Rosy Thandkutty Mooken Jos

Daughter of Rosa and Porunju Mooken,

Siblings: Thomas, Varghese, Rosy, Kochannam(Sr. Martina), Jose, Marykutty

Husband: Puthur Chakunny Jos

Children: Michael, Mary, Teresa, Anna, Rita, Alfons , Jibrael, Veronica, Alex, Litty

Thandkutty Porunju Mooken, was born on August 2^nd 1936 in Thrissur, a large temple town in Kerala. Born in a devout Syrian Catholic family, her dad was a wholesale merchant manager and her mom was a very caring and loving homemaker.

She did her early education from Lourde Palli and Sacred Heart School. She did her intermediate in Physics Chemistry and Maths. She went on to do her Bachelor in Arts with a major in Mathematics from St Mary's College Thrissur. She was the first person in her family to complete her graduation way back in the fifties.

Her most cherished memories are of her days in school and college. Her interaction with her sibling and friends, her activities in church and college, laughing with cousins in her quaint little home in Moospet Road.

As a child she played many games like ambasani (hide and seek), kavadi, card games like rummy and twenty eight. She still remembers her brother’s pranks and her ever caring sisters. She liked reading Malayalam detective stories and her hobbies included singing, dancing and theatre. Some highlights of her early days are:

• Acted as a blind person in a play(class 6)
• Comedy Play (class 9)
• Participating with her elder sister in the church functions at St Sebastian
• Dancing, Choreography
• Sodality Group Member
• Prefect for 5 years
• Film Association Secretary

 Her cousin once shared, when she steps on stage, a pin drop silence will be in place and when she sings she would have the audience literally in a spell.

She worked two years as a teacher in a school. An interesting point to note is that she has three elder sisters and all like her were teachers. She got married in 1957 to Puthur Chakunny Jos and hence came to be known as Rosy Jos. They shifted to Delhi in 1958, they were the first Mooken and Puthur to step foot in the capital of free India …. Others later followed their lead.

They raised ten kids with a meager government salary and if I go into detail, it will be a very thick book. The kids went to good schools, were active in the church choir and youth group. All are married and well settled.

Yes she is my mom, a mother who taught me the meaning of unconditional love, a mother who taught me the importance of having core values, the need for integrity, to be confident, self reliant, faith in God.(and not to forget Maths and Hindi Dictation). My earliest memories are of playing at my home in Andrews Ganj and she played an integral part in most of them. Seeing her cook in kitchen, the purchasing of a fridge in 1979, her Usha sewing machine, pressure cookers at home, jealousy when my younger sister took most of her attention, her scolding me for doing something wrong, giving Rs 1 for buying Jet Ice Cream in 1981 (Class I), giving her share of Diwali Burfi in 1982, helping me cook my first ever Maggi in 1983, her concern when I was unwell and many more.

Even as I grew up I had a lot of freedom, to go play with friends, cycling in the neighbourhood(class III), staying back in school for sports(class V), church and youth group activities, staying overnight in my friends place. Many will not believe that I actually told her about my possible girlfriend even before my first date. She wisely warned me, but on the same hand did not stop me, for that I am grateful.

In Delhi she played a pivotal role in keeping the larger Puthur, Mooken and Tharakan families together and well connected. Mummy and Papa made it a point to visit different relatives however far they may be residing and all of them in turn did make a visit to our home. As a result Mayur Vihar, Faridabad and Tamoor Nagar though two hours journey in DTC buses, were always close to our heart. Even in Kerala, we used to visit all our cousins in Parappur, Nimini, Thrissur,  Pervallur and Kochi.

She was the youngest child and did not do much cooking as a child but over the years she became master class. Most of the recipes cooked at my home in Bangalore are hers. Specially the fish curries and meat dishes, cutlets, dal palak, masoor dal with that crushed garlic thadka, sambhar, avial and saturday morning special “kadla with grated coconut”. This generation may find it hard to believe but in Ravi Nagar along with Vellichechi(my eldest sister) she used to make acchappam, kuriappam, vattapam, murukku, besan ladoo, payasams, halwas, diamond cuts, picham pudi, motta churul(love letter) and most importantly her full range of pickles.

