Social Activism

Thalassery gained a prominent place during European rule, due to its strategic geographic location and commercial importance. Thalassery was the most important centre of spice trade, and even today, supermarkets all over the world proudly display “Tellicherry Pepper” in their shelves. It also has a unique place in the cultural history of South India.

Thalassery was also a melting pot of different cultures. The youth of Thalassery was a highly enlightened lot, and open to all new ideas and philosophies. And not surprisingly, NetturP was among the vanguard of the reformists,

NetturP had deep convictions of liberty, universal brotherhood and equality. These convictions drew him close to the ideals and principles of Sree Narayana Guru, a revered Saint and champion of the oppressed and the downtrodden in Kerala. His Head Master in Middle school and one of the top disciples of Sree Narayana Guru, Moorkoth Kumaran Master also had contributed to his drawing closer to the Guru’s ideals. This made him to associate with the Sivagiri ashram in Varkala and the later age Swamijis. The principal disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, Swamy Anandatheertha was also very close to NetturP.

Upholding of Guru’s principles can be traced in all his activities, be it his writings, speeches, administrative actions, particularly the action related to the upliftment of Adivasis and other marginalized people at the bottom of the society. And this conviction made him render all possible support when peoples struggles in various parts of the country come to his notice or on getting requests from organisers of such struggles.

His social ideology was not limited or narrowed by the programs and polices of political parties, including his own. He maintained constant contracts, cordial relations and intellectual exchanges with leaders with different streams of thought. Even though he could have easily gained important positions in governance, he shunned them and consciously selected assignments that were close to his heart, namely, upliftment of tribals, adivasies and other marginalised sections of the society.

His views were also not influenced by narrow and selfish interests, but by wider and holistic views. The strong positions he took in issues such as headquarters of the new Kannur district, the conclusions of Nettur Commission, etc. drew opposition, mainly from his own people, and even led to his eclipse from the state political scene. But he stood his ground, and time has amply validated his stands.

Nettur P took great interest in propagating the ideals and principles of Sree Narayana Guru all over India by using his good offices, including closeness to central leaders. It was such efforts on his part that made the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his daughter Indira Gandhi to visit Shivagiri in 1957. This was the first visit by a Prime Minister to Shivagiri. The rest is history. Sree Narayan Guru’s principles and teachings became well known not only in India but around the world.

Nehru wrote about his visit to Shivagiri thus:

“I feel very happy to have come to a place where a great man lived and gave his message to the people. Where great men lived, that place becomes a holy ground something like a temple, because of their thoughts and prayers that lie enshrined there. Sree Narayana Guru lived here and from here radiated his message – the message of no caste, no division and he wanted to build up a casteless and classless society. That message is still very much needed in these days …. “

Visit by Nehru and IndiraGandhi was made possible through the efforts of NetturP. R. Shankar, who later became Chief Minister, and the Swamijies from the Mutt accompanied the visitors

A floral tribute by Nehru at Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi