My Grandpa : Damodaran Nair

Article by Akhil M Nair , Christ University, HOSD 2014

There are many people in my family that is special to me. There is one particular person who has really had an impact on my life. He is that special person. His name is Damodaran Nair.

      My grandfather is my inspiration. He showed me how important life really is. Although I had my father around me, my grandfather was the one who was always there for me. No matter what happened in my life, he was always the one who looked beyond my faults. It seemed like no matter what I did, I was always a perfect little kid to him. 

      We ate family meals together, but most of the time the children and adults lived in different worlds.  When I wanted a little of both worlds, I could always turn to Grandpa .I remember many happy weekends at my house. Sitting on his lap, walking down the street, playing with his beard, these were things I did with Grandpa. I wasn't just a kid to him: I was his grandson, and I was special. He was special too. He was a proud man, a good man, and all who knew him said so. Even if you didn't know him, you would notice his inner strength, his patience, his self-esteem. He is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart. No matter how tall he is, he is still someone that I can look upto.

Mister D’Brass

-Submitted by Christopher Angu. 

Oh, what a delightful conversation I encountered upon over the weekend. I was wrapped up chatting my Saturday afternoon away with a splendid character, Mr. Tyrone D’Brass, as we sipped our coffee at Glen’s Bakehouse.

Let me introduce to you Mister D’Brass. Mister D’Brass is the father of a friend, who I happened to meet as he was in town visiting his daughter. Perfect timing I would say, as an intriguing personality is exactly what I needed most at the moment. Well, anyway, continuing with the introduction. Mister D’Brass, has led the life of a humbler version of ‘rags to riches’, as he struggled through a childhood of surviving on merger necessities, working as a young teacher to receive a higher education for himself, while at the same time supporting his younger siblings to finish their school education, and ultimately create a mark for himself, as he set up his own school, that has now grown to become one of Meghalaya’s finest schools.

Mister D’Brass comes from a forgotten blood-line, the Anglo-Indians. The Anglo-Indians were a mixed race community that emerged from British India, that encouraged British men to engage in a marital agreement (or marriage) with Indian women, in order to ‘create’ and ally for the British to protect themselves from losing hold over India’s governance. Anglo-Indians came to be known as India’s micro-minority community, and is even defined as such in the Constitution (Article 366 of the Indian Constitution). In 1830, the British Parliament described the Anglo-Indian as those who have been English educated, are entirely European in their habits and feelings, dress and language. They were considered to be more ‘Anglo’ than ‘Indian’, and even though they lived in India with all its flourishing diversity in language, the Anglo-Indian community communicated primarily in English, and their customs and traditions sticking to their English descent, and most of them marrying within their own circle.

With the fall of the British Empire over India in 1947, the majority of the Anglo-Indians decided to set sail and settled in countries such Australia, Canada and the ‘motherland’, England. This was the case with Mister D’Brass’ grandfather as well. Mister D’Brass’ grandfather, finding more solace and protection within the British circle, decided to part with India and move to England. However, one of his sons found the Indian soil to much of an identity of ‘belonglingness’ and home that he decided to stay back. Thus, Mister D’Brass found himself in India, one of the few Anglo-Indians remaining.

When Mister D’Brass’ grandfather moved to England, he sold all of his property, which included a handful of bungalows in the East Coast and a decent number of vehicles, and leaving not a penny for his son who decided to move in opposition to his plan. This is one of the few reasons why Mister D’Brass’ father had to start from scratch in an attempt to raise nine children.  As of the tradition then, Anglo-Indian children went to boarding school, despite the poverty that they were living in.

Mister D’Brass’ father worked in the Railways, one of the professions that was reserved for the diminishing micro-minority. After peace was resolved with the end of the Second World War, where Mister D’Brass’ father was a soldier, and a prisoner-of-war for two years, he found himself in the Indian railways, where years later, on long summer breaks, Mister D’Brass would sit on the right hand of his father as they travelled the nation rail track after rail track. The stories of Mister D’Brass’ childhood revolved around the Railways and his life in boarding school.

