Image: Maj. Ravi, Maj. Gen. P. Vivekanandan, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (with folded hands), K.N.R. Namboodithiri and Lt. Gen. Ajith Neelakantan.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stated on 9 May in Thiruvananthapuram that a “Developed Bharat” is not solely the aim of Prime Minister Modi, but should also be the goal of every citizen.
The Governor narrated an incident. The father of his journalist friend once told his son, with utmost enthusiasm, about the Quit India Movement of 1942. The son then asked where his father was during those days. The father replied that he had been watching everything through a window upstairs in his home. The son responded that he was ashamed of his father.
The Governor said we are following that father’s example. We watch TV and get thrilled and excited. After some time, it subsides. If this continues, how can we create a developed country? By 2047, we should be capable of manufacturing everything we need — from pens to essential goods. We must cultivate a Swadeshi mentality. We must take an oath that our hard work is for Bharat. This world belongs to us.
The Governor was inaugurating the “Youth Assembly Against Terrorism” in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Janmabhumi Malayalam daily. He cited the example of a lion. When the lion moves towards its destination, it looks back — the idea being to see how far it has travelled from the starting point to its final destination. The Governor said Janmabhumi does the same.
The Governor said the contemporary media world tries to increase its ratings by prioritising the reporting of murders, looting, and rapes. They do not report on what is happening in Pakistan after Pahalgam. They do not enquire into or report on the plight of the people in Pakistan. The media attempts to create a camouflage by reporting only sensational stories. Media houses are competing with one another to impose their views and ideas. They follow the policy of “more views than news”. The media should focus on upholding nationalism instead of communalism.
The Governor began his speech in Malayalam — “Sahodaree Sahodaranmare”, meaning ‘brothers and sisters’. He said the resolution “My hard work, my product, my country” would make us golden lions. It would take us to the top of the world.
Maj. Gen. P. Vivekanandan, State President of the Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad, chaired the conference. The Major General said that fundamentalism and extremism know no boundaries. A strong approach should be taken against terrorism. Lt. Gen. Ajith Neelakantan, Major Ravi (former NSG commando and film director), Janmabhumi Editor K.N.R. Namboodithiri, and ABVP State President Dr. Vaisakh Sadasivan spoke on the occasion.
Hundreds of youths participated in the Youth Assembly Against Terrorism. A roller-skating rally involving hundreds of youths and children added excitement to the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The patriotic songs rendered by Radhika Suresh, wife of Union Minister Suresh Gopi, and her team were a unique experience.
Madhya Pradesh Engineering Department Secretary P. Hari, who spearheaded the Indoor City Development, inaugurated the Ananthapuri Vision Centre in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations, in the morning. Renowned construction planner Padmashree G. Shankar, city planning expert Anilkumar Pandala, and former BJP State President K. Surendran also spoke on the occasion.
