Smriti Govindam award, instituted in memory of former Prant Sanghchalak of Kerala Prof M K Govindan Nair, was presented to academic and public intellectual Dr K S Radhakrishnan at an event in Thattayil, near Pandalam, on October 14 (Saturday). The award was presented by Adv. P S Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa. Shri J Nandakumar, national convenor of Prajna Pravah, Shri S Sethumadhavan, senior pracharak, spoke at the event.
Speaking at the event, Shri Pillai delved upon the man-making mission of RSS which led to emergence of the likes of Shri Ranga Hari and Prof Govindan. Remembering Prof Govindan, he said, “Govindan ji could have easily led a decent life with all fortunes at his disposal. He associated himself with the Sangh when very few people came forward to claim association with it. The three-letter word RSS was received with contempt and derision. His commitment to the Sangh cause was so deep that even the Emergency could not break his resolve,” he added.
Senior pracharak Shri S Sethumadhavan said Prof Govindan had left deep impression in the minds of swayamsevaks of all age-groups. He was respected by all who crossed his path. He was an erudite person who never threw his weight around.
Shri Nandakumar said Prof Govindan drove his car to his house to fetch “a boy studying in the eighth standard” for a Bala Shibir. As a teenager, Prof Govindan’s boudhik at a Sangh shibir had made deep impression in him. Shri Nandakumar said Prof Govindan had deep understanding about the Bharatiya philosophy which he came to know during his interactions with him on various topics.
The Smriti Govindam award was given for Radhakrishnan’s contribution to indic thought. The award carries Rs 25,000 and a memento.
At the event, two senior Sangh pracharaks Shri C Shiva Das and Shri M I Sukumaran were honored. Several senior pracharaks and Sangh workers attended the program. The event was organized by Prof Govindan Nair Foundation. In 2018, the Foundation had donated Rs 1.5 lakh towards Sewa Bharati for undertaking flood relief activities.
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