Indian community paid rich tributes to C K Menon, a prominent Doha-based entrepreneur and philanthropist who passed away on Tuesday in Chennai, India. The cremation was held on Wednesday with Kerala Government honours at his native place, Thrissur.
Several leaders of the state, including ministers, leading politicians, top bureaucrats, community leaders as well as many other dignitaries paid homage to Menon at his residence. Many of them also attended his cremation ceremony.
A condolence meeting at Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) on Wednesday was attended by a large number of Indians from different walks of life. Leading the proceedings, ambassador P Kumaran highlighted the selfless life and activities of Menon. “Menon has left a lasting legacy as well as a great vacuum to be filled in. He was the tallest leader of the community and his loss is a great blow for the entire community. He was a man of action, a man of great principles and above all a great human being. His contribution to the Indian Community Benevolent Forum is worth mentioning every time. He will be greatly missed by all in Qatar as well as in his home state for a very long time to come,” said Kumaran.
Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank recollected his long association with Menon in diverse fields and cherished the relationship. “Menon was a human being who was highly ethical, highly moral. He emphasised on the values of humanity in a big way. His entire life was an example of how a good human being should live and how one should take care of the fellow beings,” noted Seetharaman.
ICC president A P Manikantan welcomed the gathering and highlighted the life of Menon in Qatar as well as in his home state of Kerala. He also noted how Menon was a great pillar of support for thousands of ordinary Indians who approached him for assistance. Several community leaders, office-bearers of Indian apex bodies as well as principals of Indian schools and representatives of several Indian associations spoke on the occasion and recollected Menon's commendable services.
Indian forum Incas Qatar, of which Menon was the chief patron, held another condolence meeting where the members of the organisation recollected his services and offered condolences to his family.
