The State government launched the State-wide celebrations of the hundredth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru’s “Namukku Jathiyilla” (I have no caste) declaration at a function held at Senate Hall here on Wednesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event.
The celebrations are being organised jointly by the Culture, Education, and Information and Public Relations Departments. Culture Minister A.K. Balan said the celebrations would be held over two months during which the Guru’s message will reach an estimated 20 lakh people.
“The message will be taken to all government offices, educational institutions and libraries. We have around 6,500 libraries across the villages in the State. The government will tie up with these to take the message to the grassroots,” said Mr. Balan.
Power Minister Kadakampally Surendran released the declaration poster. Education minister C. Raveendranath administered a pledge to the audience.
Sree Narayana Guruvinte Jeevitha Darshanam , a book written by Swami Rithambarananda, the general secretary of Sivagiri math, was released during the function. Quoting from the Guru’s writings, the Swami said the Guru was aware of the possibilities of future misinterpretations of his actions and had made clear his stand through his writings. He said that the Guru had through the declaration made it unequivocally clear that he had no caste and no religion. Copies of the declaration were distributed among the audience. The Chief Minister said that it should be distributed to students of all schools in the State and be read out in the school assembly.
