Jubilation in Piravom

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It was celebration time here with supporters bursting crackers and distributing sweets across Piravom constituency when Mr Anoop Jacob was sworn in minister, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday.

“We came to know of the swearing-in only last night, yet we managed to organise the celebrations,” said Mr Siby Mathew, an employee at the college of nursing at Manimalakunnu and a staunch supporter of the young minister.

Celebrations broke out at Thanikunnel House, the ancestral home of Mr Jacob at Valiyappadam in Tirumarady. His grandmother, Annamma Mathew and uncle T.M. John, were present.

A large number of Congress and Kerala Congress (J) workers had left for Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday night to take part in the swearing-in ceremony.

Malappuram jubilant: Manjalamkuzhy Ali's house at Panangakkara near Perithalmanna, wore a festive look when the 'son of the soil' was sworn in after a prolonged wait.

From morning itself, IUML workers, friends and relatives of Ali started pouring in to the Manjalamkuzhy House at Panangakkara.

When TV channels aired the swearing in ceremony live and the Governor called Ali's name, his relatives rejoiced inside the house while IUML workers shouted slogans outside.

Rasiya, Ali's wife, distributed sweets to those gathered at their house, while IUML workers served payasam to celebrate the occasion.

Anoop has to match his Dad’s achievements

Before being sworn in as the state’s new food and civil supplies minister, the highest post Mr Anoop Jacob had adorned was that of magazine editor in Mar Ivanios College in 1997.

More than his inexperience, Mr Anoop Jacob’s biggest challenge will be matching the achievements of his father, Mr T.M. Jacob. Braving failing health, and mostly working from his hospital room, Mr T.M. Jacob had evolved an effective mechanism to deliver rice at Rs 1 a kilo to BPL families.

It was this feat that has given a precariously placed Oommen Chandy government its gloss. Observers have already noticed a budding T.M. Jacob in Anoop. “He now looks like a callow version of his father,” said Mr Jaison George, a native of Piravom.

ALI: a film producer And a politician

For Manjalamkuzhi Ali, the crorepati politician, becoming a minister was perhaps one of the biggest dreams of his life.

He nursed the dream of moving in a car with a flashing red light and national flag even during his association with the LDF.

During the last five decades Mr Ali has worn several hats. Nearly four decades ago he had to abandon his degree in English Literature and leave for the UAE to start a career.

With the responsibility of his entire family of 10 siblings falling on him, he had no choice but to start earning.

Nine years later, he started his own business which turned out to be extremely successful. He entered Mollywood and proved his mettle there as well.