Kelappaji had adopted Gandhi’s way of protest, his ideologies as well as affinity for truth as a part of his lifestyle and fought against the injustices in the society Sugathakumari has adopted some of those protests on her own clearly inspired by Gandhi, said president of Socialist Janata (Democratic) party and Managing Editor of Mathrubhumi Daily M.P.Veerendrakumar.
Presenting the citation of the Kerala Gandhi award to poet and activist Sugathakumari on the occasion of the 44 death anniversary of Kerala Gandhi K.Kelappan here on Tuesday, he said that she was an activist who kept reminding society about the traps that it had walked into and one who upheld the slogan ‘Uthishtatha Jagratha’ of Swami Vivekananda.
The award instituted by the K.Kelappan Smaraka Samithi was presented to Ms.Sugathakumari later by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, for her contribution to the protection of environment as well as upholding the rights of the weaker sections of the society. Incidentally, Mr.Chennithala was the recipient of the first Kerala Gandhi award in 2013 for his fight for the downtrodden.
Chairman of the Samithi N.Subrahmanian in his presidential address said that Sugathakumari’s approach to the issues related to environment and liquor ban were those that reflected public sentiments. Mr.Subrahmanian said that the Samithi was planning to build a fitting memorial for Kelappaji in Muchukunnu in a plot that belonged to his family and that works will be completed in a year. Moreover, another memorial is being planned in Kozhikode, he added.
Two children Sreeram and Anunanda recited the poems ‘Mazhathulli’ and ‘Sandhya’ by the renowned poet in her honour. Jury member Ramesh Kavil introduced the award winner and also recited a poem that he had written in her honour in the form of the citation. Novelist K.P.Sudheera, patron of the samithi and veteran freedom fighter P.Vasu, jury member Suma Pallipram and Trustee of the Samithi Pappan Moodadi were present on the occasion.
The function was followed by a programme by the students of MAMUP School, Parambilkkadavu.
