“Hindu is the only civilisation where diversity is recognised as a law of nature. We should become the embodiment of our cultural values and civilisational ideas. Sanatan is my heritage with universal vision, a knowledge civilisation defined with the concept of Atman, hence I am proud of it, said
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at Bridging South Conclave organised by Kesari Weekly on December 12 in New Delhi.
Kerala is the place of unadulterated Sanatana Dharma in the country. Kerala has never been under direct foreign rules. He emphasised the compassionate nature of Kerala since it had a matriarchal system. He also exemplified the presence of Kerala women in the medical Industry all over the world.
V Muraleedharan, Minister of State, External Affairs of India, emphasised that it is the internal forces that are causing the divisive thoughts. It is through the efforts of people like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the unity of different states were made possible. Those who think that Bharat can be divided using Islamic terrorism they are in a fool’s paradise. Nation’s integrity will be protected as long as BJP is here. The increasing popularity and acceptance of PM Narendra Modi in southern states is worrying the separatists. Parties like Congress, CPIM, DMK are supporting these separatists.
“Though South is separate is not a new idea, it has been fringe all these years. Now the mainstream political parties are endorsing it for the vested interest,” he further added.
“Bharat will always be Bharat irrespective of whoever tries to divide it. Kerala has strong cultural connections with other parts of the country from ancient times. The Akhand Bharat concept can be found even in Malayalam texts which are centuries old. While Bhagvan Ram connects the South and North Bhagvan Krishna connects the west and east. Siva unites the entire country. Bridging South is an ideological effort to spread this message of cultural unity. It is actually bridging minds Aasetu Himachal. ,” said J Nandakumar, National Convenor, Prajna Pravah.
“Bharat has been one & will be one. Supreme court verdict on Article 370 is a tight slap on the faces of tukade tukade gang. Two or multiple India concept is a colonial construct. Kesari Weekly’s Bridging South Conclave sends strong message against divisive forces,” he further said.
Prafulla Ketkar, Editor, Organiser Weekly, while speaking on the so-called North-South divide, said, “The ongoing narrative on the so-called negligence by central Government on Kerala is actually a myth. According to the revised policy State Government will be allocated at par with their contributions towards national GDP. As per the current data available the contribution of Kerala state to direct taxes is nearly 1.4 per cent and GST is 2.3 per cent only. On the contrary, Maharashtra and Delhi contributes around 50 per cent of the direct taxes. We get resource sharing and national security against this. Regional disparities are reduced. Hence, narrative building on the South resources are diverted to North is a myth.”
Dr N R Madhu, Chief Editor, Kesari Weekly, said, “Today, Kesari Weekly, a beacon of journalistic excellence, has evolved into the most subscribed mainstream magazine in Malayalam media, epitomising nationalism and value-based media work. Kesari, the result of the efforts of Swargiya Shankara Sastriji, a Sangh Pracharak from Nagpur and Swargiya P. Parameshwar Ji, has gone beyond its initial infancy and has become a literal presence in the Malayalam media that no one can ignore.”
“Kesari had intervened in many socio-political and cultural issues including the state of emergency and has been relentlessly fighting against disruptive activities that have started in recent years centered in Kerala. Some media workers, political parties and religious fundamentalists have raised an argument called Cutting South to prepare the ground for the idea of separating states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka from Akhand Bharat by taking the money of enemy countries, Dr N R Madhu further added.
By quoting the ancient Tamil literature ‘ Purananoor’, Prof. Shantisree Dhulipudi Pandit, VC, JNU, elaborated that there is no cultural difference between south and north India from time immemorial. She also told that the increased religious conversions and anti-national activities are a threat to the nation.
Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said, “There is a conscious attempt to destroy the Bharateeya Culture by changing the demographic balance. The Central Government treats all states equally.”
Advocate Monica Arora, while quoting the Upanishad mantras, emphasised the importance of understanding the spiritual unity all over India. Like the mantra ‘ Eesavasyamidam Sarvam ‘ one should realise that all is pervaded by God. The spiritual Bharat has established the unity of everything through the advaitic reality of Atma.
Organised by Kesari Weekly, nearing its seventy-fifth anniversary, the conclave witnessed the participation of scholars, academics, media persons, students, and distinguished individuals. The event garnered appreciation for its efforts to foster dialogue and understanding among participants and delegates. Few months back, some organisations with support of the Canadian funding had organised the Cutting South conference in Kerala which was inaugurated by the CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
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