An ardent reader and in spite of her tight schedule she has read all seventy Agatha Christie's and many other novels. She used to join us kids when we played Anthakshiri, Badminton, Cards, Ludo, Chinese Checkers and even Dumb Charades (though it used to be very funny). I still cherish the stories she used to narrate, the Malayalam prayers songs we used to sing together and the way she lead us in prayer.

An actor, a singer, talented to the core,

     An ocean of love, a mother we adore

Grace personified, Confidence in her stride,

     Our childhood, thanks to her, was a wonderful ride

  

An excellent planner

     With an eye for detail

With a tight monthly budget

      Balancing wholesale and retail

Cutting cost with great acumen and skill,

        Stitching our clothes and paying the bills,

Cooking our breakfast and packing tiffins

       Knitting our sweaters and mittens

She is a mother of

    A deputy secretary for Government of India

    A chief manager in State Bank of India

           2 Professors and 2 Teachers

           An HR head in the Australian Embassy

    Russian/Japanese financial geek         

    A Google tech freak

And last but not the least

          A spiritual one, who is almost a priest 

A very loving grandmother and has spent hours taking care of her grandchildren, including my two kids. She till date remembers everybody’s birthday and makes it a point to call each one of them. She is 79 today and has spent the last 12 years taking care of my dad after his stroke. She is a role model when it comes to being a friend, a spouse, a sibling, an aunt, a grand mom and a Christian.

So there you have it my mother in a thousand word blog, but to do justice we would really need Jeffery Archer to write a book, Javed Akthar to write a song and ideally an oil on canvas by Leonardo da Vinci. Rosy Jos is my mom and I am very fortunate to be her son. Her love, prayers and blessings have brought me thus far. Thank you Mummy, you are the best.

Other Perspectives
"I remember the late night look out from Sewa Nagar balcony for appachan's return from office, will sit with me however late as I had my dinner, worked day and night especially before we left for annual Kerala visits. 
Try packing for 10 kids, hungry kids. I don't remember being stranded without food. We all felt the need to pitch in. No coaxing required, her example, her struggle was guidance enough.
Today she single handedly takes care of papa. With total devotion, with total love, with total concern. A friend indeed. Three cheers to our mummy, valia mummy, nani, chechi, kochamma, ammamma, ............" P J Michael (Eldest Son)

“An all-rounder in the truest sense, that’s Mummy. From a homemaker, an artist, a singer to a poised socialite who can converse on any topic. Into every role she fits easily. What really amazed me and what I admire is this variety of talents” Teresa Joseph( Daughter)

"Amazing how she managed ten
I can barely mange two
Was patient and kind with everyone
So honest and true

         Courage perseverance and patience
         She has in abundance
          Loving caring and devoted
          Despite being in situations so dense

Generations are progressing
And so are we
But better mother than my mother
Impossible to be!"  Alfons Madoc(Daughter)

Puthur Chakunny Jos

Son of Annama and Puthur Chakunny,

Wife: Rosy Jos

Children: Michael, Mary, Teresa, Anna, Rita, Alfons , Jibrael, Veronica, Alex, Litty

Lineage: Chakunny ->Udupu ->Cheru ->Udupu ->Cheru

Born in 1930 around the festivity and cheer of Onam in a small hamlet of Parappur, around 12 kilometres from Thrissur town. Jos was a talented boy he had a wide range of interest: swimming, reading, singing, composing, playing, climbing trees, walking….

When I interviewed people to get some different point of views …. some remember him for his songs, some remember for the card game twenty eight and some remember him for the magic tricks. His passion for football, his determination in summer holidays to chop firewood into neatly arranged lattice, some for his week-long fast and abstinence drives. Walk to mattom church, love for jackfruit.

My earliest memories of my Dad was him telling stories when I was a child. He had a whole collection of the same. I still remember some of the stories he used to narrate. Including the story of Mahabali and how Kerala was formed, the story of Moses, Abraham and Job.

To be frank, I did not like him very much when I was growing up, some of my memories of him scolding me lingered for a long time. His strong religious stand, his lack of flexibility, his inability to take suggestions.  His beliefs which were imposed on us to keep windows open even in winter, scolding for not switching of light/fan or closing a tap, making us read bible and say rosary daily ….. But now when I am a father of two I can perceive much better, I realized he grew up in a world very alien to what we kids grew up in. He has seen many an economic hardships, did not get chance to continue education after class 10. Even when he went to school he had to walk ten kilometers a day. End of the day his priorities were right and his focus was that we grow up to be good human beings.

