‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Awards presented

Mysore/Mysuru: “Former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs was not a leader of one community. He gave equal opportunities to all sections of the society,” opined Bharat Scouts and Guides Commissioner P.G.R. Sindhia, who is also a former Karnataka Minister.

He was speaking at the 108th birth anniversary celebrations of late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs organised by Anveshana Seva Trust in association with Ursu Jagruthi Academy at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road here recently.

Pointing out that Urs strived hard for upliftment of marginalised sections of the society, Sindhia said that Urs firmly stood with Indira Gandhi when the Congress split in the 1970s. Observing that Urs led the Indira Congress party to a landslide victory in the 1978 Karnataka Assembly polls, he said that Urs is credited for providing reservation to all deprived sections as per the recommendation of L.G. Havanur Committee. Urs identified and mentored leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharam Singh, he added.

MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah, in his address, said that the Ursu community is a model in the State for its selfless thinking and helping attitude and activities.

Pointing out that Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was a model ruler in the entire country during his time, he said that Devaraj Urs followed his footsteps and worked for the upliftment and economic empowerment of the poor and the downtrodden. Urs also introduced several laws, schemes and programmes for the benefit of marginalised sections and farmers, which stand as a testimony for his                                                          selfless service.

Anveshana Seva Trust President Dr. M.G.R. Urs said that Devaraj Urs Jayanthi has become limited to just four districts of Mysuru region. Stressing on the need for celebration of Urs Jayanthi throughout the State every year, he wanted the Government to install a statue of Devaraj Urs in Mysuru district.

KPSC (Karnataka  Public Service Commission) member H.G. Pavitra, Ophthalmologist Dr. K. Anasuya Gopal, Press Photographer Anurag Basavaraj, Hotel Owners Credit Co-operative Society President Narayan V. Hegde, Writer S. Umesh and Industrialist Deepak Urs were conferred ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Award on the occasion, in recognition of their achievements.  MLC Dr. Thimmaiah was                                    also felicitated.

Former Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Chairman Dr. Pradhan Gurudatta, Mysuru District Small Scale Industries Association President A.S. Satish, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Anveshana Seva Trust Founder-President Amarnathraje Urs, H.M.T. Lingaraje Urs and others were present.