Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan has called upon young graduates to uphold Gandhian values and dedicate their knowledge and skills to the development of rural India. Addressing the convocation ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, he said education should not be confined to obtaining degrees or securing employment, but should help individuals become better human beings and contribute meaningfully to society. The Vice-President urged the graduates to stay away from substance abuse and harmful addictions and also create awareness among others about their ill effects.

 

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan who is in Tamil Nadu on a day’s visit, upon arrival at Madurai in the morning, immediately flew to Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district to the pay tributes to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial on the occasion of the 119th Thevar jayanthi and 64th guru puja.

 

Known as the “Tilak of the South,” Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar spent thousands of days in British jails and was a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. He served as the national deputy chairman of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) and was elected to Parliament for three consecutive terms.

 

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar is revered like a deity by the people in southern districts of Tamil Nadu like Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Theni, and Dindigul. Followers offer traditional temple-style worship, garlands, and prayers to his statues. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes along with other dignitaries. Later this evening Vice President will visit Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple and offer prayers before leaving for Delhi.