Enthralling Trails

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A Delightful Encounter in the Examination Hall

It was time for unit tests. Tests are an integral part of the engineering curriculum. The departments are varied and their schedules vary. Amongst all these, I landed in the survey lab as an invigilator. It was surprising to see tall tables and steel stools for the students. There were a little more than twenty-five of these. A few tables without the stools stood lost kind. The students appeared to enjoy the space and were comfortable in their seats. I distributed the question papers and answer sheets. I circulated the attendance sheet and asked the students to leave the space for the absentees to identify who was absent. After a short while, a boy with a walking stick walked in. The boy was accompanied by a faculty member who explained that he needed to be adjusted in the survey lab as it was more comfortable for him. He said he could not sit as his ligament would stretch, he showed me some places on his leg externally and said that he had met with an accident and was getting better

The Lady Across the Street

Across the street, there is a lady who sits on a bench for the residents. The bench is located under some huge palm trees in front of an uplifted park. She never has a special expression on her face, but she observes everything that happens around her. She sits there throughout the spring, rain, and autumn. Although it is summertime now, cold winds begin to blow in the evenings. The first time I saw her was when she was waiting near the lift. She wore a blue gown and had combed her silver pepper hair into a short plait with a rubber band at the end to prevent the hair from loosening. The plait resembled that of a school girl but she was still, her gaze fixed on the lift. She seemed to be waiting for someone. I felt she needed help and asked, ‘Shall I drop you off? Taking out her tiny mobile phone, she smiled and said, “I have called my grandson, he will be here soon.” “Which floor?” I asked with a smile. She resembled none of the people I knew…She told me the floor and kept waiting.

Alleppey Chronicles: Navigating the Dynamic Journey of the Pais-3

Chapter 3: New Horizons: Building a Life Away from Alleppey Dindakka, Susheela and her children Recap: The story is about Achuta Pai, who remarries his late wife’s friend, Dindakka, after her death during childbirth. Dindakka takes on the responsibility of raising their children with unwavering determination, efficiently managing the household and inspiring her daughter Nirmala to become a doctor. Achuta’s sons take different paths, with Nagendra entering stock trading and Damodara/ Vishwanath embracing travel. Now Read on …… It was a fast-paced world, and Dindakka’s children were growing rapidly. They were intelligent and energetic and looked up to the sky. They were eager to learn and explore and were constantly pushing their boundaries. Nagendra/Bangarputhu managed the shop whenever Achutha came home or went out for purchases. His schooling ended with his tenth grade. Everyone was encouraged to study but Vishwanath and Ramdasa also followed suit. Their English was excellent and the

Alleppey Chronicles: Navigating the Dynamic Journey of the Pais-2

Schooling and Journey Beyond Alleppey Recap: T he story begins with Achuta Pai, a prominent figure in the local trade, whose life changes when his beloved wife Karuna dies while giving birth to their twins. In an unexpected turn of events, he marries Karuna’s friend, Lakshmi Ammal — a woman known for her unwavering strength and kindness, lovingly called Dindakka. She is a woman of indomitable spirit and faces the herculean task of raising her children. Despite the challenges, her determination and commitment to her family never waver. Now Read on…… Dindakka was a lively woman who started her day at 4:00 am by milking the cows with the help of Mallamamu. She stored the milk in the kitchen before Rama, her assistant, arrived at 7:00 am to distribute it to the neighbouring homes. Ellikunju was a young girl who helped Dindakka with her household chores. As the children had grown and begun attending school, Dindakka had enough free time to manage her household. Achutha had a vision of exp

Alleppey Chronicles: Navigating the Dynamic Journey of the Pais’-1

Early Days in Alleppey Although this is my father’s biography, its roots can be traced back many decades before his birth. My ancestors were Saraswat Brahmins, a Hindu Brahmin community in India known as Konkani Brahmins who hailed from the Konkan coast region of Western and South India that was once located along the banks of the Saraswati River. They migrated from Goa after the Portuguese arrived in Goa in the early 16th century. With an unknown language, the only occupation that suited them was trade. They tried to fit into the new environment but still preserved their heritage. They identified market needs, established networks, and contributed to the town’s growth and prosperity. My paternal grandfather Achuta Pai lived in Mullakkal, a locality in Alleppey many decades back. He was a well-known grocer in the area, tall and handsome. He married a pretty young girl named Karuna and life became even more exciting. Achutha would run the shop while Karuna managed the home. The afternoo

Embracing Courage in Life’s Simple Moments

Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone― Roy T. Bennett It was a vibrant evening. The roads were full of people as the holiday season had set in. The winter seemed warm with the bells, stars and God’s blessings. The cakes and pastries were in numerous colourful attractive forms. Moms and Dads were hastily buying some for their little ones as these were the freshest ones this season. Far off at the end of the steps that led to the bakery, there stood a little girl barefooted in a clean blue frock. She wasn’t more than 6 years old for sure, her hair was neatly combed and she was persuading the customers leaving the bakery to purchase the garbage bags that she sold. These bags weren’t very good in their quality so no one purchased them. Just as she was about to move to the next corner, she saw a little girl standing close to the bakery eating a colourful pastry. The little girl waved her garbage bags at the girl who was busy eating. A humanitarian observed them