27th November 2023
It is sad to restart our NEWS page with an obituary.
Son of my mother's eldest brother, Padma Bhushan late K. M. Cherian, he is survived by his wife, Dr. Annamma Mammen (Kunjuammakochamma), and his three daughters, Dr. Sarah, Anu and Mary, his sons-in-laws Christy, Thomas and Kurien and his sister, Mrs. Sarasu Jacob (Sarasukochamma).
His father called him Bapu as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Yesterday evening, I had a call from my cousin's wife, Prema, in Kottayam, telling me that he had passed away.
He was a wonderful loving personality. Whenever I had a problem, I could depend on his advice.
He attended the last moments when my maternal grandfather, late K. C. Mammen Mappillai, passed away on December 31st 1953. He was then just a young 23 year old.
I still remember that young man and his sombre look when he told us that our grandfather was no more.
I was present at his wedding. in Kottayam
Bapukuttychayan, as we called him, studied in the Madras Christian College School in Madras and the M. D. Seminary in Kottayam. He then joined the Madras Christian College in Madras. He moved the CMC College in Vellore in 1954 and did his MBBS from there. He did his DCH diploma from London and his MRCP degree from Edinburgh.
He worked in Newcastle University for 2 years. before returning to CMC. From 1962 to 1970 he worked at Vellore Medical College.
He was Professor of the Paediatrics Department in CMC, Vellore. His actions made the hospital one of the best medical colleges in India. A 100 bed hospital became a 1000 bed multi-speciality one.
He moved to the Medical Mission Hospital in Kolenchery. He worked for free in the hospital. He served as the Director from 1970 to 1980.
He was the President of the Kandathil Kudumbayogam. He was the school manager of Balikamaton in Tiruvalla. He served as the Board Member of Fellowship House and Chacko Houses in Aluva,
When we returned to India in 1969, his wife, also a graduate from the CMC, was our family doctor. Her calm and composed nature helped a worried foreigner, Annikki, to settle down in Madras to a secure life.
Their three girls are beautiful young ladies, so loving like their parents.
I remember one instance when we were at family gathering in the Alwaye Palace, when our daughter developed high fever causing Annikki to be worried. Bapukuttychayan quickly put her mind at rest so all of us could enjoy the family gathering. He made us stay an extra day to ensure we could travel back to Madras with peace of mind.
When his wife moved away from Madras, my cousin introduced us to a student of his in Nungambakkam, Dr. Vishwanath, who became our family doctor. He was, like my cousin, one who did not prescribe antibiotics at the drop of a hat. He allowed the immunity to develop in the children so that Annikki never panicked, even in the most intense situations.
When a foreigner settles in India, the main thing one is concerned about is the health of the children. Annikki was totally reassured by her interaction with my cousin and his wife.
He remained active till the very end. I have the above picture of him attending to a second cousins child just a few years ago.
Dr. K. C. Mammen (Photo Courtesy Malayala Manorama)
