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Veteran CPI Leader Nallakannu's Body Donated to Medical College with State Honours

The mortal remains of 101-year-old CPI leader R. Nallakannu were donated to the Chennai Medical College Hospital, fulfilling his long-held wish. The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, accorded his body full state honours in recognition of his life of sacrifice and public service. His condition had worsened after hospital admission in early February, and he ultimately succumbed to multiple organ failure. Leaders from across political parties and prominent film personalities paid rich tributes to the veteran leader.

Key Points: CPI Leader Nallakannu's Body Donated, Full State Honours Given

  • Body donated per leader's wish
  • Accorded full state honours
  • Passed away at 101
  • Tributes from across political spectrum
  • Prominent film personalities paid respects
2 min read

CPI leader Nallakannu's body to be donated to medical college; will be accorded full state honours

Veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu's body donated to a Chennai medical college per his wish, accorded full state honours by Tamil Nadu government.

"lived not for himself but for others - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

Chennai, Feb 26

The mortal remains of veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu will be donated to the Chennai Medical College Hospital on Thursday, in accordance with his long-expressed wish to support medical education.

The 101-year-old leader, who passed away in Chennai on Wednesday, will be accorded full State honours by the Tamil Nadu government before his body is handed over, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced.

Declaring that Tamil Nadu would bid farewell with the highest respect, CM Stalin said Nallakannu's life of sacrifice and public service deserved to be honoured by the state.

The body has been kept for public homage at Balan House, the CPI's office in Thyagaraya Nagar, and will remain there until 3 p.m., after which party cadres will take out a procession before donating the body to the medical college hospital.

Nallakannu had been undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital after being admitted on February 1 due to age-related ailments. Hospital authorities said his condition worsened over the past two days as his body gradually stopped responding to medication. He succumbed to multiple organ failure at 1.55 p.m., despite intensive care.

Leaders across political parties paid rich tributes. Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin were among the first to offer floral respects.

AIADMK leaders, including former Minister D. Jayakumar and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Congress State president K. Selvaperunthagai, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay, BJP leaders L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran, VCK leader Thirumavalavan, and Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman also paid homage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a condolence message, said Nallakannu was admired across social and political lines and had lived not for himself but for others.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami described him as a man of rare integrity and moral strength.

Prominent film personalities, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Sathyaraj, Vijay Sethupathi and Sivakarthikeyan, also paid tributes, remembering him as a symbol of simplicity, ideological commitment and unwavering dedication to the people.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
It's heartening to see leaders from across the political spectrum paying respects. In today's divisive climate, this unity in honouring a life of principle is rare and needed. Full state honours are well-deserved.
A
Aman W
While I respect his service and final wish, I do wonder about the scale of the state honours for a party that historically opposed state pomp. A simple, dignified farewell might have been more in keeping with his ideology. Still, a great man has left us.
S
Suresh O
His commitment lasted till his last breath. To think of helping medical students even after death... truly inspiring. We need to promote body donation more in India. It's a noble cause.
M
Michael C
Reading this from abroad. The respect shown by everyone, from the PM to film stars, shows how much he was valued. "Lived not for himself but for others" – that's a legacy worth aiming for.
K
Kavya N
A 101-year journey! From the freedom struggle era to modern India, he witnessed it all and stayed true to his beliefs. The procession and public homage show his deep connection with the people. Rest in peace, veteran leader.

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