Kannur: Fulfilling a personal commitment made prior to assuming office, Chief Minister V D Satheesan visited the Bishop’s House in Kannur on Monday to meet his former schoolmate, Bishop Alex Vadakumthala. The Chief Minister had previously pledged that his first official visit to Kannur after taking office would include a meeting with the Bishop.

The Chief Minister was received at the Bishop’s House by Bishop Vadakumthala, accompanying clergy and lay leaders. Honouring the Chief Minister with a ceremonial ponnada, the Bishop commended him for keeping his word.

Addressing those present, Chief Minister Satheesan noted that the two had studied together at Panangad High School in Ernakulam district, where the Bishop was his senior, and recalled that the Bishop had also attended a school reception held in his honour earlier.

 

Warm exchange and civic reception

In a light-hearted exchange, Bishop Vadakumthala shared that the same teachers who taught him had later instructed the Chief Minister. Recalling the public reception organised following the election, the Bishop noted that Chief Minister Satheesan had described his ascension to the top post as a tribute to his former teachers.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by T O Mohanan MLA, Mayor P Indira, DCC president Martin George, DCC general secretaries M K Mohanan and Rasheed Kavvayi, KPCC member Abdul Rasheed, Rijil Makkutty and Rahul Kayukkal.