Veteran journalist M S Mani passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: Former editor-in-chief of Kerala Kaumudi and chief editor of Kalakaumudi M S Mani passed away here on Tuesday after protracted illness. He was 79.
Leaders cutting across party lines, paid tribute to the veteran journalist.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembered Mani as a towering personality who gave invaluable contribution to Malayalam journalism. “He had taken strong positions on many socio-political issues that cropped up during his heydays. Even while taking firm positions, he continued to keep warm relationship with everyone,” he said.
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in his condolence message said Mani enriched Malayalam journalism with the touch of courage and genuine concern for the welfare of the downtrodden. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and BJP state president K Surendran were among those who grieved Mani’s death.
Born on November 4, 1941 at Mayyanad in Kollam district as the son of Kerala Kaumudi former editor K Sukumaran and Madhavi Sukumaran, Mani was the grandson of writer and journalist C V Kunhiraman. An activist of Students Federation during his student days, Mani formally started his journalism career as a reporter in Kerala Kaumudi in 1961, after graduating from university college here.
The state had honoured him with Kesari Award for his contribution to journalism. It was Mani who first started the practice of publishing Sunday magazine, which other Malayalam dailies followed later.
His body was cremated on Tuesday evening at the premises of his residence at Kumarapuram. Mani leaves behind wife Dr Kasthuri Bai, daughter Valsa Mani and Sukumaran Mani.