Vavachan, a poor vegetable vendor from Angamali, is the new star of the Indian National Congress in Kerala. Ernakulam District Congress Committee’s move to educate and make party workers read books and periodicals got a shot in the arm thanks to the efforts of Vavachan.
An ordinary party worker, Vavachan has emerged as a role model for the cadre and leaders alike. Mohammed Shiyaz, the president of the DCC, while addressing a block committee meeting recently had asked party cadres to mobilize funds or books for the library to be set up by the party. “Vavachan told me after the meeting that he would collect books/funds for the proposed library. Despite being taunted by other Congress workers who were cynical of the move to set up a library, Vavachan took it up as a challenge,” Shiyaz told The Pioneer.
Vavachan pleaded with his customers for books or donations. An old lady who has been buying vegetables from him for decades gave him her gold earrings asking him to sell the same and use the money for buying books. “I got Rs 18,000/ - by selling that ear rings. Many people came forward with books and donations. By the end of December, I had mobilized Rs 1,00,000/- for the library,” said Vavachan. He said that though many party workers had made fun of him when he launched the drive to collect funds, people by and large were happy and donated him with books and cash.
Shiyaz, the young DCC chief, was moved by the efforts of Vavachan and chose to honour him in a different manner. He sought the presence of V D Satheeshan, Leader of the Opposition, himself to come to Angamali (home town of Vavachan) to accept the books as well as the cash. “Vavachan is an exception to other political activists as he reads half a dozen newspapers and periodicals every day. He is well aware of the topical issues, both national and Kerala specific. It is people like Vavachan who sustains the Congress at grass root level,” said Shiyaz.
EDCC, which was reconstituted recently, will soon see part workers and activists interacting regularly with social and cultural icons in the State. “We are offering the EDCC auditorium to writers for book launching as well as discussions on literary works,” said Shiyaz.