Shri A.K. Balan, Hon’ble Minister for Culture,
Shri G. Sudhakaran, Hon’ble Minister for Works,
Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of the Opposition,
Smt. Sharda Sampath, Chief Post Master General, Kerala,
Shri Subhash, IAS, Director, Information & Public Relations,
Shri Hashim Rajan, Secretary, C. Kesavan Foundation,
Friends in the Media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me great joy to release the Postage Stamp that commemorates the Late Shri. C. Kesavan, who had once served as the Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin State.
It's an honor long overdue, coming on the 127th birth anniversary of this extraordinary statesman, almost fifty years after his demise. Better late, than never. Therefore, let me compliment the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, and the Department of Posts, Government of India for honoring the memory of the Late C. Kesavan.
The tireless efforts of the C. Kesavan Foundation in initiating the process of bringing out a commemorative stamp with the co-operation of the State Government also merit mention here.
The Postal stamp that we have released is certainly a fitting homage to the memory of the hero of the Abstention Movement of the 1930's. However, there are reasons to remember him now. At the time when Kerala has just revised the Minimum Wages for Laborers, how can we forget C. Kesavan who showed a model by legislating a bill for minimum wages of Laborers in 1951? At a time when equality has become our greatest asset, how can we forget the fiery struggles of this revolutionary against the doors of schools and temples that remained closed before him?
The Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram also reminds us of this stalwart who was Health Minister in 1948.
As we all know, the Late Shri C. Kesavan was one who excelled in many fields of activity. The highest office he held was that of Chief Minister, but, he had also been Minister in the Cabinet led by the Late Shri Pattom Thanu Pillai. As a Law Graduate, he had been a practicing Lawyer; good writing skills helped him to shine as a journalist who could launch one of the earliest daily newspapers in Malayalam.
A good voice had made him a singer and a gifted actor.
And, his silver tongued oratory could stir the masses into action. The C.Kesavanstatue in Kozhenchery town in Pathanamthitta district calls to our collective minds, the force of that oratory which shook the seats of authority in 1935.
What made C. Kesavan different from the politicians of his times was that he avoided the path of compromise and chose to be a life-long rebel, dissatisfied and disturbed by the injustice and inequality that characterized Kerala society in the first half of the 20th century. He was marked by a firm commitment to ideals, uncompromising courage to stand up for what he believed in and an impeccable integrity in personal and social life. These remarkable traits of the Late C. Kesavan, the grand rebel and restless revolutionary, had enriched Kerala's political sphere during the forties and fifties, earning him great respect and admiration.
The Late C. Kesavan's early life and vision were shaped by the irresistible appeal of the universal teacher and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru. He grew up to be a freedom fighter who went on to organize, guide and lead the freedom struggle and motivate the liberation of Travancore State from the grip of monarchy. The political and economic teachings of Karl Marx also had influenced him in those days. All these influences strengthened his fiery speeches and deeds and the result was occasional imprisonment – first on charges of sedition, then for his role in the fight for Responsible Government and then for being part of the Quit India struggle.
It takes courage to be on the centre stage of politics; it takes even more courage to retire from such action. The Late Shri C. Kesavan had demonstrated this by stepping out of such activity and moving to a quiet life in his home village. For him, politics was social action for the common good of society.
Though there are statues and memorials for the Late
C. Kesavan, a commemorative postage stamp has a special value. Stamps bring alive the history of a nation and throw light on its culture carrying a message to society.
Stamps can remind us of the sacrifices of our predecessors, both famous and forgotten, who have shaped the destiny of our nation and the world. I am certain that this Postage stamp would help in at least two ways. First, as a guide to the new generation on the Late C. Kesavan's fiery personality from which they could imbibe a lot in terms of devotion to one’s conviction and commitment to society. Secondly, as they inquire, they cannot escape how his son, eminent parliamentarian and journalist, the Late K Balakrishnan summarized C. Kesavan's social philosophy in two words : Truth and Love. I have no doubt that this stamp would inspire our Generation Next to seriously evaluate whether today's political and social life are really guided by these values.
Once again let me compliment the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, the Kerala Postal Circle and the C. Kesavan Foundation for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni / Jai Hind
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