‘I don’t have the ability to say that’, K C Joseph narrates what happened during Oommen Chandy’s final journey

The journey carrying Oommen Chandy's body was the biggest final voyage Kerala had ever seen. Tens of thousands waited for hours to have a last glimpse of their popular leader on that journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Puthupally. Oommen Chandy's close friend and former minister K C Joseph is narrating the experience of that journey.

‘The first cortege with the body of Oommen Chandy started from Thiruvananthapuram Airport to his house in Jagathy. There was an unprecedented crowd. In many places it was not possible to move an inch forward. Somehow reached Durbar Hall. The chief minister, other ministers and various leaders reached there and paid their last respects. From there left to Palayam St George’s Church and then to KPCC headquarters. The next day's programme was planned there.

Decided to start our journey from Jagathy at 7 am and reach Kottayam at 4 pm. Took three hours to reach Pattom. Reached Chengannur at 5 am the next morning. Everything turned topsy turvy. People were waiting on both sides of the road. No one is dispersing. NSS General Secretary Sukumaran Nair and his daughter were waiting at the headquarters in Perunna. Sukumaran Nair had a very close relationship with Oommen Chandy.

Nothing to say about the journey to Kottayam. The people there were getting emotional. We were all exhausted. The body reached Puthupally church at 11 pm. Usually the body will not be allowed to cremate after sunset. Catholic Bava will not attend. But in the case of Oommen Chandy, all that was put aside. The love Puthupally Church showed to Oommen Chandy will never be forgotten. Although there is a family tomb, the church committee unusually decided to set up a tomb for Oommen Chandy in the heart of the Puthupally church next to the priests’ tomb. The church committee decided something that no church will ever allow,’ said K C Joseph.