Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that Sri Shivarathri  Rajendra Swamiji dedicated his entire life for education of children, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah observed that everyone should have education as only education can make one live with self-respect and confidence.

He was speaking after inaugurating Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Anubhava Mantapa and new office of JSS Hostels Alumni Housing Co-operative Society at Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Nagar near Varuna Lake here yesterday.

Terming the caste system as a weed in the well, Siddaramaiah said, “The weed will go away when a water pot is let down  into the well for drawing water. But it will come again when water filled pot is drawn up from the well. Despite knowing this, it is regretful to note that it has become common to see even the educated ask the people what caste they belong to.”

Continuing, the CM said, “As advocated by Basavanna, there should be a casteless and classless society, and every individual should live with human values. Equality, freedom and brotherhood have been the aspirations of the Constitution. There is no movement as such for caste system. However, this system moves only when it gains economic and social strength. But it is disappointing to note that the vested interests within us are blocking the flow of these strengths to the caste system.”

Maintaining that the Anubhava Mantapa of Basavadi Sharanas was the first Parliament in the world, the CM said, the same thing has become the Parliament and State Assemblies post-independence. Pointing out that during his earlier tenure as the Chief Minister he had made it mandatory to put up the photo of Basavanna in all Government offices, Siddaramaiah said now, during his second tenure as the CM, the State Government has declared 12th Century social reformer Basavanna as Karnataka’s Cultural Icon.

Noting that the Suttur Mutt, under the leadership of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji has made a mark  at the international level in terms of education, Siddaramaiah said, this has been possible because of the strong foundation laid by the late Seer Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji.

District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, in his address, said that Basavanna was against superstitions and superstitious practices. The present Siddaramaiah Government too is striving  for carrying forward the rich legacy left behind by Basavanna, he noted.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who graced the occasion, said that CM Siddaramaiah who came from an economically poor background, knows what to give for the society. Pointing out that Basavanna built the Anubhava Mantapa 800 years ago, the Seer said that this Mantapa became a common platform for all sections of the society to get organised in building a secular society.

JSS Hostels Alumni Housing Co-operative Society President L. Revannasiddaiah, a former IPS officer who had served as the State DG&IGP, said that the Society has developed 1,400 sites in 400 acre area at Shivarathri Rajendra Nagar near Varuna Lake. Pointing out that the Society had then fixed a rate of Rs. 311 per sq.ft., he said that the eligible members of the Society are going to get the sites at this rate only even now.

This is perhaps the first Housing Co-operative Society in the State to distribute sites now at the initial rate fixed by the Society years ago, he added.

Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh too spoke.

CADA (Cauvery) Chairman Mariswamy, Guarantee Schemes Implementation Monitoring Authority Vice-Chairperson Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, Society Vice-President A.S. Channabasappa, Directors Basavarajaiah, Nanjundappa, Subbaiah, Mallikarjunaswamy and others were present.