Mysuru: The three-day Veerashaiva-Lingayat Global Business Conclace-2025 organised by International Lingayat Youth Forum (ILYF) at Maharaja’s College Grounds drew to a close yesterday.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, who took part in the valedictory of the event,  said that Veerashaiva-Lingayat community should become employers rather than job seekers  and the community should strive for building such capacity among the youth.

Stressing on the need for providing guidance and investment for those willing to set up start-ups, Khandre said  that youths are the foundation of the community. “The youth of the community can bring about societal changes if they make up their mind. However, it is concerning to note that some are going out of the way after getting addicted to bad habits and things. As such, it is important to provide jobs to such youths and bring them back on the right path,” he noted.

Maintaining that Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mutts have contributed a lot in building a new India, Khandre said that the Mutts have been providing education and food to people from all communities for centuries. “However, the Lingayat community has many sects and sub-sects, which has given rise to a few problems. This has impeded the coming together of leaders and entrepreneurs on a single platform. As such there is an urgent need for unity among the community,” he pointed out adding that the community can uplift other sections of the society  only if it is united and formidable.

Observing that it is the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community which gave social justice to the entire country, the Minister said, however, it is regretful to note that the same community has to plead before the Governments for getting reservation.

Avinash Palegar of ILYF said that the 3-day Conclave had 180 stalls and recorded a business transaction of Rs. 112 crore. This apart, the Conclave has been successful in getting a business lead amounting to Rs. 130 crore, he said adding that the event saw a registered footfall of 35,000. He further said that the seminars and sessions drew a good response.

Actor Daali Dhananjay was felicitated on the occasion.

Speaking after being felicitated, Dhananjay, who began his talk by rendering a Vachana of Allamaprabhu, said that he is working by following the traditions of Sharanas and adhering to Vachanas. Stating that commitment to work alone can take one to bigger heights, he lauded the efforts of ILYF in this direction.

ILYF Mysuru Conclave Chairman B.S. Prashanth, in his address, thanked all those who had extended their support and co-operation for the success of the event. Pointing out that a hearse van has been donated  to the MCC at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh for the conduct of last rites of dead persons, he appealed the community members to make use of it.

Jayant Humbarwadi, Joint MD of Ashok Iron Group, Belagavi and others too spoke.

Curtains were drawn on the Conclave with noted playback singer Ananya Bhat and team presenting a Live Musical Concert, which enthralled the huge gathering on the final day on Sunday.

MLA H.M. Ganesh Prasad, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar, community leader Hinkal Basavaraju, ILYF Charitable Trust Chairman Santosh Kenchamba, ILYF Mysuru Chapter President K.S. Mahadeva Prasad, Hon. Secretary Santosh Somaraju, Vice-President K.H. Kiran, Joint Secretaries T.S. Shashi Kiran and S. Theertha, Treasurer A.P. Manu, Administrator C.R. Swamy, T.S. Lokesh, H.S. Veeresh, Dr. Dharma Prasad & M. Mahesh (Chamarajanagar Vice-President) were present.

‘Entrepreneurs should strive for making Mysuru a commercial hub’

Earlier on the second day of the event on Saturday, Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda, who spoke as a chief guest, called upon entrepreneurs, industrialists and businessmen to make Mysuru a larger commercial hub.

Pointing out that Mysuru is often referred to as the Cultural and Heritage Capital of the State, Harishgowda said that Mysuru will feature in the global map as a Commercial Hub as well if it becomes a place for large volume of manufacturing, business and trade.

“It is good development  that Veerashaiva-Lingayat community entrepreneurs have come together on  a single platform in this Conclave. The Vokkaliga community members too had organised such a conclave by the name ‘First-Circle’ at Bengaluru earlier this month. I suggest the ILYF leaders B.S. Prashanth, K.S. Mahadeva Prasad and others to also organise a Business Conclave on a much bigger scale by engaging entrepreneurs from other communities too,” he said.

Opining that the ILYF Conclave in Mysuru will help the city earn ‘Commercial City’ tag at the global level, he noted that such Conclaves will help in job creation and provide ample career opportunities for youth.

Basavanna and Nagarathna,  parents of kho-kho player Chaithra of Kurubur in T. Narasipur taluk, who represented the county in the Women’s Kho-Kho World Championship and World Record Holder Anvith S. Swamy were felicitated on the occasion.

Actor and playback singer Rajesh Krishnan, accompanied by  singer Archana Udupa, presented a melodious musical nite.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha Secretary S.P. Manjunath, ILYF Mysuru Conclave Chairman B.S. Prashanth, ILYF Members Ayarahalli Virupaksha, Suresh Vaali, M.G. Girish, Gejjagalli Mahesh and others were present.