Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Dec 7: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr Veerendra Heggade that he has got a feeling of renewed enthusiasm, power and vigour out of the love, trust, respect and affection he has got from the people. He was speaking at the valedictory of Padayatra organized from Ujire to Dharmasthala on the occasion of Laksha Deepotsava. The function was held at Amrutavarshini Hall of Dharmasthala on Sunday December 6.
Dr Heggade said that his heart is filled, and mind heavy at the sight of thousands of people taking pains to take part in the Padayatra. He said since he rose to the position of Dharmadhikari when he was 21, he has always taken care to ensure that the image of the temple is not affected, and to maintain discipline in everything. He said that Dharmasthala is not a private institution but a religious organization where nothing is done against law. He noted that of late, vested interests have been trying to find fault with the administration of the temple and sister organization.
"Even when we bought land, it was done with the aim of achieving social welfare and to impart education. I do not do anything for myself. SDM Hospital at Dharwad gets 34,000 outpatients and 4,000 inpatients every month. Since a year, we did not buy rice to managing free meal programme through Annapoorna Choultry because people have been generously donating," Heggade said. Noting that he has been honoured with the national level title, 'Padma Vibhushan', he said he feels the love and affection of the populace as the highest reward he has ever earned.
Hemavathi V Heggade, Ujire Lord Janardhana temple managing trustee, U Vijayaraghava Padvetnaya, and Pradeep Kumar Kalkura were present at the dais.
Taluk president of Janajagruti Vedike, Kishore Hegde, welcomed. former president of Pragatibandhu society, Satish, proposed vote of thanks. Gangadhar Kayartadka hosted the programme.
State-level expo
The annual state level exhibition, which is being organized at the high school premises at Dharmasthala on the occasion of the ongoing Dharmasthala Laksha Deepotsava, was inaugurated on Sunday December 6 by Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat president, Asha Thimmappa Gowda. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, presided and Prof S Prabhakar was present.
Dr D Veerendra Heggade, who presided over the function, noted that the exhibition also has stalls of banks, industries, and different government departments among others. He asked the people to make best use of these stalls, and get abreast with modern machinery and information about technological advances.
In her address, Asha Thimmappa Gowda gave a call to the people to sink caste and religious differences and work unitedly for the progress of the country with mutual love and trust. Noting that youngsters form the most invaluable asset of the country, she asked them to achieve progress in their lives, and also help others to move in the path of prosperity.
The exhibition, which will be open from 9 m to 9 pm every day, has 195 stalls.
On this occasion, a programme of classical music was presented by Ranjeeth Yellur and Rakshita Yellur from Kadri Mangaluru.
At night, Hosakatte Utsava of Lord Manjunatha Swamy was held.
Jagadish Prasad welcomed. Sunil Pandit proposed vote of thanks. Dr B A Kumar Hegde presented the programme.