P. Parameswaran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
P. Parameswaran
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| Born | 3 October 1927 |
| Died | 9 February 2020 (aged 92) Mayannur, Kerala, India
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Education | B.A. History, University College Trivandrum Predegree, St. Berchmans College Changanacherry |
| Known for | Hindutva thinker Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Pracharak director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra president of Vivekananda Kendra |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan 2018 Padma Shri 2004 Amritha Keerti Puraskar 2002 |
P. Parameswaran (born October 3, 1927 – died February 9, 2020), also known as Parameswarji, was an important thinker and social worker from Kerala, India. He was a dedicated full-time volunteer for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He also served as a leader in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a political party.
Parameswaran was the president of Vivekananda Kendra, a group that works to promote Swami Vivekananda's ideas. This organization even won the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2015. In 2018, he received the Padma Vibhushan, which is India's second highest award for civilians. He passed away in 2020 due to health issues related to his age.
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Early Life and Education
P. Parameswaran was born in 1927 in a village called Muhamma in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. After finishing his early schooling in his hometown, he continued his studies. He went to St. Berchmans College in Changanacherry.
Later, he graduated with honors in History from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. From a young age, he was very interested in learning about Hinduism. He was also involved with many Hindu social and cultural groups.
His Work and Ideas
Parameswaran became involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) when he was a student. He was also a student of Swami Agamananda, a respected spiritual teacher. In 1950, he became a full-time organizer, known as a pracharak, for the RSS. This was at the request of M. S. Golwalkar, a top leader of the RSS.
He served as an organizing secretary for the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1957. Later, he became an important national leader and then Vice-President of the Jan Sangh. He was even put in jail during a difficult time in India called the Indian Emergency (1975-1977).
In 1977, Parameswaran decided to focus more on social ideas and development instead of politics. He worked as a director for the Deendayal Research Institute in New Delhi for four years. This organization was started by Nanaji Deshmukh. P. Parameswaran lived a simple life and did not own a house. He lived at the headquarters of the Vichara Kendram in Thiruvananthapuram.
In 1982, he returned to Kerala and started a new organization called Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram. This group aimed to help rebuild the nation through study and research. It has its main office in Thiruvananthapuram and branches all over Kerala. He was the Director of this organization. He was also connected with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra in Kanyakumari. He held various roles in the governing body of the Kendra. He also supported the Geetha Swadhyaya Samithi, which teaches the ideas of the Bhagavad Gita to young people.
He was a close friend and student of Swami Agamananda, a social reformer. Swami Agamananda founded the Advaita Ashrama at Kalady, which is the birthplace of Adi Shankara.
Parameswaran wrote many articles and books about social, cultural, and religious topics. He gave speeches across India on important national issues. He also took part in the 100-year celebration of Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
His Social Ideas
In 1998, Parameswaran suggested observing a 'Gita decade' in Kerala. This was his idea to help reduce crime and other social problems in the state. He believed that popularizing the Bhagavad Gita as a guide for life could solve many issues in Kerala and India.
A two-day event called Gita Sangamam was held in Thrissur. About two thousand young people from all over Kerala attended. Famous people like Padma Subrahmanyam and Justice Sukumaran were there. The event was officially opened by Ananth Kumar, who was a Union Minister. There is also a plan to hold one Gita Shibir (a study camp) in every local area (panchayat) in Kerala.
A big event called the International Seminar 'Bhagavad-Gita and Modern problems' was held in Thiruvananthapuram in December 2000. About 1500 young people, scholars, and spiritual leaders from India and other countries attended. Important figures like Murli Manohar Joshi, a Union Minister, and the Dalai Lama also participated. This was a major success for the Gita Movement, which was guided by P. Parameswaran.
Awards and Recognition
P. Parameswaran received many awards for his work. In 1997, he was given the Hanuman Prasad Poddar Award by the Bada Bazar Library of Kolkata. This award recognized his efforts in teaching the important ideas of Hinduism to everyone.
In 2000, he was appointed as a member of the Court (Senate) of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
On September 26, 2002, he received the Amritha Keerti Puraskar from Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Math. This award was for his excellent service to society. In 2004, the President of India honored him with the Padma Shri. This was to recognize his valuable contributions to society.
He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2018.
His Writings
Sri Parameswaran wrote several books about Indian philosophy and society. He was the editor of magazines like Kesari (magazine) and Manthan. He also edited the monthly magazine Yuva Bharathy and the quarterly Vivekananda Kendra Patrilka. He was also the Chief Editor of Pragati Quarterly Research Journal.
Some of his books include:
- Sri Narayana Guru the Prophet of Renaissance.
- Sri Aravindan Bhaviyude Darsanikan.
- Vishwa Vijayi Vivekanandan.
- Karl Marx and Swami Vivekananda.
- From Karl Marx to Maharshi.
- Bhagavad Gita – Vision of a New World Order.
- Beyond All Isms to Humanism.
- Heart Beats of a Hindu Nation (This is a collection of selected articles from Yuva Bharathy).
- Yajna Prasadam (Selected Poems).
- Disabodhathinate Darshanam (Selected Essays in Malayalam).
- Bhagavad Gita The Nectar of Immortality (Collection of Essays on Gita).
- Marunna Samoohavum Maratha Mulyangalum.
- Gita's Vision Of An Ideal Society.
- Udharedathmanathmanam.
- Makarajyotis (A brief study of Swami Vivekananda in Malayalam).
- Darshanasamvadam.
- Swanthantra Bharatham-Gatiyum Niyathiyum.
- Hindudarmavum Indian communisavum.
- Vivekanandanum Prabhudha Keralavum (Edited).
- Hindutva Ideology – Unique and Universal.
- Heart Beats of Hindu Nation (3 volumes).
He also maintained a close connection with Sri Ramakrishna Math and Advaita Ashram in Kalady.
See also
- David Frawley
- Koenraad Elst
- Michel Danino
- Alain Daniélou
- Girilal Jain
- Vivekananda Kendra
- Vivekananda Rock Memorial
