Shri T.P. Sreenivasan, Former Ambassador

Smt. R.C. Beena, Councillor,

Shri K. Sasidharan Nair, Chairman, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple  Trust,

Shri V. Chandrasekhara Pillai, President, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust,

Shri R.J. Pradeep, Convener, Social Welfare Committee,

Shri K. Sisupalan Nair, Secretary, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple  Trust,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,

       I am very happy to inaugurate this function at Attukal Bhagavathi Temple which has been arranged to distribute financial assistance to patients in need of help.

Let me at the outset, compliment the Attukal Bhagavathi Temple Trust for reaching out to society by sharing their earnings with people who are struggling to meet their medical expenses.

As we all know, Attukal Bhagavathi Temple has, over the years, gained the stature of a major place of worship which attracts every year, the largest gathering of women in our country, or even in the world. In fact, the Attukal Pongala, which is attended by lakhs of women from all over the world, has earned a unique popularity and trust.  I have also been informed that the pilgrims from all over the country, who visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, usually feel that their pilgrimage is incomplete without a visit to the shrine of Attukal Amma.

On a personal note, I was initially surprised to know that Attukal Bhagavathy was believed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the celebrated heroine of Chilapathikaram, composed by the great Tamil Poet Elenkovadikal. The story of how Kannaki leaves the ancient city of Madurai after its destruction and proceeds to Kanyakumari, from where she reaches  Kerala was known to me. The belief about Kannaki’s short stay in Attukal on her way to Kodungallur had created an interest in me to know more about this temple. Today, I am well aware of the faith people have in this temple, since my wife has been regularly attending the Attukal Pongala in the last four years with full satisfaction in her participation.

People usually hold different opinions about the role of Temples in our society.  Some see them as places that offer all solutions to their problems. Others see them as places that unite people on the tenets of religion; yet others see the places of worship as centres that energize and inspire them to do good to society. I feel that it is this urge to do good to society that encourages many places of worship to share their resources among the people around them. Giving back to society, a share of our wealth is perhaps the holiest of actions.

I am happy that the Attukal Bhagavathi Temple, which has earmarked Rs.One crore for social welfare activities has been actively helping people in need for nearly a decade. What is more praiseworthy is that Education and Health are the two major areas considered for this gesture. 

Today’s assistance is for medical treatment, which is one of the major issues faced by our society. You may be aware that when Kerala decided to revamp its Health Policy, what shocked our planners was the rapidly rising household medical expenditure. The burden of unexpected and unplanned expenditure to treat sickness was seen to be heavier in the economically weaker sections. Besides, the high cost of treatment is a major factor that pushes families to financial instability and poverty. The rise in the out-of-pocket health expenditure in Kerala is still alarming, when we consider the rising cost of medicines and treatment.

Health is seen as a Fundamental Right and the State has the duty to see that this right is not violated. But, no government can meet this challenge single handedly. Therefore, any assistance from non-governmental agencies is always a welcome step. I am happy that today’s gesture of the Temple Trust would benefit more than thousand patients to whom over Rs.53 lakh would be disbursed.

I understand that Attukal Temple Trust had also made a sizable donation to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief for helping the flood affected people.  With activities like the conduct of marriages of those unable to mobilize resources, provision of ambulance services and extension of financial aid to deserving students, the Trust has been setting a model for other temples in Thiruvananthapuram. One is reminded of the words of Swamy Vivekananda that Religion is the manifestation of the divinity in Man. What Attukal Temple does now is the laudable manifestation of the divinity that should mark the deeds of every institution that unites people through faith and religion.

I pray for the speedy recovery of all the people who are receiving Attukal Amma’s assistance today. I also hope that the children who get help from the Temple for their studies, would do well in their education and grow up as citizens with a sincere mind to be of help to people in need.

I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner and wish the Pongala festival all success.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind