While the world celebrated the peak of the 2025 holiday season with crackers and music, the household of P.C. Prakashan in Balussery, Kozhikode, embraced an unusual stillness. The retired teacher turned his residence, aptly named “Citadel,” into a literal fortress of peace to protect a family of bulbuls. After discovering a nest with two hatchlings in a plant near his front porch, Prakashan and his family decided that their festive season would be defined not by noise, but by the quiet protection of these fragile lives.
Sacrifices for a Small Life
The commitment to the birds went far beyond simply not shouting. Prakashan made significant adjustments to his daily routine to ensure the mother bird felt secure. He stopped using his car entirely for several days because the engine noise and movement near the shed where the nest was located would have startled the birds. Furthermore, the family avoided using loud household appliances and limited their movement in the yard, choosing to observe the chicks’ growth through the window rather than encroaching on their space.
A Legacy of Avian Trust
This act of kindness was not an isolated incident. Remarkably, this marked the third time during the same season that birds had chosen Prakashan’s garden to nest. It suggests a deep level of trust and “avian memory,” where the birds have identified his property as a safe haven from predators and human interference. For Prakashan, a man involved in science outreach and a licensed ham radio operator, this was a practical application of his love for nature providing a controlled environment where local biodiversity could thrive undisturbed.
The Harmony of Science and Art
P.C. Prakashan’s background adds a layer of depth to the story. As a member of the Swara Ranjini singing group and a science enthusiast, he represents a unique blend of empathy and observation. He noted that watching the transformation from egg to fledgling brought him more fulfillment than any traditional celebration. His story serves as a powerful reminder that conservation doesn’t always require a massive budget or a vast forest; often, it simply requires a human being willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience for the sake of a smaller neighbor.
Read more: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/12/27/balussery-retired-teacher-bird-care.html