Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 2: “Many have risen to fame by using Kannada daily, ‘Udayavani’ as a platform. But, Bannanje Ramacharya was a unique personality, who made ‘Udayavani’ famous,” said district in-charge minister, Dr V S Acharya. He was speaking at the Bannanje Ramacharya Memorial Felicitation Function organized on Tuesday February 1 at the auditorium of Hotel Kediyoor here.

The function was organized under the aegis of K Satischandra Hegde Memorial Green Park Central School, Car Street Friends, and Kaup Vidyaniketan Group of Educational Institutions. It was presided over by Bannanje Govindacharya. Owner of Hotel Kediyoor, Bhuveanendra Kediyoor, and Sarvanjna Bannanje of Padumannur Publications, participated as chief guests.

Acharya said Ramacharya deserves full credit for introducing quality language and attractive presentation techniques, through ‘Udayavani’. Hailing Ramacharya as a person who steadfastly followed a task once he takes it up, Acharya termed him as a progressive thinker, secularist, and revolutionary with a liberal outlook.

In his benedictory address, Puttige Mutt Swamiji, Sri Sugunendrateertha, recollected the support he received from Bannanje Ramacharya. Dr V S Acharya and ‘Taranga’ executive editor, Sandhya Pai, extended the felicitations to chosen personalities.

Astrologers, K Seetaram Acharya and Dr M Anantapadmanabha Bhat, received the ‘Sanskrit Honours’. ‘Udayavani’ editorial advisor, N Gururaj, received special honour. Retired sub-editor of ‘Samyukta Karnataka,’ Srikhar Bhat, ‘Udayavani’ Uttara Kannada district reporter, Gajanana Umesh Bhat, ‘Varta Bharati’ news editor, B M Basheer, and ‘Udayavani’ senior reporter from Mangalore, P Hillary Crasta, received Media Honours.

On this occasion, ‘Bannanje Ramacharya (Vyakti-Kriti-Smriti)’ authored by Prof Muralidhar Upadhya, and translation of ‘Bhagavadgita’ by Ramacharya, were released by Dr Acharya. U R Sabhapaty, president of Green Park School, Hiriyadka, welcomed. K P Acharya of Kaup Vidyaniketan Trust, delivered introductory address. Prof Subrahmanya Joshi and Nityanand Padre read out the citations.

Former MLA, U R Sabhapaty, while paying tributes to Ramacharya for helping him to develop his personality in stages, recollected that once Ramacharya had commented that Dr V S Acharya was a ‘good leader in a wrong party’.

On behalf of the felicitated personalities, G U Bhat spoke a few words. V K Udyavar proposed vote of thanks. Aditi B presented the programme.