President Patil condoles passing away of social activist Narayana Panicker

New Delhi, Mar 1 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Thursday condoled the passing away of prominent Kerala social activist P.K. Narayana Panicker.

In her condolence message, Patil said: "Shri Panicker was a prominent social leader in Kerala who was always in touch with the grassroots of society."

"He made invaluable contribution to public life and society through his selfless social services. He often took a principled stand on public issues and will ever be remembered for it," she added.

Panicker, also the president of the Nair Service Society (NSS), passed away at his residence in Changanassery near Kottayam on Wednesday. He was 82 anicker, who headed the powerful community organisation with grassroot level network and educational institutions all through the state, headed the NSS for nearly three decades. He took over as NSS General Secretary in 1983.

Last year, he stepped down as general secretary and became its president.

A lawyer by profession, Panicker spearheaded several legal battles and public campaigns for income-based reservations in jobs and admissions in place of community-based quota system. (ANI)