L&T, AMRITA, and I.

On the 2nd of August, a month in which I completed 59yrs and 8 months, I drove to Ettimadai, 35 kms from Palakkad towards Coimbatore, from where I could see ACC cement factory of Coimbatore closer, than the Walayar cement factory of Palakkad . It was to receive an appointment order from the Director, Corporate and International Relations (CIR), of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University to enable me to be a faculty in Soft skills for their campus at Edappally, Kochi.

That journey had some peculiarities. I drove and traveled alone. Surprisingly I liked sitting beside me for that entire journey; to and fro. That was the same way I traveled from Goregaon to Andheri, 33 yrs back, alone but by a suburban train ; to meet with the Personnel officer of Larsen&Toubro Limited in the hope of making it there. That train carried not only me, but it carried the hopes and fears of my parents and few friends; whether I would make it ; as an employee. The car that carried me now also carried the anxiety and the optimism of my wife, daughters and few friends that I would make it there ;first of all whether I would make it there by driving safely, and secondly whether I would get it..
I waited for about an hour to get the letter.
I sat on the concrete bench of a small park opposite L&T's works at Powaii then; wondering whether I would fit into that job well.
This time I sat in the plastic chair of Amrita's canteen and waited. The level and reasons for the anxiety differed; but it was there. One thing was for sure. My sitting there was part of divine destiny.I have had the holy water from the hands of the Poojari's of temples when I was young.
I have also had the 'Restorer of spirits' from the bartenders of pubs and permit rooms ; probably more than what was required. Now that I am waiting to be a faculty in a known Institute. I can quote W Churchill that ''I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me''.

Can there be flood without water?.
It was a forward from Kochappan that paved the way for my trips to Ettimadai, and the trips I would be making to their Edappally campus.
If I would stand and deliver what I am supposed to deliver, it would because of the opportunities, Larsen & Toubro and Guru Rajasekharan had given me.

Victor Borge a famous pianist, after a show on stage said '' I thank my parents for making this show possible, and my wife and children who made it a necessity''

In a thanks giving speech I would alter Victor's words a little and say

'While accepting this job, I should thank kochappan, L&T, and Rajasekharan for making it possible,and the personal loan divisions of Syndicate bank And State bank of India which made it a necessity'

NewYork, Edappally, and Kochappan.

The phone bell rang. It is kept there to ring. Nothing to write home about it.But this time it was slightly different.It was Kochappan at the other end , and obviously me, at this end.

Let me give you a break here, like Ranjini Haridas does in 'Idea Star Singer' on Asianet, and give you, in musical term, some BGM of Kochappan.

The aforementioned kochappan had gone to the US to be in the UN head quarter in their internal audit in New York. I was informed by his sister that he is returning after a term of one year; in his original shape and form without any injuries or damages ; considering his talents this is creditable: Because in his case lot of people leave impressions on him; indelible ones at that !
Give the devil his due.
Back after the break. We spoke thus.

I from this end " I am so happy you are coming back. It will be like old times. I am going haywire. its great.''
He from that end '' Aah! dude . Great'' . The American influence was evident.
He continued from the same end '' Don't use 0ld cliches like ' going Haywire'. Aniyan, you should know what you are saying'' he turned British and continued. ''Hay wire is a thin strip of wire used by farmers to bind together rolled bundles of hay. That wire, when cut to loosen the bundle, will spring open, and if not careful will injure a person. You don't intend to injure anybody if you are happy, Do you?. Know the origin of the sayings before you use them''.
I have taken lot of lessons from him willingly, but this is not the way he speaks to me after a gap of one year. I may not have gone to America , but my English is not all that bad. I kept aside my feelings and continued; like Tendulkar in One dayers and IPL. Firm but polite.

'' How was it in UN. How useful will be your stay in US, and work in UN, for India.''

'' I am in possession of lot of data about people of different countries and races like the Negros,Europeans, Africans etc which would of use. For example, I have some vital statistics about women from these regions which would of value for Indian women especially considering the women empowerment process in India'' He said it with pride; tremendous pride.

'' Of what use is statistics'' I asked; there was the echo of innocence in my voice.
He came up with a reply which hurt my innocence and pride ; how hurt would have been Shoaib Malik's feelings when Ayesha told him that he cannot marry Sania, and Sania's boy friend's feeling when she told him that she cannot marry him.
It may take a little time for you unravel the whole comparison , but then you should; for my sake.

Now, this is what he told me in reply '' Aniyan, you, who have not studied, leave alone statistics, even Arithmetic will use statistics like drunkard uses a lamp post. For support, not for illumination.'' I let this also go like Tendulkar did with Sreesanth's bouncer.

''How is Kerala going'' he entered the local waters.

'' Great. Lot of developmental activities. There is one smart city coming up. They have laid the foundation stone twice to show the intent.''
''Twice.That's nice.But why twice?'' his query.
'' Once three years back when they entered into an agreement.Having forgotten the land mark of the first stone laid, they laid a second one when they agreed a second time to go ahead with the project '' my reply.

'' The other major projects are related to infrastructure. There has been many number of accidents involving heavy vehicles and cars going off the bridges and plunging into the rivers killing many. Considering the number of rivers in Kerala and the spate of accidents the government has come up with an innovative project which the Govt claims can be emulated by the states also.'' I took a short break like Ranjini Haridas. When it comes to taking breaks with, nobody like Ranjini Haridas.
" Interesting. Tell me more'' Kochapps goaded me. I do not like being goaded, but anything for close friends.

'' They will demolish all the bridges across the waterways throughout the state , and introduce the Ferry System of carrying vehicles across river like in olden times, so that, even if by chance a vehicle falls into the river the casualty will be less , because the height of the plunge will be less. Considering the number of bridges being replaced with ferries, this also gives rise to additional employment and livelihood.''

I continued like Tendulkar approaching his 200 in IPL; fearless, confident.
'' Unlike in New York people don't have the habit of sharing their conveyance in Kerala which could reduce the traffic considerably.'' I generalised .
''How do you know about people sharing vehicles in New York'' He was surprised at my knowledge of New York.

These Menons (like Kochappan who is also a Menon) of Chittoor Road and Ravipuram area of Ernakulam look down upon the Menons ( like me) from Edappally area with a certain amount of
You know, I am not getting the apt word, say ridicule. I will prove that the Edappally ones are equal to the Chittoor Road ones.

'' I have read David Letterman, an American, who said that he has seen two New Yorkers, total strangers, sharing a cab. One guy took the tyres, and the radio, and the other guy took the engine''

There was silence at the other end. I could not make out whether Kochappan fell or silence fell.
I will call him up tomorrow.....