Que…Sera…Sera…
What will be, will be….”
The song goes on like this:
This song suddenly came to mind when I thought of writing a chapter on my course of life. I have already shared some of my reminiscences. I was writing about some of the persons and places that influenced me down through the years, either directly or through memories. I know it is only a vain desire to relive in the bygone days. The memories often sadden and sweeten my being. I don’t know whether the recollection has a therapeutic effect. But one thing is clear. When in groups either as a family or a group of classmates we share the old memories, our joy doubles and sorrows lessen. The feeling is, when we share common grief or joy it is comforting.
The main focus of attempting this book of Memoirs was on my family’s nostalgia towards the Kannan Devan Hills in Munnar where we siblings spent our childhood. When we grew up and were far away from our dreamland, we waxed eloquently on our memories connected with the High Ranges. However, as I started writing, my mind moved to all the places associated with our growing up. Thus, Veloor and Puthenangady took their own position in various chapters. Our paternal and maternal relations also came to the canvas. Now, when I am about to close the narration, it still remains unfinished, because more remains to be told. In fear of elaboration, I do not want to attempt it. But I feel that certain petals have yet to be unfolded. It’s mainly on my personal life and career.
Though I never wanted to be a teacher, I became a college professor. I wanted to become a medical doctor, but got diverted to literature by circumstances and landed at teaching in colleges. Now I am quite happy about this career as I have an abundant wealth of the student community. It was by sheer God’s Grace I got employed in two colleges. They were real miracles. I started my career at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, and was there from 1974 October to 1976 October. It was a mixed college and timidly did I enter my classes. Boys were troublesome and I found it hard there. But I had the companionship of A.T. Alice, Prof. Kunjoonjamma Koshy, and Prof. Elizabeth Kuruvilla. I had my first and only hostel life there. I remember the Hostel Day celebrations and preparations for them. Dr.J.Alexander, the Principal, was very fond of me. During my interview, the first half was spent on discussing my sports and games. Bishop Daniel Mar Philexinos was also on the interview Board. The only question he asked me was on Sports. I respectfully remember Rev. Sr. Dina who was the chief warden of the ladies’ hostel. She was one of the pioneer nuns from the Jacobite Church.
After joining the college as a Junior Lecturer, I came to know that both the Bishop and the Principal were sportsmen. It was the reason why I was asked to accompany the Badminton team during their tournaments. As there was too much political interference on the campus, I was not very happy about continuing there. In 1976 September my wedding took place. My husband was teaching Chemistry at CMS College. He wanted me to resign as he did not want us to be separate. Without consulting anybody in our families, I resigned on October 4th. After two months of boredom, there happened another miracle. I was appointed to a temporary post at Bishop Kurialacherry College, Kottayam. During the interval of our fixing the marriage, I had attended an interview there. I fell in love with the beauty of the college campus at the first sight itself. The ‘drooping Asoka’ trees looked marvellous. I could grow academically because of the care and concern of the Adoration Sisters who run the college. As the teaching staff members were involved in extra-curricular activities, life on the campus was fascinating. Mother Mary Espirith was the Principal who appointed me.There was a beautiful harmony among the non-teaching and the teaching staff, and the students were simply adorable and loving. Without my knowledge, Rev.Sr.Mary Regina added my name to the list of MPhil aspirants, and I was fortunate enough in getting admission to the first batch of MPhil at the School of Letters in the Mahatma Gandhi University on FIP(Faculty Improvement Programme). It was a great experience. I was introduced to the postmodern theories and Eastern and Western literary criticism. Following that, I did my PhD in American Literature. Dr.Mathew Joseph of St. Thomas College, Pala was my Supervisor, and he continues to be my guide and advisor in many academic matters.
Four departments functioned in the Common Staff Room in the initial years—English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Physical Education. So, naturally we were close to one another. Lunchtime was exhilarating at Amalagiri College. It was a time of give and take, fun, anecdotes etc. Prof. Thankamma John, Prof. Lalu Jacob, Prof. Alice Chacko, Prof.Elizabeth Kootungal, Prof. Elizabeth V.A.,Prof. Ammini Joseph, Prof.Gracykutty Jacob, Prof. Rosamma Joseph and, Prof. Mariamma Varghese, were the main occupants of the small “Diners Room.” It is difficult to list all the names. Sr. Janette was my HOD when I was appointed. Sr.Magdalene and Sr.Lissa were also in the department. Sr. Lizbeth who was on leave when I joined, came back and later became the Principal. Dr.Rekha Mathews in the Department of English was my junior colleague and my good friend. There are good friends in the other departments as well. Mother Rose Kate, Sr.Gracelin, Sr.Rose Kanacherry, Sr.Rose Valiyaparambil, Sr.Mercy Manthuruthil, Dr.Tessy Kurian, Dr.Vijayalakshmi, Dr.Leena Mathew, who is the present Principal of the college are only a few among them. I also remember my companion ship with Christy, Agnes, and Mini. I am sorry, I cannot include all the persons who are dear to me.
Sports Day and Mission Day were joyful occasions. There would be some curious events like sack race, three-legged race, musical cards, etc. for the Staff members. Mother Mary Espirith would be the first person to get into the sack ready for the race. I enjoyed making sports commentaries in ‘imitation’ of my professor of English George Koshy Sir who did it during the Athletic Meet in C.M.S. College. Mission Day celebrations were in many stalls, Raffle, Lucky dip, canteen and such other things, and were conducted with elaborate preparations. Staging of Professional Drama and Orchestra were conducted in alternate years. Staff Day celebrations were also occasions for merriment and happiness.
