Bangalore: Basavashree Award presented to Malala in London
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (EP)
Bangalore, Jan 15: This year’s Basavashree Award was presented to Malala Yousafzai, internationally known activist for women's rights and children's education in Pakistan.
The award was presented by Sri Murugha math of Chitradurga to Malala in London on January 9. The award consisted Rs five lacs prize money, a citation, plaque, shawl and garland.
Dr Shivamurthi Muruga who spoke to media on Tuesday, January 14 at Chitradurga, said that Malala cannot come to India due to security reasons. However it was possible to present the award to Malala due to constant communication with the office of Ziauddin, father of Malala. She was happy to receive them, said the Swamiji.
He further said, "As we travelled from London to the residence of Malala family, Malala's mother invited us in and Malala spoke to us with such hospitality that we felt as though we are at the house of a devotee.
"Malala said the relationship between India and Pakistan should improve, and lamented that though people of these countries love each other, it has weakened due to some reasons.”
The Swamiji further said that when he asked if she would return home after her studies, Malala replied she would be going to Pakistan to try and solve problems of poverty, ignorance and beggary.
"Malala loves India like the way she loves Pakistan. She is proud of the culture and harmony in the country. She appreciated Aamir Khan’s social concern, enthusiasm of tennis star Sania Mirza, achievements of Shabana Azmi, Kiran Bedi and Anna Hazare," said the Swamiji.
He wished that Malala would become a great leader like Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thacher or Benazir Bhutto.
The Basavashree Award was instituted in 1997. The award has been conferred so far on Beldana Sharana, the late Hiremallur Ishwaran, Buddhist preacher Dalai Lama, Dr H Sudarshan, social worker Anna Hazare, social activist Medha Patkar, revolutionary poet Gaddar, Dr Vandana Shiva, natural farming expert Subhash Palekar, actress and social worker Shabana Azmi, Swamiji Agnivesh, Dr Kiran Bedi, P T Usha, Dr A T Ariyaratne, Prof M D NanjundaSwamiji and retired police official Shanker Bidari.
Hebbalu Virakthamath Mahantarudra Swamiji, Valmiki Gurupeetha’s Prasannananda Swamiji, Davangere Virkthamath Basavaprabhu Swamiji, Athani Gachinamath Shivabasava Swamiji, Nippani Rakthamath’s Mallikarjuna Swamiji, Kumbara Gurupeeth’s Basava Kumbara Gundayya Swamiji, Chilume RudraSwamiji math’s Basavakirana Swamiji, SJM Vidyapeet’s vice president Professor S H Patel, Ahinda leader Murugharajendra Odeyar, Veerashiva samaja president K R Shivaprakash, Bharathi Mrithyunjayappa, Dr G N Mallikarjunappa, Professor E Chitrashekar, R Sheshannakumar and Shadshkarayya were present at the press conference.