songs, and instrumental music. Traditionally well-attended and well-supported, the festivals mirror the celebrations in the homeland, taking us back home on an annual nostalgic pilgrimage and reminding us of what we miss in the United States. 1980 was a milestone in the history of the organization. During the tenure of P. K. George and Koshy Mathews, it was christened Kerala Association of New England, which neatly fits the acronym KANE proposed by Joseph Vargise. Color and pageantry were subsequently added to the Onam festivities, providing novelty, excitement, and embellishment. Athappu, a beautiful floral arrangement, for instance, became a focal point of the festival held in Carter Memorial Methodist Church in Needham in August 1980; thalappoli, a ceremonious way of greeting distinguished guests by girls dressed in beautiful, traditional dress and carrying flowers in bronze plates, and the lighting of the nilavilakku, a traditional bronze lamp, were added to the festivities at the First Armenian Church in Belmont in September 1981. In the following year, a nirapara filled to the rime with rice, a symbol of prosperity, became an added feature of the spectacle. (A para is a beautifully carved wooden cylinder with one end closed; it is used to measure paddy). As can be imagined these features have become prominent fixtures of all later Onam celebrations. Until 1980, the KANE executive committee had been elected by the general body. But in 1981 KANE experimented with a new procedure which has since worked well. It elected a president, secretary, and treasurer at the Onam business meeting and entrusted them with adding a reasonable number of members to the committee. The president presented the new members for recognition at the following Christmas function. The liberalization of immigration laws in the 70s opened the shores to a new wave of Keralites to arrive and to participate fully in the “American Dream.” This led to a gradual and steady increase in our population in New England, especially in the Greater Boston area. All well-qualified, the newly arrived had left their homeland to enhance their economic well-being, to delight in the modern amenities of life to provide a better future for their children. The infusion of new blood with a variety of talents in the arts and music enhanced the cultural offerings of the Association. Among them concerts, koladi, vallom kali, thalappoli, kathaprasangam, and the playing of a large array of musical instruments are noteworthy. KANE was twice blessed by the visits of renowned movie stars: Padmasree Thikkurissi and Padmasree Gemini Ganesan (‘77), and Padmasree Prem Nazir and Kuthiravattom Pappu (‘88). In addition, concerts by Padmasree Jesudas (9/73, 3/83, 10/87), P. Leela (9/74), Jolly Abraham (11/79), Jency Anthony & Chorus (10/82), and Jesudas and Chitra (7/95) were captivating. A number of gifted KANE vocalists such as Raju Thekkekara (9/85, 9/ 87) have also entertained us. The plays directed or acted in by the members include SPCH: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Husband (Spring,‘76), Kshira-bala-sahacharadi-kashayathil (9/78), Kuttavum Shikshayum (4/81), Vallithirumanam (Jyothi Raghavan, 9/83), cherukkankaanal (9/85), Pennukaanal (8/89), Manosugham Clinic (9/90), Kalianikku Kambi Vannu (8/83, 9/93), Kudumba Yogam (9/92), and Yuge Yuge (4/95); a total of five kathaprasangams were also staged: Nerchakozhi (Dn. V.K. Thomas, 9/77), Magdalanamariam (Samuel Thomas, 12/80), Pathanam (Alex Thomas, 5/89), Maveli Bostonil (Alex Thomas, 6/91), and Neelathidumbu (Samuel Thomas, 4/95). Without exception, the audiences were enraptured. The year 1981 gave birth to two non-profit organizations in the Boston area. In July, with Dr. P.M. John as the founding father, the Third World Scholars Consortium Inc. was formed to promote “the cultural, religious, educational, developmental, and organizational concerns of the Third World,” and in December the Kerala Christian Conference was born. The latter holds an annual Thanksgiving service in November, and a one- or two-day conference in the summer; its maiden function, however, was the Christmas service at IMC. The year 1981-1982 was a memorable one. The list of addresses appeared for the first time in a booklet form with a printed cover page and artwork by Maya Jacob. It contained advertisements from the large business community, generating sufficient funds to meet printing costs a profitable practice since continued. Swami 26

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Sarvagadananda of the Rama Krishna Vedanta Society at MIT gave the message at the Christmas function held at IMC. At the function, KANE JR., a team coined by Mercy Koshy, was formed to meet the social and cultural needs of the youngsters in the community. Its activities include ski trips, visit to the historical sites and theme parks, Halloween parties, charitable work such as Walk for Hunger and serving at soup kitchens, and an annual publication, New Horizons, began in the fall of 1983. In the summer of 1982, Kane realized a long-cherished dream. It bought a public address system, the seeds of which were planted four years earlier by Eapen Koshy, and then revivified in 1980-81. Dr. K. R. Narayanan, then Ambassador to the United States and currently the Vice President of India, was the chief guest at the Onam festival in September 1982. Ambika Sukumaran, a star on the Kerala silver screen for several decades, delivered the Onam message. In addition, Simi Garewal, a movie star and director of the Hindi movie, Rookshat (1985), which was produced by Philip Cherian, also was present. A new activity, square dancing was experimented with in March 1984, again at IMC, under the leadership of The Rev. DR. Abraham Thomas. Commencing in 1984, KANE has participated in nearly all Independence and Republic Day celebrations, organized by the India Association of Greater Boston, and won a second place in cultural competitions held in January 1989 for the one-act-play, Kerala Bus Travel. In February 1986, KANE hosted the first recreation night at the Longfellow Tennis and Fitness Club in Wayland, a practice that continued until two years ago. In July, Joseph Vadakekalam led a deep-sea fishing trip off Cape Cod. It was followed in August by the first overnight camping at Bowdish Lake, West Glocester, Rhode Island, held under the joint directorship of Joy Abraham and Joseph Akkara, an activity enjoyed by the campers. The tradition started then continues to have a strong faithful following. In the summer of 1987, KANE participated in the India - a Festival of Science exhibition at the Museum of Science in Boston. Sponsored by the Government of India and the Department of Science and Technology, it highlighted the scientific contributions of India; in August, Kerala Day was observed with a panoply of arts and crafts. Three years later, KANE organized a trip to Atlantic City. The December 1993 address book listed the hometowns and nicknames of all adults. In the following summer KANE participated in the International Festival held at Bayside Expo Center. With 168 countries from around the world participating in the exposition, KANE had a booth displaying Kerala’s culture, art, handicrafts, spices, and costumes, and it was visited by India’s Ambassador, Siddhartha Shankar Ray. It was followed by a whale watching trip off Boston Harbor in August. At the Onam meeting in 1994, the office of the secretary for arts and sports was added to the executive committee to lead KANE in cultural and entertainment pursuits. A legal counsel was also retained. 1994-95 was a landmark year in the growth of KANE. It now boasts to have a splendid logo, commissioned in the fall. Designed by Manu Mathew, a multi-talented professional artist and the father of numerous impressive creations, this composition comprises two concentric circles; the inner one contains the silhouette of a woman clad in traditional royal clothes holding a lamp in her right hand and a platter of fruits in the other. At the 1994 Christmas function, KANE adopted a constitution, originally drafted in 1993 by an ad hoc subcommittee headed by Alex Thomas. On December 30, it became a registered, non-profit organization to “ foster social, educational, charitable, and cultural needs of the Kerala Community in New England and to promote the artistic, literary, inter-cultural, and inter-generational needs of the wider Indian community in active participation with organizations in North America with similar and mutual interests”. History was also made when a Board of Advisors was formed in December to “provide continuity and guidance in fulfilling long-term goals and objectives”. In contrast to the previous ones, this year’s picnic at Concord was special. It was fully underwritten by the KANE business community, manifesting the esprit de corps of successful enterprises. The large influx of Malayalies into the area in the 80s and the early 90s has resulted in about 325 families. Although they are disposed in various parts of New England, most of them are concentrated within Route 495 in Massachusetts. 27 27

The Keralite population in New England, by and large, consists of Christians and Hindus. Catholics have been attending local Catholic churches, whereas their non-Catholic counterparts initially worshipped together when a priest would become available. With the large influx of Christians, however, this situation has changed; the 80s saw the birth of six congregations in Boston: Mar Thoma Church (’84), The Church of South India (’88), International Church of God (’88), St. Mary’s Orthodox Church (’89), Pentecostal Assembly of Boston (’89), and St. Stephen’s Knanaya Church (’92). Meanwhile, in 1981, the Hindus from various parts of India along with the believers from Kerala, bought 12 acers of land in Ashland, Massachusetts, to build a temple there. Although the construction of Sri Lakshmi temple began in June 1984, it continues to be architecturally embellished. Nevertheless, three resident poojarees from India conduct poojas there regularly. The community is delighted that two of its pilgrims went on to become vice-chancellors of two universities in Kerala, Dr. A. V. Varughese at the University of Kerala, and Dr. A. T. Devasia at Mahatma Gandhi University at Kottayam. It is also laudable that The Rev. Oommen Koruthu who graduated from Boston University with a D. Min. in 1976, was consecrated as a bishop in the Mar Thoma Church four years later; Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus is currently in charge of the Diocese of North America and Europe, and serves on the Central Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. In addition, The Rev. Dr. Abraham V. Thomas was elevated to Corepiscopa in 1986 in the Syrian Knanaya Church, since 1989 he has been the Administrator of the North American Knanaya Diocese. KANE can boast of having gifted playwrights, artists, kathikans, and photographers too. To cite a few, Alice Sebastian crafted Pennukaanal, Tessy Maliakal and Mary Mathews Kalianikku Kambi Vannu, and Alex Thomas both Pathanam and Maveli Bostonil, enlivening our cultural activities. Maya Jacob has had her outstanding work displayed t several art exhibitions. Smita Vadakekalam and Sissili Philipose, two young, budding artists also deserve credit. The only recipient of the Education Foundation Ambassador Scholarship from Massachusetts, Smita represented the Commonwealth on a ten-day educational tour of Europe this summer; the scholarship “was established to promote the exchange of innovative ideas, foster international understanding, and celebrate cultural diversity”. Prem Menachery, a talented photographer, has voluntarily captured many of KANE’s memorable and precious moments in color and has a vast repository of such pictures. In addition, since 1989 Mohan Somasundaram has been hosting a program on WCUB FM radio in Worcester; He was joined by Sunitha Menon last year. Several of the youngsters have been very active in the Boy Scouts, some even becoming Eagle Scouts; Jay Abraham (’77), Reuben K. Varghese (’82), Paul Varghese (’84), Viju Akkara (’88), and Freddy Papali (’95) have received the coveted honor. Over the years several of our girls have been learning ballet and Bharata Natyam, three reaching professional status through arangetram: Sunitha Nambiar (’83), Anisha Abraham (’89), and Anita Sebastian (’94). With parents established and with most of their children born here, the latter group has taken an active interest in social and charitable work in the community where an innumerable number of volunteer opportunities exists. In 1984, for instance, Suresh Koshy, walked 20 miles in the annual Walk for Hunger to raise funds for Project Bread. His participation has had a ripple effect. Since then a dedicated group has been participating in this annual, worthwhile cause and its size has been increasing year after year. In the summer of 1988, Jyothi Nambiar participated in City Year, a project initiated by two Harvard graduate students and Mayor Raymond L. Flynn of Boston, and later expanded nationwide by the Clinton Administration; she received a Certificate of Public service Achievement for exemplary service as a founding corps member. Two years later, Nisha Koshy worked for Habitat for Humanity, a project begun by former President Jimmy Carter. Since 1992 Joseph Akkara has been a member of Holliston Lion’s Club engaging in social and charitable activities; he has been a board member since 1993 and treasurer since the beginning of this year. The entire Papali family are engaged in various activities of charitable nature: Scholarship telethons (Augustine), WGBH Community Advisory Board and Stepping Stone Foundation (Prabha), Amnesty International (Alexis), Sri. Chinmoy Foundation (Harry), Helping Hand at Park School (Freddy). In fact several of our members, including KANE, JR. members are also engaged in volunteer work at various organizations and institutions; they include American Cancer Society, WGBH telethon, Perkins School, Salvation Army, Miracle 28 28

Kitchen, Rosie’s Place, Pine Street Inn, and Tutoring in Roxbury. Over the years, KANE has touched the lives of many around the world through generous donations: CARE (‘78), the flood in Andhra Pradesh (‘79) Perkin School (‘82), the victims of the Bhopal industrial accident (‘86), and the earthquake in Maharashtra (‘93), to cite a few cases. Then in 1989, large quantities of clothes to the Aborigines in Gudallur, Tamil Nadu, and since May 1994, , Alex Thomas has been sending proceeds from his book, Thalamura, to Mochana, a drug rehabilitation and counseling center at Manganam, a commendable act of compassion. To continue establishing our roots in the community at large several have become politically active. Koshy Matthews (‘88, ‘90, ‘92), Madhavan Nambiar (‘92), K. J. .Sebastian (‘92), Maria Alunkal (‘94), Tessy Maliakal (‘94) and Vijay Padmanabhan (‘94), Tessy Maliakal (‘94), for example, have served as delegates to annual State Democratic conventions. Last year Marium Alunkal, P. M. John, Koshy Matthews, and Vijay Padamanabhan played roles in the 1994 re-election campaign of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, while Mariam also actively campaigned for town committee candidates in Hopkinton. Our contributions, however, are not confined to the boundaries of the United States. Three young adults, for example, went abroad to pursue charitable work. Two years ago, Asha Matthew, after graduating from Brown, worked with Mission Integral Urbano Rural to raise funds for providing health training and health facilities for the poor in Lima, Peru. Last year, Prakash Thomas, soon after graduating from Yale, left for China to teach English at a college under a program sponsored by the Amity Foundation of the Chinese Christian Council. Rachel Matthews, a graduate from the University of Michigan, is currently working in Senegal on a Peace Corps mission. It is indeed laudable that our community is increasingly contributing to the social fabric of the society at large. Koshy Matthews, for instance, serves as the Executive Director of the Asian American Resource Workshop, a nonprofit organization, the mission of which is “to work for the empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community.” Nalina Narain is the Executive Director of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Inc. “a coalition of individuals and organizations which aims to eliminate family violence and to strengthen Asian families and communities;” Anu Spain is its Program Director. The eighties staged a turning point in the life of the community. Seeing unprecedented opportunities for growth, development, and advancement, several people started their own businesses and are flourishing in their endeavors in “the New World” with competence and mastery. “The trend is in fact accelerating, with important implications for the future of” this community, especially our children and the generations not yet born. Our economic success is no longer a dream, but indeed a reality. Amidst the happiness we feel in having established ourselves as a community, we have had our sad moments also. We have lost ten of our valuable members in the prime of their lives: A. V. Varughese (‘31-’83), George Kurien (‘14-’85), Leela S. John (‘33-’85), John Matthew (‘34-91’), Fr. P. I. Abraham (‘14-’91), Prasad Thomas (‘59-’93), Sunil Thomas (’72-’94), David C. John (‘15-’94), Frederick Ambellur (‘32-’94), and Varghese Kurian (‘43-’95). Although their voices have been stilled, their presence is still felt, and they continue to live in our hearts and minds. Finally, a word about our younger generation: our children are excelling in academics, graduating from prestigious colleges and universities. Their pursuits of interest span a wide spectrum of fields such as accounting, architecture, biology, business, communications, computer science, economics, education, engineering, English, environmental science, law, international relations, medicine, nutrition, political science, and psychology; and some even speak French and Spanish fluently. Their academic excellence exemplifies we are nulli secundus in hard work, performance, expectation, or intelligence. They have set a lofty record of accomplishments that will be difficult for future generations to break. They deserve our applause and unwavering support. Thomas Koshy graduated from the University of Kerala with a B. S. in Mathematics in 1964. After teaching for three years at Mar Thoma college, he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Boston University in 1971. A recipient of several awards, including the Commonwealth citation for Meritorious Service, an author of several textbooks and articles, and a speaker at numerous regional, and national Mathematics conferences, he has been on the faculty at Framingham State College since 1970, serving as the chairman of the Department of Mathematics for six years. 29 29

The chronological history of the next quarter-century as written below is based on the documented responses from all those veteran presidents of the yesteryears. We treasure the enthusiasm and support of these leaders who have graciously honored our request for responses to a few questions about their respective tenures. We also cherish the degree of openness expressed by most of those responders. However, naturally, there were variations in the amount of data shared which may explain the discrepancies Steny Kalapurakkel in the size of the contents among various years. Also, responses from a very few officials haven’t reached us as of press time which would justify any interruption you may notice in the sequence of events. In addition, to be fair, while describing the highlights of those years we focused more on events than individuals. Finally, the KANE souvenir committee editorial board holds collective responsibility in recording these milestones of our beloved Association for the generations to come. Thank you all for being part this magnificent mission. The second half of KANE’s prolific history of 50 years begins with its presidents Dr. Omprakash Pillai (19951996) followed by Mr. Sonny Abraham (1996-1997). Under Mr. James Kutticherry’s presidency (1997-1998), KANE continued to enjoy its status as a non-profit cultural organization. The Association’s fundraising efforts became consistent which led to its financial self sufficiency. Mr. George Tharisayi presided over KANE in the year 1998-1999. It was under the leadership of Mr. Raphael Maliakal (1999- 2000) that KANE created its own website: kaneusa.org to the greatest enthusiasm of its members. It went through a few facelifts in the next several years. In addition, KANE started on-site cooking for Onam Sadhya for the first time. The days leading up to the event became a cheerful and jubilant community activity of vegetable cutting and food preparation that still continues. Mr. Iype Geevarghese was the president (2000-2001) when the country was hit by its worst domestic tragedy, 9/11. Under his leadership, KANE came together as a community to support each other and to honor the lives that lost in this horrific national disaster of the century. In solidarity with the somber mood of the nation, KANE canceled Onam festivities for the first time in many years. Mrs. Veena Pillai was the president of KANE during the year 2001-2002. Under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Thomas in 2002-2003, KANE organized a membership drive for the first time. Each committee member was given a list of its members to be contacted. Their vigorous efforts resulted in an increase of over 250 registrations and subscriptions that year. The regular programs during the year were supplemented with a Star Nite Special performed by a visiting team of movie stars, singers and dancers from Kerala. Mr. Vaidyanathan Iyer, one of the veterans of the community and a mentor to the Association and its leaders, was at the helm of KANE during the year 2003-2004. Under his leadership, an amendment to KANE’s constitution

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was adopted. This amendment made the election process of its office bearers more formal and better defined. In an earnest effort to teach our kids our mother tongue, a Malayalam school was started under the presidency of Mr. Varghese Yohannan (2004-2005). The community interest was so widespread that the student strength had reached to 60, at its peak. KANE started publishing a literary magazine named Sameeksha attracting various literary talents from the community especially from its younger members. Several more issues were published in the following years under various presidents. Aspiring writers, irrespective of their expertise and age, extended even beyond the KANE community, eagerly participated in this literary and intellectual experience for years to come. On December 24, 2004 the world witnessed one of the worst natural disasters, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Along with some of the southern Indian states, Kerala also suffered a huge loss. KANE’s fundraising machinery was kick-started and the community was able to donate $4,500 to Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. Mr. Daniel Kutty was at the helm of KANE in the year 2005-2006 with a confirmed membership of 511 in active status. Also, Onam festival that year witnessed a record crowd of about 1,200 people. Ms. Susan, a representative of the then Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney delivered the Onam message during the celebration. Other highlights of the year included the hosting of a large science and technology forum and a classical dance performance by the famous Malayalam actress Padmashree Sobhana. Ganasandhya was one of the major highlights of the year 2006-2007 under Mr. Jacob Kallupura’s presidency. A fashion show represented by members of all ages of the community was also turned out to be a real success. Onam festival that year witnessed an unprecedented participation by the community as well. Under the leadership of Mr. Jose Sebastian in the year 2007-2008, KANE thoroughly redesigned its logo depicting the cultural symbols of Kerala and the Boston skyline with the words ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ (TEAM) inscribed in it. A monthly electronic newsletter named KANE Varthakal, outlining the Association’s initiatives and programs, was introduced to the community. KANE restarted the Malayalam school, renamed it as Akshara to continue to teach the younger generation our first language. Bodhi, a platform for the entrepreneurs and innovators of our community was created. Paypal was introduced for the first time as a mode of payment. Partnered with other Malayalee Associations in the region, the first Jayaram show with Ms. Usha Uthup as one of the lead entertainers was staged to a very large audience. Despite its occasional inertia, this partnership has added several more stage shows and Malayalam movie screenings and still continues. Mr. Phillip Varghese (2008-2009) still fondly remembers the support of the community during his tenure as president. Based on his recollection the total participation especially that of the children on all events was very fulfilling. Mr. Rajendraprasad Sivadasan was the president (2009-2010) when the Association began to provide KANE calendars to its members. Also, dance and carol competitions were added to that year’s Arts & Talents event and Christmas celebrations, respectively. Under Mr. Joboy Jacob’s presidency (2010-2011), along with the traditional activities, KANE was able to lead many charitable services and conducted a few stage shows and other entertainment events. Mr. Biju Thoompil presided over KANE in the year 2011-2012. In addition to the regular programs, two stage shows, led by Idea Star singer Somadas and Kalabhavan Prasad respectively, were the highlights of the year. Under the presidency of Mr. Mathew Chacko in 2012-2013, sudden changes had to be made to KANE’s Arts & Talents Day event due to the unfortunate marathon bombing in April 2013, considered as Boston’s 9/11. Despite the turbulence the region has experienced, the event became very successful. The major highlight of the Onam celebrations was the Jeffery Iqbal Musical Show which was well- received by the community. 2013-2014 was the period under the leadership of Mr. Mathew George that KANE restarted Malayalam movie screening in partnership with other Malayalee Associations in the region. The popular movie Drishyam was

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the first venture that was screened at the Apple Movie Theater in Cambridge, MA. The joint venture also brought in a Star Show under the banner Ullasa Thiramala. The highlight of the Onam celebrations was a two- hour entertainment show named Mithrah 2014 led by the noted playback singer Franco. Another major accomplishment was the revamping of the KANE website under the mastery of Secretary, Mr. Jollson Varghese who received a plaque from the Association for this remarkable achievement. The newly designed website was unveiled to the community by one of its highly regarded patrons, Mrs. Mandaram Madhavan at the Onam festival. Also, KANE introduced a $100 annual membership fee for the family. Under the presidency of Mr. Prakash Nellurvalappil (2014-2015), the Association created a new position of Public Relations Officer and Mr. Jollson Varghese was appointed as the first PRO. In the spring of that year, KANE hosted a ballet named Maya Madhavam by Lasya School of Dance and in the fall another Jayaram Show was staged as well. Both shows were widely accepted by the community. It was under the leadership of Mr. Babu Punnose (2015-2016) that KANE’s charity platform became more formal and consistent and assumed the name KANE CARE with an introductory fundraising campaign for the Chennai flood of 2015. Also during the same year, a platform was created for the annual Arts & Dance Competition, named Malhar. In April, Malhar was inaugurated by the renowned cine artist & dancer Smt. Shanthi Krishna at the venue named ‘ONV Nagar’ to honor the memories of the late Shri. ONV Kurup, the highly acclaimed Malayalam poet. Also, a five member team represented KANE in FOMAA (Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas) convention in Florida. Under Mr. Jose Mohan’s leadership in 2016-2017, Malhar was taken to the next level of performance thanks to the tenacity and hard work of Arts Club secretary, Mr. Joseph Kunnel and his team. More attractive themes were added to the program extending it to a two-day event. KANE’s Onam Sadhya has always been the most favored and widely sought-after event in any given year. However, this often results in long waits. ‘Time slot based booking’ was introduced for the first time which was proven to be very effective. Also, Onam 2017 celebration was highlighted by the presence of the noted Indian cine artist, Ms. Maya Naidu. In 2017-2018, under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Kunnel, the Diwali celebration was introduced for the first time. Also, a spelling bee competition was added to Malhar. KANE electronic newsletter, KANE Varthakal was resumed with more stories and news articles added to each edition. It was well-received by the community as evidenced by its positive responses. On invitation from the US District Court of Massachusetts, as part of their cultural and ethnic initiative, KANE representatives made an informational presentation about our traditions and culture at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston on May 30th 2018. KANE Picnic in 2017experimented Kerala’s widely popular Thattukada for the first time. It included the traditional Thattukada items, namely, dosa with sambar & chutney and egg omelet etc. that were made-to-order right from the oven. The Biju Menon Show, hosted in participation with the other Associations was also a huge success. However, for the second time in the history of KANE, first being the 9/11 attack, the Onam celebration was canceled to express solidarity and support to the historical flood in Kerala in 2018. Instead of celebrating Onam, KANE initiated a rigorous fundraising campaign that resulted in donating $10,481.49 to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. Under the presidency of Ms. Elsie Marangoly in 2018-19, Diwali that entered its second year of celebration was a great success. Also, KANE hosted a badminton tournament in partnership with Burlington Badminton Club. The Christmas event was very special due to the presence of Dr. Sriram Venkataraman IAS as the chief guest. KANE added a new musical night, Kala Sandhya, with live orchestra which was widely applauded by the audience. Malhar in 2019 was extended to a third day with the generous support and sponsorship of Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU). Onam 2019 had to face an unusual challenge of finding a cooking spot up until the night before. But it turned out to be a great success especially with the Star Show Poomaram by noted cine artists and singers from Kerala.

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Now the KANE Caravan proudly and ceremoniously bursts into another milestone, the Golden Jubilee Year! It was with great expectations and excitement that the new executive committee under the Presidency of Mr. Jollson Varghese entered into the Golden Jubilee Year. As an acknowledgement and recognition of this remarkable milestone, on December 6th 2019, at Northeastern University, KANE was invited and spotlighted in a meeting organized by the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) where the Indian Ambassador to US, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla was the chief guest. KANE was represented by President Mr. Jollson Varghese and Secretary Mr. Roshan George along the representatives of 23 other regional Indian Associations in New England. In addition, on January 25, 2020 during the Indian Republic Day celebrations at Burlington High school, MA, KANE was awarded a plaque by the President of IAGB Mr. Sanjay Gowda, honoring the Association’s Golden Jubilee Year. In the year 2019-2020 the regular programs such as Halloween, Diwali, Kalasandhya and Christmas were all conducted as planned. The Christmas celebration on December 14, 2019 was the most notable this year not only due to its immense participation of 434 attendees but due to the celebrity value of its guests as well. During this Christmas event KANE felicitated one of our earliest members, Dr. K.M Abraham who is a well-respected American Scientist in the field of renewable energy and lithium battery research. Chief guest H. E. Dr. Ayub Mor Silvanos who was the distingushed presence at the Christmas dias also delivered the Holiday message. KANE started renting a storage place in Shrewsbury, MA in August 2020, following the persistent plea from the various executive committees of the past to have a central location for the Association’s belongings and assets. In 2019 the KANE executive committee has decided to publish a Souvenir in the Golden Jubilee Year of 2020, in tune with the Silver Jubilee Souvenir 25 years ago. During the Kalasandhya event in 2019, a KANE Golden Jubilee Souvenir Editorial Committee was announced with Mr. Biju Thoompil as the chief-editor. Also, as a token for this impending Golden Jubilee publication, souvenir themed coffee mugs were distributed during Christmas celebrations. KANE entered its Jubilee Year 2019-2020 with the determination and resolve to transform it into the most eventful and memorable year of its 50-year history. As we all are painfully aware now, the world turned upside down due to the Covid-19 pandemic during the waning days of winter 2020. Along with several states in US, Massachusetts went into complete lockdown by late March of 2020. Life as we know and used to, came to an absolute halt. Stay-at-home orders were declared across the state. Consequently, the remaining KANE events like Malhar, Summer Picnic and even the highly anticipated Onam celebrations had to be cancelled in 2020. However, the air of despair among the community didn’t prevail too long. When physical gathering became impossible and even prohibited, KANE along with other Malayalee organizations in the region, under the direction of FOMAA, turned on their virtual platforms and hosted many Covid-19 related information sessions by medical experts and career councilors to empower the members of the community during this challenging time. Despite these trying times, the KANE Golden Jubilee Souvenir Committee was hard at work with the ambitious goal of releasing and dedicating the Souvenir to the community at the Onam 2020 ceremony. Unfortunately, with the pandemic that was showing its even uglier fangs and the state still under a virtual lockdown, the target date had to be revised and rescheduled. Taking this main objective into consideration, for the first time in KANE’s half-acentury history, the Annual General Body meeting conducted on a virtual platform on October 03, 2020 decided to re-elect the 2019-2020 Board of Directors to continue into the next year. As of press time, we are witnessing the rays of light appearing at the end of this seemingly endless tunnel. Covid-19 vaccines are being manufactured at lightning speed and administered in the arms of individuals worldwide. If this miracle medicine proves to be effective, the Souvenir Committee earnestly hopes to place a copy of the Souvenir directly into the hands of each and every member of the KANE community at the Onam 2021 celebrations. Moreover, it is our sincere hope that we can get together and embrace one another without fear or distress again. Although we may still feel that the tunnel is getting longer and darker before it ends, we may also remember the English proverb that goes, “The darkest hours are just before the dawn.” Let us not lose hope!

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Jacob Kallupurakal

hn[nbpsS Hcp \ntbmKw t]mse, cïmbnc¯n Ccp]Xv sabv amk¯nse Ipfncpamdm¯ Hcp t_m̬ a²ymÓ¯nð Rm³ ^vtfmdnUbnse \yq Xm¼mbnð Xmakn¡pó dh. tUm. G{_lmw tXmakv A¨s\ hnfn¨p. t^m¬ FSp¯Xv im´½ sIm¨½bmbncpóp. kzbw ]cnNbs¸Sp¯pt¼mÄ aqóp ZiI¯ntesd sIbn\nepw aebmfn kaql¯nepw Hón¨p {]hÀ¯n¨ kulrZw sIm¨½ Hcn¡ð IqSn ]pXp¡nbtijw t^m¬ A¨\p ssIamdn. BapJambn¯só sIbn\nsâ 50þmw hmÀjnI BtLmj§sf¡pdn¨pw AtXmsSm¸w {]kn²oIcn¡pó kvacWnIsb¡pdn¨pw A¨t\mSp kwkmcn¨p. sIbn\nsâ 50þmw hmÀjnI kvacWnIsb kkt´mjw kzmKXw sNbvX A¨s\, Rm³ sIbn³ kvacWnIbpsS ]{Xm[n]kanXn AwK§fmb _nPp Xq¼nð, ko\ tPmk^v, sÌ\n If¸pcbv¡ð, kt´mjv amXyp, Ipcnbmt¡mkv aWnbm«pIpSnbnð, tP¡_v Iñp]pcbv¡ð, sIbn³ {]knUâv tPmÄk¬ hÀKokv Fónhsc ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. \yq Cw¥ïv aebmfnIsf am{Xañ, temI¯nsâ ]e `mK§fnð \nópapÅ {]Xn`mimenIsf AWn \nc¯nbmWv kvacWnI X¿mdm¡póXv. AXnte¡v Ip«\m«pImc\mb A¨\pambn Hcp A`napJw X¿mdm¡m³ asämcp Ip«\m«pImc\mb Fsó¯só ]{Xm[n] kanXn \ntbmKn¨Xv hn[nbpsS \ntbmKamsWóp kqNn¸n¨psImïpw tImhnUvþ19 ImcW¯mð t\cnð Iïv A`napJw \S¯m³ Ignbm¯Xnð tJZw {]ISn¸n¨psImïpw Rm³ hnjb¯nte¡p ISóp. tNmZyw: BZyIme kwLmSIcnð Hcmfpw tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïnsâ cïmas¯ {]knUâv Fó \nebnepw kwLS\bpsS XpS¡s¯¡pdn¨v Aev]w hnhcn¡mtam? A¨³ HmÀ½IfpsS Nnangn\pÅnð sXcbpIbmbn. ""kabamw \Zn ]pdtIm«v HgpIn kvacWX³ ]qhWn Xmgvhcbnð'' F¯nb Xpt]mse A¨³ HmÀ½IfpsS aWns¨¸p Xpdóp. Fgp]XpIfpsS Bcw`¯nð t_mÌWnð ]T\¯n\pw t]mÌv tUmIvSden\pw Hs¡bmbn F¯nb hnZymÀ°nIfmbncpóp BZyw H¯ptNÀóv ""tIcf kamPw'' Fó t]cnð sIbn\n\p XpS¡w Ipdn¨Xv. hncenð F®m³ am{Xw AwK§fmbncpóp BZyw DïmbncpóXv. BZyIme kwLmSIcnð s{]m^kÀ kn. än. tPm¬, Ipcy³ XcI³ XpS§n ]escbpw A¨³ \ómbn Adnbpambncpóp. Xncphñ, amÀt¯m½m tImtfPphgn t_mÌWnse t\mÀ¯v Cut̬ bqWnthgvknänbnse¯nb kn. än. tPm¬ kmdnsâ t\XrXz¯nembncpóp tIcf Atkmkntbjsâ XpS¡w. Aóv G{_lmw tXmakv A¨³ t_m̬ bqWnthgvknänbnemWp ]Tn¨ncpóXv. ]nsó lmÀhmÀUnepw aäpapÅ Npcp¡w aebmfn hnZymÀ°nIfpw B H¯ptNcenð ]¦mfnIfmbncpóp. Fñmhscbpw Hcpan¨p Iq«nbXv kn. än. tPm¬ kmdpXsó. tNmZyw: BZys¯ H¯ptNcensâ HmÀ½IÄ kvacWnIbv¡mbn ]¦pshbv¡mtam? Atkmkntbjsâ BZys¯ H¯ptNcepIÄ t\mÀ¯v CutÌWnð sh¨mbncpóp. kn. än. tPm¬ kmdn\v bqWnthgvknänbnð Dïmbncpó Aev]w kzm[o\w AhnsS H¯ptNcphm\pÅ Ahkcw Hcp¡n. hfsc Ffnb coXnbnepÅ aoän§pIfnemWv Hcp ]nIv\n¡n\mbn Fñmhcpw H¯pIqSphm³ Xocpam\ambXv. BZys¯ sIbn³ ]nIv\n¡v t_mÌWnð NmÄkv dnhdnsâ Xoc¯mbncpóp. Hcp hk´Ime¯nsâ kulrZ]qÀ®amb a²ymÓ¯nð \maam{Xamb Hcp H¯pIqSenð XpS§nb tIcf Atkmkntbjsâ BZys¯ s]mXp]cn]mSnbmbncpóp B ]nIv\n¡v. Hcp t]mSve¡v eônð HXp§nb ]nIv\n¡ns\¡pdn¨v im´½ sIm¨½ Cópw hyàambn HmÀ½n¡póp. 34

