*From & To Sathish* - Thread 4 - Page 105

https://www.rediff.com/news/special/coronavirus-why-a-us-town-honoured-this-desi-covid-19-warrior/20200424.htm?pos=3&src=NL20200425_nn&trackid=BrxeRdb98mGHPtGQ4oPElfKom/3RFzlX3teKqfGb9k0=

Vaanathai Pola 114

Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan went straight from the Commissioners office to Velachery to see if the burnt corpse was indeed that of Radha Krishnan for the message could not have been more clearer and also the timing of it.

But, he had learnt from decades of experience that any pre-conceived notions and assumptions with proper evidence were taboo for any investigation, regardless of its nature.

The traffic was killing and after a few minutes, he pointed to the roof and the constable who was driving, nodded and switched on the button and the blue lights on the roof of the vehicle began to flash and at the same time, the siren came on and that was enough to clear the road for them like Moses had parted the Red sea to save The Israelites.

It would have taken an hour or more to reach the crime scene in Velachery under normal circumstances but with the lights and sirens on it took them just about 25 minutes to reach the spot that lay a km away from the main road and deep in the womb of Pallikaranai wetlands.

Pallikaranai wetland is a freshwater marsh and it is situated adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, about 20 kilometres south of the city centre, and has a geographical area of 80 square kilometres. Pallikaranai marshland is the only surviving wetland ecosystem of the city and is among the few and last remaining natural wetlands of South India. The topography of the swamp is such that it always retains some storage, thus forming an aquatic ecosystem. The marsh contains several rare or endangered and threatened species and acts as a forage and breeding ground for thousands of migratory birds from various places within and outside the country. The number of bird species sighted in the wetland is significantly higher than the number at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.

The marshland is located along the Coromandel Coast south of the Adyar Estuary. It is surrounded by the expressway of Old Mahabalipuram Road and the residential areas of Perungudi, Siruseri, Pallikaranai, Madipakkam, Velachery and Taramani. An extensive low-lying area covered by a mosaic of aquatic grass species, scrub, marsh, and water-logged depressions, it is connected to 31 different water bodies, all of which release surplus water into the marsh during the monsoons. It has a catchment of 235 square kilometres that includes the urban sprawls of Velachery, Pallikaranai and Navalur.

Spread over 50 square kilometres at the time of Independence in the 1940s, about 90% of the wetland was lost as the city expanded and it continued shrinking at an alarming rate. The marshland has shrunk over the last four decades following the creation of residential areas around it, including Perungudi, Siruseri, Pallikaranai, Madipakkam, Taramani and Velachery. Nearly a decade ago, about 120 species of birds were sighted at the marsh. However, their population has sharply decreased now due to various ecological disturbances in the region. The original expanse of the marsh in 1965 was about 5,500 hectares (14,000 acres). The expanse estimated on the basis of the Survey of India toposheet of 1972 and aerial photographs (Corona) of 1965 was about 900 hectares (2,200 acres), which has shrunk to about 600 hectares (1,500 acres). Today, the marsh extends up to Sholinganallur Road.

The crime scene was dimly lit up but could be clearly seen as a dim, dull yellow spot of light that glowed like a fading moon amongst the dark marshes of the once beautiful Pallikaranai wetlands from the main road and

The constables who were standing guard at the entrance of the crime scene from the road immediately came to full attention and saluted Ilavarasan who raised his hand indicating the driver to stop and ordered the constables that but for the forensic team, nobody else was to be allowed near the crime scene.

' This case is very important and I will personally take it upon myself to beat the crap out of you if I find out that reporters from the press or Tv have somehow gained access into the crime scene and I will not hesitate to suspend or even dismiss you from your jobs. Get it' he said and looked pointedly and threateningly at both the constables who nodded quickly and told him that they would follow his orders.

He pointed to the single beam of light that shone in the darkness and asked the constables about it and they informed him that Inspector Prem Kumar, was at the spot waiting for his arrival.

A few hundred meters from the crime scene, the vehicle's headlights revealed a royal bullet parked on its side stand and Ilavarasan remarked, ' Smart man to leave behind his motorbike rather than drive through and contaminate the crime scene.'

Ilavarasan pointed to his left and told the driver to park there leaving just enough space for the forensic team to park their vehicle once they arrived.

He got out of the car and told the constable, ' stay put and allow only SI Thomas and Kali through and the forensic team and ask them to leave their vehicles and walk it from here.'

From where he stood he could clearly see the single tree that stood like some ancient evil spirit of a woman with her hair flowing wildly around trapped in the light that came from the halogen torch held by Inspector Prem

Ilavarasan told the driver to turn on the high beams and aim it in the direction of the tree and then slowly made his way through the stinking marshes via another small path that would eventually take him to the tree that held the victim in its limbs.

Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan stood for a moment staring at the burnt body that hung from a steel cable and glanced at Inspector Prem Kumar who rushed to his side and saluted him and raised his hand and saluted him back, and both stood staring at the remains of the man once known as Radha Krishnan.

He looked at Inspector Prem and asked him about the forensic team and when they would be arriving and Prem looked up at the sky and said irritatedly, ' Any moment sir but I am sorry to say that the Professor is the one who is handling the forensics of this case.'

Ilavarasan cursed silently for the last thing he needed right now was the professor and her theatrics.

The professor was Dr Neelima Devi, who was considered one of the best in the business of forensics and crime scene analysis but also was infamous for her flirting and it was Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan's bad luck that she had a huge crush on him and never failed to display it openly and in the process embarrass him and make him blush like a teenager.

Vaanathai Pola 115

Inspector Prem Kumar's path had crossed with that of Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan's a few times in his career and most of them had been either during parades or the times when he had briefed him and other colleagues about some important case that he was handling at that time.

He was well aware of the fact that DC Ilavarasan was a man of great integrity and carried himself with honour and dignity but did not suffer fools gladly regardless of their ranking and particularly did not suffer pesky questions from junior officers.

But, seeing him up close, the man who had a fearsome reputation seemed to be a bit far-fetched in his opinion for here stood the very same man with his arms folded and eyes on the burnt body of some unknown person.

He looked at him and softly clearing his throat, approached Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan tentatively and asked, ' sir if I may even though it is none of my business?'

