logo
Thrissur celebrates veteran Congress leader Therambil Ramakrishnan's Sathabhishekam with warm tributes

Thrissur celebrates veteran Congress leader Therambil Ramakrishnan's Sathabhishekam with warm tributes

The Hindu06-06-2025

In a vibrant celebration, Thrissur came together to honour one of its most respected public figures, senior Congress leader and former Assembly Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan, on his Sathabhishekam (a celebration marking completion of witnessing thousand full moons) on Friday.
The birthday celebration held at Kausthubham Auditorium drew people from all walks of life, symbolising the deep admiration and emotional bond the public shares with the veteran Congress leader. By 10:45 a.m., Mr. Ramakrishnan arrived with his family, greeted by Congress leaders, supporters, and cultural personalities. Accompanied by his wife Chandra, he lit the traditional lamp, formally marking the beginning of the celebrations. A feast followed, setting the tone for a day filled with affection and reverence.
Even elderly people, despite physical challenges, made it a point to attend — a testimony to the emotional legacy Mr. Ramakrishnan has left in the lives of so many.
Union Minister and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi greeted the senior leader with an embrace, acknowledging the decades of dedicated service Mr. Ramakrishnan gave to the constituency. In a rare moment of political transcendence, Minister of Higher Education R. Bindu paid her respects by touching Mr. Ramakrishnan's feet — symbolic not just of personal reverence but also of a shared past, as Mr. Ramakrishnan had been a classmate of her mother during their pre-degree days.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general Secretary K.C. Venugopal; KPCC President Sunny Joseph; former President K. Sudhakaran; Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan; senior congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and A.K. Antony greeted him over the phone.
The guest list was a who's who of Kerala's political, cultural, legal, and journalistic spheres. Dignitaries included Ministers K. Rajan, Auxiliary Bishop Mar Tony Neelankavil, spiritual leader Swami Gabheerananda, football icon I.M. Vijayan, DCC President Joseph Tajett, UDF District Chairman T.V. Chandramohan, MLAs Saneesh Kumar Joseph, P. Balachandran, CPM District Secretary K.V. Abdul Khader, CPI's K.K. Valsaraj, former MPs T.N. Prathapan and Ramya Haridas.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

President inaugurates Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan on 67th birthday
President inaugurates Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan on 67th birthday

Time of India

time40 minutes ago

  • Time of India

President inaugurates Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan on 67th birthday

Dehradun: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday inaugurated part of the Presidential Retreat in Dehradun, now renamed Rashtrapati Niketan, on her 67th birthday and Rashtrapati Tapovan which will be open for public viewing from June 24. The president, who is on a three-day visit to Uttarakhand that began Thursday, also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public garden at Rashtrapati Niketan. She also visited the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) and was moved to tears when a group of visually impaired children sang for her on her birthday. Union Minister for social justice and empowerment, Virendra Kumar was also present on the occasion. "The progress of a country or society can be judged by the way it treats persons with disabilities," she said. "India's history is full of inspiring incidents of sensitivity and inclusiveness. Elements of human compassion and love have always been present in our culture and civilisation. Through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which focuses on creating an accessible physical, transport, information, and communication ecosystem, the govt is striving for empowerment and equal participation of the divyangjan. " She added, "Today's era is one of science and technology. With the help of advanced tools, even people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the mainstream. Society must support and encourage them in every sphere." Later, Murmu inaugurated the Rashtrapati Niketan in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) and chief minister Dhami. She also released a postage stamp marking 125 years of the Raj Bhavan in Nainital. The 172-acre Presidential Estate has been transformed from an exclusive retreat into a public space celebrating biodiversity, heritage, and sustainability. Established in 1838 as a camp for the Governor General's Bodyguard, the estate later served as a private retreat for India's presidents. For decades, its serene orchards, colonial stables, and forest trails remained off-limits to the public till the creation of Rashtrapati Niketan, Rashtrapati Tapovan, and Rashtrapati Udyan. Spread across 21 acres, Niketan blends natural beauty with heritage. It now features a 200-seat amphitheatre and visitor amenities designed to foster cultural engagement and reflection. Its corridors showcase curated archival photographs from the Presidential Archives, offering glimpses into key moments of India's history and the evolving role of the presidency. The presidential rooms have been adorned with Uttarakhand's traditional art including Pahari miniatures, Aipan designs, and local crafts reflecting the region's cultural richness. Rashtrapati Tapovan, developed in collaboration with the Uttarakhand forest department, is a serene forest zone inspired by India's ancient tradition of learning in nature. It features silent zones, forest trails, meditation huts, shaded pergolas, and hosts 117 plant species, 52 butterflies, 41 bird species, and seven wild mammals, including protected species. Natural bamboo groves and undisturbed woodland ecosystems enrich the landscape. While Tapovan will open to the public on June 24 while Niketan will open on July 1. Biodiversity conservation lies at the core of the experience. Visitors can join expert-led walks to explore native medicinal plants, understand forest ecology, and learn from local ecological knowledge. Rashtrapati Udyan, for which the president laid a foundation stone, is a 132-acre sustainable public park designed through public consultation. It will include walking and cycling tracks, butterfly domes, an 800-seat amphitheatre, an aviary, and boating zones. Intended as a green lung for Dehradun, it also aims to serve as a national symbol of environmental responsibility. Officials said biodiversity restoration is central across all three zones. Native trees have been replanted, degraded grasslands left untouched to encourage pollinators, and wetlands revived to support amphibians, birds, and aquatic life. Interpretive boards throughout the estate explain these efforts: how the estate's microclimate supports the Doon Valley watershed, why native bees are vital for agriculture, and how small ecological interventions can have lasting impact. Heritage and ecology come together here to create a space that is intellectually enriching, emotionally grounding, and environmentally conscious. A book documenting the biodiversity of Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan, and Udyan was also released on the occasion. It catalogues over 300 species of flora and 170 species of fauna, including butterflies, birds, and mammals found across the estate.

