CHANDRAN ALIYAN

 

CHANDRAN ALIYAN

 

 For the past fifteen months covid-19 has swallowed the lives of millions of people throughout the world.  Though it shows the symptoms of disappearance now and then actually it becomes stronger day by day.  Its ruthless life hunting continues.  The biggest problem that all the countries throughout the world except china (it is a wonder – how? Why?) have been facing after the Second World war is no doubt by this Covid.  The gnawing pain on our seeing the picture of a covid victim’s body carried by his wife and daughters will remain till the end of our life. That will echo the covid 19 tragedy in the days to come.....

 

Similarly unexpected covid death of many political leaders, scholars, writers, doctors, teachers, policemen, artists like SPB whom we loved and enjoyed have wounded us badly. Doubtlessly all deaths and departures are painful.  Still the icy hands of covid are mercilessly being extended towards our loving and loveable people.  As its atrocity has become inevitable, we are helpless.  I too had a similar thunder struck shock last week.

 

Our Chandran Aliyan (Aliyan in Malayalam means brother-in-law, the husband of one’s sister) has also become a victim of this covid-19.  My cousin Indira Bhai’s husband, who got retired from H.M.T Ltd, Kalamassery, Kochi.  A charming character, who has won the love and respect of all his friends and relatives with his infallible dealings of love and care, even in his 70s. 

 

When I look back, in 1980s he was always with me then with his helping hands to get employed at various establishments like La Bella finances, Our College and Harrisons Malayalam Ltd.  Similarly in 1990s, he was inevitable on my finding a life partner and on my getting fixed to a permanent employment too. In fact, after the departure of my parents, to some extent, he has occupied that place.  He never missed to call me and know the well being of me and my family even when I missed to call him due to my so called tight work schedule.

 

In fact, he tried his maximum to save himself from Covid-19 by following all the instructions given. He even escaped from an unexpected heart attack in March.  Unfortunately, covid-19 trapped him in the second week of May 2021.  After a few days of home quarantine, on 14^th as it became severe, he was taken to the Medical College, Kalamassery.  As he had a slight improvement, he was shifted to a covid care centre then. 

 

There the ruthless Covid-19 took away his life on it finding a favourable moment (a cursed moment to all of us).  However, there were angels like volunteers who took the body and cremated and collected and handed over the ash remaining of him in an earthen pot.  Now it is kept and preserved at the southern end of the house outside, waiting to be taken to the riverbanks of Periyar near Aluva Advaidha Ashramam for the further ceremony, when the lock down is over.

 

The only thing that can be done now is praying for the Moksha Prapti of his soul, consoling the bereaving family, turning the pages of the memory where he lives and feeling the painful enjoyment.

 

On reading this I know very well that you all have in your mind one or more faces of your loving and loveable ones who have also become victims to Covid-19.  Let us pray for them.  Let us pray for the rest and peace of their souls.  This too will p ass.  Yes, time and patience will cure all the wounds.  Let us also pray the Almighty to help us to get relieved from the cruel clutches of Covid-19 and save ourselves and our loving and loveable along with the entire human race.

 

-----Thulasidharan