അച്ചാ , നമ്മൾ ആദ്യം കണ്ടത് കുന്നോത്ത് നടന്ന ദൈവവിളി ക്യാമ്പിലാണ്. വീട്ടിൽ വന്നപ്പോഴും മിണ്ടിയപ്പോഴും ആ വീട്ടുപേരിനോട് വളരെകൗതുകം തോന്നിയിരുന്നു.

By Fr. Manoj Paul Ottaplackal

2000 ജൂൺ 15 വ്യാഴാഴ്ച്ചയാണ് സെമിനാരിയിൽ ചേർന്നത്.അന്ന് സംസാരിച്ചതും ഭക്ഷണം വിളമ്പിതന്നതും സെൻ്റ് സെബാസ്റ്റ്യൻ എന്ന ജീപ്പിൽ എടൂരേക്ക് തിരികെ പോകുന്ന
എൻ്റെയും പൊന്നമ്പേലച്ചൻ്റെയും മാതാപിതാക്കളെ ആശ്വസിപ്പിച്ച്
യാത്രയാക്കിയതും എല്ലാം എനിക്ക് നല്ല ഓർമ്മയുണ്ട്.അന്നത്തെ പത്താംതരക്കാരൻ്റെ കൗതുകങ്ങളെ,ചോദ്യങ്ങളെ, തർക്കങ്ങളെ,ആകുലതകളെ എത്ര സ്നേഹത്തോടെയാണ് അങ്ങ് പൗരോഹിത്യ സ്വപ്നത്തിലേക്ക് ആഴപ്പെടുത്തിയത്.

അച്ചനോർമ്മയുണ്ടോ മൈനർ സെമിനാരിയിൽ
വന്നതിൻ്റെ തൊട്ടടുത്ത നാളിൽ സീനിയേഴ്സിൻ്റെ നാടകത്തിന് പ്രോപ്പർട്ടീസ് ഉണ്ടാക്കാൻ ഏൽപ്പിച്ചത്.മേജർ സെമിനാരിയിലെ നാടകത്തിൻ്റെ ആൽബങ്ങൾ കാണിച്ച് കർട്ടൻ വരക്കാൻ പ്രോൽസാഹിപ്പിച്ചത്. അഭിനയവേദിയിലും രംഗവേദിയൊരുക്കുന്നതിലും അങ്ങ്
സ്നേഹമോടെ പകർന്ന അറിവനുഭവങ്ങളാണ്
ചിലപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും കാർക്കശ്യത്തോടെ ഞാനിന്ന് വിളമ്പുന്നത്.

വീടിൻ്റെ നിലവിളികളെ, രോഗപീഡകളെ അച്ചൻ ആശീർവദിച്ചത്. ഓരോ കണ്ടുമുട്ടലിലും വീടും വീട്ടുകാര്യങ്ങളും അന്വേഷിച്ചറിഞ്ഞതും മറക്കാനാവില്ല.എൻ്റെ വാക്കും വരയും വായനയും എല്ലാം അങ്ങ് ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചിരുന്നു.അങ്ങയുടെ പ്രോൽസാഹനങ്ങൾ നിരന്തരമെന്നെ പിന്തുടർന്നിരുന്നു.

അങ്ങ് പഠിപ്പിച്ച വിഷയങ്ങൾ,
അങ്ങയെ നയിച്ച നിലപാടുകൾ
അവയെല്ലാം മനസ്സിലുണ്ട്.
എനിക്കെന്തോ വലിയ ഇഷ്ടമായിരുന്നു, ആദരവായിരുന്നു. പറയുന്നതെല്ലാം ജീവിച്ച് കാണിച്ച് അങ്ങ് ഞങ്ങൾക്കൊരു വണ്ടറായിരുന്നു.അങ്ങയുടെ വാക്കിൻ്റെ മൂർച്ചയും കണിശതയുള്ള നിലപാടുകളും അപാരമായ ഹ്യൂമർ സെൻസും ആത്മാർത്ഥമായ അധ്വാനവും അതിലേറെ ദിവ്യകാരുണ്യ ഭക്തിയും പ്രതീക്ഷാനിർഭരമായ സംസാരങ്ങളും ഒരുപാടിഷ്ടമായിരുന്നു.

പരിശീലനത്തിൻ്റെ പല സമയത്തും അത്താണിയായിരുന്നു.മുന്നോട്ടുള്ള ചുവടുകൾക്ക് ഉത്തരവും.ചമ്മലില്ലാതെ മനസ്സ്തുറന്ന് വെക്കാൻ പറ്റിയൊരിടം…
എല്ലാം പറഞ്ഞിറങ്ങുമ്പോൾ കരുത്തുള്ള ഒരു ഹസ്തദാനം….കൂടെയുണ്ടെന്ന് കണ്ണുകൾ കൊണ്ട് വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു.

