JOIN US'Imbibe values from Devaraj Urs' life'
The birth centenary of former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs was celebrated in both districts with respect, nostalgia and also introspection about the need to follow a great man’s ideals
The youth of today should follow the social values and ideals laid by former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, said Member of Legislative Council Gayatri Shanthegowda said in Chikkamagaluru. Describing Urs as a statesman, she said that he shaped the State by providing new light to the life of the poor people in the State.
She was speaking after inaugurating the celebrations of the birth centenary of Urs at the Kuvempu Kalamandira in Chikkamagaluru town on Thursday.
Contributions
The MLC said that Urs took a pledge to put an end to the system of bonded labour in the State and framed stringent laws in this regard. More than 75,000 people were freed from bonded labour in the State.
Zilla Panchayat president Kavitha Belliprakash said that Urs weighed each and every step to be taken by him and consulted many experts before taking a decision. She called upon the people to act as responsible citizens of the nation, adding that there was no room for regret when one has good experiences in life. “Values are more important than formal education,” she said, and clarified that she never gave false assurances to the people.
Malnad Region Development Board chairperson B C Geetha said that Urs battled for equality among people. “He pioneered pro-people movements in the State and chalked out many schemes for the socially backward classes, along with providing reservations. He was a great follower of Gandhian principles during his lifetime and the present generation should follow in his footprints,” she advised.
City Municipal Council president Mutthaiah, Urban Development Authority president D S Chandregowda, Taluk Panchayat president Meenakshi Dharmaiah, Additional Deputy Commissioner Vaishali, Assistant Commissioner Ramachandran and Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Patil were among those present at the function.
A colourful procession was taken out on the streets of the town till the venue of the formal function. A portrait of Devaraj Urs was carried in a decked up bullock carts and accompanied by troupes of artistes.
Madikeri
Kodagu District Congress Committee and Backward Classes unit of the party jointly organised the birth centenary of former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs on Thursday. The programme included the 70th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Senior member of the Congress Mahabaleshwara Bhat inaugurated the programme paying floral tributes to the portraits of Devaraj Urs and Rajiv Gandhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhat said that both Urs and Rajiv Gandhi followed ideals that are relevant even today. The principles of Urs are models for our society and the messages of Rajiv Gandhi are models for today’s youth.
KPCC Backward Classes General Secretary T P Ramesh said that Devaraj Urs, who led the State towards green revolution, followed the policy of ‘ Sarvarigu Samapaalu Sarvarigu Samabaalu’ (equal work-equal benefit). “He worked towards the empowerment of the common man with schemes like ‘Janata Mane’, Land Reforms Act, development transport facility and ban of slavery.
District Congress spokesperson K K Manjunath Kumar said that Urs played a major role in improving education facilities to rural children. He implemented many schemes for the poor. Even former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi worked towards the development of the country in science, health, education and technology,” he recalled.
Handicraft Development Corporation president Veena Acchaiah, Congress district president B T Pradeep and Madikeri Urban Development Authority president Suraiah Abrar were among those present at the function.