34

R§Ä s]®p§Ä¡v Hcpan¨v ImWphm\pw ]cnNbs¸Sphm\pw In«nb Hcp henb Ahkcw, AXv henb A\p{Klambn«mWv tXmónbXv. tNmZyw: sIbn\nsâ BZyIme ]cn]mSnIfpw {]hÀ¯\§fpw Fs´ms¡ Bbncpóp.? IpSpw_ ]nIv\n¡pIfpw H¯pIqSepIfpambncpóp {][m\w. ]nsó Ip«nIfmbn, AhcpsS H¯pIqSepIfpw, sKbvapIfpw Iem]cn]mSnIfpw Hs¡ Bbn. BZys¯ A{UÊv _p¡mbncpóp A¨³ Ct¸mgpw HmÀ¯ncn¡pó \mgnI¡ñv. Hcp joäp t]¸dnð HXp§nb A{UÊv joäpw sSet^m¬ \¼cpIfpw henb klmbambncpóp. hnhn[ Øe§fnð Xmakn¨ncpóhsc hnfn¡phm\pw ]cnNbs¸Sphm\pw H¯pIqSphm\pw Hs¡ AXv henb klmbambn. \yq Cw¥ïnse hnhn[ Øe§fnembn NnXdn¡nSóncpó Npcp¡w aebmfn IpSpw_§sf tImÀ¯nW¡m³ BZys¯ A{UÊv enÌv klmbambn. ]eÀ¡pw sIm¨pIp«nIÄ BbtXmsS kulrZ_Ô§fpw IpSpw__Ô§fpw hfcphm³ XpS§n. H¸w A{UÊv enÌpw hfÀóp. A¨\pw sIm¨½bpw A{UÊv enÌns\¡pdn¨v ]dªt¸mÄ AsXmóp ImWphm³ Ignªncpsó¦nð Fóp Rm³ BßmÀ°ambn B{Kln¨p t]mbn. Hcp ]t£ Cóv AsXmcp Ncn{XtcJbmbn amdpambncpóp. tNmZyw: kwLS\bpsS {]Ya {]knUâpw kwLmSI\pamb s{]m^. kn. än. tPm¬ kmdns\¡pdn¨v Aev]w hnhcn¡mtam? At±lw Cóp Pohn¨ncn¸nñ Fóp am{Xta Adnbq. s{]m^. kn. än. tPm¬kmÀ Xncphñ amÀt¯m½m tImfPnð \nómWv t_mÌWnð ]Tn¡phms\¯nbXv. ]Tn¨Xv t\mÀ¯v Cut̬ bqWnthgvknänbnembncpóp. At±lw AhnsS ¢mÊpIfpw FSp¯ncpóp. Hcp \ñ kwLmSI\mbncpóp. Fóp am{Xañ. bqWnthgvknänbnð At±l¯n\v Aev]w kzm[o\w DïmbncpóXn\mð R§Ä¡v AhnsS Hón¨pIqSphm\pw aoänMv \S¯phm\pw Hs¡ Ahkcw In«n. kn. än. tPm¬kmÀ Hcp \ñ kplr¯mbncpóp. At±lw ]nóoSv \m«nte¡v aS§n. Xncphñbnð Iptd Imew Xmakn¨ncpóp. tNmZyw: sIbv\nð kv{XoIfpsS ]¦v F´mbncpóp? BZy ImeL«¯nð AhcpsS kw`mh\Isf Ipdn¨v hnhcn¡mtam? BZys¯ h\nXm I½nän sa¼À im´½bmbncpóp. ]nóoSv IqSpXð IqSpXð kv{XoIÄ sIbv\nð kPoh t\XrXzw hln¨p XpS§n. sIbn\nsâ Fñm s]mXpNS§pIfnepw AhÀ `mK`m¡pIÄ Bbn XpS§n. Ip«nIfpsS ]cn]mSnIÄ X¿mdm¡póXn\pw, Ahsc {]mÎokv sN¿n¡póXn\pw, t]mSve¡v eôpIÄ X¿mdm¡póXn\pw aäpw ap³]´nbnð \nóncpóXv h\nXIfmWv. tIcf Atkmkntbjsâ hfÀ¨bnepw hnPb¯nepw kv{XoIfpw Ip«nIfpw hln¨ ]¦v hfsc hepXmWv. tNmZyw: 50 hÀjw ap¼v H¯pIqSnbt¸mÄ tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv C{XhenbXpw sshhn[ytadnbXpamb Hcp {]Øm\ambn amdpsaóv kz]v\w Iïncptóm? Hcn¡epw {]Xo£n¨nñ. ssIhncenð F®mhpó AwK§fnð \nópw CXphscbpÅ sIbv\nsâ hfÀ¨ Hcn¡epw kz]v\w ImWm³ Ignbpambncpónñ. 70 IfpsS Ahkm\¯nepw F¬]pXpIfnepw IqSpXð BfpIÄ Atacn¡bnte¡v IpSntbdn¯pS§n. t_mÌWnepw kao] {]tZi§fnepw IqSpXð aebmfnIÄ F¯n XpS§nbtXmsS tIcf Atkmkntbjsâ {]kàn hÀ²n¨p. A[nIhpw sIm¨pIp«nIfpÅ IpSpw_§Ä BbncpóXn\mð H¯ptNcphm\pÅ t{]cWbpw hfÀóp. Fñmhcpw hfsc Xmev]cyt¯msSbmWv sIbv\nsâ ]cn]mSnIfnð ]s¦Sp¯Xv. tNmZyw: Xncnªp t\m¡pt¼mÄ Cu {]Øm\¯nsâ hnPb¯n\p klmbn¨ {][m\ LSI§Ä Fs´ms¡bmsWóv Nqïn¡mWn¡mtam? Hcp ]t£, IpSpw_§Ä X½nepÅ ]ckv]c kvt\lhpw sFIyhpambncn¡Ww Cu {]Øm\¯nsâ hnPb clkyw. sIbv³ Fópw IpSpw_§fpsS H¯ptNcembncpóp. Atacn¡bnse aäp]e tIcf kwLS\Ifnsebpw t]mse, sIbv\nð HcpIme¯pw ]ckv]c aÕc§tfm, sXcsªSp¸p hmintbm Hópw Dïmbncpónñ. ]et¸mgpw \½Ä HutZymKnI Øm\§Ä ]nSnt¨ð¸n¡p Ibmbncpóp. Cópw AXpXsóbmWv ØnXn FómWv a\Ênem¡póXv. ]ckv]c _lpam\¯nepw [mcWbnepw kvt\l¯nepw XpSÀómð Cu {]Øm\¯nsâ `mhn C\nbpw tim`\ambn¯só XpScpw. tNmZyw: A¯c¯nepÅ hnPbIcamb Hcp kwLS\mkwkv¡mcw sIbv\nð hfÀ¯nsbSp¯Xnð Øm]I AwK§fpw t\XrXzhpw A`n\µ\§Ä AÀln¡póntñ? s]mXphnð \yq Cw¥ïnse aebmfnIÄ Hmtcmcp¯cpamWv A`n\µ\w AÀln¡póXv. XoÀ¨bmbpw Hcp \ñ kwLS\m kwkv¡mcw hfÀ¯nsbSp¡phm³ sIbv\n\p Ignªn«pïv. AXp \½psS Hcp henb t\«w XsóbmWv. sIbv\ns\ aäp kwL\SIfnð \nópw hyXykvXam¡póXpw AXpXsóbmWv. BZyIme t\XrXzw am{Xañ, ImemIme§fmbn Cu Atkmkntbj\p t\XrXzw \ðInb Fñm `mchmlnIfpw AwK§fpw A¯c¯nð Hcp Ipeo\ kwLS\m kwkv¡mcw hfÀ¯nsbSp¡m\pw Im¯pkq£n¡m\pw {ian¨n«pïv. A¡mcy¯nð Fñmhcpw A`n\µ\w AÀln¡póp. AXv C\nbpw XpScpIXsó thWw. IpSpw_§Ä¡p ap³Xq¡w \ðIpó Hcp {]Øm\ambn \mw XpScWw. Ipªp§fpsS kmwkv¡mcnIhpw hyàn]chpamb hfÀ¨ Bbncn¡Ww kwLS\bpsS apJye£yw. At¸mÄ ]ckv]c aÕc¯nt\m, hg¡nt\m, ]nW¡¯nt\m DÅ Ahkcw Dïmhnñ. 35 35

tNmZyw: 50þmw hmÀjnIw BtLmjn¡pó thfbnð BZys¯ h\nXm I½nän sa¼À IqSnbmb im´½ sIm¨½ bv¡v F´mWv ]dbphm\pÅXv.? sIbv\nsâ `mchmlnXzw GsäSp¯ncpóXv hyàn Itf¡mÄ D]cn Hmtcm IpSpw_§fmbncpóp. B hÀjs¯ ]cn]mSnIÄ hnPbam¡m³ B IpSpw_§Ä HóS¦w ]cn{ian¨ncpóp. \½psS tIcfm Atkmkntbj\nse kv{Xo IÄ Cu {]Øm\¯nsâ hfÀ¨bnepw hnPb¯nepw henb ]¦p hln¨n«pïv. H¯ncn _p²nap«pIfpw Iã¸mSpw kln¨v `£Ww X¿mdm¡nbpw Ip«nIsf ]e Iem]cn]mSnIÄ¡p ambn ]cnioen¸n¨pw AXn\v Bhiyamb BSbm`cW§Ä kz´w t]m¡änð \nópw ]Ww apS¡nbpw sdâp sNbvXpw Hs¡ Hmtcm ]cn]mSnIfpw hnPbn¸n¡phm³ kv{XoIfmWv henb ]¦p hln¨p sImïncn¡póXv. Ahsc Fñmhscbpw Cu 50þmw hmÀjnI¯nð {]tXyIw HmÀ½nt¡ïXpïv. tNmZyw: ""sIbn³ PqWnbdn''s\ Ipdn¨v A¨\pw sIm¨½bv¡pw F´mWv ]dbphm\pÅXv? sIbvsâ kmaqlnI kw`mh\Ifnð Gähpw {][m\w ""sIbn³ PqWnbÀ'' BWv. R§fpsS Ipªp§sfms¡ AXoh Xmev]cyt¯msSbmWv AXnð ]s¦Sp¯ncpóXv. Atacn¡³ kaql¯nse ]e \ñ PohImcpWy {]Øm\§fnð {]hÀ¯n¡phm\pw AXn\mbn ^ïv sdbvkv sN¿phm\pw Hs¡ sIbn³ PqWnbdn\p Ignªn«pïv. \ñ ]cn]mSnIfpw ^ïv ssdkdpIfpw Hs¡ kwLSn¸n¨v kaql¯n\v ImXemb kw`mh\IÄ \ðIm³ \½psS Ip«nIÄ sIbv³ PqWnbdneqsS ]Tn¨ncpóp. \½psS kmaqlnIhpw kmwkv¡mcnIhpamb hfÀ¨bv¡v sIbv³ PqWnbdns\ XpSÀópw t{]mÕmln¸nt¡ïXmWv. IpSpw_§Ä, Ip«nIÄ, kaqlw AXnsâ ]ptcmKXn¡mbncn¡Ww sIbn³ ap³Xq¡w \ðtIïXv. A¨³ ]dªp \nÀ¯n. tIcf¯nsâ ]pWy\Znbmb ]¼bpsS cïp ssIhgnIÄ Ip«\mSns\ ]pðIn XtemSn ISópt]mIpópïv. AXnð shfnb\mSns\ ^e`qbnjvTam¡n ISóp t]mIpó ]¼bmdnsâ Icbnð \nópw, t_m̬ \Kc¯n\v Ac¸« sI«n im´ambn HgpIpó NmÄkv dnhdnsâ Xoc¯v F¯nþcïp hyXykvX kwkvImc§fpsS tkXp_Ô\¯nð `mK`m¡mIphm³ IgnªXnepÅ NmcnXmÀ°yw A{_lmw tXmak¨sâ hm¡pIfnð \ndªp \nóp. a¬adªpt]mb BZys¯ {]knUâv kn. än. tPm¬kmdn\pw \½psS aebmfn kaql¯n\v AhchcptSXmb kw`mh\IÄ \ðIn ISópt]mb \nch[n `mchmlnIÄ¡pw sIbn³ AwK§Ä¡pw \µn]qÀÆw BZcmRvPenIÄ AÀ¸n¡phm³ IqSn Cu Ahkcw D]tbmKn¡póp. \yq Cw¥ïnse aebmfn kaql¯n\pw IpSpw_§Ä¡pw C\nbpw tIcf Atkmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv BimZo]ambncn¡s« Fóp am{Xw {]mÀ°\.

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36

A Mathematician With A Vision

Prof. Thomas Koshy Ph.D. Dr. Chelikuzhyil Thomas John, the founder of the Kerala Association of New England (KANE) was born on July 25, 1917 in Kozhancheri, Kerala. From early childhood, Dr. John, popularly and respectfully known often as John Saar, exhibited a keen interest in arithmetic. This paved the way to immerse himself in the pursuit of mathematics and for a brilliant academic career. After graduating at the age of 14 from St. Thomas High School in Kozhancheri, he attended St. Berchmans College, Changanaserry for the Intermediate Certificate. In 1939, the year World War II started, he received his B.A. (Hons) from the then University of Madras. Ironically, it was an annus horribilis for him. The War stood in his way of securing a job commensurate with his academic credentials. Through a competitive examination, he was selected by the Government of India as a Wireless Operator.

Dr. C. T. John After the training period, he was assigned to the Andaman Islands along with four others who refused to serve with the British army. There he became a prisoner of the Japanese. Later he worked, mainly in Burma, as a wireless operator for the Japanese. This was in collaboration with the Indian National Army (INA), created by Subhas Chandra Bose of Bengal. Toward the end of the War, the British recaptured Burma and the young John became a prisoner once again. After two years first at Red Fort in Delhi and later in East Bengal, he was released along with other INA prisoners. Escorted by military personnel, he was handed over to the police in Kozhancheri. They in turn brought him home to his unmatched relief and to the great joy of his mother. With life back to near normalcy, John Saar pursued a totally different career. After teaching at CMS College in Kottayam, Union Christian College in Aluva, and Mar Ivanios College in Trivandrum, he continued his academic career at Marthoma College in Tiruvalla from its founding in 1952 till 1977.

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In 1948, John Saar and Kochusaramma (daughter of T.K. Kuruvialla in Eraviperoor) got married. Kochamma had a B.A. in Philosophy and L.T. from Women’s Christian College, Madras. The couple has two daughters and two sons, and eight grandchildren. After teaching at St. John’s School at Eraviperoor for about fifteen years, Kochamma retired as Headmistress of Seventh Day Adventist’s school near Tiruvalla. On September 17, 1958, John Saar arrived in Boston to do his Ph.D. in mathematics at Boston University. His eldest brother, C.T. Thomas, had arrived in Hartford, Connecticut, a day earlier, to pursue his Ph.D. in Philosophy at the Harford Seminary Foundation. Loneliness, claustrophobia, terrible winters, food, and lack of social interaction were all Jersey barriers for survival in a foreign land. To mitigate their impact, they used to meet on weekends and holidays, and in summer months. After receiving his Ph.D. in Mathematics for his work in Partial Differential Equations under the guidance of Dr. Francis Sheid, a jubilant John Saar returned to Marthoma College and continued as the Head of the Department. The Sheids visited the John family in Tiruvalla in 1963. With his scholarship and enthusiasm, he initiated the graduate program in mathematics at the College in 1963, and co-authored A Textbook of Mathematics. I have had the privilege and honor of working with him and teaching graduate courses for three years before my arrival in 1967.

In 1972, he joined the faculty at then Bentley College. Two years later, the parents went back to Tiruvalla. The later years were especially productive for Dr. John. He spent three years as the principal of Marthoma College. After retiring, he started Marthoma Academy to promote joboriented education. He also cofounded Consumers Union, Vigilance Council, and Abhaya Bhavan, a home for the destitute and elderly. Kochamma then became the Headmistress of the Seventh-Day Adventist School near Tiruvalla. After retiring from there, she started a Montessori nursery school and resumed publication of the Malayalam children’s magazine, Balamithram, which was originally founded by her father.

In 1969, Dr. John returned to Boston as a Visiting Professor at Northeastern University. Most of us, especially singles, experienced the same loneliness, claustrophobia, and biting winters, and several other depressing factors that the two brothers went through a decade earlier. In the following year, Dr. John, with his maturity and vision, initiated the process of bringing together those struggling to adjust to a new country, under the umbrella, called Kerala Samajam. The first Samajam meeting was held at Memorial Church at Harvard University, where the late Dr. A.V. Varughese was a post-doctoral fellow, and the first picnic on the Boston side of the banks of Charles River, near the former WBZ TV and Radio stations. Kochamma and the children joined him in August, 1970. In 1972, he joined the faculty at then Bentley College. Two years later, the parents went back to Tiruvalla. The later years were especially productive for Dr. John. He spent three years as the principal of Marthoma College. After retiring, he started Marthoma Academy to promote job-oriented education. He also co-founded Consumers Union, Vigilance Council, and AbhayaBhavan, a home for the destitute and elderly. Kochamma then became the Headmistress of the Seventh-Day Adventist School near Tiruvalla. After retiring from there, she started a Montessori nursery school and resumed publication of the Malayalam children’s magazine, Balamithram, which was originally founded by her father. John Saar had three brothers and a sister, and one step-brother and three step-sisters. He breathed his last breath in 1996 and Kochamma in 2013. Both are buried in Tiruvalla. Dr. John was the confluence of infinite patience, abundant goodness, and exuberance. If he were with us today, he would be proud of what KANE has accomplished and thrilled that it is on the way to achieving so much more. The small, magnificent tree that he planted fifty years ago continues to grow with abundant and beautiful leaves, flowers, and fruits. 38 38

Passion and Drive: A Short Life, Well Lived

George Varughese Sushil Chacko Sunitha Cheriyan

Dr. A.V. Varughese (Rajan to friends, Varughese sir to his students and Appacha to his children) was born on August 7, 1930 in Cheriyanad, near Chengannur in Kerala. Early on, he showed a desire and drive for education and leadership: his passion for education stoked by his mother who was a gifted teacher and passion for leadership stoked by his father, a leader in the local community. His early school was in Mavelikkara and he later finished his predegree at S. B. College in Changanassery, bachelor’s Degree at UC College in Alwaye and master’s degree at Madras Christian College. He married Aleyamma (Bai) Mathew on August 30, 1954 who became his devoted and loyal partner. After teaching for a year in St. Thomas College in Palai, he joined the faculty in Mar Thoma College in Thiruvalla in 1955. His passion for politics and social issues emerged early as evidenced by his deep interest in the Indian freedom movement of the late 1940’s and later involvement with Kerala state politics. In 1957 when Kerala elected a communist ministry into power, becoming the first state in the world to elect a communist ministry democratically, he became a fierce supporter of Congress party. He joined the Vimochana Samaram (Liberation Struggle) to topple the communist ministry, which finally succeeded in 1959. As he was building his young family with the birth of three children in the 1950’s, he also established himself as one of the emerging young leaders at Mar Thoma College, Kerala politics and the Mar Thoma Church. His passion and drive continued to propel him. He had bigger dreams for his education and career. In 1960, he came to the USA and started his PhD program at University of Denver, leaving behind his young family in Thiruvalla. In 1964, he completed his PhD thesis on the early and late Dr. A.V. Varughese comedies of Shakespeare and returned to the faculty in Mar Thoma College where he established an MA program in English. His doctoral thesis became the basis of a book on Shakespeare which he published locally. He resumed investment into local causes and contributed to several areas such as establishing a YMCA in Thiruvalla. Once again, bigger dreams beckoned. He applied and received an invitation from Harvard university for a one-year post-doctoral fellowship in 1968 and left for Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaving his young family and elderly parents. En route to the USA in 1968, he attended the World Council of Churches in Sweden as a representative of the Mar Thoma Church. While he had thought of the trip to the USA as a oneyear plan, events intervened and changed the course of his life and his family’s life. He suffered a massive heart attack during the year and doctors recommended that he stay a little longer, prompting him to bring the family to the Boston area and settle in the US. He joined the faculty of Bentley 39 39

University and the family lived in Waltham. His energies were invested in his physical recovery from the heart attack and ensuring that his children received the best education possible. He continued to maintain his passion for local causes and organizations. He and Bai (Ammachi) joined the Covenant Congregational Church in Waltham where he became an active participant. He was also one of the early founders of a group dedicated to Kerala immigrants, what was then called the Malayali Samajam which later became KANE. During the 1970’s he received tenure at Bentley University, and he and Ammachi settled into a house in Watertown. He took special pleasure in his children’s academic activities and his networking within the Kerala immigrant community. His large and growing group of friends in North America and India meant daily entertainment of friends with a meal at home. His outgoing nature provided him and his family with great exposure to people and causes. A stable and enjoyable life as he and his family enjoyed in the 1970’s may have been enough for most people but again, he had bigger dreams. He often entertained thoughts of his mortality given his fragile heart condition and of his desire to give back to India during his remaining years. He kept active dialogue with the people and affairs in Kerala and was the main speaker at the installation of a new Bishop in Mar Thoma Church, a former student. One of his lifelong ambitions was to be the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University. In 1981, he got the call and decided to leave his job and his children in various colleges in the USA. He and Ammachi moved to Thiruvananthapuram and took the position. The job was stressful, but he relished it. He lived through strikes, mark list scandals and political turmoil but loved his life which completely revolved around University affairs, church meetings and speaking engagements. In the early hours of January 18, 1983, he had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 52. Ambition and determination drove him throughout his life. At several junctures in his life, he cast away the normal, contented life, and took on hardship and pain to climb steeper heights. His extreme extroversion and strong Christian faith compelled him to help family and friends with little and big needs. Nobody escaped his warm embrace and there was always an invitation for a meal at home for friends and strangers. Much credit for his success rests on the steady presence and devotion of our mother, Bai, who bravely stood with him when called upon to parent alone when he was away doing his PhD, be a partner to a man recovering from a heart attack and be a wife of a high profile Vice Chancellor. We have often thought it was a great misfortune for him to have died so early in life. Surely, there were greater adventures that awaited him if he had lived longer. He would surely have enjoyed a long life which would have included the joy of being a grandparent. But we have changed our views on our loss. While his death caused great sadness, death while in full flight has advantages. There was no gradual decline or long-term disability or quiet retirement but a life, although brief, was full of activity and accomplishments to the last day. We still miss him.

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Rafeeq Ahamed

ac§Ä t]mepw apJw IgpIpóXn³ ap³]v sXcphv, sh«w IpSªpSp¡póXn³ ap³]v aÕy§fpd¡w hn«nfIpóXn³ ap³]v Nhn«ps]Uð sasñ Id¡n¯pS¨Xn³ N§e icnbm¡n Nhn«nt¸mIpópïv {]mb¯nt\¡mÄ {]mbw tIdntbmscmcmÄ, AbmÄþ ¡pd¡¨Shpïv, Npaen³ Ip\nhpïv. A´n¡p InX¸nsâ tXmf¯pI¿ns«¯n ]pI¨pNpa¨bmÄ Xncn¨phcmdpïv. `£Ww, DSp¸pIÄ, ]pkvXIanhsbñmw ap«msX In«póXn³ IãXtbmÀt¡ïm¯ Ip«n\mfpIfpsSsbm¨bn³ ap§pópïv AÑ\mabmfpsS shbnepw agIfpw Cã§Ä ]ntó¡mbnamänSpw tX¡§fpw \nXyhpw XpScpó Nhn«n¡bä§Ä Ip«nIÄs¡ómepZbmkvXab§Ä t]mse.

Iïncn¡sh thKw Ipdªphcpópïv sXmïbnð izmk¯nsâ N§e sXäpópïv ImäpXocpópïpX³ t]inIÄ £oWn¨Xmbv ssk¡nfbmtfmsSt´m Xpcp¼mð anïpópïv Hcp \mÄ shbnð¸pd¯pä ssk¡ntfmsSm¸w adnªphogpópïv, acn¨pInS¸pïv Npäp]mSptÅmÀ ZpxJn¡pt¼mgptamÀ¡pópïv asämcmftñ, \½fñtñm acn¨Xv! ]ntäópw kqcy³ IrXyw Ing¡v s]m´pópïv ]{X§Ä hogpópïv, ]mð¡mc³ hcpópïv. Im¡bpw kvIqÄ hïnbpw \mbv¡fpw anïpópïv H¯ncn IcªpXoÀsógptóäncn¸pïv a¡fpabmfpsS `mcybpw a¬N«nbpw hndIn³ NqSð¸mð¸w X«nb ]q¨¡p«n ASp¸pIñnð \nópsaWoäp t]mIpópïv. N¯ImcytamÀ¡msX ]nsóbpabmÄ sNóp ssk¡nfnð tIdpópïv, Nhn«nt¸mIpópïv.

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Priya A S Ct¸mgpw Fsâ \mSmb Fcañqcnð IpgðInWdn\mbn Ipgn¨p sNómð NIncnt¨mdnsâ aWw In«pw. Ibdp]ncn¨Xnsâ HmÀ½ BfpIÄ adómepw a®n\p ad¡m³ ]änñtñm. Ct¸mgpw Fcañqcnse Xmdm½p«IÄ¡v ISpw tNm¸p\ndamWv. sN½o³Xe Xnón«mW §s\. Be¸pg PnñbnemWv FcañqÀ. sN½o\pw IbdpanñmsX F´me¸pg, Fs´cañqÀ! sN½o\pw IbdpsagpXnb XIgn inhi¦c¸nÅ FsómcmfnñmsXbpw F´me¸pg, Fs´cañqÀ! A§s\sbms¡bpÅ Hcp FcañqcpImcn Hcnbv¡ð Be¸pgbv¡v XIgn inhi¦c¸nÅsb ImWm³ t]mbn. Fw. F. Imew IgnªbpSs\. AÑs\m¸w AIv_À I¡«nð kÀ¤kao£w Fó kocnkv amXr`qan hmcm´¸Xn¸nsegpXn hó Imew. F\n¡v Nne Is¯gp¯neqsS I¡«nð amtjmSpÅ ]cnNbw ap³\nÀ¯n amsjtómSv tNmZn¨p ; Rms\gpXn X¿mdm¡nb A`napJw Hóv XIgnsb Gð¸n¨v thï Xncp¯epIÄ hm§m\mbn Hópt]mImtam? F\nbv¡v _lpkt´mjw. AÑs\m¸w cmhnse Be¸pgbnð \nóv XIgn _knð Ccn¡pt¼mÄ DXv¡WvTbpsS F{Xtbm GWn¸SnIÄ Rm³ Ibdnbnd§n. XIgn FgpXnb IYItf¡mÄ henb IYIfmWv XIgnbpsS ]nip¡ns\ Ipdn¨p tI«ncn¡póXv FtómÀ¯p. i¦cawKet¯¡pÅ hgnbdnbm¯hÀ XIgnbnenñ Fómcpw {]tXyIn¨p ]dªpXtcï Imcyapïmbncpónñ. Imt¯ Fó hnfn apgp§póXp tI«mWv apäs¯ amhnsâ XWeneqsS heXpImðh¨It¯¡p IbdnbXv. Hä apïpSp¯v apdp¡m³ Id¸ñpIÄ sImïp Nncn¨v kzÀ®w sI«nb cp{Zm£an«v NmcpItkcbnð Ccpóv AIv_À F¯psaóp ]dª Ip«n Atñ Fóp tNmZn¨p, hcq Fóv Fsóbpw AÑs\bpw hnfn¨I¯pIbän. FcañqcpImcnbpsS Ipªphntij§fpw sslkvIqfnse aebmfw amjmb AÑsâ kmlnXyI¼w \ndª hÀ¯am\hpw tI«ncpóv, Im¸n IpSnt¨m Fóp ]nip¡nñmsX Xnc¡nbt¸mÄ Rm³ AÛpXs¸«p \njvIf¦ambn, At¸m ]nip¡\tñ! At¸mtg¡pw ]¦³ Fó ss{UhÀ Iw k´XklNmcn F¯n. ]¦t\msSm¸amWv Úm\]oTw In«nbXn\p tijw C³Uybnet§mfant§mfw \Só kzoIcW BtLmj§fnsems¡ XIgnb¸q¸³ ]s¦Sp¯Xv. ]¦t\mSpÅ s\ðIrjn kw_Ôamb Zn\kcn hÀ¯am\§Ä¡p tijw, I¡«nð amjv sImSp¯b¨ A`napJ Fgp¯v hmbn¡m³ XpS§n XIgnb¸q¸³. tamÄ A¸q¸\v In«nb AhmÀUpIsfms¡ sNóp ImWq. Im¯ A½q½ ImWn¨p Xcpw Fóp ]dªv R§sf AIt¯bv¡p hn«p. acpóp Ip¸nIÄ¡nSbnð Hcp Iptómfw AhmÀUpIÄ. ]ß{iobpw Úm\]oThpw am{Xw tem¡dnð. tem¡À Xpdóv AsXñmw Fsâ ssIbnte¡p Xót¸mÄ, F{X hnes¸« AhmÀUnemWv Rm³ sXmSpótXmÀ¯v ssI hnd¨p. 42

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CSbv¡v XIgn A¸q¸sâ Iaâv hóp, apdp¡m³ Nph¸pÅ Hcp NncnbpsS AI¼SntbmsS. Úm\]oTw AhmÀUv ]ôtemlamWv Fsóms¡bmWv ]dbpóXv. ]Wbw h¨mð hñXpw In«ptam Bthm? Hcp Ip«nbpsS ss\À½eyamWv Hmtcm Nncnbnepw. hm¡nð apgph\pw Ffnabpw. Rm³ I®nabv¡msX alm]pcpjs\ t\m¡ns¡mïp \nóp. AIv_Àamjv Xób¨ ssIsbgp¯p {]Xnbnse Xncp¯epIÄ sNbvXpXoÀ¯ XIgn A¸q¸\pw Rm\pw AÑ\pw ]¦\pw IqSn ]nsó DuWp Ign¨p. Im¯b½q½ Hcp]mSp kwkcn¡m¯ BXntYbbmbn XIgnb¸q¸sâ \ngseó t]mse \nóp. B anXamb Nncnbpw Nµ\¡pdnbpw apSns¡«pw HXp§nb \nð¸pw B \nð¸nse {KmaoW\òbpw Ct¸mgpw HmÀ½bnð DÅp \ndbv¡póp. ]nsó apäs¯ amhns\ Ipdn¨mbn kwkmcw. Ignª XhW \ndsb am§bpïmbn. hnäp Imipw In«n, C¯hW am§ Ipdhv, hñXpw In«m\pÅ km²yX IpdhmWv Fó Nn´miIe¯nepw F\n¡v Irjn¡mcsâ thhemXnItf ImWm\mbpÅp. CSbv¡v a¡fpsSbpw sIm¨pa¡fpsSbpw hntij§Ä kvt\l\n[nbmb A¸q¸\mbn hnhcn¡pIbpw Fsó tNÀ¯p sI«n¸nSn¨p \nÀ¯n "Rm³ tamsf ad¡nñ, ImcWw F\n¡papïv CtX t]cnsemcp t]c¡p«n' Fóp ]dbpIbpw sNbvXp. CSbv¡v tIm«bt¯¡v {S¦v tImÄ ]¦s\s¡mïv _pIv sN¿n¨p tImÄ IWÎv sNbvXp In«m\mbn Im¯ncpóp. kmlnXy {]hÀ¯IklIcWkwL¯nte¡mbncpóp t^m¬ tImÄ. sshIptócw Nmbbpw IgnªmWv R§fnd§nbXv. Xebnð ssI h¨\p{Kln¨p. knÔp\ZoXS kwkv¡mcs¯ ASnØm\am¡n FgpXpó t\mhemWv Gähpw Ahkm\s¯ B{Klw Fóp ]dªt¸mÄ I®p Xnf§n. Cd§m³ t\cw Hóp IqSn tNÀ¯p \nÀ¯n NncntbmsS ]dªp. Hcp Znhkw tamÄ Fcañqcnencn¡pt¼mÄ tIÄ¡pw XIgnb¸q¸³ acn¨p Fóv. A¸q¸³ acn¡pt¼mÄ Icbm³ A¸q¸\v Hcp sIm¨ptamÄIqSnbmbn. F\n¡tócw I®p \ndªp. XIgnb¸q¸³ `qan hn«t¸mÄ kvt\lw Hmtcm hm¡nepw t\m¡nepw \ndª Hcp NncnapJw DÅnð \ndªpIpanªphóp. Hcp kzÀ® cp{Zm£ame Hcnfw IpªntâXp t]mepÅ Nncns¡m¸w BSn hsósó sXm«p. {]nb Fó Hcp sIm¨ptamÄ IqSn Be¸pgbpsS Ct§bä¯ncpóv \ni_vZw Icªp. ImWm¯ ao\n\p t]mIpó tXmWn¡mcpsS sN½o³ Nn{Xw än. hn. kv{Io\nð \nóv F\n¡p Npänepw HgpIn¸cóp.

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P. S. Sreedharan Pillai acsamcp Nn{Xw hcbv¡póp \maXns\ ]qshóv hnfn¡póp ]qshmcp IhnXsbgpXpóp \maXns\ tXs\óp hmbn¡póp acsamcp hoSp sI«póp \maXns\ XWseóp hnfn¡póp. XWsemcp hnidn XoÀ¡póp \maXns\ Imsäóp hnfn¡póp

Oh, Mizoram Oh Mizoram, how beautiful you are! How majestically you caress my heart! Fw.BÀ. tcWpIpamÀ

Pesamcp DcKambn amdpóp \maXns\ ]pgsbóp hnfn¡póp ]pgbXn³ apSns¡«gn¡póp \maXns\ Hgps¡óp hnfn¡póp Pesamcp I®mbv Xpd¡póp \maXns\ InWsdóp hnfn¡póp InWdXn³ aq«nð Bsctbm ]pWcpóp \maXns\ Ccps«óp hnfn¡póp

Once you were at the end of the rainbow And now you are close in my heart’s depth; My half-broken gloomy heart of the past Strangled by the singeing tentacles of realities Inhaling fragrant air fresh from Lushai hills; Where the time-worn foundation stones of my life Took shape from the dusty roads of a tiny village Gathered fresh fortitude from the mystic Mizo hills. The view from the top of the hill is enthralling Breeze tenderly carrying a beautiful perfume Mizoram is north-eastern beauty queen for certain

BImi¯nsâ N¦v s]mSnbpóp \maXns\ agsbóp hnfn¡póp agsbmcp In\mhv ImWpóp \maXns\ aghnsñóp hnfn¡póp

Historical hills beckoning me to their bosom This is my prayer to you, my dear Mizoram: Caress my heart! Keep on Caressing my heart!

BImisamcp s]m«p sXmSpóp \maXns\ kqcys\óp hnfn¡póp kqcys\mcp Ipcpóns\ sXm«p XtemSpóp \maXns\ acsaóp hnfn¡póp. (2019 se IhnXbv¡pÅ tIcf kmlnXy A¡mZan ]pckvImcw t\Snb IhnbmWv {io. Fw. BÀ. tcWpIpamÀ)

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G{_lmw amXyp tIcf¯nð CSnsh«pó i_vZ¯nð ssk_À ]pcbnS§fnð apg§pó XÀ¡w C§s\: Atacn¡tbm? ssN\tbm? sImtdmW bv¡v D¯chmZn BscómWv tNmZyw? tIcf¯nsâ InS¸phiw h¨p t\m¡nbmð D¯cw Duln¡mhpótXbpÅp; kz´w \m«nse A´n¨´t]mse hplm³ amÀ¡äns\ Afhäv kvt\ln¡pó hcmWv ssk_À ]pcbnS§fnse IpSnInS¸pImcnð IqSpXepw; AXpsImïv ssN\ hplm³ amÀ¡äns\ Ipäs¸Sp¯nbmepw ChnsS A§s\ kw`hn¡pIbnñ. tcmKw Dïm¡póXnepw acpópïm¡póXnepw ssN\ apónem sWóv ssN\ kvt\lnIfpw k½Xnt¡ïnhcpw. A´mcm{ã am[ya§fpw KthjW kaqlhpw hplm\nse hnNn{X amwk hym]m c¯nte¡v hncð Nqïpóp. Hcp ]s£ ssN\bmWv D¯chmZn Fóp XoÀ¯p ]dbm\pÅ sXfnhv \nÊlmbmhØbnepÅ temImtcmKy kwLS\bv¡pw Cñmbncn¡mw. Atacn¡bnte ¡pÅ acpónsâ 97 iXam\hpw Dïm¡pó ssN\sb t\m¡n A´Àt±iob am[ya§Ä China Lied, and people died Fóp ]cnlkn¡pópïv. Cu ]cnlmk]cns¸mópw tIcf¯nð thh¯nñ. kn]nsF t\Xmhpw cmPyk`mwKhpamb _nt\mbv hnizw Iptd teJ\§Ä sImtdmW kw_Ôn¨v {]kn²oIcn¡bpïmbn. Fñm¯ntâbpw kmcmwiw Hópam{Xw. ssN\bñ D¯chmZn. ]nsóbmcv? D¯cw _nt\mbv hnizw Xsó ]dbpópïv. Ip¯I apXemfn¯w; It¼mf kwkv¡mcw, tImÀ¸tdäv PoÀ®X AXm bmXv apXpemfn¯saó amcI emb\nbnð \nóv F§s\tbm apf¨p s]m´n ]SÀóXmWv tImhnUv 19 sshdkv ! apXemfn¯w PoÀ®n¡mXncn¡psatóm, Id XoÀó km¼¯nI kmaqly{IaamsWtóm Bscm¡tbm hnizkn¡póp Fó Xc¯n emWv _nt\mbv hnizw amXrIbnepÅ \nco£W§Ä DïmIpóXv. sshdknsâ \ndhpw Nmbvhpw t\m¡n acpóp Ign¡pó A]qÀÆw a\pjycpsS \mSmWv tIcfw. 1965þse ssN\okv bp²Ime¯v C³Uy³ I½yqWnÌpIsf cm{ãob i{Xp¡Ä ssN\okv NmcòmÀ Fóv Bt£]n¨ncpóp. ssN\ ]nSns¨Sp¯ C´y³ {]tZi§ sf¸än {]apJ\mb Hcp I½yqWnÌv t\Xmhv C´y C´ybptS sXópw ssN\ ssN\bptSsXópw AhImis¸Spó {]tZiw Fó hnhmZ {]tbmKw \S¯nbXv Cópw hnhmZ kvacWbmWv. sImtdmWbpsS D¯chmZn ssN\bmsWóv Øm]n¡m³ aebmfnIfnð \sñmcp ]¦v {ian¡pIbmsWópw AXns\

Xncp¯n I½yqWnÌv aqeyt_m[w Ac¡n«pd¸nt¡ï kabam WnsXópw _nt\mbv hnizw amXrIbnepÅhÀ Nn´n¡póp. D¯c hmZn Bcmbmepw tcmKw ]nSn¡msX c£s]SWsaóp am{XamWv km[mcW a\pjysâ Nn´. sImtdmWsb cm{ãobhXvIcn¡ cpsXóv \mgnIbv¡v \mð]Xph«w BWbnSpó CSXp ]£s¯ t\Xmhv Xsó sImtdmWbpw cm{ãob hnjbam¡pIbmWv. HcpIme¯v tIcfw Xpdó kwhmZ¯n\v Ahkcapïmbncpó kaqlambncpóp. Cóv Xpdó A`n{]mb{]IS\w \S¯póhÀ¡v \m«nð {]mW`bt¯msS Pohnt¡ïnhcpw. Hmtcm PmXn¡pw aX¯n\pw ]mÀ«nIÄ¡pw ssk_À IqenIÄ sdUn. CXc kwØm\ sXmgnemfnIÄ aebmfnbpsS ]pcbnS¯nse a®nð ]Wn FSp¡pt¼mÄ cm{ãob ]mÀ«nIfpsS ssk_À ]pcbnS§fnse Iqen¡mcmbn Xt±inbÀ thjw amdn ]ñnfn¡póp. A\ykwØm\ sXmgnemfnIsf AXnYn sXmgnemfnIÄ Fóp hnfn¨v BZcn¡póXv acymZ sImïñ; AhÀ ]WnsN¿m\psï ¦netñ \ap¡v ssk_À ]Wn¡v kabw In«pIbpÅp. kz´w A½tbmSpw AÑt\mSpanñm¯ IcpXemWv Hcp hn`mK¯n\v A\ykwØm\ sXmgnemfnItfmSv. AhÀ hón«pthWw \ap s¡móp \Sp\nhÀ¯m³, Ahsc sX§nð Ibänbn«p thWw \ap¡v \mfotIc hnebnSnhns\Xnsc PmY\bn¡m³. A½sb t\m¡m³ BÊmansb Gev]n¨n«v amXrZn\¯nð almhmNIw t]mÌv sNbXv s]m«n¡cbpóh\mWv aebmfn. {]hmkn {]Wbw sImïv s\ôv s]m«póhcmWv aebmfnIÄ. "tIdnhm a¡tf' FómWv ssk_À Xmcm«v. hómtem? PmXn kÀ«n ^nt¡än\v Hcp Hm^oknð t]mIpóhÀ, PmXnssXbv acambmepw Xncns¨¯Wsaónñ. CSt¯m«pw het¯m«pw XncnbtWð Hmtcm ]mÀ«n thWw, ]ncnhv thWw, ]SnthWw, ]InSn sImSp¡Ww, Icw HSp¡m³ Imep ]nSn¡Ww. sImtdmWm\´cw Hmt«mdnjNmÀPv an\naw 50 cq] BIpw; Nmb Hóv Ct¸mgs¯ hne 15 cq], \msf...? Hcp Intem sNdp]g¯n\pw 50 ! Znhk¡qen 900þ1000... tjIvkv]nbÀ IrXnIÄ k¼qÀ® thmfyw hm§póXnt\¡mÄ hnebpïv tIcf¯nð HcpIntem B«nd¨n¡v. acpónt\m? {]tXyIn¨v ]dbm\nñ. {]Xnamkw 900 tImSnbpsS acpóp XnópóhcmWv R§Ä; temIvUu¬ Ime¯v 50 tImSnbmbn hnev]\ XmWp. "tIdnhm a¡sf....' "\mhS¡p, ]WnsbSp¡p' Fómbncpóp. ASnb´cmhØ¡mes¯ ap{Zm 45 45

hmIyw. Ct¸mÄ \mhpw ]Wnbpanñm¯ ØnXn¡v aäv _m[y XIfnñ. ASnabmIpóXnð BËmZn¡pó ]p¯³ hÀ¤amWv aebmfn IfpsS A`nam\w. Fgp¯pImÀ apXð aXta[mhnIÄ hsc ASna kwL¯nepïv. I®qcnð \mev {KmaoWsc I®qÀ Fkv. ]n. ]ckyambn G¯anSo¸n¡pIbpw Zriyw kaqlam[ya §fnð {]Ncn¸n¡bpw sNbvXp. ]ucsâ Bßm`nam\s¯ ]mXmft¯mfw Nhp«n Xmgv¯nb B IncmX \S]Snsb {]IoÀ¯n ¨psImïpw C\nbpw C¯cw \S]SnIÄ Xsó thWsaóv Blzm\w sNbvXp sImïpw apXnÀóp apXnÀóv \nev¡pó Hcp Fgp¯pImc³ teJ\w FgpXn. \pIw ]pjv]lmcam¡nb ASnaIÄ Ncn{X¯nep ïmbncn¡mw. Xpdó NÀ¨Ifnónñ. kwhmZ§Ä¡p ]Icw hyànlXybv¡v {]nbw IqSn. kzX{´ Nn´IÄ¡p ]Icw CSXp heXv Nn´IÄ Dïmbn. kzmX{´yw ]m]amWv. Xpdóp ]d¨nð ss{IamWv. Hóp Inð ChnsS; Asñ¦nð AhnsS. cm{ãobsaóXv I£n cm{ãobw. NneÀ ssN\sb c£n¡m³ s]Sm¸mSv \S¯póp. tIcf¯nð

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CXnsemópw Xesh¨v sImSp¡msX Xriqcn\Sp¯pÅ kz´w {Kma¯nð ImSp sXfn¨v \nesamcp¡n XSsaSp¯v Irjn sN¿pó Hcp t\Xmhns\ Iïp ; ap³ kv]o¡dpw kn ]n sF (Fw) tI{µ I½än AwKhpw Ct¸mÄ a{´nbpamb sI. cm[mIrjvW³. \mSy §fnñ, ]»nknän Cñ. cmhnse apXð Cd§n ]Wn sN¿pw. IqsS cïv kvt\lnXÀ. A²zm\amWv alXzsaóv kz´w PohnXw sImïv t_m[ys¸Sp¯nbn«pÅ BfmWv sI. cm[mIrjvW³. ssN\sb Añ kz´w a®ns\bmWv kwc£nt¡ïsXó hÀ¤ t_m[amWv sI. cm[mIrjvWsâ {]_p²X. kzX{´ Nn´ ]peÀ¯póhsc GsX¦nepw ]£t¯bv¡v B«ntbmSn¡pó k½À±X{´amWv tIcf¯nð iàns¸SpóXv. ssN\bmtWm? Atacn¡bmtWm? djy³ hn¹hs¯ tSmÄtÌmbn ]n³XpW¨ncpónñ. Fón«pw se\n³ ]dªXv, tSmÄtÌmbn IrXnIÄ djy³ hn¹h¯nsâ I®mSnbmsWómbncpóp. kz´w Nn´ hplm³ N´bnð hnð¡m³ sh¨n«pfÅhÀ¡pw alm\mb se\n³ ]mTamWv.

