THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Playback singer K J Yesudas has emphasised that the proposed Vizhinjam seaport project would act as a gateway to the rest of the country. The project is of immense value to the state, he said.
He was delivering the benedictory address at the valedictory of the Agricultural Science Mela organised by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) at its College of Agriculture, Vellayani, on Saturday.
Yesudas said that agriculture should be engaged in with 'Dharma'. The Biblical 'forbidden fruit', rather than harbouring sexual connotations, symbolised fruits of low nutrient value. Today, only the farmer runs out to welcome the rains.
Everyone should engage in agriculture. Agriculture, and not the gun, should be prized, he said.
Reiterating that he was not a member of any political party or organisation, Yesudas said that Hinduism is not a religion, but a culture.
Deputy Speaker N Shakthan, who inaugurated the valedictory function, said Kerala should attain self-sufficiency in vegetable cultivation by promoting farming at homes and on the rooftops.
Jameela Prakasam MLA presided over the function. Former Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan delivered the keynote address.
KAU Vice-Chancellor Dr K R Viswambharan, KAU Extension Wing head Dr P V Balachandran, Dean Dr Swaroop John and students' union president Ajay Prakash spoke on the occasion.