Shah equates, Swamiji, Modi

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Terming late Dr Shivakumara Swamiji a ‘walking god’ and ‘modern day Basavanna’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah drew a parallel between the work of the late pontiff and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last seven years.

Speaking at the Guru Vandana programme organised at Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru on Friday in connection with the 115th birth anniversary of the pontiff here, Shah said the mutt was established in the 15th century and has a history of 600 years. Dr Shivakumara Swamiji who took over the reins in 1930, took it to new heights till his death. A number of students who studied in institutions run by the mutt, have made a name in society. The dream of 12th century social reformer Basavanna was successfully implemented by the late swamiji.

While many give food, others give education and a few give shelter. But Dr Shivakumara Swamiji gave all three, Anna (food), Akshara (education) and Ashraya (shelter). People visiting the mutt never go back on an empty stomach and It is heartening to note than over 10,000 students are studying in the mutt, he said. The prime minister too had distributed food kits among 80 crore people when the Corona epidemic had gripped the nation. The Union government has come out with a new education policy wherein primary, technical and medical education is imparted in the mother-tongue. With regard to shelter, the Modi government has distributed houses to over three crore people since 2014. What Dr Shivakumara Swamiji preached is being implemented by the BJP under the leadership of PM Modi, he said.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the jayanthi of Dr Shivakumara Swamiji is being celebrated as ‘Dasoha day’ and the state government would christen the government mid-day meal scheme after the pontiff. The BJP government has given importance to Basavanna’s Dasoha, education and health. Over Rs 60,000 crore has been earmarked for Sarvodaya programmes in the State Budget 2022-23. The pontiff served for 88 years at the mutt which is a record. No pontiff has done so much for people through the mutt. The fire in the mutt’s kitchen was lit over 100 years ago and it is still burning. The poor will be fed food free of cost as long as the fire continues to burn in the kitchen, he said.