Sunanda and Shashi Tharoor's Onam celebrations
Sovi Vidyadharan, Updated: August 23, 2010 16:31 IST
Thiruvananthapuram: It
isn't quite how you expect to find your MP - on a swing with his
new bride. But that's how Sunanda and Shashi Tharoor were spotted
at a welfare home for the under-privileged in Tharoor's
constituency of Thiruvananthapuram.
On 'Thiruvonam', the most auspicious day of the 10-day Onam
festival, the Tharoors shared a vegetarian meal served in a
plantain leaf at the home. They distributed gifts, and looked on
enthusiastically as Onam folk songs were performed.
The couple was married this weekend. "I had a great time. After my
wedding ceremony, the best moment that I have had is at this
orphanage," said Sunanda, showing none of the nerves of a rookie
political wife.
Sunanda's share in the Indian Premier League team for Kochi
catapulted her then-companion and now-husband into a national
controversy. Confronted with charges of misusing his public office
to promote private interests, Tharoor was forced to resign. Sunanda
surrendered the 70-crore sweat equity she had been promised in
return for marketing the Kochi cricket team.
Recently, the couple has been photographed at places of worship of
different faiths - including shrines in Maharashtra, and the Ajmer
Dargah.
In
the midst of the celebrations today, Shashi Tharoor said that his
message is " 'Onashamsakal' which means wish you all a happy Onam.
It's a time for wishing everybody prosperity, joy and peace and we
wish that for everyone in Kerala, India and the
world."
The
cameras kept rolling.