Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji performs bhoomi puja

Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM) is all set to get an exclusive Sri Basaveshwara Research and Extension Centre for Social Reformation.

The foundation stone for the new centre was laid by Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji this morning near the Sericulture Study Centre in Manasagangothri here.

The building spanning 900 sq.m with a fund of Rs. 2 crore from the State Government is supposed to house an office room, board room, library, reading room, seminar hall, research room and a good toilet block.

Speaking on the occasion, Suttur Seer recalled that Basavanna even after nine centuries is immortal for the great Social Reformer’s thoughts and vision. He wished that the new centre would be a moral guide for today’s youth to reform the society.

Gracing the occasion, Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji of Jnanayogashrama, Vijayapura, opined that Basavanna with multi-faceted personality cannot be described in words. He felt that the research work at the new centre should reach the society.

Presiding over the programme, UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar said that a Basava Chair was established at Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) in May 2012. He contended that an exclusive study centre on Basavanna would be of great use for researchers of the subject. He opined that vachanas of Basavanna were very simple to understand for the common man with a lot of message to society.

Registrar Dr. Lingaraj Gandhi, KIKS Guest Professor Dr. Chandrashekaraiah, writer Prof. Maleyuru Guruswamy and others were present.