He grew up in an orthodox family in Kerala and we were raised in a liberal one in a Metro. I was born when he was 44 years old. There was no way I could have really understood the man back then as a child. Even today when I write this blog I doubt I am in much of a better position. My elder brother Michael has seen a relatively stricter father than I have and has got umpteen number of scolding. But he, only had positive things to say about Papa including the story he narrated of how Dad had sold his watch to pay for his college fees.

Let’s get a perspective of some of Dad’s achievements:

• Raised 10 kids on a government servant salary, all his kids are well educated, well settled, and strongly independent and even though I say so myself reasonably well balanced.
• Built a 4 bedroom house in Delhi on 300 square yard plot in 1979
• Only 10th pass, but he can read 4 languages.
• Knows the bible better than most religious I know.
• Orthodox in many ways but on the same hand very openly supportive for love marriages.
• Composed music, wrote his own lyrics and sang them with gusto
•  A great story teller.

There are many things we kids have learnt from him, honesty, integrity, self-belief, never give up, don’t depend on others, trust God, never forget to say thank you, never cheat, never lie, don’t worry about exams ... on the same hand there are many more things which we could not pick up from him, discipline, will power, willingness to learn, lead a simple life, value of money and resources, live happily without a care of the world.

Some of his favorite quotes are

• Wealth is lost:  nothing is lost, Health is lost: something is lost, Character is lost: everything is lost
• Waste not want not
• Drink plenty of water ….
• Don’t talk too much, Just say Yes or No
•  Man does not live on bread alone ….
•  Do your best and leave the rest to God
•  Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Education

·         1-4 Class: St John’s School, Parappur

·         5-7 Class: Wagah School

·         8-10 Class: Erumapetty

·         Shorthand, Typing : Thrissur

Career

·         1954: Taught short hand for a year in Kerala

·         1955: Worked in Broadway, Madras

·         1956: Worked in Government Job in Delhi (Krishi Bhawan, Shasthri Bhawan, Seva Bhawan)

·         1989: Retired

Dad traveled all over India, he loved walking and traveling in a train. He was obsessed with any construction or development work and followed progress of Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro very minutely. He works, plays and lives his life with passion. I find that in many points I am similar to my dad and in many ways I see that my own son Aditya is even more similar to his grandfather. Needless to say we are just a shadow of this great man and I am proud to be his son.

Three cheers to this wonderfully, talented, enthusiastic, principled and fearless 84 year young man.

“Appachan  would distribute 10 paisa coin to all of us so that we could put it for Sunday collection in church.  How many of us have taught our children that? He was not a man to splurge even if he had money.  He was not stingy.  He would walk to save on bus fare but was willing to spend on a glass of cold water or a soft drink.   No pocket money but always encouraged to eat when hungry and drink plenty of water even if you have to pay for it.  Never scolded for poor marks but always encouraged to do better next time. ‘Do your best and leave the rest to God’, was his slogan. While on holidays he becomes the fun man:  Playing, joking, singing, telling stories, a real sport.”  P J Michael (Son)
        

“ As a child I was very proud to have the best Papa in the world. So handsome, so jovial, full of jokes and stories, the envy of all my friends in the neighborhood. The quality I admire most in him is his courage, courage to defy tradition, courage in the face of calamity, courage to face the world with your chin up even if it laughs at you.” Teresa Jos Joseph (Daughter)

"My brother loved to carry children in both hands and just imagine I AM one among them. the way he taught me to swim is just pushing me into thode" Rosy Stanley Menachery (Sister)

"We ( me and my brother sisters) used to go for walks with him when we were small. Singing songs sitting on velli pappa's shoulders turn by turn. Miss those days." Jeffrey Joseph (Grandson)

"I remember him (achan) as a very positive man. He enjoyed the extreme climate of north India.the summer, for the availability of juicy watermelons ,mangoes and other juices and drinks. The winter, for the cosiness of warm clothes, quilts and the sun. May God bless him with good health!" Rajan Mooken (Nephew)

Sense and Simplicity : A biography

Babu Mooken

• Son of Rosy & Thomas -> Son of Porunju -> Son of Thomas Mooken
• Born Moospet Road, Thrissur

Love is not just words but action which come from sincerity and unflinching passion for the good and growth of the other. Babu chetttan (elder brother) is that true love personified. If somebody is unwell you can bet a hundred dollars that chettan will be the first to visit them. If there is a marriage or get together to be organised he will be at the helm of the work. You will not find him at a sick man’s bedside with a bouquet of roses but with a more healthy two kg of apples. You will not find him gifting a photo album or frame but with a more practical and long term item like a food processor.

