Kerala : Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said in Valliyoorkkavu, Mananthavadi, Wayandu district, Kerala, that cultural unity has made Bharat a nation over the last several millenniums. Governor was inaugurating the anniversary of Veer Pazhassi’s Valiant Martyrdom. The programme was organized under Asadi Ka Amrtha Maholsav Samiti and Vanavasi Ashramam Life Charitable Trust, Periya, at Valliyoorkavu, Mananthavadi. The governor said that Sardar Patel could unite the scattered kingdoms after the independence because of the spiritual and cultural boost. Bharat’s profoundly spiritual and cultural base maintained the country’s political unity.
Governor added that political unity is impossible sans cultural unity. Bharat’s cultural nationalism is based on truth and nonviolence. It could survive all intrusions and invasions. Today the entire world realizes our strength. When a country rises to new dimensions, other countries view it with fear. When a nation turns stronger, it tries to conquer other countries; it is a general practice. But Bharat has never attempted to destroy any other country. The country’s DNA does not contain that ‘property’. Bharat’s legacy is a great sacrifice for the sake of humanism.
Reception Committee Chairman Padmasri Dr D.D. Sagdeo of Vivekananda Medical Mission Hospital, Wynadu, presided. Prajna Pravah, national co-ordinator J. Nandakumar delivered the keynote address. He said the first freedom struggle occurred when the country lost its swathwa (self or identity). The first Freedom Struggle was kicked off when the colonial forces entered our soil. It was a lengthy war. As soon as our fellow citizens realized that our swathwa was likely to be demolished, we started our fights to protect it. And our Frist Freedom Struggle was not launched by any single party.
Nandakumar said that the political leaders in Kerala have been opposing the construction of a Pazhassi memorial. The very same people have been trying to push his memories into dark holes of memories. Communist ideologue EMS Namboothirippad attempted to insult Pazhassi by writing that it was none other than his (Pazhassi’s) wife herself who betrayed her. Union Government arranged a large museum in Red Fort in connection with the inauguration of Asadi Ka Amruth Mahotsav. Pictures of several national leaders are displayed there. Veer Pazhassi is one among them. Keralites can take pride in it.
Asadi Ka Amruth Maholsav Samithi General Convener C.K. Balakrishnan, Programme Committee Convener V.K. Santoshkumar, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram State President K.C. Paithal, RSS Pranth Karyavah P.N. Eashwaran and S.C. Burman, the advisor to the Central Cultural Ministry, participated in the programme.
Pazhassi Raja (3.1.1753 – 30.11.1805) was a warrior Hindu Prince and head of the Kottayam (Cotiote) Kingdom in the Malabar region between 1774 and 1805. He fought against the British East India Company. It was called Coyote War. He was known as ‘Kerala Simham’ (Lion of Kerala), thanks to his martial talents. He had fought against Hyder Ali of Mysore and later against the British East India Company. He enjoyed the total support of his subjects, including Vanvasis in Wynadu. After suffering several setbacks at the hands of Pazhassi Raja, the East India Company entered peace with him in 1797, but the war started again in 1800. Raja fought back with all vigour and courage. But, in 1805, he was killed in a gun battle against Britons due to a betrayal.
Pazhassi Raja is considered the symbol of Kerala’s resolution to fight the colonial forces at any cost.
