Thiruvananthapuram, July 8 -- Veteran trade union leader and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) Kerala Vice President Charupara Ravi (77) died at a private hospital following prolonged illness here today.

A prominent socialist, he served as the founding president of the Voice of Mathrubhumi Employees, the workers' union of the Mathrubhumi Malayalam daily.

Born in 1949 to Janardanan Unnithan and Sumathiyamma at Vasanthavilasam, Charupara, Vithura, Ravi was inspired by the ideologies of Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Mahatma Gandhi.

He entered politics at the age of 18 by joining the Samyukta Socialist Party. During his student days, he served as an office-bearer of the Indian Socialist Organization (ISO).

Ravi held various leadersh...