ourfather

The author of this article, King Calvin, wishes to narrate four incidents out of many such incidents happened in his life, which reflected the ever lasting impressions about Mr. Thangasamy Nadar, remained in the people’s heart, even after his death, in different places, in different times, involving different types of people. These incidents are written in the direct speech, as it will take the message in its original form to the readers and hope it will be a pleasure to read it. Of course, the other members of the family also have experienced similar incidents.

In the year 1968, in Perumbavoor, Kerala

After leaving my studies, while I was looking after the establishment along with my elder brother, a vegetable merchant and a well wisher named Jeyaram of Pallanad, near Marayur in the High Range, who was also the brother of my school friend, invited me to accompany him to Perumbavoor, near Alwaye in Kerala, to collect the amount for the vegetables supplied by him in the market there. I too was interested to see the countryside of Kerala, and hence, I accompanied him and visited the market place, tasted the lunch prepared in the Kerala style, enjoyed interacting with the local people speaking Malayalam of the region (in a different style). After his business was over, we reached the bus stop in the evening at 4.00 p.m, where we were told to our surprise, that the last bus to Munnar had already left some 10 minutes back. Hence, we had no other alternative except to stay there overnight, and found a medium type roadside hotel with boarding and lodging, and went inside and requested for a room. The person in the counter, a Malayalee Muslim, who was also the owner of the hotel, informed that no room was vacant to be provided. While we started to return with a very disappointed face, he called us back and enquired from where we had come, and we informed him that we were from Munnar, a distant place. On hearing this, he felt pity on us and he went through the register and found that a single room was available, which was just vacated. He offered the room and asked us to manage in the small room, which we accepted with gratitude. As usual, I entered my name, my father’s name, address, purpose of visit etc. in the register. On seeing my father’s name in the register, he asked me with excitement, ‘Is it the Thangasamy Nadar, the businessman of Munnar?’ I replied, ‘Yes’, with a surprise. On hearing this, he jumped out of his seat, rushed and embraced me, asking in Malayalam ‘Aththeahathinte Moanaanoe?’(You are the son of that great man?!!). He hugged me again and called the attendant boy and told him to open the guest room for us. Before we recovered from this shock of his behavior, he started telling about our father whom he had a great respect due to his helping nature and magnanimity. He also narrated the incidents when he visited Munnar for business purposes, how he was accommodated in the quarters of the employees of my father’s establishment, providing him food etc, with free of cost.

While we stayed there in the night, without ordering anything, the dinner with fish curry, tapioca, etc, prepared in the typical Kerala taste reached the room. We had a very pleasant stay there in the guest room in the night. In the morning, after taking bath and breakfast which also reached the room without ordering, we came down to the counter to settle the account and also to thank him before leaving. Fortunately, the owner was in his seat and asked us to be there for one more day as his guest, for which we expressed our inability due to prior commitments. Then I took money out of my pocket to settle the account. On seeing this, his face changed and refused to accept saying, ‘I owe to your father a lot, who had looked after me so well, which I could not repay him in my lifetime. At least now I got this opportunity to accommodate his son in my hotel at least for one day. It is nothing when compared to your father’s gesture’. Saying this, by bidding us ‘Good bye’ requested us to visit his hotel whenever we visit there in future. I left there with a heavy heart praising the gratitude he had towards our beloved father. Also, my heart was filled with my father’s memories, who had earned that much reputation from the people by his great deeds, and indeed felt very proud of him.

