Chidambaram mourns death of Farook

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday condoled the death of Kerala Governor M O H Farook, saying he had served the nation "with much dignity and affection to all sections of people".

Chidambaram, who met the members of Farook's family in Puducherry, said he had known the former Puducherry chief minister for more than three decades.

"Farook had established close contact with all sections. Even those in the opposition camp had lauded his capabilities and efficiency," the Home Minister said.

Farook died at a private hospital in Chennai on Thursday.

Chidambaram said be it as Chief Minister of Puducherry or Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia or as Governor of Jharkhand and Kerala, Farook had performed well for the welfare of the people.

His contributions to Puducherry had established a permanent mark to perpetuate his memory, the Home Minister said.

Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan, who met the members of the bereaved family earlier also referred to the "sterling qualities" of Farook and described his death as a great loss.

Mortal remains of Kerala Governor M O H Farook laid to rest

The mortal remains of Kerala Governor M O H Farook were buried on Friday with full state honours at the mausoleum near Puducherry.

Farook (74), former Puducherry Chief Minister, passed away at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai last night where he was undergoing treatment since last month for kidney and other ailments.

A gun salute was accorded to the departed leader.

Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed, Chief Minister Arjun Munda and Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, his cabinet Colleagues and Union Minister in the Prime Minister's office V Narayanasamy were among those present at the burial ground.

Earlier, Defence Minister A K Antony, Union Minister E.Ahmed and Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy paid homage to the departed leader at his residence.

Others who paid their last respects included KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, some Kerala Ministers, PMK leader S Ramadoss and former Union Minister E V K S Elangovan.

Antony in his condolence message said Farook was a source of strength to the Congress and to the government and had proved his capabilities in all positions he held including as Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia.

Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi were among the leaders who condoled the death.

Farook was sworn in as the 19th governor of Kerala last September, prior to which he had occupied the gubernatorial post in Jharkhand.

While Kerala has declared a seven-day mourning, the government of the union territory of Puducherry, from where Farook hails, declared a three-day mourning.