Mister D’Brass narrated one such story in which there had been a derailment of a train on which his father was controlling the train. As soon as the siren called out, Mister D’Brass and his family suddenly felt a dark cloud over their heads. Mister D’Brass who was probably ten or eleven rode his cycle down the road, a little past midnight, to the railway station, prepared to hear the worst. Fortunately, there were no casualties that night, and his family, perhaps escaped intense poverty, as Mister D’Brass’ father was the only breadwinner of the family. He found his father coming out of the emergency room covered in scars and bandages, but grateful to be alive. Mister D’Brass reminisced that that was one of his most terrifying experiences.

Life in the boarding school was hard, but he believes that’s what built his character. He was sent to boarding school when he was very little, just a tiny four year old man, who made ends meet with his faith in God, and cleverness. He encountered the hot summers of Jamshedpur, where temperatures soar to forty to forty-five degrees, and it would be on these drowsy afternoons that they would make a run for the ponds nearby and cool themselves off.

Mister D’Brass mentioned a saddening scene of his life in which he had lost his only pair of pants, and had none to wear for the day. So, in a tragic demeanour, and with only torn and haggard looking pajamas, he set forth to behind the school building, to hide in shame. The school he attended to was a Jesuit school, and hardly any funds to support the hostel, and thus he could not even seek for the help of the authorities. Well, anyway, he stood at a pile of bricks, and began to pray. He said this with all earnestly that I almost began picturing the entire scene right before my eyes. He said he prayed to the Lord above and asked for a pair of pants. One might think that that was probably unlikely, but as it turned out, lo and behold! A pair of pants, of perfect fitting, came flying with the wind and unto the dusty ground. Mister D’Brass could hardly believe it, but it was such an elating moment that he quickly tried it on, and according to him, all the boys were envious of his lovely pair of pants!

Another fascinating story he narrated involved his expulsion from the hostel, as he was falsely accused by the hostel superintendent for wrongful doing. In this incident, the hostel superintendent, was a Jesuit priest, who involved himself in harassing the young boys of the hostel. There have been several testimonies against Catholic priests molesting children all over the world, and this is similar to the event of Mister D’Brass’ life.

The hostel superintendent ‘preyed’ on the young boys of the hostel, and since Mister D’Brass was a hostelite as well, he too was a victim. Well, almost. According to him, the hostel superintendent was a ‘cheeky little rat’ who tried taking advantage of Mister D’Brass. When Mister D’Brass alarmed the authorities of his behaviour, the authorities instead of siding with the student, sided with the child predator. So with that, Mister D’Brass was expelled from the hostel, with his board exams just a few months from commencement. However, life had other plans, and one of his teachers believed that Mister D’Brass was telling the truth and decided to give him a teacher’s quarter has a place to live in. Mister D’Brass recounted as those moments of his life as paradise. He said from sharing a dormitory with over thirty boys to living on his own with hot water flowing through the pipes in the winter was paradise indeed.

In this way, Mister D’Brass relived his childhood through the ups and downs of his life.

There was so much more which Mister D’Brass revisited through his story-telling of his life, and perhaps only so much can be disclosed for now. The parts where he leaves home to earn enough to pay for his siblings’ education and find the purpose of his life will, perhaps, be explored another time, as the cups of coffee soon ran dry, and it was time for us to end the conversation.

R K Nair

Article by Dhanya Radhakrishnan, Christ University, HOSD 2014

RK Nair was born on the 13^th of December in the year 1952 in Kothakulangara, a village in Kerala, India. He was born to Panangattu Iswara Pillai and Kamalakshiamma and has an elder sister. He lost his father when he was only 2 years old and was raised entirely by his 22 year old mother and sister.

His early education was in St. Joseph School, Angamali where he was among the most disciplined students in class. Since he was well aware of their financial conditions at home, he put his heart and soul into his education and did not have the time to spend making friends or hanging around in school. Because of which, he did not have many friends during his schooling years. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Sree Sankara College, Kalady. He would take tuitions for school and college students to earn his college fees.

