Wayanad man keeps a 49-yr-old promise to go without umbrella...Here's why

Mananthavady (Wayanad): Forty nine years have passed since Mathew, native of Mananthavady, has used an umbrella. Rain or sun, he chooses to brave the weather, even if it means getting wet or burnt on his way to town and other places. He takes an autorickshaw if there is no choice. There's a poignant story behind this decision, one that brings tears to Mathew's eyes whenever he recalls it.

On July 22, 1975, Mathew made a vow to never use an umbrella again after losing seven of them during a particularly rainy season.

"People may laugh when they hear about not having money to buy an umbrella these days. My wife Elsy used to teach literacy classes. She needs an umbrella any time she leaves home. Every time I bought an umbrella, it would somehow end up missing. I also misplaced two umbrellas which my wife’s father bought for her."

“I once had to buy an umbrella with money I had saved to buy rice just so I could come back home. That night, my pregnant wife, our two children, and I had boiled potatoes for dinner.

I once went to Grameen Bank to renew the gold loan using money from the sale of my wife's waist chain. An umbrella was purchased from the money. However, that umbrella too went missing. Since that day, I have remained steadfast in my vow to never use an umbrella again."

Mathew’s wife, Elsy, passed away due to rat fever. He later married Claramma. Currently, they reside in a house in Thrissilery in Mananthavady. Mathew also insists on commuting daily by KSRTC bus and has been actively involved as an office bearer of the Bus Passengers Association since its inception in Thrissilery.