85th birthday of Karunakara Guru celebrated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Santhigiri Ashram is playing a significant role in preserving the country’s spiritual and healthcare heritage, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said here on Sunday.He was inaugurating the month-long celebration to mark the 85th birthday (‘Janmadina Poojitha Samarpana Aghosham - Navapoojitham’) of the ashram’s founder, Karunakara Guru.The Minister lauded the ashram for spreading its wings to the other parts  of the country. Sahay promised the ashram auhtorites all help in developing the ‘seven sister hill area’ (in which Santhigiri Ashram is situated) if a proposal to this effect is forwarded to the government.The state should take care to preserve its natural resources and pristine forests. The world is coming to India to experience this natural beauty and purity, he said.KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, who presided over the function, said peace, amity and tranquillity are the hallmarks of the ashram. He urged the government to promote pilgrim tourism to Santhigiri.Delivering the keynote address, N Peethambara Kurup MP paid homage to Karunakara Guru."The Guru was not a mere person but an almighty force,’’ he said. He lauded the ashram for its charitable activities.Mullakkara Ratnakaran MLA released ‘Manavikathayude Matham,’ a book brought out by Santhigiri Publications.Ashram director Swami Navananma Jnana Tapaswi, Palode Ravi MLA, Kadakampalli Surendran, Karamana Jayan, G Vamadevan, S Sudharmini and R Gopalakrishanan addressed the gathering.