President Pranab Mukherjee at a function organized to pay homage to cartoonist late Shri P.K.S. Kutty at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (October 29, 2012) said that the job of a cartoonist is to convey important social messages by using humour as a tool. The President said laughter is a stress buster for the public as well as the politician. The cartoon reminds the public that the ruler is as fallible and human as they are, he said. Cartoonists hold up the mirror to our public life and help us as a nation to see ourselves. He stated that we, as a country, must return to the Nehruvian times; cultivate a temper which welcomes criticism, where comment is free but facts are held sacred.

Remembering late Shri Kutty, the President said as a person from Kerala, who lived in Delhi and drew cartoons for Bengali newspapers (even though he spoke no Bengali), Shri Kutty was a quintessential Indian. His life and works were not limited by linguistic or State boundaries. The President called upon the cartoonist fraternity of India to keep Shri Kutty's memory alive by excelling in their chosen craft.

On the occasion, a coffee table book having a collection of cartoons 'Cartoon Pranam' was presented to the President of India. He also viewed an exhibition of cartoons and caricatures.

Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Oommen Chandy, the Minister of Culture, Information and Public Relations, Government of Kerala, Shri KC Joseph and eminent cartoonists from across the country participated in the function.

This release issued at 1430 hrs