Ever since he was a young boy, he has always been fond of uniforms. Thus, after completing his graduation, he announced to his family that he intended to join the army. This was heavily opposed by his mother. This incident forced him to leave his house and run away to Bombay to find his calling in 1973. He did several odd jobs in the first couple of months to settle down and finally got himself a job as a salesman in a Printing Press. As a graduate in physics, he had no idea about paper or about printing. His manager, Mr. Sadasivan Nair, a well-wisher, encouraged him to pursue a diploma course in printing technology. He completed the diploma course in 1975 with a gold medal and a first rank. Soon after, he tried to get a passport as he wanted to work outside India. He finally got his chance in 1979 when he got a free visa.

He landed in Dubai on the 30^th of august in 1979. After walking around in Dubai holding on to his CV, he finally found a small printing press, International Printing Press. At the time, the press had only 4-5 machinery and they were in need of a sales executive. With his support and guidance, this printing press grew and is now one of the best printing presses in the United Arab Emirates.

He married Jayasree on 30th September 1986 and has 2 beautiful college going daughters. According to them, he has always been supportive of their choices and career choices. Though he was never able to get support or care from his father, he made sure that he did his best for his children. Though as a child he was never able to travel around the world and see places, he made sure his children had that opportunity and took them on several tours whenever he could.

RK Nair grew with the press and is now the General Manager of this printing press which now has  more than 200 workers, 5 offset machines, 15 binding machines, 7 finishing machines, 5 pre-press designing machines and so on. He started an Advertising firm in Dubai along with the Managing Director from International Printing Press called Albanna Advertising.

He has received several awards for his dedication and contribution to the printing industry. He recently received an award for the longest stay in Dubai and subsequent contribution to its economy by the Indian Business and Professional Council. He received a gold medal for his  business achievements in Dubai in 2013. Under his guidance, the company has received three gold medals for magazine printing, broucher printing and poster printing, two silver medals for their annual report and invitation cards and a bronze medal for posters.

Because of all this experience and knowledge he has gained from the press, he started one on his own digital printing press with complete modern machineries and equipment in Kochi, Kerala called Eprint. He firmly believes that hard work and dedication can help you reach anywhere in life and this can be seen reflected from the events of his life.

P C Jos

Son of Annama and Puthur Chakunny,

Wife: Rosy Jos

Children: Michael, Mary, Teresa, Anna, Rita, Alfons , Jibrael, Veronica, Alex, Litty

Lineage: Chakunny -> Udupu -> Cheru -> Udupu ->Cheru

Born in 1930 around the festivity and cheer of Onam in a small hamlet of Parappur, around 12 kilometres from Thrissur town. Jos was a talented boy he had a wide range of interest: swimming, reading, singing, composing, playing, climbing trees, walking….

When I interviewed people to get some different point of views …. some remember him for his songs, some remember for the card game twenty eight and some remember him for the magic tricks. His passion for football, his determination in summer holidays to chop firewood into neatly arranged lattice, some for his week-long fast and abstinence drives. Walk to mattom church, love for jackfruit.

My earliest memories of my Dad was him telling stories when I was a child. He had a whole collection of the same. I still remember some of the stories he used to narrate. Including the story of Mahabali and how Kerala was formed, the story of Moses, Abraham and Job.

To be frank, I did not like him very much when I was growing up, some of my memories of him scolding me lingered for a long time. His strong religious stand, his lack of flexibility, his inability to take suggestions.  His beliefs which were imposed on us to keep windows open even in winter, scolding for not switching of light/fan or closing a tap, making us read bible and say rosary daily ….. But now when I am a father of two I can perceive much better, I realized he grew up in a world very alien to what we kids grew up in. He has seen many an economic hardships, did not get chance to continue education after class 10. Even when he went to school he had to walk ten kilometers a day. End of the day his priorities were right and his focus was that we grow up to be good human beings.