In the year 1984, at Dohnavoor, in Tamil Nadu

I had the opportunity to visit Dohnavoor with my wife, which is also her native place, and stayed in her grand father’s house. One morning we both set out to see the farmlands of her grand father, and an old worker of the farm was accompanying us. On the way, he enquired with my wife from where we came, for which she replied that we were from Munnar. On hearing this, he asked her that whether she knew Thangasamy Nadar. With a surprise she informed him that, ’He is his son’, pointing to me. On hearing this he stopped walking, turned to me and exclaimed in Tamil, ‘Antha Punniavaan Peththa Maganaa Neenga’ (Are you the son of that great man of charitable heart?), and about to kneel down before me. Both of us were shocked by his unpredicted action and pulled him up and asked him how he knew Thangasamy Nadar. He narrated that he was considering him as the light of his life as he had helped him in many ways, while he was an estate worker in a nearby tea estate in Munnar. He also remembered with gratitude, that he had met his financial and other needs for his children’s marriages etc. from his own resources. He also informed that he had written off his debts due to his shop, since he could not repay. He also shared his memories of my father and started weeping, and we consoled him. We both had dressed in the typical village style, with lungi, cotton saree and hawai chapplals, made of rubber. On our way back, the strap of my chappal was torn due to the walking in the rugged-path to the farm land, and I was holding the same in my hand. On seeing this, he rushed to me and requested to hand it over to him to carry, for which I was reluctant. But, without waiting for my acceptance, he took the chappals from my hand. Later, we were shocked to see the same chappals found place over his head and traveled. We scolded him for his behavior, and advised him to keep his respect in the heart and not by this means. He replied that he was very proud to do this as God had given him an opportunity to help Thangasamy Nadar’s son, at least in this way, and praised God. He also took the chappals with him and returned the same later, after repairing it by his own hand.

In the year 1994, in the bus to Kumuly from Munnar, in Kerala

When I was working as a field officer in the estate of Tata Tea Ltd., called, Periakanal Estate, 20 kilometres from Munnar on the way to Kumuly of Kerala, and Madurai etc. of Tamilnad, I had to travel in a bus called, “Kerala Travels” bound for Kumuly, in one evening from Munnar. The bus was tightly packed with passengers due to heavy rush, and nobody could even see the other’s face. When the bus reached a place called Devikulam, some passengers got down, and some more people got down when the bus reached the next stop, called ‘Lockhart Gap’, after which the people felt relaxed and could see the other people face to face in the bus. At this time, I noticed an elderly person with grey hair, who was standing by the side of a sitting woman (his wife), was constantly observing me with excitement. He was a stranger to me as I could not remember that I met him earlier. Hence, I too started looking at him. Gradually he came closer to me and asked me in a whispering voice in Malayalam, ‘Moan, Thangasamy Nadarude moanaanoe?’ (Young man, are you the son of Thangasamy Nadar?), for which I replied, ‘Athey’ (Yes), with a surprise. Then he enquired about our mother, brothers and sister. Also he asked what all of us were doing after the death of our father and enquired what happened to our shops. I briefed him in Malayalam about the shops and the present position of the family members after the death of our father. Then I asked how he knew about my father and his relationship with him. He explained that while he was a government servant, working in Devikulam Taluk Office near Munnar many years back, away from his family, he used to visit our father’s shop in Munnar. He was given provisions in a concessional price, and food also provided to him by our father free of cost, whenever he visited Munnar. He also remembered with gratitude the high quality tea leaves supplied to him as a gift, whenever he went to low country to visit his family there. He praised my father saying that he was the true ‘Muthalaly’(Big employer) of all times, remained as a model, whose money was useful to the needy, and blamed the others who had money, were like having an unbroken cocoanut in the possession of a dog, which is neither useful to it nor to the others. Then I asked him with surprise, how he could remember and identify me as my father had expired some 33 years back by that time. I too did not remember him that I had seen him earlier, for which he informed that he had seen me in my young age, while I visited the shop in my school holidays. Further, he added that he identified me by my father’s features in my appearance except the complexion, as mine was dark as my mother. Then I requested him to get down with his wife to visit my house, for which he explained his inability that he had to visit his daughter in Santhanpara, situated on the way to Kumuly, who recently got delivered. By this time, the bus reached my destination and I got down hurriedly by bidding him ‘Good bye’ by waving my hand. When the bus started moving, by standing outside I asked his name for which he informed his name, but I could hear clearly only his second name, one ‘Nair’ and not his name in full. Then I returned to my house with my heart filled with the incident in the bus, and also the memories of my beloved father who had won the hearts of many such people, who remember him with gratitude even many years after his death.