Ilavarasan turned to him his eyes boring into that of Prems and said with a gentle smile ' you may and your question might help us while away time and also we have nothing else to do but stare at this poor thing that was once a human being and who sadly is not going to get down and walk away anywhere soon.'

' Sir, I am sorry but I could not help notice your pretty obvious reaction at the very mention of Dr Neelima Devi. Why is that sir? Is there any bad blood between you both over some cases that both of you were a part of?'

DC Ilavrasan's laughter was so loud and explosive that the sound of it scattered dozens of sleeping birds in the surrounding marshes that took of making raucous noises that were clearly curses and complaints at the sudden noise.

Ilavarasan looked wondrously at the night sky as birds circled around noisily undecided whether to return to their roosts or vacate to a safer and quieter place and said, ' Even though this place smells filthy and is messy, the wildness that is just a few meters away from civilization is exhilarating. This is a paradise prem, a jewel of a paradise among this city's concrete jungle. An oasis.'

He looked at Prem and spoke in a sarcastic tone, ' The floods of 2015 covered all of this area in about 15 to 20 feet of water and almost all of the built-up areas were submerged and it took that disaster to make people realize that you cannot go around constructing buildings where ever one wishes too without paying the piper.'

Pointing to all the shimmering lights, Ilavarasan said, ' but they have returned. Man with his cement, stone and steel has returned to take over what is left of this once-blooming eco-system.'

Sighing sadly, Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan said, ' Prem, Dr Neelima is one of the best crime scene analysts and pathologists and is one of the few in the country who went to America to get trained by the FBI itself. She is a pioneer and has a list of degrees and awards to her name that is a mile long. But...'

She is a bit of a flirt and she takes that to the limit when I am around.'

Inspector Prem Kumar looked at him ' but sir, she is a pretty good looking woman and is probably only in her thirties, I guess.'

' Early forties. Twice divorced and has two kids from both the marriages. But, your point about her being good looking...'

Inspector Prem cursed himself for crossing the boundary of protocol and also making such an unsavoury observation and hurriedly apologised, ' I am sorry sir. I really meant no offence and I am sorry to have made a comment about the doctor's looks.'

Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan, his hands still folded, his eyes still staring at Prem asked, ' Again, your point being?'

Inspector Prem Kumar gulped nervously, ' Sir, you are in your early fifties, single and she is single and good-looking and .... I thought, why not?'

Ilavarasan shook his head sadly, ' F..k. why do most of you men think only through your d..ks?

In a tone that was not angry but filled with curiosity and frustration, ' Answer me this Inspector, you are a married man, right. Happily, I hope?'

' Yes, sir. Married, for nearly 7 years now, and we have one daughter.'

' Okay, prem. Now, let's say you get an opportunity of sleeping with a woman who is available and single and who likes you and you like her too, will you sleep with her?'

Inspector Prem Kumar even more nervously for he knew he had been cornered and looked helplessly at his senior officer.

Ilavarasan smiled and said, ' Relax prem, I was just messing with you. Seriously, most men said that they would sleep with a woman who was good-looking, available and who liked them and only a few, like me included said, No.'

Inspector Prem went, ' What? why not sir?'

' Prem is it enough just for the woman to be interested in you, for you to sleep with her. Are, looks and opportunity the only criteria for a man to judge before he has sex with a woman?

Inspector Prem Kumar, ' what other criteria are we talking about, sir?

' What about what the man wants, prem? what about the question of whether he is interested in her or not? what about us being a human and not some randy animal that thinks of sex as just another function of the body?'

Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan pointed to the flask behind them and inspector prem, ran to it and poured him a cup of hot steaming hot coffee and the very smell of it sent Ilavarasan into a state of ecstasy and he said, ' I am single now but I was not many years ago. I did love once but sadly she died in an accident and just a few weeks before our marriage and even now after nearly 25 years, I am still in love with her.'

He looked at Prem and winked and said in a hushed voice, ' I do get laid once in a blue moon but I use professionals for that who give me a great discount. Keep that to yourself and take it to your grave, please.'

The lights of the forensic team's vehicles that were turning into the marshes from the main road lit up the whole area and Ilavarasan commented, ' Trust me, Dr Neelima is okay in my books but she is very clingy and expects more commitment than just a one night stand from the man she sleeps with. I am also a firm believer that work and sex should never be mixed for that is surely a recipe for disaster and as it is clearly and wisely stated in our department policies.'

His eyes and concentration now back on the burnt body that was hanging from the tree, DC Ilavarasan spoke loudly, ' Inspector, this is a very important case and involves the upper echelons of both this government and department. If this case is solved quickly then all the people who were involved can expect merits and promotions.'

He looked at Inspector prem, ' Do you understand what I am saying?'

Prem nodded and Ilavarasan continued, ' work with me properly and I promise you my co-operation and help when you might need it but if you slip up even an inch then .... he turned to the body and resumed sipping the coffee and complimented inspector Prem, ' Bloody good coffee man.'

Coronavirus Letter To Humanity

The Asian Editor, Manila, 2 April, 2020.

In an ode, Letter To Humanity, that has been widely circulated on social media, Vivienne R Reich eloquently scolds humanity for its “non-stop wars, non-stop greed” and for stubbornly refusing to be humble enough to listen to the earth’s whispers, speeches and screams.

Powerfully capturing the profound dilemma and the existential danger in which humanity is stuck today, Vivienne warns that Coronavirus wants humanity to wake up from its sordid materialism and vile egoism and “to reflect on what is important in life.”

Failure to seize the chance to reconsider the true meaning of life has an ominously chill reminder: “Next time I may come back even stronger”.

Coronavirus Letter To Humanity By Vivienne R Reich

The earth whispered but you did not hear.

The earth spoke but you did not listen

The earth screamed but you turned her off.

And so, I was born…

I was not born to punish you …

I was born to awaken you …

The earth cried out for help…

Massive flooding. But you didn’t listen.

Burning fires. But you didn’t listen.

Strong hurricanes. But you didn’t listen.

Terrifying Tornadoes. But you didn’t listen.

You still don’t listen to the earth when.

Ocean animals are dying due to pollutants in the waters.

