President Pranab Mukherjee underscores cosmopolitanism

KODUNGALLUR: President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday underscored the need for preserving the country's rich legacy of cosmopolitanism acquired through uninhibited interactions with divergent cultures and ideas from across the world.

The President was inaugurating the completed portions of the Muziris Heritage Project, which seeks to explore and conserve the fragments of historical links of the ancient port town of Muziris believed to be near the present day Kodungallur in central Kerala.

"As a country intersected by major maritime and caravan routes, India has always been one of the most cosmopolitan societies in the world, comfortable in dealing with the diversity and welcoming of new ideas and cultures. I hope this project will spread the message of Indian cosmopolitanism far and wide, adding thereby to India's soft power across the world," the President said.

The President complimented Kerala for making important contributions for nurturing pluralistic cultures for ages. "The spirit of tolerance and catholicity of outlook of the people of Kerala is a model for the rest of the country. The Muziris Heritage Project celebrates this magnificent heritage of our land where people of different religions, castes and languages live in harmony," he said.

"The Hindu Kings of Kerala welcomed people from foreign lands as well as their religions - Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The Kings gifted land to set up places of worship and offered protection and patronage to believers of different religions. Today, Kerala is a state where religions share traditions. Many churches light oil lamps and raise flags as is done in Hindu temples. Similarly, the Cheraman Mosque has an oil lamp which is always lit," he recalled.

He pointed out that the next phase of the project is the Spice Route Initiative which will explore the international connections and linkages that the Malabar Coast had with many parts of the world. This phase is to be implemented with the support of UNESCO and United Nations World Tourism Organization.

"The Spice Route Initiative is both important and timely with India seeking to once again emerge as a major centre for international trade and transport as well as a maritime power. I understand the Spice Route Initiative will link 41 countries in Asia and Europe with India and rejuvenate our cultural and academic exchanges with these nations," he said.

Kerala Governor Justice P Sthasivam presided. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and state tourism minister A P Anilkumar were among those who spoke on the occasion. The Postal Department brought out a special stamp to coincide with the occasion.

According to the tourism department officials who are implementing the project there are 29 components for it which will cover the conservation of the various heritage sites as well development of the infrastructure at those sites, and 18 have already completed.

The project was estimated to cost about Rs 94 crore and another Rs 10 crore was to be spent for infrastructure development. The Centre had earmarked Rs 42 crore for the project, they said.