KOTTAYAM: Former MP, writer and senior journalist Pala K M Mathew, 83, passed away at his ‘Kizhakkel’ residence here on Wednesday. The funeral will be held at the Lourdes Church near the Collectorate at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Elected to the Lok Sabha from the Idukki constituency twice (1989 and 1996), K M Mathew was the one of the few theoreticians of the Congress in the state who commanded all-round respect. He changed tracks to electoral politics while serving as the Assistant Editor of the Malayala Manorama. He had been the president of Kerala Balasahitya Parishad for 25 years and credited as an author of 30 literary books, many of them of the children’s league.
As the president of Nav Yug Vedika and chairman of Nav Yug Children’s Drama and Movie Village, he had made his mark in the children’s literary and artistic world in a notable manner.
A multi-faceted and suave personality, he had served as the national convenor of Vichar Vibhag, the intellectual wing of the AICC, and held positions such as member of the Press Council of India and JNU Court apart from being the vice-chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Board.
He was the chairman of the Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation for a while. Pala K M Mathew had been to various foreign countries and continents in various capacities. The late K M Chandy was his brother. K M Mathew’s wife Mariyamma, and one of his sons K M George had predeceased him. He is survived by sons Joshy Mathew (cine director), Somu (Kuwait) and Tony (Kuwait) and daughters Litty, Lali (Bharat Mata College, Trikkakara) and Ligi (Kuwait). Francis Chacko Kadankadavil (South Indian Bank), Eugene Augustine Karukakalam (State Bank) and Dr K G S Raju Kurunthanam (Kuwait) are sons-in-law and Molly, Elsy, Rani and Nimmy are daughters-in-law.