The Hindu

Udupi, May 7: Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math said on Monday that the math had taken up various development activities in the naxal-affected district of Chikmagalur.

Addressing presspersons here, the swamiji said that the math had given scholarships worth over Rs. 65,000 to poor students living in the hilly areas of the district. It had given Rs. 17,000 for the education of the son of Sheshappa Gowda, who was gunned down by the in Menasinahadya village.

Assistance

The math would provide financial assistance to the son of Rame Gowda, who was killed in an encounter between the police and naxalites in July 2007 in the same village, he said.

The math would provide electricity connection to 77 houses in a Dalit colony at a cost of Rs. 3.85 lakh in Menasinahadya. This project would be inaugurated on June 2.

Water supply

The Math would provide pipelines for supply of drinking water to Dalit colonies in Shankarkudige-Neerkallu village of Mudigere taluk and Dobali-Hosakoppa village in Koppa taluk at a cost of Rs. 21,000. “Car Street in Udupi, where the Sri Krishna Temple and Ashta Maths are located, should be converted into a vehicle-free zone, especially in view of terrorist attacks on places of worship,” he said.

Ban on arrack sale

Replying to a query, he said that he was in support of the ban on arrack and liquor. “But ‘neera’ can be permitted,” the swamiji added.

Math has given scholarships worth Rs. 65,000 to poor students.