Thanks to the power being misused by some officials and politicians, the situation in the country was going haywire, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Guru Vandana programme, inauguration of Veerashaiva Free Students’ Hostel and Pratibha Puraskara for students, organised by the Veerashaiva Seva Samithi at Basaveshwara Samudaya Bhavan in Gowribidnur taluk on Friday.

He said, it was extremely unfortunate to note that the country was going weak and people were turning greedy and self-centric. The land, proud to be the birthplace of several important persons like Mahatma Gandhiji, etc, who have made the nation proud, was loosing its value. People were turning greedier and individualistic, while power in a few hands was ruining the show.

People should inculcate principles and values like broad-mindedness, tolerance, communal harmony, social service, helping nature, brotherhood, etc. They should contribute back to the society and the people selflessly, the Swamiji advised.
They should give up violence and hatred and develop more tolerance-levels, only then can the humanity live in peace, Dr Shivakumar Swamiji expressed.

Educational institutions

Speaking on the occasion, MLA N H Shivashankarareddy appealed to the Swamiji to open educational institutions in Gowribidnur taluk for the benefit of students and parents. He also promised to sanction an amount of Rs two lakh for the students’ hostel.  He called upon the people to engage themselves in community-building and follow the ideals and principles preached by the Swamiji and follow in his foot-steps to lead a meaningful life.

He also lauded the Veerashaiva Seva Samithi for organising programmes in honour of individuals and institutions who were making meaningful contributions to the society.
Students of the community, who have secured their highest in the SSLC, PUC and degree examinations, were felicitated at the programme.

MLC Shivayogiswamy, President of the Town Municipal Council Saraswathi Nagesh, Gubbi Thotadappa, Honorary President of Dharma Samsthe H K Shivanand, Honorary Secretary K N Jayalingappa, President of Free Students’ Hostel N Vishwanath, B P Rudresh Babu, President of Veerashaiva Seva Samithi L Mahadevahaih, office-bearers of Veerashaiva Yuvaka Sangha D R Naveen, Harish, Nanjunda, Nataraj, G N Vijikumar and other various office-bearers were present on the occasion.