Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)
Kundapur, Nov 17: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K H Muniyappa lauded the 12th-century social reforms of Basavanna, calling his contributions to society truly commendable. However, he expressed concern that caste-based discrimination still persists.
Muniyappa made these remarks after performing the housewarming ceremony and handing over 14 free houses built at a cost of Rs 14 crore in the Janaadi and Manigeri Koraga colonies on Sunday, November 17.
“Mutts must come forward to bring Dalits into the mainstream,” Muniyappa stated. “All mutts should think along the lines of Pejawar Swamiji. Dr H S Shetty’s model should serve as an example for others to follow.”
Pejawar Sri, who conducted the Grihapooje, emphasised, “It is not enough to build a temple for Lord Rama. Only when homes are built for the people will the dream of Ram Rajya be realized.”
Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi called upon the government to grant title deeds to the Koraga community. “The government should do more to provide legal recognition and land rights to the Koraga community,” he said.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojari, who distributed the title deeds and keys to the beneficiaries, praised the efforts of Dr H S Shetty. “The work being done by Dr Shetty is highly commendable. He is doing what the government should be doing,” Poojari remarked.
Dr H S Shetty, President of the Heggundje Rajeev Shetty Charitable Trust, said in his introductory speech, “We aim to build 100 houses for the Koraga community, and this is just the beginning.”
Contractor Udayakumar Shetty was felicitated by Minister Muniyappa for his role in constructing the houses.
The event was also attended by former minister B Appanna Hegde, Urmila B, director of social welfare department, Sushila Naad, president of Koraga Development Organisations, Dinesh Hegde Molahalli, Deepa Shetty, Grama Panchayat president, Sarvotham Shetty, former Grama Panchayat president, entrepreneur Shankar Hegde, Kumar Das, and Gurunath Dasappa.
Murali Kadekar welcomed the gathering, and Akshay Hegde Molahalli compered the event.