KOTTAYAM: KSRTC drivers Shyam from Thiruvananthapuram and CV Babu from Ernakulam are proud as the funeral procession of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy leaves for Puthuppally.They had originally estimated that it would take them five hours to arrive in Kottayam, but they are still travelling today even after 27 hours. They have shared their experiences of the funeral procession.

'It takes 10 to 11 hours to reach Kottayam and back. The journey started thinking that it would not be an issue even if it took a couple of hours more. But it took three hours to cover the first four and a half kilometres. With that, we knew it would take at least the next day. I am very proud to have been able to lead the funeral procession of a person like Oommen Chandy. Regardless of rain or sun, even late at night, the crowd was the same. We were also saddened to hear the cries of the people. Maybe it was because of the patience of the people who were waiting to see him for the last time that even after driving for so long, I didn't feel tired at all.'