Kottayam, Sunday 01 Aug 2010: K M Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily and a doyen of Indian media industry, passed away at his residence here this morning, family sources said. He was 93.

He is survived by three sons, Mammen Mathew, Philip Mathew and Jacob Mathew and daughter Thankam. His wife Annamma Mathew had predeceased him.

His funeral will take place at the Puthenpally Church cemetery here tomorrow.

Mathew had played a key role in making Malayala Manorama one of the major Indian language dailies after he took over the reins of the media house a few decades ago.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, leaders of political parties and people from different walks of life expressed profound grief at the passing away of Mathew.

Born to K C Mammen Maapillai and Kunjamma in 1917, K M Mathew passed out his BA from the Madras Christian College. The man who thought up the better way, K.M. Mathew, joined Manorama as General Manager in 1954. Mathew proved his mettle before he became Managing Editor under his eldest brother, K.M. Cherian. When Cherian died in 1973, Mathew took over as Chief Editor and continued to occupy that post till his last days.

Best known for his caring, nurturing brand of journalism he triggered a host of development projects in Kerala by initiating a series of seminars on industry and environment. He has won several awards himself, including Padma Bhushan in 1997. Mathew regularly sharpened Manorama’s managerial and technological edge.