Cherishing our days with Binu Aji and Alex

Cherishing our Co-pilgrims, as the move on…

It would be hard not to remember the wonderful student days of Deacons Binu, Aji (John Cyril) and Alexander, as they move on to a new phase of their life, with a sweet smile and nostalgic memories that promenade the corridors, chapels, gardens etc.  As the saying goes life never comes back, those were the days which benefited many who came across the warmth and love, success and failures of these three companions of St. Francis. It would be an uphill task to pen the memories and our wishes to the three separately, so I would wish to make it together as they were and are in their journey.

To begin with their physical stature, they are in proportion when Alexander comes in between the two, the same goes with their age too –the tallest is the youngest. However, when it comes to the fervor in which things are executed I believe Alexander takes precedence with his dexterity in many fields, be it chapel where he could lead you into prayer with all his spiritual dilution; his keen aesthetical perception of the proportions; sense of holiness; and more over his commitment to the same. However, when it comes to the field of music, we have the two other companions helping him out with their skills of singing (Aji) and on the keys of piano (Binu). That’s the reason I can't dissect them in identifying before you their skills. The triune bond that they had from their student days complemented each other in their difficulties and put them at ease during their happy moments. The youngest of them all -tall, mighty and athletic Aji aka john Cyril, believes in procrastinating things which to the surprise of all bring out the much better of his talents. Creativity comes in spontaneity, this works well with Aji whose talent in music also makes the icing on the cake. Ask him for an idea, it comes at the drop of a hat. Ask him for a help, he bits more than he could chew. Ask him to accompany for a mile, you will feel satiated (fed up) by his company. Finally, don’t ask him to sing, ‘cause he does it always. To make the story short, it would be better to write on Binu, the eldest in age; and youngest in wisdom. He is so systematic, that it is difficult to decipher his ways. He is so genuine, that we find difficult to entrust him a work, since he becomes the work. He is so loving, that the bond among the three speaks volumes. He is so child-like, the young and the old love spending hours with him. He is so dedicated, often he forgets himself; A talented keyboardist, he brings harmony not only to the songs but also to the community where he belongs (not to mention anywhere he goes).

On this pages of Echo we, the Prem Jyoti Custody wishes our ‘to be priest’ or the ‘on-going’ deacons the very best in their ventures, as they move from one phase to the other in their life. It is difficult to picture them with these few words, but their days as students and anyone who came across them or encountered them would never ever forget their influence and charisma in fostering relations and spreading the fragrance of Francis to all. On a lighter note, I found many of our common friends on a frugal budget, I enquired is it because of the demonetization, No! Came the reply, ‘we are imitating the Capuchins –Binu and Co’. I was caught by surprise, not because of the influence of Binu and Co. but rather they didn’t identify me as a Capuchin!