Gala reception of newly wed Tharoor- Sunanda in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (ANI): Former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, who married his long-time friend Sunanda Pushkar in a traditional Malayali wedding at his ancestral house in Palakkad on Sunday, hosted a grand wedding reception here today.

The reception was held at the elite Trivandrum Club better known as the God's Own Country.

"I am learning (Malayalam language). I do know a few words and hopefully one day I will pick up a lot more. I love Kerala. Of course I am very happy I am married," said Pushkar later interacting candidly with the media persons.

This gala reception also coincided with the harvest festival of Onam.

"Onam greetings, to one and all. In particular the Onam this year for me is of great significance. Onam wishes to all of you," said Shashi Tharoor beaming with a smile.

Close friends and relatives attended the reception that commenced at 9 a.m. in the morning and continued for about two and a half hours.

Kanishk and Ishan, Tharoor's sons from his first marriage to Tilottama Mukherji, were lined up to welcome their new mother, while Shiv, Sunanda's son from her marriage to Sujit Menon, was at her side.

The Tharoor-Sunanda relationship surfaced during the bid for the Kochi Indian Premier League (IPL) team, which turned into a major controversy forcing Tharoor to step down as Minister of State for External Affairs. (ANI)