Literacy drives Kerala’s development, says President Droupadi Murmu

The power of literacy and knowledge has enabled Kerala to rank among the leading States on several human development indicators, President Droupadi Murmu has said.

Addressing the valedictory function of the platinum Jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College at Pala on Thursday (October 23, 2025), the President emphasised that knowledge drives innovation, propels society forward, and fosters self-reliance.

Shaping destinies

Noting that St. Thomas College was established with the objective of providing education primarily to students from rural areas, she said the institution has fulfilled this mission for 75 years, promoting intellectual pursuits guided by a moral compass. “Educational institutions like St. Thomas College are workshops where destinies are shaped,” the President said.

Speaking about Kottayam, she highlighted the region’s rich legacy of social and educational transformation. “This place witnessed the great movement for the eradication of untouchability, famously known as the Vaikom Satyagraha, a hundred years ago. Kottayam is rightly called ‘Aksharanagari’ as it has long been a fountainhead of literacy and education. The ‘Sakshara Keralam’ movement was strengthened by the active participation of people from this area. P.N. Panicker’s remarkable initiative to promote learning through the library movement was inspired by a simple but powerful message: “read and grow”, the President said.

The function was presided over by Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of the Diocese of Pala, Syro-Malabar Church, with Vicar-General and college manager Joseph Thadathil and Principal Sibi James leading the proceedings.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Minister of State George Kurian, Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Lok Sabha MP K. Francis George and Rajya Sabha MP Jose K. Mani were also present.