Comedy of Errors

 Got my second dose amidst a lot of drama.

Had taken my first shot under the belief it was covaxin. I thought it was abbreviation for COVID vaccine..all my relatives from Venu's side had taken Covishield since our nephew worked for a pharmaceutical company manufacturing Covishield. Thought I was the only black sheep.

When the time came for the second shot, I tried calling Appolo Hospital and failed to get any response. A voice at the other end kept repeating click one for English 2 for Hindi and so on. I approached the hospital only to find vaccine stock was over. Had the presence of mind to ask a security. He gave me his number and the number of a staff dealing in the vaccine.

Fortis Hospital being close by, I went there. I was directed to the eighth floor where vaccine was being administered. I asked the attendent whether I can get my shot after getting the first at a different hospital. He said Yes. Felt relieved. But what he said next made me curse myself. They were giving Covishield. Left the hospital with a heavy heart. Again went back to Appolo. Gave a piece of my mind to a staff there telling her the customer care was awful. What if any emergency was there? The hospital was supposed to be renowned for its services. She looked at me and gave me a no. that connected directly to a staff.

Returned home. Made a call next day and was told vaccine was out of stock. Then all got positive at home and under quarantine. Quarantine period got over so yesterday called up the staff and was asked to come the next day as vaccine was available. Meena told me to check again for vaccine taken. It was Covishield. It was like winning a crore in a lottery. I immediately thanked Meena for her presence of mind

Today morning, my son asked me to go for my second shot. Since it was lockdown, it was doubtful whether I would get any conveyance. My maid's husband consented to come with his auto. Son said if any police waylaid, just show your COVID certificate. Before entering the venue at the hospital, a security shooed me away saying only 200 tokens were to be given and no more left. Tried calling the staff, the number security had given. But failed to get her.

Went to Fortis since it was giving Covishield. Unfortunately vaccine was over and stock expected on 20th May. But did not give up hope. Tried the staff's number and got connected. It was truly divine intervention. I told her the issue. She said don't worry you please come. Again went back to Appolo. Asked the security for the staff. He answered rudely no staff with the name. Rang the staff again. She was really polite and told me she was outside in an yellow coat. Located her. Told her I did not have any token. She asked me to follow her, took me inside the room where registration was done with which token was to be collected. She spoke to a staff who asked for my first vaccine certificate, verified it and asked to pay. There was hardly any people. After payment, as I was waiting near the mentioned room, a staff noticed and told me to enter. There was a man just completing his vaccination. Then I was asked to take mine. Waited amidst a crowd waiting to take vaccine. Suddenly remembered to coll ct certificate. Went back. The security was truly perplexed seeing me off and on. Told him I had to collect certificate. I was happy to see the hard copy of the certificate. The first one I had to download. Did remember to thank the staff before leaving. Till now I am in a daze. My positive attitude and perseverance did bring about a positive result.

Nona dairy

 I was clearing shelf. My new slippers were there. Nona, my 6 year old grandson saw a home wear pair of slippers which I was using in Neiyattikkara.

I put it on thinking of giviny thr present ones a good scrub.

Nona saw me wearing the pair and asked me Achamma, do you want to feel you are in Neiyatinkkara.

What imagination

The hoodwink

 Remembering our driver Shaji, a Mallu Muslim.

He worked for Venu in the early 20s when we were staying in Shanthi Colony, Chennai.

A very smart and happy-go-lucky youngster.

Whenever he used to take me out, he used to show the houses of various stars. Seen the houses of Vijay and Arjun.

Those days Venu used to be friendly with director Kunjumon, who had directed the blockbuster movie Gentleman.

Both Venu and he had once gone to Dubai together. He had even told me not to worry as he will make sure to bring venu in one piece.

Had one day gone with Shaji to pick up some papers from Kunjumon on Venu's instuction?

Shaji was just getting off the car when I happened to see a very handsome man come out of the gate and asked Shaji whether it was Kunjumon. (This was before I had met Kunjumon at the Chennai International Airport).,Shaji gave me a startled look and said it was his driver.

Shaji proved to be a good driver. Then Venu sent him to work for a friend.

