By Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Jul 29: “Modernity has made it essential to opt for spirituality as the future of children depends on good upbringing,” said Swami Gurudevanand of Odiyoor Mutt. He was delivering a religious discourse at Odiyoor Mutt, near here, on Wednesday July 27, during the Gramotsav and decennial celebrations of Gurudev Gram Vikas Kendra organized as part of his 51st birthday.

Swami Gurudevanand called on the people to maintain purity of thoughts in order to grow in spirituality.
Dr K P Putturaya of Bangalore-based International Medical College, in his chief guest’s address, said that it is meaningful to celebrate the birthday of Swami Gurudevanand as Gramotsav.  “The religious worship centres are secular and strive for societal reform by engaging in social welfare activities,” he added.

Mangalore-based Janata Court president K Radhakarishna Holla said that social welfare services lead to spiritual bliss.

State Bar Council president Ravindra Rai and Mumbai entrepreneur Divakar Shetty Mudrady were the specially invited guests present on the occasion.

‘Gramabhyudaya’, a bulletin commemorating the decennial celebrations of Gurudev Gram Vikas Kendra, was released during the programme.

The distribution of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, scholarships to talented needy students, bags to members of self-help-groups, and financial support for the sick was held on the same occasion.
Odiyoor Gram Vikas Kendra convener Taranat Kottari, overseer Sadhashiv Alike, Jagannat Rai, Dharmaprasad Rai, Gururaj Rai, Karunakar Rai, and Renuka S Rai were also present.

Special ‘puja’ was offered to Lord Gurudev and Lord Ganapati alongwith a ‘Tulabhara’ programme.
Free food was offered to several devotees on Wednesday night.