Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday unveiled a statue of renowned social reformer and freedom fighter Mannathu Padmanabhan and inaugurated the Mannam Smrithi Mandapam at the Mannam International Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi.
The event, organised by the Nair Service Society (NSS), Delhi, was attended by Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi, NSS Delhi President M. K. G. Pillai, General Secretary M. D. Jayaprakash and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President described the occasion as a historic tribute to one of modern India’s foremost social reformers and nation-builders. Congratulating the Nair Service Society for establishing the memorial, he said the Mannam Smrithi Mandapam was not merely a physical structure but a living tribute to a visionary whose ideals of social justice, equality and national service continue to inspire generations.
“Mannathu Padmanabhan’s ideals transcend caste, region and religion, and continue to illuminate the path of social justice, equality and national service,” the Vice President said.
Recalling the life and contributions of Mannathu Padmanabhan, founder of the Nair Service Society, V-P Radhakrishnan said he devoted his life to education, social reform, self-reliance and community service, working tirelessly to uplift society.
Describing him as a pioneer of social renaissance, the Vice President said Mannathu Padmanabhan believed every individual deserved equal dignity and equal opportunity, adding that his vision extended far beyond sectional interests.
“He believed that genuine social progress is possible only when justice, compassion and inclusiveness become the guiding principles of society,” he said.
The Vice President noted that the remarkable growth of the Nair Service Society reflected the commitment and determination of its founder. Quoting one of Mannathu Padmanabhan’s core beliefs, he said, “Great institutions are built not by great wealth, but by great commitment.”
He recalled how the social reformer mobilised even modest contributions from ordinary households to establish educational and social institutions, creating opportunities that transformed generations.
Expressing satisfaction over the spread of Mannathu Padmanabhan’s ideals beyond Kerala, the Vice President praised NSS Delhi for preserving the state’s cultural heritage through art forms such as Kalaripayattu, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam while simultaneously promoting education and social service. He also lauded the organisation’s expansion to 25 branches across Delhi-NCR with nearly 25,000 members.
Reflecting on the significance of memorials, V-P Radhakrishnan said monuments serve not only to commemorate history but also to inspire future generations.
“Monuments inspire the future as much as they commemorate the past,” he said, urging citizens to carry forward Mannathu Padmanabhan’s vision of building a society founded on equality, education, compassion, service and national unity.
During the programme, the Vice President also planted a sapling at the Mannam International Centre under the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to promote environmental conservation.
