Mysuru: The year long celebrations of the birth centenary of former CM Devaraja Urs was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 20.
Addressing the gathering, he said that many leaders label him as AHINDA leader. This only shows the mind-set of the people and their attitude towards weaker sections of the society.
“But I openly say that I don’t hesitate to be called as a pro AHINDA. I always strive to uplift the weaker section without any hesitation. The dream of Devaraja Urs can only be realised if eradication of caste system is done through social, economic, political equity”, he said in response.
“ Devaraja Urs was a social reformer. If he lived for more number of years, the political scenario in Karnataka would have been different. Despite being in the Janatha party I had admired Devaraj Urs for his pro-backward class approaches. He was a real “Jananayaka”, he added.
Further he said he was aware that the work to uplift the downtrodden was not yet implemented and that he would implement all the programmes envisaged by Devaraj Urs. in this regard, he announced that the existing student’s hostel for backward classes and minorities hostels will be named “Devaraja Urs BCM Hostels”.
A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of H Vishwanath and he will strive to complete the unfinished agenda of Devaraja Urs, he promised.
The programme was kicked off with a 10-minute dance drama recital by Shridhar Jain portraying the life and achievements of Devaraja Urs.
A book on the life of Devaraja Urs and another tittled “Badavara Bhagyanidhige 108 namanagalu” was released by Srinivasaprasad. This apart, seven students were presented with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to pay for their education abroad. The government has set aside Rs 100 crore for the yearlong celebrations. Students who have excelled in PUC and SSLC were also feted.
Jalappa conferred with Devaraja Urs Award
Former Union minister and veteran Congress leader R?L?Jalappa (90) was conferred on Jalappa in recognition of his service for the welfare of the backward classes. The award carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh.
Following this, Retired Dy S P Sadananda who had rescued Devaraja Urs during unrest in connection to Varuna Canal was conferred with the Shourya award.
District-in-charge minister V Srinivasa Prasad, Social Welafare minister Anjaneya, Minister for Cooperatives and Sugar H S Mahadeva Prasad, Minister for Law T B Jayachandra, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree, Deputy Director Marithibbegowda, Veerappa Moily, Prathap Simha, Dharam Singh, R Dhruvanarayan, Vasu, M K Somashekar, Ugrappa, H M Revanna, K H Srinivas, Ramesh Kumar, Adaguru H Vishwanath,H P Manjunath, Mayor R Lingappa, DC C Shika, President ZP Pushpa Amarnath, Chairman of Karnataka Zoo authority Rehana Bhanu, Chairman Karnataka Exhibition Authority Murthy, Chairman of all boards and family members of Devaraja Urs were present at the occasion.
