Tuesday, Jan 27, 2004
Tuesday, Jan 27, 2004 |
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Kerala
By Our Staff Reporter
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 26. The Governor, Sikander Bakht, today urged the people to abhor violence and to ponder whether Kerala was returning to that "abominable condition" that made Swami Vivekananada make "rather terse comments" about the social situation in the State. Delivering the 55th Republic Day address after unfurling the National Flag at the Central Stadium here, Mr. Bakht said the "absurd, unpardonable killing of innocent fellow citizens and the ensuing imbroglio" shook the conscience of the enlightened State. The events made us all sad. The healing touch towards social reconciliation under the initiative of the Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi was indeed a silver lining, he said. "I firmly believe that if India has to be rejuvenated, the Mahatma has to be resurrected first. It is only his vision that can lead us kindly out of this encircling gloom like a lodestar," he said. Urging the State not to miss its "ambitious tryst with development", the Governor said Kerala had lost a good deal of time over controversies that "need visit us, not too frequently". The Governor said there was an "enigmatic gap" between the State's potential and actual performance. The world over Malayalis have the reputation of being industrious and enterprising. But at home, we need to overhaul our set of attitudes, he added. Mr. Bakht said Kerala did not have to look far for "models to replicate". He pointed out as an example the success story of the weavers of Koothampully on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river. "Their tool to beat globalisation is not any sophisticated strategy, but just being honest to their business... as well as to one another". The Governor's speech was replete with quotes from Vallathol, Kumaran Asan, Robert Frost and Abraham Lincoln. Dwelling on the events at the national level, Mr. Bakht said the peace initiative with Pakistan, the bold efforts for a permanent cease-fire and end to cross-border terrorism had raised hopes of a lasting peace in South Asia. He said braving heavy odds, the Indian polity has demonstrated the strength, vibrancy and maturity of its democracy. He said commitment to democracy was deeply ingrained in the nation's ethos. At the international level, the unending turmoil in Iraq and the tragic earthquake in Iran were matters of concern. He said the whole world was waiting for the restoration of peace, democracy and a just order in Baghdad under the aegis of the United Nations. The Governor ended his speech quoting Abraham Lincoln - `Strive on to finish the work we are in....to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves...' Earlier, the Governor took the national salute and inspected the parade. One platoon each of the Army's Madras and Mahar regiments took part in the parade along with units of the Air Force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Kerala Police, National Cadet Corps, Bharath Scouts and Guides, Mounted Police and Fire Force. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, was present at the function.
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