Glaciers melting at an alarming rate.

Severe drought.

You didn’t listen to how much negativity the earth is receiving.

Non-stop wars.

Non-stop greed.

You just kept going on with your life …

No matter how much hate there was …

No matter how many killings daily …

It was more important to get that latest iPhone than worry about

what the earth was trying to tell you …

But now I am here.

And I’ve made the world stop on its tracks.

I’ve made YOU finally listen.

I’ve made you take refuge.

I’ve made you stop thinking about materialistic things …

Now you are like the earth…

You are only worried about YOUR survival.

How does that feel?

I give you fever … as the fires burn on earth.

I give you respiratory issues … has pollution fill the earth air.

I give you weakness as the earth weakens every day.

I took away your comforts …

Your outings.

The things you would use to forget about the planet and its pain.

And I made the world stop…

And now…

China has better air quality … Skies are clear blue because factories are not spewing pollution unto the earth’s air.

The water in Venice is clean and dolphins are being seen. Because the gondola boats that pollute the water are not being used.

YOU are having to take time to reflect on what is important in your life.

Again, I am not here to punish you … I am here to Awaken you…

When all this is over and I am gone… Please remember these moments …

Listen to the earth.

Listen to your soul.

Stop polluting the earth.

Stop fighting among each other.

Stop caring about materialistic things.

And start loving your neighbours.

Start caring about the earth and all its creatures.

Start believing in a Creator.

Because next time I may come back even stronger….

Signed,

Coronavirus

Good morning. I wish you a beautiful day and a life full of peace.

Happiness to me nowadays seems so childish, petty and downright a shallow state of affairs.

Peace on the other hand and well now you are talking real stuff and also raising the stakes.

Many of my closest souls tell me ' Why can't you just be? why can't you just breathe and exist?

And my answer is usually an expression that reflects my onset of dementia and probably Alzheimer's too.

A drink with friends. A romp and rendevous between the sheets aside. Sharing a good meal aside with great company aside.

Set them aside for they only relate to happiness.

Have you sat down with a good book with light through the windows illuminating the words, lines of the book and illuminating your soul and sighed in peace and thought, ' Heaven, I am in heaven"

Remember that time when it rained, cats, dogs and leaves and you took shelter under a large tree all alone with just the tree and your breath, for company, and thought " Wow, this is so peaceful".

Remember that time when you sat by the train's window or on a plane and looked outside and thought life is good and life is so beautiful.

Looks like almost all our moments of a soliloquy is meant for peace and for the pursuit of peace and a large meaning that always seems to desert me.

But, Hey, I am trying and hard to find that hidden meaning and purpose and will keep trying.

Please promise me that you will share it when you hit upon that meaning, true meaning.

Well, I can only ask and try.

Vaanathai Pola 116

The type or style of photography used in photographing crime scenes and evidence is called technical photography. Crime scene photographers must take high-quality technical photographs to insure the photographs can be used in the investigation and ultimately in court. Technical photographs are photographs that show as much detail or information about the view or object pictured as possible.

So, the first people to enter the crime scene were, the principal photographer Raghavan and his two assistants who took in the crime scene that was the tree and then he quickly told them how to arrange the lights around the tree and once that was done, he walked up to Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan and wished him and Inspector Prem Kumar.

All three of them stood and watched as the tree really came alive and as night was transformed today by the dozens of high intense Arriflex halogen lights that shone on it.

' What did this poor creature do to deserve death such as this and in this god-forsaken place?' said a female voice and that announced the entry of Dr Neelima Devi who entered the circle of lights and stood staring at the burnt body that hung from the tree.

Then she raised her hand to cut the glare of the lights and observed quietly as DC Ilavarasan walked towards her and instead of the usual enthusiastic greetings to which he was used to, she just nodded and acknowledged his presence with his pet and the shortened name " Ila" which he was used to being called so only by his mother and his closest friends.

He nodded and said ' Dr Neelima ' which brought a frown to her face that looked unusually tired and haggard and looked all of her 43 years. Her, usually well-maintained crown of shiny hair was now laced with dozens of silver strands and appeared unusually dishevelled that was totally contrary to her pristine standards.

' Ila, Ten years now, that I have been trying to make you call me by my name, sans my qualification, but without success.'

Placing her reading glasses that hung from an old-style granny glass chains on her nose, she gave him a thorough look and said, ' You have lost a bit of weight from the last time I saw you. But, it suits you.'

Stepping closer to him, she asked, ' what is up with that Tambaram murder cases. It is nearly four months now but you have yet to make an arrest which is rather strange for your track record?'

Ilavarasan's face clouded with a bit of shame and worry and she said, ' Doc, add the case of Brigadier Rajashekar to the Tambaram case and you will see that I have failed on two fronts. But, I am not giving up and will keep looking for more clues to help me with those cases.'

' That's the spirit, Ila' and pointing to the hanging body, she said, ' shall we do the honours' and went ahead to do her job.

A forensic technician handed both him and prem, disposable gloves and shoe covers and slipping into them, they joined Neelima as she stood sniffing at the air around her.

' Petrol and lots of it, Ila' she said and stepping closer gently held the burnt up corpse and examined it and looking at DC Ilavarasan said, ' no flesh left on the body. The fire was so hot that it has consumed everything ' and bending down sifted through the small pile of ashes and picked up a burnt and blackened buckle of a belt and placed it in a cover and sealed it.

She looked at both Ilavarasan and Prem and said, ' gentlemen, a part of the metal cable is snagged into the jawbone of this corpse and that is the only reason why this corpse is still hanging in one piece and the fire that was used to burn this person was so hot that it has fused all his bones together but not for long.'

A custom made extendable metal ladder was brought out and placed under the body and all of them watched as Dr Neelima Devi climbed up a few rungs and methodically examined the body.

Then she shook her head and told DC Ilavarasan, ' Ila, there is only so much I can do here in this swamp and under these lights. But, I will be able to tell you more about this person by tomorrow evening.'

Ilavarasan nodded, ' Okay doctor. But, I would be very happy if you could give me a prelim report right now for this case has serious political ramifications.'

