Sheela Alphons with Alphons Kannanthanam after the swearing in ceremony. File photo/ManoramaSheela Alphons, wife of Union tourism minister Alphonse Kannanthanam, speaks out on being the new celebrity in town and the latest target of Internet trolls.
Suddenly thrown into the world of candid cameras and memes and dubsmash, Sheela finds solace in her favorite bible verse.
"Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers..."
Sheela has had a difficult time ever since her husband’s surprise entry into the Union cabinet this month. Her excitedly casual chat on how Kannanthanam got a call from prime minister Narendra Modi was splashed across television screens wrapped in humorous comments. Internet trolls were quick to close in.
"Someone told me that the video ridiculing me has been watched by more than 3.30 lakh people. These things travel faster than light. I was also told that a few girls in black shades had brought out dubsmash videos on it. I get a lot of calls from friends who are worried with what is happening.
"Everyone is created by god. I like humor but I consider it unjust to portray someone in a bad light. They assured me that they were not shooting anything still broadcast it all on television. They ridiculed me. Let it be. If that makes someone happy, so be it.
On sunglasses
"I will start with the sunglasses I had on. Everyone in Delhi wears such glasses because of the heat. That is not a style statement there. That day, Alphi (Alphons Kannanthanam) was being sworn in. We were not carrying any mobile phones or sunglasses because there were security regulations in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. After the swearing in, we went to the Kerala House for the Onam feast. As soon as we reached there, the television crews covered Alphi. He even tripped on a mike cable.
Sheela and Alphons Kannanthanam attend Onasadhya (Onam feast) organized by Kerala House in New Delhi. File photo/Manorama"I was sitting inside the car with a family friend and sister. Then a reporter from an English channel approached me. I spoke to her when she said she was from Kottayam too. When I got out of the car, my friend’s sister offered her sunglasses to me because it was extremely hot.
"When the reporter asked me to say something, I said I did not have anything to say. My English is not so good and I am not used to speaking on camera.
"I later agreed to talk because my friends told me that the reporters will mistake my attitude for arrogance. They told me it was ok to speak in the English I knew.
"Then the channels came one by one. I replied to all of them. All of them represented English media. I had finished it all when a Malayalam channel representative came to me. I was happy that I was done with the English media. I told him that I had nothing special to say but he told me to talk on anything. He even assured me that the camera was off. That casual talk is being watched by thousands of people.
Alphons Kannanthanam with prime minister Narendra Modi. File photo/PTI"I was not boasting. When they asked me about Alphi’s relations with Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, I told them whatever I knew. Alphi has been working with them for six years and I have seen it all as a housewife. I just talked about that.
"Both me and my husband have gone through the ups and downs of life. God has brought us to the chairs of power and the red carpet. I am proud of being with a man who uses all that to do good. But I am not arrogant.
Self-made man
"Alphi was being ridiculed for always speaking in first person. I brought it to his notice. He told me that it was not arrogant to speak about oneself.
"He was born into a house with no electricity in a small village. He studied in the dim light of a kerosene lamp to get through the tenth-class exams. He passed the civil service exam due to his hard work. He even became the Union minister without anyone’s recommendation. When he talked about all these, what else could he say, he asked me.
Sheela and Alphons Kannanthanam at their residence. Photo: Manorama"Isn't it right? Alphi said he will keep on speaking about himself if that inspired anyone."
Sheela completed her schooling in the Kaniyamkunnu school in Manarcaud and the Baker school in Kottayam. She discontinued her degree course in the BCM College when she married Kannanthanam. She rejoined the course and completed it when Kannanthanam was appointed as collector in Kottayam eight years later.
In Delhi with her husband, Sheela ventured into the slums to do social service. She led efforts to construct washrooms for slum dwellers and offered protection to orphaned children. She goes to the slums two days a week even now. She has been working on the rehabilitation of the children of sex workers.
Reluctant to talk about her work, Sheela agreed to publicize all these things only on our insistence.
