an incident similar to this one An incident similar to this one happened when I was traveling to Blr from Hyd in a Ksrtc Rajahamsa bus, a lady from Delhi in her mid 40's suddenly started howling abususes at the conductor accusing of taking extra money for a seat.
Usually the Rajahamsa bus has 2*2 seatings and one single seatin the beginning of the row meant for the conductor. The lady insisted the conductor to let her sit on that seat as she was not comfortable sitting with male passengers next to her.
The conductor politely asked her to choose a seat between 11-12 as they are reserved as ladies. She was in a no mood of listening and started to howl abuses to the conductor. The conductor was polite and was trying to calm her down but she was in no mood of listening. At one point she removed her slippers to hit him. She accused him for taking extra money from her and hurled abuses on him and on the people of south India for the rest of the journey as other passengers ignored her. ( I am not generalizing any North Indians here)
All i am trying to say is that people should learn to behave in public.
Tips for Stay If the hotels in velankanni are full, the next neares desitnation in Nagapattinam to get some decent hotels dont commit the mistake of staying in Thrivazhiyoor (to be spelt as Thiruvarur). Thiruvarur is round 30 Kms from Velankanni where as nagapattinam is around 12 Kms. Now the last 10kms of road is laid very well since it comes under the ECR
Bangalore to Velamkanni Would suggest to take Bangalore - Hosur - Salem - Trichy - Tanjore -Velamkanni. The roads has improved a lot and can reach 8-9 hours
Thanks I haven't generalized on North Indians or my Intentions was not that. The only thing I mentioned that the lady was from north and she felt insulted when conductor spoke to her in Kannada. This is not a reason to beat the conductor and shouting in the bus.
I myself not from Karnataka and an immigrant to Bangalore. But always felt that Bangalore is one of cities more accommodative to Immigrants and we should misuse it.
Surprising Hi,
This is very surprising but your article was more like generalizing for all the north indians,,thats lady;s behavior is indeed intolerable but then portray it that way and please improve your english.
Route to Vailankanni Actually my family is planning to go to Vailankanni in the month of Jan '09. I am actually in Mumbai. so I have options Mumbai - chennai by flight and then Chennai onwards by bus to Vailankanni or Mumbai to Trichy by flight and then by bus to vailankanni. let me know the best route. I dont want too much time on road travelling as I have a small baby.
Thanks a lot Hello Accha
Thanks a lot for the mail. But more to the rest and lunch arranged at church. Being a very small place with limited space the service provided by you and members of the church are just great. I will never forget in my life. May Great God bless you and all the members. I will remember you in my prayers for ever.
Thanks once again.
Tiju
Writing in from Thiruvalla Dear Tiju,
I happened to read your blog while working on the web site of our church. I am the vicar of the Thiruvalla Simhasana Church, the church you slept in on the 14th of Feb, 2008. I must tell you that we feel honoured and blessed to offer whatever help to pilgrims like you and your wife, who are on their way to Manjinikara, every year. So forgive us if there were any short comings. With prayers and good wishes.
Very nice article and thought provoking too. When using pulic transport buses in US, passengers MUST provide exact change. If they do not have the exact change, they cannot expect to get change back either. I have paid a few extra cents myself while using the bus as I didnt have exact change. I think this is a very good concept and can be followed in Bangalore too. In this case, what the hell was the lady thinking in first place giving 500 bucks for a ticket! BMTC bus is not the place for one to show off his/her wealth and position in society ;) More on the exact-change-or-no-change concept, I also think it will save a lot of timeduring ticket issueance as conductor need not worry abt providing change to passengers.
Manjanikkara 2008 Dear Mr. Tiju,
Good to see your post. I was trying to check the new website of Manjanikkara church and it brought me to your blog.
Though I wanted to walk to Manjanikkara, for some reasons it did not materialize.
I live at Pallom, and have seen a lot of people walking from 13th evening. I usually open the house gates by 06:30 or so
and have seen the people on the road from then till about 10:30, after that it was in small groups.
2 of my daughters also joined me there. Around 08:15 or so, we have seen a large group of people, with a number of priests from
Puthenkurisu, walking. I remember one priest came to our side and gave my young daughter some oranges and blessed her.
Prior to this, few people have given oranges to my youngest, 2 year old. and It is likely that the Kids to whom you may have given
the oranges could be my children. We were on the road from about 06:30 watching these pilgrims. There is
a Kurisum thotty at Mariappally on the MC road after Nattakom Govt college, where usually some refreshments are served and then
at Madonna marbles, where Mr. Shaji arranges the same and then at Pallom Buccanan School by our youth league,
Mor Ignatius church, Pallom. We are located at Pallom,immediately after the State bank of travancore / Madonna marbles on the
west side and the next time you walk, may call us.
God bless you all.
By the way, Would you share the know how on charging Nokia batteries using currency notes?
John
Manjanikkara Trip. Hi Tiju,
Today, I was in a bit uncomfortable state and being the lent season, I couldn't put myself to prayers and right doing. Guess, it was God who made me read your article and now am enlightened. As I was going through your message, my eyes have gone tearful....
Also, I felt was travelling with you guys..., in reality, you were lying somewhere close to me at Simhasana Church, Thiruvalla... Lord Be Praised. This year, it was my fifth time by walk to Manjanikkara..and first time with my WIFE, as we got married last year. My wife struggled a lot as it was her maiden trip...but God blessed us to reach Bawa's tomb successfully.
Just to share one of my experiences: My wife was suffering from a hectic back pain..she couldn't stand for even 30mins. continuously...soon it starts paining badly. It was on since last several months. We consulted a good doc..went to a leading Ayurvedic doc., tried various means to get rid of it...but in vain. My wife carried all her pains throughout the way; I kept on telling her.... Juz' keep uttering "Antiochyaayude Adhipatiye Praarthikkename Njangalkaayi". And since I serve in the Holy Altar, I am very much particular in having pure mind, body & soul while walking...so I told her "Don't even think of getting on to a vehicle". No offense please! As soon as we were back from Manjanikkara, my wife says that her pain is gone... Till this moment, by God's grace her pain hasn't come back.. I tried pressing her back to see if there's pain.. just to know if she's throwing a lie.., but its not. We were so happy that once again felt like "What will I give back to God for Thy Blessings". However, if God willing, next year we would want to start our walk from my parish, Bes-Ania Church-Chelad. Well, God Bless You and Your Family... Please let us be in your prayers.
In Peace,
Paul
paul.live@gmail.com
Your Article added in Manjinikarachurch.org Dear Mr. Tiju Titus John, Your article is included in Manjinikarachurch.org.
Thank you for sending the link to us
baba
non-member comment
an incident similar to this one
An incident similar to this one happened when I was traveling to Blr from Hyd in a Ksrtc Rajahamsa bus, a lady from Delhi in her mid 40's suddenly started howling abususes at the conductor accusing of taking extra money for a seat. Usually the Rajahamsa bus has 2*2 seatings and one single seatin the beginning of the row meant for the conductor. The lady insisted the conductor to let her sit on that seat as she was not comfortable sitting with male passengers next to her. The conductor politely asked her to choose a seat between 11-12 as they are reserved as ladies. She was in a no mood of listening and started to howl abuses to the conductor. The conductor was polite and was trying to calm her down but she was in no mood of listening. At one point she removed her slippers to hit him. She accused him for taking extra money from her and hurled abuses on him and on the people of south India for the rest of the journey as other passengers ignored her. ( I am not generalizing any North Indians here) All i am trying to say is that people should learn to behave in public.