Still standing on the ladder, Dr Neelima turned and trained her flashlight on to the trunk of the nearby tree and read the message " Death, to all those who dare to oppose us " and then turned the light on Ilavarasan's face and asked in a grim tone, ' Don't tell me that this is connected to the Thevar Community and to the speech their leader gave last night in Madurai.'

The words had the effect of lighting and thunder going off at the same time and right next to your face to all the people who stood there save Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan and Inspector Prem Kumar who had not been told anything about the burnt body's connection to the incident at the Crowne Plaza hotel slowly looked at his senior's face for an answer.

' Maybe. maybe not, and now it is your job, doctor, to ascertain that fact by identifying this corpse' DC Ilavarasan said in a calm voice.

Doctor and Cop stared at each other and realizing the gravity of the situation and the case, Dr Neelima began her examination in earnest and spoke loud enough for her voice recorder to record and also to reach the ears of everyone sho stood there in the circle of lights that illuminated the dead and the ones dealing with it.

' the corpse is that of a male who is of 6 feet of height, give or take an inch. Looking at his teeth and the condition they are in, he must have been somewhere in the age between 30 and 35 years old and just a couple of cavities that were filled in by an expensive dentist.'

' Bring that light closer and shine it on the rib cage' she told her technicians and one of them hurried to do her bidding and with the light now shining more brightly, Neelima continued her examination. ' this young man was stabbed and hacked many a time with great force for the blade has nicked his ribs and also on his humerus and both his forearm bones which indicate that he fought for his life until his last breath and most probably was already dead from massive bleeding.'

Getting down from the small ladder, Neelima looked around and whispered ' Strange for there are no bloodstains around here which means that he was killed somewhere else and brought here to be hung and burnt and to be left as a message.'

She looked at Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan, ' Ila, that is all I can tell you right now and maybe I will be able to tell you more tomorrow after a thorough examination.'

Removing her disposable gloves, she looked at the body and said, ' The most frustrating thing about these kinds of cases is that almost always the fire completely destroys the evidence that could help in identifying the victim and I can tell you with confidence that we will not be able to find any usable DNA from this victim and even if we do so, whose do we match and compare it with, Ila?'

She told her team to bring down the body and looked at Ilavarasan who looked pointedly at Inspector Prem who walked away from them giving them privacy to talk.

Ilavarasan's eyes were full of concern as they looked at Dr Neelima and asked, ' What is going on with you, doctor?'

Using his right hand, he pointed to her hair, the new worry lines and wrinkles on her face and asked with concern, ' Can I be of any help? If so, please just say the word.'

Dr Neelima looked away but her voice revealed her pain as it quivered and said, ' It is my younger son, Ravi.'

Looking at Ilavarasan pathetically, Neelima said, ' He was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago and it was too late by that time for it was already in a very advanced stage.'

She bit her lower lip valiantly and in a vain attempt to hold back the tears and failed miserably.

' Ila, I am known as one of this country's best forensic analysts and pathologists and have also been called abroad many a time for consultation and yet here I am unable to do anything for my living son who will soon be dead.'

He gently covered her small hands in his and said ' I am so sorry, Neelima, that you of all the people have to suffer this tragedy and that your son is in such bad shape.'

She looked at him and smiled happily and then wiping her tears, said, ' At least you finally called me by my name. Thank god for small mercies.'

Both laughed sadly and she told him, ' I will do my best, Ila. Meet me tomorrow evening at the hospital and I will give you a more detailed report.'

Good morning. I wish you a peaceful day.

This lockdown has brought about both Visible and invisible changes around the area where I live. Many cars stand parked outside apartments drowned in leaves and crow shit and I stand and wonder if a decade or more has passed us by although it has been just 35 days since the lockdown began.

The familiar wail of a frail old woman who went around with a basket of Malli poove is missing. You could hear her from a distance as she yelled at the top of her voice ' Poovu, Amma Poovu' both early in the morning and late in the evening.

Small in size, horribly bow-legged, this old lady who must have been in her late 60s or early 70s made her living by selling flowers and doing that by going door to door and now I wonder how she is doing while she sits by her own door with no earnings.

The Kola maavu man is missing too and that is even more worrisome for I have been seeing him around Besant Nagar since the mid-90s,(1990s) and a time when he was younger and his war cry " Kola Maavu" was familiar to all of us Bessie's.

I wish somebody like Nayanthara could come around selling stuff like in the move Kola Maavu kokila but that sadly is only in the films and always an illusion.

Age, booze had dulled the Kola Maavu man's roar to that of a squeak, similar to my bathroom singing voice and also my voice when my wife bangs on the door to say ask me if I had suffered a heart attack and I tried to imitate Kamal's performance in Nayagan when he sees the body of his dead son.

The numbers of cats that I used to feed has gone up from three to nearly a dozen and the number of stray dogs begging for scraps too has increased.

The people who I am used to seeing walk before the lockdown now don't walk but instead shuffle around like Zombies on their last legs, their eyes reflecting quiet desperation and confusion.

We saw so many Hollywood blockbusters about epidemics, pandemics and bioterrorism and laughed and waved it away and yet here we are, right in the middle of a pandemic and it is happening to all of us.

I am praying more. I don't show it but I am praying more than before and praying for one more chance for all of us to do better and for Redemption.

But, it seems that the Coronavirus like Shylock himself from the merchant of Venice is not going to leave without getting its pound of flesh.

I am not being morbid or depressing but just sharing with you all boldly and openly my thoughts.

An 80-year-old short story

Chittanandam

ஒரு வாரத்திற்கு முன் கீழ்ப்புலிவாய் என்ற ஒரு கிராமத்துக்கு நான் போனேன். என் பெண்ணினுடைய மாமியாரின் தகப்பனார் இறந்துபோய்விட்டார். துக்கம் விசாரிக்கப் போகவேண்டியிருந்தது. இறந்தவருக்கு வயது எண்பது இருக்கும்.

"எண்பது வயதுக் கிழவர் போய்விட்டால் துக்கம் என்ன வந்திருக்கிறது? அற்பாயுசாய்ப் போய்விட்டாரா? இதைப் போய் விசாரிக்காவிட்டால் என்ன?" என்றேன்.