നേടിയ വിജയങ്ങളിൽ ഒപ്പം സന്തോഷിച്ചു, പരാജയം രുചിച്ചപ്പോൾ ചേർത്തു പിടിച്ച് ആശ്വസിപ്പിച്ചു, അഭിമാനത്തോടെ എല്ലായിടത്തും അവതരിപ്പിച്ചു.
അങ്ങ് എന്നെ ആദ്യമായി യൂത്തിന് ക്ലാസെടുക്കാൻ പാണത്തൂരേക്ക് വിളിച്ചു. ഞാൻ പിന്നീടവിടെ കൊച്ചച്ചനായി. പിന്നെയും എത്രയോ തവണ എത്രയോ അവസരങ്ങൾ..
ഏത് ആൾക്കൂട്ടത്തിനിടയിലും സ്നേഹമുള്ള ഒരു കണ്ടുമുട്ടലായിരുന്നു അങ്ങ്. ‘മനോജ്’ എന്ന വിളിയിൽ എല്ലാമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. പൗരോഹിത്യ യാത്രയിലെ എല്ലാ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളിലും അങ്ങയുടെ ആശീർവാദം ഞാൻ സ്വീകരിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ഒരുവേള പ്രീസ്റ്റ് ഹോമിൽ വിശ്രമിച്ചപ്പോൾ വലിയ നോവോടെ അങ്ങ് എന്നെ കേട്ടിരുന്നതോർക്കുന്നു, ബലപ്പെടുത്തിയതും.
അന്ന് എന്തിനാ കണ്ണ് നിറഞ്ഞത്….?
വേദനയുടെ ലഹരിയിൽ വരഞ്ഞ ചിത്രങ്ങൾ
പിന്നീട് നമ്മുടെ സംസാരത്തിൻ്റെ ഭാഗമായി. എൻ്റെ ഭാഗ്യവും.

നമ്മളവസാനം കണ്ടത് എടൂര് കുടിലിലച്ചൻ്റെ ചാച്ചൻ ( വല്യച്ചാച്ചൻ ) മരിച്ചപ്പോഴാണ്. എൻ്റെ ഉള്ളിൽ അന്ന്പെയ്ത സങ്കടത്തെ ”മനോജേ” എന്ന ഒറ്റവിളി കൊണ്ട് അങ്ങ് കുട ചൂടിച്ചു. മിഴിവുള്ളയാ പുഞ്ചിരി കൊണ്ട്, കരുതലുള്ളയാ സ്പർശനം കൊണ്ട് രോഗാതുരമായൊരു മനസിനെ അങ്ങ് ആരുമറിയാതെ സുഖപെടുത്തിയിരുന്നു.

രോഗബാധിതനായതും പതിയെ പതിയെ അതങ്ങയെ ശ്വാസമുട്ടിക്കുന്നതും എൻ്റെ
പ്രാർത്ഥനയെ കണ്ണീരുള്ളതാക്കി.
കടൽ കരയിലെ നമ്മുടെ സെമിനാരിയിലൂടെ നടക്കുമ്പോൾ പഴയ ഓർമ്മകളുടെ വേലിയേറ്റം.
ചാപ്പലും റെഫക്ടറിയും വരാന്തകളും സ്റ്റേജും ഗ്രൗണ്ടും അങ്ങ് എവിടെയാണ് ഇല്ലാത്തത്…
സഹപാഠി ജോം മാർപാപ്പയുടെ ആശീർവാദം ഫോണിൽ വീഡിയോ കോളിലൂടെ അങ്ങേക്ക് കൈമാറിയപ്പോൾ എന്തോ വലിയ സന്തോഷം തോന്നി.ലോകം മുഴുവനും അങ്ങയുടെ രോഗ കിടക്കക്കരുകിൽ വന്നു നിൽക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് വിശ്വസിച്ചു.

രണ്ട് നാൾ മുമ്പ് പ്രാർത്ഥനകൾക്കിടയിലൂടെ വണ്ടറച്ചൻ യാത്രയായി എന്ന വാർത്ത കേട്ട് അലറിക്കരയുന്നൊരു മൗനമായീ ഞാൻ. എന്തോ ഒരു വാർത്തയും അത്രമേൽ മുറിവേൽപ്പിച്ചിട്ടില്ല. അത്താഴ മേശയിൽ വച്ച് ഇന്ന് ആ വാർത്ത ഉറപ്പിച്ചപ്പോൾ എന്തോ…
ഒരു വല്ലായ്മ…ഒരുപിടച്ചിൽ..
പട്ടത്തിൻ്റെ മെമൻ്റോയിൽ എഴുതിയത് ഓർത്തു.
” അങ്ങയുടെ രാജ്യം വരണമേ
അങ്ങയുടെ ഹിതം നിറവേറണമേ “
വണ്ടറച്ചാ ആദ്യ കോൺഫറൻസിൽ അങ്ങു പറഞ്ഞു തന്നയാ സൂത്രവാക്യം കൊണ്ട് തന്നെയാണ് ഞാനിന്നും ജീവിതത്തെ നേരിടുന്നത്.

