B 30

K.R. Narayanan [1920-2005] was the 10th President of India from 1997 to 2002.  He was born on October 27, 1920, in Uzhavoor, Kottayam district. Supported by a scholarship from the Travancore Royal Family, K.R. Narayanan completed his intermediate education at CMS from 1938 to 1940. In 1944, Narayanan was awarded a Tata Scholarship of Rs. 16,000 by J. R. D. Tata to read politics, economics, and journalism at the London School of Economics and was awarded Bachelor of Science honors in Economics with specialisation in political science from the University of London. He was a statesman, diplomat, politician, cabinet minister, and ultimately, the President of India. Throughout his life, K.R. Narayanan never missed an opportunity to visit his alma mater. He fought against all odds and elevated himself to the ranks of stalwarts like Nehru and Ambedkar.

The relief sculpture depicting the episode of K.R. Narayanan and CMS College is executed in a subdued and subtle manner. A portrait of K.R. Narayanan is placed slightly off-center, and his benevolent smile is clearly visible. The depiction in a picture frame emphasizes his historical significance. His journey was challenging, and the caste factor had been debilitating. While people from his community toiled in the fields for their livelihood, K.R. Narayanan had a different path to pursue. One could see him walking along the paddy fields, oblivious to his surroundings, absorbed in reading a newspaper. Despite his humble origins, he remained connected to the world, and the CMS College, depicted at the extreme right of the relief frame, served as his first window to the world.