Udupi: Moily moots concept of global religion for peace
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM/SP)
Udupi, May 27: “Religions were not created to give rise to hatred and enmity between groups. The core teachings of all the religions in the world are religious tolerance, non-violence, and peace. We should get these principles deep-rooted in our minds. This should spread through families, states, and nations, to become a global religion in itself. The battles in our minds can give rise to world war, and peace which permeates from our minds has the potential to achieve world peace,” said union petroleum minister, M Veerappa Moily.
He was speaking after presiding over a function organized at Devadiga Sabhahavana at Chitpady here by Udupi Devadigara Seva Sangha on Sunday May 26, to mark the platinum jubilee of the Sangha.
Moily also promised to extend financial assistance to centres where training in musical instruments is imparted, taking into account the fact that a sizeable number of community members traditionally are instrumentalists.
Moily felt that that the country becomes rich only when the citizens shed a feeling of helplessness they nurture in their minds. “Poverty lies in our minds. We should drive this away. If every member of the community follows the ideals of equality, its total affect can be seen in the community as a whole. Castes were created on the basis of jobs one did, and not to practice inequalities between them,” he analyzed.
In his benedictory address, inaugurator of the function, Sri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Kemar Sandeepani Ashram, felt that caste-based organizations serve the country as a whole, as they supplement religion which shapes the country. He said that family values, which are the foundation stones of the country’s culture, should be practiced by everyone.
District incharge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said organizations such as Devadigara Sangha play a vital role in uplifting the society. He also highlighted the importance of eliminating poverty through education and urged the gathering to educate children and make them self-reliant.
Former MLA Raghupati Bhat said that on the request of Devadiga Sangha, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar had allocated Rs 1 crore, out of which Rs 25 lac has already been released. He urged Moily to request CM Siddaramaiah to release the rest of the funds at the earliest.
Ambalpady temple trustee, Ni B Vijay Ballal, minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA, Pramod Madhwaraj, former MLA, Raghupati Bhat, journalist, Vijayalakshmi Shibarur, and entrepreneur, Sudhakar Kumar, participated as chief guests.
Souvenir brought out by the Sangha on this occasion, was released by its honorary president, Dharmapal Devadiga. Achievers from the community, Vasu Sherigar, Obu Sherigar, and Gunapal, were honoured. Talent scholarships were distributed to students.
Sangha secretary, Sridhar Devadiga, treasurer, Ratnakar G S, and vice president, Seetaram Santhekatte, were present. Honorary president of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Committee, Dr B S Sherigar, welcomed. President, Ganesh Devadiga, delivered introductory talk. Ratnakar Devadiga compered the programme. Earlier to the meeting, a procession was taken out to the venue from Goddess Sharadamba Temple in Chitpady here.