Occasional get-togethers and picnics added fun and fellowship to the community. Several workshops were conducted. I remember the two occasions when I arranged workshops for Drama. Once Sr.Mercy Kavalam of the department of Malayalam, who was also my student, and I trained our students for competition in Drama in the University Youth Festival. We stood in the fourth position at that time.
The college in its sylvan, idyllic setting far away from the madding crowd is deeply etched on my heart. I can never forget my career life in Amalagiri College, as it is often named. Incredibly fascinating it was!
I joined the department of English as the Faculty and Vice Principal at Girideepam Institute of Advanced learning at Vadavathoor, in my own place, in April 2006. I retired from Amalagiri B.K.College on 30th June in the same year. I worked at GIAL till 2008 and went back to Amalagiri as the Guest Faculty for MA two days a week. During that period, I taught at St. Antony’s College run by my friend Dr.Molly Varghese. Again, came a tenure for me at GIAL, and worked there for nearly a year in 2018-2019.
The Association has grown in the number of members. Now we have Chapters in Alappuzha, Vaikom, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, and Ernakulam. We have members in different parts of India and abroad. We have also become publishers, and have published 41 books so far. Three more books will be released on March 8th including this book. For the first time, we are releasing a book in Hindi. We have launched a YouTube channel and an e-magazine. Our WhatsApp group is ever active with numerous regular weekly activities. We pericdically conduct competitions in Malayalam and English poetry, novels, children’s literature etc, for our members and outsiders. “Grow and Let Grow, and Be Empowered” is our motto. Our website is: www.aksharasthree.com and our e-magazine is www.aksharasthree.in. Our members are happy about being part of this association. Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have had online meetings, and for the first time after two years, we are having an offline meeting at BCM College, Kottayam to celebrate the Women’s Day. The last offline meeting in association with “Womenspiration” headed by Ms.Geeta Bakshi was named “Prajothitha’ and it was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on 30th and 31st of August, 2019. It was a grand function!
A few words about my family. My husband Prof.Joseph Koshy(Babu) retired as the Head of the Department of Chemistry from CMS College, Kottayam in 2003, and joined my college as a Guest Faculty for MSc in Self-financing course in Chemistry in the same year. We have two children Jubel Koshy Joseph and Jeana Merin Joseph. Our son Jubel is married to Ushus Susan Koshy and they have two children Angelyn Annie Koshy in 12th and Carolyn Daisy Koshy in Std.VI. They are now in Seattle, USA . Our daughter Jeana is married to Since P. Mathew and they have one son Jeffrey Since who is in Std.V. They are in Kottayam. Babu was the choir Master of St. Peters Marthoma Church, and has founded the YMCA and the YWCA of Kalathipady, Kottayam. By God’s Grace, we lead a life based on Christian faith with Christ Jesus as the Head of our family. I hope and pray that we as a family will be strengthened enough to shed light around, alleviate the sorrows of others, and extend help to the needy. As we are the manifestations of God’s Glory, we are supposed to spread it among our fellow community. We are to be the lighthouses, the beacons of hope. When people see us, they should exclaim, “Here goes a true Christian!”
As for my immediate family, Joychayan , Annamma Kochamma , Babu and Johnychayan(senior) are no more. Joychayan’s children Ajoy K.Cherain , his wife Joba and daughter Nina are in Seattle,USA; Anjana Mary Cherian, her husband Biju Alex, Minnu and Mervin are in Dubai; Anupa Susan Cherian, her husband Jithesh Paul, Nora, Pablo, Nathanel are in Adimaly. Thambichayan and Molly Kochamma, are in Kottayam. Their daughter Manju, her husband Madhu and children Arya and Bubbles are in Banglore. Their son Manith, his wife Tintu, children Reema, Chris, and Isaiah are in Australia. Mollychechy, her son Pramod John and his family, Leena, and children Kevin and Annie are in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. Mollychechy’s elder daughter Ansu John, her husband, Abraham V.Komattu, their daughters Divya and Sonia are in Houston, USA. Her younger daughter Dr.Priya John, her husband Dr.Joseph Baby Pattuvelil, their children Dr.Sereena Joseph and Sharon Joseph are in Kolencherry. Sereena’s husband Dr.Basil hails from Koothattukulam. Omanachechy and her husband K.A.Johny are also in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. Their elder son Dr. Jobin John, wife Dr.July John, children Jannis and Jonathan are in Australia. The younger son Dr.Jickin John, his wife Dhannia, children Joan and Jeremy are in Edmonton, Canada. My brother Babu’s wife Nimmy, elder son Nibu, his wife Shweta, their son, Nivaan, and younger son Binu, and his wife Sreetha are also in Kottayam.
My husband Prof. Joseph Koshy (Babu) belongs to Kalathil family at Kalathipady. His parents were (the late) K.E. Koshy and (the late) Mariyama Koshy. His elder sister was (the late) Gracykutty (Kechamma) married to (the late) K.C. Philipose. Their children are Jacob Philip, Sherly and Shiny. His elder brother was (the late) K.K. Easo married to (the late) Sarama Easo. Their children are Dr. Ajith Koshy (UK) and Dr. Anu Sara Easo (Kochi). His younger sister Dr. Jolly K. Koshy is married to Mr. Jacob T. Varghese. Their son Jithu Varghese is presently doing MBA after Engineering.
(Cont’d)
