Biography of social reformer Narayana Guru released
New Delhi, June 14: A comprehensive biography of Keralas prominent social reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru was launched here on Thursday, with the aim of popularising his life and teachings beyond the state.
Titled "Sree Narayana Guru: The Perfect Union of Buddha and Sankara", the biography, written by Asokan Vengassery Krishnan, was released by Rajya Sabha member Narendra Jadhav at a function in the Teen Murti House.
The 396-page book, published by Konark Publishers, has been edited by veteran journalist M.R. Narayan Swamy.
"Guru is widely known in Kerala, but not so much outside it. The idea is to take his teachings and philosophy to India and rest of the world, with this book," Krishnan told IANS.
In his address, Jadhav, likened the anti-caste crusade of Narayana Guru to that of B.R. Ambedkar.
This book chronicles the illustrious life of the sage who emerged as the conscience of Kerala in the twentieth century, the publisher said in a statement.
"As a social reformer, his impact was unmatched in history. Thoss who had been denied basic human rights for centuries were able to experience dramatic changes in their lives due to the awakening caused by Guru's teachings," it said.
In the book's preface, Krishnan writes that he had striven to "unravel the multifaceted personality of Sree Narayana Guru as a saint, sage, 'siddha', 'yogi', socio-religious reformer, thinker, educator, philosopher, pragmatic visionary, and poet".
Rajya Sabha member V. Muraleedharan deemed it as a book "relevant to present time", and said his teachings have universal applicability.
The dignitaries present during the launch include former Indian Council for Cultural Relations chairman Lokesh Chandra, Kerala MP A. Sampath, former diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan, fomer Kannur University Vice Chancellor P. Chandramohan among others.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Nashik court sends ‘godman’ Kharat to seven-day judicial custody in third rape case
_vb_49.jpeg)
Nashik (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Nashik on Monday remanded self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to judicial custody till April 20 in a third case of rape against him for allegedly sexually exploiting a pregnant woman.
The special investigation team (SIT) produced Kharat for a virtual hearing in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate B N Ichpurani as his police custody in the case ended on Monday.
The SIT presented the remand report and sought judicial custody for Kharat, a former merchant navy officer. The court then remanded him to a seven-day judicial custody till April 20.
In the third case, Kharat, who was first arrested in mid-March, is accused of sexually exploiting a seven-month pregnant woman, the wife of his office staffer.
According to the complaint lodged by the victim's husband, the accused sexually assaulted the survivor on multiple occasions, including in his office in Nashik, between November 2023 and December 2025.
Kharat also conducted a ritual with the pregnant woman at a temple in Mirgaon village of Sinnar taluka of the district, it said.
Although the victim informed her husband about her plight, he did not believe her. But when he heard about complaints of Kharat's misbehaviour with other women, he planted a spy camera in the astrologer's office to find out the truth and recorded his acts.
The employee later handed over to the police a pen drive containing objectionable videos of the 'godman'.
Kharat faces nearly a dozen cases, eight of them related to sexual assaults.
The SIT, meanwhile, has filed an application in the court demanding Kharat's custody in another case. As the court granted them the necessary permission, the team will take the accused's custody from the Nashik Road Central Jail.
Kharat will be produced in court again in the fourth case on Tuesday.
_vb_90.jpeg)
_vb_90.jpeg)