V.S. Achuthanandan, a leader who never forgot his roots
A pall of gloom has descended over Velikkakathu and the surrounding region following the death of V.S. Achuthanandan, fondly known as Sakhavu V.S. (Comrade V.S.) among the masses.
Hundreds visited the house in the hours following his demise at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram to pay their respects. Though Mr. Achuthanandan had not visited the house since 2019 due to health issues, people in the region continue to cherish fond memories of him.
'My father and V.S. were very close. We used to visit him whenever he was at home. He would ask about everything. He was very gentle and always willing to help. He cared for all of us,' says Sethulal, a neighbour.
No matter how busy he was, Mr. Achuthanandan would come to the Velikkakathu house for Thiruvonam. Whenever he was home, people from far and near would visit him, often seeking help and renewing old ties.
The house also assumed political significance in February 2015, when he returned there after walking out of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State conference in Alappuzha in protest against the scathing criticism directed at him by some delegates. He refused to meet the media and several sympathisers rushed to Velikkakathu, raising slogans in his support.
Apart from visiting Velikkakathu, Mr. Achuthanandan would also visit the Venthalathara house, located about a kilometre away. It was at Venthalathara that he was born and raised along with his brothers, V.S. Gangadharan and V.S. Purushothaman, and their sister, Aazhikutty. Both Gangadharan and Purushothaman have passed away. Aazhikutty still lives at Venthalathara.
'She (Aazhikutty) used to call Achuthanandan Annan (elder brother). He would gift her Onapudava (new clothes given as gifts) every Onam. However, due to health issues, they (Achuthanandan and Aazhikutty) had not seen each other for quite some time,' says Parameswaran, a relative.
According to Latheesh B. Chandran, a former member of his personal staff, the veteran leader shared a deep bond with his native place. 'He always stood with the poor and downtrodden. He was ready to listen to their problems and help resolve them,' Mr. Chandran says.
Local residents used to celebrate Mr. Achuthanandan's birthday by cutting a cake and distributing payasam.
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