It was 2 PM. The closing hours at Pallavur Treasury for cash transactions.
Meera was posted at the cash counter. She looked across the doorway for any last-minute pensioners walking in. She would always wait for a few extra minutes, to accommodate the senior citizens. Teacher was strangely absent today amongst the local pensioners’ group who usually came mid-month than the crowded first week to collect their pensions. Meera wondered if she was ill.
“Teacherey, why don’t you opt to receive the pension directly into your bank account?” Meera used to ask Teacher.
“Moley, I am not that tech-savvy to do online banking stuff. Also, I love coming here. Meeting people and talking to the other oldies.” In a hushed voice, she added, “Besides, I love the feel of money in my hands.”
Teacher lived alone in a sprawling tharavad after the passing of her husband, Unnikrishnan Vaidyar, a few years back. They had a son who went on to become a successful doctor. But life had other plans. As it did to the young educated Keralites of that time, the lure of the foreign land did not spare him either and thus he migrated leaving his mother to fend all for herself.
Teacher saw him only twice in the past five years. He had visited when Vaidyar passed and once again when his in-laws were unwell. Teacher did not even have the joy of seeing her grandson other than in pictures and video calls.
Teacher always looked forward to the monthly visit to the Treasury. The pensioners formed a small cohesive group, meeting every month at the Treasury when they came to collect their pensions. The Treasury office served as a common place to discuss pensioners’ issues, exchange pleasantries, and at times, grieve over the loss of a passed group member.
Meera logged out of the system and locked the cash register.
Just then she heard familiar footsteps as Teacher rushed in holding a box of cake.
“Teacherey, sorry I just closed the counter”.
“Leave it, Meera, it is ok. I will collect the pension later. I came to give this,” Teacher replied as she unwrapped the box.
The staff on their way to the lunch stopped by.
“Teacherey, is it your birthday today?”, they enquired in unison.
Teacher replied. “No, but can anyone guess what is special today?”
December 17th. National Pensioner’s Day.
It was exactly one year since the Pallavur Treasury was opened.
Meera vaguely remembered the news about the relentless campaign by a retired school teacher, to facilitate a Treasury at Pallavur, even risking arrest for leading a sit-in strike in front of the District Collector’s office. The authorities finally yielded and agreed to open the Pallavur Treasury, thus saving a long arduous trip every month to the District Treasury at Palakkad for the Pensioners.
On cue, the rest of the pensioners arrived to join the anniversary festivities with the staff.
It was a memorable day at the Treasury.
Glossary
Teacher- Used in the story as spoken by Keralites, who address people by their professional title
Teacherey- Addressing a teacher, as spoken by Keralites ( respectful)
Moley- Responding to a girl significantly younger by Keralites
Vaidyar– A healer, typically regional medicine practitioner
