Mysore/Mysuru: Marking  the 41st death anniversary of late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj  Urs, achievers from different fields were conferred ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ award at a programme organised under the aegis of Ursu Jagruti Academy Charitable Trust at the Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) on JLB Road here on June 11.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah said that Devaraj Urs dedicated his entire life for the cause of the downtrodden and marginalised sections of the society. Pointing out that Urs is rightly called as ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ as he lent voice to oppressed sections of the society, he said Urs is credited with the introduction of historical  Law— ‘The tiller is the rightful owner of the land’ ( Uluvuvane Bhumi Odeya), which Law gave a new lease of life to the landless. He further said that Urs is also credited for abolition of manual scavenging.

Referring to the installation of D. Devaraj Urs statue in the city, the MLC said that a prominent Circle in the city will be identified in a year for the installation of the statue. A proposal in this regard will be placed at the MCC meeting, he added.

Trust Vice-President H.A. Venkatesh, in his address, said that Urs was basically a farmer who entered politics later. Pointing out that people still remember Urs for his revolutionary decisions, he said that Urs provided reservation even for micro-communities which were deprived of their rights for decades. He further said that Urs had a clear vision on the upliftment of the downtrodden and giving opportunities to deprived sections of the society.

Mysuru Government Ayurveda College Principal Dr. Radhakrishna Ramarao, Private Auditor P. Sundar, All India Postal Employees Union Vice-President C.R. Rangaswamy, Sanskrit Scholar M.M. Nagarajappa, Sugama Sangeetha Singer S. Sambamurthy and Yoga Guru Nanjundaraje Urs were conferred with ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ award. Tavaru Ursu Mahila Samja President Vijayalakshmi Urs, Anveshana Seva Trust President Dr. MGR Urs, Ursu Sangha President HMT Lingaraje Urs and MCCI President K.B. Lingaraju were present.