In the year 2012-2013 at Mumbai

Since my elder son Aron is living in Mumbai I had the opportunity to visit our relative Ms Sarojini who settled there in 1960s. On the Republic Day ( 26-01-2013) along with my son, d-in-law Cordelia and baby Caroline visited her home in Prabhadevi. On reaching there, she along with her son Thangaraj, his wife Rani welcomed us very affectionately by calling me in my name! She had no direct contact with our family after she got married and came to Mumbai (Bombay)! In my childhood days I met her once, and could remember her fair round face only! Her father Solomon is the brother of my mother's mother Mariammal. Though she is a blood relative of our mother, her first preference goes to our father Thangasamy Nadar only! She calls him as 'Thangasamy Annan'! 'Annan' means elder brother! She was pouring affection on us, not because that we are relative to her, but because we are the descendants of Thangasamy Nadar! In the course of the discussion, she was repeatedly admiring his magnanimity, helping nature, his personality etc. She gratefully remembered the helps rendered to her while she was in Dohnavur before marriage! Also, she told that he is a unique person and there is no comparison for him! She was indeed very happy to have the opportunity see us in her home which was a joyous surprise for her, as she is in her late 70s now! She shared lot of happenings of the past with us and lovingly enquired about the status of all our family members and relatives with their names! She had seen only my younger brother Job Anbalagan in the recent past as he used to visit her whenever he visited Mumbai! Our 'cute' little Caroline was the center of attraction to all by her childish, restless activities throughout our stay there, and the hosts enjoyed it very much, and did not want to part with her! After having a rich tasty dinner, prepared by Rani, we parted them with a heavy heart filled with their love showered on us, and also with our great father's memories renewed by her!

In the year 2012 when I visited Mumbai with my wife, we visited our another relative of our mother who is also living in Thane, in Mumbai. His name is Peter, son of Samuel Nadar. He informed that he has published a souvenir about their parents in which he mentioned a lot about our father Thangasamy Nadar! He added extra pages in it exclusively for him, in which he elaborately written about his magnanimity, helping nature etc.! He quoted some passages from the lifehistory written by me, He calls him affectionately as 'Chinnaiyah" means father's brother. He remembered how he was affectionate towards him and his family members! I thanked him for his great effort in publishing the souvenir by which our father's history reaches to the kith and kin of the family and made him as an immortal human living in the hearts and in the books! When we left his house he presented a copy of the souvenir!

Though Thangasamy Nadar was taken by God to His kingdom as per His will, He blessed his children and grandchildren with abundant grace, as in the Holy Bible.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children:” (Psalms-103:17)

The above photos were taken in 1980

The pet names such as ‘dog’, ‘ass’, ‘buffalo’, ‘monkey’ etc. are still used by the people to call their dear ones. He also used to address his other close relatives of his shops also in this manner, and they liked it as they knew that it was due to the affection on them. His children loved him so much, that even if there was any argument between their father and mother due to some misunderstandings, all the children would be with the father’s side except the youngest, as he was too young and growing under the total care of the mother. His eldest son learnt motor cycle riding in his teen age in his father’s motor cycle. He was using an imported costly bicycle with modern extra fittings, and also he was one of the pioneers of using Transistor sets when introduced, in Munnar.

His Church activities and moral life

He was an active member of the Church of South India and took part in various church activities in spite of his busy business commitments. He was one of the big contributors for Indian Missionary Society (IMS) and other organizations from the region. He had the fear of God and used to respect and accommodate the gospel workers of those days whenever they came to Munnar. Most of his relatives and others brought by him to Munnar had embraced Christianity and got baptized, followed by their employer, Mr.Thangasamy Nadar. For instance, Samiar changed as Samuel, Pillaiar changed as Joseph, a Madasamy as David, another Madasamy as Edwin Jeyaraj, Palanisamy as Ponnusamy and so on. God was with him and he had a miraculous escape once from a bus accident, and also one of his faithful dogs, named ‘Mani’ protected him once from a wild elephant.

