Kerala - Others   

Home is where the heart lies

A. Harikumar

AT HOME: Amini and Rosy on their arrival at Kokkamangalam. - Photo: Johney Thomas

ALAPPUZHA. Sisters Amini and Rosy, natives of Kerala and now residents of French-speaking Quebec in Canada, know a little English and a spattering of Malayalam. But, when they arrived at their native place, Kokkamangalam in Thanneermukkom panchayat here, on Wednesday evening, language did not seem a barrier for the children of Annamma of Thakidiel House to communicate with their kin.

The sisters who had left for Canada more than 25 years ago along with Treesa, a citizen of Canada who had adopted them, seemed perfectly at home

at Kokkamangalam, though they were a bit surprised to see the large crowd that had assembled there to meet them.

When the local people and Tobias Koikkaran, president of Quebec Malayali Association, guided them through the dusty winding path of the village to `Thakidiel House,' they walked briskly as if they knew the area well. For a moment, Stefan, a French Canadian and husband of Amini, who accompanied them looked like a stranger. The villagers pushed him back and crowded behind the sisters.

A small tent had been put up in front of Thakidiel House to receive the guests. Thankamma, eldest sister of Amini, and sisters of St. Antony's Convent, Kokkamangalam, where Ms. Annamma worked earlier, gave the sisters a rousing reception.

However, Ms. Annamma and Benny, brother of Amini, were not there. Mr. Tobias said Ms. Annamma who arrived in Kochi on Wednesday morning along with Benny to receive her children had taken ill and was resting at a private tourist home in Kochi where the sisters are staying.

Amini and Rosy went through the old photographs at the house. They later mingled with the local people and posed for photographs.

Mr. Tobias said Amini had been trying to trace her roots since long. After a laborious search process, we were successful in tracing their native place. "We are thankful to God for it," he said.

Mother Linta Rose of the convent said Ms. Annamma had been longing to meet her children. She had agreed to give her children in adoption to a French citizen when she found it difficult to make ends meet after the demise of her husband.

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