Vice President, PM condole demise of Kerala Governor Farook

New Delhi, Jan 27 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have condoled the demise of Kerala Governor M.O.H. Farook, who breathed his last in Chennai on Thursday after battling with cancer.

Vice President Ansari in his condolence message said that Farook was a veteran public leader who participated in the liberation of Puducherry and played an important role in both the Central and State Governments in the service of the nation and people of Puducherry.

"I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of M.O.H. Farook, Governor of Kerala and who had served thrice as Chief Minister of Puducherry. Farook was a veteran public leader who participated in the liberation of Puducherry and played an important role in both the Central and State governments in the service of the nation and people of Puducherry. He also served as our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia with distinction," said Vice President Ansari.

"His demise is an immense loss to the nation. My wife joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and the wide circle of his friends and followers. We pray to the Almighty to grant them the strength and fortitude to withstand this tragedy," he added.

The Prime Minister in his condolence message said Farook will be remembered for his administrative abilities and strong bond that he had with the people whom he represented.

"I learnt with deep sadness of the passing away of M.O.H. Farook, who was serving as the Governor of Kerala. Farook was one of the senior most politicians of the country and served in public life for five decades in different capacities. He served thrice as the Chief Minister of Puducherry and was also a Member of the Union Council of Ministers in the early nineties," said Dr. Singh.

"He served as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and made important contributions to developing India's relations with Saudi Arabia. Shri Farook upheld the highest traditions of public service during his long and distinguished career. He will be remembered for his administrative abilities and strong bond that he had with the people whom he represented," he added.

Dr. Singh further said the country has lost a veteran politician and leader of the people in the passing away of Farook.

"I convey my deep sympathies and condolences to the bereaved," he added.

The veteran Puducherry politician was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on December 4 last year and was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Farook, who hailed from Karaikal, held several important posts in his long career.

He became Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly at the age of 27. He was Chief Minister of Puducherry thrice.

Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991, 1996 and 1999, he served as Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Tourism in 1991-92 in the P.V. Narasimha Rao Government.

In September 2004, he was appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and in 2010 Jharkhand Governor.

Farook is survived by his son M.O.H.F. Shahjahan and daughters F. Malika and F. Yasmin. (ANI)