THRISSUR: The UP class teacher pointed his finger at Sivan while asking questions and said: 'Let that Paraya boy answer'. Sivan did not know why he was not called by his name. He later realized that it was because he belonged to the Paraya community. PN Sivan of Chalakudy Karukutty Pipepara house, who did not have even a second pair of clothes then, is the Joint RTO in Guruvayur now.

Although his name is Sivan, there are no gods in the pooja room of his house. Only the Constitution and photos of Ambedkar, Ayyankali and Sri Buddha. Sivan reads the Constitution in front of the lamp daily and prays for the world.

On the wall of his house, Sivan wrote the text of the Constitution and the sayings of Ambedkar, Gurudeva, Sri Buddha and Ayyankali. Even those with advanced degrees ask, 'You got nothing else to do?'. Sivan's reply is the constitutional phrase that 'no discrimination against any citizen on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth'. Sivan would occasionally read the constitution to his wife Priya and daughter Shivpriya.

Childhood spent selling baskets and muram

Sivan's father Neelan and mother Thankamma, used to support their family by weaving baskets and muram. Despite working day and night, there was no change in hunger. One day Sivan sold the chicken and left his home. He worked in hotels and brickyards in Aluva. Later he returned home and continued his studies. While still in 10th class, he sold baskets and murams for Aluva Shivratri, Kannamaly festival and Kodungallur bharani. When the exam results came, Sivan got first class! Whereas the Father, who was the headmaster, asked: 'even you got first class ?'. Even when Sivan won prizes in arts and sports competitions, the teachers were not interested in taking him to sub-district competitions. After studying automobile engineering, he got a job in the motor vehicle department. There are still people who ask Sivan, "Aren't you going for work?", instead of "Aren't you going to your office?"

Ambedkar said that religion which does not see man as man is a disease. There is no point in saying anything to the uneducated people who embellish that disease.

PN Sivan