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| Gopinathan Nair, Chairman, Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Thiruvananthapuram |
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Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Octogenarian Gopinathan Nair, Chairman of Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, was instrumental in achieving communal reconciliation in trouble torn Marad near Kozhikode, which witnessed murder on religious lines recently. Earlier he had catalytically intervened in high voltage communal troubles like Nilakkal church issue and Thalassery rebellion.
He and the Gandhi Peace Foundation were able to bring the warring groups in Marad to the negotiation table and convince them the need for a compromise formula. And thus they were able to achieve what the Government and political parties had failed to bring about.
Gopinathan Nair, who had met Gandhiji many times in Santhiniketan, Kolkatta, was attracted to the freedom struggle while studying in University College, Thiruvananthapuram. In 1946 he won the scholarship to do research at Santhiniketan. After the assassination of the Mahatma, he wound up his research work and returned to Kerala, only to become actively involved in Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi.
When Sarvodaya movement came up, he became the secretary of its Kerala chapter. He was twice elected as President of All India Sarvodaya Sangh. He had also served as President of Seva Gram ashram at Vardha for 11 years. Now as the executive member of All India Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi and Gandhi Peace Foundation, he epitomizes the relevance of Gandhian methods in the 21st century.
His wife Saraswathi retired as State Women’s Welfare Officer. They do not have any issues.
Courtesy: C.Prakash, Kalakaumudi, October 12-18, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
