Puthupally church is one of the holy shrines of my community. If St George was the patron saint until now, today a living saint -- as vouched by thousands of people on the roads of Kerala when the funeral procession of former CM Oommen Chandy who died after a long battle with cancer - has joined the ranks.
Kerala is witnessing an unprecedented mourning and wailing for a departed leader. If until now, I thought only Tamils or Telugus got emotional about their politico-cine leaders, today Kerala is going through a sentimental goodbye. Unbelievable numbers of people, those who have benefited from his kindness and help as a public servant as well as those who just knew him to be love personified, have lined the roadsides from the capital Trivandrum to his hometown Puthupally in Kottayam district.
Keralites are not known to get overly gaga about their political or film folks. Sarcasm or cynicism rules our approach, and very rarely does this veneer drop off. PT Thomas, who died of cancer some months back, was another upright people's leader but his domain or reach wasnt as large as this.
I must visit OC's grave at Puthupally this time. The last time I went to the church was before Covid in 2019.
***
I have seen him only once _ a wedding in Chennai in 2014 where CM Chandy and Ramesh Chennitala were guests.
When I told a colleague excitedly about seeing the CM, he remarked: Kallanum kollakaranum (thief and robber). I was aghast, but that was the heights of the Solar scandal. He had a trial by fire and came out clean.
Now upon his death, the people of Kerala have proved his greatness.
No comments:
Post a Comment