Prologue
80 years old Poornachandran -
Poornam in short - was very sick, unable to speak and move freely due to a
paralytic stroke he had a year ago. His daughter Chandrika, son-in-law
Chandrasekar, and the only granddaughter Uma Chandra, ten years old, all
adored him so much and took care of him very well with all their love and
affection. The only loss he could think of was his wife Ambika, who was a
remarkable woman and a popular film playback singer. The sad part was, she died
on the day Poornam had his stroke and she wasn’t there to serve him when he
probably needed her most, for the first time in his life. Otherwise, he
couldn’t complain about anything else in his life. His paralytic stroke and his
immobility were, of course, an issue - but they too, stopped bothering him.
Every now and then the thought that he shouldn’t burden Chandrika and her
family surfaced. He wished to be sent away to Sharan, the old age home at Cheranmahadevi Poornam caused to
establish, where any number of volunteers were ready to serve him. Chandrika
and Chandrasekar vehemently turned down his request and accepted complete
responsibility to take care of him. Strangely, Poornam was not responding to
medicines and physiotherapy.
Everything was quiet until
one day, an international television crew wanted to meet him for making a film
on his life story. They had done some extensive research on his silent
accomplishments and were proposing to name him the ‘Best Accomplisher of the
Decade’, the conferment included a cash award of quarter million U.S dollars.
They wanted to be the first to tell the rest of the world about his unique
humanitarian social projects. They wanted him to be available for the ceremony
that would be attended by the ‘Who is who!’ of the world’s dignitaries including
the President of the United States of America.
‘Appa , the world needs to know about you. Many more may feel
motivated by your life. The Earth needs many more people like you.’
The television team landed
at Chandrika’s small house at Cheranmahadevi. Poornam quietly acknowledged
Welsch with whom he had worked earlier during his adventures at Brahmadesam.
Poornam noticed tears in Welsch’s eyes as he was hugged. Though the TV team was
sounded about his bad health, they didn’t expect it to be this bad.
“We need you and your active
participation. Your health is very important to us. I can’t bear to see you
lying immobilized.” Welsch chocked, as he said this. “I want you to agree to
come with us for treatment in America. I want you back in action.”
The TV crew took about a
week in travelling to places where Poornam had had his years spent and they
were ready to pack off.
The very next week, the
whole world knew about Poornachandran who made a silent appearance on the TV
screen. Silence spoke more than words. His very appearance on the screen
touched many hearts across the globe. His soul departed the very moment he,
along with the rest of the world, saw himself on the television screen.
*****
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