'T P Madhavan sir fired him from AMMA general meeting...'; Lakshmi Priya's FB post on Idavela Babu

Actress Lakshmi Priya penned a heartwarming note about outgoing AMMA general secretary Idavela Babu, who has decided to take a break from his organizational duties.

Just days before, Babu expressed dejection over no AMMA members coming to his support when faced with a brutal cyber-attack, during his tenure as secretary of the organization. And now, in a Facebook post, Lakshmi Priya said that she felt guilty and apologized for not coming to Idavela Babu’s support during those strenuous times.

LAKSHMI PRIYA:

“Yesterday was the 30th annual general body meeting of our AMMA. The brainchild of Suresh Gopi, Ganesh Kumar and Maniyan Pillai Raju, the organization started in 1994 with a meagre Rs 45,000, is now full-fledging and has crossed 30 great years. For many reasons, yesterday’s meeting was an emotional one. What left me teary eyes was the speech from former general secretary Idavela Babu.

‘While I was facing a slander fest on cyber media from trolls and anonymous handles, not even one came to my help’; Hearing these words from him made my head bow in shame. Yes, I was also part of the clan who never cared to support him during his difficult time.

The organization which was started mostly to help bring the mortal remains of artists residing in Madras to Kerala, turned into a formidable organisation only under the able leadership of Idavela Babu. And now, the same organization is giving pensions to serval senior artists. I know several of them, who are now paying for medicine and house rent with the same amount. We all have health insurance coverage through the organisation.

Every year, AMMA deposits money for the education of the children of the late members. Our work during the floods in Kerala doesn’t need any explanation.

In one of the earlier general body meetings, T P Madhavan sir fumed as he threw a stack of files onto the ground. It was a time before the active introduction of computers and all financial dealings were handled manually. The file went cluttered and the strewn papers fell straight on the feet of K B Ganesh Kumar. This time Ganesh Kumar consoled Madhavan sir saying that he need not worry any more with office worries. “Babu will take care”; This was Ganesh sir’s response and the start of Babu era.

I have an indelible image of Babuvettan. On the day Kalabhavan Manichetan died, he took the mortal remains from Amrita Hospital, brought them to the Thrissur Medical College and stood in front of the mortuary in a sweaty shirt for a whole night without drinking a drop of water.

It was the same Babu who went to assist T P Madhavan sir when the latter suffered a heart stroke. T P Madhavan sir had once ousted Babu from a room during a general body meeting, but such grudges stood no chance in front of humanity espoused by Idavela Babu.

Devoting most of his life to the organization without expecting anything in return - Amma's office boy, sweeper secretary and ubiquitous presence, Idavela Babu is bidding adieu and only after fulfilling his mission to utmost success.