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On January 14, 1946 Chackochan married Thressiamma Makil. Abraham was
particularly pleased with the marriage. Even though Thressiamma’s branch of the Makils,
at the time of her marriage, were not very affluent, the name and nobility could not be
traded. The marriage was a grand affai. Apart from relatives and friends, Abraham
invited civic authorities for the evening garden party that followed the sumptuous
banquet at noon. It was for this that he completed the first road to Kalluvelil.
Thressiamma proved to be a fitting companion to Chackochan and a loving daughter in
law to Naithy and Abraham. She fitted into the routine of the household with great ease.
She has remained the guardian and keeper of the fire of the Kalluvelil family foyer.
Chackochan ran some of the liquor outlets of his father with alacrity. Those in Kaipuzha
and Neendoor became his to look after, in addition to helping his brother with the
Athirampuzha enterprise. He and Thressiamma lived in Kalluvelil, helping the parents.
Abraham gave him much freedom to make business decisions. In fact Abraham invited
Thressiamma’s eldest brother Eppukutty to try his hand in liquor stores, which he did
with surprising success.
When in 1949 Abraham decided to resettle Luka from Neendoor to Kurumulloor,
Chackochan and family went to Aripparamplil, to take up permanent residence in
Neendoor. Family business prospered with his help. Abraham gradually withdrew from
daily business activities, and allowed his sons to take over. Times were tough politically.
Communistic and egalitarian ideas were sweeping the land. Those who were bonded
servants for generations began to wake up and demand respect and rights. Violence and
confrontations erupted in many places. Toddy shop was the place where much of these
activities fermented. Chackochan had to protect his turf, his community, and what was
perceived as the danger to the Christian way of life. Organizations such as Christopher
movement, were started all over the State. Chackochan became a captain of the Kaipuzha
branch. He gave training to volunteers in self-defense, and group action. He was in
constant demand all over the district to help out in places of conflict. His life itself had to
be put on the line in several instances. Constant confrontations with the riff-raff began to
take a toll on the business. By the end of the fifties, Chackochan decided to abandon
liquor outlets for good.
Chackochan, along with his younger brother Thommykunju, went into public works
contracting. Roads, bridges, public buildings and such turn-key operations became the
thrust of their activities. While Thommykunju, and occasioinally Xavi, would look after
the details of the construction, Chackochan was the p.r. person who met officials and
politicians, and bid for tenders, and smoothed businesses. In the sixties Chackochan -
P.A. Jacob- was known as one of the major players among the infrastructure contractors
of Kerala. The business was agreeable to the gregarious nature of Chackochan.
Occasionally they lost money. But most contracts brought them handsome profits. But
much money was needed to run the family.
Chackochan and Thressiamma had nine children, all but one surviving. The first one was
named Ancy Mary Saldhana ( to remember Abraham’s friends in Mangalore with whom
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