Speakers showered encomiums on former chief minister K. Kamaraj and also recalled Mahatma Gandhi who visited Madurai this day 97 years ago (September 21, 1921), when he discarded his traditional Gujarati attire and became a ‘half-naked fakir,’ on seeing the poverty of people.
Remembering the contributions, the speakers, at a function organised by the Kamaraj Foundation of India (KFI) and Gandhi Balakendra, at Gandhi Memorial Museum, said that the younger generation should know the sacrifices of the stalwarts of pre and post Independence. “We will be failing in our duty if we do not ensure that their valuable contributions to the society is remembered through the generations,” they said.
In his keynote address, Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan said that the country had produced so many tall leaders. But what was special about Kamaraj was that even after so many years after his demise, people remembered him with respect and fondness.
And many may wonder what was so special about Kamaraj that even today political parties promised to bring back ‘Kamaraj rule.’ It was because Kamaraj was more concerned about people than himself, thus earning him the affection of the masses.
The country, with its secular credentials had grown with the underlying message of unity in diversity. Leaders such as E.V. Ramasamy had opposed the dominance of Brahmins and fought for uplifting the downtrodden. Youngsters should know about these struggles.
The country, which was under constant threat of identifying people with religion, should be told about values of Gandhiji, as otherwise the real meaning of the plurality of India may diminish in the future, he noted and reiterated that Gandhiji exuded positive energy. He said no technology could disrupt the nation from its secular credentials.
Earlier in his address, KFI chairman and former MP A. Nilalohithadasan said that Kamaraj was an inspiration to common man and said he learnt simple living from Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi Memorial Museum secretary M.P. Gurusamy, A.C. Kamaraj, Nadar Mahajana Sangam general secretary G. Karikolraj, advocate R. Gandhi and others offered felicitations. The day-long meeting held sessions on the five visits of Mahatma Gandhi to Madurai and the significance of how Kamaraj became a follower of Gandhi.
Earlier, T. Prabhakar of Kamaraj Madanalinakka Peravai, welcomed and K. John Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.
