THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Historian K N Panikkar who stepped into his 80th year, was given a warm reception at the press club, the other day. The function to honour the stalwart was attended by people from all walks of life. The event began by cutting of a birthday cake and was followed by the distribution of a Buddha bust to the octogenarian by Additional Chief Secretary KM Abraham. The bust was designed by artist Subodh Kerkar.
Those who were present at the function did not cease to speak on the various contributions of Professor Panikkar who was the guiding light of Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR).
Peace activist Achin Vanaik speaks
Noted peace activist and former professor of Delhi University Achin Vanaik delivered a lecture on ‘The US Informal Empire Project and the Global War on Terror’.
Professor Vanaik spoke about the politics of terrorism and how state actors pose a major threat to the life and liberties of people. Ever critical of disproportionate power and its use by nationw states, Vanaik did not spare any of the major powers. The professor did not even spare the civilans of the afore-mentioned countries.
If Israeli public were morally desensitised to the terror enacted by their country on neighbouring countries, he blamed the US population, which are made up of immigrant society to be passive about theirs. He also criticized India for wanting to be like the US.
He said the global war on terror, a propaganda by US government to assume moral right to attack other nations is a fraud which needs to be exposed, said Vanaik. According to him state sponsored terrorism causes more damage when compared to non-state actors.
He lambasted the US for being an empire in denial, that has killed more number of people in the modern world than all other countries put together. “ Morally, politically and emotionally we need to oppose terrorism by state and non-state,” added Professor Vanaik. A vocal supporter of nuclear disarmament Vanaik ridiculed the doctrine of nuclear deterrence of India.
The function was presided over by former VC of National University of Legal Studies NK Jayakumar. PJ Cherian delivered the welcome speech. The function ended with a Hindustani recital by Sanitha.