It was October 23, 2020. He had touched down in Chennai after visiting his parents in Coimbatore to take their blessings, before embarking upon election campaigns for the AIADMK full swing. After reaching his home in Chennai, he went out to test his scooter that had come back from service. As he was driving, he lost control over the accelerator and steered the scooter into a pothole. The bike skid and he fell on the ground with a thud. Blood started to ooze from his ears and nose and he fell unconscious. He remembers nothing after that.
In an exclusive interview, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, who is known for his wit and sharp intellect in political debates, speaks to Vallavaraayan of The Commune and shares his near death experience and how he had to pick himself up in the days after the accident.
Vallavaraayan: I noticed your disappearance from TV channels and social media. But I never knew that you met with an accident. Later I saw you make an appearance in a YouTube channel but I could notice differences in your head and the way you spoke. What happened?
Sathyan: Yes. Everybody got concerned after I stopped coming in TV debates. After few weeks when I started participating, they asked me why I am speaking slowly and differently, why I am wearing a cap and so on. I don’t even remember what happened after that day. Naduvula konjam pakkatha kaanum (Few pages of my memories are missing). So whatever I am saying now was told to me by my doctors and family.
When I fell from the bike, my left part of the head hit the ground causing my brain to hit the right part of the skull. As a result of this, my brain had swollen and started pressing against my skull blocking the nerves and affecting blood supply which could have led to multiple organ failure and finally death. My collar bone also had got displaced.
Vallavarayan: My goodness! How did you manage to survive?
Sathyan: I was rushed to a private hospital in Chennai in an extremely critical condition. I had to undergo a procedure called ‘decompressive craniectomy’ for the brain to not press itself against the skull when it swells. In this procedure, a part of the skull is removed to give the swelling brain some room to expand. I was not conscious for seven days. Only after 7 days, I realized that I am at a hospital and have undergone a procedure.
After the surgery, I had to stay at the hospital for a few weeks. I was given medications for the brain swelling. Before discharging me, doctors had told my family that I shouldn’t be left alone and somebody has to be there with me all the time. They said that I could fall unconscious at any time or get seizures.
Vallavaraayan: For a person to have undergone such trauma, you seem to be well and fit now.
Sathyan: You would not believe. Because my right brain was also hurt, it directly affects the motor skills. Doctors had told that I would be having trouble recollecting stuff. First of all, it was a tough task to keep me awake as I would fall unconscious immediately. When I was awake doctors would come and test my memory and motor skills. They used to make me do basic mathematics, ask me to identify people and objects etc. They would ask me to write to check if my sentence framing is correct. They said that there would be incoherence in my speech and I wouldn’t be able to speak properly. I had to undergo speech and memory training sessions. Gradually, my condition started improving. But I would often get depressed about me lying idle in a room and not being able to work for my party at a time when the campaign was going full swing. Those were some horrible days that I had both physically and mentally. But I was determined to overcome the setback. I practiced speaking in front of the mirror daily. I was longing to contribute in some way or the other for the elections. That passion to work was raging inside me and helped me pass that phase.
Vallavaraayan: How long did it take for you to recover fully?
Sathyan: It wasn’t just one surgery. In a span of 6 months I had to undergo 5 surgeries. The first surgery was removing a part of the skull to prevent the brain from pressing itself. Later that part had to be closed with the skull so that the brain is protected. I also had to undergo surgery for my collar bone. Post all the surgeries, I had to be on extensive medication. In all, it took more than 6 months for me to fully recover. It was on April 25, 2021 that the doctors certified that I am completely free of any medication and can go ahead and start my normal life.
Vallavaraayan: But I saw you making appearances in TV debates and giving interviews. Were you under treatment at that time?
Sathyan: Yes, I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing when the party has believed in me and given responsibilities. Even though my party had asked me to take rest, I wanted to do something. I couldn’t go for outside to participate in rallies. After the first surgery, I started going for selected debates because I can’t stress myself too much. That is the least I could do for my party in this crucial election.
Vallavaraayan: Coming to elections, the AIADMK has been defeated and the people have elected the DMK to power. How do you see this? Where do you think the AIADMK went wrong?
Sathyan: The AIADMK is a party that accepts people’s verdict humbly. Had the DMK lost this election, they would have resorted to blaming EVMs insulting the people’s mandate. Victory and defeat are part of the political process. Our service to the people and protecting their rights will continue irrespective of whether we are in power or not.
Having said that, the DMK did not sweep this election as predicted and peddled by different quarters. In fact, the DMK was routed completely in the Kongu region. It did not win a single seat in districts like Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, etc and that is because people do not have complete confidence in MK Stalin. This wasn’t an election where people were dissatisfied and voted against the incumbent government. The DMK managed to win because a section of the people thought of giving a chance to him. But people already seem to be regretting it given the way the government is fumbling to handle the COVID crisis.
Vallavaraayan: DMK chief MK Stalin has taken over as Chief Minister at a time when the second wave of COVID has hit the state. How different would the AIADMK be in opposition when compared to the DMK?
Sathyan: We are a responsible party and we put people’s welfare above petty politics. When the lockdown was announced last year, the DMK and its alliance parties opposed it and resorted to unwarranted political gimmicks. Just a week before MK Stalin took oath as Chief Minister, he had said that Tamil Nadu won’t be able to bear the brunt of another lockdown. But immediately after coming to power he announced a complete lockdown. However, our party has extended support and have asked people to cooperate with the government’s guidelines because we see this is a matter of life and death. The AIADMK does not do politics when it comes to people’s lives.
At the same time, we will be keeping the DMK government on its toes by making it accountable for all its actions. The AIADMK will be functioning as a responsible opposition.
Vallavaraayan: Good to know. So what lies ahead for Kovai Sathyan?
Sathyan: Life is so uncertain. I have defied death to serve my party and my people. Whatever tasks and responsibilities the party gives me, I would be dedicating myself to it. I take whatever opportunity that comes my way and give my best.
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