Gulbarga: President Patil Dedicates Buddha Vihar to the Nation

Report: The Hindu
Pics: Mirza Sarfaraz Baig

GULBARGA, Jan 8: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday stressed the need for adopting a strategy of inclusive growth to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reached all sections of society, particularly the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other disadvantaged sections.

Speaking after inaugurating the Prarthana Mandir and the Buddha Vihar on the outskirts of Gulbarga, Ms. Patil said everybody should work relentlessly for the uplift of the vulnerable sections of society and “a life of dignity must be assured to all.”

The President said that deliverance of social justice to the people would be the just tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedakar, who championed the cause of the oppressed classes.

Ms. Patil said that Buddhism had a tremendous impact on those who embraced it and Emperor Asoka, after embracing Buddhism, gave up violence and accepted Ahimsa as the policy of governance. She said that the principle of Ahimsa had a great impact on the freedom movement and Mahatma Gandhi won India’s independence by adopting it as the instrument. Ms. Patil said that Lord Buddha laid special attention on adherence of middle path in the life which advocated avoidance of extremes.

Important monument

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said the Buddha Vihar was an important monument of the region and a tourist destination in the days to come. The State government would provide infrastructure to it. Ms. Patil inaugurated the district Rangamandira named after the internationally reputed artist S.M. Pandit. The function began with the famous song “Hachevvu Kannadada Deepa…” penned by D.S. Karki.

In what appeared to be a serious lapse, the officials failed to arrange the singing of the National Anthem, which is compulsorily sung soon after the arrival of the President and again before the President leaves the venue at all the official functions. The State song “Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanu Jathe… ” was also not sung in the official function to mark the inauguration of the Rangamandira.