Devaraj Urs was responsible for many micro community leaders to enter Vidhana Soudha: MLC

Mysuru: Maintaining that several leaders from micro communities and marginalised sections of the society could enter the Vidhana Soudha as Legislators only because of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs, MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah said that Urs had made a huge contribution for the growth of the State.

He was speaking after presenting ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Award to achievers at the 43rd D. Devaraj Urs commemoration programme organised under the aegis of Anveshana Seva Trust at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road here recently.

Pointing out that the 20-point programme conceived by  Devaraj Urs as the Chief Minister of Karnataka stands as a model to the entire country even today, he said that Urs should be credited for introducing a revolutionary initiative  under which the actual tiller became the land holder (Uluvavane Odeya), thus facilitating ownership of land to the landless. Urs was instrumental in waiving off farm loans and banning of manual scavenging decades ago, which were among his many historical decisions then, the MLC added.

Sandhya Suraksha Trust President B.R. Nataraja Jois, in his address, said that there is a ‘Raja’ (king) in the name of D. Devaraj Urs itself and accordingly, he ruled the State admirably. It was Urs who shaped the life of thousands of people like us, he added.

Karnataka Ursu Mahamandali Trust Vice-President Dr. M.G.R. Urs said that the Government has sanctioned half an acre of land for the construction of Ursu Bhavan at Ramakrishnanagar in city. He appealed MLC Dr. Thimmaiah to draw the attention of the Government for laying the foundation stone for the construction of the building and for the establishment of Ursu Development Corporation.

Retired BEML General Manager M. Mallaraje Urs,  Press Photographer S. Udayshankar,  Chamarajanagar KRIDL Executive Engineer Chikkalingaiah, Divyadeepa Charitable Trust founder M.R. Ananthakumar and Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Vice-President T. Thyagaraj were conferred with ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Award on the  occasion.

Earlier, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Devaraj Urs. Ursu Jagruthi Academy Charitable Trust Vice-President H.A. Venkatesh presided.  Anveshana Seva Trust President Arya Amarnathraje Urs, HMT Lingaraje Urs and others were present.