Manon Ipe Mathai was awarded the ‘ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY BRONZE MEDAL’ in 1905 for putting his own life at great risk to save someone else’s. He may be the first Travancore citizen to receive such an award during the British Rule in India.

The Royal Humane Society Medal was established in 1774. The Medal was initially awarded to personnel in recognition of lifesaving acts or attempts to save a life from drowning. The award of the Medal was later expanded to reward all acts of exceptional bravery in rescuing or attempting to rescue persons from mines, wells, blasting furnaces, or in sewers. The medal features a Latin inscription on the reverse which translates to “He Has Obtained this Reward for Saving the Life of a Citizen.”

On 5th May 1905, while bathing in the Pamba (Pampa) River, Nedumbrayar, Pathanamthitta, India a young man sank in 24 feet of water. Mathai, at great risk, dived in. He found him in the second attempt and rescued him. It was for this courageous rescue that he was duly recognised and awarded the medal with a certificate.

Manon Ipe Mathai or Appupi (as he was fondly called) was well known for his physical strength and spiritual vigour. God enabled him to use his strong physique to rescue many lives in the community. He saved many people from drowning in the Pamba River during the flood of 1924 (Malayalam Year 1099). Thousands of people had lost their lives during this unexpected natural disaster. He saved people from wild animals, mad dogs and even poisonous snakes. In one incident, a young man had climbed up an Angili tree and could not get down. Appupi was confident he could catch him in his sturdy arms and asked him to jump off the tree. The young man was safely caught in Appupi’s strong hands.

He was committed to his community. In his free time, he would voluntarily undertake repair and maintenance work of local roads in Maramon, especially during the rainy seasons. Villagers fondly called him as Manon Thantha (Manon Appachen) or Appupi (Grandfather).

Back in 1952, during the agricultural and khadi exhibition held in Chirayirambu, Maramon, Appupi was asked to participate. He famously hung a live full-length python around his neck, holding its head in one hand and its tail in the other. His fearless act is still a vivid memory to those who attended the exhibition.

Appupi and Palakunnathu Kadon Thommachen were highly respected social leaders of the Maramon area and people would go to them to settle their disputes (civil and criminal) instead of secular courts. They also actively took part in the pandal construction work of the Maramon Convention for many years. Appupi was also a close friend of the famous Ayurveda Vaidyan, Kolathu Yohannan Vaidyan.

Appupi (Manon Ipe Mathai), was the eldest son of Mathen Ipe (Ayyakavil – Kallirikunnel family from Kanjeettukara, Ayroor) and Mariamma (daughter of Kurian, Palakunnathu Manon family, Nedumbrayar, Maramon). Ipe Mathai’s parents stayed in Manon Malayil house, Thiruvachamannu, Maramon. They were the members of the Maramon Mar Thoma Parish.

Ipe Mathai married Mariamma (daughter of Kochitty. Plathodathil House, Kuriannoor). They had two daughters – their first daughter Mariamma (jr) was married to Avarachen, Vavolil House, Ranny and their second daughter Aleyamma was married to Mathai of Kunnil Family from Maramon.

Author’s note: Appupi is Grace John’s (Graceamma) (Author, Nalloor Library) grandfather’s (Mr. Thomas Manon) elder brother. Mrs. Grace John is from Hoskote, Karnataka (d/o Mr. & Mrs. M. T. Joseph, Co-founders of the Hoskote Mar Thoma Mission Medical Center – Estd: 1947).

She fondly remembers visiting Valiappachen along with her siblings during their summer vacations. He was a delightful story-teller and the children would vie for a place on his lap to hear all about his adventures. He could accommodate all four siblings on his lap! He always stocked up goodies for the children – mangoes, tender coconut in jaggery, fried banana chips, etc. Visiting Valiappachen was the highlight of their holidays. May his memory be a blessing.