VETERAN MECHANICS

During the last quarter of the twentieth century, unemployment made youngsters of this village migrate to the metropolitan cities to eke out a living. M.R. Joy Mudayath, one of my friends, migrated to Madras (now Chennai), and joined as an apprentice in a car workshop. In a few years time he mastered the work and the people in his locality recognized him as a good mechanic. This instilled confidence in him and he started a small car workshop of his own. At that point of time, the petrol prices were soaring up and people were thinking of an alternative and cheap fuel like diesel to run the car.  One of his customers engaged him to convert his petrol engine into a diesel one. He took up the challenge. He was the first mechanic who made possible the conversion of petrol engine into a diesel one by making various alterations. While so, ETPM a French company recruited him as their mechanic. Thereafter the management of the company changed. The new company, Azargy Co., specialized in off-shore pipe-line erection for drilling crude oil from the African Coast, sent him for training and appointed him as a Marine Technician in their company and he stepped on the higher ladders. He invested his earnings wisely in real estate and that gave him good return in due course.

When the National Highway-47 passing through our Islands opened for traffic, Jotton Chakkalackal, a good mechanic, started a workshop for repairs of two-wheelers at Madavana abutting the National Highway. The villagers of Kumbalam encouraged him and he too became a master of the trade. 

Vipin T.S. is another noted mechanic. He started a car workshop by name  “Thattakkattu Motors” at Kumbalam South junction, just before the   Kumbalam-Aroor Bridge. He undertakes repair, painting and other body works. He too has excelled in his field. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@google.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com