THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 122nd birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was celebrated with various programmes in the city on Monday.Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph, who inaugurated the celebrations at the Jawahar Balbhavan, said Nehru was a true statesman who realised the formation of a secular state. He was a tactician who envisaged successful economic policies. The Five-Year Plan programme envisioned by Nehru helped the country to achieve the goal of development, Joseph said. The Jawahar Balbhavan will be a made a centre of excellence, the Minister said. ‘’A museum for children, theatre and a dormitory would be set up here,’’ he said. The government is actively considering the Rs 5.30- crore proposal submitted by the Balbhavan in this regard, Joseph said.Nehru envisioned an education system based on the concept of total development of children. Jawahar Balbhavans, named after the great statesman, have an obligation to realise his dreams, he said. K Muraleedharan MLA, chairman of the Balbhavan who presided over the function, said that Rs 10 lakh would be allotted from his MLA fund to purchase a bus for the Balbhavan. ‘’The country owes a lot to Nehru for the achievements it has made in various sectors. Nehru provided a strong base for the country and hence the democratic setup in the country successfully survives unlike many other Asian countries,’’ he said. Dr George Onakkoor delivered the keynote address. He exhorted the children to read ‘Discovery of India’ to know the real India. Balbhavan managing committee members Dr K Omanakutty and Sasthamangalam Mohan offered felicitations. Omanakutty sung a poem penned by poet Sugathakumari on Nehru on the occasion. Balbhavan principal Dr S Malini welcomed the gathering and executive officer Parameswaran Nair proposed a vote of thanks. Around 250 children from various city schools and the Balbhavan participated in the celebrations. Nursery kids sung patriotic songs at the function. Balbhavan teachers presented songs on Pandit Nehru.‘Nehru had a poetic vision’Writer Perumbadavam Sreedharan remembered Nehru as one who had exceptional poetic vision. Inaugurating the Children’s Day celebrations organised by the Nehru Centre at the Gorky Bhavan, he said that Nehru’s verses deserve special merit for the poetic vision in them. Children should read Nehru’s works for a better understanding of their country, he said. Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph inaugurated the celebrations. Nehru Centre chairman M M Hassan presided over the function. M R Thampan, Pandalam Sudhakaran, Kalpetta Balakrishnan and Kalam Kochera spoke. The Minister distributed the prizes for the winners in the debate and patriotic song contests organised as part of the celebrations. The University College team won the trophy for the best debating team. Gadha S Madhav of the college was selected best speaker. St Mary’s HSS Pattom was presented the first prize in the patriotic song contest.KPCC’s celebrationsThe Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) held various programmes across the state in memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala led the all-religion meet held at Indira Bhavan here. Prominent leaders and workers offered floral tributes in front of the portrait of Nehru.
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