Prof. P.J.Kurien, Honorable Deputy Chairman , Rajya Sabha

Shri. Mathew Thomas, Honorable Minister for Water Resources,

Shri. M.P. Veerendrakumar, Managing director, Mahrubhumi,

Shri Thomas

Dr. Ashok Alex Philip

Shri Anil Varghese,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare

Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram

       It gives me great joy to address you all at this function which has been organized by Janakeeya Samithy to honour three eminent persons who have made significant contribution to their chosen fields of activity.

       At the outset, let me congratulate Prof P J Kurien , Shri. M.P. Veerendrakumar, both members of the Rajya Sabha,  and Shri. Thomas Philip on being honored by the Janakiya Samithy in recognition of their services to society. 

       I understand that the  Janakiya Samithy, which is celebrating its Silver jubilee this year, was founded by Shri. K.E. Mammen, Freedom fighter and a respected Gandhian, who is now in his nineties. Recently I had visited him  to pay my respects   and I still recall the undying spirit of nationalism in his thoughts and speech. I am certain that the values cherished by Shri. Mammen   have reflected in the choice of the dignitaries being awarded today.

         Prof. P. J.  Kurien , Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, is being awarded the Rashtra Seva Puraskar 2017 in recognition of his services in various capacities during the last four decades.  We can sum up his career as a successful move from Physics to Politics.  Ever since he became a member of the Seventh  Lok Sabha in 1980, he he never had to look back.   Prof Kurien who served the Eighth,ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Lok Sabha as Parliamentarian, and as Union Minister of State – first  in Industries and then in Non conventional Energy sources. Today, in  his stately conduct as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, we  see  a perfect Statesman with a national vision . The  Rashtra Seva Puraskar of Janakiya Samithyis certainly a well deserved recognition to Prof. Kurien, who has won several other awards in his political career.

               Shri. M.P. Veerendrakumar M.P , who is being honored with the Media Award, is a multi-faceted personality whose performance as a Parliamentarian, Writer and as a captain of the Media industry are very well known. He is now a Member of the Rajya Sabha, where he highlights issues related to Kerala with a progressive mind. Many of his writings elaborately  dwell upon   Indian culture,  literature and life  in the different terrains of India.  The light of a philosophic vision  reflects in his ideas and writings, especially those concerning  environmental issues. At the same time, this Kendra Sahitya Akademi award winner has been giving effective leadership   to Mathrubhumi , one of the leading newspapers in Kerala. The Media Award that he gets today is not just for effectively  leading a Media house, but also for using the medium of writing to educate society.

        The Award for charity has been conferred on Shri. Thomas Philip, who heads the  different commercial and industrial concerns and at the same time, has been regularly engaged in charitable activities. It is commendable that he uses his profit to provide pension to elderly persons and provides financial aid for the conduct of marriages in financially backward families. He has won awards for environmental protection activities as well as industrial ventures. As a Director of a Television channel, he also has a role in the Media.

       As I mentioned earlier, all the three persons being honored today have excelled in their chosen fields of activity through their  commitment and conviction. All professions essentially benefit society and so, the work of each one of us is social service. However, the area of social service is now being troubled by several negative trends that have made society skeptical of many social organizations. Some organizations have resources, but lack a sense of direction. Others get into trouble for wrong approach to service. We even have people who misuse the label of service.  People who have set high standards in social service should actually come forward to guide the newcomers, so that every service reaches the right beneficiaries in society and wins the confidence of thepeople.

       When society confers an honour on a person, it is not merely a means of thanking him. It also implies society's expectation of a greater sense of responsibility and involvement of that person in future. I am certain that all the three persons who have received the awards today, would have made up their minds on their future contribution to society.

       I once again congratulate the three award winners of today and wish them brighter and more fruitful years of active service to the nation.

       I compliment the Janakiya Samithy for conducting this function in a befitting manner and wish them success and people's greater faith in their social service activities .

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind