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Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Youth must follow Chandy's path, says Rahul Gandhi
Kottayam: A remembrance meet was held on Friday commemorating the second death anniversary of former chief minister Oommen Chandy at St George Orthodox Syrian Church in Puthuppally. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi fondly remembered Chandy saying that the former chief minister was a guru to him in many ways and was a guru for many people in Kerala. The Congress leader also said that a guru shows directions through his actions, and Chandy showed us the direction not by talking or thinking, but through his actions. Gandhi also urged the youth in the state to follow Chandy's footsteps. Gandhi said that in the 21 years of his political life, Chandy was a great influence as he was the master of understanding people's feelings. "I literally saw him kill himself for the people of Kerala," said Gandhi, referring to Chandy's participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022 during which the former chief minister walked alongside Gandhi despite doctors' request against doing so. Gandhi recollected that when he told Chandy about what the doctors said, he refused to obey. Gandhi said he finally managed to persuade Chandy to stop walking after a certain distance. "We had to literally forcibly take him back to the car," said Gandhi, adding that only a leader who feels for the people can do that. "For me, Chandy is not just an individual but an expression of Kerala politics. My aspiration is to develop more and more people like Chandy," Gandhi added. Gandhi also said that he learned a lot from Chandy. "He got the most brutal and unfair political attack on him, which I would say was a criminal attack. Non-stop lies were spread about him. I used to talk to him over the phone regularly those days. I never heard him speak angrily about anyone. He was always balanced and humble," he said. Gandhi said Chandy implemented cochlear implantation for children with hearing loss. This is a very rare disease, and he did not undertake this aiming for a vote bank. He only wanted every single child to hear the voice of others. "This is the politics of realising the feelings of others," he said, adding that this is where he fights with the ideologies of RSS and CPM. "My biggest complaint is that they do not have a feeling for people," he said. "You are not a leader if you do not feel with the people or if you are not ready to connect with the people," he said. Gandhi also said that the biggest tragedy of Indian politics is that there are only a few people who actually feel what others are feeling. Gandhi concluded by stating that it was a great honour for him to take part in the remembrance meet. During the function, Gandhi inaugurated the Smrithi Tharangam programme implemented by KPCC. KPCC president Sunny Joseph presided over the event. Gandhi also handed over the keys of 11 houses constructed by Oommen Chandy Foundation. Various religious leaders, Congress leaders and people's representatives spoke on the occasion.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers to emulate model set by former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has called on the party leaders and members to emulate the legacy of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in addressing the needs of the people. Inaugurating a public meeting held as part of the second death anniversary of Oommen Chandy at Puthuppally in Kottayam district of Kerala on Friday (July 18, 2025), Mr. Gandhi expressed his aspiration to cultivate more leaders such as the former Chief Minister and told the leaders to 'touch the feelings of the people to become a leader.' 'If you do not feel for the people or are not able to connect with them or hug them, you may not be a leader. The real tragedy in Indian politics is that very few people care for others, listen to them or touch them. Oommen Chandy was one of the masters of political feeling I have come across in my political life,' he said. He also recounted that Oommen Chandy faced 'brutal and unfair political attacks' during his life. 'He endured criminal assaults and non-stop lies were spread against him. Yet, I have never heard him respond with anger. Oommen Chandy is indeed a special person in Kerala politics,' he said. Mr. Gandhi also described Oommen Chandy as a master for him and many other politicians in Kerala. 'In many ways, Oommen Chandy has been a guru for me and many people in Kerala. He showed us the direction, not through mere words or theories, but through his actions. I look forward to many young people in Kerala following in his footsteps and embracing the tradition of politics of Kerala,' he said. He also highlighted Oommen Chandy's initiative, Sruthi Tharangam project, which was launched 'not for electoral gain, but to ensure that every single child in Kerala should be able to hear.' Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi paid his respects at Oommen Chandy's tomb at St. George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally by offering floral tributes and lit a candle. Later, he also handed over the keys of 12 houses built by the Oommen Chandy foundation to the beneficiaries and also launched the KPCC's charitable initiative in memory of Oommen Chandy, titled Smrithi Tharangam. UDF leaders, heads of various religious and community organisations, including AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal, Deepa Das Munshi, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, supreme head of Orthodox Church, and others were among those present at the event.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul to inaugurate Oommen Chandy's second death anniversary observance today
KOTTAYAM: Amid Congress' efforts to re-establish its clout in Central Travancore, the second death anniversary observance of its iconic leader Oommen Chandy will be held on Friday. Making it an opportunity to mobilise its cadre ahead of crucial elections, the party has made elaborate arrangements in Puthuppally, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi set to inaugurate a public meet. Rahul's visit is anticipated to energise the party's rank and file ahead of local body elections this year and assembly elections next year. 'Victory in Nilambur by-election has already boosted the morale of our workers. Rahul's presence will further invigorate our ranks,' said a Congress leader. Rahul will pay respects at Chandy's tomb at St George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally. He will hand over keys of 11 houses built by the Oommen Chandy Foundation to beneficiaries, and launch 'Smrithi Tharangam', KPCC's charitable initiative, The Meenadom Sports Turf, the second Oommen Chandy Sports Arena being developed as part of an anti-drug campaign, will be inaugurated at the event.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rahul Gandhi to inaugurate second death anniversary of Oommen Chandy
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate a public meeting marking the second death anniversary of former Chief Minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy here on Friday. Making the occasion an opportunity to mobilise its cadres ahead of the upcoming crucial elections, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee has organised elaborate arrangements at Puthuppally, where the event is being held. KPCC president Sunny Joseph will preside over the event. During his visit, Mr. Gandhi will pay his respects at the tomb of the late Congress leader at St. George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally. He will also hand over the keys of 11 houses built by the Oommen Chandy Foundation to the beneficiaries and also launch the KPCC's charitable initiative in memory of Oommen Chandy, titled 'Smrithi Tharangam.' The Meenadom Sports Turf, a sports arena being developed as part of an anti-drug campaign, too will be inaugurated during the event. The organisers said a huge venue having a seating capacity of 10,000 people had been set up to accommodate the attendees. Meanwhile, the Manna Charitable Trust, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, will also organise various programmes and charity activities during July and August as part of Oommen Chandy's second death anniversary. According to Chandy's daughter and managing trustee of the trust, Mariya Oommen, free medical camps will be organised in all 14 districts as part of the initiatives. The visit of Mr. Gandhi to Kottayam is anticipated to significantly energise the party's rank and file ahead of the local body elections later this year and the Assembly elections next year.