ഞാനിത് എഴുതുന്നത് മൈനർ സെമിനാരിയിലാദ്യമായി ധ്യാനിക്കാൻ നമ്മളൊരുമിച്ചുകൂടിയ അണ്ടർ ഗ്രൗണ്ട് ചാപ്പലിൽ അങ്ങയുടെ വരവു കാത്തിരിക്കുമ്പോഴാണ്. പാതിരാത്രിയാവുന്നു.. പുറത്ത് ഒരു മഴതേങ്ങുന്നുണ്ട്..
ഇത്തിരികൂടി കഴിയുമ്പോൾ അങ്ങ് വരും.. പതിവുപോലെ മനസറിഞ്ഞെന്നെ കേൾക്കും.
എൻ്റെ നൂറായിരം ചോദ്യങ്ങൾക്ക് ഉത്തരം തരും. കഴുത്തിലെ വടുക്കളിൽ കരം ചേർത്ത് ആശീർവദിക്കും. നാമൊരുമിച്ച് എല്ലാം ദൈവഹിതമെന്ന സങ്കീർത്തനം പാടും.
കണ്ണീരിനിടയിലൂടെ പ്രസാദമുള്ള പുഞ്ചിരിയായ്
സ്വർഗ്ഗവീടോളം യാത്രാമൊഴിചൊല്ലും.

ഞാനെന്ന പച്ചവെള്ളത്തെ ഇത്തിരിയേലും രുചിയുള്ളതാക്കി തീർത്തതാണ് വണ്ടറച്ചാ
അങ്ങ് എനിക്കായ് ചെയ്ത വണ്ടർ!

03 ജൂൺ 2021

A Life of Purpose and Passion: The Inspiring Journey of Mrs. Vajra N. Rao | Global TV

NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044

Vajra N. Rao stands is a lighthouse of wisdom, strength, purposeful action, and enduring commitment. An educationist by calling, an environmentalist by passion and an author with delight; she embodies the rare blend of compassion and pragmatism in her everyday actions. What makes her story truly remarkable is her seamless integration of environmental consciousness into her personal and professional life. Long before waste management and sustainability became buzzwords, she had already begun her grassroots revolution in Mangalore.

With the help of a few like-minded partners, she organized a community waste collection initiative that involved over 600 households. The collected waste was converted into organic compost, not only promoting a cleaner environment but also setting a precedent for sustainable living. The compost was then sold, further reinforcing the economic value of eco-friendly practices.

Beyond waste management, Mrs. Rao has been a tireless advocate for tree planting and green public spaces. She has planted trees along roadsides, campaigned for green cover in residential layouts, and encouraged community members; especially the youth, to take ownership of their surroundings.

She also led the movement for reducing plastic usage, emphasizing the use of cloth bags over single-use plastics, an initiative that has significantly influenced local behavioural change. The picture in which Venkayya Naidu, Vice President of India honouring her for her environmental stewardship speaks a lot.

The First Turning Point: A Marriage That Moved Her World

When asked about the major turning points in her life, Mrs. Rao smiles with the humility of someone who has lived through eras of change. “The turning point,” she says simply, “was my marriage.”

She was just 17 years and 10 months old, a bright, carefree student at St. Agnes College, living happily in the hostel, immersed in her studies. Life was filled with friends, laughter, and dreams. Then came the unexpected: her father suffered a heart attack. Fearing for her future and believing deeply in ensuring her well-being, he arranged her marriage. Her husband was from a respected family, and held an important post in Delhi; a world entirely unfamiliar to young Vajra.

From the familiar coastal lanes of South Canara, she was suddenly uprooted and flown by plane to the vast, bustling capital of Delhi; an experience so rare at the time that her college mates exclaimed in awe: “You are going by plane?!”

“That was a turning point,” she reflects, “because it took me from everything, I knew to something entirely unknown.”

Overcoming Challenges: Adapting with Dignity

The transition wasn’t easy. A teenage girl thrown into the complexity of a new home, a new city, and a new culture; far from her roots. But Mrs. Rao chose to adapt, not retreat. Instead of letting the differences overwhelm her, she embraced them. With time, she understood that every challenge was a stepping stone. She learned new ways of thinking, of interacting, of seeing the world.

