In memoriam: Kocheril Raman Narayanan
Narayanan often described himself as a 'Citizen President' or 'Working President', far removed from the traditional, nominal association the title usually carried.
A year after being sworn in, he did something no President before him had. He voted. By casting his vote during the general elections, Narayanan corrected the ill-informed practice that assumed the first citizen should be apolitical.
Incidentally, during his tenure, he imposed President's rule in Uttar Pradesh on two instances -- once seeking to dismiss the Kalyan Singh government, and a second time to dismiss the Rabri Devi government.
Apart from heading various committees and being a member on all kinds of panels during his career, Narayanan also authored three books and contributed articles to various publications. He was honoured with all kinds of titles and honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Science from the University of Toledo, Doctor of Laws from the Australian National University and Doctorate of Letters from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Image: K R Narayanan with his wife Usha.
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