One day, the friend's wife said that Shaji was in love with a lady working in a textile company and having 3 children.

Then I got the news that they had married.

The next I heard about him was he had ditched her with his twins.

Wonder how the poor woman is surviving with 5 children!

In memory of my husband's brother

 Remembering the very hospitable couple late Chandru and his wife Subhadra.

When Venu had his bypass in 2006, the hospital was close to Candru's house. Venu's relatives and friends were at hospital waiting for news

Whoever were at the hospital used to go to Chandru's house for lunch. Subhadra used to prepare meals which had the traditional Kerala items. Never once she had seemed angry or made any negative remarks for cooking for so many people. Still remember her endearing smile and her willingness to serve with a generous heart.

Not once but continuously for 3 days, the couple were extremely hospitable.

Venu's very close friend' a doctor had taken special permission to be at his side during operation. It was a great solace for me. When the 6 hour long operation got over and his friend called up to convey the news, all were at Chandru's house. Immediately all rushed to hospital.

All were relieved to know the bypass was successful. A jovial doctor, to relieve my tension smiled and told me, When. Venu's heart was opened, I saw you in it. It did relax the tense atmosphere as all present smiled.

Will ever remember Chandru's and Subhadra's hospitality. God give her strength to overcome her irrepressible loss.

Service above self

  A born leader

setting a fine example

of service above self

what better than

taking up 111 projectst

to commommorate

the 111 years of

rotary existence

bringing together

members from

around the globe,

to serve the needy

striving to bring

smiles on faces

of the less fortunate

god's work done

on earth

by our own Eclub President,

Rtn Jayanthi. and team

spritely and full of life,

for her, there is no uneasiness even when

wearing a crown

her smile the mirror

of her soul

engulfing all

with a passion for serving the needy.

A Herculean task accomplished

through sheer will power

blessings galore

encouraging to serve more.

May there be more such humane beings

lighting up paths

to provide and nurture

the less priveledged

blessings bestowed from above and below.

An encounter with a lizadr

 Anothe haarrowing experience.

This was in Delhi. I was frying papad when I chanced to see a big greyish black lizard on the window net.

I panicked and tried chasing it with splashes of water. The poor lizard darted here and there on the net warding of the jet spray.

Then not able to take it any longer, to my fright leapt straight at me. Luckily I dodged and it landed on the kitchen platform and scuttled away.

Good heavens. did not fall into the Kadai. Would have been a gruesome scene.

Another lizard incident

Believe it or not.

Once in Chennai after waking up in the morning, as usual I opened my hair to tie it into a neat coil.

The moment I opened my hair, a small lizard jumped out. It was having a cozy sleep inside my hair. Fortunately, it was not a big one.

Gale Gama

 An Uncanny Experience

Fact or fiction, readers have to decide.

I am a staunch devotee of Edapally Ganapathy, a temple in Edapally in Cochin, Kerala.

Venu used to quip- I think Edapally Gnapathy has left its place and settled here.

This Ganapathy is believed to restore lost objects inside homes and they are truly restorned exactly from the place searched.

But this Ganapathy will not waste time in going out to search for lost items outside.

One has to keep 11 rupees in prayer and offer it to Ganpathy when they visit the temple the next time when object is restored.. Surely, Ganapathy will not mind any Ganapathy temple.

Seeing my frenzied behavior, one day my son said in Hindi, Ek din soond nikhlegha aur marega (one day a trunk will appear and hit you).

It was my wish to visit Kalahasthi.

As providence willed, Venu, Pravin and I left for Hyderabad by road to leave Pravin at his new workplace.

Venu said on the way we will be crossing Kalahasthi.

I was thrilled.

We reached Kalahasthi and saw a baby elephany blessing devotees going inside. Venu and Pravin too received their blessings.

I went and in great devotion bowed my head only to get a heavy whack on my head. My hair clip came off, the hair opened out and I found myself feeling dizzy.

I looked at my son, he simply asked me whether I paid any money to the elephant. I answered in the neagative. He said that it was the punishment for not paying any money.

It was indeed fortunate that it was not an adult elephant, but a calf.