46

{]Wbw dmUvane emknIv

sSenhnj³

Unni R

B³ Ìoh³k¬

Fñm cm{XnIfnepw Rm³ I¯n¡v aqÀ¨ Iq«póp. kzmKXw sN¿phm³ \nsóbXn³ aqÀ¨bpsS {]Imi¯nte¡v, AXn\nSbnð \nsâ I®pIÄ¡mbn am{Xw Fsâ {]Wbw Xnf§póp.

i_vZ§fpsSbt½, Fsó¸pWcq. F\n¡msbmscmfnbnSw Isï¯q. Fsâsbm¨bnð t]SnbpÅh³ Rm³. Cãasñ\ns¡³ apJw.

Fsâ i{Xp

P\phcn

^m\n slmhv

NmÄkv knanIv

Fsâ i{Xp Hcp ]q¸m{Xw \ndsb \£{X¸q¡Ä Fsâ InS¡bv¡cnInse taibnð h¨ncn¡póp Cu {IqcX ZpÀ_esâ ISaIÄ¡v t]mepamImsX sImóp Ifsªsâ CÑmiànsb

sNdnsbmcp ]Ån¡qS¯nsâ XWp¯pdª P\ð¸mfnbnð Iq«nIfpsS hncð¸mSpIÄ.

ac¡mepIÄ

Nmc³

FhnsStbm hmbn¨p Rm³, km{amPyw AXnsâ PbnedIfnse {IqcXbneqsSbmWv \ne\nð¡pIsbóv

amÀtPmdn tlmIvkzÀXv

blqZ Aan¨mbv

s]mbv¡menð \S¡póbmÄ sXcphp sh«¯nð \nópw Npcp«v I¯n¡póp, ]WnXoÀóv £oW¯mð \ne¯nd§msX ho«nte¡v \S¡pt¼mÄ N{µ{]Imi¯nð {]Wbs¯cphpIfnse amfnI P\epIfnð I®p IqÀ¸n¨v F®nsbSp¡póp \átZl§Ä HSphnð hosS¯pt¼mÄ tað¡pcbnte¡v Xq§nbnd§n ta¨nð ]eIbnð Dd§póp.

Hcp]mSv hÀj§Ä¡v ap¼v ap¸Xp hbÊv ISót¸mÄ Abð cmPyt¯¡v Fsó Nmc\mbn Ab¨p Rm\hnsS ]mÀ¯p Fsó Ab¨hÀ¡Spt¯¡v Xncn¨v t]mbnñ. At¸msg\n¡htcmSv B tZis¯¸än ]dtbïXnñtñm Ifhpw ]dtbïXnñtñm. 47 47

Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikkad

A Man knows When he is growing old because he begins to look like his father,

Gabriel Garcia Marquez \ap¡v hbÊmhpóXnsâ ASbmfsa´mWv. amÀtIzkv \nco£n¡póXpt]mse \½fneqsS \½psS ]nXm¡òmcpsS Nne ioe§fpw coXnIfpw shfns¸«p In«pt¼mÄ A§s\sbmcp Znhkw A¸³ A¸q¸s\¡W¡v IrXyambn ]Ånbnð t]mbn XpS§póp. F\n¡mhs« shÅbpw shÅbpw [cn¨v \S¡m³ tXmópóp. A¸s\t¸mse Ipsd Zqcw kôcns¨sóms¡ shdpsX a\Êv ta\n ]dbpIbmWv. Hcp PohnXaplqÀ¯apïv ASqcnsâ A\´cw Fó Nn{X¯nseót]mse F®nsb®n ]pdtIm«v Npcp§pI. Imev]\nIXbpsS ]qs¼mSnbnð\nóv IpXdn\nóhÀ¡pw CXñmsX asämcp Xehcbnñ. Atacn¡³ \Kc§fnencpóv \n§Ä aebmfw hmbn¡póXp t]mepw hbÊmIpóXnsâ ASbmfamWv. FwSnbpsS IShv Fó Nn{Xw HmÀ¡póp. IS¯phônbnð Agnªpt]mb AhfpsS ]mZkchpambn Ahsft¯Sn \Kc¯ntebv¡v Aeªpt]mIpó _mes\t¸msebmWv \n§fnt¸mÄ. \Kcw \n§fnse {Kmas¯ Xncn¨dnbpónñ. hymIcWw sImïv ¢n]vXs¸Sp¯pIbpw Ae¦mc§Äs¡mïv tXmcWw sI«pIbpw sN¿pó ]In«pÅ temI`mjIfpsS apónð Hcp sNdnb tZi¯nsâ {KmaoW`mj ]I¨pw `bópw hn¡nhn¡n t]mIpóp. ImämtIm¼nse (Catacomb) clky`mjt]mse Hfn¨p]dbm\pÅXmWv kz´w \m«p`mjsbóv Ipªp§Ä¡v Xm¡oXv sImSp¡póp. Fón«pw Ft´m Hcwiw \n{Zbnepw PmKcW¯nepw hóv Xncn¨phcm³ t\camsbóv a{´n¡póp. PohPme§sfms¡bpw B ZqXnsâ ]XmIhmlIcmhpóp. \mSpImWnbnse ]pecnshbnð \ndsb Xp¼nIÄ. km[mcW¡mcñ. A§p Zqsc Ing¡\m{^n¡bnð \nóv amen Fó Hä tÌm]v Hmhdpambn ]ÝnaL«¯nte¡v ]dsó¯nbncn¡pIbmWv. t¥m_ð kvIn½sdóv Adnbs¸Spó Chbv¡v Xpem¯p¼nIsfóv \m«pt]cv. Imänsâ Zni ]nSn¨v Fñm hÀjhpw CtX Ime¯v AhÀ F¯nt¨cpóp. {]P\\w kw`hn¡póXv ChnsSbmWv. X§Ä Dcphmb CS¯nte¡v ASp¯ hÀjw hoïpw hcpóp. kmða¬ aÕy§fpsS IYbpw hn`nóañ. X§Ä hncnª ]pgbnte¡mWv ]ckl{kw t\m«n¡ð ssaepIÄ kôcn¨v AhÀ ap«bnSms\¯póXv. \hw_À amk¯nð tImhen¡S¸pd¯v ap«bnSms\¯pó ISemaItfbpw AXnsâ ap«bv¡v Imhð \nð¡pó sNdp¸¡mtcbpw ImWm³ tImgnt¡mt«s¡mcp bm{X Xcam¡mhpóXmWv. Acn_mU þ Arribada þ Fó kv]m\njv ]ZamWv C¯cw kmKckômc§Ä¡pÅ kmt¦XnI ]Zw. Fñmhcpw aS§nhcnIbmWv. AXv icocw sImïmhaWsaóp t]mepanñ. [qÀ¯]p{Xsâ IYsbms¡ Ct¸mÄ A§s\bmWv A\p`hs¸SpóXv. icocw sImïv Hcp "t]mbnâv Hm^v s\m dnt«¬' A\p`hs¸Spsó¦nð t¸mepw a\Êp sImïv ]ebmhÀ¯n aS¡kµÀi\§fnð GÀs¸Spó \½Ä. A§s\bmWv DS¸ndóhcpw AÑ\½amcpw kvt\ln¨ s]¬Ip«nbpw ]Tn¨ ]Ån¡qShpsams¡ ]pecn kz]v\¯nte¡v Imew _m[n¡msX ]mfn t\m¡póXv. sR«nbpWcpt¼mÄ, AXp Xpdóp ]dbpóXnsâ t]cnemWv \n§Ä A]lmkycmhpóXpw. hmÀ²Iy¯nð Ipªp§sft¸mse s]cpamdpópshópÅXv {]mbw sImïpïmIpó 48

48

kvarXn£bw senile delinquencey - am{XamsWóp tXmópónñ. Xp¼nIfpw kmðaWpw ISemaIfpw ]dópw Xpgªpw Aesª ¯póXpt]mse, Rm³ \nsâ Imð¨ph«nð ASnbphm³ B{Kln¡póXpsImïp IqSnbmhWw. ]g¦YIÄ ]dbm³ thïn am{XamWv apjnª thjhpw hnïpIodnb ]mZ§fpambn NneÀ aS§nhcpóXv. kÔy¡v hnf¡p I¯n¡msX tImembnse Ccp«nencpóv \½Ä ]dª IYIsfñmw Ip¼kmc§fmbncpóp. AXnset¸mgpw Hcp Ipät_m[¯nsâ I\ð FcnbWsaópt]mepanñ. Ahnip²amb Hcp Ime¯nsâ Gäp]d¨nembn AXns\ KWnt¡ïXpanñ. Ipfn Ignªv \ne¡®mSnbpsS apónð \nð¡pó Hcmsft¸mse, Bß\nµtbm eÖtbm CñmsX. klm\p`qXntbmsS tI«ncn¡m³ Ignbpóp Fsómcp HäImcWw aXn F\n¡v \nsót¯Snsb¯m³. Gsd D²cn¡s¸Spó Fw.Sn.bpsS IYm]m{X§fnsemóv hmcWmknbnse t£{X]ShpIfnð \nóv ]dbpóXp t]mse, t£{X§fnepw Ip¼kmc¡qSpIÄ thWw; tIÄ¡m³ HcnSwþs]mdp¡m³ Hcp Úm\hr²³ GXnShpw IcpWbpsS ac¡qSmhpw, D½dhpw Du«papdnbpw InS¸dbpsams¡. kvt\lw ]p\cÀ¸n¡s¸Spó CS§fnemWv Gäp]d¨nepIfpsS BhiyIX. Aeª GsXmcmÄ¡pw ho«nte¡v aS§póXn\pap³]v Hcp Ip¼kmc¯nsâ ]Sn¸pc ISt¡ïnbncn¡póp. hmb\bnð Ct¸mÄ Xmev]cyapWÀ¯póXv BßIYIÄ am{XamWv. Fñm BßIYIfpw e£Wsam¯ Ip¼kmc§Ä Xsó. AKÌnsâ BßIYbpsS t]cp t]mepw AXmWvþConfessions. aqómw \qämïnse B ioÀjI¯n\v ]Xns\«mw \qämïnð dqtkmbneqsS BhÀ¯\apïmbn. tKmYbpsS Truth and fiction: Relating to My Life Fó BßIYbnð FgpXpóXpt]mse, Fsâ cN\Ifpw Hcp Ip¼kmc¯nsâ `mKamWv. PohnX tcJbneqsS kzbw Gäp]dbm³ {ian¨hcnð {]tXyIw HmÀ½nt¡ï Hcmfpïv. NmÀen Nm¹n\mWXv. kn\na t]mepw AbmÄ¡p Ip¼kmcambncpóp. Cu Ifw Imenbm¡póXn\p ap¼v a\pjyÀ tImdnbn« Ipdn¸nIpfpw Ip¼kmc§fñmsX asä´mWv! am¸p sImSp¡m³ HcmÄ t]mepapïmhnñ Fó sXän²mcWbnembncn¡Ww AhÀ kzblXybbpsS XmgvhcIfnte¡v hgpXnbXv. AX§s\bsñóp ]dbm³ \½Ä {ian¨n«pw tIÄ¡m³ Iq«m¡msX ImXnð Cubsamgn¨v AhÀ _[nccmbn. Fsâ apcfn XIÀópt]msbóv CS¸Ån. k\ðZmknsâ Ahkm\s¯ hcnIÄ¡v "Ip¼kmc ¡pdn¸v 'FómWv ioÀjIw. sjðhnbpsS "Pqsse Ipdn¸pIfnÄ BkóacW ¯nsâ \nehnfnIfpw Gäp]d ¨nepIfpapïv. Hähcn sImïv hñmsX Ip¼mkcn¨ Hcmfpïv. "Rm³ ]m]¯nembncn¡pt¼mÄ' Fóp ]dªv DS¼Sn ¡pdn¸pIÄ Bcw`n¡pó AÊoknbnse {^m³knkv. sNdnb Ime¯nð AbmfpsS CSÀ¨IÄ F´mbncn¡p satómÀ¯v IuXpIs¸«n«pïv. B {]mb¯nsâbpw B Ime¯nsâbpw ]cnKW\IÄ h¨psImïv icoc¯nsâ Nne {`a§fnð s]«pt]mbn«pïmhpsaóv A\pam\n¨p. Hcp ]mTt`Zw tI«Xv {InÌnb¨\nð \nómWv. bp²¯n\p t]mb AbmfpsS buÆ\amWv ]Ým¯ew. kz`mhnIambn AbmÄ a\pjysc sImón«p ïmhpw. hñm¯ \Sp¡w tXmón. ]pecnbnð sXcphphnf¡pIÄ AWbv¡m³ ss[cyanñm¯ HcmÄ. Nhn«nbc t¨¡psatómÀ¯v ]pgp¡sf ]mXtbmc§fnte¡v FSp¯pamäpóbmÄ. AbmÄ¡v B Ip¼kmcw Hgnhm¡m\mhnñmbncpópþwhen I was in sin. Hmtcm Gäp]d¨nen\p tijhpw F{X NnXdntbm A{Xtað GIm{Kambn Rm³ aS§nsb¯pw FóXnsâ kphntijambn B hcnIÄ \ne\nðt¡ïXpïv. tJZw ASnbnsehnsStbm Iñn¨p InS¸pïv. \nónte¡v Iptd¡qSn GIm{Kambncpsó¦nð kômc]Y §sfñmw tcJs¸Sp¯m³ am{Xw Ipeo\XbpÅXmtbs\. Btcm Dds¡ ]mSpópïv, \m«phgnItf ho«nte¡nhs\ Iq«ns¡mïpt]mhpI.... take me home, country roads.

49 49

Priya Joseph

hoSp ]Wnbm³ CãapÅ Øew hm§n. ASp¯Xv ¹m³ hcbv¡Ww. BÀ¡nsSIväns\ ImWm³ t]mbt¸mÄ AbmÄ Hcp tNmZyw \n§fpsS Zm¼Xysa§s\ ? kvt{Sm§v BtWm? R§Ä At§m«pant§m«pw Hóv t\m¡n. F´mWo tNmZy¯nsâ AÀ°w Hcp k¦S¸pg Hcpan¨v \o´nbXmWv. ssItImÀ¯pXsó ]nSn¨mWv AXv Xmïn¡SóXv. HcmÄ XfÀót¸mÄ atä BÄ Xm§n. HcmÄ¡v Dd§m\mbn atä BÄ I®nepd¡hpambn Fgptóäncpóp C\n h¿ aptóm«v Fóv HcmÄ ]dªt¸mÄ C\nbpw ]äpw Fóv ss[cyw Xóp atäbmÄ.A§s\bpÅ R§tfmSmWv BÀ¡nsSIvänsâ Ae£yamb, Fómð A{X Ae£yañm¯ B tNmZyw. ""Rm\nXv ]dbm³ Imcyw, ¹m³ hc L«¯nð kt´mjambn hcpó ]e Z¼XnIfpw hoSp ]Wn Xocmdmhpt¼mtgbv¡pw Unthmgv knð Ieminbv¡póXmbn Iïn«pïv. t\cs¯ Hcp apódnbn¸v Xónñmóp thïm'' Fóv BÀ¡nsSIväv hniZoIcn¨p. Hcpan¨v \Só hgnIÄ Hcp doev t]mse cïpt]cpsSbpw a\Ênð anón adªXv sImïmhmw "kvt{Sm§v ' BsWóv R§Ä cïpt]cpw aÕcn¨mWv Xebm«nbXv. ¹m³ hc XpS§póXn\p ap¼v Rm³ Fsâ Cã§Ä¡v hyàX hcp¯m³ hoSnsâ apdnIÄ F§s\ thWsaóv CâÀs\änð ]cXm³ XpS§n. lukv (Houzz) Fó sh_v t]Pv tPmensN¿pt¼msgñmw Fsâ I¼yq«À kv{Io\nð XpdópInSóp. (printerest, Instagram) aäv CâocnbÀ sU¡tdj³ t]PpIfnsems¡ Aebm³ tPmen Hcp XSÊta Bbnñ. tIm«bwImcsâ IÀjI a\Êpambn `À¯mhv sFSn Ip¸mb¯nð Ibdn¡qSnbn«v hÀjw Ipsdbmbn. jn¡mtKmbnse ISp¯ aªnð "lcnXm`, ]¨¸v ' FómIpes¸«v PohnXw AXnthKw aptóm«v t]mbns¡mïncn¡póp. AXpsImïp Xsó hoSnt\mSv tNÀóv Hcp {Ko³ lukv thWsaópÅXv `À¯mhnsâ Hcp heytamlambncpóp. AXnsemcnôv Øew t]mepw ]qs¨Snshbv¡m³ F\nbv¡v Xcnñmsbóv ¹m³ hc XpS§póXn\p ap¼v Xsó `À¯mhv {]Jym]n¨p. AXphscbpÅ A\p`hw h¨v F\n¡v Xómð H«I¯n\v Øew sImSp¡póXpt]mse BIpas{X. Rm³ £abpÅ BfmWv. `À¯mhn\v BZys¯ Xmð]cyw XoÀópIgnªmð Cu Øew Fsâ ]qs¨SnIÄ¡mbn Fsâ I¿nð Xsó hcpsaóv F\n¡dnbcptXm. 50 50

F´mbmepw {Ko³lukv apgph\mbpw h¨\p`hnt¨m Fóv Rm³ k½Xw aqfn. ]s£ hoSnsâ ap³hihpw ]ndIphihpw Fsâ sNSnIÄ¡v Fóv Rm³ AXncv Xncn¨p. hoSnsâ CSXp hiw Fsâ ]¨¡dnt¯m«¯n\pw heXphiw ap´ncns¨SnIÄ¡pw Fóv `À¯mhpw AhImiw ]dªp. hoSnsâ DÄhiw Rm³ sNbvtXmfmw Fóp ]dªv AXv apgph\mbpw Rm³ GsäSp¯p. F{Xapdn thWw, apdnbpsS tebu«v F§s\thWw, Xdbnð lmÀUvhpUv thtWm, {Kmss\äv thtWm, ssSðkv thtWm, ssSðknsâ \ndw, Hónepw `À¯mhv ssIIS¯nñ Fóv Dd¸v Xóp. A§s\ hosStâXpw , {Ko³ lukv `À¯mhnsâXpambn, Xpeyañm¯ Hcp hoXw hbv]v \S¯n, HcmfpsS Cã¯nð atä BÄ ssIIS¯nñ Fó Hcp \ni_vZ hmKvZm\hpambn R§Ä hoSnsâ ¹m³ hc Fó BZy L«¯ntebv¡v heXpImð h¨v Ibdn. B{Kln¨Xnð IqSpXð hep¸tam Fóv kwibw tXmónbt¸mÄ ""Liposuction” hoïpw BÀ¡nsSIvän\v sImSp¯p. ¹m³ amänbpw adn¨pw R§Ä¡v apjnªpXpS§n. Rm³ hoSnsâ DįS§fnð {i² sImSp¯t¸mÄ \m\qdv kvIzbÀ ^oäv DÅ {Ko³lukv F§s\ kÖoIcn¡Wsaóv `À¯mhv hniZambn ]Tn¨psImïncpóp. H¸w AXnð hfÀ¯m\pt±in¡pó sNSnIÄ FhnsS \nóv hm§Wsaóv ImätemKpIfnð ]cXm³ XpS§n. sNSnIÄ hm§pó Imcy¯nð C¯ncn AXntamlw IqSpXetñ Fóv `À¯mhv HmÀUÀ sNbvXp h¨ncn¡pó sNSnIÄ Iït¸mÄ tXmón. amhv, audojykv en¨n, amXf\mc§, Ah¡msUmþ A§s\ ]eXpw. apgph\mbpw Xm]\ne \nb{´n¨ Hcp A´co£amWv {Ko³ luknð DÅsX¦nepw jn¡mtKmbnð amhv, enNn, Hs¡ Imbv^ew ImWpsaóv F\nbv¡v bmsXmcp Dd¸pw Cñmbncpóp. ]s£ ssIIS¯cpsXó \nÀt±iw DÅXpsImïv hm¡pIÄ hngp§n ""A\p`hnt¨m'' Fóv DÅnð ]dªv Rm³ shdpw ImgvN¡mcnbmbn. hmbnepw a\Ênepw Hcpt]mse Ibv¸v XnI«nhóXv B enÌnse Htcsbmcp sNSnIïn«mWv. {_Ònbmbncpóp B Xmcw! AXn\p hyàamb ImcWapïv. tIcf¯nð IÀ¡nSIw XpS§pt¼mtg a½n sXmSp]pgbnepÅ kIe BbpÀtÆZ tUmÎÀamcpsSbpw ASp¡ð Ibdnbnd§m³ XpS§pw. icocw CfXmIpó kabamWv; Cu kab¯v icocc£ sNbvXmð ^ew Cc«nbmIpsaóv a½ntbmSv GtXm BbpÀtÆZ tUmÎÀ ]dªXnsâ shfn¨¯nemWv a½n IÀ¡nSI¯nse ]oU\]c¼c XpS§póXv. _p²nbpw HmÀ½ iànbpw IqSm\pÅ Fs´¦nepw s\t¿m, telytam Dtïm FópÅXmWv a½n {][m\ambpw At\zjn¡póXv. {_ÒoLrXw A§s\bmWv a½nbpsS ssIbnð hóps]«Xv. cmhnse {_mÒaplqÀ¯¯nð Ipfn¨v shdpw hbänse s{_Òn Ign¡mhq Fóp IqSn B Zpã tUmÎÀ \nÀt±in¨ncpóp. Cu km[\w In«nbtXmsS a½nbnð Ft´m _m[ IqSnbXpt]msebmbn. Fñmän\pw Hcp ]«mf¨n«. {_mÒaplqÀ¯¯nð Aemw h¨v Fgptóäv R§Ä \mepa¡sfbpw hnfns¨gptóð¸nbv¡pw. a½nbpsS {_mÒaplqÀ¯w XpS§póXv \mev aWnbv¡mWv. A{Xbpw Bizmkw. Dd¡w amdm¯ R§sf Ipfnapdnbnte¡v hn«v a½n ]pd¯p Imhð \nð¡pw. \\ª ]q¨¡pªp§sf t]mse hnd¨v ]pd¯nd§pó R§Ä¡v kv]qWnð s\¿pambn a½n Im¯p\nð¡pópïmhpw. s\¿v \mhnð sXmSpó B Hcp sk¡âv PohnX¯nð Hcn¡epw ad¡nñ. Ibvs]óv ]dªmð CXpt]mepsÅmcp Ibv]v Rms\sâ PohnX¯nð thsd Adnªn«nñ. a½n anen«dnIym¼nse Iym]väs\t]mse sXm«p apónð\nð¡póXp sImïv AXv Xp¸n¡fbm\pw h¿. ""PohnXw sNón\mbIw \ðInepw \obXpw a[pcn¸ns¨mcÛpXw'' Fóv FgpXnb Ihbn{Xn Fsó¦nepw {_Òn Ign¨pt\m¡nbn«ptïm Bthm? PohnXw {_mlvaaplqÀ¯¯nð Hcp henb kv]q¬ {_Òn h¨v \o«nbn«v B Ibv]v a[pcn¸n¨v AÛpXam¡m³ ]dªmð F\nbvs¡óñ BÀ¡pw km[n¡psaóv tXmópónñ. t]ms«, Ibv]v Ipdbv¡m³ Hcp ¥mkv t_m¬hnämtbm tlmÀenIvtkm Dïm¡n Xcmambncpóp a½nbv¡v. AXpt]mepw XcmsXbmWv Cu {_ÒoLrX]oU\w Ignªv ASnapSn Ibv]nð hcnhcnbmbn R§Ä ]T\ apdnbntebv¡v \o§pt¼mÄ Hcp 51 51

IqkepanñmsX hnLv\w hó Dd¡¯ntebv¡v a½n hoïpw aS§póXv. CXv Hcp cïv aqóv amkw XpScpw. AXp Ignbpt¼mtg¡pw Imcy§Ä Ipd¨v efnXambn XpS§pw. {_mÒaplqÀ¯¯nse Fgptóð¸v Bcw`iqcXzw, \jvIf¦ lrZb§fpsS IcfpcpInbpÅ {]mÀ°\ CsXms¡bmIWw ImcW§Ä. B ]gb IÀ¡nSI hnñ\mWv ChnsS jn¡mtKmbnð R§fpsS {Ko³ luknð {][m\ Xmcambn F¯nbncn¡póXv. kvt{Sm§v BsWóv Xd¸n¨v ]dª Zm¼Xyw Deªpw heªpw hoSp]Wn hñhnt[\bpw ]qÀ¯nbm¡n. sÌbÀt¡kv ]Wnbm³ hó Dt{I\nb¡mc³ apJw hoÀ¸n¨v, "" Rm³ kv{XoIfnð \nóv HmÀUÀ FSp¡nñ'' Fóv FtómSpw, ""anÌÀ tXmakv , bphÀ ssh^v Cukv äq t_mkn,bq jpUv sjm slÀ lq Cukv Z dnbð t_mÌv Hm^v Z lukv '' Fóv `À¯mhnt\mSv am³þäpþam³ täm¡v \S¯n. kv{XoIÄ ]dªmð Ku\n¡m¯ Cu Dt{I\nb¡mct\mSv t]mbn ]Wn t\m¡m³ Rm³ ]dªp hoSp]Wnbnð Fsâ CSXpw heXpambn\nó tdm_Àt«m ]eXhW "" C\n Rm³ anÊv {]nbbpsS IqsS ]Wnbnñ'' Fóp ]dªv ]nW§nt¸mbt¸mÄ am{Xw F\n¡v k¦Sambn. tdm_Àt«mbpsS ]nW¡w amäm³ thïn am{Xw Nn¡p tjbv¡pw quesadilla (a Mexican preperattion) Dïm¡n Rm³ `À¯mhnsâ ssIhiw sImSp¯b¨p. AtXmsS t]mbXns\¡mÄ thK¯nð tdm_Àt«m XncnsI hóp. {Ko³ luknð ssIIS¯nñ Fóv ]dsª¦nepw X¡w In«nbt¸msgñmw Rm³ AXnðXebn«v thïnS¯pw thïm¯nS¯pw Fsâ Cãhpw A\nãhpw IrXyambn tcJs¸Sp¯n `À¯mhnsâ sskzcyw sISp¯n. hoSnsâ DÄ hi§fnð CSs]Snñ Fóp ]dª `À¯mhv IpdªXv ]¯v XhWsb¦nepw Rm\pïm¡nb {]iv\§fpsS kÔnkw`mjW§Ä¡v a²yØ\mtIïnhóp. Fsâ ap³tIm]w hcp¯nb hnÅepIÄ ASbv¡m³ `À¯mhnsâ kuayX knaâmbn thïnhóp. kv{XoIfnð \nóv \nÀt±i§Ä kzoIcn¡m³ aSnImWn¨ Fñmhscbpw h¬, Sp , {Xo Fóp Rm³ ]dªphn«v XpS§nbt¸mÄ `À¯mhv "" Bkvt{Senbbnð t]mbn tN¨namscsbms¡ ImWm³ tXmópóntñ'' Fóp tNmZn¨v Fsó \nÀ_ÔnX Ah[nbv¡v hïnIbänhn«p. AhnsS \nóv Xncn¨phóv bm{Xm£oWw amdpóXn\p ap¼v Xsó ""Umfknð t]mbn A\nb¯n ip` F´psN¿póp Fóv At\zjn¨v hcq' Fóv ]dªv Fsó Umfkntebv¡v hïnIbänhnSm\pw Hcp {iaw \S¯nt\m¡n. ]s£ CXpsImsïmópw Rm³ XfÀónñ. hoSv Hcp kz]v\ km£mXvImcambXpsImïv Fsâ Cã§Ä¡pthïn Rm³ bmsXmcp hn«p hogvNbpanñmsX \nesImïp. BÀ¡nsSIväv IrXyambn hóv hoSp]WnbpsS ]ptcmKXnbpw Zm¼Xy¯nsâ sI«pd¸pw ]cntim[n¨psImïncpóp. ""Cu s]m«epw Noäepw Hs¡ F´v, CsXms¡ hoSp]Wnbnse shdpw \nÊmckw`h§Ä am{Xw'' Fóv amtcyPv Iu¬knedpsS thjw kzbw FSp¯Wnªv At±lw hn[nsbgpXn. hoSv ]WnXv IgnªpÅ BZy k½À AYh BZy hnfhv Kw`ncambncpóp. ]bdv, ]mhbv¡, shïbv¡, dmUnjv, DÅn, shfp¯pÅn, DcpfIng§v, Bkv]cmKkv, t{_ms¡men, Côn, aªÄ Fópthï Atacn¡bnð DïmIpó Fñm ]¨¡dnIfpw R§fpsS ]¨¡dnt¯m«¯nð BÀ¯e¨pïmbn. At§m«v sImSp¯ kvt\lw \qsämóv iXam\hpw sNSnIÄ Xncn¨pXóp. hn¡À _mkvIäpIfnð HmÀKm\nIv ]¨¡dnIÄ Abðh¡¡mÀ¡v sImSp¯pXpS§n. hoSnsâ apóneqsS \S¡m\nd§póhsc HmSn¨n«v ]nSn¨v ]¨¡dn sImSp¯v hntSïn hcpó A{X ]¨¡dnIÄ. hnfthm hnfhv! Abðh¡ _Ô§Äs¡ñmw IqSpXð apdp¡w. aäpÅhcpsS DÅnð Ahcp t]mepw AdnbmsX InS¡pó \ò ]pd¯psImïphcm\pÅ Hcp AÛpX kn²nIqSnbpïv ]¨¡dnIÄ¡pw slÀ_ð sNSnIÄ¡psaóv Rm³ Xncn¨dnªXv t\sc FXnsc ho«nð Xmakn¡pó t\m¡nbmepw Nncn¡nñm¯ "t_ hm¨v ' (Bay Watch Actress) \Snbv¡p hó amäw Iïn«mWv. IqSpXsemópw 52

52

sNbvXnñ. C¯cn ssXw, C¯ncn HtdbvKs\m, C¯ncn tdmkvtacn t]¸dnð s]mXnªv sImïpt]mbn sImSp¯tX DÅq.

