The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Former Mayor dead

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Former Mayor dead

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: A.A. Kochunni, the first Mayor of the Corporation of Kochi and a former MLA, passed away on Saturday. He was 87. He is survived by three sons and three daughters. United Democratic Front spokesperson M.M. Hassan is his son-in-law.

Born in 1921, Kochunni Master, as he is referred to fondly by Kochiites, began his career as a teacher at SDPY High School, Palluruthy, and entered politics through the Praja Mandalam Party. He was twice Mayor of the Corporation and KPCC treasurer and represented Aluva in the State Assembly.

He was a founder-member of the Port and Dock Workers’ Federation, general secretary of the Cochin Thuramugha Thozhilali Union, national vice-president of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha and a central personality on the literary and cultural scene in the city.

Kochunni Master will be laid to rest at the Kochangadi Chembittapally cemetery at 11 a. m. on Sunday.

Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony recalls Kochunni Master as a strong and courageous trade union leader who found time for his literary pursuits.

Coir Board Chairman and former Speaker A.C. Jose remembers Kochunni Master as the one who took the first steps to restore dignity to port workers who were an exploited lot half-a-century ago.

Among Kochunni Master’s literary achievements is the well-received translation of Syed Ameer Ali’s The Spirit of Islam.

The translation of the voluminous work was released in September 2004 when Kochunni Master was 84, his mind as sharp as ever and proscribed by his doctors not to undertake any strenuous works.

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