A retired Kerala couple who travel every day, across states and beyond

Every day, just after the clock ticks past 2.30 pm, a car rolls out of the gate of Chembakassery House in Manganam in Kerala's Kottayam. Kurian George, fondly called `Kunjumon,' turns to his wife Eliamma, affectionately called `Kunjamma, and asks, “Wifey, left or right?” Without missing a beat, Kunjamma replies, “Left!” And the car turns onto Puthuppally Road.

That trip could take them to Mundakkayam via Manarcad to Manimala via Karukachal or to Kidangara via Thengana through Changanassery. If the car heads right instead, it could be to Kumarakom via Kottayam or Vaikom or to Pala via Ettumanoor. 

This has been the daily routine of the Kurian–Eliamma couple, aged 77 and 75, respectively! A life of daily tours! Along the way, there’s always a stop for tea and baji. During these trips, they engage in playful banter, converse and take in the sights.  By around 6.30 pm, they return to their home in Manganam.

Kurian George retired from the Excise Department as a Preventive Officer, while Eliamma retired from the Health Department as Deputy Mass Media Officer. They now travel together life’s road, literally and lovingly, every single day.

Tours beyond the State
The couple, who travel daily across Kottayam and neighbouring districts, venture beyond the State borders as well. They have visited every State in India. Whether it’s Kashmir, Punjab, Kullu-Manali, Rajasthan, the Wagah Border, Assam, Bengal, Meghalaya, Delhi, or Gujarat, they mostly travel by car. When travelling by road, the couple is accompanied by two others, a driver and their maid, Lakshmi, a native of Tenkasi.

The couple decided that Lakshmi should see every place they visited. To fulfil her wish, they once took a detour during their journey from Uttar Pradesh to Nepal to visit the Ayodhya Ram Temple. There, they offered annadanam (free meal) and performed pujas. Among their most cherished memories is the time they met Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother at his ancestral home during one of their travels.

Trips turn international too!
They have flown abroad as well. The US, Canada, Ireland, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Russia, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep, Nepal, Dubai, Qatar, Bhutan...the list is quite long. Then there are the trips to visit their sons, Jeo Kurian and family in the UK, and Jil George and family in the US.

An unforgettable journey
Their trip to Kashmir in 2014 turned out to be unforgettable, not just for them, but for their relatives and neighbours as well. Kurian and Eliamma left for Kashmir without informing anyone. "While returning from visiting Pahalgam and Gulmarg in Srinagar, we found the airport shut down due to heavy snowfall," says Kurian. They were stranded in the hotel, and their mobile phone battery was completely drained. Coincidentally, it was the same day a Malaysian flight crashed. As they remained incommunicado, someone back home spread the rumour that Kunjumon and his wife from Chembakassery were on that flight. Even relatives and neighbours believed it. Eventually, when they returned, they were given a rousing reception by relatives!

A board has been placed at their Chembakassery home, marking many of the places the couple has visited. Written on it are the words: “NOT ON OUR MERITS, BUT ON HIS GRACE.” And the board is awaiting more names!