Noted Gandhian and orator K.P.A. Raheem died at Mahe near here on Sunday. He was 69.
He was addressing a public gathering on the premises of the Puthalam temple near Mahe when he collapsed and died. The function was held to mark the conclusion of the Gandhi Smrithi Yatra on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of Gandhiji’s visit to Mahe. A video footage of the function showed that the Gandhian, wearing a Gandhian cap, was in the midst of a speech about the relevance of Gandhiji’s principles when he collapsed.
Though he was rushed to the Puducherry Government Hospital at Mahe, his life could not be saved. The cause of the death was ventricular fibrillation, hospital authorities said.
Raheem Master, as he was popularly known, was the former president of the Kannur District Gandhi Centenary Memorial Society and former chief of Kerala Sarvodaya Mandalam. A native of Panur here, he had served as president of the Gandhi Peace Foundation. A retired school teacher, the Panur native had been drawn to Gandhian vision in his early years. He had used his oratorial gifts for the propagation of Gandhian ideals. He is survived by wife and three children. The body would be buried at the Panur Juma Masjid on Monday.
CM condoles death
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a condolence message that Raheem had played a great role in spreading Gandhian philosophy. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that the deceased had not only upheld the Gandhian message till his last moment, but also propagated it.
