'Fictions, myths presented as historical truths, some people fear idea of harmony in society '; CM Pinarayi Vijayan at 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage Conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was the guest of honour. Swami Satchidananda presided over the function. Minister V N Vasavan, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, Adoor Prakash MP, V Joy MLA, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, Gokulam Gopalan, BJP leader Shobha Surendran were present at the function.

“The Sivagiri pilgrimage is a constant inspiration for the socio-cultural ethos of Kerala. The pilgrimage has been going on for 93 years. In three years, the centenary of Sree Narayana Guru's Samadhi will be celebrated. A century has passed since Guru’s work of the Renaissance inspired the growth of human civilisation. Guru’s every word was a lethal shot at the absurd trends that he saw and experienced in his surroundings.

Significant philosophical works like Daivadasakam, Darshanmala, Atmopadesha Shatakam, and Anukampadasakam were born out of Guru life experiences. We know that the Kerala Renaissance began at the end of the 19th century on the banks of Aruvippuram temple. Guru’s message was to break the Chaturvarnya system that existed at that time. Guru knew that freedom could not be achieved without challenging this system. Thus, Guru initiated a symbolic revolution through the Aruvippuram temple.

The administrative system in Travancore at that time was built on royal authority and feudalism. The Brahmins and Kshatriyas held power, and the masses lived under the humiliation of slavery. The first step towards liberation from that slavery was to challenge Brahminism. Challenging Brahminism meant breaking the logic of the caste system.

The current Kerala government is emulating the path of the Guru. The LDF government, which came to power in 2016, implemented four missions aiming to bring progress among the populace of the state. The core among this was the Public Education Protection Mission.

At a time when those in power are dragging children back to old, archaic systems and absurd notions, Kerala can take pride in bringing progressiveness through education.

For a democratic-secular state structure to exist, it is essential to harmonise the message of the Guru and the message of progressiveness. However, there are forces here who fear such a harmony. They want to divide people on a religious basis and remain in power" said the Chief Minister in his inaugural speech.

India’s Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Sivagiri pilgrimage on Tuesday. The Vice President said that the world considers Sree Narayana Guru's work and rationalism as a guide to the future.

Conference today at 12 noon: Agriculture, Trade, Handicrafts - Prosperity through Self-Sufficiency. Inauguration: Minister P. Rajeev, Chief Guest: K.V. Shaji (Chairman NABARD), Keynote Address: Director of the Department of Culture, Divya S. Iyer

Conference at 2 pm: Science and Technology- Inauguration: Minister G.R. Anil, Chairman: N.K. Premachandran MP, Press Conference at 5 pm Inauguration: Union Minister George Kurian, Chairman: Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA, Keynote Address: A.A. Rahim MP, Lectures: Kerala Kaumudi Associate Editor V.S. Rajesh, P. Sreekumar (Additional Private Secretary to the Governor of Kerala), Journalists N.M. Pearson, Sajan Skariah, Sujaya Parvathy.

Navarasam musical program at 7.30 pm, Gurumadhuryam at 8.30 pm, drama and storytelling at 9.30 pm, and New Year's puja and community prayer in front of the Mahasamadhi at 12 pm.