Erumely: This barber is different, as the popular song about actor Srinivasan's character Balan in the movie 'Kadha Parayumbol' goes. The song goes on to say nobody recognised how unique Balan is. In the case of Thazhathakkal Ramesan, 50, however, those whom he cares for know he is different.
Ramesan, who runs a barber shop at Mukkoottuthara, doesn't rest on Tuesdays as others in his profession do. He spends the day doing his job free for bed-ridden patients and others at their homes.
He doesn't accept anything in return, whether the patient is rich or poor. But anyone who is particular about paying can do it by depositing the money in a charity box kept at his shop. This money goes to charity work done by St Ignatius Church, Propose, Erumely.
Ramesan visits houses at Erumely, Vechoochira and Perunad panchayats on the border of Kottatyam and Idukki districts. His wife Geeta is an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and hence has accurate information about bed-ridden patients in the area.