Oommen Chandy was an intimate friend and well-wisher of Kerala Kaumudi. He always interacted with us like a family member. That relationship started from the days of my grandfather, editor K Sukumaran, and continued till the end. I still remember the earlier look of Oommen Chandy who used to visit the Kerala Kaumudi office to meet my grandfather. He had no grey hair back then. Lean physique with extended sideburns. I was studying at school back then. Although many political leaders and administrators used to come to the house, the name and appearance of Oommen Chandy was imprinted in my mind in those days itself.

Later, after my studies, when I took charge of the newspaper, I had more opportunity to interact with him. We have spoken face to face many times. Whenever I went to see him, be it when he was Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition, or even when he is no longer holding office, he was in the middle of the crowd. I have never seen any other leader standing among the people like that except Oommen Chandy.

Kerala Kaumudi always had a special place in his heart. We have travelled together on several flights to Delhi during his tenure as Chief Minister. All that time he was talking about the news coming in Kerala Kaumudi and our support for development. He has never hesitated to actively respond and intervene in our affairs. After the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Kerala Kaumudi, there was a slight problem. During his visit to Kerala at that time, there was a suggestion from the protocol department not to attend any private functions other than official events, but Oommen Chandy's question was how the centenary of Kerala Kaumudi could be a private function. He explained the significant contribution of Kerala Kaumudi in the growth of Kerala. With the cooperation of then Defence Minister AK Antony, Manmohan Singh himself came to inaugurate the centenary celebrations. Oommen Chandy's used to adopt a positive approach towards the media and he promptly addressed all their legitimate demands.

He was very keen to deal with the problems of the poor, especially the underprivileged, and find solutions to them. I remember one instance. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was the one who inaugurated the art program organized by Kerala Kaumudi as part of the Onam week celebrations of Kerala government at the Chandrasekaran Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. As he was talking with me and walking towards the car to go back, a man was making noises and giving hand gestures to see Oommen Chandy. The police did not allow him to come near Oommen Chandy. Hearing this commotion, Oommen Chandy asked the police to let him pass.

It was a mute man. He handed over a petition. Oommen Chandy read it immediately. Asking the man to be paid Rs 5000, he signed the paper keeping it on top of the bonnet of the car, and gave it back. When asked the mute man if he knew to whom it should be given, he gestured that he did. However, when the man saw the amount written on the paper, he gestured again and made a noise meaning that the amount was low. Immediately, Oommen Chandy took back the paper and struck off 5000 and wrote 15000 rupees. The man was happy. People with different experiences like this can be found in every corner of Kerala. That was the popularity Oommen Chandy had.

I cannot help but remember at this time when he came to the house and comforted us during the passing away of my father, Kerala Kaumudi Chief Editor MS Ravi. We have a relationship close to our heart with Oommen Chandy's family, especially with his wife Mariamma Oommen and children Maria, Achu and Chandy Oommen. I remember visiting and talking to him at Puthupally House in Thiruvananthapuram when he was ill. Oommen Chandy's demise creates a void in the general society of Kerala that cannot be filled. Like every Keralite, Kerala Kaumudi is deeply saddened by that separation. We pay tributes to the memory of that beloved leader.