When the automation of the travel industry picked steam towards the latter part of the '80s, Mr. Sabastin Parappurath, who ran 'Suma Travels', named after his daughter, created advertisements that said, 'no computer can match us! That showed his passion for connecting and communicating with the community he has served. For some of us who would recall the days of travel in the 70s between India and the United States, they were indeed challenging times. Our trips to Kerala required us to transfer to Indian Airlines after the customs check in Bombay. On occasions, many among us got stranded and were at the mercy of the airline personnel at Santa Cruz airport. Therefore, the reliability of the issuing agent was a critical factor in those days, and the Suma travels met those challenges better than anyone in the business. People would call Sabastin at 2 AM to inform him that a loved one had passed away in India and they needed an emergency booking, and he would calmly deal with the caller and fulfill their requests on time.
Our travels to Kerala today may be uneventful; however, it is worth remembering those folks who have done pioneering work to soften our paths. Sabastin deserves our deep gratitude for his significant contributions in that area. I would recall the days when I visited their office and forged a close relationship with the late Kuttappai and Mr. Mathai Chacko. They could all be immensely proud of what they have accomplished as a business; however, the noteworthy aspect is how they have used their influence to benefit the community. With the million-dollar Maharaja award in the bag, the first one for a Malayalee agency, Suma Travels pushed for and succeeded in helping to start the Boeing services between Bombay and Cochin. At the urging of Sabastin, a memorandum by various organizations was submitted to expedite the Air-India connection flights to Kerala.
Sabastin is also in the venerated category of pioneers who have helped our community greatly, especially the early settlers from Kerala, even with their housing and jobs. Still, he was never the type to buy a plaque and stick one's name on it. He was upfront and forthright in his business dealings and truly believed in teamwork, where he respected his partners and allies for the long haul.
One thing he appeared to have missed most was his legal profession, and it was a joy for him to put on the robes and appear before the High Court in Kerala. His careful analysis of the political arena showed his deep knowledge of issues. One may wonder whether he would have had a political career in Kerala had he not ventured into his overseas life.
From time to time, I have been in touch with Suman, his daughter. Her high level of interest in India's political and social developments has often surprised me. Being an academic, she appears to spend a lot of time analyzing issues and often pokes a question or two at me on my perspectives. Needless to say, Sabastin has succeeded in teaching many of those values we all would like to see in the next generations. Sebastin is survivied by his wife, Rosamma, daughters Suman and Dr. Suja, son-in-law Blitz Carthey, grand children Thresia, Anna, Josiah, Richard and Matthias.
Sabastin took pride in completing over 100 roundtrips to India, and it was vital for him to attend the local Church festival every month of November. For a final time, his mortal body will soon be on the way to Kerala, a place that he loved and cherished, and that too, in November. Farewell, my friend, and may your soul find the ultimate rest in peace!
