KOLLAM: The commemoration of the 50th death anniversary of former Chief Minister R Shankar has begun. As part of this, Kollam Union president and R Shankar's son Mohan Shankar lit a lamp in front of R Shankar's portrait at the SNDP meeting Kollam Union headquarters yesterday. Councilor P.Sundaran presided over the meeting. Kollam Union Secretary N Rajendran delivered a memorial lecture. At 11:30 p.m., family members paid floral tributes at R Shankar's memorial at SIMS in Kollam.

Minister KN Balagopal will inaugurate the commemoration meeting organized at Kollam Sims Anganam under the auspices of SN Trust Medical Mission at 7.30 tonight. SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan will deliver the introductory speech. Minister Veena George will preside. Preethi Natesan, member of the meeting board, will light the Bhadradeepam. NK Premachandran MP and Mayor Prasanna Ernst will deliver the keynote address. President of the meeting Dr. MN Soman will distribute scholarships. SN Trust Treasurer Dr G Jayadevan, Yuga Councilor P Sundaran, Kollam Union President Mohan Shankar, Secretary N Rajendran, Shankers Hospital Administrative Committee Member Anil Muthottam and others will speak.

A rally will be held from R Shankar's birthplace Puthoor Pangode to Kollam today. On reaching Chinnakada R Shankar Square, a silent procession will proceed to the memorial at SIMS. At 10 am today, the leaders will pay floral tributes in front of R Shankar's portrait at the KPCC headquarters.