Kambini Giri an obscure village on the banks of Kabini in Vayanad District in Kerala sits
snugly and refreshingly cool in the benign weather. Young Jimi stands forlorn ,crouched on the door, stares at the pathway that runs in front of her cottage
as a ritual. Out in the morning breeze were the bratty kids clad in their bright uniforms after a resourceful week end, squalling whining playing pranks under their
colourful umbrellas. She was sad as she cannot join them in their bandying
though not past the school age. She sobs ,sighs and secretly weeps. Once their
friends out of sight ,she silently draws back to her borough in the hut only to
reappear sharp at fifteen minutes past four when
the children return back home with their usual churlish pranks. She keeps the
midday meals ready in the tiffin box to forget the pain of being cut away from
the school.
It all started at the age of five when suddenly she would
fall for no reason. In the beginning she would stand up effortlessly after a fall.
Soon she found that she couldn’t help herself during the falls. It was Mascular Distropia in the medical jargon -a group of disorders that involve a progressive
loss of muscle mass and consequent loss of strength that affect up to 1 in every 5,000 males. Muscular dystrophy is caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the production of
muscle proteins that are needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. There is
currently no cure.
Jimis parents ,daily waged labourers as they are , had to
run pillar to post to meet the medical expenses of the child. Soon their second
daughter Sumi also began to show similar symptoms. The two were friends more
than sisters. The affliction grew with them with the nursery classes .All systems
of medical treatments were tried-out but
of no avail. Jini thirteen and Sumi at nine were now tied to the wheel chairs
for ever. Sumi was lucky to attend up to seventh class. By now the parents had the
piece of land sold out and are in no way
to hire a vehicle to send their children to school.
None can hold back when destiny beckons. Their home became their school, the kitchen their
laboratory and the nature the university.
It was sheer grit and unflinching
determination that lead them. They attended the upper primary exams at KabaniGiri school. When
they reached Higher secondary classes, teachers from Nirmala School stood by
them. They helped them to clear doubts in Computer lessons. Each exam was a
fight with life and disease. Jimi scored 90% marks in Secondary classes
followed by Suma with 80% .They passed plus Two with 85% marks for imi and 76%
marks for her sister with humanity as their subjects. They learned glass
painting and handicrafts.
They were denied degree admission
in the nearby college on the pretext
that daily attendances are a must which they cannot guarantee. Obstacles were
many for parallel education as well. At times, the parents even thought of
retreat and put their children on spiritual classics.
When all the doors were closed a College named JDT,Vellinod
came with the glitter of hope .The patrons of the college
Sri.Rasheed ,the vice President and Chair Person Sri.CP.KunhuMohammed
came as saviours. Coaching,loadging and mess were offered free. They bought
them self controllable wheelchairs-even
put op ramps and lifts for them. They bought them lap tops too.
It was three years intense pursuit in the shadows of kind
hearted Vellimadikkunnu. Jini came out with first rank and Sumi with first class. They both finished
post-graduation in Multimedia with top
ranks and entered in to the teaching
faculty in the same collage. The Eastern Bhumika Award and Yes Bank award came
in their way. In the midst of the course they made a documentary titled ‘Life of Wheels”.
It is seven years that Mary is living with her Children in
JDT. She lives with them. They wanted to
be with their mother always. They wanted her presence from the morning ablution
till they are asleep.They reminisce in one mind.”Our mother taught us on concave
and convex lenses with a steel spoon .She taught us the litmus test with the Hibiscus.
Mother is the fount of our strength in
our life. Without her fond care and vigil we won’t be here.”
In the class rooms they get the affection and care of their
students .Their students knew what their teachers want. The students set
the microphone and projector for them.
Jiji and Simi do not
think of research as they are tied to the wheels and research involves a lot of travel. A government job is
a must for them for a more secure life.
Their parents are in financial straits
and suffer health issues. Their father Jhon is bedridden over a vertebral fracture after a fall .He can not go
to work. Mary has a cervical problem which hold her back.
Bizarre are the ways of destiny.
Coutesy: Deshabhimani-Sunday Newspaper-31-12-2017
