Antony greets ‘star of the day’

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Both are suave, soft-spoken and steer clear of controversies, unlike several other politicians. They are also known for focusing on their work without pride or prejudice.

When defence minister A K Antony met PWD minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju in Kochi on Sunday morning at a public function, the former emanated a sense of pride in congratulating another gentleman in politics.

The reason: 30 per cent of Deccan Chronicle readers – the majority – had voted him the best minister in the state.

A beaming Antony rose from his chair on the dais at the Pandit Karuppan birth anniversary celebrations being held at the Town Hall when he saw Ebrahim Kunju arriving for the function.

He exclaimed loudly and joyfully: “Here comes the star of the day, here comes the number one”, and hugged the smiling minister.

He also noted that Ebrahim Kunju won accolades from the readers of Deccan Chronicle by doing his work without any brouhaha, to the dismay of the ministers whom he pipped in the contest,
K.M. Mani, K. Babu and Union Minister K.V. Thomas, who were also on the dais.

Ebrahim Kunju had his usual modest smile as answer, but he ensured with the clicking photographers that he had a photo of the great moment in his public life, to keep in his album.

Later Ebrahim Kunju told Deccan Chronicle that he was elated at the recognition by Deccan Chronicle readers and doubly rejoiced in the recognition by A.K. Antony.

“Antony is in the habit of voicing his opinion only after studying an issue.

So it’s a great recognition and I am overwhelmed,” the PWD minister further said.

party time for minister’s family

It’s celebration time for the family of PWD minister V.K Ebrahim Kunju, who emerged as the best minister in the ‘My Favourite Minister contest’ conducted by Deccan Chronicle.

The minister’s wife Nadeera, their three sons, Abdul Gafoor, Abbas, and Anoob and other family members are in a jubilant mood at their home ‘Periyar Crescent’, in Aluva.

“It’s really exciting to know that our father has been selected as the best minister. We are proud of him. It’s his hard work and commitment that helped him bag this honour”, said an elated Abdul Gafoor, the minister’s eldest son.

Assessing his father’s performance, Gafoor said that the improvement in the condition of roads across the state might be one of the major reasons why the public voted for the PWD minister.

“Such honours will make him feel more responsible as he has to maintain the performance and also the goodwill”, he said.

Talking to DC, the minister’s wife Nadeera, expressed her happiness over her husband’s achievement.

“He is 100 per cent committed to his work and devotes most of his time for public causes. He does not have to worry about the family and its day-to-day affairs, as I manage everything.”

Anoob, the youngest son, said: “I think, he became the people’s favourite because of the improvement in the condition of the state’s roads. It’s become a benchmark for them to assess the performance of the PWD minister.

“My father is a perfectionist and expects 100 per cent perfection in all that he does,” he added.