Varkala (Kerala)

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday said spiritual life and social life cannot be separated, and if faith does not uplift society, then it remains incomplete.

As India moves towards Viksit Bharat, machines and highways alone will not build the nation, but values, unity, and love will, he said.

The Vice President was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Sivagiri Math, founded by saint-social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, at Varkala near Thiruvanthapuram.

"Spiritual life and social life cannot be separated. If faith does not uplift society, then faith remains incomplete," he said.

Highlighting the harmonious co-existence of various faiths in the country, he said India's strength lies in harmony among all faiths, and the Government of India supports this actively.

"When Indians faced hardships in Iran, they were brought back safely. Haj pilgrims now have streamlined facilities. Buddhist sites are connected as circuits," he said.

The Vice President further said pilgrimage tourism is growing in the country not just as travel, but as a spiritual experience.

He pointed to government initiatives like the PRASAD scheme and the expansion of Vande Bharat trains as ways the state bridges the gaps between modern connectivity and spiritual heritage.

"From Ayodhya to Rameswaram, spiritual circuits unite people. These efforts create livelihoods, foster harmony, and strengthen society."

The Sivagiri Pilgrimage itself is a living example of this harmony, he noted.

He warned against the age of distraction, where "social media pulls minds apart. Shortcuts attract young minds. Drug menace and false success worry us."

Radhakrishnan tasked institutions inspired by Sree Narayana Guru with guiding the youth to uphold harmony, resist extremism, and strengthen the nation.

This harmony of faith and rationalism made Sree Narayana Guru not just a saint of the past but a guide for the future, he said.

He noted that thousands of devotees come together in Sivagiri regardless of caste, community, or background and are united by faith, service, and shared values.

They demonstrate that spiritual practice can build social cohesion, he said.

Even today, Guru's influence guides education, social upliftment, and human dignity in Kerala.

Emphasising the Guru’s intellectual depth, the Vice-President said Sree Narayana Guru upheld faith without surrendering reason, rejected blind belief, and welcomed rational inquiry.

Invoking India’s civilisational ethos, the Vice-President said Indian spirituality has always placed love as the highest form of worship.

He observed that Sree Narayana Guru lived this philosophy through action, demonstrating that service to society is greater than ritual, and love towards fellow human beings is the truest form of devotion.

The VP identified Adi Sankaracharya and Sree Narayana Guru as Kerala's greatest gifts to the world and said their philosophies continue to inspire humanity.

Distinguishing Indian traditions from global travel trends, he remarked that pilgrimage is not tourism but transformation in India.

The Vice-President cited Sivagiri as an example of this civilisational truth.

He noted that saints across centuries travelled freely across regions and languages, reinforcing India’s enduring strength rooted in harmony among faiths.

The VP wished that the spirit of this pilgrimage strengthen our sense of social responsibility and ethical citizenship.

"Together, let us commit ourselves to building an Atmanirbhar, Viksit, and Shreshtha Bharat," he added.

He described the Sivagiri pilgrimage as a journey toward the comprehensive betterment of man, which is a perfect blend of spiritual seeking and socio-economic progress.

Calling upon citizens, especially the youth, the Vice-President urged them to draw inspiration from the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru and uphold the constitutional values of equality, fraternity, and justice.

Concluding his address, he expressed confidence that the wisdom emanating from Sivagiri would continue to guide India towards a future marked by social justice, dignity, and universal brotherhood.

Four books on Sree Narayana Guru were released as part of the ceremony.

The books were released by the Vice President by handing them over to the Governor.

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'The sage who reimagined Hinduism' by Shashi Tharoor MP was among the released books, sources said.

The VP earlier offered prayers and paid reverential homage at the Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru at the Math.