S. Narayana Rao; The Quiet Diplomat, The Gentle Historian

Vajra Rao’s husband, S. Narayana Rao, was a scholar, a diplomat, a thinker, and above all, a gentleman whose every action was underscored by a deep sense of duty and inner clarity. During the transformative decades of the 1970s, he served as India’s Counselor for Science and Education in Yugoslavia, from 1978 to 1982. It was a role he held with distinction and humility. He believed in bridges; not just political or scientific, but human, emotional, and cultural. And wherever he represented India, he carried her soul: thoughtful, curious, and compassionate.

Their time in Yugoslavia was a golden chapter in their lives. As the diplomat’s wife, Vajra Rao rose to the occasion with elegance and warmth, turning their home into a cultural haven. Indian food, music, and kindness flowed freely from their residence. He, in the embassies and meetings with scholars and ministers; she, at the heart of hospitality and grace. They were a team, moving through unfamiliar lands with a shared purpose: to represent India with honor and warmth. From Marshal Tito to Murad-e-Jaisai, and later Indira Gandhi and Narasimha Rao, many would remember their visits not only for political significance but for the taste of India served from her kitchen and the intellect and grace offered by her husband across the table.

Following their cherished years in Yugoslavia, S. Narayana Rao was posted to the Indian High Commission in London from 1986 to 1990. This assignment added yet another distinguished chapter to his diplomatic journey. During this period, Vajra Rao was invited to High Tea at Buckingham Palace with the Queen Mother; an honour accorded to few.

She also met Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana at a Garden Party at the Palace, marking moments of immense pride and recognition. These were not just ceremonial encounters; they were acknowledgments of a couple who carried the dignity and warmth of India into the heart of Britain’s highest circles.

An expert on India’s border relations, S. Narayana Rao played a significant role in shaping India’s understanding and policies concerning sensitive frontiers; India-China, India-Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Burma. His insights were valued for their depth, precision, and unwavering integrity. Long after his formal retirement, India came calling again. The Ministry of External Affairs commissioned him to write a book; a history of the ministry itself. He accepted the task as one would accept a sacred duty. His study became a sanctum of thought. That book was a reflection of his lifelong commitment to national service.

He was a builder of institutions and relationships, a chronicler of a nation’s global journey, and the rock around which a remarkable family grew. A statesman of silence. A historian of truth. And a companion and guide to a woman who matched his brilliance step for step.

A Force of Nature, A Foundation of Values; The Unbreakable Bond Between Vajra N. Rao and Her Daughter

Among those most deeply influenced by Mrs. Vajra N. Rao’s extraordinary life is her daughter, Sharmila Rao; a daughter who speaks of her mother not only with love but with profound admiration. “My mother is a force of nature,” she says, her words filled with both reverence and awe. In Sharmila’s eyes, her mother isn’t just a parent; she is a living example of action over words, values over vanity, and intellect over idle comfort. Unlike most others, Mrs. Rao never asked questions about daily routines. Her concerns were grander and more purposeful. She would ask who is the corporator, whether we were doing our part as citizens.

She never told us what to wear, but always asked what we were reading, what our plans were, where we were going in life. Her parenting style was firm in values and liberal in freedom. Mother’s ethos left a deep mark on Sharmila and her siblings. Mrs. Rao gave her daughters the freedom to make choices, the encouragement to pursue education, and the expectation that they stand on their own feet. “She never said no to us,” Sharmila recalls. “But she made sure we knew what responsibility meant.”

It’s a relationship rooted in shared ideals and mutual respect; one that has only deepened with time. As a grandmother, Mrs. Rao has become a beloved figure in the lives of her grandchildren too. Her legendary cooking, warmth and the way she spoke to them, her language, lineage in diplomacy; knowledge from gadgets to geopolitics; everything was impressive to them. “She can talk about Apple computers as easily as she can about Narendra Modi” Sharmila says, smiling. “That’s why the kids adore her. She is never out of touch.” My mother like Narendra Modi, she admires him a lot since he is a doer. She loves those who are doers than mere speakers. Perhaps the most touching reflection comes when Sharmila quietly adds, “For a daughter, what is most important is knowing that your mother is a nurturer; and mine, in every way, is the best.”

A Mother’s Daily Pilgrimage: Six Years of Unseen Strength

At Delhi, amid the chaos of a government servant’s household, Vajra N. Rao carried a weight that few could fathom. With three children to raise and limited financial resources, life was already a balancing act. But when her young son began facing unexplained problems with his eyesight, that fragile balance was shattered. What followed was a relentless ordeal; six years of daily hospital visits, including long drives to AIIMS, battling uncertainty, exhaustion, and fear.

