Nurungukal...contd...

                I am not sure whether it was in 1959 or 1960 that my brother arranged a chess tournament in Calicut. Perhaps it would have been the first in Malabar. He put his heart into it. I know how much strain he took to conduct it without any controversy. He even managed to procure one or two stop clocks which was rarely used in those days. Under his leadership a team of enthusiasts set the rules and regulations which I think was flawless in international level. Zamorians school was the venue. He bestowed many responsibilities upon me. I loved to be a part of the event. Many players took part and the result was very encouraging. They could, not only put a stamp on the method the tournament was conducted but also helped  to identify many new talents, thus achieving the goal.There after the event became an annual feature. And a few years later, after the death of our father our family donated a silver rolling cup, and in my brother’s initiative it became a state level trophy. But when he moved to Trivandrum on transfer the tourney was managed by a group who slowly pushed  our father’s memory into obscurity. Now it is known in a different name !!.

                In Trivandrum he could manage to continue the journey in this field more systematically. The Y.M.C.A. supported him and provided many facilities. Due to his perseverance many young talents were identified and some of them managed to be recognised at national level. How much the chess lovers of Trivandrum took him to their heart was seen when they showered tributes on his demise. Some of the media including grand masters wrote columns about his solo efforts in promoting chess in Kerala. We are very grateful to the Y.M.C.A. family of Trivandrum for conducting an annual tournament in his name for the young players. The personality to whom I am dedicating this post is none other than K.V.BALAKRISHNA MENON. Without much ado or expectations either in cash or fame he fulfilled his mission as a chess lover spreading a message of selfless service. It is now more than six years he had left us.  May his soul rest in peace.