Kollam: Three friends who studied together 42 years ago at Sree Narayana Women’s College, Kollam, recently reunited at the Collectorate. B. Jayanthi, then an Economics student, R Lathadevi, who studied History, and Geetha Sivan, a Malayalam student, are now preparing for a very different kind of test: all three are contesting in different divisions of the District Panchayat in the upcoming local body elections in Kollam, Kerala.

Jayanthi is seeking the people’s mandate for the CPI(M) from the Perinad division, Geetha Sivan is representing the Congress from Mukhathala, and Lathadevi is contesting for the CPI from Chadayamangalam.

Jayanthi and Geetha Sivan were part of the 1980-83 batch, while Lathadevi was a year senior. Despite the age difference, the three were close friends during their college days and were actively involved in student politics. Jayanthi and Lathadevi participated in left-wing student movements, while Geetha Sivan was active in the KSU. After graduation, all three continued their involvement in politics.

Lathadevi became the MLA of Chadayamangalam in 1996 and is currently a member of the CPI State Executive Committee. She also served as Head of the History Department at Varkala SN College and is married to Minister G.R. Anil.

Geetha Sivan, a native of Prakkulam, was formerly the Mahila Congress District President and is now a member of the Mahila Congress State Advisory Committee. She taught at Jyothi Nikethan Women’s College and is married to the artist Kollam Sivan.

Jayanthi is currently a member of the District Panchayat and serves on the CPI(M) Civil Station Local Committee. She was Vice President of the District Panchayat from 2010 to 2015 and is married to retired SP Vijayakumar.

Despite their busy political careers, the trio has maintained their friendship over the years, meeting at various venues and staying in touch through WhatsApp groups. However, they say it has been many years since the three were together in person.