The church in Thenmallay Estate was situated in a remote isolated area, but closer to his main shop. Hence, he felt that it was his moral responsibility to provide protection to the church and the employees of the shop were advised by him to take care of the church from the wild elephants and also from miscreants. Mr. Appadurai, a teacher (He was also the maternal uncle of Mrs. Rosekani Pauldurai and Mr.Amose Rajamoney) from Gundumallay Estate, which was nearly 3 miles away, was conducting Church Services there on Sundays. Since there were no proper transport facilities available in the region in those days, he had to cover the distance only by walk in the hills. Further, he was in his late fifties and sixties, doing this noble work as honorary. Hence, Thangasamy Nadar had high regard for him and instructed his employees to provide lunch and other requirements for him from the shop on Sundays after the Service. Also, the other church members who attended the Church, were provided light refreshments from the shop, as there was no canteen or any dwellings closer by, as advised by him. Thangasamy Nadar could not attend the Church on Sundays regularly as he was away from the home town and the Estate for most of the days. But he was one of the rarest persons who practically lived a life according to the Ten Commandments given by God, without its least violation. Also, he loved his neighbors and enemies as preached by Jesus to His disciples. He had a very good devotional life. He used to read Bible regularly. He used to advise his children to help the poor.

His last days

He was very hard-working and would be away from home in most of the days for business purposes, without taking proper food or rest in time. Since he was away from Munnar for most of the days, he could not concentrate on the running of the establishments.

Some of the employees whom he trusted, failed to do their duties, and due to their carelessness in their responsibilities and the misunderstandings among them, the business establishments started making losses continuously.

Day by day the business started worsening and the profit declining, and hence, he found it difficult to manage. This unexpected turn of events affected him mentally and physically to a great extent. He used to express his difficulties with his well-wishers and his elder children, who were too young.

He was much worried about the future of his children, especially about his only daughter and hence, his health deteriorated and he fell sick. After a prolonged illness, he expired in his late forties in Madurai on 26-05-1961, after treatment in Dr. Vadamalaian’s hospital without proper diagnosis. The death message was conveyed through telephnic lightning call to KPR lorry office of Udumalpet by the son Samuel Victor, who was looking after him with his mother, in the hospital. He could not convey it to Munnar, as the telegraph and telephone connections broke down in that area due to heavy monsoon rains! Sri. KP Raj Nadar, a good friend of MAT and owner of the lorry service to Munnar, realised the situation and arranged to send the message through the lorry driver to Munnar. But unfortunatly, there were no sufficient goods available to send the lorry to Munnar. But, KP Raj Nadar, magnanimously decided to send the empty lorry with the driver and cleaner to Munnar, only to convey the message, though he had to

suffer considerable loss on account of this! The empty lorry with the death message reached Munnar in the early morning, and the message conveyed to MAT's nephew A P Joseph.

The mortal remains of MAT were brought to Munnar and buried in the cemetery of the CSI Church. (Grave No. 477) His burial procession was attended by people in large numbers, from all over the surrounding estates and merchants all over Kerala and Tamilnadu, in spite of the torrential rains on that day. He became a legend and is still remembered by the people of that region. The employees including his close relatives left his business establishments for alternate jobs, and some of them started businesses of their own. He did not earn any assets for him, but, earned immortal fame and reputation for his generations. When he died, around Rupees one lakh was due to him from the poor estate laborers which remained un-recovered, in the account ledger, and he had to pay almost equal amount to the people who supplied goods to his concern.

The names of some notable employees of his establishment are given below:-

His Relatives :

A.S.Samuel, & A.P.Joseph, (Sons of his sister), S.M.David, S.P.Ponnusamy, & S.Thangiah, (Sons of his brothers), S.Ganapathy (a relative of him)

His Wife’s Relatives :

G.J.Samuel (Her brother), Amos Rajamoney, (Her other brother G.J.Pauldurai’s brother- in- law).

Others :

Lakshmanan, A.M.Manickam & Keppanan (Bodinaickanur), Madasamy alias Edwin Jeyaraj (Sivakasi), Patchaiappan (Kamatchipuram), Sundararaj, Mahalingam, Rajamani & Selvaraj (Virudhunagar), Thangavel (Dohnavoor), K.J.Antony (Chalakudy, Kerala), Ramasamy Raja (Karivelampatty, Madurai), Daniel & his son Anthony (Srivilliputhur)

He maintained a very good relationship with persons of all walks of life, irrespective of the religion, community, language, place of origin etc. He had no enmity towards anybody and hence, he had lot of well-wishers.

