Minister for General Education, Shri. V. Sivankutty has inaugurated the Aruvippuram Shiva Idol Prathishta message and social reform campaign held as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav organized by the Department of General Education, Government of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram. When the untouchables were denied the right to worship the god, Sri. Narayana Guru had established a temple at Aruvippuram in 1888 for the devotees, proclaiming a message that God belongs to all, the Minister said in his virtual address. Sri Narayana Guru was the most courageous social reformer the country had ever produced. The stone deity he established there was a great leveler against all kinds of oppression and discrimination. Guru had not only built a temple there for the devotees cutting across all castes and creed but he inscribed on the walls there these lines also.
Devoid of dividing walls
Of caste or race
Or hatred of rival faith,
We all live here
In Brotherhood,
Such, know this place to be!
This Model Foundation!
His contributions as a Social reformer will be remembered forever and we are committed to preserving his message of brotherhood, the Minister said in his address. Shri. Muhammad Safir, ADM presided over the meeting. Srimad Sadrananda Swami, Aruvippuram Madam Secretary has read the message on the occasion. Prof.V.Karthikeyan Nair, Director, State Institute of Languages delivered the keynote address. Smt. E. S. Narayani, RDD, Smt. O. S.Chitra, Additional Director, VHSE, Dr. T. R. Sheejakumari, Principal in charge of DIET, Shri. N. Retna Kumar, SSA Project Coordinator, Shri. S. Javad, Coordinator, General Education Protection Council spoke. Shri.S.Santhosh Kumar, Chairman Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and Deputy Director of Education made the welcome address and Shri. Jose D Sujiv, Convenor Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav proposed a vote of thanks.