Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the bust of former diplomat V.K Krishna Menon to Bristol Laboratory Chairman, Thembalath Ramachandran and Loka Kerala Sabha member Haridas Thekkemuri at a function held in Kozhikode…reports Aravind Rajeev from Kozhikode
The first Indian High Commissioner to London V.K Krishna Menon will now have a perfect memorial in the United Kingdom. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the bust of former Defence Minister V.K Krishnamenon to London Malayalis T Ramachandran, Haridas Thekkemuri and Asian Lite Managing Director Anasudhin Azeez, in Kozhikode.
The bust was created by artist Selva Rajan, which will be installed at the London High Commission office soon. It was the long standing wish of Asian Lite and Indian community in England for this initiative to install the bust of Menon in London.
Menon, who had lived for about 40 years in London before India’s independence, involved in the formation of India League. India League has played a major role in India’s independence.
Kozhikode is Krishna Menon’s home town.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday, handed over the bust in a programme held at Krishnamenon Museum in East Hill, Kozhikode.
“Krishna Menon was known for his intellect and individual might. No one can forget the human values that Menon has upheld in National and International levels,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while handing over the bust.
“Krishna Menon’s epic eight-hour speech at the UN played a key role in defending India’s position and solving the Kashmir issue by the UN. During that marathon speech he collapsed from exhaustion and had to be hospitalized. After he returned, he continued for another hour. Menon’s contributions for the nation before independence and later for the progression of the nation is invaluable. The new generation, especially the youth, must get to know the life of Menon. Menon’s life is a role model that the youth of the country can now depend on,” added Vijayan.
Minister for Ports, Museums, Archaeology and Archives, Kadannappally Ramachandran, in his presidential address said: “Menon was a roaring lion in the United Nations, when the world was facing serious threats to the peaceful balance in all levels. Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the propounder of the Non-Aligned Movement, trusted Menon to spread the message of the movement to various nations to ensure independence and soveriegnty. Menon’s strong voice is still echoing.”
“Menon was an uncompromising personality, so that he could go with the right things in a straight way. He had strong relations with the communist movements and revolutionary leaders across the world. Menon’s words and his character inspires every Indian in fighting against all forms of injustice, such as colonialism and communalism,” said former MLA P.T Kunhi Mohammed.
Meanwhile, Pinarayi Vijayan presented the keys of a newly built home for Mrs. Devi, wife of Kanaran, a missing Pravasi worker in Bahrain, as a helping hand of Kairali TV’s Pravaasalokam. The house sponsor Global International Kuwait’s representative Robin Babu was also present in the function.
Bristol Laboratory Chairman, T Ramachandran, and Loka Kerala Sabha member Haridas Thekkemuri also spoke during the function.