Thiruvananthapuram: CPI leader and former minister E Chandrasekharan Nair, who died Wednesday, was considered as one of the best health ministers Kerala has ever seen. Often called a 'gentleman politician', Chandrasekharan Nair led a simple life untouched by corruption allegations or controversies.
Chandrasekharan is credited with introducing market intervention programs such as Maveli stores and Onachantha, thus winning the nickname 'Maveli minister'.
After becoming a member of the first Assembly in 1957, Chandrasekharan Nair was elected to the Assembly for six more times -- in 1957, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1987 and 1996.
In 1980 and 1987, he handled public distribution and housing portfolios, respectively. In 1996 Nayanar ministry, apart from these two portfolios he also handled law, and tourism.
In 1980, when he was the food supplies minister, the Onachantha (Onam market) was successfully introduced. The success of the Onachantha laid the foundation stone for the launch of Maveli stores.
Maveli stores were first launched in district headquarters and then expanded to taluks. The tourism ministry also did good work under Chandrasekharan Nair.
He also worked as a president or a member of several Assembly councils and cooperative movement's national-state level councils. He was the president of the National Cooperative Union, the State Cooperative Banks' National Federation, a member of the Reserve Bank Credit Board, and director of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation.
He has won honors such as Sadanandan Award for the best cooperator and R Sankara Narayanan Thampi Award for the best parliamentarian.
Being the president of the state cooperative banks for eight years, it was Chandrasekharan who started the deposit mobilization scheme. He was also the managing editor of Janayugam.
Chandrasekharan Nair was also proficient in Sanskrit, Indian philosophy and Vedas. The book 'Hindu Matham Hindutvam' is his take on Indian philosophy. He has also published a memoir 'Marakkatha Ormakal'.
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