THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Kaumudi is a newspaper that has become the face of development while controversies are hailed as media style, said West Bengal Governor Dr Ananda Bose. He was inaugurating the front runners program organized by Kerala Kaumudi on the occasion of its 113th anniversary.

"Kerala Kaumudi's hard work is present in giving a new era of renaissance to the land where even seeing some people was part of untouchability.

"As the European folklore says, if one of the porcupines, which used to huddle together during the winter, moves, the others would be hurt by the spines. Those who quarrelled and separated because of that could not survive the winter and died. It was Kerala Kaumudi that reminded the society that it is better to stay together with a little pain than to die alone." He said referring to the Kerala Kaumudi stand that society should stay together.

"Truth and untruth are brothers in the Yariba tribal story of Africa. When truth entered the river, untruth wore the cloak of truth and fooled everyone. Truth, who was adamant that he will not wear the cloak of untruth even if it died, came home naked to be mocked by people. That is the naked truth. Kerala Kaumudi is a movement that stands as a beacon in such cases to distinguish between truth and untruth," the governor said.

Ananda Bose honoured 14 prominent people who have made their mark in various fields and become role models for development. Chief Editor Deepu Ravi presented Kerala Kaumudi's gift to Ananda Bose.

Chief Editor Deepu Ravi delivered the keynote address at the function held at Hotel Apollo Dimora. The Chief Editor stated that Kerala Kaumudi will continue its relentless fight against corruption as long as it exists and the stand against customs and superstitions is the foundation of Kerala Kaumudi. VK Prashant MLA said in the felicitation speech that Kerala Kaumudi is different because it has given a sense of direction to the country by standing firm on clear positions. Associate Editor VS Rajesh gave the welcome speech and Chief Manager Vimal Kumar delivered the thank you note.

Governor's surprise gift

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose surprised everyone at the function which honoured the role models by announcing a surprise gift to all 14 of them. The audience greeted the governor with applause when he announced that he would give Rs 10,000 and a scroll of honour to the role models who were honoured.