Kozhikode: The elected mayor of Kozhikode corporation Beena Philip was a little doubtful when she found her 15-year-old version in Mathrubhumi. But those who accompanied her doubt stating that her trademark smile is enough to identify her.
Beena Philip arrived at Mathrubhumi office in MM Press, Kozhikode in search of the Mathrubhumi weekly published in January 1984 that had her photo as cover photo. It was her cousin Ajantha John who captured her photo after she completed her SSLC. The photo was published as cover picture of Mathrubhumi weekly after 8-9 months. By the time, Beena had joined for pre-degree in Malabar Christian College in Kozhikode.
Ajantha John is son of Beena’s paternal uncle.
One day, when Beena went to collect the newspaper and magazine from their house at NGO quarters in Kozhikode, she was surprised to find her photo on the magazine cover.
“My cousin did not tell me about sending the picture to the weekly. During those times, things like publishing a girl’s picture in the newspaper and acting in drama are enough to cause troubles,” Beena said. She had acted in a drama ‘Guerilla’ penned by N N Pillai.
Earlier, a copy of the magazine was shared in the WhatsApp group of principals of higher secondary schools. However, it became talk of the town after Beena’s acquaintance P S Iqbal, a DYFI worker in the past, shared it on Facebook.
Beena Philip was principal of Nadakkavu Girls Higher Secondary School in Kozhikode. Her husband Adv Victor Antony Noon is a lawyer in the high court. She will be sworn in as mayor on December 28.
