KOCHI:Necks craned to get a glimpse of the former president of India A P J Abdul Kalam who arrived at the Eranakulathappan Ground as part of the launch of the year-long birth centenary celebrations of Swami Chinmayananda.
He stunned the gathering with his vibrant and youthful exuberance while delivering the inaugural address and said: “When I think of such a great spiritual leader like Chinmayananda, the thought that comes into my mind is that where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. Where there is beauty in the character there is harmony in the home, where there is harmony in the home there is order in the nation and where there is order in the nation there is peace in the world. This message is always conveyed by Chinmayananda.”
He reminisced about his days as a young boy, growing up in Rameshwaram, where he used to see the meeting of his father, an imam in a mosque, with the priest from the Rameswaram temple and a father from the church and went on to say that religion and culture are being felt more than ever before. “India has this advantage of integration of the mind. There needs to be frank dialogue and discussion about it through Swami Chinmayananda’s teachings.”
Kalam also launched the ‘Home for Homeless’ project which is aimed at constructing 100 homes for the homeless. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who arrived late to the function started with an apology and went on to say that it is a matter of immense pride that Swami Chinmayananda is a man from Kerala.
“After Swami Vivekananda, it is Swami Chinmayananda who has successfully taken India to the world,” said the CM. Speaking about their Home for Homeless project he said: “It is every man’s wish to have a roof over his head. Chinmaya’s mission to build homes for the needy is a very applaudable step and it is an extremely proud moment that our former President A P J Abdul Kalam launched it.”
“`5 lakh will be spent on the construction of each house as part of the Home for the Homeless Project. Many Chinmaya units from across the state have expressed willingness to be a part of the project. Our units in Kasargod have come forward to construct ten homes and the unit in Thiruvananthapuram are ready to contribute by constructing five homes,” said Viviktananda Saraswati, Regional Head, Mission Kerala.
The inaugural function was followed by a Mohiniyattom performance by dancer Gopika Varma and Troupe.
The launching ceremony of the birth centenary celebration commenced on May 6 which comprised of various poojas, performances and talks by eminent personalities. The function will conclude on May 8 with the flagging off of the Chinmaya Sandesha Vahini Ratha Yatra.