was born in Coonoor (India) on September 9, 1953. My parents were Samuel and Annamma Oommen, and I grew up in a family of nine. We were not wealthy but I had a good and happy childhood. I am grateful to my parents who gave me a good upbringing, and worked hard so that I could have a good education. My brothers and sisters are : Annie, Philip, George, Susan, Sukumar, Alex, Fred and Tom. I am the eighth in the family - younger to Fred by two years. Tom passed away a few years ago and I miss him!

most important person in my life is, of course, my wife, Lulu Elizabeth (Kail). I met Lulu in 1975 when I was doing my Masters' in Bangalore. We were engaged in 1978 and married on May 17, 1980. We have eleven children: Rachel, Rebecca, Sarah, Joseph, Benjamin, Ruth, Esther, Timothy, David, Jonathan and Joshua. We are an unusually happy family. Rebecca got married to Arne Christensen on March 31, 2007. To view the smiling faces of the family (including the recent ones at Rebecca's wedding) click here.