THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ‘Walk of Hope’ led by spiritual leader Sri M had a surprise on Saturday when Chief Minister Oommen Chandy joined the padayatra at Nemom, on the outskirts of the city, in the morning. Taking part in the voyage at 7.30 am, Chandy termed the ‘Walk of Hope’ as a major initiative for humanity.
“The Walk of Hope stresses the importance of humanity and convergence of love and friendship. With the leadership of Sri M, this initiative will prepare people from the south to the north of the country, for unity. This is a huge responsibility and sacrifice undertaken by Sri M, wherein he is directly meeting the people along the way and earning their support for the activity while encouraging love, brotherhood and mutual trust. With more enthusiasm from the people, the significance will be understood better and response will significantly increase,” Oommen Chandy opined. Speaking on the occasion, Sri M said it’s a padayatra by Manav Ekta Mission for peace and harmony. “With the welcome and enthusiasm the Walk had received so far, it’s sure that the Hope would be fulfilled,” he said, adding that people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion were excited to see the initiative that talked about the oneness of humanity. “Religion is one’s personal experience and it’s important to live one’s life without harming anyone,” Sri M said while referring to Rigveda.
The ‘Walk of Hope’, a voyage for peace and harmony from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, is organised by the Manav Ekta Mission.
Led by spiritual leader Sri M, it’s an attempt to restore the spirituality of the nation. It was on January 12 that the ‘Walk of Hope 2015-16’ was flagged off by former Union Minister Karan Singh in the presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and political leaders from Kanyakumari.
Walk Of Hope Builds Unity: Sivakumar
Spiritual leader Sri M’s ‘Walk of Hope’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir spreads the message that all religions preach peace and harmony- a message which helps build unity within the country, Health and Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar said here on Monday
.He was delivering the inaugural address at the public reception held at Kurthiramalika here for the spiritual leader’s yatra which is currently traversing the capital.
“Only unity can ensure progress and prosperity of a nation like ours which has so much diversity. Sri M’s yatra promotes unity by spreading the message that all religions preach peace and harmony,” the Minister said.Speaking on the occasion, former Union Minister and BJP leader O Rajagopal recalled how a ‘vision’ that occurred to Sri M during his childhood prompted him to initiate discussions with various religious leaders with a view to build communal harmony.
Former Speaker and CPM leader M Vijyakumar said that the Walk Of Hope was a ‘highly adventurous journey’ as it planned to cover over 6,500 kilometres from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 18 months. He said the public should show their solidarity with the walk by becoming a part of it.
Mayor K Chandrika and Kerala State Public Service Commission member V S Harindranath offered felicitations.
Children, who were adjudged winners of a painting competition held in October to create awareness about the walk, were honoured on the occasion.