KOCHI: His life has been a hectic one and it is still for this centenarian. Attending functions even at this age is not a new thing for Justice V R Krishna Iyer. Sunday, however, proved to be a bit more hectic day. He had to attend several functions and his movement from one place to another reminded one of the pit stops that the ministers and the politicians make during election.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala visited Justice Iyer at 8 am. Hibi Eden MLA had accompanied the Minister to Justice Iyer’s house. When the hubbub over the Minister’s visit subsided, it was time for him to attend the centenary celebrations that had been jointly organised by High Court Advocates Association and Justice V R Krishna Iyer Centenary celebrations committee at High Court hall at 10.30 am.
He left for the High Court at 10.30 am and reached the venue as former collector, who is also a member of the Justice V R Krishna Iyer Centenary celebrations committee, was delivering his welcome speech. Justice Krishna Iyer, who was accompanied by his two sons, daughter-in-law and grandson, was brought onto the stage in a wheelchair. Everyone stood up to welcome the esteemed guest. He blessed Governor Justice P Sadasivam, who was there to inaugurate the celebrations, sending the photographers into a tizzy. He graced the function for about one and a half hour. From there, he went to Ernakulam General Hospital to attend a function organised by the Ernakulam Press Club. The Press club had organised a ‘Pirannal Sadya’ for the patients admitted to the Oncology department. Since, he could not climb the steps, the birthday cake was cut at the entrance. P Rajeev MP and GCDA chairman N Venugopal were present.
Then he left for his home ‘Sadgamaya’. There he was greeted by industrialist Yusuf Ali, who had arrived there to wish him on his birthday. At home, bouquets from various well wishers covered a table in his room, from where he had addressed many press conferences on various issues.
When Yusuf Ali told the centenarian that he had bought the East India Company, Justice Iyer lavished the industrialist with praises.
Yusuf Ali presented him a box of tea leaves, which is a product of the East India Company.
The industrialist also presented Justice Iyer a box of silver coins, which was actually minted by the East India Company. “These coins were used by Queen Elizabeth,” said Ali.
The hectic activity in the morning took its toll and the grand oldman withdrew to take rest. When we left ‘Sadgamaya’ the sun was in the zenith (time was around 12.30pm).
He just had a short period of time for rest as another function, which was to be attended by various Ministers, leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan and other personalities from other walks of life, had been lined up for the evening. However, the manner in which he dealt with this hectic schedule doesn’t come as a surprise for everyone, as all are well aware of the agility and spirit of this great personality who had taken to the streets at the age of 99 to protest the lethargy of the government in setting up a cancer centre with international standards at Kochi.