VK Krishna Menon

V.K. Krishna Menon Former Defence Minister of India

Sri VK Krishn Menon was Born in 1896 at Panniankara In Kozhikode. His father was Sri Komath Krishna kurup and mother Smt Vengalil Lakshmikutty Amma. His father was a well known advocate in Thalassery bar. VK Krishnamenon’s pet name was “Appa”

VKKrishnamenon was a bright student and passed all examinations as the foremost winner. He completed his school education from Thalassery Municipal School and Kozhikode Native School and inter from from Samuthiri College. History was Krishnamenon’s favorite subject.

His graduation was at the Presidency College Madras. It may be recalled that Dr. S. Radhkrishnan was lecturer in philosophy at that college during that time. At the age of 19 while he was studying at Madras Presidency College the freedom struggle was in its infancy, there were reverberations in the Presidency College campus also.

It was 1915 and “The Home Rule movement” was gaining prominence there was widespread dissent in young minds against the ruling British. One day a red and green flag of the home rule system was found on the top of the college flag mast. Further enquiries revealed that it was none other than V. K. Krishna Menon who did it. This action was sufficient for him to get dismissed from the college. But Sri M.A.Kandeth the economics professor came for his rescue.

He did not join the law college as per the wish of his father. Krishnamenons’s association with Dr. Arundale and his cultural activities ended in Krishnamenon reaching at London for higher studies. There Krishnamenon had close contact with Mr. Harold Lasky and that was used to leverage to speed up decision making of the British Parliament about granting independence to India.

There was difference of opinion in the Indian freedom movement. The Nehru group stood for a socialistic set up which had the support of Krishnamenon. Both of them became good friends. This friendship helped Krishnamenon in reaching greater heights as well as it did damage to VK.Krishnamenon’s carrier as opponents of Nehru were engaged in a proxy war and attacked Krishnamenon as an indirect way to hurt Nehru.

Indian High Commissioner in London - 1947 to 1952

When India became independent. Krishnamenon’s associations with the intelligentsias of Britain proved very helpful to India when he was posted as Indian High Commissioner in Britain. India got a very good advocate there to settle issues in its favor.

Milestones in Career

As minister without portfolio 1956-57

A defense minister 1957-62

Resigns post associated with Chinese agression. (in that war India had to face defeat and Krishnamenon was made a scapegoat for the failure. It is a known fact that as a defense minister he did a lot to improve the compatibility of Indian forces).

1962 wins Lok Sabha election from North Mumbai (this victory was with a majority of more than two lakh (two hundred thousands)

1969 wins from Midnapore (with the sopport of the left)

1971 wins from Thiruvananthapuram (with support of the left)

VK Krishnamenon breathed his last on October 6-1974at G.C.Pant Hospital New Delhi.