Kerala honoured veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader, freedom fighter, and former Chief Minister of Kerala V.S. Achuthanandan on his 100th birthday on Friday.
Mr. Achuthanandan, popularly known as VS, was widely reckoned as a standard-bearer for underdogs and uphill causes, particularly environmental protection, gender equality and free software. He was a towering and fiery presence in Kerala politics for decades till a minor stroke in 2019 forced him to retreat from public life.