Kerala-based media centre Vishwa Samvada Kendram (VSK) celebrated Narada Jayanti on May 13 in Kochi, commemorating the great sage Narada, who is considered the first and ideal journalist, working for the welfare of the universe.
On this occasion, the Kerala unit of VSK honoured journalists for their outstanding service in the field of journalism, recognising their professional conduct and contributions.
Senior journalist M. Rajasekhara Panicker, who has completed fifty years in the profession and also serves as the Chairman of VSK Kerala, was felicitated during the ceremony. The Prof. M.P. Manmadhan Memorial Media Awards were presented to M.A. Abdul Nasar of The New Indian Express and Nithin Ambujan of 24 News.
The event was chaired by renowned novelist K.L. Mohana Varma. In his address, he remarked that people should be capable of dreaming by nurturing a youthful mind. He lauded Prof. M.P. Manmadhan for communicating not only the meaning but also the fragrance of words—his speech carrying both depth and elegance.
Expressing his gratitude to the organisers, M. Rajasekhara Panicker recounted his experiences during the Emergency in 1975. He spoke with pride about participating in the satyagraha called by the RSS and willingly courting arrest. He recalled, echoing L.K. Advani’s famous words, that those were times when media persons were “crawling when asked to kneel”.
Young journalists M.A. Abdul Nasar and Nithin Ambujan also spoke on the occasion, expressing their thanks and reaffirming their commitment to journalistic integrity.
Addressing the gathering, R. Sanjayan, Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram (the Kerala chapter of Prajna Pravah), stated that Operation Sindoor has sent a strong message to the world. He emphasised that the country is facing a war-like situation, yet the opposition parties are not aligned with the national mindset, and their actions are aimed at demoralising the nation.
The commemoration of Prof. M.P. Manmadhan was observed simultaneously. Recalling the life and ideals of Prof. Manmadhan, Sanjayan noted that he led a life of courage and audacity, setting an exemplary model for social workers. His life was anchored in the philosophy of truth.
Senior journalist M.V. Benny reflected on Prof. Manmadhan’s lifelong dedication to social causes, particularly his relentless campaign for alcohol prohibition. He fondly remembered visiting the protest site in Kochi where Prof. Manmadhan led an agitation against a liquor outlet. Benny, former General Secretary of Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishad, also reminisced about his long-standing friendship with M. Rajasekhara Panicker.
T. Satisan, senior reporter (Kerala) for Organiser, shared his memories of Prof. Manmadhan’s fearless activism. He recalled that Prof. Manmadhan was the Kerala State Chairman of Lok Sangharsh Samiti, formed during the Emergency under RSS leadership to spearhead the underground resistance against the authoritarian regime of Indira Gandhi. He noted that Prof. Manmadhan accepted imprisonment like any other political prisoner and never demanded special treatment.
Satisan further recalled that Prof. Manmadhan chaired the grand reception for RSS Sarsanghchalak Balasaheb Deoras on May 12, 1977 in Kochi, after his release from prison, following the lifting of the Emergency and the ban on RSS. He also noted that Prof. Manmadhan served as the Chief Editor of Janmabhumi, which was launched as a morning daily post-Emergency.
T. Satisan also detailed the life of M. Rajasekhara Panicker as an RSS worker. He reflected on their 53-year-long friendship. Panicker served as an RSS Karyavah in western Kochi during and prior to the Emergency, while working for the Kochi edition of The Indian Express. When Lok Sangharsh Samiti launched a nationwide satyagraha from 14 November 1975 to 14 January 1976, demanding the restoration of democracy, Panicker led a group of Sangh workers in public protest. He was arrested, brutally tortured, and imprisoned under the DIR for two and a half months. This resulted in the loss of his job; he later took legal steps to regain it but was transferred to Hyderabad. Notably, Panicker was the only media person in Kerala to participate in the satyagraha called by the RSS. He was also actively involved in the editing of Kurukshethra, the Malayalam underground fortnightly brought out by Lok Sangharsh Samiti during the Emergency, defying all odds.
Shaiju Sankaran, VSK Secretary, welcomed the gathering, while Rajeev, Chairman of the Reception Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.
Prof. M.P. Manmadhan was one of the most revered Gandhians in the state. A freedom fighter and former principal of an arts and science college, he resigned from his post after facing criticism for upholding discipline on campus. He was the President of the Gandhi Peace Foundation and a dedicated leader of the anti-alcohol movement.
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