KOCHI:
Mathrubhumi Former Managing Director and Chairman MP Veerendrakumar was felicitated on his 84 th birthday. He was commemorated online with a virtual tribute.
He was an Author, politician, parliamentarian, environmentalist and media personality, a, man of many roles. The event titled ‘M. P. Veerendra Kumar – A Virtual Tribute’ was livestreamed on Mathrubhumi’s Facebook page and YouTube.
Hosted by renowned economist, Jairam Ramesh M.P delivered the opening remarks and an introduction, followed by a heartwarming three minute video depicting the journey of Veerendra Kumar. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the event and delivered a keynote address in memory of the legendary socialist and the press baron.
“This is an emotional moment for me today as we all connect to remember our beloved friend M P Veerendra Kumar who left for heavenly abode some months ago. Has he been with us, we would have been celebrating his 84 th birthday “Vice President said.
“He was a multi facet personality, a politician, prolific writer, journalist and environmentalist. In his journalistic role and as member of various media bodies, Kumar pioneered the various campaigns over freedom of press” added Naidu. Naidu appealed to everyone to draw inspiration from the likes of Kumar and adopt a more empathetic attitude towards the fellow citizens.
Further in the event, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi recalled the late leader’s commitment to the environment and said Kumar got the sense of environment from Wayanad, his birthplace. “You just have to go to Wayanad, see the forests in Wayanad, see the people in Wayanad and you get the feeling that the environment is critical for our future.” “You understand multiple different cultures living together, different communities in a web, all working together harmoniously”.
So I think, that is something that I share with him and I feel sad that I didn’t have the opportunity to ask him about his feelings about Wayanad and Kerala the way I would like to,” he said.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan spoke on Veerendra Kumar as the 'true secular’, while CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri in his speech described Kumar as a ‘true parliamentarian’. Mizoram Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai was also present at the virtual tribute where he delivered a personal note.
The event organised by Mathrubhumi was also attended by some famous celebrities including actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan, actress and former MP Jayaprada and environmental activist Vandana Shiva, who shared their experiences, incidents and thoughts over late Kumar.
From the media fraternity, famous journalist N. Ram, former INS president and former PTI chairman H. N. Cama, and International Advertising Association global chairman Srinivasa Swamy were also spoke of their memorable moments and experiences with Kumar. P V Chandran, Chairman and Managing Editor-Mathrubhumi and MV Shreyams Kumar, son of late Veerendra Kumar and MD, Mathrubhumi were among the dignitaries who participated in the virtual event.
