Kollam, Friday, 27 August 2010: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Vilasrao Deshmukh has called for defeating the forces that are attempting to destabilize the nation in the name of religion. He was speaking after inaugurating an ecumenical conference organised as part of the triennial assembly 2010 of the Kerala Council of Churches (KCC) at Kottarakara, near here, on Friday.

Deshmukh said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre was committed to providing protection to all sections of society. The government at the Centre believed in secularism, socialism and welfare of the poor. He called for a joint fight by likeminded organisations against evils in society.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Agriculture Mullakkara Ratnakaran stressed the need to strengthen family ties to ensure that youth were not led astray. It is youngsters from families with weak and unstable ties who often go astray. Women have a very important role to play at the family level and that can be attained “by strengthening the kitchen,” he said.

KCC president Abraham Mar Paulose presided. Mar Thoma Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostom delivered the benedictory address.

(Agencies)