A literary programme to recognize and honour Dr. Vidya Vencatesan, well-wisher of Sankara Nethralaya, was held at Sankara Nethralaya on December 28, 2009. Dr. Vidya Vencatesan was recently awarded the Le Chevalier des Palmes Académiques and the Le Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France for her contributions to the field of education and to the world of culture, both French and Indian, respectively.
Literarian and Padma Bhushan awardee Shri. Jayakanthan and noted journalist Smt. Sivashankari who graced the occasion spoke on “Aanmigamum Navinathuvamum”.
Describing the felicitation as a “blessing,” Dr. Vidya Vencatesan shared with the gathering her experiences in understanding the similarities between the ancient Indian culture and the rich French culture. According to her, “all humanity is one, languages are mere means of communication and each epic speaks of the eternal struggle of good against evil.”
Earlier on, Smt. Sivashankari urged the audience not to “worry about birth and death and to do things that will bring meaning to life.” She also spoke on the importance of self knowledge and “identifying oneself before identifying one’s role.”