Vinod M Jain
*Mutts combining spiritual guidance with educational service is truly commendable.
*DyCM Dr.G.Parameshwara speaks at the 111th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji.
India has grown into a strong nation because education was given priority in the Five-Year Plans,and Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji made an immense contribution to this journey, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue and Sports Dr.G.Parameshwara said.
He was speaking today at the 111th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr.Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji held at the Suttur Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math in Mysuru.
Dr. Parameshwara said Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji’s life demonstrated that he was born to serve society and the nation.
“Even at the age of eight, he had developed the spirit of helping others and enabling them to build better lives.
Today, his contribution has grown into a vast and enduring legacy. Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji has continued to walk the path laid down by his predecessor,” he said.
Shivaratri Rajendra Mahaswamiji placed great emphasis on education as a means of social transformation.
Today, 375 JSS institutions are functioning as a result of that vision, with more than one lakh students pursuing education through them.
“Building such a vast network of educational institutions is no ordinary achievement.
Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru and Suttur Math in Mysuru have also taken their educational mission beyond India by establishing institutions abroad,”he said.
Dr.Parameshwara said India produces engineers and doctors on a scale unmatched by most countries.“Even an advanced country like the United States does not produce engineers and doctors in such numbers. This has been possible because of the foresight of spiritual leaders such as our Swamijis,” he said.
He also recalled the contribution of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math, saying that thousands of children are provided both food and education every day.
He praised the many mutts across Karnataka that combine religious and spiritual work with service in the field of education.
“Karnataka is at the forefront of providing quality education in the country. Engineers and doctors educated here are in demand across the world.
The talent pool available in Karnataka is difficult to find elsewhere. Institutions run by our mutts have played a major role in making this possible by working alongside the Government in providing education,” he said.
Dr. Parameshwara said such a strong contribution by religious institutions to education is rarely seen in other States.
“Our mutts have played an important role in transforming the education sector. India is changing rapidly, and we are witnessing significant changes in the religious, educational and developmental spheres,” he said.
Former Chief Minister,Siddaramaiah,Minister C. Puttarangashetty,MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLAs Tanveer Sait, A.R. Krishnamurthy and T.S. Srivatsa, MLCs Dr. Thimmaiah and K. Vivekananda, and several others were present at the programme.
