CHILDREN, CHACHAN IS GIVING UP
“ You need others’ help to succeed, but not to fail. CHACHAN THOTTU, MAKKALE ,” the old man standing before us declared. Mr Mathew, whom people fondly called Chachan, was part of the group with whom I toured Vietnam and Cambodia. In Malayalam, Chachan Thottu, Makkale , means, “Chachan is giving up, dear children.” Some Malayalam expressions risk losing their warmth, character, and actual feel when translated. When the 78-year-old introduced himself that way during the ice-breaking session on our bus journey in Vietnam, his words struck me. I felt they came from something far deeper than the obvious. The itinerary was packed, and we hardly had time for personal conversations. But I could not wait to find out. What could have prompted him to say that? Barely had I unpacked and settled down after returning to India when I telephoned Mr Mathew. Our conversation lasted about 15 minutes. Mr Mathew was a surveyor by profession and had been instrumental in s...
