At the age of 92, Sankaran Achuthanandan is a veteran Indian politician who was the chief minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011 and definitely the most senior politician who is in the running for Chief Minister’s post of Kerala.
Education does not matter Achuthanandan had to quit his studies from school at a very young age to help his brother’s small business. His lack of education was matched by his grass root relations with people esspecially the poor, the farmers and the weaker sections of the society. His simplicity and humility is perhaps unmatched in Indian politics for a senior leader of his experience. It is his adherence to humillity that he lavished praise on Dr Abdul Kalam who also was known for the same. Speaking of Abdul Kalam during his demise he said .”His commitment as a scientist and his humility made him a person who was always liked by all”
Some of his achievements during his tenure as Chief Minister are Food Security – Rice was distributed at 2 Rs a KG for both APL and BPL families during his tenure. IT exports – It was reported IT exports grew way more than the national average during his tenure. India’s first international container trans-shipment terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at nearby Vallarpadam Island,Kochi designed to handle the largest container ships was set up. Given credit for boost given to the tourism industry and the closing down of the lottery mafia.
He has been the kind of leader who has taken responsbility for what has gone wrong and shared credit for what was doe right. He gladly acknowledges the work done by other ministers which is significant in a time where many leaders across India try to centralize the entire voice and image of the party around one personality.
The Logical Indian would like to congratulate V.S Achuthanthan for his self less service to Kerala and India. His rise from humble beginnings to being the Chief Minister of the most literate state of India should inspire a lot of people. It is true when some of his supporters call him the Fiedel Castro of India.
