Tributes pour in for Veerendra Kumar, cremation at 5 pm

KOZHIKODE: Tributes pour in for M P Veerendra Kumar, Rajya Sabha member, former union minister and managing director of Mathrubhumi, who passed away last night. The body which is kept at his house in Chalappuram, Kozhikode will be taken to his native place Wayanad. He will be cremated on the premises of his house in Kalpetta at 5 pm with full state honours. He died at a private hospital at 11 pm last night following cardiac arrest. Dignitaries from political, social, literary and cultural fields condoled his death.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu condoled the death of Veerendra Kumar, saying he made an invaluable contribution to media and journalism. He was a multifaceted personality. The veteran leader was also an accomplished journalist and a prolific writer, Naidu, who is the chairman of Rajya Sabha said. As chairman and managing director of the Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Limited, he made an invaluable contribution to media and journalism, he said.

"Human rights and environmental conservation were recurring themes in his writings. He was always deeply committed to the cause of the deprived and marginalised," Naidu said in a series of tweets. In his death, the nation has lost a great leader and true patriot, he added. "My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti," Naidu said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Veerendra Kumar. The chief minister said his demise is a huge loss to democratic and socialist organisations in the country. During Emergency, we were together in a prison. Until the last moment, he fought relentlessly against communal fascism. He was in the forefront to protect environment even when he stood for development.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the demise of the MP is a great loss to the Kerala politics

Senior congress leader A K Antony too said his demise is a great loss.

Actor Mohanlal said that at any time you call him he will be there. He used to behave like talking to someone close. He called me on my birthday and wished me. When he last called me, said that he cannot go out and that he is not well. I told him everything would be fine soon. Whenever called, he used to hand over the phone to his wife also. She always invites me home.

Actor Mammootty too bereaved the death of the leader. He said the multifaceted personality is no more with us again. For the Keralites and Indian politics, he was a great leader, but for me he was close to my heart. I had spoken to him recently. I knew that he was not well, but never expected him to die. We have been very close from the very first day we met. We were alike friends at every venue, on every occasions and at home. I don’t know whether he was of my age and I was of his age, but we were like someone who were of the same age group. His contributions in the field of politics, literary, social and environment were immense. He was like my close relative, a brother, uncle and more than that. Condolences to the great leader, the actor mentioned in his Facebook post.

M T Vasudevan Nair said he was like my close friend. Many of my books will be there in his library, all with my signature and I too have all his books in my library.

Veerendra Kumar is survived by his wife, three daughters and son M V Shreyams Kumar, the joint managing director of Mathrubhumi group of publications.