CHANGANASSERY: NSS president P K Narayana Panicker, 82, a non-compromising fighter who led one of the most powerful communities in the state for about three decades, has become history. Panicker, who was under treatment for prostate cancer, died at his residence at Vazhappally near here around 2.10 pm on Wednesday.His body will be kept for public homage at the NSS headquarters at Perunna at 10 am on Thursday. He will be cremated with official honours on his residential premises. The NSS declared a holiday on Thursday for all its institutions.Panicker, a lawyer by profession, was the second longest-serving general secretary of the NSS after its founder Mannath Padmanabhan. Pichamakath Krishna Panicker Narayana Panicker, alias P K Narayana Panicker, son of A N Veluppilla, was born on August 15, 1930. He studied at St.Teresa’s High School at Perunna and S B College, Changanassery. Inter-Church Council chairman Mar Joseph Powathil was his classmate and they were zealous friends.He started his career as a teacher and later became a lawyer. He came to the frontline of the NSS as a treasurer in 1977 and became its general secretary in 1983. Last year, he stepped down from the post and became its president.He proved that the rights of his community could be protected without creating public outcry or controversy. It was during his leadership that the NSS made major gains legally. He spearheaded several legal battles and public campaigns for income-based job reservation and admission instead of community-based quota system. His wife M Savitriamma (retired teacher, Government High School, Vazhappilly) died earlier. He is survived by sons P N Satheesh Kumar, Dr Jagatheesh Kumar and Ranjith Kumar.
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