Page 52 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

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August 13, 1948. Lukose, in partnership with his eldest cousin brother Kurian Placheril,
and with a loan from his godfather Thommy Placheril, started a clothing retail outlet.
Lukose had some knowledge of the industry as he had been one of the ration officials
selected by the government to allot foodstuff and clothing to families soon after the war.
He had accredited himself well in that task. The retail store was in the heart of Neendoor
-Pravettam. Kurian was too busy with other things to spend much time on the routine of a
store. Lukose missed the hustle and bustle of a toddy shop. He had many friends in
Neendoor - he never had a dearth of friends wherever he was - and the store was
neglected. His community involvement created enemies. . Someone set up a notorious
ruffian to take the life of Lukose. As he and a companion were disembarking from a bus
in Neendoor late one night, Chetty swung to stab him. His companion saw the action, hit
Chetty with his flashlight. Chetty turned around and stabbed his assailant, and ran away.
Lukose tried to save his friend. But by the time he could be taken to the hospital, he was
pronounced dead. Chetty was convicted of manslaughter and served many years in jail.
(When Chetty came out of jail, Lukose had died, and he visited the family to apologize
for his act. He was a hired hand.) Life in Neendoor was not a pleasant experience.
Abraham, therefore, had a house built in Kurumulloor and sent Lukose and family there,
settling his second son in Aripparambil.

Kurumulloor became the home of Lukose’s children. However, his eldest Dani remained
in Kalluvelil till 1951, when he joined the juniorate of the Brothers of St. Gabriel in
Coonoor. As for Xavi, he commuted between Kaipuzha, Neendoor and Kurumuloor. He
became the eldest and most responsible person in the household. Lukose’s income, after
the failure of businesses, was limited. The habit of hospitality and extravagance , coupled
with his propensity to consume alcohol, did not help matters. Abraham was anxious
about the children of Lukose. Therefore in 1960's when he partitioned the property, the
share due to Lukose was put in trust of the children. Besides, Lukose had several major
amounts in debt, and having possession of property might be dangerous in litigation.
However it was, life became somewhat difficult for the family. The income from the
properties was hardly sufficient for the large family. But Lukose did not complain. He
visited his loving mother regularly. He had the utmost respect for his father. He never sat
in the sight of his father without being summoned to do so, and he always waited to be
invited to sit at the table with him. That respect and consideration for elders remained
with him till the end.

Lukose’s brothers, having run toddy outlets in Kaipuzha, Neendoor and other places,
decided to abandon the business all together, and became public works contractors. They
invited their brother to join. Lukose was reluctant to do so. Though he went with them for
some time, he did not appreciate the restrictions put on him. Property management and
cultivation bored him. But he was involved in the affairs of Kurumulloor, and as
everywhere, he collected friends. In 1960, the local priest instituted the idea of total
abstinence from alcoholic beverages. Lukose became his ardent supporter and helper. He
shunned all intoxicating drinks. Together they went to several places to speak about the
ills of alcoholism. These were the years when Lukose demonstrated his self-control and
public spiritedness. He abstained from drinking - a difficult task considering the
environment in which he lived. In 1962 his younger brother-Thommy- had a house built

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