MADURAI
The need for groups in society that encourage unity rather than promote polarisation was stressed by G.R. Swaminathan, Judge, Madras High Court, on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a national seminar on ‘Meeting of Minds,’ which was hosted by Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers’ Forum in association with P. Kakkan Memorial Trust at Thumbaipatti, the birthplace of late leader Kakkan, near here.
Referring to heavy bandobust en route to Tumbaipatti, the Judge said that there was a need to ensure that people could work together. “I heard that the police have been stationed because of a clash between two caste groups. This is why we need positive platforms of integration,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers’ Forum presented Ramanujacharya-Ambedkar Award to six achievers in various fields from marginalised communities. They were Muthu Venkatesan, natural healer; M. Nila, Managing Trustee, People Health Action and Research Management Foundation, and a transwoman; M. Dhamodharan, joint secretary of an NGO striving for equitable education for Dalit and tribal children; V. Natarajan, Sholagar community leader; U. Arul Raju, a para athlete, and J. Sarath Raj, Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College.
P. Kakkan Lifetime Achievement Award was given to former CSIR scientist and former village panchayat president R. Elango.
The event was held to celebrate Kakkan’s 110th birth anniversary.
Actress Gautami Tadimalla, who was present at the event, thanked the achievers for their work and said that they should continue their efforts towards making the society better. “I am glad you have brought these heroes to our notice,” she said.
