Kohima: Former Governor of Nagaland Kateekal Sankaranarayanan has passed away at his residence in Palakkad in Kerala on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 89.
In a condolence message Nagaland Governor Jagdish Mukhi said that Sankaranarayanan, Born on October 15, 1932, was a four time legislator and had held Finance, Excise and Agriculture in various ministries in Kerala. He had also held additional charges of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Goa as Governor.
“In his death, we have lost a respected leader, a distinguished parliamentarian, an able administrator and a fine gentleman. He said “May his soul rest in peace,” Mukhi added.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday condoled the death of Sankaranarayanan, who served as Nagaland Governor from February 3, 2007 to July 27, 2009.
Sankaranarayanan became the Governor of the state during the regime of Rio; he described the former Governor of the state as “a good person, and a perfect gentleman in his dealings with everyone. He dedicated his life to the service of the nation and its people.” “In his death the nation has lost a good politician with a golden heart,” he wrote.
“I, on behalf of my family and the people of Nagaland, express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members in this hour of grief. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace,” the condolence message said.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family of Sankaranarayanan on behalf of the state legislative assembly members.
Described the deceased as “a man who made himself lovable to all sections of the people of the State and admired by all for his courage, conviction, dynamism, wisdom and his bold administration”, Longkumer said the former governor had brightened the lives of millions of people through his contributions over his long political career.
“In his death, the State of Kerala in particular and the country as a whole has lost a leader of rare acumen and political and administrative skills and the people of Nagaland a very good friend and a visionary leader,” he said.
