JOIN USMass marriage: 162 couples enter wedlock
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said ‘Jnana dasoha, Akshara dasoha and Anna dasoha’ are the main objectives of the Suttur Srikshetra and thousands of students are being benefited by them.
The mutt has been a role model for other mutts in rendering service in the field of education, he said. Speaking at the inauguration of the 13th free mass marriage ceremony held as part of Suttur jatra mahotsava 2012, in Suttur on Friday, he lauded the planning of the organisers of the jatra in holding a slew of programmes so that it reaches all sections of the society that includes discourses, bhajans, krishi mela and a lot more activities.
The programmes are being held to revive the human values at a time when it is coming down. He also praised Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji for his perfect coordination and monitoring the mass marriages so that no child marriages are reported. The chief minister recalled a three-day rejuvenation programme held at Suttur earlier and expressed his desire to hold a similar session at Suttur soon.
The BJP government led by the then chief minister Yeddyurappa has made the state to progress from the 14th position to the 3rd position in the country, he said. The number of marriages held so far stands at 1,566 and 162 couples got married in the 13th year mass marriage this year. There were 171 aspirants for the mass marriage and after verifying the relevant documents nine were rejected due to flaws in birth records. Six couples from Tamil Nadu, four physically challenged couples and three inter-caste couples also entered into wedlock.
The brides were presented with a saree, blouse, mangalsutra and toe ring and the grooms were given a dhoti, shirt and a shawl. The couples were issued marriage certificate. A financial assistance of Rs 10,000 was also given to each couple.
Funds galore
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Rural development minister Jagadish Shettar also praised the Suttur Srikshetra for making an educational revolution of sorts,which has extended to other states and even countries. Explaining the importance of mass marriages, he said it is a boon to lower middle class society.
He said the government has sanctioned 18 drinking water projects at an estimated cost of Rs 355 crore for Mysore district including Nanjangud.
Survey was done in Chamarajanagar district and Rs 145 crore was sanctioned for 164 villages and Rs 115 crore for Gundlupet. The government has geared up to provide basic amenities to the districts and also announced Rs five crore fund for the UGD system in Suttur.
Dignitaries
Suttur Seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha foundation, Sumithra Gandhi Kulkarni, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, S V Balasubramanyam, president of Bannari Amman Sugars limited, K R Srinivasmurthy, industrialist, ZP president Suneetha Veerapa gowda, vice president Shivaram and others were present.