Guru’s vision and Indian Constitution share same values: Rahul Gandhi 

KOLLAM: Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi said that the core values of the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru and the Indian Constitution are the same. He was inaugurating the centenary celebration of the 'Guru-Gandhi Meeting', organised in Kollam jointly by the Sivagiri Mutt and the Rajiv Gandhi Study Centre under the KPCC.

Rahul Gandhi said that the spirit of the prayer Daiva Dasakam reflects the essence of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution asks people to love and respect each other, which is also what Sree Narayana Guru taught.

"Sree Narayana Guru prayed to lead people from darkness to light, but today the world appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Instead of understanding others, countries are dropping bombs on each other. Similar divisions are visible in our country as well. Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his life while standing against such hatred and violence," Rahul Gandhi said.

"The discussions between Mahatma Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru were based on the principles of truth and non-violence. Today, even small meetings are often filled with unnecessary showmanship. What is important is to understand and follow the vision put forward by Guru and Gandhi. Neither of them had political power or wealth, but both were strong because of their moral strength," he said.

The function was chaired by Swami Sachidananda, president of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust. The Trust’s general secretary Swami Subhangananda delivered the Mahasamadhi message. AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal delivered the keynote address. Opposition Leader of V. D. Satheesan, former Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, and MPs N. K. Premachandran and Kodikunnil Suresh also spoke at the event.

MP Adoor Prakash, chairman of the reception committee, delivered the welcome address, and P. Rajendraprasad, president of the Kollam District Congress Committee, delivered the vote of thanks.

Ahead of the centenary celebration, an all-religion conference was also held. Swami Jnanatheertha of Sivagiri Mutt delivered the introductory speech. Religious leaders, including Panakkad Munavvar Ali Thangal, Geevarghese Mar Koorilos, Swami Asanganandagiri, Kuriakose Mar Severios, Samuel Mar Theophilos, Jose George, Oommen George, and Fr Lazar S Pattakadavu, spoke at the conference.