Mysore/Mysuru: At a function organised at the Congress Bhavan in the city by the District Congress Backward Classes Wing and City Congress to commemorate the birth anniversaries of former Chief Minister D. DevarajUrs and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, rich tributes were paid  to the two late leaders of the Congress party.

HejjigeSrinivasaiah, former MLA and classmate of DevarajUrs, inaugurated the function by garlanding the portraits of DevarajUrs and Rajiv Gandhi and recalled the services of Urs and lauded him for distributing land to the landless poor.

V.S. Ugrappa, Congress leader and former MP, who also spoke at the function said that DevarajUrs distributed land to more than 8 lakh landless families in the State and freed thousands of people by bringing in Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 and described DevarajUrs as the modern Rajarishi. He also said that late PM Rajiv Gandhi made big attempts to make India a Vishwaguru long back.

Prior to the stage event, a Naadageethe programme by noted folk artiste Amma Ramachandra and troupe was held.

City Congress President R.Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijayakumar and other party leaders were present.