Religious institutions should do more charitable work: CM

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 24. Religious and social institutions should become more active in serving the poor and the needy instead of looking forward to the Government for all assistance, the Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, has said.

Inaugurating the 75th birthday celebrations of Karunakara Guru at the Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode in the suburbs of the city today, Mr. Antony said that religious and social institutions such as madhoms and ashrams should do more charitable work and turn active in the health care sector.

When a tragedy strikes the nation, it would be impossible for the Government to provide all assistance to the victims. Such institutions can play a vital role in helping the affected people, he said.

The Guru had reached the pinnacles of spirituality and had become one among the traditional gurus, he said. The Guru had a unique doctrine. Even while pursuing spirituality, Karunakara Guru had taken care to attend to the physical needs of the people who lived around him. This blend of spirituality with material life had lured the common man who was not keen on spirituality to the Guru, Mr. Antony said.

Initially the Guru was concentrating on helping the people who lived in the vicinity of the ashram. Later, he widened the reach of his services and more others were able to enjoy its warmth. Mr. Antony made a special mention of the activities of the ashram in health care, ayurveda and siddha. Once when Mr. Antony called on the Guru and had told the Guru that he was suffering from a neck ailment, within days the Guru provided a medicine through one of his disciple, Mr. Antony said.

The Chief Minister lauded the farsightedness of the Guru and urged his disciples to carry on his activities for the posterity.

The Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr. G. Karthikeyan, presided. The Santhigiri Ashram director, Swami Sathprabha Gnana Thapaswi, welcomed. The "Malayala Manorama" Resident Editor, Mr.P.Aravindakshan, released the birthday souvenir by handing over a copy to the BJP State president, Mr. C.K. Padmanabhan.

Mr. O.V. Vijayan, literatteur, Mr.Pirappancode Murali, MLA, the Ashram president, Mr. G. Sundaresan, Swami Prakasananda, Swami Rithambarananda and the secretary, Mr. K. Satheesan, attended the function. Swami Snehatma Gnana Thapaswi, proposed a vote of thanks.

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Section  : Southern States
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