The broadcasting of television programming from Kerala began on January 1, 1985, but Malayalam TV programming began in August 1975 from Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai. Peer Mohammed, Ramamoorthy, Rema Devi, Sashikumar, and much later I, had been producing them till my posting at DD Kendra, Trivandrum, as its first director. Setting up a new TV Station and bringing in a TV culture with programming and a news bulletin daily for 90 minutes was a Herculean task.
Though the odds were stacked against us, the task was accomplished with gusto. The team was dedicated; the novelty and glamour of the medium was a challenge and an opportunity! But more than the TV programs and news bulletins, I bow my head to a gentleman who helped save the precious lives of three colleagues. I was woken up by a colleague’s midnight call while returning from transmission duty. He informed that the door of the lodging house where a colleague was staying was locked from inside and he had been absent from office for a few days. A feeble but alarming sound was emanating from the lighted room. I suggested breaking open the door to rush him to the Medical College Hospital. Dr Mathew Thomas, husband of one ace announcer and a specialist doctor called me up; he wanted a CT scan immediately as my colleague’s condition was critical. The Sri Chitra Tirunal Centre was the only facility that could do this. Dr M S Valiathan was its chief. His cousin Dr Sreepathi Prasad was my teacher and with his assistance, the great doctor was ready to help, even at the odd hour. Ultimately, he was hale and hearty.
A few months later, I received another midnight call, from the Medical College casualty doctor. It was about a motorbike accident victim at the beach and the need for an immediate scan for head injuries. Dr Valiathan again helped and said I should conduct a campaign against drunk driving!
Another colleague was later admitted to the Centre. If an operation was not done in 48 hours, a precious life could have been lost. An amount of `1.5 lakhs was to be deposited in advance, which was beyond the department’s powers. After we pleaded with the then DD Director General Bhaskar Ghose, the amount was sanctioned. But the payment formalities would take time. Again Dr Valiathan helped; all he wanted was an undertaking for the payment. The operation was successful.
No wonder, Dr Marthandavarma Sankaran Valiathan has been a respected celebrity and honoured surgeon and philosopher. May his tribe increase.
Email: kkunhikrishnan@gmail.com