Oommen Chandy, the former chief minister of Kerala, passed away on July 18, 2023 at the age of 79. He was undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
Chandy’s mortal remains were flown to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon and his funeral was held on Thursday at the Puthuppally church. Thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran Congress leader.
Biography of Oommen Chandy
Birth Date: October 31, 1943.
Place of Birth: Puthuppally, Travancore, British India (now in Kerala, India)
Family:
Oommen Chandy is the son of K.O. Chandy and Baby Chandy. He belongs to a middle-class family with a political background. His father was a respected freedom fighter and a prominent Congress leader in Kerala.
Education:
Oommen Chandy completed his early education in his hometown of Puthuppally. He pursued higher studies in Kerala and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. Later, he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the Government Law College, Ernakulam.
Political Career:
Oommen Chandy’s political journey began at an early age, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the Indian National Congress party. He was heavily influenced by his father’s political ideals and values. In 1970, at the age of 27, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Puthuppally constituency in Kerala. This marked the beginning of his long and illustrious political career.
Throughout the years, Chandy held various ministerial positions in the Kerala state government. He served as the Minister for Labour and Forests, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Finance, and Minister for Electricity, among others. His tenure as the Finance Minister was particularly notable for his efforts in implementing economic reforms and budgetary planning.
Networth
₹60.92 Lakhs.
Chief Minister of Kerala:
Oommen Chandy’s most significant political achievement came on two separate occasions when he served as the Chief Minister of Kerala. He first assumed office from 2004 to 2006 and then again from 2011 to 2016. As Chief Minister, Chandy focused on various developmental projects and social welfare initiatives. His administration was known for its pro-people policies and inclusive governance.
Contributions and Legacy:
Throughout his political career, Oommen Chandy earned a reputation as a charismatic and approachable leader who had a deep connection with the common people. His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by a focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in the state.
Chandy’s political career spanned several decades, and he remained an influential figure within the Indian National Congress party. His contributions to the development and welfare of Kerala earned him widespread respect and admiration across the political spectrum.
