Wed Jul 23 16:22:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

V.S. Achuthanandan, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former Chief Minister of Kerala, was cremated with full state honors in Alappuzha on July 23, 2025. Thousands gathered along the procession route from Thiruvananthapuram to Alappuzha to pay their respects to the beloved leader. The funeral, held at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs’ Memorial, was attended by numerous political figures and family members. His son, V.A. Arunkumar, lit the funeral pyre. The event was marked by heavy rain and a massive turnout of mourners, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for Achuthanandan’s legacy in Kerala’s Left politics.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Bids Emotional Farewell to Veteran Communist Leader V.S. Achuthanandan**

**Alappuzha, India – July 23, 2025** – Thousands lined the streets of Kerala today to bid a final, emotional farewell to V.S. Achuthanandan, the veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former Chief Minister, who was cremated with full state honors at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs’ Memorial in Alappuzha.

The funeral procession, which began in Thiruvananthapuram, drew massive crowds eager to pay their respects to a leader widely regarded as the conscience of Kerala’s Left politics. His mortal remains reached his home at Paravur around 12.15 p.m., more than 22 hours after the funeral procession began in Thiruvananthapuram. The sheer number of mourners delayed the scheduled cremation, but did not dissuade those who waited patiently through the heavy rain that fell throughout the day.

V.A. Arunkumar, Achuthanandan’s son, lit the funeral pyre at 9:15 p.m.

Numerous political figures were in attendance, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, and leaders from across the political spectrum.

Achuthanandan, a key figure in Kerala’s communist movement, dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the working class and marginalized communities. His unwavering commitment to social justice and his impactful political career have left an indelible mark on the state’s political landscape. His final resting place alongside other legendary communist leaders at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs’ Memorial, a site steeped in the history of Kerala’s communist movement, is a testament to his enduring legacy.

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