PM Modi unveils statue of former CM R Shankar
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Kollam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the statue of former Chief Minister R Shankar at SN College in Kollam, amid controversies over withdrawal of invitation to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said R Shankar was a person who strived for educating the backward classes. “Shankar belongs to a rare category of politicians who live in the minds of the people even after his death. He has done so many things for the people to be remembered so,” Modi said.
“Shankar lived his whole life trying to materialize Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings,” he added.
Modi, in the speech, identified himself as a member of the backward community. “No one has to teach me about the sufferings the backward castes went through. I have experienced it in my life. If someone is guiding us to a better life through education, that person is equal to god,” he said.
The Prime Minister did not make any announcements on the demands of the state including the announcement of Sabarimala as a national pilgrimage centre.
SNDP Yogam general secretary and SN Trust secretary Vellappally Natesan presided over the function.
SNDP yogam vice president Tushar Vellappally and BJP state president V Muraleedhan were among the dignitaries on the dais.