Alphons Kannanthanam’s wife, Sheela Kannanthanam, shares her thoughts ahead of Christmas.The Kannanthanams have had a good year. Alphons Kannanthanam’s unexpected elevation to the Union ministry made him the sole representative of Kerala in New Delhi. His wife, Sheela Kannanthanam, shares her thoughts ahead of Christmas.
How do you plan to celebrate Christmas this time?
This is the first Christmas after Alphy has been made a central minister. We wanted to make it memorable. We had planned to invite all central ministers home. We wanted to give each of them Christmas presents. However, we changed our plans after the tragic Cyclone Ockhi. It is not proper for us to celebrate when so many people were in misery. But we will not change the practice of gifting people who visit us to wish for Christmas.
This Christmas is special to the family. Our two sons and their wives will come together after 15 years. We had never had a Christmas with the entire family in attendance since the children went abroad to pursue their studies. One of them would be missing every time. We are happy to have all of them together now.
What’s special for Christmas?
Alphy does not insist on anything when it comes to food. He is fine with whatever I cook. We will have all kinds of non-vegetarian items for Christmas. Still Alphy particularly likes appam and stew. He also likes the fish and kappa that I cook. He will not complain unless it turns out to be too spicy.
We also have our daughters-in-law this time. They are expert cooks too. We have to consider their tastes before deciding the menu.
Do you prefer Christmas in Delhi to Kottayam?
Christmas in Kerala is always memorable, especially in Kottayam. When Alphy was the district collector of Idukki, we would gather at his home every Christmas. The entire family will come together. It was such a party. We would go for a movie. We hardly noticed time flying by.
Delhi seems to have more festivities. We miss the quiet of Kerala. We have our limitations in cooking as well. We go on picnics with his friends and families. Alphy does not take too many leaves. He is so committed to work. I still remember going to the Jim Corbett national park when the children were young.
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