(Thyme, Oregano, rosemary)

CsXñmw kvt\l¯nsâ {_u¬

Ahcpïm¡n sImSp¯phnSpó tNm¡teäv Nn]vkv Ip¡n Ign¨psImïv "" Abðh¡¡mÀ C§s\ kvt\ln¨v hoÀ¸v ap«n¡m³ XpS§nbmð \½sf´p sN¿pw'' Fóv `À¯mhnt\mSv BIpes¸Spó AhØsb¯n. Cu HmÀKm\nbv¡v ]¨¡dnIfpsS DÛhØm\w ImWm³ htóms« Fóv Hmtcmcp¯À tNmZn¡m³ XpS§n. ImWm³ hcnI am{Xañ BhiyapÅsXms¡ ]dns¨Spt¯mfq Fóv R§Ä s\IvÌv tUmÀ (Next door app) B¸nð CSbv¡nsS satkPv C«p. ]mNI¯nsâbnSbv¡v Idnth¸ne s]m«n¡m³ {Ko³ lukntet¡mSpó Rm³ ]et¸mgpw aqóphoSn\¸pd¯pÅ IoÀ¯nb¦nfns\ AhnsS IïvsR«n. an\p¡apÅ ss]Pmabpw Xnf§pó kmän³ tdm_pw C«v aebmfkn\nabnse tPmkv {]Imiv \nð¡póXvt]mse þ Npïnð Fcnbpó Npcp«nsâ am{Xw Hcp Ipdhpïv. A¦nsf´m ChnsS Fóv tNmZn¡pt¼mÄ "" Hm, Rm³ \S¡m\nd§nbXm. \S¡m\nd§pt¼msgñmw CSbv¡nSbv¡v CXn\I¯v Ibdn Fñmw t\m¡mdpïv. '' Fóv A¦nÄ shfns¸Sp¯n. AXv F\nbvs¡mcp ]pXnb Adnhmbncpóp. `mhnbnepw {Ko³ luknð Npïnð Npcp«nñm¯, hnñ³ Nncnbnñm¯ Cu tPmkv {]Imins\ Iïv sR«m³ X¿mdmbns¡mÅq Fóv FtómSpXsó ]dªv Idnth¸ne s]m«n¨v Rm³ XncnsI ASp¡fbntebvt¡mSpw. Abð¡mcpsS kvt\lw IqSmsX Fsó BIpes¸Sp¯nbXv Hóv am{Xw þ {_ÒnbpsS hfÀ¨. Hma\¯apÅ IpªneIfpambn AXnthKw ]SÀóv Ibdpó {_Ònsb hepXmIpó apdbv¡v Rm³ aäv N«nIfntebv¡v amän \«psImïncpóp. {_ÒnbpsS Cfw hbeäv \nd¯nepÅ ]qhv Rm³ BZyambn«mbncpóp ImWpóXv. ]s£ C{Xbpw {_Òn F\nbvs¡´n\v? {Ko³ lukv ImWm³hó Fsâ _p¡v ¢_nse Atacn¡³ kplr¯p¡Ä¡pw Rm³ {_Ònsb ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. ssZhw BZmans\bpw lÆmsbbpw GZ³ tXm«¯nsâ \Sphnð sImïv sNóv Hcp acw Nqïn¡m«n B acw Úm\¯nsâ acamWv Fóv ]dª AtX ImcyKuch¯nð Rm³ ]dªp. "" Zm Cu sNSn Itïm , CXv _p²niànbpw HmÀ½iànbpw Iq«pó Hcp sNSnbmsWómWv BbpÀtÆZw ]dbpóXv. R§fXns\ {_Òn Fóv hnfnbv¡pw.'' {_Òn Fóv ]dbm³ Ahcnð ]eÀ¡pw \m¡v hg§m¯XpsImïv "" \n§Ä thtWð CXns\ CâenP³kv ¹mâv Fóv hnfnt¨mfq'' Fóv Rm³ DZmcaXnbmbn. R§Ä C´ym¡mscñmw Xsó sNdp¸¯nð CXnsâ Ce Ign¨n«pÅhcmWv. Fñm C´ym¡mcpw FópÅXv Hcp _e¯n\v Iq«nt¨À¯XmWv. _p¡v¢_nse ]ôm_n kplr¯v ]qPbv¡pw ]dbm\pïmbncpóp Hcp {_Òn¡Y. ""ku¯v B{^n¡bnepw Cu {_Òn Dïv tIt«m. ""cmPsâ hoSnsâ sXmSnbnð \ndsb Cu sNSnbpïmbncpóp.'' ]qPbpsS `À¯mhv cmP³ Cu {]tZis¯ Hcp {][m\ Iym³kÀ tcmK hnZKv²\mWv. ku¯v B{^n¡bnemWv P\n¨Xpw hfÀóXpw. cmPsâ A½ ¹kv Sp IgnbpóXphsc FñmZnhkhpw HmÀ½ iàns¡ópw ]dªv Cu {_Ònbne \nÀ_Ôn¨v cmPs\ Ign¸n¡pambncpóp'' ""cmP\nt¸mgpw AXnsâ tZjyw amdnbn«nñ A½ Fs¸m R§fpsS IqsS Xmakn¡m³ hómepw CXpw ]dªv cmP³ A½bpsS ASp¯v hg¡pïm¡pw.'' Hcp {_Òn ]oU\ Ccbvt¡ asämcp Ccsb ]qÀ®ambn a\Ênem¡m³ km[n¡pIbpÅq. F\nbv¡p a\ÊnemIpw cmPsâ at\m\ne. ]qPbpsS Cu {_Òn¡Ybpw IqSn tI«tXmsS ]t«ð {_tZgvknð tImhbv¡ shïbv¡ Iq¼mc¯nsâ apónð KpPdm¯n IÄ IpSpw_ktaXw Iangvóv InS¡póXpt]mse Fñmhcpw Fsâ {_lvansb s]mXnªp. AXnsâ Ce ]cntim[n¡p hm\pw ]qhv t\m¡n s\SphoÀ¸nSm\pw XpS§n. 53 53

C´y³ Ip«nIfpsS ]T\ kmaÀ°ys¯]än s]mXpth Atacn¡¡mÀ¡v aXn¸mWv. IW¡nepw kb³kv hnjb§fnepw ChÀ¡pÅ sshZKv[yw ChnsS BÀ¡mWdnbm¯Xv. \qdv Atacn¡¡msc FSp¯mð Ahcnð IqSpXð t]cpw AkpJw hcpt¼mÄ ImWpóXv C³Uy³ tUmÎÀamscbmWv knev¡¬ hmen , I¼yq«À t{]mUnPokv, sP¸Un, sFhneoKv tImtfPpIÄ Fópthï hmbnð hcpó ]T\kw_Ônbmb Iptd hm¡pIfpw, kpµÀ ]nss¨bv, kXy \msZñ, Zo]Iv tNm{]m Fó Nne t]cpIfpw AhcpsS apónð IpSªn«tXmsS Xncn¨dnhnsâ Hcp ]pXnb Xnf¡w AhcpsS I®pIfnð! Fsâ {_ÒnbmsW¦nð C{X henb D¯chmZnXzw Xebnð hóphogpóXdnbmsX Aekhnemkn\nbmbn sNSn¨«nbnð hÅnhoin ]SÀóv InS¸mWv. F´v tI«mepw t^mWnð Ip¯n ]cntim[n¡pó ImeamWtñm. CâÀs\änse tamln¸n¡pó hnhc§Ä tI«v _p¡v ¢_v kplr¯p¡Äs¡ñmw F§s\sb¦nepw CXnsâ Hcp ssX In«ntb Xocp Fó AhØbmbn. ]¨¡dnIÄ sImSp¯v kpZrVam¡nbncn¡pó _豈 Cu {_Òn XIÀ¡ptam Fsómcp t]Sn a\knð \ómbpÅXpsImïv ""CXnsâ Ibv]v \n§Ä¡v Xm§m³ ]änñ'' Fsóms¡ Rm³ ]dªp Ahsc \ncpÕmls¸Sp¯m³ t\m¡n. Xobnð Ipcp¯hcmWv \½Ä C³Uym¡mÀ. Hcp shbnð t]mepw Xm§m³ tijnbnñm¯hcmWv Cu Ibv]³ {_Òn Ignt¨ ]äq Fó hminbnð \nðIpóXv. Fsâ XSk§sfmópw hIhbv¡msX Cu ]Xn\ôpt]cpw Hmtcm {_Ònss¯bpambmWv Aóv aS§nbXv. {_Ònss¯Ifpambn ChÀ t]mbn HcmgvN Ignªt¸mÄ apXð CXv F§s\bmWv Ignt¡ïXv ? FópÅ tNmZyhpambn Fsâ t^m¬ hn{iaanñmsX ASn¨pXpS§n. GXmbmepw C{Xbpambn ""In«nbmð AXv kvt\lamsW¦nepw Ibv]msW¦nepw ]eni klnXw Xncn¨psImSn¯ncn¡pw Fó Fsâ ap{ZmhmIy¯nð Dd¨v \nópsImïv Rm³ A\p`hn¨ Cu {_ÒnIbv]v AtX Xo{hXbnð Chcpw Hó\p`hnbv¡s« Fsómcp KqVtaml¯nð Ce Nh¨c¨v Xsó Ign¡Wsaóv Rm³ \nÀZm£Wyw AhtcmSv ]dªp. cïp Znhkw t]mepw Ignªnñ. ]nsóbpw t^m¬ "" Cu Ibv]v Xm§m³ ]äpónñ.'' ssZhta AhcXv A£cw{]Xn A\pkcn¨ncn¡póp sImfdmtUmbnð at\mlcamb aXnð ]Wnbpsaóv ]dªXv Hcp Znhkw Ignªt¸mÄ AXv Rms\mcp Xami ]dªXtñ Fóv {Sw]v äzoäv sNbvXt]mse Rm\pw ]dªp. Nh¨c¨v Ign¡Wsaóv Rms\mcp Xami ]dªXtñ. \n§fñmsX thsd Bsc¦nepw. C{X Ibv¸pÅ km[\w Nh¨c¨v Ign¡m³ t\m¡ptam? ({]knUânsâ sNbvXnIÄ cmPys¯ ]ucòmsc kzm[o\n¡nñ Fóv Bsc¦nepw ]dªmð Rm³ AXnt\mSp iàambn hntbmPnbv¡póp.) ""Ipd¨v CeIÄ FSp¯v hmbnen«v shÅw Iq«n hngp§q. Asñ¦nð kmeUnð C«v Ign¡q'' Fóv \nÀt±iw sImSp¯n«v Rm³ t^m¬ h¨p. Fsâ A½¡v, aI\v, anjnKWnepÅ ktlmZcnbv¡v, AcntkmWbnepÅ A¦nfn\v... CómÀ¡v, CóbnS¯v... Hcp ssX thWsaóv ]dªpw t^m¬ hcm³ XpS§n. sNSnbv¡v £oWw, DÕml¡pdhv, DW§nt¸mIð Fóo {]iv\§fpambn Nne t^m¬ hnfnIfpw hóp. shÅsamgn¡mdptïm? shbnð In«póptïm? Fóo adptNmZy§Ä Rm³ AhtcmSv Dóbn¡pw. Fñmän\pw "AtX' FómWv D¯csa¦nð hniZ]cntim[\bv¡v saUn¡ð InäpsaSp¯v tcmKo kµÀi\¯n\v tUmÎÀ ]pds¸SpIbmbn. hpU¬ kvIyqhÀ (Wooden Skewers), ¥ukv, kv\n¸À C{XbpamWv saUn¡ð Inänse kma{KnIÄ. an¡ho«nð sNñpt¼mgpw Cebnñm¯ {_Òn Xïv am{Xambncpóp. Cesbms¡ FhnsSt¸mbn Fóv tNmZn¡pt¼mÄ AsXñmw 54

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Ign¨p Fóp¯cw. C{X Ibv]pÅ {_Ònbne Hcp aSnbpanñmsX Ignbv¡m³ ChÀs¡§s\ Ignbpóp Fó AXnib¯nemWv AhnsS \nóv Cd§póXv. AhImiw ]dªv ssIhis¸Sp¯nbncpó ap³his¯ Fsâ ]qt´m«¯nð sshIptócw a®nð ]qïv InSóv If]dnbv¡pt¼mÄ kmbmÓkhmcn¡nd§pó k_v Unhnj\nse NneÀ R§fpsS hoSn\p apónse¯pt¼mÄ ssI hoin lmbv ]dªv "" CsâensP³kv ¹mânsâ ssX hnð¡m\ptïm'' Fóv i¦tbmsS tNmZn¨pw Fsó sR«n¨p. Bscbpw \ncmis¸Sp¯nbnñ. hnð¡m\nñ, shdpsX sImïpt]mbnt¡mfq Fóv ]dbpt¼mÄ AhcpsS I®nð Ahnizk\obX. ]Icw,sFdnknsâ Ing§v, enñnbpsS Ing§v, enñn Hm^v Z hmen sNSn CsXms¡ Rm³ IXIv Xpd¡póXpw Im¯v hoSnsâ \Sbnð t]¸À _mKv ]pX¨v £atbmsS Im¯ncnóp. FñmhcpsSbpw kvt\lhmbv]nð a\w IpfnÀóv Fsâ {_Òn aptódpt¼mÄ asämcp sNSn Xncioe \o¡n Ac§t¯¡v hcm³ X¿msdSp¡pópïmbncpóp. samcnwK Htebvt^d (Moringa Oleifera) Fó imkv{X\ma[mcnbmb \½psS kz´w apcn§ sNSnbmWv Fsâ {Ko³ luknse DZn¨pbcpó ASp¯ Xmcw. Fsâ apcn§bpsS ap³]nse¯n CXv F´v sNSnbmsWóv tNmZn¡pó Atacn¡³ kplr¯¡tfmSv ]dbm³ alm`mcXIYsbms¡ HmÀ½bnð \nóv s]mSn X«n FSp¯v h¨n«pïv. ]mÞhcpsSbpw IuchcpsSbpw Ip«n¡mew. `oat\mSpÅ ]I Bfn¸SÀó Zptcym[\³ iIp\nsb Iq«p]nSv¨v `oasâ `£W¯nð hnjw tNÀ¯p. t_m[w \ãs¸« `oas\ hcnªpsI«n KwKbntes¡dnªp.Pe¯nsâ AKm[Xbntebv¡v Xmgvópt]mb `oa³ F¯ns¸«Xv \mKtemI¯mWv. `oa\v \mKcmPmhv hmkpIn \mKckw IpSn¡m³ sImSp¯p. Hcp IpSw \mKckw IpSn¨mð Bbncw B\IfpsS iànbmWv In«pI. `oa³ Ccpóbncp¸nð IpSn¨Xv ]¯v IpSw. In«nbXv ]Xn\mbncw B\IfpsS iàn. {Ko¡v ant¯mfPnbmWv Atacn¡¡mÀ¡v IqSpXð ]cnNbw. R§fpsS `oasâ ap¼nð {Ko¡v ant¯mfPnbnse kobqkv tZhs\ms¡ F´vFóv ]dbpt¼mÄ AhÀ¡v `oas\¡pdn¨v AXymhiyw aXn¸pw kvt\lhpw BIpw. `oa\v iànbpw HmPÊpw {]Zm\w sNbvX B \mKckw thsdmópañ Zm Cu \nð¡pó sNSnbpsS k¯msWómWv BbpÀtÆZw ]dbpóXv. Fóv ]dªv Rm³ apcn§bpsS t\sc hncð Nqïpt¼mÄ \ndsb CeIfpambn hfÀópbÀóv {Ko³ luknsâ koenwKnð Xeap«n \nð¡pó Fsâ apcn§s¨Snbv¡v ""Fsó¸än XsóbmtWm C¸dbpóXv Fsómcp Ahnizk\ob `mhw ! CXv FñmZnhkhpw Ign¨mð `oas\t¸mse ]Xn\mbncw B\IfpsS iànIn«psaómWv sFXnlyw ]dbpóXv Fóv tIÄ¡pt¼mÄ AXv hnizkn¡m\pÅ Hcp Xo{hemô AhcpsS I®pIfnð kv]ãambn ImWmw. Cu Xo{hemô C¯hW IqSpXembn ImWpóXv k_vUnhnj\nse ]pcpj kplr¯¡fpsS I®pIfnemsWóp am{Xw.! R§Ä C´ym¡mÀ Cu sNSnsb apcn§ AYhm C³Uy³ hbm{Km FómWv hnfn¡pósXóv Rm³ ]dªXv k_vUnhnj\nse Imäv GsäSp¯n«pïv. _p¡v ¢_nse sImfo³ R§fpsS ASp¯ aoänwKnð Hcp ImcWhimepw ]Xn\mbncw B\IfpsS _ew In«pó B sNSn `À¯mhv tNmZn¨p hómð sImSpt¯¡cpXv Fóv IÀ¡iambn ]dªt¸mgmWv hmbphns\ Iodnapdn¨v Fsâ apcn§bpsS hntijKpW§Ä ]ehoSpIfnse AI¯f§fntebv¡v IbdnXpS§nbn«pïv Fóv a\ÊnembXv. ""Hcm\bpsS iàn Xsó Xm§m³ ]äpónñ. At¸mgm C\n ]Xn\mbncw B\IfpsS iàn'' R§fpsS `À¯m¡òmÀ¡pw B sNSn am{XwsImSpt¯bv¡cpsXóv _m¡nbpÅhcpw Htc kzc¯nð Bhiys¸«t¸mÄ Rm\msI {]XnkÔnbnembn. sImSp¡m\pw h¿ sImSp¡mXncn¡m\pw h¿. {_Òn \mev NphSv aptóm«v hbv¡pt¼mÄ kv{XoIfpsS FXnÀ¸v aqew Fsâ apcn§ Iãn Hcp NphSv h¨membn. Ibv¸³ {_Ònsb sImïv PohnX¯ð Rm\pïm¡nb Ið¡ï a[pcw apcn§ Ifªp Ipfn¡ptam Ft´m! F´mbmepw PohnXw ChnsS Cu sImSp¡ð hm§eneqsS Hcp ]Åns]cpómfnsâ Hmf¯nð aptóm«v t]mbns¡mïncn¡póp.

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Fs´¦nepw Hcp Imcyw KpWapÅXmsWóv Iïmð s\ônteäpó a\pjycmWv ChnsSbpÅhÀ. Ipd¨v Imet¯bv¡v AXnsâ ]nómse HcpaSnbpw IqSmsX t]mIpw. ]nsó Dt]£n¡pw. shfns¨® \ñXmsWóv tI«v Znhkhpw kv]qWnð F®sbSp¯v shdpsX IpSn¡pó Atacn¡³ kplr¯¡fpïv F\n¡v. aªfnse sIÀ¡pan³ Iym³kdns\ {]Xntcm[n¡pw Fóv tIÄt¡ï Xmakw ]mð, HmSvkv, {]`mX kocnbð, a^n³kv CXnseñmw aªÄ tNÀ¡m³ XpS§nbn«pïv ChnsSbpÅhÀ. Hcp ¥mkv kvt{Sm_dntjbv¡nð F«v]¯vIjWw aªÄ ASn¨v tNÀ¯mWv Fsâ kplr¯v set\mÀ IpSnbv¡póXv. set\mÀ Dïm¡n¯cpó tjbv¡v IpSn¡m³ ]ämsX Ccn¡pt¼mÄ aªfnsâ KpW§sf¸än BÄ hmNmebmhpw. P\n¨v Hcpamkw sXm«v aªfnð DcpïpadnªpIpfnbv¡pó FtómSpXsó CXp]dbWw. \mgnbpcn ]mepsImïv \mSmsI IeymWsa¦nð ChnsS ku¯v _mcnwKvSWnð Fsâ Ibv]³ {_Ònbpw, apcn§bpw ]nsó Ipd¨v ]¨¡dnIfpw ssItImÀ¯v ]nSn¨mWv "\mSmsI IeymWw'. k_vUnhnj³ sam¯w Hcp kvt\lheb¯nð InSóv XpSnbv¡pó AhØbntebv¡v \o§ns¡mïncn¡póp. Zo]mhenbv¡p In«pó a[pc§fpw CuZv BiwkIfpsS IqsS hcpó anjnK¬ _Iv ehbpw, ]mÊv Hmhdn\vIn«pó (Jewish Passover) amävskm t_mÄkpw {Inkvakn\v In«pó ssh\pw sseem¡v ]q¡fpsS knd¸pw Cu kvt\l \nt£]w sImïpÅ aÄ«n¹bÀ C^Însâ ss_ t{]mUIvävkv am{Xw . C¡tWmanIvknse aÄ«ns¹bÀ C^Înð' hcpam\amWv IqSpósX¦nð PohnX¯nse aÄ«ns¹bÀC^Înð sImSp¡pw tXmdpw IqSpóXv kvt\lw am{XamWv Fóv BÀ¡mWdnbm¯Xv. {Ko³ luknð cïv \£{X apñ, Hcp am\³Unhnð, aqóv s¢amänkv C{Xbpw Rm³ CXphsc AI¯v Ibän. ]Xps¡ ]Xps¡ thsd Ipsd ]q¨SnIfpw IqSn AI¯v hbv¡m³ Rm³ em¡pt\m¡nbncn¡póp. Asñ¦nepw `mcym`ÀXr_Ô¯nð "Fsâ \nsâ' Fóv hñXpaptïm! `À¯mhnsâsbñmw \½ptSXpw Fsâsbñmw FtâXv am{Xhpatñ!! C³Uy³ FIvkv{]kv aebmf¯nð ]»njv sNbvXXv Priya Joseph - President and CEO of AMR Technology Inc. Winner of Grihalakshmi Award for short stories. Now writes articles and short stories for Samakalika Malayalam, TrueCopy Webzine, Indian Express Malayalam etc. Lives in South Barrington, IL

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Dr. Rajendra Panicker

Im¯pkq£n¨ncpóXv shdpw In\m¡fmbncpónñ; I\ð¡mSpIfpsS IcfpIfndp¯psh¨v, Bßm¡fpsS NndIpIÄ Xpónt¨À¯phncnbns¨Sp¯ hbð¸q¡fmbncpóp; lrZb¨mepIfpgpXptNÀ¯v [ym\aplqÀ¯§fneqsS hnfbns¨Sp¯ [m\yaWnIfmbncpóp. PehnXm\¯nsâ t]Sns¸Sp¯pó \oen¨aqIamw L\Kmw`ocy¯nð Bg¯neqsSbpw ]c¸neqsSbpw Ahkm\s¯ [m\yaWnIfpw \nebnñm¡b¯nte¡v Ip¯nsbmgpInt¸mIpt¼mÄ A¼cn¸n¡pó ImgvNIfnemsI Ccp«pIpanbpóp XmWpXmWpt]mIpó XnWÀ¯ ]¨¯e¸pIÄ AicWcpsS ssIIÄt]mse BImit¯¡v Fgpóp \nð¡póp.

achn¸n¡pó iq\yXbnð, BImiwt]mse ]csómgpIpó PehnXm\¯n\p apIfneqsS Pohsâ GsX¦nepw Xpcp¯pIÄ Ahtijn¡póptïmsbóp Iqhn \nehnfn¨psImïv "t\ml'bpsS s]«I§Ät]mse tIhphÅ§Ä Hgp¡ns\Xnsc \bs¼Sps¯dnsªmgpIpóp IcpXnsh¨I\nIÄ, In\mhnsâ XfncpIÄ hdpXnth\enð I\ð¡pªp]£nIÄ CfIn\ofw IpdpIpw \ngepIÄ \new]Xn¨ \nemhnsâ NnñIÄ Fñmsañmw \nebnñm¡b¯nte s¡mgpInsbmSp§póp! Poh\s\ñmsamSp¡n IpXdntbmSnt¸mIpó `qan, I®oÀhmÀ¯v XeXñn¡cbpóp! kln¡mhpóXneptasd thZ\n¸n¨ntñ \n§Ä? FómÀ¯p Icbpóp! 57 57

Sindhu Nair Tyngsboro, MA Nne t\c§fnð, kvt\lw Dcp¡nsbSp¯, \\p\\pª Hcp kzÀ®shbnð Ahsâ lrZb¯nð \nónd§n DeIw Npäm³ t]mImdpïv. BImi§fpw kap{Z§fpw ISóv, BsI XWp¯p achns¨mcp hoSnsâ, Imäv izmkwap«n ]nSbpw P\ðhnShneqsS \qïptIdn, ImWpó am{Xbnð ASnapSn ]q¡psamcphfpsS DSenð sXm«v, apSnbnð sXm«v, ]cn`h§fpsS AfI§Ä Hcp IpkrXn¨ncnbm³ amSnsbmXp¡n FXncnð ImWpw `n¯nbnehsfsbmóp tNÀ¯p \nÀ¯n, B s\äntasemóp½ sh¨v, s\tômSW¨v, ""s]msó, \ntómsS\ns¡ópw apSnª Cãw am{XsaSn'' Fóv arZphmbn ImtXmcw samgnªv,

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AhfpsS hncl¡\epIfnð XoÀ°w IpSªv, aªmbpw agbmbpw cq]w amdns¸¿pó Hcp s]m³shbnð. aqfn¸mSpam shbnensâ I¿pw ]nSn¨v \mSv ImWm³ t]mIpó cm{XnIfnemWv AhÄ¡v NndIpIÄ apfbv¡póXpw, iq\yXbntes¡ó t]mse Ahsf ImWmXmIpóXpw, Idp¸v IpSªv hncn¨ AhfpsS InS¡bnð \nemhpZn¡póXpw.... "\msf ImWmw' Fó hm¡nem shbnð sI«pt]mIpó ]IepIfnemWv DbnÀ hoïpIodpóXpw, DSð ]mXnthIpóXpw, Debnð hosWmcp {XnkÔybmbn AhÄ DcpIn¯ocpóXpw... 58

Varghese T. Pothan

In their academic and social lives, our youth gain a mature understanding of the world we live in. In addition, they are entrusted with the prophetic mission of protesting against misrule by the ruling class. Since our youth represent the future, it is our duty to utilize their potential to build an egalitarian society, a state where no one is deprived of legitimate rights and aspirations. Let us not be a disgrace to own existence by remaining passive as our fellow humans’ rights are trampled. Let justice and peace be our motto. The history of humanity can be traced even to the initial state of our world. It is absurd and cowardly to think that because Adam could not accomplish something, it is impossible for us. Where is the logic in designating poverty, slavery, illiteracy or disability as the fate of a particular individual or group? We define one with exceptional intelligence as a “genius” and one mentally ill as “insane,” as we have our own criteria for making class distinctions, and we firmly believe in the infallibility of such norms. Suppose, however, that there are two equally numbered groups of intellectuals and lunatics in this world. If the “International Federation of Lunatics” claims that the members of the “International Federation of Intellectuals” are insane, can the intellectuals refute the claim? We can only hope that they do not outnumber us. A mad dog bites another because it thinks that the other is mad. The French phrase joie de vivre (which means carefree enjoyment or zest for life) does not refer to the privilege of a particular group but includes the sane and insane, the rich and poor, and the healthy and handicapped. All have equal claim of it. An intellectual, a mentally challenged person and a maniac all view, understand and define the world according to their capacities. Ironically, the mad poet’s poem finds a home in the dustbin while the intellectual’s poem is chosen for a Nobel Prize. Can we deny that there is no Shakespeare, Milton or Johnsons among maniacs? We believe (or are supposed to believe) that the physically and mentally disabled should remain in cells. We sometimes even blame God for being unjust. It is more appropriate, however, to acknowledge that it is our injustices and atrocities that beget the 59 59

mentally challenged, physically disabled and poor. Who, for example, is responsible for the birth of innumerable disabled children in Hiroshima, Japan? Concealing reality and running from responsibilities will not resolve these problems and confusions. Today, human existence itself threatens the existence of a peaceful world. Man should understand the true meaning of and urgent need for a peaceful atmosphere for the survival of the whole living being. The world is at the mercy of man’s intelligence. Today, he is the supreme power in the universe—or at least in this world. Each man views, understands and interprets the world—his surroundings, religion, culture and philosophy—according to his potentialities. Since people’s potentialities vary, they show considerable differences in understanding and opinions. Hence, we experience disparities, injustices and violence in this world, though we are ruled by religion and moral ideals. This may be among the many reasons why people do not cooperate well with others. Our vociferous youth cannot be blamed for being unresponsive to the problems that disturb society. They are striving hard to find solutions for these burning issues. The problem is that their efforts do not extend beyond conference halls and auditoriums. They engage in intense arguments, share clear opinions and even challenge eminent speakers with tricky questions. Yet they go for a hearty fill of chicken biryani after long, scintillating discussions on starvation in Ethiopia. Their diplomatic suggestions, revolutionary ideas and complex philosophies are nothing but intellectual gymnastics. They are like acrobats on a trapeze, swinging from one rope to another. Our youth fail to understand the difference between ideas that flow from faith and those that flow from knowledge. Knowledge furnishes only information, while faith enables us to come to strong convictions and take firm stands on issues that conflict with our faith, which reflects the universal truths we have discovered and accepted. Our faith becomes genuine when we identify with these universal truths. All authentic knowledge comes through direct experience. One can rely on the ideas and knowledge that flow from genuine faith. In a world that is moving towards doom, our youth are the only ray of hope. Let’s identify with the suffering masses and strive to bring them to the mainstream. We are the makers, not the breakers, of a harmonious world. But we should bear in mind that “breaking is a part of making”. Weeds and thorns must be removed before they cause serious harm to crops. Procrastination will never lead us to the city of progress. Peace is not the fruit of idleness and passiveness. Peace is concealed in explosion; explosion is peace. The peaceful coexistence of mankind is not a past unfulfilled dream but a possibility in the present world. Let our youths shine as rays of hope on those who seek to overcome the atrocities of war, poverty and injustice.

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Lilly Fernandez

aWð hncn¨ apä¯p hoWpInS¡pó ac¨nñIfpsS \ngepIÄ. Ah Imänsâ Xmf¯nð \r¯amSpóXpt]mse Iptdt\cw imcZ Cash«msX AXv t\m¡n \nóp. At¸mgmWv apä¯v Hcp tImWnð Ceªnac¯nsâ Nph«nð InS¡pó Itkc AhfpsS {i²bnðs¸«Xv. ""BcmWv Cu Itkc AhnsSs¡mïncn¡póXv ''? aÊnð s]m´nhó tNmZyw Ahfnð¯só ebn¨p. imcZ kmh[m\w B Itkcbnð t]mbn Ccpóp. Ceªnac¯nsâ Nph«nð hmSn¡nSó ]q¡fpsS aWw A{X kpJIcañmbncpóp F¦nepw AhÄ AXp Iq«m¡nbnñ. AhfpsS a\Êv BsI IepjnXambncpóp. CubnsSbmbn Xsâ a\Êv. Xsó hn«pt]mIpóXp t]mse Hcp tXmóð. Hcp]s£ AXv shdpw tXmóð am{XamImw. A§s\bmhs« FóhÄ B{Kln¨p. Hcp]s£ Imew Xsó Iogvs¸Sp¯m³ {ian¡póXmhmw. ]gp¯ CeIÄ sImgnbpIbpw ]pXnb\m¼pIÄ s]m«napfbv¡pIbpw sN¿Ww. AXv {]IrXnbpsS AewL\obamb \nbaamWv. F¦nðam{Xta {]IrXn¡v Imes¯ AXnPohn¡phm³ Ignbq. At¸mgmWv imcZ asämcp Imcyw {i²n¨Xv. \Spapä¯v Ipsdb[nIw ]q¡Ä hnXdnbncn¡póp. ]e\nd¯nepw Xc¯nepÅ N´amÀó ]q¡Ä. Ahsbñmw F´n\mWv Cu apä¯v Iq«nbn«ncn¡póXv? ametImÀ¯v ]qPmapdbnse `Khmsâ hn{Kl¯nð NmÀ¯n¡qsS? AhfpsS a\Êp ]pIªp. ""iio..... D®o.... AhÄ Dds¡ hnfn¨p cïp Ip«nIÄ ]d¼nsâ tImWnð\nópw HmSn hóp. hnbÀ¸nð¡pfn¨v HmSn hó Ip«nIfpsS I¿nð Dïmbncpó Hme¸´v AhÄ {i²n¨p. BcmWv a¡tf Cu ]q¡sfñmw ChnsS C§s\ C«ncn¡póXv?'' AhfpsS i_vZ¯nð thZ\bpsS \\hpïmbncpóp. ""At¿m Cu ap¯Èn Fñmw adóp. ap¯Èo, CXp HmW¯n\p ]q¡fw XoÀ¯Xtñ? \msfbtñ HmWw?'' ]dªpXocpóXn\pap¼v Ip«nIÄ hóhgn ]mªp. imcZbv¡v Að]w PmfyX tXmón. F¦nepw AhfpsS a\Êv tX§n. AtX a¡tf, ap¯Èn Fñmw ad¡póp. ap¯Èn¡v Fs´ms¡tbm kw`hn¡póp. Xm\dnbmsX CXm HtcmWw IqSn. AhÄ thZ\tbmsS HmÀ¯p. At¸mgmWv Xm³ apät¯¡p hcm\pÅ ImcWw Xsó AhtfmÀ¯Xv. ASp¡bnð acpaIfpw the¡mcns¸®pw IqSn Fs´ms¡tbm hd¡pItbm s]mcn¡pItbm sN¿póp. HmW¯n\pÅ Hcp¡§fmsWódnªnñ. shdpsX klmbn¡m³ sNóXmWv. ""At¿m, sIm¨½ I¯n FSp¡ï'' Xsâ I¿nð \nóv I¯n hm§n¨psImïv the¡mcns¸®v, ""A½ Hópw sNt¿ï, AhnsS FhnsSsb¦nepw t]mbn Ccptómfq''.... acpaIÄ. 61 61

Asñ¦nepw CubnsSbmbn Ft¸mgpw C§s\bmWv. Hópw sN¿m³ k½Xn¡nñ. Ipªns\ HsóSp¯mð acpaIÄ HmSnhcpw. ""At¿m thï At½, I¿nð\nsó§m\pw Xmsg hogpw.'' ""tZth«m'' Itkcbnte¡v Nmcns¡mïv imcZbpsS NpïpIÄ a{´n¨p. F\ns¡´mWv kw`hn¡póXv ? Hmtcm Znhkw Ignbpt´mdpw F\n¡v Fsâ a\Êp \ãs¸Spóp. Zn\cm{X§Ä F§s\ amdnhcpóp Fópt]mepw Rm³ adópt]mIpóp. tZth«³ CsXmópw ImWpóntñ? tZth«³ F´n\p FtómSv C{X {IqcX Im«n? Hcp A]IS¯nsâ adhnð Fsó X\n¨m¡nt¸mbntñ? F\n¡v aSp¯p tZth«m, kXyambn«pw aSp¯p. tZth«³ Cñm¯ Cu temI¯nð F\n¡v Hcn¡epw kt´mjhpw kam[m\hpw Cñmbncpóp. B PohnXs¯ Rm³ kvt\ln¨nñ. AIme¯nð sImgnªphoW Hcp]nSn kz]v\§fpsS Iq¼mcw... ]s£, ]d¡apäm¯ \½psS Ipªp§Ä¡mbn Rm³ Pohn¨p. AhcpsS kt´mjw Fsâ kt´mjambn. AhcpsS PohnXw Fsâ PohnXambn. tZth«³ HmÀ¡ptóm? \½psS a¡Ä apä¯pw sXmSnbnepsams¡ Ifn¨p\Sót¸mÄ D½d¯ncpóv \½sf{X kt´mjn¨ncpóp. \½psS a¡Ä hfÀóp hepXmbn. Fñmw tZth«³ ImWpóntñ? A`nam\n¡póntñ? t]c¡nSm§sf¡ïv kt´mjn¡póntñ? AhcpsSsbñmw PohnX¯nð Hcp ""IcSv '' Bbn¯octñ FómWv Fsâ {]mÀ°\. Cu temI¯nsâ hnimeXbnte¡pw Iã¸mSnte¡pw Xsó X\n¨m¡n ISópt]mb tZth«s\¡pdnt¨mÀ¯v AhfpsS I®pIÄ \ndsªmgpIn. imcZ Npäpw t\m¡n. hgnbnepw ]d¼nepw Hs¡ Ip«nIÄ Iq«w Iq«ambn Ifn¡póp. Hcp DÕh¯nsâ {]XoXn. Hm! ]nsóbpw adóp. \msf HmWamWtñm... adhnbpsS Ccp«nð AWbmsX Ct¸mgpw a\Ênð sXfnªp\nð¡pó tZth«sâ apJ¯v, Hcp t\cnb ]pôncn X§n\nð ¡póntñ? tZth«³ XtómSv ]et¸mgpw ]dbmdpïmbncpó sIm¨psIm¨p Imcy§Ä a\Ênsâ GtXm tImWnð\nópw kSIpSsªgp tóð¡póXpt]mse.....'' imctZ Ime¯nsâ ap³t] t]mIm³ Ft¸mgpw ]änsbóphcnñ. Nnet¸mÄ Imew \s½ Iogvs¸Sp¯nsbóp hcmw.'' AsX tZth«m, icnbmWv, Imew Csósó Iogvs¸Sp¯pIbmWv. ]qÀ®ambpw iq\yXbnð ap§póXn\v ap³]v Fsó IqsS sImïpt]mIq... F\n¡v aSp¯p. C{Xbpw \mÄ Rm³ tZth«\pthïn \½psS a¡Ä¡mbv Pohn¨ntñ? C\n h¿ tZth«m.... h¿m.... hn§pó a\Êpambv imcZ I®pIfS¨v Nmcn¡nSóp. Hóp ab§ntbm.... ""imcq....'' Hcp t\À¯ kzcw AhÄ {i²n¨p. I®pIÄ Xpdópt\m¡nsb¦nepw AhÄ Btcbpw Iïnñ. ""imcq...'' kvt\lakrWamb B kzcw AhÄ hoïpw tI«p. IpfnÀ½bpÅ Hcp Imäv Ahsf XgpInb t]mse..... Btcm AhfpsS ssI¯e¯nð sasñ XtemSnbXpt]mse...... AhfpsS a\Ênð Hcp im´n ]cóXpt]mse.... Ip«nIfpsS Bchhpw BÀ¸phnfnbpw s]s«óv A´co£¯nð ebn¨Xpt]mse..... ""ap¯Èo.... ap¯Èo, tZ Hcp shÅncn{]mhv '' Ip«nIÄ sXmSnbnð \nópw HmSnhóp. F¦nepw Dd§pó ap¯Ènsb AhÀ ieys¸Sp¯m³ t]mbnñ. ""At½'' Ip«nIfpsS hnfntI«v AhcpsS A½ Cd§nhóp. At¸mÄ, apä¯p\nópw Hcpan¨p ]dópbÀóv AIte¡p ]dóIepó cïp shÅcn{]mhpIsf hnkvabt¯msS t\m¡n\nð¡pó Ip«nItfbmWv IïXv. At¸mÄ AhnsS Xfw sI«n¡nSó sNñ¡mänð Ceªn¸q¡fpsS ]cnafw \ndªp\nóncpóp.

