Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 13: A state level-felicitation programme was organized by Dr Veerendra Heggade Felicitation Committee at Moodbidri on the evening of Sunday April 12, on the occasion of the Dharmadhikari having been conferred with the coveted national honour, Padma Vibhushan.
Speaking after accepting the feliciation, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, asserted that religion should be a tool that frees people of latent fears, and it should be able to infuse a fountain of inner strength and give rise to a sense of liveliness and freshness among its followers. 'People need to understand that nothing is permanent, including riches and poverty. There is an imperative need to bring a change in the general mindset of the populace. Only by achieving this change can we hope to bring social transformation,' Heggade stated.
Recalling the early days after we was coronated as the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, he said he had dreamt then to turn Dharmasthala into an ideal centre the people look up to. 'Whatever I achieved thereafter, was completedly on account of the divine status the seat which I have been occupying, is endowed with, and the inspiration of the divine. Because of this, in addition to providing religious reliefs for the problems faced by people, I undertook the task of giving them wordly remedies to social issues by initiating self employment training programme, rural development project, mass marriage programme, etc,' he explained. As the central government has adopted the model of self employment training being provided by Dharmasthala, I have a sense of fulfillment for having guided 21 lac people to get gainful employment, he added.
Heggade informed that he plans to introduce some new concepts in rural development project and activities of Dharmothana Trust. At the same time, he hastened to add that he has never desired for or aspired for any awards or recognitions. He said he ardently wishes that he will be of service in more ways to the people in the coming years. 'There have been attempts to tarnish the image of the seat of Dharmasthala, and I have been subjected to litmus tests several times. However, I could emerge unscathed and clean in all these situations because of the grace of the Lord, and the protective cover provided by the spirits which have been providing unstinted protection to me and Dharmasthala. All attempts so far to defeat the relevance of Dharmasthala have been defeated, and I assure the people that service initiatives undertaken so far will continue as before,' he said.
Dr Veerendra Heggade couple was accorded a warm felicitation at the function by draping them with shawls, garlanding them, presenting citations and the idol of Goddess Vidya Saraswati, on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Math hailed Dr Heggade for growing in size and encompassing the entire world like Lord Vishnu did during his Matsya incarnation, and serving a large number of people. Like the efforts of Bhageertha which helped River Ganga to flow down to earth from heaven and quench the thirst of the people, Dr Heggade has, through his endeavour, made sure that the flow of donations and financial assistance from Dharmasthala help people in distress and find new dimensions to their living standards, he said. The Swamiji also said that the Dharmadhikari has been rightly bestowed with the national honour in recogniiton of his feat in getting a seat in the hearts of millions of people. 'Dr Heggade is an ideal guide, valuable jewel of the world, Dharmaraja of the modern era, and donor par excellence, he said.
Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Panditacharyavarya Swamiji of the Jain Mutt here said that the national honour has rightly gone to Dr Heggade, who has an excellent personality driven by Kannada mindset.
Former Karnataka chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, felt that the national recognition given to Dr Heggade is tantamount to honouring the aspirations of six crore Kannadigas. He said that Heggade has achieved upliftment of the downtrodden in such a way which even successive governments failed to emulate. He said that the programmes chalked out by the Dharmadhikari for poverty allieviation are fit to be adopted as role models by governments.
Former state chief minister, union minister, and MP representing Chikkaballapur constituency, Dr M Veerappa Moily, compared Dr Heggade to a sage and researcher involved with looking for newer ways to serve people. He felt lthat the trust of the people in Heggade has remained unshaken and strong because of his transparent functioning style and pure way of life.
Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, said that Dr Heggade had dreamt of building nation by building villages. He said that Dr Heggade had taken up the task of enabling people to lead self relian lives even before the concept of make in India came into vogue. He compared Heggade to the crowning jewel of India. Dakshina Kanada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai appreciated initiatives undertaken by Dr Heggade for social justice and creating widespread awareness against liquor addiction.
Former union minister, B Janardana Poojary, felt that Heggade deserves to be honoured with 'Bharat Ratna' title for the social service, peace, and non-violence he has been advocating. 'He is a universal human being. He even deserves the Nobel award,' he felt.
Chanceller of Nitte University and president of Dr Heggade Felicitation Committee, N Vinay Hegde, who presided over the function, compared Dr Heggade to Lord Ram. He added that Dr Heggade is a jewel of social service and ideal for the whole nation. Udupi-Chikmagalur MP, Shobha Karandlaje, state minister for youth services and sports, Abhay Chandra Jain K, and Yenepoya University chancellor, Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, also said words of appreciation for the Dharmadhikari.
Sadhvi Matanandamayee of Odiyoor, Manila Sri Mohandas Swamiji, Vishwa Santosha Swamiji, Laxminarayana Asranna of Kateel, Atmananda Swamiji from Koppal, state urban development minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, health minister, U T Khadar, Principal of Milagres College Mangaluru, Fr Xavier Gomes, Chinne Gowda, cine actor, Jayamala, actor, Vijaya Raghavendra, V Subrahmanya, a Mysore-based scholar, and a number of other dignitaries were present.
Prof M Ramachandra Karkala read out the citation. Working president of the felicitation committee, M N Rajendra Kumar, welcomed. Entrepreneur, Narayan P M, proposed vote of thanks. Convener of the committee and the brain behind the felicitastion function, Dr M Mohan Alva, honoured the dignitary. ETV actor, Srinivas Prabhu, hosted the programme, The programme came to an end with prayer rendered by girl students of Alva's College.
The entire town was decked up with traditional decorations. A hue procession of enthusastic people was taken out before the programme. Palace Grounds in Vidyagiri where the function was held, witnessed the inflow of about 80,000 people.