Farewell to healer: Dr G Vijayaraghavan laid to rest with full state honours

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands bid farewell to renowned cardiologist Dr G. Vijayaraghavan, who had dedicated his life to caring for countless patients. His mortal remains were cremated with full state honours at Thycaud Santhikavadam on Tuesday evening. His sons, Dr Vishnu and Krishnan, lit the funeral pyre.

The mortal remains were kept for public viewing at KIMS Hospital in the morning and later at his residence, Govindam, in Kumarapuram. Several prominent figures from the political and social spheres arrived to pay their last respects. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan visited the residence and offered his condolences to the family. Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, Ministers Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan and C.P. John, Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust president Swami Sachidananda, Aruvippuram Temple Mathadhipathi Swami Sandrananda, MLAs G.R. Anil and V. Muraleedharan, Mayor V.V. Rajesh, former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, actors Karthika and Mala Parvathi, senior CPI leaders C. Divakaran and Pannyan Raveendran, V.S. Sivakumar, V. Sivankutty, M. Vijayakumar, Palode Ravi, K.S. Sabarinadhan, Neyyattinkara Sanal, T. Sarath Chandra Prasad, M.M. Hassan, A. Sampath, former DGPs Raman Srivastava, K.P. Somarajan and A. Hemachandran, State Planning Board member G. Vijayaraghavan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry president S.N. Raghuchandran Nair, secretary Abraham Thomas, Dr B. Iqbal and others paid their last respects.

Representing KIMS Health, chairman and managing director Dr M.I. Sahadulla and co-founders E.M. Najeeb and E. Iqbal jointly laid a wreath. On behalf of Kerala Kaumudi, associate editor V.S. Rajesh, deputy editor A.C. Reji and unit chief R. Chandradath also laid a wreath.