Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday lauded the contribution of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in creating better educational facilities for children belonging to the Ezhava community.
The Yogam had contributed immensely to the uplift of the community, particularly on the education front, he said at a function organised by the SNDP to mark the inaugural of its union office at Kaithamukku here on Tuesday.
The function also marked the unveiling of a 24-foot statue of Sree Narayana Guru on top of the new building.
Mr. Chandy said the uplift of the poor and the needy in society could happen only through education and knowledge acquisition.
To a remark made by Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on the United Democratic Front government’s ‘apathy’ to the concerns of the community, Mr. Chandy said the government had initiated several measures. “I am not denying the remarks made against the government. However, within our limitations, we have done a lot to the community,” he said.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said if the party came to power, the concerns raised by Mr. Natesan would be addressed.
The Yogam honoured Deputy Inspector General of Police, Intelligence, P. Vijayan; Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, M. Chandra Dathan; chairman, Lords Hospital, K.P. Haridas; and literary personality G. Aravindan at the meeting.
Others who attended the function included Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar, Bharatiya Janata Party State unit president V. Muralidharan; and Yogam vice president Thushar Vellappally.
