| Narayanan, Neetu Nivas, Kunjaram, Paanaavally, Chertala, Alappuzha |
|
|
It was the
sparkle in the eyes of a destitute that launched to undertake his daily
labour of love to provide food for the needy.
That day, 13 years ago, he had gone for treatment to a hospital in
Ernakulam and had provided food to an old man.
The sense of gratitude and satisfaction, expressed in the eyes of that forsaken
one, has sustained him since then. He distributes food packets in Kochi every day
since then.
Narayanan
is a peon in SBI Padma Branch, Ernakulam.
He spends a portion of his income for his philanthropic efforts. His
other source of income for this effort is the wooden sculptures that he carves
at home during his spare time.
On an average,
he provides food for 35-40 daily, including that bought from hotel. But during Onam and festival days, the food
is provided from his home. For the last
one year, Sindhu, a resident of Eroor, also hands over a few food packets to
him.
6 blocks in
the arteries of his heart could not deter him from serving in the arteries of
Kochi. The blocks were taken care of
with stents and 58-year-old Narayanan is active in his chosen path.
He reaches
Chottanikkara Temple on holidays to do seva activities there, but does not skip
the food supply even on those days. His
day starts with providing grains to hundreds of pigeons that visit his home. He resides in his unfinished home, .
Earlier, he
used to travel by scooter, armed with scissors, soap, water etc. As soon as he spotted someone with mentally
unsound disposition, he would provide a haircut and shave and would ensure a bath
before sending them away. But with the
Covid protocol in place, the authorities had refrained him from such services.
Now he journeys
by bus, undeterred by the adversities.
His wife is
Kanchana. Daughters, Neetu and Geethu. Sons-in-law,
Aneesh and Sarath.
Mathrubhumi,
K.R.Sethuraman (text), V.S.Shine (photo), December 25, 2020
