Tintin Turns 75

January 10, 2004.



I have always enjoyed reading Tintin comics. It's great, Tintin is
seventy five, and he has put in so many years with the readers and
still remains a darling in the hearts of many of them. I don't remember
when I was first acquainted with this character, maybe sometime when I
was in class four or five. How I longed to have a trusted dog like
Snowy. I adored Tintin, the young reporter and his superb Snowy, their
adventures to unknown places and their success story.


Years have passed and Tintin and Snowy still has a place in
my heart. Still I dare to challenge my childhood and read Tintin
comics, fascinating stories that go with me. In fact Tintin hasn't
chased a new adventure after the death of his creator Herge. It never
will with his creator no more and now he lives on in marketing of an
endless stream of Tintin T-shirts, mugs and watches. Tintin has 23
adventures to his credit and newspaper reports say, a 10-euro coin,
minted especially for the anniversary. From Belgium Tintin's adventures
moved around the globe making appearances in Tibet, China, Egypt,
India, Chicago, Congo, the Soviets, and slowly the world started
reading him. Tintin was brought before the world on January 10, 1929
and he hasn't looked back since.


A few years back I had started a children's lending library,
ran it from my home. When the idea of library first struck me, my two
boys and I had put in so much of effort to run it. I had a huge
collection of children's book all tucked away in the old wooden almirah
which had a few broken glasses and blinked at its owner to give it a
caring touch. It was a Herculean task ? the almirah's broken glass
mended, the books and the huge pile of comics carefully examined to see
there were no torn pages and the bindings glued and pasted to bring it
to look in full form.


The next task was harder still. Started with a register to
put in the names of the books ? by authors. Each book got its number
and the library seal stamped boldly on the front page. The membership
card and the receipt book were printed, then, the advertisement. Well,
my newspaper agent helped to distribute the pamphlets from door to door
for a very small amount for his labour. Young members flocked in, I was
happy with the collection of the membership fee. Tintin comics were in
great demand, boys preferred to read the adventures of 'The Hardy Boys'
and the girls 'Nancy Drew'. 'Tales from the Panchatantra', in comics,
was a big collection I had, saved me when the children could do with
them, if they did not get their favourites. Some enjoyed reading
science fiction, girls favoured Enid Blyton.


The library ran smoothly for two years. Problems started
creeping, I did not have time to look after the lending and because of
fund crunch I had to close it after running it successfully for three
years. After all books cost a lot and the membership fee was very
small, I did not want to expand this, so ultimately with a very sad
heart I had to shut the doors of the library.


My sons are adults now, the library that once stood on the
shelves of the almirah have now gone into hibernation in eight
Amulspray cartons, stacked neatly on the loft.


One Eyed Jack - name given to the stray cat that frequents my
house was present during lunchtime. I mixed rice and the fish bones and
put it on the plate, placed it out on the verandah, and One Eyed fed on
it like a hungry wolf. Soon after, this silly cat basked in the
afternoon sun out in the garden and licked its paws showing
satisfaction.


I put some red, pink and white roses in the flower vase and
placed it on the centre piece. Fresh flowers add a special charm to the
surrounding.


Tomorrow is Sunday and I will see a movie today, will be late
to bed. At present have to think about dinner, so I'm off to the
kitchen to cook a fast dinner.