Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 3: Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, who celebrated the 50th year of Pattabhisheka, was felicitated at Rajangana auditorium here on Tuesday, January 2.
The programme was organised by Sri Krishna Math. Sri Vishwesha Theertha, senior Swamiji of Pejavar Paryaya Math speaking on the occasion said, “I have seen his achievements and efficient service since his Pattabhisheka on October 24, 1968. Heggade's developments are growing as tall as Gommateshwar’s stature. There is no limit to his service.”
Quoting a proverb in Kannada, 'Adu muttada soppilla, Hegde muttada kshetravilla', Swamiji said, “Heggade has contributed to many fields like medical, yoga, annadana, education, religious and social service, agriculture, generating self employment, developments of temples and so on. He has helped many poor families. He has also improved many educational institutions. Let his popularity spread nationwide. Being a trustee, he did not restrict development only to Dharmasthala. Let him spread development to the entire country. May God give him all the strength to do service,” he said.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, “There is no much difference in Udupi and Dharmasthala. There is an intimate relationship between Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji and Heggade and it has stayed the same way. He has the quality of a king. His concern over the poor and responsibility towards uplifting backward classes is amazing. Such personality is very rare in the society. His working spirit is an inspiration to all.”
After being felicitated by the Swamiji, Dr Veerendra Heggade said, “I am extremely honoured. Staying in touch with good people helps one to imbibe good qualities. Pejawar Swamiji has had a good influence on me. During 1969-70, Pejawar Swamiji visited drought affected areas in Gulbarga and served people. I started walking in his footsteps and realised people’s pain. Pejawar Swamiji finds best solution for problems.”
Speaking on his Pattabhisheka days, Heggade said, “I took charge of Dharmasthala in 1968. Swamiji gave me the responsibility on his second Paryaya. He made me the president of Dharma Sansad at the age of 22 years. He trusted me.
“Swamiji advises everyone to do charity work without expecting any favours in return. Hence, I have served in many fields without expecting any favour. I am just following Swamiji’s orders here. There is nothing more than service and I strongly believe that work is worship. God's grace and blessings of teachers has more value than anything. This felicitation will make me do more service to the society,” he said.
Governor of Nagaland Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya addressing the gathering said, “I am very happy seeing the development of Dharmasthala. I learnt in my childhood that there should be equality between people. Let us all work to make India a proud nation.
“Mangaluru and Udupi stand first in over all development be it is health, trade, religious and so on. Pejawar broke all kinds of religious barriers by visiting scheduled castes’ colonies. The nation is lagging behind and being dividing in the name of religion and spirituality.
“Described north east territories, the governor said, “Christian organisations head universities in the North East states. No saint came to this region for the betterment of the tribal community. There are 300 separatist groups in the region. We have created this situation. Dr Veerendra Heggade has all the capacity to bring improvement in such backward areas. We have to spread knowledge. There are retired persons in other parts of the country who can come to North East region to impart their knowledge. If they come and started their own brand there, it could make a huge difference in the region.
“India has a great potential to become a strong nation in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But people have failed to take the entire nation on progressive path. We have to join our hands and walk together. Let us show interest towards developing backward states in the North East,” he said.
Sri Vishwaprasanna Theerta Swamiji also spoke on the occasion.
Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade was felicitated with a garland, shawl, and citation. A traditional Hindu 'Bhagina' was accorded to Hemavathi V Heggade.
Raghupati Bhat, former Udupi MLA, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president, CMC Udupi, Prof Padmanarasimhacharya Dharwad, a scholar and orator and others were present.