Santhigiri does not bear the hue of religion – Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi

Sultan Bathery: ‘Santhigiri Ashram does not bear the hue of any religion and the Ashram has always worked tirelessly to spread the message of pluralism and secularism in the country – peace and coexistence that transcends caste, religion, colour and all other divisions’ – Santhigiri Ashram General Secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi. He was inaugurating the cultural conference held in connection with the consecration completion ceremony at Santhigiri Ashram Nambiarkunnu. Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru saw the pain of people, even those who were very distant from him; Guru saw that pain as his own heartache and imparted the great message of peace to the world. Swami said that the Ashram as it is today is built on the grace of Guru’s tyagam (sacrifice) and love and that anyone can enter the Ashram regardless of caste or religion. Swami’s subsequent words were those that evoked memories of Guru’s pilgrimages to Sultan Bathery and his stay in the very area where the Ashram now stands.

MLA T. Siddique conducted the inauguration of ‘Snehadeepam’ – a welfare-aid scheme for tribal communities. The MLA said that the various works done by Santhigiri across the country, aimed at social empowerment, is commendable.

In the function presided over by Santhigiri Ashram President Swami Chaitanya Jnana Thapaswi, Wayanad Syrian Malankara Diocese Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Swami Hamsananda Puri (Naranarayana Advaithashramam, Meenangadi), Deekshamritha Chaitanya (Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Mananthavady), Sister Sheela Bahan (Brahma Kumaris, Kalpetta) all honoured the event with their gracious presence.

The State Women’s Development Corporation Chairperson K. C. Rosakutty Teacher, District Panchayat President Shamsad Marakkar, Municipality Chairman T. K. Ramesh, Block Panchayat President C. Assainar, C. P. M. District Secretary P. Gagarin, Sindooram Charities Chairman Sabeer Thirumala, C. P. I. District Secretary E. J. Babu, B. J. P. District Committee President Prashantha Malavayal, P. M. Joy, Satheesh G., Jayaprakash K., T. Muhammad, Amal Joy, O. K. Johny, Nazaruddin, Prasanna Saseendran, Tiji Cheruthottil, Anitha Kallur, V. T. Baby, Balan V., Surendran Avethan, Udayakumar A. M., Shameer C. K., Abdul Khader Faizi, Haridasan P. S., Biju P. C., Rashid Gazzali Koolivayal, Omanakuttan, Ashraf K. A., Rajagopalan K., Ramakrishnan, Gopalan Master, K.C.K. Thangal, Viswambaran, Peethambaran Master, Naufal Sadiq, Susheela. N. V., Anandu Krishnan, Santhini S., Purushothaman M. K. participated in the conference. The Coordination Committee Convener Sanalkumar K. K. delivered the welcome speech and Shashi P. K. delivered the vote of thanks.

“Keralathinte Nellachan” (The father of rice in Kerala) Padma Shree Cheruvayal Raman, Padma Shree Dr Dhananjay Diwakar Sagdeo, a native of Nagpur who worked for the health care of tribal communities and other eminent personalities who have rendered invaluable services in various fields, such as O.K. Johny (Documentary), Subair Wayanad (Film), Pratish Marar (Film), Dr Dahar Mohammed V. P. (Health), Praseed Kumar Thayyil (Agriculture), Biju Paul (Travelogues), Shaji Kedaram (Agriculture), E. K. Sasidharan Thomattuchal (Yoga), Prof. Varghese Vaidyan (Education), P. M. Venunathan (Industry), Sadir Thalappuzha (Art), Rajan K. Achari (Folksong), Dr P. Rajendran (Agricultural Research), P.K. Kumaran (Organic Agriculture), Vinu. S. Cherambadi (Mimicry), Reji Gopinath (Violin), Velayudhan Gurukkal (Kalari), Dr. P. Lakshmanan (Education), P. J. Chakochan (Organic Agriculture), Kannan Kolimoola (Traditional Medicine), Adv P. N. Surendran (Law), Jacob C. Varkey (Drama), Bhaskaran Batheri (Literature), Srinivasan Vaidyar (Ayurveda), N. Bhaskaran (Teaching), Dr N. Suresh Kumar (Ayurveda), Kochangod Govindan (Martial Arts), Shashi N. K. (Wellness), Vedalakshi (Science), Sunil Babu (Magic), Udayaprakash (Ayurveda), Balan Vaidyar (Ayurveda), Prakash M. (Agriculture), Vishnu Mananthavady (Sports), Dr Krishnapriya (Health) were honoured on the occasion. Deepa Pradakshina (Procession) started at 6 pm and a musical fusion program incorporating traditional percussive instruments was staged at 8 pm.

Photo Caption : The cultural meeting held in connection with the consecration completion ceremony of Santhigiri Ashram is inaugurated by the Ashram General Secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi. Santhigiri Ashram President Swami Chaitanya Jnana Thapaswi, Wayanad Syrian Malankara Diocese Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Naranarayana Advaitashram Acharya Swami Hamsananda Puri, State Women Development Corporation Chairperson K. C. Rosakutty Teacher and others nearby.