Red salute, comrade!

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A through and through communist leader, a Punnapra-Vayalar revolt hero and a leader who genuinely cared for the betterment of the state. That was former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, the comrade and people’s leader.

Achuthanandan was 83 years old when he took oath as the 11th Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2006. He is the oldest CM to serve the highest office in Kerala. The curtain fell on a legendary life at 3.20 pm on Monday at Pattom SUT Hospital. He was 102 years old.

Achuthanandan was admitted to Pattom SUT Hospital on June 23 following a heart attack. His health condition deteriorated in the last few days and worsened further yesterday afternoon..

Achuthanandan was born on 20 October 1923 in the Anizham star of the month of Libra, in the house of Venthalathara, Paravur, Punnapra Vadakk Panchayat, Ambalapuzha taluk. He was born as the second of five children of Shankaran and Akkamma couple. When he was four years old, his mother died of smallpox, and he lost his father when he reached 11 years of age.

Achuthanandan grew up under the care of his elder brother and paternal aunt. His education stopped in the seventh grade. Achuthanandan later assisted his elder brother V.S. Gangadharan, who ran a jute shop and taught tailoring.

The mortal remains of V.S. Achuthanandan will be taken to Alappuzha today.

Today:

1. Public viewing at Durbar Hall from 9 am to 2 pm

2. The body will be taken to his hometown, Alappuzha, in a mourning procession at 2 pm

3. Facilities will be provided in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts to pay final respects

4. The mourning procession will pass through 27 centers in the Thiruvananthapuram district

5. The centres are Palayam, PMG, Plamoodu, Pattom, Kesavadasapuram, Ulloor, Pongumoodu, Sreekaryam, Kaniyapuram, Pallipuram, Mangalapuram, Attingal Bus Stand, Kacherinada, Alamkode, Kaduvayil, Kallambalam, Navaikulam, 28th Mile, and Kadampattukonam.

6. Facilities will be provided at various centers in the Kollam district for public viewing.

7. In the evening, the body will be kept for public viewing at his ancestral house.

Tomorrow:

1. Public viewing at CPM Alappuzha District Committee Office from 9 am.

2. Public viewing at Alappuzha Town Hall in the afternoon

3. Cremation at Alappuzha Valiya Chudukadu Crematorium in the evening

As a mark of respect for the passing away of V.S. Achuthanandan, government offices and educational institutions, including professional colleges in the state, will observe a holiday on Tuesday. Public sector institutions, statutory institutions, and institutions under the Negotiable Instruments Act (including banks) will also be on holiday. ​The national flag will be flown at half-mast for three days as a sign of respect.