Some of the names of his well-wishers are furnished below:-

M/s Krishna Thevar, Shanmugiah Thevar, from Thenmallay Estate

Sarkur Bai, Gaffoor Sahib, from Munnar.

Urumbath Mathai Thariath, from Alwaye (who was supplying goods to his shops,

and also one of the directors of the erstwhile The Bank of Cochin Ltd. which was later amalgamated with SBI)

Abraham Spr. of Aneimudi, Periavurrai Estate.

Manuel Raj, Field Officer, Letchmi Estate, who later settled in Thisaiyanvillai.

Establishments once owned by Thangasamy Nadar in Munnar Town and Old Munnar

1) 'T B Simon Amirtham & Co' (Shop No 26 in the main bazaar, as a partner in 1940s. Now ''Suganthi Tea Stall''

2) 'M A Thangasamy Nadar & Sons' (No 46 bazaar in GH Road, as proprietor in 1950s. Now an Electrical shop & Men's saloon, next to ''Latha Corporation'', a cloth shop)

3) 'Jeya Stores', main bazaar from late 1950s as proprietor. Now, ''Golden Stores'', a cloth shop)

4) 'Raja Stores' in Old Munnar bazaar, as proprietor from late 1950s (Now, ''Madheena Stores'')

The details of some unforgettable neighbors of Thangasamy Nadar and His family

in Munnar

1) Immediate neighbour, Mr. Srinivas (Prop:Srinivas Hardwares), his wife, son Ganesan, daughter Jeyanthi and siblings.

2) Sri.A S Palanisamy Nadar, his wife, sons Mariappan, Subbiah, Ganesan, daughters Thai, Valliammal (Pappa) & Janaki,

3) Sri M.Vellaisamy Nadar, his wife Sakkaraithai & 2 girl children (relatives also)

4) Raman, Rajamani & sister whose father was a cashier in the erstwhile Bank of Travancore, owned by Mr. Sharma Iyer of Trivandrum

5) Mr. Xavier (Staff in Marikar & Co.), his wife, sons Kochappan (nick name), C.X. Varghese(Jose), Baby, Louis, daughters Josephine and Mary

6) Mr. James Samuel (DMS & Sons), his wife Jemima, sons Sampson, Johnson, Robinson, Emerson, Benison & daughters Felicia & Melencia (relatives also) - they are also related to Dr.C.B.S. Ragland of Valaiady, the father in law of Mr.A.T. Abraham, brother of Alvina Job, (wife of Job Anbalagan). Dr. Ragland was also born and brought up in Munnar in olden days).

7) Sri. Ganapathy (Ex-MLA) his wife Nesammal and daughter,

8) Sri. T B Simon Amirtham, his wife, sons Selwyn G Thomas, Edwin, daughters Getzie, Kasthuri, Kamala, Surya, Gnanam

9) Sri. Soundaram (shop No2), his wife Sugirthamani, sons Pavalavel, Rathnam and daugters,

10) Sri. Rajendran (shop No1), his wife Santha and daughters.

His family after his death

After the death of Thangasamy Nadar, the children could not run the business establishments as they were too young, studying in schools and colleges. Mrs. Nesammal worked very hard and made her children complete their studies to an extent. One of her brothers, Mr.G.J.Samuel, who had worked faithfully in the Establishment, and his wife were with them in this critical period, who also tried in vain to restore the business to its previous position. Later, they too had to leave, to earn the livelihood for their family. Hence, she tried to run the business with new partners, who were also not trustworthy. Her eldest son Samuel Victor and the next son King Calvin discontinued their education and tried to revive the business, which also resulted in failure. Hence, after the marriage of Esther Leela and Samuel Victor, the establishments were gradually disposed off and the sons became professionals. Samuel Victor migrated to Udumalpet, worked as a manager in a chit fund company and settled there. Jeyasingh David worked in a private agency in Munnar for some period, and later went to Madurai and stayed with her sister who lost her husband while working in the Customs and Central Excise Department there, leaving two children. Job Anbalagan worked as Assistant Section Officer in Devikulam Estate near Munnar. He then after selection through UPSC, joined Central Government Service in Central Vigilance Commission on 15-1-1973. He then joined Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, as Vigilance Officer in 1987 and then Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, New Delhi in 1992. During his service with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., he also worked as Dy. Chief Vigilance Officer in Airports Authority of India during 1999/2000. He retired as as Dy. Chief Vigilance Officer in General Manager's scale from the services of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., Gurgaon on 31-5-2009.