Tripura CM mulls sex education in Class VIII-XII curriculum
Tripura CM mulls sex education in Class VIII-XII curriculum

Time of India

time41 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Tripura CM mulls sex education in Class VIII-XII curriculum

Agartala: Tripura CM on Friday said the state govt is considering the introduction of sex education in the curriculum for students in Classes VIII to XII. Speaking at the legislative forum in the state assembly, Saha emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, "We are considering incorporating sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness in the school curriculum in Class VIII-XII. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is not a matter of controversy, it is a necessity." He also encouraged community involvement, suggesting that MLAs could allocate funds to support HIV/AIDS patients. Saha highlighted the equal impact of HIV/AIDS on both boys and girls and stressed the importance of engaging youth in sports, cultural activities, and other creative pursuits to steer them away from drug addiction and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. He said Tripura was the first state in India to introduce Red Ribbon Clubs in schools and plans to create youth ambassadors to lead campaigns against drug abuse. Expressing concern over the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases and injecting drug users, particularly among teenagers, Saha said an average of 120 new HIV infections are reported each month in the state, despite preventive efforts by the state AIDS Control Society. In response to a proposal by Congress legislator Sudip Roybarman, the chief minister supported the idea of adding a dedicated chapter on sex education and HIV/AIDS to the school curriculum to raise awareness among the most vulnerable age group. Additionally, he suggested that each MLA could allocate Rs 1 lakh per year from their area development fund for initiatives against drugs and HIV.

'Don't Make Excuses...': Omar Abdullah Takes Swipe At Ally Congress Over EVM Charge
'Don't Make Excuses...': Omar Abdullah Takes Swipe At Ally Congress Over EVM Charge

News18

time41 minutes ago

  • News18

'Don't Make Excuses...': Omar Abdullah Takes Swipe At Ally Congress Over EVM Charge

Last Updated: He also took a swipe at the INDIA bloc, pointing out that the alliance's leaders have not held a single meeting since the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday took a sharp swipe at the INDIA bloc ally Congress over its allegations against the Election Commission, saying that excuses shouldn't be made when someone doesn't succeed in elections. After the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress party repeatedly criticised the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the electoral process. 'So what you hear from the Congress in terms of its reservations about the process of elections, this is all the Congress's own point of view. I don't share it. I don't share it simply because I'm not given to making excuses for things that I don't succeed at," said Abdullah during an interview with The Economic Times. 'If I have a problem with election results, then I need to have it when I've won as well. My party did better than we expected in the October assembly elections. Nobody expected us to get this number of seats," the Chief Minister remarked. Omar Abdullah delivers a reality check to Congress for attacking the Election Commission:'Don't make excuses for things you don't succeed at."'I got more seats than anyone expected. If I don't have a problem with how elections are conducted when I win, I can't have a problem… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 20, 2025 Recently, the Congress leaders questioned the credibility of the EVM system and demanded a return to ballot papers or the implementation of stricter safeguards. The party also called for an all-party discussion on electoral reforms to restore voter confidence. 'So if I don't have a problem with the way elections are conducted when I win, I certainly can't have a problem with the way elections are conducted because I've lost," Abdullah said. He also took a swipe at the INDIA bloc, pointing out that the alliance's leaders have not held a single meeting since the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:38 IST

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store