My maternal cousin is currently retired, father of two, brother to 5 siblings and a mentor of many. A person towards him respect came automatically. There is no double guessing, there is no complicated mind games …. Frank and to the point … (I am over weight and he would not hesitate to point out within a jiffy)

He did his schooling from Kerala he did some odd jobs like working in a wholesale and a chemist shop, a sales job in Reckitt and Colman Agency. He still remembers brands like Cherry Blossom he used to deal, with a tinge of nostalgia. In January 1968 he came to Delhi, the city of eternal hope in those days.

A 22 year old coming to Delhi via Chennai (a 4 days journey in those days) in search of a job is right out of Bollywood. Our hero arrives in Delhi and stays with his Uncle and Aunt’s in their small house in a railway colony. After a couple of days this young boy caught a Bus No 6: Lodhi Colony to Tilak Nagar with an address in hand in a strange land, struggling to speak Hindi and hoping to reach a place in Kirti Nagar. “Hope he makes it” was my mother’s prayer and “World is my stage” was in Babu chettan’s heart. But fate had planned to test this young lad. And a test in fire it was, searching for the address for 2-3 hours the knight returned home only to get a scolding from his uncle on his gross inability to locate the place. Babu chettan tightened his resolve and the very next day was on Bus 6 once again.

He worked as a typist, took accredeition from a government agency and finally got a government job. People take a lot of struggle to get a house but Babu Chettan was no ordinary man he got flat allotted to him in his very first government job as a Lower Division Clerk (LDC). Destiny, Fate or was it his mother’s prayer back in Kerala … but in any case Chettan’s life was on track (not very smooth but more like a roller coaster). He later went on to resign his government job and joined an agriculture business enterprise as business was in his blood like his grandfather.

Born in 1946 the second child and eldest son in a family of 6 children. He is married and now resides in Delhi with his wife(Jessy) and two kids (Leo and Cyril).

Not very good in studies is what he recollects from his school days … some of his friends and relations remember that he did struggle in Maths. Very active in drama, church activities and member of an active social service group (closing pot holes on the road to distributing milk)

A dream to go to Russia !! Maybe influenced by his communist inclined neighbours in his teen years or maybe because of an essay he wrote for a magazine in his youth. It seemed unlikely when he worked as a sales man in a chemist shop and as a 10^th pass in Delhi.

But this matriculate later in life cleared Intermediate and Bachelor in Commerce from Delhi University. Post Graduate Degree in Marketing from Bhartya Vidya Bhavan later added a feather to his cap.

Worked very hard not for money, fame or greater opportunities but his simple philosophy to do what you do well. Babu chettan travelled extensively all across India as part of his job profile. He met farmers as well as officials in remote places. He worked with passion and zeal second to none at his workplace. It was not surprising then as he rose up in the cadre from a clerk to a manager. Finally his most cherished moment at work when he got an opportunity to go to Russia.

Babu chettan retired as a General Manager but his feet was always firmly grounded, no pompous air and no jazzy car. He is on a pacemaker now but still talks and laughs with nonchalant ease, came to meet and motivate my ailing dad, went to attend funeral of his aunt in Kerala ….. As somebody once said “A life is not important except in the impact it has on others lives” ..... and in this category the award goes to our family role model .... Babu Mooken .

"It is true that good things cannot and should not be hidden. Babu Chetan is a GEM, unassuming, may not eloquently express his love and affection but we know, we have felt the deep love he has for each one of us. Indeed a role model." P J Michael

"Babu uncle has been a significant person not just for the Mooken / Puthur family all of his friends and relatives. My childhood recollections when Babu Uncle visits us I used to just leave everything and sit just to listen what he says. .and comments. His perspective towards life was different. I wish the best for him.God bless." Jim Puthur