Yogesh K Porwar
“If every village in our land produces scholars like S.L. Bhyrappa,our nation will be truly enriched”
Hassan (Channarayapatna):Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai said that before people lose faith in democracy,they must be provided with drinking water, irrigation facilities,dignified living conditions,clean air,and fair wages for their labour. If such fundamental needs are not met,people will lose confidence in the democratic system.
He was speaking on Sunday at an event in Santeshivara village,Channarayapatna,Hassan district, held to felicitate veteran writer S.L.Bhyrappa in his hometown.
Realization of life needs knowledge,meditation :
Bommai said two things are crucial for the realization of life:knowledge and meditation.The litterateur,Bhyrappa, who has won the admiration of many and received numerous accolades,has mastered both.
Retaining one’s innocence throughout life is challenging. As children, their faces reflect innocence because hearts are pure.
However,as they grow older,their appearances and behaviors change.Yet,Bhyrappa has retained his childlike innocence, which is a rare trait.
The MP said living with a clear conscience is a significant challenge,especially for politicians,who often lack it.Professor Bhyrappa has experienced life deeply and reflected it in his writings,enriching literature with his insights.
Karnataka is considered a culturally and intellectually rich land.True wealth is not just economic prosperity but also the richness of heritage,traditions,and the generosity of its people.
The state has been enriched by the contributions of Mysore Maharajas,Hoysalas,Kadambas,as well as artists,writers, and sculptors.
The land,water,and air of Karnataka are pure and life-sustaining,making it a truly prosperous region.”The presence of a scholar like S.L.Bhyrappa in our village is a blessing.
If every village in Karnataka nurtured such intellectuals, our state would be even more prosperous”he remarked.
Serve as inspiration
Recalling his early days,the former CM shared that he first read Bhyrappa’s novel ‘Parva’ during his college years and was deeply moved by its timeless truths. When the writer requested that a lake in his village be revived, he was struck by the humility of the request.
“He could have asked for anything—perhaps even a prime plot in Bengaluru’s BDA layout—but instead, he simply asked for water for his village.
This deeply moved me, and I ensured that the work was done with complete dedication.Bhyrappa has never forgotten his roots,his village,or the people who raised him.This is a testament to his character”.
He said Hassan is a naturally wealthy district, blessed with fertile soil and irrigation tanks.When the Hiriseve irrigation project neared completion, no matter which government initiated it, the fulfillment of a long-standing dream was what truly mattered.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Mysore Maharajas, Bommai quoted former Chief Minister BS.Yediyurappa, who admired the Mysore kings for their warmth and approachability.When I was the Irrigation Minister, I visited the KRS dam,which was originally built by the Mysore Maharajas.
I noticed that one of its gates was leaking. However, the engineers warned me that tampering with the structure could result in losing my position.
That night,I couldn’t sleep,feeling disappointed that I hadn’t acted. The next morning, I called the engineers and had the gate replaced. Similarly,
I also undertook the task of filling the Vanivilas Sagar dam. MI have always felt the blessings of the Mysore Maharajas guiding me,” he said.
Bommai acknowledged that there are two kinds of politicians—those who work with love and dedication, and those who only seek personal gain.
MLA CN.Balakrishna belongs to the different league as he has been working harmoniously with all governments for the benefit of the people.
The MP said that his political mentor was former Prime Minister HD.Deve Gowda,with whom he had worked closely for nearly two decades.I am honored to serve in Deve Gowda’s home district” .
“S.L.Bhyrappa will always remain with us, not just as a historical figure but as a living inspiration through his literature.His writings will keep him alive in our hearts forever,” Bommai added.
The event was attended by veteran writer Prif S. L. Bhyrappa, MLA C. N.Balakrishna,Vishwavani newspaper editor Vishweshwar Bhat,and many other dignitaries.