Through it all, Vajra never lost hope. While her two young daughters waited at home, she juggled hospital runs and housework, cooking meals and managing every responsibility on her own. Yet, amid the hardship, she found time to teach her son the alphabet at just one and a half years old.

His teachers were astonished by his brilliance, unaware of the storm that raged quietly behind his cheerful smile. Today, her son’s success stands as a story of a mother who refused to give up, even when life gave her every reason to.

Holding the Fort Alone: When Illness Struck Early

As if navigating her son’s health crisis wasn’t enough, life soon dealt another difficult hand. Her husband, just 40 at the time, fell seriously ill. It was a crushing moment for the young family. While he returned to their native place to recuperate under the care of her in-laws, Vajra made the painful decision to stay behind in Delhi with her children. Pulling them out of school would have meant sacrificing their academic future; a price she was not willing to pay.

There were no mobile phones back then, no easy ways to stay connected. Each day was a lesson in patience, endurance, and emotional strength. With no partner beside her, she became mother and father, caregiver and guardian, planner and provider. The silence of those days was filled with her strength, and the love she poured into raising her children became the foundation of their futures. “Looking after the children and the husband was the most difficult time,” she says now, not with bitterness but with quiet pride.

A European Sojourn: Light After the Storm

After years of darkness, a new chapter opened with the dawn of a diplomatic posting to her husband to Yugoslavia. It was the breath of fresh air Vajra had long deserved. “That was the happiest moment,” she recalls, her voice lighting up with memory. The government arranged everything; a home, a servant, seamless travel, lifting the burdens she had long shouldered alone.

In Yugoslavia and across Europe, she found herself not only as a diplomat’s wife but as an ambassador of Indian culture and hospitality. Her husband took her on multiple tours of the continent, and for once, life was effortless and full of joy.

She met world leaders like Marshal Tito, Murad-e-Jaisai, Indira Gandhi, and Narasimha Rao; not just as participants at formal events, but as guests who came to know and admire her personally. Those years abroad were more than a respite; they were a celebration of her spirit, and a recognition of her excellence.

The Children of Vajra N. Rao and S. Narayana Rao

The legacy of Vajra N. Rao and S. Narayana Rao shines brightly through the remarkable lives and achievements of their three children; Mrs. Sharmila Rao, Mr. Krishna Rao, and Mrs. Suchitra Rajendra. Each of them has carved a distinct and impactful path, carrying forward the values of education, service, and excellence instilled by their parents.

Mrs. Sharmila Rao

A distinguished alumna of King’s College London, Sharmila holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and Language. With a deep love for language and the arts, she founded the Kingsworth English Skills Academy, where she pioneered the use of English through Drama as a method to teach language skills to both adults and children. Her approach fostered confidence, creativity, and fluency, making language learning an engaging and empowering experience. Sharmila has also made significant contributions to social development by conducting numerous workshops for underprivileged children, helping bridge educational disparities through interactive and inclusive teaching methods. Her work is a beautiful blend of pedagogy, compassion, and innovation; truly an extension of the values she grew up with.

Mr. Krishna Rao

A Master of Engineering from the prestigious Imperial College London, Krishna Rao has had a formidable career in the global financial sector. He served as a Partner at Goldman Sachs, where he headed the firm’s Global Equity and Credit Derivatives division, a role that placed him at the forefront of international markets and financial strategy.

Following his retirement from Goldman Sachs, Krishna continues to engage in international finance as an active investor in global financial markets, bringing with him a wealth of experience and insight. His disciplined approach reflects the intellectual rigor and global outlook nurtured by his upbringing.

Mrs. Suchitra Rajendra

With an impressive career spanning over 32 years, Suchitra Rajendra is a seasoned leader in corporate strategy, human resources, and organizational development. She has held influential roles across Australia, Asia Pacific, India, and Europe, and was notably the Country Head and Vice President of HR at Colt Technology Services. Before that, she served as the Head of HR for PepsiCo India, contributing to strategic transformations within the company.

Today, she is an Independent Director on the boards of HMVL (Hindustan Times Group) and The Hi-Tech Gears Ltd., and is the Founder and CEO of QED HR, a consulting firm that mentors HR leaders and strengthens people-first business strategies. Deeply committed to philanthropy, Suchitra actively advises NGOs and supports social causes. She lives in Gurgaon with her husband and two daughters, continuing to inspire through both her professional achievements and community engagement.

Chutneys and Diplomacy: When Culinary Art Won Hearts

Beyond political protocols and high-level diplomacy, Vajra’s cooking brought a personal, heartfelt touch. While dignitaries stayed in hotels, the food they longed for and requested came from her kitchen. Her mastery of traditional Indian cuisine, especially her innovative and flavourful chutneys, became the stuff of legend in diplomatic circles.

