Manikandan’s fanboy moment with CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a dream come true for 43-year-old Manikandan when his hero chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid him a visit at his home at Kachani near here on Saturday.
Vijayan visited his fan when Manikandan, who is paraplegic by birth, expressed his wish to the party men in his area about his intense wish to meet the CM when the latter reached the nearby Karakulam village to participate in a housewarming of a dwelling constructed as part of the Life Mission project. The chief minister visited Manikandan at his home and spent with him a few minutes, asking him about his life, habits and hobbies.
According to Manikandan, he was a diehard fan of Vijayan, particularly for his unwavering stand on matters of importance to society. Though he was unable to undergo formal education, Manikandan has self-taught Malayalam and English and likes to read books.
Vijayan signed and gave back a book that Manikandan presented to him as a gift when the latter reached his home. “Vijayan is a leader who keeps his words. That’s why I like him the most,” said Manikandan when asked why he was in awe about Vijayan.
Manikandan is the third child of retired government employee Parameswaran Nair and wife Rama Devi.