Nice
smile – how often do you smile ! or does all people smile ? -
Heard somewhere - "If you see someone without a smile today, give them yours" …… a smile [sirippu]
costs nothing, yet could change the way people look at you. Please
read this bio-sketch fully – and you
would appreciate the sheer grit and tenacity of this smiling person !
Like
every other Triplicanite, he played
Cricket on the streets, at beach and .. .. – don’t ask what is great about that
!! – remember, a match before Peyalwar sannathi (underarms match) – he opened –
I watched a low full toss sent soaring high to Bharathiyar illam (compare it
with Dhoni 112M hit off Mckay at Adelaide Oval) – remember him keeping wickets
and bowling without a run-up too - remember to read this para again once you finish reading the
last line.
21 June 1975 - Lords (no TV but we read about that later)
Clive Lloyd’s West Indies defeated Australia, 291 to 274, to win the
first-ever Cricket World Cup, the Prudential Limited Overs World Cup – 60 overs
aside game contested by 8 Nations. June
1975 also saw Suez Canal being reopened
for the first time since the Six-Day War eight years earlier. O 25th June 1975, Nation was up
for a rude shock as Emergency was declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under
Article 352 of the Constitution because of prevailing "internal
disturbance’. The order bestowed upon
the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be
cancelled and civil liberties to be suspended. No political post this – while some may read
back happily those days, for sure this man would have only sad memories of that
day !!
At
Thiruvallikkeni there are two Brahmothsavams every year – by June it would Aani
brahmothsavam of Sri Azhagiyia Singar.
On 25th June 1975 it was Thiruther – thousands had gathered
to have glimpse of Sri Thelliyasingar on the massive thiruther – it was a bit
delayed and there were so many people on the streets unaware of the impending
disaster. Nearer Balusserry Chits – the
turning after Gangaikondan mandapam (TP Koil St – Singarachari St) – the
massive thousand+ ton weighing thiruther could not be controlled – in the melee
some people fell down!
Thiru ther photos of recent years
The man in
the photo – most Thiruvallikkenivasi would know is Narayanan (Punnai Madapusi Narayayan). Understand that this village is nearer by
ancestral village of Dusi Mamandar, in Kanchipuram Vandavasi route. He was born in 4.6.1959 in a middle class
family; his father was employed in LIC,
lived in the house in front of Thavana uthsava bungalow, cohabiting with
many other tenants. He joined Samarao
school, later studied at NK Thirumalachar National
Boys School, later joined Vivekananda College did Bachelor of Arts - something very important hit him in between
is the story !
On that
fateful day – it was the time for reopening of schools and Narayanan was
studying X1 – a smart active teenager. Most youth of Triplicane were in and around
the Temple thiruther doing odd jobs but when the massive ther went out of
control, some fell down, some were trampled, some had bruises all over – all of
them were fortunate, as one person died; Narayanan fell down, right infront and the
massive wooden wheel over 9 ft and weighing 100s of tons crushed him. He was pulled out – he recalls that he was bleeding profusely, his Cricket friends
and locals were of great help, he was taken in the car of Dr Vadhiraja rao to
Royapettah Hospital and the nightmare would remain etched in his memories. He is able to recall the names of Doctors –
one of whom he recalls to be the brother of Cricketer Bharath Reddy. .. .. and he came back home one short on
19.9.1975 - yes 3 months in the hospital
and returned with amputation of Right leg over the knee. Cannot walk ! – weak and bleak future threatening. Do not want to describe more – have seen him
immediately after and even yesterday when I was hearing, some tears did roll in
my eyes !!
It
would have been a sad and tragic story of remorse and melancholy but Narayanan proved to be a man of iron will, strong mind and
exceptional ability to adapt. He recalls the motivation and support provided by his Cricket
friends and neighbours as he started living a new life – one where he would
have needed support in every step !
He
completed his SSLC (11th those days), PUC and did graduation in the
prestigious Vivekananda, enlisted at Employment exchange and under PD quota got
support. He first joined Civil supplies and later joined Indian Oil Corporation
on 5.11.1984
That
would be a mere statement but those 9 years between 1975 to 1984 challenged him
physically, emotionally, psychologically and financially too. He overcame all that. In between, he cycled – yes a very great accomplishment
for one who had amputation above knees, used to travel long distances to and
cycled his way to office.
Perhaps
His would rank as a very special love story!
Ms V Vijayalakshmi living in the same TP Koil Street (officers’ laundry)
fell in love and their romance continued for some years with opposition from
parents .. .. .. the happy ending was
they tied the knots on 1.7.1988. Great appreciations to this lady, who married knowing fully the situation. They are living happily ever after – have two
children – a daughter, married since and a son – both of them presently living
in Sydney, Australia. She retired as a
teacher from NKT National Girls High school with special ability in Arts &
Crafts and ofcourse, in motivating and guiding !
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PM
Narayanan for sure had difficulty in walking, yet cycled, later bought a TVS
scooter. He is a graduate and had passed
Typewriting Higher and joined IOC as Typist, steadily rose up, becoming
Accounts Officer in 2002 and retired as
Deputy Manager, Finance in IOCL in June 2019. This might make a sad
story but Narayanan remained cheerful, witty and active all along. He
represented IOC in various disciplines of Sports – more specifically – Chess,
Carrom and Bridge. He was the Secretary
of Sports and Recreation Club for many years and was very active inside office
mingling with all colleagues and outside too.
He
attributes his present status to his wife, many a friends who supported him
during his difficult days, with special mention of Tin Rangan. He is very devout and says it is Sri
Parthasarathi Emperuman who has provided him goodness all in his life and also
Yoga Muneeswarar temple in front of Royapettah Hospital where he prayed on the
day of his discharge.
Most
people would have given up cursing fate, crying all time about that fateful
day- for sure, it changed his life BUT, he stood up literally and kept walking
/ cycling to reach greater heights.
Yesterday at his home, he was composed, definitely would have felt
tragic of that incident but it is the true story of a Man who has overcome odds
to lead a happy contented life, smiling and remaining cheerful. Hats off
Narayanan, I am one of your innumerable fans !!
With
regards – S Sampathkumar
19.3.2023