Did you know that V. K. Krishna Menon once resided here? This blue plaque marks the London home of V. K. Krishna Menon. It commemorates his vital role in India’s independence movement.
V. K. Krishna Menon was a key figure. He fought for Indian independence. He later became India’s first High Commissioner in London. This plaque sits at 30 Langdon Park Road in Highgate. He lived here from 1929 to 1931. This was when he first moved to London.
Despite his strong opposition to British imperialism V. K. Krishna Menon had a deep connection with the British public. He arrived in England from Madras in 1924. First, he stayed in Letchworth. He studied law and political science.
V. K. Krishna Menon is first noted at this address in May 1929. He remained here until at least October 1931. He was known to be very ascetic. It’s said V. K. Krishna Menon lived on tea. He drank up to 30 cups each day. He only ate toast buns or biscuits. During the 1930s V. K. Krishna Menon worked as an editor. He worked at the Bodley Head. He played a key role in founding Penguin and Pelican imprints.
In 1934 V. K. Krishna Menon was elected as a Labour councillor. He represented the Borough of St Pancras. He held this seat for 14 years. He also chaired the Library Committee. V. K. Krishna Menon introduced traveling libraries. He created children’s corners. He even started loaning gramophone records. He wanted as many libraries as pubs in the borough. Sadly this ambition never materialized. During World War II V. K. Krishna Menon served as an air raid warden. He was stationed around Camden Square. He was given the Freedom of St Pancras in 1955. He was only the second person to receive this honor. George Bernard Shaw was the first.
V. K. Krishna Menon re-founded the Commonwealth of India League shortly after arriving in England. This was a low-key campaign group. Its aim was self-rule for India. He tirelessly wrote pamphlets. He was also a powerful public speaker. James Callaghan described V. K. Krishna Menon as the embodiment of the movement for India’s freedom within Britain.
Jawaharlal Nehru appointed V. K. Krishna Menon as independent India’s first High Commissioner in London in 1947. One of his greatest achievements was keeping India in the British Commonwealth after independence. This set a precedent. Other republican constitutions could also remain within it.
V. K. Krishna Menon resigned as High Commissioner in 1952. This followed a dispute. It concerned his role in purchasing substandard jeeps for the Indian Army. He was elected to Delhi Parliament in 1953. This happened after he returned to India. His cabinet career faced controversy. In 1962, as Minister of Defence he was blamed for India’s defeat. This defeat came in a border conflict with China. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing. V. K. Krishna Menon returned to India’s Parliament in 1969. He served as an independent.
V. K. Krishna Menon passed away on 5th December 1974 in New Delhi. This blue plaque serves as a reminder. It honors his life and contributions. It ensures his legacy lives on in London.