He grew up in an orthodox family in Kerala and we were raised in a liberal one in a Metro. I was born when he was 44 years old. There was no way I could have really understood the man back then as a child. Even today when I write this blog I doubt I am in much of a better position. My elder brother Michael has seen a relatively stricter father than I have and has got umpteen number of scolding. But he, only had positive things to say about Papa including the story he narrated of how Dad had sold his watch to pay for his college fees.

Let’s get a perspective of some of Dad’s achievements:

• Raised 10 kids on a government servant salary, all his kids are well educated, well settled, and strongly independent and even though I say so myself reasonably well balanced.
• Built a 4 bedroom house in Delhi on 300 square yard plot in 1979
• Only 10th pass, but he can read 4 languages.
• Knows the bible better than most religious I know.
• Orthodox in many ways but on the same hand very openly supportive for love marriages.
• Composed music, wrote his own lyrics and sang them with gusto
•  A great story teller.

There are many things we kids have learnt from him, honesty, integrity, self-belief, never give up, don’t depend on others, trust God, never forget to say thank you, never cheat, never lie, don’t worry about exams ... on the same hand there are many more things which we could not pick up from him, discipline, will power, willingness to learn, lead a simple life, value of money and resources, live happily without a care of the world.

Some of his favorite quotes are

• Wealth is lost:  nothing is lost, Health is lost: something is lost, Character is lost: everything is lost
• Waste not want not
• Drink plenty of water ….
• Don’t talk too much, Just say Yes or No
•  Man does not live on bread alone ….
•  Do your best and leave the rest to God
•  Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Education

·         1-4 Class: St John’s School, Parappur

·         5-7 Class: Wagah School

·         8-10 Class: Erumapetty

·         Shorthand, Typing : Thrissur

Career

·         1954: Taught short hand for a year in Kerala

·         1955: Worked in Broadway, Madras

·         1956: Worked in Government Job in Delhi (Krishi Bhawan, Shasthri Bhawan, Seva Bhawan)

·         1989: Retired

Dad traveled all over India, he loved walking and traveling in a train. He was obsessed with any construction or development work and followed progress of Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro very minutely. He works, plays and lives his life with passion. I find that in many points I am similar to my dad and in many ways I see that my own son Aditya is even more similar to his grandfather. Needless to say we are just a shadow of this great man and I am proud to be his son.

Three cheers to this wonderfully, talented, enthusiastic, principled and fearless 84 year young man.

“Appachan  would distribute 10 paisa coin to all of us so that we could put it for Sunday collection in church.  How many of us have taught our children that? He was not a man to splurge even if he had money.  He was not stingy.  He would walk to save on bus fare but was willing to spend on a glass of cold water or a soft drink.   No pocket money but always encouraged to eat when hungry and drink plenty of water even if you have to pay for it.  Never scolded for poor marks but always encouraged to do better next time. ‘Do your best and leave the rest to God’, was his slogan. While on holidays he becomes the fun man:  Playing, joking, singing, telling stories, a real sport.”  P J Michael (Son)
        

“ As a child I was very proud to have the best Papa in the world. So handsome, so jovial, full of jokes and stories, the envy of all my friends in the neighborhood. The quality I admire most in him is his courage, courage to defy tradition, courage in the face of calamity, courage to face the world with your chin up even if it laughs at you.” Teresa Jos Joseph (Daughter)

"My brother loved to carry children in both hands and just imagine I AM one among them. the way he taught me to swim is just pushing me into thode" Rosy Stanley Menachery (Sister)

"We ( me and my brother sisters) used to go for walks with him when we were small. Singing songs sitting on velli pappa's shoulders turn by turn. Miss those days." Jeffrey Joseph (Grandson)

"I remember him (achan) as a very positive man. He enjoyed the extreme climate of north India.the summer, for the availability of juicy watermelons ,mangoes and other juices and drinks. The winter, for the cosiness of warm clothes, quilts and the sun. May God bless him with good health!" Rajan Mooken (Nephew)

