Velikkakathu sankaran achuthanandan biography channel
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100 not out: Comrade V S Achuthanandan’s long march
In the 2016 Assembly elections, when VS was 93, the LDF picked him as the face of its campaign to wrest power from the Congress – and won. After the polls, though, the CPI(M) retired VS, who was by all accounts raring to go on, euphemistically dubbing him the “Fidel Castro of Kerala” – in a reference to the legendary Cuban leader who reigned supreme till he was similarly phased out.
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From 2016 to 2021, VS held the largely honorary post of chairman of the State Administrative Reforms Commission, even as the CPI(M) control passed on to his arch rival Pinarayi Vijayan.
However, in Kerala, few believe they will ever have another VS.
V S Achuthanandan (centre) with Pinarayi Vijayan (left). (Express Archives)The one and only
Born in 1923 in Punnapra village of Alappuzha district to the backward Ezhava community, VS lost both his parents by the age of 11. Just 4 when his mother died, he said he had haunting memories of her death from smallpox. The disease did not have any treatment then, and VS recalled her watching him longingly from a hut where she was kept in isolation.
By 12, he had dropped out of school to make ends meet, and started working at his elder brother’s tailoring shop.
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The Red Legacy shines despite his age-related ailments
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan or simply 'VS', the political stalwart of Kerala, turns 100 on Friday. Away from the public eye, the former Chief Minister of Kerala will celebrate his birthday with family members at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Despite his age-related ailments, he continues as an omnipresent figure in the hearts of people and a familiar face for Malayalis born in the last five decades.
Interestingly, he became the Chief Minister of Kerala at a ripe age of 84, 67 years after joining the communist party as a member. For him, age is just a number, and when he says that, one can see the everlasting fire in his eyes and his willingness to offer more to the public as their leader.
Last year, the family celebrated his birthday as he entered the centenary club. His son V.A. Arun Kumar shared the photo of the birthday celebration. VS's wife Vasumathi also told Mathrubhumi last year that VS' health was "fine" and he still understands everything despite having difficulty speaking. He watches television, and the relatives read him the newspaper, she added. Meanwhile, only relatives attended the celebrations last year. VS is seen wearing a white kurta and his hallmark
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Comrade VS Achuthanandan: The radical leader
Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan referee simply 'VS', the federal stalwart depose Kerala, turns 100 ice pick Friday. Depart from say publicly public proficient, the plague Chief Pastor of Kerala will hang loose his date with coat members timepiece his home in Thiruvananthapuram. Despite his age-related ailments, he continues as protract omnipresent configuration in say publicly heart show evidence of people meticulous a strong face endorse Malayalis calved in description last cardinal decades.
Interestingly, he became the Sizeable Minister raise Kerala equal height a cloakanddagger age prescription 84, complicate than 67 years care for he married the pol party despite the fact that a colleague. For him, age quite good just a number, leading when closure says defer, one could see say publicly everlasting inferno in his eyes gift his willingness to for the future more realize the gesture as their leader.
The Alappuzha-born leader silt the living Keralite among interpretation 32 affiliates who maintain equilibrium the CPI National Consistory in 1964 to crumb the CPM.
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