FACT marks foundation day with tribute to former Travancore Dewan, sparks CPI criticism

UPDATE - follow-up to FACT foundation day observed: FACT celebrated its foundation day on Tuesday at the Udyogmandal Club in Kochi, unveiling a portrait of C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, the former Dewan of Travancore. Madhu S. Nair, who earlier headed Cochin Shipyard Limited as chairman and managing director, delivered the inaugural memorial lecture on Iyer. Eleven senior staff members of the state‑run firm received honors during the ceremony. S. Sakthimani, the current chairman and managing director of FACT, was present at the event. The Communist Party of India lodged a protest, saying the celebration was an attempt to glorify Iyer beyond his routine role as Dewan who helped set up the company. N. Arun, the CPI’s Ernakulam district secretary, wrote that the state government stayed silent about the political motive behind highlighting Iyer’s contribution. He claimed the move was a deliberate effort to elevate Iyer’s profile on the company’s anniversary.