THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday congratulated the Sivagiri sanyasins for keeping Sivagiri Mutt a seat of communal amity and universal brotherhood.
After inaugurating the Sivagiri Pilgrimage Proclamation meeting at Pettah in Thiruvananthapuram, he said the mutt played a great role in sustaining the virtues of the state.He pointed out that the pilgrimage was not only a spiritual event but also an opportunity for pilgrims to get sensitised in several areas of material life.
When he had blessed the idea of pilgrimage, Sree Narayana Guru had instructed to focus on eight topics including education, industry, technical knowledge and individual and societal cleanliness.“The government has already included the teachings of Guru in the curriculum up to the Plus-two level. Everyone should imbibe the importance of Guru’s teaching’ he said.
Chandy laid stress that Guru had propagated the message that while practising one’s faith, one should not hurt others’ faith.
T M Thomas Isaac MLA who delivered the keynote address laid stress on Guru’s message that the pilgrimage should focus on eight topics which are still relevant to social progress.
He pointed out that the agitation by common people paved the way for granting universal education in Travancore in British India and the demand was inspired by the messages of Sree Naryana Guru.Sharma Sangham general secretary Swami Rithambarananda presided over the meet. Swami Prakashanada lit the ceremonial lamp. K P Sankara Das, Laila Purushothaman, V T Saseendran, K Sambasivan, P S Babubram and K Susheela spoke.
Swami Guruprasad welcomed the gathering and Dhanya Babu proposed a vote of thanks.