Chandy's mass contact programme: Finding happiness and joy among people

A decade ago, two political stalwarts ruled Kerala politics: LDF veteran and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandhan and Oommen Chandy, a Congressman from Puthupally. 

In the turbulent waters of Kerala politics, Chandy's growth as a political power inside Congress is frequently overshadowed by K Karunakaran's presence. Nonetheless, his growth as a popular character within Congress, as well as his emergence as a key figure in the state, contributed significantly to his well-to-do rapport with the public. Chandy was one of those ubiquitous characters that emphasised the significance of elected representatives acting on behalf of the public instead of acting on their terms, in contrast to popular leaders of the past. 

Chandy acquired the characteristics of a "people's leader" while working as an activist with the Students Organisation Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Indian National Congress party. 

Chandy held various government positions in the 1980s and 1990s while repositioning himself as a strong force from within Congress. Chandy's reputation as a people's leader emerged when he became Chief Minister in 2004 and chose the tagline Athivegam Bahudooram (Fast and Far). Despite being in office for a short term, the government went on to sanction unemployment allowance and adopted welfare measures for the labourers. 

Learning from past mistakes and realising the importance of reaching out to the masses, Chandy, on his second term in office during 2011-16, rolled out the Mass Contact Programme (Jana Samparkka Paripadi). This extraordinary Programme aimed to connect directly with the people and understand their needs and aspirations, Karunya benevolent scheme, social welfare pensions were doubled, ration at meagre cost and introduced programmes for poor and needy. Two years into his second term, Chandy received the United Nations Public Service Award for his Mass Contact Programme. 

His second term also witnessed infrastructure improvement, echoing the government motto Vikasanavum Karuthalum (Development and Care). Kannur International Airport in Kannur, Kochi Metro, Vizhinjam International Seaport, Smart City, and others. 

Even when his sickness slowed him down, Chandy remained the face of his Puthupally constituency, attending public events and pouring love on his fellow people.