V.S. Achuthanandan (right) with P.K. Warrier at a function at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
The passing of veteran Communist leader and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has left a void for Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, with which he shared a close association. Achuthanandan had strong ties with the Arya Vaidya Sala’s top leaders, including P.K. Warrier and P. Madhavankutty Varier, who held him in high regard.
Achuthanandan’s visits to Arya Vaidya Sala were countless. As a loyal patron of Arya Vaidya Sala, he regularly underwent rejuvenation therapy there. As his health declined, the Arya Vaidya Sala’s doctors would visit his residence with the equipment needed for prolonged treatment sessions spanning two to three weeks.
“For about 10 years, we offered him treatment at his residence. Our doctors would lend their services with the treatment accoutrements taken from our Thiruvananthapuram branch,” said Arya Vaidya Sala’s head of Materials Department Shailaja Madhavankutty.
V.S. Achuthanandan (right) sharing his health concerns with P.K. Warrier during a consultation at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN
She fondly recalled that Achuthanandan and the late P.K. Warrier had developed a remarkable bond and forged a lifelong camaraderie. “They were just three years apart in age. Achuthanandan’s relationship with P.K. Warrier went beyond patient-doctor interactions. He would often visit Arya Vaidya Sala not just for treatment, but as a guest, and the two would engage in lengthy conversations that strayed far from medical matters,” said Ms. Madhavankutty.
Managing Trustee and Chief Physician P.M. Varier paid tribute to Achuthanandan and described his death as a loss for Arya Vaidya Sala. He also lauded the former Chief Minister’s tireless advocacy for the underprivileged.
Published – July 21, 2025 08:53 pm IST
