Dr. M.S. Valiathan,
Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Chairman, Sree Chithira Tirunal Trust
Shri V.S. Sivakumar, MLA
Shri V Sasi, Deputy Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly
Smt. Pushpavally, Principal, Sree Chithira Tirunal Residential Central School
Smt. Anny John, Principal, Sree Chithira Public School, Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me great joy to address you all after presenting the Sree Chithira ThirunalNational Award 2016 to Dr. M.S. Valiathan, whose contribution to Medical Science is internationally well known.
Let me at the outset, congratulate Dr. M.S. Valiathan on being chosen for this award, which has been instituted by the Sree Chithira Thirunal Trust in memory of the Late Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last Maharajah of the princely State of Travancore. This honour is bestowed annually to a dignitary who has rendered outstanding services to the nation in fields like Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Cinema, Music, Medicine, Administration etc. The award carries prize money of rupees One lakh and a citation, but the glory and honor of the award surpass its material side.
As we all know, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore was a ruler well-known for his progressive steps. Even a quarter century after his demise, the people of Kerala remember him with gratitude and respect for many of his significant decisions, which have borne testimony to his vision and his ability to fathom the pulse of the people. In fact, it was the social and communal injustice in places including Travancore which prompted Swami Vivekananda to once describe this part of India as a lunatic asylum. Sree Chithira Thirunal's epoch making Temple Entry proclamation of 1936 was one of the factors that brought in a change from that dismal social situation. The proclamation has been hailed as a revolutionary and courageous reform initiated for the first time in the country towards eradication of untouchability.
Some historians also point out that it was this Proclamation which dissuaded many communities from converting to other religions in protest against the inequalities that prevailed in Hinduism at that time. As protests started brewing in many quarters against disallowing many sections of society into Hindu temples, the King was intelligent and magnanimous to show through action that he was sensitive to the needs of his subjects.
Equally significant was his contribution in the field of higher education. When Sree Chithira Thirunal founded the Travancore University in 1937, it was the 16th University to be set up in the country. Though quite young at that time, he had performed his role as the Chancellor of the University with unusual elegance. As the present Chancellor of the Universities, I have often wondered how at that age, he could guide the University, with a such a futuristic vision.
It is said that institutions are the best memorials for great men. Besides the Travancore University which later became the University of Kerala, we have the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technologywhich has grown to one of the finest Medical Research Centres in India. Most of us will also recall that Sree Chithira Thirunal had breathed his last in the very same institution. Today, in this function, we are honouring both the memory of the illustrious Maharajah and the vision of Dr. M.S. Valiathan in recreating that memory into an institution of international repute. As we all know, Dr. Valiathan was the founder Director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.
History records the painstaking efforts Dr. Valiathan took once to ensure that the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology got a suitable location, preferably with a heritage value. The building in the story was the Vijaya Vilasam palace of Poojappura, which would have become a training camp for the Police. It Dr. Valiathan, who made a timely intervention by making a personal appeal to Maharani Sethulakshmi Bayi, the last queen of Travancore and convinced her that housing a medical research facility in the premises was a nobler alternative to allowing it to be a police camp. I have heard that he flew to Madras the very evening and got the papers signed almost at midnight. And, the story is that, as she signed the papers to release the property, she light-heartedly called the moment, 'freedom at midnight'. Even while hailing that Royal generosity, one can never ignore the effect of Dr. Valiathan's persuasion.
Dr. Valiathan is National Research Professor of the Government of India and a former President of the Indian National Science Academy. He hascontributed greatly to the development of medical technology in India. As a Cardio Vascular Surgeon of repute, Dr. Valiathan led a team that developed a mechanical heart valve with a specific design. The Chitra valve that we often hear about in Cardiac Surgery is a later version of what Dr. Valiathan's team had created.
Dr. Valiathan had much of his education in Government Schools and Colleges in Kerala and I must say that the public education system of our State can take some credit for his eminence. It is his love for his native State that reflects in his present devotion to the promotion of collaborative research in basic science, based on cues from Ayurvedic concepts and procedures.
In fact, we need a concerted effort on the part of researchers in convincing society about the modernities that have changed the profile of Ayurveda. Besides, we also need research tie ups and collaboration with other systems of medicine so that the entire society is benefited. I hope the efforts of Dr. Valiathan would result in Ayurveda getting its due recognition.
Dr. Valiathan has been honoured with awards like Padma Vibhooshan, but I am certain that this award would be very special to him. I wish him many more years of fruitful service to humanity.
I also compliment the jury comprising Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Dr. Ahmed Pillai and Capt. PKR Nair for unanimously choosing Dr. Valiathan for the award.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
