Narayana Gurumurthy inspiration behind family survey in Telangana: Bhatti

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said the programmes like integrated household survey and construction of integrated schools were taken up with the inspiration drawn from Narayana Guru who advocated one caste, one religion and God for entire humanity.

Narayana Guru’s impact and influence is not only on Kerala, but also the entire country, he said.

Bhatti Vikramarka was the special guest at the Narayana Guru International Letters Cultural Festival organised under the aegis of Narayana Guru Open University at Kollam in Kerala on Sunday.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the seminar, Bhatti said it was a valuable opportunity and great honour for him to recall and remember the life of Narayana Guru and his teachings.

The strong belief and opinion of Narayana Guru on equality, and his messages on humanism and equality became crucial in the present times, he exhorted.

"Narayana Guru was more than a spiritual leader and a social reformer and philosopher. By abolishing atrocities in various castes in Kerala society, Narayana Guru reformed the Kerala society.

The setting up of Aruvippuram Sri Sivalayam by Narayana Guru was not an ordinary spiritual act but a daring statement against caste discrimination," Bhatti said.

He stated that there are similarities between Dr B R Ambedkar and Narayana Guru and it is appropriate to talk about Dr Ambedkar while remembering Narayana Guru.

While Narayana Guru inspired change in the society, B R Ambedkar through Indian Constitution stabilised the concept of equality. The legacy of both Narayana Guru and Ambedkar became the pillars for justice and equality in the history of nation, Bhatti Vikramarka pointed out.

He further noted that the leadership of Narayana Guru was the main contributing factor for the social progress of Kerala State. He believed education alone would give freedom and relief to people and his role was significant in shaping Kerala as an educated, healthy and gender equality State, Bhatti said.

Noting that there is similarity in the thought processes between Telangana and Kerala States, the Deputy Chief Minister said in Telangana, Komuram Bhim and Chakali Ilamma had hoisted the flag of revolt for equality on the lines of Narayana Guru’s teachings and these two regions were representative of equality and justice, he said.

The unity message of Narayana Guru in the context of divisions in modern India became more relevant and important. All of us should go forward in the path shown by him and face the social and economic challenges in a befitting manner, Bhatti exhorted.

"Narayana Guru did not merely dream, but took daring steps to realise his dream. Now it is our duty to take his legacy forward and overcome divisions in the society and everyone should play his role for building a society where everyone can live in a fair and dignified manner," he said.

Bhatti called upon people to take inspiration from the life history of Narayana Guru and build a society with principles of equality, justice and humanity.

This would not only demonstrate our respect for the great leader but would make us fulfill the responsibility of preserving the speciality of India, the Deputy Chief Minister said.