Founder secretary of Kerala Co-operative Employees Association; author BK Thiruvoth passes away

VADAKARA: Prominent co-operative leader and author BK Thiruvoth (T. Balakrishna Kurup- 92) of Karthikappally, Vadakara, has passed away. He was an early socialist and Congress leader. He was at the forefront of organising the employees and pensioners of the cooperative sector in Kerala and securing their rights. BK Thiruvoth was the founder secretary of the Kerala Co-operative Employees Association and the founder president of the Co-operative Employees Front. He is the president of the Primary Co-operative Employees Pensioners Association. He retired as the secretary of the Villiappally Co-operative Bank.

BK Thiruvoth was active in the Student Congress during his studies and later joined the Congress Socialist wing. He became the state secretary of the Socialist Yuva Jana Sabha. Later, he returned to the parent organisation, the Congress. Thiruvoth became a member of the DCC and was the closest leader to K Karunakaran.

BK Thiruvoth was also active in the field of literature. His main works are Thenthulli (short stories), Socialism Vazhitthirivil, Gandhiji Communist Kannil (articles), Paralmeenukal (poetry), Malabarile Socialist Prasthaanam (history), Pazhamayil Ninnoru Kaattaadi (articles), VP Swathanthrya Samarathile Oredu, Adhikaarikale Njetticcha August Sphotanangal (biography of K.B. Menon). He was awarded the Sadbhavana Literary Award in 2015 and the Arppana Vijnana Vedhi Award in 2014. He is the son of the late Kayakodi Kurungottu Kunnummal Chandu Kurup and Kandimithal Kunjiparvathy Amma couple.

Wife: Ambujam. Children: Madhusoodanan (Retd. District Sheristadar, Thalassery District Court), Sreeja (Retd. Headmaster, Kayakodi High School), Neena (Chennai) In-laws: K. T. Mohandas (Retd. DEO, Thamarassery), Padmanabhan (Retd. Madras University), Sheeja Pannyannur (Legal Metrology Inspector, Koyilandy). Funeral on Monday at 10 am in the house compound.