Senior Congress leader Vakkom Purushothaman celebrates his 95th birthday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Vakkom Purushothaman who turns 95 this year has no group when it comes to food. He enjoys eating food even if its vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

Tomorrow (April 12) is his 95th birthday. He was born under the star Pooram. But the celebration is based on the English date. He is the eldest of the Bhanu Panicker- Bhavani couple's ten children. Sadya will be held at a house near Kumarapuram.

He have not travelled in a car for about a year.The body weight has increased slightly. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lilly Purushothaman, a former joint director of the medical education department, and Anju, daughter of the late Biju Purushothaman, the eldest son.

He follows a strict daily routine. Morning newspaper reading is mandatory. Breakfast before 8:30 am, followed by his daily activities. Leaders like Oommen Chandy, MM Hassan and Palode Ravi visited the house. Another close friend is Vellapally Nadesan, general secretary of the SNDP meeting. He often contacts via phone. Vakkom joined Congress due to R Sankar's persuasion.

Before that he was a busy lawyer in Thiruvananthapuram. He recalled the great support given by Kerala Kaumudi and its editor K. Sukumaran at that time. 'Kerala Kaumudi was also a great support in political life', said the leader.