New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Keralam's renowned social reformers Mahatma Ayyankali and Sree Narayana Guru on their birth anniversaries on Friday, saying they are remembered as great pioneers of social justice.

The prime minister said Mahatma Ayyankali's life gives strength to all those working for social empowerment and Sree Narayana Guru's thoughts gave strength to countless people.

Keralam witnessed various programmes to mark the 163rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Ayyankali and 170th birth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru on Friday.

"Paying homage to Mahatma Ayyankali on his birth anniversary! He is remembered as a great pioneer of social justice. His efforts to secure educational opportunities for the marginalised, improve the lives of agricultural workers and serve the poor remain very inspiring. His life gives strength to all those working for social empowerment," Modi said in a post X.

Paying homage to Sree Narayana Guru, the prime minister said he was a towering social reformer, spiritual leader and thinker, and he devoted his life to building a society rooted in dignity and compassion.

"His thoughts gave strength to countless people. Equally noteworthy was his focus on education and learning," he said.

Mahatma Ayyankali (1863-1941) pioneered the movement to assert the rights of suppressed castes in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore and is considered one of the most important figures in Keralam's history.

Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928) was a seer, philosopher, spiritual leader and a social reformer from Keralam.