Conall

HOME
PROFILE
WRITINGS
NEWS
GALLERY
VIDEOS

HOME
PROFILE
WRITINGS
NEWS
GALLERY
VIDEOS

HOME
PROFILE
WRITINGS
NEWS
GALLERY
VIDEOS

October 2019

Home | 2019 | October (Page 3)

Book authored by Indian envoy to the Netherlands explore, celebrate Indo-Dutch history

October 25, 2019

Posts navigation

1
2
3

ABOUT

A career diplomat, scholar, author and former journalist, Venu Rajamony served as Ambassador of India to the Netherlands from 2017-2020, He was responsible for the International Court of Justice and other legal institutions in The Hague and the OPCW. Rajamony was Press Secretary to President of India, Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017) and Consul General of India in Dubai (2007-2010)

RECENT NEWS

Recent Posts

Such a Long Journey – The Indian Express October 4, 2019 September 3, 2020
A tale of two countries – Mumbai Mirror, October 18, 2019 September 3, 2020
It is a lavishly illustrated encyclopedia of the cross-cultural legacy between the two countries, highlighting their economic and cultural ties – right down to yoga and museum treasures. December 9, 2019

LATEST TWEETS

INSTAGRAM

Do join me and others on the Manorama news this ev

Do join me and others on the Manorama news this evening at 8pm for a discussion on the Biden Presdency

Waiting with discipline for the dog walker to come

Waiting with discipline for the dog walker to come

Online Interactive session with the Kerala Managem

Online Interactive session with the Kerala Management Association, tomorrow, Jan 8, 6 pm. Details below

College mate and friend for over 40 years, PT Thom

College mate and friend for over 40 years, PT Thomas, vibrant Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and strong votary of ecologically sustainable development

Rose was the colour Mother Nature chose today

Rose was the colour Mother Nature chose today

2/2 We joined six friends for a dinner in the eve

2/2 We joined six friends for a dinner in the evening at Bolghatty Palace Hotel, the former summer residence of the Dutch Commander in Kochi. We registered our marriage the next day with three friends as witnesses.

We went on to spend a wonderful eight months in Kochi. I combined my work as a journalist with preparations for my civil service interview and legal studies. There was also no dearth of fun and frolic.

We said goodbye to the city in August of 1986 when I got selected to the Foreign Service and had to proceed to Delhi for training.

Today we complete a full circle returning to the city and place where we began our married life. We hope to recapture the spirit of 35 years back with a dinner of tapioca and fish curry followed by tender coconut soufflé.

It seems odd to narrate this tale at a time when love jihad and honour killings dominate the headlines and people compete to hold big fat Indian weddings. But, I believe it is important for people to know that old fashioned love stories such as this also exist in these turbulent and frustrating times.

35 years back this day is when Saroj and I got mar

35 years back this day is when Saroj and I got married in Kochi. We celebrated our anniversary this morning with a visit to the temple where it took place.

The marriage was both the beginning and culmination of an adventure.

After our JNU days, Saroj went back to Darjeeling to teach in a school and later, in a college. I returned to Kochi to study law and then, joined as Staff Corespondent of the Indian Express in Kochi. My salary at that time was a princely sum of Rs 750/-.

In the days much before there was internet, mobile phones, direct flights and trains, we decided over telegrams and trunk calls to get married. Saroj travelled from Kalimpong to Guwahati, Guwahati to Kolkotha, Kolkotha to Chennai and Chennai to Kochi by bus, car, train, plane. Her journey from Kolkotha to Chennai was on a special train bringing back party cadre returning from the CPM national conference, courtesy friends and well wishers in the CPM.

Saroj reached on a Friday and we got married on a Sunday, because my Editor said you have my blessings but no leave.

Our marriage was simple and unconventional. No parents were present. A few close friends - Anil Menon, G. Sakthidharan, PT Thomas, C. Gouridasan stepped in and took charge. The sole representatives of the family were my sister, an aunt and cousin.

We opted for a ceremony in the Nair style since that is among the simplest of marriage traditions. The ceremony comprised merely of me presenting a saree to Saroj. The main temple in Thripunithura was chosen as the venue. There was no feast but Anil who made the arrangements ensured that all guests got payasam from the temple.

The guest list comprised few close friends from my school, from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam and JNU as well as media colleagues and my Editor. I invited them on phone the day before and was pleasantly surprised at the turn out. PT Thomas invited Congress leaders Oommen Chandy, KC Joseph and Benny Behanan who were passing by to stop and greet us on their way.

Sakthidharan moved his sister and brother in law out of a flat he owned in the Journalists Colony in Kaloor and made it available to us. Kaloor and made it available to us. 1/2

Sunrise and moonrise on new year’s day

Sunrise and moonrise on new year’s day

Backwaters of Kerala have a high destiny of mangro

Backwaters of Kerala have a high destiny of mangroves on its shores

The mangroves (Kandal kadu) in the backwaters of K

The mangroves (Kandal kadu) in the backwaters of Kerala

Celebrated new year with a boat ride through the b

Celebrated new year with a boat ride through the backwaters and stopover at home for coffee and cake. Was joined by Saroj and PT Thomas, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly and close friend for over 40 years

Moonlit New Year’s Eve, rains have just receded

Moonlit New Year’s Eve, rains have just receded but dark clouds linger

©Copyright 2010 – 2021 venurajamony.com. All Rights Reserved.