Kannur: Union Minister Suresh Gopi recently paid a visit to Sarada teacher, wife of former chief minister late EK Nayanar and T. Padmanabhan in Kannur, his first encounter with the two since assuming office. 

‘Come on in Suresh’:  Sarada teacher was all smiles while welcoming the minister 

The house of EK Nayanar was crowded with relatives and neighbours since morning in anticipation of the minister's arrival.

Dressed in traditional Kerala attire, Nayanar's wife, Sarada teacher, narrates the bond shared between their family and Suresh Gopi to the assembled media and locals. Suresh Gopi who arrived at 1:10 pm received a warm welcome from Sarada teacher, affectionately asking him to come inside, 'Keri wa Suresh' ('Come on in, Suresh'). The minister hugged and touched her feet and presented her with sweets. He even expressed Sarada teacher as his mother.

Amidst shared laughter and private conversations, the minister accepted a copy of Sarada teacher's book, "Ormakalil Ente Priya Sakhavu," as a token of her affection. Following a sumptuous lunch of traditional Kerala dishes, including Sambar, Koottukari, Thoran, Rasam and two types of Payasam. The union minister stated that his stomach and heart were content with the love. He later bid farewell to Sarada teacher who accompanied him to the verandah.

Following Suresh Gopi's suggestion not to turn it into a party program, BJP workers who were travelling with him did not enter the house. 

‘You are people’s minister': T. Padmanabhan advises Suresh

In a separate encounter with writer T. Padmanabhan at his residence in Pallikkunnu on Wednesday, Suresh Gopi received advice on his ministerial role. The acclaimed writer stated that 'you contested and won as a BJP candidate. After winning, you are not BJP's minister, you are now the people's minister'. To which Suresh Gopi replied  'Is there even a need to say that, I will follow it'.

The writer addressed that Tourism is a department that helps Kerala and Petroleum is a tough sector but he has faith in Suresh Gopi. He said, “Suresh Gopi is talented and he is a kind-hearted person”.

He continues to say that “he knows I am not a BJP person. Human relationship is above all of that”. He presented Suresh Gopi with three books including P. Krishna Pillai’s ‘Sakhavu’.

It was not a pre-arranged visit so both spoke for a short while and parted ways.