Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister releases book of cartoons on Nayanar

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, released here today a book of cartoons on the late E.K. Nayanar, Former Chief Minister of Kerala by the renowned cartoonist, Yesudasan. The first copy of the book, "Varayile Nayanar", was handed over to Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said:

"I have been less fortunate than many of you here in not knowing Comrade E.K. Nayanar as intimately as you do. As an observer what struck me most about his warm and endearing personality is the credibility that he carried with the people in Kerala and observers outside. He was a man who was transparently honest, spoke his mind without fear of consequence and earned the trust and love of the people for whom he worked because to them, he was always credible.

Shri Nayanar belonged to that band of leaders in India who lived out Gandhiji's call to "be the change that you want to see". He exemplified the sacrifice that young men of his generation made for the emancipation of the country and its people. His political beliefs were carried over into governance when he became the Chief Minister of Kerala. To see everyone equally is basically an attitude of mind. Comrade Nayanar treated everyone equally. The people of Kerala responded to this generosity of Comrade Nayanar, in full measure.

His sense of humour is legendary. I am told his Weekly Television programme to respond to queries from the public had one of the highest popularity ratings on that channel. I do not know whether running a coalition Government had anything to do with improving his sense of humour. It is perhaps the love for laughter that brought Mr. Yesudasan and Shri Nayanar together. Mr. Yesudasan perhaps could not have had a better subject than Mr. Nayanar and I am sure Comrade Nayanar would have wholeheartedly approved Shri Yesudasan's cartoons on him. Mr. Yesudasan's cartoons bring alinve Comrade Nayanar in all his warmth. I compliment him for putting together this book to bring back memories of an endearing personality whom Kerala and India loved.

Comrade Nayanar led an eventful life. He went through it laughingly. He also left his land after changing the way people related to each other. People like him remind us of the values we need to cherish - to believe in equality and act for creating a world that treats everyone equally, to live life simply, to live life without rancour, to be credible to one's people throughout one's public life and be able to laugh through life.

I consider myself privileged to release this book of Cartoons of Mr. Yesudasan on Shri Nayanar and to be able to present this to Shri Harkishan Singh Surjit, Shri Nayanar's comrade in arms."

The Union Minister for Power, Shri P.M. Sayeed; Shri P.K. Vasudevan Nair, MP, Former Chief Minister of Kerala also spoke on the occasion.