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There are two sections in this article: the first section is about the current global pandemic, and the second section is about Lyme Disease, which is prevalent in the New England region. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a frightening experience for the entire world, as the majority of the current generation has never experienced a pandemic in their lifetime. This is the third time the Coronavirus has raised havoc on a global scale. The COVID-19 strain of the Coronavirus originated from a province in Southern China, and due to widespread travel and other factors, quickly spread to the rest of the world. Dr. Aju Daniel This pandemic originated in China, where state media is completely under government control. There has been a delay sharing information from the Chinese government to the rest of the world, and therefore the world was not ready for a pandemic, even with all their available resources. There have been a lot of conspiracy theories around this pandemic. History might be an indicator of how this will all pan out. Although we pose theories to try to understand the current conditions, we will never have a concrete answer regarding why or how this has happened. In the healthcare community, it has been challenging. I have never seen this much fear among my colleagues, not only here in the United States, but all over the world. The highly contagious nature of this virus is instilling fear among the masses. As this is a novel virus, the medical professionals taking care of patients affected by the pandemic are gaining new information constantly. First, let’s discuss viruses in general: Viruses are obligatory intracellular pathogens that completely depend on their hosts for survival and reproduction. The first documented virus was the Tobacco Mosaic Virus in 1892. There are millions of viruses in the world, but only around 5,000 different types have been identified.1 Of the viruses identified, there are only 219 species known to infect humans. As per the current classification there are two types of viruses: RNA viruses and DNA viruses. Coronavirus is an RNA virus. Other notable RNA 63 63

viruses include Polio, Rabies, Influenza and the HIV virus. Notable DNA viruses include the Herpes Virus, the Human Papilloma Virus, the Hepatitis Virus and Parvovirus. CORONAVIRUS Why is the Coronavirus different? Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses primarily infecting animals, especially camels, cats, bats and cattle. However, coronaviruses are known to mutate frequently and infect new species. COVID-19 is considered a novel virus strain because it is new to affect humans. As a result, no one has any immunity built up against this virus that has a special affinity for the respiratory tract. Different strains of Coronavirus causing disease in humans include:  The first coronavirus known to cause disease with transmission between humans was identified in China during the winter of 2002, known as SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus). This was diagnosed from a patient in a wet market in China, which then quickly spread to his contacts and to the neighboring countries. Fortunately, with aggressive measures, SARS-CoV was contained in less than one year.1  The second coronavirus transmission between humans was identified in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia, known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). MERS spread quickly to neighboring countries and took almost two years to contain.1  The third coronavirus outbreak, SARS-CoV2 or COVID -19 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus disease 2019), is the one causing the current global pandemic. COVID-19 began in November 2019 and is currently ongoing. At this time, it has been contained in the place where it originated in the Wuhan Province in China, but has quickly spread to all parts of the world, where this is ongoing at the time of writing this article. Not many countries are exempt from this pandemic, and unfortunately COVID-19 has already contributed to thousands of fatalities all around the world.2 Mode of spread – Coronavirus is spread by respiratory droplets. Discussions have been ongoing about airborne transmission and how this route of transmission is contributing towards spread of infection. The main mode of transmission identified is through respiratory droplets getting into the human body via the mouth or nose. Accidentally touching the mouth or nose after coming in contact with an infective droplet is all it takes for the virus to spread. Coronavirus then multiplies in the nasopharynx and the throat and subsequently enters the lung alveoli. 2 Clinical symptoms – Symptoms include low grade fever with chills, malaise, body aches, headaches, throat pain, loss of smell and taste, a nonproductive cough, and sometimes shortness of breath. The shortness of breath could progress fast in some patients and if that happens will end up requiring ventilatory support. 2 Treatment – At this time, no clear guidelines for treatment is identified, other than supportive management. There are at least 25 trials with different medications ongoing. The medications that are popular and have gained widespread attention are a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. This combination of medications has been widely used in several hospitals, and a delay in the progression of respiratory symptoms with an improvement/resolution of symptoms in more than 50% of treated patients, has been seen. Other medications which have been tried include Interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, Tocilizumab and some antiviral drugs including Kaletra, Remdesivir and Favipiravir. Anyone with mild symptoms that match COVID-19, is advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. Anyone with shortness of breath or any worsening symptoms will need hospital admission and close monitoring for respiratory compromise. Interesting facts about COVID-19: 1. People who have the disease are transmitting the virus before they have the symptoms or are even 64

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aware that they have the disease. They could be transmitting the virus 1-3 days before their symptom’s onset. 2. Prednisone, a steroid medication, usually given for bronchial inflammation, has been thought to have the opposite effect in this viral disease. 3. The viability of the virus identified on cardboard is at least 24 hrs and on plastic and stainless steel is about 2-3 days. 4. COVID-19 has been recognized to be in the atmosphere for at least 3 hours, after it gets aerosolized into the atmosphere, which makes others susceptible. New norms likely to be seen post-COVID19: 1. Heightened awareness about hand washing 2. Reluctance to shake hands 3. Introduction of different types of cloth to cover one’s face 4. Hesitation to cough in a public place and increased awareness of respiratory etiquette The current generation has never gone through this challenge. Only time will tell how this will turn out for the coming generations. Millions of people throughout the world have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to get back on their feet. Although life will eventually regain some normalcy and with innovation, mankind will find ways to survive, the effects of COVID-19 will reverberate for years to come. LYME DISEASE Lyme disease is one of the most commonly discussed diseases in the New England region, whether hearing stories about a friend having Lyme disease or concerns regarding fatigue and tick bites. Since Syphilis has taken the back stage after being controlled through early intervention and treatment in the early 60’s, this is one of the most fascinating diseases. Lyme disease is caused by the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, and occurs in temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia. In the United States and Europe, this is the most common vector borne disease. Lyme disease can affect every system in the body. All stages of the disorder are usually curable by appropriate antibiotic therapy. Almost 300,000 cases are seen in the United States every year across all states.1 History: Lyme disease was first recognized as a separate entity in 1976. There were a cluster of affected children in Lyme, Connecticut, who were thought to have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Once the spirochete was recovered from the tick vector and from affected patients in 1982, for the first time, what was thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, was identified as Lyme disease.1 Vectors: The vectors are closely related Ixodid tick species. Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the deer tick, is the vector in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Ixodid ticks have larval, nymphal and adult stages and require a blood meal at each stage. White tailed deer are the preferred host of adult Ixodes scapularis and are critical for the survival of ticks.1 Manifestation of the disease and treatment options: The spirochetes multiply locally at first, on the area of the skin at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 32 days after the tick bite. After a few days to weeks, the spirochete disseminates to many sites throughout the body.1 The manifestations of Lyme disease have been divided into early and late stages of infection. Early infection happens within a few days to weeks after the tick bite. This could cause Erythema Migrans, which develops at the site of the tick bite in around 80% of patients. Erythema Migrans usually has a homogenous red appearance and could happen anywhere in the body. Common locations include on the thigh, groin, axilla and back of the knee. The localized red rash is usually accompanied by generalized malaise, fatigue, fever with chills, and muscle aches, which are all suggestive of flu-like symptoms. These symptoms could happen at any time of the year but are less likely during the winter months. After a few days to weeks upon appearance of the Erythema migrans, there is 65 65

dissemination of infection to different parts of the body. Dissemination of the infection could manifest as meningitis, encephalitis, facial palsy, carditis and eye involvement, to name a few.1 Late infection happens after several months, but usually around a year after the tick bite. The most common presentation is intermittent attacks of pain and joint swelling, primarily in large joints, especially the knees. Laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease uses the Western blot testing of IgM and IgG, which aids in determining whether the disease is in its early or late stage. There are newer tests in the pipeline as well, which are yet to be widely used. Treatment of the disease follows the CDC recommendations. The mainstay of treatment includes the medication, Doxycycline, which is well-tolerated among patients. The duration of the dose depends on the stage of the disease being treated. There are certain situations like complete heart blocks, Lyme meningitis or recurrent knee effusions, where the treatment is with 28 days of an antibiotic. IV Ceftriaxone is the antibiotic commonly used in these specific cases.1,2 After participating in any outdoor activities including hiking, trekking or yard work, it is recommended that you complete a tick check on your body every time you return to your residing place. In addition, taking two tablets of 100mg of Doxycycline as a single dose for prophylaxis, within 48 hours of the tick bite, has been found to be successful to prevent Lyme disease.2 Ongoing challenges: There are several ongoing challenges regarding Lyme disease. On many occasions, a tick bite is missed because of the size of the deer tick being so small. Another challenge is that a red rash is more difficult to see on darker skin tones. Finally, Lyme disease can present in several different and unimaginable ways, including with jaw pain and swelling, and rarely with vision abnormalities. My recommendation to anyone who lives in the New England area is that, if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms that cannot be explained with a unifying diagnosis, Lyme disease should always be considered as a possible differential and ruled out accordingly. References: 1. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases - eight edition. 2. Centers for Disease Control and prevention : https://www.cdc.gov/lyme

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HäbSn¸mXbneqsS \Sóp XfÀót¸mÄ am{Xamhpw \o \ngð¡mSpIÄ tXSnt¸mbXv \nKqVhpw CSXqÀóXpamb ambmh\§Ä kXyhpw anYybpw CWtNÀóngpInb acoNnIIÄ

HmSn¯fÀóp hSnbpaqón \oen¨ Igp¯pambn G´nhenªp \osb¯pt¼mÄ, apónð BÀ¯phcpw NXnt]mcmfnIfpapïmhpw hoWpSªp t]mhptam \obpat¸mÄ?

\Sóp aptódphm³, \nsó ]ntóm«v hen¡pw apÄ¡mSpIfpw NXn¡pgnIfpw XmïWw J\nIfpw \n[nt]SI§fpw tXSnbebpt¼mÄ \nsâ Imenð Xdªacpw apÅpIÄ.

AXm N{Ihmf§Ä¡pa¸pdw Bsctbm Im¯p I\¯p\nð¡pw \ngðtIm«IÄ ImWpóntñ \n\¡mbn AhnsSmcp \ngð knwlmkhpw \o ASps¯¯pt¼mÄ AIópIóp t]mIpah \o ssIIÄ \o«pt¼mÄ \o§nbIepóh

CSdn¸mbpt¼mÄ \n\¡v Xm§msbmcqóphSnbpw HSphnð \obdnbpambncn¡pw Cu hn^ebm{X Pohizmkw hcnªpapdp¡pw thcpIÄ \ob§s\ a®nð amdneenªp AaÀóp Adps¯dnªp IpXn¨pbcm³, I¿nð Hcp \ngð¡mSmbn ]SÀsómSphnð CcpXe aqÀ¨bpsÅmcp hmfpw ad¡ï \o. HópañmXmbn shdpw \ngðkz]v\ambn!

Thushara John

Fortitude Acrylic on Canvas.- Texture Painting with both contrast and complementary color palettes to give a contemporary look.

“Beautiful eyes are those that show, Like crystal panes where hearth fires glow, Beautiful thoughts that burn below”

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NINETEEN Alexander Beji Joseph If there was ever a time he wished he were on call, this was it. After dodging an endless barrage of family friends interrogating him over how to get their kids into medical school or, worse still, when he was finally going to get married, Devon finally managed to ease his way into the kitchen. The bags under his eyes- the product of several consecutive night shifts- and his dry smile made the 29year-old surgical resident appear a bit more advanced in his years than he actually was. It didn’t help that he was becoming increasingly convinced that he would look his father’s age by the end of the night if he had to answer even one more question about how he got into Columbia. He gazed around at his childhood home, the familiar aroma from the kitchen still wafting into his nose, half from reality and half from memory. A familiar touch grazed his shoulder and he turned around to see the loving yet stern eyes that had watched over him from the moment of his birth. “Hi, Ama. Do you need help with something?” “No, mone, I was just making sure you’re alright. It’s a little strange to see my champion public speaker so quiet.” They both glanced over at the trophy cabinet in the living room with a chuckle. “Nah, I’m fine. Just tired.” She raised an eyebrow and replied,”hmm, tired of what? Having to work long hours or having to endure the usual question and answer session?” Devon smirked. His mother knew him a little too well, “that obvious, huh?” “Yeda, I’m your mother, I don’t even need you to speak for me to know these things. But to be fair it’s been a while since they’ve gotten to see you. You’ve had to work the last two Christmases.” It was true, for the last few years he had, invariably, ended up with the on-call shifts during the holidays and, well, New York was hardly a 20 minute drive from his Massachusetts home. He hoped that, after his residency finished in another 2 years, he would have a bit more freedom to take a vacation day or two. He knew his mother was proud of him, but he also knew that it pained her to see her little boy so few times during the year, even if, for his sake, she wouldn’t tell him this. Apparently that went both ways. Nevertheless, she was beaming now that he stood before her. Suddenly, they heard a wail erupt from the living room. His mother’s brow furrowed as she rolled her eyes. “Mone, Aamir is getting upset again, could you get one of your old games from upstairs to make him calm down, my blood pressure is already higher than I’d like it to be.” He chuckled, “Sure thing, I’ll be back in a sec.” He ran up the stairs and opened the door to his childhood bedroom. He headed for his desk, still cluttered with a plethora of notebooks, pencils, and smudged glitter glue stains- the byproduct of last-minute art projects from a more simple time. He searched this pseudo-organized mess for his old Nintendo DS but to no avail. He considered that maybe Chris, his younger brother, would have it in his room, but he was too busy helping their father move more chairs into the basement for the uncles to enjoy their drinks. After digging through his closet for a bit, he finally decided to try his luck and check the nightstand by his bed. He rummaged around a bit before finally spotting the familiar, midnight-blue tint he was searching for. Success! He checked the game slot and smirked. Pokemon Silver, a classic. No way little Aamir would get tired of that anytime soon. He was about to close the drawer when something else, at the very bottom of the various paraphernalia caught his eye. The unmistakable shape of the numbers “19”. His eyes widened as he gently pulled from the stand a white, hardcover book that was 68

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admittedly way too expensive. His hand gently grazed its surface and a wave of nostalgia came over him. He had completely forgotten his high-school yearbook after moving away, and he hadn’t really thought about it much until then. Most of his high-school friends were a part of his current life only through the furthest reaches of his memories. He opened the page up to the signature page, covered in the loving final notes of his peers. For most of them, this was perhaps the last relic of their memory that he had. He saw the names that hadn’t escaped his lips in years, some of them particularly memorable. As his eyes scanned the page, Devon fixated on one name in particular: Aditi. He smiled softly, he hadn’t thought about his freshman-year-crush in years...or at least, he hadn’t thought of her as that in a while. The world now knew her as Representative Aditi Singh, the freshman Congresswoman from Massachusetts who had made it her mission to fight for the people and stick it to corporate America. Even a decade later his eyes beamed with pride as they passed over her signature; he’d never doubted she’d make it for even a second. Then his eyes flipped over another name, written just below hers: Paul Anderson. What a man, a legend now from his school. To think they had all doubted him when he started writing. The now famous young author was once his Speech Team Co-Captain, startup cofounder, and, most importantly, his best friend. After his 3rd novel had made the New York Times Bestseller List, he took his newfound success as a sign of his own worthiness and proposed to his long term girlfriend...one Representative Aditi Singh. Funny how that had worked out. Devon knew it had been years since he’d even seen either of them but he couldn’t help but check his mailbox every now and again on the off chance that he might find a save-the-date card for the wedding but, alas! No cigar. His mind passed over the countless memories the three of them had shared: all nighters before finals, the constant FaceTime calls for Speech Team logistics, the pride they all shared when college acceptances came out, those precious final hugs after graduation, and echoes of laughter from a different lifetime. Suddenly, his cheerful nostalgia was replaced by a sort of crestfallen reminiscence. He wondered how it was they had managed to grow so far apart, to the point where they were once again strangers. The first few reunions were fun and all, but after he finished medical school he had missed the most recent one because he was on call and, from what he had heard, most people couldn’t make it either. It was funny to think that, despite the promises and memories they had all shared, that life had a funny way of sorting out which relationships were actually meant to last forever. Even off the top of his head the only friend from as recently as college that he still talked to was Josh, but they’d lived together for crying out loud! That shouldn’t be what it took to prompt so much as a phone call, though to be fair he hadn’t exactly picked it up to initiate either. And so here Devon was, wondering if Aditi and Paul even recognize him if he walked across them in the street. So much for lifelong friends. But then his mind wandered to something else. Yes he missed his friends but there was one piece of his younger days he still had. The same woman who would gently put a blanket over his shoulders after he fell asleep studying at his desk no matter how much she would yell at him for his antics was waiting for him downstairs. The same stoic rock who pushed him harder than anyone ever had and yet had cried tears of joy from eyes beaming with pride at every one of his graduations was still recounting the stories of his childhood to the other uncles downstairs. They had been there all along, and where had he chosen to be most of his life? He figured, “I can spend time with family whenever I deserve to go out tonight” or, “I’ll come home next weekend instead” for most of his life, choosing people who it would turn out became strangers to him now that he was grown. For all of 29 years they were the only constant in his life, and his best friends, no matter how close, were a distant memory, as he must be to them. He realized that he had spent the most time he would ever have with them choosing other people and, as he closed his yearbook and closed the drawer, decided that he was done. For the rest of the time he would have with them, he was going to make the most of it, just as they had always done for them. He grabbed the DS from the drawer and headed downstairs. His Ama was checking on something on the stove, dinner was nearly ready. He planted a kiss on her cheek as he came back from handing Aamir the tiny old console. She turned around with a smile before noticing something different about his appearance. “What happened to you upstairs? You were gone for so long and now you haven’t stopped smiling since you came back. What, did Lily call you again?” Devon’s face reddened, “No, Ama, I just…” He looked at the family photo in the corner and his grin widened. “I just remembered where I’m supposed to be.” 69 69

Sofi Isaac Kanam

Kuriakose Maniattukudiyil

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(The purpose of this article is to create an awareness of problems faced by first-generation immigrants trying to raise virtuous children, who are prepared to realize the American dream, and prevent them from going off track.) We are in a big mess! How did we get here? How can we fix it? As first-generation immigrants, we have a vision for our children: we want them to be virtuous and ready to deal with the challenges of their adult lives here in America. One college student expressed well the kind of young adults we want our children to be: “Virtuous young adults and know who they are and are confident in their identity. They know their morals and do not conform to the temptations of the culture around them.Virtuous young adults know their Fr. Pinto Paul 1 worth and settle for nothingless.” In short, we want them to be on the right track. However, some immigrant parents have shared concerns about their children.They note in their communities that some children in the second-generation tend to get off track and become involved with the less desirable aspects of our current society, and research supports this observation. A study by Bianca E. Bersani, a sociologist at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, shows that second-generation immigrants have come closer to participating in the less desirable aspects of the American culture than their firstgeneration parents.2 The mess: At a symposium at the University of Notre Dame last July 2019, one of the speakers Darcia Narvaez, focused on the “big mess” confronted by parents trying to raise virtuous children in the modern world as determined by neuroscience and evidenced by the increase of mental illness, violence, drug addiction, and suicide in some of the most progressive countries.3Some researchers have claimed that distrust, loneliness, despair, and psychopathology is increasing. American journalist Joel Achenbach reported results from a study showing that”Death rates from suicide, drug overdoses, liver disease and dozens of other causes have been rising over the past decade for young and middle-aged adults, driving down overall life expectancy in the United States for three consecutive years.”4 Parentology, a website launched in 2019, to help parents stay up to date on the latest news, trends, and technologies that impact a family’s daily life, posted 10 fears held by teens and 10 common problems faced by teens in 2020. The10 fears: peer pressure; accurate knowledge and freedom to discuss sex; failure; climate change; money (poverty); the future (growing up);bullying/cyberbullying; identity: safety from violence; and embarrassment were identified and discussed by Carmelo Spatazza.5The 10 common problems: acceptance; stress; depression and anxiety; self harm; bullying; desensitization; sex; disrespect; trust; and motivation were identified and discussed by Jennifer Waddle.6 How did we get into this mess? The main reasons given for the mess fall into two groups: spiritual and developmental. Erica Komisar, a 71 71

practicing therapist, writing in the Wall Street Journal, said that when people ask her to explain why depression and anxiety are so common among children and adolescents, she replies, “One of the most important explanations— and perhaps the most neglected—is declining interest in religion. This cultural shift already has proved disastrous for millions of vulnerable young people.”7 Narvaez, drawing from her ethnographic study based on neuroscience, said there is something fundamentally wrong with the way we bring up children. The child needs to find a womb outside the womb for its mental, physical and emotional growth. According to “Lost Children of Rockdale County, which aired Oct 19, 1999, on the PBS program Frontline, the teens interviewed lacked “direction and structure and in their lives,” and some “admitted that they craved it.” Some teens claimed their parents were too busy working to give enough attention to their children. Waddle said some depression and anxiety might be related to social media and desensitization to other influences in the culture. How can we fix the mess? We can get ideas from researchers, parents, and students. Komisar was so convinced of the seriousness of the effect the declining interest in religion having on our society that she recommended that parents who don’t believe in God, tell their children they do(vii). For another response to her claim, we turn to Vern Bengtson, who studied four generations of families from three faith traditions, to determine why some parents are successful in passing on their faith today. Bengtson found that the factors his subjects claimed contributed to their maintaining the faith in which they grew up fell into two categories: family and community. · Cohesive communities with well-defined borders separating themselves from outsiders. · High value on the family and incorporated rituals and traditions that help to maintain the community of faith across generations.8(p.182). He also found these contributing factors: · Strong reinforcement between family activities and high family involvement in religious education. · Strong role modeling by the previous generations’ involvement in religious organizations and in the articulation of beliefs comparing 2005 to 1970, there has been no significant decline in the degree to which grandparents and grandchildren are similar on the aspects of religiosity measured in our surveys (p.187). · A high degree of family interaction, help, and assistance. · Reliance on the strong social bonds within the religious community, exemplified by a prohibition on marriage or even outside of the faith (pp.181-182). Interestingly, the description of a virtuous young adult given by the previously mentioned college student and the reasons she gave for becoming one matched Bengtson’s factors very closely. To find ways to fix our developmental mess, Narvaez, drew from neuroscience and psychology research to respond to the child’s needs for mental, physical, and emotional growth. She suggested soothing parental experiences, responsiveness to needs and cues, breastfeeding, positive touch, alloparents (fathers and grandmothers, in particular), positive social climate, self-directed play (enjoy free play in natural world with multiage playmates), and nature connection. (iii). These caregiving practices, through physical and social communication will help restore developmental deficiencies. In her discussion of 10 problems that teenagers face, Waddle suggests ways that parents can help children deal with the issues they face. To support their teens feel accepted and resist bullying, she says they should assure them of their unwavering love and guidance—no matter what and create a safe environment at home. To deal with depression, anxiety, and possible self-harm, educate themselves to recognize the signs of each when they appear in their children. To counter the examples of disrespect, they see in their favorite movie and sports stars, respect the teens and require them to respect their parents and other people in authority. Keep lines of communication open in all areas, especially sex. Be models of acceptance, respect, and trust. And be proactive in encouraging independence by motivating them and helping them make important decisions regarding their future. She recommends Common Sense Media as a source of tools for dealing with these problems. In conclusion, parents do not come down from heaven ideally equipped. They learn from each other as they go along. First-generation immigrants have a vision for their children. In essence,they want them to be virtuous and 72

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ready to deal with the challenges of their adult lives here in America. However, as research and media tell us, some children in the second-generation tend to get off track and become more involved with the less desirable aspects of our current society. But, research also offers hope involving spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional development in both the home and the community. In the home, parents should appreciate their children and let them know that each child is unique and possesses the potential for good. They should spend quality time with their children, communicating with them, developing and maintaining trust, and allowing them enough space to explore their own interests, initiate independence, and experience failure. And parents should walk the talk by modeling desirable behaviors and engaging in community activities that foster the spiritual well-being of the entire family. I hope that this article will create awareness among first-generation immigrants to the possibility of raising virtuous children, who will stay on track with their faith and realize the American dream. Endnotes Interview with Monet Souza, senior at The Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH, 2020 2https:// www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/10/15, accessed 04/23/20 3Narvaez, Domestic Church LifeSymposium, Notre Dame University, July 2019 . 4The Washington Post, November 26, 2019.5 . https://parentology.com/10things-teens-fear-most-in-2019/ accessed 04/23/20 6https://parentology.com/10-most-common-problems-teensface-in-2019/ accessed 04/23/20 7Erica Komisar, Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2019. https://www.wsj.com/ articles/dont- believe-in-god-lie-to-your-children-11575591658 . 8Families and Faith: How Religion is Passed Down across Generations Vern L. Bengtson, with Norella M. Putney, Susan Harris, Oxford University Press, 2013. 1

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PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING IN TURBULENT ECONOMIC TIMES TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE

Matthew George, Andover MA - B.Com. (Hons) BSc; MBA As we continue to receive an endless barrage of negative financial news and economic data brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are rethinking about our financial well-being and questioning and or evaluating our future financial plans. We are doubting the ‘safety’ of our investments. Amid this atmosphere of uncertainty, however, there is a very consistent message emerging from seasoned financial professionals – Stay Calm and Stick to your Plans. This advice, however, should be carefully evaluated if you are close to retirement, and if you don’t have the luxury of the time to ride out periods of market volatility. In such a scenario, your investment should already be in a conservative financial portfolio. History shows that we will pull through the current market environment and the economy will begin to recover. The stock market will rebound. And we will return to a new sense of normality, with a deeper appreciation of social interaction. Downturns tend to be followed by upturns. In the down markets, investors undoubtedly often overcome by their “loss aversion” instincts, thinking that if they don’t sell, they stand to lose more money. However, the decline of the asset value is often temporary, provided you can withstand the downside risk during an economic turmoil. So, a strong financial plan should be able to weather the current market volatility. The Case for Optimism 1. Investors who abandon stocks in a downturn may miss out on their eventual recovery. 2. Since 1900, the average recession has lasted 15 months while the average expansion has lasted 48 months. The Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, which lasted for 18 months, was the longest period of economic decline since World War II. 3. See the charts below showing economic recovery after the 2008/2009 recession – Exhibits A, B, & C. 4. You can’t time the market – Timing the market can be difficult, and investors who engage in market timing invariably miss some of the best days of upward growth in the market. 5. Instead of fear-based selling, use bear market as an opportunity to accumulate valuable underpriced Mutual Funds/Stocks at deep discounts, in some cases, and allow yourself to diversify. 6. The Federal Government initiated unprecedented support to the financial markets and the economy. Global central banks engaged in significant monetary accommodation, by implementing interest rate cuts, and expansion of quantitative easing. The US Federal Reserve’s balance sheet increased by more than $1 trillion in March 2020, fueled by purchases of Treasury’s and repo, plus commitment to support mortgage and credit markets. The US virus-relief legislation provided more than $2.8 trillion of fiscal support to health care relief, small business loans, and households etc. 7. Economists are optimistic that due to the Federal Government’s stimulus intervention, a “V” shaped recession recovery is possible. “V”-shapes are the normal shape for recession, as the strength of economic recovery is typically closely related to the severity of the preceding recession. A clear example of a “V”-shaped recession is the Recession of 1953 in the US. 74

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RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY: Next, we will a take a look at Social Security. If you are close to retirement, and if you are short on cash, claiming Social Security should be a part of your financial strategy. Every working man and woman hopes to live a fruitful life of retirement according to his or her own terms. Eligibility for Social Security depends on: Length of employment and number of “work credits” Minimum service – ten years, with forty work credits earned Must be 62 years of age or older to receive benefits The amount of the first check upon retirement is based on your

average wages during your lifetime. A formula then adjusts that number to wage inflation – which generally amounts to price inflation plus 1 percent annually. YOUR GOLDEN NEST EGG: If you want to make sure that your savings last as long as you need, you will have to carefully plan how much you withdraw each year from your savings. Most people think they have to replace their entire salary during retirement. You don’t. You have to replace your current cash flow, and that is a big difference. Let’s assume that you earn $50,000 annually. You will not need $50,000 from your investments, because you probably didn’t live off $50,000 per annum. When you begin your retirement, you can adjust your cash flow needs downwards for:  Taxes – You paid Social Security and Medicare taxes while you were working but you won’t when you retire. So, you can get along with 7.65% (SS 6.2% plus Medicare 1.45%) less than $50,000 or about $3,825. If you were self-employed, the tax was 15.3%. Savings – If you put a percentage of your salary into a 401(k) savings plan at work, you won’t be able to do it anymore. If you contributed 10%, or $5,000 to your 401(k) annually, that’s another big expense you will be able to defer. Assuming you did just fine while you were paying Social Security taxes and savings for retirement, you can adjust your income goal down to $41,175.  If you are between 62 and your full retirement age, you could claim your Social Security retirement benefits now, and then suspend benefits any time after your full retirement age and before 70 – this strategy allows you to gain income now while leaving your money invested during a potential recovery. Although your Social Security benefit will be reduced due to claiming early, you limit the impact by suspending the benefits after you

reach your full retirement age. After you suspend your benefits, your future monthly benefits will grow about 8% for each year you suspend, until age 70. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov For Illustration only. Hypothetical computation of benefits, and individual benefits may vary. This example assumes retirement benefits only for an individual born in 1960 and doesn’t take survivor or spousal benefits into computation.

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OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER: Paying off your mortgage by retirement – Most working people pay a quarter or more of their income to pay off the mortgage. If your mortgage payment is $20,000 a year, that amount need not come from your savings during retirement. Think about moving – If you made a killing on your house, consider cashing it out and moving to a more affordable place.  Retiring later – If you retire after 65, you won’t have to buy private health insurance as you will be eligible for Medicare. Also, you will collect more in Social Security benefits. Kick the new car habit – Car payments can eat up to $500 or more per month. Keep your car a few more years to reduce your expenses during retirement. One of the best retirement investments is making sure your children are financially independent. TAX-SMART SAVINGS: How much you have at retirement depends mainly on how much you save, not how well you invest. You can, however, boost your savings through tax-deferred retirement plans. Pretax Plans – A pre-tax plan means you don’t pay taxes on the money you defer. Suppose you earned $50,000 a year and contributed $250 a month to your 401(k). Your contribution will reduce your taxable income. If your tax rate is 25%, your monthly take-home pay may be reduced by approximately $185.  A company sponsored 401(k) plan is an easy way to save money on a pretax basis. You can defer a maximum of $19,500 in 2020, and an additional $6,500 if you are at least 50 years old. Most companies will match all or part of your contribution. You also may be able to invest in a traditional IRA. If you don’t have a retirement plan at work, you can deduct your traditional IRA contribution for taxes. Taxes on earnings and contributions are deferred until you start withdrawing funds. If you tap your account before 59.1/2, in most cases, you are liable to pay taxes as regular income plus 10% penalty, which otherwise are taxed at a more favorable tax rate upon your retirement withdrawal. After-tax plans – Your Roth IRA contributions are after taxes; however, you are not liable to pay taxes on earnings. Ever. And you can withdraw your principal at any time penalty-free. The current contribution limit for a designated Roth 401(k) account for the 2020 fiscal year is $6,000 ($7,000 if you’re age 50 or older). You should check your modified AGI for the exact allowable contribution. Other Choices – If you have used all your tax-deferred or tax-free investment options, you may consider a variable annuity, which is a tax-deferred product offered by the insurance industry. Your gains and interest earned grow free of taxes until you start withdrawing. However, you should be aware of Variable Annuity Tax Deferral, as for many investors it can actually turn out to be a disadvantage. Social Security – Things to do/remember The SSA will not start your benefits until you file an application How to apply for benefits – Apply online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/apply Call SSSA at 1-800-772-1213 Visit your local SSA Office  Medicare – Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and over and many disabled people Medicare has four parts –  Part A – Hospital Insurance, pays some of the costs of hospitalization, limited skilled nursing home care, home health services, and hospice care  Part B – Medical Insurance, primarily covers physician’s services, most outpatient hospital services, and certain related services.  Part C – Medicare Advantage Plan, includes Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service plans, Special Needs plans, and Medical Savings Accounts. Part D – Outpatient Prescription Drug Plans, is voluntary prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover prescription drug costs, therefore, you need to get supplementary coverage Eligibility is on the first day of the month that you turn 65 76 76

For

Medicare call 1-800-Medicare (or on-line: www.medicare.gov)

VALUABLE STRATEGIES WHEN TIMES ARE BAD – Time and Compounding Interest – According to GOBankingRates.com, 43% of respondents age 25 to 34 said they weren’t investing in stocks, bonds or real estate. By sitting things out, they are sacrificing the two most potent forces when it comes to building wealth through investment: Time and Compounding Interest.  Say a 21-year invested $100 a month toward retirement and earned an average return of 8% per annum. By age 67, without ever increasing that contribution, our investor would have $524,000. Don’t spend more than you earn – Create a budget and stick with it, which will lead to success in your wealth building plan, saving for retirement, or buying a home. If money is tight or if you are just starting to get a handle on where your money is going, a budget will help you closely track where your money goes; budgeting may mean closely tracking your spending habits. Don’t forget insurance – Buying insurance is a defensive move. Without adequate coverage, your hardearned savings may be decimated or you may end with deep debt. Review your insurance coverages to make sure you and your family are protected.  Minimize your tax bite – Even if you claim the standard deduction, you may be eligible for additional deductions and credits that can lower your tax bill such as – Do you have student loans, an infant in day care; there is a good chance you are eligible for tax breaks. You may be able to take advantage of your employer’s Flexible Spending Account (FSA). An FSA account can be a great value-added benefit that many employers offer. An employee can contribute pre-tax dollars into an FSA account in order to offset healthcare, dependent care, or childcare costs.  Continue investing in your 401(k) or IRA - As noted above, saving for retirement is one of the mosteffective ways to cut your taxes, and its available to just about anyone who has earned income. The amount that you will need to save depends on the age you expect to retire, the lifestyle you want to have in retirement, and how much you may receive from Social Security and/or Pension. In conclusion, you are presented with a plethora of options to plan for an enjoyable retired life. The current economic situation will change as it’s a proven fact that the US Economy is resilient to recover quickly from the current shock. The United States is the world’s largest economy with a GDP of approximately $20.513 trillion, notably due to high average incomes, a large population, capital investment, and technological innovation. So, choose your options wisely and remember that there is no time to start your financial plan like the present. EXHIBIT - A

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Acknowledgement: Statista, Factset and SunTrust

EXHIBIT - B EXHIBIT - C

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Femy Jose hn³skâv t^m¬ h¨v Ignªt¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡v hñm¯ Hcp A¦em¸pïmbn. Cu Ignª cïmgvNbv¡pÅnð PohnXw F§s\ Hs¡ amdnt¸mbnsbóp AhtcmÀ¯p. Ignª HtÎm_dnð BWv hn³kv \m«nte¡v hnfn¨p XtómSv Atacn¡bnte¡p hcm³ \nÀ_Ôn¡póXv. a½n \m«nð Hä¡ncnt¡ïópw Ipd¨p \mÄ Xsâ IqsS \ntó ]äq Fópw ]dªmbncpóp Ahsâ \nÀ_Ôw. tXmam¨³ acnt¨¸nsó A¡m½ \m«nð Häbv¡m. Fómepw apjns¸mópanñ. hn³kn\p hcpó PqWnð 30 XnIbpw. sI«m\pÅ bmsXmcp ¹m\pw Ah\p ImWm¯Xnð A¡m½bv¡v sXñp ]cn`hapïv. Atacn¡bnð hñ aZm½amtcbpw sI«n AhnsS Xsó IqSn¡fbptam sNdp¡³ Fsómcp t]Snbpapïv. C¯hW ]nSn¨ ]nSnbmte k½Xn¸ns¨Sp¯p. Atacn¡bnð Ahsâ IqsS {InkvXpakpw IqSn Xncn¨p hcWw. Fón«p Ipsd kpµcn s]¬]ntÅtc tjmÀ«v enÌv sN¿Ww. IeymWw \S¯Ww. CsXms¡bmbncpóp A¡m½bpsS ¹m³. AXn\pw ap¼v X\n¡v tamsâ IqsS X\n¨p In«pó Ipd¨p kabamWv Cu Ah[n¡mew. B Nn´bpsS ]pd¯mWv, Atacn¡bnð hnâÀ BtWepw A¡m½ hoWpt]mbXv. A§s\ cïmaXpw A¡m½ tXmakv A¡cbv¡v s¹bn³ tIdn. Atacn¡ ImWm³ hcpó C´y¡mcpsS ]Xnshmópw A¡m½bpw sXän¨nñ. hó ]msS Xm¦vkvKnhn§pw, ]nót§m«v {InkvXpakpw, \yq Cbdpw Hs¡ Hsómómbn BtLmjn¨p. A§s\ hn³knsâ IqsS ASn¨p s]mfn¨p \Só kab¯mWv hn³kn\p sImSp¡m³ ho«nð \nóv sImïv hó Hcp Kn^väns\ Ipdn¨v A¡m½bv¡v HmÀ½ hóXv. IeymWw Ign¡m³ t]mhpó aq¯ aI\v sImSp¡m³ IpSpw_¯nð ]mc¼cyambn ssI amdn hó Hcp Ipªp Kn^väv. \m«nð \nópw sImïp hó s]«nbnð \nópw, kzÀ® hcIÄ DÅ shfp¯ Kn^väv _mKv hens¨Sp¯p. AXnsâ DÅnse Ipªp Nphó s]«n Xpdpóp t\m¡n A¡m½ ]pôncn¨p. Fón«p hn³kv ImWmsX AXv s]«nbnð Xsó Xncn¨p h¨p. ]s£, hóp aqóp amk§Ä Ignªt¸mÄ Fñm ¹m\pIfpw XInSw adnªp. temIw sImtdmW Fó ]IÀ¨hym[nbpsS ]nSnbnembn. CXn\nSbv¡v tPmen kw_Ôamb Bhiy§Ä¡mbn, hn³kn\v Ahsâ Im\U Hm^oknte¡v 3þ4 Znhkt¯bv¡v t]mtIïnbpw hóp. hÀj¯nð ctïm aqtóm XhW AXv ]XnhpÅXmWv. A¡m½ t\cs¯ Atacn¡bnð hót¸mfpw hn³kv Hópw cïpw Bgv¨ C§s\ amdn \nón«pïv. AXp sImïpXsó cïmÄ¡pw AsXmcp henb {]iv\añmbncpóp. Fómð ØnXn amdnbtXmsS hn³kn\p Xncn¨p bm{X sN¿m³ hIp¸nñmïmbn. Ah³ Im\Ubnð Ì¡v Bbnt¸mbn. A¡m½ ChnsSbpw. ho«nð AXymhiy km[\§Ä Hs¡bpïv. Fómepw X\n¨mWv. AXpw A\y\m«nð C§s\ Hcp ss{Iknknsâ CSbv¡v. X\n¨mbXnepw \m«nð t]mhm³ ]äm¯Xnepw A¡m½bv¡v hñm¯ hnjaw hóp. hn³kv Ahsc Bizkn¸n¨p. ""a½n t]Snt¡ï. Rm³ amÀ¡kns\ Fñmw ]dtªð¸n¨n«pïv. Cu kab¯p thïsXñmw Ah³ sNbvXp Xcpw. a½n¡v Adnbmtñm? _m¡n aebmfn ^manenIÄ Hs¡ Ipd¨p AIsebm, t]mcmt¯\v sNdnb Ip«nIfpw. Ahsc Cu kab¯p _p²nap«n¡póXv icnbñ. amÀ¡kv \½psS A¸mÀSvsaân\v t\sc Hmt¸mknäv Atñ? F´v Bhiyw hómepw BZyw Ahs\ hnfn¨mð aXn. Rm³ t\m¡póXnepw \ómbn Ah³ a½nsb t\m¡nt¡mfpw.'' aebmfn Atkmkntbj³Imscmópw Ctñ tams\ Fóv tNmZn¡Wsaóv A¡m½bv¡pïmbncpsó¦nepw, tNmZn¡msX AhcXv ISn¨nd¡n. ImcWw hn³kns\ AhÀ¡p \ómbn Adnbmw. hn³knsâ ChnsSbpÅ Gähpw ASp¯ kplr¯v BWv amÀ¡kv. Bdv ASnbnð A[nIw s]m¡hpw AXns\m¯ h®hpw sXfnª I®pIfpapÅ B{^n¡³ Atacn¡³. Ahcv X½nð ChnsS Ah³ hóXv apXepÅ ]cnNbhpapïv. kXy¯nð aIsâ Gähpw ASp¯ kplr¯v sXm«Sp¯pÅt¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡v kt´mjw tXmtóïXmWv. Fómð A¡m½bv¡v CXv tI«v bmsXmcp Bizmkhpw tXmónbnñ. Fómð hn³knt\mSv AtX Ipdn¨v Hópw ]dbm³ t]mbnñ. BZyambn Atacn¡bnð hót¸mÄ apXð amÀ¡kns\ A¡m½bv¡dnbmw. Ignª XhW hót¸mÄ hn³kv amÀ¡kns\ 79 79

Hcn¡ð Unódn\v £Wn¨ncpóp. A¡m½bpsS \mS³ ]me¸hpw Nn¡³ Ìyqhpw Hs¡ X«n hnSpó, C´ysb Ipdn¨v hm tXmcmsX kwkmcn¡pó, amÀ¡kns\ A¡m½bv¡v \ómbn Cãs¸SpIbpw sNbvXncpóp. Ahsâ IrXyamb {]mbw Hópw Adnb¯ntñepw asämcp cmPy¯v, asämcp kwkv¡mc¯nð hfÀó BfmsW¦nepw, Ahs\ Iït¸mÄ A¡m½bnse X\n\mS³ A½ DWÀóp. Adnbmhpó Cw¥ojnð ""Are you married?'' Fóv Hóv tNmZn¨p t]mbn. AXn\mWv amÀ¡kv t]mbn Ignªt¸mÄ hn³kv A¡m½sb \nÀ¯ns¸mcn¨Xv. ""Fsâ s]móp a½n, F{X XhW ]dªn«pïv, C¯cw t]gvkWð questions ChnSp¯pImtcmSv tNmZn¡cpsXóv...?'' ""siSm tams\! CXnð Ft´móm C{X t]gvkWð? ]pd¯p ]dbm³ sImÅm¯ ImcyamtWm sI«ntbmóp tNmZn¡póXv?'' ""ChnsS AsXms¡ HcmfpsS kzImcyX BWv. am{Xahpañ, he is gay.'' Gay!!

