Every Keralite should embrace the teachings and vision of Sree Narayana Guru and consider them part of their heritage, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Monday.

Mr. Satheesan was addressing a public conference organised by the Sivagiri Madhom to mark the death anniversary of Guru. “If today we can say Keralam is secular, the entire credit for it goes to Narayana Guru. It was he who sowed the seeds for it,” the Chief Minister said.

Guru’s vision forms the core of Keralam’s progressive thought and social reformation. The ideas that he implanted in the minds of the people transcend time and no one can erase them. In an age of darkness, Guru held Keralites by their hand and taught them to walk not backward, but forward, Mr. Satheesan said.

The Chief Minister said his government’s actions would always reflect Guru’s teachings.

Sivagiri Madhom president Swami Sathchidananda presided. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique was among those present.