Shri A.K. Balan, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, SC/ST and Backward Communities,
Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma, Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries,
Shri V. Rajendra Babu, Mayor, Kollam,
Shri M. Mukesh, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Smt. C. Radhamani, President, District Panchayat, Kollam,
Smt. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Culture Department,
Smt. Honey Benjamine, Councillor,
Shri T.R. Sivadasan Nair, Director, Culture Department,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Madhyama Suhruthukale
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to lay the foundation stone for the Renaissance Cultural Complex at Kollam.
Let me at the outset, compliment the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala for conceiving the idea of starting Renaissance Cultural complexes in all districts of the State.
Today, as we lay the foundation stone for the first Cultural complex at Kollam, we are paying homage to Sree Narayana Guru, who was undoubtedly the greatest among those who initiated Kerala's social transformation through the path of Renaissance. And this event comes at a time when the values of Renaissance emerge as the most relevant guidelines for Kerala's future.
It is also most befitting to establish the Cultural Complex in Guru's name at Kollam, which has received the strongest influence of his teachings and contributions, as is evident from the large number of institutions and memorials bearing the name of this universal teacher.
As we all know, the progress that Kerala has achieved in terms of human development, especially in literacy, education and health was the product of the Renaissance movement which quickened the pace of social transformation. There were many social movements that brought the winds of change and all these movements were led by leaders whose words and ideas encouraged people to think and to fight for the human dignity they rightly deserved.
In fact, the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century had been the era of Renaissance in many of the south Indian States. In Maharashtra, we had Mahatma Jyotibha Phule; in Andhra we had Gopa Raju Ramachandra Raoand in Tamil Nadu, we had E.V. Ramaswamy Naikkarbetter known as Periyor to inspire people to work towards gaining a dignified life.
What made Sree Narayana Guru different from many thinkers of his time was the practicality of his teachings. It was this practicality that made his teachings so popular in such a way as to influence people from southernmost regions to the northernmost areas of Kerala. His teachings had influenced many people like the Late Shri V.T. Bhattathiripad,
Shri Mannath Padmanabhan andShri Ayyankaali who went on to reform and uplift the people in their respective communities with great effect and success.
The influence of many such social and cultural leaders had also given us the strength to put up an epic struggle to gain independence. These influences and the courage we gathered from our struggles empowered us to seek beyond political independence, a freedom from all divisive tendencies of caste, creed and gender. The essence of all these social and cultural experiences have reflected in every Article of our sublime Constitution.
As citizens of the largest democracy, it is our duty to cultivate a culture of understanding, tolerance and harmony, which is required for our future progress. Such a culture of harmony would strengthen only if our people are aware and continually reminded of the contributions of the great reformers whose words and wisdom had made generations reflect over human conditions. I am happy that the department of Culture has identified one social reformer in each district so as to establish cultural complexes in him or her name. For instance, Sree Ayyankaaliin Thiruvananthapuram, Chattampi Swamikalin Pathanamthitta, Smt.Akkamma Cheriyanin Idukki and so on.
On this occasion, let me also remind everyone about how well Sree Narayana Guru's ideals of equality and fraternity have reflected in our Constitution. However, as we celebrate the strength of our Renaissance and the wisdom of our Constitution, we must look within to assess the strength of our own commitment. If we had imbibed the essence of Guru's poem ‘Anukamba Dashakam,’ which forbids inflicting of the slightest pain even to an ant, we would not have seen the occurrence of political murders in our State. Similarly, if we had imbibed the spirit of the Constitution which requires us to abjure violence, we would never spill blood in the name of political differences, as it is undemocratic. Let us not forget that in the last six decades since our State was formed, we have seen the rule by different governments. They had different political views, but all of them dreamed about and worked hard for the progress of the State. What the State of Kerala enjoys today, is the legacy handed down to us by many individuals, groups and ideologies, working for the welfare of our society.
I sincerely hope that such Cultural Complexes will inspire our present and future generations to adhere to the spirit of the values that distinguish our culture from those of the rest of the world. The continuous, diverse and obliging nature of our Culture is a message not just for us, but to the entire world.
I hope such centres would help us to internalize the message and spirit of our culture in its full essence.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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