B Hcp hm¡nð A¡m½bpsS apJw hnfdn shfp¯p. IqSpXð tNmZnbv¡m³ AhÀ¡p \mhp s]m§nbnñ. AXdªn«mhWw hn³kv ]dªp. ""Cu hm¡p tIÄ¡pt¼mtf, Ct{Xw tjm¡v Bthï Imcysamópanñ a½n. ChnsS AXv t\mÀað BWv, eoKð BWv, C\n Asñ¦nð t]mepw Ahsc amän \nÀ¯ï Imcyanñ. AXnð \nsóms¡ temIw Hcp]mSv aptóm«p t]mbn. F{Xtbm hÀjs¯ \nba bp²¯n\v tijamWv AhÀ AhcpsS AhImi§Ä Hsómómbn t\Sn FSp¯p XpS§nbXv.'' ""F´v Xsóbmbmepw ssZh¯n\p \nc¡m¯ Imcy§Ä sN¿póXn\v Rm³ Iq«p \nð¡nñ'' A¡m½ Xd¸n¨p ]dªp. ""a½n ssZh¯nsâ h¡me¯p ]dtbï, ssZhw tlmtamt^m_nIv BsWóv XoÀ¯p ]dbm³ \½fmcm?'' hn³kpw hn«p sImSp¯nñ. ""\o Hópw ]dtbï. taemð Ahsâ IqsS Iïmð \nsâ ap«pImev Rm³ XñnsbmSn¡pw.'' ]ïv kvIqfnð ]Tnt¨mïncpó sIm¨p hn³knt\mSv Ieln¡pw t]mse A¡m½ aIs\ imkn¨p. hn³kv s]m«n¨ncn¨psImïv A¡m½tbmSp tNmZn¨p. ""a½nbpsS hnNmcw F´m?? GXp ]pcpjòmsc Iïmepw, amÀ¡kn\v Cãw tXmópsatóm? Fómð A§s\bñ, Hm¸knäv skIvkv BbXpsImïv am{Xw GXp s]®ns\ Iïmepw Rm³ ]pdsI t]mIpsaóv a½n¡p tXmópóptïm? AXv t]mse Xsóbm Ah\pw. Ah\v Cãw tXmópóhsc am{Xta Ah\p {]Wbn¡m³ ]äq. Xncn¨v Aht\mSpw AXv tXmópóhcmbncn¡Ww. AñmsX I®nð ImWpó ]pcpjòmsc Fñmw t^mgvkv sNbvXp Cãw t\SnsbSp¡msaóp IcpXpóhcñ AhÀ. slt{Sm sk£zð BÄ¡msc t]mse Xsó A¯cw hnthIhpw _p²nbpapÅhcmWv Ahcpw. ]nsó exceptions Hs¡ FñmbnS¯pw ImWpw. Not only that, Marcus has a boyfriend too. Rm³ Ahsâ \sñmcp {^ïv am{Xw BWv. And I am blessed to have him as my close friend. AXv tI«t¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡v sXsñmcmizmkw tXmónsb¦nepw amÀ¡kns\bpw Ahsâ AkvXnXzs¯bpw a\Êv sImïv AwKoIcn¡m³ Aópw Cópw A¡m½bv¡v Ignªn«nñ. am{Xañ amÀ¡kns\ Hgnhm¡n \S¡m\pw, hn³kns\ amÀ¡knð \nópw AIän \S¯m\pw A¡m½ {]tXyIw {i²n¨p t]móp. B A¡m½tbmSmWv Ahsâ sIbdnð Ccn¡m³ hn³kv Ct¸mÄ ]dbpóXv. A¡m½bv¡p tamt\mSv \ñ tZjyw hóp. Fómð ChnSps¯ kmlNcyw HmÀ¯t¸mÄ tZjyw \ncmibv¡p hgn amdn. tem¡v Uu¬ XpS§nbn«v Znhkw aqóv Bbn. DSs\sbmópw \m«nð t]mIm³ ]äpó e£Whpanñ. AXn\nSbv¡v X\ns¡s´¦nepw hómð? IqSpXð BtemNn¡msX A¡m½ sIm´bpsaSp¯p InS¡m³ t]mbn. ]ntäóv cmhnse t^m¬ s_ñSn¡póXv tI«mWv A¡m½ DWÀóXv. kabw t\m¡nbt¸mÄ Ggv aWn. ]cnNbanñm¯ \¼À. FSp¯t¸mÄ amÀ¡kv BWv. hoSn\p apónð Dsïópw hmXnð Xpd¡m\pamWv hnfn¡póXv. A¡m½ ]Xnsb Fgptóäp I®S FSp¯p h¨v hmXnð Xpdóp. Ipd¨p amdn Xsâ A]mÀSvsaânsâ tUmdnt\mSv tNÀóv \nóv amÀ¡kv ]pôncn¨p. hmXnð ]Snbnð Ah³ Hcp henb t]¸À _mKv h¨ncpóp. amÀ¡knsâ Cw¥ojv A{Xbv¡v Xncnªnsñ¦nepw, Cóse hn³kv hnfn¨t¸mÄ Xsó, Ahsâ ho«nð tÌm¡v sNbvXncpó Ipd¨p km[\§Ä X\n¡p thïn sImïphóXmsWóp A¡m½bv¡p a\Ênembn. thsïóp ]dbm³ A¡m½ {ians¨¦nepw, AsXmópw kmcansñópw ssIIgpIbpw tkmjyð Un̳knMv ]men¡pIbpw sN¿Wsaópw, Ah³ A¡m½tbmSp ]dªp sImïncpóp. IqSmsX Cu _mKn\pÅnse t{Kmkdokv Fñmw ¢o³ sNbvXn«psïópw, t\sc sd{^nPtdäv sNbvXmð aXnsbópw Ah³ HmÀ½n¸n¨p. tPmen XpS§mdmbXn\mð Xnc¡psïópw F´v Bhiyw Dsï¦nepw hnfn¡Wsaópw amÀ¡kv ]dªp. 80

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Ah³ ss_ ]dªp hmXnð AS¨p t]mbt¸mÄ A¡m½ F´v sN¿Ww FódnbmsX Hcp \nanjw \nóp. Fón«v, hmXnð AS¨p Ahsâ _mKv FSp¯p sImïv hóp taitað h¨p, ]Xnsb Xpdóp t\m¡n. Hcp km\nssäkÀ, Hcp lm³Uvhmjv, Hcp kn]vtem¡nð 5 amkvIv, Ipd¨p acpópIÄ, Ipd¨p t{Kmkdokv. icnbmWv CXnð ]eXpw AhnsS Cñmbncpótñm Fóv A¡m½ At¸mÄ HmÀ¯p. Nnet¸m hn³kv ]dªp ImWpambncn¡pw FtómÀ¯p. hn³kns\ hnfns¨¦nepw, a½nsb Hóv {i²n¡Ww FóñmsX enÌv Hópw sImSp¯ncpónsñópw Ah³ ]dªp. am{Xañ amÀ¡kv DÅXpsImïmWv Xm³ kam[m\t¯msS Ccn¡pósXópw Ah³ ]dªp. t^m¬ h¨v Ignªt¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡p \m«nð t]mb kpJw tXmón. F¦nepw amÀ¡knt\mSpÅ AIew hensbmcp AIeambn Xsó \nóp. Znhk§Ä t]mIpt´mdpw, Xm\pw NpänepapÅhcpsams¡ sImtdmW Dïm¡nb ]pXnb temI{Iat¯mSv A\pcq]cmbn hcpóXv A¡m½ {i²n¨p. Hcp B]XvL«w hcpt¼mÄ temIsa§pw a\pjyÀ Hcp t]msebmsWópw, PmXn, aXw, hÀ¤w, hÀ®w, enwKw, tZiw XpS§nb te_epIÄ¡v A¸pd¯p hnd§en¨p \nð¡pó shdpw a\pjycmWtñm Fñmhcpsaópw A¡m½ HmÀ¯p. hn³kv Fñm Znhkhpw hnfn¡pw. amÀ¡kv BtWð Fñm Znhkhpw cïp t\csa¦nepw A¡m½sb hnfnt¨m sSIvÌv sNbvtXm At\zjn¡pw. amÀ¡knt\mSv IqSpXð Hópw ]dbmsX ""I am good'' Fóv am{Xw A¡m½ adp]Sn Ab¨p t]móp. Nnet¸msgms¡ Ahsâ kvt\lmt\zjW§Ä Ahsc Atemkcs¸Sp¯n. A§s\ B sImtdmWnb³ Ime¯mWv Hcp Znhkw IpfnIgnªp Cd§nb A¡m½ _m¯v Sºnð Imev X«n Xdbnð ASn¨p hoWXv. thZ\ sImïv A¡m½ ]pfªp t]mbn. B kab¯p 911 hnfn¡m³ tXmónsb¦nepw kwkmcnt¡ï _p²nap«pw, AXnt\¡mÄ, Cu sImtdmW Ime¯p tlmkv]näenð t]mtIïn hómepÅ AhØbpw HmÀ¯t¸mÄ Hcp {]Imc¯nð, _mXvdqanse I]vt_mÀUv F¯n¸nSn¨p. t^m¬ FSp¯p AhÀ amÀ¡Ênsâ \¼À ss{S sNbvXp. X\n¨mhpt¼m t^m¬ Ft¸mfpw IqsS sImïv \S¡Wsaóv HmÀ½n¸n¡mdpÅ hn³kn\v AhÀ a\Êv sImïv \µn ]dªp. tem¡v Uu¬ BbXn\mð ho«nð Xsó amÀ¡kv DïmIpsaóv AhÀ¡v Adnbmambncpóp. cïp dn§n\v Xsó Ah³ t^m¬ FSp¯p. IqSpXð Hópw a\Ênembnsñ¦nepw Ft´m AXymhiyamsWóv a\Ênem¡n. Ah³ eoknMv Hm^nknte¡p hnfn¨p A¡m½bpsS A]mÀSvsaâv tem¡vUv BsWó Imcyw ]dªp. Fómð sImtdmW BbXn\mepw Ìm^v IpdhmbXn\mepw, Imcyw Adnªn«p Bhiyapsï¦nð hnfn¡p Fópw ]dªp AhÀ A¡m½bpsS A]mÀSvsaânsâ kvs]bÀ Io amÀ¡kn\p ssIamdn. amkvIv Hs¡ h¨v amÀ¡kv hmXnð Xpdóv _mXvdqanð F¯nbt¸mÄ A¡m½ shdpw \ne¯p thZ\ kln¡m\mhmsX InS¡pIbmbncpóp. 911 hnfn¡m³ Xp\nsª¦nepw, A¡m½ Ahs\ hne¡n. Cu kab¯v A¡m½ ]dbpóXnð Imcyapsïóv Ah\pw tXmón. Ah³ ]Xnsb A¡m½sb Hcp Ipªns\sbó t]mse FSp¯psImïv hóp I«nenð InS¯n. Imen\v \ñ thZ\bpsïóp ]dªt¸mÄ Ipsd sFkv ]m¡v FSp¯p sImïv hóp, AhcpsS Imenð h¨p aªfpw D¸pw sImïv Hóv sI«n h¨mð aXn, \ocv t]mIpw Fóv ]dbWsaóp A¡m½bv¡v Dïmbncpsó¦nepw aªfnsâ Cw¥ojv HmÀ½ hcm¯Xn\mð AXv thsïóv h¨p. amÀ¡kv DSs\ Hcp s]bn³ Inñdpw, shÅhpw A¡m½bv¡p sImSp¯p. AhcXv Igns¨¦nepw thZ\ amdnbncpónñ amÀ¡kv AhcpsS \ocp h¨ ImepIÄ Xsâ aSnbnð FSp¯p h¨v sFkv ]m¡v sImïv ]Xnsb aÊmPv sNbvXp. tem¡v Uu¬ XpS§nbXnð ]nsó BZyambn AhÀ¡p Hcp kpc£nXXzhpw Bizmkhpw tXmón. ssZhw Xsâ krãnIfpsS alXzw shfnhm¡pó hnNn{X coXnIÄ HmÀ¯v AdnbmsX A¡m½ ab§nt¸mbn. ab¡¯nð Hcp kzÀW NndIpÅ amemJ ASp¯v hcpóXpw Bizkn¸n¡póXpw AhÀ kz]v\w Iïp. GItZiw cïp aWn¡qÀ IgnªmWv A¡m½ FWoäXv. Dd§nbtXm AtXm t_m[w sI«tXm Fóp a\ÊnemhmsX A¡m½ BZyw Hóv i¦n¨p. s]s«óv apdnbnð amÀ¡kns\ IqSmsX ]pXnb Hcmsf IqsS Iïv AhÀ sR«nt¸mbn. amÀ¡kv ]Xnsb ASp¯v hóp ]pXnb Bsf ]cnNbs¸Sp¯n. Ahsâ kwkmc¯nð \nópw AbmfpsS t]cv Ìohv FómsWópw, AbmÄ amÀ¡knsâ t_mbv {^ïv BsWópw t\gvkv {]mÎojWÀ Bbn tPmen sN¿pIbmsWópw A¡m½bv¡p a\Ênembn. amÀ¡kv \nÀ_Ôn¨n«v. A¡m½sb Hóv sN¡v sN¿m³ hóXmsWóp Ìohv ]dªp. Ìohv Hcp shfp¯ hÀ¤¡mc\mb sFdnjvImc³ Bbncpóp. Ah\p amÀ¡kns\¡mÄ s]m¡w IpdhmWtñm Fóv A¡m½ HmÀ¡mXncpónñ. t\gvkv BbXpsImïv t]Snt¡sïópw, Xð¡mew sImtdmW tcmKnIfpambn t\cn«v CSs]Spónsñópw, Bhiy¯n\v ap³IcpXepIÄ Hs¡ FSp¯n«psïópw Ìohv ]dªp. Dd¡w DWÀóp Fgptóä¯n\v tijw A¡m½bpsS thZ\¡v \ñ Ipdhpïmbncpóp. F¦nepw \ocp h¨ CSXv Imð \oen¨p InSóncpóp. Imð ]e s]mknj\nð h¨v thZ\bpsS Gä¡pd¨nepIÄ t\m¡nb tijw {^mIv¨dn\pÅ km[yX IpdhmsWóv Ìohv {]Jym]n¨p. Xð¡mew kln¡m\mhm¯ thZ\ Cñm¯Xn\mð sNdnb NXthm Dfpt¡m Bhmt\ km[yX DÅp Fóv IqSn tI«t¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡v sXñv Bizkambn. F¦nepw thZ\ IqSnbmð aSn¡msX ER ð t]mIWsaóv amÀ¡kns\ ]dtªð]n¨p. amÀ¡kv Hcp ss_Ìm³Udns\ t]mse \nóv Fñmw {i²n¨p tIÄ¡pópïmbncpóp. 81 81

At¸mtf¡pw hn³kv hoUntbm tImfnð hóp. Ah³ t\cs¯ amÀ¡kpambn kwkmcn¨ncpópshópw Imcy§Ä Hs¡ Adnªncpópshópw ]dªp. hn³knt\mSv kwkmcn¨p Ignªt¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡p Ipd¨p IqSn Bizmkw tXmón. "Get well soon'' ]dªp Ìohv Cd§pt¼mÄ A¡m½ \µntbmsS ssIIq¸n. A¡m½bv¡v at\mlcamb Hcp ]pôncnbpw amÀ¡kn\v Hcp D½bpw sImSp¯mWv Ìohv AhnsS \nóv Cd§nbXv. AhcpsS kvt\l {]IS\¯nð X\n¡p H«pw \ockw tXmóm¯Xnð A¡m½bv¡v XtómSv Xsó AÛpXw tXmón. amÀ¡knt\mSv tPmenbpsS Imcyw tNmZn¨t¸mÄ A¡m½bpsS In¨¬ Iuïdnð Ah³ Xsâ em]vtSm]v Nqïn¡mWn¨p. Cu t\Xas{Xbpw Ah³ Xsâ Imcy§Ä {i²n¨p tPmen sN¿pIbmbncpóp FtómÀ¯t¸mÄ A¡m½bv¡v k¦Sw tXmón. s]s«óv Ft´m HmÀ¯ns«ó t]mse Ah³ HmSnt¸mbn Ahsâ ho«nð \nópw NqSv kq¸pw cïp ]okv tSmÌUv {_Upw sImïv hóp AhÀ¡p sImSp¯p. AXv Iït¸mÄ Xsó A¡m½¡p \ómbn hnióp. amÀ¡knsâ klmbt¯msS AhcXp apgph³ Hä Ccn¸n\p Ign¨p. C\n amÀ¡kv t]mbn hn{iant¨mfq FóhÀ ]dsª¦nepw Ah³ Iq«m¡nbnñ. Ipd¨p t\cw IqsS Ignªn«p t]mhmsaóp Ah³ ]dªpsImïncpóp.

Asñ¦nepw Ah³ t]mIWsaóv A¡m½bv¡v sXñpw B{Klw Dïmbncpónñ. Hcp]mSv kwkmcn¡pó {]IrXw BWv AhtâXv. Ah³ ]dbpóXv apgph³ a\Ênem¡m³ ]änbncpónsñ¦nepw. Ahsâ kwkmcw {i²n¨p tI«v InS¡pt¼mÄ Hs¡ AhÀ¡v Hcp Bizmkw tXmónbncpóp. amÀ¡kv kwkmcw Ahkm\n¸n¨t¸mÄ A¡m½ Nphcnse t¢m¡nte¡p t\m¡n. cm{Xn Gsd sshInbncpóp. apdnbnse Acï shfn¨¯nð NndIpIÄ HXp¡n em]vtSm¸n\v apónð Ccn¡pó Hcp kzÀW amemJbmbn amÀ¡kv amdpópsïóv A¡m½bv¡v tXmón. A]cnNnX\mb, A\y\m«pImc\mb, Hcp sNdp¸¡mcsâ apónð Xm³ hñmïv sNdpXmbn t]mIpóXv AhÀ Adnªp. AbmfpsS IcpWbpsS XShdbnð InSóv, AhÀ DcpIn. I®pIÄ \ndsªmgpIn. amÀ¡kv ImWmsX AhÀ I®v XpS¨p. kpJ\n{Z Biwkn¨p sseäv Hm^v sNbvXp. em]vtSm]pambn amÀ¡kv t]mbn. hn³kv ]dªX\pkcn¨p samss_ð Xsâ ASp¯v h¨v hoSnsâ Hcp Xmt¡mð I¿nð hbv¡m\pw ]pd¯p \nóv hmXnð ]q«m\pw Ah³ adónñ. ]nóoSv cïp Znhkt¯¡v Ìohv A¡m½bpsS ASp¯v \nóv amdnbn«nñ Fóv Xsó ]dbmw. `£Ww Dïm¡ns¡mïp hcnI. acpóv FSp¯p XcnI, _mXvdqanð t]mIm³ klmbn¡pI Fóp thï A¡m½bpsS Fñm Imcy§fpw Ahsâ klmbt¯msS BWv \Sóp t]mbXv. hn³kv ]dªXv F{X icnbmWv Fóv A¡m½ HmÀ¯p. kz´w A½sb t]mse Xsó t\m¡m³ am{Xw DÅ amÀ¡knsâ \nkzmÀ°X A¡m½sb A¼cn¸n¨p. Hcp ]s£ a\pjyXz¯nsâ ]pd¯mhmw. AsX´mbmepw hn³knsâ ap³]nð tXmð¡mXncn¡m³ AhÀ¡v Bhpambncpónñ. \µn ]dbpt¼msfms¡ Ah³ Ahsc imkn¨p. CSbv¡v Ft¸mtfm Ahsâ IpSpw_s¯ Ipdn¨v tNmZn¨t¸mÄ amÀ¡kv s]s«óv \ni_vZ\mbn. ]nóoSv Hcn¡epw AhcXp tNmZn¨nñ. Asñ¦nepw Ahsâ ]mÌnt\m Ahsâ AkvXnXz¯nt\m A¸pdw Ah³ A¡m½bv¡v Bscms¡tbm Bbn¡gnªncpóp CXn\Iw. amÀ¡knsâ ]cnNcW¯nepw am\knI ]n³_e¯nepw, aqómw Znhkw A¡m½ tXmakv DbnÀs¯Woäp. ]Xnsb ]nSn¨p \S¡m\pw, kz´w Imcy§fpw sNdnb coXnbnð ]mNIhpw Hs¡ sN¿msaópambn. hn³kv F¯pw hsc IqsS¯só \nóv Ah³ A¡m½sb thï t]mse ip{iqjn¨p. t{Kmkdn tjm¸nwKv sNbvXp sImSp¯p. Hcpan¨p Ip¡v sNbvXp. `£Ww Ign¨p. kn\na Iïp. hn³knsâ IqsS Nnehgn¡m³ ]äm¯ kabw. amÀ¡knsâ IqsS Nnehgn¡m³ ]änbXnð AhÀ kt´mjn¨p. A½bpsS Cu amä¯nð Gähpw kt´mjn¨Xv hn³kv Bbncpóp. tem¡vUu¬ BbncpóXn\mð Ìohnsâ kµÀi\hpw A]qÀÆambncpóp. CSbv¡p ChÀ aqópt]cpw H¯p tNcpó hoUntbm tImfpIÄ A¡m½ icn¡pw BkzZn¨ncpóp. sImtdmWbpsS AesbmenIÄ HsómXp§n. tem¡v Uu¬ Ignªp Im\Ubnð \nópw hn³kv F¯nb tijw, A¸hpw Ìyqhpw aäp hn`h§fpw Dïm¡n amÀ¡kns\bpw Ìohns\bpw A¡m½ Hcn¡ð IqsS Unódn\v £Wn¨p. IptdImew IqSn tkmjyð Un̳kn§nsâ _m[yXIÄ CñmsX Fñmhcpw kt´mjt¯msS Hcpan¨ncpóp kwkmcn¨p. `£Ww Ign¨p. UnóÀ Ignªp t]mhm³ t\cw A¡m½ amÀ¡kns\ ASpt¯¡p hnfn¨p. Ahsâ ssIIfnð kzÀW hcIÄ DÅ shfp¯ Hcp Kn^väv _mKv h¨v sImSp¯p. sXfnª I®pItfmsS amÀ¡kv _mKv Xpdóv, AXnð \nóv Hcp sNdnb Nphó t_mIvkv ]pds¯Sp¯p. hnSÀó NndIpIÄ DÅ Hcp kzÀW amemJbpsS s]³Uâv. AXoh kt´mjt¯msS amÀ¡kv XnSp¡s¸«p AXv Ìohns\ ImWn¡pt¼mÄ, hn³kv A¡m½sb sI«n¸nSn¨p cïp Ihnfnepw D½ h¨p.

82

82

Jacob Kallupura

Through the middle of the valley, the unending pathway continued to unfold like a lazy snake, bathing under the shining sun. The midday sun hugged the valley all the way down to the towns end. Gentle breezes danced along the lilies of the valley with waves of joy. Emerald green grass patches hugged the valley like a green carpet as butterflies fluttered. The summer sky was full of white clouds travelling like sailing ships, spreading little shadows on the naked body of earth, who joyfully bathed under the summer sun. The girl looked up to the sky and remembered what her mother said when she was young.” Girls who see human faces in the clouds get good husbands” She looked through all the dancing clouds to see a human face. She couldn’t find any faces, only a never ending parade of unruly clouds. Do you see any faces in all those silly white clouds? She asked the boy walking with her. The boy looked at the rolling white clouds. He saw only fluffy clouds floating above, but no human faces Then the boy looked at her shiny eyes and said, not in the clouds but in your eyes. I saw a Knight standing in armour. The girl’s eyes shined like the lilies in the valley She looked at the clouds in the sky then the lilies in the valley and said, Boys who see the knights in a girl’s eyes will get a strong wife who can fight shoulder to shoulder with her knight to change the world for good. The boy looked at her beautiful blue eyes He said to her; Yes, I can. I can see the girl who can lead the world, a world without bloody wars, hunger or diseases and everybody treated with dignity. “Thank you,” the girl said. The boy looked at her confident face, shining blue eyes and beautiful hair dancing with lillies in the valley. The boy held her hand and walked through the winding valley. The peaceful silence in their hearts never bothered by the cloudy skies, nor the chirping crickets in the valley. Only the gentle lukewarm summer breeze danced around them all the way down. They walked and talked along the never ending pathway as it continued to unfold like a lazy snake bathing under the sunny skies. 83 83

Fsâ hdotk«³ Rm³ P\n¡póXn\v F{Xtbm ap³t] Xsó hdotk«³ R§fpsS ho«nse HcwKw Bbn¡gnªncpóp. hey¸¨³ ae_m dnte¡v t]mót¸mÄ IqsS Hcp klmb¯n\p sImïphóXmWv Cu hÀ¤okv tN«s\. hey¸¨³ ]Tn¨ AtX Cw¥ojv kvIqfnð t^mÀXv t^mdw hsc ]Tn¨XmWt{X. AhnsS XpS§nb ]cnNbw. hdotk«³ Hcp {]tXyI {]IrX¡mc\mbncpóp. shfp¯p saenª Hcp a\pjy³, \c¨ apSn sNhns¡m¸w \o«n hfÀ¯n bncpóp. apJ¯v Ft¸mgpw Hcp im´ kpµc ]ÞnX `mhw. Ft´m a\Ênen«v Iq«n¡pd¨v Xn«s¸Sp¯ns¡mïncn¡pó Hcp GIm{KX. At§m«v ]dbpóXv tIÄ¡pI sN¿pI FóXne¸pdw Hcp Imcy¯nepw ]pÅn CSs]Smdnñ. hÀ¤otk Fóp hey¸¨³ \o«n hnfn¡pt¼mÄ Ft´m Fó Hcp adp]Sn t]mepw XncnsI \ðIm¯{X \ni_vZ³ Bbncpóp hdotk«³ Ft¸mgpw. Hcp]mSv AwK§fpw kuIcyhpw DÅ B henb ho«nð F\ns¡t¸mgpw X\n¨mbXpt]mse Hcp tXmóð Bbncpóp. hdotk«\pw Hcp ]s£ A§s\ Xsó Bbncpóncn¡Ww tXmón bncpóXv. ]s£ Pohn¡m³ thsïsXñmw AhnsS kpe`ambn cpóp. hdotk«\pw Rm\pw X½nð ]db¯¡ ]mckv]cyw Hópw Csñ¦nepw R§Ä¡nSnbnð kvt\l¯nsâ Hcp AZriy tcJ DÅXpt]mse F\ns¡t¸mgpw tXmónbncpóp. R§Ä Bdv Ikn³kv DÅ B ho«nð AhÀ¡mÀ¡pw hdotk«s\bpw hdotk«\v Ahscbpw Xosc ]nSp¯w Cñmbncpóp. hdotk«\v BsI kz´w Fóv ]dbm³ B ho«nð DÅXv hót¸mÄ sImïphó Hcp Ccp¼p s]«n Bbncpóp. "Trunk box' FómWv ]pÅn AXns\ hnfn¨ncpóXv. Fópw sshIn«v tjhv sN¿pó kma{KnIÄ FSp¡m³ hdotk«³ B s]«n Xpd¡pw. Rm³ Im¯p Im¯ncn¡pó BtLmj thf Bbncpóp AXv. sshIn«v Ipcnip hc IgnªmWv B IÀ½w. Hcp sNdnb s]t{SmÄ amIvkv t]mse shfp¯ shfn¨w DÅ Hcp hnf¡v I¯n¡pw. Fón«v B s]«n Xpdóv Hcp Ìoð _uÄ FSp¡pw, ]nsó Hcp tjhnwKv {Iow ]nsó Hcp sIm¨p I®mSn. Ìoð _ufnð shÅw \nd¨p ]pdInse hcm´Xbnte¡v t]mIpw. tjhnMv tkm¸nð 84

Shanty Mathew

{_jv sImïv ]X¸n¨p apJ¯v tX¡pw. ]nsó CSXp ssI hmbphnð Hóv IpSªp apJ¯v hen¨p ]nSn¡pw. Fón«v heXp ssI sImïv Hcp BÀ¡nsäIväv ¹m³ hcbv¡pó IrXy\njvTtbmsS tdkÀ sImïv Xmtg¡v hen¡pw. B tjhnMv {Ioansâ KÔw Bbncpóp. Asó\n¡dnbmhpó Gähpw \ñ kpKÔw. Cu t\ca{Xbpw hmXnð ]Snbnð t\m¡n Ccn¡pó FtómSv Iam Fsómc£cw hdotk«³ anïmdnñ. Xncn¨p Rm\pw. Hcn¡ð hdotk«³ Cñm¯t¸mÄ Rm³ B s]«n Xpdóp. AXnð Rm³ ImWm¯ ]e km[\§fpw Dïmbncpóp. Ipd¨v _p¡vkv, Hcp tkmhnbäv bqWnb³ amKkn³, Hcp Ubdn, sdUv dnº¬, \ndw a§nb Hcp s]änþtIm«v. ]nsóbpw Fs´ms¡tbm XncbWw Fsó\n¡p tXmón. ]s£ AcpXm¯XmWv sN¿póXv Fó t_m[yw Fsó ]nónte¡v hen¨p. Rm³ CXns\ Ipdn¨v BtcmSpw tNmZn¨nñ. ImcWw hdotk«s\ Npän¸än DÅ Fsâ hyhlmc§Ä BÀ¡pw A{X ]nSn¡pónñmbncpóp. BßKXw t]mse Rm³ HmÀ¯p; Hcp ]s£ hdotÊ«\v Hcp tamÄ Dïmbncpóncn¡ptam? AXns\ hdotk«\p Nnet¸mÄ \ãs¸«ncn¡ptam? B Isï¯epIÄ¡v tijw Rm³ ]pÅnbpsS \ãs¸«v t]mb aIfpsS Øm\¯msWóp tXmón¸n ¡phm³ {ian¨p sImïncpóp. Fópw sshIn«v `£Ww Ign¨p Ignªp hdotk«³ apä¯p IqsS Hóv Dem¯pw. Nnet¸mÄ Hs¡ hdotk«\p kam´cambn Rm\pw \S¡pw. Fsó Xosc {i²n¡mdnsñ¦nepw. am\t¯m«p t\m¡n \nð¡pó hdotk«³ Hcp hm\ \nco£ Is\ t]mse tXmón¨p. Aóv Rm\pw Iïp Htc \ncbnð aqóp \£{X§Ä. Hcn¡epw Hcp D¯cw {]Xo£n¡msX Rm³ tNmZn¨p CXv F´m Htc \ncbnð aqóp \£{X§Ä? A{]Xo £nXambn hdotk«³ kwkmcn¨p. AXv "Ing¡³ am\s¯ th«¡mc³'. F\ns¡mópw a\Ênembnñ. IqSpXð tNmZn¡m³ Rm³ apXnÀópanñ. ]s£ ]nð¡me¯p \£{X§sf Ipdn¨v IqSpXð {Kmlyapsïóp A`nam\n¡pó kplr¯nt\mSv CtX aqóp hcn \£{X§sf ImWn¨p tNmZn¨t¸mÄ Ah³ ]dªp AXv "Hmdntbm¬ s_ðäv ' BsWóv. icnbmWv, ssaän lïÀ 84

ssdknwKv C³ Zn kvssI. icn¡pw "Ing¡³ am\s¯ th« ¡mc³'.

]iphns\ amäns¡«m³ t]mIpó hdotk«sâ ]pdsI Rm³ ]e XhW t]mbn«pïv. B s]«nbnð Iï ImgvNIsf Ipdn¨v ]mf sImïv Ip¯n Dïm¡nb _¡änð Zqsc Ipf¯nð tNmZn¡m³. ]s£ bmsXmcp {]XnIcWhpw CñmsX \Sóp \nópw shÅw \nd¨v Fsâ sNSnIÄ \\bv¡pó hdotk«³. \o§pó B a\pjyt\mSv Hcp Xc¯nepw ASp¡m³ F\n¡mbnñ. kzoIcW apdnbnse henb LSnImc¯n\p apS§msX Fópw Io A§s\ Ccns¡ kvIqÄ hn«p hó Hcp sshIp tócw Nne sImSp¯v AXnsâ Poh³ \ne\nÀ¯pó hdotk«³. Nm¼bpsS A{]Xo£nX AXnYnIÄ Dïmbncpóp ho«nð. At\zjn¨t¸mÄ s]mgnbpó ImbvIfpw hmI ac¯nsâ sImgnbpó ]q¡fpw Adnªp AXv hdotk«sâ `mcybpw aI\pw BsWóv. XncphnXmw ASn¨p hmcn B henb apäw Fópw hr¯ntbmsS sh¡pó Iqdnð \nóv hóXmWv. hdotk«s\ sImïv t]mIm³. aIsâ hdotk«³. IeymWw BWt{X. At¸mÄ Rm³ Iïp shÅ apïpw jÀ«pw C{Xtbsd knÊwKX DÅ hdotk«sâ I®pIÄ \\bpóXv AWnªp s]«n sdUn B¡ns¡mïncn¡pó hdotk«s\. Hcn¡ð Rm³ Iïp. hdotk«\v \ãs¸«p Fóv Rm³ IcpXpó BZyambn«mWv B apJ¯v Hcp A¦em¸v Rm³ ImWpóXv. hfsc aIÄ Bbn tXmón¸n¡m³ In«pó Hcp Ahkchpw Rm³ sh{]mft¯msS B ho«nð At§m«pw Ct§m«pw HmSn \Sóp shdpsX Ifªnñ. A§s\ Hcp Znhkw hdotk«³ I¸bpw Ahkm\ambn X\n¡p am{Xw sNbvXp XoÀ¡m³ ]äpó ]WnIÄ ]nsó I\enð Np«v FSp¯ ao\nð shfns¨®bpw Im´mcn sN¿m\pÅ Hcp hn^e {iaw Rm³ Iïp. "]iphns\ Rm³ HóqsS apfIpw ]nsó sNdnbpÅnbpw Nmen¨p Ign¨p sImïncpót¸mÄ amäns¡«mw' Fóv ]dªp sImïv sXmSnbnte¡v AXnthKw Hcp ]q¨ t\m¡n Ccn¡pót]mse Rm³ Ipd¨p t\cw t\m¡n \Sóp \o§n. ]nsó thKw Xncn¨p hóp. t]mImw Fóv ]dªp Ccpóp. ]nsó hdotk«³ Dïm¡nb Hcp Dcpfbnte¡v t\m¡n sImïv BtcmSpw bm{X tNmZn¡msX Fsó Hóv Xncnªp t]mepw ssI \o«n. F\n¡v I¿nð sh¨v Xó Dcpf hmbnð F¯póXn\p t\m¡msX \Sóp \o§n. HmSns¨óp BZyambpw Ahkm\ambpw ap³t] Hcp henb ssI Fsó Xq¡n FSp¯v ASp¡fbnte¡v Hóv sI«n¸nSn¡Wsaóv F\n¡v tXmón. ]s£ Npänepw DÅ sImïp t]mbn. AXnsâ _m¡n]{Xw FtómWw hdotÊ«\v \ñ A[nImc¯nsâ I®pIÄ A§s\ Hcp {iaw \S¯póXnð I\¯ `mjbnð iImchpw In«n. ]mfn t\m¡nb Rm³ Iïp B \nsósó ]n´ncn¸n¨p. I®pIÄ \ndsªmgpIpóXv.