King Calvin (the author) joined in Periavurrai Estate of KDHP Co. Ltd., as Assistant Field Officer, (which later changed into Tata Tea Ltd.). Mrs. Nesammal lived in her house in Munnar for some years, and later with her son Calvin, who was working in the region. When she became too old, and could not withstand the cold climate of the region, she was taken to Delhi by her son, Jeyasingh after disposing the house in which she was living. The 50% amount got from the disposal of her house was given to Jeyasingh as he had agreed to look after her till her end, and kept with him in Delhi. Balance amount was equally shared by the other brothers and sister. She spent her last days in Delhi under the care of both sons Jeyasingh and Anbalagan till her death. While she was in Munnar, she was an active member of the church and used to involve in the gospel works. She expired in the age of 76, on 24-12-1997 and buried in the War Cemetery at the Cantonment in Delhi.

A few words by the author from his own testimony

Since his head was also bigger than others, and had the same belief as in the case of his elder brother Calvin, that he got more brain due to this, and called by him by this pet name. (This photo is the family photo of late Mr.A.T. Alexander, father in law of Job Anbalagan taken on 28-6-1993 on the occasion of the former's 60th birthday)

Nesammal – His wife (“Poaththu” – means – ‘Buffalo’ in Malayalam language)

Since she was fatty and dark in complexion, and also lived in her own ways without hearing anybody’s advice, including her husband’s, she was called by him in this pet name.

Since her legs won’t rest in a place, and keep on running from here and there, she was called by him by this pet name.

King Calvin (“Peria mandayan” – means – ‘Elder, big-headed chap’)

Since his head was bigger than others, and also had a belief that he got more brain due to this. Hence, he was called by him by this pet name.

Jeyasingh David (“Kozhipee thinna naayi” –means–‘The dog, eating fowl’s droppings’).

Since he was very naughty and shrewd and made everybody happy, by his jokes and wits, including his father, he was called affectionately by him in this pet name.

Job Anbalagan (“Chinna mandayan” – means – ‘Younger, big-headed chap’)

In this photo, you can see Paul Nesam Thangasamy with Koilammal, her youngest sister, who was working as a teacher, and living alone with her old mother Mariammal in Dohnavoor since her father was no more. They were brought to Munnar by Thangasamy Nadar and living under his and Nesammal’s care till her marriage with a businessman of Munnar, hailing from Bodinaickanur. His name was Mr.Kandasamy, a Hindu, who converted into Christianity (and his name changed as Rajamoney), at the time of the marriage, who later settled down in Udumalpet. While she was in Munnar in her sister’s house, she gave a good company to the children, by playing with them and providing food items with different tastes. Hence, the children liked her company.

His children

Thangasamy Nadar and Nesammal couple had 5 children (four sons and one daughter), and they are: (I) Samuel Victor,(D.O.B.16-04-1943) (II) Esther Leela,(D.O.B.31-07-1944) (III) King Calvin,(D.O.B.15-04-1946) (IV) Jeyasingh David,(28-04-1948) and (V) Job Anbalagan,(23-10-1949). He had an extra-ordinary affection on them. The family was living in Munnar Town in a wealthy atmosphere. He had a special affection on his daughter Leela, being the only girl-child, and on his son Jeyasingh, since he was very naughty and shrewd, making him happy by his wits and sleeping with him, whenever he was at home.

