Vice-President M Hamid Ansari unveils statue of educationist Dr M Srinivasan

KOLLAM: Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari on Monday paid glowing tributes to the services of Dr Dr. M. Srinivasan, educationist and former principal of Sree Narayana College, who "personified the teachings and spirit of saint and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru." He was unveiling the statue of Dr. Srinivasan on the SN College grounds here as part of his 25th death anniversary. Dr Ansari recalled that Dr. Srinivasan had dedicated his life to the betterment of others through education. "It is befitting, therefore, that Dr. Srinivasan's statue is placed here in his beloved college," he said.

"He believed that the best way to deal with hopelessness was to serve others. He inspired his students to conduct studies on the social and economic challenges facing the country, particularly the plight of the poorest and the weakest sections of our society. In doing so, they could bring to light the injustice and pave the way for reforms and empowerment of the weaker sections," Dr. Ansari added.

Dr. Srinivasan studied in the Travancore University and completed his doctorate from Aligarh Muslim University. He began his career as a lecturer in the college in 1948 and worked for two decades. He went on to serve on the boards of several universities, including Calicut, Madras, Karnataka, Mysore and the Kerala Art University. Dr Srinivasan was also recognised as an expert in developing systems for evaluating student learning and served as a member, board of examination at the Union Public Service Commission from 1966 to 1991.

The function was presided over by Governor Justice P. Sathasivam in the presence of Mr K. Raju, Minister for Forests, MPs N.K. Premachandran, Kodikkunnil Suresh and K. Somaprasad, and MLAs M. Noushad and M. Mukesh. Former minister M.A. Baby welcomed the gathering. Mr Vellappally Natesan, SN trust secretary, presented mementoes to the Vice-President and the Governor.