To rekindle the historical visit of Swami Vivekananda at the Ernakulam Boat Jetty, moves are afoot to rename this public utility spot after the great Hindu philospher.
According to Mattanchery councillor Shyamila S Prabhu, the resolution was passed during the Corporation council meeting the other day. “The recommendation to rename the boat jetty was made by me and fellow councillor Sudha Dilip Kumar. We had suggested the boat jetty be named after the great revolutionary, because the jetty has risen to historical prominence after the arrival of Swami Vivekananda in Ernakulam via the boat jetty. The proposal would now have to be forwarded to the state government and the related government bodies,” Shyamila said.
According to Bharat Vikas Parishad state secretary P V Athikayan, it has been their long-pending demand to re-christen the name of the jetty after the Indian monk.
Vivekananda arrived at the jetty on December 3, 1892. The sage had come to Kerala from Mysore in a train and arrived at Shoranur. He visited Thrissur in a bullock cart and then took the boat from Kodunagalloor and arrived at Ernakulam. According to national convenor K P Harihara Kumar, the oarsman who had brought Swami Vivekananda to the shore tried to converse with him.
However, the Swami remained silent all along. After arriving at the jetty he went to the Collector’s office which was located where the Revenue Tower stands now. Based on the demands of the BVP, Swami Vivekananda’s statue was set up near the Children’s Park in 2005. The District Collector has also approved the proposal to set up a gate near the statue premises.
Meanwhile, Corporation officials have stated that there was also a need to receive permission from the Kerala State Water Transport Department if the jetty has to be rechristened.