God's Own Country pours its heart out to Oommen Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy was given a farewell of unparalleled scale perhaps never seen for any political leader in the state before.

For the last three days since the death of 79-year-old Chandy in Bengaluru, the entire state only talked about the former chief minister. Breaking news, flash news, uninterrupted 24/7 live telecast on most news channels, headlines of newspapers, and supplements were only about Oommen Chandy.

Lakhs of men, women, and children stood patiently in queues for hours together, lined up on either side of the roads braving intermittent rains and hot sun, assembled in Thirunakkara stadium in a nearly choking atmosphere, only with one wish- to have a glimpse of their dear leader.

Almost everyone with whom the media persons spoke to get a reaction, had a personal story to share. The story of the help, care, assistance that they received from the former chief minister during their times of distress. Everyone had the feeling of losing the head of the family on whom they banked so much.

Chandy during his two tenures as chief minister used to work 15 to 20 hours at a stretch most of the time standing, during the Mass Contact Programme known as Janasamparka Paripadi. People from the poorest of the poor sections of society used to throng the venues with their problems.

Chandy used to remain on the podium till the early hours and leave only after receiving the petition from the last man in the queue. The people of Kerala perhaps reciprocated ten times more to express their affection and gratitude to the former chief minister after his death.

Even Congress leaders who worked closely with Chandy for the last five decades were heard saying that the unprecedented scale of love and affection showered by the people of Kerala was a big revelation.

People waited for three days and the never-ending queues were seen till the time he was laid to rest at the St George's Orthodox Church at his native place in Puthupally.

The funeral time schedule had to be rescheduled several times in view of the unprecedented rush of mourners at all places.

The vehicle carrying Chandy's mortal remains started its journey from his Thiruvananthapuram residence at 7 am on Wednesday and reached Kottayam at 11.30 am on Thursday. It took nearly 28 hours to cover the distance of 147 km. Usually, it takes over four hours.

Thousands of people lined up along the roads, junctions, towns and streets through the night and early morning to pay respects. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi joined the funeral procession and walked with the family members.

He consoled Chandy's wife Mariamma Oommen Chandy and her children at the St George Orthodox Church premises.

Cabinet ministers of the LDF government, MPs , MLAs, social, religious leaders and people from various walks of life paid their homage to the departed leader.

A condolence meeting was on the Church premises where ministers, political leaders, and social and religious leaders.