Ankichi gave birth to a stillborn baby boy (born with hydrocephalus). This was a blow to the whole household. Apparently, Dharmu used to visit the spot where the infant was buried, every morning and evening, out of a faint hope to see if the baby had come back to life. Such was the grief. But in due course, life starting coming back to normal. Ankichi and her husband were young, and they could have many more children. Appa consulted the best gynaecologist of the day to make sure there was nothing physically wrong with either of them.
In the meantime Manikutty, who left for England a few days after the birth of Ankichi's stillborn child, had started his preparations for the ICS in right earnest. He was attending classes at Cambridge and other places for his subjects.
Manikutty appeared for the ICS exams, and despite getting top marks for some of the written subjects, could not make it in the viva voce. Manikutty, who did not know what it was like to come second, had failed the ICS examination. Appa was visibly upset at the turn of events, but took it in his stride, thinking Manikutty would have another chance at the ICS examinations.
What nobody knew at that time was that politics had entered Manikutty's thoughts, and this came through in the ICS interview, resulting in his failure.
In the meantime Manikutty, who left for England a few days after the birth of Ankichi's stillborn child, had started his preparations for the ICS in right earnest. He was attending classes at Cambridge and other places for his subjects.
Manikutty appeared for the ICS exams, and despite getting top marks for some of the written subjects, could not make it in the viva voce. Manikutty, who did not know what it was like to come second, had failed the ICS examination. Appa was visibly upset at the turn of events, but took it in his stride, thinking Manikutty would have another chance at the ICS examinations.
What nobody knew at that time was that politics had entered Manikutty's thoughts, and this came through in the ICS interview, resulting in his failure.
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