UAE: Indian expats from Kerala pay rich tributes to former CM V S Achuthanandan

Dubai: Indian expats from Kerala in the UAE have paid rich tributes to former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran communist leader V S Achuthanandan, who passed away at the age of 101 on Monday.

Known for his lifelong commitment to the rights of the underprivileged and his towering presence in the south Indian state’s political sphere, Achuthanandan enjoyed a massive following among the Malayali expats.  

Old-timers recalled that VS first visited the UAE in 1997 when he was the general convenor of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and again in 2017. He was remembered for playing a key role in initiating projects that benefitted non-resident Keralites (NRKs), such as a pension scheme and the launch of the Malayalam Mission.

KL Gopi, a Dubai resident and member of the Malayalam Mission Academy Council, who also serves as the UAE coordinator of the Malayalam Mission, expressed condolences on the passing of the Mission’s founder. He credited Achuthanandan’s vision for laying the foundation of the government-backed initiative to teach Malayalam to children of expatriates.

“Today, Malayalam Mission has strengthened the roots of the language among Malayali families living away from Kerala,” Gopi said.
“By adapting and expanding the initial phase of its activities over time, the Malayalam Mission has evolved into a vibrant language and cultural movement. It is the sincere collaboration of selfless language advocates, working without profit motives, that has made the Malayalam Mission a powerful and respected organisation today,” he added.

The Indian Association Sharjah (IAS) also extended its condolences. “A freedom fighter, a lifelong crusader for the rights of the downtrodden, and a towering figure in Kerala’s political landscape, Achuthanandan epitomised commitment, integrity, and public service,” stated  Nisar Thalangara, president of IAS.

“As Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and as a fiery Leader of the Opposition, he remained a relentless advocate for the marginalised and an unwavering voice against injustice. His leadership was marked by simplicity, clarity of purpose, and moral courage. Even after stepping away from active politics following a stroke in 2019, his legacy continued to inspire generations.”

Thalangara added that IAS joined the people of Kerala in honouring the late leader. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and admirers. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Punnakkan Muhammadali, general secretary of Incas, a socio-cultural organisation of expat Malayalis traditionally aligned with political views different from the communist movement in Kerala, described Achuthanandan as “a leader who earned a place in the hearts of the common people.”

He said that Achuthanandan was “one of the finest leaders Kerala has seen, someone who shone equally in his roles as Chief Minister and Opposition Leader. He was a tireless advocate for the poor and working class, a leader who never wavered in his stance, and someone who continued to fight for his principles even within his own party until the very end.”

Punnakkan further noted that “Achuthanandan, a revolutionary figure who played a pivotal role in shaping the Communist Party of India (Marxist), leaves behind a void that is deeply felt not only by the communist movement but also by Kerala’s social and political fabric.”

Photos and videos of Achuthanandan flooded social media pages and status updates of UAE-based Keralites. One of the few who shared a photo taken with the late leader was Dubai resident Sunil NM, who recalled meeting Achuthanandan, when he lived in Oman before relocating to the UAE.

Gulf News readers also joined in offering tributes. Shaji Hameed Panayil offered a “red salute” to “a true revolutionary and one of the last of your kind.”