Thu Jul 24 20:33:50 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

The article is an obituary for V.S. Achuthanandan, a veteran communist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, India, who died at the age of 101. It highlights his lifelong dedication to social justice, his spartan lifestyle, and his commitment to environmental protection. The article also discusses his complex relationship with the media and his unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party. The outpouring of grief at his funeral underscores his enduring popularity and reputation as the “conscience-keeper” of the people.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Mourns Passing of Communist Icon V.S. Achuthanandan at 101**

**Alappuzha, Kerala – July 25, 2025** – Kerala is in mourning following the death of V.S. Achuthanandan, the former Chief Minister and a towering figure in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], who passed away earlier this week at the age of 101. Thousands lined the streets to pay their respects as his funeral procession made its way from Thiruvananthapuram to his hometown of Alappuzha on July 23, 2025.

Achuthanandan, affectionately known as “VS,” had been out of the public eye since suffering a stroke in 2019, but his legacy as a champion of the poor and marginalized remains strong. His life was marked by unwavering commitment to social justice. Orphaned at a young age, he left school early and dedicated his life to organizing laborers and farmers, fighting for fair wages and land rights.

A key moment in his career was the 2008 Kerala Paddy and Wetlands Act, aimed at protecting agricultural land. A spartan lifestyle and unwavering integrity defined his persona. Despite his incomplete education, those who worked with him emphasized his willingness to listen to experts, allowing him to contribute significantly to key policies like the people’s planning program and the expansion of the IT sector. He also stood for gender rights, secularism, the environment, and against sex crimes and corruption.

Beyond his political achievements, Achuthanandan was known for his accessibility and empathy. He was a rare politician to have so effectively harnessed media attention, even amidst his evolving relationship with the media throughout his career. His unwavering commitment to the CPI(M) was such that despite his disagreements within the party, he never encouraged activity against it.

“He was of unimpeachable integrity,” said a close confidante. “This was why he was described as the conscience-keeper of the people. He was a Communist till the last breath.”

Achuthanandan’s passing marks the end of an era in Kerala politics, leaving behind a legacy of fighting for the voiceless and holding power accountable.

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