Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Co-operation and Devaswom,
Dr. K.T. Jaleel, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Government Department,
Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition Leader,
Adv. V K Prasanth, Respected Mayor
Swami Subhaganantha,
Smt K.S. Sheela, Corporation Councillor
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me joy unspeakable to inaugurate the Government of Kerala's State level observance of the Centenary of Sree Narayana Guru's declaration that he did not belong to any caste.
The Declaration, 'Namukku Jaathi Illa' meaning, 'We have no Caste' was a bold message, much ahead of the historical period in which Sree Narayana Guru lived. This significant proclamation was an assertion of his real status on Caste and Religion, which have always fragmented society. Today, a century later, this declaration gains greater relevance as our fight against the divisive communal forces is still continuing. I am really happy that the government itself has come forward to take the essence and meaning of that bold declaration to the people, as a message of social unity.
As we all know, Sree Narayana Guru, whose teachings and philosophy have transcended the boundaries of time, and convictions of faiths, is undoubtedly a universal teacher, who called upon the masses to imbibe the ideals of love, brotherhood and concern. His philosophy remains as a strong message of sense to our society which is being torn apart by casteism and economic inequality.
Many scholars who have analyzed the history of Kerala have described Gurudevan as the most outstanding Keralite of the 19th and 20th centuries. Rabindranath Tagore had admitted that had never seen a person spiritually greater than Sree Narayana Guru. To the French philosopher Romain Rolland, Narayana Guru was a saint of action. In his philosophy, we see the integration of many forms of wisdom that have enriched the world. The non violence of Buddha, the love of Christ, the brotherhood of Nabi, and the spirituality of the ancient Indian Gurus blend harmoniously in the teachings of the Guru. It was from the serene calm of this harmony that a revolutionary spark rose in revolt against the caste based ascendancy, discrimination and sectarianism kindling a strong desire for equality in the minds of millions of people in Kerala.
Gurudevan'sgreatest mission was to place the human being at the centre of existence. In the Guru’s eyes, self improvement by individuals was the only hope for the society and the world. He never made loud and fiery speeches, but the few words he spoke were pregnant with meaning and the power to ignite the minds of people. His matchless proclamation of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind’, is a classic example, which threw such a profound effect in society that these words live on as a guiding principle all over the world.
Like words, bold actions also marked his greatness as a revolutionary philosopher. By installing a stone as the idol at Aruvippuram, he was actually laying the foundation stone of free thinking and political awakening that charted the destiny of Kerala in later years.
Kerala's high levels of literacy and social awareness owe greatly to the teachings of Gurudevan for whom God was knowledge. In temples, he installed a lighted lamp instead of a deity, only to remind us of the ever-burning light of consciousness. In some places, he preferred to install a Mirror, so that it helped Man to know and improve himself. All these were aimed at convincing the masses about the importance of knowledge, which could be attained only through education.
There is no doubt that many of the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru have guided the course of Kerala's history in the last two centuries. If Kerala remains as a model to the world in communal harmony, it is due to the influence of a progressive line of thinking, the seeds of which can be found in the teachings of Narayana Guru.
However, we have seen many people and groups trying in vain, to confine this universal teacher to the boundaries of religion or caste. In fact, the Guru may have foreseen such attempts in his life time itself. The proclamation, “Namukku Jaathi Illa” was perhaps a bold and fitting reply to such attempts. But, more that, it was an illustration of the formation of a caste-less society, which the Guru had always dreamed of.
The depths of Sree Narayana philosophy have not yet been fully fathomed. As researchers delve deep into the texts of his literary works, they are confronted with newer insights. I feel that the proclamation was a message of unity to the world; a message to break the chains of communal bondage and discrimination to unite for common just causes. It was also a message to make oneself ready in the mind, to seek higher knowledge and to equip oneself to translate the knowledge, skills and education into innovation for social good.
I compliment the Government's decision to conduct awareness programmes about the Guru's teachings among young people throughout the State, because I feel that Sree Narayana philosophy, which pinpoints education is a guide to the youth of this country. After all, it is on the strength of education that India is going to compete with the rest of the world in the near future.
I wish this programme all success.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
