Shri Binoy Viswam MP

Shri Kaanam Rajendran, Chief Patron, K.V. Surendranath Trust,

Smt. Sugathakumari, noted Poet and Environmental Activist,

Adv. G.R. Anil, Chairman, K.V Surendranath Trust,

Adv. K.P. Jayachandran, Secretary, 

Adv. S.S. Jeevan, Working President of the Trust,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

It gives me an extraordinary sense of satisfaction to formally inaugurate the functioning of the K.V. Surendranath Trust, which intends to carry forward the message of humanism that an eminent Statesman practiced in words and deeds.

       Let me at the outset, compliment the organizers for setting up a Trust to honour the memory of  the Late
Shri K.V. Surendranath, who was a people's leader, Parliamentarian, Trade unionist, Environmentalist and a dear friend even to the very ordinary people around him.

Most of you would be aware that, I had been declining invitations to programmes and cancelling the engagements committed earlier on account of the recent floods that caused extensive damage in our State.  But, I made it a point not to cancel my decision to inaugurate this programme for two reasons.

       First, it called to mind the memories and contributions of the Late K.V. Surendranath, a humanist beyond comparison.  Though I never had an occasion to meet him, I could discern how the mere mention of his name evoked a great feeling of respect and love in the people with whom I have been conversing regularly. 

       Secondly, the noble intentions behind the formation of this Trust include the protection of environment, care for the elderly and an attempt to keep alive the spirit of healthy discourses on relevant social issues. I understand that the Late K.V. Surendranath, who was affectionately known to Kerala as 'Aasaan', always held the environment and social discussions close to his heart.

In our society, political affiliations often tend to portray individuals in a specific frame. Kerala's history tells us a lot about how the idea and spread of Communism had altered the political fabric in the State. We also hear of the many types of resistance faced by this movement at different times. It was perhaps as part of such resistance that those who professed Communist ideas were portrayed as being different in approach and character from those who followed ideals like Gandhism.

       However, people like K.V. Surendranath convinced our society that an individual could be a Communist and a Gandhian at the same time, since humanism is the essence of most of our political philosophies. It is not surprising that he could connect the different political philosophies to humanism and human rights, because in his student days, he had graduated in Philosophy with the first rank. Much more than that, as a true people's leader, he could feel the pulse of the people and their aspirations.

       The story of how the young, ten year old Surendranath touched Gandhiji out of admiration and soon plunged into social life is too well known to be recounted here. It was by   listening to speeches at the railway station maidan in the city that he learned politics and soon, with the help of friends, formed the Thiruvananthapuram Students Organization [TSO]   after the Quit India movement. His interests moved from Gandhism to Socialism and then to Communism. The `Communist Manifesto' had influenced him so much that he soon emerged as a full-time Communist.  Shri Surendranath is known to have written about how his affinity towards Gandhiji initially made him a Congress sympathizer and how he moved towards the idea of armed revolution to finally become a mature Communist. He also had the frankness to admit that Gandhiji always remained a shining presence in his mind.

His utmost respect and regard for Gandhian ideals was nurtured by his philosophical mind, which later made him the first Communist leader to undertake the Kailas Manasa Sarovar Yatra.  I am informed that his account of that Yatra is among the finest travelogues in Malayalam. By remaining a bachelor in his entire life, he was showing us that a true leader should be wedded first to the uplift of society.

As a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly for three consecutive terms beginning 1980 and as a Member of Parliament from 1996, he always lived a life of simplicity. Like many other leaders, he too had proved his skill as an editor and a writer. His philosophical mind always found a space for thoughts on the Environment.  During his Parliamentary years, he had served the Parliamentary standing committee on Environment and also associated with agencies that worked for the protection of Nature.

Today, as we seek the real reasons for the recent landslides and floods in Kerala, we are reminded of the damage that has already been done to many places including our Western Ghats. The depletion of such environmentally sensitive areas cannot be allowed to continue. Unfortunately, the voices of the environmentalists are often subdued by the loudness of the populist political and developmental discussions which tend to neglect key environmental concerns.

There was a time when people's leaders like
K.V. Surendranath led the discussions on the need to protect the environment. Today, there is a lack of leadership in our deliberations about environmental issues. There is also the danger of branding the supporters of environment as people against development. In fact, the concern for our environment should become an integral part of our political and social discourses. Since political leaders also perform the role of opinion leaders and enjoy considerable trust of the society, it is their duty to highlight environmental issues in their demands and discussions so that people are convinced about the need to protect the geological and hydrological features of our State.

I am certain that had K.V. Surendranath been alive today, he would have been in the forefront of such discussions. Threfore, the Trust being inaugurated today to commemorate his contributions should take up the task of ensuring the Environment its rightful place in today's social and political discussions.

I am also aware that K.V. Surendranath was one of the founders of Abhaya, which has provided support to hundreds of hapless people, especially women and girls. Poet and Environmental activist Smt. Sugathakumary has been leading that institution for many years. I am certain that the values of humanism that K.V. Surendranath always upheld have guided that institution.

I also hope that the K.V. Surendranth Trust would actively engage in activities which would bring qualitative changes in our society.  With Shri Kaanam Rajendran as its Chief Patron, I am certain that the Trust will initiate the most meaningful discussions in the days to come.  I hope that his frank and fearless expression of ideas would encourage more young people to associate with the Trust.

I compliment the organizers for conducting this meeting in a befitting manner and wish the members of the Trust all success.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind