By Shevlin Sebastian
Last week, I had gone to pay condolences at the home of my cousin Thomas Job, who passed away at the age of 73 in Nadeckepadam, near Changanacherry.
This was of my great grandfather Ninan Xavier (1862-1948).
The painting was done in 1926. Which meant, he was 64 years old.
My late uncle Kurian Sebastian, who had a deep knowledge of family history, once wrote about Ninan.
Here are some points from the article:
Ninan was married to a woman called Achamma who belonged to Allapuzha. However, 22 days after she gave birth to a son, in 1887, she died.
Thereafter, Ninan married a lady called Thresiamma.
They had six children: one son and five daughters.
Ninan loved agriculture. He was the first to plant rubber trees in Madappally village, 100 kms from Cochin. This became a financial success.
The rubber was sent to the Swiss trading firm, Volkart Brothers in Cochin. Their Cochin branch was established in 1859.
Ninan ordered bottles of Plymouth gin and cigars from Volkart Brothers. This was delivered by boat, which was the primary form of transportation in those times.
Ninan was also the pioneer of sericulture (silkworm breeding). The Director of Agriculture made frequent visits to check on the crop. The Diwan also made a visit.
Silkworm breeding became a success.
Later, Ninan became a contractor and built several major roads in the district.
No surprises then that he bought and owned a lot of land.
In 1927, Ninan contested from the Changanacherry/Peerumade constituency. He won the election and became a member of the Sree Moolam Assembly.
Ten years later, his son-in-law PJ Sebastian won from the same constituency.
Kurian Sebastian mentioned that when traders would go at 4 am on bullock carts towards the market in Changanacherry, they would sing the praises of Ninan when they went past his house.
Ninan died on January 25.
My son was born on January 25.
Is it coincidence or reincarnation?
Who can say?
Life is a mystery.
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