PT Jacob
My dear friend and former colleague PT Jacob had sent me two anecdotes on 21 May 2020 with a short note on Facebook messenger reading “ “Good afternoon, …I am sending a brief post on Dr. Kurien. You may please consider including it in the series.” I had replied “Thanks. I got it. But I don’t know how to copy and paste it on my WordPress. Any way I will type it out. Yes it is a great story. “
I had forgotten it but the message was there in the messenger. I also found a way to copy and paste. It is so simple a task that for a moment I felt like a stupid but soon forgave myself remembering my age !.
My apologies PT for not posting this anecdote earlier .
The following is what PT had sent. He had in his message said that “You may please edit this as considered necessary. I had hurriedly written this sitting in the shop. Have a good day. Best wishes and prayers. Jacob.
“Dr. Kurien was a dreamer by his own admission — he chased his dreams to transform those into realities, unlike most of us. Those who knew him also would have realised how good he was as a humourist and storyteller.
I remember him once narrating an incident that occurred while waiting in the lounge of an international airport in Europe to take an onward flight. The airline staff was trying to locate him to pass on a message. He heard a Stewardess calling out for the attention of a passenger by the name “VK Urine”.
Another version of same story Dr Kurien narrated to Digvijay Singh the then Minister for Agriculture, Madya Pradesh at a party hosted by MD of MP State Cooperative Milk Producers Union. I was also present. Dr Kurien was a great story teller. Will certainly post it under wit and humour section.
First Dr. Kurien did not realise that he was the person, she was trying to identify. Then it struck him that probably the lady had mis-spelt his name and called out as she did. He waved at her and collected the message — while also correcting her to pronounce the name right. She profusely apologised to him, before wishing him a happy journey ahead and left.
As we all knew him good at weaving stories, it’s possible that this was one of his original stories. But he certainly enjoyed narrating the incident, though the joke was on him — another streak of his greatness.
Then PT sent another message on 28 May 2020 suggesting that I writes story about a small contraption that Dr Kurien used to have on his table. A wooden bird spiralling down to “yes” and “no”. I wanted to write as suggested by PT but started a search of a photograph of Dr Kuriens office table. In the process I forgot about the anecdote that PT sent.
I accidentally found a photograph of Dr Kurien sitting in his office in which Dr Kurien’s table is seen and those of us who sat on the front chairs can also see the contraption that PT referred to. That reminded me of PTs messages of May 2020.
Another version of same story he narrated to Digvijay Singh then Minister in MP where I was present. He was a great story teller. Will certainly post it under wit and humour section.
Good evening, Sir. Hope you remember that Dr. K used to keep a small contraption on his table, with a bird spiralling down to “yes” and “no”. According to Dr.K , he used it when in doubt about a decision, and that in over 80% of the cases the bird was right — and so was he. You may have more insight into this, as you were a part of that office. May be you can write a small story on this unusual topic. Best wishes and prayers. God bless. Jacob.
Yessss. And you remember “As old Sudarshan used to say “Sir what can you do if luck is f..ing you ?” I have your VK Urine story will add a couple of such stories more then upload.
How do you find V Mandir?
Quite interesting, Sir. Am happy about the participation of so many. The indication is that there will be more contributors. Very good effort leading to a very valuable compilation about which we all will be proud of. Best wishes to you,Sir.
It keeps me busy and has helped me come out of a depression that I went through in Sept- Nov last year
Dr Aneja encouraged me when I shared the idea of a website with him.
Do you have a picture of the”bird” of Dr. K??
Yes I am pleasantly surprised at the swell of participation and goodwill that V Mandir has generated among oldies. I will check not sure.
I vaguely remember seeing one with you !!!
You remember his table was same from1971 till 1998. Same black felt pen all those years.
Yes. We all learnt so much from him knowingly and otherwise. You realise it more when you sit alone and reminisce of being associated with him in some way.
