Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai said that Govindan Nair Sir could have easily led a comfortable and decent life with all the fortunes he had at his disposal. However, he came forward to join RSS, when many people were not ready to do so. Those were the days when the very three-letter name ‘RSS’ invited contempt and derision.
Govindan Nair Sir’s commitment to the Sangh cause was so deep that even Emergency could not break his resolve. (Governor was referring to the imprisonment Govindan Nair Sir underwent during the Emergency under MISA). Sreedharan Pillai was speaking after presenting the ‘Smriti Govindam’ Puraskaram to Dr KS Radhakrishnan, former chairman of Kerala Public Service Commission, former vice chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalati, renowned writer, orator and intellectual.
At present, Dr Radhakrishnan is the state vice president of BJP. He is a self-made scholar who came up from a humble family background. He is a sought after orator in the intellectual conclaves in the state whoever the organisers may be. He is an excellent author with several books of serious contents and substance to his credit. The ‘Smriti Govindam’ was awarded to Dr KS Radhakrishnan for his contribution to Indic thoughts. The award comprises of Rs 25,000 and a memento.
The award was instituted to honour the memory of late Prof MK Govindan Nair, former RSS Prant Sanghchalak of Kerala. The event took place in Pandalam, on October 14 (Saturday).
Senior Sangh Pracharak S Sethumadhavan said, “Prof. Govindan Nair Sir left deep impression in the hearts of swayamsevaks of all age groups. He was respected by all he met. He was an erudite person, but, he never threw his weight around.”
J Nandakumar, Akhil Bharatiya Samyojak of Prajna Pravah said, “Prof Govindan Nair Sir drove his car to a eighth standard boy’s house to take him to Bala Shibir of RSS. As a teenager, Prof Govindan Nair Sir’s boudhik in that Sangh Shibir had made deep impression in him. He was reminiscing his own childhood. Nandakumar said, Prof Govindan Nair Sir had deep knowledge in Bharatiya philosophy; he felt it during his interactions with him on various topics.”
C Sivadas and MI Sukumaran, former senior Sangh Pracharaks, were also honoured on the occasion. Both had undergone inhuman police torture during the fascist Emergency. Senior journalist KSR Menon and script writer Babu G Nair also were honoured. Commonwealth essay competition winner Kumari Aditi S. Nair was honoured too. Several senior Sangh Pracharaks and Sangh workers attended the programme.
“Smruthi Govindam” has been instituted by Prof. Govindan Nair Foundation and Changaveettil Family Congregation, as a tribute to the memory of late Prof MK Govindan Nair, renowned academician, former Kerala state President of Bharatiya Vidya Niketan, Kerala chapter of Vidya Bharati and former Kerala Prant Sanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Prof. Nair was imprisoned under MISA when fascist Emergency and ban on RSS were imposed by Smt. Indira Gandhi. The winner was zeroed in on by a jury led by KSR Menon, writer and senior journalist.
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