Famous writer M Mukundan has said though hill, rivers and forests are part of politics, they don’t find place in election manifestoes of political parties. “Nobody talks about protecting nature. Ours is a politics that keeps Nature out of the loop,” he said after presenting CV Kunjuraman foundation award to Sugathakumari at her Nandavanam residence on Wednesday.

“Nobody is hearing the cries of river and forest birds. What life…without them? Sugathakumari portrayed that in her poem. Sugathakumari’s poems are the background music of her day-to-day life,” he added.

What do they mean by renaissance?

“What renaissance and development will happen when there is no drinking water, fresh air to breathe or good rice to eat?” quipped Sugathakumari in her reply.

The poet said that all these years she could do her duty. “I was able to tell the world not to kill nature and not to force labour on elephants after chaining their legs. But it didn’t reach anywhere…

The basic principle is the Sanadhana dharma which says all are one. This old belief that India gifted to the world had also been pointed out by Sree Narayana Guru.

What is important is not whether it is BJP or Congress or other parties... Caste and religion are reaching their epitome. It should not have been like this… Feeling of despair sets in. I fear long life. My mind says it is enough,” Sugahthakumari got emotional while saying this.

Foundation general secretary Hashim Rajan, Asianet News News Editor M G Radhakrishnan and Saritha Varma spoke at the occasion.