Narayana Guru was considered the ‘guru’ of the world. But he has left the world and to take forward the principles of Narayana Guru, a need of a ‘kulaguru’ has risen, said State Minister for Small Scale Industries Shivanand Naik.
Speaking at the valedictory of the 153rd birth anniversary celebration of Brahmashri Narayana Guru organised under the aegis of Akhila Bharata Billavara Union and Narayana Guru Educational Institutions at Narayana Guru College in Kudroli on Sunday, he said appointing kulaguru and setting up a mutt for the 24 backward communities of the State including Billavas and Naiks will lead to development of the society through undertaking charitable activities including construction of hospitals and educational institutions to help the poor.
A congenial atmosphere has been created for setting up of the mutt wherein the backward classes can unite, he pointed out.
He added: “We cannot either build an association or reach our goal through politics. This is possible only through mutts.” Warning against falling prey to politics, he said politics is part of the society, but one should not either cling to or depend on politics. Political power can be used for the betterment of the society. However, such efforts have not yet been made, he explained.
Speaking about internal reservation, he said the community does not oppose it, but the reservations must be scientific. “Reservations must be given in proportion to the population and we will fight for it in our own way,” he added.
Speaking about the Billava community, he said the Billava community is in majority in south India and even in the State, especially in districts including DK Udupi and Uttara Kannada. However, they have not earned fame in proportion to the population.
There is a wrong notion that the Billavas were traditionally engaged in arrack business. In fact, the community members were largely accomplished soldiers during the rule of dynasties. Akhila Bharata Billavara Union President Naveenchandra D Suvarna said a women’s bank will soon be established by Billavara Mahila Sangha.
Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist Dr R Purushotham, DySP Peethambar Heraje, national-level karate master Pradeep Poojary and State-level kabaddi player Shilpashree Kumpala belonging to the community were felicitated on the occasion. Winners of various competitions were handed over prizes and scholarships were distributed to needy students of the community on the occasion.
