Kottayam: The 90th anniversary celebrations of Malayala Manorama’s Akhila Kerala Balajanasakhyam, the largest students' social service organisation in Asia, have brought together a diverse group, representing various generations, who relived old memories and revelled in the bond they shared despite being spread across the world.

Remarkably, the occasion marking the Balajanasakhyam’s glorious and splendid journey of nine decades turned out to be a fitting tribute to the visionary Mammen Mappila who laid the foundation of the students' collective in 1929. The inaugural function was held at the hall named after him.

It turned out to be an emotional affair as everyone went down the memory lane. Each one had progressed in their own unique ways and created a niche for themselves. They fondly recalled their days as a member of the league of children and how it shaped their character and career.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who inaugurated the 90th anniversary celebrations, lauded the Sakhyam and its unparalleled contributions to Kerala's social and cultural spheres and stressed the need for having more such movements that would bring unity among children and instil a sense of service towards the society.

Former Sakhyam members TKA Nair, ex-principal secretary to Prime Minister, Justice Cyriac Joseph, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA, and eminent academician Dr P M Mubarak Pasha reminisced about the camaraderie shared within the group and the role played by the Sakhyam in moulding their career. The other attendees were also grateful to Sakhyam for fostering leadership qualities and instilling life-long service mentality in them apart from helping in their personal growth and development.

The current generation of Sakhyam members could not hide their excitement when the vice-president shook hands with them and posed for photographs.

Malayala Manorama chief editor Mammen Mathew, editor Philip Mathew and managing editor Jacob Mathew presented a memento to the vice president as a token of appreciation. Former state president of the Sakhyam Aljameela Siddique compered the event and the singer duo of Vidhuraj and Shivanya Raj recited the prayer.

Earlier, the vice president and Governor P Sathasivam were accorded a warm reception on their arrival at the helipad at the police parade ground.

They were received by Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA, Kottayam district collector P K Sudheer Babu, district police chief Hari Sankar, Malayala Manorama executive editor Jayant Mammen Mathew and Kottayam municipal chairperson Dr P R Sona.

After the function, Manorama managing editor Jacob Mathew and chief resident editor Harsha Mathew saw the vice president off at the helipad.

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