Sense and Simplicity : A biography

Babu Mooken

• Son of Rosy & Thomas -> Son of Porunju -> Son of Thomas Mooken
• Born Moospet Road, Thrissur

Love is not just words but action which come from sincerity and unflinching passion for the good and growth of the other. Babu chetttan (elder brother) is that true love personified. If somebody is unwell you can bet a hundred dollars that chettan will be the first to visit them. If there is a marriage or get together to be organised he will be at the helm of the work. You will not find him at a sick man’s bedside with a bouquet of roses but with a more healthy two kg of apples. You will not find him gifting a photo album or frame but with a more practical and long term item like a food processor.

My maternal cousin is currently retired, father of two, brother to 5 siblings and a mentor of many. A person towards him respect came automatically. There is no double guessing, there is no complicated mind games …. Frank and to the point … (I am over weight and he would not hesitate to point out within a jiffy)

He did his schooling from Kerala he did some odd jobs like working in a wholesale and a chemist shop, a sales job in Reckitt and Colman Agency. He still remembers brands like Cherry Blossom he used to deal, with a tinge of nostalgia. In January 1968 he came to Delhi, the city of eternal hope in those days.

A 22 year old coming to Delhi via Chennai (a 4 days journey in those days) in search of a job is right out of Bollywood. Our hero arrives in Delhi and stays with his Uncle and Aunt’s in their small house in a railway colony. After a couple of days this young boy caught a Bus No 6: Lodhi Colony to Tilak Nagar with an address in hand in a strange land, struggling to speak Hindi and hoping to reach a place in Kirti Nagar. “Hope he makes it” was my mother’s prayer and “World is my stage” was in Babu chettan’s heart. But fate had planned to test this young lad. And a test in fire it was, searching for the address for 2-3 hours the knight returned home only to get a scolding from his uncle on his gross inability to locate the place. Babu chettan tightened his resolve and the very next day was on Bus 6 once again.

He worked as a typist, took accredeition from a government agency and finally got a government job. People take a lot of struggle to get a house but Babu Chettan was no ordinary man he got flat allotted to him in his very first government job as a Lower Division Clerk (LDC). Destiny, Fate or was it his mother’s prayer back in Kerala … but in any case Chettan’s life was on track (not very smooth but more like a roller coaster). He later went on to resign his government job and joined an agriculture business enterprise as business was in his blood like his grandfather.

Born in 1946 the second child and eldest son in a family of 6 children. He is married and now resides in Delhi with his wife(Jessy) and two kids (Leo and Cyril).

Not very good in studies is what he recollects from his school days … some of his friends and relations remember that he did struggle in Maths. Very active in drama, church activities and member of an active social service group (closing pot holes on the road to distributing milk)

A dream to go to Russia !! Maybe influenced by his communist inclined neighbours in his teen years or maybe because of an essay he wrote for a magazine in his youth. It seemed unlikely when he worked as a sales man in a chemist shop and as a 10^th pass in Delhi.

But this matriculate later in life cleared Intermediate and Bachelor in Commerce from Delhi University. Post Graduate Degree in Marketing from Bhartya Vidya Bhavan later added a feather to his cap.

Worked very hard not for money, fame or greater opportunities but his simple philosophy to do what you do well. Babu chettan travelled extensively all across India as part of his job profile. He met farmers as well as officials in remote places. He worked with passion and zeal second to none at his workplace. It was not surprising then as he rose up in the cadre from a clerk to a manager. Finally his most cherished moment at work when he got an opportunity to go to Russia.

Babu chettan retired as a General Manager but his feet was always firmly grounded, no pompous air and no jazzy car. He is on a pacemaker now but still talks and laughs with nonchalant ease, came to meet and motivate my ailing dad, went to attend funeral of his aunt in Kerala ….. As somebody once said “A life is not important except in the impact it has on others lives” ..... and in this category of the award goes to our family role model .... Babu Mooken.