An unusual experience in my village

When I was inside the Vaayanashala, as populalry called in Kerala for village level libraries, after one and a half decades, I felt nervous. A kind of fast journey backwards suddenly gripped me. I spent most of my adolescent days and considerable part of youth in library activities, as secretary and member. Howmuchever sweat was flown to it while finishing the floor of the reading hall! So much of physical labour! Now, Vayanashala has gained a decent and proud look. The reading hall has full of newspapers and periodicals. The library has full of books, old and new, systematically catelogued.

A banner carrying my photograph and name was hung in front of Vayanashala. The program was discussion on my newly translated book on 'zero budget natural farming' from Kannada to Malayalam on 15th April 2012. The name of the book is 'Subash Palekarude zero budget Prakruthi Krushi'. In fact it was formally released at Kochi in last December by Sarang Gopalakrishnan. Now the Venue was Vayanashala's reading hall. Prof. Keshavan Vellikulangara, the lone and old literary figure from our village was present to inaugurate the program. He has been known for his writings on children and science. A close aide of the then politician Lonappan Nambadan, Keshavan Mash, as popularly called, is known for his public speeches.

Joy Kaitharath, who abandoned his politics in Marxist party a decade ago and turned to pro people issues now, was present. He has been into the exposure of corrupt politicians and anti people policies of government. P V Velayudhan, or Velayudhettan, who has taken up implementation and propagation of zero budget natural farming at home and around, had come to speak about the practices in farming. C A Robin came in time. He has been running a monthly magazine, Keraleeyam. Devoted completely for its management and propagation, Robin hardly went for his government job. He has grown to be a known social activist in Kerala. His intervention and involvement in all the atlernative activities in the state are well known. He was the active member of Novu Gramapthram, published by me during my youth in Kerala. He continued the publication with other friends even after my exit from there. His canvas of activity naturally grew to the wide spectrum of Kerala. Keraleeyam was initiated about 12 years ago.

My old friend Rashid Erath, Paachan Joy, Renny Varghese and Sukumaran also spoke about my contribution to Malayalam. I could see a few faces which I had forgotten. I gradually recollected them. The most shocking fact was the total loss of my memory about a friend: Hakim Kaliparambil. He was very close to me and we spent unlimited time together in my youth. However, even now, I am not able to recollect the moments we spent together. Of course, he has changed a lot as he lost his hair and developed ageing. He children are adults now, one in engineering and another one in sports.

P S Iqbal, who hails from my village and lives in Thrissur now, could not turn up. He was a fire brand in our village during my adolescence and youth days. An active member of CPI(M) and a popular orator, Iqbal gained several fans among the youth at that point of time. If continued, he would have become a top leader in the state, MLA or a minister. However, he was sidelined within the party and he had to join a government job. He found at least some satisfaction in reading and activities with film society at Thrissur. I can still see the flame in his eyes.

Keshavan Mash has offered to give some paddy land to Vayanashala to do experimental farming. Everyone has appreciated it. Vayanashala Secretary Saheer is though little skeptical has shown interest to go and check the land. I encouraged them to go ahead as there are natural farmers around to help them out.

There were some 35 people in the program. Rashid was saying: it is really amazing as people never get together like our old days, that too on sunday. Robin also expressed the same feeling. Social networking has gradually come down. All prefer to sit before TV on holidays! TV has really played a major role in destroying the social fabric.