Leaders belonging to political parties, social cultural organisations paid rich tributes to Nair Service Society President P K Narayana Panicker, who died at his residence in Changanassery on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, in his condolence message, said the late Panicker came to be revered and respected by Kerala Society because he always strove for communal peace and amity even while working towards furthering the interests of his community. Panicker, who was at the helm of affairs of the NSS for nearly three decades, had an extraordinary functioning style that emphasised on civility in public life, but one that avoided controversy, he said.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, in his condolence message, remembered Panicker for his social functioning styles that did not compromise on religious amity. He was instrumental in steering the NSS away from threats posed by the Sangh Parivar to convert the NSS and its institutions into its satellites, besides reinforcing the organisation’s individuality, Mr. Vijayan said.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said Narayana Panicker was a social leader who was responsible for nurturing the NSS into an organisation that upheld the larger interests of society. Even while upholding the policy of equidistance in politics, the late leader always adopted a stand that provided strength to the Congress party, he observed.
Indian Union Muslim League leader and Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty recalled his valuable contributions to public life. Even while fighting for the rights of his community, he took great care to ensure that the other communities did not lose out. Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani referred to Panicker's tolerance to different viewpoints even while steadfastly upholding his own stand. He was a model of selfless public service and always stood for social peace and harmony, Mr. Mani said.
Communist Party of India state secretary C K Chandrappan, in his condolence message, said that Panicker sincerely worked for religious and social amity even while standing up for the interests of his community. His attitude towards political problems and controversies was noted for its equanimity, he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president V Muraleedharan said the demise of Narayana Panicker was an irreparable loss for Kerala Society. He would always be remembered not as the leader of a particular community, but a social leader who did not discriminate among communities.
Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan, in his message, said Panicker was Karmayogi whose life was a saga of selfless service to society. He personified the ideals of austerity in public life. He was secular to the core and a democrat by conviction. His approach to government was always constructive and issue based. A truly organisation man, Panicker always spoke with a measured tone that endeared him to all sections of the people, the Governor said.
Among those who expressed their condolences were Excise and Ports Minister K Babu, Health Minister Adoor Prakash, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, Panchayats Minister M K Muneer, Scheduled Caste and Tribes Welfare and Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar, Major Archbishop-Catholicos Baselios Cleemis of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, UDF Convener P P Thankachan, former KPCC presidents Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, K Muraleedharan, RSP leader V P Ramakrishna Pillai, Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha president T V Babu, Congress leader Rajmohan Unnithan, Travancore Devasom Board President M Rajagopalan Nair and other board members, KPCC general secretaries M I Shanavas, M K Raghavan and Kodikunnil Suresh, MP.
