Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Dec 31: Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada constituency, Nalinkumar Kateel, urged Shirur Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji, who will be ascending the Paryaya throne on January 18, 2010, to continue with his social reforms and be a model for others by ending untouchability. “Let the Hindu ideologies get a boost during his Paryaya,” he wished.

He was speaking after participating in the public felicitation organized by the citizens of Suratkal and various other organizations at Govinda Dasa College Suratkal on Wednesday December 30, to Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji of Shirur Mutt.

In his felicitation address, chairman of Karnataka State Fisheries Development Corporation, Ramachandar Bykampady, hailed Shirur Swamiji as the Swamiji of the masses, who has become a voice of the suffering people, a guide for the Hindus and a leader in social service.

In his address delivered after accepting the felicitation, the Swamiji said that the motto of his Paryaya term will be to provide a soulful darshan of the Lord and sumptuous meal for the visiting devotees. “In order to facilitate the devotees to have easier darshan of Lord Krishna, I have decided not to accept any donations through plate collection or ‘Dakshine’” he clarified. He wanted the devotees instead, to extend support for his ambitious plan to provide food to all the visitors to the temple.

President of Hindu Vidyadayini Educational Institutions, Krishna Bhat, presided. City deputy mayor, Rajani Dugganna, Ramanand Bhat of Iddya Mahalingeshwara Temple, retired headmaster I K Narayan Rao, college principal, Prof Rajmohan Rao and several other dignitaries were present.