Mysuru: District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa released Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr. M.R. Ravi’s works titled ‘Jeevanotsaha’ and ‘Jeevana Mantapa’ at a programme organised at Rani Bahadur auditorium in Manasagangothri here yesterday.

Dr. Ravi, who is from the city, is a columnist of SOM’s sister concern Mysooru Mithra. A senior KAS Officer, he had earlier served as the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner and Additional Regional Commissioner in the city.

The two works are a collection of his articles that were published in Mysooru Mithra.

Speaking on he occasion, Dr. Mahadevappa said that Dr. Ravi has given a poetic touch to his thoughts in his works.

Observing that the books highlight the complex issues that the society is facing today, the Minister said that the works inspire the present generation for leading a cheerful life by overcoming social problems.

Noting that Dr. Ravi has a lot of faith in our democratic set up, Dr. Mahadevappa said that message of great personalities like Basavanna, Buddha, Dr. Ambedkar and St. Mother Teresa can be seen in the works.

Pointing out that Dr. Ravi is a multi-talented Government Officer, the Minister said that Dr. Ravi’s articles always shed light on the problems faced by the people in their daily life, which shows his concerns for the welfare of the society.

Writer Prof. Maleyur Guruswamy, who spoke about the works, said that renowned writers such as Maasti Venkatesh Iyengar, M.S. Puttanna, Siddaiah Puranik and H.L. Nagegowda, who were bureaucrats, had contributed a lot for literature and Dr. Ravi had joined these great personalities in contributing to the field. Regretting the tendency to identify writers by their caste and creed, Guruswamy said that Dr. Ravi’s works were thought-provoking.

Earlier, the author Dr. Ravi, who delivered the keynote address, said that writers should develop a thoughtful mind that can respond to the problems of the society. Noting that failure to respond to the societal problems is like deceiving oneself, he said that values play a key role in leading a happy life. Recalling the encouragement given to him by SOM and Mysooru Mithra Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy in becoming a writer, he said that he had shared his experiences and thoughts in his works.

Former Minister Prof. B.K. Chandrashekar, who presided, stressed on the need for legal provisions to enable Government bureaucrats to come up with their own ideas and suggestions. Pointing out that sharing of experiences by bureaucrats will help the society, he said that Dr. had good sense of freedom of expression. Attributing the social degradation to failure in the understanding of the Constitution, Prof. Chandrashekar emphasised on the need for the upliftment of backward classes beyond reservation.

SOM Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, poetess Dr. Latha Rajashekar, Dr. Rajashekar, Publisher D.N. Lokappa, Youth Congress leaders Sunil Bose and others were present.