Tributes paid to K M Mathew

Kottayam, Sept 28 (PTI) Rich tributes were paid to late Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily K M Mathew at a commemorative meeting here today with Union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran crediting him with giving a modern face to Indian newspapers. Inaugurating the commemorative meeting, Ramachandran said Mathew, who died last month, was an efficient management professional. He believed that the reader was the king and there were no short cuts for hard work. Mathew made revolutionary changes in newspaper industry, and continued journalism profession with credibility, he noted. In his presidential address, Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said"Mathukuttichayan", as Mathew was called, was instrumental in implementing new technology in Malayala Manorama which helped other newspapers to emulate. Though he was"an anti-Communist", he maintained good relationship with CPI-M leaders, including former chief ministers C Achuta Menon, E M Sankaran Namboothirippad and E K Nayanar, he said urging the present generation journalists to follow his foot steps. Leader of the Oppositioin in Assembly Oommen Chandy said Mathew extended the readership of his newspaper to about four crore Malayalis while former Supreme Court judge Justice K T Thomas said he was an example of humility in nobility.Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, Minister Premachandran, Jose K Mani MP others spoke The function was organised by Travancore Management Association, Darsana Cultural Centre, Central Lions club and Kottayam Municipality.