Kottayam: Marking end of an era in Indian media
history, mortal remains of Malayala Manorama Chief Editor
K M Mathew was laid to rest with full state honours at the
Puthenpally cemetery here Monday afternoon.
Head of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Baselius Marthoama
Dydimos-1, senior prelates and priests conducted the funeral
prayers held at the Puthenpally Church.
Members of the bereaved family, senior politicians and
cultural leaders turned up at the church to bid farewell to
Mathew, who left deep imprints in the media scene of the
the country for half-a-century.
Earlier in the day, people from all walks of life kept
pouring in at his residence in the town to pay homage to
Mathew.
The body was also kept at the headquarters of Malayala
Manorama, which grew into a major institution under the
leadership of Mathew.
Mourners paid glowing tributes to Mathew, recalling his
services to the society and the vital role he played in
in infusing professionalism and technological upgradation
of regional language journalism in India.
As the funeral procession made it to the church, shops
downed shutters on the way as a mark of respect to Mathew,
who was an inspiring presence in all cultural activities of
Kottayam, known as "the town of letters" or "Akshara Nagari".
Mathew, 93, died at his residence here yesterday.
Besides heading Malyala Manorama, Mathew had served as
chairman of Press Trust of India and held key positions
in important media-related organisations of the country.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 02, 2010, 18:54