Aóv sshIn«v Rm³ XnI¨pw GIbmbncpóp. apä¯p Iq«n \ãs¸« aIfmbn NabpóXnsâ `mKambn Hcp Znhkw Ipcnip C«ncpó tX§IÄ amänbpw ASp¡nbpw Rm³ Hcp Itkc hc Ignªp kvXpXn sNmñm\mbn hdotk«³ Ccn¡pó Dïm¡n. AXnð am\t¯m«p t\m¡n Ccpóp..... Fsâ aqóp hcm´bnte¡v Rm³ t]mbn. Cutim aninlmbv¡v kvXpXn Bbncn \£{X§Ä hcpóXpw Im¯v. icn¡pw Ct¸mgmWv F\n¡v ¡s« Fóv Rm³ ]dsªm¸n¨p. ]s£ Xncn¨v Hcp {]XnIcWhpw hdotk«sâ alXzw a\ÊnemIpóXv. At±lw Hcp AÛpXw Bbn Dïm bnñ. X\n¡v Npäpw Hcp henb e£vaW tcJ hc¨v Idp¯ F\n¡v tXmópóXv. Fs´ms¡tbm AcpXmbvIIÄ kw`hn ¡pó Cu temI¯v hdotk«s\ t]mse kzbw e£vaW tcJ Ccp«nte¡v t\m¡n hdotk«³ Ccpóp. hc¨v Xsâ AXncpIÄ \nÝbn¡m³ FñmhÀ¡pw Ignbptam?

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Joan Daniel

Last week, my parents, my brother and I went for a walk together. I cannot remember the last time we did that, or if we’ve ever done that to be quite honest. We’re never all been home at the same time due to my brothers and I being away at different colleges, and our university breaks rarely overlapping. That walk was the best - we talked, we laughed, and we watched the sunset. I’m grateful for small moments like that during this time of quarantining. Throughout times of trial, when it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I often find myself trying to remember what I’m grateful for. Gratitude allows me to focus on small moments every day that are important to me, and give me hope for the future, whether it be a phone call with a friend, being able to complete my semester through online classes while schools are closed or taking a walk with my family. The Mayo Clinic actually reports that practicing gratitude daily can, “significantly increase your happiness and your physical health,” in addition to decreasing one’s risk of disease, improving sleep and boosting immunity1. I think gratitude has such profound effects on our mental and physical health because it comes from finding the moments that bring a smile to our face, make us laugh passionately, and give us a beacon of hope. Gratitude allows us to remember the moments we were happy and why. This is the best time to reflect on what we’re grateful for as individuals and as a community to find a glimmer of joy during these difficult times. I never expected quarantine to allow me to reconnect with what’s truly good for my mind and heart, but writing down three things a day that I’m grateful for, has allowed me to not give up faith for better days ahead. This time of uncertainty has allowed me to focus on the moments I’m certain of - the moment’s I’m grateful for - the things I always wanted to do but never got to, hobbies I loved but always said I was “too busy” for, and new activities I said I’d try “if I had more time.” This time of social isolation has allowed me to become more comfortable in my own company and find creative ways to stay connected with people. These are a few things I’m grateful for so far: trying a new banana bread brownie recipe, painting with a friend over facetime, reading a book I’ve been meaning to get back to for a while, having virtual coffee hours with friends, eating dinner every day with my family at the dinner table, and finding resourceful ways to exercise from home. This time can feel isolating, but I’m choosing to focus on the moments I would not have had if it were not for this period of social distancing. I encourage you to think about the moments you are given during this trying time and find what you’re grateful for in everyday. I hope that practicing gratitude in the small moments will allow you to have a beacon of hope and light moving forward this year. 1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/improve-health-practice-gratitude/ art-20270841 86 86

Shades of Blue

Dr. Rekha Nair

MY LIFE I was born not a perfect being, With imperfections, the Master blessed to bestow on me, Mental retardation, Down’s syndrome and few others in line, I knew nothing much about this life. Except to live, to breathe and to smile, Through the journey that lay for the soul of mine. All I needed was a pure heart and unselfish touch, I was content with anything as much.

Smita Chirayath

Now as I lay, waiting in the last silent lane, Heavenly doors to open for me again; I take with me nothing at all, neither deeds, nor great words, Nothing to stand tall. But prayers for all the souls that held me with care, Souls that loved me and did their part and share, Helping me to do the little I could; which is not much at all. Except to live, to breathe and to smile at all. 87 87

Shaju Jacob, CPA

COVID-19 started to upend nearly every aspect of life in the United States. Congress immediately acted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, to relieve suffering Americans. In an effort to stabilize the economy, Congress also passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. With a $2.2 trillion price tag, the Act is the most expensive piece of legislation ever passed. The Act looks to make a significant impact on the economy by providing loan forgiveness, supporting small businesses, enhancing unemployment insurance, and providing federal loans to industries severely impacted by the pandemic. In addition, it provides tax relief and tax incentives for individuals and businesses alike. The majority of the tax relief is designed to increase liquidity in the economy, largely through the relaxation of limitations on business deductions and the deferral of taxes, but also with the introduction of recovery rebates for individuals. INDIVIDUAL TAX RELIEF Coronavirus stimulus rebates: Individuals will receive a tax credit of $1,200 ($2,400 for joint filers) plus $500 for each qualifying child. The credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) above $150,000 for joint filers, $112,500 for heads of households and $75,000 for other individuals. Stimulus rebates are being treated as advance refunds of a 2020 tax credit. Taxpayers will reduce the amount of the credit available on their 2020 tax return by the amount of the advance refund they receive. The credit is not available to nonresident aliens, individuals who can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer and estates and trusts. Other individuals such as Social Security recipients, low-income workers, certain veterans, and individuals with disabilities who aren’t required to file a tax return, are also eligible. Retirement plans: Taxpayers can take up to $100,000 in coronavirus-related distributions from retirement plans without being subject to the 10% additional tax for early distributions. Eligible distributions can be taken up until Dec. 31, 2020. Coronavirus-related distributions may be repaid within three years. Any resulting income inclusion would be subject to tax over three years. Existing loans of up to $100,000 from qualified plans, and repayment can be delayed for one year. The required minimum distribution rules in Sec. 401 are temporarily suspended for 2020. The bill delays 2020 minimum required contributions for single-employer plans until 2021. Charitable deductions: There is an above-the-line charitable deduction for 2020 (not to exceed $300). This allows an individual to claim a deduction for a charitable contribution, even if the individual does not itemize deductions. AGI limitations are modified for charitable contributions for 2020, to 100% of AGI for individuals and 25% of taxable income for corporations (increased from 10%). The food contribution limits increase from 15% to 25%. 88

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BUSINESS TAX RELIEF Payroll tax credit refunds: Subject to limitations and exceptions, employers of less than 500 employees are required to provide mandatory sick time and paid family leave but are eligible for payroll tax credits to offset the costs. Eligible self-employed individuals also qualify for the credits. Healthcare providers and emergency responders are excluded; employers with fewer than 50 employees can be exempted. The paid leave is available for up to 10 weeks. The first 10 days of the leave may consist of unpaid leave or accrued paid time off. The amount paid per day is calculated based on the “two-thirds rule” discussed in H.R. 6201. The credit is generally available for up to $200 in wages for each day an employee receives qualified family leave wages. A maximum of $10,000 in wages per employee would be eligible for the credit. Two weeks of sick pay must be paid when the employee is unable to work for coronavirus-related reasons. The amount of the sick pay depends on many factors, with the maximum being $511 per day ($5,110 in total) or $200 per day ($2,000 in total) based on the exact reason the employee is unable to work. The credits can be refunded in advance using forms and instructions the IRS will provide. The IRS is instructed to waive any penalties for failure to deposit payroll taxes if the failure was due to an anticipated payroll tax credit. Employee retention credit: Eligible employers are allowed a credit against employment taxes equal to 50% of qualified wages (up to $10,000 in wages) for each employee. Employers that have gross receipts that are less than 50% of their gross receipts for the same quarter in the prior year are also eligible, until their gross receipts exceed 80% of their gross receipts for the same calendar quarter in the prior year. For employers with more than 100 employees, wages eligible for the credit are wages that the employer pays employees who are not providing services due to the suspension of the business or a drop in gross receipts. For employers with 100 or fewer employees, all wages paid qualify for the credit. Payroll tax delay: Payment is delayed by 50% for 2020 employer’s share of Social Security payroll taxes until Dec. 31, 2021; the other 50% will be due Dec. 31, 2022. For self-employment taxes, 50% will not be due until same dates. Net operating losses (NOLs): For tax years beginning before 2021, the 80% income limitation for NOL deductions is temporarily repealed. For losses arising in tax years 2018, 2019 and 2020, a five-year carryback is allowed (taxpayers can elect to forgo the carryback). This law also applies to pass-through businesses and sole proprietorships. Heath plans: The rules for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are amended to allow them to cover telehealth and other remote care services without charging a deductible. Additional over-the-counter items now qualify. - Shaju Jacob, MBA, CPA, CGMA. http://www.SJacobCPA.com/ Phone: (508) 655-5354

Note: The information contained in the above article is provided for informational purposes only and shall not constitute tax or legal advice. Each individual’s tax situation is unique and you should check with your accountant or other tax professional for particular advice on your situation.

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CARTOONS

Thomas Kodenkandath

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Shibi K. In a field of flowers, Born was she, A flower different from the others. Growing in the warmth and care of nature, Happiest and strongest amongst the flocks she seemed. Majestic and tall she grew, Shooting up like a weed, some thought. Though bright, broad and colorful was she, Strangest among the flocks she felt. A fragrant rose in the valley she wished to be, Not knowing the worth of her true essence. In search of an unknown affection, She Followed the light that shone so bright. Bewitched by the warmth of his glances, She turned her petaled head to him, Who captured her heart. Blinded by his charm and attention, She sold her unwavering soul, Forever Loyal to the playboy Apollo she became Falling in love with the untamable lad. Always living according to his moods, Even on the darkest of days, She looks up at the sky waiting for his glance. An infatuated lover she becomes, Losing her identity, she takes his name. Sunflower, she becomes! A symbol of unwavering faith, loyalty and true devotion!

Shibi K.

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Ip

A\nP G{_lmw

ªn B ho«nse¯nbn«v hÀj§fmbn. k¡dnb kmdn\v Cãt¯msS Iq«pImc³ tUhnkv k½m\n¨XmWv Ipªnsb. Ipªnbv¡v B ho«nð Fñm kzmX{´yhpapïv. Ipªn AdnbmsX AhnsS Hópw \S¡mdnñ. GXp apdnbnepw, Ft¸mÄ thWsa¦nepw, AhÄ¡v Ibdns¨ñmw. Hcp apdnbnð HgnsI. AXv k¡dnb kmdnsâ `mcy kqkn sIm¨½bpsS apdnbmWv. kqkn¡v Ipªnsb Xosc Cãañ. Ahkcw In«pt¼msfñmw AhÀ Ipªnsb No¯ ]dbpw. ""Cu \in¨ ]q¨sb FhnsSsb¦nepw sImïv Ifbm³ F{XImeambn ]dbpóp''. AhcpsS i_vZw IpªnbpsS sNhnbnð apg§n. skmsskän teUnbmb kqknbv¡v Ipªnsb Ifªn«v, Hcp AÄtkjys\ hfÀ¯Ww FómWm{Klw. AXmIpt¼mÄ AhÀ¡v Kabnð sImïv \S¡matñm.

AhcpsS `mjbnð ]q¨bv¡v Ìmäkv IpdhmWv. k¡dnb kmdn\v cïv a¡fmWv. A¸phpw, A½phpw. cïv t]cpsSbpw Hma\bmbncpóp Ipªn. A½phn\v CubnsSbmbn IpªntbmSv Hcnã¡pdhv. AXv ""Ah³'' hóXn\v tijambncpóp. Ignª th\ð¡me¯v A½p Hcp henb IqSbpambmWv tImtfPnð \nóv aS§nsb¯nbXv. AómWv Ah³ ""Pm¡n'' B ho«nse¯nbXv. Ahsâ t]cn\v Xsó Fs´mcp KabmWv. ""Pm¡n'' Fsóms¡ Bsc¦nepw Hcp Iï³ ]q¨bv¡v t]cnSptam? ]dbmXncn¡m³ ]änñ, Iïmð Hcp Kasbms¡ Dïv. Pm¡nbpsS sN¼³ tcma¯n\mtWm Xsâ shÅ tcma¯ns\¡mÄ `wKn. Hcn¡epanñ, Ipªn Bizkn¡m³ {ian¨p. Pm¡n hóXn\v tijw A½phn\v BsI Nne amä§Ä. Ft¸mgpw apdnbnð¡bdn AS¨ncn¡pw. GXv t\chpw t^mWnð. Nnet¸mÄ Pm¡nsb Xmtemen¨v Häbv¡ncpóv Nncn¡póXv ImWmw. CsXms¡ {i²n¡m³ kqkn sIm¨½bv¡v FhnsSbmWv t\cw. AhÀ apgph³ kabhpw ¢ºnemWv. Ipªn ]s£ Fñmw ImWpópïv. Znhk§Ä ISópt]mbn. Pm¡n Cu ho«nse¯nbn«v Hcp hÀjw Ignªp. the¡mcn Pm\p sImSp¡pó ao³XebmWv Ahsâ 92

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Cã`£Ww. ao³ Xnóv Ahs\móv \ómbn an\p§nbn«pïv. sN¼³ ]qSbv¡v Ipd¨pIqSn Xnf¡w sht¨m? Gbv Cñ, Ipªnbv¡v tXmónbXmWv. A½phnsâ tImtfPv ]T\w Ahkm\n¡mdmbn. A½phn\v CubnsSbmbn Hcp kt´mjanñm¯Xv t]mse Ipªnbv¡v tXmón. Pm¡nsbt¸mepw FSp¯v Hma\n¡mdnñ. Fs´ms¡bmbmepw Ipªnbv¡v A½phns\ Poh\mWv. AhÄ A½phns\ Xsó Npän¸än \Sóp. Asómcp i\nbmgvNbmbncpóp. k¡dnb kmÀ ]Xnhvt]mse D¨bqWv Ignªv ab§m³ InSóp. Pm¡nbpw ]Xnhpt]mse ao³Xe Xnón«v D½d¯v Ccpóv Dd§pIbmWv. kqkns¡m¨½ DSps¯mc§n kzoIcWapdnbnse tkm^mbnencpóv t^m¬ sN¿póp. AhÀ ¢ºntebv¡v t]mIm\pÅ Hcp¡¯nemWv. AhcpsS Cós¯ kmcn sImÅmw. Al¦mcnbmsW¦nepw Cu ]¨kmcn AhÀ¡v \ómbn CW§pópïv. Ipªnbv¡v hn{ian¡m³ kabanñ. AhÄ ]Xnhv t]mse Fñm apdnbnepw Ibdnbnd§n \Sóp. A½phnsâ apdnbpsS ASps¯¯nbt¸mÄ, A½p BtcmtSm t^mWnð kwkmcn¡pó i_vZw tI«p. apdn AS¨n«ncn¡póp. Hcp P\ð¸mfn am{Xw Xpdóv InS¸pïv. Ipªn ]Xnsb P\ðI¼nIÄ¡nSbneqsS apdn¡pÅnð Ibdn. A½p s]s«óv s]m«n¡cªpsImïv t^m¬ sa¯bntebv¡v hens¨dnªv XebWbnð apJw AaÀ¯n Icªp. Ipªnbv¡pw k¦Sw hóp. AhÄ A½phns\ Xsó t\m¡nbncpóp. A½p s]mSpós\ Ic¨nð \nÀ¯n ]Xps¡ FWoäp. AhÄ Aeamc Xpdóv \ofapÅ Hcp XpWnsbSp¯v ^m\nð Ipcp¡nSm³ XpS§n. ChÄ CsX´n\pÅ ]pd¸mSmWv, IpªnbpsS s\ôv ]nSªp. Ipªn F´p sN¿WsaódnbmsX ]cn{`an¨p. Ipªn IcªpsImïv kzoIcWapdnbnse¯n. kqkns¡m¨½ At¸mgpw AhnsS Ccn¸pïv. Ipªn Dds¡ Icªn«pw AhÀ {i²n¡ptóbnñ. Fs´¦nepw s]s«óv sN¿Ww. Ipªn cïpw Ið¸n¨v kqknbpsS aSnbntebv¡v NmSn¡bdn. AhcpsS Xnf§pó ]¨kmcn IpªnbpsS IqÀ¯ \Jw sImïv Iodn. ""\miw ]nSn¨ ]q¨, CXns\ Cóv Rm³ sImñpw'', Bt{Imin¨psImïv AhÀ IpªnbpsS ]pdsI ]mªp. Ipªn IpXn¨v A½phsâ apdnbnse P\ð¸mfnbneqsS AI¯v Ibdn. HmSnsb¯n P\me Xpdó kqkn, Ibdnð Xq§qó aIsf Iïv Aedn hnfn¨p. Ipªnbv¡v ]nsósbmópw icn¡pw HmÀ½bnñ. Bscñmtam HmSnsb¯n A½phns\ Bip]{Xnbnð sImïpt]mbn. ""kqkns¡m¨½ kab¯v IïXpsImïv Ip«n c£s¸«p,'' the¡mcn Pm\p ]ndp]ndp¡póXv Ipªn tI«p. Ipªn¡mizmkambn. Cón\n kqkns¡m¨½ Fñmw t\m¡ns¡mÅpw. Ipªn Ipd¨vt\cw hn{ian¡m³ Xocpam\n¨p. Ipªn £oWw sImïv ]Xps¡ ab§n. AhfpsS kz]v\¯nð, ""Ipªnbpw, Pm¡nbpw, ]nsó sN¼³ tcma§fpÅ cïv ]q¨¡pªp§fpw'' HmSn¡fn¨p.

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Christa Jacob

Happy Jubilee Year to KANE! 50 years in the making, a feat nowhere near mundane A wonderful Malayalee group in Boston we have here With countless memories made that bring me both laughs and tears Growing up with KANE, it was a big part of me From KANE picnics, KANE movies, KANE camping, and now the Jubilee Every week we had dance practice at Littleton Town Hall For Onam, Christmas and Talent Show, we did it all! My childhood involved dancing for KANE every year From all over New England we came, far and near Articles and poems for the Sameeksha I would write Many successful events in the past, with many more in sight Hosting Halloween parties as KANE Jr VP Made so many friends that became like family, you see The KANE youth of my generation may be all grown So what the future of KANE may hold is bright, but not unknown As the years went by, people have joined and left the community But they will forever be a part of KANE as we share this Mallu unity Christians, Hindus and Muslims, we come together as one To celebrate our Kerala culture, all in good fun! To all the KANE members, old and new Congrats to 50 years, thanks to all of you! 94

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Preetha Rajeev A¸\pw A½bpw Npcp¡t¸cnð hnfn¨ncpóXv thep¡p«³. kvIqfnð lmPscSp¯ A²ym]I³ am{XamWv thembp[³ Fó apgph³ t]cpw D¨cn¨Xv. Ggmw Xc¯nð tXmätXmsS AXpw Ahkm\n¨p. sXmgnð ]pñpsN¯v BbXn\mð ]pñpthep Fsóms¡ sNñt¸cpÅ km[p a\pjy\mWv Cu sIm¨pIYbnse Xmcw. ]Xnhpt]mse cmhnse Xsó sImfcn¡se ]d¼nð \nóp AbmÄ ]pñpsh«ns¡mïncpó kab¯v, Abð]¡¯pÅ sPbnwkpw \meôp Iq«pImcpw IqSn B hgn \Sóp hcpópïm bncpóp. tImsïÊm¡mdpw Aw_mÊUdpw apXemfnamcpsS am{Xw Ip¯Ibmbncpó A¡me¯v, tImtfPv kl]mTnIÄ¡v Cós¯t¸mse sN¯v ss_¡pIsfmópw Dïmbncpónñ. sPbnwkns\ Iq«pImÀ ImWm³ ho«nense¯nbXns\mcp hntijapïv. Fw. _n. Fbv¡v bqWnthgvknänbpsS Cu hÀjs¯ Hómw dm¦v In«nbXv sPbnwkn\mWv! B kt´mj¯nð Pbnw knsâ A`nam\w s]s«óp Al¦mc¯nte¡p NphSp amänbncpóp. Iq«pImtcmSv kwkmcn¨p sImïv ]pñp thephnsâ apón eqsS t]mbt¸mÄ AbmÄ _oUn¡dbpÅ ]ñpIm«n Nncn¨p. ""Ipªn\v dm¦v In«oóp ]dbW tI«p. sNehv sN¿Ww tIt«m'' AhÚtbmsSbpÅ Hcp t\m«w FdnªXñmsX Hópw ]dbmsX aptóm«p t]mbt¸mÄ Iq«pImtcmSv ]dªp. ""Hm... ]nsó.... I®nð¡ï ]pñòmÀs¡ñmw sNehp sN¿m³ Fsâ Xebv¡p Indp¡nñ!'' Ah³, thep¡p«s\ tIĸn¡m³ ]dªXmbncpónñ. C\nbnt¸mÄ tI«mepw ]pñphnebpÅ thephns\ F´n\p t]Sn¡Ww? Iq«pImÀ dm¦pImcs\ Nncn¨p kpJn¸n¨p sImïv \SóIót¸mÄ, thep ]pñpsh«p \nÀ¯n. Pbnwknsâ ]cnlmkw \ndª hm¡pIÄ AbmfpsS ImXnð hoïpw hoïpw apg§n. Ipd¨p t\cw Nn´n¨p. Xm³ ]dªXnð Fs´¦nepw sXäptïm? AbmÄ Nmb IpSn¡m\mbn ho«nte¡p \Sóp. ""AÑm, Fsâ ¢mÊnse ]ntÅcv ]pñpthephnsâ aI\m Chs\óp Øncw ]dbpóXm!'' `mcytbmSv CtX¸än ]dªt¸mÄ aIsâ adp]Sn Nncn DWÀ¯n. 95 95

NmbIpSnbpw Ignªp thep hoïpw ]d¼nse¯n. Hcp aWn¡qÀ Ignªp \meôp sI«p ]pñpambn sImfcn¡ð Xdhm«nse¯n. tPgvkn¸ip¡Ä \ndsb DÅ Hcp sXmgp¯v {Kma¯nð CXp am{Xambncpóp. sXmgp¯nð ]pñp \nc¯nb tijw tXmfnð InSó tXmÀs¯Sp¯v hcm´bpsS aqebnepÅ s]mSn X«n amän AhnsS Ccpóp. Atócw Kh¬saâv kvIqÄ A²ym]I\mb tPmÀÖv kmÀ Itkcbnð Nmcnbncpóv thephnt\mSv \m«phntij§Ä Xnc¡n. ""kmtd, ]p¯³ s]tcse Hutk¸nsâ aI\p dm¦p In«n. CóhnsS ]ntÅÀ¡v ]mÀ«nsbms¡ Hïmcpóp.'' ""Mm.... Cós¯ ]{X¯nð B ]¿sâ t^mt«m Dïtñm. aqómw ¢mÊnð Ahsâ ¢mkv So¨À Rm\mbncpóp.'' Ft´m BtemNn¨Xn\p tijw At±lw XpSÀóp. ""FSm thep.... Rm\nt¸mgm Hcp Imcyw HmÀ¯Xv. Im\Ubv¡v sImïpt]mhm³ Fw. _n. F. ¡mcs\ thWsaóv tPmbn¡p«n ]dªncpóp. \ap¡v Cu ]¿s\ t\m¡nbmtem?'' ""kmtd, Ah³ Bfp Uw_\mWv!'' am{Xañ, Xsâ Ffnb _p²nbnð ]ndó asämcp \nÀt±iw kmdnt\mSv ]dbpIbpw sNbvXp. ""kmtd, ]oSnIbnse tIihsâ aI³ Ahsâ H¸w ]Tn¨Xm. anSp¡\msWóm tXmóptó'' ""Dw..... Rms\móv BtemNn¡s«'' tIih³ {Kma¯nð Xct¡Snñm¯ Hcp Nmb¡S \S¯nbncpóp. \ñ cpNnbpÅ kôn¨mb AhnsS am{Xta In«pambncpópÅp. cïp hÀjw Ignªt¸mÄ tIih³ Nmb¡S \nÀ¯n! \m«pImÀ¡v In«nbncpó cpNnbpÅ Nmb \nót¸mÄ ]ecpw AXn\p ImcWw tNmZn¨p. ""Fsâ tam³ ]dªp Aѳ Hcp]mSp Iãs¸«Xm, C\n aXn, \nÀ¯nt¡mfm³!'' aqóp hÀj§Ä IqSn ]nón«t¸mÄ B {Kma¯nð ]pXnb Hcp Ccp\ne hoSpIqSn ]ndóp. AXv ]p¯³ XesbSpt¸msS \nóp. A§s\bncns¡ tIih³ sImfcn¡ð Xdhm«nse¯n. ""kmtd, ASp¯ _p[\mgvN hoSnsâ tIdn¯makamWv. Fñmhcpw hóp kw_Ôn¡Ww'' ""FtSm tIihm, F\n¡v cmhnse hcm³ H¡¯nñ, sshZyimehsc Hóv t]mhWw.'' ""icn, A§\mbnt¡ms«. tPmbn¡p«n hcpó Imcyw hñXpw? Fñmw kmdnsâ A\p{KlamsWóv aI³ CSbv¡nsS ]dbmdpïv.'' ""Gbv... A§ns\sbmópw CñtSm Xsâ tam³ anSp¡\mbXp sImïv R§Ä, Asñ¦nð aämsc¦nepw A{X Xsó''. tIih³ \Sóp t]mIpóXv t\m¡n Aev]t\cw tPmÀÖv kmÀ \nóp, Aôp hÀjw ap³]s¯ Imcy§Ä hoïpw HmÀ½bnse¯n. Ahsc BcmWv klmbn¨Xv? Rm\mtWm? Añ. tPmbn¡p«nbmtWm? Añ. ]nsó? thep¡p«³? Añ..... ]pñp thep! dm¦pImc³ sPbnwkv AtXkabw Hcp sNdnb I¼\nbnð DtZymKw t\m¡pIbmbncpóp. Bibw: temIs¯ Xoänt¸mäpóXnð {][m\nIfmb s\ñpw tKmX¼pw tNmfhpw dmKnbpw Hs¡ ]pñv hwi¡mcmWv PohnX¯nse henb amä§Ä¡mbn henbhÀ Xsó thWsaóv bmsXmcp \nÀ_Ôhpanñ. sImSp¦mänð `bóv a\pjyÀ HmSnsbmfn¡pt¼mgpw hòc§Ä ]ngpsXdnbs¸Spt¼mgpw ]pð¡q«§Ä AXns\m¸w \r¯amSn c£s¸Spóp. AXn\mð Btcbpw XrWhð¡cn¡m³ {ian¡cpXv. ""t]mSm ]ptñ...'' Fóp a\Ênðt¸mepw Btcbpw hnfn¨pt]mhcptX.....

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Seena Joseph

Jollson Varghese

Hcp]mSpImcy§Ä ad¡msX sN¿Ww Hcp hosSmgnªp t]mIpt¼mÄ Hs¡bpw s]mSnX«n hr¯nbm¡nhbv¡Ww Hcp Imew \manhnsS DïmbncpóXnsâ sXfnhpIÄ Hópw _m¡n\nð¡msX t\m¡Ww... HmÀ½IfpsS amdmeIÄ XpS¨pamäWw kz]v\§fpsS s]m«pw s]mSnbpw hmcn¡q«n Bcpw ImWmsX ]nóm¼pds¯hnsSsb¦nepw Dt]£n¡Ww sagp¡p]pcï ASp¡f¨phcpIÄ shÅ]qin an\p¡Ww ]gabpsS ]gp¯neIÄ ASn¨phmcn ASp¡f¸pd¯p XobnSWw ao³aWwtXSnhó Abes¯ ]q¨¡pªns\, C\nbnhnsS Hópapïmhnñ N¡o Fóp aS¡Ww ]nd¡msXt]msb Ipªp§fpsS ImWmss¡IÄ hc¨n« hÀ®Nn{X§Ä am{Xw tijn¡Ww... BÀ¡dnbmw C\nsbmcpthf AhbnhnsS ]pXpPoh\mÀÖns¨¦ntem.... HSphnembn, apäs¯¡nWänð \nópw I®oÀsXfn¨apÅ IpfnÀshÅw tImcn Bßmhv XWp¡pthmfw IpSnbv¡Ww ]Snbnd§pt¼mÄ ]n³Xncnªp t\m¡cpXv s\ôpeªv hoSp\o«pó AZriy Ic§Ä ImWmXncn¡m\mWXv..... Hcp]mSp Imcy§Ä sNt¿ïXpïv Hcp hosSmgnªpt]mIpt¼mÄ...! (2020 sk]väw_dnð am[yaw hmcmZy¯nð {]kn²oIcn¨ IhnX)

k¦ev] hnem]§sf hne§p sh¡pI {]mWsâ sNdpXpSn¸pIfnð X]Êncn¡pI kz]v\§Ä XoÀ¡pó hk´§Ä ]pWcpI PohnXw hoXw shbv¡msX kzbw Pohn¡pI CcpÄ ]c¸nepw \£{Xs¸m«pIÄ tXSpI sImSp¦mäSn¡nepw Xncn\mf§Ä Im¡pI Ips¯mgp¡n¦epw I¨n¯pcp¼mbn amdpI PohnX§fnð kpc`ne ]cnafw ]SÀ¯pI au\apd§pó hgnIfnð hgnIm«nbmIpI \òIÄ ]q¡panS§fnð ]cs¡ ]cXpI ]pðs¡mSn¯p¼nse sshUqcyw ImWpI ]pXnb IhnXIÄ DWÀtÆmsS sNmñpI ]Xnhnñm¯Xp ]eXpw ]ecnepw XncbpI hn]peao temIs¯mcp sNdp IuXpIamhpI ]p¯³ ]XmI t]doSpI, \h ImlfamhpI amdpI \mw ; kÀÆw kpµcamhpóXp ImWpI...! 97 97

agt¡mfpïv. ImÀtaL§Ä IqSn¡qSn hcpóp. ag s]¿póXn\p ap³]v kvIqfnð F¯Ww. aP´bnð ]¨¸q¡fpÅ kmcn hen¨p Npän Xncn¡n«d§n. Imfnb½ apä¯p \nóp Côn \Spópïv. Fsâ Hóc G¡À hkvXphnsâ \S¯n¸pImcn. ImcWw CñmsXbpw Nncn¡mw Fóp hnShpÅ aª¸ñpIÄ¡nSnbneqsS CSbv¡nsS Nncn¨v Dd¸p hcp¯pó, sXmenNpfnª, henb Im¸v Hcp ]Xnämïv Imew ImXnen«Xn\mð ImXv Xq§nt¸mb {]Imi¯nsâ DSa. Adp]Xp hbÊmb I®pIfnð {]Xo£bpsS XncnbpÅ InT\m²zm\n. hoSnsâ ]Sn apXð then¡ð hsc ]e Xn«Ifmbn«mWv shÅ aWð C«ncn¡póXv. th\ð¨qSv ImcWw sh«n¯nfn¨mWv AhbpsS InS¸v. hkvXphnð Gsd `mKhpw dºdmWv. ]nsó sX§pIÄ, Ihp§pIÄ, ¹mhpIÄ, amhpIÄ, PmXnss¯IÄ apXembh. apä¯mIs« Hcphiw apgph³ apñ

AizXn adnbw amXyp \«ncn¡pIbmWv. Ah Iq«ambn ]q¡pt¼mÄ \nemshfn¨Xnð \£{X§Ä IqSn \nð¡pIbmsWtó tXmóp. ]nsó Ceªn acw, Iqhfw, tZhZmcp Chsbñmw thsd. Iuamc¯nð Øncambn kÔym kab¯p Ceªn ac¡ognð KÔÀƳamÀ hcmdptïm Fóp Rm³ t\m¡pambncpóp. ""\maw P]n¡msX s]®nsâ apä¯pÅ Dem¯ð'' A½bpsS Øncw ]ñhnbmbncpóp. buÆ\¯nsâ Bcw`¯nð B ioew Dt]£n¨v Iqhf CetXSn inh³ hcptam Fómbn Fsâ {]Xo£. ]s£ kuµcyapÅ kv{XoIsft¯Sntb Chscñmw hcpIbpÅqht{X. hteySs¯ eX ]dªXmWv. shfp¯p XpSp¯p \ñ Xmac¸q t]mse Ccn¡Was{X. A§s\ {]Wb¯nepw, Im¯ncn¸nepsañmw AXnsshImcnIX am{Xañ kuµcy¯nsâ an\naw \nehmcw ssIhcn¡Wsaó t_m²yw F\n¡pïmbn. ]nð¡me¯v \n§Ä ]dªp kuµcyapÅ a\Êv GXv icoc¯nð BsW¦nepw AhnsS kuµcyapsïóv. Fsâ Ccp\ndhpw, \oïaq¡pw, henb I®pw, Acbvs¡m¸w apSnbpw, AXymhiyw icoc`mK§fpw Xsó A[nIamWs{X. {]Xymi Fó kw`hw AómsWsâ PohnX¯nð F\n¡v a\ÊnembXv. 98

