Kozhikode (Keralam), Oct 16 (PTI) Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said Keralam would become “God’s Own Country” again if political violence in the state were completely eradicated.
Speaking at the inauguration of Navaratri Sargholsavam (cultural festival) 2026 in Kozhikode, he said political violence in the state had declined considerably and expressed confidence that it would end completely.
Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was present at the event as well.
“While travelling in the car with the governor, we exchanged our views. I told him that, other than political violence, Keralam is a violence-free state. With God’s blessings, political violence has also come down drastically. I am sure it will be totally eradicated. We have to live together,” he said.
He said people in Keralam generally celebrated festivals such as Ramzan, Christmas and Onam together, irrespective of their religion.
“If political violence ends in Keralam, the state will again become God’s Own Country,” he said.
Emphasising the message of Navaratri, Radhakrishnan said the festival celebrated the victory of justice over injustice and courage over fear.
“However mighty the power may be, if they follow injustice, they will be defeated. This is the nucleus of celebrating Navaratri,” he said.
He said a courageous person was not someone who attacked others but someone who stood against injustice.
“Righteousness must prevail over injustice, and knowledge must dispel ignorance. These are enduring principles that can guide humanity towards a better future,” he said.
Referring to the country’s religious diversity, the vice president said people might address God by different names, but the divine was one.
“We can call it Allah, Lord Christ, Guruvayurappan or Ayyappan. We can call it by any name, but God is one,” he said.
He said the diverse ways of celebrating Navaratri across the country reflected India’s unity in diversity and shared civilisational heritage.
He said Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal, while Gujarat marks the festival with Garba and Dandiya. Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka also showcases India’s rich cultural heritage.
“The traditions may be many, the languages may be different, and the forms of worship may vary from place to place, but the spirit and essence of celebrating Dasara unite us all. That is because we follow a single Dharma,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of Navaratri in Keralam, Radhakrishnan said the festival was closely associated with Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of learning, wisdom, music and the arts.
The tradition of Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami marks the beginning of a child’s educational journey under the guidance of elders, reflecting the civilisation’s reverence for knowledge, he said.
“A child’s first letter is a small beginning, but it opens the door to a lifetime of discovery, creativity and understanding,” he said.
Vidyarambham is a Hindu initiation ceremony performed before a child begins formal education and is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
He stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage while embracing modernity and economic development.
“Our cultural heritage and traditions are the roots that give our civilisation its strength, identity and continuity,” he said, comparing them to the deep roots of a banyan tree that provide strength and shelter.
He said Navaratri Sargholsavam was more than a religious celebration, as it brought together knowledge, devotion, creativity and community participation through music, painting, dance and devotional programmes.
Such activities helped young people appreciate their cultural heritage while nurturing discipline, perseverance, self-confidence and artistic excellence, he said.
Radhakrishnan congratulated Kesari Weekly on organising the event and noted that the publication, first brought out in Kozhikode on November 27, 1951, would mark its 75th anniversary next month.
He commended the magazine for its contribution to Malayalam journalism and its commitment to democratic values and freedom of expression.
Calling cultural preservation a shared responsibility, he said families, teachers, artists, voluntary organisations and educational institutions all had a role to play in passing traditions on to the next generation.
“Our objective should be to develop citizens who are scientifically informed, technologically capable, culturally aware and socially responsible,” he said.
He expressed hope that the festival would inspire young people, encourage artists and help institutions preserve cultural heritage while embracing innovation.
“I pray to the Goddess to give us the strength to fight injustice, prosperity that can be shared with the have-nots, and knowledge to create a society that takes care of itself — a society where everyone lives not only for themselves but also for others,” he said.
Rajya Sabha MP C Sadanandan Master and former Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai were also present at the event. PTI TBA SSK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.