Gandhian organisations in the State, such as the Kelappan Endowment Trust, Kerala Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Gandhi Media Foundation, Kerala Harijan Seva Sangham, Kozhikode Gandhigriham, and Sarvodayamandalam, will organise a year-long programme to commemorate the 125 birth anniversary of K. Kelappan.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the programme at Gandhi Sadan, Pakkanar Puram, Kozhikode, on September 1.
Gandhi Sadan was a school meant for children of all communities where Kelappaji lived. As the Chief Minister inaugurates the programme, students of all schools in the State will be administered a pledge for communal harmony and against drug abuse.
During the year, communal harmony campaigns will organised by all institutions working for the Gandhian cause. Elocution, essay, painting, and quiz events will be held for school and college students.
A movie on Kelappaji and a book on his life are being planned. A statue of Kelappaji will be installed in the State capital, sources associated with the event say.
Culture Minister K.C. Joseph will preside over the function.
The Chief Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Kerala Gandhi Kelappan Museum and Research Centre on the occasion. He will inaugurate a temporary museum as well.
N. Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Council of Gandhian Studies and Kelappan Endowment Trust, will deliver the keynote address. Mullappally Ramachandran, MP; K. Kunhammed, MLA; and Kerala Harijan Sevasangh chairman N. Gopalakrishnan Nair will take part.