KOCHI: The LDF Government in the state was caught napping on Sunday, when Fr Tom Uzhunnalil – the Salesian priest who was captured by militants from Yemen last year – arrived at the Cochin International Airport in the morning.While a bevy of Congress, other Opposition leaders and Christian priests turned up to welcome the priest who was on his maiden visit to his home state since his release on September 12, not a single state government representative could be seen at the airport. This quickly sparked off a controversy, one which the government could have easily avoided.
“It was inappropriate on the government’s part not to send any of their representatives at the airport to receive Fr Tom Uzhunnalil. The least the government could have done is to send a Minister (to the airport to receive Fr Uzhunnalil),” said Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was at the airport, as were Jose K Mani MP of KC (M), MLAs V D Satheesan, Hibi Eden, Roji M John, Anwar Sadat, V K Ibrahim Kunju and PC Thomas of Kerala Congress (Thomas), an NDA constituent.A bouquet on behalf of BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan was given to Fr Uzhunnalil at St Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam, where the priest was given a hearty welcome.
Former MP and CPM Ernakulam district secretary P Rajeev told ‘Express’ he along with GCDA Chairman C N Mohanan met Fr Uzhunnalil at the Bishop’s House and welcomed him on the government’s behalf. “The state government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will accord a grand reception to Fr Uzhunnalil on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram,” he said, adding, “We should not create an issue for narrow political gains.”
Fr Tom first Indian recipient of Mother Teresa Award
Kochi:Mumbai NGO Harmony Foundation has selected Salesian priest Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who spent over 550 days in Yemen militants’ captivity, for the ‘Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice’. Fr Uzhunnalil is the first Indian to be honoured with the award. Earlier recipients include Nobel laureates Dalai Lama and Malala Yousafzai, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, White Helmets, a volunteer organization rescuing people in war-torn Syria, and Doctors Without Borders, another Nobel Peace prize winner. The award for Fr Uzhunnalil was announced here by PC Thomas, former MP and chairman of Kerala Congress (Thomas), a constituent of National Democratic Front (NDA). Thomas is one of the patrons of the Harmony Foundation. Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will confer the award to Fr Uzhunnalil at a function in Mumbai on December 10.