Governor P Sathasivam recalls life story of former president K R Narayanan

Thiruvananthapuram: Governor Justice P. Sathasivam remembered former president K.R. Narayanan who was an alumnus of the college on the occasion of ‘Oru Vattom Koodi- Back to Campus’ where former students and teachers spent a day at their alma mater on Friday as part of the yearlong celebration at the University college. The Governor pointed out that the story of K.R. Narayanan was also a message to educational administrators who underestimate the potential of their students. He said it was well known that K.R. Narayanan did not get the consideration he deserved from Travancore.

“Maybe, the authorities did not understand the inner strength of a young man who had been winning his daily battle against miserable poverty, with academic brilliance. “However, time had kept an answer ready for the years to come. We saw the smile of poetic justice when Kerala University later requested him to accept an honorary doctorate”, Justice Sathasivam said. “As the tenth President, he proved himself as independent and assertive, but with full respect to the four pillars of the Constitution. He used his discretionary powers and even deviated from conventions, boldly explaining his viewpoint, be it in appointing a Prime Minister during a hung Parliament or in dismissing a State Government. In 1998, he became the first President to cast his vote in the general elections,” Justice Sathasivam said.

As President, he believed that the nation’s consensus for the highest office proved that the concerns of the common man had moved to centrestage of social and political life. That brought him more joy than his personal sense of achievement in being chosen as President, Justice Sathasivam said. First rank holders of the college received A R Raja Raja Varma Memorial Endowment from the Governor. Chairman of the 150th anniversary celebration committee Lenin Rajendran Poet and activist Sugathakumari and PWD Minister G Sudhakaran attended the function.