"நன்றாய்ச் சொன்னீர்கள்! பெண்ணைக் கொடுத்த இடத்தில் ஒரு சாவு நேரிட்டு அதை விசாரிக்கப் போகாவிட்டால் நாளைக்குப் பெண்ணை இடித்துக் காட்டமாட்டார்களா? அதுவும் நம் பெண்ணின் மாமியாருக்குச் சொந்த தகப்பனார். பெரிய சாவு. போகாவிட்டால் என்றைக்கும் பேச்சுக்கிடம். கல்யாணங்களுக்குப் போகாமல் இருந்தாலும் இருக்கலாம். சாவுக்குப் போகாமல் இருக்கலாமோ? மேலும் அவர் சொத்தை எல்லாம் தெளஹித்திரன் முறையில் நம்ம மாப்பிள்ளைக்கு வைத்திருக்கிறார்..."

"வைத்துவிட்டுத்தான் போய்விட்டாரே. நாம் போய் விசாரிக்கவில்லையென்று செத்துப்போனவர் எழுந்து வந்து அதை மாற்றிவிடப் போகிறாரா? மாப்பிள்ளை என்னமோ அந்த இடத்தில் இல்லை. அவன் டில்லிக்கு வேலை சம்பாதிக்கப் போயிருக்கிறான். இப்பொழுதெல்லாம் அவன் வரப்போகிறதில்லை. அங்கே யாரைப் போய் விசாரிக்க வேண்டும்? நம்ம பெண்ணை என்னமோ கிராமத்துக்கு அழைத்துக்கொண்டு போயிருக்கிறார்கள். நாம் போகாவிட்டால் என்ன? கிடக்கிறது விடுடி. யாரோ என்னமோ சொல்லுவாளாம்! யார் சொல்லுகிறது? என்னத்தைச் சொல்லுகிறது?" என்றேன்.

"வீண் முரட்டுத்தனம் பண்ணாதீர்கள். போய்வராவிட்டால் நன்றாயிராது. நம்ம பெண்ணுக்குத்தான் சிறுப்பாணி. என்ன கஷ்டமாம்? காலை நாலு மணி வண்டிக்குப் புறப்பட்டால் சாயந்திரம் ஆறரை மணிக்கு வீடு வந்து சேர்ந்துவிடப் போகிறோம். போய்த்தான் வர வேண்டும்" என்றாள்.

"என்னமோ இது ஒரு அர்த்தமில்லாத வழக்கம்.யாரையாவது துணைக்கு அழைத்துக்கொண்டு நீ மாத்திரம் போய்வா. அவர் போய்விட்டதற்கு நீதான் ரொம்ப துக்கங் கொண்டாடுகிற மாதிரி இருக்கிறது. போய் வா" என்றேன்.

"நீங்களுந்தான் வர வேண்டும்."

"நம்ம வீட்டிலிருக்கும் குழந்தை குட்டிகள், வேலைக்காரன், பெருக்குகிறவன் எல்லோரையுமே அழைத்துக்கொண்டு போனால் நம்ம வீடே துக்கத்தில் ஆழ்ந்து கிடக்கிறது என்று இன்னும் நன்றாகத் தெரியப்படுத்தலாமே?'

"அந்தச் சட்டக்கல்வி பேச்செல்லாம் இருக்கட்டும்; கிளம்புங்கள்" என்றாள்.

இருவருமாகப் புறப்பட்டுப் போனோம். ஒரு சிறிய தோல் பையில் ஒரு நாளைக்கு வேண்டிய துணிமணிகளை எடுத்துக்கொண்டு கிளம்பினோம்.

காலை ஏழு மணிக்கு ரயிலிலிருந்து இறங்கினோம். ஸ்டேஷனுக்கும் கிராமத்திற்கும் மூன்று மைல் தூரம். அதில் ஒன்றரை மைல் வரைக்கும் கல் ரோட்டு. மற்ற ஒன்றரை மைலும் குறுக்கு வழியாய்த்தான் போக வேண்டும். வண்டிக்காரன் ரோட்டு ஓரம் வரைக்குந்தான் ஜட்கா வண்டி போகுமென்றும், அதற்கப்புறம் போகாதென்றும், ரோட் உள்ள வரைக்கும் வண்டியில் எங்களைக் கொண்டு போய்விடுவதாகவும் சொன்னான். "அப்புறம் ஒன்றரை மைல் இருக்கிறதே, அதை எப்படிப் போகிறது?" என்றேன். "நடந்துதான் சாமி போகவேண்டும். வெளியூரிலிருந்து வருகிறவர்கள் எல்லோரும் அப்படித்தான் செய்கிறார்கள்" என்றான்.

"இது ஒரு அனுபவமா? பார்க்கலாம் " என்று வண்டியில் ஏறி உட்கார்ந்துகொண்டோம். ரோட் ஓரத்தில் வண்டியை நிறுத்திவிட்டான்.

"இதோ வண்டி பாட்டைத் தெரிகிறதே, வண்டி போகாது என்றாயே?" ஜட்காக்காரனைக் கேட்டேன்.

"போகாது சாமி. இரட்டை மாட்டு வண்டியாய் இருந்தால் போகும். ஜட்கா, ஒற்றை மாட்டு வண்டி இவைகள் போகாது. இரண்டு பக்கங்களிலும் சக்கரங்கள் போக வர பாதை ஏற்பட்டிருக்கிறது. இரட்டை மாட்டு வண்டியாய் இருந்தால் மாடுகள் சக்கரம் போகும் வழியிலேயே நடந்து போய்விடும். குதிரை நடுவில் போக வேண்டுமோ, இல்லையோ? வழி நெடு நடுவில் முள் செடிகளும் கல் பாறைகளுமாக இருக்கும். குதிரை நடக்க முடியாது" என்றான்.

"இரட்டை மாட்டு வண்டி அகப்படாதோ?" என்று கேட்டேன்.

"இங்கே எங்கு அகப்படும், சாமி? எட்டிப் பிடித்தாற்போல் நடந்து போய்விடலாம். அதோ தோப்பு தெரிகிறதே, அதுதான் ஊர்" என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு, எங்களை நடு ரோட்டில் விட்டுவிட்டுப் போய்விட்டான்!

