Today's my grandfather's birth anniversary. The programme that was organised by the PN Panicker foundation at the Kalabhavan theatre, at Vazhuthacaud, in Thiruvananthapuram was notable for the following features:-
(a) The programme had the active presence of the people, across the political spectrum as is the case of
every event conducted in his memory, with the Chief Minister leading the pack.
(b) The event had started dot on time at 8 AM.
(c) The speeches paid glowing tributes to the man and many of them were peppered with anecdotes
drawn from personal experiences.
(d) The entire sequence of events associated with the programme was tautly conducted and stuck to the
schedule.
(e) The audience comprised a mixed and varying lot notable for their outstanding contributions to the
society by the sheer quality of their work.
(f) The jam packed movie hall consisted of people who believed that it was their duty to be part of an
event concerning the social reformer!
What struck me most was that every speaker stressed upon the simplicity of PN Panicker and the steadfastness of his actions. His endeavour to bring about 100% literacy in the state coining the slogan, 'Vayichu Valaruka' (Read and grow) showed his belief in his deeds and as I understood from what speaker after speaker had to say, it was this quality of his that had endeared him to the people cutting across caste, creed or religion. And in his efforts, he never hankered for power or pelf, ever! (I've been told by quite a few of the old timers in politics that had my grandfather wanted, he could have easily become the second chief minister of the state!!)
Muthachan, here's my humble bow on the occasion. And am proud to be your grandson!
Tailpiece.
(a) After the speeches, the inaugural screening of a documentary on the life and times of PN Panicker - of 25 mts' duration and produced by the Government of Kerala - was carried out.
(b) My take.
While the short movie has been able to capture the essence of the man, it somehow lacked the punch in
telling the viewers as to what made him great and what lessons the future generations could glean from
the story of his life.
(a) The programme had the active presence of the people, across the political spectrum as is the case of
every event conducted in his memory, with the Chief Minister leading the pack.
(b) The event had started dot on time at 8 AM.
(c) The speeches paid glowing tributes to the man and many of them were peppered with anecdotes
drawn from personal experiences.
(d) The entire sequence of events associated with the programme was tautly conducted and stuck to the
schedule.
(e) The audience comprised a mixed and varying lot notable for their outstanding contributions to the
society by the sheer quality of their work.
(f) The jam packed movie hall consisted of people who believed that it was their duty to be part of an
event concerning the social reformer!
What struck me most was that every speaker stressed upon the simplicity of PN Panicker and the steadfastness of his actions. His endeavour to bring about 100% literacy in the state coining the slogan, 'Vayichu Valaruka' (Read and grow) showed his belief in his deeds and as I understood from what speaker after speaker had to say, it was this quality of his that had endeared him to the people cutting across caste, creed or religion. And in his efforts, he never hankered for power or pelf, ever! (I've been told by quite a few of the old timers in politics that had my grandfather wanted, he could have easily become the second chief minister of the state!!)
Muthachan, here's my humble bow on the occasion. And am proud to be your grandson!
Tailpiece.
(a) After the speeches, the inaugural screening of a documentary on the life and times of PN Panicker - of 25 mts' duration and produced by the Government of Kerala - was carried out.
(b) My take.
While the short movie has been able to capture the essence of the man, it somehow lacked the punch in
telling the viewers as to what made him great and what lessons the future generations could glean from
the story of his life.
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