‘During French spy case, Sherly was my strength’: On wife's death anniversary, KV Thomas releases memoir

Kochi: Even now, without realising it, Thomas Mash (K.V. Thomas) sometimes calls out “Sherly…” aloud. It’s only later that he remembers there’s no beloved companion waiting behind the door to respond. By then, his eyes have welled up with tears.

It has been a year since K.V. Thomas (Kerala’s Special Representative in New Delhi and former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman) lost his wife, Sherly. The suddenness of the loss still haunts him, and dealing with it remains difficult. Every night, he sits down to write about Sherly—his words soaked in love and longing.

Those tender reflections have now been compiled into a book titled Priyasakhi Sherly (Beloved Companion Sherly), which will be released on Wednesday to mark her first death anniversary.

K.V. Thomas has never hesitated to admit that it was Sherly who shaped the political leader the nation came to know. Her unwavering presence helped him weather some of the most challenging phases of his life. Thomas Mash affirms that even his political decisions were never devoid of her influence. These moments and memories find a place in the pages of the book. He lost his wife in an untimely manner.

He recounts: “In truth, I was the patient. It was Sherly who kept my medicines ready each day, spoke to the doctors, and accompanied me on all long journeys whenever possible. If she couldn’t come along, she’d entrust someone with the task of reminding me to take my medicines. She would even follow up to make sure they were given on time.”

Mash’s circle of friends is wide and warm, but in all those bonds, there are no political divisions. It was Sherly who brought a special sweetness and warmth into those relationships.

To many close to the family, she was Sherly Chechi. She served food to whoever walked in hungry.

Thomas recalls the emotionally crushing time of the French spying case, when fear of arrest loomed large over him. “I was broken the moment I heard about it. There was fear every moment of being arrested. But Sherly didn’t falter. She held me close and reassured me, saying nothing would happen. When I returned from Delhi, she was there at the airport, with the lawyer. She stood by me with the courage no other woman would’ve shown.”

K.V. Thomas has contested in eight elections—each one came with its own challenges, both within the party and outside. During those times, Sherly independently set up and supervised a parallel support system for the election campaign.

The foreword to Priyasakhi Sherly has been written by veteran leader A.K. Antony, titled Ente Pengal (My Sister).