It was Prime Minister Morarji Desai himself who once remarked, “Your wife should write a book on chutneys,” after savouring her creations. Inspired by his words and the consistent appreciation from others, she compiled a remarkable book of 52 chutney recipes. Chutney’s Book a collection born from tradition, experimentation, and pure culinary love. Her book was a reflection of her journey; how, even in the shadows of difficulty, she created joy, nurtured others, and left a lasting flavour of kindness and grace wherever she went.

Success Stories That Blossom in Community

Returning to Mangalore later in life, Mrs. Rao began sowing the seeds of what would become her proudest achievements. She established the Cambridge Nursery School, not merely as an educational institution, but as a nurturing environment for children to learn with love and values. Her ability to teach with warmth and discipline made her beloved among students and parents alike.

Her love for the environment translated into action. In collaboration with her peers, she spearheaded a waste management initiative that collected garbage from over 600 households, turning it into organic compost. This not only contributed to cleaner neighbourhoods but created a local eco-economy.

She planted trees along streets, championed the use of cloth bags over plastic, and encouraged Mangaloreans to take personal responsibility for their surroundings.

“What is the learning from your stories?” we ask. She pauses. “Everything that happens,” she says thoughtfully, “is a chance to learn. You may not know it then, but later you’ll see. Marriage, change, hardship, joy; they all teach you.”

From a bright college girl unexpectedly thrust into marriage, to a woman who nurtured her environment, and now pens short stories releasing on her 80th birthday; Vajra N. Rao has never stopped learning, and never stopped inspiring.

Young Talents staying Back to Build Forward: A Salute to the Young Innovators of Our Land

NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044

Karuvanchal, Kerala:  Many young talents are seeking opportunities abroad. But, three enterprising friends from Kerala have chosen a different path. The path that they have chosen is the one rooted in their homeland, driven by innovation, and committed to serving their community. Their methodology of shared career is a model for many youngsters to come together and create big enterprises.

Nikson Joseph, Akhil Mathew, and Jibin Varghese, the dynamic trio behind Flymate Tours & Travels, have transformed their shared dream into a fast-growing travel enterprise with branches in Karuvanchal, Iritty, and Poovam.

What began as a passion project has quickly earned a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and customer-centric service. Flymate Tours & Travels has carved a niche in the highly competitive travel and tourism industry by offering comprehensive solutions under one roof. From foreign tour packages to visa support, passport assistance, and UAE attestation, the firm is helping clients turn their travel dreams into seamless realities.

“We wanted to make international travel accessible and affordable to people in our own community,” says Akhil Mathew. “Instead of watching everyone fly out for better prospects, we thought, why not bring the world to our people?”

Their establishment has particularly gained recognition for its expertly curated foreign tour packages, which include best-value deals to destinations such as Canada, London, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Malta. Whether clients are looking for a honeymoon package, a family vacation, or a student travel plan, Flymate ensures a hassle-free experience; from air ticket booking to guided tours.

Their service portfolio is extensive:

• Tour Operations to both domestic and international destinations
• Air Ticketing with access to special fares
• Visa Services for tourists, students, and professionals
• Passport Assistance for new and renewal cases
• Travel Insurance to ensure journey protection
• UAE Attestation for document verification and processing

With operations based out of their head office in Karuvanchal (Opp. Little Flower Church), the team ensures a walk-in experience for locals and also offers telephonic support through +91 8281 222 035, operating between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Their motto, “നിങ്ങളുടെ സ്വപ്നയാത്രകൾ ഇനി ഞങ്ങളോടൊപ്പം!” (Your dream journeys, now with us), encapsulates the heart of their service; to be more than a travel agency, but a dependable partner in every traveller’s journey.

As Flymate Tours & Travels continues to grow, it stands as a shining example of homegrown entrepreneurship, proving that innovation, determination, and a deep connection to one’s roots can create success stories that inspire and impact.

Staying Back to Build Forward: A Salute to the Young Innovators of Our Land

This is a role model for young visionaries and talents who choose not to flee, but to stay and shape the future of their state. These are the unsung heroes who see opportunity in their soil, potential in their people, and innovation as a path to uplift their communities. This is not just a business; it’s a sentiment.

“We believe in our state. We believe in its people. We believe that dreams can be realized right here.” Across Kerala and beyond, more young entrepreneurs are choosing the path of purpose over the path of escape. They’re starting farms, launching startups, reviving traditional arts, and digitizing local services.

