From: mece21x@rosie.uh.edu (Yesudas, Michael)
Newsgroups: alt.culture.kerala
Subject: Once upon a time....
Date: 26 Jan 1993 13:36 CST
Organization: University of Houston
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: rosie.uh.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

The first time the junta of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication,
decided to go on a "study" tour, there were all kinds of swarams and apaswarams.
Most of this opposition came in the form of the destination, and the permission
from the department. Some people wanted to go to Kashmir, but some others voted
for Darjeeling and a very small group of people under Saji wanted to go to Goa.
A still smaller group under Aravindakshan voted for Singapore. But soon the bad
news broke out that the first year students are not allowed to go outside Kerala
and soon Kashmir changed to Kasargode, Darjeeling to Thekkady and so on.

And the final draft of the trip was prepared under the able guidance of Saji, 
and to book the bus, a historic trip was made by the three of us all the way to
Parassala. The bus, which was to carry us all the way looked like a colourful
bride, with a wreath on top saying "Lisa Travels" in bold letters. Neither of
the two British Queens would have ever thought that Chellaiyyan would name his
transport organization by their abbreviated name...

On the morning (no very, early morning) of January fifth, my father saw me off
with a huge load of halwa and cakes, as he was on his early morning walk to
get hold of a "For a few liters more.." of milk. And by 7:25 A.M. we were 
heading north through the Main Central Road, exciting songs of 

"Enthathishayame, Chelliayyante vanDi ethra Manoharame ...."

That was close to Kottayam when we picked up the other faculty member Rita 
Joseph. And then we started heading for the "hill country". Rubber estates used
to provide ample shade so that we never knew that sun was glowing bright in the
azure sky. Palai was the lunch stop, as we decided that we will head for 
Thekkady, via Idukki, as we are yet to understand the mechanics of Idukki arch 
dam.

After lunch, I realized painfully that my humble Rs 50/- for further enjoyment
was picked up, by the personnel whose main occupation is unauthorized seizure
of wallets and pockets, run by Ouseph, Ouseph and Ouseph Inc. Brooding over it
was of no use. I decided. So I took a step in the direction of positive thinking
by starting to distribute that great halwa, which I so covertly manipulated
from the Christmas leftover.

And then tragedy struck. I never understood the mechanics of fracture of plastic
bags, but I believe that the scientific community has to go a long way into 
understanding the phenomenon. And so down went the halwa as a whole chunk, on
to the floor mottled with occasional minute holes (which I never noticed before)
completely filled to the brim with dust, which was further enhanced by the small
specks of Silicon di oxide wetted with muddy water of the last night's rain at
downtown Palai.

At the sight of Newton's law proved once again in a moving frame, Jayaram 
laughed, Sally laughed, Saji laughed, and everybody laughed. I looked as 
embarassed as if I was addressing the United Nations Assembly, only half 
dressed. (the top half) 

Half an hour later I asked Aravindakshan whether he had something for a headache
and with a very sympathetic look he said "Only good words"....

Sincerely
Michael