Date:08/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/08/stories/2006120811500300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Call for change in attitude towards money power

Staff Reporter

Minister lauds efforts of Christian missionaries in spread of education

ALAPPUZHA: Though the Christian community had rendered yeoman service in the past for providing education to the downtrodden sections of society, a section of the community had come under the influence of money, Minister for Cooperation G. Sudhakaran has said. He said society should be careful of the dangers of such influence.

He was inaugurating the valedictory function of the annual day celebrations of Believers' Church English Medium School, Gurupuram, here on Thursday.

Mr. Sudhakaran said Christian missionaries had opened up the education sector in the State to those who had been denied the opportunity to pursue academics. But some people think that money could buy everything. Those who believe in the power of money feel that the administrative systems could be influenced by wealth, he added.

Such a way of thinking was dangerous and society should realise it, he said. Sudhakaran noted that Christian ideals were as great as the Communist ideals and Karl Marx had acknowledged them in the Communist Manifesto. He said Christian missionaries had even set up educational institutions in hinterlands in the past. Their activities had played a key role in bringing about social change through education, Mr. Sudhakaran observed.

Bishop of the Believers' Church K.P. Yohannan presided over. Babu M. Palissery, MLA, distributed the prizes to winners of various competitions. Bishop Samuel Mathew welcomed the gathering.