They’re working in tourism, technology, wellness, education, and social change. And in doing so, they are creating jobs, empowering communities, and redefining what it means to be successful. While there’s nothing wrong in seeking opportunity abroad, it is equally important to celebrate those who plant their flags locally, especially in a time when brain drain threatens to hollow out the creative and entrepreneurial core of our communities.

These young innovators are not just building businesses; they are building hope. They show us that innovation is not the privilege of metropolitan cities or foreign lands. It is alive in every village, every town, and every determined heart that refuses to give up on home.

As a society, we owe it to them to support, invest, and celebrate their efforts. We must create ecosystems that nurture local talent and encourage those with ideas to take the bold step forward; right here, where their roots are.

To every youngster who stayed back to build instead of leaving to search:
You are the real changemakers. You are the architects of a brighter, self-reliant future. And you deserve to be celebrated. We Salute You!

Happiness Square, inaugurated under the leadership of MLA M.V. Govindan, is an Innovative public space. Let us call it a Transformation Hub.

NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044

Happiness Square is built with a spacious architectural mindset to inspire dreams. It has a community driven vision. People are welcomed and invited here to come, sit together, to think, to reflect, and to co-create a future filled with enormous possibilities. The Happiness Square redefines the idea of “public space.” It is amazingly neat and clean. It is evolving to be a platform for creativity.

The square is an open platform where people come and participate in progress processes. You can come together, form your team, design innovative initiatives and recreate your future the way you love.

What matters is the willingness to engage, to share, and to imagine new thought processes to find solutions to the challenges we face. Happiness Square helps you to think together in large scale. Announce an idea and welcome people to come together and become stakeholders in what you are proposing. This is the fantastic concept of Appreciative Inquiry and Imagine Chicago Model. Google them independent to get more details about Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and Imagine Chicago.

A Square Rooted in Collective Intelligence

Unlike conventional community centers, Happiness Square breaks away from formality and gatekeeping. It is open to all; a welcoming, vibrant ground where entrepreneurs or mentors meet students, visionaries meet action leaders, and farmers converse with futurists. It is a fertile zone of exchange, where collaboration replaces competition, and shared purpose becomes the driving force.

In every sense, this is a “Thinking Square.” With its open-air auditorium, reading café, convention hall, and youth activity zones, it provides not just physical amenities but spaces that encourage dialogue, creativity, and action. This is where the future begins; not with noise, but with meaningful conversations and quiet resolve.

A Living Model of Appreciative Inquiry

What sets Happiness Square apart is its alignment with the 5D Model of Appreciative Inquiry, a globally embraced method of social innovation rooted in strengths-based change. It offers a living example of how transformation can be both structured and spontaneous, personal and collective.

Social Constructionism rooted in the 5D Model can transform entire Kerala into a Super Growing Dynamic Economy. Let us look into details of the 5D Model.

Define: Happiness Square doesn’t merely exist to host events; it stands for transformation. Its purpose is clear: to serve as a catalyst for individuals and communities to rise, reimagine, and renew.

Discover: The space encourages discovery of creative voices long unheard, talents unrecognized, and possibilities not yet pursued. From discussions to  dialogues to dreams and  recitals, this is a place where hidden potential finds the light.

Dream: It is a nurturing ground for great dreams. Whether it’s a child dreaming of innovation, a senior dreaming of revival, or a collective dreaming of manifestation , this space gives room to imagine, and to believe.

Design: Empowered by inclusive infrastructure and freedom of thought, people are invited to co-create. Be it sustainability efforts, local enterprise models, or educational forums, the design here is collaborative and responsive.

Deliver: Ideas do not end in the moment they take flight. The environment supports real-world outcomes through workshops, exhibitions, mentorship, and actions that ripple outward, long after the gatherings disperse.

A Movement, Not a Monument

Happiness Square moves beyond hosting functions to functioning as a movement. It invites everyone to be both the speaker and the listener, the creator and the witness. It holds space for evolution and an ongoing practice. This is not the village square of yesterday, nor the conference room of today. It is the intersection of intention and inclusion, where anyone can come, sit, think, and act.

Come. Sit. Think. Act.

As Kerala charts its path into a future shaped by knowledge with creativity and innovation, Happiness Square stands as a microcosm of a new civic vision rooted in culture, reaching the world with courage. Whether you are a thinker, a doer, a dreamer, or a quiet observer of life’s unfolding, this square offers a place at the table. Bring your ideas, your questions, your energy. Because in places like Happiness Square, the future is not dictated; it is co-authored.

And it begins here. Under open skies beyond tall roof.

