KOCH ( KERALA ): : As eminent jurist Justice V R Krishna Iyer turned 100 on Thursday, personalities from all walks of life thronged to his residence ‘Sadgamaya’ to visit the centenarian judge. Though a bit frail from having just returned from the hospital, Iyer ‘swami’ refused to budge from his daily routine even on his birthday. As usual, his day began with visiting the Ernakuluthappan temple. Following this, he had breakfast, and cut the cake brought by his friends - critic M K Sanu and Dr C K Ramachandran.
Owing to his weak health, he cut the cake inside his room in front of a large portrait of his late wife. Sankaracharya Omkarananda Saraswathi inaugurated the birthday celebrations.
Noted personalities like former president A P J Abdul Kalam, K J Yesudas, Mammootty, Justice P K Shamsuddeen, Fr Albert Nambiaparabil, O Abdurahman, Cor Episcopa Jacob Mannaraprayil were present at the event. Yesudas sang a ‘Keerthanam’ on the occasion.
The students from Aluva Keezhmadu Blind School were also present on the occasion.
To Politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who visited him, Iyer said that Thalassery was his constituency. Industries Minister P K Kunjalikkutty wished him over the phone and to him Iyer said, “Muslim league leader Bafqi Thangal was my ally.” Former Minister Vayalar Ravi also visited him.
The birthday celebrations will last for four days.
Governor P Sadasivam will inaugurate the symposium titled ‘Justice V R Krishna Iyer’s contribution to Indian judiciary’ on Sunday. Chief Minister Oomman Chandy will inaugurate the public meeting.