The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of Narayana Panicker, a leader of the Nair community and the President of the Nair Service Society. In a condolence message to his family the Prime Minister said Shri Panicker will be remembered for his simplicity, selfless services and the strong bond that he had with the people of Kerala.

The text of the Prime Minister's message is as follows:

I learnt with deep sadness of the passing away of Shri Narayana Panicker who had served the people of Kerala for many decades. He was the general secretary of Nair Service Society for 28 years before he became its President. Even though he was a Nair leader, but he had enjoyed the acceptability and love of all communities of the state. He was a secular Indian and during his tenure the Nair Services Society established its secular credentials. Shri Panicker was a stanuch follower of Mannat Padmanabhan, the founder of Nair Service Society. Shri Panicker served his community and the people of the state following same high ideals. In the passing away of Shri Panicker the country has lost a social crusader and the state of Kerala one of its loved sons.

I convey my deep sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family and the leadership and cadre of the NSS.