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Fete to mark anniversary of temple entry

Staff Reporter

Defence Minister A.K. Antony to open celebrations

KOLLAM: The 70th anniversary of the entry for Dalits into Thrikannamangal Sri Krishna Swamy Temple, near Kottarakara, will be celebrated from January 21 to 25.

In a historic occasion, Mahatma Gandhi had opened the doors of the temple to Dalits on January 21, 1937 as part of the social reformation movement. Defence Minister A.K. Antony will inaugurate the celebrations on January 21, said Kodikunnil Suresh, national vice-chairman of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), which is organising the celebrations. A Gandhi Smrithi Yatra will be held from Kottarakara Railway Station junction to the Thrikannamangal Temple junction prior to the inauguration.

Mr. Antony will honour the wife of late Moorthy Narayanan Namboodiripad, a follower of Gandhiji who had taken the lead to launch a movement to permit the entry of Dalits into the temple. Education Minister M.A. Baby will unveil the Gandhi Smrithi Mandapam put up at Thrikannamangal Junction.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala will honour Dalits of the area by presenting them khadi clothes. Those who witnessed the opening of the temple for Dalits by Gandhiji will also be honoured. President of Travancore Devaswom Board G. Raman Nair will deliver the keynote address.

The former Minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai, will also address the gathering. The inaugural function will be followed by a play `Chandrashekar Azad.'

On January 22, a seminar will be held on `The importance of the first war of Independence.' Historians Chandrashekaran Nair, M.S. Jayaprakash and M.M. Basheer Maulavi will take part. The film `Gandhi' will be screened in the evening.

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