Anavandi Trip

I am Writing this enroute to Kochi International Airport. I and my wife are heading to Delhi to meet our old friends. This time we chose to ride the Kerala Government owned Anavandi bus service to the Airport. The Airport is two plus hours ride away from my hometown Pattambi. The bus originates from Perinthalmanna, anther town about 40 Kilometers north of  Pattambi. The pick up at Pattambi was at 5:20AM, so we left home around 4:50AM. Amma (my mother) woke up and prepared black coffee for us. Amma is 87 years old. She maintains her belief that it is inauspicious to leave the home empty stomach , no matter what the time of the day it is. We enjoyed the coffee and after seeking her blessings left the home. 

My home is in Kodumunda under the hills, surrounded by paddy fields , plantations and two temples atop the hills scenic, serene and picturesque which is 6 kilometers west of Pattambi. The commute to Pattambi is 10 minutes under normal traffic but we were cautioned about the railroad crossing and the possible delay. My younger brother dropped us at the bus stop in Pattambi. The bus arrived on time which was a bit of surprise to me as I still carry my 22 year old experience of KSRTC.  It was stated to be a luxury bus with place to keep your luggage etc. but it turned out to be just a low floor air conditioned bus. There was some space on the floor where you can keep your luggage. The luggage space was occupied by the passengers boarded from earlier stops. I moved those luggages and created space for my suite cases. The boarding process was completed after the routine  check by the lady conductor. Our seats were occupied by some unreserved passengers. The conductor instructed them to vacate and we got settled in our reserved seats. During the whole boarding process, the conductor did not welcome the passengers nor smiled. After all, the driver and conductor are Government employees and the SOP does not require them to greet the passengers or smile. After all why should they, all these greetings and smiles etc. are western culture. They are doing their duty in itself is a big obligation.

The bus ride was smooth and on time. Thought of catching up with my lost sleep but could not. The bus was brightly lit with no provisions for dimming. Switching off, the conductor said, is unlawful because there are women copassengers.

With the plan to sleep gutted, I started writing and suddenly my attention caught on Saleem , the passenger in the seat in front of my seat . Saleem is a young man of his late thirties. His face was gloomy and looked tired. I broke the ice and asked about his home and family. Saleem is returning to UAE where he works. His wife, two small kids and his mother lives in Kerala, the neighboring village of mine. Saleem said, he was on a short visit to see his family here in His village. Saleem is in Gulf countries earning and supporting his family back home. He visits his family once every year. Said that he cannot continue in Gulf longer leaving the family behind. Saleem wants to come back once his house under construction is completed. He said the face of children when he was leaving after the vacation tells him enough is enough the life separated from home and family. 

Kerala is full of Saleems. My younger brother did the same for 18 years and my nephew is wearing the same boot. Employment situation here compels young boys and girls to migrate to other parts of India and Gulf countries. People vote for politicians in the hope to see developments and employment opportunities and are disappointed. Parliamentarians and legislators are not shy of washing away entire house sessions. New elections, new promises and new government will come and go but the system will compel more and more Saleems to leave their newly wed spouse, elderly mother and younger children behind in search of livelihood.