IndiaTomorrow.net,
Kollam, Oct 8: President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday praised Kerala for its splendid history of coexistence, spirituality and composite culture. “I refer to Kerala’s role as one of the leading spiritual homes of our country and of our composite society,” said President Kovind while addressing a gathering here on the occasion of launch of various welfare programs organized by the Mata Amritanandamayimath.
“The flame of spiritualism shines brightly in Kerala and has done so for thousands of years. I refer to such revered people as Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. They did so much to unite our country with a common sense of spiritualism – as well as to push for much-needed social reform.”
Highlighting the history of coexistence in Kerala, the President said: “Kerala’s spiritual consciousness is well beyond faith and religious distinctions. The Christian community here is one of the oldest not only in India, but anywhere in the world. The first mosque to be built in India is in Kerala. I have been told it was constructed by Arab merchants in the Seventh Century, during the lifetime of the Prophet. Kerala also has a rich Jewish heritage. Jews settled here, I am given to understand, after the Romans drove them out of Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago.”
“These historical instances reflect the mutual accommodation and understanding of different faiths and religious communities in Kerala. This is a state where one community has willingly given space to another. This is a history that we cannot forget and must learn from. And this is an accommodation and understanding that is at the essence of spiritualism.”
He commended the social welfare works of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
“I am told the Mata Amritanandamayi Math is providing scholarships to over fifty thousand children from poor families. It is also running one of India’s best universities – the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham…I also commend the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and the other medical institutions run by the Math. I am told that in the past two decades they have provided absolutely free treatment, including surgeries, to 43 lakh patients…”
The President launched several projects of the math including the one through which they aim to provide clean drinking water in 5,000 villages across the country.
