Kottayam: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the clergy to create awareness among the believers about protecting the environment they live.
Speaking while inaugurating the valedictory of the bicentenary celebrations of the Church Mission Society (CMS) missionaries’ arrival in the state here on Saturday, Vijayan said that the church heads can create awareness among public regarding the importance of preserving the nature and maintaining a clean environment.
“Though we are superior in personal hygiene, we are lagging far behind in environmental hygiene, he said. Kerala should become a land with a clean environment, he added.
He lauded the Church of South India (CSI) for its valuable contributions which helped in modernising the Kerala society, reported The Times of India.
The role of the CMS missionaries in ending racial discrimination in the field of education and extending education to the lay man cannot be forgotten.
The CMS missionaries educated all sections of the society and changed the society with their progressive stand. He also pointed out that it was the CMS missionaries who facilitated the education for former President K R Narayanan at a time when racial discrimination was prevalent.
The Government is trying to carry forward the heritage of renaissance paved by the CMS missionaries. CSI Deputy Moderator Thomas K Oommen presided.