Latest news with #VS
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
The academic who gave ideological credence to VS' inner-party struggle
KOZHIKODE: Left ideologue M N Vijayan wrote an article titled 'Aravum Kathiyum' (File and Knife) on the eve of the 18th state conference of the CPM held in Malappuram in 2005, which sought to present the revolt within the party led by V S Achuthanandan as an ideological struggle. Ironically, the faction led by VS suffered a jolt at the conference with all his candidates who contested to the state committee tasting defeat. But the communist leader didn't stop there, and continued his fight against what is termed as the 'right deviation' in the party. It was Vijayan who lent an ideological dimension to the struggle and prevented the fight from stooping to the level of mere rivalry for power. 'Communists hold conferences not to listen to eulogies, but to sharpen their weapons and to open eyes with ideological debates,' wrote Vijayan in the Mathrubhumi article, which the party found very embarrassing. 'It is not the communists alone but the mankind as a whole who will be the losers if the party takes a right turn… The left-secular forces in Kerala wish that CPM, which has a large mass support, does not lose its character,' it added. Like many others, Vijayan also thought that VS was fighting the battle to preserve the real communist trait of the CPM. A die-hard Freudian, Vijayan's journey to CPM started with his talk on 'Marx and Freud' at Government Girl's High School in Thalassery in 1985. Till then, Vijayan was confined to psychoanalytical studies that provided deep insights into the worlds of writers including Kumaran Asan, Vyloppilli, Basheer and Changampuzha.
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala cabinet pays tribute to VS, makes note of key interventions
VS was also recognised for his interventions in key areas such as environmental protection, gender equality, and human rights. His contributions in both legislative and administrative roles were remembered, including his tenure as a legislator representing Ambalapuzha, Mararikulam, and Malampuzha, and his term as chief minister from 2006 to 2011. He later served as the Chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission from 2016 to 2021. The cabinet remarked that his death marks a significant loss to Kerala's progressive and democratic movements. Other decisions The cabinet approved the creation of a deputy collector post for Disaster Management in the districts of Wayanad and Idukki-two of the most disaster-prone regions in the state. The posts will be established by abolishing one office attendant and one typist post in the respective district revenue department. The cabinet also approved the transfer of 28 acres of land in Melthonnakkal and Andurkonam panchayats for the second phase of Digital University Kerala campus. The land, originally part of the 507 acres notified for Technopark Phase IV (Technocity), will be handed over on a freehold basis. Digital University Kerala will be responsible for all future land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) liabilities. An allocation of Rs 21.81 crore has been sanctioned to Technopark to facilitate the transfer.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala Cabinet expresses condolences over V.S. Achuthanandan's passing
The Kerala Cabinet on Thursday (July 24, 2025) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. In a detailed obituary statement, the Cabinet highlighted the late leader's sacrifices and contributions as a freedom fighter, as a founding leader of the Communist party as well as the organiser of numerous agrarian and workers' protests. Achuthanandan's political journey began through struggles against British imperialism, feudalism and casteist hegemony and later evolved into struggles against authoritarian rule and communal divisive forces. He dedicated his life to an uncompromising struggle for the protection of democratic values. His name is synonymous with the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising. His life of more than a century, where he stood with the people and raised their issues, is inextricably linked with the history of modern Kerala. With the demise of VS, democratic progressive movements have suffered an irreparable loss. He led the struggles to end wage and caste slavery faced by agricultural workers in Kuttanad, organising them into an organised force. He intervened in various areas from environment and human rights to women's equality and called social attention to them. During his tenure as the Chief Minister, he led Kerala forward through several administrative measures. As Leader of the Opposition, he raised many popular issues in the House. VS is a personality who has made unparalleled contributions in the field of administration, legislative matters and the political history of Kerala, said the Cabinet note.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Amid Chikungunya alert, VS' health system reforms back in limelight
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the World Health Organisation (WHO) having issued a stark warning on July 22 about the potential for a global Chikungunya epidemic, mirroring the early signs of a major outbreak two decades ago, health experts are reflecting on the critical role played by the then Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan in helping combat the disease and building a long-term system for infectious disease surveillance. Back in 2007, when the state accounted for more than half of India's suspected Chikungunya cases, VS, then 83, defied the complacency of his own health department and made a pivotal visit to Cherthala in Alappuzha, one of the worst-affected areas. His direct interaction with patients became a turning point. 'The department initially downplayed the outbreak,' recalled Dr Althaf A, epidemiologist and professor at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. 'But VS insisted on seeing the situation first-hand. He questioned expert claims that Chikungunya didn't cause deaths, pointing out that patients with comorbidities were dying disproportionately in outbreak zones.'
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
VS always stood by common man: Mar Thoma Metropolitan
PATHANAMTHITTA : Mar Thoma Church supremo Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan has said former chief minister V S Achuthanandan's life was defined by relentless commitment to justice and people's struggles. He described VS as a leader who stood unwaveringly with the common man. In a condolence message, he recalled how Achuthanandan rose from the agitations of Kuttanad's agricultural workers and remained a powerful voice for the marginalised throughout his political career. 'Whether as chief minister or Leader of Opposition, he stood by the people at every turn,' the metropolitan said. Highlighting that VS was the one who implemented Paddy, Wetland Conservation Act, he said VS did everything from his experiences. 'His life experience was his textbook, and his politics was rooted in lived realities. He strongly advocated for environmental protection, including protection of paddy fields. With his demise, Kerala has lost not just a leader, but the voice of the poor and the ordinary citizen,' he said.
