New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday condoled the death of senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran and described him as a true patriot who served Kerala and the country with deep commitment and untiring zeal.
In his condolence message, Manmohan Singh said that Karunakaran would be long remembered for his love of his people, his concern and sensitivity to the problems of the poor and the underprivileged, and his administrative wisdom.
"On a personal note, I had the privilege of benefiting from Karunakaranji's wisdom and experience many times. He was generous with his advice, which was always sagacious. I will miss him as a senior leader, a valued colleague in the Congress party and a close friend."
He was a true patriot who served his country and Kerala with deep commitment and untiring zeal in a public career spanning more than six decades, the message further said.
A large crowd gathered at the Congress headquarters yesterday to bid farewell to Karunakaran, with party president Sonia Gandhi also paying her last respects.
Karunakaran's last journey began from the capital city — a place where he ruled the roost for almost four decades — Thursday morning as his body was moved in a state-owned bus to the party headquarters from where it would journey through many towns before reaching Thrissur for his cremation a day later.
Homage
Sonia Gandhi, who arrived by a special flight, spent around five minutes paying homage to Karunakaran and conveyed her condolences to his family. Home Minister P. Chidambaram also paid his last respects to the Congress leader.
Karunakaran breathed his last at a private hospital at 5.30pm Thursday. Thousands poured on to the streets as the body of his body was taken from Ananthapuri Hospital, where he was admitted December 10, to his home less than ten km away in a closed ambulance as news of his death spread rapidly.
Just as he knew every nook and corner of the city, people from all walks of life from every part of the state capital filed past his body throughout Thursday night to pay homage to Kerala's undisputed Congress leader.
At 8.15am Thursday, his body was moved to the party headquarters where a huge crowd was waiting to have a last glimpse of the veteran. Karunakaran's body will be taken to the Durbar Hall in the State Secretariat.
By noon, his journey will begin to his hometown Thrissur where he will be cremated Saturday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to attend the last rites.
Party officials said all efforts are being made to see that the funeral procession makes brief stops at major towns like Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam for people to pay their respects.
Public holiday
As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the state government has declared a public holiday Friday and all university and state public service examinations and interviews has been postponed.
Karunakaran's condition deteriorated last week and he was put on the ventilator. His condition improved in a few days but he suffered a stroke Wednesday. He died at 5.30pm Thursday. He is survived by his politician son K. Muraleedharan and daughter Padmaja Venugopal.
Karunakaran's death has cast a shadow of sorrow on Kerala, almost eclipsing the Christmas spirit and joy.
In his condolence message, Manmohan Singh said that Karunakaran would be long remembered for his love of his people, his concern and sensitivity to the problems of the poor and the underprivileged, and his administrative wisdom.
"On a personal note, I had the privilege of benefiting from Karunakaranji's wisdom and experience many times. He was generous with his advice, which was always sagacious. I will miss him as a senior leader, a valued colleague in the Congress party and a close friend."
He was a true patriot who served his country and Kerala with deep commitment and untiring zeal in a public career spanning more than six decades, the message further said.
A large crowd gathered at the Congress headquarters yesterday to bid farewell to Karunakaran, with party president Sonia Gandhi also paying her last respects.
Karunakaran's last journey began from the capital city — a place where he ruled the roost for almost four decades — Thursday morning as his body was moved in a state-owned bus to the party headquarters from where it would journey through many towns before reaching Thrissur for his cremation a day later.
Homage
Sonia Gandhi, who arrived by a special flight, spent around five minutes paying homage to Karunakaran and conveyed her condolences to his family. Home Minister P. Chidambaram also paid his last respects to the Congress leader.
Karunakaran breathed his last at a private hospital at 5.30pm Thursday. Thousands poured on to the streets as the body of his body was taken from Ananthapuri Hospital, where he was admitted December 10, to his home less than ten km away in a closed ambulance as news of his death spread rapidly.
Just as he knew every nook and corner of the city, people from all walks of life from every part of the state capital filed past his body throughout Thursday night to pay homage to Kerala's undisputed Congress leader.
At 8.15am Thursday, his body was moved to the party headquarters where a huge crowd was waiting to have a last glimpse of the veteran. Karunakaran's body will be taken to the Durbar Hall in the State Secretariat.
By noon, his journey will begin to his hometown Thrissur where he will be cremated Saturday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to attend the last rites.
Party officials said all efforts are being made to see that the funeral procession makes brief stops at major towns like Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam for people to pay their respects.
Public holiday
As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the state government has declared a public holiday Friday and all university and state public service examinations and interviews has been postponed.
Karunakaran's condition deteriorated last week and he was put on the ventilator. His condition improved in a few days but he suffered a stroke Wednesday. He died at 5.30pm Thursday. He is survived by his politician son K. Muraleedharan and daughter Padmaja Venugopal.
Karunakaran's death has cast a shadow of sorrow on Kerala, almost eclipsing the Christmas spirit and joy.
