Oommen Chandy was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 10th chief minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also the leader of the opposition in the Kerala legislative assembly from 2006 to 2011. He has been the MLA from Puthuppally constituency in the state assembly since 1970. Chandy was the longest-serving MLA in the Kerala legislative assembly, and he was the only CM to receive a public service award from the United Nations.
Chandy was born on October 31, 1943, in Kumarakom, Kottayam district, Kerala. He studied law in Ernakulam and graduated in 1966. He started his political career as a student leader. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1970 from the Puthuppally constituency and has been representing the constituency since then.
Chandy served as Minister for Excise, Industries, and Home Affairs in the Kerala government from 1977 to 1982. He was also the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1982 to 1987. In 1991, he was elected president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Chandy implemented many welfare schemes, including the Life Mission Project, The Kerosene Subsidy Scheme, and the Green Kerala Mission, during his tenure as chief minister. He also introduced The Right to Information Act in Kerala.
Chandy was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2008 for his outstanding public service. He was also awarded the UN Public Service Award in 2014. Chandy died on July 18, 2023, at the age of 79. The senior Congress leader, who was being treated for cancer, breathed his last at a Bengaluru hospital early on July 18. His death was announced by his son. Oommen Chandy was a respected leader and a dedicated public servant. He will be remembered for his many achievements and his commitment to serving the people of Kerala.
Here are some of Oommen Chandy’s achievements as Chief Minister of Kerala:
Introduced the Life Mission project, which provides housing for the poor.
Implemented the Kerosene Subsidy Scheme, which provides kerosene to the poor at a subsidized rate.
Launched the Green Kerala Mission, which aims to make Kerala a green state.
Introduced the Right to Information Act in Kerala.