அங்கே மாடு மேய்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்த ஒரு பையனை வழிகாட்டத் துணைக்கு அழைத்துக்கொண்டு நடந்தோம்.

வழி எல்லாம் முட்செடிகளும், பாறைகளும் பருக்காங் கல்லுமாக இருந்தன. நல்ல சித்திரை மாதத்து வெயில் ஆரம்பித்துவிட்டது. கிராமத்திற்குப் போவதானால் செருப்புப் போட்டுக்கொண்டு போகக்கூடாதென்று என் சம்சாரம் அவள் செருப்பை வீட்டிலேயே வைத்துவிட்டு வந்துவிட்டாள்.

"கிராமத்துக்குப் போகும் வழிகளை இந்த மாதிரி வைத்துக்கொண்டு தாலுக்கா போர்டாம், டிஸ்ட்ரிக்ட் போர்டாம், கிராமப் பஞ்சாயத்தாம், தொடப்பக் கட்டைக்குப் பட்டுக் குஞ்சம் கட்டினாற்போல்! ஜனங்களை வரியைப் போட்டு வதைக்கிறதுதான் கண்டது" என்று வெறுத்துப்போய்க் கத்தினேன். என் சம்சாரம் காலில் முள் குத்தி ஒரு பாறையின் மேல் உட்கார்ந்துவிட்டாள்.

"கிழவர் போன இடத்திற்குத்தான் நாமும் போக வேண்டி இருக்கிறதே. அவரிடத்தில் நேரிலேயே துக்கம் சொல்லலாமே? அதுவும் ஒரு அனுகூலம்தான். கிழவருக்கும் ரொம்ப திருப்தியாய் இருக்கும்" என்றேன்.

என் சம்சாரம் இந்த மாதிரி பேச்சுக்குத் தயாராய் இல்லை. "ஒரு வாய் காப்பி இருந்தால் இவ்வளவு அலுப்பாய் இராது" என்றாள்.

"நீ சொல்லுகிறது ரொம்ப சரி. எனக்கும்தான் அப்படித் தோன்றுகிறது. காப்பி ஹோட்டல் எங்கேயாவது இருக்குமோ என்று சுத்திப் பார்க்கிறேன். கண்ணுக்கு எட்டுகிற வரைக்கும் காணோமே?" என்றேன்.

'சரி, நடவுங்கள். என்ன செய்கிறது?" என்று பெருமூச்சு விட்டுக்கொண்டே எழுந்தாள். தட்டுத் தடுமாறி ஊர் போய்ச் சேர்ந்தோம்.

தெருக்கோடியிலிருந்தே விசனக் குறி தோன்றும்படியாக முகத்தைச் சரிப்படுத்த ஆரம்பித்தேன். என் சம்சாரமும் மாம்பலத்தில் குழாய் சொட்டுகிற மாதிரி கண்ணில் சொட்டு சொட்டென்று கண்ணீரைச் சொட்டவிட்டுத் துக்கம் பண்ணிக் கொள்ளுகிற மாதிரி திரும்பிப் பார்க்கையில் தெரிந்தது. இருவரும் ஒருவரோடு ஒருவர் பேசிக்கொண்டு போவது உசிதமில்லை என்று விசனக்குறியுடன் தலை குனிந்து கொண்டு சென்றோம்.

தெருவில் என் பெண்ணின் மாமனார் உட்கார்ந்திருந்தார். நான் வருவதைக் கண்டு திடீரென்று முகத்தைத் துக்க முகமாக ஆக்கிக் கொண்டார். அவர் சம்சாரம் அப்போது நடையில் நின்று கொண்டிருந்தாள். அவளைப் பார்த்த உடன் என் சம்சாரம் புழலேரி கரை உடைத்துக்கொண்டு வெள்ளப்பாடாய் ஓடுகிற மாதிரி கண்ணிலிருந்து ஜலத்தைத் திறந்துவிட்டாள்.

இவள் உடம்பில் எங்கேடா இவ்வளவு ஜலம் இருந்தது என்று எனக்கே ஆச்சரியமாய் இருந்தது. உடம்பிலுள்ள ஜலமெல்லாம் வற்றிப்போய்ச் சுண்டிவிடப் போகிறாளே என்றுகூடப் பயம் தோன்றும்படியாக இருந்தது. எப்பொழுதுமே பெண் மக்கள் கண்கள் புழலேரி மாதிரிதான். நிமிஷத்தில் பெருக்கவிடுவார்கள்.

துக்கம் விசாரிப்பதெல்லாம் ஐந்து நிமிஷத்தில் முடிந்துவிட்டது. அதற்கப்புறம் வெயிலின் கொடுமை, விலைவாசி ஏறிப்போனது, கிராமத்தில் கால்நடைகளுக்கு வந்திருக்கும் புதிதான நோய், ஏழெட்டுத் தினங்களுக்கு முன் அந்த ஊரில் நடந்த திருட்டு - இவைகளைப் போன்ற லோகவியவகாரப் பேச்சுக்களைப் பேசினோம்.

"உங்கள் ஊருக்கு வருகிறதென்றால் யமலோகம் போய் வருகிற மாதிரி இருக்கிறதே. வண்டி போவதற்கு ரோட்டு போடும்படியாக நீங்கள் எல்லாம் கிளர்ச்சி செய்கிறதுதானே?" என்றேன்.

"இருபத்தேழு வருஷங்களாகத்தான் செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறோம். யார் காதில் போட்டுக்கொள்கிறார்கள்? 'பெண்ஜாதி தாலியை வைத்தாவது வரியைக் கட்டு' என்று அடி தண்டம் போட்டு வாங்கிவிடுகிறார்கள். என்னவோ, இப்படியேதான் காலத்தைக் கழித்துக்கொண்டு வருகிறோம்" என்றார்.

"எனக்கு ரொம்ப ஜோலி இருக்கிறது. மத்தியானமே நான் திரும்ப வேண்டும். எங்களை ரயிலுக்குக் கொண்டுபோய்ச் சேர்த்துவிடுங்கள் " என்று கேட்டுக் கொண்டேன்.