IPS is a Theme Opposite to Corruption. A Movement Rooted in Passion, Transparency, and Shared Humanity | Global TV

NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044

Each Unit of Global TV Operates with a Resident Editor who will operate Teams of Youth Ambassadors and Youth Correspondents

The Moral Compass of IPS: At its core, IPS is a conscious turning away from what corrodes society; greed, manipulation, lethargy and laziness, and a turning toward what uplifts; love, effort, service, and unity.

“Stay away from Evil; Join hands on Good Deeds” is the motto and the moral compass of IPS. It’s the decision not merely not do wrong, but to actively do right and to join hands with everyone who wish to work together in this line.

Why IPS? Because the World Needs a Better System

In a time when institutions struggle with mistrust and individuals feel invisible in the noise, we need a new system; not just theoretical, legal or technological, but ethical, moral, passionate, rewarding and human.

The Informal Partnership System isn’t an organization. It’s a living network of conscious individuals doing what they love, tracking and recognizing every little contribution, and building an unshakeable trust ecosystem.

This is the antidote to corruption; not enforcement, but enlightenment.

Key Foundations of IPS

1. Ethical Awakening

• We don’t fight evil with revenge. We step away from it and focus our energy on doing good. Positions, Oppositions and Propositions are not very important for us. Are you willing to do small deeds of goodness that are visible, measurable and scalable? We are happy to work with you. 
• Every participant begins with a self-promise: “I will not cheat, hide, or manipulate. I will help, share, and support.” Connect one person from your side with us; we shall connect ten or hundred of them in return.
• This is not about perfection; it’s about direction. Even a small step in the right direction brings you into the circle of trust. We do not judge backgrounds or failures. The journey matters more than the label.

2. Informal, Yet Accountable

• There’s no bureaucracy, no rigid contracts; just transparent contribution and shared recognition. Connect with right kind of people and achieve the mission in your life effortlessly. Help others in their mission as well.
• Everyone logs their actions freely. Others validate, appreciate, and amplify. This is a mutual support system in a large collective. Global TV works being a connecting platform and space for shared wisdom.

3. Micro-Measured Contributions

• No act is too small. Helping a needy, forming a service team, doing small acts of kindness, solving a problem, organising and event, creating a poster, sharing a flyer; visiting the sick or elderly; everything counts.
• We gently connect people with one another. And while connecting people, there is no agenda kept other than building friendship and relationships between all of them. We cherish and celebrate human relations.

4. Consciousness Over Compliance

• We don’t build systems that demand compliance. We build a culture where each soul self-regulates, knowing they are part of something greater.

5. 100% Transparency

• Rewards, recognition, and growth paths are openly visible.
• No backdoors. No favouritism. No secrecy.

Where IPS Can Thrive

• Youth Movements; Students and volunteers build purpose-based teams with zero hierarchy. One good deed in a week in service of humanity.
• Startups & Creators; Founders, freelancers, and collaborators mutually connect and get micro-contributions and share revenues accordingly.
• Villages & Neighborhoods; Locals maintain Collective and ownership shared infrastructure, support others, work as a single large team.
• Digital Communities; Open-source contributors, Appreciative Inquiry and informal platforms to help each other to remain together and strong.

The Quiet Revolution Against Corruption Begins Here

The answer to corruption is not in stricter laws or tighter surveillance. These only touch the surface. The real remedy lies deeper in awakening of consciousness. It begins when individuals shift their focus from resisting evil to actively choosing good. It thrives when people, driven by passion and purpose, contribute freely; not out of compulsion, but from a deep desire to make a meaningful impact.

Imagine a system where people come together not because they are bound by contracts or controlled by fear, but because they genuinely love what they do. They engage wholeheartedly, not for applause or profit alone, but for the inner joy of doing what is right. And in return, their smallest acts of goodness are recognized, celebrated, and fairly valued. That’s the heart of the IPS.

IPS is not a formal organization or a rigid institution. It is a living idea, a human-centric approach that fosters trust, transparency, and collective growth. It brings people together through informal but sincere partnerships. The model functions on a simple principle: make goodness visible, measurable, and scalable.

Corruption cannot survive in such a space. When awareness is collective, when efforts are visible, and when goodness is rewarded, corruption fades on its own. It simply has no room to grow. It disappears; not through enforcement, but through enlightenment. This is how IPS becomes a quiet yet powerful revolution, replacing fear and manipulation with trust and empowerment.

Connect one sincere person from your side, and we will connect ten or a hundred from ours. Let’s grow this together; not with grand plans, but with everyday actions. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be willing.

Contact Global TV at +91 98441 82044 to begin your journey with IPS. Whether you represent a school, startup, local group, institution, or are simply an individual looking for meaningful engagement; we’re ready to walk alongside you. Let’s stay away from evil and join hands on good deeds. Let us make the Informal Partnership System a new way of living, and growing together.

Welcome to IPS.