Uralungal Cooperative visionary Rameshan Paleri passes away at 66

RAMESHAN Paleri, Chairman of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) and one of Kerala's most respected leaders in the cooperative sector, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 66.

He had been undergoing treatment for liver cancer at a private hospital in Coimbatore and breathed his last at around 8:30 a.m.

Paleri had served as Chairman of ULCCS since 1995, leading the century-old workers' cooperative through a remarkable period of growth and modernisation. Under his leadership, ULCCS evolved into Asia's largest worker-owned cooperative and gained international recognition for its innovative and sustainable cooperative model.

During his tenure, the society diversified into infrastructure, information technology, tourism, and other modern sectors while executing several landmark public works, including the reconstruction of the Palarivattom Flyover and major stretches of National Highway 66.

His leadership earned ULCCS recognition from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and membership in the International Co-operative Alliance.

Born into a family deeply rooted in Kerala's cooperative movement, Rameshan Paleri carried forward a legacy of service while transforming ULCCS into a globally admired institution. His contributions to the cooperative movement, employment generation, and infrastructure development have left an enduring mark on Kerala.

His mortal remains will be kept for public homage at Kozhikode Town Hall, Vadakara Town Hall, and the ULCCS headquarters before the funeral, which will be held on Wednesday at his family residence near Vadakara.