Mysuru
Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar said mutts and private institutions in the state have created greater educational and spiritual wealth than the government, and Karnataka would not have achieved its present level of educational and technological development had these institutions not stood shoulder to shoulder with the government.
Speaking after inaugurating the 111th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji at Suttur Mutt, at the foothills of Chamundi Hills, on Saturday, the CM said there are 46,302 government schools in the State, with 36 lakh students studying in them. However, more than 57 lakh students are pursuing education in around 24,000 private and mutt-run schools. Mutts and private institutions are providing a massive educational service that the government alone cannot undertake. It is the government’s duty to extend its support and encouragement to such institutions.
Recalling the contributions of Dr. Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji, Shivakumar said the seer had ascended the pontifical seat of the mutt at the tender age of 12, when he was still at an age to play and study, and began guiding society. He brought about a major revolution in the field of education across South India. The seer introduced Anna Dasoha (free food service) and Akshara Dasoha (free education) during those days, and he was truly a pioneer of schemes such as free education and midday meals that governments have introduced today.
He also appreciated the contribution of the present head of Suttur Mutt, Sri Deshikendra Swamiji, who has been following in the footsteps of his guru and serving society for more than four decades.
Suttur seer helped Mekedatu campaign
The CM recalled that after becoming KPCC president, he had sought the blessings of Suttur Sri before undertaking the Namma Neeru Namma Hakku (Our Water, Our Right) padayatra along with Siddaramaiah. “At that time, Sri brought together nearly 2,000 children, got them to offer prayers and blessed us. I believe the strength of those prayers helped make our struggle successful, and today we have received favourable guidance from the Supreme Court regarding the Mekedatu project. When my health deteriorated, when I faced personal difficulties and even after I returned from jail, Deshikendra Swamiji personally visited my house, consoled me, gave me courage and blessed me. I can never forget this debt of gratitude,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara launched the JSS Vijnana Vahini during the programme. Animal Husbandry Minister C. Puttarangashetty released the book Man with Divinity – Pujya Rajendra Sri. The second edition of Rajendra Nudinamana, Nammondigidda Daiva Pujya Rajendra Sri, the special Prasada issue and the JSS monthly magazine were also released.
Siddaganga Mutt seer Siddalinga Swamiji, Avadhoota Datta Peetha seer Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, Dr. Nischalananda Swamiji of Kengeri’s Vishwa Okkaliga Mahasamsthana Mutt, Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLAs Tanveer Sait, G.T. Devegowda, T.S. Srivats, A.R. Krishnamurthy, Ashok Pattan, K. Harishgowda, Ganesh Prasad, G.D. Harishgowda, Darshan Dhruvanarayan and D. Ravishankar, MLCs K. Vivekananda and Dr. D. Thimmaiah, Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy and Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, among others, were present.