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Acbvs¡m¸w apSn Fóv Ct¸mÄ ]dbm\mInñ. apSn sImgnªv Ct¸mÄ tXmfäw Bbncn¡póp. s\änbnð \nópw DÅnte¡p \cIbdn XpS§nbncn¡póp. I®n\p Xmsg Icn¼S ]pX¸p hncn¨Xp t]mse Icnhmfn¸mbn. Ihnfnse Xhn«p \nd¯nð aª IeÀóp XpS§nbncn¡póp. cà¡pdhmWs{X. Cu´¸ghpw, ]cn¸phÀ¤§fpsañmw \tó Ign¡Wsaóp ]dªp sshäan³ FgpXnb ISemkv I¿nð aS¡n¯óp sImïv ZmtamZc³ tUmÎÀ kpZoÀLambn ]dªp XóXmWv. sXmen Npfnbm³ X¡ {]mbambnñ. Fómepw ]cnNcW¯nsâ Ipdhp aqew ]nW¡t¯mSp IqSn sXmen ao³ sNXp¼ð t]mse BIm³ Hcp {iaw \S¯pópïv. kabw F«mImdmbn. Xnc¡n«v hoSp ]q«n . Hóp cïp Znhkw IqSn C«mð apgp\mbn s]m«nt¸mb¡mhpó, apkenbmÀ kz´w I¿mð Dïm¡nb hÅns¨cp¸v Rm³ hen¨p Ibän Hm«w XpS§n. Cóv F´mbmepw ag s]¿pw. th\ð ag. Xn«Ifnse hnÅepIfnð agshÅw BÀ¯ntbmSpIqSn hóp \ndbpw, ImSp]nSn¨p InS¡pó sXt¡ `mKs¯ Ipfhpw ]cthi¯nð \nópw DbÀs¯gptóð¡pw. \oÀt¡menIfpw, hmðam{InIfpw aÕcn¨p \o´pw. hoWp InS¡pó sN¼I¸q¡Ä a®nð hoïpw tNÀóp InS¡pw. InWänð sXmSnbnse Xhn«p \ndambn¯pS§nb ]mbð ]¨\nd¯nte¡v cq]m´cw {]m]n¡pw. ]q¯ ]\n\oÀ¨m¼ tXSn X¯bpw, {]mhpw hcpw. \\ª NndIpIÄ DW¡m³ hÆmepIÄ t]cac¯nð Iq«t¯msS XeIogmbv Xq§pw. A§s\ Fs´ñmw. Rm\pw Fsâ {]IrXnbpw Cóp XIÀ¯mSpw Fóv AhÄ Xsâ a\Ênð GItZiw Duln¨pd¸n¨p. ""Cu X«v Côn IqSn \«n«p ags]bvXmð aXnbmbncpóp.'' Imfnb½bpsS BßKXw Dds¡bmbn. Nn´IfpsS CSbnð hnïp Iodnb Iï¯n\p \SphneqsS, hän hcï I\mensâ AcnIneqsS, DjvW¡mäv ASn¨p hmcn ]d¯nb Icbne Nhn«n ]d¦namhv tXm«¯neqsS \Sóp _Êv IbdnbXpw Adnªnñ. ¢mkv FSp¯p sImïncn¡pt¼mÄ ]yq¬ kenw hóp ]dªp ""So¨À¡v Hcp sSe{Kmw Dïv '' \n§fpsS BZys¯ I¯p In«nbt¸mgpïmb kw{`at¯mSp IqSn Xsó Btcm Ab¨ Cu ISemÊp IjWhpw Rm³ Xpdóp. sSe{Kmw In«nbXp apXð Rm³ \n§sf HmÀ¡pIbmbncpóp. {]kwKI\pw, Fgp¯pImc\pw, \ocoizchmZnbpamb \n§Ä ""Xncn¨dnhn'' s\¡pdn¨v ¢mkv FSp¯ B Znhkw. BdSnbnð IqSpXð s]m¡hpw, Xo£vWamb I®pIfpw DÅ \n§Ä ]iap¡n hSnshm¯ apïpw, JZÀ jÀ«pw C«v \oïv \nhÀóp ZrV i_vZ¯nð \S¯nb B {]kwKw. ""Ah\h³ XsóbmWv BXy´nIamb iàn. B Xncn¨dnhnð \nómWv Hcp hyànbpsS IÀ½ ]²Xn Xsó Bhnjv¡cn¡m³ km[n¡pI....'' Cópw B hm¡pIÄ sNhnbnð aqfpóp. {]kwKw IgnªpÅ ]cnNbs¸Sð, BZys¯ I¯v, ]nsó I¯pIfpsS XpSÀ¡Y. ssZhw, a®v, sNSnIÄ, ]q¡Ä, Ime§Ä. kwlmc¯nsâ bYmÀ° DdhnSw krãnXsóbmtWm. A§s\ F{Xsb{X hkvXpXIsf¡pdn¨v \mw hmZn¨p. kwhZn¨p. ]qÀ®amb D¯c¯nte¡v Hópw \bn¨nñ. Asñ¦nð Xsó ]qÀ®amb Hcp D¯cw \ap¡v Bhiyhpw Bbncpónñ. \mev]Xp hbÊmbn«pw Häbv¡v Hcp ho«nð Bbn t]mbn«pw hnhml¯nsâ Bhiyanñ Fóp Fsâ DÅnðtXmónbXv Nnet¸mÄ Cu I¯pIÄ ImcWamImw. A£c§fnð k¼qÀ®X ssIhcn¡pt¼mÄ thsd Iq«v tXSn F´n\p t]mIWw.? Ipf¸Shnð ImSmbn hfcpó IayqWnÌv ]¨bpsS ISpw ]¨t]mse, Xp¼¸qhnsâ shÅ t]mse, hÆmensâ Xhn«p \ndª Idp¸p t]mse, sXmSnbnse s_mKbn³hnñ ]q¡fpsS Nph¸p t]mse Rm³ AdnbmsX Xsó Fsâ DÅnð DdshSp¯ "Rm³' Fó hyànXzhpw Rm³ am{Xw ssIhcn¨ FtâXmb ]qÀ®Xbpw. ¢mÊnð \nópw t\cs¯ Cd§m³ km[n¨nñ. I¿nse hnbÀ¸nð sSen{Kmw ISemÊv \\ªp IpXnÀóp. Fópw hcmdpÅXp t]mse \mec Bbt¸mÄ Nphó \nd¯nepÅ B\ hïn Zqsc \nóp hcpóp. Imdp aqSn InS¡pó BImiw shfn¨w Ipdªp hcpóp. Dcpïpw ]nSªpw, s]mSn ]d¸n¨pw, sN½®nð¡pfn¨pw, ]ñnfn¨p sImïv hïn Fsâ ASp¡ð hóp \nóp. _²s¸«p cïv I¿pw DbÀ¯n I¼nbnð henªp Xq§n Rm³ AIt¯¡p Ibdn. U_nÄ s_tñmSp IqSn hïn hoïpw InX¨p aptóm«v. \cbpw, Ijïnbpw aÕcn¨p Xebnð Ibdnb \mcmbW³ tN«³ AcnInte¡v _Ênt\¡mÄ A[nIw InX¸pambv hóp. Im¡n thj¯nse hnbÀ¸nsâ cq£ KÔw ]me¡mS³ Imänt\bpw Nqgvóv Fsâ aq¡nte¡v. XSn¨p, IpdpIn, apJ¯msI Acn¼md DÅ AbmfpsS jÀ«v apgph³ hnbÀ¸v XpÅnIÄ aÕcn¨p Ifw hc¨p Ifn¨Xp t]mse Dïv. ""hS¡mtôcn¡mtWm tamtf'', AbmÄ InX¸v AaÀ¯n Xp¸ð sXm« hnctemSp IqSn tNmZn¨p. Añ, Cóv sNdpXpcp¯n¡mWv. ""AhnsS F¯pt¼mÄ kÔy Ignbpatñm? Fs´¦nepw hntijw?'' ""{]tXyIns¨mópanñ, Hcmsf ImWm\pïv,'' Fsâ apJs¯ hnfdn shfp¯ \nÀÆnImcX Iïn«mIWw AbmÄ ]nsó tNmZys¸«n Xpdónñ. Xp¸enð ap§nb hncepIÄ sImïv AaÀ¯n Nph¸pw, ]¨bpw Sn¡äpIÄ Iodn I¿nð Xón«v, I¼nbnð Nmcn \nóp Nnñd X¸m³ XpS§n. 99 99

_Ênð A[nIw BfpIÄ Cñ. IqSnt¸mbmð Hcp ]¯ncp]Xp t]cp ImWpw. DW¡nbn«pw, DW¡nbn«pw. hmintbmSp IqSn DW§m³ Iq«m¡m¯ häð apfIpIsf XncsªSp¯v Ahkm\w hoïpw X\nsb DW¡m³ CSpóXp t]mse hmSnbpw XfÀópw, £bn¨pw Ipsd bm{X¡mÀ Hä t\m«¯nð ac¸eIbnse A§n§mbn]än ]nSn¨ncn¡pó C¯nÄs¡mSn t]mse. ag iàn sh¨p XpS§nbn«pïv. Nów, ]nów s]¿pó ag P\enð hóv ASn¡m³ Xp§n. hbenepw, Ipf¯nepw Fñmw Nnóns¯dn¨v, sNfnIq«n CubepIsf Cfn¡n hn«pw, a¬ s]mSnIsf h«an«p ]nSn¨pw, Xmfw sXän s]¿pó ag. \n§sf ImWm³ hcpóXp sImïp Xsó \n§fpsS Gähpw {]nbs¸« agbpw Fsâ IqsS Iq«p hcpw Fóv F\n¡pd¸mbncpóp. \n§Ä¡v Fópw agtbmSv {]Wbambncpótñm? ag s]bvXp \ndª Ipf¯nsâ AcnInð ]mbð \ndª Xn«Ifnð Ccpóv, {]Imiw \ndª I®pItfmSp IqSn Fs´ñmw XXzNn´IÄ FtómSp ]dbpambncpóp. B¼epIÄ¡nSbneqsS \n§Ä Dufnbn«p \o´póXp Xsó Nmäð agbneqsS ImWm³ Hcp Iebmbncpóp. \tó Ccp«n XpS§nbncn¡póp. Hcp hn[¯nð _Ênð \nópw henªnd§n. kmcn BsI \\ªp Npcpïp. NohoSpIÄ aÕcn¨p Icbpóp. hÀj§Ä¡p tijw \n§fpsS ho«p apät¯¡p Ibdpt¼mÄ a\Ênð BsI Hcp achn¸v. \ngð cq]¯nð Imänð BSn Deªv ac§fpw, sNSnIfpw. tX¨p XpS¨n« Idp¯ A¼mknUÀ ImÀ. ImÀ sjÍnsâ \mev I¼nIfnepw ]SÀóp ]´en¨p ]qhn« ]n¦v Bâ nKWn ]q¡Ä. _n. kn. ImeL«¯nð tkmt^m¢okv FgpXnb Hcp t\mhemWv BânKWn. BânKWn Fó s]¬Ip«n {Intbm¬ cmPmhns\ FXnÀ¯p sImïv kz´w ktlmZc\v am\yamb ihkwkv¡mcw \ðIm³ thïn t]mcmSn hocarXyp {]m]n¨ [oc h\nX. CuUn¸kv ]p{Xn, B IYm]m{Xs¯ A{Xtað Cãs¸«XpsImïv am{Xw \n§Ä taSn¨p D½d¯p Xsó \« Im«psNSn. {]Øm\§fpsS ap³ \ncbnte¡p kv{XoIÄ F¯Ww. FñmhcpsS DÅnepw Hcp Bâ nKWn Dd§pópïv. "[ocXbpsS, DÄhnfnbpsS t]mcmfnbpsS Hcp BânKWn. Ime¯nsâ hnizmk§sf, kwkvImc§sf D]Nmc§sf Hópw hIshbv¡msX hnizmk§sfbpw, icnIsfbpw DbÀ¯n¸nSn¨v Häbv¡v t]mcmSpó Hcp BânKWn, Idp¯ I«nI®mSn Hóp IqSn AaÀ¯n sh¨psImïv Hcn¡ð \n§Ä ]dªp. BÄ¡mÀ Xn§n \ndªp \nð¡pó apäw. agb¯v Ccp«nð BSnbpebpó apfIÄ. ]dbms\s´ms¡mtbm _m¡n sh¨p a®nð hoWp t]mb shfp¯ \´ymÀh«¸q¡Ä. \oe \ndw ASn¨ B henb lmfnð \n§Ä \Sp¡p Xsó Dïv. ]Xnhn\p hn]coXambn aXmNmcyòmcpw, cm{ãob t\Xm¡fpw _m¡n _lpapJ {]Xn`Ifpw \n§tfmSp ]eXpw ]dªp sImïncn¡póp. \n§fpsS au\w AXp ioeañm¯Xp sImïp Xsó hfscb[nIw hyXykvXambpw tXmópóp. \n§fpsS `mcybpw a¡fpw Npäpw DÅXn\mð A[nIw t\cw ASp¯ncn¡m³ Ignªnñ. ]Xnhn\p hn]coXambn A[nI t\cw ASp¯ncn¡m³ tXmónbXpanñ. Ccpó kabw apgph³ a§n I¯nb em¼vtjUnð s]«v hmedp¯n« Hcp ]ñnsb t\m¡n ImWpI am{XamWv sNbvXXv. Xnc¡nsâ CSbnð hnbÀs¯men¨v izmkw ap«pót]mse tXmón. s]s«óp Cd§n \Sóp. Añ HmSpIbmbncpóp BªaÀópÅ Imð shbv¸nð sNcn¸nsâ hÅnIÄ s]m«n. Ah Ducn Fdnªp shdpw Imenð HmSm³ XpS§n. ]nónð \nópw Hcp hnfn, Xncnªp t\m¡nbt¸mÄ A¸p®n. tN¨n hcphmsW¦nð kmÀ CXv Gð¸n¡m³ ]dªp. Ah³ Fsâ I¿nð \membn aS¡n H«n¨ Hcp shÅ ISemÊv Xón«v BÄ¡mcpsS CSbnte¡p Xsó Dufnbn«p t]mbn. Imfnb½ _mKnð Npcp«n sh¨p Xó \c¨ ]q¡fpÅ IpS Xpd¡m³ an\s¡SmsX Rm³ HmSpIbmbncpóp. tZlt¯mSv hcnªp apdp¡m³ hó BânKWn hÅnIÄ hIªp amän, apfapä¯qsS Xn«Ifnð Imð X«n càw s]mSnbpóXp Imcyam¡msX Rm³ HmSn. ag ASn¨p Ibdnb _Ênse P\mebnse j«À ASbv¡m³ an\s¡SmsX Rm³ Fsâ InX¸p amäns¡mïv PoÀ®n¨ a\Êpambn B ISemÊp Xpdóp hmbn¡m³ XpS§n. hSnshm¯ Idp¯ ajn sImïpÅ A£c¯nð \n§Ä ]dªp XpS§n. ""\o Fsó Ct¸mÄ ImWm³ hóXv F´psImïpw \ómbn. Añmbncpóp F¦nð temtIm¯c t\mhepIsfbpw IhnXIsfbpw, bp²§sfbpw Ipdn¨p Rm³ ]dªp \nsó hñmsX hnckbm¡ntbs\, kzmX{´y¯nte¡pÅ hmXnð XÅn¯pdóp Rm³ \nsó \nÀ_Ôn¨v AXnte¡p Cd¡n hnt«s\. e£yw tXSn AhnsS Aebpó \nónte¡v hoïpw hoïpw PohnX t\«§sf¡pdn¨v Rm³ hmNme\mtbs\, kz]v\w Iï Øe§Ä tXSn Iïp]nSn¨v ssItImÀ¯v t]mtbs\, XfcmsX IqsSs¡mïp \Stós\, Fsâ Iïp]nSn¯imeIfnð, \nc´c hnPb ]cmPb ]co£W§fnð Rm³ \nsó ]¦mfnbm¡ntbs\. Ahkm\anñm¯ Ime§fnte¡v Dufn C«pw, ap§mw Ipgnbn«pw \o´n AItós\, Rm³ Fó kÀÆ ]qPy¯nte¡p \nsó tNÀ¯p \nÀ¯n aqeyw Dïm¡ntbs\. cm{Xn Ime§fnð \aps¡mcpan¨p kn\tKmKpIfnð t]mbn A«lkn¨v aX]ptcmlnXsc `bNn¯cm¡mambncpóp...'' apJ¯v BªSn¨ ag¯pÅnIÄ XpS¨p amäns¡mïv DuÀóp t]mb I®mSn icnbm¡ns¡mïv, P\ð I¼nbnð XeNmbv¨p sImïv Rm³ Fsâ a\Ênð ]ndp]ndp¯p. ""C{X s]s«óp \n§Ä acnt¡ïnbncpónñ.'' 100

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Thank you, KANE, for being a space to explore my identity. KANE isn’t KEEFE Tech or the basement of a church. It is a unique being; a collection of thoughts and people with similar cultural backgrounds. It was a place for me to enjoy my Malayali-American culture with my peers. Coming of age in the late 2000s, our Indian heritage was not “cool” as it is now. Reflected in the fashion of my peers, we would wear colored contacts that made our eyes look hazel and straighten our hair pin-straight. Now you see our girls embracing their beautiful bouncy curls. Getting ready for events was so exciting with my friends. We would plan what we would wear days in advance. The anticipation of getting ready to hang out with boys and girls of our age was thrilling in an age before social media was widespread. KANE is a place where we could showcase our Indian interests in music and dance. I am grateful for all the Aunties and Chechi’s who spent countless hours teaching us dances for different cultural programs. Looking back, spending those afternoons together with friends are some of my most cherished memories. Back then watching the older kids perform showed me it was cool to be Indian. It was cool to be me. Realizing I am part of a community rich in struggle and success is motivating. I thank KANE for my early leadership skills from creating events, negotiating with peers, and managing money. Looking back, I was surrounded by so many strong and talented women who proved to me that I can have a voice in this world. All of these experiences gave me the knowledge to take on leadership roles and run clubs in high school and college. Spending time with the Aunties and Uncles and listening to their tales of immigrating in the early ’70s made me realize how grateful I am for their and my own parents’ sacrifices. Their stories of having to wait weeks to receive replies to letters, struggling to make naadan food, and trying to raise children without the wisdom of an extended family while working and trying to succeed in a country that was nothing like their own has filled me with awe. Their lives showed me that hope for a better future and faith can be everlasting fuel. Hearing their stories makes me appreciate my life, inspires me to work hard, and makes me proud to be a part of this community. I hope that KANE continues to be a cornerstone of the MalayaliAmerican diaspora experience for our community. I look forward to seeing the next generation of children forming friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank you again KANE for the delicious Onam sadhyas, the great memories, and a place to become me.

Sincerely, A Malayali-American Penne 101 101

Fgp]XpIfnse hnbäv\mw bp²¯nsâ apdnhpIfpambn XfÀópt]mb sFIy\mSpIsf ip{iqjn¡m³ a®nsâ a¡Ä am{Xw aXnbmhmsX t]mbn. ]pXnb hmKvZ¯ `qanbnte¡v I®pw\«ncpó temIsa¼mSpapÅ BXpc ip{iqjIÀ¡v, {]tXyIn¨v Gjy³ cmPy§fnepÅhÀ¡v Cu Hómw temI¯ntebv¡v IS¡m³ AsXmcp kphÀ®mhkchpambn. sXmgne[njvTnXamb Atacn¡³ IpSntbä¯nsâ tIcf ImÞw Bcw`n¡póXv A§s\bmWv. AXn\pw GXmïv Hóc ]Xnämïv ap¼mWv D]cn]T\¯n\mbn GXm\pw Nne aebmfn bphm¡Ä Atacn¡bpsS hS¡p Ingt¡ Aä¯v \yq Cw¥ïv sÌ\n If¸pcbv¡ð Fóv hnfn¡s¸Spó Cu ]pXnb _nem¯nbnð F¯nbXv. Iq«p IqSnbpw, IqSp Iq«nbpw B {]Xn`mimen IÄ Bcw`n¨ sNdnb sNdnb kulrZIq«mbvaIfmWv Cóv kphÀ® Pq_nenbnse¯n \nð¡pó \apt¡ähpw {]nbs¸« sIbn³ Fó \½psS kwLS\. AenJnX§fmb Nne \nba§fpw AXntesd [mcWIfpambn Bcw`n¨ Cu Ffnb Iq«mbvabnte¡v ]pXnb {]hmknIsf¯n t¨Àót¸mgmWv CsXmcp kwLS\bpsS Xe¯ntebv¡v hnIkn¸n¡phm\pÅ BtemN\ iàambXv. A§s\ "tIcf kamPw' Fóv \maIcWw sN¿s¸« Hcp A\utZymKnI kwLS\ Bbnc¯nsXmÅmbnc¯n Fgp]Xnð \nehnð hóp. AXnse ]pcpjmwK §fpsSsbñmw t]cpIfpw t^m¬ \¼cpIfpambn Hcp ]«nIbpw X¿mdm¡s¸«p. Hät¸PnsemXp§nb B sSent^m¬ ]«nIbmhWw Cu {]Øm\¯nsâ BZy Ncn{XtcJ. GXmïv Hcp ]Xnämïp IqSn hóp tIcf kamPw, Cós¯ tIcf AtÊmkntbj³ Hm^v \yq Cw¥ïv Bbn ]cnWan¡m³. Fgp]XpIfpsS XpS¡¯nð PòsaSp¯psh¦nepw \½psS {]Øm\¯n\v Hcp " P\\ kÀ«n^n¡äpw' B[mÀ ImÀUp' sams¡ DïmIpóXv GItZiw Imð \qämïv ]nónSpt¼mgmWv. Bbnc¯nsXmÅmbnc¯n sXm®qän\mensâ HSphnð B kz]v\hpw km£mXvIcn¡s¸«p. \nbXamb Hcp `cWLS\tbmSpIqSn Ietbbpw X\Xv kwkvImcs¯bpw kmaqlyaqey§sfbpw ]cnt]mjn¸n¡pI Fó e£yw ap³ \nÀ¯n emt`ObnñmsX {]hÀ¯n¡pó Hcp Acm{ãob atXXc kwLS\bmbn Atacn¡³ B[mc {KÙ§fnð sIbn\nsâ t]cv tNÀ¡s¸«Xv A§s\ B cPX Pq_nen¡me¯mWv. Npäp]mSpapÅ aebmfn kaqls¯ s]mXpthbpw AXnse Cfw XeapdmwK§sf {]tXyIn¨pw \½psS X\Xv [mÀanI aqey§sf ]cnNbs¸Sp¯pI, kmaqly tkh\ kwcw`§fneqsS Ahcnse t\XrXz hmk\Isf ]cnt]mjn¸n¡pI, AhcpsS {]tXyIamb IgnhpIsf {]ZÀin¸n¡phm\pÅ thZnIsfmcp¡pI Fónhsbms¡ sIbn\nsâ {]Jym]nX ZuXy§fnð NneXp am{XamWv. Cóv GXmïv Aªqdnð]cw IpSpw_§fpsS AwK_ehpambn Ac\qämïv ]nónSpó Cu aebmfn Iq«mbvabv¡v hfsctbsd A`nam\n¡mhpó Ht«sd \mgnI¡ñpIfpïv. BïptXmdpw hn]peambn BtLmjn¡s¸Spó HmWhpw {InkvXpakpw DÄs]sS Iem{]Xn`IÄ¡mbpÅ aðlmdpw th\ð¡meamkzZn¡phm³ kwLSn¸n¡pó ]nIv\n¡pw Iym¼pw ]Xnhp ]cn]mSnIfmbn Cópw XpScpóp. CSthfIfnð \m«nð \nópw Atacn¡ kµÀin¡pó {]ikvX IemImcòmsc kwLSn¸n¨v \S¯pó Xmc\niIfpw 102

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CSbv¡nsS \S¯pó kn\nam {]ZÀi\§fpw sIbn\nsâ {]hÀ¯\ ]²XnIfnepÄs¸Sp¯nbn«pïv. \½psS amXrcmPy¯v ASn¡Sn kw`hn¡pó {]IrXn Zpc´§Ä¡v klmb lkvXtaIm\mbn {]hÀ¯n¨phcpó "sIbn³' sIbÀ Fó imJbv¡pw sIbnt\mfw Xsó ]g¡apïv. tIcf Ncn{X¯nse Xsó Gähpw hn\miImcnbmb 2018 se {]fbZpc´¯n\v apJya{´nbpsS ZpcnXmizmk \n[nbnte¡v \ðInb hnes¸« kw`mh\bmWv Gähpw kao]Ime kw`hw. ]nónte¡v Xncnªmð 1979 se BÔ{]fbhpw 1984 se t`m¸mð Zpc´hpw 2015 se sNssó {]fbhpw sIbn³ sIbdnsâ klmblkvXsa¯nb CS§fnð NnehbmWv. bphXeapdbpsS kmaqlnI kmwkvImcnI Dóa\w e£yam¡n F¬]XpIfnð Bcw`n¨ "sIbn³ Pq\nbÀ' sâ {]hÀ¯\§fpw {]iwk\obamWv. Halloween Party t]mepÅ BtLmj]cn]mSnItfmsSm¸w Walk for hunger, Project Bread, Akshaya Pathra, XpS§nb kmaqlnI kwcw`§fnepÅ AhcpsS klIcWhpw ]¦mfn¯hpw t\XrXzhpsams¡ AXoh ÇmL\ob§fmWv Fóv ]dbmw. Cu hcnIÄ Ipdn¡pt¼mÄ tImhnUnsâ ]nSnbnð AWpkvt^mS\taäXpt]mse sR«n¯cn¨p \nð¡pIbmWv temIw. GXmïv Hcp \qämïv ap¼v kw`hn¨Xpw At\I e£§sf sImsómSp¡nbXpamb kv]m\njv ^vfq Fó almamcnbpsS ]XnòS§v {]lctijnbpambmWv AZriy\mb Cu hnjmWp P\]Z§fpsS tað acWXmÞhamSpóXv. B\µw Dð]mZn¸nt¡ïsX§s\sbóv kZmt\chpw thhemXn ]qïncpó ]mÝmXytemI¯n\pt]mepw Cu Ccp«Snbnð \nópw c£s]Sm\mbnñ. kmaqly hym]\w XSbm³ ]pXnb bpK¯nepw Xoïepw sXm«pIqSmbvabpambn. Bsfmgnª Bcm[\meb§fnð ssZh§Ä t]mepw Häs¸«pt]mbn... apIfnsehnsStbm {Ip²cmb tZhXIÄ Xpdó Cu aqómw I®v F{Xbpw thKw ASbv¡Wta Fóv Ct¸mÄ temIw DÅpcpIpóp. GXv {]hmkn {]Øm\§fpsSbpw henb DXv¡WvT CfwXeapdbpsS `mhntb¡pdn¨mbncn¡patñm. ]dn¨p \Ss¸« kwkvImc§fpsSbñmw kzm`mhnIamb BIpeXIfnsemómWXv. Fómð, hnhc kmt¦XnI hnZybpw B[p\nI sshZyimkv{XhpapÄs¸sSbpÅ Atacn¡bpsS DbÀó sXmgnð cwK§fnseñmw B[n]Xyapd¸n¨ncn¡pó \½psS ]pXnb Xeapdsb¡pdn¨v Fs´¦nepw Bi¦s¸tSïXpsïóp tXmópónñ, AhnShnsS ImWpó GXm\pw Nne ZnIv{`wi§sfmgn¨mð. BImi]cn[nbnte¡v IpXn¡m\pÅ Icp¯pw BÀÖhhpapÅ \½psS bphXeapdbv¡v Ahiyw thï kmaqlnI aqe[\hpw IcpXepw XWeptaIm\pXIpó Hcp t_m[nhr£ambn \½psS Iq«mbvasb XpSÀópw \ne\nÀ¯Wsaó ZrV{]XnÚ FSp¡m\pÅ Ahkcw IqSnbmWnXv. Iq«¯nð GXmïv Ac \qämïv ap³]v Xsó sshtem¸nÅn \S¯nb HmÀ½s¸Sp¯ð IqSn a\Ênepïmbmð Gsd \óv. GXp [qkc k¦ð]§fnð hfÀómepw GXp b{´hXvIrX temI¯nð ]peÀómepw a\Ênepïmhs« {Kma¯n³ shfn¨hpw aWhpw aaXbpw þ C¯ncn sImó¸qhpw (hnjp¡Wn)

]n³Ipdn¸v: XnIª AÀ¸W a\tÊmSpw AXoh _ent_m[t¯mSpw CXnenSs]« Øm]I ]nXm¡fpÄs¸sS, \nch[nbmfpIfpsS càhpw, amwkhpw, hnbÀ¸pamWo Iq«mbva. BcpsSbpw t]cpIÄ {]tXyIw ]cmaÀin¡m¯Xv hnkvXmc`b¯mð am{Xañ, a\x]qÀ Æasñ¦nð t]mepw, AÀlXs¸« BcpsSsb¦nepw t]cpIÄ hn«pt]mIptam Fó A]cm[ `oXn aqehpamWv. Zbhmbn £an¡pI.

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Little Tree One windy afternoon, there was a forest Full of green leafy trees, but one Tree was special and was small His name was Little tree. He loved the flowers that bloomed in spring. Also the warm rays of the Sun Shining on his leaves made him happy! Oh and fall, how all the tree’s leaves changed colour He loved all of the seasons except winter. He had to let his leaves go ! '' I don’t want to let my leaves go, I love them too much!'' So he held on tight to them. As

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years Past Little tree still had not let go of his leaves. Soon enough all the other trees Were so tall that Little tree Couldn’t play with them anymore! “Oh I’m so lonely, and I really want to play with my friends!’’ thought Little tree. So he took a risk and let go of his leaves. Then as more years Past, Little tree was not so Little any more. He was huge! Just like his friends. The End.

Veda Menon 9 years old Littleton, Massachusetts.

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I honestly thought it would be an ordinary Miami day but boy was I wrong. Ring, ring my alarm clock rang. I woke up and opened the front door to see if there was a package and guess what, there was. Inside the package was my pair of shoes. YAY! I paused for a moment and looked at the shoes. The shoes were black and slip-on sneakers. These shoes had Alligators floating on the sides of them. There is a swoosh Nike sign on both sides of the shoes. The person in my head kept on telling me to wear the shoes. So I slipped on the sneakers. I wanted to go upstairs to my room but the shoes made me spin in circles even though I don’t want them to! The next thing I know is that I am running around on Pine street screaming help, help, help but everybody ignores me. I managed to get on the floor and tried to pull the shoes off but they wouldn’t budge. I thought to myself It’s like I have super glue on my feet. I couldn’t try again because the shoes made me get up! The shoes made me sprint faster than I’ve ever run in my life to the airboat line. Instead of waiting in line the shoes skipped the entire 1 hour line. The shoes started running to an airboat but the airboat manager yelled and said you have to pay at least. All I had was a hundred dollar bill so I threw the hundred dollar bill back and said keep the change. On the airboat, I had to hold on tightly on the seats so I didn’t fall off and drown. My feet were dangling from the window but I had nothing to do about it. I somehow got the shoes back in the seat and I tried to pull them out but again wouldn’t budge. My feet went back on the window without me wanting it to! I saw an alligator which saw my shoes and it came closer and closer and then CHOMP...! the alligator bit the alligator on my shoes. “OUCH”, I screamed. The alligator took the shoes. I thought the alligator took my feet too but I only had a big cut on both feet. The next thing I remember is me waking up and seeing bandages on my feet AH. I thought to myself that I am never getting shoes from Amazon again. I will sue Jeff Bezos HAHA. I hope they will burn other kinds of wacky shoes. I remember my high pitched scream when the alligator bit my feet. I also don’t remember anything else because I passed out!

Jacob Chacko 4th grade Floral Street School, Shrewsbury

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Star Spangled Heart The tender bristles of a paint brush, Colored my heart, Colors that have been there, From the very start. First one, big stroke That gave me the will, Of those who fought, Even when their bodies broke. Second, a tender touch Making my gardens of Kindness lush, Gifting me the instinct, To be someone else’s crutch.

Finally, a strong bright brush, It really gives me such a rush, Flying high above, I’ve turned into a dove, That will bleed when it falls, But will still stand tall.

Meera Nair 7 Grade, Innovation Academy Charter School, Tyngsboro, MA th

Yes, it true,whatever i do, This star spangled heart of mine, Will always come through.

Madhav Nair th

7 Grade, Innovation Academy Charter School, Tyngsboro, MA

Painting - Mount Fuji 106

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Wayne’s Way in The World (The story of a robot going through his life which is not as easy as you think) Ethan Ebbin (4th grade)

It was a peaceful day in Boston in the year 3021, just like any other day, until the factory construction started. The factory was built in a month. This factory - made robots, gave them names and sent them to work. The company which owned the factory received all the money each Robot made. Everything was going great until a malfunction happened. One robot named Wayne developed a glitch where he did not receive school information as the producers could not feed school data into his chips. So, they had a thought and one of them suggested to send him to a regular school. Two years later, Wayne was just starting his 2ndgrade. He noticed the popular kids looking at him. The kids started whispering to each other suspiciously and repeatedly looking at Wayne.Wayne thought that they were just saying secrets and they wanted to make sure Wayne could not hear. At recess, those kids came over to him and started chanting, “Wayne has no brain,Wayne has no brain, look at Wayne, he has no brain.” Then almost the entire grade came, and they bullied Wayne during their recess time. After his school Wayne went back to his home, the robot factory and started thinking about the school. Then he finally noticed one thing. He was checking his database about school and realized that, even the teachers did not like him. He knew that because of the teacher’s expressions he analyzed while he was reviewing the school data in his database. After that he did a scan on all possible reasons why the teachers did not like him. Next, he reviewed his list and found the most logical reason. The teachers did not like him because he learns too quickly which makes the teachers feel useless. The next day at recess he went to a bush to hide from all the second graders. When he goes behind the bush, he is surprised to find another kid behind the bush. Wayne says “Hi “. “Hi”, says the other kid.” My name is Andrew, I hide behind this bush every recess, so no one makes fun of me”. “Same as me” said Wayne. They had a chat and realized that if they do not do anything about everyone bullying them, they will not get anywhere in theirlife. The next day at recess they met behind the bush and made a plan to stop getting bullied. Their plan was to stand up to the kids and make the other kids stop bullying them. Wayne wrote a speech and Andrew practiced performing the speech. The next day they did not hide behind the bush and started to spring their plan into life. They went in front of everyone and a crowd of second graders surrounded them. Andrew started his speech, “Right now you are probably thinking don’t be nice to the robot and to the nerd because they don’t belong here. Well, imagine if you were the robot or the nerd, would you like it if I bullied you?” The speech was over. Kids started thinking about what Andrew just said and realized that they would not like to be treated the same way they were treating Wayne and Andrew. After that Wayne and Andrew never got bullied again and they got through the school and became famous. It is OK to be a robot. It is OK to be a nerd. It is good to be different, each one of us are unique in our own way. So be strong and be yourself! 107 107

Nature Green and grassy Big and Blossoming Nature is so charming Avani Nair

Bare and Brown Shriveled and small This is nature, beautiful nature Sometimes it is dry and bare Nature is beautiful which makes it rare Big and wide, Beautiful and Charming Winter, Summer, Fall and Spring Trees and flowers and colors changing We all lovingly call it mother nature

Birthday Special (Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s Style) There’s a certain day of praise Sprinkles of color— It touches me warm like a Hold from my mother—

Agnes Chacko 10th Grade Shrewsbury High school

Jolly song, salutes my birth— But no place to cry, To walk away I say thanks Pain, no one knows Why— One year too many— Thoughts— in awe of gleeful past — The candle spreads rage as fire Heat that may not last— The day comes from loathed laughter— Gifts—lie in piles— When the moon reaches, tears have gone No more hid smiles—

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A Heart made Fullmetal Feelings that are uncontrollable Like waves of a Tsunami Drifting back and forth on gentle currents Flowing through my veins

Athena Paul 9th grade, Grafton High School

But fear not For happiness shall come Like the coming summer And soon the waves shall disappear Gentle waves Flowing and ebbing against the beach of my soul Softly slipping away Soon drifting asleep and entering my dreams!

Sandra Vishnu 12th Shrewsbury High School, MA.

‘Peacock' acrylic on canvas.

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I Am Poem I am emotional and sensitive I wonder about the future when I can’t sleep I hear shouts of disappointment And frustration traveling from screen to screen I see angry people in their blind rage, Their words embedding themselves deep inside The minds of thousands.

Diya Sebastian Grade 9, Natick Public High School

I want happiness that never dies and never fades away I am emotional and sensitive I pretend to be confident and sure of what I’m doing I feel lost about what I’m doing in this never ending maze I touch the edge between reality and fiction I worry about what tomorrow holds for me. I cry when I’m unable to help those who are hurting I am emotional and sensitive I create stories that are a reflection of me I’m challenged by the truth And the way it exposes who you truly are I’m torn between the thousands of conflicts, People create that I’m left to solve I tell myself it’ll all pass by eventually I’m motivated by people, Who know who they are and what they want. I choose happiness over unnecessary desires I am emotional and sensitive I understand the pain from regret and the need for change I say that not even fear can beat me I dream about a world where not one single soul is in pain I try to be a hero I hope I become a person people are proud of I am emotional and sensitive

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Prof. Santhosh Mathew

The incredible spirit of KANE’s fifty- year journey can be charmingly captured by the familiar proverb, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This souvenir, befittingly named Aswamedham, is a tribute to the remarkable evolution of KANE over the last fifty years. As KANE celebrates its Golden Jubilee Year, Aswamedham offers a glimpse into the talents of its members expressed through a multitude of artistic facets and informative segments. Besides, the rich history of KANE is broadly narrated in sections devoted to two different time periods (1970-1995 & 1995-2020). The publication of this memento was greeted by the Governor of Massachusetts and government officials from India along with many political leaders of Kerala. Several Malayalee literary figures have enthusiastically contributed to this souvenir to celebrate this glorious occasion. In Indian mythology, Aswamedham is performed to proclaim the presence of a strong nation. Along the same lines, here it symbolizes the strength of the Malayalee community coupled with a sense of purpose and direction. It shares stories that provide insights into the journey of KANE and its diligent efforts to connect the young minds to the cultural lineage of Kerala. It also reflects the determination of this organization to create an all-encompassing community that include different generations and linguistic preferences. The diverse views and opinions portrayed here speak itself for the values and principles KANE has stood for since its inception. KANE, one of the oldest Indian diaspora community organizations in the USA, began as a fellowship of few early Malayalee immigrants to the New England region of the USA. Later on, it graciously embraced the organizational growing pains and struggles, and inspired an increasing number of individuals and families to be part of this community. It attracted hundreds of members to its fold with a myriad of festivities throughout its history. Above all, it shared an overarching vision of keeping the community together and to lend a helping hand to those in need. Its reach transcended the religious and ethnic borders and is rooted on a common heritage that unites all Keralites. Aswamedham is much more than the culmination of a long journey KANE undertook half a century ago as it embarks on a new chapter in its history. This journey teaches a lot about its future especially the resilience of this community to maintain its traditional distinctiveness while acclimating to American cultural landscape. KANE remained as an integral part of Malayalee community for decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As our world is looking forward to a new dawn especially after the unprecedented effects of the pandemic, KANE stands ready to further lead the Malayalee community in New England to a dynamic and vibrant era guided by the collective wisdom of this community. Prof. Santhosh Mathew Editorial Board 111 111

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To view the digital copy of this souvenir publication 'Aswamedham', please scan the below QR code or visit www.kaneusa.org/golden-jubilee

To view the digital copy of this souvenir publication 'Aswamedham', please scan the below QR code or visit www.kaneusa.org/golden-jubilee

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