From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 16: State Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, who has been regularly interacting with Catholic and Christian leaders in Bengaluru, continued his outreach policy by meeting key leaders of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Catholic Church leaders in Kerala’s Thiruvanthapuram on Tuesday.

Dr Narayan, who is heading the Higher Education Ministry in Karnataka, has been appointed as the BJP in-charge for Kerala, which is presently witnessing assembly elections.

The Deputy Chief Minister met Rev Fr Dr Theodosius Mar Thoma, head of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church and other leaders in Thiruvalla on Tuesday. The Church is regarded as a venerated pilgrim centre for Christians.

“I discussed various issues of mutual interest and also learnt about the activities of the Church,’’ he told reporters later.

Dr Narayan said his visit to the Church and meeting with Fr Dr Theodosius had nothing to do with politics. ``I had heard about the importance of the Church and utilized the opportunity of visiting it and also holding discussions during my visit to Kerala as election in-charge of the party for the State,’’ he explained.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the Church was one of the oldest not only in India but also in the world. St Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, had arrived as far back as in 52 AD and had established the church. ``I am happy to learn and visit one of the oldest churches in the world. I learnt about the various activities conducted by the church,’’ he said.

“The discipline, dedication and service attitude of the people is quite amazing and needs to be emulated by all people,’’ he added.