"இரண்டே முக்கால் மணி வண்டிக்குத்தானே? அதற்கென்ன போய்ச் சேர்ந்துவிடலாம்" என்றார்.

சாப்பாடாகி, மணி பன்னிரண்டாயிற்று.

"வண்டியைக் கட்டக் சொல்லுங்கள். இப்பொழுது புறப்பட்டால்தான் ரயிலுக்கு சரியாய் இருக்கும்" என்றேன்.

"வேண்டிய நாழி இருக்கிறது. நான் கொண்டு போய் விட்டுவிடச் சொல்லுகிறேன். அடே அம்மாவாசை! ஓட்டமாய் ஓடிப் போய் முருகனை இட்டுக்கொண்டு வாடா" என்று அம்மாவாசையைத் துரத்தினார். போனவன் திரும்பி வரவேயில்லை. மணி பன்னிரண்டே முக்கால் ஆயிற்று.

"நாழியாய்விட்டது போல் இருக்கிறதே! இப்பொழுது புறப்பட்டால்கூட ரயில் அகப்படுவது கஷ்டமாய்ப் போய்விடும் போல் இருக்கிறதே?" என்றேன்.

"ஒன்றும் ஆகாது. இன்னும் வேண்டிய நாழி கிடக்கிறது. இதோ வந்துவிடுவான் ஆள்" என்றார்.

எனக்கா பதைக்கிறது. நடந்து போய்விடலாம் என்றால் வெயில் தலை காட்ட முடியாத தீட்சண்யமாய் இருக்கிறது. மேலும் அவர் வண்டி கட்டி அனுப்புவதாகச் சொல்லும்பொழுது நடந்து போவதாக நான் சொல்லுவது மரியாதையில்லை என்று தோன்றிற்று. மெல்லவும் முடியாமல் விழுங்கவும் முடியாமல் தவித்துக்கொண்டு உட்கார்ந்திருந்தேன். அடிக்கடி கடிகாரத்தைப் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தேன். மணி ஒன்றாச்சுது.

முருகன் வந்தான். "ஏண்டா சோம்பேறி நாயே! வண்டி கட்டிக்கொண்டு ரயிலுக்குப் போக வேண்டியிருக்கிறது! ஆட்டி அசக்கிகொண்டு வருகிறாயே. ஓடுடா கழுதை. ஓடிப்போய் அங்கே எங்கேயாவது செவிலிமாடு இரண்டும் மேய்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கும். ஜல்தியாய்ப் போய்ப் பிடித்துக்கொண்டு வா! இதோ இங்கே வா. வண்டிக்கும் மை போட்டுவிட்டு ஓடிப் போய் மாடுகளைப் பிடித்துக்கொண்டு வா. ரயிலுக்கு நேரமாச்சு. எல்லாம் ஒரு நொடியில் ஆகவேண்டும்" என்றார்.

எனக்கு அழுகிறதா சிரிக்கிறதா தெரியவில்லை. என் சம்சாரம் நடையில் வந்து நின்றுகொண்டு, "ஏன் புறப்படுகிறதற்கு நாழியாகவில்லை? மணி ஒன்றரையாகிறாப் போலிருக்கிறதே" என்றாள். அவளும் கையில் ரிஸ்ட் வாட்ச் கட்டிக்கொண்டிருந்தாள்.

எனக்கு மனத்தில் துக்கம் துரத்திக்கொண்டு வருகிறது. எல்லாவற்றையும் அடக்கிக்கொண்டு, "இதோ புறப்படவேண்டியதுதான்" என்றேன்.

முருகன் வைக்கோலை வெளியில் கொண்டுவந்து கொளுத்தி மையாக்கினான்.

"மை போட வண்டியைத் தூக்க ஆள் யாரையும் காணோமே, சாமி?" என்று தலையைச் சொறிந்தான்.

"களத்து மேட்டண்டை போய் யாராவது ஒரு ஆளைப் பிடித்து இழுத்துக்கொண்டு வாயேண்டா. ஓடு! ரயிலுக்கு நாழியாச்சு. மடமடவென்று ஒரு ஆளை இட்டு வா" என்றார்.

வண்டி மை போட்டு முடிந்த பொழுது மணி இரண்டாச்சு.

"போடா! செவிலிகள் எங்கே மேய்கின்றனவென்று பார்த்துப் பிடித்துக்கொண்டு வா. அரை நொடியில் வரவேண்டும்" என்றார்.

"செவிலிகளைக் காலையில் ஏரில் கட்டித்து, சாமி" என்றான் முருகன்.

"அப்போ ஆத்தோரத்துத் தோப்புக்குப் போய்ப் பட்டைகள் இரண்டையும் பிடித்து வாயேண்டா. ஓடு! தடியனாட்டம் நிற்கிறாயே?" என்று கத்தினார்.

ஆத்தோரத்துத் தோப்பு என்பது வீட்டிலிருந்து முக்கால் மைல்.

எழுந்து போய் நடையில் நான் குப்புறப் படுத்துக் கொண்டுவிட்டேன்.

"நாழியாகவில்லையா?" என்றாள் சம்சாரம்.

அந்த இடத்தில் நாலு அறை கொடுக்கிறது நன்றா இருக்குமா?

- எஸ்.வி.வி.

Regards,

Chittanandam

S.V.V. (S.V.Vijayaraghavachariyar) was a Tamil short story writer belonging to the first half of last century. He was a Lawyer by profession writing articles in The Hindu. Gemini S.S.Vasan and Editor Kalki successfully pleaded with him to write short stories in Tamil for Ananda Vikatan.

S.V.V.'s writings are marked by subtle humour and native flavour.

Vaanathai Pola 117

Chennai Police Commissioner Viswanathan sat in his room waiting for the arrival of Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan to discuss how to proceed with the case concerning the person named Radha Krishnan.

He had read the message sent late in the night by Ilavarasan in which he had briefly mentioned the findings from last night by Dr Neelima Devi had also mentioned that he would be there in his office at 8.00 am to report in detail about the burnt corpse that had been discovered in Velachery.

Apart from the meeting with Ilavarasan at 8.00 am, Commissioner Viswanathan's thoughts were all about the meeting that had been scheduled at 10.00 am at the secretariat with the Chief Minister and in which his boss DGP Tripathy was also going to be present to report about the meeting he had with Jagatratchagan in Madurai, a couple of days ago.

