THRISSUR: Renowned educationist, writer and cultural activist P Chitran Namboothirippad (103) passed away. He breathed his last at 7 pm yesterday at his residence in Chembukkav in Thrissur.

He retired as Assistant Director of Public Education. He had worked as Kalamandalam Secretary, a Member of the Central and State Education Committee, a Member of Examination Boards and a Member of Teacher Award Selection Committee. He is the architect of the State School Arts Festival. He created a record by travelling to the Himalayas 30 times

Chitran Namboothiripad, who was the State Secretary of the Students' Federation, was a Left fellow traveller. Chitran Namboothirippad had handed over a private school in Mookuthala to the Kerala government for a token amount of Rs 1. He moved to Thrissur after retiring from service in 1979.

Wife: Late Leela. Children: PC Krishnan, PC Brahmadathan, Late PC Chitran, Parvathy and Usha. The funeral will take place today evening at 4 pm at Shanthi Ghat Crematorium in Thrissur.