Kerala Announces 3-Day State Mourning on VS Achuthanandan’s Demise
Kerala has been plunged into a state of mourning following the demise of its former Chief Minister, VS Achuthanandan, who passed away at the age of 101. The government has declared a public holiday in the state and a three-day state mourning period has been announced, effective till July 24. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings in Kerala for the duration of the mourning period.
VS Achuthanandan was a stalwart of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and had served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. He was known for his strong leadership and his commitment to the welfare of the people of Kerala. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he implemented several landmark policies, including the introduction of the Right to Information Act and the Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill.
Achuthanandan was born on October 20, 1919, in Kerala. He joined the Communist Party of India in his early 20s and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the party’s most prominent leaders. He was a four-time MLA and had also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Despite his advanced age, Achuthanandan remained active in politics until the end. He was still attending party meetings and participating in public events until recently. His demise has sent shockwaves across the state, with tributes pouring in from politicians and citizens alike.
The Kerala government has announced a public holiday on Tuesday, July 20, to enable people to pay their respects to the former Chief Minister. Schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday, and government offices will also be closed for the day.
The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings in Kerala till July 24, in accordance with the state mourning declaration. The flag will also be flown at half-mast on the High Court building, district collectorates, and other important government institutions.
Achuthanandan’s demise has been condoled by politicians from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri VS Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala. He was a stalwart of the Communist movement and a strong advocate for social justice. My condolences to his family, friends and the people of Kerala.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also paid tribute to Achuthanandan, saying, “The passing away of VS Achuthanandan is a great loss to the people of Kerala. He was a strong leader who dedicated his life to the service of the people. I extend my condolences to his family and the people of Kerala.”
Achuthanandan’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 21, at the Kozhikode Medical College campus, where he will be laid to rest. The funeral will be attended by top politicians and party leaders from across the country.
The news of Achuthanandan’s demise was announced by his family members, who said that he passed away peacefully at his residence in Kozhikode. His health had been declining in recent months, and he had been under medical care.
Achuthanandan’s legacy will be remembered for generations to come. He was a true champion of the people and will always be remembered as a strong and vocal advocate for social justice and equality. His passing away is a great loss to the people of Kerala, but his memory will live on forever.