Whenever he returned from business tours, he would bring basketful of fruits of the season, in a large quantity, and hence, the children would be eagerly expecting his arrival. Before his coming to the house, he would arrive at his shop, and from there, he would send the fruit baskets which reached the home in advance, to inform them his arrival. Once the children saw the baskets, they would jump in joy, and would eagerly await his arrival at home. On seeing his coming from the distance, the over-joyed children would run towards him. At times, the children, especially Leela and Jeyasingh would not have the patience to wait at home for his arrival, and would rush to the shop to see him. On seeing him, Jeyasingh would climb on him and he would hold him in one arm, and catch Leela’s hand by his other hand, and make their way home. On reaching home, he would affectionately pat the cheeks of the other children who were waiting at the door-step, for his arrival. On his entering home, he would lift the youngest son, who would be beside his mother, and keep him in his arms.

Since Thangasamy Nadar was not able to pursue higher studies in his native village, when he was young, he determined to educate his children to attain higher status in their lives. Hence, he took his children to cities like Madurai in Tamilnad for higher studies, after their primary education in Munnar. When his elder children were studying in Madurai, whenever he visited there for business purposes, he used to call and keep them with him in the Udupi Boarding Lodge in the West Masi Street, where he used to stay, till his departure. The children enjoyed their stay with their father as they were provided with all the food items they wished, and taken for shopping entertainment etc. His real enjoyment was to make the children enjoy, and he had no other personal enjoyment in life. He was very humoristic in nature and used to call or address his loving children and wife by humoristic pet names in Tamil and Malayalam, such as “Mootha Kaluthai”, “Aadukaali”, “Peria Mandayan” , “Kozhippee Thinna Naayie”, “Chinna Mandayan”, “Poaththu” etc. The meanings of such pet names with reasons are given below.

Samuel Victor (“Mootha kaluthai” – means ‘Elder ass’)

Since he was the eldest in the family and also he would not be readily available when searched by the father, and normally be away in a remote corner of the town or outside the area with his friends for entertainment. Hence, he was called by him in this pet name.

Esther Leela (“Aadukaali” – means – ‘Dancing leg-gar’)

He married Rosekani, a daughter of Dr. Jesudasan, of the KDHP Company. When he was working for the KDHP Co., he was very faithful and honest in his work. He is now aged 86 and lives with his younger son, Noble Chelladurai, in Bodinayakanur, Tamil Nadu. His elder son A.J.Alexander is settled in Bangalore, Karnataka State. In this photo, you can see the younger son Noble Chelladurai and his wife during his marriage. Mr. G.J. Paul Durai and his wife late Mrs.Rosekani are also in this photo. Mrs.Rosekani is no more.

G.J.Samuel

Her second younger brother, who was educated, also brought to Munnar, and employed in Mr. Thangasamy Nadar’s shop as an accountant. He married Jebamoney, his cousin, daughter of Ponnusamy Nadar, a land-lord from Dohnavoor. He expired during 2007.

Yeasuvinkody

Her younger sister, who was given in marriage to a person named Chelliah, a native of Maruthakulam, of Tirunelvely Dt., working in railways in Penang, Malaya (Now, Malaysia), and settled there. Yesuvinkody is no more. She is reported to have died in Penang, Malaysia.

Koilammal alias Kohila

Her first younger brother, G.J. Paul Durai, who was brought to Munnar, got appointed as a staff in The KDHP Co. Ltd. as he was an ex-military personnel. He had served Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and then joined the KDHP Co. Ltd (now Tata Tea Ltd).

His wife Nesammal became a hard working housewife, though she got the certificate of teachers’ training. She used to give tuitions to the school-going children of the surrounding area and most of those children were later turned as doctors, engineers, professionals and big businessmen etc., and those people are still remembering her with gratitude. She was cultivating vegetable garden, rearing fowls, sheep, cows etc. for domestic and commercial purposes. She also supported her husband’s business by cooking and supplying food to the employees of his shops, in addition to looking after her own children with utmost care. If any of the children fell sick, she used to take them to the doctor and give them the medicines at the times specified, without sleep in the nights. She used to keep native and allopathic medicines in the home, for emergencies. The details of her brothers, sisters and mother are given below:-

G.J.Pauldurai