A forgotten hero

THE ODD MAN OUT: K. Chandramohan; Scaan Publishers (P) Ltd., "Triveni'', Thiruvananthapuram-695574. Rs. 240.

T.M. VARUGHESE was a member of the trinity that led the struggle for responsible government in the princely state of Travancore.

After Independence, the other members of the trinity, Pattom A. Thanu Pillai and C. Kesavan, adorned the chief ministership in Travancore or in the largest State of which it became a part. Varughese faded out of the scene after short spells as Minister and Speaker of the Assembly.

The book under review is based on the doctoral thesis in which the author attempted to trace Varughese's role in Travancore politics.

A successful lawyer, he had sacrificed a lucrative career to serve the cause of freedom.

The author sums up his life in these words: "He was neither power-crazy nor communal-minded.

Obviously he became a forlorn figure in the post-Independence political scenario. It would not be improper to say that he was the odd man out."

The work is to be welcomed for two reasons. One, it illumines a period of recent history that has not been chronicled adequately.

Two, it does justice to a forgotten hero of the freedom struggle, who deserves to be remembered.

B.R.P. BHASKAR

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