JT’s most senior proofreader calls it a day after 35 years of service

AMMAN — At the end of January, The Jordan Times bade farewell to one of its longest serving soldiers — veteran proofreader Rajan Thonipurakal.

Rajan has worked at the JT for nearly 35 years, five years shy of the paper’s four decades.

“A calm, unassuming colleague who we take for granted, sun or storm, snow or floods, Raj would not miss a day of work, walking for hours in the snow if needed. They don’t make them like this anymore,” says Managing Editor Ica Wahbeh.

The soft-spoken, kind-hearted Rajan joined the ranks of the JT in the summer of 1981 for a salary of JD48 when his wife, Alice, took up a job as a nurse in Jordan.

A native of India’s southern state of Kerala with an MA in economics and a bachelor’s degree in education, he has proven himself as an integral part of JT’s proofreading department, the paper’s last and sturdiest line of defence.

Rajan sees every day on the job as a Tawjihi test, saying that he fails the exam if an error slips by him and is published the next day. 

“He is a true perfectionist. He used to stay awake all night after the newspaper went to print and then would buy the new issue to make sure there were no mistakes. When he did, he would sleep for a few hours before starting a new working day,” recalls Managing Editor Mahmoud Al Abed.

By 1988, after the couple had their first two children, Rajive and Annie, Alice returned to India to take care of them and Rajan stayed on, going home once a year on his annual leave.

The couple has a third child, Rahul, who was born in India in 1991.

On countless occasions, Rajan would bring the JT staff a treat to remind them of a happy event — be it Christmas, Eid, Independence Day or even Diwali and sometimes just because he felt like it.

Looking back at his three decades in Jordan and with the JT, the veteran proofreader has nothing but good memories.

“My 34 years in Jordan were very good. The people in Jordan... [and] the people at The Jordan Times are very polite,” he says.

Home News Editor Ranjana Barua, who has worked with Rajan for 14 years, says she cannot imagine the JT without him. “In a way, Raj has become synonymous with The Jordan Times.”

Agreeing with his colleagues, Raied Shuqum, lifestyle and sports editor says he will miss Raj’s smile and delightful demeanour. “He has a gentle soul and clean heart, which is rarely found these days. He has left a void that can never be filled again.”

Fifteen years ago, when he celebrated 20 years at the JT, Rajan said he wanted to bring his eldest son, Rajive, to Jordan to become a proofreader like him.

Today, Rajive is the world and Middle East editor.

Rajan’s easy-going attitude and his paternal aura have won him the respect and admiration of all JT staff members.

“Since I came to the newspaper, Rajan has been a mentor to me… He possesses a rare combination of vision, fairness and understanding. He has taken the proofreading section to the leading edge. Even more importantly though are the friendships he has developed. Every one trusts and loves him,” says proofreader Amjad Azzeh.

Though Rajan’s journey with The Jordan Times has come to a close, he has left an indelible mark on the newspaper that will endure.

Senior Reporter Khetam Malkawi thinks of him as “our Godfather”.

“We will miss seeing [Rajan] around, though we will never forget him,” she says.

Speaking at a farewell party held for Rajan, Chief Editor Samir Barhoum commended his exemplary years of service at the paper.

“You were the best ambassador of India in Jordan all the time and you will be the best ambassador of Jordan at home. You will be remembered by all of us... Thank you Rajan, from my heart.”