Qurantine Cottage

 The incident occurred in mid 1960s.In his village Raman possessed 3 acres of Patton land, usable for paddy cultivation and a small house in 15 cents of garden land.This year Raman was very excited with a bumper harvest from paddy after giving landlord's Pattom(rent) the disposable residue income was far more than expected.Raman's family comprised of his wife Bhargavi, mother Karthiyani,sons-Chandran and Gopi and daughters-Kausalya and Kalyani.All were collectively engaged in farming activities.Bumper harvest enabled Raman to purchase a gold chain to Kausalya and a silver anklet to Kalyani.

  When all farmers had generally obtained good harvest there was much enthusiasm and gaiety to celebrate the"VishuPooram"festival on April 14th in the Bhagavati temple.Instead of one elephant organisers this time had decided to bring 3 elephants with Padmanabhan as the main elephant entitled to carry Bhagavati's idol on his head.During the VishuPooram when Bhagavati's idol was about to place on Padmanabhan's head it slipped down from priest's hand.The senior old man Krishnan standing nearby instantaneously  remarked"Oh Devi something inauspicious and untoward were going to happen in the village". In any case pooram festival went very smoothly with good crowd,lots of fruits, sweets, balloons and toys vendors -all were having good business.

 After 12 days neighbour and farmer Kuttan had developed severe fever,rashes on his face and head ache all symptoms of small pox.Gradually Kuttan's face became horrible to see.Family members and neighbours became scared.Consequently he was transferred to the"Dheena Pura"or quarantine cottage maintained by the land lord.It was located in the"fox forest"an island of partly thick forest and rest coconut plantations in the midst of paddy fields.Forest part contained variety of trees,rare herbs and plants, foxes,birds snakes other animals and a pond.Quarantine cottage situated in the midst of coconut trees was taken care by 4 strong agricultural labourers namely Koran,Chathan,Nanu and Velu.In order to acquire courage they frequently consumed toddy (alcohol). Their duty was to take care of small pox patients, provide available remedies and in case if they died bury them.Unfortunately 7th day Kuttan died and he was buried by quarantine care takers.

  Meantime Vasu the main worker,manager and bossom friend of Raman got the symptoms of small pox and when it was confirmed he was also shifted to quarantine cottage.In times of financial emergencies to Raman, Vasu used to forego his wages till harvest.Being the best friend Raman could not resist visiting him despite objections raised by his family members.After 5 days Vasu was also declared dead by quarantine keepers.Vasu's image was continuously haunting Raman's mind. Paradoxically after 3 days on Tuesday Bhargavi noticed rashes appearing on Raman's body and when she touched the body she felt high fever .Bhargavi was reluctant to send him to the quarantine cottage.But after 4 days his appearance became horrible and his family and children, all were very much scared accordingly he was forced to shift to the quarantine cottage.

  Five days had passed since Raman was shifted to the quarantine cottage.By 3.00 pm"Dheena Pura" keepers Koran and Chathan came to Raman's house to inform about Raman's sad demise and they are planning for funeral at 6.00 pm.Hearing this Bhargavi was extremely upset and torn apart.She could not think about a life without her husband.Bhargavi was very much determined to have a last glimpse of her husband in the quarantine cottage.Her mother in law compelled her not to go there so that she should not be affected by the epidemic and children would not be left as orphans.

Despite warnings she started around 4.15 pm to the"fox forest". Since the place was very much isolated many snakes and dogs were found on the way.When she reached "fox forest"foxes were growling.Somehow she gathered enough courage and went nearer to the quarantine cottage.She noticed that her husband's body was kept on the verandah rapped by a mat.When she went nearer to the body she could feel growling and breathing of her husband.Instantaneously Bhargavi became very much alert . She untied and unrapped Raman from the mat.When she had experienced a fowl smell she took her towel and covered her mouth and nose like a mask.He was semi conscious and recognizing  her he whispered -water water . When She prepared hot water and gave to Raman he became slightly relaxed.

 By 5.30 all the four care takers Koran, Chathan,Nanu and Velu were coming with preparation for funeral after consuming too much of toddy.All were singing and dancing and Chathan was carrying the Bamboo frame to lift the body.Noticing their arrival a very furious Bhargavi rushed outside the cottage and caught hold of a big knife used to dehusk coconut.She came running out holding the knife and yelling that"You bloody rascals if you step an inch forward I will kil each one of you.I know how to look after my husband, get lost you rascals" Very much perplexed they withdrew from the quarantine house temporarily.There was only limited facility available in the house Bhargavi prepared rice porridge for supper and fed Raman.Next day she had made a paste of neem leaves and turmeric and applied all over the body and scars.Tulsi, pepper and ginger  which were available in the fox forest were used to prepare drinkig water for him.After 4 days Raman could walk without support and recovered fastly On the fifth day Raman took bath in hot water  with turmeric and neem.On the seventh day both quarantine patient and care taker-Raman and Bhargavi returned back happily to their house.

Later through effective vaccination by 1980s small pox was eradicated in the country.