Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Aug 30: Under the aegis of Sri Narayana Guru Yuvaka Mandala here and Billava Samaja Seva Sangha, a mega vehicular rally was held in the town on Sunday August 29 to celebrate the 167th birth anniversary of Sri Narayana Guru. Former municipal councillor, Kalappa Poojary, flagged off the rally opposite Sri Narayana Guru Kalyana Mantapa here. The rally moved via Shastri circle and church road before culminating at Goddess Chakreshwari temple, Kody.

Addressing the people after paying floral tributes to the photo of Sri Narayana Guru at the temple premises, president of Billava Samaja Seva Sangha here, Ashok Poojary Beejady, urged the people to follow the advice of Sri Narayana Guru to become independent by getting educated and become strong by staying united. "We have been ahead in education even in villages but we are facing a dearth of organizational coordination politically, financially and socially. In the past, Billava community had six members of parliament but not now. We have only a handful of legislators. This situation has arisen
because our organizational strength has eroded. Our young leaders should follow the guidance of our Guru in building our society. Social websites alone cannot strengthen the organizational presence of the community. We need political power. Even the political field, leaders have to strongly back the people of the community. When in power, the leaders of the community should ensure that even the last person in the society gets justice," he urged.

Youth Billava leader, Mahesh Poojary Hale Alive, pointed out that Sri Narayana Guru who was born over 150 years ago, laid the foundation for driving away the inequalities in the society and asserted that all are equal. "This helped to stop religious conversions which happened through exploitation. He drove home the point that even lower cadres of the society have the right to perform puja by building Kudroli temple. The community has become strong and solid by laying stress on education,” he said.

President of Sri Narayana Guru Yuvaka Mandala here, Srinath Kadgimane, veteran Billava leader Shankar Poojary Kody who organized the programme, president of Goddess Chakreshwari temple governing council, Gopal Poojary, president of Byndoor Billava Sangha, Ganesh Poojary, Kody Billava Sangha president, Gopalakrishna Poojary and other eminent member of the community were present.

Bhaskar Vittalwadi of BJillava Sangha compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.