The time was 7.30 am and there was still a little time to go when his mobile phone rang and he saw that it was Raman and answered it with a smile, saying, ' Think of the devil and the devil himself calls.'

' Commissioner sir, this is the first time that I am being called that and that too by a friend and well-wisher. Seriously, sir, just because I could not take you up on that dinner invitation does not make me a devil. But, if you really want to see devils and see them in action, please come and stay in Delhi for a few days and you will sing a different tune about me.'

' Raman, I meant it in a complimentary way and in a good way. Forgive me but I am beginning to think that this bloody place and people don't deserve a benevolent God but a cruel and evil entity to watch over them.'

' That, is rather an extreme position to take, even for you, sir. What has ruffled you and made you think this way?'

' Raman, have you been following the news and what has been happening here in our state over the past few days?'

' Yes, sir, and that is exactly the reason why I have called you?'

Commissioner Viswanathan sighed and smiled lightly, ' Am, I right when I say, that the reason is also, Kavita?'

Raman without hesitating, replied, ' yes, sir.'

' The reason why I said " Think of the devil" was that I was thinking of you and how good it would have been to have you here, helping us for, frankly speaking, I am at my wit's end and there is a strong possibility that this case concerning this missing friend of Kavita's might just end my career or force me to seek early retirement.'

Raman asked in a very troubled voice, ' I am sorry but you did not sound this low even when both the killers, Gulab and Jamun were going around on a rampage in Chennai a few months ago. So, what is it about this case that has you so worried, sir?'

' This Radha Krishnan who we thought was kidnapped could now be dead. For, last night we found the burnt body of a man matching his descriptions, his blood type in Velachery and for added good measure, a message was pinned to a nearby tree, warning people who opposed them.'

' Opposing whom? The Thevar community?'

' That is what we have to find out now and one of my best man, Deputy Commissioner Ilavarasan is handling the case.'

Raman remembering the name thought for a second and asked, ' Sir, Isn't he the same officer who broke the drug rings in Tuticorin and Chennai ports a few years ago and is also known and feared for many encounter killings of notorious gangsters.'

' The very same person and let me tell you that all the people who died under his gun truly deserved it. For, in my opinion, he is one of the most honest officers I have had the luck to meet and also work together.

The door to his room opened and Deputy Commissioner himself entered and Commissioner Viswanathan smiled and said, ' Raman, speak of the devil and here it is right in front of me.'

' Sir, I am sorry to have bothered you at this difficult moment but I was worried about Kavita to who I promised to talk with you and find out what is going on?'

' Ram, call me tomorrow at the same time and I will hopefully have more to tell you and that which is authentic in detail. Promise. Bye.'

' Thank you, sir. If, in case you think you need my help, please just message me and I will get back to you as soon as it is possible.'

Commissioner Viswanathan in a curious voice, repeated, ' as soon as possible. So, you are not in the country, I gather?'

' No, sir. Far away and in the land of Mossad.'

Commissioner Viswanathan whistled and said, ' that doesn't sound very good.'

Raman wearily, ' You won't even believe it if I tell you. But, I am flying back in a few days and hopefully, we can meet up and talk shop.'

Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

Life. A, word that immediately conjures, love, beauty, happiness, friends, family and so much more. But, those are but the conjurings of you and me and all humans.

I wonder how life is seen By Nature and Earth, the house that it calls its own or rather its own garden or dare I say a tiny lab in a tiny Solar system.

I am a dreamer, a wanderer, a drifter and I do that while reading a book, watching a movie on tv, listening to a song and I drift away imagining stuff that I am sure most of us do on a regular basis.

If we didn't run away, wander, get lost in some dreamworld, what other safe house is there for each of us souls as we go about existing in this crowded existence.

Jurassic World was being repeated and I stopped skipping channels and stared at the fangs and claws and heard the roars and wondered how it must have been hundreds of million years ago when these animals really wandered around, alive on this very ground that we today make our lives.

I sighed and saying thanks to that supposedly rock from outer space that wiped out the dinosaurs, skipped to the next channel and there was my favourite hero in my favourite film talking to Wilson the volleyball. Yes, Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland in Castaway.

Five years on an island with a volleyball called Wilson for company, and he manages to make it out of the island. Forgive my warped and rather boink mindest when I home in on that scene where Tom hanks looks back on the island after having made it across and over the giant waves with the help of some metal debris that he uses as a sail to lift him up and over the final waves and makes his escape out into the open sea.

I did not fully understand why he was staring at the island in such a heartbreaking way, until the end scene, where he stands at a crossroad and stares meaningfully at the flatlands in all directions and the same music comes on. The crossroad is also a reflection of his soul for he has lost the woman whom he had loved and hoped to marry but is now someone else's wife and a mother to a child( obviously, what do you expect after having been declared dead and gone for five years. worse s..t happens if you are missing for a few days.)

Castaway for five years on an island with only a volleyball for company, and I wonder, I just wonder if the director is telling us that maybe life is really all about islands and volleyballs and that it matters not if we are on land or lost at sea for almost always we are castaways in a sense and sadly, without Wilson the volleyball.

Chuck Noland: We both had done the math. Kelly added it all up and... knew she had to let me go. I added it up, and knew that I had... lost her. 'cos I was never gonna get off that island. I was gonna die there, totally alone. I was gonna get sick, or get injured or something. The only choice I had, the only thing I could control was when, and how, and where it was going to happen. So... I made a rope and I went up to the summit, to hang myself. I had to test it, you know? Of course. You know me. And the weight of the log snapped the limb of the tree, so I, I couldn't even kill myself the way I wanted to. I had power over nothing. And that's when this feeling came over me like a warm blanket. I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow. I had to keep breathing. Even though there was no reason to hope. And all my logic said that I would never see this place again. So that's what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing. And one day my logic was proven all wrong because the tide came in, and gave me a sail. And now, here I am. I'm back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass... And I've lost her all over again. I'm so sad that I don't have Kelly. But I'm so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuVE43XuZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAoNcF5uGWg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afiuJ2tsoVA