Mysore, May 24 (DHNS): As part of JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda’s 78th birthday celebrations, a mass marriage involving 101 couples was held at the Chandramouleshwara Temple in K G Koppal here on Monday.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, wife Channama Deve Gowda, JD(S) Floor Leader in the Legislative Assembly H D Revanna, Karnataka State Open University Vice Chancellor Prof K S Rangappa distributed the ‘mangalaya’ to the couples.

JD(S) supporters, who had gathered in large numbers, and office-bearers of the Chandramouleshwara Temple Trust cut a cake to celebrate the former prime minister’s birthday.

Addressing the couples, Deve Gowda said that people from any community if even they are poor never say that they can’t conduct a marriage. He said that in the Indian society getting a daughter married is the society’s responsibility. In the present day, mass marriages are gaining prominence, he added.

Reminiscing about the ‘Taali Bhagya’ scheme that he had introduced in 1993, Deve Gowda said that the scheme provided ‘Taali’ to poor women and a sari during their marriage. However, the subsequent governments put a stop to the scheme, he added.

Advising the couples, he said that they should join hands and spend their lives despite the difficulties that may arise during their lifetime.

Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Mutt Seer Sri Chandrashekar, Mysore Mutt Seer Sri Someshwaranath, Arkalgud Taluk Aremadanahalli Seer Sri Shivasugnana Murthy, Seer Sri Shivanandapuri, Chandramouleshwar Swamy Temple Trust Honorary President M Ramegowda, President K Harishgowda, MLC Chikkamadu, MUDA Chairman L Nagendram ZP President Sunitha Veerappa Gowda, Mayor Pushpalatha T B Chikkanna, Deputy Mayor M J Ravikumar, former mayor Sandesh Swamy, Councillors Ninganna, K Kempanna, K T Cheluvegowda, C Madesh, K V Mallesh, JD(S) leader M C Sundareshan and others were present.

Centre flayed

UPA led Union Government is trying to appease  BJP leaders, said JD(S) Floor Leader in the Legislative Assembly, H D Revanna. Speaking to mediapersons after blessing couples at the mass marriage ceremony, Revanna said that the Union Government is trying to convince BJP leaders in order to save face and hush up the scams that are they have been associated with. He said that this was the main reason for the Union Government to reject the Governor’s recommendation.