V S Leaves the Capital One Last Time, Carried Home in a Sea of Sorrow

Thiruvananthapuram: They came to see him one last time, their beloved leader, a figure who felt like a father to many. The titan of CPI M in Kerala bid a final farewell to his second home, Thiruvananthapuram. With heavy hearts and resounding slogans, workers and citizens alike paid tribute to the man they cherished most.

The public viewing of the mortal remains of former Chief Minister and Kerala’s veteran leader V S Achuthanandan concluded at Darbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram. Tens of thousands had gathered at the hall to pay their final respects to the beloved leader. After the public homage, the body was taken to Alappuzha as part of a funeral procession around 2 PM.

The funeral procession is en route to his hometown, Alappuzha, travelling along the National Highway. He is returning to where it all began, a land etched with the memory of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, a struggle that shaped him and continues to echo through the hearts of his people and generations to come.

Along the way, designated locations across multiple districts have been arranged to allow the public to pay their respects. In Thiruvananthapuram district alone, arrangements have been made at 27 locations for people to pay homage.

In Thiruvananthapuram, viewing points have been set up at: Palayam, PMG, Plamoodu, Pattom, Kesavadasapuram, Ulloor, Pongummoodu, Sreekariyam, Chavadimukku, Pangappara, Kariavattom, Kazhakoottam, Vetturoad, Kaniyapuram, Pallippuram, Mangalapuram, Chempakamangalam, Korani, Attingal Moonnu Mukku, Attingal Bus Stand, Kacherinada, Alamcode, Kaduvayil, Kallambalam, Navaikkulam, and Kadambattukonam.

In Kollam district, arrangements have been made at: Parippally, Chathannoor, Kottiyam, Chinnakada Bus Bay, Kavanad, Chavara Bus Stand, Karunagappally, and Ochira.

In Alappuzha, the public can pay tribute at: KPAC Junction, Kayamkulam KSRTC Stand, Kariilakulangara, Nangyarkulangara, Haripad KSRTC Stand, Thanapady, Karuvatta, Thottappally, Punnapra, Ambalappuzha, and Vandanam Medical College.

The body, which departed from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon via National Highway 66, is expected to reach his residence in Alappuzha by around 9 PM. It will remain at his residence for public homage until 9 AM on Wednesday, after which it will be placed at the CPI M District Committee office at 10 AM for public viewing. From 11 AM to 3 PM, a special pavilion has been set up at the Recreation Ground near the Alappuzha beach for the public to pay their last respects.

Following the public homage, the cremation will take place at the Valiya Chudukadu cremation ground at 4 PM, accompanied by official ceremonies.

As part of the arrangements for public viewing, visitor access to the beach has been regulated and traffic controls have been implemented across the town. Parking for those coming to pay their respects has been arranged beneath the beach overbridge.