International Humanism Conference on Social Justice
Canada 25 September 2022
Asiriyar Dr.K. Veeramani
President, Dravidar Kazhagam
My dear friends, I never expected this kind of overwhelming respect and regard from you all. I am being humbled, more than honoured. My special thanks are to Dr. Ilangovan and Ms. Saroja Ilangovan, to Kannabiran Ravi Shankar, Prof. Arasu Chelliah, Mr. Martin, Mr. Richard Dowsett and all others. Time doesn’t permit to individually mention every name. Please forgive. I gratefully acknowledge the Humanist Achievement Award – 2022 conferred on me by Humanist Canada in recognition of my lifelong contributions to humanism and human rights. It is a great honour, indeed.
I have been in the sphere of public life for nearly seventy five years. In fact, I have been receiving numerous brickbats than bouquets. This award is a memorable bouquet. I thank all my cadres who keep me 90 years young – not 90 years old. I dedicate this award to my mentor Periyar.
My cadres have been giving me invaluable co-operation. Above all, my thanks to my beloved wife Ms. Mohana Veeramani who was the woman behind every success of mine.
I feel greatly motivated and encouraged by this award. I assure my services till my last breath. I am concerned more about people who follow our policies and ideologies. They are in fact our kith and kin and are more important for me than anybody else.
All of you might have formed an evaluation and estimation of me at this moment. On my part, I assure you all that particularly from this significant day, I shall sacrifice more for the welfare of our people. I shall fight relentlessly for the great cause of humanism as long as I exist, and breathe my last. Until my last moment, I shall live only as an undeterred fighter.
I wish to conclude my speech once again thanking you all for this prestigious award. I owe you all a non-repayable debt of gratitude. Let us all collectively fight for humanism.
Long live humanism! Long live globalised Periyar’s eternal fame!
Thank you friends.