The first Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom will now have a fitting memorial in London. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over a bust of V.K. Krishna Menon to officials from the Indian High Commission office in London on Saturday in Kozhikode, Krishna Menon’s home town. The bust created by artist Selva Rajan will be installed at the High Commission office soon.
It was Asian Lite International, a London-based publication, which took the initiative in setting up a memorial for Menon in London considering the long-standing wish of Indian community there. Menon, who had lived in London for over 40 years before India’s independence, was instrumental in the formation of the Indian League which played a major role in the formation of opinion in the U.K. in favour of India's independence.
“He is the greatest contribution of Kerala to India and of India to the world. He was someone who truly deserved the title of global citizen,” Mr. Vijayan said and added that the values he represented were appreciated by even those who had differences of opinion with him.
The Chief Minister recalled Menon's oratorial skills and how he was a brilliant negotiator when it came to solving international issues. Menon had played a major role in solving the issue involving Suez Canal and was key in propagating India's Non-Alignment Policy. As Defence Minister, he tried to make the Indian military self reliant, Mr.Vijayan said.
Minister for Museums Kadannappally Ramachandran presided.
