Prof k k menon the founder professor dept of geology, univ of Kerala

05 Feb Prof k k menon the founder professor dept of geology, univ of Kerala

Prof. K. K. Menon, took over as hod and reader in geology in 1963, say June third week. Prof menon also relieved Shri k v k Nair , research officer who held a brief charge of the dept. Of geology.
I belonged to the first batch of MSc students graduating in the month of May 1965. A. Thomas, p. Krishnamoorthy, k. Bhaskaran Nair and now late k k Ramachandran were the members of the crowd.
I stood first in my BSc (1963) and MSc(1965) classes. Obviously I was spotted by all the teachers like PK Rajendran Nair, Raju Philip , KVK Nair and obviously the hod professor menon.
When prof. Menon retired, in 1979 oct, there was a division in the council on the question of installing the portrait of the founder professor. Dr. Rajendran wanted sort of unanimity among the teachers on the question of portrait. Notably krishnanth, Raju Philip , KVK Nair and Narayanganj Nair were in the camp that sort of opposed to the plan. KVK wanted TRM Laurie also in the dept, as KVK thought the nucleous that later became dept of geology. Every one in the opposition camp followed this view.
However, the process went on for another decade or two. But In 1983 I had created a very decent
Portrait of my mentor, prof menon and hung it in my office wall in the dept of geology. But when the stalwarts in the anti portrait signed off from the dept, there was a suggestion to get a portrait of prof menon in a proper place in the dept.
But the Gordon knowt was the portrait itself. I announced that the portrait in my office is personnel and if the council decided to do so, they make their own method of procuring the portrait.
Including dr Nair no one would dare to meet prof menon, for a negative.
Finally I sold the portrait for Rs.4000- minus my share of Rs 500- to the dept. This is the majestic portrait now in the geology hall of the dept. Of geology, univ park, kariavattom.