Beltangady: Dr Heggade Comes Home to Grand Welcome from London
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Beltangady, Jun 8: A grand ceremony was organized at Dharamasthala's Amritavarshini auditorium here on Thursday June 7 to welcome Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade from London where Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) won the 'Ashden–2012 Gold Award' for microfinance.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Heggade said that in the coming days, alternative fuel will be given further importance by installing biogas units and solar-powered lights.
"This year 10,000 biogas units were set up under SKDRDP, and in the next three years the number will increase to 15,000. An initiative will be taken to provide 15,000 solar-powered lights to houses. The country should use alternative fules more often. We should not rest on our laurels because we have won an award, but strive to create awareness on the need to use alternative fuels and renewable sources of energy," he said.
"The poor shouldn't have to beg, but get what they need as their right. A rural development project aims for the progress of the people, and hence it succeeds. Nature has sufficient resources to fulfil the needs of man, but not enough to satisfy his greed," he added.
In his address, SDM Educational Institutions vice-president Prof S Prabhakar said that Dr Heggade has always been concerned about the welfare of the people and works 18 hours a day for their cause. "He has sent an example through the welfare projects that he has undertaken," he said.
Dr Heggade's wife Hemavati Heggade also spoke.
Srinivas Rao welcomed. Rural development project director Manorama, Vishwanath Shetty compered. Director T Sampath Kumar thanked the gathering.
Earlier, a grand and unique procession was taken from the main entrance of Dharmasthala to the Amritavarshini auditorium. Dr Heggade was taken in an entourage of bullet cars, decorated elephants, school bands, scouts, Mysore bandset, and guards dressed in western uniforms. The entire venue was illuminated with LED lights and solar-powered lamps.