Mannam jayanthi celebrations 2013 of NSS reiterates Nair-Ezhava unity

Mannam Jayanthi celebrations 2013 progressing at NSS headquarters Changanasseri have become an occasion to reiterate Nair-Ezhava Unity. Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair who inaugurated all Kerala Nair delegates’ meet on the new year day of 2013 said Nair-Ezhava unity would be preserved at all costs.

It seems finally NSS-SNDP unity is showing signs of lasting long. Previous unity moves had been abandoned following reasons ranging from ego of leaders to manipulations by leaders of minority communities and political parties in Kerala. Sukumaran Nair said Nair-Ezhava unity would eventually grow to include all sections of Hindus in Kerala.

Sukumaran Nair said politicians are trying to divide castes in Kerala. He said Nairs should realize this.

It is really welcome that NSS leadership has realized the threats being faced by Hindus in Kerala. Though Hindus are still majority in Kerala, the ruling coalition United Democratic Front lead by Congress has a majority MLAs from minority communities in Kerala. Similarly, recently the Congress unit in Kerala reconstituted office bearers and a majority of DCC presidents now belong to minority communities. Congress had earlier tried to ensure social equilibrium while reconstituting committees. But this time it seems Hindus got a raw deal while district committee of Congress was reconstituted. Congress leadership should realize that there is a real threat of party losing its hold among Hindus, especially Nairs.

Nairs along with Christians used to be the major vote bank of Congress in Kerala. At this rate Nairs may join BJP and some may vote for CPI (M), if Congress fails to correct imbalance. 

Mannam International Socio-Cultural and Charitable Centre of Delhi NSS inaugurated

 Mannam International Socio-Cultural and Charitable Centre set up by Delhi NSS was opened at Dwarka in New Delhi in November 2012. President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee formally declared the centre open at a function organised in Rashtrpati Bhavan.

According to a report that appeared in The Hindu on the occasion, the centre, located at Dwarka, seeks to provide care for senior citizens, healthcare to the underprivileged, temporary shelter to the needy who visit the capital, and space for community functions.

Though this blog has no formal connection with Delhi NSS, I think this should be reported to the world as it is an important event for Nair community throughout the world, especially in Delhi and nearby states. But I wish the patrons of Delhi NSS realised the importance of publishing this event through Centre's own website so that those who would benefit come to know about it. Anyway an international institutions needs to have own website and issue periodical newsletters.

In his inaugural speech the president recalled the contributions of Mannam to the socio-cultural renaissance in Kerala.

‘‘Mannathu Padmanabhan participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha in Kerala which resulted in streets around the Vaikom Shiva temple being opened to the socially underprivileged sections of Hindu society as well as the Guruvayur Satyagraha which led to entry of underprivileged classes into temples,’’ Mukherjee said.

He pointed out that Mannam worked with rare zeal and single-minded devotion for the transformation of the downtrodden in society. A large number of dignitaries were present at the function at Rashtrapati Bhavan who included Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor and T.K.A. Nair, Adviser to the Prime Minister.

Let us all congratulate Delhi NSS for opening such a centre. Nairs had significant presence and were influential in Delhi right from the days of independence. However Nairs did not have any organisation or community office in Delhi. Delhi NSS has not only fulfilled the role but has taken the lead in bringing together influential Nairs in Delhi on a common platform for the greater common good of the community and the society. I hope Delhi NSS grows to a big organisation and help and guide Nairs based in North India.