Shri A.K. Balan, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, SC/ST and Backward Communities,
Shri M.B. Rajesh, Member of Parliament,
Smt. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department,
Adv. K. Santhakumari, President, District Panchayat,
Smt. Bindu, President, Block Panchayat,
Shri D. Sadasivan, President, Akathethara Panchayat,
Dr. N. Radhakrishnan, Vice President, Harijan Sevak Samaj,
Shri T. R. Ajayan, Convenor, Organizing Committee,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
As an Indian and an admirer of Gandhiji, I deem it my duty to inaugurate this five day programme, Raktha Saakshyam, organised by the Government of Kerala at Sabari Ashram, Palakad.
Let me at the outset, compliment the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, for launching this programme which commemorates the martyrdom of Gandhiji, on Martyr’s Day last year and taking it forward to different locations. It is truly laudable that the five locations chosen for organizing Raktha Saakshyam were those which the Mahatma had visited and held discussions with important personalities of those days.
However, this location, known as Sabari Ashram, has a special significance. Gandhiji, who is known to have visited Kerala on more than thirty occasions had stayed in many places, but the Sabari Ashram was where he had stayed three times. On two occasions, he stayed here with his wife Kasthurba Gandhi and that hut in which Gandhiji had stayed is still preserved in the Ashram with great respect.
I understand that the Ashram, founded by Shri T.R. Krishnaswamy, a follower of the Mahatma, was named after Sabari, a Dalit friend and follower of Sri Rama of Ramayana. To know the relevance of the choice of the name, we should go back to the speech made by Mahatma Gandhi in Palakad in 1934, in which he recalled the sad cry of a man who stood at a distance, afraid to come near when Gandhiji beckoned him. The man was afraid, because Malabar society had branded him as untouchable. Gandhiji said that, for many days, the image of that poor man stared at him from the bottom of his heart, like a ghost. The sight of that unfortunate man inspired Gandhiji to strongly exhort his audience to wipe out untouchability if they wanted to save their religion from destruction.
I am happy that the government had spent nearly Rs.2.5 crore for renovating the Ashram to develop it into a Gandhi Pilgrimage centre where all people could meet and converse without hatred or prejudice. I am informed that it was somewhere in the Palakkad area that Swami Vivekananda had visited and described the land as a lunatic assylum because of the caste discrimination of those days. It is a matter of pride that over the years, our social reformers and movements could wipe out the ghosts of caste system and transform the land to God’s Own Country.
I am told that the Raktha Sakshyam programme was first held in Payyannur, Kannur district. Along with Palakkad, it is also planned in Thavanoor in Malappuram, Vaikkom in Kottayam and Venganoor in Thiruvananthapuram district, which have been historically linked to the visits of Mahatma Gandhi, mainly in connection with agitations for freedom and human dignity.
As we approach the 71st anniversary of the martyrdom of Gandhiji, we should ask ourselves how far we have succeeded in freeing ourselves from prejudices of religion, caste, language and region. His martyrdom made our society realize the real importance of harmony and peace. As one biographer wrote, by sacrificing his life, Gandhiji restored peace to Delhi, India and the world, as he often prayed. ‘No less than Jesus of Nazareth, he died for all mankind’: this was how the martyrdom of Gandhiji was described.
Along with the observance of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Gandhiji, our State is also celebrating his 150th birth anniversary through a yearlong programme. The context in which we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma is very important. The Mahatma’s fight was not just for freedom from the British colonialism but for freedom from all divisive tendencies of caste, creed and gender. For him, the unity of the human soul was above everything. The message of his life echoes in every article of our sublime Constitution. As citizens of the largest democracy, it is our duty to cultivate a culture of nonviolence and harmony, which is the greatest legacy that the Mahatma gave us.
The culture of harmony would strengthen only if our people are aware of the contributions of many great reformers whose words and wisdom had made generations reflect over human conditions. I am happy that the department of Culture has taken steps to establish multi cultural centres in all district headquarters with a view to encourage all forms of culture, literature and discourses. The Department had also recently commemorated Sree Narayana Guru’s declaration of We have no caste, Sahodaran Ayyappan’s popularization of Mishra Bhojanam and the essence of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy through the Vivekananda Sparsham programme. It is laudable that by forming an apex council for Culture, the department has been spreading the ideals of renaissance and social harmony through meaningful programmes.
To conclude, let me reiterate that Culture is a great force which could unite humanity above all petty feelings. And the culture that we have imbibed has been shaped and periodically renewed by the influence of many noble social, religious and philosophical thoughts. It has been perfected through the teachings and sacrifices of many reformers and we have a duty to preserve and carry it forward.
By remembering the martyrdom of Gandhiji and by celebrating his150thbirth anniversary, we are strengthening our resolve to carry forward the ideals handed down to us by our forefathers who had fought and died for the freedom that we enjoy today. Let Gandhian thoughts echo in every Indian mind and in every nook and corner of our country, reminding us of the heritage of harmony that has made us the proud custodians of the greatest democracy in the world.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this programme in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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